ladykcusa

Laura - Love the pictures. I'm confident that having all of you to support them (your parents) makes this challenge so much easier. Bless you & hubby & Nelson for spending so much time with them. I feel this group of women has better success because we have the outlet to share our feelings here and don't have to numb out with food. We can air those blockades/secrets that we felt the need to hide - releasing them into the universe and leaving us free to enjoy life. Oprah had a writer yesterday who shared thoughts in a book recently published. We already have it here with the group.

LauraK - I'm in Overland Park (Kansas City) and would love to buy dinner for you and daughter - or lunch or breakfast, if it works out as you go thru. My e-mail is ladykcusa@yahoo.com. Let me know if it might work out. I'd love to meet you. P.S. This goes for all my friends here.

Kendra & Froggie - Congratulations. You are both progressing very well. Weight came on gradually, and will come off (and stay off) this time. So exciting to begin to live a more active, fulfilling life. Joyce

Karen - your dream was a riot. Thanks for sharing our dream time meeting. And wishing you success with your dental work. Also so sorry about family issues. You are a delightful, dynamic woman, in spite of, your childhood. Things are quiet in KC. DD needs a girls night out tonight with some margaritas. Work problems for her. Wonderful to spend time and try to make it better by sharing an evening. Julie - sending hugs.

Lori - great job catching up. With jet lag - wow. I usually feel triumphant to just open all the mail and unpack. Good job.

Lori - sorry to hear all the drama you have come home to. Hoping DD and son-in-law are both better today. Passing out is a concern. And directions from Florida from Mom on how to care for GDMA when you already do so much, grrrrrrrr........ Hope the trip was wonderful. Welcome back. Joyce

Hi Chuck and welcome to the group. Wishing you success as you continue your journey with the band. Joyce in KC

Everyone busy today - that is great. Granddaughter & her husband and their son & daughter stopped by and visited for the afternoon. Very enjoyable and stress free. Then another grandson came over to go to dinner with all of us and pick up his graduation check. He is difficult and argumentative. Dinner was at a bbq restaurant. I had burnt ends beef (no bun) with sauce and cole slaw - but could not keep it down. After very little, made a trip to restroom. Felt great once it was OUT. I'm learning about my band. Same meal was fine before fill on Wednesday, but I seldom eat beef - only fish. Oh well..... learn as I go. Carpets will be cleaned tomorrow. And then trip to gym.

Tweety - 60 lbs. - congratulations. You are doing fantastic. I've had my third fill and am very happy. Let us know how you progress. Happy Mother's Day to all.

OldOne - so happy to hear you are pleased with your band. Feeling like 45 is wonderful. I agree and have the same feeling. Much more energy, so happy that I made the decision to have the band. Kendra - celebrate 30+ lbs. You will continue to lose once the fills begin. Remember (before the band) how many times we lost 10 and gained 15. Now we lose and the weight might fluctuate a little, but STAYS off. Be patient - when you are discouraged, look at some of the photos and see all the other successes. You will have success too. Keep up the good work and continue to make good choices, KC Banders.

Good luck on your journey to health, Windus.

So nice to hear from everyone. Congrats on all who are losing and happy and sending positive thoughts to others who are struggling. Coming to lapbandtalk helps me to stay focused and moving toward goal. I've lost 23 lbs and am very happy with that loss. Doctor is also satisfied. Let's stay in touch and remember why we wanted this band.

Hi Windus and Welcome, Congratulations to banded living. Having a stuck epidsode is a part of your learning experience to know how your band will work with you. What physician will handle your fills? Lots of friends here to help you along the way. Joyce

Eva - I loved the pictures of the flowers and lightening. Very interesting. Laura - the poor little friend who lost his dog. Linda has a wonderful suggestion with the book. And loved the pix of Nelson and you looked great in your new skirt. Jessica - anatomy - an A you rock. I'm on upstairs computer - just miss everyone too much. Should get laptop back tomorrow or Saturday. Janet - so sorry to hear of drama night with Andrew. My husband had 5 children when I married him (1 to 15 in age) and I had two daugthers 10 and 11. I have been thru soooooo much of this drama and know how challenging it can be. You are one very strong lady and I admire your commitment to him. Rain tonight - great sleeping.

Happy Mother's Day to all. Dropping off my laptop for virus cleanup and maintainence, so won't be on-line much for a couple days. Then on to the gym for a workout. Joyce

Jodi - wow - karma is coming your way via new clothes and a renewed relationship with you SM. How exciting that you might be on Today show tomorrow - and, if not, will be there for the dog. Wonderful to hear such good news.

Hi Becca - lots of fellow banders here and we will all be happy to be buddies. Hope your insurance approval will come thru quickly. Joyce in KC

Karen - my thoughts and prayers are with you regarding your son and his future. Tanker story is delightful. Dogs don't forget negative experiences. Janet - I know you will miss this very special person. So sorry to hear.

Phyl - nice visiting with you today. I was given PT script for 6 weeks to straighten out my right hip problems. Hope that PT will work for you too.

Phyl - My PT advised (regarding gym workouts) -- because of knee replacement on degenerative joint disease in hip -- low resistance and high repetition on bike and elliptical. She assured me weight loss will not be affected. But - even if it is affected - at 67 yrs young - I can't live with the pain of aggravated joints (new or old). Congrats on getting back to the gym for both of us.

Arlene - Queen for the Day Congratulations, my friend. Correction re: My doctors fees. I rechecked today and a fill is $130 (whether doc or assistant administers it) and appt w/o fill is $65. We discussed my decision to move slowly and he advised (and added) .5cc. He is very happy with my progress (average 7 lbs a month) and I need not return for 5 weeks. yippee P.S. I showed him my baggy underwear and he confirmed the scale does not always reflect all the success. Sure I gave him a laugh for the day.

Laura - I was self pay and my fills are covered for the first year (Feb. 2011). However, I saw a sign in office two weeks ago to notify price increase. $165 for a fill. It do not mention a difference if doctor or assistant gave fill. There is another bariatric center in town that takes Medicare and I'm considering changing to it when my year ends. Very little follow up thru current practice. I'm always interested to see how prices differ in locations and in other practices. Joyce

Linda - sorry for your stuck episode today. Can't imagine continuing to work and dealing with it. Sadly, I've experienced stuck, slime and vomiting since the band. Therapist advised me to consider these as learning experiences - getting to know my band and my new body. Mine only last about 15 minutes - but are miserable events. Also thank you for encouragement to continue to fill. So scary when I've already been stuck to add more fill. But, I'm ready to move forward.

This banding is such a learning challenge. Laura - so interesting that we will continue to eat when we "know" we should stop. Thank you for sharing that as an issue for you too. Tomorrow I'm scheduled for my third fill. I know I need it as I'm able to eat 4-5 oz protein and I'm not losing, BUT I'm still afraid to move forward. I'll go and follow doctors advice in spite of my fears. This journey is about losing weight, NOT maintaining 20 lb loss. Will continue exercise and continue this journey. Joyce

Phyl - Love your darling little animations to match all your comments. Very clever. Good for you starting at a new gym. Will you & DD be able to buddy up there? I spent 30 min. on bike and 9 min. on elliptical for a total of 153 calories burned. Sure makes you take a hard look at calories in - when it takes so much to burn them off. General question: Are banders to avoid drinking thru straws???? Joyce