Apples2

Allison, I am sure you were heart broken when you lost Bogart. I do understand the small dog thing though. As I said above, our Tanker weighs about 100lbs. He lays on my husband every evening in the recliner. Head tucked under DH chin and butt hanging over the edge of the recliner. Both get so comfy they fall asleep and snore in unison.

Labs are the most loving and loyal dogs ever. Our 100lbs black lab, Tanker, is the sweetest and smartest dog we have ever had

Congrats on getting chosen for the advisory council. Have you ever been to the Wynn? Such a nice place. Hope you have a great time!

Holly, no surgery for me yet either. I have freaked a few times and it had to do with (excuse my expression here) the dumb ass advice that is given sometimes by people that push off their experiences as gospel. I have the ability to distinguish between crap advice and great advice. What I worry about is that there ppl going through the early stages of this and are going to take that crap advice just to use it as an excuse to validate the mistakes they are making in their diet and risk complications with their band. There are so many lapbanders with years of experience that give great advice. And, their advice usually starts with "talk to your dr. first". I would rather be called on the carpet by someone giving great advice than take risks. I just want to yell sometimes...AREN'T WE ALL IN THIS TO MAKE THIS WORK???????????

Holy crap. Used to order the moolattes. Thought they were lower in calories than most malts. Damned DQ made me fat. Well, I guess Hardees and Taco Johns can be blamed also. Ok, and McDonalds and don't want to leave out Burger King.

Kat, thinking of you and congrats on your 5 years.

Turler, Thank you for sharing your story. You are such a lucky girl to have started the lap band process and to have your cancer discovered. Someone was looking down on you from above. With no symptoms, one can only guess when it would have been discovered. Will be thinking of you tomorrow and wishing you a quick recovery. You are going to be another success story. Can just tell by your attitude. I am sure that there is nothing you take for granted in your life after what you have been through. God Bless and may all your dreams come true. Karen...hugs

Been following your PS story, Salsa. Congrats on setting a surgery date and hope you get the results you are looking for. I also hope that you will keep us updated throughout your process. It is so helpful to the rest of us that are considering PS in the future.

So many dr.s so many different plans....One of the reasons I am going with my dr. is because of his success rate. I am going to stick to pre-op and post-op to a T. He knows what he is talking about. I've come too far not to treat my band like a newborn baby. I am going to follow my dr.s instructions just as I did when I brought my babies home. Nothing went in their little tummies except what was approved of by the pediatrician.

The reason I am looking forward to the band is that dieting has not worked for me either. I totally understand that the band isn't magic and won't to all the work, blah, blah, blah. I just want a chance at some normalcy. I have gotten down to a normal BMI (about 12 years ago) and it just made me into a HUNGRY SKINNY B****CH. I want to be a skinny not so hungry B****CH!

What a bummer, Lisa! Hopefully you will get a call and you are on the schedule for a time close to when you should have been on. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Happy to hear the frickin apples is now unstuck. Have a friend who had bypass surgery about six years ago. Got an apple stuck a few weeks ago. Ended up in the emergency room and dr. had to retrieve it. Not a happy day for her. Off subject....she has now gained over half of her weight back. She is just beside herself after going through everything that she did. She's at the point where she is very sorry she had it done.

Happy to hear you got your date, Pix and good for you with sticking to what you believe in and not letting your dr. intimidate you into a procedure you did not want. You are lucky to have a mom that is willing to come and help you. Will give you some time to bond. Good luck and keep us posted

Hell, I was in a panic and though you were all saying frickin this and frickin that about ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have an embarrassing one. My DH and I were raised Catholic. One of the requirements of my church was to go to an "engagement retreat" for a weekend which is sponsored by the church. It was held at a university and we were matched with other women (men with men) to share rooms. Well, got there on a Friday and by Sat. morning my DH had convinced his roommate that we were going to skip the morning session, switch roommates and then we would all slip into the late morning session and would never be missed. Well, after a nice round of sex with my DH, and thinking that no one figured out where we had been, we go out into the lobby of the dorm for our next session. They have us line up in two lines for men facing women. (The purpose was to have us stretch b/4 the next session). With every movement, I queefed (sp?). I thought I was going to die. We went home early...claimed I was sick. Had to do the weekend all over again a month later.

Hey Kat, We have a big cookoff at our resort at the lake every year and everyone tries to outdo the others stuffed peppers. When you were talking about your meatloaf type stuffing it reminded me of one of the recipes made last summer. Use either mild or hot peppers. Stuffing is simple. Brown 1/2 lb. spicy ground sausage (Jimmy Dean works) and 1/2 lb. ground beef. Add 8 oz low fat cream cheese and 2 tbls taco seasoning. Wrap in two slices of salami (overlap on sides and fasten with two toothpicks). Grill. Easy...not too fattening and tasty!

It really hasn't been too bad, Brandy. I guess I would recommend the six month period for anyone thinking of being banded. I am sure I will have questions after I am banded and will need support from people that have gone through it but really feel that I am ready and well-informed and can take what I've learned and do the best I can after being banded.

Good for you, Brandy. You must be very happy to get your answer. My dr.s office submitted mine at three months and was told (after two weeks) that BCBS wanted me to do another 3 months. Was a little disappointing at the time but now I am happy I have had the time to think about what I am getting into. Gave me time to plan ahead, etc. I cannot have my surgery until at least the middle of June (we farm and don't want to do it during planting season). I know I will be ready when the time comes!

Congratulations Brandy. I also have BCBS MN. In my last month and then can submit. That was a pretty quick approval. My dr.'s office says about 14 days with BCBS. Can't believe you have no pre-op diet. Good luck

I am sure we have all had these kinds of comments. They hurt....really bad. These comments are something that stick with us. But, you are on the right track and will be able to prove to yourself (because you are the only one you have to impress) that you can lose the weight and get healthy. Just try to imagine yourself next year at this time planting your flowers down your driveway in a cute little pair of shorts.

Ok. I have a recipe for another dip and not terribly high in calories. 8oz. low fat cream cheese 1- 0.7oz packet of Good Seasons dry Italian salad dressing mix Need to mix it up the day b/4 use.

As I stated above...trying to revamp the fattening artichoke dip recipe. Maybe I will just try the spinach dip. My recipe has parmesan also. Bet it will work. Thanks for the tip. BTW. We have name our dip Chicken Sh** Dip.

I guess after reading all the complaints above that I should feel thankful that the closest Applebees is 95 miles away. Talking of dips....Green Mill has a great artichoke dip. Pretty fattening but good. I have a recipe similar to it and add chicken. I have been trying to revamp it with low fat mayo.

Congrats on your first month's weight loss. I wouldn't worry about getting below 40BMI and being approved. I'm in the same situation and believe my surgeon when he tells me to continue to lose. He's been doing this a long time. Good luck. The time goes by faster than you think it will.

BBK...you have my vote. See you at the top!