DynamoMini

LA, Brandy, verid... - welcome. We are a great support group and site and love having you. To answer your question LA - I am amazed how much the overeating is part of my being. Even when I am reminded by the band that I've had enough - I try to eat through it. This didn't happen right away, it happened in the third to fourth month post banding. The honeymoon over? No, now I see the work I need to do. Whatever you can start doing now to ready yourself for a lifetime commitment, I implore you - - do it. There are no easy solutions here. I have lots of support systems in place, so if I lose it in one area, another system picks me up. (ie: therapy, acupunture, and a personal trainer) Without which, I am not sure I would be this far along. For me, it is mental and behavioral as well as emotional. No wonder the usual diet stuff would work for two months then didn't work afterward. Mal - I missed seeing you. I think we decided to go with the second Thursday every month. This way it doesn't conflict with Dr. K's support group on Tuesday. I hope to see you next year. You sound really good. Happy holidays to you and your sweet family. Michelle Hugs and best wishes I am off to Seattle for a week

Lana 24 - I am with you. I avoided pain and my feelings at all cost, and cost it did! The weight was like the icing to seal all those feelings inside of me. Thank God I am in therapy too. I am slowly letting those feelings out. Peeling layer by layer of past emotion from my very being. When I finally get to the core I will be really a strong and vital me, but it really hard work getting there.

Hi Everyone - Mal - I really missed you on Thursday. I am so sorry about the loss of a young life. Kids just don't get how irreversible their actions are sometimes and they affect everyone around them. What a heartbreaking event for the child's family and friends. I'm glad you are spending time with your son. Love is all there really is in this world. Kids think that the pain they are in won't get better, they don't have perspective, and sometimes act rashly. Your son will have to forgive his friend too. That is really hard. Woofay - thanks for posting the pictures. I think we are a splendid group, altho' I didn't like my picture. I have a different idea of myself in my mind. I am ready for a fill. I think I can handle it, the loss of food comfort. I'm sure I'll shed a few tears too. I don't seem to be as "happy" when I am restricted tightly. I am such an addict, the band has taught me that for sure. I hope your time with family is more wonderful than awful. Take some time away, with all those hands to help, perhaps a massage? Nails and toes? Just time for you to pamper. Dee - Thanks for bringing John, such a nice guy. I hope he'll come with us again and that we didn't overwhelm him. It was fun having the large group. Next time, I will ask them to reserve a window area for us. It will be quieter than by the kitchen. January will be a very good month for you, my dear. Mare - I was thinking about your Xmas disappointment. It is kind of another level of letting go. For years our children live by our rules, then they grow and leave, and make their own rules. It is wonderful that you are honoring your daughter's request. I got my son home from the hospital late Wednesday afternoon. By Friday - he HAD to leave, to be on his own, our house was too BORING. It hurts to let go, but I had to honor his request and be happy that he feels so independent. Yuck! So, I am going to the gym. Be good and have fun too. Michelle

Dynamo (Michelle) Mal (Malani) Drews (Amy) VABandster(Kirsten) and sister Bookholder (help ----sorry I forgot) Tied2bfit (Dee) Mare5569 (Marilyn) Woofay (Anita) According to the weatherman, we won't get snow until late. So, hope to see you all. Anyone else want to meet a great group of bandsters??? I-25 and Arapahoe Road - go west one block, 7 pm. Woofay - Whoopeeeeeeeeeee! you are doing it sweetie. Yes, the peppermint bark sounds great, but skinny is sounding greater. Good for you. Can't wait to see you. I like that drive between the Springs and Denver too! See you all tonight. Let us know if you are not coming otherwise we will book a table for 9! Wow, our support group is growing. It will be so fun to meet you, VA bandster and sister. Hugs, Michelle

Hi Everyone, Sonny boy is out of the hospital! Yeah. Thanks for the CF reference. I don't know if that is it. He doesn't have any of the usual symptoms. He had added Zanax the week before to cope with anxiety. I think there was some chemical that tipped him over, but his recovery was much faster this time. I do hope we can all meet tomorrow. There is a rumbling about snow late Thursday night. I'll check the latest report. Hope all the newbies are recovering with and without suppositories (great story) - ya gotta laugh Mona. Hugs hope to see you tomorrow. Michelle

Hi Everyone, Yes to mind hunger being a trigger. I am changing, not quickly, but changing, nevertheless, a lifetime pattern of stuffing, then starving to "make up" for the guilt of stuffing. My eating has never been normal. My thoughts about food have never been normal. It is my challenge to address my eating behaviors. Currently, I am logging my food, and trying to go with five - 300 calorie or less feedings (three meals with two snacks). I eat much more protein, shy away from, but still crave carbs and chocolate. Yes, I can use substitutes. No, even though I feel full after 3 oz of chicken, it isn't the same chemical rush that I used to experience with high carb and fat foods. So be it. I am sad that my life has changed by missing the rush or sugar high, but so happy to be living a more realistic and healthy way. I deserve a healthy life. We all do. Hugs I love being connected to all of you, Michelle

Thanks Dee - Yes the have checked for gallstones, hepatitis, infection, everything - nothing is out of whack except his pancreatic enzymes. The only thing different was that he added Zanax for the last week, to cope with stress. I am going to look that up. Thanks for the chapstick. Eharmony has been okay - although there are four or five women for every man on it, especially in my age bracket. Well, I am checking the roads and may drive down to the Springs. Hugs, M

Hi Everyone, Todd is slowly healing. The thing we are so upset about is that we have no idea what triggers the pancreatitis. The first time we were sure it was due to binge drinking, but he has has had maybe 5 beers in the last year, and nothing for the last 5 months, he says. That report is supported by the tox screen. I want to know how to help him. The docs have no ideas, they suggested that maybe we take the case to University Hospital or something. Perhaps we will. Think Kaiser will support that? Ha....ha.... Yesterday, the drive down wasn't bad, but going back was dicey as it had started snowing again. I hate the stretch between Monument and Castle Rock, it is so dark. I will travel back today if the snow stops and the highways are clean. I may stay overnight, because the back and forth just doesn't really work for me. Anyway, I met my "guy" at the hospital cafeteria. I thought that was the easiest way and if he would cooperate that said something about him. We had dinner (yuck) there. He was very nice, friendly and approachable. He talked a lot about himself, seemed less interested in who I am. He doesn't like to travel, because of food allergies, doesn't like to go to plays because of the horses and dogs, etc. I think I would like to date his gay brother who lives part time in Southern California and the summers up on an island in Seattle. More my style, just not the gay part. Oh well. I just don't think he's my guy. You know about kissing a lot of frogs.... etc. But it was great to meet a nice man! I won't lose sleep over this one, however. Todd is improving, but it does take a long time for the pains to subside. He is on major pain meds every three hours and is in deep pain if he doesn't get them. We'll have to see about the 13th at Red Robin. My hope is that they will get the roads all cleared up. I want to see all of you. Woofay - man, medication can really jack you up. Be careful. I think that time-release would work with the band because it is the same stomach, just smaller. Hugs and warm well wishes to you. Mal - I seem to keep my workout goals even with my son in the hospital. So this is good. Since that is working I am bringing in my food consumption log into my trainer, who I don't seem to lie to. We are working on having 5 small meals under 300 cal each to start with. She says the evening up my calorie intact will help my body decide to shed the weight. In the past I have eating a lot, then a little, so I can do this. Hugs, Michelle

Red Robin Thursday - December 13th Sign up for Red Robin - Dynamo (Michelle) Mal (Malani) Drews (Amy) VABandster(Kirsten) and sister Bookholder (help ----sorry I forgot) Tied2bfit (Dee) Mare5569 (Marilyn) Woofay (Anita) Just bringing it forward. Red Robin Thursday - December 13th! Let's talk crisis de' jour - my son is in the hospital with pancreatitis. So Woofay - I'll be down in your neck of the woods tomorrow afternoon. He is Pemrose Hospital, just having to wait it out to heal. He wasn't even drinking this year. The docs don't know what set it off. Mal - I am so happy you are doing really well on your goal. I think I do better with the daily goal, I must be ADD goal-wise. Needing constant reinforcement. Well - I check in again really soon Hugs, Michelle

Hi Everybody, Taynuh - your babies are beautiful. How lucky you are. How lucky they are! Woofay - well, my eharmony date and I were to meet on Monument Hill, we cancelled due to the weather. My son isn't coming home due to the weather. It sucks. I think that ice is worst than snow. But we do have 3 -4 inches and lousy snow removal here. Other than that things are good. Just finished a painting of Max's eyes. munchkin - glad to hear you are doing ok. You need to walk, walk walk. I found a recliner the best sleeping for me. Take care if you are driving out there. Reminder - Thursday 13th - Red Robin 7 pm. Hugs, Michelle

monaaz - I guess I would check with Dr. K. I am not an expert on sleep apnea, but know that lack of oxygen will slow down the healing process. Perhaps the office can lend you a machine for the night??? munchkin - how are you today? Usually the next day is more sore. Any gas pains? Mal - Hannukah is low key - the kids are big. I light candles every night, with or without them. It really is a minor holiday as religious celebrations go, but fun. Hope all your holiday cheer makes your days bright. Taynuh - I remember babies. Adopting two at once made everything more intense and wonderful. It is so thoughtful the way you are naming them with such effort to honor their past with their present. I know your children are in good hands. Woofay - hope our weather is good for next Thursday. How are the Xmas preparations coming? Your kids are the perfect age for holiday craziness. Lots of fun too. As usual, Announcing RED ROBIN - THURSDAY, December 13th.

munchkin - welcome to bandland!!! Glad all went well. Dee your halo is really shiny, thanks for supporting our bandisister. taynuh - Congrats on your bundle of joy! Both my sons are adopted. It is a wonderful way to come into a family, being wanted and loved soooooo much. Hugs to all - REMEMBER - Red Robin - December 13th Thursday - Michelle

Red Robin Thursday - December 13th Sign up for Red Robin - Dynamo (Michelle) Mal (Malani) Drews (Amy) VABandster(Kirsten) and sister Bookholder (help ----sorry I forgot) Tied2bfit (Dee) Mare5569 (Marilyn) Woofay (Anita) Just bringing it forward. Red Robin Thursday - December 13th! Dee - so happy to see you are still with us. I hope your surgery goes perfectly as you have been through it with this crazy stuff. See you on the 13th. ABC news last night stated that being physically active is a much better indicator of a long life. Get it moving out there! It isn't about the scale or the numbers, it is about the way we MOVE it! That research followed thousands of people and came up with those results. Makes the scale not so important. Waiting impatiently for skinny here in Denver. Hugs, Michelle

Lap - I loved the Hanukkah greeting. Thank you. Mal - The computer virus thing isn't a joke. It comes from the kids downloading music on various free websites. No there wasn't a positive response for tonight, so we are just going to go with the 13th so VA Bandster can come too. Hope the weather will be good, I miss you guys. :clap2: All the Newbies - :gluck:best wishes on surgeries accomplished and surgery dates that are coming up. Please join us at Red Robin :car: if you are local as soon as possible. It is wonderful to have a thriving support group. So glad the medical community has decided that being in shape :heh: is more important than being at the perfect weight as you age. (On ABC's national news tonight) Hugs all, Michelle

Marcy - Hi! I have an apron too. I was hoping that slow, and I mean slow, weight loss would have the benefit of tightening things up. Well, it has worked everywhere, except there. The other thing is that you might try elastic waistbands that will conform more to your new svelt legs and butt, yet give a little in the waistline. Where the IRS is concerned it is great to have the letter, but I am so frustrated with them. The auditor disallowed my doctors prescription letter that I formally diet and get on a regular exercise program at a gym. I am taking it to appeals, what good is evidence if they don't allow it in an audit? My stomach is my biggest part and has always been, I look much smaller from behind. LOL. So I imagine that the stretching and shrinking that has gone on for years makes the skin less resiliant. However, it is kind of shrinking, just not smoothly. TMI??? Well, who is joining us at Red Robin on the 13th??? Hugs, Michelle Mal - where are you???

Denise - What is your eating plan? I was almost perfect for a week and I have barely lost a pound that I had gained in Oct. I am really struggling and frustrated. I am not sure it is a fill, altho' I haven't had one since July. I sometimes PB, I just don't know. Perhaps the Lean Cuisine Alfedo, glass of wine, piece of bread are too many carbs even if I am within a caloric intake that is below my resting metabolic rate. Help?? Michelle

Just wanted to bring the list forward - Red Robin Thursday - December 13th Sign up for Red Robin - Dynamo (Michelle) Mal (Malani) Drews (Amy) VABandster(Kirsten) and sister Bookholder (help ----sorry I forgot) Tied2bfit (Dee) Mare5569 (Marilyn) Woofay (Anita) Woofay just wrote and I realized I wasn't clear. We were going to have an off schedule get together tonight, however, I will not be able to be there. I never heard back from Dee about it and have other plans now. : ( My day at a time has taken some hits, but basically I have been pretty stellar and all that I lost was a pound that I had gained. I am frustrated. I don't want to "diet" because then I feel deprived. I just think I need more balance. I do work out, but then I am sitting most of the rest of the day waiting for the pounds to drop off. I need to get happy, have sex, run around and forget a little. This waiting for skinny is lousy. So on that happy thought, let the day begin. I am painting, but that is sedentary also. I did look up The Work and will have to try it out. Thanks. Hugs all, Michelle

Hi Everyone, We do get impatient with one of our players who seems to have a lot of brain freezes, and loses her place in the game. She wins as often as the rest of us tho'. LOL Well it is cold here in Denver. Do any of you feel the cold more as you lose weight? I am painting four little pictures of coffee mugs for my mah jongg group. We always do handmade gifts. However, we have postponed the giving until January, because many haven't gotten to it this year. It is fun to see what each of us comes up with. Happy Sunday! OMG I had better get to bed I have to teach tomorrow - I mean today at 9. Smiles

Hi Everybody- My day six was good. I did have two yogurts and some extra cereal, but no sugar stuff. It has been on my mind and I wonder if the wine I had last night made me crave those carbs more. I taught religious school, and will again tomorrow. I painted up a storm and watched "House" episodes my son lent me. Hope all is as good as ever and that everyone is handling the holiday stresses. Hugs, Michelle

Tuesday works for me. Dee? can you make it? Michelle

BJean - I have to say I am not a hardcore player, but the game takes four. It is a mixture of luck and skill. We like a 5th person to play so if someone can't make the group, the game goes on. Also, there is someone to fetch coffee, etc. You do need someone to show you the passing that preceeds the play. There is an elaborate system for tile passing. After that, it is pretty much take one tile, throw one tile or pick up the last tile and throw one tile, as everyone tries to make a pattern to earn a "Mah Jongg." In China it is played more like gin with simple patterns but more elaborate betting. American mah jongg has a card with patterns that is changed yearly. A standard set of tiles is between 55 - 100 dollars. Ebay has some sets, it is good to shop around. Is it hard? Well, not as hard as bridge, but harder than gin rummy. It is fun, social and stimulating. I highly recommend it. Sometimes local groups teach classes in how to. My mom showed my group how to play. Hugs all, Michelle

Dee - I am really sorry you have to go through this. Somehow it will work out, but it is just so lousy now. We could get together between now and then at RR for a support group. Let me know when you are available. How about the rest of you??? hugs........ Woofay and Dee the Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life is a workbook that is great guide for lifestyle changes and processing our stuff. I got into it a several months ago, did it every day for a while, but it was too much, then I let it lie for awhile. I ordered it on amazon, but make sure you get the workbook - the text is too technical and not very helpful. You know, some of it is really useful and new, the rest seems less applicable, or maybe I just don't get it. Hugs to all - I'm on Day 5. Michelle

NM Sunshine - Happy Birthday!!! Enjoy!

Wow Dee - What a great big pain for you. Glad that Monday will work. I'm with Woofay - I hope a night isn't too steep, I doubt whether you will need much care. Glad Dr. K went to bat for you. You really want to be safe. I didn't know about the family history etc. Try not to eat out your aggrivation. Hugs. Michelle

Just wanted to bring the list forward - RR - December 13th Sign up for Red Robin Dynamo (Michelle) Mal (Malani) Drews (Amy) VABandster(Kirsten) and sister Bookholder (help ----sorry I forgot) Tied2bfit (Dee) Mare5569 (Marilyn) VA - Of course invite your sister. We are an equal opportunity support fun group. It might enhance her ability to support you by hearing our collective experiences. I'll PM you directions.