PhotoNut

Good points about seeing the band position, and the size and shape of the pouch, Letha.

Aww man, there went my plans.

*waits for Jenna to make something out of slipping a Hershey bar between two graham crackers* *snicker* Oh wait! That was slapping! Even better! LOL!

*waits for Jenna to make something out of slipping a Hershey bar between two graham crackers* *snicker* Oh wait! That was slapping! Even better! LOL!

Hey Wheetsin, I heard you're coming to Boise! We do get to meet you right? I'll bet we can load you up with some great NSV's to take home with ya! And ya know what? Even though they screwed it up with thier stupidity, the DID notice the change in you! So, grats!! Your hard work is paying off!

Thanks for the smiles and the laughs!! I found myself laughing and clapping for the guy. He really can dance!! I'm passing this one on!

Yep, my son is definitely a good looking guy. Some of his girlfriends could have qualified as hood ornaments! (car magazine ref there). Anyway, Im always bragging that he's a personal trainer. Here's a pic from about a month ago. He's journaling his body building. And yes, he'd probably kill me for showing this, but he's put in a lot of hard work and I'm proud of him!

Holy wowzers! I almost forgot it was time to update stuff. Sorry guys and gals. Anyone else want to post this week's weigh-in? It's not too late! DeAnn - Awww no, not again. Poor dad. Poor you! Call me when you get time. *hugs* (And still she keeps on losing weight and charging on madly! What a trooper!)

Good news indeed! Very happy to hear it. It took me from December to just recently to get mine back again, and boy howdy did it make up for lost time. Be sure you're stocked up on supplies! *laughs*

Ok, I just cant resist. Here are our "kids". The first picture is of our daughter with her husband and their son (our only grandchild so far). The second picture is of our son.

Hey Shawn, I've heard the "dont count calories" thing too, but I find it very hard to keep a real perspective on what I'm actually doing unless I am counting them, don't you? I used to find that I ate too much and thought I wasn't eating much at all - until I added up every bite and drink. What a shock. But now, it seems that my perception of the "right amount" has been skewed to the point of insanity. I drive myself nuts thinking I've eaten WAY too much and I that I must NEED a fill... but then I add up the day's intake and find out that I'm not even hitting a 1,000 calorie day average over the month. I really rely on those numbers to help me keep my head straight!

Depends for everybody!

Cindy, are you seeing white squares with a red X in the middle instead of the pictures? Or are you seeing links, such as IMG 1254.jpg? If so just click on the link and the pics will appear in a new window. If there is just nothing there at all, it might be a problem with your browser.

Wow, a picture's worth a thousand words. So um, where's the rest of you, pretty lady? *smiles* And I've seen your troll. He's a keeper! How does he like your collarbone?

Great question to ask. Did you ask it because you are wondering if you're ready? I can tell you from my own experience that unless you are in a good emotional place, you probably won't be making very good choices. I married husband number one and husband number two for all the wrong reasons. It was only after being divorced for several years (raising my two kids alone) that I was finally able to listen to my instincts when choosing a man. You see, I knew with number one and two that they weren't right. I knew there were warning bells going off and red flags waving in my head, but I was very insecure in myself and very needy. I met my soul mate, Dawg, in an online chatroom in the fall of 1998. Neither of us were "looking". We spent hundreds of hours talking online.. hundreds! Although there was a lot of upheaval going on in my life at the time, I was able to identify qualities in him that I knew were vital to a successful relationship. We talked online for a coupld of months, then moved to the phone and then six months after meeting online he flew over to meet the kids and me in person. He had already asked me to marry him online and I had agreed. When he stepped off that plane, there wasn't a moment of hesitation between us. We knew each other so well that it was like he was coming home, rather than just for a visit. He stayed three wonderful weeks with us, and when he left we were all bawling. He returned to England, sold everything he had and came home for good a few months later. We were married in Sept of 1999 and are in our seventh year of marriage. We are still best friends and madly in love with each other. Oh, by the way... I weighed about 280 and he weighed about 330 when we met online. Today, we are both at the lowest weight we have ever seen each other and it's quite a trip! *laughs* But, fat or thin, we have loved each other. So I'd say it's the emotional side that needs to be ready. The rest will take care of itself.

Hey Forestgranger, sounds like you have the VG band. Those often take a bit longer to find that sweet spot of restriction that makes all the difference in the world. While it's good to allow a week or so to let the fill settle in (some people have said they didn't feel the restriction for a week or more after the fill) you should keep in good communication with your Dr. and let him know if you're hungry so you don't waste weeks and weeks of time. It wasn't all for nothing, and it won't happen over night, but it WILL happen. You hang in there.

Hey Tess *hugs* I'm so happy to hear that things are going well now, and that your band problems are resolved. I'm sure it feels great to be able to eat again with no pain. Just like when you were first banded, try not to worry too much about the weight loss until you've had a fill. Right now, forcus on healing and taking care of yourself. Keep us posted on how you're doing!

A month of separation from your DH and kids? Sounds like you've had a "fun ride". I'm glad your waiting is over and send sincere congratulations to you and your DH on the arrival of your new son. I imagine your family is all smiles right about now.

No fluro here. My doctor had me drink a small cup of Water after my fill to be sure I wasn't too tight. However, I have read about those who drink just fine in the office and before they get home they are gurgling on their own spit. So I think swelling may occur after a fill. If that's true, I wonder if the fluro shows any more than drinking shows? Sure, it goes through now.. but what about later? Everyone's stomachs are so different and the body can react a certain way one day and a completely different way the next. From all the posts I've read about people getting fills, I really don't think there's a way to eliminate the "trial by error" method of find the right fill. Luckily, I've only had one fill (1cc in a 4cc band) and I've found it to be perfect.

My doctor's orders are as follows: 800-1,000 calories per day (I've been averaging about 950) minimum of 60 grams of Protein per day (I average about 75) That's to be done in three meals per day, four hours between meals, and no Snacks. I can't eat enough in three meals to get that much in, so I sometimes have Fiber One Cereal or Pop Secret 100 calorie Kettle Corn for an early evening snack.

The ring of fire... isn't that what you get after eating 3-alarm chili? And by the way, bananas do frequent the liquor stores when the green cheese moon is at full and a half. Just so ya know.

Back out? Heck no... the time couldn't pass quick enough for me. I KNEW what was waiting for me and I could hardly wait to get started. Here I am, just shy of 5 months and 70 pounds later and I can honestly say I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Best of luck to you!

I swear I would die from embarassment if I had to stand and let someone study my naked body - every inch of it. Good lord. I'd be so humuliated and mortified. I just don't think I could bring myself to do it.

Marshmellows, Jenna, marshmellows. Get your mind out of the gutter.. so I have room to climb in there! LOL! OMG, now that would be a PB to explain... would it not?? LOL!