Anwyn

Welcome back - we missed you! I'm so sorry that you and your family have had such a tough time lately. Glad to hear that your mom and brother are mending well. Hmm... a "hospital food only" diet. You might just find out that you've lost weight!

Hi Marcy - Welcome to LBT! Don't be nervous, you're going to do great.

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: CONGRATULATIONS!! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Yeah, I've heard quite a few people say that it took 2 or 3 weeks for a fill to kick in. Call your doctor and get in for a small unfill and you'll feel better in no time. Feel better soon!

Hi everyone! I had a great weekend with DH, even though we lost $300 at the casino on Saturday. You win some and you lose some. We had a great time and enjoyed our break from the kids. My washer pooped out and my dryer has been on the fritz for a while, so on Sunday we went to buy new ones. They won't be delivered until the 21st, so DD and I spent the day at the laundromat. Mary, how did the dye job turn out? Red Auburn sounds like a beautiful color. I need to find some time for a haircut/dye and an eyebrow wax. I'm starting to look like Bert from Sesame Street. Congrats on your contest winnings! Sherry, you crack me up taking DS to the cemetary to practice driving! What a great idea. Try not to worry too much - I'm sure he has a good head on his shoulders. Let us know if the rocks help with your weight loss. Glad to hear that everything is going so well with your life. Beanie, how was the gym tonight? DH and I have recommitted to exercising and I already feel better after a week. We don't go to the gym but we put an elliptical machine and a treadmill in our extra bedroom. Good luck breaking your plateau! Donna and Betty, hope you both make it through your Monday without falling asleep at your desks! Patty, good luck getting your approval letter! You've jumped through more hoops than most - you deserve this surgery asap. Did you ever find ties for the boys? Eilene, don't be afraid to get a fill if you need one. Everyone is different inside. If it takes more than 2 cc's to get the right level of restriction, go for it. You're doing the right thing by taking it slowly. I get my fill on Wednesday - woo hoo!! I'm nervous because they're going to yell at me for gaining weight. :nervous Betty, congrats on winning the motorcycle contest! I don't know how you find the time. Enjoy your shopping spree! Cindy, I hope you were able to stay headache free today. (((HUGS))) Kat, what's up? Pat & Darcy - where are you guys?! We miss you!! Love you guys - have a great night! :kiss2: :kiss2:

Hi Kate, Welcome to LBT! There is a thread on this site for UK based bandsters (but don't forget about us Yanks either!): http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=16038 Good luck with your surgery!

MDL, My heart goes out to you. I am going through the same thing right now. I have gained a significant amount of weight since my re-banding. You've already gotten a lot of good advice - I just wanted you to know that you are not alone. I am also getting a fill on May 10th. I will be thinking of you on Wednesday. Hopefully, we will both get the restriction we're looking for. (((HUGS)))

Tommy, best of luck to you with your new job and your weight loss! I look forward to seeing your before and after pictures. Just remember, we're always here for support if you need to post. (((HUGS)))

It's great to see you Becky! Glad to hear you're feeling better - it sounds like you had a tough time of it. Congrats on getting back into the game.

Yes... if you're younger than 59 1/2 years old you will have to pay normal income tax plus a 10% penalty. If you have the option of a home equity line of credit that may be a better option.

I don't want to put up any road blocks for you either. You're obviously in the mood to kick some serious butt and lose the weight, and I say go for it! But, my concern for you is this... reading about your goal reminds me of my mindset when I would yo-yo diet pre-band. I would set up (for me) unrealistic goals, and when I didn't achieve a steady 15 lb weight loss every month it would send me into a tailspin of eating and depression. I just think it would be a shame if you get disappointed by a 10 lb or even 5 lb loss each month. With your positive attitude, I know that you're going to reach your goal. But remember, slow and steady wins the race. Good luck, and keep us posted!

BigPaul always makes me feel really good about myself. He's funny and silly but really smart right when you need him to be. DeLarla TellyMelly keeps me motivated on days I think I want to slack and theres always a smile on my face when I'm talking to her, she just keeps me laughing. She brightens my day! Cutiern reminds me of my daughter. I love how she is young, independent, and willing to make financial sacrifices to change her life. Dawg is a great husband. Selfless and supportive. He lives a banded lifestyle, without the band, so that he may succeed along side his wife. Pennie always seems so level-headed and diplomatic. I really admire that. Jack cracks me up with the use of his warped sense of humour in the manner in which he offers practical advice. Humour and practicalilty...great match and I always appreciate his input. (I also like his avatar!!) The best me (Kathy) has one of the most loving and tender hearts I've ever seen. She is always caring and giving to others even when she's needing support for herself. Her love of God and her desire to be a better servant shows in every post. Paula is my sweet Band-daughter and I'm so proud of how genuinely sweet she is and how her caring heart and love of God shows by her actions towards all others Iluvharleys has a good heart and is always so thoughtful, kind and caring always thinking of others in their time of need. NJChick (Eileen) Cracks me up!!!! She brings a smile to my face no matter what the topic. Bandland would be a boring place without her : - ) VinesQueen reminds me never to give up no matter how bad things seem at the time and encourages me that I should dance my heart out no matter whos watching~and I wish she would hurry up and get back on LBT!!! Michelle, without a doubt the most inspirational person to me. Even while having her own family problems, she finds time to come here and offer her help. She's a great person! Susan (PhotoNut) is one of the most supportive and knowledgeable people I've ever known. EmileeKaye is the sweetest, most genuinely nice and wholehearted bandster and online personality I have ever met.. and I have met quite a few. The sun shines on her goodness and it feels really nice to surround myself with people like this. K@t has been my friend and support since the moment I joined this group. She listens and gives without asking in return and makes me feel anything is possible. DeLarla is my vision of independence, strength, wisdom and trust and has always been a person that speaks her mind and has gained a tremendous amount of respect from me as an intelligent and witty person. StrawartS is smart and funny, and she has the strong personality I admire, yet she's kind. Plus, her screen name is a Palindrome. It's spelled the same backward and forward. Very Cool. Kathy (best me) Jenna (princess n thep) is always honest and straight foward. And she is a great booty dancer. Kathy was kind and gentle with me when I was cursing over my first PB. I was shocked by her generous spirit at first, but now I see that that's how she treats everyone. And her baby is pretty cute. And I don't even like babies. The NJ Board: I can't chose just one person because so many have come to my rescue. They give their heart and soul and they do it with compasion and love. *Cheers NJ Board, I Love You ALL* Since I have known Mychevygirl (DeAnn), she has shown incredible inner strength, focus and determination in the midst of extremely trying times. She has kept a positive, happy attitude in spite of the stresses she has endured, and she has a smile that shines through her words because it comes from her heart. FunnyDuddies is a beautiful, intelligent, loving woman who's quit witt and sense of humor is a blessing to those around her. She makes me smile, and I feel so bless to call her my sis. She has also earned my respect and admiration for showing a deep inner strength during times of adversity. MoOrless is another one of my personal inspirers. She has lost weight all on her own. Reading her posts have been a great eye opener, showing me that weight loss is nothing more than willpower and self-control, which she displays very well. She cheers me on as I do my wild goose chases with myself and she keeps me motivated, letting me know daily that every goal I set for myself, no matter how outlandish it may seem, is very possible and attainable. I thank her for believing in me, (a complete stranger). Alex is the best thing ever...he has given us this board as a place to learn, laugh, commiserate, cry,...pretty much whatever we are in need of!! And...he just keeps making it better!!! Thanks, Alex!!!!!!! I have to have a second go at this! MoOrless keeps me going in ways I never thought I'd need. She is working and trying so hard to lose the weight on her own as well as coping with health problems. She finds positive ways around her setbacks that put me to shame and motivate me all at the same time. Kind words and thoughts for others come easily to her and she makes me smile. Alexandra seems to always be there when a thread gets hairy. She has the ability to listen with an open mind and heart, to sympathize and give a reality check in just a few short lines. I have noticed that she remains detached, but flexible. Harleynana (Pat) is one of the smartest, kindest people I have ever met. She talks like a sweet southern belle, but she's also a tough cookie who is generous and supportive without fail. And to all the NJ Chat gals who welcomed me into their midst even though I live in Michigan - your support and friendship has meant the world to me.

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: CONGRATULATIONS DONNA!! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: 50 lbs is such an exciting milestone. Way to go! DH comes home tonight - finally! I won't be around much this weekend - My mom is watching the kids tomorrow so that DH and I can meet my twin DS and her hubby for a day at the casino. I'm broke this month, but it'll be a lot of fun anyways. Time to check the couch cushions for nickels, LOL! Have a great weekend everybody. :eek:

You guys are kicking a@@!! I'm so proud of everybody. I have to apologize - I started this challenge and then disappeared. I'm doing so badly that I've gone into denial. Needless to say, Onederland is a bit far off for me now. But enough of my pity party - I get a fill next week and all will be right with the world. Great job everyone!

:)CONGRATULATIONS!! :bananapartyhat: :bananapartyhat: :bananapartyhat:

Crystal, good luck with your appointment tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you. You sure have a lot on your plate right now (I know - that's the understatement of the century!). :hug: Pretty impressive that you could wow at an interview with only 90 minutes of sleep! They'll be lucky to have you there. I know you're a computer geek, but what kind of job are you going for?

I saw it too! I got up and looked at all of my labels too. It was shocking how much of that crap I had in there. I also copied down a list of the things he said that everyone should get in every week for optimal health if anyone's interested: Garlic Tomato Sauce Olive Oil (refrigerate or keep in a dark bottle) Spinach Nuts (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts - raw & unroasted) Pomegranite fruit or juice I'm heading to the Whole Foods store this weekend.

Good morning everyone! I just returned from getting DD her first real haircut. I've cut her bangs a few times, but never taken her to a professional. It's a cute little bob now. They cut off about 4 inches, and I'm sitting here trying not to cry. Her hair is a beautiful color, but thin. I think she'll enjoy having it out of her face. Can you tell I'm trying to convince myself that I did the right thing? Cute story... most 5 year olds want Spiderman toys, but not my son. I always tell him a story at night, and last night a genie granted him 4 wishes. He asked the genie to bring him the following toys: 1. Magnetix (little magnetic toys) 2. A toy phone 3. A toy "drink of water" 4. Glue WTF?! I'll never understand how his mind works. His teachers tell us that he's the most intelligent child to come through their school, but that he learns completely differently from the other students. It makes me simultaneously proud and scared sh**less. We thought he was autistic for a while when he was younger. Sorry... I'm rambling! Time to get a cup of coffee. Mary, you sound a little down today! I'm sorry you're stuck in the rain. Try to think of the weekends away from the kids as well deserved me time. Does ExDH get to have them every weekend? Kat, thanks for the picture of your beautiful granddaughter! With those tulips it looks like it could be a greeting card or something. I'm sorry - I've never figured out how to shrink images. I'm sure somebody on here can do it though! Time to clean this place up! What does everybody have planned for this weekend?

Wow, I'm a little overwhelmed with all the posts that I've missed! Things have been a little insane with DH out of town two weeks in a row (very unusual - he's usually gone about once every 4 months). And no, I haven't been sitting at the April Chat, LMAO! Okay, so I went there first, but I figured it out eventually. Becky, welcome to the Jersey chat! The more the merrier. Cindy, WTF - that much money for a speeding ticket?! That's robbery. I'm sorry you have to pay so much. :eek: Eilene - don't worry, the butter has been cleaned up. Well, as much as you can clean up butter smushed into a couch. The cushions have been flipped and I'm pretending it's not there. I'm going through the hair loss right now too. My hair is about 6 inches past my shoulders, and I'm thinking of having it all chopped short. It's a bummer. Why couldn't my chin hairs fall out instead? Sherry, I LOVE THE POEM!! You're such a sweetheart. :hug: Pat, your grandbaby is cute as a button! That's a pretty good picture from a camera phone. I always look like a zombie when I take those. Patty, hope you're all recovered from the food poisoning. That sounds awful! Banding should be a piece of cake in comparison. Kat, it sounds like you're healing up nicely! Darcy, thanks for the flower pic! I need to plant some more Spring bulbs this Fall. Are you heading up to the cabin this weekend? While on the topic of gardening... Betty, Preen definitely works! You just sprinkle it on top of your mulch and Water it in. It doesn't do anything to existing weeks, but it keeps them down all season. It's a fertilizer too. Beanie, good luck battling the food demons. I'm letting them get me down, but I just know I'm going to kick ass when I get my magical fill next week. That's what I keep telling myself anyways. Donna, I've never been to Chico's before, but I've seen the ads and the clothes are really cute! I'm glad DH talked you into keeping an outfit - you deserve it!! I hope that I haven't forgotten anyone! I was driving down the road one day last week not even thinking about LBT and I thought "Crap! I forgot Darcy in my personals!!". You guys know I love you. :kiss2: :kiss2:

You really do sound ready to tackle the surgery! You're going to do great - congratulations on getting your date moved up! :eekB:

Hi there! You've come upon the right place to do your research. Welcome to LBT! :eekB:

I'm sorry that you may have to reschedule! I know delays can be tough (my surgery was delayed for over 3 months - long story) but it will be worth the wait! I hope DH feels better soon! :eekB:

Hi Terry - Welcome to LBT! I love your "auditioning for the band" signature. :eekB:

I didn't finance (insurance covered it), but I would have if it was necessary. Getting banded is one of the most UN-selfish things you can do. It's not an easy decision, and it's hard work. You deserve it!

Hi Everyone, I've had lower back problems for the last few years (2 surgeries last year to repair herniated discs). I've been doing well for a while, but lately it has gone downhill. Has anyone on here ever tried an Inversion Table (they flip you upside down and take pressure off the spine). If so, did it help? Thanks in advance for your input. :eekB: