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It's a given.. That's why I bought me some:biggrin:

Heehee Chica, you make me laugh!

The pic is nice, however the model is just a bit smaller than I:lol:.. Mine surely won't look as slimming! My favorite thing about them is the apples for the butt pockets.. Too cute:) As for jeans under $50.. Oh my! For the last 6 or so years I have only bought Old Navy jeans (roughly $25), or Wal Mart cheap-o boot cuts for $10. One time I bought a pair at Lane Bryants (sp?) for $30-ish, but they always stretched out after an hour of wear, and looked horrible on me! On occasion I buy some off ebay too, but only if it's a deal. I'm cheap:laugh:

Haha.. no I wish! I'm in an 18 as well. I'm hoping at 170-ish to be in a 14. That's what I was back in high school.. Plus the Apple Bottoms measure a little bigger to "celebrate" those curves!

I'm not sure?? The Doc gave me three letters that I can't seem to remember. I was a bit flustered when he walked in the door and asked "Hi have I done a procedure on you?... Gastric Bypass or Lap Band... OK, yah, you look kind of familiar." It threw off my train of thought for the remainder of my 5 minute appointment.. So I can't remember the letters, although I believe there was an S and a V in there? Hmm.. I'll have to do some more research:)

P.S. Sarah, have you tried the Special K protein waters?? I want to buy some, but don't want to waste any more money on something I won't drink lol.. I was curious if it had the protein-ish after taste?? :wink_smile:

LOL Fenton! I am not expecting this weight loss to continue as it has. Today I am 2 weeks post op and start eating "normal" foods. Bring on that cruller! JK.. Although I did eat an Oreo "cakester" last night. Hey- I needed the calories:blush: I have been blessed with this new band that comes pre-filled, and have had no hunger so far. I am forcing myself to eat, which has really cut my calories, but is surprisingly really frustrating. (So strange to say, being a compulsive over-eater for years) I am so not hungry, that when I try to swallow something after chew, chew, chewing, it sets off my gag reflex:( On average I get between 400-600 daily, which has been good for weight loss so far, but I am soooo tired. I even *nap* now. Eeek! I'm back to work tomorrow so that has got to stop! For the next week I am dedicated to getting more calories in. I'm sure this will be key for more energy, but also slowing my loss, thus making you content:biggrin2: ~Kerri:)

Best of luck to you evelas, and sorry you have to be going through this. You are in my thoughts today:) So yesterday was my post op.. I was very frustrated at the service I received, but all in all it was a good visit:) I am down 17lbs since surgery, and 25 since February:) I had a couple of stitches that were poking through my skin, and they had to (eeek!) pull them up and snip them off. It wasn't too bad, I was just being a chicken.. My Doc said that he used a new band on me. It comes pre-filled with 3cc's. It has the advantage of the balloon on the inside going all the way around the band, where as the old bands went mostly around, but stopped where the band clipped together. The clip caused erosion in some patients, hence this new band.. When I asked my Doc how much Fluid my band held in all, he said "I'm not sure.. You don't need to worry about that anyway.".. Ok then.. Now I can't even remember the name of the band so I can research it.. I think its VGS, or AVG, or something to that effect. Ring a bell to anyone?? Anyhoo, sorry to ramble, just wanted to share my experience. Hope everyone is doing well out there:) ~Kerri

Hi Sarah- Glad the time line helped:) I had my post op yesterday. I am down 17lbs from the last time they saw me, and 25 since I started my journey:) I had one stitch poking out, so they pulled it up a little bit and snipped it.. EEK! I'm a wimp, but it really didn't hurt, I was just being a chicken. I have my appointment for my first fill May 13 at Maine General! Stupid me I never asked them what kind of band I was going to get before surgery.. Dr.Trieu said they have been using a new band for the last 2-3 months. It's called a AVG or VGS.. lol.. Too bad I asked and can't remember lol.. He said that the advantage to it is that it's pre-filled with 3cc's (hence the fact I am NOT hungry). Also the older bands had the balloon around most of the inside of the band, but doesn't go fully around because of how the band clipped together around the stomach. In this band the balloon goes fully around the inside, leaving less chance for the erosion on the stomach.. Hope I explained that right lol.. Also, if I ever get to a support group at the same time as you, I have like 8 Isopure's left.. If you want them you can have them. I just can't drink them! They're expensive little buggers to be wasting:) Anyhoo, I'm going to get my butt in gear, and bring my note to my employer. Back to work tomorrow!:thumbup: ~Kerri

lol bratz.. The night before I was allowed mushies I had a french fry or 2. (Or maybe like 5..) But they were small pieces. And soo good:)

THANKS SPECIALK! That must have taken you a while.. I have been curious and asked who was when and about how many Shrinking Shamrocks there were, so this is my answer! yay! Thanks!

Behealthy- Dr.Trieu did my Surgery:).. As Sarah said, the Augusta program is wonderful, and everyone is so helpful! Good luck at the seminar, and don't be afraid to ask questions, they have all the info you need:) Sarah, I just looked in my planner. My last nutrition appointment was 1/24, got approval on 1/31. First fitness guru appointment and nurse consult was 2/14, second fitness guru appt. and final consult with Dr. Trieu was 2/21. Received surgery date 2/28 for 3/19, and a pre op date of 3/12. Hope this helps.. I can't remember if I put up the dates before? lol.. As always there's a disclaimer with my experience, but I figured it would give you an idea:) I am sooo crossing my fingers for you to have a 2hr approval!:crying: Off to make myself eat something.. gahhhhh.. So glad I'm not hungry, but it's hard to eat when your not.. I guess there's a first for everything lol.. :)Kerri

Hi Jennifer.. Congrats on your loss! That's great:) Are you planning on going back for another fill eventually, of are you satisfied where you are? Welcome behealthy! It's always great to see more Mainer's on here:) Is there a Waterville bariatric program? I know Augusta has some meetings there, just wasn't sure if there's a program there? Anyhoo, congrats on getting started on your weight loss journey, and finding this site. It is full of info! Let us know if we can be of any help to you:) Sarahh.. are you out there??? lol.. Hope everything is going along smoothly with you.. You are too funny with the increased blood sugar reading.. lol.. My understanding was that if you have a qualifying BMI and one comorbidity, you are pretty much set as far as approval goes. Have you looked through the insurance thread about BCBS at all?? (I think you said you have BCBS? lol).. I'm forgetful for sure!:scared2: My mushies are still going great. I am eating most of my Protein for now! yah!!:sad: I can't wait for Wednesday, as I will be able to eat some more "normal" foods:) Also Tuesday is my post op, so I'm pretty psyched to weigh in on their scale.:wink: I'll stop rambling now lol.. Hope everyone enjoys this warmer weather coming up, I'm soooo excited! Take care all, ~Kerri!!

This story is heart breaking:(.. I just don't even know what to write.. I am going to be politically correct here, and keep (most of) my humble opinion to myself. I get so frustrated at these stories, and parents being so (in my opinion) neglectful. That 11 year old child never had a chance at life at the hands of her parents. Aren't parents supposed to be protectors and do everything in their power to keep their children healthy and safe? In my opinion they failed as parents, and allowed their child to die at the hands of their beliefs. Shame on them! Having some knowledge of diabetes, I am sure this child had serious acute symptoms prior to death- if not just being in a coma. Isn't it a hint to push your religion aside, and seek medical treatment, when your child is suffering to this extent?? Heart breaking... just heart breaking...

oooh! 2 weeks:) Wednesday will be 2 weeks:) My post op is Tuesday, maybe I'll see if I can get my Doc to take them off.. I'm so afraid I'll mess something up! I also have what I think is a stitch poking through one of the strips. EEK! lol..

Gee, I wish my steri strips would fall off?! They are so nasty looking from all the sticky stuff. Ughh.. Plus, I'm anxious to see what my battle scars look like;) Yesterday I tried something that I think Harley suggested?? I put ice and a chocolate shake in my blender with some instant coffee, and a little bit of International Delight SF french vanilla coffee.. MMMM.. It was the best.. It tasted like a Dunkin' Donuts coffee coolatta:) Strangely though, after I sat at my computer with my delightful new treat, my blender turned on.. It scared the crap out of me! I walked over to turn it off, and it turned off on it's own?!... After a few moments of debating fleeing the house, I went back to my computer chair to drink up, and dismissed my blender coming to life.. How odd?? :)Kerri

JCPenney also has a great selection. They have a "bust minimizing" option on the swim wear page, and it brings up some cute styles.. Good luck!

I'm sure you guys caught the "one a day multi vitamin" add a few weeks ago.. It was the lamest!! I laughed so hard.. What a joke! Bob went into Dans room to see his new outfit and conveniently asked if he was taking his one a day mens vitamin.. "Oh, look Dan, your Mom left her Womens one a day here.. Your mom, as a woman needs other vital nutrients to support her throughout her day. That's why Womens one a day is specially formulated with blah blah bla blah blah." haha..

Uhhh... Lets get it on, by Marvin Gaye lol

I am on Yasmin as well. I am a continuous use gal.. I take the sugar pills at the end of the pack one time a year, (or so my gyno suggests..) which makes for a short spotty 3-4 day cycle, then I'm back to skipping the sugar pills. Yasmin has been the best for me so far, helping immensely with PMDD, and my skin... Plus no weight gain:)

Hi Sarah:) All is well with the mushies! I am so glad to be able to eat again:) I have gained 1lb, which I expected, getting off the clear liquid phase. I am not back to work until next Thursday, Dr.Trieu has patients take 2 weeks:( I definitely feel good enough to go back though! I have my post op appointment next Tuesday. I am excited to get the okay for work and more activities! Hopefully I can keep my weight down until my first fill. I am expecting some weight gain with the introduction of normal foods, but I would be devastated to gain it all back! When is your last nutritional appointment? It must be coming right up! You will be a bandster before you know it!! Hope everything is going well for you:) ~Kerri

Hi Veronica, and welcome to the Maine forum! How cool is it that we were banded on the same day! yay!! How are things going for you? Are you still on liquids? It surely gets better as each day goes by! The only discomfort I feel at this point is minor port pain once ina great while, especially if I move the right way.. I was thrilled to start mushies today! Hope you are feeling better, and I am super glad you found us here! :eek: Kerri

Frances- I have also found that meal planning is key! I have rid my house of everything I know I will want to eat, and went shopping for only items I will need to make my next few planned meals.. I did this pre surgery a few times and it worked well, so I am hoping that I will have the same results, and stick to it! Good luck to you! :)Kerri

Haha.. Every morning after I pee too.. lol.. I think it's an instant gratification kind of thing.. You had this surgery, and are working hard, you want to see results now!! I am going to hide my scale as well.. I started on mushies today and don't expect to be dropping as I have been which in the past has set me onto a bad path.. Bad scale results= bad eating behaviors.. So here I go.. I am off to hide my scale! Good luck everyone! :)Kerri

AMAZING!!!!!! How wonderful for you to share with us!! Congratulations:)