Woodys

I had to self pay.....$16,000 in Toronto, Ontario. It covers everything....all your fill appointments, etc. Carol

I'm not so sure I agree with the statement about self-payers taking better care of their bands. From posts I have read at this forum there are a good number of self-payers who spent an endless amount of money on every weight loss gadget, pill, book, tapes, dvds, cds and were not successful....obviously the money part of it didn't have an effect at that time. Also, it seems that the majority of non self-payers have been very successful with their weight loss.......that didn't happen because they were disrespecting their bands. Just my observation. Carol

Most of my NSV's have happened...I have 30 to go to goal. However, AND NOT THAT I NEED OR DESIRE TO, I would like to have my tummy, apron, abdomen, whatever you want to call it.....get smaller so that I can actually look down and see my hootchie (as Carlene likes to call it). Don't know why....I think because if I could see my hootchie (LOL) I would know for sure that I have reached great weight loss success! OMG.....I am laughing so hard at myself....I have to go before I pee my pants. Carol

I'm really not sure, its on my plan too. It seems to be a consistent thing I see with other diet plans....maybe something with how it affects your metabolism. Carol

LOL @ Tired Old Man! I sorta knew the answer, the less I know about what goes on in the kitchen, the less jobs I get to do.....I leave the kitchen duty to the Chef! Carol

I don't look at it as your Dr "controlling" YOUR band....I see it as your Dr, being a medical professional, taking a stand and making a decision based on what would be best for your health. And as a medical professional.....I can't see any Dr being comfortable giving an unfill for such a reason since it is totally self serving and not for medical reasons. Therefore, I don't regard this as controlling your band however, I do see it as acting responsibly as a medical professional. Why should a Dr's time be spent on tending to a patient for such self serving reasons when it could be spent on a patient who needs his assistance medically. I think I better shut up now. Carol

Has anyone heard from Lila or Dianne? Just wondering how they made out with their surgery Carol

Carlene is correct, it is to keep the heat consistant without the element shutting off.

LOL @ Kimber-Lilly

LOL.....and I bet they are saying "thank you, thank you, thank you!" Congrats Carol

I checked this out with my husband, he is a professional chef. He cooks with a gas range but has been in the business for over 30 years so this is what he knows........ Broiling is a rapid high heat cooking method that is used for tender cuts of meat and fish. Always preheat the oven. Turn the broil knob between 450 - 500 and leave the oven door ajar about 2 - 3 inches...there should be a setting in the oven door hinges that allows you to do this. The food should be 2 - 3" away from the heat. Al prefers to use a ridged cast Iron grill pan on top of the stove for his steaks. He turns the gas jet up to high and lets the pan get really hot then grills the steak. Good luck Carol

Whether your Dr. would or wouldn't do the unfill I think is insignificant....the question should be "should I have the unfill or shouldn't I". My opinion is....unless you require an unfill for health reasons or because you may be too tight and not taking in enough food for proper nutrition.....an unfill for any other purpose goes against everything you are suppose to be learning about a healthier new lifestyle while receiving assistance from the band as a tool. I think an unfill for vacation purposes may set most people up for failure.....just my opinion. Carol

LOL.....I'm not near as gentle and kind as you guys....I get down right nasty when negative reference is made re my weight. I would have spouted...."well, I guess at your age time is of the essence and the speed is necessary so that you accomplish what needs doing....before "you know what" I am so mean and evil.....and have a very sharp tongue. Carol

They were very hard earned bragging rights "this old man". Ladydi: for the first time in many many years I actually bought something to wear when I wasn't intentionally "clothes shopping".....I found a nice (form fitted) blue stripped shirt with a faint glitter stripe and black jeans! Been a long time since I wore jeans....been pretty much wearing a lot of buffet pants...hence my problem. Carol

We have a consensus here......walking definately helped me with the gas....Gas X however didn't give me much relief. Congrats on being banded....its the best thing I ever did for myself. Carol

Yesterday I went shopping with a friend for miscellaneous items for the new location of my gym. We visited Wal-mart and thought I might as well take a look at the clothing section since I was there. Since being a big person I have loathed clothes shopping.....just was so depressing, was easier to order from the catalogue and send back what didn't fit. Anyhow....I headed straight for the plus size section! I now wear a 12P! It took me a good 5 minutes to realize what the heck I was doing. Carol

I remember having to wear my "buffet pants" for about a week after surgery. Wow Wheetsin.....you are doing amazing.....100 lost since March! Carol

Why're you licking my toes! CWTPH

Spiders Morning person or night person

LOL @ Donali

One day in our restaurant the Soup du jour was "exotic mushroom"....my customer asked me "are the mushrooms safe?".............LOL "here's your sign".............Carol

Good Luck to you too Diane.....we will look forward to chatting with you and Lila once banded....we can share stories and relish in our weight loss. Carol

Have a safe trip Lila.....It will be over in no time and it won't be long before we are sharing banded experiences. I hope you have enough time to walk around Yorkville before your surgery.....it is wonderful...I had my last lunch at Puseteries and my last dinner at Yamato's Sushi house (all in Yorkville) the night before the surgery. Yorkville was my hangout in the late 60's, early 70's. It was quite different then.....it was where all the hippies in Toronto hungout with our love beads, fur vests, peace signs, and Jesus sandals. Now, if you don't have $5.00 to buy a cup of Yorkville coffee then you might as well go home......LOL Good luck, you'll make out just fine Carol

LOL :clap2:

LOL @ Carlene.......Hootchie.....don't know if it is a word or not....but lets say it is, I love it! Carol