luluc

I will send you a care pckg from TX - baby cucumbers/jalapenos/straberries:::tongue:))...Don't have olive branches:)LOL

Dallas, TX area $15k - That covers a full yrs worth of fills (afterwards $100 each) & all aftercare appts.

NukeChick - thanks for your response! I was sure things did improve ... But also glad I don't live near the 2 above cities...:tongue: lol I certainly don't pretend to know all the science behind things. I read Jack's comments about the PNW, with sadness. Again, I find it frustrating the dual tongued politicians on this issue of "going green". I also understand your love of the SUV :redface:. On the afternoon I was arguing w/the local propane company about the tanks I wanted; the owner pointed out my Hummer and told me to get a grip on trying to be environmentally friendly. He was right, but I'm on an all terrain ranch, and well - all other trucks didn't cut it ... Oh well, he was right to a degree.

I don't know....My first 2 fills were over a full CC each - but we could go back every 2wks for additional fills. I've read a bunch that fills can take up to 2wks to "kick" in. That has never been my experience. They either restricted me or not ... So the happy lapband journey of 5 months of getting fills took 7 before I got true restriction. It's a PITA & willpower / diet had to occupy me in the meantime. Cry a river...see if it works:tongue:

Not a fan of Nuclear Power Plants, well maybe I'm not well informed...but do have some experience. Grew up near one on Long Island, NY ... and in the period of time in operation, LI had a rapid increase of cancer, specifically breast cancer. I personally have no backup information to proove this - however as a young girl I recall many TV reports & Doctors claimed this plant to be the cause. When it hits your family (mom & 2 of her sisters in their 40's, all survivors of breast cancer) - you have to "suspect" the worst. This was the early 80's - so these plants I'm sure have evolved .. but I know I would never live near one (are there any in TX?). I sorta do like my windmills - they do aid in providing our tanks (ponds) with Water for cattle, and after last nights storms....their full. Again not overly informed, & not trying to act as such,...my experience has formed my opinion. Lulu~

where do you live ceradad??

good luck whosya!!!!!! yesterday - day off (did take my horse out for an hr ride) today - 2mile warm up on bike 90 training session w/trainer: upper body & abs / 2 mile run 2mile warm down on bike

yesterday - b- 1c edamame l- 1/2 turkey wrap plain w/1/2c cottage cheese d- 1/2 turkey burger w/cheese no bun s- 1/2 bag 100 cal popcorn

I love the country - Never would imagine this NYC chick would LOVE having no neighbors; just dogs / cows / horses. lol We just put in a new septic tank and are in the process of drilling a well - but ya know is does pi$$ me off that those choices are TRIPLE the cost of doing things "non enviro friendly". It's a gripe of mine, I think if we're asked to do our part; we should have some cost efficient alternatives:)

I've read with interest this thread, and though sidetracked at times, I have a comment with the Green Concept & trying to do what's right for the Environment. My husband and I bought a ranch coming up on 3yrs now - and are remodeling/renovating our Farm House. This is a Ceiling to Floor remodel, replacing plumbing/electric/hot water heaters/air units/septic/propane tanks/etc - the list grows daily. My husband is an engineer, always wanted a "Green" house - and for the most part we have made improvements to do so where appropriate. Where this does "Not" work in my opinion is when dealing with the local town (politics) & generally "Used" services in the area. This could be a TX thing, but you don't fight or challenge certain services - including how you get water onto your property. We've wanted to make "green" choices during this renovation - and have been told flat out we will not be supplied propane, if it's "not' their tank we buy (not enviro friendly). Our water line stops about a mile from the house, and it "has" to be shared w/our neighbor who is next door....but there are 32 acres between us - because there is no initiative to bring it closer to our home. So water choices can't be made, they have to be shared. Now we have no issue w/our neighbor - quite friendly - but there are a LOT Of Government entities that really inhibit our ability to do what they're preaching as far as "Go Green". Ok - just my story, I do have a nice green house that I'm growing veggies for the first time, tying to do my part:tongue:

i was glad: 1- had my house cleaned beforehand 2- had a body pillow 3- heating pad 4- sf ice pops 5- recliner / comfy blankies 6- a wks worth of great tivo lined up 7- pain meds !!!!

NYGMEN, I'm not sure I said it wasn't "good" for you, but it isn't an altogether practiced mandate by all Dr's. My husband was banded the same day w/me and Had to be on a partial liquid / low carb diet; BMI dictates your diet based of my Dr's recommendations. I would never suggest going outside the parameters of your Dr's schedule of pre/post op liquid to food schedule, however it is an obvious observation in reading A LOT of threads that many are paranoid once introduced to foods after being on a liquid diet for 4+wks. It's actually quite normal for that to happen - but the paranoia that comes across is real & more than likely not explained. My personal observation was just that - I feel it's in a lot of Dr's practice to prepare for the Post Op Diet. Hubby lost 23 - gained 5; took a month to get caught up to start loosing again,....That's a real outcome potential. Very happy you got the appropriate jump start, and if your a NYG fan - I adore you more:)

I have my own view here & I did not have a pre-op diet. I've read an awful lot of people loosing 20-40lbs in their 2/3wk period of a liquid diet, and routinely those are the same people posting their fears of gaining weight during the mushy stage, or don't want to go to full 3 high Protein meals a day. My Dr is not a fan of liquid meals & nor am I, I want to eat - I didnt' sign up for this to drink a shake...but that's just MO. I might have been slow out of the gate, only loosing 11 lbs the first month - but 100% of my weightloss has come after the band. I've never once gained a pound (except maybe Water weight during TOM - but I don't weight then) even though I have been frutstrated when the scaled didn't move....But hey, it didn't move upwards either:rolleyes2:. My guess is majority of Dr's do this to get many prepared for the Post Op Diet, quite frankly a low carb diet does get the same results. Interesting thread!!

my friends are just now getting their arms around the fact that i'm cooking healthier - which they like, but still want me to make my big italian or jewish meals. when hubby and i moved out to the country 3yrs ago we realized we're always going to have wkend company! each wkend we have at least 3 houseguests, that come - wine in hand wanting me to cook for them. which i really do enjoy - i spend a lot of time getting really good quality fruits / veggies / meats / dairy & researching new recipes. sorta new hobby now.

Wow I can relate! Last year I was digging up flower beds around the house to replace with marble chip rock / austin stone...I took a break and sat down on what I thought was a "safe" rock till I felt the booty burning....Look down I'm covered in fire ants - I ran and jumped in the pool, and sat there for the day. By night fall I'm "swollen" - had to go to ER to get 2 HUGE shots.

i was able to eat saldad (an haven't had problems to date) since i went to solids - right at 4wks

yesterday - b- 1/2c fiber one cereal * 2%milk & strawberries s- 1/2 EAS carb control chocolate shake l- 2 grilled chicken strips w/a tbsp of hummus d- 2/3c cream of potato soup w/chives

Latex gloves!!! They have other uses:) but the oil in Jalapenos STAYS w/ya no matter how much you wash~~

thanks both - !! i'm just going to start adding them into the diet much more now (thanks mandilou for the website). i feel 6 months out i'm going to do a u-turn and change my food up big time, because working w/the trainer twice a wk, plus additional days @ the gym is leaving me pretty depleated. and no more fills!!! i might even have a bit taken out so i can get more calories in....appreciate the feedback.

boy stranger you've had some tuff fills!!! hope your tummy is feeling better. :frown::thumbup: wombat! i repeated A LOT of wks, but kept at it till the finnish line. right now i'm only running 1 day a wk an keeping it at 3 miles averaging between 33-29 minutes. for me it's gotten somewhat boring - but i do want it to be a pattern of at least "once" a wk. dh and i went mountain biking on sunday & realized how much we LOVED it when we weren't so fluffy. i think this might be a regular routine, well if i have a say...LOL have a good wk all~~~

ceradad - love your devotion!!!! today - 20min warm up on bike 1hr w/trainer - boot camp is just plain killing me with that said - got a question for you guys. food / NUTRITION. by the time my session was over i was shaking (literally), trainer got me a Protein shake and i was able to get half down.....felt nauseaus, but tried to get the protein in (trainer is big on getting protein in w/in 30minutes after a workout). my typical Breakfast is a Fiber Cereal w/fresh berries & milk (2%) & i eat that 40minutes or so before hitting the gym. the rest of the day i have 2 more meals that are high in protein - complex carbs. my trainer today told me i needed to eat more and get more carbs in, actually he's been telling me this for a while - i just have a hard time eating much more than 1000 a day...and lets face it carbs are what got me "fluffy" to begin with so i tried to break my addiction to them, and did so in the early months of getting the band. i think now - i need to make some changes - wanted to hear what you guys are eating in coordination w/some serious working out.???. any input totally appreciated....

yesterday - b- kasha go lean oatmeal - vanilla w/strawberries l- 1c edamame s- handful of almonds d- 2/3c chicken cobb saldad / glass of chardonay

thus it being a complaint.......

I forgot to mention regular "shop / barn " towels & clothes...It's a LOT to keep up with - I retired so early & thought this ranch life would be such a piece a cake.....WOW, and eye opener

well - have a hubby that travels tues/fri; drops & empties a suitcase and fills it back up. he changes w/work & gym clothes at least 3 times a day even when home. dogs - have 6 of them and have "dog" towels. i'm on a ranch they're in the pool / pond or have some funky mud stuff attached at all times. pool / hot tub - bath towels - i have issues i don't like to use a towel more than once. sheets / blankets - same as above, i change bedding often & since i let my dogs up on the couches i lay blankets out so they can be comfy. then there is me - i'm either at the gym, or working on the ranch...each is a change of clothes twice a day. it adds up ...damn is right