princess_n_thep

It is concerning that your first post was July 23 and you were considering lapband. Then a few days later, you have a date for Aug 2??? I just want to caution newbies and everyone that you REALLY need to do some research. The band is not for everyone. You need to make your decisions based on a lot of information. Their is a ton of information out there and a ton of options. Just because insurance won't pay does not mean you must go to Mexico. There are doctors here in the states that do surgeries for cash pay patients at a very discounted rate. You don't have to stay in the east coast, you can go to another state as well. And there are many weight loss surgery options. And you need to be aware that the band is a longterm option not a lifelong option and may require additional surgeries and additional costs. I am not steering anyone to or away from the band, I am merely playing devils advocate and promoting education and awareness of ALL options. Each person is different and each person may have a better suited choice. The weight isn't going anywhere. Take some more time and really make sure this is what you want. What is a few months in the grand scheme of things? If I have offended anyone, well... too bad, it needed to be said. Those of you that are used to me, then at least it is what you expected.

I think she had the surgery again on Monday. Please check in with us Alex and tell us how your doing!!!

I will also be in full formal wear for the formal nights.

Liquor is not free. Only Tea, coffee, juice from the pool cafe, Water. Any drinks ordered from a waiter (other than your dining table waiter) and not gotten on your own from a cafe are charged, regardless of what you order. Room service is free. food is free except the specialty shops (starbucks, baskin robbins, etc) You can't officially smuggle liquor on board yet I can't condemn you for what I plan to do too. So take your chances. Worst case scenario, they will confiscate it. Although, I have never gotten caught and I make sure I tip my cabin steward VERY nicely and sometimes I even get him a trinket from a port.

Okay, here are some questions I have gotten and here are the answers. Wanna start looking for the special outfit for the cruise dinners??? Here are some guidelines during a cruise: *cruises include two formal nights, one smart casual night and the remainder nights casual. Casual: Sport shirts/polos and slacks for men, sundresses or pants for womenSmart Casual: ties for men, jacket optional, dresses or pantsuits for womenFormal: Suits and ties OR tuxedos for men, cocktail dresses/formal for women (I will tell you that most men wear a suit and tie and most women do the full formal wear) Tuxedos can be reserved ahead of time if you let me know you want one (cost involved). Hair/nail/spa appointments for an up-do or style can also be arranged (cost involved) During the day the dress is comfortable casual. This means a pair of shorts, shirts, sneakers, etc. RCL accommodates special needs such as, food Allergies, Gluten-free, Vegetarian (except for vegan/macrobiotic) Low-fat, Low-Sodium, Lactaid/Soy Milk, Ensure, and Kosher meals at no extra charge. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE ONE OF THESE PEOPLE NOW SO THAT IT CAN BE NOTED ON YOUR CRUISE. If it is your Anniversary or Birthday, please let me know. ATM machines are onboard the ship. ($5 surcharge) There is internet access at a cost available. It is best to buy in a package when you board and look for "specials" in your daily itinerary magazine. Medical staff: Yes, there are a minimum of two fully certified doctors and a minimum of 3 fully certified nurses on every ship. Smoking: smoking is permitted on all open air decks. Smoking is not permitted inside the ship unless it is a designated lounge area. What are the transfers? RCL meet & greet staff will meet you in the Baggage Claim Area or outside of Customs (for international flights) to direct you to your transportation between the airport and ship/ ship and airport. Hairdryers: All cabins have hairdryers. Room service? Room service is free. Just call and tell them what you want. If you would like, you may tip the steward that delivers or you may tip at the end of your cruise. Drinking water: Yes, you can drink the Water on the ship. It is all filtered and distilled. Passports? Yes, it is highly recommended that each guest has a valid passport. Due to government restrictions and new legislations it is unclear whether it will be REQUIRED at the time of your sailing, therefore the cruise lines are asking passengers to please get their passports ahead of time so as to not have confusion. When will I get my cruise documents? cruise documents are sent to you or your travel agent 20-50 days prior to sailing, assuming your reservation is finalized and your payments have been made. Can I bring my own liquor? Technically... NO and they will take it if they find it. But I do. Is there laundry? Yes, for a price. SHIPBOARD LAUNDRY SERVICE * All prices are in US. Dollars and are subject to change without notice. MEN WOMEN Shirt/T-Shirt:$2.50Blouse:$3.50Shirt (dress):$3.00Dress (wash):$5.00Underwear:$1.20Skirt:$3.50Jeans:$3.00Nightgown:$3.00Pajamas:$4.00Swimsuit:$2.00Handkerchif:$0.75Slip:$2.50Shorts:$2.50Housecoat:$3.50Bathrobe:$3.50Hosiery:$3.50Pants (wash):$3.50Slacks:$3.50Sweatshirt:$3.00 Socks:$1.00 PRESS ONLY - 50% of cleaning prices SHIPBOARD DRY CLEANING SERVICES * All prices are in US. Dollars and are subject to change without notice. MEN WOMAN Suit:$7.00Evening Gown:$8.00Pants:$4.25Dress$7.00Jacket:$4.50Silk Blouse:$5:00Sweater:$4.00Silk Dress:$8.00Coat:$7.00Skirt$4.50Tie:$2.00Suit:$7.50Shirt:$3.50Blouse:$4.00Shorts:$3.00Scarf:$2.50Vest$2.50 Silk Pajamas:$4.50 PRESS ONLY - 50% of cleaning prices Please note: We do not provide irons in the staterooms as they constitute a fire hazard. Is there an emergency number if my family needs to contact me??? Yes, Your friends and family can contact the ship by calling (888) 724-SHIP [(888) 724-7447]. Or from outside the U.S. they can call (732) 335-3285. The cost is $7.95 USD a minute, and can be charged to their American Express®, MasterCard®, Visa®, Discover® or Diners Club®. From outside the U.S. additional long distance charges will also apply. You can make ship-to-shore calls from your stateroom, 24 hours a day. The cost is $7.95 USD per minute and will be automatically charged to your SeaPassSM account.

My Jeter is offically been placed to rest in the ground. I think the landscapers think I am nuts now. I said a few words to him, told him I loved him and that he would be forever in my heart. I poured his ashes into the hole and had the landscapers place the tree in. Then I watered it and said a little chant for him to grow and become part of the tree. It was bitter sweet but it finally gave me closure. I miss him but I also know that he will live on.

Maybe in theory, but no way are your going to be able to eat even the 1/2 portion. Trust me, after the band, life WILL be different.

Orlando area: http://www.orlandoorganics.com/oo/OrlandoDairyDeliveryL07.html Miami area: http://www.deliciousorganics.com/ and palm beach areas: http://www.floridaorganic.net/home.html

¡Hola! Bienvenido a discurso de lapband. For those of you challenged like me: http://www.freetranslation.com/

ebay has a ton of memorial type things... this is an example: http://cgi.ebay.com/CAST-IRON-CAT-KITTEN-DOORSTOP-GARDEN-STATUE-YARD-DECOR_W0QQitemZ130010635046QQihZ003QQcategoryZ29513QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Found this smilie and thought it looked like your "mouse" :cat:

awwwwww, now here I thought my dreams had come true!! Rat! :huggie:

I had an 18 year old Circle K clerk (who was mighty good looking and had all of his teeth) card me for cigarettes. When I was pleased at showing ID he said, "I am sure someone as striking as you always gets told they look young". I nearly hopped over the counter to kiss him!! But I thought I better not in case they have a shot gun back there.

Diane, You and your family are certainly in my thoughts. What an ordeal! I hope you get well soon and that you begin the health and happiness that you deserve! HUGS!

My emotional eating is still there and I still fight it. I just try and "DO" something until it goes away. I stay busy, therefore I don't have time to sit and graze while watching soap operas. Speaking of which, Days of Our Lives is coming on in 10 minutes... gotta go.

A Y is an American Red Cross sanctioned swimming program. Therefore they are NOT complying with American Red Cross swimming program. You may want to check into that. Plus, Y's are notorious for using expired or out of date instructors. The pool is required to keep certifications AT the site for inspection of any patron or inspector. I would ask to see them. I bet you it takes them awhile if they get back to you at all. Here is why.... Floaties give children a false sense of security. The entire purpose to swim is to survive in the Water. Later, when you master the skill you can swim for fun or exercise. But the main purpose is survival. Children need to learn how to get out of the situation that they have gotten themselves into with the best of their ability. By using floaties, this shows them to not try as hard and to their full capability. Swim Aids like life vests, removable swimsuit pads, etc are just TOOLS (like the band is a tool). This does not include "instructional tools" such as kickboards, rings, noodles IF they are used properly for instruction rather than play. ARM floaties are a lazy lazy lazy no no no!! If any of you do this you are not helping your child at all and possibly putting them at risk. Not only does it hinder proper swimming techniques but it also can potentially be a drowning factor. I have seen this MANY times. I quickly outlawed arm rings in any pool I was in charge of. This pissed off many parents that wanted to use them, but I don't care. I explained my reasons, and it possibly saved their life that day because I wouldn't let them in the pool or lake with it on. When a child has arm floaties on, they tend to tire faster. Because of the bulk they have to work harder rather than learning to glide and use their arms as paddles. It restricts rotational shoulder movement. Therefore once they get so tired, if they are in an area that they can not touch the bottom, the arms will go straight up (because they had to work at keeping their arms down) and their head will go under. They will panic, bob a few times, take in water and then they are officially a distressed swimmer and possibly a drowning victim. Moral of the story: NO ARM FLOATIES!! (they are $1 for a reason!)

awwwwwwww, my heart goes out to you. I too lost my dear dog and friend Jeter. I had him cremated as well. It was a bit strange picking him up in a box but I also felt good taking him home to where he belonged. Our community does not allow us to bury pets UNLESS they are cremated and we use them as "enrichment" for a tree or plant. I got a granite memorial made with his picture on it too. The landscapers are here as I type and are putting in a beautiful 7 ft Colorado Blue Spruce. I will bury his ashes when they plant. I will also put the memorial there. I think I would check to see if you can use the ashes for "enrichment" purposes in planting. That way, you comply with their wishes for the community, are earth friendly, and can lay your beloved pet to rest at home. My other suggestion would be to get a mouse statue and put it there as well. They also have pet memory stones you can place there.

Glad to hear your up and moving around and starting to heal!! Bikini days are coming!!

And just one more of my boy!!

And more!! :tea:

Ohhhhhhhh family pics... I love it.... Here is my clan.

Way to go Michelle!!! You are doing awesome!! Any meal plan you are following?

I also have all of the Winsor Pilates DVD's. At first I wasn't really flexible and i was rigid, but within a few weeks I noticed I was more limber and flexible. I don't do it now as often as I did during the first burst of major weight loss, but I hope to get into it again soon. Plus, I also noticed that I was more "at peace" and relaxed the whole day. Where as now I can get a bit tense.

As a waterfront and aquatics director for summer camps for 4 years, a lifeguard for 15, CPR and FA instructor for 10 years and a Water safety and swim instructor for 15 years.... if they are putting on ANY type of flotation device at any time, take them out of this program. And if they are putting on arm floaties, RUN don't walk out of that program!! All kids, babies included, should work directly with the instructors in deep end activities and if they are below 8 years old or in a level 1 or 2 should always have a private lifeguard during instruction. This is per American Red Cross standards. 3loves- I commend you for taking a stand on the error. I indeed feel as if you should follow up on this and make sure that corrections are made. Here is my take on what happened. Yes, very scarey indeed. To me, it sounds as if the instructor is not organized, needs more refresher training and has dropped her safety control measures. There is an organization system for younger children that MUST be in place. For example, on my level 1 and level 2 beginners, we have a large carpet mat in the shade. (after each lesson during break we hang the mat over the fence in the sun to dry) We have buddies, any time we enter or exit, they must hold the hand up of their buddy. Once the lessons are over, I count the kids and do the dry land buddy check. I then scan the pool area for additional kids, whether they are in my group or not. My group then grabs their towels and sits with their buddies on the mat. I stay between the mat and the pool at ALL times. Even if parents come to talk to me, I politely tell them that I would be happy to speak with them once all of the children have been picked up by parents. I will not allow parents to "honk" for kids. I will not allow parents to just go up to the fence and yell for them. They must come in and claim their child with me. If they don't like this, then they go somewhere else for their lessons. Albeit I am VERY good at what I do and I have only lost 2 parents leaving my group due to being lazy in all my years of teaching swim lessons. On another note, i would like to share an experience that hopefully will affect and persuade others to keep water safety with their children..... I have personally given breaths and pushed on the chest of a child that wandered away from a parent at the beach and went to play in the waves. It was unknown how long he had been there, but I found him face down in the sand at the waterbreak line a few hundred feet from where his family were relaxing. It was years ago and I was actually on my own pleasure trip and not lifeguarding, but I still remember the vivid feelings and sensations of having this mother over the top of me screaming "oh my god, don't let him die, save my baby" over and over again. I remember the stinging of the water in my eyes and trying to concentrate on the breath/compression ratio. I remember droplets of water coming off of her hair and clothing hitting me in the back. I remember the heavy breathing and sobbing of the mother behind me. I remember the taste of the sand granuals in my own mouth. I remember the color of the blue on his lips. I remember his long eyelashes and remember thinking "my what beautiful long eyelashes". I remember the pop of the sternum bone upon the compression. I remember the squishy pillow like feel of compressions after that. I remember his sand and water blonde hair slicked back. I remember the lifeguard coming up and tears on his face and telling me to back away and I remember yelling at him to "get the fuck out of here" (he was maybe 16 years old). I remember my water wrinkled fingers giving me a nails on the chalkboard feeling when I touched his skin with my hands. I remember all of the people around me taking deep breaths and gasping while whispering to each other "do you think he will die" and "i hope he makes it". At least once a year I have the memory dream and I wake up with a chest ache and my muscles sore. The child was transported to the hospital but never regained consciousness. He had no brain activity. If just one of these memories that I have shared with you has hit home then the haunting of this experience has meaning. Just by the professions I chose to do, I live with memories and images that some never experience. But if I can affect and change someone else's life by going through what I see and do, then I keep going. I only share with you so that I can create a point and educate others. WATCH YOUR CHILDREN AROUND WATER!!!! A human can drown in 2 Tablespoons of water. Do you remember a time when you have "drank the wrong way" or it "went down the wrong pipe"??? Actually, that is a form of water inhalation and could cause a choking. The cause of death would not be choking it would be a drowning. One more thing, since I am on a roll.... those "child chain bracelets" that you see some parents doing at major theme parks or malls. Some refer to them as "pet leashes" being snide. I personally love to see a parent using a tool in major populated places. Don't ever make fun or point and laugh at those parents. They know where their kids are, what they are doing, and that they will be going home with them. To those that make fun of them, I always wonder.... where are their kids? And have they ever lost one?

I don't think that is normal for how far post op you are. I was a police officer and constantly on the go (jumping fences, chasing, running, ducking, etc) and I didn't have this problem when I was 4 months post op. So I would definitely bring this to your doctors attention. I live in Arizona and yes, the heat does dehydrate me and I have to really make sure I get the water in, so to me... that is normal.