Dragonwillow

i just got an account on flickr.com it makes it easier to post pictures. Since the only way I have figured out how to post is by doing the link to them thing. Melissa

LOL We had a gym membership at the y for over a year before we started using it. Actually I started using it originally because hubby was talking about canciling it! With the kids in school its just habit for me to go by the gym on the way home. And now that Karah will be in school too I won't even have to keep things to a certain time limit...so hoping I'll be able to take more classes. Melissa

I actually LIKE going to the gym, but during the summer there is no set schedule for anything and I just haven't been going as much as I was. The gym is a good 20 or so minutes from the house too. School starts back soon, and I will be dropping the kids off and heading to the gym which is on the way home as usual then. I rarely miss a day during the school year. And looking at what I do with the kids, I'm not totally disactive now. Swiming alot, walking alot, paddle boats (who thought these were fun?) etc. I'm sure its not as intense as the 35 minutes on the treadmill and the 35 minutes on the ellipital I do when I get to the gym...but at least its something. Melissa

I went from exercising 5 times a week to not doing anything for the last 2 weeks. To say I've been in a funk would be an understatement lol. i NEED to get my ass off the couch and to the gym. Melissa

Well when I was doing 2 hours i did 35 minutes on the treadmill, and 35 minutes on the elliptical. The other time was spent doing weights. Or I would do a 50 minute class and weights. My favorite class is Zumba, its dance areobics..lots of fun even if you aren't any good at dancing like me Btw, after doing this much exercise and not loosing weight I went to the doctor and found out that I'm hypo thyroid. And to be honest since the dosage has stablized I've been rather sparatic with my workouts. I log my exercise in fitlinx...and it tells you how many calories you burned that day, how many that week , month, year or even lifetime (since you started logging). Madam, please tell me you have "healthy choices " on your menu LOL. I couldn't imagine trying to run a resturant and loose weight, more kudos to you! Melissa

Yeah well I was, and although I firmed up some muscle I didn't lose much on the scale. I haven't been as comminted since june. Its just harder with the kids...the oldest hates going to the gym for that long, so I tried doing shorter sessions so she would go with me, and that hasn't worked out. Since I've been on the anitbiotics I haven't had much motivation for anything. My system has always been effective heavily by medicine. Its why I try to avoid it at all costs LOL. This month since the kids are still home I'm going to just do as much exercise as I can and not worry too much about "my schedule" and get back into that when school starts on the 25th. Are we going to log our food and exercise here? or just report in that we are sticking to our goals? Melissa

I'm game. I'm trying to lose before surgery. So far...I've lost and regained the same 2 lbs about 10 times I think. I have totally fallen off the exercise band wagon. I was going 2 hours a day 5 days a week. So got to get back on track...stop dipping my toes in the water and jump right in. Melissa

I tested positive for they h pylori bacteria. I'm currently on antibiotics for this taking a total of (19 pills a day). I'm almost finished with the treatment 3 days left. My surgeon requires that I be restested to make sure the bacteria is gone since this bacteria causes ulcers. I have to wait 4-6 weeks for retesting. Then I should be able to send in for insurance approval. At first I was pretty upset that this was causing me yet another delay in getting a surgery date. But have recently decided that I'm thankful that through the testing they found I had the bacteria before I developed and ulcer. I also have mild refulx (who knew...not me) the dr didn't think it would cause me anymore trouble with the lapband that it does now (none). From what I understand that after banding the gastro doctor should know you are banded and you might have to be unfilled if you have to another endoscopy. But it should still be able to be preformed. hope this helps, Melissa

I am so proud of you Kim. You are doing great! You are going to be at goal for sure by next spring at this rate. Just think...not worrying about shorts and bathing suits! You go girl! Melissa

Had my appointment with Dr. Voellinger today. He was very nice and anwsered all my questions not that I had nearly as many left after pumping you all for information over the last couple of months. All my test are done except the psych appointment...and everyone knows my grumblings on that one ...hehehe. I mentioned the lapband support group that Kim asked about and he thinks its great. He said how great Kim is doing too. (Kim....The doctor was bragging on you . ) Well off with the family to the movies. Melissa

Okay here is the hair do. There is also a picture of Kristen (my 13 yo's) new hair color. And guess what, she has grown and inch this summer she is not exactly my height! Guess both her and hubby is going to tower over me! And I ain't short. LOL hope the link works as I haven't figured out how to paste pictures in the msgs. Melissahttp://flickr.com/photos/85581585@N00/

Welcome Star, hope you will be up to meeting us in August! Wow girls, our group is growing! Melissa

I think most doctors preach low carb and not no carb. And the carbs they want us the eat are not the ones we craved. All those chocolate covered one do nothing for us nutritionally. If you are going to have carbs it should be the whole grain varity so that you get nutritional benifits from it. I think a no carb diet would not only be hard, but dangerous. Now, back to my chocolate covered carbs. Melissa

I do weight training too. Though I have progressed to free weights yet. That area intimidates me a bit...going to eventaully get a personal trainer just to make sure I start out right. I used the machines, and lift pretty heavy weights on them. I was told by my doctor that I could return to weight lifting at 2 weeks out and heavy lifting at 6 weeks out. I was told in no way would it interfer with my lifting schedule. Melissa

I'm hanging in there...I hate these antibiotics...i'm taking them regularly and haven't missed a dose but they generally make me feel like crap. And since I never figured out when I could eat Calcium I've mostly cut it from my diet. Never thought I'd miss string cheese so much! LOL. Took the kids out to carowinds today, but the heat was too much, have had a headache all night. Not sure what I can take with the antibiotics so havent' taken anything. Think now that I have Karah in bed, I'm just going to try and sleep it off. At least I didn't burn. Getting my hair done tomorrow, I'm a little nervous since I have given him freedom to do whatever to it. I'll try and post some pictures of the results. My psych appointment is monday, going to stop by and find out if they can apply for insurance once the report is in. Surely they don't have to wait till after the retest for h pylori. (heheh I'm forever impatiant as always you see) I may head to that sale you mentioned on the saturday we are all meeting. Tried Karah's school uniforms on her....too big. So going to have to look for her size in regular kakki and navy pants and skirts. I just hate that the uniform skirts were too big they were so darn cute. Oh well I bought the smallest size, she will grow into them eventually. Melissa

Congrats. Hopefully you will have a date soon! I'll be jealous of course, but happy for you . Melissa

My doctors office says that United Health Care is one of the quicker responders. I would call and make sure they have everything they need. And then get on your dr. office and make sure they sent everything in on time. If you just called and they said it would take 30 days....well they aren't stupid...they are going to give you the longest amount of time it takes them, not necessarily how long it actually takes. You are just a file to them, you want to talk to people there and make sure that you get someone who will see you as a person, you will more than likely get better anwsers and responses then. Melissa

The thing that is slowing me down the most is that I tested positive for h pylori bacteria when they did my endoscope. So with 2 weeks of antibiotics to take and another 6 weeks after to wait to be "retested" to make sure it is gone, before my paperwork is completed. I started this journey in May. Melissa

I don't know it rather made me feel even more at peace with my decision. Its clear from seeing the surgery that it very mild compared to many other surgeries. I do hope it stays up longer than a week. What would be interesting would be to see the rny or the double switch done. I'm sure there is much more bleeding and much more "tramua" done to the organs. And it also showed clearly how the liver is in the way, unlike many diagrams and such. I am defiently going to stick to that two week diet when its time to shrink it some. Melissa

My 13 yo writes fantasy and poetry. I used to in highschool quite a bit, but just stopped. She asked me why, didn't have any good reasons really. So I started writing again. Its in our blood as my grandmother had several published short stories and was working on a novel at her death. A couple of years ago I tried drawing, the results were quite funny...but better than what I expected. I also love to scrapbook. What I wish I had a skill for was gardening...I have a huge out of control yard. Mari, I wish I could draw like that. My 5 year old wants fairies painted on her wall. I faux painted clouds and haven't ventured farther than that! lol Despite the fact she nags at me constantly. I will see if I can find a picture of my dragon pens or dragon sculptures I make out of poly clay...thats probally my favorite thing out of all my "crafty" hobbies. melissa

I thought it was very cool to see the surgery. I think I'm going to ask Dr V if I can have pictures of mine? LOL He will most likely laugh at me. My 13 year old thought it was gross too btw. Melissa

I've got a few..some of which can be quite petty: 1) I want to loose the weight and then get nominated for extreme makeover or swan type shop to have all the rest of flabbyness removed, lifted and tucked. 2) I want to wear one of those damn bali cami type tops that are all the rage now...I don't care that it won't be in style anymore when I get there. 3) I want to wear a bathing suit and LOOK good in it. 4) I want to try rock climbing (i know a weird one) 5) I want to run a marathon (tried a few years ago, but only got to 18 miles in training and my weight started causing knee issues. 6) want to go to glamour shots and get a photos done. (they do sexy shots too) 7) I want a pair of leather pants and a corset..not sure where the frail I'd wear them since I haven't seen anyone at pta with them and I'm not the "party" gal. But I'm getting them none the less. Even if I just get a photshoot done with them. 8) I want to weigh less than an ex friend..(thats the petty part)

I rather like the suggestion to just causually say you had some laporsopic surgery. Believe me he won't press....and I doubt he will ask. Naked women.....willing women....horney male...nope i'mb betting he won't ask. But if he does if you say you had laporsopic surgery and aren't specific you are not lying. So if this turns into more than dating later down the road you didn't start off wrong by lying. In a relationship one of the most important parts is honest and trust....so be don't be specific and keep ALL your options open. Oh and good luck this weekend ! Melissa

Welcome to lapband talk! Everyone here is great and will help your through the process as well as after surgery. I'm in NC so don't know any docs in Missouri, just wanted to welcome you to the board...it has been a great help to me in my waiting. Melissa

I have to admit I'm a bit jealous at how fast the process was for her....I mean I went to my seminar in May, but that was after doing months of research on my own first. I've already had all my test done except psych which will be August 1st....but that isn't whats going to hold up my surgery. I had the h pylori bacteria that is known to cause ulcers. I don't have any ulcers, but the bacteria. I am on a regimin of anitbiotics for two weeks, then I have to wait 4-6 weeks to be retested to make sure the bacteria is gone before my dr, will okay me for surgery and his office will send off for insurance approval. I'm glad they found the bacteria, and prevented me from developing an ulcer. And it does make me feel really safe in my surgeon that he is so paticular. It is a bit dishearting though to feel like the carrot is always just out of reach. I did have a friend ask me this weekend why they can't go ahead and get insurance approval in the meantime, since there is only a 10% chance of not knocking out the bacteria. I think I will call and ask one of the office gals this next week, or maybe I'll just wait till after my Psych appointment and see if they can go ahead and file insurance then. I've decided this surgery will happen for me, its just a matter of when now. Being a detail, scheduled freak though that I am the unknown drives me a bit nuts. I'm not so good with going with the flow . Melissa