*slim*

You create the meez. Register your account. They send an email for confirmation. You have to do the confirmation before they will let you export the meez. Once you do the confirmation, click on the avatars pull down at the top of the page and go to export. On the export page you have to choose which one you want to export (if you made more than one), then click on get codes. The first step is to choose which you want to get codes for (i.e. full body to head shot). I chose download image (like saving a picture on your computer). Once I did that, I came back here to change my avatar and just browsed for the picture on my computer. I hope my sorry explanation makes at a least a little sense.

I feel honored, and oddly freaked out by that admission.

Maybe you unchecked the box next to "show your signature" by accident?

1. The wiping thing is a big one! (how awful!) 2. To actually look and feel as sexy as my husband (he must be senile) seems to think I look in trashy lingerie. 3. To comfortably wear high heels again. I am tired of tennis shoes. 4. Being the fat friend. 5. Hearing how shocked every one is about how big I have gotten since I used to be so little. 6. I am VAIN! Carly Simon was really singing about me.

Why thank you. I was just trying to bring out my inner MEEZ.

You should update your MEEZ with your new hair cut.

My period was due the week after surgery. I didn't get my period for 2 months. When it finally came, it STAYED for more than 2 weeks.

Thanks everyone! I finally got the MEEZ thing to work.

I have started to notice the more restriction days now that I have had my 2nd fill. There are times when I can feel my water going down my throat like normal, then others I can feel it back up a little. I know that swallow must have been too big. Thankfully, it didn't hurt. I am learning to REALLY get to know my food. One thing that sticks out to me, the food that isn't the best for us, tastes REALLY disgusting when chewed very well. I shudder at the thought now of some things. I would like a little more restriction though. I eat way less, but I still get hungry before 4 or 5 hours are up. I know it isn't head hunger, but true hunger. That makes it hard to stick to 3 meals a day with no snacks if you stomach is grumbling. It also makes it harder because if you feel that you are starving at the next meal, you will eat faster. I learned that one the hard way. That is one thing I will say for the band, once you experience something unpleasant, it makes you think a little harder the next time.

Isn't it funny that constipation has you wishing for your IBS? I have to say that I feel the same way. I haven't been "regular" in about 2 or 3 weeks. This is an awful feeling. I have been eating the apricots like they were going out of style. They worked the first few days, but not so much now. I think I am going to have to go back to my Miralax. It does work well Debbie. It is just expensive. At this rate, it is worth every penny.

It seems to me that you have all of the things I would have thought of. You have absolutely nothing to be afraid of. You will do great!

Congrats on your surgery Froggi!

Fanny, the pictures that you have been posting are wonderful. I have enjoyed looking at them all! Thanks so much!

OMG you are too funny!:w00t::tt2:

The book that has helped me is "Weight Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gastric Band Everything You Need to Know Before and After Surgery to Lose Weight Successfull" by Dr. Robert Sewell and Linda Rohrbough. I tried to find out if they have it in braille but was unable to find that information. Good luck with your journey!

I picked the avatar because of my husband. He is a HUGE fan!

You choose your band type at the pre-op class that they have you come to. It is a 3 hour class that basically covers everything that the nutrition class covered. At that time, they give a form to choose your band. Tiffany went over the differences between the two bands. I chose the Lap Band. I am happy with my choice. There wasn't really a particular reason that I chose that one. As a matter of fact, I tossed a coin because I hadn't expected to have to choose. You will find that some people swear that there is a major difference, but really they work the same. You can do a search on here and find threads about both Realize and Lap Band. I think one of the major differences is the port. Realize band has a lower profile port than Lap Band. Also, I think Realize is stapled some how to your muscle where Lap Band is sutured in. I really think that is the only real differences as far as the bands themselves. Realize does offer online support tools. I hope my limited information helped some. Congrats on getting your bloodsugars under control! I know that was major. I hope that you get a good surgery date!

You did good!

I think as time has gone on, some doctors have changed their thinking on things. I know in the booklet that I was given by my doctor's office, it said no coffee ever and no advil ever. They told us to mark that out. They said that as long as we don't drink more than 2 cups a day, coffee was fine. Then they said that long term use of advil was not good, but occassionally it was fine. Every doctor has had different experiences. That is why it is always best to follow your doctor's advice. You put your trust (and your money) in your doctor's ability. Why not do what he says?

PJTP-It is too early in the morning to get ready for work. I need at least 2 cups of coffee this morning and no one is getting it for me! ***tapping foot in annoyance*** Oh wait, I was only dreaming that I had help around the house. ***sighs*** Why can't I just skip Mondays?

Yay Froggi! I wish you the best possible experience, and welcome to Bandland!

Like several people have said, every one is different. I was off work for 4 weeks. I didn't start to feel completely normal until week 3. I have a fairly physical job, so going back to work the next week would have been impossible for me. I was really tired the first few weeks. Good luck to you.

My port is right under my ribcage below my left breast. It was about half an inch under my largest incision.

I was at normal weight all through my teenage years. I have always liked to eat (I come from a BIG family of awesome cooks), but never had to worry about my weight. I went away to college and put on the freshman 15. That still didn't worry me because I was active enough to not gain any more. I started working at a grocery store in the deli department. I tasted every food that was available. Every day something new to try. I gained a few pounds, but still thought I looked good. I hadn't noticed that I had gotten to 160 lbs (I will be glad to see that again). Then 180. Then I got pregnant with my son. I was 200 lbs by the time he was born. I lost back to 160 with Fen/Phen. Then gained that plus 20. You know the story. I would lose it, but then it would find its way back with friends! Food, over the years, had become my friend...my confidant. Food didn't talk about you behind your back. Food was ALWAYS there when you needed it. I finally decided that I needed to take control of my life again after I had 4 deaths in my family within a year. Two of them were cousins that died of weight related illnesses (type 2 diabetics, heart disease). They were in their 40s. I didn't want that to be me. My family is large (in size and weight). Every generation seems to get bigger than the last. I want to stop that cycle now. I want better for me and my son.

My husband wishes I could find a truck load! If you find that BIG BOX, please let me know!