*susan*

I would reply to this thread, but my fingers are gooey from the melting kit kat bar that I am eating. :faint:

I have seen the commercials quite a bit on discovery's health channed and lifetime.

Amourette, seeing it is already November 1st where you are, I vote that you start the November thread! :clap2:

I am so glad you did, sometimes I think maybe some of the office staff just don't understand.

Seek medical advice, fast! Please.

Ashlee and Giggles, I sent you both friend requests.

That is a great NSV, you should be proud! I am having a tough time at work today. I work for an agency that cares for abuse, abandoned and neglected kids. I work in the development office. This afternoon, they are going to be bringing the kids from our campus and group homes by the office to trick-or-treat. I have this huge bowl of candy sitting on top of my filing cabinet in my office waiting for them. It has been tormenting me all day. One of the candies I bought was Twix. That was so dumb of me. I love twix. So far, I have resisted the urge, but I am not sure how much longer I will be able to hold it.

I am all for the November challenge, especially the water goal. I have really slacked off this month, although I have been drinking a bit more this week. Work is still killing me, in fact, I am at work now (bad, I know). But, I needed a break. Looks like everyone else is doing great. I can't wait to get completely back on track again in November. 10/4: 35 minutes on the treadmill 10/6: 35 minutes on the treadmill 10/7: 50 minute walk around the neighborhood 10/8: 35 minutes on the treadmill 10/9: 35 minutes on the treadmill 10/11: 35 minutes on the treadmill 10/12: 40 minute walk around the neighborhood 10/13: None 10/14: 35 minutes on the treadmill 10/15: 35 minutes on the treadmill 10/16: none 10/17: none 10/18: 35 minutes on the treadmill 10/19: 35 minutes on the treadmill 10/20: none 10/21: none 10/22: 4 hours walking around the zoo 10/23: 35 minutes on the treadmill 10/24: none 10/25: 40 minute walk around the neighborhood 10/26: 35 minutes on the treadmill 10/27: none 10/28: 3 hours house cleaning, 2 hours laundry, 35 minutes on the treadmill 10/29: None 10/30: 35 minutes on the treadmill<!-- / message --><!-- sig --><!-- / message --><!-- sig --><!-- / message --><!-- sig --><!-- / message --><!-- sig --><!-- / message --><!-- sig --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

I am just the opposite. For about three days before and the entire time during I am just about only able to do liquids. I am so tight during that time it is ridiculous.

Using TickerFactory as an example: 1. Go to www.tickerfactory.com 2. Click on Weightloss 3. Select a ticker ruler. Veiw all available by clicking on the page numbers. Once you have selected the one you want to use, click Next. 4. Select a ticker slider. Veiw all available by clicking on the page numbers. Once you have selected the one you want to use, click Next. 5. Select the measure of weight that you use. (pounds or kilograms) 6.If you wish the ticker to show your current weight and count down to your goal weight, select Weight. 7. If you wish the ticker to show only the amount of weight you wish to lose and how much you've lost, (not your current or goal weight) select Weight Change. 8. Enter your starting, current and goal weights, and then click Next. 9. You will now be on the final page with the codes to copy for pasting into your signature line on LBT. There are a couple of ways put the code into your signature line on LBT. Here is one option... 1. Highlight the text in the bbCode box, leaving off the URL codes. See diagram below: 2. Go to LBT and click on the Quick Links button at the top of the page, select Edit Signature. 3. Click in your signature box and type Ctrl+V to paste it in. (Ctrl+V or Ctrl+A or Ctrl+C all mean to hold down the Ctrl and specified letter key at the same time) Another option for pasting the ticker code into your signature line: 1. Highlight and copy all of the text in the url box like this: 2. Go to LBT and click on the Quick Links button at the top of the page, select Edit Signature. 3. Select Edit Signature. 4. Click on the Insert Image icon like this: 5. Before clicking in the box below "Please enter the URL for your image:" hit your delete or backspace button on your keyboard to clear the box. 6. Click inside the box and type Ctrl+V to paste in the copied url. Then click Ok. This will place the ticker into the signature line. Now click on Preview Signature to see if everything is how you want it. If it is, click on Save Signature

First, when my surgeon did my band, I was only about his 5th lapband patient. However, he is an excellent, very well-qualified surgeon with years of surgery experience, so I was not concerned about his ability to perform my surgery. As far as does the band work? Yes, but you have to remember that it is simply a weight loss tool. You will have to make healthier eating choices and learn to really listen to your band. When you get whatever your bodies signal will be that you have had enough, then quit eating. I have found that exercise also greatly increases my weight loss efforts. I have said many times on this board, I refuse to ever diet again. I have dieted all my life and always failed. I will not count calories, points, carbs or anything else again. I just work with my band. I make healthier choices and follow the band rules. By doing this, I am losing the recommended 1-2 pounds a week and am very happy.

Hi, I just wanted to welcome you to our website and congratulation you on your decision. Let us know if we can be of any help.

Actually, I had several NSV's this weekend and thought I would post them. My 13 year old daughter and I were getting ready to go on a road trip on Saturday when she looked at me and told me the jeans I had on were way to baggy and I needed to change. We went through 5 pairs of jeans before we found a pair we both agreed on, even though they were still a bit big. When I started back in April, I was wearing a 30-32. The jeans I settled on yesterday, which were given to me by a wonderful fellow LBT'er, were a size 22 and had plenty of extra room. My husbands children have always hated me and blame me as the reason their parents are not together. Nevermind that they were divorced in 1991 due to her cheating, she was married to someone else by 1992 and my dh and I didn't even meet until 1996. Well, his son has gotten married and she has taken on the role of stepmom abuser. I have a myspace and she didn't like something I posted about people who curse a lot. So, on her myspace, she posted a very nasty blog entry about me, to include calling me fat and ugly. Now, normally, I would have been put to tears by this. But, my NSV was that my only thought was, "sure, I may be fat now, but I will soon be thin and when I am, you will still be a bitch." (sorry for the profanity). Yesterday, we took the kids to the zoo. When we went two years ago, after one hour my feet were killing me, I was sweating profusely, was exhausted and generally miserable. Yesterday, we spent four hours there. My feet never hurt, I didn't get tired and was still full of energy at the end of the day. This was a huge NSV for me because it made the entire experience more enjoyable for everyone. Thats it for now.

Congrats on your bandiversary! You sound like you are doing wonderful and have accomplished so much. Doesn't feeling great, well, feel great??!!

You know, I used to think myspace was just a place for the teenagers, and I know many still do. But, at the urging of my daughter, I started a page. I am actually finding that I really enjoy it. It gives me the opportunity to let people know a little about me, communicate with others with similar interests/struggles and express my feelings about things. I am especially enjoying the blogging aspect of it. I never thought I would be one to publicly post blogs, but it can be fun just to talk about your day, or post thought-provoking ideas and gain others feedback. Today, I posted a blog about obesity and the discrimination that comes as a result. I would welcome any of you to view my blog and post your thoughts and experiences on the subject. I posted it on myspace as opposed to here, because I know several people who do not use this message board, and I felt would be interesting to hear their thoughts and perspectives on the issue as well.

I have never done turkey that way, but I do it with chicken all the time. Throw the chicken and a bottle of barbecue sauce and it is yummy when I get home. Let me know how the turkey works out, I may have to try that next. I love crockpot cooking, it is great to come home from work and have the house smell so good and dinner all ready.

If they are just going in to do some type of port revision surgery, it is nothing compared to the lapband surgery itself. My port flipped, so I had to have revision surgery. I was in and out in no time, and there is minimal pain afterwards. I didn't require any type of pain medication. Hope everything works out for you.

I hear you K@t. I had originally only planned to tell my hubby, kids and parents. Next thing I know, my brother know, friends of the family know, etc. because my parents told everyone. I get emails from these people wanting to know how much I have lost. Like you, they think it should come off as fast as gastric bypass, so it is a bit annyoing. I thought I had made it clear I wanted it kept quiet, but you know how parents can be. Fortunately, I don't live near any of the people they know, so I am not monitored by the food police that much. I don't know why, but when several people at work started noticing I am losing weight, I just kind of told them what I had done. Fortunately, I don't socialize with any of them outside of work and it is more of a professional relationship. They will comment periodically that I am looking good, but that is the extent of it. They seem to respect my privacy on it and not bug me about it, thank goodness.

Hi all, Vicki, it is great that you have a wonderful relationship with your stepkids. I had one with my stepson, but never the daughters. They just didn't like that at their moms, they were allowed to drink, smoke and have boys spend the night. At our house, there was rules and I was not going to allow kids that young do those things in my home. Now, my stepson has married and without even having met me and just going upon what the girls say, she hates me. She is posting "fat" comments about me all over the internet. It hurts, but that is ok. I really feel bad for my dh because it is really causing problems between he and them because he naturally defends me and refuses to tolerate anyone badmouthing me. Hopefully, it will all drop soon and we will be able to go on with life. I could my blessings with what I have that is good in life and don't worry over the rest. StephC and Lady Janey, "dh" is darling hubby. "ds", darling son and "dd" darling daughter. NSV is a non-scale-victory. These are other weight loss successes not related to getting on the scale and seeing a drop in weight. These are things such as dropping a clothes size, fitting into the booth at a restaurant, being able to take a walk without getting winded, etc. I hope this helps.

Ok guys, what is our goal for November? It is almost here and we need to start planning. I will be an official "old" lady on the first, so I need to keep my motivation up. K@t, we would love to have you join us in November! You will probably need to take it a bit easy right after you have your port revision surgery though. I have a treadmill and ab lounger at home. It has been a couple of months since my port revision surgery and the doc still hasn't cleared me to use the ab lounger. 10/4: 35 minutes on the treadmill 10/6: 35 minutes on the treadmill 10/7: 50 minute walk around the neighborhood 10/8: 35 minutes on the treadmill 10/9: 35 minutes on the treadmill 10/11: 35 minutes on the treadmill 10/12: 40 minute walk around the neighborhood 10/13: None 10/14: 35 minutes on the treadmill 10/15: 35 minutes on the treadmill 10/16: none 10/17: none 10/18: 35 minutes on the treadmill 10/19: 35 minutes on the treadmill 10/20: none 10/21: none 10/22: 4 hours walking around the zoo 10/23: 35 minutes on the treadmill 10/24: none 10/25: 40 minute walk around the neighborhood 10/26: 35 minutes on the treadmill 10/27: none 10/28: 3 hours house cleaning, 2 hours laundry, 35 minutes on the treadmill<!-- / message --><!-- sig --><!-- / message --><!-- sig --><!-- / message --><!-- sig --><!-- / message --><!-- sig --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

I am willing to meet at a specific time, just let me know when and as long as I have nothing going on at home or with the kids, I will definitely be there.

Marcy, that is wonderful for you! Congratulations and welcome to our forum. If there is anything we can do to help, or you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. We are all here to support and help one another through this journey.

Hi and welcome. It always seems strange to me when I hear people see before they can get the band, their insurance or whatever requires them to lose a bunch of weight before they will approve. I always want to say, "hello, if we could do that, we wouldn't need the band". I just hate the hoops they make people jump through. Mine wouldn't cover, so I was self pay. Keep us posted on how everything goes.

Hi and welcome to LBT! Wow, you have lost 200 pounds, you rock! I hope you will post some before and after pictures in that thread, as we can always use inspiration from success stories such as yourself.

Hi Fordguy, my hubby works for one of the other big threes, but I don't think that will preclude us from being friends. :faint: First off, welcome to LBT! I am so glad you found us. You will find a ton of helpful information here on the lapband. Check out the stickies at the top of all the forums, as they offer a wealth of helpful information. Unfortunately, my insurance did not cover the surgery. So, we refinanced the house so I could have it done. I can honestly say it is the best thing I have ever done for myself and would do it again in a heartbeat. I had tried every other diet on the planet it seemed, and nothing worked. However, the band works. And, I do not diet. I just listen to my band and when it tells me I am full, I quit eating. I do make a point of making healthier food choices, but I refuse to count calories, carbs, points or anything else ever again. I know where you are coming from about people making fun of us. For some reason, it seems it is perfectly acceptable to ridicule people with weight problems. People don't understand how truly difficult it is and how much it hurts us. I do not have a very good relationship with my husbands grown children from his first marriage, and lately they seem to think it is funny to post "fat" comments about me all over the internet. I am just telling myself that if they are picking on me, then hopefully they are leaving someone else alone. But, it truly does hurt and I can't wait until the day when I am thin and they cannot hurt me with those comments anymore. Anyways, best of luck in your research of the band. I hope your insurance will cover you. If you have any questions, ask away as we are all here to help.