princess_n_thep

There are other options besides Mexico and US. Many people travel to Europe, Belgium, etc to get banded. If you are on the far eastcoast, then maybe go more east?

I live in Arizona where it gets even HOTTER (although it is a dry not wet heat) and I only notice that my energy levels for exercising go way down. I do notice I drink a ton more water, therefore I am not nearly hungry much and I eat a lot less, but I don't notice any difference in restriction.

Well, I had to (find) and share our other family piece. This is Bettis (named after Pitts Steelers Jerome Bettis). He is an awesome dog. He is so funny and very friendly. I don't think he has a mean bone in his body! He loves everyone!

I felt very guilty especially because I was a lower BMI and others who were bigger than me would say "I would kill to be your size, blah blah blah" So in the beginning I felt as if I should have embraced the dieting harder, exercised more, ate better foods, etc etc.... I felt really guilty.... until I started to lose the weight. Then... to hell with the rest of them, this was about ME, not them!!

My Jeter. He died last October with Cushings Disease. However, he is forever in my heart.

http://homecooking.about.com/cs/cheeseinformation/a/ricotta.htm

Yep, I had this too for several months after surgery. Kind of a wierd "ghost" type stinging sore sensation. Try leaning into a pillow to take the pressure off of it. Helped me quite a bit.

a fill does not have to be surgeon specific. Any qualified doctor can fill the band or unfill the band. Sometimes surgeons have packages though that include your follow up care. If you were banded in another country other than US, finding a US doctor to fill can be a bit of a challenge but there are doctors that will and clinics all over the country like "fill centers usa". If you are banded in the US I would think it will be very easy to find a doctor to do your follow up and fills if you choose to go to another doctor.

Okay, I know that you all like to have the addicting games every once in awhile. Here is one.... http://www.gamershood.com/game.php?id=1309

I feel dumb. All this time at LBT and I never knew there was a calendar!! DUH!

Yep, Arizona here too. I live in Surprise (NW valley of PHX). I am moving in 2 months to Show Low though. Gets me closer to Terri though and we can party it up!! I am going to expect her to keep me sane with the new "country" digs. I use Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana for my fills. Its a nice little mini vacation and costs about the same as getting one here. I don't know how tall you are, but I was also 225 when I had my surgery. My stats are listed below.

Here ya go....

For me and my body frame, cardio works the best. If I was to do weight training I add bulk and size and will look like a hefty linebacker. Just doesn't work for me. I think it all depends on how your body is shaped and puts on muscle.

The best thing for me has been being able to use a portapotty at the camping grounds without worrying that it is going to fall over if I shift around too much. Another great thing was when someone who hadn't seen me in over a year asked me, "wow, what happened to the other half of you?" Made me giggle.

K@t, Try using an electric heating pad on really low. That takes some of the soreness and sting out of the incisions and surgery pain.

I paid $9,500 for Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana, Mexico.

Well, since this is a wish list.... A food journaling/tracking guide LBT calender of events (so that members can put in their band dates, bandiverseries and other events) Pen pal set up (I know we did one on a thread but never heard from my pen pal) Have a limit as to the length of a signature line (maximum number of characters) because some people have taken the signature lines to extremes I love the photo gallery idea for before/afters A Teens only forum. A place they can call their own as well as contributing to the entire board. A way to attach pictures easily in PM's

It will all be over in a snap. And the pain is so worth it. Yes, it is uncomfy now, but it only lasts a few days. Keep your chin up and keep on walking to get rid of the gasses.

Who says your mothering days have to be over??? You have obviously done a fantastic job with your boys, why not share that love with other children that need guidance and love? Foster parenting is a way that you can do that. Especially, there are a lot of older school age children that will never be adopted and need foster care. With foster care, you can limit what type of children you accept. So it isn't like you are going to get a delinquent but you can choose the "unwanted" category that just have crappy parents, but are really great kids. Why not try it???

Welcome to Bandland K@t!! I hope your recovery is speedy and well!!

But why is the band at the bottom of the stomach pouch? Am I seeing this wrong?

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=16200&highlight=search+button Try here.....^^^^^ Oh, this question was soooooo right up my alley! WOOOT!

Mind me asking how much it cost? I am looking into it too for my smiling crows feet. How long does it last? Will it come back worse if you don't keep it up? Sorry for all the questions... but I posted a thread on this months ago asking about it too. I really really really want it. And heck, I don't care about the plastic surgery. I am 32 and I plan to be like the Bionic Woman by the time I am 40!

I also think that $24,000 for self pay is ridiculous. In the US, you can find a lot of doctors under $18k. In Mexico, under $10k for self pay.

On the side of a highway while giving them a speeding ticket (actually I gave them a written warning, not a ticket). They had gastric bypass 3 years earlier and was speeding because he knew he had eaten some fruit and fruit usually makes him dump. So he was speeding home from a business meeting dinner.