Band_Groupie

DS1 decided to have his graduation party next month (they go on all summer here). I’m making a DVD slide show set to music that plays music clips in the background. We set it up to play continuously where the food tables are so people can watch some/all as they arrive. I’m putting together the elements of it now; about 10 pics from each year of his life set sequentially and about 10-11 song clips; about 2 min. each. I have to finish soon as I send the scanned pics and music to an expert who makes it all look pretty. I did the same thing as a surprise for DD’s graduation party 4 years ago, so this time DS1 knows its coming and has been helping me screen some songs. DD is like me and likes a little bit of everything so it was easy to pick music for hers (and there were several daughter/girl songs). I ended up with a lot of country just because the lyrics worked well with little kid pictures. DS1’s a rocker and doesn't like country...so we found lots more rocker/current ones that he’ll pick 2-3 from for his High School years. I need mostly songs that are appropriate for little kid pics and the growing up years as that’s most of the pics/show. If you have any suggestions, or opinions, let me know! Here’s our working list that we’ve yet to narrow down. GROWING UP SONGS (Pick 8-9) - “My Wish” Rascall Flatts - “Miracle” Celine Dion - “Beautiful Boy” John Lennon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5HyePwfIXQ&feature=related OR Celine Dion - “Somewhere over the Rainbow” Israel Kamakowiwo’ole http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAIKznMPXUk - “Days Go By” Keith Urban - “Teach Your Children Well” Crosy, Stills, Nash & Young http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pphVs8bF0 - “Landslide” Stevie Nicks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f46rv5EWbAU OR Smashing Pumpkins - “Good Riddance” (Time of Your Life) Green Day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClhNPb3mmpI - “Wonderful World” Louis Armstrong http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk9ItaDWxgk OR Joey Ramone - “Times of Your Life” Paul Anka http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4CIBHLPjBI&feature=PlayList&p=30B6FE7B47078485&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=34 OR Joanna Wang - “Life is a Highway’ Tom Cochrane http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9NS5o71DPE - “Forever Young” Rod Stewart http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juJyIxZ-p6M OR Bob Dylan - ??“The Times are They are a Changing” Tracy Chapman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I2ep0wNFVM OR Bob Dylan - ??"Tough little boys" Gary Allan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzmgAM8rIgo - ??“Whenever You Remember” Carrie Underwood http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yc6y9_2CoPI - ??“Do I Make You Proud” Taylor Hicks HS SONGS (Pick 2-3) - “I’m Not Gonna Cry” Corey Smith - “Friends Forever” Vitamin C - “Name” Goo Goo Dolls - “The Climb” Miley Cyrus - “My Generation” The Who - “This is Your Life” Switchfoot - “Best Days” Graham Coulton - “I Will Remember You” Ryan Cabrera - "Here In This Diary" Ataris - "But A Breath" The Wedding - “No such thing” John Mayer - “Please Remember” Leanne Rimes - “Graduation Song” Amy Diamond - “High School” The Friday Night Boys *Noticably missing are "Unwritten" - Natasha B. and "I will Remember You"- Sarah M. (he nixed)

Glad to hear he's unfilling you. My doc puts 0 in at surgery. He says that some of his patients never need a fill...the band itself creates the pouch and gives some restriction. Keep us posted and I hope this helps. I was getting about 400 calories for about 3 weeks with the post-op diet I was on. I was very tired and weak. Keep us posted and best wishes. -BG

Check with your doc, but this certainly doesn't sound normal to me. By 6 weeks post-op you should be healed and able to eat at least a cup of food at a time. Did your doc put a fill in at surgery perhaps? How many calories are your getting in from solid foods per day (it should be about 1000 by now)?

Happy Bandiversary DB! You're doing great! It sure is a learning process isn't it. -BG

There are different lengths of tubing for the APS? I thought they came premade. Yeah, I wondered why I got 0 fill at surgery.

Every docs rules are different. Mine says carbonation is fine after 12 weeks post-op, but that you probably won't want it as burping can hurt as you get restricted. He also says that carbonation stretching the pouch is a myth...but who knows. I don't drink pop anyway.

Amen. 'Medically necessary to know'...how does your doc know you won't be traveling to some other city and have a problem. No way was I leaving my first fill without knowing. You have a legal right to review your own medical files.

Go now, but make sure that there are at least 3-5 days that your doc will be available after and make a back-up plan with him in cas you tighten up while he's gone.

Congratulations!!! Welcome to the other side! -BG

Hang in there...we'll be out of 'Bandster Hell' and into our sweet spot eventually. Try to follow your docs rules; solid lean protein first then solid fruits and veggies. I've only had one fill...I'm just trying not to gain. -BG

Oh man tig, so sorry to hear that...but you've got a great attitude, it's a good thing that you found out now and then you'll get good restriction. I wish I remembered what it's called, not sure if it's barium or fluro or something else, but anyway, they can inject something into your port and then look at it on a scan and it will show up where the leak is. I'd certainly ask about that as there was someone here recently (self-pay) that paid for a port revision only to find out it was a defective band. I've also heard of docs putting a blue die into the saline so when they draw it back out they know they're in the port and not just pulling fluid from your tissues...doesn't sound like that would help though if he's not getting anything out of the port at all. Well, at least it sounds like a short easy procedure. Good luck next week and keep us posted! -BG

DS1's Graduation was perfect. It was a beautiful evening outside in the stadium. I wore my sunglasses to hide all my tears and had my tissues handy. DS1 was so happy. We got lots of pics with him and all his friends…what a great group of kids they are (a bunch of well rounded smart kids with great futures). We went out as a family afterward for a late dinner at DS1's work place (fancy Italian restaurant) and it was a lovely end to the day. The place is huge and packed, but so many co-workers came over to offer their congratulations and tell us what a great kid/worker he is. *Portion of Post Deleted for Lap Band Book

Congratulations! Keep ahead with the pain meds and feel better soon! -BG

Congratulations! That must feel great! -BG

Hello BANDER!!! Welcome to Bandlandia! Rest up and feel better soon (each day will get a little easier). I'm glad everything went so well and all your planning certainly paid off. YAY! -BG

Congratulations on the banding! Try to get in enough water, and calories and protein that you don't start getting weak and shaky (200cals. is REALLY low). Your body is now in 'starvation mode' so it will slow your metabolism. It's great having no hunger isn't it...hope it continues for you! -BG

DB-I'll be able to make the Olympic Gymnastics team after a few more fills. Tiny bit of restriction now. Thanks gals!

Great job Pete! Wow 75# in 6 mo. is awesome!

Yay! Restriction!

The feeling of 'stuck at the back of my throat' is something I get when I'm full...like things are backing up. But that shouldn't give you a sore throat...did something scratch going down? If it is a full feeling, and since you ate a long time ago, try drinking something and see if that flushes it through the pouch...might be a piece of meat.

I could have written that same first paragraph. Wean off the caffeine/coke slowly and it's easier (massive headaches if you go 'cold turkey'). Good luck! -BG

*One 'fact' correction: We actually do have a 'double stomach' like cattle now LOL...you've all been initiated. Thanks! -BG

Bunny's name ------ Bunny's target loss --- Bunny's start weight --- Current date --- Bunny's Current weight --- Bunny's target July 4 weight PharmaGirl -------------- 20lb --------------------- 276lb ---------------- 11 May --------------------- 278lb -------------------- 256lb NY Lady ----------------- 20lb --------------------- 253lb ---------------- 11 May --------------------- 250lb -------------------- 233lb lingling ------------------ 20lb --------------------- 279.6lb --------------- 1 May --------------------- 279.6lb ----------------- 259.6lb JayTee562 --------------- 20lb --------------------- 272lb ----------------- 29 May --------------------- 262lb -------------------- 252lb MrsMitch ---------------- 25lb --------------------- 242lb ------------------ 1 May --------------------- 242lb -------------------- 217lb ALuv82------------------ 35lb ---------------------- 297.5lb --------------- 22 May --------------------- 280.5lbs ------------------- 262.5lb Band_Groupie ----------- 15lb ---------------------- 218 lbs -------------- 5 June --------------------- 207lbs -------------------- 203lbs kaner ------------------- 20lb ----------------------- 275lb --------------- 29 May --------------------- 267lb ---------------------- 255lb scoobydoo -------------- 25lb ----------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? TerriLynne -------------- 15lb ----------------------- 296lb --------------- 29 May --------------------- 288.8lb ---------------------- 281lb hopeful41411 ----------- 18lb ----------------------- 260.8lb -------------- 1 May -------------------- 260.8lb -------------------- 242.8lb IsabellaP84 ------------- 20lb ----------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? hannahj914 ------------- 20lb ----------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? JWL08 ------------------ 18lb ----------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? Abbie-pie --------------- 30lb ----------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? poconomom -------------20lb ----------------------- 212lb --------------- 8 May --------------------- 204lb --------------------- 192lb myturn2bhappy --------- 30lb ---------------------- 288lb ---------------- 1 May --------------------- 286lb --------------------- 258lb DM Chef ---------------- 20lb ---------------------- ? -------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? ------------------------- ? FutureSize10 ------------ 25lb ---------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? ------------------------- ? doodlebug11 ------------ 20lb ---------------------- 207lb --------------- 1 May ---------------------- 199.5lb-------------------- 187lb tcbgirl ------------------- 15lb ---------------------- 202.8lb ------------- 1 May --------------------- 202.8lb --------------------187.8lb twinmamma1130 -------- 20lb ---------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? ------------------------- ? mi_illusion_st ----------- 15lb --------------------- 211.6lb ---------------- 1 May --------------------- 211.6lb----------------- 196.6lb Babygirl_68 -------------- 20lb ---------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? ------------------------- ? kittygirl ------------------ 22lb ----------------------2031b ------------------ 31 May ---------------195lb---------------------- 181lb jukeBox81782 ----------- 40lb ---------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May ---------------------- ? ------------------------- ? Losing for me ----------- 20lb ---------------------- 189lb ---------------- 1 May ---------------------- 189lb --------------------169lb early -------------------- 15lb ---------------------- 202lb ------------------- 1 May --------------------- 202lb -------------------- 187lb lapband-AP-redo -------- 20lb ----------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May ---------------------- ? ------------------------- ? pottergirl----------------- 20lb----------------------- 280lb ---------------- 1 May---------------------- 280lb -------------------- 260lb shakia90 ---------------- 20lb ----------------------- 285lb ---------------- 1 May --------------------- 285lb -------------------- 265lb txdj --------------------- 20lb------------------------ 205lb ---------------- 22 May --------------------- 193lb --------------------185lb ThinWithin -------------- 27.4lb --------------------- 297.4lb -------------- 8 May --------------------- 297.4lb ------------------ 270lb help1977 ----------------20lb----------------------- 251.8lb ---------------- 3 June -------------------- 246.6lb ------------------- 231.8lb vcatalina1 -------------- 20lb------------------------ 255lb ------------------1 May -------------------- 240lb --------------------- 220lb Auddie ----------------- 20lb------------------------ ? -----------------------1 May ------------------- ? --------------------------? lapbandgirl2009 -------- 25lb ---------------------- 259lb -------------------25 May ------------------- 256lb --------------------- 234lb swkrp ------------------ 20lb ---------------------- 219lb ------------------- 1 May ------------------- 199lb --------------------- 234lb Shellynnrn --------------20lb ---------------------- 260lb--------------------1 May ------------------- 260lb-----------------------240lb kath17268 -------------15lb ----------------------- 236lb--------------------1 May ------------------- 224lb ------------------------ 221lb knighmo -------------- 25lb --------------------- 298lb -------------------- 4 May-------------------- 298lb ------------------- 273lb jannyboo -------------- 29lb -------------------- 219lb ---------------------1 May ------------------- 219lb ------------------- 190lb lilith ------------------ 20lb -------------------- 249lb---------------------6 May ------------------- 244.7lb ------------------- 229lb

Music to enhance your reading pleasure, click here: Tonight is DS1’s High School Graduation. I can’t believe how fast time has flown by. It seems like yesterday that we moved here and he was entering 4th grade. OK, no tears, yet…must...not...cry...save them all for later today. We’re really proud of how well he’s done in school. He’s graduating with honors (he's excited he gets to wear an honors stole). His senior project (a year long requirement for graduation here, they can pick any subject/project) was on student rights and his project was getting the School Board to pass a new bill to have a student sit on the School Board. He’d make a good lawyer…loves to argue his side about anything…trust me, I’ve been on the other side of that one too many times this year. He’s decided to go into Engineering at PSU, and he’s rooming with his best friend…they’ve played soccer and ref’d together since they were little, so he’s really looking forward to it. So another summer of me purchasing everything he’ll need at school; it’s my way of ‘nesting’ and feeling better about leaving him. I’m told boys don’t take nearly as much stuff to school…DH will be glad to hear that as we’ve been moving DD around campus with her ever multiplying mountain of ‘stuff’ the past four years (and now it’s all stuffed in her room and our basement). Now, excuse me…I need to go get tissues ready for my ‘cry-fest’ tonight. Happy Friday all!!!

You can do this...have a SF Jello, or SF popsicles (these were a lifesaver for me post-op, they even come in tropical flavors...and you get that 'chew' feeling. I've heard of people chewing things then spitting them out (gross, but it's better than cheating). It's all about the choices we make and you'll still have that post-op (not that I've been perfect at all). Good luck. -BG