Midwest Carol

I meant to say I know where you workout. I often wondered what that was.

Congratulations Kristin. I can't believe you are doing so well without a fill. That would be great. I'm worried about the Bander Hell everyone talks about where they have the band but starve until they get their first fill. Today I started my two week pre-op diet! This is so exciting. Can't wait until surgery. I am going to try to meet up with the people in Bloomington on April 1 if I feel ok. I know exactly where you work. I have noticed that building when I have crossed the river. If there is anyone else in your area, maybe we could meet up in Peoria. I'm retired, so I could drive up for a lunch during the week.

I can't copy the Shamrocks either. I have tried many times.

Andi- I love your Shrinking Shamrock!! It is so cute. Do you know how I can copy it and put it into my signature. I have a Mac so I can't right click.

How do you add the "Shrinking Shamrocks" - "Banded in March 2008"? I read once that you need to double click on your mouse, but I have a MAC and there is no way to double click. I would like to add the logo to my signature, but I can't figure out how to do it. Any help would be appreciated.

My surgery date is also on March 26. Good luck to you! My daughter used to live in Columbus and they are huge Buckeye fans. My very favorite drink is the HMR 800 chocolate shake. I buy them online from Health Management Resources. I took all the information about them to my nutritionist and she said they were fine.

Oh my gosh Penny, what a great story. Thank you for sharing. I hope we all do so well!

I will only be out of surgery six days on April 1, but if I feel ok to drive that far I will come. Let me know when you decide on a place and time.

I didn't know that there was an upper BMI limit. Is that just a Health Alliance restriction. Dr. Hammer has a good reputation as a surgeon.

I'm just a little southwest of Springfield. I retired from the State five years ago. Dr. R. is also doing my surgery, but it is going to be in Champaign.

My surgery is scheduled for March 26. It is hard to think about anything else. Every free minute I have I am checking out lapbandtalk.com. Guess I should be out walking instead, but we are in the midst of another blizzard, so here I am. Good luck. Let's keep each other posted after surgery.

I'll be right behind you on March 26. I'm self-pay too, but it will be so worth it. Think of all the money we have spent on diet foods, programs that didn't work, hypnotists, whatever. This one is actually going to work for us!

My Thursdays are pretty busy in April, but the Tuesdays look good. After April I could keep either day open once we decide which week we are going to meet. I'm going to pass on March. It is already full and I will be on the pre-op diet and then having surgery on the 26th. Thank you for taking this on. Let's hope others can meet. I think Kristin 1031, Karri 68 and dawntunes may be interested. Right Ladies???

There is a really nice group of people from the Champaign area who meet monthly at Panera. I know it is a long way to go, but maybe we could try that sometime. You can meet up with them at the "USA Local Lap-Band Support", "Illinois", "Champaign IL Anyone" thread.

I am getting banded on March 26 and would love to meet up to share experiences and concerns. So far I haven't found anyone in the Springfield area. When I asked about a support group at the Illinois Bariatric Center, they said the best way to meet up with people is in their waiting room. Unfortunately, when I was there this week for my pre-op, only one person was there and she was just going through her approval process. I would be willing to travel to Peoria, Lincoln or even Bloomington to meet up with some of you.

Hey March Bandsters- My surgery is scheduled for March 26, so it looks like we about have the month covered. How Exciting!!! I met with the nutritionist yesterday and she said it is fine if I use the HMR shakes. I love the HMR 800 chocolate shake. It has 160 calories and 16 grams of Protein. You can buy it online.

Just got back from my pre-op physical and made arrangements for my x-ray, EKG and blood tests. Only four weeks out now and so very excited! Just had to tell someone. Other people just don't understand what this means - so I am sharing with my new banded friends.:smile2:

Why are they waiting so long before your first fill? Also, what kind of problems did you have?

Thor- I was just on the Champaign thread and realized that we have the same doctor. I go to Clinton to meet with him, but my surgery will be in Champaign because of the Blis program.

I do get to Peoria sometimes, and would love to meet for lunch after I am banded and can eat again. When you say you have "no restriction at all", does that mean you are hungry all the time? How much can you eat? My doctor said that my first fill would be about six weeks after the surgery. Did you have your surgery in Peoria?

Where did you have your surgery? What is it like being two months into being banded? Have you had a fill yet. What are you able to eat. Do you have any advice.

Hi Kristin- I was born and raised in Peoria, but moved to the Springfield area in the early 70's. When and where did you have your lap band? I'm scheduled for March 26 and getting really excited. Carol

You guys are all so clever! I like Marvelous Marchers and Shrinking Shamrocks! My surgery is scheduled for March 26 and I am so excited because we can all be called THINNER & FITTER!:thumbup:

I am scheduled for surgery on March 26. Have you started your liquid diet yet?:thumbup:

Thanks for the invitation to lunch. I would love to meet everyone and share experiences. As soon as I am able to eat again, I'll check with you on your next date at Panera. I'll probably be calling on you for support as my date approaches. I am so looking forward to March 26.