So today would have been my parents 74th wedding anniversary. My father died at 89, almost 90 April, 2006. My mother is 95, good to decent health but the mind is gone, full blown dementia. I saw her yesterday and she hates to be bathed, needs to wear Depends and won't. She wears a huge gold ring and while lashing out broke her finger and won't let us cut the ring off. I tried to talk to her, forget it.
At 4ish am this morning she fell. She wasn't great getting an x-ray. Don't know yet if she broke anything.
Ok, now my rant!! Why is it we can put our beloved pets to sleep and not our parents/spouse or whoever, who is suffering?????????? When my father was dying, my mother, age 87, bathed him, cleaned him, spoon fed him and every day she would say, "Today is a good day for a funeral, Melvin, close your eyes". My mother is that way and if she saw the way she is, she would try to kill herself, I know that.
Sorry, but I needed to voice my thoughts. My oldest brother feels the same way as I do. It is enough for our wonderful mother. She was great!! When I see her she always says who is watching the boys. I keep telling her they are 35 & 39. She thinks they are still very young. Sad.
Thank you for listening to me.
I hope you all don't have to deal with all this.
I also have a brother, 69, I am the very youngest of 3, who is mentally challenged . He lives alone but I take care of him. He has type 1 diabetes and takes 4 shots a day and he doesn't get it. I try to explain and help. I have a full plate with family.
Everyone enjoy your day. Stay warm.
Arlene
Better late than never, but we did a family dinner for the Jewish New Year last night. It was very nice, 28 people. My son's, their wives and my super wonderful 3 grandsons were there. I haven't seen some of the people for real long time and of course came the: you look great, how much did you lose, how did you lose the weight questions. I told people I do not share my weight loss with any one. They were disappointed. I said I know I was very fat and still fat and don't need people saying, boy, Arlene was very over weight. When it came to my dinner plate, one woman said to me, you have no food on your plate. I said I have plenty. My husband explained I eat around 4 oz of protein then the other foods. My sister-in-law (the wicked b***h "c" word) asked me about my 'diet'. I only said I use a dietitian. Enough words for her. About the SIL, my husband is 63 and for the first 50 years of his life he did not talk to her. They now talk only because he made an effort. She loves my oldest son and treats my younger son like s**t. Enough said about her.
So, back to the subject, I feel the surgery is my business and I just can't share it with everyone. I still feel like I am a failure because I needed the help of the band. My first surgeon said I was not a failure because I knew I needed the help. I just can't get that part into my head.
I did have a very small sliver of chocolate birthday cake. My youngest son's b. day was Wednesday, age 35 and the next day his wife was 35. I brought a super wonderful cake from BJ's for them.
Today the hub and I get to baby sit the 9 month old. He is the perfect baby, teething and never complains. He has 8 teeth all ready.
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. The weather in Boston is super great this weekend.
I love clothes shopping in my own closet! Yesterday I put on a pair of jeans I forgot I had. They fit with a little room. My dream is to fit into my Warner Bros. jeans with the Taz and Bugs Bunny on them. I have saved them for over 15 years. Wow! over 15 years since I wore a size 16 and in my 40's then. I hope in my 60's isn't too old to wear fun clothes like that. I even have a 't' shirt to wear with them. I am running out of smaller clothes and will have to buy some clothes. In my support group one woman said because you change sizes so often go to consignment stores. I will have to check them out. I have my nephew's wedding in November and hope to fit into a size 14-16 and was thinking of buying at the consignment store to save money on a dressy outfit. Do other people save too small clothes hoping one day they will fit again? One pant suit I love, I waited too long and the jacket is way too big.
Have a great Labor Day weekend everyone. Drive safely-the nuts are out there.
I love to shop for clothes, even if it's window shopping. Where I live in MA we have outlet stores about 30-45 minutes away and my husband is a people watcher. Perfect match! So today we went, the temp in Boston was around 60. I went into the Donna Karen store and they were selling daisy dukes. Can you picture us former over weight women in those with our Shar Pei thighs? Great picture, men. I just thought that was funny and I need humor. I did go to the Jones NY store and bought some 't's for $7. each and bought some for Mother's Day gifts, too. I love that store.
I was good today, my husband wouldn't let me into the Godiva store, OMG! I love their dark chocolates and yes, I do eat them.
Happy shopping, ladies and men.
Arlene
Hello
I am a very weird eater. Recall the movie, When Harry Met Sally? Well I eat worse than Sally. My food never touches, I use a different plate for each item, in my house. I dislike more foods than I like. I hate fast food restaurants, my poor grandsons, they get sit down restaurants with me. I never use condiments, never tried salad dressing or soups, so why am I over weight? I love bread!! I could eat 2-3 bread baskets full of wonderful breads in a restaurant with either oil or butter. Then eat my meal. Since having the band, I am so good. I do try the breads but a very small piece and stop. I also would always have ice cream either in a restaurant or at home almost everyday. I have had maybe 2-3 small tastes of my husband's since the band. I am really trying and so far so good. I guess it took me 62 years to wake up and say, STOP, being the overweight Arlene. I can move much better. Because of back problems, I can't stand in one place for more than a few minutes, weight loss will not cure that. I am not as tired as I was and I still have a lot to lose. I hope to be a onederlander within the next week or two. That would be F'n awesome. Yes, I have a potty mouth, that comes with me where ever I go.
Have a wonderful Boxing Day, all.
I had a coupon for jeans from BJ"s and decided to buy a size 16. I wear an 18. I tried on the 16 and they button but don't zipper yet. WOW, in July I wore a women's size 20. Great feeling.
Have a great evening everyone and a nice TGIF.
One year ago today I was Banded!! So how was my year? Well, I was very very good for about 8-10 months and then I went back to my eating ice cream, too often. I almost always have soft serve but with jimmies(chocolate sprinkles, if you're not from Boston).
I was going to the gym (since December, when my husband and I joined) about 4-6 times a week. As the nice weather came, that stopped. We are going today, we are in our workout clothes!! I need to get my s**t together and start over with my new life.
My eating has been for the most part great. I love my morning protein shakes. I drink hot tea and iced tea all day and night. I brew my own iced tea, so it's decaf. I enjoy my large salad about 1 hour before my dinner. I have never used salad dressing, so I know I am great in that department. I do eat bread but only in restaurants with really great bread. I do have Chinese food with brown rice and where I usually eat you can get luncheon specials all day and I bring 1/2 of it home for another meal. Use to be I ate the whole plate full and then some more. I also never have fast food. I hate it. I know what you are thinking, a fat person who hates fast food! WOW! If I did any it was maybe french fries (no salt) (hate salt)
or a shake and I gave them up and don't miss them at all. My grandsons are mad I won't go to McDonald's with them. Grampie will take them but never Grammie.
So as far as my pounds lost, I started my weight loss March, 2012 with replacing breakfast with shakes and lost 26 pounds before my surgery. As of this morning I am down 74 big ones!!! Could it have been more-of course. I am not perfect. It was a few pounds more but the ice cream took care of that and the less moving of the body.
I go to the doctor Friday for a fill. I have a 10 band with 3 fills for a total of 1.5 I guess my doctor goes slowly with the fills and I am fine with that.
Everyone is different with your loss, eating and working out. Be you and not someone you're not. We do all compare ourselves to everyone, me included. Work towards who you want to be.
Have a great day! I will try.
Arlene aka "Eye Candy"
The scale has not moved down in about one week. I am pissed. I am now on Stage 5 for life so maybe my body is adjusting to food. I took my measurements one month ago and again today. I have lost inches so that makes me feel good. I finally fit into my misses size jeans, 18!!!!!! I haven't seen that size in over 10 years.
Enjoy your Columbus Day weekend everyone.
Why don't people use mirrors? I was getting a manicure on Sunday and a very thin 40ish woman came in. She wore tight print leggings tucked into awful sox with high wedge platform shoes. OMG! she looked awful. I am now watching Price is Right. A woman has on an awful top, skirt, tights and boots and pig tails (for young girls) and she was over weight, which made her look even worse. Mirrors, people, mirrors. I am no fashion maven but I try to look decent. I use many mirrors to try to look my best for the day
Time to go have lunch out with some cousins. I had a protein shake so I would not eat the wrong foods so I'll have an iced tea or hot tea.
Enjoy your day everyone.
Happy Sunday
Since I bought a Fitbit the other day, I have been recording everything I eat onto the computer. I am now so much more aware of everything I put in my mouth. It was one of the best investments I have made since my surgery. Some people need a crutch and I have found mine, the Fitbit.
For all of you celebrating Santa, it will make a great gift.
Just came home from food shopping. Awful weather in Boston, rain maybe snow later during the Pat's game tonight. Then we are rain/snow the rest of the week. UGH!
Enjoy your evening everyone.
That awesome moment when your ex is getting fatter and you are getting hotter!!
Love this. I don't have an ex but I have many ex friends and saw one the other day and she couldn't believe how great my hub and I look.
Well I finally joined the gym yesterday. The doctor told me to join in September, better late than never. So I went today and rode the recumbent bike for 1.3 miles. That is a lot for me. I felt great that I moved the body. I tried the elliptical but it hurt the left knee too much. I will try to go again tomorrow. My fat went on slow over the years and now the gym will be slow too.
Some days I look in the mirror and see fat me and other days I say, WOW, I look thinner today. After reading other's blogs I think my size goal is around a size 12. My husband thinks I could go smaller. Never been smaller than 12-14 when we got married 42 years ago. I was thinner then because of diet pills. Nasty way to lose weight.
Have a great day all.
Happy Monday everyone.
I always use Splenda in my hot and iced tea. I was watching Dr. Oz and he and a dietitian said to use Stevia. Does anyone know any thing about this? They said that sweeteners make you pee more than you should. I know I pee a lot but then I drink about 10-8oz. teas or water a day.
Thanks for the help. Enjoy your Santa day tomorrow.
So today we were on our way to an Italian restaurant for lunch and we were passing a golf club that has views of Boston. So we went to the golf course. The menu was great. We both decided on the lobster roll that had mayo on the side. I hate mayo so this was perfect. This would be my second time trying lobster since the banding last July. I got stuck real bad. It was awful. My poor husband was left eating while I was walking around outside in 97 degree weather. People from NE live on lobster since birth and now I can not do it any more. I am very sad about it. The french fries went down fine, of course.
Stay cool and wear sun block.
'Eye Candy"/Arlene
Yesterday I started my day perfect as I do every day, with my shake. Then I was very bad! I went for monthly 'free' Godiva chocolate but bought an extra plus some almond bark. I like having a small piece of bark when I have the urge for dark chocolate. Then I went to Cracker Barrel for lunch, bad, very bad. Had 2 biscuits.
I was walking around the outlet stores again, so I did get in some walking,
Then I went food shopping with my MIL. She is 90 but the world's slowest walker and never has a list and had me walking all over the store. My Fitbit said I did about 4000 steps shopping with her. She only bought about 20 things. I text my husband from the store, you owe me big time. I can do a month's worth of shopping in less time without walking 4000 steps.
Today my older grandsons are coming over. We are taking them to the Children's Museum. Should be another great walking day. The weather sucks in Boston, so we have to do something indoors with the boys, ages 5 and 13. The science museum would cost over $100. for 4 of us, what a rip off!!!!!!!! How do families afford to have a great day out.
My mother will be 95 on the 10th and she finally lost her last tooth the other day. The same day my 7 month old grandson got his 1st! His other great grandmother (mother's side) lost 2 teeth last week too. Weird.
Everyone enjoy your day.
Arlene
Hello everyone,
On Dr. Oz today Lisa Lampanelli is going to talk about having the sleeve surgery. She did it in the spring and has lost 80lbs. Great weight loss but way too fast. That is why I think the Band is so much better and safer. her husband also had the sleeve done.
I can't wait to hear Dr. Oz's opinion on the sleeve.
Enjoy Happy Hump Day, all!
While most of you were sleeping I turned on Night Line around 12:30am and they talked about a new WLS, something Aspire. They hook up a device onto your stomach and 20 minutes after you eat your meal you hook up a vacuum type device to your stomach thing and it empties your stomach contents into the toilet. How gross is this? My husband said it is like throwing up. It is being used in Europe and tested in the US. They did mention the Band, Bypass and the Sleeve and said the Aspire is less invasive. Never would I ever think of something that gross.
I had an appointment with the doctor tomorrow for a fill but Boston is getting a blizzard so it is now next week. I am happy about that because my oldest son is turning 38 Sunday and we are going out for dinner. Now I can eat and not just have a hot tea.
Have a super day everyone. Time for food shopping and the gym.
Arlene
Good afternoon from blizzard Boston.
In the local paper there was an article from Soma Intimates. They said that when women that leave their abusive person they usually forget bras. So Soma is collecting used and new bras for DOVE. I know having lost weight I have many large sized bras. Maybe some of you do to and we can all donate them.
Enjoy your TGIF.
Am I the only Bandster that hates fast food? my grandsons always want it and I always take them to sit down restaurants because I think fast food tastes awful. At McDonald's the only thing I would eat are salt free fries. I don't use salt. to me fast food is pizza and we have a love story. I can't go without pizza. That is one thing I have to have. I know it's not the best to eat but I was told there are no, no foods by my dietitian.
tomorrow my son will be 38 and his wife is having a surprise party at a pub and ordering appetizers. I don't know if I will eat any of them, though but I will be there to celebrate with everyone.
Have a great Sunday everyone.
Saw the metal monster, the doctor and the dietitian. I only lost a few pounds but it may be from doing exercise the doctor said. He is happy with me. Said I lost 50% of my fat. That doesn't suck.
The doctor said the reason he does 3 days liquids and then 3 days mushies after a fill is because the fill has to settle into the band. Also, I asked about straws and he feels that straws put too much air into your body. Makes sense.
The dietitian suggested eating beef or turkey jerky for protein. I bought beef teriyaki. I will try it next week. She also said to eat protein first, then veggies, then fruit and then the carbs. I don't do that exactly. I will try.
Enjoy your weekend everyone.
This morning got up early and went to my son's house. Last week my grandson was 13 and we had to bring him his b. day gifts. My son went and bought fresh made bagels. I was polite and asked for 1/4 of a bagel and he put Smart Balance on it. Nothing. That is how I felt about eating a former breakfast food. Nothing. I can live without them. I loved that. Some foods I can not go without but bagels are on the good bye list.
On my never live without list is pizza, bread in restaurants, almonds, pasta and Chinese food. I think that is it. If you can't have what you really love and enjoy yourself the Band will not work with you because you will go after all these forbidden foods. Or that is how I see it with me.
Have a wonderful weekend and hopefully no storms where you live.
"Eye Candy"
Today is my MIL's 90th birthday party, at a Chinese restaurant. Almost every one at the party has not seen me for over 6 months. Nervous does not explain my feelings. I know I am being crazy, but I feel like everyone will look at me and judge what little food I will be putting on my plate. My children and oldest brother have seen me eat and say nothing, it's all the others and they don't know about my new friend, The Band! There is an open bar, I don't drink, even before the band, so that is fine. I have not said anything to anyone even the hub about this. He would tell me I am crazy.
Thank you for listening.
Enjoy your day.
The Red Sox are winning right now!!!!!!!!!!!! go SOX.
Why, do you get WLS, any type, and then not listen to your doctor or dietitian? Why?
When I was given the pre-op diet, I followed it to the 't' because I was afraid.
When it came to the post-op diet, I followed it to the 't', also.
When I get a fill, I am on 3 days of liquids, 3 days of mushy and then back to my regular foods. I listen to the doctor and his staff. They have been dealing with WLS for many many years.
So WHY, get the surgery and just follow your own rules??????
Think before putting the chip, the french fry, McDonald's, Dunkin Donuts in your hand, let alone your mouth. If you have to have one of these, at least wait until your surgery has healed and you can eat regular foods.
People who have had the band for a while, I have had mine for almost 14 months, maybe some of us know what we are talking about. I listen to the masters, they have been here longer than me. I try to help and if I don't have an answer, I will say it.
So when you are getting wheeled into the operating room, just remember WHY, you are there. To get healthy and live longer.
Have a great night.
Arlene
ps
Saturday night I have a wedding and yes I will eat but not over eat and I do not drink when I eat and never alcohol.
Happy TGIF to everyone.
yesterday I got an email from a Lap Band person and they wanted me to be their friend and after some thought I sent my email. It was a SCAM! I told her/him to lose my email or I would call the FBI. I also sent am email to LapBand Talk about this. The person had her LapBand Talk name as:Lizza22. Be careful everyone!!!!!!!!!
Time to go to the gym. My FitBit said I have walked 50 miles since I got it and that was in December. For me that is great.
Enjoy your day. I am dog sitting this weekend, in the cold and tonight's snow, ugh!
Good evening. I was watching the local news, Boston, and they showed a new device from England. It is a pill you swallow and it blows up into a balloon. The balloon stays in your stomach and takes up room for around 3 months and you lose about 20 pounds. After they deflate the balloon your stomach is back to where it always was. It cost around 5k!!!
It will be tested in the USA soon. Bad idea, sorry, don't like it. This is as bad as sewing mesh on your tongue for a month. When are they going to stop with dumb s**t???????
But then that is how people make money, millions of dollars.
I love my band and today it really did it's job when I was bad. Thanks band for reminding me to stop and eat smart.
Now if the band could say, Arlene get off your fat ass and get to the gym, then I would be more in love.
