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Happy Birthday to a wonderful lady who deserves all the best in life. I hope your day is extra special and that all your birthday wishes come true! Love ya, Kathy! *big birthday hugs*

:clap2:w00t! There it is!!:clap2: Yahoo!! Yipee!! Yehaw!! Yowsers!! Diane Did It!! Congratulations, girlfriend! Welcome to Onederland!

Funny - All the money in the world won't do ya much good if you're no longer around. YOU are important and don't you dare minimize your needs! I'm sure that Rob and the kids will be much happier with a healthy wife and mommy, than with more money in the bank. There will be time for that. Take care of you right now, sis. Take the kids to a morning pre-school activity thingie if you can. Even just three days a week. I can't imagine working at home with two little ones under foot. Give yourself a break. I'm sure they would love it! *hugs* Diane - Woah.. the big 2-0-0! I am so looking forward to seeing your tootsies!! I'm happy for ya! Tricia - Have I told you what a dear person you are? Well, I am now. You are such a kind hearted soul. I'm always so touched by the care and attention you give to your fellow man/woman. You really do rock, girlie friend! Everyone - I realized today that even though we are all hitting mental slumps and seemingly low times along our band journeys, that we are all still moving forward. Even in the slow times, we are hanging in there together, arms linked, chins up, facing forward, taking another step together. And you know what? We WILL be victorious! All of us! *hugs everyone*

I was almost denied because of depression. I failed my first psych evaluation. I had started taking Effexor, an anti-depressant, about 4 weeks prior to that evaluation. Typically, it takes 6 weeks before the Effexor is stabalized in the bloodstream enough to see the full effects. So the psychologist told me I could re-take the test after two more weeks. My test showed that I was still depressed but it was under control now. Severe depression, in remission was his notation on my approval. I think that many of us have weight related complications, both physically and mentally, which need to be under control in order for the surgery and following journey to be a success. Giving up food and the extreme lifestyle change that happens with weightloss can be overwhelming. And if we are already teetering on the edge, well... they don't want to push us over. Talk to your doctor about getting some medical help with the depression and find out if you can be evaluated after you've had time for it to really begin working in your body. Best of luck to you in your journey. Sincerely,

Actually there is such a thread. Check out the Lap-Band FAQs and References forum. In there you'll find explanations for abbreviations and terminology used here at LBT. You'll also find threads on how to post pictures, how to set up a ticker, and loads of information on the band.

Hey, Terri! It's good to hear from you. I'm really sorry to hear about your mom and brother. I'll be praying for a full and speedy recovery for them both. Don't forget to take care of YOU during times like these. It's very easy to overlook our own needs when others need us so much. I hope you get to spend more time with us soon. We have missed ya! *hugs*

Bermy, I relate so well with your mindset. I heard every word you said and I really understood. I haven't even reached my half way mark yet, but I know that the benefits I've seen from cutting sugar and flour out of my diet have been so enormous that I really have no desire to want them back. Like you, I really love the smells of certain foods and what I've done is re-train my brain to accept the wonderful aromas as the pleasure and not as a trigger to eat. The pleasure of smelling baking goodies is enough for me now. I can close my eyes and take in a deep breath and marvel at the wonderful sensations that the aromas give me, rather than salivating at the mouth and stuffing myself until I'm miserable and depressed and embarassed for being such a pig. That in itself has been a HUGE victory for me. Will I ever eat the stuff again? At this point, I couldn't say. I did enjoy the taste of the creamy icecream with various fruits mixed in, but I also know that I am not a person who can control my quantities. I am so afraid of letting in one bite of something that can easily be abused and defeat me, that it's just not worth giving too much thought to "trying" it. Thanks for you post Bermy. It was deep and it was so important. I hope everyone at some point really truly understands what you were trying to tell us. *hugs*

St Al's support group meets tomorrow night! Who's coming?? Hippos Hope and Dasharoo, if either of you make it to the meeting, let me know who you are, ok? Shackdog, I hope to see you there. Haven't heard much from you lately and I'm beginning to wonder what's up. Veritas, will you be able to join us? We missed you last time. I'm sure Jackie, Carla, Linda, Dawg and I will all be there. I hope to get to meet some of the newer folks too! Be there, or be square! *chuckles* If anyone has any questions about the locations or anything, PM me.

Woohooo!! Great news!! I'm so happy for you! *doing the happy dance*

Tidge, from what I've read by those who have had infections around the port, if there is a infection, the incision scar becomes inflamed and opens up again. The infection isnt containted down under the skin out of sight.

Telly girl, you rock. From everything you listed I'd say you are living a well-balanced, healthy lifestyle and, honey, if you can drop 18 pounds a month doing that, then hell yeah, go for it!! I wish I were as dedicated and driven as you! I'm really really proud of you!! *hugs*

Maybe you're pregnant? *snickers* Yes, yes... there are some of us here with a warped sense of humor. I hope they find out what's causing the dry heaves and that it's not band related so you can keep on your journey. How long have you been banded, and have you had much success? Has your Dr given you anything for the depression? *hugs*

DianeChef and I decided we were the Funk Sisters. *laughs* You know how I finally got out of that funk? EXERCISE! I didn't want to go, but Dawg and our son guilted me into going on Friday and since then I have been feeling better every day! w00t w00t!! Ok, geeze... now I need a nap. ZZZzzzzz.....

Yay Kathy!! And Lianna, don't you dare hide away from us. Now's the time you NEED us. I just went through a stall and a slump and everyone here got me through it. Stay plugged in, girl!

If you think there's any chance of you getting air/motion sick on the flight home, take some liquid dramamine before you take off. You definitely don't want to throw up that early into the game. Best of luck on your surgery and your trip home. Keep us posted on your progress! Oh, and welcome to LBT!

Kellie, there is this really amazing bandster on here who has really been an inspiration to me and so many others. She has this quote in her signature line that has helped me so often, I wanted to share it with you. It goes like this: During times of stress, troubles and trials a thing good to remember is to take one day at a time. We don't need to worry about the past. It's already done. We don't need to worry about the future, it's not here yet. JUST TODAY. If we can learn to make the best of each day and in really difficult times just make it through this day.. one day at a time.. we will make it. Do not let tomorrow steal today, my friend. You are upset and worried about something that may not be a long-term issue. Since you are eating larger amounts of food now, perhaps you need to re-evaluate what youre eating. Go for lean meats with steamed or raw veggies for now, until you get that fill. Give your body time to heal and trust that everything is going to be fine. I think it will be fine. And I think you're going to be a beautiful bride. *hugs*

NOTHING is impossible. I'm certain that a person with as much determination as you have, Telly, will be able to accomplish such a goal. I have to confess that I am a little concerned by the rate of speed with which you'll lose. A healthy loss, that is more apt to remain permanent, is between 2 and 3 pounds a week. While your goal is certainly achievable, please think of your health and how you will look when you reach that goal. Rapid weight loss can be hard on your vital organs and can leave you looking tired and malnourished. Please don't take this as discouragement. Please take it as a friend who wants to see you enjoy full success, not just fast success. *big hugs*

Hey Linda - An avatar is a picture or image you choose to appear by your name. You can upload your own picture or choose one that is available for you on LBT. If you click on User CP at the top of any LBT page, you will find more options to Edit Avatar and Edit Profile Picture (which shows as a larger image when someone looks at your profile). An NSV is a non-scale victory. Such as discovering youre pants are too big, or that you now fit in a theater chair with little effort, or that you are no longer on blood pressure medication, or that you can run up a flight of stairs. Benefits of weightloss that are more than just a number on a scale. Hope that helped.

Is it right in the middle? Like just under the breastplate? If so, that's where the liver retracter goes in. Mine's tiny. Hardly noticable now, and I was banded a week before you. Got any pics to share of it so we can have a better look? Or is it just something you're feeling under the skin? Er.. sorry, you said on the left. So.. Im a bit confused I guess. My port is on the right, just under my ribs. On the left I have an incision scar that's about an inch long. The surface of the scar is kind of hard, moreso than my port scar. And you say its tender to touch? After all this time, that sounds fishy to me. Has your Dr seen it during follow up appts?

Oh please do that now! *pinches nose* *grin* Just teasing. I think you should be fine as long as your incisions arent open and icky. You wouldnt want nasty bath Water to be floating into open skin. Of course, if you're really in doubt, give your surgeon's office a quick call and ask.

Welcome to LBT, Iman. This forum is full of really super people who have had their bands removed for one reason or another and they will be able to give you some excellent advice and information. I'm sorry you're band didn't work out for you, for whatever reason. I wish you the best in whatever you end up doing.

About those PBs. They don't always mean a stitch is broken or that the band has moved. It is my understanding that a slip means the lower stomach has come up through the band a bit and by letting out all of the fill, there is a chance it will slip back out and after healing the fill can be replaced. Of course, broken stitches and bands moving out of place can and do happen, but nowadays I believe that a slip is referring more to what I just described. I'm sure that there is no textbook description of a slip, as we are all so different and each silp can result in different complications depending on the individuals circumstances and stomach shape/size. PBs also cause irritation and swelling to the esophogus and over time can lead to more serious problems which would require the band to be removed. I'm sure that those who have experienced slips can give us more details... in fact they have on various threads. Like Donna said, chew your food carefully. Do not swallow until it's practically goo in your mouth. Take small bites, and don't allow yourself to be distracted while eating (driving, tv, computer, etc). If you avoid foods which are most likely to be problematic to bandsters, and you are very careful to eat slowly and chew well... chances are you'll not have to suffer a PB.

Better today! We just got home from the gym and tanning. I did a whole two minutes on the eliptical machine... I'm so proud! *laughs* Did some time on the bikes and lots of work on my arms and shoulders.

Very happy for you, Mandy! You can know I'll be praying for everything to go smoothly and for your move to be a real blessing for your family. *hugs*

Love the new Avatar chickie-boo! Looking up with a big smile. Awesome! Your plan for the food and Protein shakes is right on. Trying to do that for more than a couple of weeks would be way hard! I'm not going to be able to walk today. We waited too long and the family has me now. We are going to the gym in a few minutes. But! If I can meet you to walk between jobs, let me know and I'll do my best. I'm happy to see this renwal of determination, Kayla! *big hugs*