luluc

YES !! *he does have a butt...:embaressed_smile:" hee hee.... The snow pants he bought look like a down comforter. Snowboarding just appears to be too much work, I bet I find his A$$ in the lodge on lift 9 having some wine after his first run:)

It's constant - having political signs planted outside the gates.. From little County Sheriff / Town Board Members all the way to the General Election for President. I throw them in the back of my truck and they become firewood, strange enough they replace them...Again, keeps my firepit happy!!

Love skiing - DH came home last night with snowboarding "stuff". I'm like your kidding? You are NOT that coordinated, he gives a whole new meaning to being able to Walk & Chew Gum at the same time. He played college Football - only knows how to throw guys around, I can't WAIT to see him try snowboarding ... Will make my trip:)

I had a giggle this AM - While heading out (our driveway is a mile long dirt road - yep in the country - LOL) I noticed a "Huckabee" sign once I passed through our electronic gate. I immediately called my husband to see if he was playing w/me, and he's like NO - I didn't even see it. After I got out and certainly pull it from it's "stake in the ground" I realized the whole neighborhood has these signs up. I do have a "No Trespassing Sign" & "Be Aware - Dogs" sign as well, might have to get my 16yr old Chihuhua out to chase down them Huckabee Fans - My Labs will just roll over for a belly rub..:thumbup:

*Must say* I was not a good "pre op" band person. I did research on one Dr - mine; based off of the results I saw from BF's mom. All he does is Bands / His stats were great / his post op care fantastic / facility & staff - outstanding. So DH and I just said one night - that's what we're doing. Had a BS experience w/our insurance and said the hell w/it we'll just pay out right. I didn't find this site till after I was banded, it was listed on one of the thousand forms I had to fill out - and sorta wished I did. The information I found here, coupled w/my own research, I realized there were more than one option for me. I might very well have gone w/a Sleeve (more permanent solution) - because I don't have too much faith this band will outlast me...cause I plan on living a LONG time..HA. DH on the otherhand, to this day would only have chosen the band - .... I was in "instant gratification" mode - and paying another $600 wouldn't have bothered me in the least - I realize this may be an issue for some, certainly wasn't for me....Never considered Mexico, cause I didn't even know it was an option - might have done things differently (being in TX - close to MX) - but can't say I'm too dissappointed... At least not yet:tongue:

You know Wasa, I would have preferred a smaller band - but it is what it is. I don't necessarily have an issue with losing at what I call a snails pace while integrating better eating habits and more importantly excersising on a regular basis. Correct - it took me 7 yrs to gain 75lbs & I've learned to be more patient w/my number on the scale as the inches are satisfying me at the moment... For an instant gratification type person - this is pretty big for me. I don't get into my Dr is Better than your type of discussions - cause well, he's just a Dr, and I'm not on his payroll, same goes for Brand. As a self pay, as was my husband, my surgeon got a $30k check the day of our surgeries - I expect from him what was outlined to us in our $15k PP package, the rest is up to me and how I learn to live w/the band. I wasn't offered the Realize - my brother was and I am MORE than pleased there is competition in this arena, I'm a fan of it.

I mixed (and still do) some hummus in my cottage cheese, sometimes salsa..

I was thinking my Golden needs a lapband, she doesnt get the exercise the Labs do, in fact she's napping on my feet right now....Cute! Wombat, think Whosya said that once you get to that part in wk 5 - it gets a lot easier.....I think it does~

I've yet to have an issue with salad, in fact I was CRAVING greens when I was onto solid foods. I easily have a salad every other day - be sure to chew well and you should be fine:) Good Luck!!

Just curious - As a self pay did your $20k not come w/any after care such as fills / followup? I get a years worth of free fills (self pay myself), after that they are $100 & I can go every 2 wks - nothing sooner. If the nurse you see is working for ya, more power to you...not necessarily something I'd do - but it's your cash, your body, your decision...

It's luluc:wink2:, My paperwork, and my Dr has called the band placed inside me the APS *small* 10cc vs the APL *large* 14cc. The fill center I go to calls the band I have APS as well, but refers to the S as standard / again vs the large that's available. I'm not necessarily sure I was incorrect calling mine "small" - but whatever.... At the time of my surgery, 4+ months - 5cc's were put in (not 3 or 4), and after 5 fills so far I'm at 7.4 in 10. Not sure I have that much of a jump start as compared to Ellisa - as I lost 40lbs so far compared to her Ellisa who's 2 months behind me and has lost 30lb. My 40 has come with A LOT of diet and a LOT of exercise - my restriction is ok, I know it's there....but my surgeon did tell me early on that I would likely need to go over 8cc's to get to my sweet spot. I average a fill every 3 wks, and fill no 6 is on Monday...Hope I get to where I see restriction that I hear from those with the Realize band....This is the reason my brother wants the Realize band, because those who have *in his research, not mine* .. restriction comes faster....I have no scientific data to publish this to be true or not., just seems to be the course. There are no 2 alike in how the band works, whichever band, in my opinion - what works for one will not work for another.

I was told 4wks as well, but I took that to be my own pool...Might want to check RE: public pool for sanitary purposes...

I have the same surgeon as jbentleyrn, and had 5cc's put in during my surgery. Go for fill #6 next wk...still don't have perfect restriction , was told I'd need to be over 8cc to get there...

today: b - 1 scrambled egg w/wheat thin toast w/ 1/2tsp of chive/onion cream cheese l - 3 oz tuna w/ 1/2c field green salad d - 3 oz turkey meatloaf w/ 1 artichoke s - chiquita banana red grape packet

Good luck w/your surgery next wk TXG!!! Let us know how it all goes, ** who cares if ya have to start back at wk1 ** ..., so long as ya start back up...Take care, Lulu

Georgia Girl, Keep 'em coming w/the recipes...I made a dish last wk w/spaghetti squash (prepared same evoo - cool down), took lean pork chops and made a stiry fry w/sugar snap peas / pepers / onions / (can use any veggies) w/a light sesame oil / sauce....poured it over the squash and nobody missed rice or noodles. Spaghetti squash is in the veggie section and labled as such..EVOO, Extra Virgin Olive Oil....

Interesting thread - My Best Friend had a TT 3yrs ago. She had already had 3 kids, and though she was not over weight or lost a huge amt..she had loose skin and it personally bothered her. At the same time of her TT she had her boobs lifted.... Well, "new" husband - and "poof" she's gets pregnant w/No 4. For those who may want to become pregnant after a TT - it's a crap shoot. I don't think a Dr can make any guarantee what your body will look like afterwards. She looks perfect in my opinion, 16 months after giving birth. She does take care of herself / eats well / works out - ... Her belly bounced back awesome and she's 39.....

Thanks Elisabeth for your post. Very elegantly stated as was Deneicy's. I didn't come here to slam anyone, and don't believe I did. I came to this post because even though I'm post op w/the Small AP Band - I have a brother that was recommended the Realize band in another state. He's asked me questions, and quite frankly - I had none. I saw this thread as something to gain information from , it was a rambling infomercial w/a really low budget in my view. I'm not here to "egg" the drama, nor should I use an Ignore feature...All this Poster / he or she / has done was send me out to be more diligent in my understanding of this band by reading as much as possible ** outside of wikipedia**. Lulu

I'm w/you Allison - I'm pretty hungry now, and fill #6 can't come fast enought (Monday 3.3) today: b - 4oz 2% cottage cheese & 2 oz blackend chicken s - 1/2c mixed walnuts/almonds l - EAS Carb Control Strawberry/cream Protein Shake d - going out to eat , small tuscan rest - and HOPE i can make a healthy choice & not gorge on pasta & wine...:biggrin:

you know a funny nsv - my husband used the "term NSV" this past wkend. he was banded w/me, but has never been on this forum or any other - but has picked up some of my terms. he was excited to get off his blood pressure meds - and his doc said he looked thinner, he was so excited to use that term...i laughed:)

think i mentioned this in another thread - the scale is EVIL~!~!~!~ i weigh only once a wk *unless* i'm a masochist that day. i've taken to like my tape measure better than the scale and my guest closet. when feeling bummed out i go to the closet and pull down my older clothes and see what size i can fit in. i went from a 4 to 16 in 7yrs - so i have a LOT to play with:)

I've yet to experience any kind of heartburn post or pre ban for that matter. But I have developed a craving for dairy - that never use to be. You couldn't pay me to have a glass of milk prior to the band, let alone have a bowl of cereal. Lately each night before bed I pour myself a 1/2c of 2% Borden Protein Milk - I also have yogurt / cottage cheese in one of my meals per day. That may not sound like too much - but I tell you, that never happened pre band. Could be I just am craving healthier choices - or dairy...not sure, it's definitely not "pregnancy" , my hair and nails look great tho!,

great job guys!! really awesome! i'm learning to take a day off and not work out at all - the rest is apparently something the legs "crave".... completed wk 7 day 1 yesterday - and bumped my speed to 5.1 ...working my way out of slow poke'ville:) have a great wk all~~ cute pup whosya!!

That is great Amy!!!