princess_n_thep

bump! Come on California people!! I know your out there! Treat yourself to a nice cruise for Xmas!

Oh dear! I almost forgot to give out "awards"!!! Karla for "most involved in activities" Jessica for "most in touch with the outside world by laptop" Judy for "closet party girl" Lin for "most creative" (thanks for doing the crafting greeting cards!) Windy for "best breath holder" (I fart a lot!) Paul for "token male" (we put that guy through a lot and he will need therapy after what we did to him!) Stephani for "most elegant and poised" Melissa and Dinah for "best at hide and seek" (we didn't find them until late on day 2!!) Alex for "best dressed" (that turquoise dress was FABULOUS!) Ali for "attitudalicious" (I don't think I ever saw her not smiling! she even made the dolphins smile!) Fran for "most relaxed" Carol for "best drink tester" ...........and myself Jenna for "best redneck" and "one of each please" (thank god there isn't any picture evidence!)

Man all of these pictures really makes me want to go back and cruise with you all forever! I am so glad that we could all get together and enjoy our victories and meet each other. It was a wonderful experience and I will definitely be organizing another one for next summer. I will have to get with Elisa and work on next summers sometime in August or September so stay tuned..... And if anyone is interested in a winter cruise, Elisa and I are working on it. I have it posted at http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f7/winter-cruise-anyone-37410/ so far I have 6 cabins going. It is a 4 night/5 day cruise out of LA (December 3) and total cost (cruise, port charges and taxes) is about $240 per person. I am bringing the hubby and kids (ages 13/14) too! Another person is bringing their too (ages 10/13). So if your interested, vote on the poll or shoot me an email or PM. HUGS TO YOU ALL! You are all marvelous and wonderful people! I hope I get the chance to meet more of you!

The band unfilled is a standard size, like a bracelet. Depending on how much fat surrounds your stomach depends on how "tight" it feels with no fill. Many people, especially those with really high bmi's, feel restriction right away. As the fat surrounding the stomach decreases and the stomach muscle naturally shrinks, then you will need more fill to have the restriction. So if it is workin' for ya, leave it be! There will be plenty of time to have it filled!

<p>I have one and I wear it always. My husband used to be a paramedic and said to get the plain silver traditional one that is most recognizable. The newer fancy ones don't even get checked because "in the moment" it isn't recognized and may just be removed in a trauma situation. Sure, they look "pretty" but it is truly meant to save your life, not be an accessory. My friend decorates her silver plain for her diabetes with some embroidery floss just on the chain. (it is kinda cool but I don't have the time and patience to do it, she does it for every season and holiday, kinda fun looking!)</p> <p> </p> <p>Mine says:</p> <p>My name</p> <p>Adj Gastric Band</p> <p>No gastric tube w/out endo</p> <p>Allergies</p> <p>Dr and #</p> I got mine on ebay and it is the traditional one. I think it cost $15 and I have worn it through all kinds of stuff. It is very durable and has no wear or breaks. I have had it on for 2 years now.

P.S. I do have a single traveler that would be in need of a roomie. She is 50 I think.

Hmmmmmmmmm, not much interest in this one? Surprising since we have so many West coast bandsters! Well, I will leave this for a few days and see if we get interest in me putting together another cruise. We just got back from one last week (do a search for cruise 2007 and look at all our pictures!) Josette, How many people?

I always order the glass of Water for dinner and then just let it sit. Sometimes I will even go for a "sip" and take nothing. As far as foods, I just merely say no thanks if I don't want something they are offering.

((sigh)) don't we all have a lot to lose? I think the band is for anyone who wants to use the tool in their weight loss endeavors. I think it is just important to know that the band is long TERM not life long and someone considering the band needs to know that up front that the band will require additional surgeries for maintenance and upkeep.

Donna, Congratulations and welcome to bandland!

Relax........... Deep breaths........... This is what we call sliming. Yes, you overstepped your band bounds a little. It is something you will learn. This is what works for me: I reach really tall to the sky on my tippy toes and take a DEEP breath in, then I relax, let the breath out and let my arms dangle for a few seconds, then I repeat 3 or 4 times. Usually does the trick!

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f7/winter-cruise-anyone-37410/ here is a poll to see if there is any interest in a winter cruise?

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f7/winter-cruise-anyone-37410/ here is a poll to see if anyone wants a winter cruise?

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f7/winter-cruise-anyone-37410/ here is a poll to see who would be interested in a winter cruise.

OMG, I miss you all so much! Windy has all of our pics and I am sure she will pick and choose to what is "appropriate". tee hee hee I had my "overhaul" surgery. I look like a truck hit me. Pictures to come on another thread. Tired now, going to bed. Love to all!

Pssssssssssst.... ((looks around to see who is looking)) HUSH HUSH NEWS BANDSTERS!!! ((come closer to the screen I have to whisper)) Can you all keep a secret???? (nods nods nods nods all around) Well we had the BEST time on this cruise I thought that maybe I would venture to put together yet ANOTHER one (although less expensive and 4 nights/5 days). It would be out of LA port on Royal Caribbean in Early December. Give me a week to work out the details, but watch for the thread!! And shhhhhhhhhhhhhh:kiss, don't tell anyone yet!! (hee hee, I have about 5 cabins going already and I don't even have the exact prices yet!!):cry This cruise will be open to children, husbands, spouses, significant others, friends, siblings, banded or not that want to go. We created such strong bonds between all of us and I want that to continue to grow. Maybe someday we will have enough of us that we will book the ENTIRE ship! This bandy cruise is going to be even bigger and better (which by the way will be hard to top!) P.S. To my June cruisers: you are all wonderful and I miss you very much. Thank you for laughing at my dumb jokes and my karaoke fiascoooooooooo!:faint:Each and every one of us showed the true "us" with our laughter, comedy, pranks, sexy dresses, confidence, self respect, and comfort. GREAT NSV TRIP LADIES!!!!! THINK ABOUT ALL OF THOSE NSV'S YOU DID LAST WEEK REALLY!!!:hungry: Gotta go before someone hears me....... (sneaks out the door):bandit

Here is the group on the cruise..... CCI00013a.bmp

We Are Back!!! We Had A Great Time!!! Look For The Official "what Happened On The Cruise" Thread!!!!

Well we had a cancellation for a single traveler with a roomie. First person to PM me gets it. That is the only fair way to do it. You will get the original pricing. It must be a female and you must be a single traveler (you will be sharing a room with another female bandster traveling solo). available for $771.96 -- a total steal, as the rate has almost doubled if you were to book it right now at the going rates. This is a one person deal. Only for a female, single traveler. We have had a ton of late requests but this is something that has just come up and you can have the original price!!!! You must be ready to book and pay now. Ready, set, hurry and PM me.

Well, I am not going to agree with Doc. I think the key words you said was that your hunger was increasing, therefore you are having to diet harder. The band should be able to decrease your hunger and cravings rather than you being uncomfortable and doing a "diet" anyways. I would just really show your concern to your doctor and let him know how you feel about it. Your emotional state should count for something. Just because you are showing a lot of self control doesn't mean you should have to suffer by being hungry.

33 days, 9 hours and 42 minutes to go till boarding time!! Woooot Wooot!

Just one more comment about their gay community views. I do NOT agree with them, however I respect their right to have their beliefs and I have never known anyone Mormon being nasty or rude on purpose. This is just what THEY believe. I don't think they are out to change anyone, but do not wish to encourage the lifestyle. That is their choice and it is okay with me. Definitely, there are some strange teachings that I have heard, but isn't all religions strange or argueable in some fashion? Yep. Give me a religion and I could argue on why it isn't true. Like I said, good heart, good intentions and good life. Do all of that and you will be okay in whatever end we get to eventually.

Regarding the women have no rights idea, I know many mormon family and the woman DEFINITELY wears the pants and keeps that family together lovingly!

Are you guys serious? These people are DEAD. Who cares? The mourning is only for the living anyways. Geez. And the ridiculous nonsense about the Mormon religion.... I am NOT mormon but I do have many good friends that have terrific families, fantastic kids, and make forever friends. I may not agree with the religion but they have been VERY accepting of me and I am pagan and they know it. I even go to their women's group for my niece. Their group is very family, morals, and life skills oriented. Not much to do with the religion at all really except for living a good and happy life. I have went for over a two months now and I love it. They all know who I am (the drinking, smoking, tattooed heathen that I am) and they have NEVER treated me poorly or preached to me. They really do respect my religious choices and are happy for me that I do have some sort of peace in my life. I was really nervous at first going to their weekday "group" but my fears quickly disappeared. I suggest that some of you really research the religions before making derogotory comments about it. Does it really matter anyways? If we live a good life, with a good heart and good intentions, then shouldn't we all be "forgiven" by whatever god or gods you love? And regarding polygamy, these people are not condoned by the official LDS church, they are kicked out of being in that ward is what I understand. Correct me if I am wrong, but I live in a 80% community of Mormon LDS and I have never seen anything remotely as wierd or disgusting in my eyes. All I have seen is that they spend a large amount of quality time with their family and friends and do a lot for the community. Just my observations of course but I thought since we were sharing our 2 cents, I needed to get mine in too! There are definitely some things I don't agree with in philosophy but who cares? Everyone has their right to choose.

And I must say, I WAS PISSED. 6 years later and I am still furious with them.