*susan*

Ladybugs are so small, it doesn't seem like you would have trouble getting them down.

I like that idea too, maybe I should do the same!

Ohhh, see if I was where there is snow, I would be taking advantage of it by getting on a snowmobile. When I was young, we lived in Michigan and I remember how much I loved snowmobiling!

What happened to our Jacksonville thread, it seems to have withered out?

The pork chops sound awesome, I love anything with teriyaki. I have downloaded it into my MasterCook program and am going to try it this week after my hubby gets back from out of town.

berry, Your poor thing, you sound like you are going through what I went through for so long last year. I had a fill and was not able to hardly eat anything. In fact, at times I had trouble drinking. If I was lucky, by 8 or 9 at night, I might have been able to get some food down. But, most of the time it came back up. I resorted to eating ice cream, because it went down without any problem. I know, stupid choice. I let this go on for several months. Why? Because I had gone past my one year of free visits and we were having some financial problems and I just didn't have the money to go see my doctor. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore and I made an appointment to see him. He was so wonderful, he told me to never allow myself not to see him because of finances and that my health was more important to him than anything. He did not charge me for my next couple of visits. It turns out I was definitely overfilled. Because I let it go for so long, I had irritated my esophagus. I wasn't losing weight because ice cream was my friend. I ended up having a complete unfill for a couple of months to give my body time to heal. I just got my first fill again in December, but am still not back to my sweet spot. I go in again next week. So, please don't do like I did and continue to let this go on. If you haven't already, please call your doctor and get in to see him/her. Have them check you under flouro so they can see what is going on with your band. You may need a complete unfill for now to give yourself time to heal. Then, when you start getting fills again, don't be too aggressive, go slow and be safe.

Hi, we are glad to have you join us here. Congratulations on the decision to get your band, it won't be long now.

Hi Carlene and welcome. I think it is wonderful that you know some people who have also had the band. It makes it so much easier when you are going through the process.

Hi Christall! I just wanted to drop in and welcome you to LBT!

Actually, most of us have gone through what you are going through. Remember, the band is designed to work when it has been filled. Right now, the swelling in your tummy from surgery has started going down. So, it is basically like you are not banded at all. Many people either lose no weight, or gain some during the healing stage following surgery. But, that is the important thing to remember, right now you are in the healing stage, not the losing stage. You just have to try and be patient until it is time to start getting fills and reach proper restriction. Once you do, then it will get much easier and the weight will start coming off.

I know many, many bandsters do ww or track their calories on fitday, sparkpeople, the daily plate, etc. Honestly, I haven't done any of that. I remember when I was talking to my surgeon about getting the band and one of the things we discussed was that I wanted to live my life like a normal person and not count every bite of food I put in my mouth for the rest of my life. Instead, I just try and make healthier food choices, listen to my band and stop eating when it tells me I have had enough.

You know, I had thought about getting a new tattoo once I reach my next goal as a reward to myself. But, I never even gave a thought to having my scars done. I keloid really bad, so I am not even sure if that would be possible for me. But, it is definitely an interesting idea.

Hi and welcome Melissa. You are probably getting hungry because the swelling in your tummy from surgery is going down now. Until you start getting fills, it is very likely your appetite will return to what it was pre-band. Many people even gain during this period. What is important to remember is that now is a time for healing, not dieting. Once you reach proper restriction, you will find that hunger goes away and the weight loss will start. We are glad you are here and look forward to getting to know you as you go through your journey.

Janeth, You are obviously very passionate about this. I hope you are able to meet your goals, although it is important to remember that the band is not like gastric bypass. The band is designed for us to lose a healthy 1-2 pounds per week. The reason we are all here is because we have an addiction to food. We gather here to seek comfort, support, advice and friendship from others who share our addiction. As with all addictions, it is not something that just goes away over night. Yes, we have our band and it is a wonderful tool. I believe every one of us made the commitment that we were not going to cheat post-op or pre-op when we made the decision to get the band. However, despite our best intentions, those old demons do come back to haunt us. If we were able to control them, we would not have needed the band in the first place. The great thing about LBT is, if we do cheat, or feel the need to we have a place to come to and share our thoughts and issues with others. We offer and gain the support we need here. We help each other get back on track. Obviously, as you have lost all the weight once before and then regained it, you must understand what a battle it can be. Life does happen and stress does happen and those little unplanned things can cause us to turn to our old comforting friend, food. I believe every bandster will have times when they eat something they probably shouldn't have. What is important is that we do not beat ourselves or each other up over it. Instead, lets offer the support and comfort we all seek to help get us back on track. I look forward to seeing your before and after pictures once you have had the band for six months. With your determination, I am sure there will be an amazing difference. However, if you should find it to not be as easy as you had hoped, we will all be here to help and support you.

Ok, I am curious to see what name she decided on. My stripper name is stupid, it is Candy Heaven-Tush. Right now, my tush is anything but heavenly. There is an old Nascar racer whose name is Dick Trickle. And, my husband works with a man whose name is Harry Crack. Bad Parents...BAD!!!

I am going to have to try these. I love crystal light, but am willing to try changing it up a bit. I wish the fruit punch gatorade wasn't so high in calories, I love that stuff but try to avoid it.

Hey Dottie, welcome to LBT! Only a little over a week until you will be an official bandster, congratulations! We are glad to have you here with us.

Brrrrrrr, I think I will just stick with the wind we are having here in Florida today and let you guys keep that cold, white stuff!

Hi, I was banded in April of 2006. In August of 2006, my port flipped. I had not had any indication it had done so until I went in for a fill. My surgeon stitched it back in the same place it was before. It has been a 1 1/2 years now and I have had no further problems with it.

Hi Sue and welcome to LBT! Congrats on your decision to get the band, it is a wonderful tool. You have to do your part as well for it to work though. I was self-pay, so I did not have to go through the whole insurance approval process. I can't speak with much knowledge there. Best of luck to you. Keep us posted on how things are going and let us know as soon as you get a date.

Hi and welcome to LBT! I was just curious, where are you at over in Germany? My son is also in the army and is currently stationed there as well. His wife and son are there with him. They are in Baumholder , Rheinland-Pfalz Germany.

Sorry, now that I have my mind out of the gutter, that was actually a very interesting post. I copied and pasted it to my email and sent it to some of my friends.

Um, so... you left out banannas. :tongue:

First off, I thought this thread was about an entirely different subject. Very catchy title and a good way to get people in here, lol. As far as the size, that is something my surgeon decides once he gets in and actually sees ones internal organs.

Hello, you have definitely come to the right place for support. Take a look around, you will find tons of useful information here. Also, if you have any questions, we will do our best to answer them for you. Keep us posted on how things are going, we look forward to getting to know you.