DynamoMini

Marilyn - congrats! Hope you are rapidly healing. Mal - is it sinuses or a cold? You haven't felt well for a while. Wishing you a rapid recovery. Hugs! Woofay - hope all is well in your world. We have been getting a lot of rain, hope it is all over by Sat. altho'. See you and your wonderful hubby then. Hugs! Michelle

Inez - I think going back to Dr. K is the right move. A fill, and a renewed commitment to yourself and your health. You deserve a healthy life. Remember that. Good for you doing that cardio. I think the caloric intake has to get reduced and/or exercise increased as you lose weight. It is lousy, but our bodies keep adjusting to our intake. Hope the Dr can help. Come to our support group September 4th or 11th at Red Robin. More to come later. Woofay - so sorry about the complication. Let us know the details, I want to be there for you. Hugs! Mal - where are you? Are you feeling better? Hugs all, yes I'm painting, painting, painting.

Same here - the band is a tool not a cure. It has taught me about me eating habits, sometimes it's a love affair, sometimes I hate it. But what I am confronting with the band is that I have an addiction and behaviors that have supported that addiction, that have to change if I want a different, healthy lifestyle.

Inez - what is happening? Why the loss of focus? You didn't explain much in your post so it is hard to know how to answer you plea for help. You know you deserve a healthy life. We all suffer from compulsive overeating. It is an addiction. When it is under control, we feel normal and good, when it is out of control, we feel really bad about ourselves. The band is only a tool, we have to do the headwork. Tell us more, maybe we can help. Best wishes, Michelle

Well, I had my official weigh in and I am down another pound. I weigh 192 and can smell the 180's. Isn't that funny? My weekend went well. Painting ladies up the ying yang, driving myself crazy over this show on Saturday in Breckenridge. If we do well, our company will be launched, otherwise everyone will have crazy ladies for presents. I camped once on Lake Superior or Michigan when I was at Interlochen in Traverse City, Michigan. Some sand dunes and ice cold water. it was heaven getting out of those practice huts. Hugs all - Michelle

pjanes - I went through a time of "last supper" eating before my preop diet. I think it didn't hurt. The fact that it wasn't THAT fun was an eye opener. There is a sensible part of me that really likes being under control. Thank G-d for Lean Cuisine and South Beach frozen dinners. I seem to go for those more than tuna these days. I love filet and try to have it every other week. Last night I was out and treated myself to crab legs. Wow! I hadn't tasted anything like that for a long time. It was a meal with a long time friend. It wasn't hard not to eat the rolls and rice, knowing the alternative was King Crab. Yum! Sorry if I got you all salivating. I do think it was nice to desire something and really enjoy the taste without stuffing. Hugs and happy Sunday eve, Michelle

Shelbi - rest assured that band doesn't cure anything, but gives you a reminder of how it feels to be full, that you need to chew slower, that you are commited to your health and willing to go to the nth degree to achieve that. The initial phase makes the whole thing seem easy, at least it was for me and then I hit the 3 month, I'm bored being "good", then a fill that tightens me so I can't overeat jars me back into how I am creating my future. Can the band fail? Sure. Lots of people eat around it. Let's face it this is an addiction. Whatever you do about getting banded, you will need emotional support, I also have a trainer and an acupuncturist, which I think helps my energy adjust as I change. Everyone does the journey a little differently. I would love to be an A - Z type person, but I am always looking for the loopholes, and just have to face that. Good luck and best wishes. Banding is a great motivator. Woofay - ok I understand you blew it, but try not to put it in terms of "good" and "bad" so much. So you ate over your caloric needs, adjust and get under control again. What is amazing is that on this journey you are confronting the behavior within a short time. For me in the past a binge could last for months before I confronted it. Be proud of yourself. I am proud of you!!!!! Awareness is everything we can hope for. As I am on this journey there are times I feel weepy. Lifestyle changes are hard work and emotionally charged. Love you guys, Michelle

Indigo - you are so right. It is a diet that isn't a diet. But if you want to lose weight you have to gear towards, low fat, high protein, low carb choices. Congrats to those with new band dates!

Woofay - good point, sweetie. Glad it is public. Thanks for posting our pictures. Woo - whooo! Drews - we thought the 4th would work, but if you can't and will really be there, I'd go for the 11th. Let us know. Hugs to all you gonnabes. It is a journey of self discovery some of it miraculous and some of it just hard work. You deserve a healthy life and to live minus excess pounds that weigh our shoulders and bodies down. Best wishes, please join our little support group, we do have a good time. Michelle

Hello Everyone - About the PB's/ most of the time occur when I am shoveling in food because I feel hungry. If I slow down, cut everything up, chew to mush and swallow, I do a whole lot better. I think I just swallowed my food before. I am going soooooooooooooo much more slowly when I eat. i am practicing throwing my food away after I am full or just tired or eating. This is new behavior. A huge departure from my former eating life. Now I have problems eating and talking. I just have to do a lot of self talk to not do the shovel, swallow so I can talk, because I invariably will PB. Sometimes I think the PB can be random, but usually I can figure out what whent wrong. I also think I won't be as chatty at a meal as I used to be. Or just have to talk between bites. It helps to order easy food, like a soup. Hugs all and welcome newbies. Michelle

Oh my friends - Such insight and progress I see and hear, we have writing, drawing, playing, all expressive arts. So necessary since we aren't burying ourselves in food any more. I am amazed how little I need to eat to survive. I am angry about it, feel frustrated that eating was my form of expression, now I get it. You guys make it clearer to me. See you tonight at Red Robin. I will bring a lady and a painting for you to see. We are developing a portfolio of our work too. So I'll drag that along. Hugs see you at 7, Mal and Woofay! Lap you'll be there in spirit! Congrats on your new duds. It is always a good thing before going back to school. Hugs again, Michelle

Sugar1 - you have a lot on your plate, but remember you DESERVE a healthy life. So many aspects of your life are out of control. You might try to focus on one thing a day. Like I will drink all my water, or I will drink a protein shake every day this week... could you get a fill and refocus that way? It will be easy with everything that is going on to ignore yourself, but be kind , be gentle, be loving towards yourself. Don't focus on results, focus on behavior. Good luck.

Weighed in this morning at 193, I guess I am for sure in Onederland. Ain't it great? Now I crave the 180's. Hugs all, Michelle

Shesha - you are doing so well! You rock! Remember Red Robin - August 9th - that is tomorrow! at 7 pm, Arapahoe and I25 (just west of the interchange). See ya Woofay and Mal - for sure!

Hellooooo All of you, Well, I had to face the fact the band isn't always a warm hug. I have had to face the fact that I gulp, don't chew enough and some foods are a no no. I have always been a positive whoopee type person, but now I will have to accept that not everything is a whooopee experience. For example today I had a piece one bite of California roll at our local King Soopers. Not 10 minutes later I was barfing it into a kleenex in the car, with lots of burps and pain. Besides being embarrassed when this happens it is painful. So yes, I am getting lots of information from my band, does it make me happy? Not all the time. Will it help me confront my eating habits? yes, it will. I liked the idea of moving more. When I am busy and moving, I do use more calories. Now, I am working out, but find the rest of the day, that economy of movement will have to go. I love you guys and Indigo I am so happy you are in the clear! Hugs, Michelle

Lap Dancer - I think it is wonderful that you are getting support emotionally for this journey. I can't imagine that I could truly change my lifestyle and eating habits without that tool. Today I bitched about not loving my band and missing some favorite foods. You know everything doesn't have to be yippee for it to be ok. I am open to feeling all my feelings and sometimes it stinks. Woofay and Mal - i will see you at Red Robin at 7 pm on Thursday. No one else has responded to our invite. Maybe next month. Hugs all, Michelle

sometimes this site drives me crazy - Anyway - Hiya Peeps! littleroo1 - I went through the same process of adoption 20 years ago and wouldn't you know it? Two babies came to me through designated adoptions. I was 37 and wasn't going to reject any comers, well aware that 50% of birthparents change their minds even after the baby is with you. I kept the mantra "2, 1 or none" going for 8 months. Both babies stuck and were definitely meant for me. I can't imagine trying to lose weight and adopt at the same time. I understand what you are saying about a focus on you, you deserve to be healthy, and you must have a really strong marriage and constitution to deal with the stressors. Best wishes and good luck! I admire you. nicnaknut - whata name! Come on meet us on Thursday. We can answer any of your questions and support you through your process. You are welcome any time however. Mal and Woofay - it may be just us again. I invited people on the Colorado Anyone? thread too. No responses that I know of. Maybe we are the social ones. I know it is hard to go out there, with the weight to meet new people. Woofay - good luck on your fill. I seem to be fighting mine. More headwork I guess. But I am really restricted! Hugs and see you two on Thursday. One more time - Come one, come all to Red Robin on Thursday, August 9th at 7 pm. It is located just west on Arapahoe and I25. You don't have to eat or drink anything - just kidding, join us!!!!

BJean - I am honored that you have requested a little of my perspective. I have to say that my therapy started as a response to the post traumatic stress I had experienced through two marriages and deaths, lung cancer, loss of a finger in a saw accident, and that is only a few of the major events. They happened so fast and continually that I was floundering. Not having time to grieve, process or recover. Now, retired, kids relatively grown, life still whammies me, but it is at a slower pace and I have given myself the gift of therapy. Since banding there are different issues emerging. The latest ah - ha is that fact that my family has been instrumental in my overeating reaction. It was the only way I had any power as a child in a verbally abusive home and as an adult with insensitive (but because they love me) comments. so that said, last week my therapist in one of her most brilliant moments said, "You know Michelle, even if you choose to lose weight, they haven't won. They might think they have, and even say it, but you'll know that this is your choice. You are the only winner here, whatever you decide." Well, it has taken some of the fight out of my internal battle - thank God! I was in a catch 22, if I lost weight was I giving into what THEY want? The other thing therapy has really helped me with has been boundary setting. My mother is intrusive and out spoken. I have had to become very clear about what I want and need and made some rules that protected me and understand my own power. I told my mother, who lives in my town, that I would have to move away if she was unwilling to stop talking about my weight, food, etc. This was after several attemps to get her to "understand" that she was setting up the reaction result that she didn't want. She didn't get it. My family has had a tough time letting this issue alone. When we were together over the 4th of July no one talked about my weight. I almost felt "bereft" without my "issue" being discussed. I didn't realized that no one really ever knew me, just the weight issue. So this is a little of what I've learned. I am thrilled that I am evolving into a person I love and a skin I can live in. It ain't cheap, better now than never, tho' Hugs to you, I hope you can find someone really helpful and gentle, I've had other therapist who fall right into that negative view, "why don't you do something about your weight, you would if you weren't so lazy..." Yep, therapist that said that. So I feel blessed that I am with someone so insightful who understands addictions that have been perpetuated by abuse. Michelle

Marcy - I would love to meet up with you again. My fills were pretty much no big deal. The first one, Dr. K got the port right away, but I didn't feel restriction. The second, he used a too short needle and missed the port, then used another needle and I think missed the port, but we thought he was in. No restriction. The 3rd time, he pulled all the saline out, which was less than we thought, because of the miss, so he added a lot and now I have the restriction which is really helping me. I was a little sore after the fills, but not a big deal. Woofay - I'm with you. Better suppository than throwing up! It was amazing relief compared to the way nausea made me feel. Mal - hope your weekend was great. Everyone - Red Robin on Thursday at 7pm. Let me know if you can come and want directions.

Hi everyone! Woofay - I can't believe that the SB is holding your weight. Could you be catching up from the vacation time from your brother? Sometimes, my weight holds off for a while before showing, but it is totally calories in minus energy expended. Laws of nature. I am sure you will show a drop soon. Remember you are not your weight. Welcome 1hawgfan and jfk! Come one come all to Red Robin on Thursday, August 9th at 7pm. Let us know if you will be there. Hugs.

Woofay and Lap Dancer - Don't be so hard on yourselves. You are doing great. The scale is only one indicator, not fool proof, and very changable. I was doing the exact same thing, hopping on that stupid scale three times a day, then I started focusing on using my step counter and reporting the numbers all the time, driving my trainer nuts and she really got on me to put the scale away! Check this list: 1) Are you exercising 45 minutes 5 days per week (not hard but medium, like active walking not jogging - and still be able to talk while moving) 2) Are you eating healthy foods? 3) Are your portions controlled? 4) Are you drinking at least 48 oz of water daily? 5) Are you making sure you have enough protein? She swears that if you do those things, you don't need the scale. I have to remember I am not a number. In fact I stopped going to the onederland thread because it was by definition a number oriented place. I have to tell myself that all the time. I did put my scale away for a week at a time. Then had an official weigh day at a diet place that owed me a few weeks, but now I weigh at home. I do an official weigh in on Mondays. I am certainly not doing this perfectly, but I hear what you are saying and I know that "number crazy thinking" and well, been there, done that, and will probably do it again. So you all remind me when I go backwards to being a scale whore. On the other hand being "good" and gaining weight totally SUCKS!!! Hugs! mal - I am glad you are getting outta dodge. I hope you have a great weekend. I feel your frustration with your son, it is so difficult seeing them in pain. Lap Dancer - I am soooooo proud of you. It takes a village and I sure have to use lots of support systems. Including our Red Robin group. So how many of you are coming Next Thursday? Lap Dancer (I know) you will be with us in spirit and maybe we can all meet somewhere in a couple of months when you have your flying deal back. Hugs. Michelle

Queenmum - I think that once the pattern of emtional eating is established, it is really hard to "fix" it. What I keep telling myself is that I deserve a healthy life, and so do you. Best wishes with your decisions. Try to get therapy support in addition to banding, I have found that since I am not able to use food emotionally I am processing a lot of issues in therapy. In some ways I am emotionally immature because I numbed out with food and haven't felt a lot for many years.

I got a card but haven't used it. Usually any restaurant will let you order off the kids menu or senior (well, I'm almost there) one without an explanation. However - A funny thing happened at book club. We ate at Pappeadeaux's and had arranged to order one meal between two of us because of our WLS ahead of time. This was a banquet situation This clueless waiter said with a shout, "oh, you're the ones that have had the weight loss surgery!" I wasn't embarrassed for myself, but was for my friend who had had bypass surgery and was already 100 pounds down and close to goal. Now, I think about it, we bandsters need to campaign for understanding out in the community and educate restaurant staff etc. I have hidden as a fat person, from the realities of being different from everyone else, but wtf, we are different and we deserve to live a healthy life without public embarrassment.

Woofay - I am doing better because I went and worked out. There is something about those endorphins that really helps me cope better. My band is really restrictive and I tried two kinds of Chinese food tonight, both PB'ed, and then one of my dogs got on the chair and ate the food left in the bowl. I gave up on dinner and had a yogurt and a Healthy Choice bar, which go down easily. Tomorrow I will have a Protein shake. I am supposed to have another fill next week, that I think I will cancel. I don't see that I need any more restriction. Lap Dancer - I am so proud of you for doing the head work. I have been going to therapy for a long time, but since banding my sessions have been very powerful. I think that not eating to take care of me emotionally opens up all sorts of things I need to work on. I am trying to be very brave and gentle with myself. Last week's session was about my family. If I lose weight and get healthy will they win? Because my weight has been my retaliation for their abuses about my weight. My therapist said that I need to consider that the family isn't the winner if I lose weight, even though they may think they are and say cruel, mindless judgmental things. It had a profound impact on my thinking. Some of my stuff is sooooooooooooo old. Therapy is another tool, like the band. Mal - how is your son? You haven't mentioned anything recently, I hope that is because things are good. Hurray for exercise, it is the one place you are moving, because you choose to and not because someone else "needs" you. Hugs all - hope everyone is considering the 9th at Red Robin at 7pm. Write for directions! Michelle

:car::Banane20::car:--------------------Red Robin INVITATION!!! There is a group of us bandsters that have been meeting monthly at Red Robin at I25 and Arapahoe Road and we'd like to invite anyone who is interested, supportive and fun to our get together on Thursday, August 9th at 7 pm. Sometimes we feel isolated and need a little bandster understanding and some time with other people that really "get" us. If you understand what I just said then this get together is for you. We talk, laugh, eat, share, show pictures, just are there for each other. Let me know if you are coming so I can save you a seat! Our group has three founding members and others that come and go. So join us! :whoo::whoo::whoo:WE'D LOVE TO MEET YOU.