my_genre

For all of the manly bandsters among us or those whose boyfriend or hubby has been banded, what was the breaking point that made the guys choose to be banded? The reason I ask is I have suggested to my husband to think about having the procedure done and he wont even consider it. He acts as though it is a slap to his masculinity and while I continue to lose, he continues to gain. I am really worried about his health, he has a very high stress job in addition to the health risks he is submitting himself to by just being overweight. He keeps joking that he is finding all the weight I am losing....but what is not so funny...is there is some truth to that. I have put everyone here on a healthier diet, however I cannot control what he is eating on his commute to and from work or at work. He is an Executive Chef by the way. He knows he needs to lose, he states that repeatedly. Any ideas????? -Debra

I just wanted to let anyone in Missouri that is looking for a doctor that I used Dr. Jesse Lopez in Lenexa, Kansas. I had surgery the 7th of november and everything went excellent. The surgery center he used is by far the best medical establishment I have been to. If you need info just message me. -Debra

There was a group of us that used to share office suites when I was practicing esthetics. We had a very nice and very experienced lady who made her living doing electrolysis. This is the little that I know just through visiting with her. Electrolysis is only effective when it is performed during a certain phase of the hair growth and since hair does not all grow on the same cycle, repeat treatments are necessary for desired results. It is expensive and it is painful. I had her do a couple of hairs on me because my clients were always asking about it and I did not know what to tell them the experince was actually like. EVERY hair follicle must be individually zapped......OUCH...and basically that is exactly what is going on ...the follicle is being electrocuted. I don't see how this would be feasible for larger areas, but I don't know what you are considering it for. I am a huge advocate of safe sun/tanning rituals, as almost all the adults I know, including my husband, are getting all sorts of skin cancers removed from sun/tanning exposure. My advice would be to start using safe self-tanners or something like booth spray-ons, such as Mystic, and go for the laser treatments after you skin heals itself from the tanning damage. I think you will be much happier with the results and you will spare yourself from too rapidly aging your wonderful skin. I hope this helps. -Debra

Fran, I am also UHC. Dr Lopez is in-network for them and the hospital that he does surgery is is out-of-network...BUT:D ...they take whatever the insurance pays as what it would be as though it was in-network because they want you to be able to use their facility....which is exceptional BTW. Dr lopez can be reached at 913-649-7300, just ask to speak to Ginger. Good Luck! -Debra

My surgery was performed in Overland Park, Kansas. I have never heard of the doctor you have mentioned but as a word of warning- if I were you I would try to avoid Midwest Institute of Bariatric Surgery or I think they go buy Surigical Weight Loss Center in Lenexa at all costs.

I live in the Springfield area and was banded this last November in KC. I have been seeing Dr. Edwards for a couple of months now and he will continue my follow-up care. I also have UHC and have had no problem with surgery approval or get in-network benefits approval to see Dr. Edwards for my foll0w-up care (thanks to Donna:D ). I am not on this site much, but can be emailed at debbs1973@msn.com. I will also be at the next Monday night support group meeting. Good luck to you all! -Debra

I was looking for some Cereal at Walmart and I found 'Hi-Protein Crunch Cereal' from 'Back to Nature' brand. It is really good! It is sort of like a high protein (13 grams/serving) Honey Oat Clusters(I think that's the name). It is presweetned with cane juice, it is all natural and no perservatives. I can eat about a 1/3 Cup with a little milk or low carb yogurt and I am good to go. It is pretty easy for me to crunch up and get down:clap2: . Even my 2 year old, Greyson. gives his seal of approval and he is super picky. It was with the other cereals at Walmart, kind of off with the other 'healthy' ones. -Debra

You all are naughty, but for some reason I've got this craving to go get 'Jacked-up'.

I wish you all the best. No matter what the outcome, you will do great. I have not been on this site very long, but you are always so supportive to everyone and I do believe what comes around, goes around. You will be alright. :hug: -Debra

Sexy ! Sexy ! Sexy ! You should tell your hubby we all saw your Valentine's knickers before he did!!! Haha, just kidding.....Have a ton of fun, you will look so pretty.:biggrin1:

Thank you for the compliment! Made my day:biggrin1: ! -Debra

This seems strange to me, but does anyone else get really gassy after a fill or when you hit your sweet spot? My doctor adjusted my fill this last Thursday and it is perfect, however I have had horrible gas pains in my back and shoulders...like after my band surgery. It is definitely gas pains because it is not there all the time, in the same place always, and I can get relief by stretching and moving. Has anyone else 'blown-up' after a fill? Thanks -Debra

Too funny!!!!:biggrin1:

WOOHOO!!!!! I HAD MY FIRST PB!!!!!! HUH?????????????? :girl_hug: :girl_hug: While I am not excited that I actually PB'd, I am excited that I have some real restriction now. My doctor discovered that the PA that filled me the first time, made a mistake and only put in about half of the Fluid that he recorded, the rest went into my subcutaneous layer. So I was not where I needed to be (or where we thought I was) and I was getting so down about how hard I was fighting to not eat larger portions. I was beginning to question my decision to get banded. My fill was adjusted accordingly yesterday and I am good and tight now. So yippee!!!!!!!!:clap2: -Debra 5.5cc in a VG Band

Thanks DeLarla!!!!! It doesn't compare to riding the bull!!!! -Debra

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, when everything is dripping red and pink, and undoubtedly embellished in some type of frou frou lace, what do you do to feel sexy all the through the year? This is such an exciting time for many on this board as we reinvent our outward appearance and increasingly feel better physically, all this in and of its self makes us feel better, more confident, and sexier:kiss2: ,but what are the rituals we all do in addition to that? A certain perfume, piece of clothing, a drink (ha,ha:p), exercise, a certain song??? I know I myself have a 2-3 hour ritual which includes the whole nine yards of getting ready.:faint: I also know sometimes I feel absolutely flat and do not want to fuss with the whole mess, and sometimes I just feel downright yucky about myself. So I thought it would be fun to share some 'tricks' with one another. So come on Girls......Guys please chime in too!!!!! Where's DeLarla?????:clap2: -Debra

My husband and I purchased a new washer about 6 months ago and I thought I would share my thoughts on it in case anyone is looking to upgrade, be it tax return season or whatever. My husband and I are appliance snobs I guess. As expensive as they are, we want the bells and whistles we need and we want them to work like they should. I do laundry for a family of five, two of those being kids and one being a baby...needless to say our laundry really adds up.:faint: We are also very cost and environmentally concious. We started looking for a new washer about 6 months before we purchased one and I will say that I am EXTREMELY pleased with our decision. We ended up purchasing a Fisher and Paykel Intuitive Eco model at Lowes. Water level and the fabric type...even how dirty your laundry is. No, I do not work for this company or any company that sells these. I am just a busy mom with a friendly opinion that I thought might help someone else. Hope it does help, these are really worth checking out. -Debra

Vinesqueen, Great response, I wish I was that confident that it was that simple for me too. BTW- I love your new (well, newest avatar), you look great! -Debra

Randy, That is awesome that your Kenmore has lasted for so long and is working well. They must not make them like they did thirty years ago or we just had a weak model....because the washer we just got rid of was a Kenmore. Ughhhh.

I asked my husband for the Carmen Electra Aerobic Striptease DVDs for Christmas. They are fun, but I think I would die of so much blood rushing to my head:o if he ever saw me down them. I like to wear heels when I go out, but I am atleast 6'3" with them (6' standing barefoot) and I feel funny looking eye to eye or down on hubby who stands 6'3". A pedicure or massage is a great pampering way to talk myself into feeling a little sexy.

:clap2: What a great response Paul!!!!!!!! I am SOOOOO Jealous:p .

Does anyone know where to buy the SoBe Lean drinks by the case? It says on their site that Sams and costco has them, I have not found that to be true though. I am hooked on the Green Tea, it is made with Splenda. Yummy!!!!! It gets expensive by the bottle though. Thanks. -Debra

Laura, I can sympathize with you BIG TIME! My mother had RNY about three months before I had my surgery and she has lost over 100 hundred pounds and mine is coming off so slowly in comparison that I feel like it is non-existant sometimes. Keep your chin up and i will try to do the same!

Sherry, Congrats!!!! You made it girly! We will talk as soon you get to feeling better. ((((HUGS)))) -Debra

I use my crockpot often, but I hate to clean it up afterwards:faint: . Much to my delight, I saw a commercial today for disposable crockpot liners....Woohooo! I think they were made by Reynolds, and looked a lot like the box that their roasting bags comes in. They even fit the large oval pots, which is what I have. Yeah!!!!!:clap2: