legallyKristin

Bebabear! That is so awesome that you're getting banded at your age. I'm 24 and if it had been available in my area when I was even younger I most definately would have done it. I was at 210 all through high school then got out and the "Freshman 15" became the "Freshman 85". I had a much easier time losing weight before I was 20, it's just keeping it off that I had the problem with. I definately recommend working on the Water intake. It was really the hardest adjustment for me and I'm glad I started about a month pre-op. The whole waiting 30 min before and after and no drinking during is definately an adjustment. Best wishes! Kristin

Johnathan- I saw that the other posters were 20 which is why I suggested "youthful bandsters". Dody- That is awesome! I wish that the band had been around when I was that age. I would have loved to have had a more normal childhood, without the constant ridicule of being fat. Of course, I'm from a small town where doctors don't want to do WLS, so I would have probably never known about it. Kristin

Sorry, but I do think your post was a bit rude. 1) How many 14 year olds do you know with the band? I don't think that the FDA allows anyone over 18 to be banded. 2) It's been awhile since you were 24, so how do you know that the issues I face are any different from those that a nine-TEEN year old faces??

With the band you aren't supposed to have NSAIDS or have an NG Tube placed down your throat without flouro. The NG Tube is standard if you are in a bad accident to ensure that your lungs don't collapse but it could move/damage the band if not placed correctly. There is a thread about medical ID bracelets a few days ago. Kristin

Maybe not just "teen bandsters" I know that there are a lot of us that are in our 20s that are banded! Can we retitle this?? I'm still in school and it is really hard to deal with some of the comments of people that think banding is "the easy way out" and "not safe for your body". Well, being fat isn't safe either. Glad to see some more youthful bandsters! Kristin

I'm with 3loves. He has his super computer that he built and I have my laptop which he doesn't touch unless it's broken. It makes for a very happy relationship! But it's probably spyware that's messing up your computer, so many websites are putting on their sites- even yahoo. You can go to downloads.com and find a software like spysweeper that will fix that for free! Kristin

Being from a family of healthcare professionals, I have learned ONE thing...Surgeons think that they are God. They have serious trust issues and get upset when their friends/family use a doctor that they didn't pick. You are informed on the band and the aftercare you need, use your gut instinct to decide what is right. And tell DH that if he trusts your friend more than he trusts you and your decisions about what to do with your body then he's the one with the issues, not you. I'm so sorry you're going through this, this should be a time where you are relaxing and making last minute preparations for your surgery, not worrying about this. Kristin

I also could have waited and tried to fight my insurance who WILL pay for a RNY but not a lap-band which could have taken months, or I could have waited a year and tried to get my fiance's insurance to pay for it. I didn't want to wait because I'm about a year and 1/2 away from graduating and trying to get a job. No one wants to hire fat people! This was a serious concern for me, so I took out more of a student loan and paid about $11,000 for mine. I think in the long run I will make up the money with a better job. You just need to sit down and run the pros and cons. I had a source where I could get the money without hurting my current financial situation for bills, etc. Your age, weight or goals may encourage you to skip the wait and spend the money. Kristin

Hi Shauntil! Welcome to the club! I bet you're so excited about next Wednesday. I know how hard it is to be young and overweight. But at least we are doing something about it! Good luck on your surgery. It really isn't that bad! Kristin

Yeh I don't get the comparison of Kellie to Carrie Underwood. There's one huge difference...Carrie can SING! Kellie is off pitch like 80% of the time! I agree that Simon has a thing for her. Why else would he call her a "naughty little minx." That sounds a bit racey if you ask me. Kristin

GrizGirl- What state are you from?? That's cruel that you have to list your weight!! I guess us Texans have it lucky! Desi80- THAT is soo awesome! Congratulations! I know you must have felt like a million bucks to know that your hard work has definately paid off if a stranger actually says you are unrecognizable from an old photo. WOW!

It's called Last Supper Syndrome. I think we all went through it. Here's what helped me calm it down: 1) Whatever you gain now, you will have to add to what you want to lose after your surgery which makes your goal that much further away. 2) With the band I will still be able to eat what I enjoy SOMETIMES but just much less 3) Am I really hungry? If so I'd eat a carrot. If not, it's head hunger and I need to occupy my mind so that this craving will pass. 4) PLAN your meals. I'm a busy law school student and if I can make time to plan meals- ANYONE can. I bake a few dishes on the weekend that taste good and are appropriate for my diet and divide them out in little gladware containers and stick them in the fridge to use for "grab-n-go" all week long. -I also keep those little carb conscious yogurt bottles in the fridge and cheese sticks. If you know what you're going to eat, you're less likely to give into hunger pains with bad choices. 5) If going out to eat is your problem (that was mine and my fiance's extracurricular activity) make sure you thoroughly discuss what you want to eat and then decide if there is a healthy option there that would satisfy your cravings. Check out the restraunt's menu online, most have nutritional facts. We like Pei Wei chinese because it's fresh and there are many healthy options there for me. Hope that helps. But remember it will get much better. As I described it to my fiance, it's like I'm getting a divorce from one of my best friends-food. But seeing the scale move and clothes fit makes it SOOO Worth it. Kristin

Well I got the bottom 3 right, but I was actually shocked to see that Kevin was the one gone. NOT that he didn't need to be gone, but he had the whole "vote for the worst" website supporting him and his fan base of 12 year old girls. Which just goes to show that sometimes that isn't even enough if you just don't have "it". I'm kinda glad he's gone, I think the competition is starting to toughen up. Just need to get rid of a few more. Kelly's ignorant act is just getting annoying, as is Paula's weirdness. The night that she was hitting Simon I was embarrased FOR her. Not that I even listen to her comments, Randy puts it eloquently, but Simon says it like it is...which they need to hear. Yeh I get into this. I did musical theatre for about 15 years of my life, gave it up for law school and AI is the closest it gets for me now! Have a great day everyone, Kristin

Ok, I have to confess. I started mushies last Saturday. I'm supposed to advance to soft foods this Saturday. I went to a study group tonight and ate about 3/4 cup of cheese Munchies. Those like chex mix things. They have the little good choice seal and are baked, but I KNOW I wasn't supposed to have them. The head hunger won and I couldn't talk about it because my study group knows nothing about my surgery. Did I hurt my band??? DID I kill my diet?? I am just going to have to stay away from social situations or eat before and then eat nothing once I'm there. None is an easier number to achieve than a little. Thanks for letting me vent, Kristin

Wow, last nite was interesting!! Mandisa--very good musical choice and she looked sooo elegant!! I think her and Katherine are the most mature singers on the show. Ace--The soap opera stares are getting cheesy Chris--He sticks to what he does best. I would just like to hear him vocally outside of a rock song, but a good job at a Johnny Cash song. I doubted it at first, but he pulled it off. Taylor--strange, BUT he stuck to the 50's. I loved his haircut, it took like 10 years off of him! Bucky--Good Night and Good Luck Paris--I think she is adorable and with the pipes to compete with Mandisa and Katherine in a few years. Lisa--"Lion King" performance, too theatrical Katherine--Great all around Kevin--his manerisms annoy me. He needs to go back to high school musical theatre. I would never buy a CD with him on it. I bet the only people that would were the ones that bought the bad asian guy's CD. Kelly--I generally don't like her personality. She is playing up the dumb country girl part too much. I'm from the country and I think it's insulting. Her performance this week was better, maybe enough to get her to next week. Elliott--Much better this week on actually getting into his songs, great voice but too timid to be the next AI. Well that's my take on last nite. Who do YOU think will be in the bottom 3?? I'm going for 1) Bucky 2) Lisa 3) Kevin And I think it will be "Bye-Bye Bucky". Thank God. I'm ready for some of the bad people to go home so the competition can get good! Now let's just get rid of Kevin and Pickler. Kristin

C 247.5 (-3.5) I started mushies Monday...not losing as fast :eek: Have a great day everyone!! Kristin

I'm using it as an excuse still. But I read the old threads and I came across the FUNNIEST comment from NewHope, "Reach for your mate instead of a plate." Just thought I would share! Kristin

Actually from what I hear, GB patients average about 10-20 different GB related illnesses per year. A hospital stay or ER visit costs a heck of a lot more than a fill. Don't give up. When I was doing my research I found out that if they approve the RNY and don't approve the lap-band it's actually A LOT easier to fight them and win. It's when they don't approve ANY obesity related treatment that you're fighting an uphill battle. Best of luck Kristin

Not so much thinking anything. But I hate when the dang cat or dog gets up on the end of the bed to try to watch. It's just freaky! The black is probably mold. Maybe dry them off when done or try CLR. Maybe?? Kristin

Thanks for the support. I'm going to be dragging my books today, they probably weigh about 70 lbs! Have a great day! :confused: Kristin

How do I add GFG Club to my groups on my profile?? Thanks! :confused: Kristin P.S. Keep me in your prayers tomorrow, it's my first day back at school. It's going to be difficult eating and drinking "right", plus my books are heavy!!

I'm leaning toward the notion that Kellie's stories aren't all true. http://www.votefortheworst.com/pickler.html A lot of people come from bad situations, that doesn't mean that you have to play that up to win sympathy votes. :confused: Kristin

ohh that sounds cute! I got one that is like a link charm bracelet with a little sterling silver heart on it in addition to the medical id charm. :confused: Kristin

forestgranger- I am right there with you! I'm 11 days post-op and I feel like I could eat a horse!! I'm just making sure that I make good decisions about what I eat and watch how I drink. The way I look at it, I've starved to death on diets before, I can make good choices even if I am a little hungry before I get my fill. Just think of this as the last time you have to go hungry on a diet so long as you follow bandster rules and keep up on your band fills. Hope that helps! :confused: Kristin

I'm going for Bob. Silent Bob from the movie "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back." Pretty easy going until something happens that really pisses him off. That would be my band Bob. Thank God, been banded 1 1/2 weeks and nothing has really upset him yet, just not going slow enough kinda caused chest pain. :confused: Kristin