Lap_dancer

It's a southern thing, I'll tell you that. I'd pour you a glass of ice tea and invite you out on my porch for a visit. Outside of my area, the world is different. Whenever I travel...and it can be to Orlando where there are people from everywhere living there, I notice the difference. We are just use to folks being warm and fuzzy and it's not that they are rude, it's they live in a different region. The thing that joins us is the desire to make folks like us healthier.:party: Dynamo--First, thank you for saying what you did about Red Robin gatherings. I hope I do not sound like I think it is solely you involved in the meetings. Like this board, its a patchwork quilt of beautiful patterns of beautiful people that make for a lovely and warm wrap of support.:thumbsup: LUCK!!! on Sunday. Woo Hoo. How exciting for you. Wish I was there to help you pick out the right outfit, perfume, hair just so. We both know that we are emotional eaters. I share your angst right now as my sister is in town and at mother's and will be there for Sunday. :shades_smile: I upped my meds by half a dose because I am just emotionally wrestless and my appetite was increased earlier in the week and I'm certain is had to do with my sister. It has tapered off but I am trying to stay optimistic about the aftermath of a visit involving her. JAM I'm sorry about your shoulder. I'm sure that is uncomfortable and makes it hard to relax without discomfort. Feel better soon. Dee, I dare not buy a bag of those jelly bellies...they are nummy. They call my name too!:success1: MAL- Where are ya friend. I'm guessing involved with family and spring break and enjoying the spring. Please try to make it to RR. Would love to see you. Anita- You too! How's the school work going? Happy Easter to you and yours. Please try to come to RR. I'd love to see you too. I can make it on the 9th no problem. My flight gets in about 10 AM Mountain. Say the time and which RR and I'll be there. Hubby is going skiing, I'm going to do friends and photos and enjoy the Colorado skies. LET ME KNOW THE PLANS!

Hello Everyone: Cara, did you get the situation resolved? If you have a glitch call Natalie. I have found her to be resourceful. To Greenie: an apology for the scheduling mix-up. I don't plan to go back -- not because of this -- as I'd already intended to do the rest of my fills locally. Sorry you are feeling upset about what happened in the office. I hope today is better and you are feeling the results from your fill..that's #1. @Tied2BFit- Great job on journaling your food. I need to follow your lead and go back to journaling my daily intake. MarcyinAK- I've slowed waaay down on my weight drop. I'm going to have to start keeping track of exactly what I'm eating. I think I have to admit to myself that I am in menopause. It's been four months since my TOM and my emotions are a bit on the edge. Some other changes and hormones were recommended. I'm going to do a Google on the big M and find out what's up and what to expect. What a wild past 12 months. So many changes in such a short time. PR

HEY HEY TRACY! Remember back when? Fighting the mean old insurance company, those were the days. Cara luck with your consult.

Hello Friends... I'm coming! Flying in April 09th in the morning. Will be in Dever by 10 am. Hubby is coming and wants to ski, I want to meet my pals out there! Let me know when and where and I'll be there with bells on and the camera and a big old smile. I need a hug from you all. Mal, girl how are you doing. I hope feeling so much better, I had that bug seriously bad and it had me down for five weeks. Sending cyber CHICKEN SOUP>>> Dynamo Mini thanks for making the reservations and planning our gathering. I'm thinking it would be a fun thing for us to all bring something to the gathering. I was thinking bring ONE THING...a picture, a book, a DVD, anything that has helped you on your journey. Bring one thing or two, it would be a nice and fun activity ( is the educator in me coming out?) :biggrin: What do you all think?

Next One to Be Banded congratulations. (fyi- I fought my insurance all the way to the end and then to the Florida Insurance Commissioner's office. *But it just makes this all the sweeter*) My best to you for having the resolve to do something for you and fight for it. I wish you all the best on your smoking. You will do it. Flying is awesome. Bring your camera because the clouds from above are breathtaking. Patty in Florida

One last thing.... my sweet tooth is whistling. Avoiding red light foods for me but can't figure what's going on with my hunger. I got so spoiled being on my sweet spot. The grand thing is I now know what the sweet spot feels like. I believe it is what normal people experience in life. It's a great feeling to know what it's like not to crave food, think about food most all the time but, rather to, have an ever present sense of satisfaction. To experience hunger the way normal people do...it really is amazing. I'm convinced now more than ever that what we experience is the result of some rogue gene that they will discover down the road. I sometimes wonder if we are trailblazers for a greater good than just ourselves. Peace and Green to you all. Patty

Patty here wishing you all a Happy St. Patty's Day! fITtobetied, the GREEN of this note is dedicated to you. Dynamo Mini >>I'll be flying in to Denver on April 09th, Wednesday. My appt is on April 10th in the morning. You are the hostess with the mostess; You all pick from those two dates and lets have an RR gathering! I'll have my camera in tow and will take loads of pics for our pages here. I had a productive weekend. I painted my kitchen GREEN. My son and I went to the movies and saw JUMPER. I love fiction that plays with the space time continuum, this movie did not disappoint. I am definately needing a fill. I can tell because the "I'm full" button is delayed. Ready for my trip to Denver and definately ready for a fill. Mal, my friend...sending you warm ocean breezes with wishes for a quick recovery. Cara... I laughed at your post. Doing what sounds fun in the mind and doing it in real time is not the same. CRAZY. But I'll get there. I have often thought I am glad I was active and did so many things. The muscles are still there and with time and effort I can see assuming my old fun things once again. GreenChrys... I can't imagine being stuck somewhere when I had a PB. Ahhhhh. I have them rarely now. I eat very very slow and I chew even slower. I also avoid any food that doesn't soften up a bit more while chewing. ah heck why edit myself...I almost posted... "and I avoid putting anything HARD in my mouth" but that just read not at all what I intended"

To Ameriu, congratulations and way to go on reaching Twoterville! :cursing: Chewing slowly and enjoying my meal was THE hardest thing for me. Forget about the surgery, forget about the recovery, forget about the change in food items...eating was the most difficult thing for me to re-learn. >> I use to eat like it was a pie eating contest.<< The first PB I had I ran outside in the backyard and ran around like my pants were on fire. The dog was barking and everything. All I could say was, "mooiiiiahahhaah". Totally slimed myself. SLOW is what I have learned and I said in a previous post that enjoying a meal, enjoying the conversation, the pauses, the slow process of eating and TASTING the food (instead of huffing it ) has been a gift since getting banded. Not that I'm condoning a dusty CPAP machine ( like mine ) but I haven't used my machine, I also haven't taken any diabetes meds. I never bothered to get my RX refilled and CHECKED MY SUGAR and it was sitting at 140 which for me is normal. They like it at 100 or below (and if I medicate I can get it that low) but if I'm at 100 or below I'm drooling and talking to the walls. I very much do not function well at that low of a sugar level so 140 is a good place for me. Woofay, I'm ready for a fill. I'm definately adding more volume to my dinner and it is not sticking with me as long. I'm off my sweet spot (which lasted a long time) and got spoiled being there. You still look amazing, you're doing great and I think we tend to forget where we were and where we are now. Keep it up. You are doing superbly. Hey Dynamo. I have to tell you I really admire your workout ethic. :angry_smile: Man, I am struggling with exercise.:cursing: Consistancy is a problem.

I found your question strange being on a Lap Band Bulletin Board forum BUT I will answer it as I see it. The best treatement for obesity for ME has been the Lap-Band. The other procedures you posted were explored by me but did not feel like the right fit for me. I'm not going to pidgeon hole my answer and express that the Band is for everyone because I think people who are overweight are not only victims of their size but victims of an industry that targets them, preys on their emotions and desperation, and promises a plethora of medicine show type pills and machinery that will magically melt away the pounds.

I'm from the bay area and before JL, at the time I was doing my quest for insurance coverage (fat chance) JL was not yet open. Since then, the facility does function as a "middle man" good choice of words, for the doctors housing meetings and support. I have not heard anything negative. They are still new. In the bay area that is the best option. I wish you well. I do not regret having the band done one single day of my life post the surgery. Best wishes to you.

Lizzieann we all are different which is something I keep in mind when I read about other people's experiences. I do have sleep apnea but wearing the mask is impossible for me. I actually yank it off in my sleep. I did have a sleep study done but for me, it would not have stopped me. My weight was the greatest health risk I saw. For me, having my surgery was paramount. My snoring has reduced significantly according to my husband. I'm sure losing weight had much to do with it. PR

Hello Friends: I'm not going to attempt to name specific people and decided to free association write my post. Wishing you all a healthy and happy week with many moments of powerful change and appreciation for where you are at right now and the hope that you have for the future. Children and autism and meds and the system; My heart softens and at the same time my adreneline courses strong when I recall or READ anything related to families in the clutches of a clogged system. My daughter had old cuts, she use to be a cutter, and without looking at them, her pediatrician sent us to the ER assuming they were fresh. Without exploring deeper into where she was at mentally, the ER psychiatrist did what in Florida is called a "Baker Act". In California it is something like what happened to Britney Spears. The doctor then went home and no one else was there the rest of the night. They left my daughter, my husband and myself to sit in a treatment area behind a curtain. After nine hours I was threatened to walk out with her, it was 4 am. They called the cops on ME and he stood gaurd while I flipped out on the head nurse who finally called this doctor. Another nurse finally told me at 6 AM the doctor refused to come in because he didn't think he would be paid for his services to my daughter. By 8 AM a new doctor was in, I repeated everything to him, added his name to my narrative I had started to write at midnight and he discharged my daughter. The followup was a scathing letter to the hospital admin., the board of directors, the state of Florida insurance commissioner, the state director of medical advisory and a host of county and state representatives. Six months later I saw in the paper that the hospital named a new director. I got little to no solice from that. The system sucks but the more we bang our drums when things go wrong and ring our bells when things go right..... ( like a Lap Band that I paid for and fly to Denver for aftercare because I believe in it so much I was willing to and am still willing to fork over the dough myself )..... the more we see change. Change happens when people become involved in the process or start the process. Autism. The best: Louis de la parte Center at the University of South Florida, Center for Autism and related disabilities. Call them, ask all the questions you can think of that are a plethora of resource. Florida Mental Health Institute and here is a page of links from their website: Florida Mental Health Institute Losing 100. WOWZA. I am yearning for the 100 mile marker and also for being down into the 100's. I haven't seen my 100's in about 20 years. I'll see them. I know. Red Robin. The photos are fantastic. :smile2: I'm hoping to be there in April. Denver: I will be in Denver the night of April 9th flying in sometime in the morning. My appt. is for the 10th and I will meet with Paula at 9 for a regroup on my food plan. I'm feeling smaller, I'm feeling changes happening like crazy. I feel the need to reorganize and retrain myself. I will get my fill at 10 am with Dr. K. Card: Sent my card via email. I created a funky little poem, curved the font via type space to create the simulation of a woman's body, and then added a bikini top and bottom through Publisher. I added fireworks around the edges. I wish I could do more for him. He's changed my life. No matter where we live...even way up in Alaska...your words inspire me, you all KNOW...you KNOW this journey. Words will never capture how much you all add to my life. Until the next one. Hugs to you all.:sad: Patty

Hello All *Thanks for the tip on the forever stamp. Will do. .41 cents seems fair to me. Weather out there? Here in Florida the west coast (where I live) we are getting pummeled with rain sweeps. It's spring for sure. Got word on the card thing happening for the good doc. Taking care of that ASAP. ......................................................... NWV Walking briskly from my car to my classroom not looking for the shortest route, with a low incline. Walking from one end of the campus to the other and not needing to stop and rest. Walking on my feet in the morning without pain. Sitting crosslegged on my bed, comfortably. Going off my diabetes medication and seeing my numbers staying low. Having my husband tell me I don't snore like I use to. Grabbing ANYTHING in the closet and having it slide on, even the 'skinny' clothes, so there is no feeling of dread when I get dressed.

Sending this along friends to read. One of my supporters in OA is in therapy..doing headwork...for food addiction. Her most recent activity was to write a letter saying goodbye to her most addictive food and that is donuts. So here is her letter. .................................................. Dear Donuts and all Your Friends, At one time in my life, you served a really good, nice purpose. You tasted good. At another time in my life, you served another purpose - you satisfied my hunger. At yet other times, you satisfied a sugar craving. As time went on, You and Your Friends didn't taste good, satisfy my hunger or sweet tooth....No, that stopped. You tricked me and made me become dependent on having you in my life - not just having you in my life, but having you in my life in excess. You and Your Friends starting playing with my mind so that my mind obsessed and one was too many, and 2, 3, 4, 10 was never enough. You aren't good, you aren't a friend, you aren't a food that helps me in my life, physically, mentally or spiritually. When a friend is no longer treating me with respect and kindness, guess what? ADIOS!!! If a friend hit me, I'd end the relationship. Well, in your own ways, you have hit me, and hit me hard, and I've allowed you to do this over and over and over again. No more! So it is time to say good-bye and good luck to you. While you served me well, or so I thought, for many years, You and Your Friends are no longer my friends and no longer serve me well. Instead, you make me sick to my stomach, you make me want to eat You in excess, You give me heartburn and indigestion. You cause my weight to rise to unhealthy levels and my clothes not to fit. You cause me to hate myself for not treating myself well and eating with dignity and respect for myself. You get in my brain and won't leave, hounding me again and again, you won't shut up, you stay there and haunt me. I've let you make me spend inordinate amounts of money to have You. I almost let you give me high cholesterol and diabetes......and you would if you could!!! Thank God I avoided that, no thanks to you. It is time that our relationship end, here and now. Farewell and good luck to you. J ___________________________________

I LOVED THIS. Thank you for sharing it. Left me with several smiles.

In the grand scheme of things...one straw? Gulping air is not a good thing and I love not having a windbag with me after every meal.

:shades_smile: Faint not friend. I had the shoulder pain which was so strange. My right shoulder was hurting in the arm pit and also on the top of it. I had that for quite some time, several weeks. I heard it was normal in some and just left it as that was something unusual to experience. I was sore and drank Tylenol pain LIQUID. Slept like a baby. Take ONE challenge at a time and work through it. Discomfort is normal, pain...eh, pulling your hair out pain is not normal. ................................................... Friends I am coming to Denver. My sweet spot fill is starting to losen; Five weeks of hacking and sick and then the root canal...who feels like eating anything rough? So feelin' really crazy and hubby suggested we make a journey to Denver. I'm completely down with that! April 10th is my appt. That's a Thursday. :ohmy: Getting another root canal on Monday and two fillings. Stuck to eating soft things. Nerves going crazy crazy wild. My sister called me and I really need to do more headwork about that whole family thing. Ending this note with a post from an OA member in my group. Thought to share it with you all. HUGS. Patty Hi again, I wanted to share an assignment my sponsor gave me today, in response to my eating 1 1/2 - 2 breakfasts and my mind planning a binge (the urge has passed thank God and my day is restarted). She asked me what was on my mind when I started obsessing about the binge. So I said, "well, there are all these donuts and goodies in the cafeteria and I thought, I need one or two, but how could I get more, because I can't hide and I'd have to go through the line so many times, and people would see me keep coming back.....blah, blah, blah" You know, the whole obsession, compulsion, crazy thinking that can pop up when least expected. So the assignment she asked me to do was write a farewell letter to donuts, thanks but no thanks, they are no longer needed in my life. (Ironically, donuts certainly wouldn't be my first choice, but in the absence of other things, they would do!) Maybe this will help someone else. I'm going to write my letter right now. Wishing you all peace and abstinence, one moment at a time Wow, what a great idea; Write a fairwell letter to ****. Some thing to ponder. Wishing you all a healthy day. Patty Climb to the top of the

Hello Friends: Life is throwing me so much my head is spinning. Dropping in to say I'm still here, still kicking. Still sick with this bug but much better. Friday at work noticed something not right in the mouth, hurt/itch feeling. Long story short, wasn't sure if it was sinus pain on that one side but ended up at the dentist and had a root canal. Now the good news is all those antibiotics I've been on allowed for the surgery right then and there. Painkiller prescribed was Oxicodine. Ever tried that stuff? Not me. So I take some Friday night, wake up and the last words of my psychedlic tripping on mushrooms dream were "My son speaks native Equatorian English". I was stumbling and nauseated as well but never experienced a legal substance like that in my life. ((whoa)) My face is also swollen and the steroids have it all making me feel really....out of body experienced. We also had our first visit last Tuesday for my husband's prostate cancer. That went as well as, no actually, the root canal went better. Doctor wanted to yank his prostate out for the equivalent of a small pimple in a localized area with a normal PSA test coming back. Now I am no doctor but I can learn things. Did my research before I got to the appt. so I would know what to ask. The URIOLOGIST (wee wee doctor) who is not an ONCOLOGIST (cancer doctor) spoke so fast I think he assumed we were just going to do whatever he said. After this third time of saying "he doesn't" I concluded..he actually doesn't, he has to resource out to another specialist. :drool: Gee, bonnie good idea thought me. NEXT>>> doctor's appoint is in Tampa at Moffitt Cancer Research Center at the University on the 10th. BTW: Also found two other tests to more qualify the cancer and three other treatment types. I'll bet Moffitt DOES perform those tests if they are appropriate. Looking forward to life getting so much better. BUT the upside is that had this been a year ago, I wouldn't be half as strong to help my husband as I am now and probably would have missed much more work than I have. I'm only getting stronger! Anita...friend, I send you an amazing hug for your new phase of numbers. I cannot wait to see the 200's. I look forward to that moment on the scale. Soon. :laugh: To all, keep strong, stay intouch. TAKE PICTURES AT RED ROBIN! Would love to see your faces from across the miles. My best, Patty

Hee Hee. I would toss it. He's a good man this guy of mine. He has seen me through the THIN and now THICK getting thin of it. Toilet be damned I'd go out and buy a new one...actually open the spare drawer and pull out a new one in it's package.

Hello friends: Update on me is I have gone up the scale a few pounds no doubt to the steroids I am now on. My body is not responding to antibiotics and my sinuses are so severe I have a crushing amount of pain. I am taking 1000 mg. of Naprosyn. At first it was most likely the strain going around at school as many had the same sickness but what it left is unknown. I am taking a 6, 5,4,3,2,1 extreme doseage of meds to reduce the inflammation in my head and force some type of relief. Working to some degree but I am already halfway through. Phase II will be a C Scan of my sinuses and possibly schedule for a "probe" up my nose/sinuses to check out the problem and remove or scrape. Sounds rough but with the pain I don't really care. Knock me out and do it. I have stayed at the Best Western in Aurora and love it. The front desk girl is really sweet. They have a full breakfast with cereal fresh fruit and coffee/tea. Bagels and such, my husband enjoys that. They have a small indoor pool. A business center with a computer, one small room. It's nice and a good price with the medical discount. Only five minutes from Dr. K's office. I will miss you all so very much on the 6th as I do each month that you meet. Colorado will forever hold a place in my heart as you have made it a wonderful second home for me. Hope to be out there in a few months. My fill is holding lovely..perhaps the longest I've experienced. I am experiencing shorter spans between hunger and meals an having a SLIGHT increase in volume before the "that's it" feeling kicks in but I still eat small portions and feel content at mealtime. Really a joy to be in this spot as I cannot recall ever truly enjoying food, looking forward to it and savoring each bite without wolfing it down, gulping my food and washing it down with 24 ounces of whatever is wet. Those days are long gone. In its place are lovely, long, savoring meals full of pauses with the fork on the table, leaning back and talking with my husband. I take in the scenery and people watch as well. I never understood all of the other perks that would appear as a result of having the Band. Getting LOADS of compliments at work. Taking notice big time and today I got into a pair of capris that I was never able to wear. I bought them, they were atleast two to three sizes too small, miss sized, I saved them. I slid them on this morning and they had been washed and dried as well. What a buzz!!!! So help me I will exercise. I have spotted a bike I plan to get. I'll tell you more about it and post photos when I get it. Until next time, love and peace and happy journey to you all. Patty

:rolleyes2::biggrin::tt2::biggrin: Thanks so much for posting this. Let's all repost it.

You are doing awesome! Wanted to congratulate you. Well done well done well done!!:smile2:

Cara it's natural to feel like that after reading the all the problems people posted. How about how many surgeries the doctor has done in his career..not just lap band but laproscopic surgeries. How about 1000? How about 2000? How about 5000? He's done even more than that. So my take was any man that had ventured into the human body THAT many times could handle my big old bod. As for removals? I don't know. But my own physician here in Florida told me, when talking about malpractice, by virtue of having a longtime career in medicine as a doctor the odds of one person bringing up a case against you are fairly high. Being a poker player that mde sense. Like a deck of cards, you know there is a diamond in the deck, what are the odds of drawing one. It's about risk, chance and every time you have surgery there is always risk. Me? I'm fine. I do not regret one day having the surgery, wish I had it done two years ago, three years ago and saved myself not money but time that is gone being homebound because I felt so lousy and thick and too heavy to move. Someone is having surgery today I'm thinking. Is it Amie? Sending good vibes her way. Mal, thanks sweetie for the list. I love everything on that list. YUM. I found another one of ten SUPER FOODS to consume to add to your VIGOR and health. Acai fruit This little berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world. It can often be found in juice form in health food and gourmet stores Anything in the "Allium Family" Garlic, onions, leeks, scallions, chives and shallots can all help the liver eliminate toxins and carcinogens Barley This can be used as a breakfast cereal, in soups and stews, and as a rice substitute. Barley's also high in fiber, helping metabolize fats, cholesterol and carbohydrates. Green Foods Green foods like wheat and barley grasses can be bought in powder, tablet or juice form, and offer greater levels of nutrients than green leafy vegetables. They also help cholesterol, blood pressure and immune response Buckwheat: Seed & Grain Buckwheat is loaded with protein, high in amino acid, stabilizes blood sugar and reduces hypertension. Beans & Lentils You can reduce cholesterol while beefing up on antioxidants, folic acid and potassium. Try kidney, black, navy, pinto, chickpeas, soybeans, peas and lentils. Hot Peppers Both bell and chili peppers contain antioxidants, have twice the Vitamin C as citrus fruit and work as great fat burners. Nuts & Seeds You can't go wrong with a handful of nuts a day—walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, macadamia and pistachio nuts contain Omega 3 fats, which are great for your heart. Raw, unsalted nuts and seeds are best. Sprouts Numerous varieties of sprouts are great with any meal. They're a great source of protein and Vitamin C. Try adding them to any dish and your immune system will get a boost. Yogurt and Kefir These cultured foods contain healthful bacteria that aid immune function, and the calcium helps burn fat. Try using them as a base for a smoothie. Source: Ten Superfoods for Age-Defying Beauty I've been drinking pure unadulterated Florida squeezed OJ and just love it although the carbs aren't the best. Had Cuban bean soup that warmed me from the inside out. I DID buy new toothbrushes!! I do that every month because I'm such a dental hygiene freak (of the Jerry Seinfield caliber). **anyone who is sick with this flu, soup is the nectar of the Gods** Tied I love how you give positive strokes to everyone. What a sparkle. My friend has one of those bikes you sit down on the floor and ride. I'm going to buy it from her. My excercise...God love ya for asking...sucks. I've been so sick the best I could do was last Saturday out with hubby for a long walk on the beach. We had a grand time. He has started exercising with a friend on Saturday mornings bike riding in the park. I love to ride bikes but am so big right now I need a big tire...not kidding. I need to kick it up a notch now because I've lost enough now that it isn't hurting so much to move. *** Folks I've dropped a shoe size***

Anita I finished 10 days of Amoxicillin only to have a relapse three days later...I never really got over it. So home sick for three days last week, in the whole weekend. My sinuses were barking. Now I'm on a 14 day series of *** name escapes me, the kicker antibiotic. Been DOG SICK. Have not been this sick in ...can't remember. Dropping in to say hello to all. Doing great. Still at my sweet spot!!! Weight loss has slowed some since I got sick a month ago. Hard to find anything worth eating too. Hopefully by next week I'll be back in my old shoes and feeling normal again. Wellness to all!

So am I to understand there is a hottie in the office now? Some MAN CANDY? Ohhhhh kaaaay. I love love love long hair. (gee, can ya tell?) Anita thanks for the compliments. Can't wait to see what you have.