kiz

Hi Debbie. If you go to your User CP, there's an Edit Signature link under Settings and Options. You can add information there, and it appears whenever you post. To make a ticker, here's a link with instructions. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f5/ticker-tutorial-pictures-41782/

Are you using insurance or self pay? It took me about two months. I could have gone in a week earlier, but it didn't work for my schedule. I'm self pay.

It's happening to me too. When I click to go to new posts on a thread, it takes me to the home page instead. At that time, sometimes I can back click and get the page I wanted, and other times, the back click just brings up the home page again.

Hi! Welcome to the LBT. I'm from Richmond, VA.

Hi September bandsters! All my stats are listed below in my siggy, but I'll say it again because I'm just thrilled to have a date - SEPTEMBER 4!! Here's to a thinner 2009!

Thanks for your reply, Susan. I just signed up for the free service, but I saw that you can upgrade to Gold for a fee, while the entry level service is free. I'll play with it on free for awhile, but I'll probably upgrade eventually. It's really a neat site. Thanks for the heads-up about PayPal too.

I just opened an account with Daily Plate after reading this thread, and I just came back to ask about the Gold account. Have most of you upgraded to Gold, and if you have, do you think it's worth it? (thanks)

I wouldn't consider Mexico either. My husband and I went on vacation there once (Cancun), and also took in an afternoon trip from San Diego to Tijuana one time, and that was enough to convince me that I wouldn't go to a Mexican hospital to save a few thousand dollars for a medical procedure (spending half our Cancun vacation in the hotel sick as puppies, let alone the extreme poverty, are just two of my reasons). I'm sure there are very skilled surgeons there, but that's not enough for me to put my life in the hands of a Mexican hospital. No way, nada, ain't happening. I'm even picky about the American hospitals and doctors I'll go to. I've read post after post of people who have had very good outcomes from Mexico, but it's just not a risk I'm willing to take. I also like the fact that the doctor I'm going to is right here, in case down the road something does go wrong. Some people may think this is a waste of money, but for me, it's money well spent.

:thumbup::thumbup:CONGRATULATIONS! You've had outstanding success in under a year! Way to go!

I plan to drink Dieter's Tea after I get my band. It has senna which is a natural herbal laxative, but it's very important not to drink more than the recommended dosage. It can be harmful for you if abused. I was on Phentermine for weight loss, and this caused me to have problems with constipation. My doctor recommended Dieter's Tea and it worked like a charm. Our local grocery stores and Walmart carry it.

I set my goal weight today for my ticker...lol I picked mine based on a normal bmi. That's my ultimate goal. My "pie in the sky" goal is ten pounds less than that, and my "going for broke" goal is an additional 10 pounds less (aka my pre-preggers weight).

I'll have to do the two week diet deal... However, I knew I needed to put on some weight to get approved for surgery, so I used the last few weeks as my good bye to junk food binge. I bought this gorgeous chocolate pie that I've always wanted to try, but didn't dare because of the crazy amount of calories per serving. I had a piece last night and one the night before, and it was just as good as I had always imagined..lol My husband and son who have never worried about their weight said it was the out of this world delicious. I laughed and told them that they'd better enjoy it now, because it's the last time they'll see it in our house. I visited our favorite Italian restaurant and had lasagna and several pieces of their wonderful bread. Now, I'm down to business. I'm approved for surgery, so I'm cutting out the junk. There is a steak place we'll go to once or twice before my surgery (I always get the small filet, but I've been told that steak is out for most banders), but basically I'm in for the long term goal of healthy food and healthy living now. I'm sorry you've gotten those nasty PMs. There's absolutely no excuse for that. I agree with Jachut, you've asked what others are doing, and not everyone will feel a last night unabandoned eating is their cup of tea, but there is no reason for anyone to be nasty to you about it, especially under the guise of PM. Good grief, you're not even gouging down junk food. I think sushimi is about as healthy of binge as you could indulge in. Congrats on your awesome weight loss to date, and enjoy your last big meal. We all will start this journey on our own terms, and yours is no less correct than the next persons. Heck, I have a two months until my surgery, and I may end up having a last meal as well...I'll let you know if I do...lol

Having classically yo-yo'ed with my weight for almost 20 years, I think once a person realizes their body is not going to cooperate with normal diets, WLS is a wonderful tool, if not a lifesaver. I just have to look at my family to know I'm never going to do this on my own. I was a size 7 when I got married, I have a niece who was a size 2, another who was a NFL cheerleader, etc and all of us, once we had children, could not keep the weight off. I just named a few, but every single woman in my family would qualify as obese, although all but one of us was very much in the normal range of weight as children and young adults. My mom, even in her 70s, was still constantly fighting to stay below 200lbs. Don't get me wrong, I love my life now. I have a wonderful husband and children, but at 200lbs, I'm losing the ability to fully embrace "living" with my active family. Skiing, horseback riding, backpacking, bike riding, jogging, long hikes in the mountains, etc - I'm on the sidelines *watching*. Right now, thankfully, I don't have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, but I know I'm taking years off my life with this weight. So, yeah, while I don't want to be the fat mom in the graduation/wedding pictures, I'm doing this to be healthy. At anywhere near the vicinity of 200lbs, I'm not healthy.

I'm not going to tell because I don't want my weight loss to be scrutinized by people. I've read enough accounts to see that it's sometimes a slow process, and I just don't want the added pressure of people asking me how I'm doing, if I'm one of the slower losers. Of course my husband knows, and I've confided to a couple of very close friends who don't socialize with my larger circle of friends (so they won't have to worry about gossipitis - hehe). I've lost and gained weight many times over the years, so it won't be a shock to see me slim down again. What will be the shock, I think, is to see me keep it off.

I'm not a Rachel Ray fan either. I like happy optimistic people, but she's just too over the top perky for my tastes. A big UGH to her "food makes everyone feel better" statement. :smile2:

Wow, your date is just around the corner. Have you started the pre-op diet yet, or does your doctor require it? Keep us up to date on your progress. Good luck.

I agree with the others. GO! Have a fabulous time. Get your mind off everything, and just enjoy yourself.

That is really neat. Somebody else was just telling me about the white light scan (she is going to Dr. Brengman too), but I really couldn't visualize it. Thanks for posting yours. She also said that you get your measurements, so you can keep track of just how much you've loss. *I just realized that the teeny tiny print is a list of total measurements. This is going to be such a beneficial tool.

Hi Hazmat guy...I'm from the Richmond area. I'm hoping for a August banding date too. I should find out for sure next week when I meet my surgeon. (I like you screen name/avatar combo - ) Welcome to LBT. I hope you find it is as helpful and informative as I have.

hey kizzie, I just saw this thread link below, and it looks like you're in good company with your port issue. I do hope you can get this resolved. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f263/ladies-large-chests-62135/

Oh, okay, thanks. I have to gain a some weight to have a 40 bmi, and I'm a half incher too. I don't want to gain any more than I have to, and I wasn't sure how the compute for that. :blushing:

The surgeon I'm going to uses both bands, so I've been very interested in this thread. I know this is a silly question :blushing:, but what does "low profile" port mean? I know what the port is, but is it flatter or something?

That's good news, Bonnie. You're on your way. How does the half inch work? Do they take you down to next lower inch to compute your bmi?

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you Nuu!!! I see my surgeon next week, and I hope (HOPE) that I get an August band date. Now, that's pretty high expectations, but I'm optimistic. :tt1: Welcome to LBT!