JLB

Thanks for the info Andrew. I have a guy that does my taxes for me so I'll mention all this to him. I'm pretty anal about it all. As for how I'm doing... stressed out about covers it!!!! Hectic semester, have 6 weeks left till I graduate, trying to get everything all finalize... well... I'm sure you remember. Anyway, as for the rest... I haven't had good, consistent restriction since end of January but I don't feel like I can handle a fill right now either. I'm pretty stressed and find the restriction does fluctuate depending on the day. However, I do know I need a fill so I'm aiming for the end of practcium in iearly April. Things should be much calmer by then. Thanks for asking. Sounds like you are doing great. Interesting that you would have chosen Mexico if you had to do it over. How come? Would your family agree??

Doesn't it depend on your income though? And what tax bracket you're in? I am a student so don't currrently have much of an income, not sure I'll get much back. Anyone know???

Hey Julie, nice to see you here again. I'm also an email lurker and enjoy all of your discussions via email. I hope to make it to one of your get togethers yet! None of the dates have worked for me so far but I still have hope. Have a great dinner next week and keep chatting 'cause we're watching....

Andrew, you look fabulous darlin' and I'm sure you feel fabulous too! Here's sending you lots of :girl_hug: for your great success!! You have been such an inspiration and unwavering support for so many of us newbies, obviously you had great role models when you began your journey as well. I wish you all the best things that life has to offer and more... you deserve it!!! Take care you hunka hunka burnin' love :wink2: P.S. - might be time to think about a career change... modelling maybe???:thumbup:

I know what you mean. When I was first banded everyone who knew had comments, suggestions, advice and direction for me. I'm sure they were just trying to help but it frustrated me. Comments like, "I can't believe you're not losing more weight, maybe this band thing isn't working". Errrrrrrrrr, how irritating, not to mention insensitive. However, the good news is... it does work, it is just different for each person. It took me about four months to get to a fill level where I honestly felt a difference in my saiety and the quantity of food I could consume. Weight loss has been slow and steady but it is happening. So don't worry. Try your hardest to make good food choices and listen to your body for ANY subtle changes. It sounds like you're exercising which is a very important lifestyle shift so keep up the good work! Patience wins the race

Fun post! I plan to: 1. Go on safari vacation 2. Write a book

All the best and much success to all my fellow bandsters! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!!! :clap2::whoo::confused::biggrin1::clap2::whoo::whoo::whoo:

Hi Mandi, congrats on your success thus far! Wow, size 9, I think I was 3 years old when I last fit into a size 9. Good for you!! Regarding your job, try to wait it out. A good, long Xmas break could make things abit clearer. Nothing to say you can't start looking for another job while you wait. It's hard to say what the other woman's motives are or what she herself is going through in her own life. I know it can be upsetting and feel very cruel but it often takes a bigger person to stand above the rest and show integrity. Please don't do anything you may regret or that may make yourself look bad; instead try taking a step back and taking the higher road. Everyone has thier own issues in life to deal with. If this woman is lashing out, it is likely because of difficulties she is experiencing in her own life. I have lived the wrath of "unhappy, bitchy" people in the workplace whose mission it is to make everyone else's life a living hell. I also know it's hard to not want to knock their lights out but trust me... they are already suffering way more than the person they are inflicting pain on. Take care of yourself first and look for another job if that feels right. You are obviously a very successful and dynamic person that others notice so go for it... get what you want.

I'm doing very well Andrew, thank you for asking! It's end of semester time - final exams and searching for a practicum are keeping me pretty stressed out!! I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel and the trains a comin' pretty fast.

Hi, just to let you know... the Diabetic Depot closed at the store location just off Glenmore and 37 St SW. They moved to their bakery location on 17 Ave and 37 St SW. Everything is now crammed into a much smaller space. Hopefully they will still carry or be able to order most products but the size of the operation is reduced.

Thanks Sue, Yes, I'm sure not looking forward to the withdrawal headaches. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment!:confused:

I have suffered from left shoulder pain most of the 7 months since banding. I have been thinking alot about it lately, trying to figure out possible causes. Yesterday it dawned on me that maybe there is a connection between drinking coffee and left shoulder pain. I have cut my consumption down to one cup a day in the last few years. Some days maybe two but mostly just one cup first thing in the morning. Coffee has always bothered my stomach and gave me IBS type symptoms previous to banding. Now, because I don't eating as much, it seems that it just helps me stay more regular. One thing I've noticed post band is that I have way more gas so now I'm thinking maybe the coffee is contributing to the gas and that's contributing to left shoulder pain. I plan on finding out by quiting coffee for awhile. However, I am a post-secondary student so I think I'll test this theory after finals! I'll let you all know what happens. :girl_hug:

There is another group called Calgary Lapbanders you can reach their site at calgarylapbanders : Calgary Lap Banders