Donna113

All juice is bad - liquid calories full of sugar. If you're craving fruit, then it's better to eat the fruit whole and at least get some fiber out of it.

WTG Phyl! You're awesome!

Brandy, remember--you were going to stay POSITIVE!

I second that!

Wine helps my mood plenty though! :ohmy:

Phew! BTW, you're not supposed to lose weight when you're pregnant! Doctors usually want a pregnant woman to gain between 18-22 lbs during the course of the pregnancy so you're doing great!

I understand how NurseMelly feels but agree completely with kgloverii.

Orea, get aggressive and go get another fill! I thought I was aggressive with fills: 1st, 3 ccs 4 weeks after banding 2nd .5 cc 2 weeks later 3rd .5 cc 2 weeks after that 4th .5 cc 3 weeks after that 5th .5 cc 5 weeks after that The 4th felt kind of like sweet spot for a couple of days but wore off fast and it wasn't until I got my 5th that I finally realized how wonderful the band really is. I often forget to eat and never feel that growling hunger. When I skip meals because I forgot to eat and it's about 4 or 5 in the afternoon, I finally feel a bit hungry, it only takes a 1/4 cup of food to make the hunger stop but I usually go ahead and try to eat a full cup to make sure I'm getting in enough calories and nutrients. Nowadays, it's more a battle to get enough calories than too much. Not because I can't eat, but because I simply don't have the appetite and find that many foods I used to enjoy aren't really that tasty anymore.

You gained 160+?

Went to company Christmas party last night (employees only/no SOs cause the biatch who plans the party can't get an SO). I ate less than a quarter of what I ate the year before and I was stuffed! Anyway, I stayed 5 minutes too long -- a girl dragged my a$$ out on the dance floor and my only options were 1) run away from the dance floor or 2) go with it. I went with it (it was to "Looking for some hot stuff baby tonight"). I was a bit embarrassed and stiff at first but then really enjoyed it. I haven't danced in public in a while and I used to dance all the time.

Amen to that!

Phyl, sounds like your DH is applying for the nagging mother of the year award! he he In all seriousness, at least he cares. :wub:

Sometimes a good fight is just the thing to get the blood pumping back to the brain. I feel for you -- just having workmen install a pool in the backyard was painful, I can't imagine them crawling all over the house.

I gave up on my local support group after 3 visits because it the was a goup of people who were not making much progress who had been banded for a while. The atmosphere was that of a hen house. One guy was in the group but he was a young punk who had lost 100+ lbs but was still chubby and flabby all over (ugly too) with a really snarky attitude. Can you feel the love? NOT!!

Welcome back, Steph! We've missed you, too.

ewwwwwww! Trey gross.

What's a DSer?

This brings up images of a '70s machismo guy. I can soooooo picture Rocky saying that line. he he

Name the time and place! :thumbup:

Can I get a witness? This has been the most liberating! I actually forget to eat now. I no longer live to eat, but eat to live! It's been an AMAZING experience. Amen!

kirajh, I don't mean to laugh at you and I'm sorry you got injured, but the picture you conjured up is too funny! :thumbup:

Thanks, Nancy. I don't seek happiness in a size 4/6 (I'm a very blessed person with a wonderful husband, 2 healthy kids and a career I love). I want to get rid of the pain and fatigue that comes with excess weight as well as have the image in the mirror reflect how I feel/think about myself. I am a bit of an overachiever and the one area in my life that I feel I haven't been able to conquer is to keep my body at a healthy and fit level. Now, with the help of the band, I feel I can do this. It's been a slow 5 months (30 lbs in 5 months is a snail's pace compared to other bandsters). I try to avoid comparing myself to others because I'm OK with my progress and I feel one of the main reasons I've not had some of the issues others experience is because I'm taking it easy and being gentle with myself and band. No PBing, throwing up, reflux. Only been stuck a couple of times when I "forgot" and didn't chew my food. For the majority, if they follow the rules and try to go at a gentle pace to allow the body to adjust, I think the band works really well.

Austin is great! I'm disappointed you're not coming to Houston though. It would have been great to meet up for a banded meal, or even better yet, an unbanded drink! LOL

Nancy, I didn't mean to poke at you like that. I am now a size 14 but remember how unhappy I was at size 10. My goal is to be a size 4/6. I was just remembering how "fat" I felt when I was a size 10 and wish I'd had the opportunity to have the WLS then instead of waiting to balloon up to a tight 18 before having it. I spent unnecessary years being fat and can't have those back so I do sometimes take issue with people who are trying to dissuade others from having the surgery, whether they be everyday Joe and Jane or celebreties. I especially take issue with people who have their own weight problems trying to dissuade others from utilizing any helpful tools that are available. We've all been on the diet yo yo and we know for 90% of the people, it doesn't work. The band is successful for greater than 60% of the people so the numbers also speak for themselves.

ColoradoChick, where in Texas are you visiting? Anywhere near Houston?