DeLarla

I'm not gonna read any new posts cuz I don't want hints. Kare, I finally found my MP3 player but couldn't find the CD for my workout yesterday! However, I tackeled a mess and found the CD. I'll use it for my next workout... that's if I can find batteries!

I wish I had something to add but just want you to know how sorry I am that nobody can figure out your pain. Unfortunately, the surgeon charges one large fee, which some surgeons might be willing to work with. But you're still left with the hospital fee and a separate anethesia fee. I wish you luck with your calls.

Ug, it's not just paperwork. It's note and repairs and packages needing to be shipped to Switzerland & NJ, reservations needing to be made, 5 vehicle registrations, taxes, business and God knows what. Here, it's all yours! Doggies have been walked, 100 sit ups, weights, etc. I'd gladly exercise all over again instead of dealing with this...

Thank you, thank you! My co-worker said I could have one of her extra calorie books (her son's diabetic so they count everything.) I'm hoping she remembers it tomorrow. For now, can someone help me with 1 cup steamed Alaskan King Crab? I saved it from New Year's Crab Fest, and it's so good on my amazing salad! Thanks everyone, I had a bitch of a time finding calories on-line without registering for another site. Thank you!

Bump, bump, bump... surely someone here knows how many calories in plain ol' chicken? HELP! People, I will not eat or breathe till you tell me!

Damn, damn, damn! It's 12:26 and I've made every excuse in the book to put off working in this room full of papers. Since last posting I've made a huge batch of homemade chicken soup, Rice Krispy Treats, Fudge and Peanut Brittle (for poor hubby going out of mind - hasn't smoked in 24 hrs.) I've done laundry, cleaned out kitchen cupboards, mopped, scrubbed kitchen. Anything, ANYTHING but dealing with this 2 foot high stack of papers! I will now take doggies for walk to the park and do the exercise, but Celest, I don't know if I can meet my own goals! I'd pay anybody $500 to make this pile disappear. I don't even know what's in there... tax stuff, Slumber stuff, bills, checks - who knows? I'm just afraid of it!

I just spent 15 minutes looking up the calories in 1/2 cup cubed boiled chicken (pulled out of hubby's chicken Soup.) Fitday.com has every kind of chicken in the world except plain ol' chicken. Can anyone tell me the calories in chicken? Feel free to add calories for all common foods to help those of us who are going back to the 1980s and actually counting the things. Thanks!

Squirrel Meat Stew ranks far, far above weird next to pickled eggs!

"if we are looking to place blame - let's put it where it belongs. U.S. doctors that don't want to do fills or aftercare for patients other than there own." So you're saying my Mexican doctor is to blame? The guy that gave me a written referral to a US doctor by lying since the US doc still refused me? I don't think anyone is dogging Mexican surgeons here. You can't lump all the Mexican surgeons into the same bag. There's a bad nut in there in my opinion, but to claim all the surgeons are bad just because they are in Mexico isn't accurate. Once again, the band is a very expensive tool that requires a lot more maintance than many people realize. Flying back and forth to another country in the event of a complication or emeregency isn't cheap. It's an expensive tool that either requires insurance that covers it or a generous savings account or line of credit. I've seen just a few out of hundreds that went to Mexico just because of the experienced surgeons. I've been reading these threads for almost 2 years, and if you read closely, you'll see that most people go to Mexico because it's all they can afford. My American doctor explained that the problem in Mexico isn't the qualified surgeons, but the fact that Mexican medical standards fall far below that of the US. Nurses don't always wash their hands or put on gloves, things that are usually disposed (like leg stockings) in the US are often washed and reused, etc. According to a few US surgeons, these Mexican guys would be at the top of their game if the practiced under the strict guidelines of the FDA, but they don't have to since Mexico is so relaxed. Ask any patient banded in Tijuana if their medical facility could hold a candle to a US hopsital. In the US, you have sterile rooms with temperature and ventilation control, charts with correctly spelled names, staff that speaks English, properly stored needles and medications. Mexico tries, but they are way behind the game. I was three times for three band related surgeries, yet they still don't have my last name spelled correctly. It was spelled on way on my file, another way on my wrist band. Typical for Mexico, no biggy. In the three times I was there, I was only asked to see my ID once. No biggy. There are no operating reports in my file, nobody can give me the serial number off my band. Typical. It's not the surgeons, it's the country that allows them to practice under below-par standards.

Only really lucky people find this site. You're a lucky one! I would never have survived if it weren't for my family here at LBT. Welcome to the family, tell us more.

I'm following what Michelle does. She was banded and lost over 100 pounds, then had her band removed over a month ago and is still maintaining. Since Michelle and I were banded around the same time, and since she's lost over 30 pounds more than me, I asked what she's doing. It's very simple. Only Protein for Breakfast (For example, she has 2 bacon, 2 eggs; I have smoked salmon with a slice of cheddar.) salad with protein for lunch. I enjoy 2 tablespoons real dressing, diluted with a little Water to go farther. dinner - whatever my husband is having on a small salad plate

Steer clear of the lemon one that starts with an "L" (Luna Bars, I think.) I couldn't even gag down a whole one. YUCK!

I'm trying to quit the beast completely. I just had my band removed and have to take Prevacid for 3 solid months because I had some esophageal erosions. Coffee is really hard on the stomach. If you go back, maybe you can do a half-caf blend? Be nice to your pouch and belly.

Celest, you dare to take on 2 rooms AND 60 minutes on the treadmill? And I'm up against you in my own weightloss challenge? Can't you just watch a movie marathon on the couch today?

I hate this thread! I'll walk the dogs and do my exercises. I'll get through the buckets of paperwork & bills in my office (this is the part I hate.) YUCK!

I had no idea this would be so funny, but huge tears are rolling down my face at 5:38 this morning. Jack, FYI, not ANYBODY has 2 gallons of frozen gooseberries! I always thought those were cartoon berries from Willy Wonka! Throw away the marinara, crab, paint brushes! There comes a time... Great thread, can't wait for more!

Alex, (laughing) The technician told me not to weigh for a week, but instead wear the same pants and see if they fit better. I laughed at him and told him straight up, "Listen Pal, if I lose any weight, I'm certainly not giving credit to your lasers!" I only tried it hoping it might reduce appetite and for cravings. Last night I didn't crave anything but that's because Chris hadn't smoked all afternoon and was holding me hostage in the bedroom trying to kill me. Today we let the monster sleep. I'm considering drugging him. Poor guy. They gave him a 2 page list of cigarette ingredients. He was really pissed at the list and tossed it grumbling, "Everyting from rat poison to dog tranquilizers in f-ing cigs, trying to kill me." CJ has called several times bugging us to see how it works. I keep telling him to stop bugging us before he drives Chris over the edge and just go spend his gift certificate already. He's the one that started this, but he's such a heavy smoker that the thought of quitting scared he heck out of him. I hate smoke. I have no idea why it's even legal. Can't smoke pot, snort coke, shoot up heroine, but people drop dead from cigs every minute, and that's just fine. This is why I hate politics. NSV ALERT - I'M ON MY PUTER WITH MY LEGS CROSSED! CROSSED I SAY!

Chop chop chop! Last night I stocked up on fresh veggies. Peppers, carrots, cukes, etc. Baby pickles, too. If you keep them chopped and handy, they're much easier to grab. Heck, steam some with a lil olive oil if you gotta. Anwyn, I'm on 1200 calories a day. If I can do this, then you can eat some veggies for me, can't you? Please? It's not worth gaining the weight back. When I was having really hard times, I collected LBT phone numbers and talked people's heads off. Just send out a pleading for numbers and they'll come. I'll PM you mine. A few long distance bills were worth it in the end.

I forgot to answer you, Nana. I'll see if they have a site. All I know so far is that the several people in the lobby were all smoke free for over a month, and one man brought his 4th family member in for treatment because it worked for the 3 others. I'll keep you guys posted.

"Do you have a lot of money you don't need, or something?" Now THAT is funny! We don't have kids, so we enjoy tossing the stuff around! The process is the same as acupressure, which has been around for ever. The only reason I tried it was to support my poor husband, who has been smoking since before birth (his Mom smoked while nursing.) It's sad watching him try to quit. Our friend, CJ, got a gift certificate for Laser Concepts and is going to try to quit. Since they are smoking buddies, I asked Chris if he wanted to try with CJ. Since Chris is like a child, if CJ gets laser, he HAS to have laser. At this point, I'll try anything for him. His mom died a few years ago from smoking (emphasema.) Mine was only $30, so I let them put pressure on me hoping it would ease Chris's nerves. I would never have done it if it weren't for these poor guys who need all the help the can get. Plus, I figure anything that might supress hunger can't hurt. I don't know if it's working, but I'm below my 1200 calories today!

It's great to be among the living. Things were so serious that we need a Fun Thread. What is the weirdest thing in your fridge right now? I have a really old pitcher of homemade pickled eggs with foil barely around the top. The whole thing truly disgusts me, but my husband likes them and made them a few months ago. Had I known the man would one day make pickled eggs and leave them uncovered for months in the fridge, I may have reconsidered marrying this farm boy.

This is my favorite thread. Ever! Thanks, friends. I feel like starting new threads just for you!

I also had mine removed by Billy. I'm sorry, I don't know anyone in the US that would remove it without a whopping bill. Is your only option Mexico at this point? I hate to see you suffer. Is your band eroded?

I bought my hubby "Stop Smoking" treatment from Laser Concepts. His best friend got a gift certificate for Christmas, so I figured I'd let them try together. The center also does laser weightloss. I kicked back in the recliner and let them laser my ears and toes. At this point, the only thing I have to lose is weight. They told me to diet and exercise, ha ha, imagine that? I told them if I lose any weight I certainly won't attribute it to the lasers. But the treatment is supposed to help with energy and cravings, so I went for it. Anyone familiar with this?

It's normal for your port to be sore right after surgery, but it's NEVER normal for it to be hot, inflammed. red or swollen once you've healed. An infection isn't something to mess with. An infected port must be removed. If you surgeon doesn't agree, I suggest getting a 2nd opinion.