JanetC

To tell you the truth, heh, I'm in a very un-organized mood. How about a restaurant again... just because it's easier? Lemme see if there's a hole-in-the-wall mexican joint around that same area, since it's central... be right back.

Welcome Cozzie!! We're glad you're here! Congrats on your 28 pounds! That's awesome! And welcome to Delia!! She joins us via PM. I'll let her post any info she wants made public. We're glad you're here, Delia!! Mikey! How good to hear from you! (Heh, yeah, I know I'm silly. ) Hey Lisa! Several of the Febsters lost their first fill. And I heard several from January talking about it in the "General" board. It seems to be a common problem with "first fills". Something about air in the band from the surgery leading to evaporation. I don't really understand it, but I know it does happen. Until it happens several times, I'd assume "normal" & not a leak. Hope your restriction stays!! And big congrats on another 10 pounds, wow!! Sorry I can't help you with Ticker Factory... I've never used it. Wow Julie!! That's a lot of liquid! You'll be dropping pounds like no one's business! I've never heard of such a restricted fill diet, but if you can do it, wow!

Awww, Vines! ((( HUGS!!! ))) How frustrating this diagnosis is getting, huh! At least you know you do have a tumor. Surely that's the first step to getting it diagnosed and under control! (I'm ever the optimist.) I know it's not an easy road that you're facing. I'm sending you healing thoughts, white light & a dose of prayer for good measure! About your mom... tons of hugs & smiles & hand pats & hope. Maybe a silly stuffed animal for her hospital room. A handmade card from your tater tot or letters written from all of you would be treasured I'm sure. But your being there is most likely the most important thing. Good luck! When the times get dark, remember you are loved!!!

Oh my goodness, what an exciting post!!!!!! Congrats Diane! Couldn't have happened to a more deserving lady! Enjoy your new clothes!

Hey Stacey! Glad to hear things are more or less going well, heh. Hope the office moving gets done soon! LOL DonnaB! It sounds like you're not into your soup, lol. Hope you're feeling better! Welcome back, Julie! Glad you didn't gain anything & that you enjoyed Disney! Good luck with your fill -- hope you feel restriction right away! Hi Hanrahh! Welcome to the thread! Congrats on your 18 pounds! Have you had your first fill yet? This week is proving challenging to me, so if I'm absent for a bit, sorry. I'm lurking... trying to keep up with reading, at least, even if I don't have time to post. Counting the days to Friday!

Welcome to LBT, Cat! You just found a great place for support! We're in a group that gets together weekly for meals in the DFW area. One of our members was w/c bound when she started. She has since lost her wheelchair. She's even out of a walker now, she uses her husband's arm & that's it. She is also off of her 24x7 oxygen. She's amazing! I know that each situation is different, but hopefully her's can help somehow. (She doesn't hang out on LBT, she & her husband are on DFWBandsters) Read as many posts as you can here & feel free to ask questions, we love to talk!! Welcome again, we're glad you're here!!

Congrats Shoresexy on entering the 2's!!! That's awesome!!!!!! Just checking in: 4/10-4/16 275 (-2) 4/17-4/23 275 (-0) 4/24-4/30 272 (-3) inches 537.25 (-9) 5/01-5/07 269 (-3)

Hey Tamryn! You should check the Texas forums every now & then (you have to drill down to find it). We have DFW get togethers about once a month. And Mikey & I have been going to dinners with the Yahoo group: DFW Bandsters as well. They're a fun bunch, though most of them have never heard of LBT, heh. Sherry, several of the people we ate with yesterday were talking about finicky bands. It seems as your fills get tighter it becomes more apparent. I guess mine's not that tight yet! Hope you get yours figured out!

Awww, DonnaB! I'm sorry to welcome you to the club! It sounds like you have your initiation well under control. When you go back to eating, remember to space those bites out! :mad:

Hiya Macy! Welcome to LBT! :mad: Congrats on your surgery date! I've heard good things about Dr Spiegel! If you have any questions ask away! (( Hugs! )) We're glad you're here!

LOL DonnaB!! Can you say margaritas? Joyce & Debi started a rumor on DFWBandsters that they're going early to "pre-drink", lol. I think we're going to show up about 1:45, if you have a change of heart! On the other hand, staying home might be comforting... just be sure you reach for hot tea & NOT chocolate! (( HUGS!!!! ))

Wow, Kel... if it's totally under control, I don't know what his worry is! Has anyone heard of side effects from long term usage of relux drugs? I know that I was on them for a year pre-op with no effect (that I knew of). My primary care didn't seem to think it was a big deal, but that's not saying much (not my favorite person). You might do some research to find out if there's side effects. If not, um, yeah. I shouldn't really tell you to lie to your doctor, lol...

That's so awesome!! Congratulations!!

Shhh!!! Be vewy, vewy quiet! We're hunting bandsters! Hope ya'll are having a great weekend! Miss ya!

NSV = non-scale victory. For those days when the scale is not moving, you can focus on other things to stay motivated. Mikey & I have been chatting about our NSVs, so I thought I'd start a list. These are the things we've noticed so far (approx 30 pounds lost each): We get up from the couch without help (Mikey used to push me up, then I'd pull him up) We can now "exercise" for 20 minutes at a time (we started at 2 min) Steps at church are easier (we sing on the praise team, so have to walk up steps in front of the congregation **shudder**) We're saving money on food. We're neither at perfect restriction, but we're eating SOOOO much less then we used to! Our wedding rings are fitting better -- our fingers aren't turning blue, heh. Janet: My pants are starting to fall off if I don't use a belt. My eyes almost show now when I smile. :eek: My knuckles feel skinny, lol. My knees don't hurt as badly. And they only swell on Sundays now. I can stand for 2 services & hardly notice. Monday's aren't as painful now. (After Sunday, I used to just stay in bed on Monday. Guaranteed sick day, period.) And the kicker.... I got my arms ALL the way around Mikey!! My fingers touched!!! (This is a function of both he & I losing, heh, so there's not as much "girth" in the way, lol.)

Man, Kel, what a bummer!! The important thing is to regroup. Cry a bit, but know that this is NOT the end of the journey! Look at how far you've come... you're looking awesome! Now, turn your mind to keeping your band. Let's get that reflux under control. Try all the stuff folks talk about on here: aloe vera juice, washing out the pouch before bed, not eating late, avoiding acidic foods (including orange juice & tomato products), etc. Keep us updated! Hope you can beat it without the unfill! (( Hugs!! ))

Wow Gwendolyn!! Great stats!! You're going to see Onederland in no time! Keep it up! Cashley, I've been using the Campbell's Select (I think). I won't say their restaurant quality, but at least they have their own bowl! One thing that ticks me off, though... that "bowl" = 2 servings, so keep it in mind. They're still not terrible for calories, but why on earth would they package 2 servings!?! Awwww Tammy-J! Sounds like you're going through it, girl! Hang in there!! If you can, get outside & in the sun for at least 15 min a day. If you can't stand to walk that long, go out & sit on a bench or something! And seriously, get the effexor if it'll help -- we're going through a TON of changes, and when you lose weight you release hormones, like we don't have enough of those already! Talk about mood swings! On the form, if you want to, go back to the post where you put your score card (it's back a page or so), edit your scorecard post & then put a point value for your weight. You get 1 point for every half pound... so it's 2 points a pound. (Example: I somehow lost 3.5 pounds on Tuesday, so I got 7 points that day. The other days I haven't lost, so I get 0 points). But seriously, this is just for fun & motivation... if it's not fun or motivating, if it puts stress on ya, then please, please, please, don't do it! We're here for you, girlie! Love ya! Feel some bandster hugs heading your way!! ((((( Tammy-J )))))

Nevermind... found what I needed in the forums. Amazing how frustrated I can get in such a short period of time! Back to smiling... lol. Think I might just be hormonal!

Ok, so I do believe I'm ANGRY!!! LOL, how do you change your background color, etc to customize your page? Their help section is less then helpful, lol. "You have to know HTML... then ask others for help." WHAT??? Anyone point me in the right direction? I know HTML... but you have to put it SOMEWHERE! Thanks!

Heh, I think caplets are candy coated -- at least a lot of them are red, lol. (Don't ask me why red = candy!) Hopefully everyone can find capsules instead of caplets. I haven't tried it yet -- so far I've done all liquid. But I just can't stomach liquid Vitamin B, so I may just have to try a capsule! Yesterday was not a good band-day. I, um, ate all day. Funny, even with restriction, if you try REALLY hard you can overeat, lol. Of course my new definition of overeat is a lot smaller then it used to be... but it's still more then I need. I tried to rationalize & say that it was because I've done so well... that my body somehow NEEDED to eat. Pft! We know we don't believe it, lol. So back on the wagon today!! While one day won't kill me, it does reinforce the wrong set of habits, so I have to fight hard to not let them come back full time! One side note, lol, I did manage to drink 12 - 8 oz glasses of water!! How on EARTH does Mikey drink 16? Heh. He does sweat a lot (Texas & summer, yeck), so I guess he needs it. JerseyTammy? You doing ok? Been thinking of you & missing you & hoping this week's better for ya!

Oh my word, that's awesome!!! You must be flying high!! Congrats!!

Wow Vines! I was so excited to see a post from you! And great job on the interview!! Way to be! I'm thinking of you & your feelings & journey ahead with your mom & tests & possible surgery, etc. Hang in there, girlie! You're a fighter! Never surrender! (((( HUGS!! )))) Oh, and on the bellydancing, lol, tell them that you were kidnapped by pygmy cannibals who only ate your arms!

Heh, we'll be glad to have you, Tammy! Glad you found us!!

Awesome! Can't wait to see you guys!

Wow, Audra! What a week you've been having! I hope today's going better for you!! (( Hugs!! ))