New Hope

Wow, Leatha, do you realize how close you are to your goal? Way to go, girl!

Very, very clever! And you're helping them eat healthier too!

Well, Karen, it's o.k. to be "naughty" once a while. As good as you've been doing, I think you earned it.

Sounds like your English jelly is like our Jello - sets up, semi-firm, wiggles (like my upper arms) and your Jam is like our Jelly - spreadable on breads, scones, biscuits. Interesting to see different terminology used in different countries/locales.

Pam, I was crying on the way to the o.r. also. But they were happy tears! I was so happy to finally be at that point. (Plus I had just seen an O.R. nurse (who'd had gastric bypass 3 years ago) and she'd gained back a big chunk of weight. I really thought I'd made the right decision at that point! Haven't changed my mind yet!

Anne, I'm thinking Excedrin could cause problems because it contains Aspirin. Aspirin isn't good for the stomach. I'm not sure about the caffeine in Excedrin. I'm looking @ bottle of extra strength Excedrin. One tablet has 250 mg. tylenol, 250 mg. aspirin, 65 mg. caffeine. I do use it occasionally for arthritis, when I don't hurt bad enough to use the RX Celebrex. I know ibuprofen is hard on the kidneys.

Jam, Jelly, Jello LOL:)

Oh, Rica, why didn't I ever have neat teachers like you? LOL I love your story and then your acting it out! Now that's dedication! But on the subject of thirst, I'm always thirsty. I usually carry a bottle of water in my purse every where I go. If I forget it, it's like I left part of me at home. It's become a fixed appendage. I try to "never leave home without it".

That's seems to be the way it works. The experienced Bandsters share w/ us newbies. Then as we "leave the nest", we learn a little so that we can share w/ the newer newbies. It's a pretty neat system that has helped me a lot! LI look forward to getting to know you.

Hi, Max's Mom, hope you have smooth sailing w/ the ins. co., the surgery, and the recovery! You'll do great! Best of luck to you!

But, Ginny, it's a battle that we're all going to win!

Have you tried using a daily lightweight leave-in conditioner? One, with added silicon also gives your hair a healthy shine.

Just be careful w/the Excedrin. It's o.k. for occasional use. It's not band-friendly.

Donali, and looking by your continued weight loss, it looks like you're doing a great job Thanks for the good advice!

Aunt Flo does seem to affect restriction. Isn't that "sliming" the pits?

Minda, how long have you been banded? How are you doing so far? Have you had a fill yet? My band seems to work the same way. Some days I can eat like a horse, then suddenly restriction - without warning. I think we're just having to retrain our brains how to eat - how much, how often, when to stop. We're trying to learn how to make healthy choices. It seems to be all about quality, not quantity. You'll do fine!

Are you still on liquids? If so, Adult Strength Liquid Tylenol. If regular diet, I break a couple of Tylenol Extra Strength (500 mg.) Caplets in half. Just wash the pieces down well with water.

Great job so far! So glad to hear how well you're doing! I really don't have a set goal either. I just want to be healthier and happier. I'm already feeling the good effects of my band. RXs, health problems drastically decreased. Physical and mental energy greatly increased. No complaints here!

Wow, Leatha, you have definitely earned your stripes! Sending hugs and prayers your way that from here forward is smooth sailing for you.

Leatha, do you take any kind of maintenance RXs for blood clotting, etc.? I remember you saying that you had a filter put in. How does that work? What kind of precautions do they have to take for a surgery now?

Pam, there's a whole "other world" out there that we've been missing out on for so long! You're taking the first steps on that journey. I can't wait to hear what you have in store for us!

Great job Karen! Glad to meet you. What does your screen name mean? My son is a hunter and goes by "Duckslayer".

Sultana, hope that everything is healing well and you're not too tight. Please listen to your body. Best of luck!

Hey, we AIN'T all like that!

I thought what was interesting was she said other types of weight loss surgery (rearranging your insides) could have affected her voice.