ljv52

Morning all, this is just a quickie -- to say hi. Lori, so glad the wedding went so well, we all knew it would and that it would be beautiful. Glad you also got compliments and felt like a princess - you deserve it -- hope your sisters were nearby and hearing all the compliments!! Sorry about the horse, honestly, this world can be so crazy, can't it. Have fun in Hawaii (one of my most favorite places -- will be thinking of you on the beach next week). Julie, so glad your MRI is over and you have some results at last -- now they can get busy on fixing the problem. Your insurance company should be so ashamed to make you suffer like you have. Laura, hope you are feeling better, sorry you had to go through all of that. Just makes me even more determined to keep my willpower at maximum as I never want to get that tight. Sorry you had to suffer so much. Cheri, hope you're doing better today. Janet wtg on the contacts. I've worn glasses since 5th grade - so need more than readers -- had contacts when young but gave them up years ago. Sometimes think about getting them again, especially when I clean my glasses about 40 times a day. I hate dirty glasses! to everyone else - have a great weekend -- I'll be back on Monday. gotta run. Linda

Thanks for the info on the flexies -- can't wait to go look for those -- maybe this weekend. I'm caught up just in time to leave for the weekend. Hopefully I'll be able to check in every day after this weekend. Hope everyone has a wonderful few days -- cbl. Linda

Jessica, I'm so happy for you to get back out on your own. You've already gotten great advice about the school. Wow, that sounds absolutely crazy to me. Hope you enjoy your triop next week, I'll be out of town this weekend and wanted to say hi before you left. Have a great time and enjoy yourself -- you deserve to really relax with everything you've been through this year. Linda

Meredith, so great to see you back on here again. Congrats on the house, weight loss, soon to be engagement. Maybe one of our get togethers some year could be your wedding?? I can see us now taking you out for your bridal "bachelor's" party. Glad you aren't in any hurry -- you and Andrew have the rest of your lives. Glad you're doing so well.

LauraK, not sure if you're aware of this, but you burn different calories for the same exercise as you lose weight -- i.e, when I first started exercising, I'd burn almost 900 calories for a 5 miles walk and now I only burn about 450 for the same exercise. That's why we sometimes have to increase our exercise as we lose -- or at least increase the intensity if not the length. So unfortunately what your friend burned may or may not reflect what you are burning for the same exercise. Linda

Lori, I hope I'm not being too terribly blunt, but your sisters are two of the most selfish, spoiled brats I've ever heard of. How could they do that to you especially during this week of you and your DD preparing for the wedding. I'm just appalled at their inappropriate behavior! I'm appalled that your mother won't see this as bad behavior in them also. I don't remember, are you the middle child? Just curious. I know you're busy today with the wedding, but wanted to respond to the posts as I see them so I don't forget. Thinking of you today! Linda

Cheri, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm 14 months out and I still have that gas (farting) problem -- some times it's a bit better than others but most of the time it's just as bad as it ever was -- I've heard other people say they never had the problem at all -- so I think we are just "blessed" with that problem. Hope it gets better for you. Linda

Joyce, the first few months I was banded I pretty much stuck to eating mostly eggs and fish baked -- I also learned how to make some pretty tasty salmon patties that were low fat and stayed nice and moist when I baked them. If you like fish I recommend trying fish -- I rinse the fish and season it a little and roll it in a little seasoned fish fry (cornmeal) and put it on a sprayed baking dish -- bake it at 400 degrees until done - usually less than 10 mins if fish is thin. I also ate canned tuna and canned chicken -- mixed with a little light mayo -- I don't think I even tried a real piece of chicken until about month 3 or 4 -- my doctor had me on 2 weeks of liquids, 2 weeks of pureed, 2 weeks of mushies -- so all in all I was 8 weeks (2 weeks liquid diet before surgery and then 6 weeks after) of very little "real" food and I lived to tell the story. LOL. One thing that truly helped me for some reason was that the nutritionist at my surgeon's office wrote the following at the top of our nutritional information sheet "Carbs are NOT required for a balanced diet!!!!!!" And for some reason that helped me get it through my thick head that I could eat a meal that did not include potatoes, rice, etc. I very seldom eat carbs -- just very occasionally -- the only carbs I eat are fruit and whatever carbs I get in like the corn meal, cereal, oatmeal, etc. Just thought I'd throw my 2 cents in to the discussion. I was extremely careful about what I ate after surgery as my surgeon and his office were pretty scary in discussing what problems it could cause, so I guess they scared me enough that I was afraid to eat anything that they didn't allow me to. Congrats on your weight loss, you're doing great. Linda

I just finished watching Survivor from this week over my lunch hour -- ya gotta admit it's interesting, very interesting. Linda

Lori, Just want to say hi and good luck on the wedding -- I know it will be beautiful and fabulous. I'm still trying to catch up on reading the posts. Just wanted to say that yes, .25 cc's does quite a bit -- I have been getting .25 ccs at a time since after my second fill and it does a lot, trust me, so I do think it'll be worth it and hopefully you won't be too tight. Apples, sorry to hear about the kidney stone -- always something. Julie, hope you are doing better -- I know how tough it is when you have pain every day. Janet, glad to hear you are down to just one furlough day a month -- that extra money will come in handy. What brand were those under garment slimmers you bought? Did you say you found them at Kohls? DS is in town and had a great night last night - made a big dinner -- had to prep it mostly the night before and then finish it off when I got home at 6 last night - didn't eat until a little after 7. Made homemade tiramisu - my word was that ever delish -- had about a one tablespoon size piece -- goodness, I could have eaten the whole pan - how fabulous that was! LOL. If it's not gone by tonight I'm taking it to work tomorrow to get rid of it. We will leave and drive 3 hours north Sat. to visit DIL and attend her parent's 50th wedding anniversary party on Sunday. Step daughter got home from hospital today so will have a little R&R from our 3 weeks with our sweet but very active GD - who also is on daily steriods so you know she's a bit hyper! But already missed her when I ran home for lunch -- she just always makes me feel so special -- when I walk in the door she screams "Ummmaa's home and runs to give me a hug" -- just isn't the same when I get home and she's not there. My step daughter isn't being honest about what she found out at the hospital -- instead she's saying they don't know what's wrong with her and that "she isn't doing anything wrong". Well, excuse me but someone with Juvenile Diabetis who goes months without taking readings, refuses to learn how to count carbs and take insulin on a sliding scale is not without fault IMHO, but I must learn to zip it rather than cause a problem with my DH. Sorry for the rant, but I need to get it off my chest to someone. Thanks for letting me. Deb, sounds like you're doing great - wtg on the exercise. I'm proud of you!! I wish I could find a zumba class - I bought the tapes but it's kind of hard doing the tapes at home alone. Laura, love all the pics of Nelson the past few weeks -- always cheers me up to see his sweet face -- you look amazing -- so photogenic -- glad you're going to visit your folks for Easter. Joyce, sounds like you're doing great -- I can eat very small amounts of rice (about 1 teaspoon) and I've only had pasta a couple of times and could only eat very small portions when I did. You just gotta chew it all well. I don't PB very often -- in fact I never slimed until this week -- I had an episode and it was my first time for that. I eat in public all the time -- I just try to stick to meat and veggies - I eat salads at restaurants - I bought fat free ranch dressing in packets that I carry in my purse at all times -- then I order salads and say, "cheese on the side, no dressing, etc." It just makes it easier -- then I take a very small amount of cheese and give the rest to DH. He's getting fatter of course as I get thinner. LauraK are you still trying to not smoke? I give you lots of credit for trying -- hope you're doing okay. Like I said before, it's a really tough thing to overcome. Jodi, you bring smiles to my days everytime I try to catch up on the posts -- you're so funny and energetic -- I love your stories -- really cracked up about you leaving the car at the hair dressers, although I'm sure it wasn't all that funny to you or your DB. Eva, you've been busy too -- i love Stephen King, but haven't read any of his books for ages - I may have to pick up that book for my vacation in July. Phyll, you're always so busy - love all the jewelry you've been making and all the pics on FB -- you do a great job on it -- all of them are gorgeous pieces. When my GM used to make jewelry it looked like old lady stuff, not like your gorgeous pieces - things have changed in the past 20 to 30 years. Janet, sorry about work being such a __tch. I was LMAO about your throwing out the food - I'm only caught up to Monday 3-22 so hope they forgave you when you took cookies in on Monday. I know how you feel, I feel that way when I watch people eat now too. Finally all the snow melted -- then we got more Sat. and then beautiful weather -- yesterday was cold and rainy but nice again today so hopefully Spring will stick around one of these days!! Sorry for any of you I've missed, not intentional - just gotta run now and meet my family for dinner at Mexican restaurant. Love you all and have missed everyone so much!! CBL (I hope). Linda

Joyce, I take a big purse with my 100 calorie pack popcorn popped and put in a large plastic bag.

Oh Apples, would love to share her with you!! We'll have to arrange a "date" soon and I'll bring her with us. So sorry to hear about your Dad's passing and sorry I wasn't reading for so long and wasn't here to send my sympathies. I'm just this far in catching up and just coudn't stand to wait to say something. Step daughter was out of hospital 1 day (sat.) and went back in Sunday -- she MUST do something - she's down to 105 -- I don't know what more anyone can do -- there's not such a facility here, but oh I wish there was. If there was one somewhere, I wish her doctors (who are all also fed up and frustrated with her) would send her. My DH had to pick up some things from her apt. yesterday and turned on her glucometer and guess what? She hasn't taken a reading since the first of Feb. In many ways she deserves to be so sick -- I have little sympathy left for her -- sorry if I sound harsh. I love my GD with all my heart but I want to be her GM NOT her everyday mom -- I'm too old and tired. Thank goodness I have a wonderful DH who is very good with her. He's such a great husband/father/papa. That was truly one of the things that attracted me to him was that he was such a great dad. Lori, loved all the pics -- you look so beautiful -- what a gorgeous Mother of the bride you will be -- can't wait for those pics either. Your lunch at McD's sounds like some that I've had with my GFs -- just yakkity yakkity yakkity. Eva, those cards are gorgeous -- you are so talented. I bought a bunch of stamps/papers, etc. years ago to make cards and I've never made one -- some day I will find the time to be creative again. Need to finish my book too, just no time. Janet, wtg on the weight!!! Proud of you. I also lost a pound this week -- it's been exactly 1 month since I lost the last one, but I'm so happy -- maybe it's the extra protein from the greek yogurt? I bought another week's worth -- I have to add sweetner to it and mix it with my fruit -- I don't like the taste of it either. We truly are TWINS. LOL. One of the young kids I work with was reading some article that said that you can increase your metabolism if you eat 18 grams of protein before a work out. Jody, hope you are doing okay, haven't seen you post yet since your surgery. Julie, wishing that MRI would get approved -- once you start feeling better you'll probably want to move more too. I know I do since my hip replacement. Cheri, hope you're on the mend, sorry about your pain too. Yes that hip is a large joint and when it hurts it really hurts. Laura, good going on the weight, the shorts and working out! Proud of you. Melissa, hope your car problems cease soon -- sorry to hear that - glad the new job is going well -- give yourself time for the adjustment - then you'll get back on track with eating and exercise -- life happens -- we can't always be perfect. LauraK so proud of you for trying to quit smoking -- don't get upset if you can't quit right away - I think I quit at least 10 or more times - sometimes it just isn't the right time - but if you've cut back that's great -- it's an extremely tough addiction - I thought it was worse than the food addiction, although obviously that one was tough for us all too. Gotta run, but will try to do more later. Missing you all, but still getting my exercise in -- but it takes away my only free time of my day/night. Hopefully will catch up on the more than 10 pages of posting I'm still behind. Sending love and hugs to you all. Linda

Hi everyone, I have no time to read, I'm days behind. Step daughter has been back in hospital so have had GD all week. Also super busy at work so no time during day. Just wanted to say Hi and I'm alive and well, thinking of you all. I'll catch up over the weekend. Hope you are all doing great. Hugs to you all, Linda

Hi everyone, I had an extremely busy weekend - went out of town for dinner Friday, had couple of appts. and shopping out of town on Saturday, then had GD overnight and yesterday had birthday dinner for youngest step son - turning 21 today!! Janet, now Yoplait has a "Greek Yogurt" which has 12 grams protein, that's the one I was talking about, not the regular Yoplait yogurt. It must be quite new. The other brands in my store of individual serving sizes of greek yogurt are 2.29 for 6 oz. serving -- I'm not going to spend that much for something I eat everyday. But it's worth it, as I ate the Yoplait Greek again this a.m. and I have no hunger and it's my lunch time already. Really amazes me. I'll write more later. Have a great day everyone. CBL. Linda

Janet, I had Yoplait and it had 12 grams of protein and no fat -- 130 calories. Not sure if it was SF, but it wasn't sweet really - just good. It sure keeps the hunger at bay. The one I tried was strawberry. They are getting more and more brands at our grocery stores -- one of the kids I work with said he bought some vanilla that reminded him of cheesecake -- well, I'll have to try that one for sure. I miss cheesecake! Linda

Good Morning All, wow, took me a little time to catch up on the reading. Eva, thanks so much for sharing your webinar info with us -- I really like hearing what different doctors think, etc. I eat pretty much like the pyramid except I have no whole grains -- only occasionally do I eat any crackers, cereal, etc. So yeah, it appears I'm eating quite healthy. Speaking of food, I finally tried Greek Yogurt yesterday and my word, I was so FULL from it -- honestly, I ate it around 10:30 a.m. and never once during the day did I feel hungry -- I ate my lunch around 1:30 and never had any desire for anything until my dinner at 7:00. Looks like I'll definitely be adding Greek Yogurt to my shopping list. I had looked at it before, but it was $8 for a 16 oz. container. But now they have some different brands and are offering individual containers for $.99 so now I feel like I can afford it. LauraK, you never know about interviews these days -- when we have an opening in our company it always takes several weeks before they make their decision on who to hire -- they phone interview, then do live intervews and then they still seem to take forever to make a decision. Laura, glad you are doing better today. That commercial made me cry my eyes out too -- there's nothing wrong with you. I cannot tolerate innocent children/pets being abused. I forgot to congratulate Nelson on his new TQD belt. I think martial arts is great for kids. Judy, how's the play going? I guess you'll be done after the weekend. Enjoy the cast party -- bet you'll have fun. Jessica, how fun to run into a former student -- bet she was impressed on how great you look too. Hope your DS is feeling better. How did your fill go? Hope it brings you to your sweet spot. Janet, I agree about Idol last night. I was crushed the beautiful Cuban girl went home, I really liked her. Yes, that redhead should have left -- not only this week, but last week, wonder why she has people voting for her? I think she's pretty bad. As for the boys, it was who I expected -- I was slightly worried about Andrew, but glad he made it through. I think he's quite good, he just needs to start picking the right song and get the judges on his side. Have you noticed Ellen's neck/chest? OMG it looks 120 years old! She finally wore a scarf to kind of cover it. She's not very old, I can't believe her neck/chest is so wrinkled. I hope this doesn't make me sound horrible, but jeesh, we many of us here are older than her and our necks/chests look okay. Even after losing over 100 lbs. we look normal, so what's up with her I wonder? Some times it's nice to see they have problems too -- not just us everyday folks. Apples, yes, we must must must get together next time -- promise me. Maybe we could meet halfway sometime. I live in Oskaloosa, about 65 miles SE of Des Moines. Pretty little town. Arlene, you are a wonderful mom and GM. So generous of you to allow them to move back in while they get this straightened out. Sad story, feel bad for your DD and GDs that this fiance would do this so many times -- very sad. Hope it all works out for everyone. However, you need to lay down the rules and remind everyone that you are taking care of you and not them. And then you follow through with that. You don't need to add any stress to your life -- you have enough on your plate and you need to put yourself first. I had to do that and trust me, it's not easy and I feel guilty a lot, but I just kick myself and say, "hey, you did it ALL for all these years, it's okay" -- we need to think of it as a "job" that we "retired" from. It just helps to keep your perspective when you feel guilty for not cooking, shopping, cleaning, laundry, and doing doing doing for everyone. Julie, hope you are having a great day and feeling good today. And yes, you are a very strong woman who can do anything you decide to do. Trust me. Gotta get back to work, I've been writing this for hours and now I forget about what everyone wrote anyway. Love you all -- Linda

Welcome home Apples, glad you made it safely. How's the weather up there? Hope the sun is shining. I'm sure DS missed his mamma big time -- especially her cooking! Arlene, sorry about the DD drama -- I know what that is like. Hope it will not come to them moving in with you. I know what that is like as well as I never seem to be able to get my adult step kids out on their own either. Janet, what you said about your GM made me cry - I still miss my grandmas and both have been gone for nearly 30 years. I was very close to both mine too. They were both special - of course, I was the oldest granddaughter too. I was probably spoiled the most. :smile2: With my own GD she is just so precious to me - I would do anything for her. I want her to have every opportunity in her life to grow up happy and healthy. Her mom just isn't too equipped to deal with life for herself much less for her so I will always be there to do what I can to make sure she has everything she needs. I never had a little girl (my step daughters were much older when they started to live with me), so I'm really enjoying myself. Getting busy at work. TTYAL. Linda

Good Morning! Joyce SPRING is HERE! I truly believe it -- snow is melting and the sun has been shining all week. Trees are budding and I'm having terrible allergies -- sure signs of SPRING! It must be close. Congrats on the 15 lbs. -- remember, they are gone FOREVER this time -- this is your NEW life, NOT a diet. We'll definitely have to plan a get together this summer - my best friend from H.S. lives in Shawnee and I promised her we'd try for a girl's weekend this summer. Not much happening here except for the snow melting -- the huge ice cycle that was hanging from the corner of my house is even melting - it looked like a religious statue. I should have taken a picture of it. I got the Uppercase stencil for GD's room. Once I get that applied, I'll take pics to share with you - I had such a great time decorating her room. Laura, I know what you mean about the in service days. Here they had so many snow days and they were complaining about how late they have to extend the school year, but yet they still have their in service days and spring break - I think if i was a teacher I 'd rather give up some of those than to have to work until the middle of June. Jessica, good luck on your fill -- I hope your doctor does do the more aggressive fills cause it took me forever to get anywhere close to my sweet spot (about 9 months). Don't be afraid to ask your doctor to be a little more aggressive -- or if you are close by to the office and don't have restriction after two weeks, call and see if they'll give you another one. I live 1-1/2 hours away and had a hard time missing work to get my fills, so I never got extra ones but other people I know did. Remember, you are the patient and have rights too. I get the impression from your posts that you are a little bit intimidated by your doctor and his staff -- you need to give yourself more credit and tell them how they can help you. Yes, Idol was good last night - the ones I like are basically the ones all of you liked as well. That one girl is from West Des Moines (the curly blond). That last girl (the glass blower) is wild -- so likeable -- she can belt it out -- I really like her personality. The girl with the gray/blonde hair is my least favorite out of the ones you guys mentioned. I love the girl that was sick - i think she is fabulous. I told DH I bet her teeth will be fixed and whitened in the next few weeks (she is missing some and hers are very very yellow). LOL. I think she could win the whole thing -- very talented - she has a young child as well. But no, I don't watch any of the other shows except 2-1/2 men. DH likes that one so we watch it. I wasn't surprised they took Charlie's fiance off the show - it would ruin the show to leave her on it (if they got married). I love the kid on that show -- his real name is Angus -- he reminds me of my own DS when he was a teenager. Oh and Jessica looks very much like my Daughter in law -- I'll have to post a pic -- she's always reminded me of her. Laura, hope your folks got home by now and your dad wasn't too tired from the trip. So happy they were there visiting for Nelson's b-day. Got up a little late but got a good 50 mins. walk in and then my weight lifting with walking for another 30. Oh, I forgot to tell you guys -- that exercise challenge at work, I ended up doing a total of 2328 mins. for the month of Feb. -- so I'll get the "gold medal" prize -- can't wait to see what they will be giving out. Gotta work early tomorrow and Monday (but get off an hour early too) as one of the others here is taking a few days off. I'm happy to work 8 to 5 instead of 9 to 6 - wish I could switch to those hours permanently. Maybe someday. Eva, hope your back/foot problems get better soon - you are a fabulous sister - what a nice gift you gave your sister. Phyl, hope you liked the show -- I thought it was really funny - enjoyed it very much -- saw it last summer. LauraK, any word on your dd interview? HOpe it went well. Apples, stay safe and have a fun trip back home. Miss your posts. Lori, if you are reading this, hope you're having the time of your life!! I miss you too! Julie, hope you're having a wonderful day!!! Great going on not eating bread -- I'm sure you'll see results from it -- it might take awhile to show up though, so hang in there. Charlene, hope the weather is better down your way now. Have you been to any more seminars? Read anything interstesting in the Beck diet book lately? I haven't had much time to read it but really love everything I've read so far. It's definitely a book I can go back to read for support and encouragement and help. I'm so glad you shared that book with all of us. Thank you. Well, gotta run. CBL. Have a great day everyone!!! Linda

Oh Phyll, I've seen that, it's a great musical -- have a great time!! You'll enjoy it! Linda

Hi everyone, Just checking in -- Laura, congrats on the 90 lbs. and on the being waaaaayyy above average! I swear it's this group that makes it happen -- it seems we all do well if we join this group -- thanks Janet, Apples, Lori, Phyll and all those who have been my mentors here over the past year. Julie, glad you enjoyed your massage, I LOVE massages -- haven't had a full body massage for a while, hmmm, think I'll schedule one soon -- sounds like a good reward for myself (there's no Coach purse store anywhere near me LOL). Really quiet here today -- hope everyone has a great day and evening. Janet did you watch Idol last night? I was very disappointed in some of the boys. Hope the girls do well tonight. CBL Linda

Sandy congrats on Onederland!! So proud of you. Glad you are enjoying a new suit! Feels so good, doesn't it? Sorry I've been gone for a few days -- time just flies and I have good intentions but some days I just can't get on the computer. Saturday did my 2 hours of exercise and then DH and I went thrift store shopping for DGD's room -- we took our extra bedroom and transformed it into a room for her - as we only have the one GD and she spends a lot of time at our house -- so we girlied it up and got some great pictures, and a great mirror - she loves looking at herself in the mirror. She's 3 going on 15 I swear! Then on Sunday we had our little day trip to the casino and spent the night - it was fun to just get away even though it was only one hour away, nice to get away from home. Tonight I have a perm after work so won't get home until 8:30 or so. Apples, have a safe trip -- weather has been nice this week -- in the low 30s for highs and sun has been shining -- supposed to be some snow over this weekend, but probably not a lot. Eva, would love to hear more about what your doctor said about fills. Loved the pics -- looks like lots of work. Laura, sorry your dad is not feeling great but glad he is there visiting you -- means a lot to Nelson I'm sure. Party looked great -- loved the cake and you ARE a COOL mom to let him drive on the cake! Like everyone else I'm appalled at the adult's behavior -- makes you wonder how their kids will be raised, doesn't it? Loved all the pics here and on FB. LauraK, sorry you went back to smoking -- I know how tough it is, not sure you were here when I confessed to being addicted to Nicorette gum for many years, but finally kicked that too. I could never go back to smoking, DH and all the step kids still smoke - in the garage and patio but I never even feel the urge -- for which I'm grateful! Missed saying goodbye to Great, but I know she'll have a fabulous time. Janet, I know what you mean about the kids - my step daughter can't seem to do anything much -- here I am 32 years older than her and I run circles around her on a daily basis and she's not heavy -- heck even when I was heavier I could run circles around her -- cleaning, cooking, etc. -- she does very little of any of that. That's why I want to live to be old so I can show GD what family traditions are all about. Like you, we have to pick our battles and it's not worth the battle. What movie did you and Andrew watch? Jessica, hope your son is doing better and you ace all your tests -- you're doing great in all areas of your life. Crzy and Cheri - you are both Saints and I'm in awe of all you do for your students -- truly greatness in both of you. Well, gang, I gotta run. Will try to CBL. Happy bandverssary to Laura. TTYAL. Linda

I did watch Idol results last night and was disappointed on who went home. I just can't figure out why the votes ended up the way they did. But I can't really complain cause I didn't vote - I never vote except I do sometimes toward the end of the competition. But I have to really love someone to vote. Also watched the ice skating -- what a wonderful competition it was this year -- the Korean and Japenese girls blew me away with their skills and confidence. Then the Canadian girl just did a beautiful performance dedicated to her mom - I was so happy she got a medal. Very emotional for me. Laura, hope the party is great (I know it will be) tomorrow - have fun -- hope the weather is good. One of my young coworkers is on his way to Orlando today for his honeymoon -- so I hope he and his wife have good weather too. Have a great Friday everyone I'll CBL. Linda

Jodi, SF=sugar free -- I wanted to respond quickly so you wouldn't have to worry about it all day! LOL. The only thing I'd like to add is that I use Papaya enzyme tablets for whenever I get the "stuck" feeling -- it seems to help dissolve the stucked food and get it to process through more quickly. I'm surprised your surgeon hasn't already given you all the food information (3 ring binder) -- Before my surgery, I had to attend a mandatory meeting with a dietician and also had to go to two classes with a trainer so we could learn about the importance of exercise. After surgery, I had to attend several more mandatory nutrition classes. I used Unjury - it's okay -- I liked the vanilla and/or unflavored so I could blend it with strawberries -- otherwise I didn't like the taste. I had to have two blood gas tests -- because it was required to be done a certain time period before surgery -- they did one and then I had a long illness so my surgery had to be postponed for over 6 months and I ended up having to have another one. It was tolerable, but to be honest, it's not the most pleasant experience. I would ask how many the technician has done and make sure you have someone experienced. This had something to do with the pulmonologist requiring it - I had sleep apnea at the time of surgery --- so that's probably what you need it for as well. Apples, so glad you are enjoying yourself. Yes, if you can stay longer I would -- everyone here is saying we're supposed to get at least 30 inches of snow during the month of March -- so if I were you, I'd stay down south. Supposedly that's been what the local weatherman is saying. I hope he's wrong!! I'm ready for spring. Lori, have a wonderful time -- I think it would be hard to visit Israel without constantly crying -- the beauty, the history, just the thought of walking on the ground where Jesus walked I think would do me in. Have a great time and enjoy yourself. Congrats to your DH on the promotion. How long until you have to relocate? I hope you'll have quite awhile. I wish I were like your grandma - I spend way more freely than I think I should. But then again, I've always worked so I tell myself I deserve it. LOL. But some times I truly feel like a spendthrift. Janet, have a safe and fun trip with the family this weekend. We'll miss you. I remember Becky -- she doesn't know me probably, but I was around reading back at the time when she had her surgery -- I've often wondered how she was doing. I wonder if she's still doing caregiver work. I remember that cause my mom used to do that kind of work. Julie, hugs on the pain and good luck with your appeal -- I hope the ins. company will let you get an MRI -- I just can't understand why they would put you through such he!! and spend all the money on pt and pain meds when they don't even have a clue what is causing you the pain -- or if pt might be hurting you or causing you further injury -- this definitely falls under the definition of "insanity." Jodi, forgot to mention that you made a really smart decision with your edible fruit choice -- I would love to get that as a gift from anyone -- what a great choice. LauraK, I'm impressesd with your gardening credentials. I wish I had more time to do things like that. CBL gotta run right now. Cheri, sorry about the fall, feel better soon. Hugs and love to all of you. Linda

I agree with everything that has been said -- but wanted to add that right now your body is busy healing -- and most surgeons warn their lap band patients that you might not lose weight until after the first 6 weeks because of that healing process. Stay off the scale, follow your doctor's instructions and try not to worry about it right now - concentrate on healing. Until your first fill you will be hungry, it's a hard time to get through, but after your fill you will feel much differently. Remember, the band is not a "magic cure" -- you still have to work hard by eating the right foods and exercising. I am thankful every day for the band -- there have been many instances during the past year where I would have said "the heck with it" and eaten a huge, calorie laden, high fat meal - but with my band I wasn't able to do that -- and I was grateful. I've lost thousands of pounds during my life and never kept it off more than a year - with the band, I know I have the tool to help me maintain my weight loss for life. But it's hard work, I exercise 90 to 120 mins. every day. Right now I'm experiencing a huge 2 month plateau, but I'm still working the program and working towards goal. The band gives me the inspiration to keep on going. Remember, they didn't band our brains, they banded our stomachs. We are all food addicts and we need to address the addiction as well. Good luck to you and to all the others who have commented here.

Good Morning, WTG on the exercise Janet and Eva! Watched Idol - it was okay -- I felt badly for that red head (I can't remember names at this point) who sounded so awful. And the sweet young black girl who sang I Wanna Hold Your Hand -- she is so interesting to watch -- she kinda mesmerizes me with her body language - I just love watching her but she didn't sound good. It should be an interesting year - can't wait to see the boys tonight. I think Ellen is doing a great job -- and I don't miss Paula AT ALL. She used to drive me insane and the fighting with Simon got on my nerves. So much better now to focus on the CONTESTANTS and not on HER. Sorry, she is not my favorite celebrity (can you tell? LOL). I also stayed up and watched the skating -- oh my what talent the Korean and the Japenese girl have -- so beautiful. And the Canadian who lost her mom -- I sobbed during her performance but then really sobbed for her at the end. What a brave performance that was -- how hard that must have been. But as a mom, I know her mom would have wanted her to continue and perform. Melissa, that performance sounded wonderful. I have a cousin who was born deaf. Laura, so happy your mom and dad are coming for Nelson's birthday. Will they spend the week? Your dad must be feeling somewhat better if he feels he can make the trip -- will probably do him a world of good to get out of the house and into some nicer weather. Your mom probaby needs a good change of scenery as well -- it will be so good for them. Jessica, sounds like your son is in a terrific school. It's so nice that he has teachers that are willing to work with him and help him. That's fantastic. I can't remember how old your son is? I think 5, is that correct? How long will you be gone to Israel Lori? Have you been there before? Are you going with friends, or a group or just out on your own? Boy do I sound nosy! How did the shower go on Saturday? Very cold here this morning -- is only 6 degrees right now and it's almost 10:30 -- but the sun is shining and no more snow for the next week or so and it's even supposed to get up to 40 degrees by next week -- yippee!! So happy that next week is MARCH!! Well, better get back to work - hope everyone has a great day. Linda