Paula Bee

Man, oh man, Cathy, you are looking so fabulous!!! I love your new avatar picture. Big ole hugs for the good work!

Yep, unfortunately I am noticing my bras getting too big... not somewhere that I want to lose weight. Just think, there is your boody and my boobies floating around somewhere in weightloss heaven.

Yay for you both. The truth in "another year better" is your theme for the year. Best wishes

I am happy and relieved for her and you. Yay!

I have watched BB since the very first season, and have never missed a season. This one looks like it is off to a good start... In our area, I have on demand, and on the CBS on demand, BB is one of the choices. Now, I don't have to dvr it, and can watch it commercial free. Gotta love technology.

Will, Will, Will! Stop! You are torturing all of us... my mouth is watering. And, truly, aren't you really GLAD that you cannot eat but about 5 bites? That is a better alternative that the usual "pig-out" and the miserable, stuffed feeling afterwards, not to mention the dreaded scale... :8)

PTL! I am so happy for you. Doing the happy dance, doing the happy dance!

WOOT Lisa.. thank you for this post! I am getting there myself.. I have known for years that dieticians say not to drink with meals because your saliva is the first step in digestion. Well, lap-band put me there! I do still set the timer so that I can have a drink one hour after my meal and not a minute later.

ACKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK! What meds? lyrica? what else?

Today I am filled with gratitude that God directed my path to the lap-band and this forum. Having had a particularly difficult 3 months with my extended family, I can feel the support that many of you have extended to me. Indeed, it is the support that we come to this forum to have. Many of you don't know that I was a voice major in college 30 years ago. I have since had the honor of singing this in a public concert, with a solo in the second verse. I have no way to sing it to you myself, so this version will have to do. It is my favorite song, and I offer it to you with love. A special thank you to my special lap-band friends. youtube linkYou Raise Me Up When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary; When troubles come and my heart burdened be; Then, I am still and wait here in the silence, Until you come and sit awhile with me. You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains; You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas; I am strong, when I am on your shoulders; You raise me up To more than I can be. There is no life no life without its hunger; Each restless heart beats so imperfectly; But when you come and I am filled with wonder, Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity. You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains; You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas; I am strong, when I am on your shoulders; You raise me up To more than I can be.

Ah, Mona, this is such a wonderful group that I can take a little strength from each member and nobody even notice the difference. For each of you, remember that casting your bread upon the waters will cause it to return to you pressed down and overflowing. Thanks again.

I LOVED the zoo! It is very, very hilly, and I would not have made it if we hadn't rented one of the little motorized handicapped scooters. I don't even think my hubby could have pushed me up some of those hills. Rent a scooter and have a great time.

I am soooo happy for you! You look FANTASTIC! Hooray and congratulations. Doing the happy dance for you!

Nice to see you and so nice to have you here! Welcome.

Please take your sleep apnea machine with you. I had a former student, age 24, die last Friday from sleep apnea. He had been partying and was too drunk to put on his mask. He died in his sleep, in his fiancee's arms. She was my daughter's best friend for a number of years, and they are all just devastated... all because he didn't use his machine. He was about 200 pounds overweight, and sleep apnea is a weight related problem. Check with your sleep Doc as you lose the weight, and have sleep studies done about every 30 or 40 pounds. I know that many, many people have been cured of sleep apnea by weight loss, and it is a goal of mine. Oh, and I had stopped using my machine, as my sinuses were so bad that I couldn't breathe through my nose. I am using it again now.

What everyone else has said is great, and I don't have much to add except take some phazyme with you for the gas, and money for knock-off purses. Lordee.. I have about 10 of them after 3 trips there. I didn't tell many people I was going, but I did tell my immediate family, most of whom had a fit. I told them it was too late for them to b---h and moan, because the fees were paid, the non-refundable plane tickets were bought, and there was nothing they could say to change my mind. The things that I used to eat, mostly they cause me to pb when I eat them, and frankly, I have lost the urge. Pain is a powerful deterrent. Anything with flour nails me, and I just don't want it anymore. Everything else, take one step at a time. There are old posts and people here who can answer all your questions as they come up. I felt okay after the surgery and even after the 8 hour plane ride home... you should be fine by Friday. My warmest wishes go your way. I am not wishing you good luck, because there is no luck involved; OCC is excellent.

I have been there three times, and the hotel is wonderful, beds, staff, and all. Last time I left, I felt a little sad. Relax.. all is good.

OOhhh Kim! You are looking fabulous! Big hugs back at you... this is our lapband home, and that is great!

OMG Will! You are back in full force! I love it... you always crack me up, and laughter often saves my day! Umm.. can we see your legs?

Thank you all... for caring and for being my support web.

I miss liquids with meals, especially ice tea! I had to give up the southern tradition of tea sweetened in the pitcher, but I did enjoy it with splenda at my meals. Soooooo thirsty at meals.

Hi, Renee! Good to see you again! I have been away, also, and am just getting back into the swing of things again, but it is so good to see you post!

Ah, Will.. life is life... we are all learning to live it the band way. and as they say, "Food Happens," and "s__t happens after."

Congratulations!! I am happy to celebrate this milestone for you. Doing the happy dance, doing the happy dance! Woot! Woot!

I am so glad to be home from my mom's house. There has been alot of heartache since she was forced to move from her house of 30 years. On top of that, right after I got home from the trip to Mom's, my brother's wife half-emptied the house and took their two daughters while he was helping Mom. There is a bipolar issue with the wife, and she is divorcing my brother against his wishes. I had to go back there, as we are very close, and I am the one who can soothe him and talk him down from his depressions. He is permanantly disabled with multiple back fractures, and the pain he goes through daily is one of the reasons his wife left. I am emotionally drained, having been gone for a total of 9 weeks of the last 12. My diet has suffered as a consequence, and I am just exhausted mentally, emotionally, and physically. My internet connection there was very iffy, so the times I was able to get on were a blessing. I am home again until he has to appear in court for the divorce hearing. I am "sucking up your strength" until I can get balanced again. Hugs to you all.