sue11

I admire those of you who can put your scales away. I guess it's part of my personallity that's a little obsessive. I'm working on not obsessing on food so much, but I just "need" to get on that scale every morning. I don't weight when I'm on vacation, but as soon as I get home I'm right back on the scale. I know they say to weigh weekly, but I figure it's better to obsess about the scale than about eating. I do still seem to think about food 24/7, but I crave bettter foods now that I've broken alot of my "addictions" (sugar, carbs...) and I'm so much more careful about approaching my daily diet with a plan. More power to all you who can stay off the scale! Sue

I definitely get tight at TOM. Lately my TOM has gotten irregular, and my last cycle was more than a week ago and I am still PGing. I think I may be heading into menopause and that's the cause of the irregular TOM, it stayed fairly regular durring the fist 8 months after banding, so I don't think the band is the cause. But it's been wierd this month, I only had 16 days between TOM and now my restriction has lasted over 10 day (usually only 2-3 days). I haven't had a fill since November, but I'm tighter than I've ever been. Sue

Weazer... I've heard from alot of people that the saline in the band "evaporates" some as time goes. While you're still in big time loosing mode that's not such a good thing, but I think most need regular fills then anyway, at the stomach fat pads are shrinking. It might be a good thing for the fill to lessen at the end, as we want to settle into a new regular pattern of eating. I have paid for all my fills (except the first). My doc is $125 a fill...really helps me stop and analyze if I really need a fill, or an adjustment in my diet. That's one thing I love about the band, it helps me be in control, but still makes me responsible for my choices. There's nothing "automatic" about this journey. God Bless! Sue

Weazer... Hang in there...you've done great through your surgury, and you are back on track...GOOD JOB!!! It amazes me how "parallel" our journy has been. I'm at 3.3, at least I was at my last fill in november. I've been concidering another fill, but just when I'm about to schedule one my TOM comes and I struggle to eat anything, really gets tight. I'm just afraid that I wouldn't be able to get water down at those times if I added any more fill. I really am at a sweet spot, I just need to use self control in the evenings. Night time eating has always been my evil, so the fact that the band is looser at night really stinks, I wish it were reversed! I take time "off" when I go on vacation, and I always come back a few #'s up, but then I'm able to loose again. I've been plataued for 2 months, and just came back from vacation and am loosing again. I got home Sunday and since then have lost the 4#'s I gained plus one extra...yippee the scale is moving again! Ssue

It's good to catch up with everyone. I've been on vacation for 1 1/2 weeks. It's really scary how badly I loose control when I go on vacation. Reminds me that I AM and always will be a food adict and that the band is just one of my tools, I still have to make it work. A couple of highlights from my trip: *Airplane seats (with room to spare) *The water park with the kids (no hiding behind a towel) *Amusment park rides (again, with room to spare) *Not sweating like a pig when it gets a little warm *Enjoying my 2 mile walk at the start of each day My favorite thing of all was our one day we spent in Disneyland. It was a marathon day (we closed the park) and I was still on my feet while the 4 TEENAGERS I was with were exhausted! I was so excited because it shows me that I'm not "just" 100 pounds lighter, but that I am healthier, and that is the TRUE goal. Now I just need to deal with the 3#'s I gained from all the JUNK I ate (Ooops) Sue

Size 8 too BIG!!!! I can't wait to see you!!! Thanks for the encouragement. The part that scares me is how out of control I feel when I start "binging". Reminds me that I really am a food adict, I don't like to admit that I don't have the strength to handle this on my own. I like to think I am a strong person, and it makes me feel weak. Oh well...my name is Sue and I AM a food adict...and I'm dealing with it and my band is just ONE of my tools! Sue

Mer!!! Good Grief!!! Are you sure you're OK!?! How are you today? Don't atke any chances, get checked out ASAP if you think there is any problem. How bad is the car? I should be able to make it on Thursday, sure could use a good dose of "get back on the wagon" support after my vacation...I sure do eat BAD when I'm not home. I drove home from from Pullman tonight, left at 4:30, with no dinner, had some chips, dark chocolate covered almonds and a latte, never did actually have dinner, unless you count the ice cream bar! I used the excuse of "caffine to keep me awake while driving by myself" I think I'm gong to be sick...serves me right! I'll wieght in the AM, but the scale is up 5#'s tonight...Yikes!!! I've bounced the same 5#'s for 2 monthes now...I've got to get back on the wagon, I'm starting to feel depressed and defeated, and that what leads to the rebound with every diet I've ever been on. I'm getting worried about gaining it all back, I don't want to fail. :smile2: Sue

Hey all... I've been in CA for the last week, so I was just catching up. I'm still in Pullman, visiting daughter for WSU mom's weekend. It's is so much easier to vacation now. Airplane seats and Disneyland rides...seats are a breeze...room to spare!!! I walked around the waterpark in a swimsuit, no problem! The biggest thing...I outlasted 4 TEENAGERS in Disneyland (1 big marathon day), I was still on my feet and going while they were collapsing! That says so much to me about the improvement in my general health, that's the real goal! Mer... Good to hear you're doing well, can wait to see you and your new tummy! Sue

Laura... Your water is too hot, boiling water will curdle the protien, cool it down a little before adding then powder. I've done it too, then, not noticing, took a BIG swig...nasty!!! I like to add SF syrups too, Enlish Toffee and Almond are my favorites. Sue

twinmommy... I drink the protien shakes that body builders use...low carb/fat, high protien, to build lean muscle. My favorite is Champion Nutrition Whey Chocolate. It's so good my kids use it for chocolate milk, especially on game days for soccer and H2O polo. Alot of people think protien drinks are too high in calories, but they are actually looking at meal replacement drinks like slimfast...not the same at all. I have a protien drink every morning (ussually the chocolate, hot with international coffee SF mixed in) it's my morning latte, or I frappe it with ice in the blender. Often I have some cottage cheese around 10:30 then lunch about 1-2:00...seems to keep me from snacking as much if I space my meals that way. Everybody's got to find what works for them. Sue PS...I know you "chat" with Wendy from time to time...she's at the hoespital waiting on her first Grandbaby (Chloeigh Mae)...We're all so excited!

Hi all... Just talked to Wendy...the Grandbaby (Chloeigh Mae) is on the way! It's her firsts grandchild and I'm so happy for her. Say a prayer for Kris & Steven (Mom & Dad) that all will go well (and quickly). Sue

Mer... Anxious to hear from you! Hope you're up and chatting soon, you're in my prayers Sue

twinmommy... I love Fiber 1 bars, I have the chocolate and the peanutbutter, I love them both, they are chewy and yummy! I have a protien drink for breakfast. I think they are well worth the 130 calories. It's not easy to eat in the AM and I find if I don't eat my metabolism goes dead and I have the munchies all day long. Breakfast is really important to get your body going, for me, the shakes are the easiest way to go. Sue

Anybody else having GALLBLADDER problems? I had an attack a couple months ago, then 2 last week. Saw my Doc on Friday and he schuled an ultrasound for Tuesday AM. Then today I spent 3 hours curled in a ball in my bed, could hardly breath! It was like one big long labor contraction. I'm debating, Dr Oh (lap-band surgeon) will do the galbladder and throw in a tummy tuck for a bit extra. He always jokes that you're lucky if you get gallstones or a hernia...then you get a cheap tummy tuck, 'cause insurance covers most of it. I certainly wasn't planning any plastic surgery yet, I figured I'd give it a year to see what (if anything) is really needed, but a cheap TT would be hard to pass up. Thought about putting off the gallbladder, but after today I don't think I can go through that too many more times. My backside is MUCH worse than my tummy, but it sure would be nice to have flat abs again! Sue

Mer... It's tomorrow...are you excited (like anyone is ever "excited" to go to surgery)...excited to get it overwith! What time is your surgery...is Dave still gone? Is Rachel going to take you? Sue

Michelle... the NUTS!!! I'm feeling so convicted right now. I seem to be able to resist most anything but NUTS! I'd love to just get them all out of the house, but they are my son's favorite snack (he's diabetic, so nuts have been a good substitute for sweet snacks, it would be really selfish for me to take nuts from him because of my lack of self-control). You're right, if you don't take the 1st one there's no way to over-induldge! Almonds taste so good, and the crunch is so wonderful...I've been telling myself they are good for you...true, in limited quantities!

Cheryl... What hospital does Dr. Mangubat work out of (or where is the office). Sounds like a really good situation to have a bariatric doc assisting. Was the gallbladder before your band or were your gallbladder problems a result of weight loss? I've had 3 gallbladder attacks in the last couple months, just wondering what your experience was with the issue. Good luck tomorrow! Sue

Dawn... So hard to understand why. I will definitely keep your entire family in my prayers, and ask for God's peace for all. I will also pray for Him to guide you as to how you can support the family. Sue

Mer... Looks like I'm going to miss this Thursday too...rats!!! My daughter has her awards night for Jr High soccer (Starting Varsity Goalie...way to go Taylor!) There are so many school events on Thurs PM's. Ahhh!, I just looked at my calendar, I fly out to Palm Dessert the following Thursday, then from there to Pullman (mom's weekend with my older daughter) the following Thursday. i just can't get a break :sneaky: Sue

Welcome Cheryl... Congratulations! It's so good to hear from banders who have had great long term success. You'll be in my prayers on Thursday, keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. I too would be interested in who your surgeon is and how you made that choice. I'm probably looking at a full lower body lift some day in the future. Sue

Back to the grind victory #1... My daughter needed treats for her last soccer game...they had bags & bags of Dark Choc M&M's for 1/2 price!!! I stopped...I drooled...I walked by!!! I'm drooling now just thinking about it LOL!!! Sue

Must be our lucky number, but to be honest, after this weekend my ticker is not exactly accurate...too many M&M's!!! I never believed I'd make it this far, but I want MORE!!!

Yep, I agree with you Manatee, it's back to the "Atkins"ish diet I had been using. I haven't researched Atkins, but I was doing really low carb (thought not carbs-free) and I tried to keep the carbs early in the day. It was working, but I've let evening snacking creep back in...it's killing me! I've just got to admit I'm still a adict. That bag of Dark Chocolate M&M's kicked my booty this weekend!!! NO MORE!!! Sue

I'm in the same boat, i was bouncing up and down 2#'s...this AM it was 5!!! Those last 4 were SO hard fought, I'm bummed...but I can't blame anyone but ME! Back to basic, shakes, protien first, and I'm considering a fill. I've been SO happy right where I am, but I think I've been so happy because I can eat so normal and I've trained myself to eat around it a little too much. All it takes is a few little slipps and thouse lbs come right back. I do need a fill :wink: Why do those dark chocolate M&M's taste SOOOOO good! Sue