~Jules~

It will be a while before I have this problem. I have a huge closet full of several sizes. I will be close to goal before I have to buy much. I am sure some of it is considered "out of style" but I am not much of a fashion queen, so I am not really concerned about that part. Just keep watching the sales and clearances. You can find something inexpensive enough to get you by. This is definately a problem worth having. :-)

I'm up for the challenge.

Have you considered a different band than the Midband? The doc I went to in Mexico only charges $7300 for the Inamed band. He also does the sleeve surgery (whatever that is called). I didn't really pay attention to it on his website, but the day I was leaving there was a girl going in to have that done. We talked with her mother for a while. I don't know how much he charges for that but if you are interested I have his email address. Good luck in whatever you decide.

Christine, Do you think maybe you were drinking too fast? I think sometimes I do. That part has been hard for me to learn. I have always drank a lot of fluids, and many times I would drink fast. I can't do it anymore. I have to drink some and wait and drink some more. Maybe that will help you. I don't know since I haven't been banded. But I just thought I'd share. Good luck to you.

The lapband is SO much safer than what your aunt had done. Don't let her influence your decision. You need to do what is right for you. Good luck.

I know you added all this up and it equals what you would have paid for the band had you had it done in the states, but if you had it done in the states, you would still be paying for the second surgery out of your pocket. So then your total might be $30k-$40k by the time you are done. You are still coming out ahead by going to MX. Good luck with your new band. I hope it doesn't happen again. I truly wish you the best.

Way to go!!!!!!!!! I have not been able to get myself motivated enough to exercise. I have done well with eating so far, but need to get my butt moving. You are a great inspiration. Keep up the good work. BTW, you daughter is absolutely beautiful.

Sunsreturn, You will not regret the preop diet. It will help your liver shrink and make it easier for you during/after surgery. I am not a doc by any means, but I believe it made a huge difference on my rehab. Also, I only had 3 incisions because he said my liver was out of the way. I don't have a spleen or a gall bladder and I think all three factors made a an impact. Anyway.... good luck to you all. This is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. I hope you all feel the same!!!!

Raynie, You need to be careful!!! Should you be eating anything yet? What has your doc told you? I haven't eaten a bite of anything, but I sure will be tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!! Big Girl Banded, I actually laughed out loud at the comment about not eating the people. That was hilarious. Thanks, I needed that laugh.

What does the butternut squash soup taste like?

Raynie, I put my soups in the blender and get all the chunks out. It is kind of a pain (to me), but I do several different ones and put them in bowls ready for zapping. I think I will kill someone if I have another cup of broth. lol

StephC, What did your daughter get on her lip. I have not seen this before so I googled it and saw a few. Wow. It looks painful. I have seriously thought about getting another one commemorating my weight loss. (when I get there). I don't know what or where though.

I have glue on my incisions instead of staples or stitches. They have been itching like crazy. I put just a little neosporin on them and they have been fine since. They were dry and pulling. I have put it on them like every other day for the past week and it has worked wonders. I don't know if I should have, but it sure makes them bearable.

I am right there with you Mary. I am a week and a half out and can't wait to chew something. I have heard of a few people that chew something and then spit it out, but I am afraid that I will swallow it by instinct. I will just wait my turn. It is coming soon enough. Ok I don't really think that, but I can wait. lol Hang in there. It will be here before we know it.

Carlene, It may not be enough, but the govt. will subsidize it. I had an aunt that had to pay something like $1000 a day for her care until her money was gone. She also had a little bit of income. She was "allowed" like $200 a month and they took everything else for her care. The govt. then paid the rest. Does that make sense? When she died, the only thing she had left was her house. They let her keep it if family lived in it. They would have liquidated that too if they had rented it out. She and my uncle both went downhill really fast and it drained them of all the money they had. It was really ok because they didn't have any children and their money was for them. There were a few of the family members that were bent out of shape, but I bet they got over it. I don't envy your situation at all. Good luck to you and your dh.

Soniacan, Can you go home? If you can possibly take another couple of days, your body will probably appreciate it.

I have a big ole size 11 foot. I would love to get them down to a 10. Not every woman's shoe comes in an 11. I guess that is one more thing to look forward to. :-)

Maybe a neutral but nice blanket. It doesn't have to be blue or pink. They are always needed.

A sweet teddy bear would be nice. I would get a "baby" one that they can hug and it won't have eyes that will pop off into their mouth. You have a tough decision here. Good luck.

Wow Terri, Hang in there. Maybe everything will level off now. Wow, you are tough. You have made it through this far, it will be a cake walk from here on. Ok, maybe I am wishing, but it doesn't hurt to wish right?! Take care Terri, I wish you the best.

Raynie, I would make sure the next doc appt you go to whether it is just a follow up or a fill appt, to ask them to check it with the flouroscopy. They can see if it has slipped or not. It probably hasn't, but it would sure be good to make sure. Hang in there. None of us are perfect.

A crock pot is like a casserole dish that plugs in and you leave it all day long to cook. It cooks slowly. I hope this helps.

Carlene, These recipes sound WONDERFUL. Thanks for sharing!!!!!

My doc told me to walk like 5 minutes every hour for the first few days. It worked wonders for the gas in my belly. I didn't ever have any shoulder pain so many people talk about, but I sure had the bloated feeling. Walk, walk, walk. It REALLY does help.

I had my surgery on 10/26/06. Just a week and a half ago. I had a pre-op diet for two weeks and all together I have lost over 20 pounds. I know it won't keep falling off that fast, but I am really working at it right now to get every one off that I can. Good luck in your journey. I am very happy in mine.