the best me

Did she announce it on the other ADULT CONTENT thread? I quit reading. Jenna was taunting me about reading and not posting so I haven't checked in there in a while. I like to jump in on these things early, and if it takes an uncomfortable turn, well, I don't HAVE to read!!! Helloo!!! So, Lisa's web address link was right there on her post and, well, I looked. YES! I did visit her website and even looked at all those funky toys you all have been raving about!!!! Very interesting, ladies! hehe. I haven't ordered anything though. Hubby keeps me very happy so it's all good for now. Anyhow, nice site. Very interesting

YES! The lady from the hospital called about a $1200 bill I owed after the birth of my son. There was no way I was coughing up all of that at once. I also had some smaller lab bills and other things to pay, so I requested to be put on a payment plan, which is also a good option. They HAVE to take your money, even if it's just $20 a month. As long as you pay what you promise every month, they'll take it and can't turn you over to Collections. Anyhow, after I requested the payments, she offered to cut the bill in half if I paid the balance within 2 weeks. So, 1200 bucks of debt turn into 600 I had to drum up within 2 weeks. I took it and ran, got the $$ somehow and paid up. If I were you, I'd make the call and request a payment plan, see what they say, and simply ask if they don't offer. Say, "you know, I could pay this entire bill next week if it were only $400" Make them an offer. If the bill is past due enough, I'll bet they work with you. Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

And I keep forgetting to keep that in mind. It's just that you are so sensible! Lookie what you have figured out about the next 3+ years! And thing is, you'll do it! I just didn't want you to go and get "Switched" or something, since insurance might cover it? and get rid of your little portless band-friend. I won't fret. How could I have doubted you? You go girl!

Yipppeee!! Welcome to LBT! Asphalt Angel...Biker Chick? We have a few, as you prolly know. congrats!!!

LOVE the font on your website! Okay, Switzerland is worth it. Chloe needs to see you (and you, her) so that has to be a priority. SlumberParties is chugging along nicely, I gather, right? So how come the Real Estate license renewal? Part-time job in the evenings? What? I know you have the energy for all this, but, come on, now! I'll admit, I really really want you to get a new port. I want you to be able to use your band the way is was meant to be used and be able to comfortably lose more weight (although you do look fab in the Bash pics). What are the odds of another port infection when you are starting from scratch? Dr Billy can fix you right up. You know he can! And nothing will get out of hand and unmanageable with him in Ventura (right?) and you just a skip away in Vegas. Plus, you have your dear, loving, giving, kind friend Penni who adores you, no matter what. What's to lose? Okay, you have a million and one very legitimate excuses for not getting a port right now. Should I/we not encourage you to get another port? Do you just want to ignore the missing port issue for a time? I will personally never mention it again as long as you don't opt for a different type of WLS. There, I said it. It's just too much trouble to eat around the band when you have good restriction. You need to give a port a try before moving along to another procedure. My opinion. ((((((((((HUGS))))))))) BTW, you really should look into Swiss Band docs and price a new port. Just kidding. No need to slap me!!

If they cover your band, they should cover the fills, no problem. If your Band surgery was excluded and not covered, then most likely the fills won't be covered. Now, if you went to the ER for an emergency UNFILL, well, I'd imagine that might be covered. ??? Is Tricare the same insurance you had during banding? I see you went to MX, so I'm assuming your band surgery isn't covered. If not, no fills. Never hurts to check, though.

Well written Karen!!! Kudos and Amen!!!

Bless you Daniela. So sorry for your loss. I just can't imagine. (((((((((HUGS))))))))

OMGosh Ariel, you are doing it! See, you don't need tech support! I'm PMing you anyway. I have a few thread links for you...give me a few minutes...

Thanks!!! You can join us on this challenge...the one with the prize (Nana's) is the one that excludes newbies (unfair advantage...liquid diets, etc) so come on! Join in! A pic is not required. Just post your start weight (and you don't even have to do that) and pick a goal. Then, go for it! Check in each Monday and let us know how you are doing. Get some motivation. I know over the weekend, I'm tempted to indulge a bit more than I should. When I know I'm weighing in on Monday, it's easier not to. I want to post a pound or two loss!!! Motivation! Come on Starr! Join the Challenge!

Me, too! Bypass was simply not an option for me. It's true, GB folks lose faster. To me, that's the only advantage. It's the malabsorption. Your body just doesn't take in the calories and nutrition you eat because it passes through so quickly. For me, though, that's scary. With the band, I like that my body is doing what it's always done with my food. I know what 1200-1400 calories does to me and makes me feel like. I don't wonder how much of that is benefitting my body and how much ends up as waste. There are virtually no restrictions to my diet...I just have to be mindful of foods that might get stuck. I am the one losing the weight, it isn't being done for me. I just have the help I need from my little band. There are several threads on here that discuss it. It's a very personal decision, one that you shouldn't let your doc make for you. If that doc isn't keen on banding and you still use him, just know to line up your support from another source (LBT? yes!!!) and be a very informed and self-determined patient. Here's a link or two or three! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=6935 http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=3673 http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=33 There are also some threads that speak specifically about Band vs Bypass... I can't seem to find them. Anyone? Maybe someone will post another link. This question comes up periodically and with regularity Good luck!!

Yippeee!!! Under the wire, lady!!! Wowza! OMGosh, here you all go!! Holding out hope for you, Melissa!!

Yay! Another Bandster! Smooth surgery and speedy recovery prayers for you!!!

ooops, I knew that. Fixed you right up!! Thanks. ariel, please post your start weight and how much you want to lose in the challenge (goal) and I'll update you. Then, just weigh each week and post your progress. Up or down, stay the same, we cheer each other on here !!! I'll PM you with technical assistance if you still need it Glad you are here Vines.

Hey there Hoosier Lady! Welcome to LBT, and to the NC forum here in the fair south! I'm assuming you are from PA? Just a guess. I'm not sure about docs in the Jacksonville area. I see Dr Gonzales in Winston for fills. I know there are other band docs in the Raleigh/Greensboro area. I guess it depends on where you were banded. I went to MX so my options are a little limited. Plenty of docs won't do my fills because I didn't have my surgery with them...which translates into: I was banded in MX. If you were transferring your records from one US band doc to another, you will have fewer issues. Tell us more about you! Also, you may be able to find a band doc closer to you by visiting the Inamed website. I think it's www.Inamed.com if that link doesn't work, let me know and I'll look it up, or maybe you could Google it. Anyway, welcome again to LBT!!!! Glad to have you.

You go girl!! Good spunk! You should go with her to see the doc!! Man, I'd take you with me, that's for sure. I'd probably still cry, though

You just crack me up. I'm so proud of you! I don't know what to do with all that math either. From my chair, you have done a superb job translating it into success. SUCCESS, I say!!!!! Are you going to join the Fall Weight Loss Challenge and post at least one NSV each week? I love reading your NSV's. No weight posting for you, but your NSV's make you a great asset to any challenge. We need you there!!

Call me crazy with too much time on my hands (not!) but here's a list of all of us. Now, we may have lost some to Nana's Challenge which includes a generous and beautiful prize. Some may be doing both. Newly banded (after Nana's cut off date) or "not yet banded"s are not eligible there, but EVER SO WELCOME here, so if your name is on the list and it shouldn't be, let me know. This is mostly for me so humor me, ya'll. Screen Name/Start Weight/Goal *a star by your name each week you follow up with a weigh in. You should have 11? of these unless you start late. This Challenge ends the Monday before T-giving, right? That's 11 weigh-ins. Anyhow, no slipping by here! I'm watching for you!!!! The following have posted Before pics so we will be looking for your Afters!!! ******Corinne/251/20 ******the best me/198/10 ******banded for life/255/20 *JQPublic/209/19 *****Kare/189/20 **O2BFree/256/26 ******Pavarathi/207/20 **MollyMolly/262/20 **loopylou/259/11 **Daisybelle/350/15 *****PinkMary/229/12 Post a pic if you can, the rest of you!! It's not too late! ******porclndoll/225/10 ****La Madam/170/10 ***TraumaNurse/222/12 ******Margo/317/25 *divaDeeDee/319/30 ******gordonfamily3/271/15 *****juliek/314/25 ******shailin/226/20 *****yellowrose/251/20 *****Anwyn/255.5/25.5 ***ariel2005/228/25 **Debbydo/198/20 *laraestokes/224/20 ***Cyndel/219.5/20 And for my own ease of use...these folks signed up but haven't checked back in. Perhaps lost to Nana's challenge? We miss you all!!! Barb/ /20 lins12/202/12 donna 42/336.5/37 Paula/180/5 LandrysDad/ /30 BigBellyKellie/220/22 DylansMom/ /10 TexBlueEyes/242/15 spunky/241/16 fran21497/243/20 pennybear/196/10 Vinesqueen/247/weekly NSV pattyrn/246/20 EverSoCute/230/20 goingoingone/ /25 Any more? Any errors? Let's Git 'er Done!!!!

I posted our pic on the Picture page for more widespread viewing.

We met for lunch a few weeks ago and had a ball. Just wanted to show us off. Angie (Bondgirl) is front and center. Surrounding her from left to right is: Kathy (the best me), Melissa (dragonwilo), Kim (gordonfamily3), Starr (Starr W), and Dianne (sunsett). Angie is beating me out of the 190's, Kim is losing so fast, almost 50 pounds gone! Starr, Dianne, and Melissa are in various stages of pre-op. Can't wait for our next luncheon!!! Aren't we cute?

hehe, John, ya better let your sweet wife know your are quickly becoming LBT's Sexiest Man of the Year!!! yep. You are a hottie. I agree.

Good riddance? Sorry you feel this way.

Oh, it might just be time to beg and grovel for your band. If there is nothing otherwise wrong with your band (slip, erosion) then he should work with you on trying to keep it. Just give it a try and get healed up from your gall bladder surgery. Maybe cry a little? Wow, I'm on pins and needles! Please let us know!!!

Yay Vanesa!! Congrats. The 19th is comin' like a freight train. Wooooot!!!

Stevie, protien shakes are a staple for those post-op during the liquid stages. It is sometimes difficult to get good calories and protien in when you can't eat "real" food so you hear lots of talk about it. I rarely do protien shakes any more. It's liquid calories I try to avoid now, but if I know I need a boost and I'm on the run, I drink Boost and Carnation Instant Breakfast drink. The others have more protien than these, I'm pretty sure, but they are yummy to me, and I figure I'm better off drinking something NOT horrible than suffering through it Check with your doc and see if you can add that in or if you need to wait until week 2. If you aren't totally miserable feeling on clear liquids, best to stick with the diet your doc wants for you. Good luck!!