sue11

I had a couple NSV tonight. I want to a class at my church and ran into an old friend (hadn't seen in 15 years). I got a "you look great...haven't changed" if she only knew. I love the idea that I'm back where I was 15 years ago! Oh, and I sat in the meeting and crossed my legs...1st time in 14 years (before my last baby).

Wendy has a tea...Smooth Move I think, worked great for her

I don't think we were THAT slow!!! We'll pick it up next time!!!

Laura... Sounds like you handles that perfectly. I'm learning more and more how NOT to judge other people. When you're young & ignorant you see a perfect world, with everything in your control. Once you've gone through a few ups and donw you find out that everyone has their own history and there own reference from which they make their decisions. I'm a lot more tolerant than I was in my 20's. BUT...I do fight the urge to walk up to severly overweight prople and tell them I have a secret that could change theri lives!!! Sue

It does feel different this time, and yes I'm pinching myself too (and there's less to pinch!!!) Wendy I were just discussing today how a few months back we couldn't even begin to believe that we would ever be under 200 again. I had totally given up, all I could hope for was to not gain any more, but I did. I kept telling myself, you're still active, it doesn't matter that much, but it was all just to help me cope with the reality that I wasn't getting better, only bigger and how hopeless that felt. Now I feel like I'm going to look back in 1...5...20 years and say "Wow, what a great decision, I took my LIFE back!" My only regret...the years that were less than they could have been. God Bless You All! Sue

I can relate to the odd shape. I have not so loving nicknamed my sadle bags as my "butt boobs". They don't seem to be going down at the same rate as the rest of my body. Really ugly buldge on eachside that are on the verge of "hanging". I can relate to the lady on "Big Medicine", if you've seen that episode you'll know what I'm talking about. I'm really glad I saw that show, something comforting about knowing that there is someone out there with "butt boobs" way bigger than mine...LOL Oh well, it might just have to be lipo some day.

I have a new goal to set. I finally talked my DH into going on a cruise (Mexico). I've been working on him for over 10 years to go. He is very active (biking etc...) and always figured there wouldn't be enough to do on a boat, no mater how much anyone tried to convince him otherwise. We're going with 10 couples from our church for 8 days, so there will be plenty to do! I'm just not sure where to set my weight goal for January 11th. I want to motivate myself, but not set myself up to fail, and there is the holidays between now & then...yikes! I'm also trying to figure out what to buy in clothes. Now's a great time to buy summer clothes on clearance, but what SIZE??? Cindy... I went shopping yesterday too. I needed some jeans (I wear them to work everyday and I only have 1 pair that still fit). I ended up buying the same brand/style that I've been buying, only I bought the 18's rather than the 22's. It was buy 1 get 1 1/2 off, so I bought a 16 for the future, I can get them on & zipped, but it isn't pretty...yet...someday (soon)!

Mer... I've been spending all day cleaning out my bedroom, every little inch. Getting rid of STUFF! But even though I'm in a "get rid of it mood, I'm always up for a girl's day out!!! PS...finally down a pound today! I've seen only 2's (222) for 11 days. No that the plateau was soooo long, but i was so tired of 2's! By the way, I ate a little more the last 2 days, that seems to break my palteaus...hard to believe, but it works!!!

Manatee... Does your Doc have you do liquids, then mushies for a couple days after a fill? Gives the tummy a chance to calm down. I hate those liquid days, brings back flashbacks of pre/post Op diet. and...Congrats on passing the half-way mark!!! Twinmommy... I understand the pouch filling thing, I'm having trouble staying satisfied. I have started taking my leftover meats and chop it up to put in the frigde, then I can munch on it easily when I get hungry. It would be really hard to eat enough solid protien to keep from side effects like hairloss. My protien is about 130 cals for 25ish grams protien.

twinmommy... I'm curious too, why no protien drinks?

Dana... Best advice I can give... chew chew chew and then chew some more. I've not had any problems with anyfood that I chew carefully. Just sit back and slowly enjoy your food.

I sampled them once, very good! I never checked to see nutritional info.

Mer... I didn't think you could stay away from the sewing, I know you love it too much! What's the interview? Dawn... Congrats on the NSV. I did have my ring sized a while back, and the other day at work i knocked my hand on the desk and it fell off...guess I'll have to size it down soon I'm not stretch my shirts anymore either!!!

Everybody's doing soooo great!!! I'm so frustrated. I've been stuck for a while and need another fill. Everybody seems to be able to get in for fills so easily, my Doc is 6 WEEKS out. I have an appointment for Sept 24th, but REALLY need to go in earlier! I guess I'll just keep trying for a cancellation, just tired of being hungry.

Mer... You're so close, I'm so happy for you! I had gotten to a point that I never thought I'd see 199, but I know I will...You're just around the corner! As far as I know there is a meeting on Monday. Mer, you didn;t hear anything about it being cancelled did you? We can sho up and if there isn't anyone else there we can do our own meeting or go walking. We could call too, but that's no fun!

See you there! There's a meeting this Monday at 6:45 if you can make it, just pull up to the front (free valet) and head downstairs to the cafeteria. Sometimes the room changes, it's either the room on the left just before you enter the cafeteria, or you walk all the way throught the cafeteria to the meeting room on the far side. Giving us the meeting rooms on either side of the cafeteria is kind of cruel, especially for those on liquids!!!

Wendy...Can't believe how fast you're flying...so cool! My scale is full of 2's EVERY morning, I hate these plateaus, even the little ones

Cindy... I'm right there with you, everybody says weight once a week, not every day. I have no self control when it comes to the scale, I'm total hooked. I weigh at least once a day, actually several times in the AM. You've got to check to make sure your not leaning this way or that, got to get it just right!!! LOL Oh well, better addicted to the scale than to food. Sue PS...my daughter left 2 weeks ago for her second year

Hi, I'm one of Wendy's friends that she mentioned, banded by Dr Oh on May 24th. I am very happy with my choice to have the surgery and my surgeon. My fills have both been done by Dr Hirai, very gentle and painless. Getting involved in support group is a must in my book. I like this on-line talk and the St Joes support group. Everybody's different, but I need to talk with others who are going through it too, share frustrations and victories...keeps me motivated! What area do you live in? The support groups that meet are a great source of information. Real people who are living it now...ther's no better place to learn! Sue

Bandit... I'm not sure what kind of meds you take, but many banders go off of a good deal of their pre-band meds. Meds for things like diabetes & high blood preasure often aren't needed after surgery. Chewable vitamins are in my opinion a must, we all need to make sure we're getting basic vitamins, and the chewables are easy, cheap and taste pretty good. I did mix a few meds into applesauce to swig down right after banding, but now my pills are eathier small or chewables. They suggest chewable Tylenol, but I just pop the capsules in half, like Wendy mentioned...no problem.

Melissa... I echo, thank you to your fiance & to you. I think most all will agree that any form of war is not where we as a country truely want to be, but God bless those who are out there getting the job done!!! We truely would all suffer without our faithful military men/women. I pray for our military heros and their families daily!!! I was just talking with a friend who is researching the band. Her husband will be coming home in a few weeks from Iraqu (more than a year). She's been struggling and wants to make a change, and the stress of her husband being gone and parenting alone has added to the struggle of making a decision.

Metalband... Are you sure it's a 10cc band? I have a 10cm band that holds 4cc, and I think it's quite a commonly used band (Inamed Lapband)

I hit 50# this AM...time for a treat, maybe a new shirt or a SF NF Decaf Starbucks (pricey colored water) Last couple of days I decided to get a couple new pairs of pants. I have to put on 2-3 pairs each morning to find one that will fit, then 1/2 way through the day that pair is hanging. I had to go to the regular women's department!!! I actually had to stop myself from gravitating to the Plus department...those clothes don't fit!!! NSV...My DH (160# soaking wet) sat down on the edge of the bed last night and the side rail (oak) broke (I couldn't help it, I had to giggle). If it would have been me I would be sure it was my fat old butt, I would have felt soooo defeated...but it wasn't me!!! :whoo: LOL LOL LOL

Dawn... Meeting was good, Laura was back, lots of talk on protien, carbs, diet and the variability of different doctor's instructions. Helps me to gather information on what's right for ME and encouragement and motivation to succeed

I hit 50# this AM...so I think I'll go look for a new shirt to treat myself (not sweets like b4band), well, maybe a SF NF Decaf Starbucks (pricey colored water) Last couple of days I decided to get a couple new pairs of pants. I have to put on 2-3 pairs each morning to find one that will fit, then 1/2 way through the day that pair is hanging. I had to go to the regular women's department!!! I actually had to stop myself from gravitating to the Plus department, but those clothes don't fit!!! NSV...My DH (160# soaking wet) sat down on the edge of the bed last night and the side rail (oak) broke (I couldn't help it, I had to smile). If it would have been me I would be sure it was my fat old butt, I would have felt soooo defeated...but it wasn't me!!! :whoo: LOL LOL LOL