Road Queen

Just found this thread and loving it. My name is Road Queen is because my last 4 motorcycles (of the dozen that I've had) have been HD Road Kings. I have been riding hd motorcycles for over 25 years. My usual name is schnapps_hd. The loves of my life - my dalmation Schnapps and motorcycling. I recently read that you should pick an appropriate screen name because someone that reads it may be your next employer - so I didn't think putting alcohol (Schnapps) in my title was appropriate. But Schnapps is the best name to yell. Those of you with kids know its important to be able to yell their name to get their attention - when I yell "Schnapps" in my neighborhood, I get everyone's attention.

Are you a frequent flyer on that airline? Can you upgrade your seat? Some airlines have a business class where the seats are wider and 1st class always is. There also may be the opportunity to upgrade your seat for a fee. I know there are various rates but I would ask. I would also check if I could join some club/frequent flyer/other group they have that may provide a free 1time upgrade.

Megan, I'm doing late night surfing 2:45 am and just read this thread. this is awesome. I'm doing (too much) mental strategies to deal with life after surgery and coming across this was great. Thanks for sharing.

What is the Mcleods pre op diet? From what I understand, my surgeon doesn't require one but if it will make post op easier, I want to do it. Thanks.

My passport will expire next year. Hopefully, I will look like my picture again when it expires - it was new in 1997, the time of Phen-fen. A couple of years later, when I was traveling somewhere, an individual asked me if it was depressing to have a passport photo that looked that nice - considering my size then. Thankfully, there was no cup of hot coffee in my hands...

Since no one in ND has posted, I'm hoping this will help us if we have an ND lurker out there. I am in Bismarck and starting to meet with St. A's next week. I understand today - April 27 - is the day the proctor is here to train the surgeon. I wanted this surgery 2 years ago (when my sister had WLS) but hesitated because I have to self-pay. Hoping to be banded late May - I'm eternally optimistic. Hope to hear from someone else in ND

If you were flying, make it 3-4 pounds of water weight. Good job. Traveling and maintaining weight can be a nightmare!! Keep it up and continue being a good influence for the rest of us.

I use Stevia for everything. I use different varieties for different things. Probably a personal hangup. I don't like the liquid in Yogurt but do in most everything else. Also, there is a variety with Fiber. Stevia Plus fiber products. I am attaching the info from my food coop website. Please let me know if this would be a problem after SteviaPlus - Don't sweeten your coffee, supplement it! SteviaPlus is a naturally sweet tasting, highly beneficial product that can be used in all beverages and foods. Convenient for preparing Cereal or fruit and stable for both heating and freezing, SteviaPlus is a unique and versatile product that does not have a bitter aftertaste. SteviaPlus has a glycemic index of 0 and does not affect blood sugar. Safe for diabetics, it is 8-10 times sweeter than sugar. Stevia is a small green plant native to Paraguay and provides the intense sweetness for SteviaPlus. SteviaPlus also contains Frutafit Inulin Fiber (FOS), a functional food ingredient found in chicory, fruits and vegetables. Mildly sweet and zero calories per servings, FOS is a premium soluble fiber that selectively nourishes the friendly bacteria (lactobacillus and bifidobacteria) in the intestines. The increased number of these good bacteria will help gastrointestinal functions and may: improve regularity, cleanse the colon, support liver health, assist and strengthen the immune system, help control the formation of free radicals. INGREDIENTS: Frutafit Inulin Fiber (FOS), Stevia Extract (standardized to a minimum of 90% Steviosides, including 40% Rebaudioside A.) Supplement Facts Serving Size: 1/2 packet (1/2 g) Servings per Container: 200 Nutrient Amount %DV Calories 0 Total Fat 0 g 0% Total Carbohydrates less than 1 g 0% Sugars 0 g 0% Frutatin Inulin Fiber 475 mg Stevia Leaf Extract 25 mg Directions: Due to the high fiber content of this product, stir liquid first, then pour product in and continue to stir. Stir. Pour. Stir. 1 pkt - 2 tsp. of sugar 4 pkts - the fiber of 1 bowl of cereal To prolong shelf life, store in cool, dry place. No saccharin, no NutraSweet, no aspartame, no refined sugar, no maltodextrin, no fructose, no artificial sweeteners of any kind. Kosher Parve.

Deb, I'm in ND and posted in the Minnesota area. Megan responded that she was banded at Fairview University Hospital in St. Paul. I also know my cousin was banded somewhere in Mpls/St. Paul. Between the awesome hospital in Minneapolis/St Paul area and Mayo clinic at Rochester, I would feel very confident you will find good health care with your band. Bummer, I had hoped I could ride motorcycle around the world someday and stop and visit you in SA.

Denice, since I don't have a band yet I'm not expert but my cousin (who got hers in Oct) has done alot of traveling since then. When we talked about it, this is part of a journey to change our lifestyles and just view this as part of the process. Enjoy Hawaii and its beauty and start replacing eating with other habits - walking on the beach, enjoying the flowers, etc

Just read somewhere that bandsters beep at the airport security. Is that true?

Good luck. Waiting to hear about your experience.

Oh, I am so waiting to get to Ecuador next month and hoping to find typical S. American coffee so strong I don't need a cup!

Well, I spent last night doing recipe searches and actually found a site with recipes from the Congo. slow cooked and sauces seems to be right. I am going to have the surgery (as long as everything works out). I have waited too long to be a normal size and won't let it stop me. It will be a great motivator to lose and follow the program. (Wouldn't it be awesome to say someday that I went to Paris to get a fill!!) I'm not sure the specifics of the job. I met with the Treasury office of Technical Assistance last year concerning opportunities for international budget work. I prepare the Governor's recommendations for higher education, agricultural research, transportation (highways), and human services and am in charge of the maintaining the computer system for budget analysis. I also teach college classes in economics, public finance, and governmental accounting. The job could be related to any or all of these. From what I understand, an initial visit would identify the scope of the job and my potential for working in the environment. I expect to get more information in about a month but May 10th I am going to Ecuador for a week. My friend who lives there works for US Aid so I'm hoping to get some additional insights. I will keep everyone updated. Thanks for all the information and support.

I have just been notified that I am in the running for a job in Congo (which would start late summer or after). I am in the process of getting everything approved for late May surgery. What do you guys think? Do you get weak, have health issues and stuff 3-4 months after surgery? How fussy do you need to be about food? I am guessing that my initial visit will require some wining and dining with local officials. Will this work? I need to let them know soon if I am still interested. As you can probably tell, I'm kind of excited and kind of freaking. The potential would be for me to live there for 3 years. Is there anyone on the board from Congo? Does anyone know about fills there? I'm not real worried because I can always fly somewhere to get them.

My dr is saying $12,500 total. and they are going to let me put it on my credit card - frequent flyer miles. Free fills for 1 year.

Not directly reduces calories - reduces it because the ice melts and waters it down. 12 oz beer plus 4 oz of ice equals 16 oz of fluid with same number of calories. Not really a calorie reduction but calorie watering down...sorry for any confusion.

Good luck. I hope I'm soon to follow...

I am not banded yet so I'm no expert but alot of times when I drink beer I drink it on ice (colder, reduces calories) and it seems to reduce carbonation too.

Prevention magazine has a schedule to train for walking a marathon. If you go on line, they have lots of information and started April 1 getting ready to walk an Oct marathon. Unfortunately, my feet gave out about a month ago and I'm having problems walking 20 minutes but hopefully, after I get banded, that will improve.

Thanks, this is helping. Just talked to the nurse and his proctor is coming in April 27th. She said the $12,500 is total cost.

Hello everyone. Since I started posting threads a few days ago, I thought I'd introduce. I am starting my consultations visits on May 2. According to the nurse, since I am a self-pay, I should be in around the 1st of June. One question I have is whether you got weak (from lack of food) and for how long? I live in North Dakota but love to travel. In the summer, I ride motorcycle - alot. My last four motorcycles have been HD Road Kings - hence my screen name. Did anyone plan anything special for themselves during the process? Like when my tax refund comes in 2006, maybe I should visit Viet Nam or rent a motorcycle in New Zealand to reward myself. I'm appreciating the answers and support I've been finding here and can't wait to join in. Celeste

Lara, I'm from North Dakota and still in the planning stage. How long has your dr been doing lap band? Had he done alot of them before yours? The dr here in Bismarck just started doing lap band in March and I'm looking for others who were initial patients of drs. Thanks for any info. Celeste

A local dr who started performing bariatric surgery 1 year ago (has done 50) started lap band surgery in March. The cost is $12,500 cash (my insurance won't pay). I think this is a good price but should I be concerned about the lack of experience. They all have to learn sometime - right? Any opinions are appreciated.