mookie1

You look so good. You must feel like a new woman. Well done!!!!

Argon, you're such a funny noodle. When are you coming out to Edmonton? We need to go do some shopping for you. I see spandex in your future.

Can I join in too? I haven't had a fill yet but I think I'll be ready mid Feb. I'd like to lose 6 pounds by the end of the month. I'll enter my starting weight on the day of the fill.

Yoda!!!!!!!!!!!! No Argon, you're not that Skanky. I was once called a "Fat Skank" by this loser at work. I made sure to call myself a "Fat Skank" anytime he was around. Friends would reply "come on...A Skank maybe but Fat? Where did that come from?". I think that skinny Skanks probably make better tips than fat ones though. Waitresses really do make a killing...sly as foxes they are.

Welcome you guys. Keep reading you'll find answers to almost anything and everything here. If you don't see something...ask. Mookie-14 days out of surgery.

Me too! We stayed at Barcelo Maya Beach Resort-you know where the two Canadians were murdered? We need to make a Canadian Bandsters Mexican Holiday. How about for winter 2008? The All Inclusive resort may have lost some of its appeal to us though. Mandi should have her raise by then and if not that other girl may have to have a horrible accident that leaves her with loose bowels for 15 months. Just enough time for Mandi to make her move. Yoda...the beans or the photo's?:faint:

Of course you can reach your goal. You work damn hard at it...you go to the gym, you make the right food choices...why wouldn't you? You'll make it and we'll all celebrate Lapband style!!!! As far as the work situation goes...things like this happen when people with big mouths start talking about their salaries. I know it’s tough when you make less than someone you helped get a job there. Remember they hired her because of her connection to you. Try to keep your chin up and thank the higher ups that you can leave work and have a life after hours. Stay at the gym a little longer and use the time to take care of yourself. Think of it as prep work for your next promotion and/or raise. Make sure you always have wonderful things to say about her and try to stay positive when she talks about her success. You could also ask your supervisor about any additional projects that you could possibly take on. This type of proactive approach is seen as being a "team player" of the best kind. You may want to have a few ideas to present when you talk to them but be sure to leave them with the impression that this would be of benefit to them and that you are suggesting this because you appreciate your company and see areas where they could improve. Your raise and promotion could be just around the corner. Everyone you meet with and talk to throughout the day is a chance to demonstrate your abilities, show off your winning personality (even if all you want to do is rip their smug head off) and present your killer features (ass, boobs, waist or perfectly arched eyebrows-whatever is sexy that day). This may be a little simplistic but the old adage "kill ‘em with kindness" does work. I tend to do the opposite which hasn’t served me well. I just can’t seem to keep my big mouth shut. I stick my foot in my mouth all the time…I feel like I’m flying high when I tell that so and so how his/her behaviour is wrong but then feel pretty crappy when they fire my ass. So basically forget what I’ve written, I have no idea what I’m talking about. Duh…is that something shiny over there? :blah: Mookie

Good luck guys. I'm 14 days out after surgery and I can still taste the Optifast. Yuck. I did use the post it note trick though. Stick the number of shakes worth of post its to the cupboard and rip one down after every shake. It's good to visualize the end to the torture. Rip one down, swear, tear it to shreds, throw it on the floor, wirl it in the blender, burn in slowly and painfully, make fun of how it looks (look at you all yellow and sticky just sticking there like a bump on a log!!) I'll be thinking of you. It's the start of your new life...it wouldn't be worth it if it wasn't difficult. I think I can, I think I can! I know...shut up. Hugs, Mookie.

Yoda's totally kicking ass!! Where are your pics??? Mmmm...beans!! Me hungry. (looks for Mandi's head too!) FORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Holy crap what the hecks been going on here? Mandi's posting porn like pics, Yoda's pushing pills, someone's doing a great Japanese accent and I'm totally not in the loop. You look awsome BTW!! You're too sexy for this thread, too for this thread...Burlington and Flin Flon! And you shake your shrinking tush in the hallway!! "oooooh, that's sooooo scaaary!* Note, I only used 3 a's b/c my impression isn't as good as Dan's.

Love you guys, thanks. Had a better day today highlighted by the fact that Cicely (Newfie cross) went to the groomers for her quarterly bath and came back looking like a little foofie dog. I always wanted a dog that got all the ribbons and bows when they went to the groomer but up until today the most she got (or either of the other 2 dogs for that matter) was a little handkerchief. Chris picked her up and nearly fell over laughing! There she was all clean and sparkling with two little red bows attached to the top of her ears and a big red frilly handkerchief. She’s a big 100 pound tomboy of a dog who usually has remnants of snack or some drool fest stuck to her face!! He brought her home and was howling for me to come and look. He took off her leash and she bolted to our bed. I caught a quick glimpse of her unexpected girliness before she started rolling around in a desperate attempt to get that crap off. (Once again my guts almost fell out but not from coughing but rather from a laugh that could only be compared to the laugh that arose as a result of the "zipper scene" from Something about Mary. Franks and Beans!!!!!!!) Holding my guts in, I scrambled to get the camera but it was all to fast. She’s rolling around in the bed and making this horrid honking sound and then jumped off and ran to the back door and demanded to be let out. The other two dogs are running after her to see what all the fuss is about and she takes a head dive into a big pile of snow. Shows over, nothing to see, move along! The scarf and the bows are now locked in a snowy grave only to be seen again in the spring whereupon they’ll be promptly peed on, I have no doubt. I’ll bring a camera next time to pick her and post the pictures of the before and after. Ah…good times. Mookie

Ok...I'm back. Had the surgery and then got bronchitis for crying out loud. When I cough it feels like my guts are going to fall out. So, needless to say, the experience has been less than positive. Stayed at Heritage House while in was in TO. I didn't do any sight seeing except for a trip to IKEA with J. bandster gal. She was staying at Heritage House too. Met Dr. C the day before the surgery and he was very kind and reassuring. Went to the clinic the next am freshly cleaned and sterile from the surgical soap wash. I was taken to a small waiting room where I was told to put on a gown, socks and this cute little hat. Then the anesthesiologist came into the room to ask a few questions and I told him that I have had previous serious vomiting episodes after anesthetic. He marked something down in the file followed by a bunch of ++++++++++++++++++. I was then taken to the surgery room, where some nurses started attaching a bunch of monitors to my chest and the anesthesiologist started trying to find a vein in my left hand. It took a couple of attempts to find a vein that wouldn’t collapse. I remember feeling afraid and I told one of the nurses who said she promised to take good care of me. That’s the last I remember… The next time I was conscious I was being rolled over in the bed to put another sheet under me since I guess I peed the bed. NICE!! How lady like! I remember apologizing and being told it’s quite common (you still feel like a 6 year old though!J) Then from there, I remember one of the nurses bringing me the credit card receipt for the Codeine prescription, signing it and then walking out with one of the nurses from Heritage House. When I got back to my room, I went to sleep and woke up about 9:30 pm feeling fine, no pain whatsoever. I spoke with my husband and told him all went well. The next day, I felt great and had a shower and went for a few walks in the hallway and went to visit J. who was doing well too. I had a little Soup and watched a movie and took my Codeine religiously. Friday was a little different…I called the clinic to see if I could have a check up since I was feeling pain and was almost out of my Codeine. I went for the appointment but didn’t see Dr. C but rather one of his nurses (Sue-she was nice). She had a look at my site, weighed me and told me to start taking my liquid Tylenol for pain. So off I went a little surprised that that was all there was to it. I flew home on Saturday… I don’t remember much of the flight; I think I was still stoned. Sunday the pain was horrible and I was out of the Codeine…had to switch to the liquid Tylenol. Freakin’ baby Tylenol! I had to drink the whole bottle to get any relief. The pain could be compared to severe cramps and getting kicked in the gut by a horse (okay maybe a small mule). And to top it all off, I got my period on Sunday!! Yahoo! Monday morning I’m hacking up a lung and trying to keep my incision from ripping open with every cough. I’m anxiously waiting for 9:00 am so I can call my Dr. to get in for more drugs. My doctor was shocked that I was given such a short prescription for pain and gave me another 2 weeks of Codeine. She listened to my lungs and confirmed my fear of bronchitis (I seem to get this once a year during the winter). Got antibiotics, inhaler and more Codeine…felt better 30 minutes after having my prescription filled. Since then I’ve been recovering in bed with limited moving around. The long incision is quite painful and is oozing. I’ve been cleaning it and have applied a new second skin type bandage. The scar isn’t going to be some small thing…it’s already looking thick and gross. As far as food goes, I’ve moved on to liquid mashed potatoes and Ensures. I’m dreading the fill since any pressure to my stomach hurts like a son of a bitch. I’m trying not to be a pessimist about this whole thing but I’m not sure if this has been worth it. I know, I know…I have to give it some time. We’ll see… I haven’t lost a pound since I’ve been back but I think that’s normal. I’ve been fluctuating between 200-205 lbs. The fact that I have been disconnected from the board probably hasn’t been very good for my worries either. Now I’m wiped out…more later. Hope all of you are doing well and thanks for the well wishes and happy thoughts. HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lots of love, Mookie.

Who would have thunk it? I have some pretty sexy toes. I went for a salt scrub, massage, pedicure and manicure yesterday (trying to get ready for surgery). Not sure how much dry skin I had but I pulled up a pair of Cotton Ginny Petite jeans, size 18 without undoing the button or zipper this am. Sheesh, that's a lot of reptiliousnessnessness. I can see my toes no problem. Too bad I have to take the polish off before surgery...I was hoping to reel in a rich Dr. with my feet. Now I'm gonna have to adjust my pole dancing to work with my IV pole. Not quite as sexy but worth a try.:clap2: Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! My blood test came back with elevated WBC, I don't feel sick so I hope nothing is brewing. I have broken out with quite a few zits...could that cause an elevated WBC?:sick

Barfy, light-headed, shameful, sad, scared, guilty, excited, eager for the changes to start happening. Flight leaves at 8:40 am. I'll be at the airport at 6:30, need to make my case for the front seats with the extra leg room. Talk to you soon...I'll try to find a line somehere. Fingers crossed.

http://www.superiortouch.com/btb.htm I'm trying to find the nutritional info on these broths. Am I missing it on the product site? Does anyone use these broths? What's the nutitional info? Thanks.

Ya, I think it's the same place. Known for Murals on their builldings?? Too bad about the short stop over *(good for you I guess). Next time....

Welcome new Friends!

Love ya, Argon! Bought some delicious Fiji Water, if you’re a water aficionado, you’ll love this water. It really is the best of the “flat” waters. I looked for Protein water and they didn’t have any. Maybe in Alberta we’re not supposed to be sacrilegious and only Beef protein in allowed. Albertans, care to comment? Any of you found it? Just got back from my prep Shopper's Drug Mart trip. No liquid adult Gravol? No liquid adult Tylenol? I'm pretty pissed. I have a very high drug tolerance (no comment) and these beginner drugs just will not do nor work. I'd have to guzzle a whole bottle as 1 dose. I'm also a big barfer, I can barf at the drop of a hat (this goes back to my side show freak days...guess the fat lady's weight and watch her barf at the drop of a hat!). I read that Yoda got some extra anti-nausea meds while under anesthetic; I'll have to request that. When I had my breast reduction a few years ago, I barfed for days after. Does the clinic give you a prescription for pain prior to the surgery or after? I hope I can have that filled before I go in, I’d hate to stand around in some pharmacy after surgery. And in closing… :drama: I’d like to thank God, my parents and all the little people who have supported me…wait that’s my Oscar speech. Try again… I’d like to thank my Dogs, my Cats and my LapBand Pals for their support, kind words, and hilarious anecdotes while I freaked out over this choice. (In that order, sorry guys…pets always come first. Oh ya...thanks to my better half for buying me a “Coolster Tumbler-No-Spout Spill-Proof Cup for Bigger Kids” and making my Optifasts when I couldn’t bring myself to blend another cup of the vial liquid. Love, Mookie

Ah yes...your patience paid off grasshopper! I've never been to the island, my husbands brother/wife live in Shamanus (sp?). Glad that worked out for you. If you have a stop over in Edmonton for a few hours, let me know...I'm sure I could round up Becca and head out to the airport for a coffee, err...life force essence or whatever it is that Yoda's drink.

I found the shakes are better w/out lots of ice. The Vanilla ones are truly awful but the chocolate ones whipped in a blender with less water turn into kind of like a mouse/foam. It's the only way I can get them down. The few fruits you are allowed, I ate warmed up in the micro sans Optifast. I didn't want to waste a delicious strawberry in that stuff. 3/4 of a cup of frozen strawberries are 45 cals. factor that in with your total calories while on the pre-op. Oh ya, I've almost finished an entire bottle of Olive juice. No Olives just the juice, that helped too. I'm more of a savoury person so I really missed salty stuff.

Nope no call. But I'll see him next week, maybe he's planning on telling me then. Great, I'm in St. Albert! I'll go for sure, wanna go for coffee/tea after? I'll show you my gut and you can oohh and ahh over it.

The pre op sucks more than you can ever imagine. I didn't want to write that b/c I was trying to keep you guys from knowing the truth. I have cheated a few times..not gonna lie. I've also been eating pickles up the wazzoo-they ok'd that. I've also been downing bottles of sparkling Water (which I love) and I'm going to miss like crazy after the surgery. I tend to always have an upset stomach and the fizzy water helps. I went for my bloods and u/a today. Hope all goes well with that. Could the massage (she worked on some pretty good knots in my lower back-I have the bruises to prove it)have caused the increase in my WBC count?

I'd like to go to the ROM, the Science Center and CN Tower while I'm there. I'm not familiar with the proximity of the Clinic to these places nor the amount of time required to truly visit the museums. I have Tuesday am and the afternoon after my pre-op appt. with Dr. C, and Friday day ( I think). Here is where I'm staying 73 King Street West Mississauga, ON I imagine the cab ride from the airport will be around 100$ or should I be taking some sort of shuttle? What about cab rides from this address to the places listed above? Suggestions?

I'm actually 3 apples high..like a smurf. I attribute my loss to the pre-op diet. I carry almost all my weight around the middle and I guess that's where I'll lose it first. I wouldn't swear that its gone for good so therefore I'm celebrating seeing my toes while I can. Last time I wore those jeans, I danced around singing "fat girl in a little coat!" while they hung there below my gut. So no, Argo there is no way anyone could have made the connection. Sometimes I do and say stuff that only "I" find funny which leaves others to think "that girl is funny" and not in a Ha Ha kind of way. I tend to fly solo over the Koo Koo's nest.

Thanks Louise! I have to go for another blood test tomorrow am. I guess this time the requesition asks for some sort of breakdown related to the WBC-she said this will tell her if it's bacterial or viral. I feel like I have a bladder infection but my u/a was normal/negative so they are going to test that again too. I'll know more tomorrow, I guess. Argon...do you know the "fat guy in a little coat" part in that movie? Loved it, so I made it my own. Please Celebrate with me in the fact that I can see my toes. Don't be repulsed.