Bright

hey if it was planned a few months away, I could even make it! Flights to the US are quite reasonable if booked far enough in advance! Don't suppose y'all want to come to Dublin? :D hmmmm thought not........ Please please make the meeting near a huge mall! Or seven.....

Jennye, what a idiot that guy sounds! I wouldn't waste another second even thinking about him - going by your last posted pics you are looking fantastic... Hope your new resolution goes well too - you and me babe! I've been disastrous lately too, and have gone back to the basics. How's your mom doing by the way? Hope she is much recovered?

I am so happy for you - you have been such an inspiration to me all through your first year - you have done so well, I am completely thrilled for you - congratulations! :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana I hope your next year makes all your wishes come true - please please post us all your hints and tips - and PLEASE some photos! Congratulations again - you're amazing! :knockedou :knockedou :knockedou :knockedou

This is why only my husband and best friend know I'm banded! Well, them and all of cyberworld! I sort of ran by weight loss surgery with my sisters and their lack of support and interest was amazing - they all dismissed any wls as "the easy way out" and genuinely behaved as if I was thinking of getting 44 FFF boob implants! I said no more to them about it, continued with my research, and was banded about nine months later.... I file it all under "people just don't understand" - they're not cruel, or unkind or bad people, they just don't get it. I hope you come here often - I credit this forum with helping me lose weight almost as much as my band - people here get it, and will always support you

Lovin your work Donali

Can I have an extra large of whatever DeLarla's drinkin, pretty please???

oh congratulations Janie, what great news - welcome to the little one :Bunny - hope all goes well xx

Aren't we humans a funny bunch? Last sunday morning, me, hubby and kids got up at 4.00am (yup, that's A.M.) to go to Tara (Ancient Seat of the Kings of Ireland!) to take part/witness the Summer Solstice Festival - I had mentioned to Donali that we would be going, and during the ceremory (mad hippy people in rainbow robes and face glitter!!) I met lots of americans who always seem interested in Irish mysticism - they were dressed up the most, and were really cheerful and enjoying the early rise, much more that the locals I have to say! I was thinking about Donali, and all of my american friends on lapband talk, and really felt happy and at peace with my banded life! Well, we eventually got home at about 9.00 am and all fell into bed until about 12 or 1.00 - everyone was asleep so I went to check for new posts here, and was completely shocked and horrified to read Donali's post about her band erosion - I was devastated that this little statistic would hit "one of us" - my heart went out to Donali, and I was remembering our last few emails where we were reflecting on sliding into bad habits and eating rubbish lately - where does my thinking end up.....? Me comparing my recent "symptoms" with Donali's symptoms, suddenly feeling a "gallbladder like attack" (which I have never had in my entire life!) I then scrolled down to see who else was online, and there were about 5 other people, all reading past posts about band erosion - my god, I thought, we are all so worried and convinced that we have the same thing going on inside! I have been barely eating in the last 48 hours, treating each mouthful like ground glass! And then I read Megan's post about never taking her band for granted again, which really impressed me - I had a decent breakfast today and got my ass to the gym, vowing too, to never take my band for granted. I was so humbled to read Donali's post in this thread, and see her pick herself up, and dust herself off, ready to face whatever is coming - I am so impressed and inspired - you are the best Donali :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny The other thing I wanted to say is, while I love my band, and I lost 62lbs with it so far, through making bad choices recently, it has been 8 weeks since I lost anything - well, I was up 2, down 3, up 1, down 4....etc but I feel I have to make a conscious effort to lose weight and cannot depend solely on the band - what DOES work brilliantly for me, is following the food recommendations in the book "Potatoes not Prozac" book by Kathy De Maisons - she maintains that some obese people have a sugar sensitivity, and the programme she worked out was originally aimed at alcoholics - they were able to abstain from alcohol longer if they cut sugar out of their diet. What I am saying is, Donali, you may find this book a great help while your band is removed/waiting for rebanding etc - I have to (controversially!) say, I reckon it helps me with my food addiction more than the band has! The band doesn't mind what I eat, but if I stay away from sugar, I don't have the screaming craving that comes with sugar addiction. Apologies this is so long, it's late here and I'm falling asleep - I promise I'll edit this tomorrow! hugs to everyone xxx

Oh Donali, sweetheart, I am so so sorry you are going through this - you are a wonderful support to all of us here and like everyone else has said, I hope we can support you now through this.... I don't know what else to say, other than you are in my thoughts and anything, ANYTHING you need, let us know xxxxxx

I was so sorry to read what you're going through, my mother was an alcoholic and died as a direct result of abusing alcohol - I find it so difficult dealing with people who even mildly change in personality (even just becoming "merry") after a drink or two.... Even when my husband drinks I get very upset if he says anything sentimental to me as I feel it's just the "drink talking" - the whole thing is just so mind-bending - makes you trust no one. I really admire you for taking such an enormous step....You too Alexandra....echoing Donali, you guys are amazing.... About me: 34 living in (gorgeous) Dublin, Ireland - with my husband for fifteen years, we have two brilliantly intelligent and fabulous sons (not that I'm biased!) aged 14 and 10. We have two cats Smudge and Pinky and now three kittens Fudge, Honey and Tiger! I worked with IBM as a Technical Support Agent Serving Northern America (yup, if you had a problem with your IBM pc, and you rang the free toll number, you got me in Ireland! Crazy huh?). I stopped working about 5 years ago and now lounge about the house....I mean, I work in the home taking care of the children..... I was banded in Paris, France on 28th Oct 2003 and have lost about 61lbs since then - I haven't lost much in the last 8 weeks as I have been snacking on Cookies too much.... I have a 9cc Inamed band which was filled with 4cc during surgery - haven't had a fill yet...probably could do with one.... Love love love my band - it has given me a whole new lease of light and the future feels so bright....

Michelle, you look fantastic! You look completely at goal! I was nearly in tears looking at your photos, I'm so happy for you!!! Well done xxxxxxx DeLarla, just because people don't mention the weight loss, doesn't mean they don't notice - I've lost over 60lbs and only about 20% of people mention it! I've just come back from a big family gathering thing, and only one of my aunts mentioned it at the end of the day - lots of other around tuned in going "we noticed too, just didn't know what to say!" Can you believe people sometimes? I told them that for future reference, if I am looking better, go right on ahead and mention it!!!!

Alexandra, you look great - much slimmer, I can see a big difference, are you mad saying it doesn't show???!!! Well done xx

seems like you've been having a complete nightmare Lisa - hope everything turns out ok - thinking of you xx

I've been wondering how she's doing too.... hope things are ok with u Jennye... thinking about u both xx

I just wanted to add to this thread - while I really enjoyed reading all of it (read the 4 pages in one sitting as I have again been away for a few days) and smiled many times at the funny stuff, I wanted to acknowledge the pain we seem to have all gone thru, getting to morbid obesity and eventually, here, to the promised land, The Lap-band....! I am happy with my band, and proud of myself for losing 60lbs but still carry the weight of an unhappy childhood, and a terrible, damaging relationship with my parents. I seem to spend most days feeling worthless, stupid, fat, and so sad.... I know it is incredibly naive to think losing some weight, and getting the band etc would change what goes on in my head, and that my dad would love me more now that I am "nearly normal" (his pronounciation of my new body!!). I only seem to have one person on my list to revenge - Me. I feel it's all my fault. Anyway - well done us, for marching on with all our wounds. I think you are all wonderful people, with brilliant outlooks, and optimism, and you lift me every night when I log on. And thanks so much Donali for quoting me - I'm so chuffed - you are very important here, ya know.... :kiss

So glad she got through the sugery safely - hope she's not in too much pain! Missin u sue, hurry back! (and bring photos!) :cool:

......loving your new hair! You look so glamorous, love the shoulder/beautiful necklace shot.... Shelley's right, you DO look like you've lost fifty pounds from just changing clothes! At least your breasts look like they're in the right place - I definitely have the sock/tennis ball thing goin on....apparently your nipples should be 18cm (about 8 inches) from your neck/collar bone - mine are 38cm from there!!!!:cool: I am now contemplating origami classes to get them into a bra.....:sick But, again, wow lady....lookin good - bet your guy is thrilled with the new you xx

I felt bad not knowing about your surgery Sue, so I have since ACTUALLY read some back posts and know all about it/you/your tum now so ask me anything I am youngish (34) with no prior abdominal surgeries yet I could out-austrian drape you any day - I can stand stark naked and yet no one could make out if my hair colour is natural or not, if ya know what I mean...... And my wandering boobs also strive to shield prying eyes from my private area..... sighhhhhhhh Anyway, best of luck - I'm sure you will be very happy with the results, and I hope you get over any discomfort really soon. take care

So sorry I'm late seeing this....what an achievement - I'm so happy for you - what a thrill, seeing the scales going a whole ONE HUNDRED pounds backwards! Ohmigod - can't wait til I get there (if ever!) (((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))

Damn - one week away and I missed everything - Michelle passing the -100lb mark and now Sue's having surgery - wish I knew which op! But anyways, good luck, I'll be thinking of you Ps also, could you people stop meeting up without me?!!! It's not fair, any chance of a Bandster Bash in Dublin??? I have tonnes of room..... ish.......! Bunny for sue :Bunny Hope it goes well xx

loving your new avatar - you look so lovely in your Grand Canyon photos on the website, you look younger now than in your 1979 photo! On the new clothes thing tho, I am really enjoying having all the old clothes hang off me - makes such a change from those days (in the not so distant past...) when my pants would rip if I made a sudden movement, and I could easily have maimed/killed someone with a blouse button if I took a deep breath

I didn't realise, either, the serious incident which prompted your "chase my kids" goal, Alex - what a wonderful illustration of the practical and very serious advantages to losing weight - I sometimes get all caught up in what clothes fit me now etc and maybe take for granted how we are all saving our lives here, by making the choice not to be morbidly obese. And of course being able to catch up with the little ones....

Congratulations on your weight loss so far - it will slow down but is definitely a great motivator in the begining when you're fighting all those old bad habits! This is a brilliant message board with lovely people - hope you come here often Best of luck on your journey

Apologies for not posting for so long - as I recall, my last post had me vowing to post more often - so much for that! Just wanted to update anyone who's interested, in my progress... Yesterday was exactly 30 weeks since my surgery, and my loss to date is about 62lbs - mind you, this morning that was more like -59lbs but being an optimist, I always go by the lowest ever I am still really happy with my decision to have the surgery and feel absolutely 500% better, both physically and mentally since. Having said that, I don't think the band is a no-brainer, and will do all the work for you, but it is a brilliant tool, which i almost forget I have most of the time. I have the 9cc Inamed band, which my surgeon filled to 4cc during surgery, and I haven't had a fill since. This is for a few reasons - firstly I have to fly to France to get the fill, which at the moment I haven't either the money or time to do - secondly, I have a level of restriction that I am relatively happy with right now - if I want to have a really nice meal out or lunch with my girlfriends or whatever, I can pretty much eat what everyone else does, if I drink with my meal, which is really nice. For the rest of the time, i try to eat healthily - while still trying to appease the screaming food addict inside me... The magic of the band for me is, that once I eat, whatever I eat, I feel full and the cravings are gone. So mostly, my inner demon is begging me for icecream or cookies or pringles or whatever - my brain is soothingly saying "yes of course we will have all of that, once you eat some pumpkin seeds and turkey - I eat the healthy protein and *poof*, the craving for the rubbish is gone, and I am full. But then, it's all about habits, and once I "break out" of my healthy pattern, it's very hard to get back in. My husband and I and another couple just had a great long weekend in Barcelona for our anniversary - and while, I stayed away from bread, I did have way too many cosmopolitans (well, it's hard to find non-fizzy drinks;) and white wine. I had put up 3lbs by the time I got home, and another 2lbs during the week after, trying to get back on track. This sounds like I "diet" - which I don't really - I just found that sugar triggers cravings so I try to avoid white bread, rice, um, sugar! and am much happier for it. I don't eat any low-fat or diet products and have lots of treats - probably too many! Also I am proud to say that I haven't eaten in McDonalds, kfc or any of those fast food joints since being banded. Also I rarely drink alcohol, and try to get the bloody required 2.5 litres of water in per day - I go to the gym (which shock, horror, I now love!) three or four (or sometimes two!) times a week. I eat pumpkin seeds, nuts, prunes, rocket and spinach very frequently as they are brilliant "fuel" and *oh my god*, I ran UP a hill with my kids the other day, and it felt better than anything else in the world! I am down to a european size 22/24 (think that's american 18/20) on top and a size 24/26 on bottom (again think that's american size 20/22) - I feel way better than "only" -60lbs - I feel like the scales should say -479lbs - I have plateaued here for almost a month and I am getting kinda frustrated with the numbers - but it's not all about numbers, right?! I still often eat "emotionally" - when I'm not hungry, just feel like eating - after all it was pretty much my only "hobby" for over ten years! Hope this isn't all too long and boring - I am now going to try to attach some photos of befores and durings.....

So good to hear from you - thanks for all your nice comments - yup, hubby is kinda adorable, even after 15 years! Wow, I can't believe your weight loss so far, it's really amazing - I am feeling so frustrated with my "plateau" (ie my period of non-weight loss due to veering wildly off course ) Enjoy your vacation - we are off to France for a few weeks in July/Aug - and hey, watch out, I'll definitely be knocking on your door one of these days - should be easy to find you, I hear Texas is a compact bijoux kinda place???!!!! :D