JamieNP

I was one of those women that was at poverty level years ago. I divorced an abusive husband and had a new baby that I raised. I worked 2 jobs went to school and now make great money. My daughter just graduated from a large college with 2 degrees and is heading to grad school (she is national guard, so with that and academic scholarships, she paid for school). When I was single, I did not rely on handouts. I worked hard and raised my daughter to do the same. I know of many people that abuse the system. We have a welfare system that COULD work....we just have to many abuses.

Yes! You can get the rubbermaid brand at walmart. They are a perfect size. I feel like I am wasting a lot of food. I try to take the leftovers in my lunch but I always have leftovers.

It will make sense soon! Guess I need to pick up some overtime so the druggie trailer trash down the road can fund their habits and get medical insurance.

I got a food diary and bought a very good Calorie/protein counter book. I was so surprised at how many calories were in my favorite foods. You can also pull up nutritional values of restaurants on their websites. I keep this in a notebook. It really helps with my food choices. I have learned to read labels. I feel like a nerd!

Ok girls! Enough! I HOPE Obama brings this country together. I HOPE Obama is not is not friends with Ayers. I HOPE Obama has the experience needed to run this country. I HOPE Obama does not socialize medicine. I HOPE Obama really doesn't believe in late term abortion or infanticide. I HOPE Obama does not take away our guns. I HOPE Obama was truthful on his tax talks. I HOPE that Obama is all that everyone thinks he is. He has a lot to live up to. Is this the HOPE the campaign was talking about?? I have to say, when I saw African Americans crying at the announcement of his win, it brought me to tears. It was a very important day in our history. Obama won fair and square (I am sure Acorn and the Black Panthers influence still wouldn't have changed the outcome). Now it is time to come together, whether we like Obama or not. Less than 4 years and we can debate this and look back on what Obama has actually accomplished.

Have you gone to an informational meeting? Most surgeon's or bariatric centers have meetings scheduled once a month. I would also recommend going to a support group meeting. And laband talk has been a lifesaver to me. Not only have I learned a lot from fellow bandsters, but I have received support throughout the whole process. Good luck to you!

In the mean time, do all of the other necessary stuff. Go to an informational meeting, go to support groups, get your psy eval done if you need one.

Start now and the 6 months will go by fast!

36 lbs here since day of surgery!

I got my first fill this week..at 5 weeks post op. There was 3 ccs in my band to begin with (to prime the band). So I have a total of 4 ccs. I feel good. I went to the YMCA and did cardio for 65 min and did some upper body too. I think I am going back today. I am very proud of my weight loss. It is about a pound a day..I am sure it will slow down soon. As far as the diet, I have stuck to the rules 100%. The one thing that has been hard for me is drinking out of a straw. I have caught myself 3 times with a straw in my mouth! Still on mushies until Tuesday...been very creative with that. I am afraid to get stuck...especially after the complications that I had at the beginning. Good luck to all my fellow Samurai!!

Same thing happened to me...I gained the "6.5 lbs", went in and reweighed. Surgeon's office resubmitted the weight and I got approved. The only thing that is holding you back is the 13 lbs!

I read in a lapband book that meat tenderizer in warm water helps too

I don't know what kind of test they think they need. All they need is a referral. I just talked with her, she asked me a couple of questions...and then wrote the referral.

That puts you in the middle of the Metlife chart. You should be approved. Just make sure you get everything turned in together. Good luck!

My doctor's office recommended Flinstones. I thought about taking something more "adult" but they all taste bad.

That is great Maggie! Just think, it could be 17 lbs by this time next week!

I have Tricare prime and did not need a referral. If you go to Tricare's website you can find PSY docs/NPs that are in network in your area.

What kind of insurance do you have? Most of the time you can get it overturned if it is covered. Sometimes it is something small that is causing you to get denied.

I am going to throw this out there. This does not go for every gay person. As I mentioned, my brother is gay. I also have a cousin that is gay and a close friend that is a lesbian. My brother and my cousin were molested (by the same man). My friend was brutally raped. I also have a younger cousin (different side of family) who is gay and, as far as I know, he never was abused...it was obvious at a very young age that he would be gay. So, are people born that way (genetics), do they chose to be that way, or are there circumstances that make them that way? Here is something I learned a long time ago...Why would someone "chose" this lifestyle? It often causes issues in the family, discrimination, is frowned on by their faith...etc..It is not an easy lifestyle when your parents threaten to disown you.

I bought the centrum ones and OMG!! They are horrible!

Flinstones...I like Dino best