3loves

I gave a basket to the bariatric center earlier this year b/c they helped me out with my child b/c of poor communication on their end when I made an appt....I had told them I had to bring my son at that time. Well, they all pitched in and gave him red carpet babysitting for a short period of time. The basket I put together was a wire heart basket from Wal-Mart and I filled it with many goodies from my spa business.....BeautiControl. http://www.beautipage.com/peacefulreflections/ I included instant manicure stuff, hand creams, foot creams, body lotions and such. I made sure I included enough for every person to have at least one bottle to take home or they could use just about everything in the office. You know, I didn't think about this for the surgeons office. Next time I go, I will have to take them a basket of goodies too. Good luck in what ever you decide to do. I'm sure it will mean a lot to just be appreciated. I think that is missing too much in today's world.....then again, so is customer service too often.

Oh Diane ~ I am sitting here in tears for you. This breaks my heart. My mouth is still on the desk and I'm in shock at all of this. I want to rush over to your house and take care of you!! I've been wondering where you've been and meant to post on the May thread just today to summons you. You were on my heart. I thought things were crazy around here, but my goodness girl. You know you can count on my prayers and will even ask my church to pray unless you request otherwise. Of course, no names, I would say just a good friend. The words won't even come out right now. Diane, please know you are loved and cherished here. You have such a great attitude and I know that will take you a long way into your FULL recovery.....I know you won't accept anything less. Please keep in touch when you can. I am sending you love and hugs my friend!!! :love: :hug:

Keep the shirt and wear it next time you chem the hot tub.

I was fortunate enough to get insurance to pay for my surgery. My surgeon and/or hospital did not have a program fee. Use of the hospital services such as support groups, nutrition & exercise are free for life. It is 3 hrs away so we joined the YMCA for exercise. Office visits are free for the first 6 mos and after, I pay my office co-pay. Fills are also a co-pay. Perhaps you need to look around if you feel the program fee is not acceptable. Then again, I would personally consider paying it if I felt this was the best surgeon choice. I would have probably paid something for my surgeon b/c he is so top-notch. I absolutely love him!! I wish you the best on your journey and I hope your able to work all this out. The lapband is a journey worth all the challenges you face. ~Good Luck~

Me me....don't forget.....please add me to the list!! Thanks Dear Abby K@t!!

I didn't have to do a pre-op diet, but I did do the liquid Optifast last year. I understand your frustration. Take it one meal at a time. As long as your getting all the nutrition you need (you didn't say what kind of liquid diet your on) you are probably dealing with your head more than your stomach. Try writing in a journal or taking a walk to get your mind off of food. Head hunger is one of the most powerful things IMO....put on your boxing gloves. :boxing: You can do it....just hang in there and take baby steps!!!

Thanks justduckie!! It gets sweeter as the days go by. Here's to many more years of love and fun with your DH. :confused: Kim ~ I agree with Marci, those are great questions. I'll file those away for future use. I still don't have a fill b/c it's slow and steady for me too. WTG Murphles :clap2: I bet that felt awesome. Can't wait for those XL clothes!! Hey LindaV ~ How do you like the Water aerobics? How long have you been doing them? Great job ladies on the challenge so far. It's my TOM and thankfully, I've stayed the same at this point. Hope to report a loss next week. Did I mention that I HATE the TOM?? It's the devil I say!!

Thanks ladies....good info. Do you know if there is a difference between actual weights and weight resistance using the hydraulic machines? Our Y offers a women only circuit room with the hydraulics similar to Curves. I wonder if one is better than the other.

Do you have the urge to just rub his bald head? I've been begging my DH to let me shave the fuzz he has on top and he refuses. I love bald heads. :biggrin1:

Just had to share a couple more.....

One of my all-time favorites is The Usual Suspects with Kevin Spacey. If you like who-done-it type, this one keeps you guessing. I am a HUGE fan of M. Night Shyamalan....The Sixth Sense, Signs, The Village. I also enjoyed these to name a few: Spy Game Enemy of the State Pay It Forward Mystic River Fools Rush In Meet the Parents Son-In-Law

Hi Wendy & welcome to LBT!! :welcome: It sounds like you have some exciting things going on. I hope you are correct and you were approved. The lapband is the best thing I've ever done for myself. I've only been banded a short time, but I wouldn't change a thing. Hope you stay in touch and keep us posted. Be sure to read, read, and read some more. There is so much info here that can help you every step of the way. It's nice to meet you and again, welcome to this wonderful community!!! :welcomeB:

Congratulations on your band date diva!! :clap2: Things will really fly by from here on out. I am thrilled for you and like you, I am so thankful to be part of this community. Just like a big family....we don't always agree, but we are here to support each other no matter what. Your not alone on the dorky questions either. We are all a bunch of dorks in one way or another. :heh:

This just breaks my heart and it gets me choked up. I had a poodle, Andy, who lived for 17.5 yrs....I literally grew up with him. He was on lasix, laxatone, and baby aspirin. He was still eating and got around very slowly when he just stopped and fell over. I rushed him to the vet and he was closed. He died quietly in my arms. My entire family grieved. Then I had another poodle, Amos, that had to be put to sleep when he was only 6 or 7 yrs (can't remember for sure). He had a blockage in his bowels that couldn't be operated on since he was so small at 5 lbs. I held him and it was difficult, but it was the best thing for him. I can relate to all of you that have shared your stories. Isn't it amazing how we can become so attached to our little fuzzy ones? I cried for an entire week when our cat, Toby, was hit by a car. I can't imagine my life without animals.

I'm 5'5" and would love to be 150 - 160 lbs. It's been so long ago, I can't even tell you what size that is for me. We'll see how it goes and as a woman, I reserve the right to change my mind.

Bless you heart....you do have a HUGE decision facing you pending insurance of course. I'm sure you have already been doing research on your options and I think it is awesome that you doc gave you a list of people to contact.....how wonderful!! Shows he is an excellent doc with confidence in his work. I'm sure there are some docs out there that wouldn't want you to talk to their patients. You will be in my prayers!!

Is that your DAY job? :dance:

Hi Doty ~ I already sent you a PM, but wanted to respond here as well. I love the Body Fortress Protein chocolate Protein Drink :hungry: from Wal-Mart. My doc approved it and many on here suggested it. I have never tried the Carnation so can't tell you of any difference. You do need to have more than Water b/c you do need the strength and healthy benefits from the protein.....it will help in the healing process. Keep searching and ask you doc if there are other alternatives if you can't do any suggested on this thread. Surely, you are not the first patient to dislike the Carnation, so they should be able to direct you. BTW, I also love the Isopure Zero Carb that Myra suggested. I bought a case of it and it comes in handy when I'm traveling. I put it in a cooler and I'm good to go. Did you make it to GNC yet? I became a gold member and got a discount on my first case of Isopure....ask them about it. Oh, if your shopping for a new blender, check out the Magic Bullet. I bought mine at Wal-Mart and use it about every day. I LOVE IT!!! It's nice b/c it is personal size. Many people purchased theirs on e-bay. I liked the idea of having a receipt for return if something went wrong b/c they are a bit pricier than the normal blender. Keep in touch and let us know what you decide to do on your diet.

Kim ~ WhooHoo on the NSV!! :welldone:I don't think I've lost 2 sizes yet, but then again, I haven't been shopping. Still wearing my baggies. There seems to be a lot of us with the TOM this week. I just started yesterday and it should have been this past Sun. I was getting a bit concerned. So far, I've stayed the same. Reality is I could eat a HUGE chocolate bunny or anything chocolate for that matter. This is the hardest time for me b/c of the sweet & salt cravings I get with the TOM. chicken salad helps with the salty cravings. BTW, great job on the swimming too!! You inspire me. We joined the Y last week and the boys start swim lessons next week. I plan to work out while their swimming with the teacher. In answer to your question about calories, I am getting around 1000 daily. I was using the FitDay.com, but I was getting tired of entering new info everytime I ate a meal. I wished they had a more thorough food list. Plus with 2 little ones, I barely get my shower in let alone post everything I eat. I should make time for that though...it is important. Marci ~ :wow2: Good for you girl....keep it up!! I barely remember size 18. I WILL see it again someday soon. Also, CONGRATULATIONS on your anniversary of 27 yrs. Do I understand you correctly that your anniversary is on the 10th? We were married 7 yrs on July 10th as well. The kids & DH are recovering from strep, so we put off date night and will do it another time. Such is life with kids. Violetflame ~ Welcome to the May Bandsters Group!! You will find this a great place for support as well as the entire site of LBT!!! :welcome2:

I'm in....these exchanges are becoming my new addiction. I love getting to know people and getting things in the mail.

You never fail to bring a smile to me face....actually I laughed out loud. :heh: I wonder if she is a US citizen. :confused:

Praying for you Christina!! Stay strong!!

Karen ~ Loved the pics....MORE MORE!! I have heard that about Smoke not signing and I think someone should take him behind the shed and spank him....I volunteer!!! No really, I don't like that about him. It does make me wonder why he has been known to do that and then he seems to do so many other wonderful things for kids. :confused: Missy ~ We were at my parents house for the race last week. My mom was furious b/c Tony won. She was in the house and I called her using my cell phone from the garage (they have a TV out there) and asked her if she would like to congratulate me on Tony's win. She does that to me everytime Gordon wins, so I couldn't resist. She didn't want to talk about it. She is such a poor sport when it comes to Gordon. :phanvan She recently got a newer life size cardboard thing of Gordon with the Pepsi. This one is in her living room. Everytime you walk in, it startles you b/c it looks like someone is standing there. Time to Love ~ Sounds like we think alike. Go Smoke!! Speaking of Gordon......what about that win tonight??? I can't help but think the bump was intentional. I do feel a LITTLE sorry for him that fans threw things at his car. I feel he should have been penalized, but he doesn't deserve to have things thrown from the stands. I was absolutely TICKED that Gordon did that and it cost Tony. If the race would have run without the bump, Tony would not have run out of gas. That's racing for you though. You can't count on anything until the winner crosses the finish line. This week should be interesting to see what develops from this situation. I also look for Kenseth to respond at a later time. The plot thickens chickens.

I wish you all the VERY best and will pray for a quick and speedy recovery. Time will pass so quickly and any pain will soon be a distant memory. I can tell you it is so much fun watching the scales go the other way for a change!!!

Hello Strangers!! I've been gone for awhile b/c we went to OH for the July holiday and stayed extra to visit with my DB & SIL from VA. He has a 7 mo old son and this is only the second time I was able to see him.....baby Mason. :biggrin1: We came home this past Tues and everyone has been sick since. My SIL (a different one) thought it was OK to bring her son with a fever and so far, 5 or 6 family members have come down with this terrible strep throat. My youngest got it the worst and it turned into scarlet fever. We have been hibernating and so far, I have not taken it....thank God. I have been reading here & there & must say how proud I am to be part of this group. :clap2: You all keep me going more than you will ever know. This little challenge is just what I needed. I am glad to report that I am down 4 lbs.....16 more to go. I'm going to add another ticker in my sig so it's easier for me to track. I also talked my DH into joining the Y and we are both going to start working out. My boys are even going to take swim lessons. I am so excited and even bought new shoes & work-out clothes this weekend. I am down a total of 23 lbs since surgery & have not had a fill. I do not feel I need one at this point. I guess I'm a like you Stitchy. I will wait till the weight loss stops then go for the fill then.