OH Juli

Missouri in the HOUSE!!! Yo, ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Yeah, I tried a different style and they just didn't work for me. The egg beaters were a struggle. Then I got paranoid. I'm still paranoid so I use a hybrid pedal with a flat side and a clipable side. Let me add that I also had a junky shoe that got stuck on my pedal. I had to take my foot out of the shoe and work with a screw driver to remove the shoe from the pedal. No, I'm not paranoid for no good reason. I have reasons. I'm working on it though.

Jachut- Just to be difficult. Rolled oats are the whole oat all flattened. They've been steamed and pressed under rollers. We North Americans call those "oats" for the most part or "old fashioned" oats. They cook on the stove in 5 minutes. You have the instant oats which are found in packet typically and they have been steamed, rolled, cut and processed to death, but personally work in a pinch for me. Just add hot Water or microwave. Steel cut oatmeal is also called Irish Oats and they haven't been steamed nor flattened, just cut. They take 30 minutes to boil and are a 1 cup of oats to 3 cups of water ratio. They are by far the most delicious of all the oats. Or you can boil them the night before then put them in the fridge over night. They will only need 5 minutes in the morning. There are Scottish oats too, since I'm writing a disteration on oatmeal, and I'm not exactly sure how they differ but they do. With all that being said, when you come across Irish or Steel Cut oats buy them and try them. You will be delighted. Oh, and add cream of wheat to my hot breakfast favorites too. Farina it's called in some parts of the world. Juli-former Chef-Foodie.

Jeni, A 360 with a vertical incision, my arms and a revised breast lift, no implants. Mine isn't until April 6th. You'll be well on the road to recovery at that point and can tell me all about yours. You'll be alright. I know you're excited. I'm excited for you too!

sleep is about thing I can think of. You'll be fine.

Special K- I am getting my arms done. They need it-badly. I'm having a 360 with a vertical incision too. I had a breast reduction years ago which is to be revised too, but no implants. Frankly I don't what I'm more excited about, my arms, which are buff, if I do say so myself or getting rid of the stomach. There's a lot of skin on the stomach. I'll be at the meeting on Saturday unless it's good cycling weather. Hope you are well.

I think going to the gym just to walk is fantastic! It will get you inspired to exercise when you are released to do it from your doctor. You'll be comfortable in the gym environment and maybe have a friendly face or two by that time too. All pluses if you ask me. Just don't do anything that pulls or pushes until 6 weeks out.

WYD- Rock on for the -200!!!!!!!!! That's amazing! Yeah, talk to me after you fall over. It will happen at least once. I promise you. If you are a complete clutz like me it will happen more often. I'm hoping to get out on the road this weekend. Woot.

Yeah what Jill said, don't white knuckle the weights. Also you can get gloves that help. Also, get things that strengthen your hands like squeeze balls that you can toy with while you watch TV. You can stengthen any piece of your body....do it slowly and no excuses.

I too can't eat after 7pm if I don't want it to come up in my sleep. Ick. I'd track the actual calories of what you eat and the quality of your food. Also all the other rules, like how long after you eat do you drink? etc. And going to the doctor isn't a bad idea. Let us know what you choose to do. :laugh:

Hi Gwen, I really thought there would be more anniversary action here on the March thread. You could hear a pin drop! My anniversary which was yesterday came and went on a pretty emotional day. Call it PMS, my grandmother is on the verge of passing away, my kid is on new medication, school is nearly out and my surgery is just weeks away. I've got a million things to think about. My anniversary for banding just didn't seem like something to jump for joy over. Don't misunderstand, I love that I got the band. It has been the most life changing thing I've been through, short of becoming a mother. I couldn't be more thrilled with the results. However, maybe like everyone else who isn't on here, life is so much more than the story of having my band. Anyway, my Marchies I hope you are all doing well. I really do hope to hear from you. Jeni, Good luck! You are in my thoughts.

Oh, dear. I'm sure that is very frustrating. I don't have an answer for you. Maybe a suggestion that you wait until the binder comes off and and all the swelling goes down before you get too caught up in your size. Sorry, I know that's not much help.

Hi all you March Lucky Losers. I'm a March girl myself but from 2 years ago. I so want to tell you that you are in for a tremendous positive change in your life. It took me 14 months from looking into the band to getting banded. There were many stressful kinks in the system but eventually it all came to pass and I got my band. All that stress has been reduced to faded memory. There is all kinds of advice available to you here on LBT. Please use the resources and don't go too long worried or wondering about any questions you have. This a very supportive place to be. Your banded peers will share with you all kinds of good tips and suggestions. I'm so excited for you all. The one piece of unsolicited advice I'll give you though is don't compare yourself to your fellow Lucky Losers. Each person will lose at a different rate, will have different reactions to the fills and will have individual tolerances to the food. Some will work out like maniacs and some will have complications. Thinking you should be just like someone else or that someone should be just like you doesn't do anyone any good. It's hard not to compare but if you can, you'll be much happier. So hunker down, get your protein powder stocked, and have a great and supportive journey together. This is the best thing you've ever done for yourself, I promise! XO Juli

Walk right away. 2 weeks you can do slightly more intense cardio. No strength training or anything that pulls at your inners, or could cause potential problems (like falling off a bike) until 6 weeks out. As unlikey it is that you will rupture a stitch, that is the concern.

Seeing you at the casino was a blast. Can't wait to see you next time, perhaps at TOSRV and me without my belly!

Stacy, So what's the TOSRV status?

Hi Marchies. I hope with the anniversary some old names pop in. TammyJ, Denise, etc. Come on!

I believe that the port and band system doesn't get emptied during the port move. My port sits right in the muscles that get laced together as part of the TT. It so has to be moved regardless of being filled or not.

I agree with what was said above by the other posters. But what struck me were your words. You don't want to have your intestines cut apart. That's a pretty good sign that GB then isn't for you. Let me tell you what I think your doctor hears though when you say, "Lapband is reversable" it translates into, "I'm not committed". Really, when I said that to my doc he pretty much said that to me. He made me defend why I wanted to be banded with out comparing it to Gastric Bypass. That was a challenge because all my reasoning was based by contrasting the two. So why banding? It's safe and effective. You have the will and the ability for one more solid push to diet and exercise, but you need a little help from the tool. You like the follow up care with fills and seeing the doctor, you like having a team help you succeed. You go ahead an answer for yourself too. If lapband is right for you you'll know. And then at the point tell your doctor to shut the hell up about bypass because that's just not going to happen. Oops that me projecting again, because that's what I told mine.

Bath: Toileting: Elevated Toilet Seats - Standard: This is one place to buy the raised toilet seat.

Wow, I'm not getting a new port, but the PS is repositioning the old one. He promises to hide it as best possible. I'm debating on getting unfilled before surgery and really can't decide. Due to my schedule and my docs I'd be unfilled a full two weeks before the surgery. It would probably be two weeks after before I'd be able to get refilled so I'm just really disinclined. I'm reasoning with myself that I can run immediately to the hospital for an unfill if necessary after surgery but I don't know if I'm being plain stupid or not. The other thing is that I don't wear my band uber tight, so there's some wiggle room if it does snug up after surgery... What are your thoughts?

K, I know what you mean about not letting your size hold you back, if you could, but there are times being too big really means you can't participate even when you muster the gumption and say I will not be embarassed. Those times are in the past however. Regular is either here or just around the corner. And not to correct you, I wish my MBA was finished. I'm nearly done. 5 more weeks. March 28th is the class. I walk in May. XO, J

Karey, I was looking at your dates, surgery then unfill then band loss, then rebanded... Was there a relationship between the plastic surgery and needing an immediate unfill?

I'll piggy back what Babygirl said- I bought the cheapest Giant bike out there. It was $650 two years ago. I didn't buy a Fuji though I could have but it was too cheaply made. Last year I upgraded some components. This year I'm riding her as is. Maybe next year I'll buy a new bike and when I do I'll drop closer to $1000. However, the underbuying also meant people will underestimate how much time they will spend riding. The logic follows that they can ride any old bike for an hour and go to the box store to buy the $200 hybrid. They just underbought a bike. That how people end up with a small collection of bikes until they get to the one they love.

Dude you don't just come here and say wish you were staying in Columbus to have it done and then not tell us where you are going to get it done! We all want to know! And welcome. You'll have to meet with the group at Polaris. Next meeting is March 14th, food court, we're the happy people with the balloon. Okay, Special K and Heather are always there and they'll pop on here in a minute to give you the real scoop.