Hollybelles

Brina, I am so sorry about your work situation. I've not had variable hours, but I've been in your shoes, and is stinks! If it's at all possible, come walk with us tomorrow before you go in for your night shift. I'll be there with my water bottle and bug spray Holly

Hi all, I, too, melt in the heat, but I'm willing to give a 5:15 walk in the woods a try at Darton. Jeannie, where do you park, and where do we start? Leslie, I want to meet you there. Allykat, how about you? Let's get rid of some inches together before you have your surgery! I think I have hit onederland (according to my scale) but I'm waiting to get the official "YES" when I weigh myself tomorrow at the OTC. That will be one week out from having my second fill (1cc). I'm at 5 cc out of 10 cc and I can definitely tell the difference. Leslie and Georgia--what times are your appointments tomorrow? Maybe I'll run into one or both of you. Any "secret" sign you want to use? Holly

Mia, I wonder if there is a way to adjust your CPAP machine on your own? I, too, have a CPAP, and was wondering whether significant weight loss would bother my sleeping (not that I've lost significant weight...yet!). I don't have the money for another sleep study, and I have a HUGE deductible which I would rather NOT satisfy this year! Holly

Nip50, I'm 5'4 (and a half ") and last week I was at 201.5. But I've been a baaaaad girl--ate a couple of pieces of pizza in the last few days, and a handful of M&M's. I think I was "rewarding" myself for all the hard work I've done in my yard for the last month. Baaaaad idea. I've got to come up with a new reward system. Anybody have any ideas? Bagweaver, I thought I'd spit out my coffee when I read your post about pulling out our ID cards. (Will they take those as proof of citizenship to cash a check? LOL) Maybe the first person at our (soon-to-be-I-hope) Subway meeting at Wal-Mart can place his or her ID card on the edge of a table. That way we wouldn't have to walk up to strangers and ask, "Bagnato?" or "Bandit?" Holly

Oneder_woman, I had to be there at 6:00 am, but didn't get wheeled into surgery until around 8:00 am. Since the anesthesiologist I chose is a neighbor of mine, I talked to him awhile, and talked to a couple of nurses and orderlies while I was relaxing. For me, the worst part (both before AND after surgery) was inserting the IV in my hand. I got home around 2:30 (I live about 10 minutes from the hospital). Good luck tomorrow! Nip50, I am right on your heels...I hope to see the "onederful 100's" in the next couple of weeks. Congratulations! Mia, I know you are excited about getting your wedding dress altered! Are your ceremony details falling into place? Pam, you probably did hear me talking to Malik. Sorry I missed you! Holly

Georgia Girl, I came in for a weight check around 8:45 on Thursday and was talking to Malik about conditions in Iraq where her boyfriend is. Did I miss you? Holly

Jeannie, I'm sitting at my keyboard shedding crocodile tears at your father's expressing his pride in your achievement. I was an only child, and was definitely "daddy's girl." He died 8 years ago, but I still miss him terribly. I wish so much that I had never gained all this weight. He, like your dad, never said anything about my weight, but I could tell he was disappointed. Even though I've had the surgery, I'll never hear those words from him telling me how proud of me he is. You are blessed. Holly

Leslie, I could do Sundays around 12:30 or 1:00. Anybody else? Jeannie, I'm pretty sure it was Malik's boyfriend because she said he told her about the extended tour before telling his own kids. That would be awful if she also had a son over there! Allykat, I was banded one day after you, so I am tracking one day behind you for fills (so far!). My next on is May 15th, and I think Mia has the right idea--book at least 2 appointments ahead while you're in the office. For everyone: Is there some "signal" or gesture which we can come up with to avoid any embarrassment if we think we recognize a Bandster either in the OTC waiting room, or in public, and would like to say "hello?"

Darn, I had written a post, went to another site, then LOST it! Leslie, You don't need to sneak in anything! Just shop in the grocery aisles, check out in the "10 Items or Less" line (we can't eat a lot anyway), and come to Subway and buy a bottled water from them. Personally I like to buy something from an establishment if I'm using their seats for something other than primarily eating their food. For those of you who are facing their first fill: I got mine yesterday and can am so thankful for Elizabeth's skills. I HATE, repeat, HATE, iterate, HATE needles, but I didn't shed a tear or jump off the table. Next time you folks see Malik, give her a hug. Her boyfriend's stay in Iraq has been (involuntarily) extended from the end of May to the end of July. She was pretty bummed out about it. Since I try to avoid Wal-Mart on Saturdays, when the entire population of the 100+ surrounding counties come to congregate, I suggest we meet on a Friday around lunch time. Is this convenient for anyone? Holly

Since we all have such busy schedules, yet we all need to shop, why not have a meeting at Wal-Mart in the Subway restaurant?

I assume everyone got an email notice that there is going to be an on-line magazine: ""We're excited to announce the launch of LapBandTalk magazine within the next week. The LapBandTalk magazine will be an online publication made up of informative articles written by weight loss professionals who have experience with the Lap-band. We're also looking for individuals who have gone through the Lap-band procedure and would like to share their experience or story with our community. Please respond to this email If you have an interest in contributing to our publication. Have a nice weekend! Best Regards, Alex B." Well, I nominate Brinabrina77 to be the FIRST regular contributor. You know how Reader's Digest has their "Laughter, the Best Medicine" or "Life in the United States" humor pages? All Brinabrina has to do is cut and paste onto a new page and submit her comments! No editing required! I wish I had that kind of writing talent to sustain a career. Keep on posting, girl!

I had to laugh this morning at the "appointment chatter" because when I called Malik to see about a cancellation on April 10th, she said that someone just cancelled and another person had just snapped up the appointment. Then she said something about all the "activity" on the Lap-Band forum. I wonder if there are plans to expand the OTC since there do not seem to be enough hours in the day to get appointments? Should we start a petition? Should we start a separate thread just for OTC appointments?

Okay, serves me right for not keeping up with the board on a daily basis. I see that Georgia Girl would like Jonathan's appointment, but if she changes her mind...... :regular_smile: Holly