mousecrazy

I use it and love it! It's expensive, but I found if you are diligent on Ebay, you can find some pretty good deals....after you get used to using it, it doesn't take all that long to put it on....it covered flaws if you use it right. Be sure you have the good brushes, and have fun! (I am not wearing it in my avatar picture!) I guess I need a new avatar picture, since that one is almost a year old now...I'll get around to it, huh? Cindy

Donali described the wound vac as well as it can be described without seeing it...it is a little pump that does what she described in regard to the fluids, and the suction also helps the tissue knit together and heal faster and cleaner. My mom had one while she was in the hospital. More importantly, good luck with everything, and take Lisa's advice (Delarla). She is the voice of experience. Cindy

Hi everyone! Thanks for the welcome...and for the Texas gals, an impromtu support meeting would be great! Maybe we can organize one on the Texas board, or by PM? I have a run-around evening planned...my father picks my daughter up from school, so I drive from here (Carrollton) to Denton, have dinner with dad 7 daughter, hang out a while, then off to church for her choir chimes and choir rehearsal...that is not over until 8:15, then back in the car to head home (Sanger). Tomorrow, I may have a moment to breathe, since DH is taking DD down to Baylor Hospital to visit his father (my FIL), who just had hip replacement surgery. OOOOOOHHHHHHH....Dh brought home a ziploc containing all the hardward that was previously installed when they repaired his broken hip....OUCH! No wonder he was in pain. ReneBean, I am proud of you for following up on your quest...please keep telling us about your progress! It's great that you are taking control of the situation. Hang in there! Chick, it's always fun hearing from you! ILuvHarleys...wow! I didn't even realize we were posting in a NJ thread! Oops! I just click on New Posts, and start reading...so thanks to you Jersey chicks for letting us crash your party! Grand Prairie has the horse races, and the best live venue around (the little theatre near the races). Looks like ReneBean is in the middle. Have a good day, to all! Cindy

I want to ask the more experienced bandsters about plateaus. I believe it is normal to have periods where your weight stays the same...a body adjustment, so to speak. But, when is more than that, and an "official" plateau? And when do you need to do something about it, like get another fill, or rework your eating plan? I am trying to find the balance between patience and complacency. I await your words of wisdom....and thank you in advance. Cindy

I appreciate all the great feedback! I'm willing to read more, if there are others who have been through this (I guess we all have or will!). I did print out the "adjustment" sticky...because I am also deciding whether to have another fill. I have not been following all the rules, or even a majority of them, so I am taking myself back to strict adherence, and seeing what that will do. Repeat to self: It's not magic, it's not magic, it's not magic...." Sometimes I foget to work with my little guardian angel, and then it gets lazy! Thanks to all, Cindy

I will pray for your good health, and this is the beginning of that journey! You will be okay, and your son will have a healthy, energetic mommy! Let us know how you are doing! Cindy

Hi all! Just stopping by to read the chat! Love the house, NJ Chick!!!! And, your daughter is adorable...cute cheeks! Our kids look like sisters...I think I have a picture of DD on the picture thread somewhere?! Our neighborhood is festive, too...but we are behind this year...we can't keep our parents out of hospitals! We are promised a breath of cool air here in Texas maybe Thursday...it's still summer here! I would love to live in a cooler climate! We are planning to go to the State Fair of Texas this Saturday...it should be cheaper for us this year since I won't be eating my way through the booths! My strategy is to take bites off of DD and DH's goody stuff! They are offering fried peanut butter and jelly sandwiches this year. Is that gross or what? Later, Cindy

Hi! I am a new quilter....I hardly even count as one, but I am working on a couple of projects...my mom was an artist at it, and my grandmother is still quilting every day (she's 92!). I was banded a week before you, and have lost 36 total, but I started by ticker at the weight I was on surgery consultation. You are doing great!!! Thanks for the introduction, Cindy

Congratulations to you, and the other newbies on this thread! This is a great place to get info and support...take care and good luck! Cindy

I get alot of ideas from www.familyfun.com. Go take a look! Happy haunting, Cindy

Zippity doo dah! It's below 80 at night!!!!!!! This is my favorite day of the year, the day it is coller for the first time! Cindy

I did the same thing...checked the number of posts. It's a give away. Now, I am wondering who has enough to gain by posting negative band posts on band websites? To whom would it be worth it? And if this person just doesn't have anything better to do, how sad. Cindy

As always, Jack has said it best! The band provides a physical restraint. You can still eat around it, you can cheat yourself out of the usefulness of it, but overeating to the extreme is out, out, out! You will hurt or feel sick. It's not worth it. You will still have to "slay the dragon" of head hunger yourself, though. I love my guardian angel (band), because it gives me time to work through all these food issues, without going backwards. Cindy

funny! but, it may come in handy....I am fortunate to have a plethora of trusted and sadistic friends, so that won't be a problem! Cindy

Congratulations! Enjoy every minute of the excitement! Cindy

Hi, I confess that I have been eating ice cream before bed. I KNOW I shouldn't do that. I KNOW if I don't do that, I will lose weight more quickly. Thanks for being honest and bringing our own habits to our attention. Cindy

Hi, these moments are actually good for you! YOu'll be ahead of the game if this is your first one, and you act on it. Myself, I had several of those moments, and ignored them all. I DID get denied for additional life insurance because of my weight. I HAVE followed a dr.'s supervised diet several different times. I DID have comorbidites of joint pain. I watched my clothes sizes go from size 14 to size 26. FINALLY, I woke up, decided I was going to love the term "morbid obesity," and started the process of learning about lapband surgery. BEST thing I ever did. Good luck, Cindy

Hi, I have never had a PB. I HAVE had the pain part...when I eat too fast or don't chew well, especially if it is meat. Then I sit back, try to relax, and wait for the pain to go away. Then, I can eat the rest of my meal. I have never had the slimes or spit-up. Hope this encourages you. Cindy

You can do this. You must do this. Someone very dear to me has faced an addiction problem, and while it was extremely difficult, for everyone, it has paid off in so many blessings for our family, that there is no question that it was worth it. I will pray for your health. Cindy

Oops, I think our posts crossed in cyberspace! Rest and take care of yourself. Cindy

I was reading this thread to see how you are...please post when you see your dr. and let us know if you are okay. I'm so sorry you are going through this! Cindy

Thanks to all for sharing in the moment! Be sure to share your NSV's! It really helps. Smiles all around, Cindy

Every morning when I leave for work, which is lots earlier than my husband and daughter (long commute!), my daughter hugs me good bye. Yesterday, she wrapped her arms around me for a hug and said, "Gosh, Mom! You are geting skinny! I can wrap my arms all the way around you!" That was the best NSV I have ever had! It felt so good! Just wanted to share this great feeling with you! Cindy

Fantastic! You look great!

Someone else started a conversation about this in the Lounge, I think, but I wanted to start it here on the Texas board, also. Let's use this board as a place to offer or ask for assistance. I live north of Dallas, and can't offer a guest room, but please PM me for my phone numbers if you have questions like where to board pets, local motel/hotel numbers, assistance agency numbers or whatever, and I'll try to get you some info. Others on the other thread have offered their homes and other help, so check for that other thread. Please post if you are leaving your home, what precautions you are taking, etc...and thanks to the Florida folks who have offered good advice. Stay safe, Cindy