Mrs Sabre

Dianne & Angie, we're not going to be able to do lunch today. We're going to try again for one of the next two weeks. Sorry

OK ladies, don't blink! Before you know it, they'll be going out on dates, married, and moving out! Of course, after surviving their teen years, you may be ready for them to leave!

:clap2: Congratulations Jill! Welcome to Bandedland!

I'm down 20 inches (27 if you double losses for arms & legs) now! For the first time in years, I weigh less than my dear lean long legged husband! :clap2: I'm going to post before and current pictures later today!

Diane, you asked for it! I still have diarrhea; it's been 10 days now. I don't feel sick outside of the 15 minutes 1-2 times a day the cramps and bathroom runs hit. I thought it was viral last week, because I had a headache and body aches for the first three days. Those are gone, but the diarrhea remains? Work is super busy, and only going to get busier in the short term. I found out I'll be moving to Harris Blvd. the last week in August, rather than early to mid September. It makes little difference to me, except I have to box up and move everything (except my computer) myself. I'm on vacation next week ... yippy! I do have a couple of doctors' appointments, but no biggie; they're allergy tests and my annual GYN exam. I've discovered that I'm one of those women who's band restriction feels much tighter during their cycle. Now that it's over, my appetite is back with a vengence, and I feel wide open again. I'll ask for another fill as soon as Dr. V allows. It's only been 3 weeks since my 1st. Have I mentioned how much I love my band? All in all, I'm fine as frog hair split 3 ways! My DH, DD, and SIL are all doing fine too.

So Donna, do you think you could join us for lunch on Sept. 9th? We'd love to meet you!

Unless something totally unexpected comes up, I'm there!

Until I started losing weight and people started asking about it, I only told my immediate family & closest friends. My Dad is the only one who's not been totally on-board with it. I think he'll change his mind once he sees me later this month. The irony is that he struggles with 80 pounds himself, has high blood pressure and diabetes.

Although there may be some variation depending upon your specific circumstances, this is the order I used: 1. I checked coverage with my insurance company. 2. I saw/discussed it with my primary doctor. I did this because he needed to know and many weight loss doctors require a letter of reference. 3. Although I didn't, many doctors require that you attend their seminar. 4. Tests, at minimum psychological and nutrition evaluations. 5. Consultation with weight loss surgeon. 6. Whether you have additional tests or it goes to the insurance next depends upon a number of variables. 7. Insurance approval 8. Pre-op with surgeon. 9. Surgery. Like any weight loss surgery, it's not magic; you have to do your part. With its adjustability, there is maintenance with the lap-band. The only "down side" is productive burps (PBs). This happens when you eat too fast and don't chew enough, or when your restricted too tight, or when a food is too dry. In other words, if it can't get through your band and gets hung up, it can come back up on you. IMHO, it's not nearly as bad as vomitting. I don't retch when I PB, and the food isn't digested; there's no stomach acid in it. I'd do it again in a heart beat! I've lost more so far with my band than I did the first entire year of my last failed attempt at dieting! Being satisfied with less food, I'm also more optimistic about getting weight off and keeping it off!

Cheesy Cauliflower 1 head of cauliflower or 1 pkg. frozen 1/4 c. butter 1 tsp. mayonaise 1 tsp. mustard 1/2 c. Parmesan cheese Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Steam or boil fresh cauliflower to desired tenderness or prepare frozen per package directions, & drain. Put in pie dish or square baking pan. Mix mustard and mayo, spoon over cauliflower, and mix to coat. Drop butter in small chunks on top of the coated cauliflower. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top and bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Although not part of the original recipe, I lightly sprinkled pepper, onion flakes, and garlic powder on top before baking. I follow in everyone's footsteps when I too say "Thank You!"

Hey Angie, we're meeting at 4 p.m. You're close enough to me that I'd come get you if you like! Just give me a call; you have my #. I didn't make it to the July gathering; so I'd have to run a sky-high fever to miss it tomorrow! Besides, this gives me a good reason to make cauliflower. :eek: John won't touch it, so I won't make it for just me.

I have some kind of bug! I've had a head ache, back ache, & diarrhea for three days now. Yesterday, I even ralphed! :eek: :opps2: I'm functional, but this isn't my idea of fun! I still have an appetite :hungry: , but am eating light until I know it's over. I haven't had a fever :sick, so I don't think I'm contageous? ... and otherwise, I don't feel that bad. As long as it doesn't get any worse, I guess I'll still come tomorrow.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANGIE! :happybday2::):happybday::laser::cheer2:

Hey Kathy, ketsup works pretty good with chicken too!

Can you believe it's August already? It's time for me to start my Christmas shopping! I've found if I make a list early and do a little at a time, I'm usually done well before Christmas and have a lot less stress. :clap2:

OK, my band honeymoon is over, and it's time to work. I say this because I gained 1 pound this week! I know it's not the end of the world, but I still have way too much capacity, and have come to the realization that just because I can eat, doesn't mean I should. (Duh huh!) I'm still thrilled with my band and the results I've had so far! Again I say, I cannot wait to see everyone! I may be bringing Christy Saturday, a friend from church who is also pursuing the lap band.

For that matter, we could always bring some chickens with us. They're generally inexpensive, moist, and taste really good!

Angie, I hate to be a stick in the mud, but I'm in church & choir practice on Wednesday evenings. Happy Birthday! I hope you have a great day!

I prefer weekends. Although I can do some week nights, I get up really early during the week and hate the idea of having to eat and run just to get enough rest. Unless I have a prior engagement, when scheduled on the weekend, I don't schedule anything around it so I can take my time and enjoy everyone's company. That's my 2 cents ... with inflation maybe worth a penny! :rofl:

Hi everyone! It sounds like everyone is on the mend. There's not a whole lot to tell on this end. I think my work move to Harris Blvd may be sooner than later, but I still don't have a firm date yet. My NSVs have turned permanent! :clap2: John and I have slept together 3 out of the last 4 nights and no snoring! I've also been wearing my wedding rings daily. They're tight, but not painfully so. I figure as long as I can get them on and off, I'm going to wear them. I made some bad food choices on Tuesday, and have spent the rest of this week trying to make up for them. I never thought a small bowl of chili and 8 hush puppies could do so much damage. Of course, I never expected to be able to eat that much in one sitting again and not be full. As I've already said 1/2 dozen times already, I cannot wait to see you all!

OK by me!

OK Dianne, I'm jealous! How many cruises do you take each year? :tea: Now that I'm on "real" food again. I do think my fill is helping with hunger. I'm more hungry and hungry more often in the morning, but it was 5 hours after lunch yesterday before I felt any hunger. I do think I have more capacity than I should ... is that normal? I do have another newbie question, do you eat until full or just until satisfied?

Kim, it's awesome that the website is up and running! I love the Bios too! You look awesome!

Angie, we're here if you need us; prayers continue! I can't tell any difference with my fill; so I guess we haven't hit the sweet spot yet. I ate 1.5 oz. of cashews this afternoon and didn't feel a thing. I'm still having frequent hunger and simply toughing it out between meals. I see Dr. V in 3 weeks, and gather he'll do another fill in 6 weeks? I've had my wedding rings on for two days now without pain from being too tight. John and I are also going for a second night in a row sleeping together without him kicking me out for snoring. We love to cuddle! I'm also in a size 18 now from a starting size of 22, but I may have already told that one?

Angie, I experienced the same thing with birth control pills, but that's been over 20 years ago, and I know the pill has changed/evolved a lot since then. I pray you feel better, and they find it's nothing signficant! We went to see "Pirates ..." 2 on Saturday. Otherwise, I spent a big part of my weekend finishing up the quarterly church newsletter. I'm "Contributing Editor", in other words I harrass others to write for the newsletter, and still write 3/4 of it myself. I'm on mushies, and so far, I haven't really been able to tell a difference with my 1st fill. I go back to "real" food tomorrow, and maybe will be able to tell then? If not, I'll get a second fill as soon as Dr. V's protocols permit. I still can't wait to see everyone on August 5th! :clap2: