GREATFUL

McGreen -Laura- yea for losing 5 lbs!!! I travel extensively and am sympathetic to you- how are you handling the eating while you travel? I find resturants to be much harder- so many tempting dishes! keep up the great work! Well I guess that I am lucky in some ways, I do have a small apartment that I stay in when away from home. So I am able to shop at the grocery store, fix my food at night and carry my lunch to work. That has been the only thing that has saved me. If I had to eat out all of the time it would be bad, bad, bad. I pack my lunch and Snacks each morning, plan out what I am going to eat. I have a hard fast rule, "If it is not in my lunch bag, I cannot eat it!". What has gotten me the most is how people at work try to make you eat, "Oh, we have donuts in the break room, or cookies" etc. I have just told them that I am a border line diabetic (was true before my band) and that has helped stop the offers of food. Laura

Well I can't believe it..... I am down 5 lbs..... The past few week have been a time to be refocused. Thanks for the thread, it is what got me jump-started. Becky - I checked into that book, Strong Women Stay Young, I ordered it from Amazon. It sound very interesting. I have entered a training program with my job, I have to be away from home during the week. Has made it hard to keep a consistant workout program. But this book makes it sound like it can be done. Walking and free weights. But if I am really honest with myself, the being away from home has just been a "Excuse" not to workout. So here is to no more excuses. Take care all, Laura

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I thing you are FABALOUS! You have come such a long way. You are a STAR, a bright shining one for all of us here who need to be inspired by your light. Hope you were able to get that un-fill. Laura

Thank you Dr. Schulman for responding. One more question. Is it too early to start contacting, consulting etc. with surgeons now? It will be at least 6 months before I will be able to have the TT. (saving up to pay cash, also seeing what insurance will or will not cover) I guess I am just eager to have the consultation to see what the cost is going to be. Thanks again, Laura

Dr. Schulman - first I want to say "THANKS" for the great info. I am still about 6 month to a year away from having PS (TT). I want to inform myself as much as possible before selecting a Surgeon. Any suggestions on how to began the search? I am in Tennessee, aroung the Nashville area. Wish you were here........... Thanks, Laura

I saw that on TV also. They were saying that the "Fit Flops" does not really work you out more, they are just comfortable and you feel like walking longer. What I have are MBT shoes. So far I love them. Here is the site for them. MBT :: IDEA Laura

Hey everyone. Well I love the new MBT walking shoes. The work out is intensified, or seems to be. I sure feel it in my hiney. I injured my knee some years ago, walking on pavement has been uncomfortable and caused me some pain. With these shoes have had no pain to speak of, except for the muscles I am working out, but that is all good. I even ran for about five min and enjoyed it. WOW, who is this person? Take care all, Laura

Thanks Karey.... I would love and need to be a part of this. I am having such a hard time with this last bit of weight. I had to be unfilled and stayed that way for over a month, due to reflux issues. I tried so hard to stay on plan, but I still gained 5 lbs. I have now had a small fill and back on track. Has anyone heard of MBT shoes. I had read about them and thought they were neat. Well there was a store here going out of business, so I got them 1/2 off. OMG I love them. The souls are in a U share, kinda like a rocking chair. Takes all of the pressure and strain off your knees and hips when you walk, plus they make you work your core and other muscles. So, I have started walking at least 30/45 min in the AM and doing weights in the PM. Good Luck All Laura

I just want to pipe in here and say "GOOD LUCK". I right there with you on the last 20 to go. It is hard. Keep up the good fight. Laura

Salsa, I have been lurking here for a bit. Just wanted to pipe in and say "Happy Birthday". You are such an inspiration to all of us. Just wanted to tell you GOOD LUCK with the PS. Look forward to seeing the pic. I will be having my own PS jurnery, just want to get rid of these last few pounds. Thanks to all of you who have shared your experience, it helps us coming behind you. Laura

Melissa - Good to hear from ya Girl. How is DH doing? And how are your doing? All I can say is GO SHOPPING!!! potatoe sack will just not do it...... I am going for a fill Thursday. I am so ready. This has not been a good month. But in some ways it has been a learning experience just to see how big my food deamons are. No hot dogs for me on the 4TH, it will be protein drinks and popcycles. Take care all Laura

I did not tell anyone at work, I am so glad I made that decision to keep it to myself. Told DH and a friend. Just remeber, once you tell you cannot "Untell" and people tend to talk, and it will be told to others. It is a personal choice that you have to make. Some have told everyone, they say it helps to have the support. I just did not want the ever prying eyes on me and watching me every time I took a bite of food etc. I has to be up to you, you will be the one that has to live with it either way. Good Luck Laura

Hey Tami - I had just the same thing happen to me. I went on liquids for a few day just to give my band a rest. My Doc. recommended Prilosec OTC, I used it and it helped. If you are concerned I would talk to your Doc. about it. They need to know what is going on with you. When it first happened with me I did not tell my Doc. Just hoped it would go away. Got another fill and then I developed acid reflux and that was not good. Doc chewed me out and then unfilled me. I have been unfilled for over a month now (not good), no more heatburn or reflux. I go to the Doc next Thursday to get a small fill and see how I do with it. All I can say is "Take care of yourself", heartburn is one of the signs that you are filled to tight. Laura

Hey Guy, How is everyone? I just got back for spending a week with my wonderful, beautiful, sweet grandbaby. It was nice to just hold him and help my daughter-in-law out a little. BUT, on the down side, I NEED A FILL, I have been bad bad bad. Why is it that I have worked so very hard to get where I am, and I know how to eat right, I have been exercising.......get unfilled and my mind is saying "go on, you can eat that NOW" (pizza, hamburgers etc.) I have got to get a grip on this..... have not gained any weight back, but I see it coming soon if I keep this up any longer. Time to get my "silicone sister" involved again. That is why I got her in the first place, to help keep me on track. You know it is hard in some way to admit that you have a bad eating problem, food addiction etc. But I do, it is with me each day, but so is my band....... Take care all Laura

SUE - Thanks.... Sure hope you get to feeling better. Mischievous1 - It is not easy, some days I just throw it all to the wind and say what the heck, I am going to eat what I want. I read a book "It's Not About The FOOD" that was recommended by the shrink who did my evaluation. I was real good, talked about food addictions, etc. It talked about at least knowing why you are eating something and just accepting it. And then start to work on what is causing the problem. Exampe: I tend to overeat after work, I then realised I was feeling the stress of the day at that time. Even though I still overate the next day, I understood and listened to my body and accepted why I was overeating to comfort myself due to the stress of the day. So then I started to work on my stress issues. Then when I come home after work, I judge my stress level, and go for a walk or something. It has helped me alot. But I am a food addict, it is a day to day process.

I have lost about 15 lbs more since the last pic. Need to updat pics. But wanted to share what I had.

Thank you everyone. I never knew it would be like this. Having a grandson is so wonderful. The only bad thing is that he is in Texas and I am in Tennessee. I was ther when he was born and then we came back home. But, I am going next week to help out. The other Mother is there this week. I fully understand my DIL, I wanted my Mom with me for the first week or so. Excited and can't wait. And, I will have more pictures.....LOL On a diffrent note, I am unfilled down to .5 cc. (heartburn and reflux problem) It has been a challenge but I have not gained anything. I was supposed to go in for a fill next week, but that will have to be put on hold. So I just keep eating salads and fruit and staying away from the Ice Cream and Chocolate....one day at a time.

Is'nt he cute?

Thanks Legster!!

BBK - I have been lurking here for some time. Following your journey, inspired by your progress. Just wanted to say THANK YOU for posting as you have. The good, bad and the ugly is alway good to know when you are looking to have something like PS. I hope that the problems you have been having get better. Again, thanks, and hope it gets better. Laura Future Flatlander wannabe

Thinking about you two...... sending out good vibes ************* Can't wait to hear how things are going. Laura

Okay, how do you get pictures to post in here? Manatee, how did you get your pics to post in here? Forgive me for being such a computer dummy.

OH, pictures to come. Sill trying to figure out how to upload them. I can be such a computer dummy.....

Thanks everybody. I am just glad he is here and healthy.

I am a Grammy!!!! He arrived Saturday, June 7, 2008 at 8:31 PM, 9 lbs 15 oz and 22 inches long. Healthy, 10 fingers 10 toes and of course the most beautiful baby that was ever born. They named him Ian Kenneth. Dad, Mom and baby are doing great. We are so very blessed! I may be a grandmother, but I am one SLIM, HIP Grammy!! Laura