imworthit

Me too, I'm sure we will see each other there. Good Luck!!!!!

Hi Tamcat~ I will be having surgery on the 11th also! See you at OCC! It's so very nice there.... the staff are so very considerate and truly care about the patients!

Cheryl

Welcome back! Why do you think you will have to have surgery? Did something happen to your band or have you been having trouble? I was checking out your stats and noticed your first fill was .6 cc's. My first fill was much like your. I had .7 cc's added to my band. I just had a fill yesterday.....it was my 5th fill!! WOW! I am amazed. My last 2 fills were good. The first 3 fills were alright but the fluid ran through my band with ease. The last 2 the fluid was slower to pass. Yes! I am hoping I can go for a while now with out another fill. It's cost me $1350 so far this year. I was banded in April. Yikes!

HEY ANGIE~

Thanx for the greeting...... I appreciate your 'frustration' with the fill issue, however~ it does take time to find that 'sweet spot' so please hon, try not to be concerned with how many you have. It's YOUR RIGHT to seek out what feels perfect to you! (yes, I read ur issue w/having #5 and the readable sighs ) Although the money part truly does hit us hard, that's for sure! Congrats on this one, it sounds like it may be the ticket!

Yes, to answer your question~ something did happen to require a 2nd surgery... I will offer detail if you're still interested after surgery. I cannot really say what the problem is~ due to not having an endoscopy/flouro done yet. I have my opinion, but of course I'm not a doctor..... So rather than be negative I will put the past 2 1/2 years behind me and go forward with a healthy positive attitude and get this weight OFFFFFFFF! WOO HOO! It can be done, as my band sister has lost 100 lbs and her surgery was a week after mine! So I know that I know it's possible! Alrightie, I need to get off the 'puter and back to packing! sigh.... We are staying 5 days again so we can SHOP SHOP SHOP! Perfect timing for Christmas gifts! Yay! Take care and I will update my progress soon!

I'm getting banded on 12/11/09! I'm so new to this and I just did it! I feel wonderful!

Hello there Funmama!! Congrats on getting banded this coming Friday~!! I will be there also for a check up and most likely surgery! I shall

see you there! My name is Cheryl by the way Have a safe trip and perhaps we can walk together Fri eve in the center after surgery!

**I FORGOT how to post and do stuff on here! It's been FOREVER! AHHHHHH!

=D> =D> =D> =D> =D>

WOO HOOOOOO! WAY TO GO~! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK AND WE SUPPORT YOUR WONDERFUL LOSS AND GAIN OF A TERRIFIC HOBBY!!!

=D> =D> =D> =D> =D>

Hello,

I have heard alot about this procedure, and I finally decided to do it. I've scheduled my surgery for Sept. I will be spending 15 days in Thailand, and then returning to work. Does anyone think that this is a bad idea?

Hey Tasha! I'm sure that you will be fine in your choice of docs, and the location as long as you have DONE YOUR HOMEWORK! Fatalities? Percentages of complications in that particular office? Any band erosion issues? Normal windows of clients band success etc........... Most of us 'bandsters' on here are because this site was created for Dr. A. Ortiz LapBand patients. (TJ Mexico) So having an out of the country surgery is not UNHEARD of here!

So as long as you have asked the right questions, and they are qualified docs who can offer you this tool and assist you as your questions arise, etc, then it's all good!

I'm not really sure about the number of days that i have to recover. I now weight 210 pounds, and I am 5'3", and very unhappy about my appreance. Can someone tell me what i will need to eat (Grocery List) for the first month after surgery, because i work over seas and somethings are not readily availible for me, and I will have to have someone fromm the states to ship them to me before I return from my banding. Any suggestion??

I would find the name under the MEMBERS search tab above, and type in: NOWORRY. Very cool dude who actually created an entire shopping list and documented his experience with his LapBanding etc. Just look at his posts under his profile, thats the fastest way I could think of trying to give you the info on what it sounds like your looking for? Also, YOUR DOCTOR should be able to supply you with this info, right? You should be able to call there and inquire? (hopefully you are nodding your head in agreement with me as I ask these questions )

I was told by the doctor that the day following the surgery that I should be up walking around and not in any serious pain, and he also told me that I will be getting a fill and week after surgery. If anybody out there has had this surgery please give me some advise...

OK, that is the only thing that doesn't sit right with me. Your fill is only a WEEK AFTER SURGERY? Isn't that a bit unheard of? 6-8 weeks is what I understand to be the NORMAL lag time as your port needs to heal to the muscle it's attached to and the stomach ALSO needs to heal from the stress of the band and the swelling that occurs during that normal window of time......... Yes, you WILL BE WALKING around asap. Don't be surprised on how quickly you are able to get up after the surgery. (if indeed it's the keyhole/laproscopic banding surgery you are having) as this is the only way I can confidently tell you that you will be able to do this!) It's a quick surgery and the sooner you can walk off the gas they 'blow your stomach up like a balloon with' then the better you will be feeling! I didn't need a heavy pain killer or anything. And I am a big old baby for sure! So keep your chin up and make sure you document your journey anyway you can and the changes you want to make for YOU and your lifestyle, because it (the band) sure helps to get you on the right path to BREAK the emotional and physical chains that weight can bring to us all...................

take care and God Bless you and your surgery!

Cheryl

Well, I do appreciate the exercise postings, but I still can't do that much in the way of good, healthy major exercise. I have lymphedema and this time of year I absolutely hate because my swelling is at it's worst. I do drink alot of liquids, i.e. water, juices, etc., but it doesn't help too much...some, but not enough for me to be able to wear good walking shoes yet. I do walk as much as I can. I have to walk several blocks to and from the bus stops to and from work, as well as walking up a rather steep hill when I come home, but other than walking around at work, it is all I can do. I really want to walk a farther distance soon, but for now, I do what I can do. I also have fibromyalgia, so what weight I have lost still doesn't allow alot of strong exercise without suffering later. Really sucks!

Well, hopefully later this year or just pushing myself sooner, I will get going and moving alot more.

Peace and congrats to all who can do there workouts.

Judy

HIYA HONEY!!!!

Listen, I forgot to tell you that Fitzpatrick's office also does acupuncture........I read a brochure there that it is especially excellent for your fibromyalgia! Reading this made me want to congratulate you for WALKING each and every day that walk to and from the bus because it's more than quite a bit of us have done lately........(((or maybe JUST me! )))

Love ya and see you Saturday!!! (email me the addy and I will mapquest!)

Your pdx bandie~

Cheryl

I FEEEEEEEEEL YOUR PAIN WITH THE WHOLE BROTH DEAL! Lemme tell ya I cannot even stand the SMELL of it anymore! I did end up switching to MISO soup around the 4th day and I will tell u I was so very happy! All I did was strain the seaweed and tofu chunks until I could actually mush the tofu (extra protein) into the miso soup! MMMMMMMMMMMM! wonderful and better than high sodium broths!!! Aaaaand I found the protein water (Special K) has more sugar than protein! It made me cranky! So........ I went to GNC and bought other types of good water and sugar free Torani Raspberry flavored syrups to add to crushed ice so that I would maintain my water intake daily........... I added protein powder (soy) to almost everything I drank so my energy wasn't lacking............ Now I have just moved to Whey Protein Powder by Jay Robb and its amazingly expensive, but GREAT as it has 25mg of protein per scoop and NO sugar, NO fat, NO CARBS!!!! IT could use some better flavor other than Stevia, but if it keeps me away from the extra sugar then I am ALL OVER IT!

Just know that you will soon pass this healing phase and move on to other good stuff............. so we understand your fading tolerance to the ol' blahhhh broth stage............. Patience and grab that post op paper from Dr. Miranda cuz I know that like the sugar free popsicles ALWAYS helped break up the monotony for me! best of luck and congrats on your band!

Take care!

Cheryl

You guys all rock! Thanx for the vitamin feedback and info...........This is WHY we have a forum! Everyone of us have been included in the 'hit and miss' kinda stages and sharing our woes and successes can only serve to help others and laugh at ourselves as we live and learn this thing called the LAPBAND baby!

Chewable vitamins?

DUH! How come I missed the bus on that one? How silly of me............ That will be my NEXT purchase. I can't believe I didn't even entertain that idea! Thank you guys for your quick responses and for the web addy Rachelle!

take care all and happy banding! >

Cheryl

Hi forum fam................

I am cracking up because I am not normally a whiner............. BUT......

More often than not, I find myself struggling to take my liquid vitamins.......... That is nuts, because normally~ if it were a pill form vitamin it would be no prob............

I have liquid Centrum.......... And it's so disgusting! Bright yellow (bile in appearance if you really want to know) smelly and so horrible~! I want to take care of myself and I KNOW what I know when it comes to supplying your body with enuf nutrients. We need to heal and adjust to the band without depriving our bods of what it needs.......... So it's not like I don't realize the value of why we do this..............

HOWEVER......... As I am a cheapskate and don't waste anything, I am involved in a full blown struggle each and every day when it comes to this nasty ritual........... My daughter can smell it on the spoon even after I rinsed it off....... She grosses out with it even on my breath. I immediately put a s.f. fruit bar in my mouth to kill the taste. What a bad example I am to my 10 yr old! Like a pacifier in the mouth of a big ol' crybaby, I walk around being grossed out for like 10 minutes suckin' all the flavor out of my victim of the day till the vita-taste is completely outta my mouth........ Seems like an eternity..........

Thought I would just complain to folks who have had a 'hit n miss' with LapBand aftercare purchases............ Or if you are a pre bander wanting to learn from my mistake....... Hee hee. I'm riding this one out....... I think it was only 14.00 or something.........

But COMPLAINING IS FREE! HOW COOL!

I thank you all for your time and hopefully have amused some of you that know what I'm talkin' about! Shheeesh! Anyone got a good SECOND TIME'S A CHARM liquid vitamin?

Take care!

Cheryl

Judy............

How come I get the news last? Sorry you were freaking out hon.............. WHO TOLD YOU ABOUT eating and spitting food out anyways? That sounds crazy! Hee hee............ Chicken that melts in your mouth? Hmmmm. We don't have it that good here.......I don't think I've ever made it that well!

So no PB? I'm hoping that it went smooth for ya! The growling when food gets there, is common with me also...........You are not alone there! It seems like you could have PB'd if it were a large chunk or not chewed well or to eat more than one. That was my case with the 'salad' part of potato salad. I ate the 'sediment' if you will~ and it backed up on me like a stopped up pipe..........too much or too fast ~ i just couldn't believe it! So I feel like I have 'food fear' as I don't want that to happen AGAIN....... Makes me very aware of who I am when I eat. SLOW IT DOWN needs to be my motto. Even if it's three bites of yellow colored sand that tasted like potato salad.......

Luv ya chickadee! >

email me today if u have time, sorry I didn't get your previous one!

ttys pdx band bud!

Cheryl

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

YAY FOOD! Here I am trying to stay on my protein and optima shakes............. but FORGET ABOUT IT............ hee hee.......... I am so very ready to try some real food! My 21 days is up on Monday! Yes, thats tomorrow! Woo hoo! What ever shall I eat? So now I will be given a green light to try some food, and I am still nervous myself about the chicken/rice/starchy/breads deal. The only thing I truly hope my band will not give me issues with is brown rice and tofu.......... well, and chicken............ if I could eat salad rolls (thai food that I love to make) then that would be a plus. I read a ladies horror story on here regarding the shell of a shrimp that got caught and she had hell to pay for 6 hours or so.........that TOO makes me paranoid about shrimp in my rolls...........So seriously, HELP with additional first food ideas.............

Can we have green salads? Or were we to wait on that? uhgggg. time to research again...............

ttys fellow bandsters...........

Cheryl

Hey Cheryl,

I should have said that once I am over my 14 or 15 days of the liquid phase I will be eating my yogurt, refried beans and etc... =D> At the moment I make my proteing shakes with strawberries and fruit smoothies =D> . Every now and then I will have my chicken and beef broth. Well one more week of this stuff and then off to the beans with the low fat chees and low fat sour cream. Hey Cheryl has your doctor released you to start do some exercising yet?

Karmel

Yes, I am able to walk DAILY...........I think most of us were advised to do this from the get go...........To me, THIS IS exercise! As I have never done any cardio for like 18 years............I am also very excited to do this Ab Crunch Dance exercise program in 3 months............. That stuck in my mind that sit-ups and crunches were 3 months out from having the surgery, and I believe they said 3 weeks out for the exercise bike.........I am planning on calling to confirm exactly when I can get on my bike. (Yes, all these years it has been a rack for my clothes to dry, and a place for dust to collect)

I heard that Weight Watchers sells a pedometer that can be set from walk mode to exercise walk mode and back to regular walk mode and calculates all kinds of cool things! I want one! $30.00 only! Woo hoo.............. Take care!

Cheryl

Yeah, I figured it was something I would get into trouble doing..............SO....last nite, what I did was I put a can of 'lentil and sausage soup' in the blender along with a can of diced tomatoes~ and pureed it into liquid............ NOT ONE CHUNK of anything in it............I didn't drain the tomatoes before adding it into the blender, so that it would 'water down' the soup.......It was GOOD! I ate like 1/2 cup of it cold, and even tho it sounds disgusting it was wonderful!!!!! Just to have another taste in my mouth beyond protein shakes was the bomb! *hubby didn't want to take a bite, as it looked awful, but finally relented and said it tasted like pizza!* HA!!

I want to start some sort of cookbook for lapband patients............ P'bing is nothing nice and it's dangerous for us who have no recourse in the U.S. if we slip our band..... We need some ideas on *LIQUID FOOD WONDERS* to help during this phase of transition from broth to drinkable Dannon to solids.........

I like that we can all share on here..........These forums are exactly what us newbie banders need to discover and share and learn from each other!!!!

ttys.........

Cheryl

And here I thought is was me. Hello I am new to this site. I just had the lapband surgery on May 22nd and I am dying for something to eat. It doesn't help any when I see all these cooking shows making all these juicy meals. #-o Oh well, I will be ok with alot of prayer because some nights I just want to roll over and have me a good greasy burger, but I know that is not realistic...lol > It's has been 7 days since my surgery so next Tuesday will be my 2 week mark. Hopefully eating my yogurt, oatmeal, and refried beans all no fat of course will help with my hunger. All I need is some support from others who are going through the same thing as me so I won't break down and cry myself to sleep at night.

Karmel =D>

Hey Karmel!!!!

I was banded 05/14/07..........How soon after you were banded and could begin to eat oatmeal and refried beans?I have wanted refried beans mixed with sour cream (to thin them) and some mild sauce for EVER NOW!!! ( It's been 15 days since I've been banded and just made me a soy protein/water/ice/optima 800-vanilla shake............ yum. or something.....

Get back on here and tell me so I know that I could POSSIBLY try something little like my dream meal that I described for dinner TONIGHT! HAAAA

TTYS,

Cheryl

A bit of stress

Immediately following surgery, my port site incision was puckered and leaking every so slightly. My nurse looked at it, dabbed away the leakage and assured me that all was well. A doctor examined the incision as well, and felt there was no cause for alarm. He did add, though, that if the port had not been properly seated, they could fix it later with a small follow up surgery under local anaesthetic. At the time, it didn't occur to me that I would have to travel back to TJ for this. Duh.

A few days ago, I started noticing a very prominent bulge at the port site. The area is distended by almost a centimeter and I can very clearly feel a hard knot bulging out - my logic says it has to be the port. But since I have no pain or discomfort, I decide to wait. Unfortunately, there's no mention of this symptom in Dr. Ortiz's book under the section "Troubleshooting the Band," so I can't find a quick solution there.

Then, on Friday (Day 10), a friend makes a comment - he can see the bulge under my fairly loose-fitting t-shirt. It looks like the thermometer that pops up on a Butterball turkey.

Now I feel there's no alternative; I call Dr. Ortiz's office and leave a message with the receptionist. I sit by the phone for the remainder of the day. No one calls me back.

In the meantime, I post a query on Ortiz's forum and two fellow bandsters post reassuring responses. It's like a human Valium. I think I know that there is no cause for alarm. But I also don't know what the solution is.

Day 11, I call again. It's Saturday of the Memorial Day weekend and I really don't want to have to wait until Tuesday to get a response. Otherwise, it's going to be a very stressful weekend. Luckily, I am right away put through to a doctor whose name I don't catch. He assures me that if there is no pain and no redness, I should not be alarmed. What should I expect to happen now? I ask him. He suggests I talk to Dr. Martinez and gives me his cell number.

It takes Dr. Martinez only a few hours to return my call. Saturdays, he explains, are busy because of fills and because of many others like me who have questions. As he was before the surgery, he is again hugely informative and incredibly reassuring.

The lumpy knot is inflamed tissue, not the port, he informs me. He asks me to palpate an inch below the incision and, sure enough, I can feel the port there, tucked safely below my skin in its proper place. The bulging knot is inflamed tissue caused by the incision, by the sutures placed around the port and those placed under the skin wall. The inflammation will recede as my body heals. It varies between individuals. In very rare cases it can take up to a year to heal completely, but in most cases it's gone in a few weeks. He expects that there will be no sign of it by the time for my first fill. Whew!

Since I have him on the phone, I ask if there is any benefit to using Neosporin's "Scar Solution" pads or any topical ointments to assist with the healing. There's no long term evidence of benefit in reducing scarring, he tells me, but they can speed recovery. The pads are better than the ointments, since the latter can just rub off against my clothes. The fact is that I'm already wearing the Scar Solution pads, and now I have the validation necessary to keep wearing them.

I am totally reassured and can now dismiss this worry from my mind. Poof! The stress is all gone.

My friend Sanjay!!!!!

I love that you even posted this! I too, have the butterball pucker.............. I thought also, it was the port. Thank God you are so all over it mister! I, unlike you~ didn't call....... As that was my only issue, and that my scars are healing up so wonderfully, I stuck my head in the sand and hoped for the best. Stupid me. Now I am applauding you and your wonderful posts on here! =D>

You also handled the person who came on here attacking your journal of surgery process wonderfully. You are smart, AND WELL MANNERED? Geez........... What a package.

Hope that the remainder of the holiday is a good one for you! I promise I am getting those photos processed SOON! That will be a hoot!

ttys,

Cheryl

( I am getting to the point where I cannot take the feeling of starving anymore. Also, starting to regret this surgery. People are barbequing for the holiday, and I sit here trying to figure out what to drink, and not eat! I know it will get better, but I am trying not to fall apart and cry because I am so HUNGRY! I am being good though so far I think. I know that alot of people have gotten to this point and can't take it anymore and eat something that they suffer for dearly. I refuse to throw up or PB, but I am soooooo hungry!

Sometimes I think that maybe the reason why I am so hungry is that my pouch has healed enough to try the next step of food. Then I realize, NO! my stomach is still swollen. I am not healed yet. ARGH!!!

Thanks for letting me cry on my computer keyboard since I don't have a shoulder to cry on.

Judy

MY JUDY!!!!!

HONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why haven't you called me girl? I was waiting for you to heal and hadn't gotten an email from ya, so I was figuring you were super busy or something? Listen, feeling hungry IS TOTALLY WHAT I DID TOOOOOOOOOOOO! The weekend you were getting ready for TJ I was such a freak for food that I was watching THE FOOD NETWORK like crazy. I felt like I could eat my own foot off if it had some bar-b-que sauce on it! Seriously hungry..........but then, on the 7th day forward~ for some reason it became easier. I think for me, it was like a 'detox' stage for the carbs and sugar and soda or something like that?

I don't think I will be moving to the mushy food stage for awhile. I am trying to be in the liquid protein stage so that I can continue to drop weight......... 29 lbs so far as of since I began my pre-op diet........ I love that my pants are falling off! So THAT makes it easier to deal with having my family eating Guiseppe's Pizza in front of me while I sip on minestrone BROTH only.........

yikes. It's been 15 DAYS since my surgery.........Trippy. I've been a good girl. P-b'd ONCE and it sucked! It was the weekend I was being a fiend for food! It was on like a mushy baby food deviled ham deal. I needed meat so bad, but NEVER will I do that again. I went right back to the broth stage and started over from there. Today I went and bought Dannon Drinkable Immunity, blueberry and strawberry flavored..........YUMMMMMMY STUFF SISTA! And more miso soup, cuz I looooooooove it! Yellow curry soup was wonderful too on Saturday, but has ooooodles of sugar and sodium in it, so I looked like someone beat my face in on Sunday at church(VERY puffy) AND I gained one pound, so just say NO to curry soup for me from now on...........

Liquid Centrum is also making me feel better...............Have you tried it? When I felt like a wilting flower by the time I got back from TJ that was just the pick me up I needed, vitamin wise..........Ya know? Good stuff, but tastes/smells terrible!

You are so not alone in questioning your level of hunger........... I/we all get it........... When the paper in TJ said be careful of mental hunger for one week, that cracked me up.....Thinking my mind has complete control over my growling and starving stomach then, cuz I WANTED FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD! (

Love ya Patootie!

Shoot me an email when you can!

Cheryl

I am flying into SD on Sunday May 13th.... for my 5/16 surgery! I have yet to find anyone coming in 5/13 or will be @ the hotel on 5/14 or 5/15......... We are coming early so we can spend a couple of days shoppin' and hanging out by the pool...........YAY!

Anyone else out here that will be coming in on MOTHERS DAY???? I will be checking out on Friday May 18th 07..... Am I crazy to kick it in TJ for 5 days? I have never been and am really looking forward to getting out of the MOLDY state and catch some sun!

Take care~

Cheryl

> Thank you everyone for this useful info............. I JUST got Dr. Ortiz 'Lapband for Life' book delivered today.......... So I will be reading quite a bit before my surgery. ((IN EXACTLY TWO WEEKS!!! YAY! )) Chew to goo will be forever stuck in my head. I am a faaaaast eater and am nervous that I will make that same mistake. I need to wear a t-shirt with the 'goo' logo on it or something till it's just a normal part of my routine...........

Take care all.............. Everyone on here so far has been wonderful!

Cheryl

Hey Judy.

I wrote ya a separate message, but added this info..........

Photobucket.com acct. It's free and if you don't already have it, once getting your pics downloaded from you pc.......You have a few ways to copy and paste your image in the AVATAR portion of photos only........... Use the URL'S info and paste it into the avatar area and bingo!

Good luck and I gave you my email addy fellow pdx band sis!

ttys!

Cheryl

I am reading several topics and discussions where 'p-bing' is mentioned. I don't know what that means. Is that a reaction from eating w/out chewing? HEEEEEEELP! What can I do to avoid this issue also? Gimme ALL THE INFO BANDERS! Thanx all........ I am so excited. I even have my first fill scheduled in July............ after my May 16th band w/Ortiz! Yay!

talk to you all soon,

Cheryl

Well, I am 9 days post operative and have lost 12 pounds and can tell you I am sick of soup. I have taken so much flack from my co-workers. They are even to the point of making fun of me. But hey, this is my life and its what I want so I don't care what they think. If they are really my friends they can just get over it. It's not like I just keep talking about my surgery non-stop. I never even mention it. They are the ones bringing it up all the time. OK - thanks for letting me vent.

Annette

SOUP? FOR 9 DAYS? I have alot to look forward to~! Just playing Annette. Forget your co-workers that are just being insensitive to your healing process and perhaps don't understand what would be the consequences of chompin' down on that ham n' cheese sandwich they just bought from the vending machine. YOU ARE doin' what you need to do, to make sure you don't mess up your band! At least you have made a life change that you are proud of now (congrats on the 12 lbs) and EACH and EVERY time you meet your weight goals! Yay for you! Congrats!!! Remember, soup isn't FOREVER............ KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!

Take Care!

Cheryl

Well, I am 9 days post operative and have lost 12 pounds and can tell you I am sick of soup. I have taken so much flack from my co-workers. They are even to the point of making fun of me. But hey, this is my life and its what I want so I don't care what they think. If they are really my friends they can just get over it. It's not like I just keep talking about my surgery non-stop. I never even mention it. They are the ones bringing it up all the time. OK - thanks for letting me vent.

Annette

:-? sorry. tried to delete this one...............my first reply. i am not the sharpest knife in the drawer evidently!

> Thank you OCC! I am so very very happy to have this procedure done! I am 275 right now at 5'8" and begin my 15 lb loss MONDAY! I was denied my gastric by-pass AFTER completion of all the nutrition/psych eval and classes etc. here in Pdx Oregon. NOW I see, it was meant to be. It has been over a year since then, and I got so depressed and wanted to continue with my journey. Who CARES about money? I AM WORTH IT, WE ALL ARE!!!

Anyhoo............Glad that the LapBand will be my choice after all the research I continued during this year of 'insurance rejection'..... I am disabled due to a severe lung condition, (Never smoked) so I feel the LapBand will assist better with my disease than the 'other method'. wink.

Carolyn is a blessing too! Love talking to her! She is awesome! I will be flying in on Mother's day, 05/13 to kick it in TJ for a few days before my surgery on 5/16! My 38th Birthday is the day after.........WOOT WOOT! I am so excited and just purchased our round trip tickets, and made the deposit online, last night. I have never flew first class. But I was paranoid with my size, that folks would be crawling over me in the isles on the flight home, so we are paying the higher costs to 'live it up' this one time!!! Flying back home on 5/18......

I need some Band Buddies on here, so add me if u feel like it, k? ANY INFO and SUGGESTIONS you can offer me would BE WONDERFUL!

ANY DO'S AND DON'TS you have, send them to me!! NEED TO HEAR whatcha all know out here in LapBand world!

So so so so happy! talk to ya soon!

Thanx!

Cheryl