Alana

That is awesome! I'm about to take up belly dancing (a friend of mine owns a studio) and I can't wait!

Lucky! I have my 2nd tomorrow and I'm PRAYING I will have more restriction.

Seriously, if that's ALL he can think of as a response, clearly he knew he was in the wrong. He was probably embarrassed and that was the only thing that came to mind. He didn't have a real argument, so he went for the cheap shot. Forget that asshole and be proud that you stood up for that dog. You go, girl! (Yeah, I said it!)

I am so sorry to hear that! I cannot imagine that is anywhere near normal. Where did you have it done? I had my first fill thru Fill Centers in Moultrie, GA and the fill nurse accessed my port quickly and rather painlessly. It was a pleasant experience (despite some financial mix up) and I'm going back to her this Saturday. I didn't even have any numbing solution or anything. I'd definitely find someone new... Hope your recovery from this awful experience is quick.

I also have a blog, which is linked in my signature. I love it! I have a myspace,too at myspace.com/greekalana - but I don't advertise being banded on there.

Aw, I wish! I'll be in Moultrie, GA for my fill next weekend.

Hi Gracey! First of all, congratulate yourself on still losing 15lbs. That's nothing to sneeze at! Focus on the positive. I'm not able to go to the OCC for my fills. I use Fill Centers USA for my fills. I have my second schedules for Aug. 9th. Try their website and see if they have a location near you. Their prices are more expensive than OCC, but it usually evens out on what you'd spend on air fare or travel expenses. Unless you live really close to there, of course. I drive about 45 mins to the location nearest to me in Moultrie, GA. As far as jump starting your routine, Michelle's link says it all! Good luck!

7) How much have you lost? "I'm not quite sure, but I've GAINED a whole new outlook on life!"

Aw, thanks! tell your mom I said Happy Birthday, lol. Apparently, they're having a huge sale at Lady's Foot Locker, so maybe you should head on over there. They're also having a sale on their athletic clothes.

My 23rd birthday was Saturday. My boyfriend got me the sweetest gift! Apparently, he consulted a friend of mine and she told him to get me jewelry. After 2 days of searching, he just couldn't find any piece of jewelry he thought I'd like or thought I needed. So he started thinking of things I DO need. His decision? A new pair of athletic shoes! Now that I'm starting to work out more, have plans to join a gym, go walking and biking, I really needed a good pair of shoes. My current ones are slip on sneakers and offer no ankle support or stability. I've hurt my ankles repeatedly over the years and needed a pair that will keep them stabilized. I thought it was the sweetest gift ever and meant more to me than any pair of earrings or necklace he could have gotten me. He really thought about my needs and my current lifestyle and catered to it perfectly.

Thank you for all the replies. I have definitely cooled off! We have strict HIPPA laws down here, too, so I know I could probably say something, but I don't think I will. Like some of you said, the best revenge is my sucess. Today I took special care in making sure I looked great, wore a cute dress that hasn't fit me in quite a while. I made a point to stop by her area today and was secretly smiling inside when several people around her complimented me on my looks. Anyways, thanks, everyone! I promise, no more rant posts from this bandster.

That how I spend my money is my business and that the LapBand was working well for me. I made a point to get out of the conversation.

haha, I love that! I will definitely keep that in mind.

I WISH I could have said it to her, but she is a co-worker. She's also in a higher position than I am. If I said those things to her (even if it wasn't at work), she could complain about me or file an HR complaint or at the very least, gossip about me confronting her. I wish she wasn't a co-worker cause then I wouldn't have held back!

I posted this on my blog, but I'm so mad, I had to share it with you all. I hope none of you every have to deal with a person life this, but if you do, feel free to take my response and use it as your own. Today I had a confrontation with one of THOSE people. The type of person that truly believes weight loss surgery is an easy way out and that I should have just ate less and exercised more. It was a co-worker of mine, someone I don't care for very much, and unfortunately she found out about my surgery. Apparently, she thought it was her duty to tell me that I had wasted my money, that I should have just been more disciplined in my choices and that I should have tried harder. This is what I wish I could have said to her: EXCUSE ME????? Who are you to tell me that my decision is wrong? Who are you to tell me that I didn't try hard enough? Were you there the nights I cried myself to sleep because I had been called fat that day? Were you there every time I attempted a new diet and failed? How dare you tell me to try harder. That is what I've been doing for the last 8 years - trying to get a grip on my weight and my life. That is what I was doing when I decided to have this surgery. Who are you to tell me what to do with my money? If I want to take $8,000 and have a surgery that could save my life, that's what I'm gonna do. Hell, if I wanted to take that $8,000 and set it on fire, THAT'S MY BUSINESS. Who are you to think that your opinion belongs anywhere in my life? I'm sorry that you're so unhappy with your own life that you have to criticize the lives of others. And when I told you in a fairly polite tone that how I spend my money is my business, how dare you tell me not to get an attitude. Get a life, lady, and stay out of mine!

you look simply lovely!

I miss going to my favorite Chinese food place in town. Now, they're not like regular Chinese places, they actually do have a lot of healthy options - I just don't trust myself to go in and make them! I'd be too tempted by all my old favorites, like the lo mein and beef and broccoli and egg rolls.

I hope you know how much of an inspiration you are to all of us. I often think about you guys when making decisions and you're a huge part of that! Thanks for being you and congrats on all your hard work.

The first couple of days I felt fine - just a little soreness. Once I got home Sunday night, I dealt with quite a bit of nausea for the next week or so. It went away, but every once in a while it will come back. I've never been one to get motion sickness or be like that, so I'm pretty sure mine is band-related. I'm almost 3 months post op. It's not bad though - of all the side effects, I'd rather have this one than shoulder pain or bad gas! I was lucky to not really have a problem with those. Although I do fart and burp a lot more than I used to, lol.

While I can't feel the band itself, I think I can feel where the band is placed when I'm swallowing food. It's hard to describe, but I know I'm feeling something.

you look great! yay for everyone getting new do's!

Yeah I guess I could see that. My mom and I went to bed super early that night, but we walked around a little bit after dinner. I wish I hadn't gone shopping the day they released us, I felt so nauseous!

I was appalled to watch this video about a small boy whose feet were severly burned at a playground by the rubber mats used. They're supposed to prevent children from seriously injuring themselves if they fall, but they often get scorching hot. I take my nephews and niece to parks all the time and you can bet I'll be making sure their shoes stay on! Unfortunately, they can burn other parts of their body just by touching the mats in any way and because children's skin is much thinner, it only takes seconds to burn. The kid featured in the video had skin literally hanging off of his feet after just stepping onto the mat for a few seconds. I don't know why this bothered me so much, but I felt compelled to post it. You all have such beautiful kids - let's keep them safe! http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/0...playgrounds.cnn

Congrats! I hope everything goes smoothly as I'm sure it will. Just curious, though - why would she say no shopping the night before?

Mine is a half-secret. Before the surgery only my immediate family, my boss, my roommate, and boyfriend knew. After, I told a few more members of my family (definitely not everyone) and a few co-workers I'm close with. Other than that, I don't make a point to bring it up, but sometimes it just slips out! My neighbor noticed something different about me and I just blurted it out! I think I'm afraid people will be judgemental, but I've not encountered a single one. I'm starting to not care so much about people knowing.