Penni60

Pictures of children, babies, and animals always make me melt. This one is no exception. He is an angel. You and your family are truly blessed.

Mayra: Have your tastebuds settled down any? I sure hope so.

Nicole: It sounds like you are doing really good. Keep it up.

Hey all you bandsters: I am going to be in town for a conference beginning April 20th through the 25th. I won't have much free time but I would love to meet some of you guys. Maybe dinner one night. I am staying at the Wyndham Peachtree Hotel. If interested in meeting send me a PM and we can plan something.

Denise: Laughter is the best medicine. Find something to smile about every day. Put sunshine pics on your fridge and thank God everyday for his gifts. I know pretty sappy but hey whatever works. I think sometimes we focus too much on the negative aspects of our lives cause they seem so heavy. When usually all we gotta to is lift it up and WOW how light we feel after that. SMILE we use the most facial muscles when we do that. LOL!!!

HOLY MOLY Paula: That is alot of plaque build up. LOL!! HUGS

marie: Did you take pre surgery measurements? And HELLO down two pant sizes is a difference. AT this point I would bet your body is repositioning and getting comfortable with it's size. I have gone through the same thing. I didn't see a weight loss but when I took my measurements I noticed since surgery I have lost 31.5 inches all over. WHOO HOO!! I would bet you are gaining muscle and will shortly start to see a drop in the scales. Some are just slow losers. Don't always use the scale to gauge your successes. Think of where you were presurgery and think of where you are now. What can you do now that you would never have been able to do persurgery? You are doing it girl. Keep it up.

jenna: HOW ARE YOU THIS MORNING!! Oops you are quitting smoking not hard of hearing. Sorry. LOLOLOL!! YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!

BOO HOO!!! NO weight loss for me. But no gain either. HOORAY!!! Congrats to all the losers for this week. I wanna join the losers!!

I believe that would be "DOH". Context: "Hey Homer all the donuts are gone!" his response "DOH!"

Jenna: I don't think there is an "official coordinator". I tried my hand at it last year with Lisa's help. I think we did OK. But I don't want to take it on this year. I elect Jenna as the coordinator. All in favor?

Rica: I have lost restriction before and it is scary. I find my fill is fickle. The weather plays a role in how restricted I am. Flying also makes me more restricted. If I fly back to TN for a visit I am restricted for at least a week while there till my body acclimates. It does sound like you need another fill. But in the meantime this will get you to be more cognizant of what you are eating. YEAH I know isn't that what we got the band for so that we can eat less of what we are eating. SIGH!! Yes that is true but it is a tool. We have to do some of the work. Hate that part! I have heard good things about Dr. Kuri & Dr. Ortiz, but I don't know if either does fills on the J & J band. Good Luck

My prayers are with your family at this time. I can't offer any specific advice but here is the National Down Syndrome website link. I hope this helps. http://www.ndss.org/

My oldest daughter's name is Mandi. Love that name. Anyway, I think the reason we should actually steer clear of hot dogs is the fat content. That would be the only reason I can see. Hot dogs don't "harm" the band in any way. Well, unless you don't chew it well enough and you PB which can lead to slippage. But just eating a hot dog will not harm the band.

Jamie I am excited for you. Almost here.

I can eat hot dog skin and all. I just have to chew chew chew really well. The no bun is a huge thing for me. I cut up the hot dog and dip in dijon mustard. YUM YUM!! Cabbage only if cooked to oblivion. I can't do cole slaw. Salads are something that just now I am able to eat but have to chew really well and the lettuce has to be cut into strips. I can't do spinach leaves at all. Bummer cause I love spinach leaves in my salads. I can do spinach cooked though. But that gets rid of lots of nutrients. SIGH!! Trial and error sometimes is what you have to do with the band. Small bites, chew really well, and take your time. Nothing worse that PBing on a hot dog. Did that at a Dodger's game. HURT like the devil.

Awww I want one!! I am a sucker for anything that looks like a teddy bear. Good luck Madeline's Mom. Come and give us an update when you feel up to it.

Hey Jenna: Why not take a stab at the hotels and see what you can find then post the info. I for one and so ready for a vacation to anywhere and looking forward to the Vegas Bash.

Debbie are you talking about the band or bypass? The question you asked about the er,..."poop" would relate to the bypass patients. Some of them, depending on the particular bypass operation, do have a distinct smell about them due to the digestive process. Bandsters do not have this problem, well at least I don't. The band can work for people as long as they work the band. I have heard of someone having the band for at least 5 years and it is still working. It is a tool so you have to do the work and use it as a weight loss tool. Exercise, eat right, and follow band guidelines. Hope this helps.

I can tell you during my trying times with my daughter I ate constantly everything in site. Now that I am banded, if something were to happen now I can confidently say that I too would be eating badly again but with the knowledge that I would be eating much less. So you have a set back. You have recognized it now. You already know what you need to do to fix it. I won't tell you what you don't already know. I have been where you are in regards to your family situation. Being a parent is not easy even in the best of times. KNow we are all here for you and will encourage and support you in anyway possible. I hope you take what I have said knowing it comes from love and support.

HarleyNana: I learned to be more compassionate, have a thicker skin, be patient, and that no matter how much I want things to change overnight it won't. Things will get better with time (I am referring to the LBT issues in the past). I only closed the one thread that I started asking for opinion PM's. I opened it long enough to say thank you for the PM's I did receive and then closed it again because I didn't want the thread to head in a negative way. If someone wants to respond, please send me a PM. Thank you for asking me what I have learned.

Thank you for all your responses. I have learned alot.

There is a thread "Good luck today Penni" that I posted to that has all the results and updates. THanks for asking.

Jenna I hope this brings a chuckle to your day. I thought of you when I saw this.

Jenna: Set backs happen. You didn't like the taste that is good. Remind yourself of that awful taste each time you crave one. You will have set backs being banded and eating the wrong things. It happens. YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!! I HAVE FAITH!!!!!!!!!