PamRN

I started to be involved and then fell off the site for a while. I'm not even sure what I weighed in at when we started this. I did ok, I didn't gain over the holidays, but I'm sure if I hadn't been into all the christmas goodies I'd have lost more. I'm at 237 this week, and seem to be at another plateau. We'll see now that all the merry-making is over. So who did win?

Now THAT'S a purple bra! How did I miss it the first time around? God love ya Lisa, your posts make my day! btw I'm glad your port site is improving.

I was banded in Mexico, and didn't have a preop diet either. I had a great last supper the night before surgery, and my surgery went great. I don't know about The Molding clinic so I'm no help there. Good Luck!

I took a cashiers check. I used american dollars for all my purchases. I was picked up at the airport and driven across the border by my surgeon's driver in their clinic van, we didn't have to stop going in. They apparently have a commuter's pass. On the way home we were stopped, the driver told them I'd had surgery and couldn't walk, so I didn't have to get out of the car. I showed them my prescriptions. They asked if I had anything to declare, and what I was bringing back, I told them blankets and tshirts. They had my mother take our luggage in to be xrayed, and sent us on our way. I thing being is truthful is best.

Melissa, the peeling stuff looks like it could be the adhesive they use to close the wound, but it could also be dead skin peeling away, that alone doesn't look like a symptom or problem. However there is definitely something pushing against and irritating your incision, and I agree with the others that you should have that seen by a doc experienced with the band right away. good luck I hope it turns out to be no big deal.

Thank you all for the kind recognitions. Babies really are the best there is in life. I've already been spoiling him rotten, before he even got here. With the discounts I've been finding on ebay, I've nearly filled his nursery already. He's definitely a keeper, bless his sweet-smelling lil self. I'm attempting to upload a small pic of him. I have more on a regular camera that I'm going to get developed this week.

Welcome to band land! Best Wishes for a speedy recovery Fran! I am in central Illinois, about an hour from the U of I / Champaign. About 4 hours south of Chicago I had surgery in Tijuana, and have never regretted it. I'm down 24# in 9 weeks. I'm ok with that! I haven't had a fill since surgery, but got one at surgery, so I'm not needing one. That may change sometime, but so far I'm averaging a 1 to 2 pound per week loss, (sometimes it's a gain of 2 or 3, and some times a loss of 2 or 3).

I've been very busy this last few weeks, and haven't been able to visit here, and now it's taking me hours to catch back up with you all! My daughter and son-in-law just gave birth to my first grandson, Dylan Riley on Tuesday November 30th. He was 7 pounds, 20 inches, and beautiful. :Bunny His skin is gorgeous, warm peaches and cream. From the moment he was born he's been calm. As soon as his head was born he opened his eyes and started looking around. He's been alert and observant ever since. He's only cried when he's hungry. If we can call the sweet little mew's he makes a cry. We've been busy painting and carpeting and preparing for the baby at the new house they bought, trying to get it all done before he got here... we were finishing up while they were in the hospital, but we got it done! Now we're going to follow Penni's tradition and have a tree trimming shower My SOL bless his hard working heart, fell off a roof a month ago while working, and crushed both his heels. He'll be off work for a couple of months, and has lots of pain, but he's being SUCH a trooper. He wouldn't leave my daughter's side, slept in a hard old chair for two nights... even though his feet were killing him and he really needed to be in a bed with them propped up. He's realizing now what a blessing that fall is. He gets to be with his wife and new son 24/7 for a while. Before the fall, he worked all day, then worked on their house or a side job til bedtime trying to get ready for his new baby. Now they can relax and enjoy the baby and each other... Unless I steal him... with the SOL gimped out, and the Dtr too sore to run, they couldn't catch me... unless the SOL happens to be in his wheelchair.... Then it will be "grandma got run over by a wheelchair, running home from our house christmas eve" :bandit

My daughter loves the idea and has decided to make it a co-ed tree trimming baby shower, since she was waiting until the baby was born to have a shower anyway. She thinks it will be a perfect time for everyone to come at once to see the baby, have a christmas party, (I'm definitely spiking the egg nog!) and get her decorating done! Every christmas I play a tape, and we've had the same tape since my daughters were little, she's asked that I bring that to play. Her favorite is "It's the most wonderful time of the year". I think this year it will be for all of our family.

That's a an AWESOME idea Penni! My oldest daughter loves christmas, and christmas music, but hasn't had a chance to decorate as she's been very pregnant and just delivered her first baby day before yesterday. She's been complaining to me that she wants to decorate so bad. She and her husband just bought a new house, and now that they've had their baby, I think I'll share your tree trimming party idea with them! That would be a great way to get their house decorated for the holidays. My son-in-law is a construction worker, and fell off a roof a month ago crushing both heels, so he's off his feet (wheelchair) for a couple of months, and now the new baby... Your idea would generate a lot of support and holiday cheer for them!

Hi I know just what you mean, I felt like that too. Almost like it just wasn't working for me. I lost a few pounds initially, then after week 2 I didn't lose any weight for 2.5 weeks. When I got back on regular food I even gained 3 back. Then after a no scale movement spell, I finally dropped a couple, and now I average 1-2 pounds a week. I find that I lose the most regularly when I drink lots of Water. I'm 8 weeks out and I've lost 22 pounds, I lost 12 pounds the first 3 weeks, then nearly nothing for a few weeks. Be patient, your body is adjusting. You're probably retaining water because of the trauma related to the surgery, and subsequent intake reduction. So your body is in starvation mode, it's holding on to everything. It will eventually adjust, and if you're eating the right kinds of foods you'll start losing again. Remember Protein first, then veggies, then if you have room, carbs or a bite of dessert. Those who stress drinking lots of water aren't just playing lipservice, I found out the hard way that they are absolutely right. When I go through the drive ups, no more cokes for me, I ask for ice water, when I'm home, it's harder for some reason to get the water in, but I'm making the effort and it's paying off. I buy bottled water, a case is much cheaper than pop, and keep it in the fridge, that seems to help. good luck, and hang in there. You're headed in the right direction.

Hi Ginger, and welcome. You look great, & your success is an inspiration to those of us just beginning our journey. How are you doing now? Are you still losing regularly, or getting fills? How is your diet now? Nosey bit aren't I? Sorry, I guess I'm just trying to be prepared for what's to come. Congratulations on your success so far!

Welcome Stephanie, congrats on the weight loss so far. How has your journey been? Read through the many posts here and you'll find the stories of most of us. I think you might find there aren't any taboo subjects, we discuss anything and everything here, and it's not always lapband related. Good Luck for continued success.

I agree with Zoe, if they offer a group meeting, go, it's likely to be just like this board, with an added bonus of being close enough to see each other face to face. Congratulations on your decision to get on with it. The down time is such a small window of incapacity in the much bigger picture of renewed chance for living. The sooner you start, the sooner you get better, and the sooner you feel more like playing... REALLY playing, with your very lucky children. Good Luck to you, and get busy... you've got a preparation list to get on with, November 30th is right around the corner!

I'm sorry to hear that you're having problems Chrissy, and truly hope that it turns out to be a blessing in disguise. I would be devastated too if it were to happen to me. Please keep us updated on your journey whether banded or not. You're in my prayers.

:banana Wow you're doing great!! :banana Just think... how sad... you'll never find them again... shall we have a moment of silence for all those we've lost? {silence} Ok enough of that... onward and downward!! :banana :Bunny :banana :Bunny :banana :Bunny :banana

LMAO at cheek chillers! It's November, those'll be some rosey cheeks!! Good lord Greg... however am I going to get rid of this image of you in powder blue?? I seriously need some exercise... does laughing til your sides hurt count?

Hey I'll play... I need some serious motivation to stick with exercising. Sick with a cold right now but should be improved enough monday to start. I saw an ad for curves and am really leaning toward joining them because I'm just not motivated on my own enough to get my big though shrinking behind moving. I'd be happy to add a gift to the winners list as well. I know... I'll send a gift to the second place person!

Yayyy Teresa, I'm glad things went well for you too! You're doing amazing so far, I hope it continues.

Welcome home Ryan. I'm so glad everything went well for you. You deserve this to be great and I hope it gives you everything you've hoped for. FYI: I'm a night nurse, but one of a rare few who refuse to wake a patient up to give him/her a sleeping pill... here's hoping the shape of my head stays round...

Awww, That news gave me a big smile, I'm very happy for you and your father. Congratulations! What a blessing to add to your count list. Now you really have good reason for giving thanks!

How exciting! The time will fly by and you'll be on the banded side before you know it. If you read over old posts and start your preparation checklist you'll be armed and ready when the time comes. Good Luck and keep us posted.

I went back to work in 2.5 weeks at a busy hospital, and in 3 weeks was lifting adults (with another nurses help). I was told not to lift over 20 pounds for a couple of weeks. I agree with with Leatha, you can let the baby help you lift, please do allow your friends and family to help, and go for it. My only regret with this surgery, is having waited so long to do it.

I vote for number 3, they're all good pics though.

Mine was sore for a while (a few weeks) after surgery. There was a kind of a tender area above my navel, but you cant see it. It is far enough under my skin that I cant feel it unless I press deeply into my skin, then it only feels like a hardened area. It is not protruding, and now 7 weeks out, it really isn't sore anymore.