Band_Groupie

Lou- Ticker Tutorial right here on LBT with pics HERE. Let me know if you have problems with it. Look at the pics there to be sure you're putting the Bb code into the right spot...you can preview it there to see if you made it work.

Happy Birthday Trina!!! Hope you're enjoying your birthday weekend. Feel better soon. -BG

WELCOME to LBT!!!! Wow what a year! I'm so glad you're better and finding so much success with the LB. You're really losing fast! Keep up the good work. -BG

Our great-grandmothers, grandmothers, and mothers were on to something...they were using 'tools' for weight loss long before the era of 10,000 diets became popular. Too bad their 'tools' weren't as successful as the LB! GOT CANKLES? Newspaper clipping from 1924. I'll bet these were comfortable, and gee 'there's nothing to rub in or massage'. I wonder if blue feet were popular then? A DAY AT THE SPA SOUND GOOD? This photo from the 1960s shows French women sitting in "slim-down coveralls" while being served low-calorie meals. The attached text reads: "10 May 1961, Paris, France --- Weighting Game. Paris: Shedding pounds while getting new hairdos, Parisian girls relax in slim-down coveralls underneath the hair driers at a local beauty parlor. In addition to the coveralls, customers get low-calorie meals to help with their slenderizing. Idea was originated by Parisian hairdressers Roger Pasquier". NEED TO GET RID OF FAT AND CELLULITE? This just looks painful! The device was made by Battle Creek Equipment in Michigan, US. You sit front, back or side and the rollers 'break down' fat. LIKE YOUR MARTINI SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED? Now THIS looks like a fun 'banding' experience! I hope my support group meetings are this fun! WANT A 15" WAIST? Frankly Rhett, I don't give a d#*n! ...Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh) being laced into her corset by her Mammy (Hattie McDaniel) in Gone with the Wind, 1939.

My doc said overnight; I'm not sure if this is his rule or the insurance (seen some here say there ins. required a one night stay). Oh Jen!!!! I live 2 minutes from a Target and we're there all the time...eeek! I might have to buy some of these for all my company coming...but I think I'll put them in the freezer so I'm not tempted....so you're forgiven LOL!!! -BG

Hi Jen! WELCOME to LBT! Great first blog here...and yes, it helps to pass the time for the 6 mo. (I'm almost done). You remind me of my DD...she's getting ready to graduate with a double major (Marketing & Intl. Bus.), and her dream job would be with an advertising co. (she got hooked on an AMA trip to NYC. I think she's applied in every major city LOL)...and good for you for going back to school at night, that's a big committment! OK, now on to the real question...I want a background for my blog!!!! This is too cute! Where did you get the 'wallpaper'?...can you tell how technically challenged I am? I didn't even know what a blog was until I started here, avatar? what's that...I'm learning...slowly...LOL. You're going to do great and it's wonderful that you'll have a built in band buddy! You'll be wearing that Wonder Woman belt (and cuffs...you're probably too young to remember the show) soon enough. Keep on blogging! -BG

We've looked into this too because DH's co. is about to do major layoffs. Fortunately even if that happens part of the layoff deal would continue health coverage for several months (I'm an April band). I just wanted to ditto the above that no matter what happens you start making phone calls now to expidite the paperwork and talk to the surgeon's office. Good luck to you! -BG

Cool! I think my list would be identical...and I know my answer will be; post-op. Thanks for posting this! -BG

I'm pre-band also, so I'm no expert, but I've seen several here on LBT who have caused themselves complications by being to tight (erosion, slippage, etc., but they were eating). My docs philosophy/nutritionist is that I shouldn't ever need to 'drink protein' (they don't want me to be drinking any protein after the initial healing period, and even then I'm to try and get it all if I can from food) as that defeats the purpose of the band and you're basically putting yourself on a long-term liquid protein diet, which is never healthy. I'm guessing your saying you CAN eat, but are chosing to drink instead? I'd also say that if you start eating again then you'll start to crave food more. My sister was on a liquid protein diet once (short-term to lose weight) and after awhile she wasn't hungry either. Try getting back to the band rules of eating protein first and see what happens after awhile. I'd also recommend you talk to your doc about this. If you can't even get in 800 cals. it's not healthy long term and your body can go into 'starvation mode'. Good luck to you! -BG

Good job on the weight loss! I put a range for my goal (I'm 5'8.5" too), you're right, I'll know it when I get there. I chose the range because I was down (yet again) to 160 about 8 years ago and I had probably another 20# I could have lost then to get to 'skinny', but I'm not pushing for that...just HEALTHY again would be great! Pounds look different on each person too...I carry mine in my lower half and I'm sure I'll lose it all from the top (yet again) first...I'll look like a giant pear....LOL...just sayin' that if I kept more boobs, my goal would be higher. REMINDER EVERYONE: If you haven't already, take your 'Before' photos and your measurements. Even if you'll never post the photos they can be an inspiration and motivation to you. OK, I was totally humiliated:mellow: having DH take these in my too tight spandex sweats and tank top (I figured if I was going to do them I might as well go for it and be able to actually see the changes with something tight on...non of the usual 'camouflage the fat' outfits for me). Even he exclaimed as he looked at them:eek: "These don't even look like you...I wouldn't know you!"...thanks hon,:tongue_smilie: yep I'm a good camouflager (he's actually really supportive, I think he thought that was a compliment :lol:LOL)...I haven't brought myself to even look at them yet, let alone ever post them. I took my measurements too. I can't tell you how many people on LBT said these got them motivated as they lost and the measurements were great when they weren't losing weight but they could see they were still losing inches (plateaus)...and others that said they wished they'd done this. JUST DO IT! :thumbup:

Oh loulou I can relate! I'm a 'Bunny Bandster' (our April group on LBT- come join us HERE) too (you'll be banded on DH/my anniversary). It's such a different motivation knowing you'll be saying goodbye to the pounds for the LAST TIME...I've lost them so many times before. I took photos and felt the same way...IS THAT ME??!! Don't forget to take all your measurements too! Good luck! -BG

Hang in there Destiny...fear is normal. You know from the other surgeries you've had (me too) that you'll do fine, and this is such a safe WLS. I think we have more to be confident about then others who've never had a surgery. We know we came through fine before, we're not going to react badly to the anesthesia, we know what to expect at the hospital, and what recovery is like. Truly I'm way more excited for this to happen than nervous. Keep posting for support and let us know how you're feeling...it helps me a lot (only my DH knows), and people here can relate because we're all going through the same thing. -BG

I've seen others here mention H.P. and having to get rid of the bacteria, and everyone I've seen did fine after the treatment. Hang in there DB and keep taking those pills...it's going to happen for you! -BG

Oh Lena, I'm so sorry!!!! What schmucks...sending him home on a bus...poor guy! When is this economy going to turn around??!!..DH's company is laying off BIG time too, and he's worried what will happen. As my Dad always said when we were driving...lots of trucks on the highways mean the economy is good...I hope things turn around soon like they say it will! Hang in there, and best wishes! (((Hugs))) -BG

Sis, I had to look that one up!...chocolate (biscuits), chocolate (cream), and covered in chocolate??!!!...my mouth is watering now...:tongue_smilie:

7:44am EST…it’s official…Spring is HERE! Spring officially starts when the Sun strikes the Vernal Equinox, i.e., the time when the Sun strikes the Celestial Equator at 0º 0' 0"S declination for the Northern Hemisphere. Yes, I did the countdown…and it was more fun than New Year’s! We’re having record low’s today (of course); 26° right now and light snow flurries are coming down, but it’s all good. Even Mother Nature can’t keep Spring from arriving. Yesterday we noticed our first crocuses blooming out front. They're in the flower beds at this house, but at my last house I planted them all through the front lawn (they die off before the first mowing). Yes, my neighbors thought I was nuts...I've wondered what the family that bought that house thought their first Spring there. I'll encourage you all to start a veggie garden this year, especially with the recession going on. Even if you have no 'plot' you can plant a tomato in a pot. Tomato Tips: -The tomato is a vine...give it a stick, deck rail, or something else you can attach the main stems to as it grows, and fertilize every month. -Buy a plant then bury 1/4-1/3 of the stem when you plant it (pinch the leaves off the buried part)...the stem will grow more roots and you'll have a really healthy plant. -Tomatoes get 'sucker shoots'. As the plant grows look where the branches attach to the main stem. In that 'crook' you'll see a baby stem starting to grow...pinch it off and you'll get healthier branches and more tomatoes. -Tomatoes like even, deep watering. ie. it's better to do one long heavy watering every other day and let it dry between than to water lightly 'willy-nilly' or flood it all the time (the roots will grow deeper looking for water=healthier plant, and you won't get tomato rot-black spots on the bottom). Add some lettuce seeds (easy from seed, fast growing, pick leaves from the outside of the plant as you need them, replant a new batch as you use them up or they start to send up a flower shoot-leaves get bitter then) and onion starts (look for them in the veggie plant section- they look like a bundle of almost dead green onions-below) in the pot around the base and you've got salad all summer! WELCOME Spring!

7:44am EST…it’s official…Spring is HERE! Spring officially starts when the Sun strikes the Vernal Equinox, i.e., the time when the Sun strikes the Celestial Equator at 0º 0' 0"S declination for the Northern Hemisphere. Yes, I did the countdown…and it was more fun than New Year’s! We’re having record low’s today (of course); 26° right now and light snow flurries are coming down, but it’s all good. Even Mother Nature can’t keep Spring from arriving. Yesterday we noticed our first crocuses blooming out front. They're in the flower beds at this house, but at my last house I planted them all through the front lawn (they die off before the first mowing). Yes, my neighbors thought I was nuts...I've wondered what the family that bought that house thought their first Spring there. I'll encourage you all to start a veggie garden this year, especially with the recession going on. Even if you have no 'plot' you can plant a tomato in a pot. Tomato Tips: -The tomato is a vine...give it a stick, deck rail, or something else you can attach the main stems to as it grows, and fertilize every month. -Buy a plant then bury 1/4-1/3 of the stem when you plant it (pinch the leaves off the buried part)...the stem will grow more roots and you'll have a really healthy plant. -Tomatoes get 'sucker shoots'. As the plant grows look where the branches attach to the main stem. In that 'crook' you'll see a baby stem starting to grow...pinch it off and you'll get healthier branches and more tomatoes. -Tomatoes like even, deep watering. ie. it's better to do one long heavy watering every other day and let it dry between than to water lightly 'willy-nilly' or flood it all the time (the roots will grow deeper looking for water=healthier plant, and you won't get tomato rot-black spots on the bottom). Add some lettuce seeds (easy from seed, fast growing, pick leaves from the outside of the plant as you need them, replant a new batch as you use them up or they start to send up a flower shoot-leaves get bitter then) and onion starts (look for them in the veggie plant section- they look like a bundle of almost dead green onions-below) in the pot around the base and you've got salad all summer! WELCOME Spring!

AF...LOL! Thanks for the explanation! My doc mentioned the single incision too (in trial phase now). Someone on LBT was getting this procedure awhile back, probably is banded by now...I think the doc was in Texas. There's several new procedures coming (TOGA, and one seminar I went to mentioned a different 'balloon' procedure). I'm liking that my LB procedure has been around awhile though! -BG

DD is now down to her last 6 weeks of college and the stress is reaching an all time high. I’m getting calls from her several times a day…usually just to ‘unload’. She’s getting a double major and taking her hardest classes ever, she waitresses most evenings until late at night (and they have a new, mean, manager) and she’s been sending her resume out to everyone (and their brother) and is getting mostly rejections (like everyone graduating this Spring) but a few replies (but not anything close to what she’d like to be doing), and she’s trying to set up a few interviews and she doesn’t know yet if she’ll be moving or living at home until she’s settled on a job…so I get the stress, and we're both emotional women. Short pause… I’m kidding…Actually, I do love that she still calls me when she needs support. I’m learning that you’re a Mom forever. My Mom is certainly a person I still call for advice and support all the time. I’m glad DD still needs me. Just one thing…I’m less than 6 weeks from surgery (which she has no clue about, since I'm only telling DH) and I’m at an all time stress level too…just ask DH…Short pause… Actually I no longer use tampons…hysterectomy, but the visual is fitting for what follows. Yesterday DH had been bugging me (nicely, but I know things are already bad at his work/new job duties and he doesn’t need this) because I can’t get a date yet for my surgery (can’t schedule until my 6 mo. is done April 1) and he had to make excuses twice yesterday for trips they wanted him to schedule the end of April (he already has 2 trips planned the beginning of April, so I asked him not to schedule anything the last 2 weeks until we get my date)…then family members were calling me about the two graduation parties...then DD called me for the third time that day to unload that no one will work for her Friday night...you would have thought it was the end of the world…she has an interview in Pittsburgh Monday morning, so I’ll pick her up Sat. instead, but apparently that’s not what DD was freaking about…she’s worked extra hours for everyone else several times over and…yada-yada-yada, you get the picture….DS1 came home and unloaded about his big Senior Project that is due for his HS graduation...then we were eating dinner and DH realized he forgot to go to DS2’s mandatory track parent meeting last night…DS2 freaked out on me because he instantly thought he wouldn’t be able to be on track…well, you can guess…DH unloaded on me and that was the straw that broke the camel’s back/the perfect storm…I blew...WHY IS EVERYTHING MY PROBLEM/FAULT...oh, yeah, I'm the Mom (didn’t even see it coming, but I suddenly became aware that I'm more stressed out than I thought I was)…even DS1 came in to see what I was yelling about…yikes, apologies all around…I hate yelling…there’s a make-up track parent meeting tonight, crisis avoided…everyone is happy...good thing poor DH is traveling the rest of this week, he needs a break from all this...I need a chill pill. Short pause... If you've made it this far, thanks, and I apologize for the vent...I'm sure you have enough stress in your own life..who needs to read about anyone elses. It just pointed out to me that although I'm so sure about this LB decision, I'm unconciously more stressed about all this (and everything else coming together all at once) than I thought. Today's mantra...

That's nice you have no pre-op diet! I'm slow...what's af @@?

LOL...Why do you think we're so fat?!!

Yep, Hopeful- I think you need a 'return' between your tickers. And did you just highlight and copy the picture of the sig? Pharma- A peep looks just like the pink bunny...made of white marshmallow coated with bright colors and crystal sugar...they now come in all kinds of shapes. The first ones were baby chicks...so 'Peeps'.

Yep, April will be my month this year. I’m sure it will all be a blurrrr.r.r.r.r..r..r..r. I’m party planning today. I’ve got to get moving on this as we’re all graduating soon…Me, to a new life with the LB hopefully near the middle of April; DD from college May 3, and DS1 from H.S. June 5. In between all these is DS1's 19th birthday May 15, and DH and my 27th Anniversary on April 24, and did I mention my 50th birthday is April 27 and DH’s 50th birthday is on April 28th; but we were actually born on the SAME day….HOW’s that? Glad you asked! …I’m letting you ponder it a minute…… TIME’s UP! DH was born on an U.S. Army base in Japan…so his Mom actually gave birth on the other side of the world 2 hours earlier than mine (time zones and all that)…cool huh? DH loves to say that he married an older woman…I just smile and nod…yep, I’m a…what’aya call it…cougar…I’m not about to explain that he’s actually 2 hours older. I’m thinking we’ll be keeping the Anniversary and the Birthday’s low key this year as, according to some on LBT, I may be sipping broth and sleeping in a recliner still post-surgery. If so, it will still be the best birthday ever! So mainly I’m planning the older 2 kids graduations. I’m sending out emails today and making lots of lists (being my usual anal OCD-tendency self) about all the things that I need to do. Lordy, the outside work alone will take me several weeks…I hope it warms up soon! Time to fly.

Yep, April will be my month this year. I’m sure it will all be a blurrrr.r.r.r.r..r..r..r. I’m party planning today. I’ve got to get moving on this as we’re all graduating soon…Me, to a new life with the LB hopefully near the middle of April; DD from college May 3, and DS1 from H.S. June 5. In between all these is DS1's 19th birthday May 15, and DH and my 27th Anniversary on April 24, and did I mention my 50th birthday is April 27 and DH’s 50th birthday is on April 28th; but we were actually born on the SAME day….HOW’s that? Glad you asked! …I’m letting you ponder it a minute…… TIME’s UP! DH was born on an U.S. Army base in Japan…so his Mom actually gave birth on the other side of the world 2 hours earlier than mine (time zones and all that)…cool huh? DH loves to say that he married an older woman…I just smile and nod…yep, I’m a…what’aya call it…cougar…I’m not about to explain that he’s actually 2 hours older. I’m thinking we’ll be keeping the Anniversary and the Birthday’s low key this year as, according to some on LBT, I may be sipping broth and sleeping in a recliner still post-surgery. If so, it will still be the best birthday ever! So mainly I’m planning the older 2 kids graduations. I’m sending out emails today and making lots of lists (being my usual anal OCD-tendency self) about all the things that I need to do. Lordy, the outside work alone will take me several weeks…I hope it warms up soon! Time to fly.

PharmaGirl has all the instructions, but in case you need pics...There's also a Tutorial right here on LBT HERE.