RavensRiches

Fireman 20-----I've never heard of Sheriff Joe! I wish we had more like him here in Oklahoma. Can we borrow him?

I had fun playing with my virtual model but don't know how to post it. How did you get all of the different weights to display together?

"cars with their heads cut off" = convertibles "ooshes" = shoes "moo-moo" = breastmilk, breasts, etc.

Hi Sandee! If you have the financial resources and having the surgery won't burden your family financially, then DO it!!! I knew that I would have to battle weight gain, weight loss for the rest of my life and THAT depressed me. My weight is coming off slowly (normal for us low BMI folks) but at least I know now that once off, always off. As far as your friends and family thinking your crazy, that's because there are so many misconceptions about surgery in Mexico (or anywhere outside the US for that matter). I didn't tell anyone, including my children, for at least two weeks afterward. Only my husband knew and he supported me completely. A lapband is simply a tool---not a simple tool though. It's taken some getting used to for instance, when I talk and eat, I don't chew well enough and it gets lodged in my smaller stomach (stoma). It's pretty uncomfortable when that happens. Also a little scary----don't want to hurt my band, stoma, or waste money. Also, I can't eat breads anymore for the same reason---pain. But hey! Go figure that I can still eat chips and salsa! I am so glad because before the surgery, I wasn't sure if life was worth living if I couldn't eat chips and salsa. I'm grateful for that. Everyone is different with what they can and cannot eat after surgery. I can eat soft cuts of meat just fine with no problem if I remember the rules of the band----eat slowly and chew, chew, chew-----take small bites----don't drink fluids with the meal (this is not only because you will somewhat negate the reason for the band in the first-place but also because the fluid will make the lump of food get stuck in the stoma opening--ouch!!!). Lettuce sometimes gives me a problem but popcorn does not---nor do nuts (chew well). I also keep jerky in my car for moments of perceived starvation! Did you know one whole package of jerky only has about 550 calories!? Lots of sodium but who cares. It's a good way to get your protein and requires you to chew it completely before swallowing. I know a lot of people have problems with eggs but I don't. The band takes a lot of getting used to and I am still learning. I'm glad I did it though. Remember, if your friends and family are giving you slack now----just don't tell them. Don't lie, just keep the secret to yourself until you start seeing results. The lapband way of life is not the easy way out that some people think it is. It's actually a lot harder than a normal diet ------but it's permanent and that's why I did it. I don't know if this ranting has answered any of your concerns but I'm open to keeping the dialog open so you can feel free to ask away! There are many really smart, and funny, people on this board with many varying experiences in lap-band world. It's a good idea to keep checking in to learn from them all. Stay plugged in after surgery as well. We are all here to support each other in this journey. My opinion----GO FOR IT! You won't regret it!

Wheatsin-----OMG Look what you started! :kiss2: And you were just talkin' about littering and cigarette butts!:high5: :clap2: TiredOldMan----I agree with you except for one point. I don't care what term is used to describe blastocyte, embryo, fetus, neonate, baby------the bottom line is that is grows within MY BODY. Call it whatever you like. Until it is outside of me, it is under MY control. :ogre If the issue of semantics must be brought up then lets address the real issue. Pro-Choice vs. Anti-Choice. Very few people are Anti-Life (Jeffrey Dalhmer maybe, President Bush perhaps) and fewer still are Pro-Abortion. This is about respecting each individuals right to make a very personal decision, good or bad, right or wrong, happy or sad. The beautiful thing is that even if our right to a safe and legal abortion is taken away. There are other ways to abort. It's really not that hard in the first few days to weeks after intercourse. http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/files/portal/medicalinfo/ec/fact-emergency-contraception-history.xml This will only prevent implantation of the fertilized egg---not cause an abortion. http://www.fwhc.org/abortion/medical-ab.htm Misoprostol medication is now more commonly referred to as the "morning after pill" or "RU486". Yes, it needs to be addressed early on but it can be done cheap, easy and with minimal discomfort for the women. Oh boy, can't wait to read the replies! Like it or not, Information is knowledge and you can't push society back into the Dark Ages (more like Inquisition here). Won't happen! :flypig: http://www.sisterzeus.com/Pennyroyal.htm Pennyroyal tea MUST NOT be mistaken with pennyroyal oil taken internally! :hippie: OK so now we got religion, politics, and abortion going in one thread ----- where's the sports fans! :deadhorse:

Hi Sandeee, I don't have any regrets---lots of bitches but no regrets. I wish I could lose faster, like 40 pounds in one week. Stupid stuff like that but no regrets. I was only as a BMI of 30 and I had to self-pay in Mexico. LOVED IT! I've lost 20 pounds so far (not bad but not fast enough for me) and have at least another 20 to go. It works as a tool to control your overeating. Not a miracle cure but as a tool. I'm really happy with my decision. Welcome!

I am a stay at home mom, social activist, volunteer, and artist. My time is taken up with parenting mostly and the rest, I have to actually schedule it on the calendar to fit it in. I have 4 children ranging in age from 8 to almost 5 months. My art varies depending on impulse----currently I can't get enough of PS CS2! I was a photographer in my previous life (aka. before kids) and have shifted my focus (parden the pun) from sports and portraiture to botanicals and stills. I recently began working with silversmithing and pmc creating small wearable sculptures and jewelry. I also play as an independant representative for a terrific jewelry company called Silpada Designs. I do home shows, trade shows (like fairs and such), and catalog shows, as well as direct sales. I like the jewelry line and it is fun to meet new people. The home shows are the most fun in that I have an excuse to get a babysitter (when my husband has to work) and go party with the girls! My life is Better than Good!

"Rumbaut and Sanchez are the only two Drs in Mexico that I would recommend based on heresay. (dont anyone get mad at me now )" Not mad at you Photonut----just wanted to add Dr. Arturo Rodriguez to the list of highly recommended doctors out of Monterrey, Mexico. I received excellent care (before and after) and truly enjoyed every moment I was there. TellyMelly-----I'd love to live down there in Monterrey as well! Even if only for a few weeks each year. The people were lovely and the area beautiful. Next time I'd like to go hiking in the mountains. Want to join me?

Personally, I could care less about the distinction of baby vs. fetus/ life vs. non-life (as it pertains to the issue of abortion). Human life only starts in one way so who really cares about the moment of viability as far as the legal issue is concerned. Until the entity can survive on its own (basic life function here---not paying rent and driving a car) this is MY body of which I should have 100% control over. I'm fine with abortion being outlawed as long as those men and women telling me (all women in general) what I can and cannot do are stepping up to the plate (paying all the fees incured) to transplant that "baby" into their own womb and carry, deliver, and financial support the resulting human. Unless science catches up with this process then keep the termination of life (I'm going to extend this to the old and dying as well but that's another thread) legal. It IS an option---not for everyone and especially NOT for those who have already MADE their CHOICE against it. If everyone who is so appalled by the choice is so sure that the women who do choose it are going to hell --- do not pass go, do not collect $200 dollars--- then why don't they do more to help these women? How many of you preaching hatred and damnation are adoptive parents? Foster parents? Volunteers at homeless shelters? Since a woman can usually only conceive during a relatively short period of time every month (48 hour window MAX) and men are able to produce millions of sperm every day (God bless em'!) then why aren't we looking at tougher penalties for men who create unwanted pregnancies? So far, conception occurs with egg AND sperm! Wow! Really you say?! Then why is it that the females are the ones punished----legally and morally? Bottom line is this, I could care less what anyone else decides to do with their own body as long as they don't tread on me. They will have to live with their life choices and decisions, as I will with mine. I love my fellow humans enough to respect their right to FREE WILL. I am the mother of 4 bio children and went through 5 years and over $50K to adopt a teenager. I volunteer in my community and in my school. I researched and then exposed my family to the US foster system only to decide against fostering. This was carefully decided, not apathetically ignored. If I were the only person involved and my decisions didn't affect 4 young children, I would adopt more children and foster others. My point, put your money where your mouth is. Get out and see the life that welfare moms with unwanted children live. Expericence the rage and hurt that those unwanted children feel. Then come back and preach against abortion as an option.

I'd love to join the challenge but seriously, I am a computer dude----I don't know how to add pictures to posts or anything like that. Can I just start with my weight today and then my weekly weigh ins? Wednesday is the weekly weigh in day right? Today's weight isn't really accurate because last night I had a Silpada party and ate salt flavored in chips, salt flavored like beer, salt flavored like olives.....you get the picture. This morning I looked so swollen and my band was consticting to almost 100% closed. It took at least 30 mins. to get a glass of water down. I've been drinking just water all day and then had a protein shake late afternoon. That's it for today. In fact, I'll weight in tomorrow after drinking more water. I don't even want to get on the scale today and depress myself.

My story is that I was always a toned, fit person. I worked out and lifted weights as well as ran. I was in the military and met my husband in the military so we are/were pretty used to it. Then I got out, we moved (away from my social scene and all my friends), I became depressed and started drowning myself in alcohol and party drugs. I rapidly packed on the pounds and wallowed in self-pity. I then started working on my 'shit'----seeing a counselor---changing social groups to avoid the nightlife and all it's vices---doing some SERIOUS soul searching---and taking appropriate pharmaceuticals for my depression. My life changed. It got better. I got better. But, I was still overweight-----the fat resisted change. Over the next 8 years I became pregnant 6 times giving birth to 4 live (wonderful and beautiful, I must say) babies. Each pregnancy left me with at least an extra 10 -15 pounds. I didn't let the weight "get me down" so to say, because I knew it was for a good cause and my prizes were so rewarding. I respected and loved my body---still do----but knew my vehicle needed a good overhaul---a lift in front, a lift in back, and a new paint job. I have a totally different relationship with my body now than I did when I was younger and skinnier. I like myself better now than I did then. I like my life better now than I did then. I am so much healthier NOW than I was THEN. All that said, I knew I wanted my outside to reflect how I now feel on the inside. I researched the lap-band (and the balloon, and other options) and decided that this one was for me. I was low on the BMI scale and was under the impression that no doctor here in the USA would work on me (I've since become educated by fellow lap-bander's here on this site that there are MD's stateside that work on lower BMI folks) so I went to Mexico. I don't regret my decision one bit! My weight loss has been painfully slow but it is coming off. My group of friends are so complimentary and supportive and I LOVE getting back into my favorite styles. My husband jokes and says that I am now a 'reformed' Rock Star! I adore leather pants, boots, tight tops----everything flashy and funky! The other night I went out to see one of my favorite local bands (talk about a diva rock star----Pinky and the Snakeshakers) and wore tight jeans, a bra cami, and one of my delicious Japanese kimonos---oh yeah, and lime green Fluevog sandals. I felt great! I like my outside reflecting whats on the inside. Granted, I'm not finished yet (don't know if I ever will be).

Hi everyone! I am so lucky to have the husband that I have! He is an Emergency Room PA-C (16+ years) and has said all along that he can do the fills. Well, after my first fill on May 9th that left me broke and still able to eat like a horse, I figured what the hell, he might as well try. He did it quickly and on the first stick-----adding one more cc for a total of 7.25 in my 10cc band. NOW I have restriction AND my weight loss is happening again! I am soooo excited! I had initially lost 16 pounds during the liquid/ recovery phase and then started solids again gaining back 6 pounds with no restriction. Since my 2nd fill, I've re-lost the 6 pounds and hope to have another 10 gone by the end of July for my 20 year high school reunion. My hubbie jokes that with him on site, I can have custom fills and withdrawals depending on the restaurant that I want to eat at. LOL

Well, after 3 weeks since my first fill, I don't have any restriction at all. I even tested the band with soft rolls and had no problems getting them down. I have set another date for my 2nd fill on June 6th with Dr. Dobson in Arlington, TX. I also wanted to post my opinion of my fill experience with him the first time around. He was very professional but the 'girl' that worked with him was rude, sloppy, and disrespectful to me and the Doctor. Their interaction with each other was like something you would see between two lovers. I'm not saying that is the type of relationship that they have---I have no idea and frankly, wouldn't want to know. But her disrespectful attitude was tolerated by him and she couldn't keep her hands off of him. He did the fill with one stick and was very polite and professional. They wouldn't let my husband join me in the room though and the excuse was that the room was too cramped. I then entered into a normal sized clinic room of aprox. 14 x 16 feet. My whole family could have fit in that room with floorspace to spare so I don't know what the REAL reason is/was that they wouldn't allow one personal friend to join me. All in all, OK experience but if I were that doctor, I would have fired her ass right on the spot! I am going back to him for my other fills as I haven't found anyone closer to me who is reasonably priced.

May I suggest you learn more about these interesting little creatures that you live with/near. I am including a link to the fact sheet on mole control published by Ohio State (I am an Oklahoma Master Gardener but hey, Ohio has a good program so I'm not ashamed to recommend them:nervous )http://ohioline.osu.edu/w-fact/0011.html Quote from OSU fact sheet 0011... "Trapping is the most effective and practical method of mole control. In general, trapping success is greatest in the spring and fall, especially after rain. In the summer and winter, moles are active in deep soil and more difficult to locate. Three types of mole traps are especially effective: harpoon, scissor-jaw, and choker loop. To ensure safe and humane deployment, be sure to follow printed instructions." Also... "Each year a mole can have one litter of two to six young, depending on the health of the female. Gestation lasts about five to six weeks, which means that you can expect litters anywhere from mid-April through May. Believe it or not, young moles have less than a 50% chance of surviving long enough to reproduce. " Hope this helps!

I went to Arlington, TX to have my first fill performed by Dr. Dobson and he put 6.25 cc's in my 10cc band. NOW I know what restriction really is! I am very excited about the upcoming weight loss as I had started gaining back some of the weight I'd lost since surgery. I want to post more about my experience at Dr. Dobson's office but that will have to wait until later. My 8 year old daughter is performing in her school's talent show this afternoon so I need to run now!

Maybe we can get a group discount on new boobs! Who's in?:biggrin1:

Yoda, I'm almost a month out and still can't sleep on my belly. Side sleeping is fine though. Hang in there, it gets easier.

:clap2: Ooooh! DevilMayKare! Your yard is beautiful! I wish I lived next door to you instead of the retired rancher who downsized to 2 acres and who has an anxiety disorder so he constantly uses his tractor to bulldoze earth around and cut down trees. His quote about a 3 foot diameter oak tree I was begging him not to cut down (borders the property line), "It's just a little ol' black-jack!":mad: Little my ass (oops, probably shouldn't say that---pardon the pun)!!!!! The tree is one of the largest in the yard! I won that fight though, sort of, I came home to my pine trees (which are exactly on the property line) which were planted in 1980 having his side pruned up to 6 feet. I love them as a screening to the houses across the street. He also did me the "favor" (again his word) of cutting down a cedar tree unmistakably on MY side of the property line. I realized that he for some unknown reason doesn't like green living plant matter. Maybe his Momma beat him with green switches or tied him to trees as a young kid. :devious

Chips and Salsa, toasted PB&J sandwiches (loved them as a kid, still love them and have 4 kids!), glazed doughnuts

I'm scheduled for my first fill May 9th~! I am soooo excited! I have not experienced "restriction" (except for the first week or so after surgery due to swelling) so I look forward to getting this party started as well! I have lost some weight but got on the scales today and two pounds crept back on (period starting?). I, like others, want to go to sleep and wake up tomorrow looking like the Rock Star that I know I can be! Patience is not an attribute of mine~~~ perseverance is though! I want to let everyone know that I actually squeezed my fat ass into a size 12 jeans today! And baby I'm wearing them around! Who cares that I can barely sit down or bend over! I'm so happy that I made up excuses to go out in town! Gawd, I'm so shallow at times!

My first fill is scheduled for May 9th with a Doctor in Dallas that works with Dr. Rodriguez from Mexico (my band doctor). I am so excited and looking forward to the fill because I have been really eating a lot this last week. I think it's because I am ready to start my period as well as starving the last few weeks I feel like I've 'earned' it. Stupid sounding I know! I really pray that this fill gives me the restriction I've been reading about.

I have 5, two are already very tiny and with regular Retin-A use, will disappear. Two (including the largest at 1" port entry) will leave visible scars even with Retin-A treatment. The 5th is ify---will have to wait and see.

I plan on having both a boob reduction/lift and a tummy tuck all at the same time. I figure if I'm going to be out of commission for a month or more, I might as well get it all over with in one fell swoop!

Even when I WAS a size 6, 21 year old and in the Army, ultimate hard body, and lookin' fine, I didn't like wearing bikinis. I've always liked one piece or tankini suits better. No, I don't want to wear a bikini but I do want to be a size 8 again. A size 6 is only an option after surgery, which I'm not opposed to but will need to save more money.

Hang in there Boo, it WILL get better! I promise! Welcome to Band World and good luck on your weight loss journey! Raven