Tracy46545

I'm using the work computer right now....none of my personal stuff on it...but I have tons of photo's at home. I'll try .. later. In between Pre-packing suitcase, cleaning, creating my last will and testament (just in case), cleaning out the fridge, stocking up on dog food, doing laundry, writing out instructions for the crew it takes to run things while I'm gone.....um....I'm sure I'll still have time.. lol I have tomorrow off. (of course my mother, who is admittedly sick with "the crud", wants me to come see her "before you go off to a foreign country and have major surgery"....subtle guilt trip). Dog shows are my escape from life.

I'm just so glad to see that doctors now want to followup for five years! I think if there had been more followup to the Inamed bands alot of us wouldn't be needing revisions 2 yrs down the road! (again...working on tea instead of coffee...so not sure that made sense).

hmmmmm I'll have to remember to ask him again. It just seems like I "sip" better from a straw...I tend to gulp otherwise.

yes V.A ... ICBINB is I can't believe it's not butter........holy hell who was the marketing genius that thought up that product name?? The brown sugar Splenda blend and ICBINB is what my mom uses to flavor all the winter squashes except spaghetti squash. Acorn, butternut, buttercup,...all of them. They still need a sprinkle of good coarse salt...(I love Kosher salt or sea salt). I had spaghetti squash again last night...love it with my sauce and some low fat cheese. This time I spritzed it with olive oil, italian spices and some S & P before adding the sauce...Yummo! Tracy

sheesh...I can sure tell I had tea instead of coffee this morning..... What I meant to say was ........I like that imagery of feeling your food going through your system. Tracy

good advice Shontel! I like the "imagery" idea of feeling your body go through your system! Tracy

Hi Jodi, welcome...and don't panic. You stopped losing weight when you starting working out with a trainer? Your body is probably reacting to the more intense workouts and hanging onto weight for the moment...once your body accustoms to the increased intensity...it will let go of some weight again. Also if you are building muscle, muscle weighs more than fat. I'm sure you're looking spectacular!!!! Tracy

Chancie, thanks...I'll try to post some pictures tonight..I'm not too techie so no guarantees. This boy that won yesterday is heading to China on December 15 so we wanted to get his show career started before he left (he'll be back in May for our National Specialty in Indianapolis). I just know he's going to be an international star! lol:biggrin0:

Shontel, your story is a prime example of why this surgery should never be done on an outpatient basis. It is still major surgery with major risks and complications. Thankfully most people sail through it...but those that don't need expert medical care! Best wishes on your continued health improvement, Tracy

Sooooo sorry Roja, I can't imagine this happening since I will be traveling out of the country for mine. I guess I would end up poolside at the Lucerne!

I think I overbaked the buttercup squash. It has a good taste...just tastes over cooked and bit mushier than I expected. It's definitely a more manageable portion than a butterNUT squash. The Buttercup squash yielded about 3/4 cup-1 cup cooked flesh. A butternut squash yields probably closer to 4 cups of cooked flesh (depending on size). Again...since I live alone, the buttercup would work better and I wouldn't have to eat squash for 10 days straight on mushies! I smooshed together in a little bowl a Tablespoon of ICBINB and a Tablespoon of Splenda Brown Sugar Blend. I used that to smear on the inside of the squash after I used a spoon to scrape out all the seeds and pulp. I baked it in the oven for 55 minutes at 350 degrees. (I'm thinking 35-40 minutes might have been plenty.) lesson learned...I'm still gonna eat it..it's tasty!

Ok...now I know I'm weird.. I got my period yesterday and nearly cried with joy. I was afraid I'd have it going on while I was traveling and having surgery. This is perfect time! It'll be over and done with and I don't have to pack the extra "supplies", and ...I'll just be a regular normal biottccch...and not a raving-sobbing-pissed off-happy as a clam- biottccchhh!

Didja notice my new avatar??? I love that little thing...I um....."borrowed" it off an "adult" site...sshhhh...don't tell anyone.

Family....(well...you are!), Some of you will get this...some won't. I am taking a little 4 day break in Long Beach, California (for a huge dog show) immediately prior to my surgery. I'll be seeing people that I usually only see once a year and have to look "presentable". I've gained weight since the last time I saw them and was furious that I had to go shopping for some new tops. I know full well that I'm not going to be in this size for more than 10 minutes after surgery and it ticks me off that I had to spend the money right now! I shopped the clearance racks and got a total of three new tops for about $55 but I'm still mad. Weird rant...oh well..that's my life! Tracy

OMG I went shopping in my own spare closet today and found a suit I had intended to take to a consignment shop. The suit top is a tiny bit large (better than too tight) and the pants are quite a bit too big....but I can switch out the pants with any basic black pants. Dressy outfit problem SOLVED! Tracy

Isn't it great to know that our goals are actually achievable??? It's soo exciting! Congratulations!

Life is better now...too bad I didn't keep up the weight loss after losing that particular #218 (his weight).

I had a miserable experience with the lapband. My co-workers have seen me suffer with it. I have told them that I'm going back to have it removed. I haven't told them that I'm having the VSG. Not sure I will, at least until I have some noticeable results. Tracy

Very wise decision. Please keep us posted on what happens! Tracy

Honey is an awesome product...raw and unrefined. If overly processed and sterilized it may lose alot of it's beneficial aspects but "in the raw" it's great. Please read the following article before you dismiss it as having no nutritive benefits! The healing power of honey: From burns to weak bones, raw honey can help

Does a humidifier in the room where you sleep help with this dry mouth issue? I use a humidifier in my bedroom from the time I turn my heat on in the fall until I turn it off in the spring. I'm pre-surgery so can't relate to it being caused by that. Tracy

I'm sure others that have experienced complications will chime in as soon as they see this thread. In the meantime, stay on the antibiotics...perhaps apply warm compresses to draw the infection to the surface? Insist on good care from your doctor..that's what you're paying him for! Tracy

I would imagine it could be a potentially life altering scene in the mind of an impressionable (read: horny) teenage boy. I notice that the villian that took your impressionable son to that movie is an ex. Need I say more? T

JeepChick.. good that you've checked him out then... As long as you're confident in his abilities...I get a little panicked when I think people haven't really checked...so panicked that I can't even remember a 13 from a 16! ... Enjoy your vacation! Tracy