Apples2

I will get it started. I am from Minnesota. My husband and I farm and have a drainage tile business. I had my own business for many years but sold to take some of the stress out of our lives. There are days I would love to head to town to work but then I just have to think about how nice it is to not have to jump in my car every morning to go to work. Anyone else want to share????????:wink2:

So true. It's not just about my son and our family. There are so many hundreds of thousand of families affected every day in one way or the other. We had a family support group while our boys were away. I found myself just sitting and watching the young mothers with their toddlers and babies and wondered how they got through it. Love, devotion, strength. Not sure but they do it. Thanks guys for your responses. I feel so much better that you listened. I didn't want to call a friend at 10:30pm...then I remembered I have you guys!:wink2:

Thanks for the support. It's just that I was sitting here home alone and crying and needed someone to talk to. You tell yourself that everything will be okay. I just really wonder exactly what he goes through when this hits him. He has one thing going for him. He has always been a talker. He has other buddies that just cannot get it out. He talks to me about most things and I appreciate it. I never wished that he would not have gone. It was something he believed. When he found out he was being deployed he came and got me in his truck and we drove around and talked. He said "I'm going to a hell hole but I am going to do my mission and I'll be back. I signed a contract to do this". That could not have been a prouder moment in my life. He believed in what they had to do. I worried so much when he was over there but it seemed like we had so much more strength then. I guess it's the unknown once he is back home and when these episodes will hit him. He will handle it. I know he will. Thanks again for your responses. It helped.

We have a son that served a year in Iraq. He was 24 when he went with his unit of 150...90% were high school buddies. Some didn't come back. Luckily he did. He is now 27. He was a gunner and rode like a sitting duck every day while patrolling the streets in Bahgdad. He saw plenty of action. He is a very strong person but there is nothing that can prepare a young man for what they went through. Our son works with us. Today another bout of PTSD (post tramatic stress disorder) re-entered his life. I feel so helpless. His first order of business when this happens is to call one of his soldier buddies. I sent him home and gave him tomorrow off and we'll go from there. I know he has learned the tools to get through this bump in the road. I just get so scared for him and know this is something he will maybe have to deal with for a lifetime. We are so proud of him and every other person that serves our country. We have him back. Others have not been that lucky so I shouldn't complain. I just needed to talk.

Yaherd, Happy to hear you are home and on the mend. Take care of yourself and wishing success with your band.

Was doing a crossword this morning and the Lap Band commercial came on. You know...the one with the lady in her kitchen and the big old wild cat lurking around the corner. Does anyone ever wonder if she is one of us on Lapbandtalk.com. Could she, as well, be lurking just around the corner?:cursing:

Congrats Pix. Can you imagine how hot you will look by the time your DH comes home? Continue to take care of yourself and be proud of your accomplishments.

I think you can get a rain check at Target for one! Another thing I bought was a couple of loose fitting bras that just slip over my head. :hand:

I have been fortunate in that I have had 9 visits with my surgeon and one more to go b/4 my surgery on June 17. The only time the term "fill" has ever come up was at my initial informative seminar back on Oct. 2. "P.B." has never been mentioned. If not for Lapbandtalk.com I wouldn't have a clue. Don't get me wrong, any questions I have asked my surgeon he has been very patient and taken a lot of time to answer. I trust my surgeon and he has a wonderful track record. I am just not sure why certain complications are not thrown out there for us to digest. I can honestly say that 90% of anything I've learned about banding had come from this wonderful site. I did do research on my own b/4 joining this website but have learned sooooooooooo much from the experience of others....whether good or bad.

Not banded until June 17 but here are some things I have on hand already: liquid Tylenol (I cannot take pain meds) Liquid Tylenol PM Liquid Tylenol Cough Med (just in case I get the scratchy throat) New thermometer to make sure temp is where it should be Small packets of Protein powder (mixes with Hot drinks and soups) 5 new books Lake house

Hey Marine, Good luck with your surgery and your band life. Hope you see this as one of the best things you ever did. Take care of yourself

Sorry to hear of your frustrations. Just try to take it all in stride. I am pre-op also and finally have a surgery date of June 17. I thought I would never get to this point. One thing I have to say about the extra wait that I had; it was a good thing for me. Gave me time to prepare for the HUGE life change that will occur the day of my surgery. Good luck to you!

So sorry to hear of what you have had to deal with today, Kathy. No news is good news and I am sure you would agree with that statement today. Hang in there!

Hey Kat, I guess my take on the "men" commenting thing is this: Most men are scared sh**less to say ANYTHING when it comes to a woman's weight. Most of them have heard the dreaded questions from their women, i.e. "Does my butt look big in these jeans?" I think most men would rather run like hell rather than answer a question like that or bring up a woman's weight, good or bad. WE did that to them! Congrats on the weight that you have lost and wishing you continued success.

Damn, LJM, looks sore. I lost two toenails one time from doing a long walk. (when I was thin and worked out). Mine came back just fine. Hope yours does. What a guy that DH is to take care of it for you. My toenails are just plain UGLY anyway.

Actually, it was the only apple I could find. It represents my physique...I am apple shaped!:wink_smile:

Would love to, Kerry. I am very emotional this week about taking this step. I have taken a lot of time to prepare and feel as if I am ready. All these emotions are bound to happen. I am sure that all this will even out. I wish you luck and stay in touch!:wink_smile:

Peter, so sorry to hear of your wife's passing. Thank you for taking the time to inform us of her symptoms. So often I read posts from people that delay going to their dr. because they feel they might not be serious enough symptoms. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Good luck, you guys. Will be thinking of you tomorrow and on Wed.

I would have lost everything I had eaten. That is just gross. Find the South Beach company website and see if they have a way to contact them. I would download the photo and send it with an explanation of what you found in your dinner. I makes me wonder about what other crap is in our processed foods!

Kat...leaving in the morning for a mini vacation and just wanted to wish you luck on Tuesday. I will be thinking of you. Wishing you a quick recovery. Take care of yourself. Also, congrats on the grandbaby. Hugs!

JBFlorida...happy to hear that your fears have settled some. After I got my ins. approval last Thursday, I went into panic mode. By Monday it was worse. I woke up this morning and decided just to let all the fear, anxiety and anticipation go. I now feel as if I am fully prepared for this surgery. I think I was just letting the "what if's" rule. I have always been a person to accept what comes my way and that is the way I am going to treat this situation. Never thought of naming my band once I get it. Will have to think on that. Good health to you!

OMG how cute!!!!!!!! Kids can say things we only wish we could say. Could I borrow that little sweetie for a trip to my MIL????????????

Christy, I'm not banded yet either but I already worry about some of those social situations the few months after my surgery on June 17. We have a few weddings, a couple of BBQ's and numerous potlucks at our summer resort. I have told some closer friends of my soon-to-be banding but feel that I will need to make excuses to others that don't know. Where there's a will, there's a way (or a little white lie). Good luck on your upcoming surgery. I wish you well

Flipflops...sending hugs your way. I admire you for what you are doing and have done for your parents. Everyone should have a family member like you to rely on when times get tough. Sounds like you don't have a lot of time for yourself. All of this may not seem rewarding at this time but when you look back on what you have done and how much you have helped you mom, you should pat yourself on the back. Hang in there, kiddo.