vinesqueen

Christina! Glad you are doing better! huzzah for us!

let's try again... http://www.trufolk.com/

mmmm, popcorn with a little curry powder sprinkled on it... mmmmmm

do you mean Nana? I believe her address is www.truefolk.com but I don't think she's selling things to raise money for her band.

Next year my DH and I are going on a Skiing vacation too! By that time he will have lost another 100 pounds! I just got banded Monday Will, and if I did fine, so will you!

I wear something called Lever 2000 unscented layered with Dove, unscented Of course, that is just me. Once, when working with my personal trainer (part of the last time I tried to loose weight...) we noticed some woman was wearing way too much perfume or perfumed lotion becoming to sweat. It was very pretty, and a little ... peachy... with a hint of spice. Turns out, it was ME!

I have a beautiful dress that is about a 14. I'm not sure what size it is because it is a custom vintage, 1950's Miami Beach dress.

Fight Christina! Fight! Fight! Fight! We are here for you! (((hugs)))

I had s/f watermellon jello cup and a cup of beef stock. (not bullion)

oooooh cinnamon dark chocolate quad breve.... Somehow I don't think that will work on my clear liquid.... *sigh* I like to put cinnamon in my French Press (although pumpkin pie spice is yummy too) a little turbinado or dark muscovado sugar.... and some 1/2 & 1/2 .... My one true vice... (muscovado sugar is so raw there is still chunks of molassis in it...)

I spent the entire day Sunday on valium, which helped. What didn't help was cracking my crown (tooth) in half eating popcorn... I still need to get it fixed, but since I'm not eating anything... well, nothing to get stuck.... I've been on lots of narcotics for the pain, because it does get what's the euphimisim??? oh yes, "discomfort..." Actually, much easier and better than when I had my gall bladder out. I'm actually only taking about 1/2 the pain killers as prescribed. I've been doing some nice walking, and went shopping at trader joes this afternoon for some broth and teas. So far, just a little gas, but no gas pains. tummy itches, but I suppose that is to be expeted. sleeping a lot, listening to music a lot, and drawing a little bit. The hospital we use is really terrific! I've seen more than my fair share of hospitals lately because of my asthma too... The room had an extra bed built in, so family could have stayed with me if they wanted. And my DH brought in several of my boy-ohs in for a nice visit. I have the #10 band from Inamed, the same as my DH. It was pretty funny, the patient coordinator didn't realized that my DH was MY DH until the next morning. She kept missing him... My port is just to above and to the right of my belly button. He said they have less trouble finding the port there, and there is less trouble with flipping and such. Apperently the South American dr.s like to place it at the rib line and the EU dr.s like to place it on the sternum. The sternum would be a TERRIBLE place, as far as I'm concerned! Again, I cannot thank all y'all enough for your kindness on this board!

important to stop the herbs and herbal suppliments, because there is not a good body of knowledge yet on the effects of herbs. I was in the ER days before my surgery, and everything still worked out. Be sure to call your sergeon to give her a heads up.

Well, I still cannot have coffee, but will be able to once I am off clear liquids. In fact, our neutrisionist recommends a nonfat latte every morning for the calcium

My DH eats popcorn all the time and hasn't had any trouble with it. Of course, you milage may vary...

Ta-da! I am now a proud member of the Banded Gentry. Everything went really well yesterday. I stayed an extra night because of my asthma, but everything went just super. If anyone has the chance, I highly recomend the facility I used in Kirkland WA. Had a very interesting chat with my surgeon, because I have no support group in the land of my exile. He said that more and more RnY patients are needed the band in addition to their replumming. He also said to not bother with the support groups for that style, that it wouldn't be worth my time. oh, and they all thought my idea that I do all those crunches was a good idea...

As soon as I'm a real bandster, and have a halfway decent pix for an avatar... well I'll post my pix.

Ah, but you see Zoe, I'm the only one in exile. My DH and Son live in Seattle. Count me in! One of my very good friends has this very bizare fear, at least I think it's bizare... she's afraid of kittens. It got me thinking about a new spin-off Fear Factor -- based on these types of fears... I have other friends who simply cannot eat some foods based on their texture... so, may I present this edition of Phobia Phactor! The inital group of people would have to .... Traverse a major Shopping Mall ---THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING!!!!! And BUY one thing that fits at the GAP!!!! Next comes the PHood Challenge! In this case, people are expected to eat half plate of sushi including sashimi! And then!!!! They have to eat half a plate of Korean food!!!! Desert will be a nice flan! (oh the horror!!!!) Next come the Tank of Terror!!!!! You will be given goggles, a nose plug and will have to crawl into a lucite tank that will be filled with ...... PUFFY KITTENS!!!!!!! OH THE HUMANITY!!!!

I'll Succeed (Christina) may have a fabulous oportuntity to audition for a reality show. http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=5572 It got me thinking. If you could be on any reality show, what show would it be? I've decided that after I have had my band for a while, I will try for The Amazing Race. That or What Not to Wear. I think the Race would be more fun, but What Not to Wear would be more useful. (I've got no clue about clothes...) My DH is the one who originally suggested the Race... If they didn't have the food stuff on Fear Factor, I would love to be on that show! (heh, they never have people do things I'm afraid of, like walking in a crowd, like, New Orleans' Mardi Gra... But I have to be honest, I sure don't want to be on most of the reality shows I normally watch... I love the true crime shows on A&E... Oh, and can I get my DH on Queer Eye after he looses another 150 pounds????

Christina, for what it's worth, I think you made the right decision. Or at least, I think you made the decision I would have made, so there, you see my bias... I can tell this has been a rough patch, trying to decide what to do. I hope you have some peace now. And don't forget, no matter what, we will be here to support you!

Hey Sharon, I'm sorry, but this doesn't sound right to me either. My DH doesn't think this sounds right either. Here is my DH's advice: The surgeon should be available at the time of the seminar. If he isn't available now, will he be available when you need him? Run, don't walk. You will have much better results from a good experienced laproscopic sergeon than one who is primarily a bariatric surgeon. (DH has lost about 185 pounds with his band so far.) Oh, and one more thing. About the whole "being commited" thing. I have gained weight since my original weigh in. I'd been on steroids for my asthma for most of January, and now I'm on them again. When I went for my final round of tests two weeks ago, they noted my weight gain. But they weren't judemental about it. No "Bad Crystal, no surgery!" They were more concerned that I was able to breathe than gaining weight. They also know I'm on steroids again for my asthma, and know I will likely gain more weight between now and Monday. Again, there is no thought of "Bad Crystal, no surgery!" just, let's get you lthis surgey so you can loose weight so you can breathe better.

Melanie, first and formost, YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE! You have lost 60 pounds in 4 months!!!! Yes, you gained a measily 8 pounds, but you had a terrible tragiidy to deal with. Weight loss with the band is slower than the by-pass. But that slower weight loss, I think, lets your body and mind adjust to it's new shape. I believe Donali posted a very important post about the importance of not compairing our journy to others. I couldn't find it, could someone please bump it for Melanie? I truely believe this is a very personal journy. If we compair ourselves against others then we are pretty much garanteed to be disapointed with the results. For instance. I just got a "B" on my math mid-term. My best study-buddy got an "A". Now, I could be terribly disapointed with my grade, but instead I am THRILLED for the B I got and just as thrilled for her "A". Also, from what I understand, you friends with the by-pass have only a short window in which to lose their weight. We can go slower. And don't forget, slow and steady win the race.

Christian! Wow! What very interesting place to be! I would be sorely tested to figure out which one I would go with. Instead of focusing on the negative, ther is a lot of positive to the show. If you are chosen to be on the show, you will have the oportunity to work with personal chefs and trainers, and you will be able to take this knowlege with you FOREVER. The band will always be there, but will this oportunity to be on the show always be there? The pictures of you are so beautiful, it is plain that the camera loves you. But never forget, no matter what you decide, WE WILL BE HERE FOR YOU. We will exult in your choice.

oh, well, we all know how fond I am of quotes.... "I could never respect a man who could only spell a word one way..." Mark Twain

I find lifting my 20 pound book bag seems to go the trick for me... I just have to remember to use alternating hands to lift...

thanks for the update Penni!