Boo

Margi, I'm sure that the crunches will help you in some way. Probably the most important thing you can do is to walk until you breathe a bit harder to increase your stamina and lung capacity. Also, if you have other vices (like mine: Diet Coke) it is better to deal with them now, rather than quit everything after surgery. Congratulations!!

Wow! You look amazing! At first, I thought maybe you had posted some model's poster. You really look great. Congratulations!

Lapbandit, WOW!!! You have accomplished so much this year! I am also learning to take care of myself. Great advice given!

I am a singer and had to go back to work eight days after surgery. The performance aspect of singing was a bit exhausting, but the breath management and support was not difficult. I was afraid that I would injure something, but my doctor assured me it was fine to jump back into singing.

Molly, that is how I started running. My DH and I began walking at the HS track. I liked to go while the drumline or football team were rehearsing/practing. It charged me up. Soon I tried running and little by little worked myself up to three miles on the track. I kind of miss it and am actually looking forward to football season again. Julie, I can't believe that your surgery is in a week! This is very good timing to make the Onederland goal. WHen is your last day at work and when do you fly home for the surgery? Betty, I am going to PM you. Hold tight and we will all be with you (in spirit) as you face this critical time. Much love to you and Alan! :welldoneclap:

WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! WTG, Julie!!!!!!!! Finally.....And by the end of this week, we'll have another!!! :welldoneclap: Kat!! Let's all have a group hug and and a good cry!

Well stated, Heather! I add an "Amen" to everything you said!

hahaha, Julie...that's funny! That is how I feel, having been seemingly forever stuck where I am. Even with NO nutrition the scale has not budged, but normal fluctuations. But now with an unfill, my weight is still stable. That is a good thing. Dawn, you are a great motivator for me to get up and run. When I think of complaining, I think of you in the negative double-digit weather. Amourette, don't give "snarky" a second thought. First of all, it WAS insensitive of me to create a conversation over romance. It didn't even occur to me how everyone in this group would take it. I just really feel for Betty and wanted to write something cute. My mother-in-law loves it when I tease them about their affectionate relationship. But it wasn't appropriate for this thread. So to anyone who didn't appreciate it, I am sorry. Fear of flying: I suppose evryone on that plane is going through the same thing you are, Amourette. I had to fly out of NY immediately after a plane went down over Long Island in '96? (which the cause has never been sufficiently explained) The tension on the plane was palpable, passengers suspect of each other, not uttering a word the entire flight. The moment the plane touched down in L.A., there was spontaneous, jubilant applause. On that flight, I remember looking to the FA's for reassurance. They helped me to stay calm inside. YOU were a blessing to your passengers! You held it together and gave them hope. You put on a good face for the airline, but more importantly, for the sake of lifting others. That is why you were led to your job. Not only do you love adventure and travel, but you are a giving, kind person. OF COURSE you would want to hide under the duvet! I used to suffer from a panic disorder of flying, but through relaxation and self-talk, I have managed to overcome it...(but I also understand why they sell alcohol on planes.) We have to have faith, even in the ugly face of fearful events! Go get a massage or something that will nurture your body and soul. And you are right, we do need to tell our loved ones what they mean to us. In light of that, thank you, MY FRIENDS!! You help me tremendously. Especially since I am a closet bandster. My friends and most of my family know nothing of what I have done. There is no one that I can share with or learn from. So you are my bandster buddies! Take care everyone. Our anniversaries are approaching!

I'll probably think of more, but I am beginning to be more assertive and confident in my opinions instead of worrying whether everyone likes me. I am also spending less money. In general, I am trying to be less wasteful with energy, time, money...life! I've contacted several old friends and have seen many. I am trying to come to terms with the bad things that happened to me. I am trying to forgive those that hurt me. Great question!

Is Retin-A safe to use in a sunny climate?

Aren't we all just the refined bandsters? I am going to the SAME type of concert at Disney Hall (Frank Gehry's creation) in Los Angeles next week. I am heavily involved in music, so this is a treat I regularly enjoy! But there is nothing like being able to see all the shows in NY. The theatres are more intimate than those here in Los Angeles. NY is such an exciting city to just go out and walk to Carnegie Hall, or to a museum or to Saks, or to Hearty and Hale (I love that place). It is time for me to get planning! There are friends I need to see there, and a race I've challenged Julie to. (Okay, not a race, more like a friendly jog in Central Park where I can re-enact the Phoebe bit) haha! Take care! I can't run until Saturday. TOTAL UNFILL!! I completely advise it. It is like having a leave from military life. I'll be back on the "band"wagon soon, but for now I am enjoying all kinds of fruits, raw vegetables and healthy choices that are normally unfriendly. Keep going! Who is getting close to onederland??? (Tracy in Kansas, it was kind of you be concerned...thanks!)

Amourette, you are not wrinkly! Your face is gorgeous! My friend was getting married (for the third time). I was really worried about her choice until I saw how happy she was. I kept telling her how serene she looked and that I had never seen her look so beautiful. "It must be love," I proclaimed. She grabbed my arm and said that it was the Botox in her frown lines, forehead and around eyes that gave her that look. hahaha... I still am not sure if she is happy this time. I want it!

Good luck, Stacy! I completely agree. Dr. Ortiz is highly regarded in the medical field amongst doctors everywhere. He is a very safe choice.

New Me, I just went through the same thing. After trying to eat a salad with chicken (actually, just pick at it), something got stuck. I PB'd and then went back on liquids, thinking it would heal and be fine. No, it didn't heal on its own. The band was SO tight it took an entire day to down 20 oz. of Water. I decided to see the doctor (which is in Mexico.) On the way, I began vomitting blood. The band area had gotten so swollen and irritated, it was bleeding! I had to have a TOTAL unfill. It will take three weeks now to heal up for another fill. I don't EVER want to be too tight again!!! It is NOT worth it. The doctor told me that being too tight is risky for the health of the band also. Please get a slight unfill. It is better to be safely eating healthy salads, veggies and fruits, than choking on Ensure the rest of our lives.

SeaBreeze, It might be that tomato soup is just too acidic, especially after a fill. I can't ever tolerate tomato soup, or spaghetti sauce. It makes me vomit. So I have to stay away.

No matter what you decide to do, you will always know that your sister loves you. The fact that she is willing to go through a pregnancy for you is an incomprehensible sacrifice. My personal opinion doesn't really matter because it is such a huge decision that can and should only be made with much research, counseling (both legal and psychological), thought, soul-searching and prayer. Good luck!

Betty, many thoughts and prayers for you and Alan! (and for your surgeon's hands, too!) I'm okay. I keep going, but am weak.

Thank you...I needed an emergency unfill. I'm glad I went because I had an obstruction. Everything is fine now that I am on the mend.

I need help! It has been 12 days since I was filled to 1.6. (Last fill of 1.4 was 7 months ago.) At first, I felt NOTHING. After a week, the band felt much tighter and I had some PB's getting used to it. For three days I have been on liquids only. The band still feels tight. How soon should the swelling go down? How much liquid do I need to consume to make sure I am not dehydrated? I can only sip slowly!

Dear Donna, Your courage and faith is truly inspiring and heart-breaking. I am so sorry you have this pain and fear to face right now. You are so right. I have also wasted too much of my life worrying about my weight. Those kind of thoughts are pretty useless. I send you hope and prayers to add to that incredible faith of yours. You are never alone!

Kat, good for checking on Roberta. I wonder how Susan is, also. Hey Julie, Onederland IS coming. And it will be so worth it because you have had to fight with all your might to get there. You have fought off over 150 pounds! Three little ones are hanging on for dear life, but too bad. They are about to disappear and never be seen again. Your body is changing every day by the consistency of your workout. The scale will follow! Have faith, have hope! I've needed to slow down for a bit. With very little fluids I did not want to risk the dehydration. Hopefully by Wednesday I can workout again.

Thanks!...what a day! I PB'd on Thursday from a salad/chicken dinner that I wasn't ready for. I still don't have the eating in public thing down. I only picked and ate a little, but probably the wrong thing. Since then, I have had trouble with liquids. I thought that maybe the band was just tightening from the fill. Yesterday, I was miserable, but didn't want to miss church, so I thought another liquid day would calm things down. It took the entire day to down 20 oz. of Water. During the night, heartburn kicked in. (I've read enough on this board to be afraid of that.) At 4:30 a.m. I got up and decided to start driving to Mexico. (The surgeon is so amazing to take calls at anytime!) I am so glad I did!!! When I was 30 minutes north of SanDiego, I had to pull off the road and majorly vomit...blood (sorry for the graphic detail, but this might be of value to someone that reads.) I was scared. He met me at the surgery center and looked under flouro. I had an obstruction sitting above the band. The bleeding was coming from the swollen banded area...NO SLIP :clap2: He took out all of the saline in the band and will not fill it again for three weeks. (All this and he only charged me $30) So now, I am on liquids for another two days and just have to heal and be careful. NOW I KNOW WHY I HAVE BEEN SO SCARED OF PB'S! I called my husband and told him I have never felt so grateful to be able to swallow water and keep it down. An experience like that sure makes me appreciate the "small" things. Thanks for your concern. Let's hope no one else has a scare like that.

Had to have an emergency total unfill. I was vomitting blood! I'll write more later! Molly! I'll give you a nicer welcome tonight. Great story and I'm glad you are joining us.

That is great NJGirl. I am following that same advice now. After no fill for seven months and very little restriction, I drove to TJ to get .2 extra in my band for a whopping 1.6. At first there was no change. On Thursday (9 days later) I was at a dinner event and felt pressured to eat. It was bad! Since then, I can't eat anything. I am having trouble with liquids, so I don't dare try solids. Just sipping, sipping, sipping. I am hoping the swelling goes down soon, or I'll be headed for an unfill this week. I think I will ask on another thread, but does anyone know how to tell if you are in danger of dehydration? How many oz. of Water do we require a day? I am afraid to sweat because it is hard to get in the liquids I want. Oh yeah, JULIE...averaging 11 minute miles for four miles? That is AWESOME! I've got to step it up!

Julie, you look gorgeous in your picture! You look like you weigh 160 at the most! Amourette...so sorry. No more jokes from me.