AnotherMe

Hello! Welcome to LBT I agree, I enjoy being able to connect with others who are going thru the same thing. It's so much better to have support and feel comfortable asking questions, than it is to not know what to do if your unsure of something. In my opinion, joining LBT should be a prerequisite to Lapband surgery! Congratulations on your surgery date, only 25 short days left for you! All the best, Karla

Mellie, it sounds strange... but you are probably not getting enough calories. Your body needs fuel, check with your Dr to see what they recommend at this stage. If I remember correctly, when I stayed between 1000-1200/day I was losing steady. You should probably boost your protein intake as well, if you like the shakes try to find one that is high in protein but does not have too many calories. All the best, Karla

Hi everybody! Congratulations to each of you. WAY to go Ross, welcome to LBT 1. all the extra room in my closet (after weeding out the too-large sizes) 2. realizing I weigh less than before I got pregnant with my son (11 yr ago!) 3. not being ashamed to wear a bathing suit 4. feeling "cute" 5. not feeling as though I need to hide, not minding that others take notice 6. feeling like a WINNER Yea to us all! Karla

Awww! Michelle, I'm SO happy for you! I'm giving you the award for Most Patience! I went through the flux of emotions, it took me 6 months to make up my mind. I too wished I could have done it on my own. I considered giving it another try, but realized I would be repeating the same cycle --> lose --> gain more --> lose --> gain again. I needed the Lapband to help me with the weightloss, and then to maintain. I get many comments on how I'm wasting away and how well I've maintained. The emotions you are experiencing are normal, you wouldn't be human otherwise As I said, I'm SO happy for you... and envious, I was self pay. Keep the excitement going, make sure to let us know when you schedule the surgery date! All the best, Karla

Wow! Sorry you're having trouble. Hope you feel better soon. If you can manage, do liquids Saturday and mushies on Sunday. See how tight you're feeling by Monday, and if the same - get back in and get a small amt taken out. Stay hydrated, don't overdo it. Let us know how it goes, Karla

Hi there! Welcome to LBT Congratulations on your surgery date, just 12 more days to go!!! Sorry to hear about the murmur, but it's good to get it diagnosed and in your healthy history now (rather than later). Don't know too much about diabetes, can't help you there. Wishing you all the best, Karla

Why, Thank You Miss Jenna! I humbly accept this here award! I had the BEST time with all of you... my band sisters and can't wait to go again! I'm looking into December, just not sure how to work it out. stay tuned. Love, Karla

Hey guys! Carol, small suggestion... click the Edit button on post# 39 and then click delete. Do the same on post# 41. this will remove the HUGE pictures :eek: since you already resized and posted them again. I'll go through my pictures to see if I can find you in the dress. What I realized is I didn't take near enough of the group. I DID do a good job of handing my camera to various people and say "take my picture", so I have more of ME on my camera than anyone! who hoo!! I'm always the one taking the pictures, I never get in them. I don't think the Navy guy is biting the Cowboy's shoulder, I think he had his mouth open making a face or something. Ali, you DO look fab in orange! I was soooo happy to take that thing off! NO double D's for me! Jenna can have 'em! Love, Karla

Hey everybody! Jenna (princess_n_thep) is looking into who might be interested in a 4 night Baja cruise leaving December 3rd out of LA. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f7/winter-cruise-anyone-37410/ It's for anyone interested, if you'll be traveling alone she'll probably be able to get you a roommate. On the last cruise our group had 9 cabins... 4 were husband/wife, the other 5 were sets of bandsters paired together. Just happened that no one brought their kids, but the cruise lines do a great job of organizing kids activities. Chrispy... KUDOS to you for the original thought of this awesome thread.. we're nearing 800 posts. It's nice to keep in touch. Ashley, I'm in Houston TX.... Where do you live? Congratulations on your upcoming surgery! Karla

JC, love the pics of your afternoon ride. Cool bike, beats the teeny-tiny/hard seat my 10-speed used to have! Do ya think that turtle found a hidden treasure? That's "X marks the spot" if I ever saw it! Why did the turtle cross the road? So he wouldn't have to play the chicken game with JC?! or, maybe he was afraid you were looking to add some turtle protein to your diet? Cool wildlife, un-congested trail... looks like you had a nice day! Karla

YEA Dinah! Glad you found us! What's the latest on the custody issue? Sending good vibes your way! Aren't baby sisters the best? She's got some cute pictures of you! Ali, that's a GREAT pic of Alex & Paul.. so cute! Jenna, take it easy girl... I'll be looking for the thread with your pics. whew! you're one tough cookie. Say HI to Lin Windy, Alex, Jess, Dinah, Melissa ... your attendance is definitely required at the PJ party! Time and date still pending, JUDY & FRAN need to get busy planning the final details we'll firm up the carpool plans when we know more. Karla

Tammy, Welcome to LBT! Wishing you luck on a speedy approval process! Keep us updated, we'll be rooting for you! All the best, Karla

Congratulations! It will be here before you know it. It's normal to be a bit anxious and excited at the same time... I'm sure you'll do great. Who's your Dr? where are you having the procedure? All the best, Karla

Hey friends!! Welcome back Carol... we've been wondering if you made it home safe to TN did you bring any Men of Culture with you??!! Did you at least exchange phone#s or email addresses? sorry, if I'm being too nosy. Melissa, I talked with Judy a couple of nights ago. Her grandkids we're spending Thur-Sun with her, so we won't hear a peep until next week. GOOD NEWS!~ She's been working with Fran to plan another PJ party... it's all worked out, Dinah and I will drive up from here, we'll ask Windy too!! Fran will come in from Longview, and you'll drive in from MS. Come on... only 9.5 hr drive. You can do it!! We'll have to decide on a good weekend, maybe Fri/Sat/leave Sun? Who else is up for a PJ party @ Judy's house?!!! much love, Karla

Hi DJ, welcome to LBT! I attended Dr Spiegel's seminar in March 2005, I waited several months for a call back.. I tried twice to call for an update and got the run around. Somehow I got lost in the fray. A few months later, after hearing people here who raved about Dr Hadar Spivak, I went to his seminar (with my mom for support). I was sold. For several more months I researched the procedure, it took me awhile to convince myself the band was the tool I needed to help me take the weight off and maintain. I was only kidding myself when I briefly thought I could do it on my own (knowing my diet history). I finally made the decision and had surgery 10/10/05. My highest weight was 255, I did high protein/low carbs for several weeks before surgery and was down to 234 day of procedure. I'm at 162 now, still have 25-30 more to go. Here's a link to help Calculate BMI Welcome to Dr. Spivak's Web Site All the best, Karla

Ok friends, here's a link to more pictures posted on the cruise thread http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/cruise-2007-what-happened-37071/index2.html#post503613 Derbygirl, sorry you never heard about the cruise... Jenna started planning it in July 2006 and late as April this year we were posting notices that we still needed a roomie for person who dropped out. We'll make sure to announce it in each forum next time. All the best, Karla

I know you're getting tired of these, last ones for today. We had fun learning to line dance, notice in 1st pic how Judy (dark blue floral tank top) is not in sequence... but, she recovered in pic 2! Can't say I didn't TRY the rock wall :mad: ouy veh! here's proof, in color no less. I only made it about 1/4 way up!!! oh well, just gives me something to improve on before our next cruise! arm/leg strength, whew!

I know you guys love pictures:D, here are a few more. At port in Cozumel, MX At port in Roatan, Honduras At port in Costa Maya, MX At port in Meridia, MX

Who's ready for a few more pic's?? From top: Enjoying the breeze on Deck 10 In front of cool waterfall in Centrum Pool deck 9 After 70's Line Dance class we headed up to the Viking Crown to dance with the Almost Village People

Denise.... sorry, I forgot to mention Jenna's looking into maybe organizing a short cruise - possibly 4 night/5 day cruise out of LA on Royal Caribbean in early December. open to all family members, friends, anyone who wants to come with. So, start saving those pesos!! My vacation time is pretty much obsolete, so I probably won't be able to go again until spring break 2008 - or, in June when school is out. I'd like to take my son the next time, they have such a good kids program I know he would love it. 'course, I still have sick time... maybe I have options (Shhhh! don't tell) :mad: Karla

Hello there fellow singles!! Chrispy, didn't meet or SEE any single men on the cruise.. There were a whole bunch of families, it seemed like all the guys were partnered up. That's OK, it gave me the opportunity to get to know the rest of our group real well. There were so many fun activities, the shows were great, and of course the food was awesome. For the past 9 mo or so I've been at a really good restriction level, the food was so great that I felt so bad that I could only finish 1/4 of it! But, you can bet I saved room for dessert (or two)! Derbygirl, are you staying dry? Horrible weather in your part of TX, I hope you're safe and JC, I'm working on getting more pictures reduced and posted. I HIGHLY recommend cruising, it's so much fun. Being in FL there are probably a few ports you have access to (within a few hours drive). We did 7 nights/8 days for a per person cabin rate of $659. WAY cheaper than a 7 night hotel stay, airfare to Mexico, daily meals, activities. AND, we visited 4 ports.. I feel I got a lot of bang for my buck on this trip. I loved your list of things you want to do, although my arms are aching just thinking of all the kayaking you're planning!! whew! Denise, sounds like you're making lots of friends on POF. It's great that you're out there meeting new people, and it's encouraging to know that other women are seeking friendship - sounds like a cool support group of it's own. Keep us posted on the prospects. Where's Joan? Did she say she had a new puppy that was keeping her busy? Surely, you can spare a minute to check in with your friends? HELLO to all my other new friends on this singles thread!! Is it just me, or all we all living vicariously through Chrispy?!! She's got that date calendar full :mad: how did it go Wednesday night? Hope you all have a great weekend, Karla

Hello, my sisters!! Melissa, glad you like my cute new avatar.. I should've bought that hat, it was a neat glittery-gold color. Oh well, I got enough stuff. It was my pleasure to act as "cruise director", although I think you forgot the customary tip of $50/day??!!!! what's up with that? :mad: JK Jenna, I'm game for another cruise - just not sure if I have enough vacation time. It replenishes in January, so you can bet I'll be saving it up for another cruise next Mar/Apr/May/Jun.. whenever we can arrange it. How are you? Check in when you get a chance! Fran, glad Ali got back home safely.. I hope her luggage and souveniers arrive in one piece. Sounds like she had quite the adventure with the 10 hr layover..... it's torture when all you want is your bed in your own home, it must have been hell. Love to all, Karla

Hey girls.... another thread is up and in full color with pictures you don't want to miss! SUPASTAR! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/cruise-2007-what-happened-37071/ Judy, blame Missy.. it wasn't me who took the PJ picture!! Love, Karla

Hey girls! What's UP? Jenna, I hope you and momma Lin made it home safely. I second what Melissa said, THANKS for organizing such a great trip and I'm so glad Lin was able to come... she's a great lady and I'm already saving up some pesos so I can fly to Phoenix for a visit!!! watch out Melissa, don't you remember what cruise director Eric said.. what happens in Mexico - lives on forever on the internet! Like the pictures you posted of Judy! She'll LOVE you for that! I'm quite sure she's missing us already.... SUPASTAR! Hey to Dinah Ali, I hope the flight home tomorrow to Greece goes by fast... maybe you can spend the 24 hr flight catching up on your sleep? It'll make up for the late night pajama party! CAN'T forget Stephani.... she was too shy to say so, but her 1 year bandiversary was during the trip (6/20). HAPPY belated Bandiversary Stephani! Hi to Doug, I hope you guys enjoyed the trip... he's my hero for making it all the way up the rock climbing wall. Alex, I'm so glad Paul came on the trip and you guys had a great time... he was really a good sport participating in the line dancing with us, and we enjoyed his company at dinner and the shows. He worked his butt off at Quest, it was so much fun! Windy! What's happening, neighbor? Let's all get together and plan to go to Splashtown the next weekend you're free. I wonder if they're open on the 4th of July? Jessica, Carol, where are you? Can't hide from us... check in when you get a chance. Fran, I hope Judy's being real nice to you and not making you do too many chores. I'm so glad you were able to get to University Gen on Sunday morning to get unfilled... I know it put a damper on you're trip (not being able to keep anything down). How was the barbeque? Say Hi to Butch and Brenda, I'm glad they came along... hope they enjoyed their honeymoon trip! Howdy to Wayne too! Well, that's all for now my friends. I'm beat, it's taking me a while to recover. talk with you soon, Karla

Hi friends! I got home this morning from the LBT cruise. It was such fun, we really had a great time. I posted a few pictures on this thread: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f7/welcome-home-lbt-cruisers-37004/ We decided to get braids in Cozumel, which made it easy to get up and ready in the morning.. just had to blow dry the back and make sure to put sunblock between the braids to prevent sunburn on the scalp. ouch! I should have waited until the 2nd or 3rd port to get them, I would have liked more pictures of me with my regular hair style. I'll take another picture later this week with my braids out. The shows were great, and the on board activities were fun... especially learning to line dance. But, what truly made it such an awesome trip was the company. It's much easier to get along with people when you already have something in common. We talked about doing another cruise next spring, so make sure you all start saving your extra pennies.. it will be fun! Karla