Anwyn

Hi everyone! No time for personals right now - I shouldn't be on here at all but I couldn't resist catching up with everyone. It's going to be 78 here today! That's pretty amazing for Michigan in April. Does everybody have their taxes done? Oh boy, my 2 year old is eating leftover spaghetti. What a mess! She's picking up each noodle individually and slurping it in... ah, to be a kid again. I bought the kids the cutest gardening stuff at Target for Easter... kiddie size wheelbarrows, shovels, gloves, etc. They're going to be helping me this Spring, they just don't know it yet. Okay, time to bake! Enjoy your day. :uwelcome:

I just read an article about the families on yahoo.com, but I can't find it anymore... Apparently some of them are really struggling and relying on friends and families for donations. The show doesn't even pay for them to stay out in CA unless they're the guardian of one of the minors. With all of the money they're raking in from that show you'd think they could pony up so that it's not a hardship to the family.

Hi Josie, Keep me posted on your tests next week. Hopefully the unfill will resolve your issues and give your tummy a break. I'm sending positive vibes your way. :uwelcome: (((HUGS)))

Hi everyone! I spent the day at the park with the kids and running errands for the egg hunt. I'm pooped. Tomorrow I'll be baking all day, but I'm looking forward to that. I found some really good coffee cake recipes at allrecipes.com. If you've never checked out that site, I highly recommend it. All of the recipes have been reviewed, and there are thousands and thousands of recipes. The coffee cakes are going to be low fat of course... yeah right! :heh: Eilene, I almost did a spit take when I saw that picture. Where do you find these things? If the waiter was even half that cute, I want in. LOL! Who do you have coming for Easter dinner this year? Kelly, I think the closest Cheesecake Factory to us would be in either Chicago or Cleveland. I've been to the one in Chicago, and it's soooooo good. Time for a road trip! Patty, I don't think I could stand up again if I sat on the ground for 6 hours. That sure does sound like fun though! Pat, don't underestimate the value of a good lawyer. If he can help your son he'll be worth the money. My BIL was brought up on some very serious criminal charges over 10 years ago. My MIL spent every dime she had on a hick town lawyer (hundreds of thousands of dollars) and even though there was ample evidence to prove his innocence he sits in jail to this day. After several appeals my BIL has been granted a new trial by the state, which almost never happens (so you know his lawyer screwed up BIG time). Wow! Sorry - don't know where that rant came from. I guess my point is, a good lawyer is hard to find, so if this guy comes highly recommended it will be worth the dough. Irene, enjoy your extra time off and have a safe flight home! What are your Easter plans? Is DH making something yummy? Randy, how long did he say to monitor your sugar intake? I hope you feel better soon! I've had dizzy spells before and they're quite frightening. Nothing since being banded though... Mary, congrats on the raise! What do you do for a living? How do you like the new haircut? I'm going to have a few inches taken off of mine for the Summer, but it's pretty long right now. Sherry, Darcy, Cindy and Betty - HUGS. What are your Easter plans? Time to go have coffee with DH. Hope everyone is enjoying their evening. :uwelcome:

Hi Josie - welcome to LBT! I was also banded in July 2005, and I recently had a new band placed after slippage. Symptoms can vary but these were mine: Severe acid reflux Stomach pain increasing in severity over several days Inability to keep fluids down I hope that helps!

April & Skye, here's the good news: You don't have slipped bands. Now here's the bad news: You're going to be hungry until you achieve proper restriction after one or more fills. Once the swelling goes down after surgery you are left with an unfilled band. It's completely normal for hunger to resume to pre-band levels. Most doctors don't do the first fill until 6 weeks post-op. Try to think of this as healing time and not weight loss time. Once you get the proper restriction the weight will start to come off. Hang in there! I'm right there with you - I don't get a fill until May 10th.

Congratulations on your decision! It's reassuring to see someone with a medical background choosing the band. If you feel mentally ready to take on a hardcore diet, I say go for it! Every pound you lose will be one less to deal with down the road.

Hopefull, Bucky was voted off tonight. Not surprising, but still sad. He seems like a nice guy. They really dragged the results out tonight. Thank God for TIVO. :Banane04:

Oh, definitely use one of Jacks! Although, technically I believe this is a love square. Wait, no, it's a trapezoid. This is such a tricky subject. I'm most comfortable with a straightforward "I had a band put around my stomach to help me control my appetite." Then I quickly change the subject by telling them how great THEY look.

I couldn't agree more! All great acts, but completely irrelevant in today's pop market.

Good morning everyone, Sherry, Happy Belated Birthday! It sounds like you had a wonderful day. Your family sounds like a great bunch. Kelly, you wouldn't be normal if you didn't resent your DH for quitting his job. Is there any chance he can get in at Walmart? I remember you were talking about him trying to get in there. Pat, (((HUGS))) for you and that little girl. I'm glad you talked to her teacher. No surprise that she's acting out in school, poor thing. Eilene, I thought I was the only one still messed up from the time change! I've been going to bed at 2 am and dragging all day. Hope you feel better after a cup of coffee. I'm going to go make one right now... Betty, I live about 3 hours from Shipshewana. I've only been twice, but it's a lot of fun. Quite a different lifestyle (it's an amish community for y'all who've never heard of it). I bought a glider rocker there for my nursery when I was preggers with my son. Bean, are you in NY all week? Hope your trip is going well! Okay, I really have to go make that cup of coffee. It's rainy and overcast, so I need a pick me up. The carpet cleaners will be here in a few minutes. No big plans for the day... going to Sam's Club to buy sausage and french toast sticks this afternoon for my brunch. Exciting stuff! :bored Patty, Darcy, Mary, Donna, Cindy - what are you folks up to today? As my DD would say... big huggies everyone!

Congratulations Molly! It sounds like your recovery is going great.

Hi BakoGal! Welcome to LBT... I had pain for a minute or so when I woke up before the meds kicked in, but then it was very manageable. Most people don't experience this, so don't let my experience worry you. I was surprised that the first ice I swallowed didn't hurt at all. My stomach was definitely sensitive for a few days, but the pain level wasn't bad. PB = Productive Burp. That's what happens when food gets stuck in your stoma... there is only one way out, and that's through your mouth. They can usually be avoided completely if you chew your food thoroughly and eat slowly. Hope this helps!

Here's my take: Bucky - likable guy but not good enough to win Ace - horrible song choice Kelly - did a good job with a difficult song Chris - hated the song he sang, but I love him and think he'll win the competition Katharine - really good tonight and my favorite after Chris. Obviously not a judge favorite so I'm wondering if she's a spoiled brat off stage. Elliott - Good night for him. Taylor - DH found him very entertaining. If I'm being honest, he drives me insane. For me, he is nails on a chalkboard. I'm ducking to avoid shoes now. Paris - I really liked her tonight Bottom 3 guess: Ace, Bucky, & Elliott

I'm so sorry that you're having problems. Hang in there! I hope everything is resolved for you on Monday. (((HUGS)))

ROFL! Eilene, I figured it was something like that. I like the idea of you two ladies on the town breaking hearts. Kellygirl what gives? Donna's right - you do sound sad. Is everything okay? Call me if you need to talk! (((HUGS))) Donna, you really keep up with the exercise. I wish I had your discipline. It's in here somewhere, I just need to find it. Maybe it's hiding under my lower fat roll, LOL! Hi Randy, nice to meet you! I don't think dizziness is a sign of slippage, but it could be many things so get to the doctor for a checkup. Keep us posted! Time to watch American Idol on the tivo. Goodnight everyone!

Oh, Pat!! When I read the part about her throwing something at you I thought "well, now we're all going to have to go down there and kick her ass!". Tell your son to get a notebook and document every word out of her mouth. It will make a big difference in court. Is he planning on trying to gain custody? That poor 6 year old... it just breaks my heart. (((HUGS))) Darcy, that quilt show sounds like fun! I've always wanted to learn how to sew. I cross stitch and crewel, but that's about the extent of it. I took a knitting class once but never did catch on, lol. Do you have any pics of the quilts? Have you ever been to Shipshewana to see the Amish quilt auctions? Beanie, you're absolutely right - I should go low carb. When I was on my pre-op diet I lost almost all of my cravings once the sugar was out of my system. I gotta do something fast because I got rid of all my larger clothes! Patty, congrats on getting through the psych exam! Any idea when you'll be able to schedule surgery? Cindy, good luck with your estate headache. From what I've heard, a lawyer is crucial, and they may be able to help you avoid some taxes. It's crazy how long those things can drag on. Donna, glad you had a good time on the NY trip! I'll bet it was fun getting all of those well-deserved compliments. Eilene, tell us more about this romeo you and Beanie are fighting over. Do you get a long weekend for the holiday? Sherry, good luck with your motorcycle test! I grew up around them, but my dad was so overprotective he never let us near. I went shopping last night without the kids and bought a pair of size 18 jeans!! I must have looked pretty dumb walking around the store grinning, but I couldn't help it. Well, I gotta pull dinner out of the oven. Baked spaghetti... guess low carb starts tomorrow, eh?

Way to go Tricia!

No loss for me either. In fact, I'm up a pound. Oh well, today is a new day. I'm thinking of begging the doctor to move my fill up a week. I need restriction now darn it!

Hi Jennifer! Is it possible that you need a fill? I'm struggling with regain myself right now, so I feel your pain. I know my problem is exercise. Time to get my butt moving. Good luck to you!

Yeah Margo!! What a great NSV. I remember going to the zoo last year and I was shoehorned in so tight at the lunch table it was painful. We're going again next week, so I'm looking forward to sitting like everybody else. It's the little things, isn't it?

Best PB story ever! Thanks for the laugh, and I hope your esophagus is feeling better today.

Good morning everyone! Eilene, you have my permission to leave work early today. Just tell your boss to give me a call and I'll set him straight. Patty, enjoy your week off! Our Spring break doesn't start until Friday, and then we have next week off. Don't worry about the psych appointment. They vary, but most people say it's a piece of cake. Mine was just a conversation, but some of them want you to take a written personality test. Sherry, I love the wedding photos! I love the red, white, and blue theme. Beautiful new avatar pic too, btw. Irene, congrats on the weight loss! I wish I could meet you guys for lunch tomorrow. Maybe I can teleconference in, lol. Have a great trip to NY! Kelly, hope you're enjoying your two days off! Any big plans? Pat, I've been having a horrible time with food lately too. I'm embarrassed to admit that I'm up 8 lbs since I got my new band. If I keep going at this rate I'm going to regain all of my weight before I get my fill in May. I'm off to the grocery store! Hugs everyone.

Wow Jess, you look amazing! Thanks for sharing with us.

Happy Bandiversary Jamie!