the best me

Big (((((HUG)))))) for you Michelle! It feels SO good to give to others. Wonderful!!! and Well Done!!

Okay, I'm penciling in the 8th, but Angie, don't hesitate to postpone if you aren't up to it, promise? We'll help you with 5 kids, let's just get them to a place where they can roam safely and we can chat. If they have pizza, maybe they will have milkshakes? That's drinkable!! Melissa, let us know how that works for you and if you have other ideas about where we can plant some kids at Concord Mills. Anyone else who runs across us...if you want to join us, please do!!! Just post here so we can check you out and make sure as best we can you aren't some psychopath. Which makes me wonder, should we move our specific plans offline? hmmm. Just a thought. Let's be safe, ladies. Can't wait!!

Okay, so it wasn't that bad awful but it hurt! I can tell I will be good and sore. Right now I'm ice-packed (ahhhh!) and home, still a bit numb from the Lidocaine. I feel shaky and tired, I guess from stress. I haven't felt all that worked up about it, but I guess now that it's over, I'm just ready to sleep for about 2 days!! I will know the biopsy results by Friday. The whole procedure was interesting. I had no idea what to expect going in. I couldn't understand the steri-strips and ice packs...I get it now! The prick/burn from the Lidocaine was nothing, but thank God it was there! They enter both breasts from the bottom, 5-7 o'clock, and tunnel up from below to the...whatever it is, lump. (and by the way, whatever is on the left is not a cyst, it didn't aspirate so it's solid) They check it on the ultrasound machine to be sure the needle is in place, then they hook up a tool that goes in, she counts to three and POP! the little tool/gun thing fires and reaches in and grabs a tissue sample. They did that 5 times on the left and 4 on the right. They put the tissue samples in some liquid and mark it to go off to the lab. It looks like Water with short little worms of stuff in there. Interesting. So my left breast required a bit more digging around, that lump was much smaller, and she was burrowing pretty good in there. The right one hurt but not as badly. I think it will recover a little better. Poor girls, they have had a big and busy day and need some rest. Thank you all for thinking of me...I'll keep you posted! Oh, Vera! Your post rmeinded me to look up your hysterectomy thread...I saw it and meant to come back to it...going there now.

Check in Melissa! We'll start with a lunchtime Concord Mills gathering, then plan from there...next gathering can be a no-kiddos one! Any info about the places to go in the mall that are kiddo-friendly? How's 11am? Are you sure a week recovery is enough Angie?! The 8th works fine for me...let's keep checking in! I'm excited!!

Well stated Pati-o. No bashing or capital letters from me!! NOONE should ever get a bashing for a well-stated, factual, personal opinion. In my opinion! Having been to Kuri, I cannot disagree with anything you said, except the pain med part...it just wasn't my experience. I had no post-surgery nausea, and boy, do I want to know what that little sleeping pill was they gave me at 10pm on surgery day...I slept like a baby! They don't come in every 2 hours all night and check your temp and Blood Pressure like in the US. I suppose this could be a bad thing but I sure appreciated the uninterrupted sleep. By the time I add up the plane fare for 2 (my sister went with me) and the related expenses and fills, I'd just as soon stay in the states for 12 Grand. And you can bet I wouldn't have gone to Mexico if my insurance had paid for the Lap Band. However, I did research staying in the states for my surgery...folks were popping up with 12K surgery costs in Texas and Michigan. Travel would still be an issue for me, as would after-care, and I decided to stick with Kuri because of his track-record, good reputation, and the fact that he has done boundless more band surgeries than any US doc could have possibly performed. I was banking on the man's experience. So, no regrets. Anyway, just for the record, even as a happy Kuri patient, I totally support and endorse your posting. You are right on!

Well, the week has passed by uneventfully and tomorrow (well, today if I'd ever go to bed!) is the day. I'll fill you all in when I get back and let you know how it went. The doc said I should have test results back in a few days after that...we'll see! My appointment is at 1:15 PM (EST). Thanks for all your prayers!!

Okay ladies! Concord Mills seems to be emerging here. As long as you don't mind the drive, Angie! I'm in a funny spot off Hwy 16 North of Charlotte, so Concord is not a problem...I'll probably go through Huntersville to get there but I can certainly do it! July sounds good. Days are better and I have 2 children (ages 5 and 2) so a stroller ride is fine for a while, but I may get more mileage if we can duck into one of the kids play places...I can't remember the names, help! Cheap is also better! I don't mind throwing some money at some games, but I know they'd have fun playing on some kind of indoor playset, especially with other kids. I balk at the thought of keeping them happy yet contained at a mall!! A play area would be perfect for me. On the other hand, if we did an evening (after 7pm) I could ditch the kiddos with hubby and have a little girls night out? I'm game, but I'm a bit more flexible during the days (ya'll are saying, "yeah, right!") We are leaving for Myrtle at the very end of July. But the few weeks between now and then are fine. Wait! Guess we better get Angie banded this Thursday, huh? Good luck, girl! I'll be thinking about you! You all let me know what you think about the Concord Mills thing...is a weekday long lunch possible?

Hamu, how do you do with Beans? They are a high-protien food. It's true, you need protien, but you don't have to eat meat all the time to get it. Lemme do a search really quick...back in a flash... check out this site http://www.highproteinfoods.net/ I got this from a Sticky in the Food forum, there is a thread started by Leatha, check it out, too. Good luck! Hope that helps.

Hey Dawn! I'm a very happy Dr Kuri patient. I wanted an experienced band surgeon who could give me a flawless band placement and I feel I got it. I had a rough start with swelling around my band (at about day 4) and had trouble getting my fluids in...I managed to get myself in a downward spiral of swelling, PB, more swelling...ugh, it was awful, but Kuri was available by phone several times, called to check on me, and was also available by e-mail. No problems there, even though he is in TJ and I'm in North Carolina. I do have a local band doc doing my fills though. I feel fortunate. I have also heard great things about Ortiz, so if you have narrowed it down to those two, I think you are doing well. Just check out their facilities and packages, visit their websites, research alot, even contact their offices and set up phone consultations with the docs. The one for you will emerge. On the other hand, if you can stay stateside with an experienced surgeon with happy patients and can still afford it, DO IT! I have no regrets about my MX decision, don't get me wrong, I am very confident about Kuri's skill and the way he works, but it is Mexico. Choose carefully. Know what to expect. And no, you are not the first to be confused about all this. It's a big decision. Take the time you need to figure it out. Read lots, ask questions. And Good Luck!! Welcome to LBT!

Hi Dianne! Welcome to LBT! There is a small Charlotte group emerging, you will find us in the North Carolina Forum...where you have posted your thread. It's good to have you!! Hey, what area of Charlotte? There is talk of an informal gathering of local bandsters. Let's see what we can get going!!

I'd believe it was my hug...that is really neat!!!

here it is...this is such a fun thread!! I'll have to try the boogers on a stick with my kids...fun!! Okay, sorry for the tease...working on a re-size and now I have a house full of kiddos...whew! Got it...finally! What a goober shot! wedding pic.BMP

Aw, Estela! I'm so glad you recalled some sweet memories of you grandmother after seeing a picture of mine! You really should have hugged that little lady. I'll bet it would have made her day! My little Nana never had Alzhiemer's (thank God) and just slowly stopped working. My Aunt was with her when she died. My Aunt will take that moment with her forever. It was such a privelge for her to be there with her Mama as she passed over. <choke> deep breath...Okay... I'm with you, Paula, on Bob Nard. He's my kind of guy!! lol

Hi Corinne! So nice to have you. I, too, have been stuck on the weight loss. It's the same 2-3 pounds but I'm hoping my first fill next week will help me. You are doing great! Welcome to LBT!

Just some cute ones from an e-mail. This list included the quote about the internet on my sig...enjoy! Life is sexually transmitted. Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die. Men have two emotions: Hungry and Horny. If you don't see him excited, make him a sandwich! Some people are like Slinkies. Not really good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs. Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing. Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing. All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism. Why does a slight tax increase cost you two hundred dollars and substantial tax cut saves you thirty cents? In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal. Many terrorists come to America legally and hang around on expired Visas (some for as long as 10-15 years). At Blockbuster you're two days late with a video rental and those people are all over you. I think we should put Blockbuster in charge of US Immigration.

Okay, I found a cute pic in my files...do you all remember back when I lost my little Nana? She is my grandmother and she passed away a few months ago...I found a pic that was taken this past Christmas, I think. She is 92? My sweet little Nana with the crooked finger...I miss her!

Okay gang, I'm barely awake but hubby got my quick pic by the coffee pot this morning. Start weight 207.2 and I'm hoping for a minimun of 10, but if I have to pick a REAL goal, I'll say 15, so that's 192.2, right? (check my math, I just woke up!) Here's the puffy-eyed pic...

Hey gang, I slime fairly regularly if I don't chew enough or if I swallow too fast after taking too big a bite. Sometimes it's an uncomfortable stuck, sometimes it's worse. I KNOW I have restriction, just not quite enough to keep me full for hours. I'm ready for my fill. OH! Also, I noticed today that my restriction has increased. I was wondering why until I realized it's "that time of the month" and yes, I got tighter. I have heard people comment about this and it's true for me, too. At least this month!

Christine, I know this is the same old tired advice, but how about an unfill, just a small one? I'm sorry you are so uncomfortable. Also, I think I will feel the same as you about being treated differently. I am me, always will be. No matter what I look like on the outside. But I just know that people have a hard time seeing past my obesity. I know I do. But I know how you feel.

Vinesqueen, I am loving all of your NSV's. I love how you are able to pay attention to them so well! Surely I have had some good NSV's...but I can't recall! Anyhow, congrats. You are doing such a great job!!

Oh my gosh, porclndoll! I am cracking up at your hairdo and glasses from way back when! You two make a very cute couple! {{giggle}} Just to be sure, that IS you under all that green make-up? Lovely! You are so funny and FUN! DeLarla, wow, what great scenery shots! Nevada is so different from North Carolina. I'll have to post some local pics from here, just so you can see the difference. Glad you had such a nice day! I REALLY need to do better with my camera. I wish I had friends who stuck Cheetos up their noses...Oh, I do. I just don't have the pics! lol

You bet, probably a Coors Light, the Silver Bullet. That's my friend's Subaru, I drove a little 1985 Mustang LX, and my sister drove a Silver Pontiac something or other we called the Silver Bullet. hehe. Yep. My "other life"!

Lisa, please post and let us know what you end up deciding! Good luck!

Yes, Penni! Oh puleeze wear your bathing suit!!! LOL Do it girl! Angie, your band date just may put you as the top winner on weight loss! Last Challenge, Jammin Jamie won...she had gone through her pre-op liquid diet, too. She lost a bunch! Jump on in girl! We ain't skeerd! Actually, the real challenge is the personal one, it's not so much a race with each other. But it's fun to see the stats at the end, see how everyone did!

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=5531&highlight=Magic+Bullet Here's an entire thread about the Magic Bullet. Do a search, too. My sister had one in her pantry so I didn't need to buy one. I used it plenty the first few weeks, but have since put it away. My mouth and teeth are now my magic bullet! It's a good product, though, if you clean the blades just as soon as you are done blending. Otherwise, you get stuck goo underneath and it's hard to clean the undersides of the blades. Just don't let the food dry off before you clean that part.