piercedqt78

I leave in 28 days. When are we getting together for lunch? ~Mandy

NJChick, we too are watching High School Musical 2, I have a blank DVD all set to record it. Abi loved the first one so much, she is also excited about the Jonas Brothers being on Hannah Montana after the movie. She made me promise to record both. ~Mandy

Kat, are ya' moved yet? ~Mandy

Beanie, I had a total hysterectomy on July 30th. I'm recovering slowly but it's happening. ~Mandy

WooHoo Beanies back!!! ~Mandy

Let's see: 1. I have major huge tattoos. 2. I am totally in love with my two Boston Terriers 3. I have a special needs child. 4. Totally Disney junkie. 5. I have read Harry Potter start to finish several times. 6. I have always wanted my nose pierced, but think I am getting too old for it. 7. My hair has been EVERY color in the rainbow, as an adult. 8. I am divorced. 9. I love collard greens, pinto Beans, and fried chicken. 10. I come here and read for hours, and only post when I think I have something to say, I never just post for the hell of it. 11. I was sexually abused as a teen by my step father. 12. I have had a total hysterectomy. ~Mandy

Wow Kat sounds like you are going in circles with work. Did you measure yourself? I'm sure you are losing inches, even if not pounds. You are looking really fab, the hard works shows. I didn't get your message until today, so I am too late for the Mickey ring, but thanks for thinking of me, I guess it's money saved. More to spend in the parks. LOL I waaaay over did yesterday, so I am taking it easy today. Before surgery we installed a closet organizer in Abi's closet, she has soooo much more room now, as her closet is pretty small. Well it wasn't done until the day before surgery, so all of her closet stuff (including all of her clothes) were in bins in her floor. I spent yesterday putting stuff away and then putting all of her school clothes on hangers. Took several hours and I was pooped. But the closet looks great, and I am totally happy with the organizer. I got it for $25 at the local hardware store, it was a rubbermaid. When the room is finished I will take some pics and share them. Probably next week. What is everyone else up to? ~Mandy

I just realized I haven't updated anyone about my surgery in a while. I am driving myself around without any issues. I have very little pain now except for when I cough or laugh. I started having hot flashes at night, and they are going to put me on hormones when I see the doc again next tues. Things are going really good, I am just easily tired, but the pre-op pain is gone, and that was the entire point of surgery. ~Mandy

What day/time is good for you guys? ~Mandy

My band has been empty for 16 days and I have actually lost back to my pre-hysterectomy weight. I am back to 158 pounds, and easily maintaining. I am going to give my band a break as long as I am easily controling my portions, and making wise choices. I spoke with my band doctor and he agrees, this is a good time to see what I have learned. I feel great, other than the neausa from the post-op meds and extreme fatigue. I am still a bit too swollen to wear my "normal" denim shorts, but that's just around the incision and it's getting better. I have learned more than I realized in these last two years banded. I use my band as a tool, not just to restrict my food intake but also a learning tool. I'm not as scared of losing my band anymore, I want to keep it forever but now I know I would be ok without it. ~Mandy

Cindy, I would hardly call the Dollar an Olympic Sport, but I did buy some really fun stuff. My local store has tons of Disney branded things, so I went crazy. The most fun thing I bought was the make your own jam kit, it has fun Mickey Mouse jam jars, it also has no cook pectin so it's just mix and pop in the fridge, yum yum.. I will send you a complete report of the trip as soon as I get home. I'm taking my laptop so I can write something each day. Makes the big trip report at the end much easier. How is everyone else today? ~Mandy

Hi all, how is everyone? I was starting to think the email reminders were down again. But I log in today and find no new posts. Summer is keeping everyone busy I'm sure. I'm going to do final regstration at school today. We go back the 29th. I have all my final plans made for Disney, and have even purchased most of the things from my list to pack. I am going to need some new shorts, my belly is very swollen and anything snug hurts, so I've been living in pajama pants, not exactly theme park attire LOL. I have lost all the sugery weight (mostly from iv fluids) I weighed in at 158 today. So I'm back to where I started, not bad considering my band has been totally empty for 2 weeks. If I can maintain this until the trip I think I am going to keep it empty until I get back. I will walk off any extra calories that I consume. And I plan on sharing meals with Abi so that will save me too. My band has taught me soooo much, I am actually able to control portions and I am still making healthy choices. As much as I love my band I am less worried about losing it now, then I was 2 weeks ago. I have used my band as a learning tool, and it has taught me well. Don't get me wrong, I want my band to last forever, but at least I know I CAN do this without it. Overall it's been a good two weeks and I'm proud of myself. ~Mandy

I'm so glad you are finally rebanded. Take it easy, walk and sip....of course you know this already. ~Mandy

I'm pretty sure Dr. Lahman does Mexico bandsters also. He is in Joliet at Silver Cross Hospital. ~Mandy

Kat, you look at least 10 years younger now. You are so pretty, great job keep it up. ~Mandy

Amelia, congrats on the new job ....but we will miss you ~Mandy

Sherry, yep, staples delivers Water to the resort. If you sign up for the frequent buyer club they usually have free shipping. You just call about 10 days or so before you arrive and place the order. They will need the address to the resort (it's on the back of your paper work from Disney) and the ressie number along with the name on the ressie. I always have the water delivered the day before I arrive so it's there waiting for me at check in, if not it's late afternoon or early evening before the water is there, so you don't have it for the first day. If it is delivered a day early bell services will hold it for you. Then just pick it up at check in, I would have one person in line to check in adn one person picking up water. I plan on 4 bottles per person per day. We have never had a problem with staples. I over did today and I am HURTING tonight. I took some pain meds and now I am sitting on the couch trying to figure out what I did to hurt so much. The only thing I did today was go to a resale shop that had all the clerance stuff for $1 and then it was bogo. I spent $13 and got Abi a ton of capris and a few pair of shorts for back to school. She has pretty much destroyed her stuff from summer. She is an artist and tomboy and her clothes show it. I have enough stuff for a few days without doing laundry, but 11 days in Orlando won't work with what I have for her. I also figure that the stuff from today will most likely fit next summer, I bought 8's and 10's. I also got her a new swimsuit and a really cool sweatshirt. For .50 a piece I bought a few things that will be vacation only stuff but oh well. I am going to let the dishes pile up tonight, I will load the dishwasher tomorrow, maybe. Night all! ~Mandy

Sonia, sorry about the job thing, that really stinks. So are you looking for something new or are you waiting it out? ~Mandy

Morning all. I went to the doctor yesterday and he gave me the all clear to take a bath (limited to 10 mins) and I can start doing LIGHT house work. I am allowed to mop a single room a day. I can do laundry as long as I don't carry it to and from the laundry room. I see him again in 5 weeks, one day before we leave for Disney. I am starting to get stuff together for the trip. I ordered sunscreen from avon today, and I picked up some koolaid packets for our water bottles. I'm also going to the dollar store for a pitcher (we make instant tea in the room) and some cups. I buy several pairs of dollar store sunglasses, as I tend to break and lose them in the parks. I am bad about taking them off when we sit down to eat, and then walking off and leaving them on the table. Oh and I am having a huge NSV, I need new undies. Mine are all falling off...WooHoo! ~Mandy

Mikesmom, call DR. Lahmann at Silvercross Hospital in Joliet. I know he will take patients that he did not band. Not sure about Mexico but it's worth the call. ~Mandy

:whoo::whoo::whoo: I am totally happy for you!!! That sounds like a great opportunity for you and a great chance to help your parents!! :whoo::whoo::whoo:

Amelia, do you have an aftercare doc in the area in florida? What area are you looking at? I can't remember if you gave any details, if not can you give us some? ~Mandy

In my area you are all describing Target. My local Wal-mart, while not the greatest place in the world, employees mostly women (including the managers) is clean, has good prices, and is reasonable about returns. My local target and k-mart will only do a return (or even exchange) with a reciept. My daughter got an outfit for her birthday that was target brand she needed a larger size, I had to call the giver and get the reciept to get the larger size. If that had been wal-mart it would have taken 5 minutes. I miss the old K-mart, they were the best. ~Mandy

I even survived a buffet.....and the buffet survived me too..~Mandy

Don't get me wrong, there is still very much a fat person inside of me. I still overfill my plate at family dinners, order appitizers and a full meal, and look over the dessert menu when we go out. I just eat like a thin person now. LOL, I stop when I am satisfied not stuffed. I was so affraid to have the unfill, and now that I have nothing in my band, I am not scared at all. I thought I was going to run to the office for a refill, but I am actually going to wait another week or so before calling to make the appointment. Today I was able to have half a grilled cheese sandwich and a cup of soup. When I am filled I can't do bread. It's been a nice change to eat smaller portions of the foods I love, without over doing. ~Mandy