sue11

Kjay... Welcome! I was banded 1 year ago at St Francis (Dr. Oh) Which Doc opened the new office at Evergreen? Sue

Juicy... Jump in, go to the support groups, there's alot you can learn while you are waiting. Glad you're here...get all the info you can and you will really hit the ground running! Does your insurance require a long term diet plan or something? How frustrating! By the time we get to this decision we already know what doesn't work, we're looking for a new tool. Hang in there! Sue

Punkytres... We looked for you this AM...hope we didn'w miss you. Sue

YES! We will be walking in the AM. The forcast says rain in the AM, so we will probably be at the Tacoma Mall. We meet at about 7:45 by Starbucks (we park by Jamba Juice). If it ends up being nice we really like to be outside at Chambers Bay. We get there about 7:55. I'll send you a PM with my cell...give me a call in teh AM and we'll make sure we're heading to the same place and don't miss eachother. Wear your walking shoes, we go about 2 - 2.5 miles, not super fast, but at a good clip. See you there! Sue

Punkytres... CONGRATS on the baby! That's so exciting. Just think of all the good things you've learned and all the progress you've made. Now you've got to concentrate on good healthy eating habits. Let that beautiful baby be your motivation, eating healthy for you means eating healthy for your baby. You're going to do great! By the way I'm in UP, right on the edge of Lakewood. I go to support group at St Joe's on the 3rd Monday of the month. I also get together with a friend who was banded at the same time, we walk on MWF, at the Tacoma Mall is it's cold/rainy or down at Chambers Bay when it's nice. You should join us some time. I don't think I could make it without others to listen to my victories and my gripes...I'm just not that independant...I need the support. Sue

Hey Tacoma area people...St Joe's Support group tonight...BE THERE!

Finally...I got to move my ticker. I've only lost 1# in over 2 months, and have been doing the "bounce" with about 4 #'s since. Hopefully this means I can break through my plateau. I knew things were going to slow down, but I'd still like to loos another 15#'s, that puts me just within "Healthy" on the carts, that's my goal. Sue

Hey Suzanne!!! Great to hear from you! Thanks for the encouragement. I can't believe I did liquids for 7 weeks! Yesterday wasn't too bad, today...all I can think about is FOOD. I do feel the decreases of carb craving, I'm still craving nuts (salty & crunchy), but I know that's the head hunger...I just want to munch. I've already layed out my tuna and cottage cheese for tomorrow...I can't wait. And I'm drooling justs thinking about the Choco/peanutbutter protien shake I've got planned for tonight...yum! I should be able to make it on Thursday...but who knows what all will happen between now & then...the life of a mom!?! Sue

Laura... That's SO frustrating! The worst is not that people know, but the trusts factor. That was your personal news to tell or not to tell. I'm sorry you were hurt like that. It's hard to know if confronting will improvment the situation or make it worse. Sso people just don't (and won't ever) get it! Manatee... Sounds concerning...be careful!!! Health come first...that is what it's all about! Sue

Laura...GO GIRL!!! Mega NSV!!! Laurienj... Weazer is right...that's the 5 day I was speaking of. Surgical Weight Loss 5 Day Pouch Test I've let the carbs (sugar) sneak in and I need some structure to get myself back on track. I didn't want to set myself up to fail, so this 5 days looks perfect...I KNOW I can do 5 days! I have my 1 year apt with my surgeoun on Friday, so that will be the goal of my 5 day, to be at the best place I can be for my check in. Happy 1 year to all us aMAYzing 2007 bandsters! Sue

Wish me luck...I'm starting a 5 day carb-craving breaker tomorrow. Back to liquids...then protiens... I'm craving carbs so bad, and I feel so much better if I just leave the sugar alone, so I'm going to do this pouch diet to get my pouch and my cravings in order! Surgical Weight Loss 5 Day Pouch Test I'm kind-of looking forward to my chocolate protien shakes...yum! (we'll see if I'm still saying that in 48 hours LOL !!!) Sue

I'm having trouble with the sweets, using any excuse to celebrate with a dessert...lots of chocolate today!!! So...I'm going to do the 5 day...starting tomorrow. Has anyone done this? I had one question, unless I'm missing something, it looks like you have protien shakes for the first 2 days then move on, dropping the shakes. So by day 5 you're only eating solid protiens. Or...are you adding the new items each day to the previous day's diet, so that by day 5 you're eating shakes, soft AND solid protien? Surgical Weight Loss 5 Day Pouch Test I'm going to break these card cravings! Sue

I finally found some before pics...I've hidden from cameras for so long, that it's a real challenge to find a picture. I've put a couple in my album.

I just called my Doc for my 1 year appointment on the 16th (24th is my bandiversary). I'm so bad, I'm at a real "Sweet Spot" with my band, so I haven't gone in since my last fill in November. I thought I would check in for my 1 year, and chat with him about my gallbladder. Mischievous1... Yep, I'm having Gallbladder issues too...at least that's what it seems to be, the ultrasound didn't show anything. Not unusual for anyone who looses weight at a rapid rate to have gallstones. 1st attach was in December and I've had about 6 since then, they come in clusters for me. Been better for the last 6 weeks...maybe my stones have passed. Bland, low-fat food is the best to avoid attachs, nuts and other things can be triggers too. Don't panic, the fix is surgery that easier than banding, but definitely talk to your Doc, it can have complications if ignored. Sue

Maggie... Everybody stalls from time 2 time. Sit back and take serious look, maybe chart your calory intake for a few days. Are you following the "rules", are you keeping the protien up and carbs down, are you EXERCISING. If you find that there are ways to kmprove, make those changes, if you feel your doing/eating pretty much what you should then change it up. Make sure you are eating enough (avoid starvation mode) and change your exercise routine. If you find that your really struggling with the food/hunger part then it probably is time for a fill. Remember...we all stall at times, it's to be expected. Your body is probably just re-adjusting. I find that when I stall I'm often still lossing inches, measure yourself again...that might give you the inspiration to move on. Hang in there, you're doing great! Sue

Weazer... I don't think I've stretched my pouch, but that sounds like a good "cleans" to get rid of those carb cravings. Those carbs just seem to creap back in, and beofre I know it I'm craving sweets again. If I just stay away from the carbs I don't crave them so much...maybe someday I'll learn to do it the easy way and just leave that cars alone!!! Sue

Melissa... Don't let the "F" word into your vocabulary (FAIL). It truely is a 4 letter word in every way! Remeber...You can only fail the last time you try!!! We all have set backs, but this is a life-long commitment, so the "F" word does not exist! Explore the idea of a stretched pouch, talk to your Doc...You'll find the solution. Sandra... BEAUTIFUL!!! There is nothing in life that is more precious...take great care of Peanut (taking care of yourself). I forget...when's Peanut to make his appearance (do we know that Peanut is a boy?) God Bless, Sue

Hey all you Tacoma Area People... Don't forget St Joe's support group tonight! See you there!!! Sue Mer...Sounds great, I know I have a few "issues"

Laura... Sometimes your stomach gets irritated by something, and a new fill can certainly do it. I haven't had that exact reaction happen, but my first thing is always to go back on liquids for a day or two to give the tummy a rest and let it calm down, then start back on solids slowly. A check with you Doc is never a bad idea. Sue