Pattman

Biggest problem we have experienced on the road is being able to ping an IP address; but people not being able to bring up websites. There are a few different fixes for this issue, but it's dependencies are related to different factors of the PC.

At home I primarily use Firefox 3.03. At clients homes I mostly use IE 6 or 7 depending on what they have installed on their Windows based systems. Safari if on MAC's However, if I am having troubles getting anything else to work I keep a copy of Opera on my thumb drive as well :thumbup:

I'm in a similar but reversed boat then you. Wife does not like smoked fish in ANY form. I miss smoked salmon and smoked whiting :smile2:

I have to agree with you Jack. I no longer have my card (and with my insurance no longer in Iragau's list of approved / accepted insurances I have not been to them in probably 2 years or so. {my wife is still on their approved list and - in fact is on her way home from them right now}. I also either order form the appetizers, plan on 'take home' or split with my wife (when we can agree on an entree to share)

Hi Caelyn and Debbie, I haven't been involved with the forums in a while, but I am trying to get more active in it. I live in Wilmington (near Prices Corner actually). Feel free to say hi.

If youur chicken breasts are dry, then there is something in the way you preparing it (I would think). I'm no chef, but I have done Chicken breasts on the stove, in the oven, on the rotisserie (can't beat that!) and even on the grill without dryness? Have you tried marinading them in like Paul Newman's dried tomato dressing (at least an hour before cooking?) or any light but flavorful dressing? Just a thought, you're welcome to contact for recipes. My wife loves it when I cook!!:crying:

Not too far from my own personal recipe. I don't do the buns myself, but my wife still does. I've made Sloppy Joe's with almost everything under the sun - ground beef/pork/chicken/veal/turkey ... haven't tried it with buffalo yet, but I do know where I can get some. Sorry, I NEVER measure my ingredients, just do it to taste (nver failed yet). A little Olive oil in the pan (enough to keep the meat from sticking while browning) as the meat is browning I add a pinch of salt (always worried about my salt intake), some ground pepper, and about 2 tablespoons of Hickory barbecue sauce. Gently stir while browning. Drain well. Put back in pan, add a little Water as your cooking this to keep the meat moist and to have 'some' gravy. Add mustard (I use yellow, but have fun), Ketchup, a 'little' vinegar, brown sugar, white and black pepper. This is a 'tasting' dish, so add small amounts as you go until you reach your own taste.

I'd be interested. I love to cook (although I don't have as much free time as I used to) and I am sure my wife would love me to cook more often (especially if it were more band friendly). To be blunt, my job doesn't help my extended weight loss, neither does my Dr. changing his insurance plan requirements. I know I need a fill, but not going to be almost $300.00 just to get it!

Puddin, I am sorry to hear you are having troubles. I know where you are at with things. I was banded in July of 04. My pre-surgery weight was 285. My weight day of surgery was 265. I have the Vanguard Band (14cc?) with (last time I was at the Dr's) 7cc filled. The lowest I got was 215. At that time I was 7.5cc fill; but I was having troubles with constant indigestion. I pulled back to 7cc (current) and gained a little of the weight back. Last time I checked (I don't keep a scale in the house, I know I'd be compulsive about it) I was 215. I don't check anymore. My Dr. has since changed his Insurance Policies and my current provider would end up costing me $225/visit - so I have not been to see him in over 1.5 years. I am telling you all this to kind of let you know I know where you are at {long winded way around, I am sorry}. The band is supposed to be a TOOL to assist us in gaining the upper hand on weight control. However, I have some pretty good control (that's been improved since getting banded) but as you can see self control for me is not the total answer .... As was already noted, you should stress to you Dr. that you haven't yet reached YOUR perfect fill - that point where the band IS helping you as the tool it was intended to be. Suggest that he fill you some more, and that you and he monitor your progress. I can only hope this helps, good luck with your journey. I am struggling with my own right now, and with the other struggles going on in my life (personal, house, work). I am glad I am getting back involved with this forum. I am hoping it will help me with my weight, and maybe even some further insight to the rest of my troubles. Remember you are beautiful, each part of this journey begins daily with a single step. Good luck on your journey!

As already mentioned, it should qualify you, there are other factors that may make you "more easily qualified" {see your primary and your beriatric for further information} edema in the legs, High Blood Pressure, sleep Apnea, diabetes ..... but it sounds like you 'should' qualify. Good luck on your journey.

As mentioned, check with your surgeon/doctor's office; but with that in mind, our doctor (both myself and wife were banded) always told us 24 hrs on liquid, then 24 hrs "mushies". His reasoning was that a change was being made to your physical condition, and you still needed a chance to get your body back in rythem (spelling?) and give your body a chance to "heal" from the change (even though it's a minor one). His other reason was a psychological {spelling?} one in that it gave you 1 to 2 days to "think over" that you will be eating less, and "mentally" plan and accept that you would not be able to eat as much as you did before the fill (if you were increasing fill). If we were getting an unfill, he said to think of it as 2 days to think how you can stay "on track" instead of "filing in" that extra space you now have. I'm sure it sounds backwards or something, but more or less he wanted us to keep the changes in our bodies "on our mind" - it kind of makes sense to me, but I'm not right in the head anyway!! LMAO:biggrin:

Also banded by Iragau (both me and my wife) in '04. Nice people at the facility - I'm a little P.O.'d right now as they dropped United Health care as 'in network' and I REFUSE to pay $125.00 for a visit to hear that "I'm doing ok, still need to get more exercise, but keep up tyhe good work" LMAO Otherwise the staff is GREAT!

Just be careful, and as said - listen to your body. It's still "healing" and you want to give it the time it needs to do so correctly so you won't have problems further along the road.

They give you the wierd look because the madness has settled in to thier brains and they're hoping that by convincing you their brains won't hurt so much ... lmao I have 1 daughter from a previous marriage - would never trade her in, but there's a reason I had two surgeries when I went in for my band (had band and Vasectomy at same time). I didn't want to be 60+ and having to go to my kids High School graduation. Worth all the pain I had for the first few weeks!!! :faint:

A parent's night before Christmas 'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house I searched for the tools to hand to my spouse. Instructions were studied and we were inspired, In hopes we could manage "Some Assembly Required." The children were quiet (not asleep) in their beds, While Dad and I faced the evening with dread: A kitchen, two bikes, Barbie's town house to boot! And, thanks to Grandpa, a train with a toot! We opened the boxes, my heart skipped a beat.... Let no parts be missing or parts incomplete! Too late for last-minute returns or replacement; If we can't get it right, it goes in the basement! When what to my worrying eyes should appear, But 50 sheets of directions, concise, but not clear, With each part numbered and every slot named, So if we failed, only we could be blamed. More rapid than eagles the parts then fell out, All over the carpet they were scattered about. "Now bolt it! Now twist it! Attach it right there! Slide on the seats, and staple the stair! Hammer the shelves, and nail to the stand." "Honey," said hubby, "you just glued my hand." And then in a twinkling, I knew for a fact That all the toy dealers had indeed made a pact To keep parents busy all Christmas Eve night With "assembly required" till morning's first light. We spoke not a word, but kept bent at our work, Till our eyes, they went bleary; our fingers all hurt. The coffee went cold and the night, it wore thin Before we attached the last rod and last pin. Then laying the tools away in the chest, We fell into bed for a well-deserved rest. But I said to my husband just before I passed out, "This will be the best Christmas, without any doubt. Tomorrow we'll cheer, let the holiday ring, And not have to run to the store for a thing! We did it! We did it! The toys are all set For the perfect, most perfect, Christmas, I bet!" Then off to dreamland and sweet repose I gratefully went, Though I suppose there's something to say for those self-deluded... I'd forgotten that batteries are never included! ********************************** Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season

I don't have to worry about my port 'popping out', it's always visible ... lmao My Dr.s tell me that I have very little fat "between my skin layer" so my port has always stuck out. Kind of funnyt when wearing shirts that fit close. All of my family knows about my band, and my port and every family get together its a source of comic relief at times, but a badge of courage and a reminder of what I've done for ME, my health and my family. But as for you, yeah, I'd have them check it out just in case.

I know this sounds like a contradiction in terms, but every pound you loose, no mater how long it takes is worth it, and you are a better person (physically) along the way for it. I got banded in July of 2004. While my loss is a sinificant amount (76 pounds) it has taken me over two years to get there. I still have a ways to go (my Dr wants to see me at 175). My wife has not had as easy a time with hers. She was banded in January of 04. At one point in time was close to 80 lbs down. Due to Acid Reflux, worries of band slippage <thank god it hadn't done so>, having to get her gall bladder removed, and other complications she gained it all back PLUS <they had to unfill and refill her a couple times along the way>. While this has saddened her along the way, and added more stress and strain then I'd like to our already "at the breaking point" marriage; I continue to give her the same words you see below "One step at a time, you'll get to your goal" I also remind her that it took her some 30+ years to get to the weight she was/is, if it takes 2+ years to get to the weight she wants to be, I could care less if the Dr's are unhappy with the speed of the decline - SHE SHOULD BE! And I say the same thing to everyone one of you "slow losers" - we may be loosing at a slower pace then what is expected, but each one of us is unique, with our own set of cercumstances, needs, fears, troubles and goals. It's the long term goal we have to keep in mind, not that short term bridge we have to cross. Just because the bridge was there for others to cross, and we had to wade across the stream, does not mean we didn't still finish the race! It may take longer, we may have to fight harder, but we can do it. Your not in a race with anyone, not even yourself. You have a goal, and one step at a time, one pound at a time, you will reach it and find the person you are along the way, mentally, physically and totally!:clap2:

Congrats and good luck to all the "soon to be" bandsters!!

Not even a question! Would do it all over again, wouldn't want to be without it! Although there are some foods I've had to give up along the way, it has been worth it. Also, in the long run there's very little of those foods I've given up that I truly miss and wish I could eat again . No other way I would've been able to loose the 76+ lbs I've lost.

Missyc, Just to see what you were talking about I tried to add you to my buddy list. I also don't think it is working; or at least not correctly, or it's not described properly. Let me know if you get any kind of an alert advising you that I was trying to add you to my buddy list (never used it before so have no idea how it's "supposed" to work. I would suggest that if you do get an alert letting you know I was tying to add you, for now say yes, and let me know. If it works I can always drop you or you should be able to "reject me" at a later date, but would be cool just to try to play around with to see if we can get it to work, and what steps we had to go through to do so. Then we could do a prper write up and post it to help others in the future. Just a thought, hugs and happy trails :-)

RICE is probably my personal death promise. Only time I miss it going to Chinese restuarants, which doesn't happen much anymore seeing as my wife has finally figured out she's alergic to MSG. Bread I just generally stay away from (a small bite now and then, but it does not bode well for me). I miss my occasional piece of Med-Rare steak, but not enough to cause me pain :-) Pasta I stay way from, doesn't get stuck, but just feel too full too fast and would rather fill that space with better foods.

Our doc (wife and mine) told us they'd prefer NO soda, period, end of statement; but with that being said, that if we MUST have a soda, flat, in a cup, not out of a bottle or can and NEVER use a straw. Since I was banded (July of 2004, now down 76 lbs +) I can probably count (maybe using 2 hands) the number of times I have had a soda. Never did like ANY kind of diet soda, and giving up soda (almost) completely, since banding was easier on me than I had thought it would be!

No scales in our house! We both agreed to that!

I am 2 years out this past July 28th. I've lost 60 lbs so far. All my jobs (previous and since surgery) are farely sedentary. I KNOW I would've lost more had I been excercising, and know I could get rid of those last few lbs, and feel better as well even if I started now. My biggest reason for not going so far has been the lack of funds to expend on the gym. But I just finished up with court and am doing paying my ex-wife money, so that'l mean a nice chunk of change back in my pocket ... now maybe I can go and finish chiseling out this rock!

OMG! Sitting here this morning laughin my ass off! I've got to copy that and email it to a few friends! Then I need to get off my dwindling butt and get some house choires done - I'd say it's a Honey-do list but I wrote it, not her ..... would it be wrong to blame her?? Don't bother - I already know the anser to that! <DON'T class=inlineimg title=Peep alt="" border="0" src="images/smilies/peep.gif" <THEN class=inlineimg title=Peep do alt="" border="0" src="images/smilies/peep.gif"