CCBSTX

Good luck! Shawn

Most folks don't have to sip, sip their water. Pre-banding I thought I has to take sips of everything I drank. I pretty much drink as much as I want, except I don't drink for 30 minutes after eating. The fluid will flush out your food. Steak and I are "iffy." I can eat it now, carefully, but in my tighter band days it "no way!" Shawn

Sorry about the rough times! Glad you are back to lapbandtalk! Take care. Shawn

Just say you are dieting and keep it to yourself. I kept my band to myself (only my husband, kids, and best friend know). Its worked out great. After the intial banding period and recovery, you'll get a guage on what "agrees" with your band. When I am tight, a soup and salad always agrees! Shawn

Here's a calculator. I believe it just gives you an estimate, of course. http://www.alllaw.com/calculators/Childsupport/texas/ Shawn

Congrats! It's my anniversary also! You look so much younger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You did a great job. Shawn

Sorry, you are so upset? When will you be able to watch your grandchild, according to your surgeon? Tell your daughter, that she will need to find other arrangements until you can get back in action again! There is plenty of quality daycare arrangements out there. Good luck. Shawn

Jayger, THAT is a plan!! I better get going as I haven't planned anything. We deserve a round of applause, pat-on-the-back and more. It is so wonderful that you are treating yourself. I just might do the pedicure/manicure thing myself...hmmm. I wish more bandsters lived in my area. We are kinda of rare in CC, TX as there are no bariatric physicians in my city. It would be nice to celebrate with a bandster friend! Have fun!!! Shawn

Yes! September bandsters. We did it!!!! I feel good...I've lost 84 pounds and now I am a size 12. It was really strange to buy clothes in the regular department. I am still finding my way around. Do any of you, take out your clothes from the dryer and think..."these things are small." I just can't believe I can fit into them. I do have a slight fear of losing my band. Like with any implant, things can go wrong. That is in the back of my mind. Glad to see you folks doing well... Shawn

Get a feeling for the person. Once you meet her, you'll have a better idea if this is someone you can rely on for followup. The surgery is extremely important, but the followup is a close 2nd. Also, if you can explore the lapbandtalk.com, and obesityhelp.com for more surgeon info., that might help you make a decision. Don't be afraid to mention your surgeons name on the message boards. People will have their own opinions, but it's nice to get a reading. Shawn

I was almost 40 years old and the most that I had ever lost was 20 pounds or pure hell. Between my head cravings, exercising, and hunger, I knew that it would be an uphill battle to continue my loss. Soooo, I stopped my Richard Simmons diet and exercise plan and bamm, those pounds came back. I knew that I couldn't lose a huge chunk of weight on my own. I had no willpower. The band is something that you get used to and then whamo ...it fluctuates on restriction. There is no Utopia as far as weight loss goes. It's damn hard, no matter how you do it! We all know that. Search you heart and head for more info. Write a list of pros and cons. That helped me. Some folks have more support than others and family often "comes around" over time. I asked myself, "how many 80 year oldss do I know that are moribly obese? 90-100% of the diets fail eventually, what made me so special to think this wouldn't happen to me?" I had my answer. Good luck with yours, Shawn

Glad all is going well. Keep drinking:) !!! Shawn

Good luck and welcome to lapbandtalk!!! Come back and let us know how you're doing. Shawn

Welcome! I hope your wife is doing better. The beginning can be kinda rough. I never figured out how folks could get banded and the next day shopping! It only goes to show how different we truly are.... Shawn

Adios Petunia!!!!! Take care of yourself Crystal. Shawn

In my thin days, my cycles were never regular. I gained weight throughout the years, and I never would menstruated without progresterone. I took it every 2-3 months as my gyn. waned me to have a cycle every one in awhile. Now, since banding.....I have a cycle every 28-30 days like clockwork. Kinda strange, since my thin days I was never consistent!!! Welcome to menstruation again :phanvan . Shawn

Every person is different. Don't be shocked if you aren't ready to run a race, 3 days after surgery. I have stairs and I took it slow the first week. I could make it, but slowly. I was still sore. The puppy thing, well...have fun!!! Shawn

It seems like she is losing pretty well. I'd say let her do this on her own. I am sure she knows you are there for support. At this time in her life, as you have said, she is pretty busy with school and work. Take care. Shawn

I was given Clear liquids, after banding, on the first day. The next morning they let me have Jello and Soup. I was on liquids for 2 weeks. Good luck. Depending on what type of job you do, 2 weeks should be plenty. You'll probably still have moments of soreness. Shawn

Nana, those are great party ideas! I have a 12 year old and we did the slumber thing with a few girls. Decorating cupcakes will be fun. Anything that you do, they will have fun. Aren't girls fun??!!! Shawn

I've never had reflux. After I was filled to 1.2 cc for a few months, it just occurred overnight. I am not too tight and can eat solids just fine. Like previous posters have stated. I keep my head elevated at night. Plus, not eating a few hours before bed works! If I eat, then I elevate. I do believe that being too tight can have an effect. However, not always. Shawn

I am so sorry Joy about your rough time. It's good to post here as most folks have great wisdom. Of course, I don't know the "whole" story. If he didn't love you, then it is probably a good idea to move on. The hardest part will be the kids. Concentrate on your kids and making yourself happy. Take care. Shawn

Interesting and very hopeful for those with early infections! I am wondering, what do these bead look like? Shawn

Good for you Mercedes! Reaching out for help and grabbing ahold of it! So glad you're making an appt. It never hurts for folks to seek out professional help. Good professional help, can benefit all people. We all have some issues that may need sorting out, at one point or another. As a child, you've gone through trauma and yes that affects your psyche into adulthood. Of course, you know that already! Knowing and doing are two different actions. Yes, you can take pills banded. Depending upon your restrictions, some swallow whole and others divide/grind them up. Take care, Shawn

Start treating yourself well. Do something special that you don't normally do. Get a great haircut! I've noticed your signature says that you lost 77 pounds the first year..That is quite an accomplishment. Alot of times, we don't feel that we are worth it. Whether it's something we have been told and then started to say (internally) to ourselves. Know that it took great courage to get banded in the first place. Somewhere, deep inside, you felt that you were worth. Of course, you are going to have self-doubt. Everybody does, at one time or another. Get as much support as you can. Stay around folks that are positive and helpful in your Quest for self-confidence. Take care, Shawn