maygoddess

The angora sounds yummy! I tend not to knit too much for other people if they ask to pay me even because they do not appreciate the time and expense that can go into this..I finally took a couple of close friends to a yarn shop where the balls can be about $10 each. I told them to pick out their balls and I will make them scarves..When they spent $25 for two balls of fancy yarn..they now appreciate the costs more..my time is another story. When people can go to the stores and get "hand knit" ie. machine made scarves, ponchos and hats for dirt cheap..they expect that our product should be similarly priced. We wind up working for less then minimum wage when we make the items at prices people are willing to pay..oh well.. off my soapbox! I keep my gifts limited to a few who appreciate them..mostly I knit for myself and charity! Patty

Yeah..I did knitted scarves for my sister in laws for christmas and this afghan was a last minute thought I had for a friend. I also crochet up 40 baby hats for a local hospital! I spend more time knitting these days though..I can buy the expensive yarns and they go further when knitted. Such an expensive addiction! The Debbie Bliss sweater I want to knit for myself would require about $90 of yarn that I want to use in either her cotton/angora or cotton/silk blend...yummy stuff..but pricey! Patty

Ahh...DeLarla..the one that Penni posted is different than the one I am talking about..The Utrition one I just got yesterday did not list Chromium in the ingredient list. It does, however list some ginseng. I posted the ingredient list below Penni's ingredient list..kinda looks the same. I looked at the one Penni was using..the Nature's Plus, but when I compared labels when I came across the Utrition one..I liked the ingredients and amounts better. The Utrition one is an orange/pineapple flavor..not green as been described..it is orange color..tastes a bit tart at first, then a sweet taste..nothing nasty about it! I keep it in the fridge and have in the mornng with my Breakfast. Patty

Oh gosh! Salads.....sigh...I MISS salads...big crunchy salads filled with all kinds of wonderful things! I have a really hard time with salads in general since banding. A few bites here and there for the most part on occasion..but not a whole salad! I miss that more than pizza, bread, Pasta and all the other things I have trouble eating. I get bites here and there of these things, but I would love to one day be able just to eat a whole cheeseburger..bun and all..and not just the meat picked off..or a whole lovely gourmet sandwich bread and all..or a big fat salad with all the fixings! Siggh........ Patty

Hi Marie! it is a cute hate! I saw the pattern. I am not much of a hat wearer myself. I am indoors all day(work from home) and only wear a hat if we go up to Lake Tahoe in the winter or camping. I do crochet baby hats for charity..this one may be a good cancer hat too! I love making scarves..so whoever makes the hats..I can make matching scarves and we have a business! My next projects are knitted teddy bears and toys. I just got two new books and I am anxious to try them out! So cute! Patty

Hey all! It is nice to see a thread about crocheting here! I also crochet and knit! It really does help with passing the time where you might want to be munching. I crochet/knit while I watch TV in the evening and also have a knitting group I meet up with every other week. It is definitely therapy. I am still holding off on knitting a sweater with lovely expensive yarns until I get closer to goal. I don't want to go through all the expense and time only to end up with a droopy big sweater by the time I am finished! I am furiously trying to quickly crochet a big afghan for a christmas present next week. I started it late and I try and get some done every night. I have been extremely tight the past few nights after a new fill last week and it has helped me keep my mind off wanting food while I stitch! Anyway...just wanted to jump in here! Patty 8/13/02 Dr Kuri

Hi DeLarla...so wierd about chromium making you crazy. Where did you see Chromium on the list of the Utrition liquid? I do see Ginseng in it..but not chromium. Some chromium is good for your diet...but I know alot of the supermarket Vitamins have very little of anything. If we were able to get more nutrition from eating alot of good quality food..we wouldn't need a Vitamin or the supermarket basic MV's would be fine..but being I can eat so little, I am looking for the best quality MV that has the most of all the vitamins and minerals I can get. I always noticed a difference when I am taking a vitamin that is higher in all the B's and has additional stuff in it to help with nails, hair and skin. My hair gets curlier and thicker is one thing I notice. I don't really say I have MORE energy, but I just notice an overall better condition of my external self. Anyway..I hope you find a vitamin that works for you! These liquids seem like a great alternative to the chewables that are out there for those that want more! Patty 8/13/02 Dr Kuri

I Took medical expense tax deductions 2 years in a row...2002 for my surgery bills in Mexico and 2003 was for infertility treatments. The way it works is you can deduct anything that is above 7.5% of your Adjust Gross Income..so if your AGI is $100K(just to keep this simple rounding)..if your total medical bills are $10K for that year..you can deduct anything above the 7,500(which would be the 7.5% of your AGI)so you could deduct in this instance $2500 out of the total $10K. So everyone's will be different based on what you make. Make sure you have receipts for everything and include everything. For those having surgery overseas, you can deduct: airfare or other transport costs hotel food taxis cost of surgery fills and expenses related to fills(transportation) for your every day medical expenses, we included medical co payments monthly premiums prescription costs We had receipts for everything and we just supplied our CPA with an excel sheet of each individual expense broken down and just kept the receipts bundled together in case we ever got audited. Anyway..definitely work with a CPA when you have years you have deductions to make sure you get it right! Patty 8/13/02 Dr Kuri

I have been banded 2+ years and every month around my period, I typically bloat up 5lbs and do experience tighter restriction. It used to just be for a day before and a day after.My periods are incredible short..always 2 maybe 3 days. Now it seems that I don't get the restricting and bloating until after I start and the restriction can last for a few days after I stop! I also notice that I do seem to have some restriction change mid cycle around ovulation..not as much as PMS time..but it is noticable. I do try and avoid fills during these two times. I am fairly predictable so I can plan ahead. Now..having said that..I just started using Dr Billy up in Truckee for my fills..and he changed his schedule on me and bumped me a month..and the ONE weekend he was to be up there was the weekend I started my period. ALSO, being higher in elevation up in Truckee also effects the restriction..so you have to be sensitive to that as well. Anyway..it MAY effect your fill in only that if you do bloat and it effects your restriction, you may be more restricted than you really are and not get as good a fill. I also started eating ground flax seed every morning to get my Omega fatty acids in(I don't eat fish at all to get these in)..these help alleviate PMS symptoms and I noticed last month that I did not have my usual 5lb Water gain/loss as I usually do. I will see next month if that was just an anomoly or if the flax seed is helping Hope that helps! Patty

I will add that my experience with Dr Kuri is equally as impressive and I would highly recommend him to anyone considering surgery and cannot afford it locally. I do, however, recommend surgery there with the strict recommendation that the patient have a plan for post op care and band maintenance lined up if they are unable to return to Mexico. With 2+ years banded, I have yet to have a band emergency of any kind where I felt I really needed my doctor in town or close enough by.I know a gal who was banded after I was who was willing to pay $30K out of pocket to go to a surgeon nearby just for the security of knowing he was close..I thought that was a waste of an additional $20K given the cost of going to Mexico, but that is what made her feel safe. I am also in Northern california so though it is still a hassle from here..at least I am not back east and needing to quickly get to the border. A 10 hr car ride or cheap, fast flight down to SD is doable if I need to do it. This is the main reason that I did not go with my first choice, Dr Rumbaut was because he is just too far and too costly to return to if needed. I have seen many bandsters just consider the cost of the surgery and think they are done, but you really have to consider the cost of aftercare in the equation: money loss from unpaid leave from work, airfare, car, gas, hotel, radiology, etc. I have gone back to TJ for fills with Kuri for 6 fills in 2 years and I have probably spent about $1,000 total in costs for those fills..probably less since we always drove and had a free place to stay en route in Los Angeles..but it is all part of the cost. My backup fill doctor I just started to use, charges $300 for a non-flouro fill and allows a 2nd "free" tweak if needed. It is more than what I would pay for one trip to Mexico..either driving or flying..but the time and hassle factor is worth paying more. And who wouldn't love a weekend in Tahoe once ina while. Another free place to stay there as well so it makes the trip less costly if we decide to stay in the area. So..if you are researching Mexico..I only advise is to consider aftercare cost and hassle as part of the equation when choosing a doctor and location. Patty 8/13/02 Dr Kuri Dr Helmuth Billy-back up fill doctor

Delarla! I wouldn't say no to fudge either! Yumm!! Glad I am not over there now! My husband's grandmother makes homemade fudge at christmas, but we won't be spending t with his family this year so I will miss it..oh well.. I am just so happy to not worry so much about gaining weight and backsliding as usual..I know I COULD still gain weight with the band..but so far..no matter what I eat..that hasn't happened. Has it slowed my weight loss? Sure! But I am happier not to go up rather than stay the same! Enjoy the fudge, lucky girl! Patty

Thanks everyone for stopping by and welcoming me in! Looking at all your stats..you are all doing amazing! The band definitely has its pros and cons, but as we approach the holidays, I appreciate it even more knowing that I can have some indulgences but I will not be able to go overboard and do the standard holiday gain of weight most people have! I don't believe in deprivation and will enjoy what holiday goodies I am able to, but I have found that you tend to be pickier with what you indulge in..If I put a cookie in my mouth and I don't like it..the other part goes in the trash..I don't even think about eating something I don't like just because it's there..it is quality..not quantity. Patty

Hi marie! I posted my intro as you requested! If you want to read my LONG post, feel free! I will let you all know how this new liquid Vitamin works out. I better notice a difference at $20 a month!! Patty

Hi all! I was asked to introduce myself, so here goes. I was banded in August of 2002 by Dr Kuri. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area(Napa area to be exact). My starting weight was around 285 and I am currently in the low 200's. My weight loss journey has been slower than most because I took about a 6 month hiatus from weight loss last year as I tried to get pregnant via in vitro. It didn't work and I got back on track..so over the 2+ years, my weight loss looks abysmal..but 75lbs down is nothing to sneeze at and I have not gained an ounce in two years, which really was my reason for being banded. I considered myself a foodie..I am not really an emotional eater as much as just loving good food. Living in Napa, we have access to the best wines and gourmet foods and food just taste good. I never liked diet foods, fake fats, fake sugars..so I eat all the real stuff, but in moderation. I don't do low carb, low fat, hi Protein or any of the other crazy extremes out there. Balance is really key. I know if I eat real ice cream, it slows me down, but I am willing to accept it. I make choices based on what I am willing to compromise and it works for me. I have no idea where my body will land at a "goal". I have been overweight my entire life and never dieted fully down to a goal weight. If I go by the height/weight charts, I would still have another 60+lbs to go..seems impossible, but we'll see. I am a comfy size 12/14 currently so I no longer really have to shop in horrid fat clothes departments or shops anymore. I want my clothes to be well fitted..not sloppy tents. Let's see..how has life changed? I didn't really have any major co-morbidities or take any medications that I can say I no longer take. It is just easier to move around...I always liked to hike but at close to 300lbs at my highest, it was harder to do. I think most of all, I feel more "normal" in the world. People notice me more as a person..not as a fat blob. I don't feel that I take up more space in the world than I should though I am still considered "obese"..just a much smaller obese! Because my journey has been slow, I have now gone through several seasons of clothing changes which is good and bad at the same time. This is my 3rd winter being banded..the 1st I was just down about 30 post lbs but by the 2nd, I needed a new winter wardrobe and THIS year again..all new clothes..same for summers. You learn not to get attached to clothes you won't see around the next season. No favorite sweater or favorite pants anymore! l look forward to the day I can buy clothes in my final size and keep them a few seasons! As far as the "technical" aspects of my band..I have the Inamed 9.75mm band. I currently have about a snug 2.7-2.8cc in there. I have had about 7 fills in the 2+ years. Mostly with Dr Kuri, but I recently started using Dr Helmuth Billy up in Truckee, CA for my last two fills(one of which was just last week). I am pretty new to lapbandtalk.com. I am mostly on Dr Kuri's Yahoo boards and I started my own group:NorthBayBandsters for those of us in the North Bay counties of the SF Bay Area. Ihave a bandster get together at my house this Saturday. We have small but supportive group up here. That is about it for now. I continue on this road to weight loss..at this point..once I hit the magic 200..the rest will all be a victory! Patty 8/13/02 Dr Kuri

Hi all! I actually received the Utrition liquid today and had my first dose of it and it is quite pleasant. It has a tart taste when you first sip it, butthen it is slightly sweet...almost like a splenda taste to it...no bitter after taste or anything. Very nice. I will see if it makes a difference in how I feel after about 30 days! I will post any findings! Patty

Hey all! I wanted to add to this discussion.I am pretty picky about my multi-Vitamins. Most of the supermarkert chewables out there(flintstones, Centrum,gummy bears, gummy balls, etc) just don't have enough in them in my opinion to be of any value. I found Source of Life chewables recently and they have alot of good stuff in them in high enough quantities to be of value. I always look for high amounts of folate(for women in reproductive years, you should be up in the 400-800mcg per day area) and of course all the other B's, etc. Most vitamins fall short. SInce I have been taking the source of life chewables(I take 2 instead of 1 to get more of what falls short)..I do like it..it tastes like pineapple, but does leave a lingering aftertaste.. I looked into the Source of Life liquid mentioned here...i was having a hard time finding a good complete liquid. This liquid actually looks better than the chewable version as far as the vitamin/mineral content. In my search around the net to find a good price for Source of Life, I came across another liquid that looks even better! It is from Utrition. Vitamin Shoppe also carries it..I went through Amazon/Vitamin Shoppe and got it for $20.97 for 32oz..here is the profile. I like that it added 500mg of glucosomine for joint health.: <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width=525 border=0><TBODY><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD colSpan=2>Supplement Facts </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=left>Serving Size </TD><TD align=right colSpan=3>1 FL.OZ. </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=left>Servings Per Container </TD><TD align=right colSpan=2>32 Liquid </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> </TD><TD align=right>Amount Per Serving </TD><TD align=right>% Daily Value </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Green Tea </TD><TD align=right>100 Mg </TD><TD align=right>N/A* </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Potassium </TD><TD align=right>25 Mg </TD><TD align=right>N/A* </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Magnesium </TD><TD align=right>20 Mg </TD><TD align=right>5% </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Calcium </TD><TD align=right>50 Mg </TD><TD align=right>5% </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Biotin </TD><TD align=right>300 Mcg </TD><TD align=right>100% </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Folic Acid </TD><TD align=right>400 Mcg </TD><TD align=right>100% </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Vitamin B12 </TD><TD align=right>200 Mcg </TD><TD align=right>3,332% </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Vitamin B6 </TD><TD align=right>20 Mg </TD><TD align=right>1,000% </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Vitamin B5 </TD><TD align=right>100 Mg </TD><TD align=right>1,000% </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Vitamin B3 </TD><TD align=right>20 Mg </TD><TD align=right>100% </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Vitamin B2 </TD><TD align=right>100 Mg </TD><TD align=right>5,884% </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Vitamin B1 </TD><TD align=right>100 Mg </TD><TD align=right>6,668% </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Vitamin K </TD><TD align=right>78 Mcg </TD><TD align=right>100% </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Vitamin E </TD><TD align=right>50 IU </TD><TD align=right>167% </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Vitamin D </TD><TD align=right>400 IU </TD><TD align=right>100% </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Vitamin C </TD><TD align=right>1500 Mg </TD><TD align=right>2,500% </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Vitamin A </TD><TD align=right>10000 IU </TD><TD align=right>200% </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Sugar </TD><TD align=right>3 G </TD><TD align=right>N/A* </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Total Carbohydrate </TD><TD align=right>9 G </TD><TD align=right>3% </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Sodium </TD><TD align=right>3 Mg </TD><TD align=right>N/A* </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Calories </TD><TD align=right>40 </TD><TD align=right>N/A* </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Lecithin </TD><TD align=right>6 Mg </TD><TD align=right>N/A* </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Pepsin Enzymes </TD><TD align=right>5 Mg </TD><TD align=right>N/A* </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Papain </TD><TD align=right>5 Mg </TD><TD align=right>N/A* </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Malt Diastase </TD><TD align=right>5 Mg </TD><TD align=right>N/A* </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Trypsin </TD><TD align=right>5 Mg </TD><TD align=right>N/A* </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Hesperidin </TD><TD align=right>3 Mg </TD><TD align=right>N/A* </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Bioflavonoids </TD><TD align=right>6 Mg </TD><TD align=right>N/A* </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Rutin </TD><TD align=right>3 Mg </TD><TD align=right>N/A* </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Inositol </TD><TD align=right>30 Mg </TD><TD align=right>N/A* </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Choline </TD><TD align=right>30 Mg </TD><TD align=right>N/A* </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Grape Seed </TD><TD align=right>100 Mg </TD><TD align=right>N/A* </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Ginkgo Biloba </TD><TD align=right>80 Mg </TD><TD align=right>N/A* </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Ginseng </TD><TD align=right>100 Mg </TD><TD align=right>N/A* </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD> Glucosamine </TD><TD align=right>500 Mg </TD><TD align=right>N/A* </TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR><TR borderColor=white borderColorLight=white bgColor=white borderColorDark=white><TD align=middle colSpan=3 height=5></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Here is the link directly from Vitamin Shoppe: http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/browse/sku_detail.jhtml;$sessionid$SBECXWT0UCNQYCQUAOYCM4QKCQB00GXK?SkuID=224937&BreadCrumbType=SearchResult It is interesting when you buy it directly from vitaminshoppe.com it is $26.21, but when I linked to Vitamin Shoppe through Amazon..it was $20.97! I was able to use my Amazon checkout so Ididn't have to re-register through VS. Anyway..I will report back on the taste and how I feel. It does look like a good vitamin so far from the ingredients list..and hopefully will be better than the chewables. Patty banded 8/13/02 Dr Kuri