Band_Groupie

Well said! -BG

Go to tickerfactory.com and follow the directions for creating the ticker for WL. Then open a separate tab on LBT and go to 'user cp' then 'edit your signature'...copy and paste the actual picture of the ticker there (not the code) and don't forget to save there. Have fun! -BG Oh- and it won't show up here in blogs, just on the 'home' page when you post.

I'm sure all will go smoothly Tuesday, keep us posted! Best wishes! -BG

Congrats on the Bandiversary and the WL! You can meet your goal, you know what to do! -BG

Hey pd...I also count from the beginning weigh in at the beginning of my six month pre-op diet. I had this problem after my last fill. It's something you have to be very careful about. The burning means you're causing damage to the esophagus. Heatburn is one of the most common side-effects of banding and can be the normal burning or just a lump-in-the-throat feeling (globus sensation), or both. I've been taking Nexium and papaya enzyme pills with meals also help (as does pineapple or kiwi enzymes...as someone mentioned pineapple). The PPI's (Nexium) are not good to take long-term as they shut off normal acids you need for digestion. The only reason I didn't go for an unfill is that I wasn't having terrible problems and I never had a problem during the night (reflux that wakes you up means it's bad), and it was helped by the treatments. I'm doing great now, but plan to get off the Nexium shortly and see what happens...so I'm watching it closely. Don't hesitate to see your doc if it's not clearing up quickly...sometimes just a tiny unfill can make a big difference. Good luck!

181...even though my kids were laughing at how little was on my plate I managed to eat at least twice as much as normal...dag Thanksgiving feast! Good job Riley!

22 lb. turkey is stuffed and in the oven...pumpkin pie is cooling...watching the Macy's parade.... HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!!!! (Andrea, you look great!!!)

1 pound short...dag! Thanks for the challenge! On to the New Year's one... Happy Thanksgiving all!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving all...and watch out for that evil Head Hunger!

I’m channeling my creativity (so I don‘t take it out on the Thanksgiving pie this year)…I just finished making my annual Christmas decoration exchange items. I was behind again this year in thinking of an idea (as if I‘m ever ahead), so I drug (dragged?) DH to the stores with me this weekend looking for inspiration. There wasn’t much to inspire out there this year, so as usual, I made up my own. We’ve been doing these so many years I realized I’ve never made anything for the kitchen, so that was my inspiration. I made a decoration to hang from a cupboard or other place in the kitchen with a pick, handmade bows and some cookie cutters and ribbon…OK, not all that creative, but I had to make a bunch of these and mail them out soon and these went together quickly (pic attached). 　 Could you hear me? I was playing the holiday music and singing my way through my crafts the last two mornings (much to my family’s complaints). I know, I know, I’m the first one to say when I’m in the stores ‘What’s up with the Christmas music? It’s not even Thanksgiving yet!!!‘ , but it sure got me in the mood to make Christmas decorations. So if your feeling a little blah heading into the holidays (been hearing a lot of that lately here), crank up the music, make a craft or bake some cookies (and freeze them, of course, so you won‘t be tempted)…it will get you in the spirit, I promise. Put them all in bikinis and that will keep you from eating them! 　 I took the leftovers and made a whole string of holiday cookie cutters with picks and ribbon at each end for over my kitchen sink window (pic attached). I think I need to get some more ribbon and picks and pull the center up with a big bow or something for a focal point. You know me, over-decoritis is my affliction when it comes to the holidays...one can never have too many holiday decorations!

181...have I mentioned that plateaus suck? HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!!!

WOOT! Happy dance time...and what great timing heading into the Holidays!!! You're doing great!!! Isn't it nice to finally feel like you're never going to see a '2' again!!! Have a great holiday! -BG

It will get easier! Your story sure made me think about the holidays and how important family is...those poor kids...I swear you should have to pass some sort of test before you get pregnant; some people just weren't made to be parents! Have a great holiday and remember, it's all worth it! -BG

Chris- First, WELCOME to LBT! Great blog, and so well said! You'll find lots of support and people who have been through the same things here (I'm a former yo-yo queen myself). Keep blogging, it helps. -BG

Thanks gals...and Happy Holidays (Stay out of the cookies Dz!). Oh, and DH didn't like the window one (OK, I did ask him)...guess it needs some work. -BG

I’m channeling my creativity (so I don‘t take it out on the Thanksgiving pie this year)…I just finished making my annual Christmas decoration exchange items. I was behind again this year in thinking of an idea (as if I‘m ever ahead), so I drug (dragged?) DH to the stores with me this weekend looking for inspiration. There wasn’t much to inspire out there this year, so as usual, I made up my own. We’ve been doing these so many years I realized I’ve never made anything for the kitchen, so that was my inspiration. I made a decoration to hang from a cupboard or other place in the kitchen with a pick, handmade bows and some cookie cutters and ribbon…OK, not all that creative, but I had to make a bunch of these and mail them out soon and these went together quickly (pic attached). 　 Could you hear me? I was playing the holiday music and singing my way through my crafts the last two mornings (much to my family’s complaints). I know, I know, I’m the first one to say when I’m in the stores ‘What’s up with the Christmas music? It’s not even Thanksgiving yet!!!‘ , but it sure got me in the mood to make Christmas decorations. So if your feeling a little blah heading into the holidays (been hearing a lot of that lately here), crank up the music, make a craft or bake some cookies (and freeze them, of course, so you won‘t be tempted)…it will get you in the spirit, I promise. Put them all in bikinis and that will keep you from eating them! 　 I took the leftovers and made a whole string of holiday cookie cutters with picks and ribbon at each end for over my kitchen sink window (pic attached). I think I need to get some more ribbon and picks and pull the center up with a big bow or something for a focal point. You know me, over-decoritis is my affliction when it comes to the holidays...one can never have too many holiday decorations!

Con- Thanks! The oak DR set (table, buffet, and not in the photo-serving table and 6 chairs-the chairs are in the basement waiting to be refinished) is from my MIL's parents home, so it's probably from about the 20's (her mom was 40 when she was born). They fit with the rest of our traditional home. Have a great Thanksgiving with the family! It seems like yesterday I was having what I thought would be my 'last Thanksgiving'...I've since learned I'll be having the same things, just smaller amounts this year! -BG kc- Yeah, amazingly they all got my 'artistic gene'...along with some not so good ones I passed on (but so far, no evidence of the 'fat gene' as they're all skinny).

You guys crack me up; wet suit- well, that gives new meaning to a sweat suit!; Batwing Parachute?- OK, I'll be Bat Woman and you can be Bat Girl Lena! PD- Oh wow...I'm not sure which one it was, but I hope I'm fulfilling that lifestyle I wanted now?! So glad it helped you! -BG

*Post Deleted for Lap Band Book Water Treadmill

My baby boy (DS1) is home from college for the week and the holidays have begun. He was sick as a dog before he got home, but besides the cough, he’s better now. I made a Dr.’s appointment for him this morning and he’s getting his last flu shot (swine). DH and I got our swine flu shots finally on Friday. DS1 and I probably both already had the swine flu, but they said we should get the shot anyway as there’s a possibility it could have been something else…either that or we’ll turn into swine. 　 We had a great weekend! We had our first fire in the fireplace and the Yule log is still around after 2 nights of fires. The kids made our traditional annual Gingerbread house (no, not this one, but pic attached)…a little early, but they were looking for something to do together. DH and I shared one of those ‘looks’ while they were busy icing and decorating, where we were having a ‘kid moment’…our babies are all home, it’s the Holidays, and they’re all working together happily and laughing. 　 I set the Thanksgiving table and buffet to get everyone in the mood (pic attached). The fridges are full of things waiting to be made. Yes, I’m cooking…stop laughing…no, I mean it, stop!…I’ve got recipes and I promise to follow them. I’ll have to tell you though that the refrigerated pastry crust for the pumpkin pie came in a two pack and it’s very tempting to get creative with that second crust…(in case you didn’t read my cooking creativity moments READ HERE). Let the festivities begin!

Thanks for this! I got the band not to lose the weight, but to help me keep it off...you give me hope! -BG