Cheri

My feet are thanking me every day! They love that they don't have to carry around the load they used to, so, yes, I would do it over and over again (otherwise, my feet might boycott!) Oh, yeah, my husband is much happier too (for so MANY reasons, but, that's another discussion...) It isn't a magic ring, though. It's a tool that you have to learn to use -the knowledge you are gaining now is like reading the owner's manual before using the tool for the first time, so you're on the right track!!!hehe Keep doing your research and keep your positive mindeset!! Good luck! ~cheri

JAnet, that sounds like gas from the surgery...how far out are you? Mine lasted for several weeks (at least three, some residual for a few after that). Your pain levels and frequency a just like mine were! I also think you aren't putting enough in your poor tummy - are you still on liquids? Let the doc know, although there is no big treatment for it (except gas-x, which helped lots of others on here, but not me!!!)

Wow, Vines... I bet college life was a breeze compared to this!!! (that was supposed to be a funny!!!) Girl, you need some big ole prayers to get a bit of the burden lifted from you. I know you're on my regular list of prayers, along with a bunch of my other bandster buddies!! Sometimes we just gotta let the Big Guy take over for a while!!! I am sorry to hear about your mom, and it sucks that you can't rely on your siblings to be a support system when you are needing support yourself. Sometimes I wonder where the family dynamic comes from - some of the nicest people I know have the crappiest people that they have to love because "they're family". Sorry, that wasn't being very nice, was it?? I guess I'm trying to say that I hope your rotten brothers can step up and do their part (plus maybe a little of yours, since you're going through many stages of hell right now!) I'm confused, though! What is a PIC, and I thought the only people with famous jugs were Dolly Parton and Pamela Anderson?? heheehee Here's my prayers for you: good news from your tests, quick healing/no suffering for your mother, switches for your brothers, and some sleep!!! Love You! ~cheri

Are you sure you're constipated? Personally, I had nothing but liquid out for weeks, not exactly the runs, it was just what was going in for the most part. My doc said it's normal, and I didn't worry after that!! Seriously, if you don't feel bloated and "yucky", it just may be the way your body is flushing your system...some foods used to make you "go" might actually cause you to bulk up too much too soon!! Good luck, MelAnne, let us know "how it goes" for you !! hehehe

I'm kinda skeered of myspace.com Let me know how it goes for you, and maybe i'll venture over someday....

I spend more time running my kids from here to there than I'd like to admit, so fast food is a given for me. I will only go to Wendy's, Chik-Fil-A, and Arby's though. I have found that chicken nuggets at these places go down just fine (at least 2 or 3 with excessive chewing, anyways), all have diet lemonade, and offer fruit, baked potatoes, yogurt, and/or salads. When I'm feeling kinda yucky, I get a junior frosty or shake, and sip on it instead - lots of calories, but the milk is better (protein/vitamins) than not having anything!! Fries are SOOOO a thing of the past for me!!! I have to admit that I continue to steal one from the bag from time to time, which ruins my chances of eating anything else for the meal (that pain totally ruins my appetite!!!) ~cheri

MAybe the papasan would be a better place for you right now... although I found that being crunched up all the time made it even worse when you HAD to get up (you know, you gotta GO sometime). I think the most painful thing for me was getting off of the potty, feels like you've been doing hundreds of crunches, don't it?!?!? Honestly, I am almost 5 months out and I hardly remember the first few weeks post-op. It is a whirlwind of liquids, dazed and confused, and lots of resting. I DO remember that liquids in = liquids out - so don't freak when it happens!!!! Good Luck, Congrats, & Welcome to Bandland!!! ~cheri

Hey all! I am not doing so well, me thinks! I have done very little but sleep since my surgery, and I have to go back to regular duty tomorrow (all of my help has run out!!! Mom went home last week, and hubby goes back to work tomorrow) I always get in my Water, but I don't watch what I eat closely enough to say that I haven't been getting sugar and/or white flour. I am pretty much just thinking about the health value of what I'm having and post accordingly - so I guess you can see that I haven't been making good choices lately!!! Ah, exercise, I sure miss that!!! Well, time to lay down again - I'e been on here too long!! ~cheri

I hate all of these things too! But, I hate it most when ... I can't think of something funny to add!!! That really sucks! Oh, got one!! I hate it when you have all three kids in the tub together and the baby decides to poopy in the water!! YUCK!!!

Where's the diapers when you need 'em?

OMG!!!!! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHHEEHEHHEHEHE, you just made my day!!!!!

Okay, here's my take (remember, this is the opinion of a person who buys cds, not makes them!!!hehehe)... Elliott - "On Broadway" was okay, not a memorable performance. "Home" was okay as well, but no one should take on Michael Buble - the man was given his voice by angels, I think!!! He did alright, probably sounded really good to someone who hadn't heard the song before!! Elliot, I LOVE YA, man, but you gotta step it up!!! Paris - "Kiss" by Prince was great. I can't believe she'd take on an icon like Prince, but she made it anew and I loved it (and I am one of the biggest Prince Fans ever)!!!! "Be Without You" by Mary J. Blige, what was she thinking? I believe that taking on a current hit is difficult enough without picking a to-be classic("Home") or an amazing artist (Mary J. Blige)! Not so great. Taylor - WOOT WOOT - what a funky white boy!! "Play That Funky Music" was a show-stopping performance! I love watching Taylor when he goes all spazzy and has fun! "Something" was a ruse to me. A Beatles tune doesn't belong in the "current hits" genre, even if it is still on the charts after 35 years or so. I was upset about it until I found out that his original choices (once again) were turned down. He picked up this one at the last minute according to the Idol Buzz, so I have to say, even though I'm not happy about it, I think he did an outstanding job!! Chris - "Renegade" by Kiss was really good, but not as good as the original (and I didn't feel he was trying to change it up, so maybe not such a good thing)? "I Dare You" was an unknown song (to me, anyway) and probably the music Chris most associates with (hard, hard rock). I thought he sounded excellent singing it, but I couldn't get into it because I wasn't familiar with it, y'know? The judges thought his voice was cracky and ready to give out, I didn't hear it, but it really kinda turned me off when he complained about the long hours and singing the song over and over! I'm a little worried that this might have affected his votes. Katherine - "Against All Odds" - she (to quote Kellie Pickler) "butchered it"! One of my all-time favorite songs (phil Collins is one of the most amazing writers/composers/performers around), shredded! Even you Katherine fans have to admit she was way-off with that one!?!?! That said, her next song "Black Horse and a Cherry Tree" was funky and very enjoyable! She was on her knees the whole time, which I found weird, but she did the song extremely well!!! Here's my standings: Taylor Chris Elliot/Katherine Paris OKay, was that long enough?!?!?!?! see ya tonight ~cheri

Since they're already coming, order ther rest of the family some dinner while you're at it!!!! Hehehehe Bigpaul, you are so funny!!!! About the egg drop soup, I would say the restaurant variety may be too rich or too thick...if you get a hankerin' for some soup, this is what I do (not as tasty as the others, but it'll do in a pinch!!) 1 cup chicken broth 1 whole egg (beaten) Get your chicken broth to boiling, then slowly add egg while stirring! Salt 'n Pepper to taste!!

I agree with that - Kelly Clarkson is loved by everyone in our house (my hubby thinks she's hot, I think she's the best female vocalist around, my daughter idolizes her, and my two boys like her "rock songs"). She is no longer working with the American Idol group, though. She somehow got out of her contract (don't know if she sued or what happened - I'll ask hubby), and now she's doing things her way! I must say that "Hazel Eyes" wipes "Moment Like This" off the map!!!!!! As for Bo, we have his CD (actually several of them - we're local fans of his!), and he was only able to put 1 (maybe 2, I'm not sure) of his own songs on the album. They had an idea for who he was going to be and they won't allow him the artistic freedom he wants. If you have his CD, you can definitely tell it's not his style, just from watching Idol last season!!! I sure hope they don't do the same with Chris (although I don't think they would try to change him...his rock is a big market right now!!! I know I'd buy a CD from him, even if it was just his Idol performances!!!) cheers! ~cheri

Sounds wonderful! I hope you really get to enjoy this life ezperience!! Size 10 - I don't think I've ever owned anything so small, even in my skinny days - WAY TO GO!!! Now, don't starve yourself...I'm sure you'll find local foods that are healthy and yummy!!! Keep us posted!!! Love ya~ cheri

New measurements as of April 28th Weight -221 Neck - 15.5 Chest - 48 Waist - 44 Hips - 45 Thigh - 25 Calf - 16.25 Upper Arm - 13.5 Wrist - 7

New measurements as of April 28th Weight -221 Neck - 15.5 Chest - 48 Waist - 44 Hips - 45 Thigh - 25 Calf - 16.25 Upper Arm - 13.5 Wrist - 7

Point taken - and post changed!! I agree that my statement was not helpful!! I kind of think my whole post was true for me, but not necessarily true for everyone (who else can stuff a pint of phish food in thier tummies post-band with three fills??)hehe But...since we're on the topic... Dr. Pepper?? Girl! The reason we aren't supposed to drink soda isn't because of the poisons or sugar, it's because the carbonation fills your tummy with gas and can stretch your pouch!!! TSk tsk!!!! (like I should even think about getting on you for a diet DRP for a snack- again, who else would eat a whole pint of Ben N Jerry's?!?!?! hehehe) Thanks, strawrts, for the reminder that while we are all here for the same reason, we are not all the same!!! ~cheri

So, so, so worth it, but... This isn't a quick fix or a temporary solution. It sucks, but it's true!!! If you are a junk food junkie, it is very easy to eat those types of unhealthy foods (which is a total waste of time and energy) even post-band! The goal of the band is to restrict the amount of food you can take in at a given time - that being said, I have regressed a couple of times and fit an entire pint of Ben N Jerry's in just fine, thank you very much!! The band is a tool, to help you learn how to eat. It doesn't choose what you eat, only how much you can fit. It lies completely in your hands to feed yourself healthful items! So, that is truly the hardest thing about the band. Giving up soda was a pride issue for me - think of it as a great thing for your body. . . diet drinks=phenylalanine=poison, so you're ridding your body of poison!! I used to drink 2 - 32oz. diet cokes from MCDonalds EVERY DAY! I have not had a carbonated beverage since last August -if I can do that, ANYONE can!!! You will find that you won't miss things you thought you would (french fries? nah...everytime I try one, it sticks, so why bother? baked potatoes go down just fine for me, and have less fat) and you may actually enjoy things you never did before - shopping will be a great new adventure!!!! Good luck on your decision - You are one smart chick for coming here to research!!!!! Read, read, read, and then search yourself for the right choice for you!!! ~cheri

Well, it's been almost 5 months, and I'm closing in on 50 pounds...so I thought I'd update my pics. I don't think I LOOK that much different, but, boy do I FEEL different!!!!!! [attach]4391[/attach][attach]4390[/attach] ***11/05 266# (sz24)********1/06 244# (sz20)********4/28/06 223# (sz16)*** (I have gone from a 26/28 shirt to an 18/20, but I like to talk about pant sizes!!!! hehehee) Thanks, guys, for all of the help and well-wishes this far!!! I look forward to much more help and support (and hopefully I will get to help at least someone during this journey!!) Love ~cheri

Congrats, and did I mention that I hate you!!! NOT REALLY!!!! I just envy the heck out of you!!!!!!!!!!! Way to go!! Maybe someday I'll meet you in onderland! ~cheri

I was self-pay, so we took out an equity line on our house! We actually took out more than the amount of the surgery so we could do some stuff around here, and it is costing us around $200 or so per month. We are paying it off quicker than that (i started working, so my meager checks are going straight to that, slow but sure!!) It IS worth it, YOU are worth it!!! Good luck! ~cheri

Congratulations, MJK!!!! Keep excited!!! Talk yourself into each day, and set the goal as soon as you get out of bed! You are doing the two-week diet to make the surgery easier on your doc, which will in turn make healing easier for you!!! That, to me, would be the greatest incentive of all!!! Think of the next eight weeks as preparation time, preparing for surgery, preparing for healing, preparing for the start of a new, healthy life!!!! I didn't get put on the pre-op diet personally. I guess my doc doesn't practice it, but I wish I would have. That is two weeks you get to put toward the six weeks all "normal" people say it takes to make something a habit! That being said, I am almost 5 months out, closing in on 50 pounds off, and I still can't pass by the ice cream aisle at the store without at least taking Phish food out of the freezer to touch it lovingly:nono:!!!! Old habits die hard! But, they do die :rip: !!!! Good luck - I'll be rooting you on!!! ~cheri

Taylor? You don't just love Taylor?? I love him...he seems so sweet (and he's the nerdiest dancer on the planet)!! I LOVE it when he's ON, he totally gets into his performances! Did you know that they have made him change songs at the last moment SEVERAL times??? Kinda throws him off a bit, don'tcha think!!! He's also very different than anyone else. Just trying to win ya over on him!!!! I think Chris will get the big prize, but I think that it will be a dissservice to him - if you've heard Kelly Clarkson and Bo Bice's stories concerning the contracts of American Idol, you'll hope he loses and runs as fast as his hot bod can go!!! Poor Bo is really struggling with the whole "new" Bo they are trying to sell these days! I don't want to see them sell-out Chris...he's a hard rocker with a soft heart, not a big ole softie!!! ~cheri

I am such an idiot - I was looking for the sesame street telly...don't ask me why 'cuz I have NO CLUE!!!! I can tell we're going to have a lot of fun with you around!!! ~cheri