PhotoNut

Weight Commander is a handy little program for all of you who are addicted to the scales. It allows you to enter your weight each day, which is then displayed in a graph chart that shows the 7 day average trend of your weight loss. It has a lot of very cool things like Lifestyle and food Tips-for-the-Day, weightloss forecasts, Pesonal Notebook, Shopping Lists and more. When you go to the website, (click on Weight Commander ) you'll be asked to provide your email address, then the download will begin. I saved mine to my Desktop and went with the Default installation. Once installed, click on the HOW button on the lower right side of the control panel, or if you're like me.. just exlpore! You will be able to look around the program but to continue using it requires that you purchase the program for $9.95. Happy scale obsessing! NOTE: It says when you close it, that you have to pay the $9.95. But I've reopened mine and its working. *shrugs*

Congrats! Best wishes for a trouble free surgery and quick recovery. Be sure to keep us posted on how you're doing.

I heard from Dody today. She got her date! June 5th. She's really had a hard time of it lately... pneumonia and then she hurt her knee. But her doctors feel good about her upcoming surger, so she's all set to go! Yay Dody!

Those of you who are weighing every day are only making it harder on yourselves. Your body will go through a wide range of ups and downs over a week's time. Try to get in the habit of only weighing once a week. It really helps not to see the fluctuations. Those of who are drinking more than a gallon of water... I'm seriously thinking that's not good for you. Too much water washes the sodium out of your body, causing hyponatraemia - a condition that, while uncommon, can be fatal. Initial symptoms of over-hydration include dizziness, nausea, apathy and confusion. However these symptoms are also associated with dehydration - so it's important to be aware of how much you are drinking. Based on the studies I have been reading, a 350 pound person should be drinking 1 gallon of water per day. There is a forumla that seems to be shared by most of the online health magazines - 64oz PLUS 8oz per 25 pounds of excess weight. If you are exercising and sweating a lot, be sure to drink salted sports drinks rather than just water. Drinking mad amounts of water during long hard workouts can be very dangerous.

I got on mine today... Cheeky scales! Grrr!

Im still laughing my ass off at JerseyTammys!!! Oh, and I ran over a phone because I'm cool like that.

I have trouble in the smaller lay down beds. I cant easily turn on my sides, or move my arms around. The stand up bed lets me get tan all over. I was told that there is a difference in the way these types of beds tan. The laydown beds tan from the outter layers of skin, inward. The stand up bed tans deeper layers of skin, outward. I did the laydown beds twice in the beginning, for 7 minutes each time. I looked red and felt slightly burnt. Then I started using the stand up bed. I started at the max time of 15 minutes, no redness no burning. I did itch a lot though, as I said in a previous post. Once I started putting the lotion on just before going into the bed/booth, I didn't have anymore problems with that. The stand up bed seems to give a more golden tan. The owner recommended I switch between the two beds, which I do. The laydown beds still make me look more red than the stand up ones. however, there are larger laydown beds, which use the same technique as the stand up if you prefer laying down. I was also told that because the stand up bed tans from the deeper layers outward, its important to remember that even though you appear tan, you can still get a bad sunburn from being in the sun.. the top layers are still "virgin" if you will. *chuckles* I hope this helps, Jess.

Thanks Mo! I'm really enjoying this trip downhill. Being a loser has its ups and downs, but overall I think Im doing alright. And so are you! :clap2:

Hello RyanJoey! Those must be your boys' names. My son's name is Ryan too! Welcome to LBT. I think you've found an excellent place to make friends and find support. There are lots of very wonderful people here at all stages of the band journey... from the early stages of finding out what the band is all about - to people who have been banded for many years and have seen great success - to people who have experienced complications and have lost their bands. It's all here - the good, the bad and the exceptional! Check out the Reference and FAQ thread. There are some good pointers in there about the using this board and there is some awesome info on the band. Keep posting, ask lots of questions and make your presence known. You'll have PLENTY of people to talk to! :Banane13:

I am determined to be tan this year! I've been doing the stand up beds and for the first time ever, I'm looking semi-tan. I had to laugh at the "I'm so white I make milk look tan" comment! Too funny! But I feel the same way. I heard that California girls have a saying, "If you can't lose it - Tan it!" When I started this, I was itching like crazy. But I started using the lotions before getting in the tanning bed and that's stopped. It's really important to keep your skin hydrated... so it doesn't look all wrinkly when we have to go to the dermitologist. *winks*

The updates are done for this week! If you all want some inspiration, have a look at the Members Page and the Honors Page. This group KICKED some serious PUHTOOTIE last week! 90.4 pounds of fat - GONE FOR GOOD! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?p=210374#post210374

Hey.. it saves the cost of bottling! *laughs*

Thank you so much for the sweet comments. You ladies are just the best! Teresa, you made my day! *big hug*

I started the updates but was too sleepy to finish. *laughs* I will get it done tomorrow. Im so happy for everyone's fantastic progress this week! Coyotegirl! OMG! So near to reaching TWO HUGE goals! Go, girl, go!! See you all tomorrow!

Ok, I feel like a complete wimp posting this after Tricia's mega workout post... but... I did three minutes on the eliptical tonight, then 15 on the bikes, and then worked on my arms with the bands while Dawg did his arm, chest, back routine on various machines. Three minutes is a WoW for me! *laughs*

Jeepers! I've been so busy I hadn't seen the rest of this thread OR the pics! Diane, you look wonderful hun. Just in the last few months there has been a huge change in you! Keep up the great work! You're such a joy and an inspiration to us all. *big happy hugs*

Hello David. *smiles* Welcome to the world of Lap Bands! You have found a wonderful place to hang out, meet friends, and to get loads of fantastic support and information - as you have already seen. As everyone has told you, the secret to the band is in the filling. Once you get some restriction and get on to eating some hard Proteins, you'll feel a lot more relaxed about how this ride is going to go for you. I hope we hear a lot more of your story as you travel along with us on this fantastic journey!

Yup, its all very normal. Welcome to Bandland Try some Gas-X and a heating pad for relief of gas. Walking does wonders for this as well. The diahrrea is also typical while on the liquid phase of the post-op diet. You might try a bit of liquid Imodium A-D. Each day gets better. Hang in there! *hugs*

Hello all you wonderful losers! I'm glad to see I was missed (at least by HeatherGurl). *laughs* I'm here, I just had company. Dawg and I are getting ready to have our house painted, so my friend and I were driving around the neighborhood with paint samples looking at everyone else's house. I finally got up the courage to go talk to the owner of the house I liked the best and she's getting her color scheme info for me tomorrow. I'm so excited! And her name was Susan! Anyway... Good grief, look at all of you! So many pounds are just melting away! So many wonderful goals being accomplished! I'm very happy for everyone. And I must say, I love your all's bright and cheerful attitudes. Even in a funk, this group rocks! And yes, Amy... my unmodest sis, I'll keep the "betting pool" going for you! *laughs* Do you want me to limit this to the GFG Club, or post it for the whole of LBT? *snickers* Here's my weigh-in for today. I want to thank all of you who are using the correct format for reporting. It sure makes my job easier! C 241.5 (-65.5 lbs total, -2.5 this week)

I went through this as well. My emotions ranged from pure fear to a mournful depression. I was so afraid that I wouldn't be able to say goodbye to my comfort... my friends... my food. Once on the "other side", I was pleasantly surprised to find that I don't feel deprived or at a loss at all. I can eat a wide variety of foods. There are some that I thought I couldn't live without, that I really couldn't care less about now. There are some that I just plain lost the taste for. And there are some that I do still think about, but I choose not to have them. I am in control now. Noone took away anything from me. In fact, it's quite the opposite. I have been given freedom and a new lease on life! Your journey starts now. What are you waiting for?? *hugs*

This thread has been my happy thread! Thank you all for your very kind words and thank you for sharing some of your own realizations that make this journey so very special. I have a story to share with you. Today, my 2 1/2 year old grandson was playing in my bedroom closet. On the floor, leaning against the wall was one of those picture collages - the kind that has matting for several pictures of different sizes and shapes within the one frame. There are very old pictures in that frame. My grandson was looking at faces he could not possibly recognize. His great uncle as a teen, his mother and uncles as small children, his great grandmother as a young mother. Everyone's faces are now so much older. As he sat in front of the frame, looking at all the different pictures (about 15 all together) and I heard him say, "Meemaw" (thats me *proud smile*). I thought he was seeing pictures of my mother and said, "Where's Meemaw?" And to my complete surprise, that sweet little boy pointed his chubby finger right at my face - a face that was only 17 years old at the time. It was a picture of my mother and me at my highschool graduation. It literally took my breath away. He saw that young woman, and he knew it was me. I never dreamed anyone could still see that pretty girl that I thought was lost to 30 years of obesity. I guess, perhaps, she's still in there afterall.

Dawn, my prayers are being said for you and your family and I trust that God has heard all the voices of his children on your behalf today. I remember your post about your mom's sudden passing from surgery complications and the decision you had to make about going forward with your own surgery. And now, here you are. God must be holding you in His palm to have carried you this far. I pray that he surrounds you and your loved ones with peace, and I pray that He guides the surgeon's hands. I pray for a speedy recovery and a long and healthy life for you and your family. God bless. Doris, I'm praying the same thing for you and your family hun. My husband was far more nervous than I was. I'll be praying for an extra measure of peace for your man. *hugs to you both* Dawn, I'm so jealous that you're in that beautiful city! I hope you get some time to sightsee before you come home. Let us hear from you soon!

Wow, I missed this yesterday, Regina! Congrats on a huge step in the right direction! Any idea when your date for surgery is? OMG! I'm so happy for you!!

Happy birthday, sweet lady! I hope it's the best so far! *hugs*

Happy 6 month anniversary, Heather! Watching you over the last five months has been such an inspiration. Your excitement about this is so infectious! I can hardly wait to see what the next 76 pounds is going to do for you! Wow! Life just keeps getting better and better, doesn't it?! I'm so excited for our club members. We ARE proof that the band works, if you work your band! Look at the success all around us! We are oozing with excitement and determination. Why? Because we have a force that's strong and together we will conquer!! Charge on madly!! DianeChef hit Onederland today! I'm so very proud of her! And.. we have a Birthday girl in our club today, who happens to be at her lowest weight in a long long time! Happy Birthday to The best me! You rock, Kathy! This train's a movin' on! Come on everyone... jump onboard and let's enjoy the ride! w00t! w00t!