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Quiet day--sorry I missed you, Phyl. Looking forward to hearing what everyone's out doing today.

Hey Stephanie, I'm sorry that I don't remember, but how many kids do you have and how old are they? The cute li'l one in the pic in your sig looks so much like you--what a honey. 90 Miles to Walmart? We are a Walmart/Target town--No really good resturants or upscale department stores, but we've got TWO Super-Walmarts. . .

G'mornin all! Janet, hope you had a great time. I'm a party girl too. . .well a maybe little tamer here in the midwest, plus I was raised in a very strict religious family, so my idea of cutting loose may not have been exactly the same as yours. I still like going out and having a couple of drinks or more with friends. So, tell us about it! What did you wear? How did it feel to be georgeous? Oh and thanks for the sunshine. It actaully made it here, and I have to say that with a fresh layer of show, it's absolutely beautiful outside my window this morning. The sun is just now comming up and reflecting off the pure, white snow that stretches as far as the eye can see. (We live in a rural subdivision; lots of open space) Everything sparkles--almost like when the sun is over the water and the the water glints like a million diamonds. Karri, I appreciate you so much. You are very wise to focus on teaching kids how to learn. I like your connect the dots idea--I may incorporate something like that into my first lecture next semester. Denise, I hope you're finding something to enjoy this weekend. You're only 44--too young to think about retirement, but have you thought about looking for a new career? It saddens me when I think about what you're up against, and I don't know if things will change in time for you. OK, so you grandmas will appreciate this: I was shopping at TJ Max last weekend and wandered over into the baby section, (First grandchild due in August) and they had a beautiful Eddie Bauer car seat/stroller combination for sale. I checked the EB website and it was half the price at TJ as it was on the website, so I went back and bought it. I never had anything like this when my own kids were babies. DS and DIL want everything matching, so they don't want this one, No problem! I can't wait to use it! Hopefully, with 4 kids there will be lots of grandbabies to wear it out. Meantime, it's sitting in my kitchen I love seing baby things in my house again. Actaully one of my motivations for getting banded was when I was babysitting last summer and wasn't able to hold the baby in my lap to give her a bottle. I COULD NOW! OK, enough rambling for now. I'll be checking in later. Hope Phyl's around today. . .

OMG, I had no idea what schools were like now. My kids are graduating from college this year, but they went to private Christian schools before that. Sure, their schools had their share of problems, but NOTHING like what you guys are talking about. Why would anyone want to be a teacher? It blows my mind. My DIL is a teacher, but couldn't find a job, so since she is certified in pre-school - 6th grade, she's working in a child care center. Maybe she's lucky that she didn't find a job!? Thank you guys for all you try to do to improve the lives of these kids. The problem seems to be so much bigger than anything you have control of. I wish the legislators would stay out of the education business (which they know noting about). I have the same rant about health care, howevr, with the insurance companies--not the doctors--deciding what patients need/don't need. See, these kids are comming to us in post-secondary education now expecting to be coddled the same way in college as they were in high school. I can relate to what someone said before about critical thinking. I can't tell you how many times a student complained because a test question was worded differently than the way their textbook (or my powerpoint, which was printed out and handed to them) had it stated. They can't understand that the meaning is the same. They expect that recognizing some words is all they need to do! They're shocked when I tell them that the doctor has no idea how something was worded in their textbook! And I think I was frustrated until now that I am beginning to udnerstand what you high school and K-6 teachers are up against. I fear for my kids to think about what the world will be like in 20+ years. . . As for me, I am back in bandster hell. Thankfully, I did manage to lose 2 pounds this week, but I don't think it was anything that I did. Seriously, I haven't been this hungry since before my first fill. I do have an appointment for next week. Maybe she'll start filling me back up. For now I'm fighting (and so far winning) the urge to eat pizza, McDonalds fish sandwiches, and bread. I am allowing myself a small amount of Bailey's ice cream at night if I have been good all day. Phyl--good to see you back on! Ya need to put DH in his place once in a while. Janet--Congratulations on being overweight! (Only a bandster would take that as a huge compliment.) You are going to make it, girl! I can't wait for the new pics. One of these days I'll find one to post. BTW: I am in the pact with you. I am here to stay; like it or not--I just can't post as often as I'd like. It's the weekend! I'll be around--or out shoveling snow. . .who needs to go to the gym?

Where in Ontario do you live? There is a fillcenterUSA in Troy MI which is only a few miles north of Windsor.

Janet, I totally agree with you about the "Ideal" weight issue. Especially the notion that at 50-something, losing too much weight can be as unattractive as being obese. I don't want to look sickly, and I think that a little fullness can keep the wrinkles and skin in general looking healthier. Frankly, I think that your last pictures look wonderful. You're wearing size 10's for heaven's sake! I think your idea of 5 pounds a month for the next three months is realistic and healty. At this point, you do know what is best for you, and I admire the way you've gone after it.

Karri, I think we're reaching the point where after 7 months of giving up something that we really enjoyed, we are getting angry that we have to keep doing this. I know that right now, I'm sick of dieting, I'm sick of winter and cold and slush and snow and darkness, I'm less tolerant of my husband lately, and I'm less tolerant of stupidity. I want to eat. I think I just have to get over this hump and know that if I persist, things will get better. I can't think about maintenance yet. I have to fight even harder now than I did last fall when the band was new and exciting and I was full of hope. My weight loss has slowed down, and there are still a lot of things that still haven't changed. I'm tired of being patient. I've worked so hard for so long, but there's still so much more to go. Hang in there with me, Karri. We are in this together, and together we will suceed. I am sending positive energy and prayers your way--and the same for everyone else that's sturggling with me. Janet, Phyl, Ruby, Jackie, Mango, Marcy, Katrina, Steph, Denise, and the rest of you who are just as important. We're a team, ladies! I need you.

Kara--where do you go for aftercare in Wisconsin, or do you go back to Mexico for fills and (hopefully not) complications?

First of all, they use a special kind of needle called a "Huber" needle. You'd have to have a way to get a couple of them and the saline and syringes. My doctor uses lidocaine too. But even if I had the stuff, I'd be reluctant. If you miss the port, there's a chance you could damage the tubing, which is not self-sealing. The technique of filling is not all that difficult, but knowing how much fill seems to be another story. Nah, I'll pay the $300 and travel 2 hours. After all I went through to get the band, it seems foolish to take chances with it now.

"Male enhancement" commercials are my bane. They're back-to-back on the morning news.

Hey Karri--Sorry--worked all day and now I'm off to the Sal. Army clinic and then a Celebrate Recovery meeting to hopefully catch up with the woman who I am mentoring. She was released last week Thursday or Friday, and I haven't been able to catch up with her since then. The meeting last week was cancelled because of snow, and I was really pretty sick as well. I am supposed to be helping her transition to regular life after incarceration, but that's hard to do when I can't find her. She's supposed to be at the meeting tonight, so hopefully I will catch her there. Anyway, I'll try to check in tomorrow as I don't have to go into work during the day.

I'm pushing 100 in about 7 1/2 months. It's hard, even with the band, but I'm hoping the band will help me keep it off this time.

Janet--What fun! If I ever make it back to S. California you and me are going clothes shopping--I love to shop, and you sound like my kind of shopping buddy! We'll cap it off with liquid calories! I'm fine today--mushies going well, who knows? I might try regular food tomorrow!

I admire your attitude. With that kind of determination, you will rise above this and succeed. Contratulations, you have won an even bigger battle than simply losing weight. I commend you, and I will pray that you have a speedy recovery and a happy future.

Lynette--you here? Hop on hon, I miss you. I hope you're moving through all the emotions you've been feeling about Hunter. I had a kid with ADD too. Took forever for him to learn to control his impulses, and he still struggels, but at 28 he has his bachelor's degree, a great job, a wife who is expecting their first baby after 5 years of marriage, and they were off for a ski weekend with his friends this weekend.

oh my gosh, Mango, naked as in no clothes whatsoever? I'd do the same thing--take Xanax and anything else I could get my hands on. Me too, no pap test, not even a mamogram in years, although I promised myself that I would do it this summer when I get to or close to my goal. Let me know if it's as bad as I imagine!

Oh, Steph, You're being tested. You can win this. Don't let the idea that stress is making you eat win--it's a lie that the food demons tell you when they are trying to get you to come back to the fat side. Don't you do it. Be strong--you're one of us now, you don't want to go back. Try to figure out what you're really afraid of, and deal with that. Slowly, but surely my closet is becoming overtaken by normal size clothes! I just went to TJ Max and found some bargains. I can't believe it, but I am buying 14's and 16's! See my cloud has a siver lining after all!

Dr Lopez did my band last July, and everything went smoothly. The biggest reason, in my mind, that he is so much less expensive than US doctors is that he and Hospital Angeles doesn't have to pay so much for malpractice insurance. Also, the standards in Mexico are not the same in the US. For example, building codes are different, staffing the hospital is cheaper, medications are regulated differently, it's Tijuana, for heaven's sake, etc. I didn't have to endure 6 months of physician-supervised dieting with regular visits, my psych evaluation and "nutrition counseling" lasted 15 minutes. It all adds up. Plus, Dr. Lopez profits from the sheer number of bands he places. Sure, he's not the most personable of surgeons, but I got what I paid for. The problem is finding affordable after-care in the US, but at 7 months and counting, I'd do it again. PS. I live and work in Wisconsin, and have no affiliation with BeLiteWeight, Dr. Lopez, or any other bariatric group, however I am a nurse. As you can see, I post quite a bit, mostly on the Lucky 7's board.

I think you made the right decision. It suits you and you can flip it out like you did or you can use a flat iron and get that sleek, angled look. Love the color. Good job!

I tried to vote for Hillary in our primary, but couldn't do it.

ta: I really think you need to find one internal medicine doctor who has a consulting relationship with a band surgeon and stick with that person. You are getting conflicting advice from different people, and it's hard to know what is or isn't accurate. Your friends are talking about the Vagus nerve, which when stimulated can slow the heart rate. I suppose it's possible that is what may be happening to cause your sudden feelings of weakness, however that in no way explains your fevers. The other thing I would think about if I were you would be to postpone a pregnancy until you get a handle on this. I know that at 31 you may be feeling that the clock is ticking, but your chances of carring a pregnancy to term and having a health baby may be compromised by your own erratic eating and health issues. Pregnancy places a lot of stress on you--including your heart, and it would be best to talk to an OB-GYN before you attempt to get pregnant. Good luck to you, hon. I hope all goes well.

Ruby, I have the same problem with rashes. I use athelets foot creams. Within a couple of days it's all cleared up. I do think the advice to document it with your doctor is good too. I read that that's one way to get a tummy tuck covered by insurance. Stephanie and Beth--we're glad you're here too. Don't just lurk. You're one of us now. Man, I've been fighting food deamons today! It's only 5:00 and I've used up all 1000 of my calories. I must be feeling better!

I'm a nurse too. Started off working Labor and Delivery, loved it, but the hours weren't working out when I started having my own kids so I switched to teaching. I taught clinical skills in a Nursing program for awhile, then became the program director for a Medical Assistant Program. I worked part time in a walk-in clinic for several years in addition to my full time teaching job, and now I volunteer at the Salvation Army Free Clinic where besides patient care, I also mentor students and help train new volunteers. I don't always like presenting myself as a nurse because my experience has been that then people expect me to know more than I do. I'm not inately smart, I've just worked very hard. Janet--my dad was executive VP for a relatively large midwestern insurance company before he retired. Now my son is a systems engineer there and daughter's BF is a commercial lines underwriter for the same company. Guess you'd say that the insurance industry is in my blood! I'm gonna go back to bed for awhile. Check in when the rest of you are up. Now that I got the green light to progress my diet, I'm suddenly very hungry. . .:thumbup:

Can you believe that DH FORGOT TO GIVE ME THE MESSAGE that the doctor called today?!@!? Unbelieveable, except that he is so into his own life. . . I could cry. Anyway, they the doctor feels that the slippage is minimal and my pouch is not dilated at all so they want me to try to slowly advance my diet for the next couple of weeks and if all goes well, they may try refilling in 2 weeks. I am so relieved. Phyl--Great job on the 2.9--close enough--3 pounds! That's fantastic. Glad you thought to use DH computer to get online!! Hopefully we'll start seing more of you again. Ruby--if the other advice doesn't help, one other thing you can try is an oil enema. I don't think you need a prescription for them--probably can get them in the drugstore, although I never looked for 'em. it's just about a half cup that will soften things up and after about 20 min, you should be able to get some relief. If nothing else works, you can call the doctor--there are some things that they can do. From now on, I'd recommend some kind of daily fiber supplements like Metamucil or Fibercon and again, water, water, water!

Christal, Could you please PM me with the address of beliteweight's online support group? Thanks,