mousecrazy

Hi! You're right about this site being informative, but it is also warm and caring, and a lot of websites can't say that! Good luck on your surgery; mine is this Friday, and I wish it was tomorrow....oh yeah, I need to finish the laundry. I guess Friday's gonna work after all! Enjoy hanging out here, Cindy

My dr. doesn't require me to be quite as strict...a small breakfast, protein drink for lunch, a small dinner and another protein drink. I went to The Vitamin Shoppe yesterday to get the Source of Life vitamins that were recommended on this board, and talked to the guy there. He showed me several other choices in protein drinks, and after I told him I was having lap band surgery he told me that dr.'s had come in the shopt o teach him what products were best for us "lappers." So, go check out your local vitamin Shoppe or GNC...they know more than I thought they would! He showed me something (I hope this is right) call ISOTOPE...a clear protein drink, low or no carb...it was nice for a change. Cindy

Penni! You're the best! Thanks a bajillion million! Cindy

Thank you, Paula. Would someone help me learn to make an avatar? You gotta go to Disney World! It is the most fun!

When you open one of the boards, there will be a button that says "New Thread" up at the top. Click it and start a new conversation. I have been on pre-op for about 3 days, and am almost following it perfectly. Just a coupld of adjustments like I had some fresh tomato with the broccoli and chicken...that shouldn't be too bad of a deal breaker, I wouldn't think.

My adorable 7 year old daughter with Dale!

I don't have Adobe, so it took me a while to figure out how to use FinePix Viewer. Here's another picture of just me, again, in December...at the kick-off party before our trip. Are you getting an idea of where I got the idea of my screen name? I have cut my hair and have cooler glasses now!

I love pictures, too! Here's one of my, my honey, and my little honey at Walt Disney World last Christmas.

Hi, DEEtermined! When are you getting banded? I am a teacher too, an English teacher at an alternative high school! I hope you like your new counselor job! I counsel all the time in my classroom...if you know what I mean, and you do, because you are a special ed teacher. Welcome here. I have truly enjoyed the great people and the help and encouragement...oh, and the information, tips and speed bump warnings, too!

I have been trying to post a picture and finally had the good sense to read past posts and stick notes, and thank you Barb! Now, I can do all that, but the picture is too big. How do I make a picture smaller? I can do it on other things, like in a word document or something, but when I edit with Paint, all the resizes don't include the whole picture, just the left hand corner! Help again?

EDNAK, thanks for the good wishes! And congrats on how well you have done. I like hearing these great stories, because even though I'm not nervous (well, not excessively), it just builds confidence and reassurance. I've already noticed that the two drinks I am using right now cause some gas...not a big deal, for me, anyway...not painful, just that I notice. I would think the body would adjust to it after a while. Again, congratulations, and continued success!

Takiesha, HI! I"m being banded on the exact same day! We'll have to stay in touch and see how each other is doing. You can learn alot on this board...and the people here are great! (They let me hang out here!) Good luck, Cindy

Hi, everyone! Where can I find instructions on how to insert an image? Thanks, Cindy

Thanks again to everyone for their suggestions! I've made notes and will start gathering! Thanksfully, my husband is great in the kitchen, so that won't be a problem...Can you have jello (gelled?) as a "clear liquid"?

I know it is so hard for you, and I'm going to sound like another dumb grown-up who doesn't understand, but I'm going to give it a try and see if what I say makes any sense to you. I tend to think that the high school milestones, like homecoming and stuff like that, is quite a great deal over-rated. Now, I know it is important right now, but we need to look at the big picture here. I am 49 years young. I love young things, have young interests, and teach high school. You will be doing yourself a big favor if you can focus on yourself and your health RIGHT NOW, and push to the back burner all those things like boyfriends, and hyped up social events. When you are healthy again, and thinner, all that you think you have missed will still be there! While, I myself acted like a teenager until I was 40! Okay, not all the way like a teenager, but I had plenty, plenty of great times, and they beat the heck out of those awkward high school events. I swear. I promise. Take care of yourself, get your education, and nothing will pass you by. "It is never too late to be what you might have been." I read that on a Mary Engelbreit poster, and I thought it applied to someone of my advanced years (ha!), but it sounds like you might relate. You are the star of your own life, so get after it! Cindy

For the do-it yourselfers, I just ordered a tag from: www.DiabeticDrugStore.com. I put my name, see card in wallet, Lap Band Patient and a medication allergy on mine. I"m going to make a few different bracelets for mine. I like doing stuff like that. Just another idea, Cindy

That's fantastic! I know I'm in lap band boot camp, but I like to think of the days ahead when I can enjoy some solid food, and I even though I do not often eat out, I enjoy it when I get the chance! I have a friend with celiac disease, and we've found the restaurants to be really agreeable about helping her order.

So, how does it go when you show it to the wiater/waitress? Are the restaurants very willing to make adjustments in portions or price? Any stories? And thanks for all the great feedback...I love learning here! Cindy

Barbara, how great to be sitting around the pool with other "lapdancers" (what my husband fondly refers to us as!). I wouldn't be comfortable at all with the situation you described at your local hospital, and Mexico sounds great from all the posts I've read! Cindy

Do you mind my asking your age? I teach high school kids, and love them...not in a weird way, of course!:alien I just think kids (young adults?) are cool! I guess I'd have to...I've been teaching 27 years, and about to start my 28th!

Justbeingme, thanks for adding your story. I had never considered the age restriction...just the cost. I am glad you added your situation to the mix. I wish you all the best...you must be excited! Cindy

Krystal! Great job on you weight loss!!!!! Congratulations! Cindy

Best of luck to you! I am a teacher, too, and was thrilled to get everything arranged for surgery on the 22nd...that gives me 2 weeks. We start Aug. 8. I don't mind that start date, as long as we don't lose our breaks at the holidays...that would really stink! Where is La Porte? Again, good luck! Cindy

Hey, you're right...I did get a couple of cards like that in my packet at the seminar! I think I'll get them laminated, so they hold up longer. Has anyone tried using them at a restaurant? Thanks everyone! Cindy

I was wondering if there is a card that says "I am a lapband patient" or something like that, and we could show it at restaurants, so we can order small portions or child plates or whatever? I was especially thinking of buffets...I'd like to have what I want, but it seems silly to pay a high price when I know I will only eat a very small amount. Anyone ever get a card, like a medical alert, or anything like that? Cindy