Mrs Sabre

Hi Everyone! I have a some NSV's I'm going to toot my horn over: 1) for the first time in over two years, my husband made it through an entire night sleeping together without him kicking me out of bed for snoring like a freight train, 2) after 6 weeks of "dieting", I'm down a total of 16 inches, and 3) with the heat and swelling, I can't wear them all day, but I got my wedding rings on for the first time in two years also! :clap2: I'm still running around with newbie euphoria, but hey, I'll ride this natural high as long as it lasts!

Hello, my name is Karen, and I'm a scale junky! I only write my weight down in my journal once a week, but I weigh at least once, if not twice, a day. I don't mean obsess about it, but can't seem to help myself. Oh well, I guess there are worse things? I'm having a very laid back 4th. I had to work yesterday, but there were very few people in, and I left a little early. :biggrin1: Not much else to report here. I miss everyone, and hate that I won't be able to make lunch this month!

Angie, it was my pleasure! I love the way Bear and Merlin played too. I wish we had gotten video; we could have sent it to America's Funniest Animals! We live close enough that we ought to just get together again; that and we're so chatty, we'll go over my cell minutes!

Is chewing gum OK or not? I don't recall instructions one way or another. Some have been told it could 1) cause increased gas and 2) if swallowed obstruct the stoma. What are your thoughts?

Angie, I PM'd you. I don't have firm plans this weekend and am staying around, so give me a call. I'm sure we can figure out something about 1/2 way between our locations! Like everyone else has said, be proud of how far you've come. You'll get it back.

Happy Bandiversary Angie! Hang in there lady; you can do this ... all of it! You have phone numbers if you ever want to talk! We love you!

CYPRESS TREE (Faithfulness) -- strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give but doesn't necessarily like it, strives to be content, optimistic, wants to be financially independent, wants love and affection, hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered at times, can be unruly and careless, loves to gain knowledge, needs to be needed.

My known allergies are dust, cats, grass, garden mold, Tapazole, Welbutrin, Zoloft, Sulfa, Keflex, Cipro, & Vancomycin. The doctor said it's not poison ivy or the like, and I'm going to a specialist in August to undergo comprehensive allergy testing. Not only to find out if I'm allergic to other things, but find out what antibiotics I can still take ... if any. My options keep dwindling.

I don't know if I told you all, but when I awoke from my lap-band surgery, I was told that I had allergic reactions to 2 antibiotics they tried to give me. These were two medications I had not had reactions to in the past. They also told me to get a medic alert bracelet, because my antibiotic allergies are so many. At my post op visit Dr. V told me to get to an allergist to find out what else I can take. :phanvan I'm not ignoring all of this, I just figured I'd bring it up again when I planned on seeing my PCP in August for my next recheck. I believe the good Lord decided to nudge me into taking care of this sooner rather than later. I now have an itchy rash down the inside of both forearms and the back of my right leg. I think it may be poison ivy or oak that my dog brought in on his fur? ... if that's possible? I don't know what else it can be? Anyway, I think it's time for comprehensive allergy tests? I see my PCP later this morning.

OK, I'm jealous. I haven't seen the beach in years and have never been on a cruise. I need a vacation! I do need some help from you more seasoned bandsters. I need tips on the best and/or easiest ways to slow down my eating. :hungry: I thought I ate slow before the band, but I've found it's not slow enough. I haven't PB'd, but I've felt kind of stuck a couple of times.

Jennifer, you forget I've seen you in a bathing suit. :eek: Maybe you should try separates so you can get a big enough top and small enough bottom? Otherwise, I think you look just fine the way you are! Jennifer & Wavy, I'll be out at CIC every Wed. 8 am - 12 noon for the next 6 weeks for work. Maybe we can get together for lunch? Kim, if I don't see you at the seminar this evening, I'll see you on Friday. I will be sending you an e-mail at work in the mean time with a couple of Dr. V questions. Kathy, thanks. Yep, I don't think I'll be eating any kind of non-ground beef again for a while. It wasn't painful, but it wasn't my idea of fun either! Wavy, I bet you're on cloud 9 with your recent approval? Court, we missed you at lunch last time. Anyone seen Starr W? Dianne, I miss you too!

I just started mushies last week. Between pre & post-op liquids, and a week of mushies I've averaged 4 1/2 pounds per week. I'm sure this will slow down significantly as I introduce more solid foods.

Things have changed, and I'm obligated to a church function on July 15th; so I'm not going to be able to make it this month after all :confused: Bummer!

Hi Everyone! Good to see Court back too! We traveled to Gibson, NC for John's grandma's funeral service today. The church fed the family afterwards, and I had some hard choices. I opted for pot roast and a little green Beans. The pot roast was moist and tender, but it's the first meat I've eaten. I ate too fast, and may not have chewed quite as well as needed; it stuck for a few minutes. I got up and walked around outside. I didn't PB, but boy do I now know what it means to "slime"!

Congratulations Jill! That's awesome news!

Specific pre and post op liquid/mushy diet requirements vary from surgeon to surgeon; would you give an opinion on why this is? Also, I read an earlier question about eating a more solid food ahead of schedule after surgery. I think we all know the diet phases are designed for healing and then weight loss, but can you tell us more specifically the things that can happen if you eat solid foods too soon? Thanks Dr. C!

Dr. C - I too think it's awesome that you're interested in helping here, outside of what I'm sure is an already busy medical practice. I'm still a euphoric newbie and don't have any questions yet. Welcome to LBT!

OK folks, I'm still riding around on cloud 9 with newbie over enthusiasm! I wish I could bottle it up and give it away to any who wants it. :clap2: I can feel my band at meal time, when I'm quickly full on so much less; but then I'm getting really hungry 2 hours later. From all I've read, I think I'll be ready for that fill at 6 weeks post-op. The wake & funeral service for John's grandma are on Saturday; so we'll be heading to Gibson, NC for the day. Everyone has calmed down for now, but the weekend will be difficult for all. Thank you for your prayers and condolences! Bible school has been a lot of fun this week, but also very tiring. Next year I'll take the week off from work for it! Also, I have a good friend from church who is really interested in being banded. I'm going with her to a seminar on Monday, and I've given her this web address. Our numbers may be growing even more soon.

I met Stacy through a mutual friend and referred her here. She was banded in 2001, and is an absolute inspiration! She's local living proof that the band works! I know we just met, but I can't wait to see eveyone again! Now that I'm healed, it's head work time. My old nature wants me to pile a plate FULL of food that, even if good choices, I know I can't hold. I'm finding myself eating off of saucers and salad plates. My plate is still somewhat full; it's just a much smaller plate.

Kim, I hope you feel better soon!

Congratulations Lucky! We have the same bandiversary; I too was banded on June 5th.

Kim, you mentioned Aug. for a pool party; the only Saturday I can't make it in August is the 26th. I have a family reunion in WV.

Kathy & Kim, God bless you both! That doesn't sound like fun. Dianne, I miss you too! Awesome picture! Angie, where are you? We love you lady; hang in there! Jennifer, I'm proud of you too! Go for it! Stacy, come back; we like you! OK, where is everyone else? Court, Starr, Wavy, Diane Mast, Oreilly, Vericks, Denika? Who am I missing?

Either date works for me too! Count me in.

Outside of our lunch on Saturday, I spent all weekend preparing for vacation Bible school, which starts this evening, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. M-F this week. Two of us will split teaching and craft duties for a room full of 1st & 2nd grade children. Based upon last year, it's a lot of fun; but we'll all be worn out by the end of the week ... especially after working an 8 hour day beforehand! John's 101 year old grandma died yesterday afternoon. She was at peace and ready to go home, but we still grieve for our loss. We'll be taking off to Laurinburg, NC sometime later this week for services. His Dad and Mom are basket cases, as I am sure I'll be when my parents pass. Please pray for peace and grace for John's family during this sad time.