PrettyThick1

I haven't had oysters on the half-shell because I can't stand to chew them, but fried oysters go down fine.

God Bless you too Ladybandito! Replies like yours really make my day and I can't put into words how much I appreciate you for taking the time out to post.

I had to...I'm sorry, this was too much to keep to myself.

It's just an overall lack of nutrition. We get just enough to keep our body functioning, but leaves little else to spare. To stop your hairloss, the most successful thing I know of is to take Biotin supplements and topical products with Keratin (sp?) Keracare by Avlon is excellent and can be purchased at JCPenney's and other major retailers...word of advice, it's cheaper but risky to buy it online unless it's from a major company.

I'm sorry for your loss Terrydumont46. It takes an exceptionally strong person to handle final arrangements in such an intimate manner. It's one thing to plan and handle the business aspect of a funeral, it's a whole other ball game when you are responsible for their final appearance. It's an honor and I promised every woman in my family that I would do the same for them and who ever was after me, that someone be so kind to be there for me when it's my turn.

Thank you Sharpie! Bless you, too! I vowed not to cry today...that's already shot! LOL

oh honey your sister was lucky to have so much love and protection. losing siblings or children and even parents is so difficult. You must know she is in a better place... Bless You and each day will bring peace to you I am sure. We have lost children and my sister in the last few years and it is always a hole in my heart but each day gets better.

You guys are awesome, reading your replies is so uplifiting for me. I am so grateful that this forum exists and that it is full of so many kind people. May you all have a SPLENDID day...you've gotten mine off to a beautiful start.

Thank you for noticing the Christian in me Jamilyne...so many people profess their love and belief in the savior, but it's hard to believe it's genuine when you witness their behavior and the words they speak. This was theraputic for me and I appreciate your reply.

Hi Debbie...my bandiversary is June 19th...February 18th is when I was faced with the reality that something had to happen, quickly!

This has nothing to do with my band, but in this forum I am among friends and this is a place that I like to share things...not always related to the band and I hope no one minds. As I mentioned in a previous post, my sister died two years ago yesterday and I'm really dealing with some heavy emotions. One thing made me chuckle...and it shouldn't have, but it did because it was so sweet. When I went to the funeral home to do my sister's hair and makeup, my brother in law almost got upset when I told him I was placing the wig on her head without a wig cap. I didn't say a word, just put my head down and waited for him to realize that it wouldn't matter anymore. He was so protective of every part of her and I love him even more for that.

This is such an amazing song. I don't know how anyone could listen to it and not want to break out into their wildest dance...even if others are looking. This song is special to me because I know how much my sister would have loved it, she died two years ago yesterday and I played it for her at the cemetery as I placed spring flowers for her and my father. It's strange that I'm writing about such a happy song, but as I type I'm a bit sad because I still miss her terribly and even though my heart tells me she heard me playing that song (the diet coke my brother in law left for her kept falling over, for no reason...I think she was telling me it was flat and time for a new one) the fact that I couldn't see her smiling face, doing her dance and bobbling her head in such a way that only she could while snapping her fingers. My sister was happy. She was the picture of health; vibrant, thin, she ate well, exercised daily, visited her doctor and treated every living being as though she had given life to it herself. How does this person die at the age of 57? She was one of a kind, it just so happens that the type of cancer she had was basically one of a kind, too. Leave it to her to be original, I tell you! My big sister became my hero through that fight though. She NEVER gave up, even in her final few hours and life support had been removed, she lifted her frail fist in the air as if to say "I'm not done yet!" For that reason, I bought a pair of boxing gloves and had our family sign them before the funeral and I placed them in her casket. This is NOT where I was going with this post, but my spirit seemed to move in this direction. I miss my sister so much. I spent ages 2-5 sleeping with her every night because I loved her so much, she put up with me, too...how many 17 - 20 year olds allow their baby sister to sleep with them? Especially when that little sister is a wreckasaurus who breaks all of your things and fills the bed with all of her baby dolls before you get home from your after-school job? She still didn't put me out and I had my own room! As I look back on it, she was a saint and very responsible for the woman that I grew up to be. I miss you Marian Jeanette Ganaway-Magee, Lord, please let these tears stop before I pick up my baby. The attached photo of our hands was taken on our last day together and in her final hours - February 16, 2011 at around 7:30pm, just before I threw the party of the century in her hospital room, all of her favorite music, laughter and me acting a plum fool for her because I knew I wouldn't have the chance to do it again...TRY TO PUT ME OUT IF YOU WANT TO, IT'S ON! The second photo is of her and her very devoted husband. It's kind of sad, I didn't realize how much he loved her until I witnessed (and continue to witness) him grieve for her. That's love and I pray for a bond as strong as theirs some day.

Here I am just a mere 2.5 pounds from my goal and wondering where the heck the time went? We all know that the older you get the faster time goes by, but this is unreal and I'm having some kind of time digesting it all. A year ago today, I was diagnosed with type II diabetes, crazy blood pressure and severe obstructive sleep apnea (a few weeks later). I knew something had to give, because I had too much living to do to have to worry about pills, testing and the sort. To some, the band was an extreme way to thwart off these diseases; to some, I didn't need to lose the weight at all. My questions to them were: Have you ever struggled with your weight? I have my entire life. Are you judging my physical appearance as a guage of good health? Don't judge a book by it's cover, I have three conditions that could take me out of here any time. Have you had the displeasure of yo-yo dieting? I always gained back more than I lost. Do you have to prick your finger to get a drop of blood out every morning? It doesn't feel good and it's scary. Do you sleep well at night? I wake up several times caughing or having to go pee...again! Are you concerned about going blind, losing your limbs or having a poor quality of life? I do. Do find yourself wondering if you'll see your developmentally delayed child grow up and become an independent adult? I choose to live for her as much as for myself. The band was the solution for me and I'm glad I did it. I have none of those conditions or the guilt that my health would be the reason I left this earth before completing the most important job God has given me: Being a mother. I have such different outlook on life now and I'm happier than I thought I could be. Nothing is guaranteed...if you drive a car, any second could be your last. But I feel better about my chances of living a long and healthy life now. It all started a year ago today.

The biggest loser is a joke. Anybody would be at their ideal weight if they had the right foods and fitness forced on them and besed around their lifestyle...do they even work when they are on that show? Yeah, that's totally attainable. NOT!

You should have asked if she'd had a c-section, some insurance companies cover tummy tucks. BCBS Texas does. Other surgeries are covered if you've lost a signficant amount of weight and the extra skin is causing irritation or infections.

What a gentle and kind message, you have made a major point in mentioning how other bandsters make comments based on THEIR relationship with THEIR band. We share a lot of similarities, but just as many differences - there are no rights or wrongs when sharing or questioning something you may be experiencing. The contents of a post could sound completely abnormal to one person...or the entire forum - minus one or two others. Those one or two others could take a lot away from what was shared, which is why this forum exists and is successful.

What a gentle and kind message, you have made a major point in mentioning how other bandsters make comments based on THEIR relationship with THEIR band. We share a lot of similarities, but just as many differences - there are no rights or wrongs when sharing or questioning something you may be experiencing. The contents of a post could sound completely abnormal to one person...or the entire forum - minus one or two others. Those one or two others could take a lot away from what was shared, which is why this forum exists and is successful.

Howdy from Houston!

The cold weather JACKS MY BAND UP! I made a post about this a couple of weeks ago and I got bashed over the head with "your band is too tight". No, my band is perfect. I've been green since August and I'm 3lbs. from goal, I've tested my theory and came to the conclusion that I have to be in a warm environment for at least 30 minutes to allow my body temperature to increase. Then and only then can I eat or drink. For those of you who say "drink something warm" this could hinder me from being able to eat enough, so waiting and warming up is by far the most effective way around this situation. Not an unfil. Are you crazy?!

Of the TONS of reasons I'm happy with my decision to get the band, not hiding from the camera is a major NSV that strokes the "vanity" part of my ego the most.

Of the TONS of reasons I'm happy with my decision to get the band, not hiding from the camera is a major NSV that strokes the "vanity" part of my ego the most.

I use to hate taking pics...I don't anymore! Thanks Miss Pealie, the best Lap Band in the world!

That's jealousy sweetie...get used to it, because it's going to get a lot worse the sexier you get with your band! Woo Hoo!!! We are your support system, blow the haters off! BAM! #drops mike and walks off stage

If you're looking for insurance to cover it, you'll need to check the guidelines for your carrier. With your BMI you could be covered if you have at least one co-morbid condition. The rules are a bit more relaxed for self-pay. The band was my solution to end the yo-yoing and to stop several health conditions that were just starting to take hold: diabetes (March 2013), sleep apnea and fluctuating blood pressure. I'm glad to say that I'm over all of these conditions and I'm feeling splendid! Good luck on your decision!

This might be TMI...but we all get excited about going down a clothing size, right? I've just purchased the smallest underwear I've been able to wear since about age 9 and a whopping 3 sizes since my surgery. Women, we KNOW that's a big difference. Woo hoo!