burnsun

I wasn't that keen on the arm surgery- just really thinking about it till about two plus weeks ago. I was baking Cookies for the kids in a sleevless top- bent over to get cookies out of lower oven and I reached in and burnt the skin cause it "flopped down on edge of pan- I forgot it was therw. I was so made with two really hideous lines. I agree with all of you- the scars could not look much worse than the skin does- and I would not have problems with those cute little tight sweaters!

Way To Go Shell!!!!!!

I do water or milk (so I can get my 4 servings and it has protein) & carry those same little packets to add to water if it tastes nasty! (Walmart even makes a generic!) I also drink the low cal lemonade at mcDonalads or buy the minutemaid diet products (no carbination for taking to parties or traveling etc.The

I am the mother to four toddles (three with special needs) so in my opinion the RNY and its many side effects was not for me! I didn't have insurance coverage for either so it didn't matter that way. But I have lost weel over 100 lbs in a year and it has been slow and gradual and I am happy and very healthy (and I have my hair & teeth)

I already use most dove producets! But I was happy to see "normal" size people- they really aren't plus size in my opinion- but they all were beautiful!

This happened to me when I was first banded (and I was stillon birth controll too). It has to do (or so I was told) with the fact that you have a huge amount of estrogen stored in the fat and as you loose weight that estrogen is released into the blood stream and sets of a cycle to start. Mine took about 9 months to stop this- there was no problem (I asked the doctore (ob/gyn) to check- it just stoped on its own one day! It really sucked- but now I have the first regular 28 day cycles of my life (since I ever cared in that respect anyways) and it is "normal flow and minimal pain- it is so great!

I sneeze about 1 bite before I am "too full" it makes no difference what I am eating (and sometimes drinking) that sneeze or need to blow nose is the cue that if I miss I will soon regret!

GLUE! And I loved it! My scars look as small as little mosquito bites and even my port scar is hardley visible unless you get into "partner" range

Signature says most of it all! I was banded on July 27th 2004. Start weight was 278 Weight now 163. (115 lost) and 13 more to go to revised goal of 150 Size 10 or medium on top Size 12/14 on bottom (of course that is the current 14 not the 10 year old 14 pair of jeans I want to wear- but no where near fitting yet) I am almost 5' 9" (I have grown almost 1" since I lost the weight - but feet got smaller

Well in regards to adoption- I know two of our three times one of the reasons our birth families told us they picked up was that I was overweight. I looked like I knesw what it was like to be discriminated against and that I would be accepting of their little one- no matter what. In relationship to our agency- (all agencies in our state at that time used same form) and it did ask on my doctors form is my weight was stable for past 3 years and would it or any othe r thing preclude me from providing adequate care for a child. ***note same question was on dh form also - and he was 6' 3" and 180 lbs. Other than that I wish I could say I had a few fond memories of high school or grade school- but like Teresa- similair story - However I loved my 20 year reunion - I could see all the fatties now!!! Those *&** cheerleaders and such- after a few kids and a couple divorces looke real bad and real old thanks to all those tanning beds- but not ME!!!!

Had it before surgery. Had hiatal hernia fixed and occasionallt have if I eat way to late or go insane with the hot sauce (1 time a month or less) before 3 times a week

suddenly develop an inability to eat solids? Long story short (ok not so short)- trying to sell home for over four years- get a contract and buyer in April, go through all hurdles, give them the property, change the zoning, get everything done, rearrange your life, and etc- they have to move closing date so they can get better interst rate or something (course I lose ours and it will cost 40K mire over the life of our loan and that is not important to them) and I have no other buyer in site and not likely to have anyone else thinking of it till next spring

I would just watch to see if they (the owner) puts up flyers! If they don't care enough to put them up - then they don't want to know. I am happy your animal control came- our would say leave it for the cleaners or put it in the garbage!

It may be the nursing thing! I have days where I have to eat it!!! I solved it with sugar free jelly beans; and small 1/2 cup dishes that I can only put in that much ice cream and I locke the refrigerator (I also use choclate syrup) But sometimes your body might really be asking for something it needs!!! My problem is popcorn!! (also the only food I can eat and drink with)

It is really hard for me because I am the "cook" for our family! I try really hard to drink while getting ready and then I spend all the time running around and fussing so no one notices I am not eating. I tried to wait for our traditional liqueor drink till after I did the dishes- but it is my house so I run the show! In regards to going out- I get Water before itcomes and drink as much as I can get in- depending on what we are eating will depend on what I do with drinking (Ie- if I am eating mushies only - I might sneak some) but usually drinking while eating makes me PB! Please remember - I have four small children so I do usually eat only mushy stuff or stuff I know will not cause a problem- because I can not leave them and run to the bathroom and I can not drag them all there in time either!

Can you shoot a book of Delalra- exercise gadgets (or her or me attempoting to use them) we all need a great laugh! Maybe a another fun book would b e on some nice old lady's hair styles through out her 90 years of life and what it really took to do that (or better yet Delala's hair! I always love your hair shots) Actually I think I would love that Penni- I just would really have to find some before photos- I hid a whole lot- as is common for most people) because only the camera and outside world saw m e as heavy- not my eyes! However today my eyes just see wrinkled prune (skinny- but wrinkled)

I didn't us that one- but I still have them occasionally. I have used a little instant coffe - to make mocha or real vanilla extract, other good flavorings, fresh fruit- strawberries, cherries or bannanas- It isn't that bad- good luck!

OK yesterday I had (remeber big sunday brunch) before breakfast large glass of grapefruit juice (unsweet) I love grapefruits and have problems at times eating any citrus- but I make my juices (12 oz) with morning medicines breakfast 2 pieces of bacon 1 dollar size pancake with butter & powdered sugar 1 bite of my son's little hash brown (baked) - cause he made me littlerally 4 chuncks of cantalope (1 -2 inch squares) snack 1 skim milk chug (2 servings) after a huge Water over 30 minutes) snack 10 gold fish crackers- kids had to feed me again (I have four under age 5 who are afraid I am starving) 11 big grapes dinner 1 1/2 oz queso fresco (it is crumbly and squissy and fits nicely) 1/4 of a small tortilla salsa as desired 2 really thin pieces of round steak (less than 1 1/2 oz) *** I made everyone fajitas and quesadillas 1/4 cup refried Beans and sauteed onins and peppers large dollop of sour cream SNACK (later) me bad with pms!!!! and in need of choclate 1/cup of ice cream W choclate sauce but I am still nursing 1 1/2 kids so I need more fat and slightly more food than most! It is also why I am probably so successful! (I need extra 300-500 cal a day to nurse on top of regular calories- basically Adrian is also sucking my weight off) But you are guy- so in the land of unfair thing you also need more calories a day too, Most days I can not eat that much. But I do better with consisten loss when I am at between 1200-1500 calories than if I am lower, I also need about 75 mg of Protein

Good luck- I hope it works. However- remember that the federal plan- has to meet state laws and their are a few states that mandate coverage and mandate patient making their choice(s)

OK here is my weird & probablly the dumbest question I have asked so far. (even after a year of banding and 2 years research) I think I did it! Today I made my original goal of 164 lbs My BMI is below 25 and I have done better than many and the envy of my mother in law (she is on the 50% track. I made my original goal- which was below 165 and below 25 bmi. However I am now slightly readjusting and deciding 150 is where I really want to be and if I stay there for about 6 months with exercise - maybe I will decide I really will spend the $ on me and get some work done on the now starting to sag skin! So did I loose 100% or when is 100% of excess body weight going to be? Don't hate me for asking- dh asked me tonight when it was - He feels I have lost a whole person since I got pregnant with Adrian in October 02 (330lbs) to 164 today so what is the answer oh fonts of all band knowlege :sleep

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! IT SURE IS A GREAT FEELING!!!!! Wait till you hit "normal" Jane

Ok I am almost 5' 9 " ( ahair smaller -I grew over an inch since loosing weight). I am not sure where you find ideal weight. I know the BMI for my height says 130 to 167.5 for the "normal range"/ I really am big boned (and highly dense bones at that from my bone scan). I was just comfused on what is "ideal weight" for my height. Is it a size 10 is it a medium is it 150 lbs is it Callista Flock hardt ----oh like the world I am comfused. I also wondered how they "determined ideal weight in all these studies or were they using goal weight or what ever.? I feel like I made 100%- I can say in my adult life I have never been in the "Normal" range so I feel I made a major accomplishment. PS says I have about 15-18 lbs of skin that could go too!!!- But I just wanted to know if I did better than average or if this is the average or whatever! I know I would look horrible below 140- I know that. Because I have half the world worried I am going to go anorexic on them (not a problem with Ben & Jerry around though!). I still carry a big booty M on top and Large on bottom but I am very pleased!!!!

The only reason I wanted to know was in comparison with all the stats that they give patients and say you can't loose 100% ebw witht he band. And to compare with the current and older fda statisitics to see how I did and how it has changed (if it has changed over time)

Dr. Ortiz and almost 110 lbs by anniversary date! And still going!

I have been thinking about what to write or not write on that occasion of my one year anniversary too! We share the same date and similar success with the band. Congratulations to you!!!