paula

((Kathy, you always crack me up.)) See?? Isnt it much easier when the little guys are ready to do this?! HiP HiP Hooray! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

This move may be the best thing for y'all. Tell hubby that people do this ALL of the time - they pack up and move FAR away (like Amy said). Its always scarey, but staying optimistic is the key. And I would think that landing a job in computers would be easy, although Im not the one looking!

Diane - we want to see the scar pix.. please? I have a map on my belly too - but I think You have more road-ways. :biggrin1: Goodness, now a sick little one. How in the world did she get this - in the middle of the summer? Helping her to get well may help you get your mind off of your own health conditions. PLUS - you'll get some special bonding in there! Just remember, God always makes lemonade out of lemons. Sure wish we lived closer... LBT would do some cooking and cleaning for ya! ((hugs)) to better days!

Please - for those of us slow learners... tell me what an iPod is AND what it does. Ive heard of it - just dont know anything about em'. And where do you get the songs??

Hi Cathy! So sorry youve had a rough start. But taking the prevacid should help. If your symptoms are not improving by a week or 2, please call your doctor back and ask for something else for your tummy. Its not uncommen to have to switch around meds (any meds) to find the right one for you. The stomach meds are no different! About the antibiotic - YES! some DO irritate the stomach. Try sticking to mild foods for a while - just until things heal. Stay away from stomach irritants like alcohol, coffee, tomato based foods, spicy things, etc. A stomach ulcer WITH our band is not something to take lightly. So please be careful!!!! Also, just as a personal rule, when I MUST visit my PCP, I *always* remind him of my band and the need to have scripts written that are gentle for the stomach and preferbly something in liquid form. (((hugs))) Hang in there, you should be on the road to recovery!

Costa Rica - Im thinking Jurrasic Park. Those pix were wonderful. My personal favorite was the one where you were on the chez taking a quick siesta! My ideal vaca spot is on the beach in the sun & sand. You took me there for a brief minute - thanks! And the waterfall and waterpark - just beautiful! The orphans were heart touching. I bet you wanted to take each one home! Oh, and Mary, on the food tray... the loooong round thing in the middle of the tray, what was that? Looked kinda weird.

awe Michelle, you know what's really neat? That LBT has been with you and Calvin from the beginning. Weve had the opportunity to watch this fairytale unfold. How awesome! The wedding was so pretty & peaceful - I loved the outdoor setting. Living in that kind of surroundings, it was perfect for your wedding. And you made an exceptionally BEAUTIFUL bride! :clap2: Congrat's!:clap2:

**I just got this in my email box. Its NOT my writings/findings. But it sure makes those of us with OCD issues think alot! ** Bacteria on Purses A study was performed on women's purses. A health team went to a local mall and took samples from the bottom of 50 women's purses. The purses were swabbed with cotton swabs along the entire bottom of the purses and placed into special containers. The swabs were then processed at a local laboratory. The Health Report also showed where women place their purses: public rest-rooms (on the floor beside the toilet), kitchen counters & kitchen tables, on tables & chairs in restaurants, etc. The results of the laboratory tests contained the following most serious result: 1 out of 4 purses E COLI Other extremely serious bacteria also were listed, including Hepatitis. They recommended that women should DAILY wipe their purses (particularly the bottom) with a disinfectant wipe and to be extremely careful where you sit your purse. Most important, do NOT place your purse on a table (anywhere) where you will eat or on a kitchen counter and do not put it anywhere close to a toilet. Remember, when you flush a toilet, the spray goes a distance that is unrecognizable by the human eye. WASH YOUR HANDS as often as you can! Keep an antibacterial hand sanitizer cleaner (no Water needed) in your purse and use it often! And as soon as you get home from shopping (or wherever you have been and used your purse), immediately wipe it all over with a disinfectant wipe. This is from me MEN who do not wash their hands after relieving themselves should be ASHAMED! Not only that, they are seriously affecting your health and their own. My husband has told me many, many times (over 50% ratio) that he has seen men in public rest-rooms relieve themselves, zip up, and immediately leave the rest-room without washing their hands!! Women get on your men and be sure they are washing thoroughly after using the rest-room. My hubby also noted that everyone spends all this time washing their hands and then grabs the door handle to exit the rest-room. So DAH! All those other folks who did NOT wash their hands have their germs all over the door handle! And I have seen many women who do NOT wash their hands after using the rest-room. So, use that paper towel you dried your hands on to open the door and then dispose of it in the closest waste receptacle (women, please do not put it in your purse!). Repeating, this is a factual report aired today on Health News, Fox 5, Atlanta, GA. Please do your part for yourself and everyone else! As soon as I saw the report, I immediately cleaned my purse with my Clorox Antibacterial Wipe and then set it on a paper towel where I normally place it on a table in our den. And I asked my hubby to PLEASE scold me if he ever saw me putting my purse on the kitchen table or counter again!

Hi Gwen, WELCOME to LapBandTalk. All I can say is WOOOoooOOOOW!! 120 pounds in 8 months??? My mouth literally dropped. You are an exception. Good luck!

Analoren, Reflux (for me) is when I bend over or lay down and a feeling of liquid and/or food particles (some call it a hot lava feeling) comes up my esophagus into my throat/mouth. here is a thread devoted to Reflux/Gerd issues. Lots of good readings in there... http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=4154

Hi Sharon - and WELCOME! Kat brought up a great point... sometimes the fill may NOT give you restriction until later (3 -4 weeks later). For some, it happens immediately. Each of us is different. Although Im one that gained restriction later (4 weeks later) the fill DID instantly decrease my hunger. None of this may make a lot of sense to you right now... after Wednesday's fill you'll have a better idea of what all this is about. Good luck, and again - WELCOME to LapBandTalk!

Awe Diane, unbelievable for one person to endure in such a short period of time. (((HUGS))) my friend. Good thing you live with a medical professional... You should be in good hands. And I dont think I even realized that you were banded in May. duh! Hang in there Girlfriend... Hugs and prayers!

Due to night-time reflux, I try not to eat 3 hours before bedtime. For those that have no reflux problems, I dont think there's a time limit. Some bandsters just chose to have a 3 hour fast before sleep (like Paul mentioned above) Also, some bandsters have a practice of drinking Water (water being the last thing through your pouch) before bed to "wash" out the pouch. This isnt doctor recommended - just something older bandsters learned and passed on.

Yep ~ She sure did. Here's her updated thread about that visit... http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=20860

WELCOME to LapBandTalk. WOW - 5 and a half years????? I think youre one of LBT's longest bandsters... maybe THE longest one?? So glad to meet you. Have you ever had any complications? Good luck on getting the old 20 #'s off.

Hedwig, you can try this. BUT - for me, even wine-coolers, wine & margarita's cause stomach troubles. Good luck - I really do hope Julie's idea works for you!

Terry, Im glad you pointed that out. Barb., How sad... very very sad.

i love pictures. Thanks for sharing, Nana. You look great - and looks like you had a great time. Who was in concert? ...and what about Ozzy? Did ya see him??

A BIG ((hug)) to start with. Ive been wondering about you and this appointment. Thanks for giving us an update. 2 Questions: (maybe 3) 1. Did you discuss your fears of the RnY with him? ...and what did he say? 2. Why did he think you would benefit more with the RnY then the sleeve (Im asking all of this for personal reasons - plus Im nosey. But you know this already) I see myself in you in SOOO many ways. So if Im ever de-banded, Im glad to know Ive got footprints to follow. Know what Sis? You are going to make the right decision - regardless on what you decide. Im gonna put you on the prayer list.

Me! Everytime I drink ANY alcohol my stomach burns - and eventually I PB. ALSO - I have reflux that night... just from a couple of sips of hubby's beer!!! (((and I LOOOOVE beer - or I used to) Even though I have this response, I still seem to "test" myself about every 2 or 3 months. Guess Im thinking Ill eventually "out grow" it. No such luck!

Hi Wendy! WELCOME to LBT. Spiegel was my surgeon as well. I think he's a great surgeon - not much for personality though. Just make sure YOU keep good contact with your insurance company. Seems like things get lost getting from his office to the insurance comp which results in a *v e r y* slow approval process. Good luck!

It is SOOOOO refreshing to hear someone say those words.... "I AM DONE." BIG Congrat's to you. Youre pix on the before and after thread show the most amazing transformation! What a wonderful success you are to our community!!!

I think youre lieing.... youre NOT 47. and whats this with the 150's??? Hope you had an AWESOME Birthday!

Where IS DeLarla and Donali anyway?

17 pills a DAY??? 22 pills a DAY??? Good Lord - Can you imagine taking that many pills with the band?! ...wonder if this would classify one as a 'pill head'? :biggrin1: sorry. Im just aggitated that she was trying to 'recruit' me.