Hey everyone! I hope you guys don't mind that I've started a new thread. I've been talking to Terri from Dr. B's office, and she wants to email all of Dr. Bagnato's patients about this website and this support chat that all of us Bagnato Bandsters have going on. She was really impressed by how we've been supporting each other and wants all of Dr. B's patients to be able to come here and get support.

I wanted the title of the thread to be clear and make sure everyone who was banded by Dr. Bagnato knows that they are welcome here, even if they don't live in Albany.

For anyone who is interested, we have formed a support group and have decided to meet once a month.

Our first group meeting will be Feb. 7th at Ruby Tuesday in Tifton, Ga at 6:00 pm. This meeting is basically just a "get to know each other" meeting. I hope to see all of you there!

I hope you guys get better soon! I've never had a staph infection, so I can't say that I know what you are going through. My SIL had one last year and it was tough. <<hugs>>

Georgia;

Sorry to hear about the re-occurance of staph. It's really hard to kick! When I had it, my doctor suggested changing the bed linen everyday and using chlorine bleach on towels. At the time, I just switched to white sheets and towels. And you may already be doing this, but I just thought I'd mention it. Yeah I know, it can be a real drag. I hope you guys feel better soon. Take care.

Thanks Bamboobabe. I started doing that after my episode of staph. I've been changing my son's everyday too. I'm surprised walmart has any bleach left because I have been buying it right and left. I sure hope we can get rid of this soon though. Thanks.

Pamela

May 24th is a Saturday you might want to check your dates. Hope you feel beter soon. Take care

Haha! Thanks Jeannie. I was quoting from memory and apparently my brain isn't working. My appt is on the 22nd. Thanks.

I hope you guys get better soon! I've never had a staph infection, so I can't say that I know what you are going through. My SIL had one last year and it was tough. <<hugs>>

Thanks Leslie! It can be very painful if it gets too bad. Hopefully we caught my sons' infection early enough, so it doesn't get as bad as mine did. It's more aggravating than anything. I'm just tired of cleaning, cleaning, cleaning.....

Thanks Pamela! Let me know if you do decide to cancel it. It was great to run into you yesterday! You loOK great even though you weren't feeling well!! HALF of you is gone girl! I went shopping during my lunchbreak and got some healthier foods so I can make better choices. My daughter has a pageant this saturday so I won't be able to meet up with anyone either. Between wedding stresses and work stresses I'm wanting to eat everything in sight and actually being able to right now are disastrous combinations. I hope I can get in for a fill soon.

Yay! I got an appt for May 27th! I'm going out of town for Memorial Day weekend so that will be good for me. I made one for July 1 as well and man I hope I don't need it!

I just canceled an appointment for Monday 5/19 at 3:00pm if anyone needs it.

I just called to try and grab it Gina! Thanks-

Thanks Pamela! Let me know if you do decide to cancel it. It was great to run into you yesterday! You loOK great even though you weren't feeling well!! HALF of you is gone girl! I went shopping during my lunchbreak and got some healthier foods so I can make better choices. My daughter has a pageant this saturday so I won't be able to meet up with anyone either. Between wedding stresses and work stresses I'm wanting to eat everything in sight and actually being able to right now are disastrous combinations. I hope I can get in for a fill soon.

Thanks Mia! I was glad to see you too. I'm so glad you got an earlier appointment. I know you were pretty upset about it.

I know how you feel, stess really makes me want to eat too! I've always been an emotional eater and it's really hard when things aren't going right.

Good luck with the pageant, I hope your daughter wins!!

Welp, Gina- your appointment was snatched up a minute after you cancelled it... =( Oh well, thanks for the heads up anyway!

Hi everyone. I know we have our thread here and it's great. I added us to the Social Groups. Pam has joined up as well. It has a place for us to post pictures and lists the members. We are of course the Bagnato Bandits.

If you are looking at the subscribed threads, look on the left under Networking>Social Groups>Bagnato Bandits. When I created the group the systems prompted to ask for invites. I sent everyone here an invitation. It is obviously lost in cyber mail.

Ya'll, check it out...and join. We can keep it a public group or make it by invite only (more private).

Does anyone on here take Metformin? I go back to my dr. today and I am sure he is going to want to RX it to me again. I stopped taking it because it made my stomach EXTREMELY unhappy but it does aid in weightloss for insulin resistant ppl. I hear that if you stick with it long enough the stomach ickies do go away, especially if you have a low carb diet. If I remember correctly the pills are GIGANTIC- If anyone on here takes met, how does that work, do you cut the pills?

Well guys - I broke down today and bought me some new jeans and a new shirt. Yes they were from Lane Bryant - but they were the smallest size there! Whoohoo! (I secretly can't wait to shred their card and be able to shop in "normal size" stores, but for now they're great!)

I bought a cute 14/16 shirt with big belt, linen white with small silver thread stripes. I'm so looking forward to wearing it. I got a size 2 Red Pants and was in a Size 4 Red...so that's two sizes. Well - they have the size 1 - but I'm not quite there yet. The sales girls in there are so nice - I don't care if they are earning commission and lied! They were actually honest about some of the things I tried on. They made me feel good - one told me my curves were smokin and that I looked good. I was almost in tears! It has been so long since anyone paid me a compliment about my body in person. My self-esteem has been in the tiolet. Right now I'm on cloud 9!

I'm so excited. I called and asked DH on a date for Saturday night. We haven't been out in a while. Already have a babysitter lined up. I'm not sure what we are doing yet - thought about dinner and a movie. Any suggestions?

Mia - I'm sorry I'm not familiary with the medication. I wish I could help! Why don't you call the pharmacist and ask? I know some meds you can half or crush and others they say to take whole.

Does anyone on here take Metformin? I go back to my dr. today and I am sure he is going to want to RX it to me again. I stopped taking it because it made my stomach EXTREMELY unhappy but it does aid in weightloss for insulin resistant ppl. I hear that if you stick with it long enough the stomach ickies do go away, especially if you have a low carb diet. If I remember correctly the pills are GIGANTIC- If anyone on here takes met, how does that work, do you cut the pills?

Mia, I take ACTOplus Met. It's Actos and Metformin in one pill. I haven't had any stomach problems with it so far. I only take 500mg right now. The pill is kinda big, I usually take it at night (since my band is looser) and I usually slice it in half. As long as it's not time released, you can cut it up.

I just needed to share my NSV for today. I hit onderland. I am so thrilled. Its been over 27 years since I've been below 200. My husband has never even known me to be under 200. Isn't the band just wonderful!

Leslie isn't it great buying new clothes now. I was in the mall last Saturday with my husband and he made the comment about how much easier it is to find clothes that fit now. I had been a 26-28 and now am a 16-18 in pants and an XL in tops. No more land bryant for me, I can find plenty in the misses departments.

One last comment - I went to a ps on Tuesday for a consultation. I'm trying to get insurance approval for a tummy tuck. I have a horrible fat apron with lots of rashes and back aches. Wish me luck. I don't know what I'll do if insurance won't pay. Since I was a self-pay for the band there's no way I can afford the tummy tuck.

Nip - Congratulations on Onderland! That is awesome! I know you must be over the moon...I can't wait! both wonderland and the misses department...

About your PS, good luck! Hopefully they'll find it medically necessary with your rash and all. That can't be fun!!! I hope all goes well. Keep up updated, k?

Nip:

Congrats on reaching onederland!! Great job. Hope all goes well with your insurance approval.

Leslie:

Congrats on your NSV!! I'm still shopping in my own closet, as I have clothes that will probably take me back at least three sizes!!!!!