New Hope

Rica, NSV is "nonscale victory". In your case, being able to resume running w/o pain in your knees. A few others, wedding ring now fits, use airplane seatbelt w/o extender, tie your shoes w/o passing out, clothes fitting better, and I know you'll think of a ton more!

Oh, Denise, that would be a blast! I plan on being in much better shape by next fall so we can try some harder ones! We drove Trail Ridge Rd. 2 days before it closed for winter. We did Bear Lake (by shuttle drop off)-Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, (Emerald Lake path was closed), Lake Haiyaha (hiked thru icy trails and over large boulders). Then Alberta Falls, Mills Lake, Cascade Falls, Copeland Falls, Calypso Cascades, and Ouzel Falls (hiked thru hrs. of gentle rain, then huge snow flakes - beautiful!). Can you tell I love Water falls? This is from a person who lives at sea level, climbing to highest pt. of 10,500! Huffing and puffing, but very, very happy! And the elk! Amazing! Huge! Beautiful! I fed one grass out of my hand in the downtown park. She had the softest, gentlest muzzle - just like a horse. The park ranger said they think Estes Park Golf Course is their salad bar. Sure, enough, there were at least 50 of them munching out. But I didn't bother the wild ones in RMNP. Your surgery is next Wednesday! Less than a week away, girl! You'll be hiking down those trails in no time to find natural things to decorate your house for this Christmas.

Lainie, you do NOT want to go into any type of surgery with those two problems. Take your antibiotics, wash your hands as often as you can, take your vitamins, exercise, drink that water ( helps flush out toxins and mucous). This is just a bump in the road. You'll be banded in no time and you'll be healthy for it! Best of luck to you!

Yes, we did and Lisa is going to make a ton of money so she can host the Houston Bash! Oh, and that killer dog, Spud, he's a pussy cat. He and Duke kissed all over me. Matthew, her 2 1/2 yr. son, is just as precious as in his pics. And Lisa is one of those disgusting women who looks great w/or w/o makeup w/ beautiful skin!

Sheri, gurgling in the esophagus? Yes, and I know everyone at the table can hear it, too. I think that's my sign that I've reached maximum capacity and not to take another bite!

Donali is beautiful, brilliant, skinny, a home builder, in love, and now an underwear model! Is there no stopping this girl? You go, girl!

Victoria, please follow YOUR doctor's orders! We're just Banded patients, not health care professionals.

Lisa G., you're TOO Much! LOL

Victoria, take it easy! Sometimes it takes up to 2 weeks for the fill to hit. Are you staying on liquids the rest of the day today?

Sharon, best of luck to you! Sending (((hugs))) and prayers your way.

Terry and Wishing, please do look up Alexandra's appeals letter. It's great and she won her appeal! Best of luck to both of you!

Congratulations and best of luck to you! Harleys and internet junkie? You'll find lots of both here. As well as fellow Bandsters!

Veronica, I do find myself holding a glass of ice water or grabbing a bottled water when I head out the door - all the time! I just thought it was a new appendage. If I don't have one in my hand, I feel like I'm forgetting something.

Wow, Betty, I think your Doctor just likes you the Best! I didn't rate a bean bag. So glad they found and repaired that hiatal hernia (and in the same surgery!) I milled around a lot too. It was just more comfortable than trying to get up and down for a little while. Hope you get a good night's sleep tonight!

Michelle, what a fantastic job you have done! Thanks for being such a great role model! Now, about your love life... is that good looking RNY guy still in the picture? An enquiring mind (Nosey) wants to know! Hope all is well!

Congratulations and best of luck to you tomorrow for a super surgery and recovery! You sound like you have everything in order. All you need is your band! Get ready for a wonderful life change for you and your entire family! Um, protein drinks - I got unflavored powder locally and blended in fruit. Tasted like a smoothie. That stuff is nasty by itself! I also grab the Atkins shakes (chilled) in a can when in a hurry. An 11 oz. can has 20 grams protein, 170 calories, and 170 sodium.

Bright, just don't eat 2 hours before your fill. But you can have fluids right up to the fill time. Congratulations on your fantastic weight loss, but even more importantly on your confidence and self image!!! Going back to school, that's wonderful! Clara Luz is going back for another Masters! I'm so happy for you! You are beautiful inside and outside! Now, once you get your degree, maybe you can figure out some of us Bandsters! LOL

Cateringqueen, I do that, too! It's like a really loud stomach growl, except it's in your esophagus! I just know everyone at the table can hear it when it does that! I guess that's our "sign"!

Rica, that's wonderful! I remember you saying "saving your knees" was a big deciding factor in getting your band. I fully understand how much it means to get your "freedom" back. I'm so proud of you! Now, are you back "throwing hammers", yet?

I'm still trying to figure that one out too. I need to go back to my original method of preparing a small plate, sitting down w/ no distractions (t.v., etc.), eating leisurely for 20 minutes, stopping (whether I feel full or not), and getting up and away from the kitchen. I've gotten slack about being in a hurry, watching t.v., and too many soft foods. O.K., that's my confession for the last couple of weeks. I'll do better tomorrow. (As Scarlett O'Hara lifts her muddy fist toward the sky..."Tomorrow, things will be better.")

It's strange how your taste desires change after you're banded. Diet Coke just doesn't taste as good to me as it used to. The carbonation makes me feel like I'm going to pb. And drinking a flat coke, yuk! It's just not worth it anymore, thank goodness!

Denise, you get every test done that your dr. requires and then have the peace of mind knowing that you're in GREAT (just a little overweight) SHAPE. Then you get your band and REALLY get healthy! Be thankful that you have a thorough surgeon and insurance to help cover the expenses. We were in RMNP and Estes Park 10-1 thru 10-8. I cried when we had to leave. How far are you from the mountains? By spring, you'll be zipping up and down those hiking trails! That is truly God's country! A few short months ago I never imagined that my life would take such a positive turn. I can't wait to hear you tell about your banding NSVs!

Nora, only you can answer if the band is right for you. There is plenty of research, old posts, and bandsters that can answer most of your ?? Do your research and get your husband involved. The more informed both of you are, the better decisions you can make. My only regret is I didn't get my band sooner. My husband had recently changed jobs, and I was fortunate to have health insurance covering this. I had high blood pressure, asthma, arthritis, gastric reflux, and a hiatal hernia (and that's not counting family history of colin cancer, heart attacks, and diabetes). I was wearing out fast and so depressed and unhappy w/myself. Since banding, my RXs are cut in half, health problems greatly reduced, and I have energy (for the first time in years)! I'm not sitting on the sidelines anymore, I'm out there enjoying life, and I love it!

Kim, remember this is only a temporary stage that you're going through - in preparation for a livechanging Band. It is definitely worth it!! You will still be able to eat - just about anything that you desire. You'll just eat a whole lot less and feel satisfied when you do eat. Your whole world is about to open up and you are going to find so many wonderful things out there to do that you never even considered. Things that are NOT food related. Since my banding, I've discovered I love bicyling. I also just got back from 4 and 5 hour hikes in Rocky Mtn. Nat'l Park. I would have never even thought about these things, let alone take part in them. Please try to take this one day, one meal at a time. That's how it's given to us. Our weight problems and poor eating habits didn't happen overnight. But we can retrain ourselves, with the aid of our band to a healthier and happier lifestyle. We all mess up, but the good news is that we don't have to give up and we get a fresh start "tomorrow". Hang in there! You can do this!

Veronica, you've done great so far! And now you'll do even better!