3loves

I just had to share a pic of one of my hydrangea plants. The pink bloom is about finished as you can tell....I should have taken the pic sooner. I think the acid in the soil determines the color, but I wonder why/how the same plant produces 2 different colors. Any hydrangea experts out there? :eek:

Yes, Kathy you are correct. Dody got her band today around 10:45AM. I'm sure she would be happy to share info with you Martha. Give her a few days to respond since she will be recovering. Good luck!!

Meridia worked short term for me and I lost a little bit of weight....can't remember exactly. Your body does adjust to it so it's not for long term use. Also, I would encourage you to NOT purchase it online unless you are being monitored by a doc. It has been known to raise BP and I had to make regular visits to my doc. Luckily, it didn't affect mine and my BP actually went down with the weight loss. Please be careful and consider ALL your options. I wish you the very best.

My DH was working for Ethicon-Endo Surgery (Johnson & Johnson) and they had purchased the Swedish band and were doing testing & such in their labs. He came home and told me about and I thought he was crazy. I didn't understand. Well, I did the research on my own and here I am....banded and loving it!!!

Did you get a hold of your doc for that appt? Some nurses don't like not being in control. Priority appt in Sept? That is just stupid talk. :eek: It will probably be difficult, but stay away from your daughter as much as possible. We had a very nasty strain of the strep that went around our family from our July 4th get together. My SIL thought it would be fine to bring her son with a rash and a fever b/c her wacko doc said he wasn't contagious. Well.....there were 5+ family members that ended up with this and my youngest had scarlet fever. It was horrible. I guess the medical people are seeing a lot more strep this year. Don't take chances....get antibiotics started ASAP to prevent the spread. Did you post your scars? I missed them if you did. I bet you would win the prize. :heh: Take care my friend and keep us informed.

This is my motto for sure. I took my flack from family b/c my son was almost 4 yrs old, but we did it when he was ready. I think it adds a lot of unneeded stress of all involved to push it b4 their ready. I love the panties and underwear wars. You know how they say the man wears the pants in the family? Well, we all know the power is within the one that wears the panties. Panties are powerful things. :eek: Funny ~ Thanks for the offer on the pull-ups. We have to use the "Good Nights" size S-M b/c my little guy is built like a linebacker.

Yes, I've had the leg cramps. I started putting a banana into my protein shake (still like that for a quick breakfast) and my cramps went away. Good luck....I hope your able to identify the problem and solve it quickly.

WAY TO GO Dawn!! I hope you stay on that cloud of joy.....you deserve it!! I actually bought a pair of shorts at Wal-Mart that were 18/20....they ran big I'm sure. It is empowering isn't it? I can't wait to fit into a real size 18. I may even feel skinny. You have done awesome with your weight loss!! Do you have a fill?

Three cheers for Tyler, Andy, & Morsaille's DD!!! :clap2: I don't miss the poopy diapers one bit. Still wiping cute little butts which I don't mind a bit. Danny still has me check him every time to see if he got bigger....don't you know, he does grow every time he poops??:heh: He's too cute. I still use pull-ups at night and he always wakes up dry. He even takes naps in his underwear. Maybe I should get brave like you Morsaille and refuse to buy more. Maybe one day soon.

I had a horrible weekend and gave into my cravings. It's my TOM and I guess I felt sorry for myself....why I don't know. I did so much better last month. I had chocolate, tostados from Taco Bell, and peanuts. I actually did better at my DH's company picnic than I did at home. I guess b/c it was too dang gum hot to eat much. The heat index was over 100. I sweat in places I didn't know existed. :eek: Well, I'm ready to start working out and I plan to hit it hard this week. I will NEVER again be as heavy as I am today....the scales are going down....I LOVE my band!!

FYI....I sent a PM to Robin.

Hi Diane ~ It's so good to hear you in such good humor. :biggrin1: Where would be be without a good laugh? Keep those hospital people on their toes and give them a few things to talk about. Hey, you could do what my mom did one time.....buy a little sewing kit at the gift shop and make your hospital gown a "mini-gown". You are so creative that I'm sure you will come up with lots of fun things. So, who's feeding the family? Domino's? Have any of your kids picked up on your love of cooking? Please let us know when you do go in for the operation. I know you said early this week. I will contact Robin.....not sure if anyone else has done it yet. Take care my friend!! BTW, loved the chewing gum joke....too cute!!

Does anyone want to take any bets that Kennseth will find Gordon this week? It should be interesting. I can't believe Rocket Man finally got a pole!! What are your thoughts of ABC? I prefer FOX b/c I think they do a better job overall, but the coverage of drivers seems to be more fair with ABC.

:wow2: YEAH Hippo's Hope!!! We must have been posting at the same time. Great job....I bet it feels wonderful!! :eek:

Yup....I have that problem too....."Scale Slave". BTW LindaV, I may try the Water aerobics. I took my boys to the Y on Fri just to look around and such and the pool looked so inviting. I love the water. :biggrin1: GreatDame ~ Great job on the 20 lbs. Don't hold back the tears....you deserve happy tears....how exciting!! :eek: Hippo's Hope ~ How's the fill going? Any words of wisdom to share?

You can try my doc....Dr. Christopher Evanson. He's in Carmel, IN which is a suburb of Indy. His number is 800-835-0971. I remember him saying something about surgery on a MX patient and I can't remember the details. Good luck and Congratulations on your lapband!!!

Done ~ check your mail.

I gave a basket to the bariatric center earlier this year b/c they helped me out with my child b/c of poor communication on their end when I made an appt....I had told them I had to bring my son at that time. Well, they all pitched in and gave him red carpet babysitting for a short period of time. The basket I put together was a wire heart basket from Wal-Mart and I filled it with many goodies from my spa business.....BeautiControl. http://www.beautipage.com/peacefulreflections/ I included instant manicure stuff, hand creams, foot creams, body lotions and such. I made sure I included enough for every person to have at least one bottle to take home or they could use just about everything in the office. You know, I didn't think about this for the surgeons office. Next time I go, I will have to take them a basket of goodies too. Good luck in what ever you decide to do. I'm sure it will mean a lot to just be appreciated. I think that is missing too much in today's world.....then again, so is customer service too often.

Oh Diane ~ I am sitting here in tears for you. This breaks my heart. My mouth is still on the desk and I'm in shock at all of this. I want to rush over to your house and take care of you!! I've been wondering where you've been and meant to post on the May thread just today to summons you. You were on my heart. I thought things were crazy around here, but my goodness girl. You know you can count on my prayers and will even ask my church to pray unless you request otherwise. Of course, no names, I would say just a good friend. The words won't even come out right now. Diane, please know you are loved and cherished here. You have such a great attitude and I know that will take you a long way into your FULL recovery.....I know you won't accept anything less. Please keep in touch when you can. I am sending you love and hugs my friend!!! :love: :hug:

Keep the shirt and wear it next time you chem the hot tub.

I was fortunate enough to get insurance to pay for my surgery. My surgeon and/or hospital did not have a program fee. Use of the hospital services such as support groups, nutrition & exercise are free for life. It is 3 hrs away so we joined the YMCA for exercise. Office visits are free for the first 6 mos and after, I pay my office co-pay. Fills are also a co-pay. Perhaps you need to look around if you feel the program fee is not acceptable. Then again, I would personally consider paying it if I felt this was the best surgeon choice. I would have probably paid something for my surgeon b/c he is so top-notch. I absolutely love him!! I wish you the best on your journey and I hope your able to work all this out. The lapband is a journey worth all the challenges you face. ~Good Luck~

Me me....don't forget.....please add me to the list!! Thanks Dear Abby K@t!!

I didn't have to do a pre-op diet, but I did do the liquid Optifast last year. I understand your frustration. Take it one meal at a time. As long as your getting all the nutrition you need (you didn't say what kind of liquid diet your on) you are probably dealing with your head more than your stomach. Try writing in a journal or taking a walk to get your mind off of food. Head hunger is one of the most powerful things IMO....put on your boxing gloves. :boxing: You can do it....just hang in there and take baby steps!!!

Thanks justduckie!! It gets sweeter as the days go by. Here's to many more years of love and fun with your DH. :confused: Kim ~ I agree with Marci, those are great questions. I'll file those away for future use. I still don't have a fill b/c it's slow and steady for me too. WTG Murphles :clap2: I bet that felt awesome. Can't wait for those XL clothes!! Hey LindaV ~ How do you like the Water aerobics? How long have you been doing them? Great job ladies on the challenge so far. It's my TOM and thankfully, I've stayed the same at this point. Hope to report a loss next week. Did I mention that I HATE the TOM?? It's the devil I say!!

Thanks ladies....good info. Do you know if there is a difference between actual weights and weight resistance using the hydraulic machines? Our Y offers a women only circuit room with the hydraulics similar to Curves. I wonder if one is better than the other.