Rebeccalee

Lisa, you are cracking me up. I vote for the pic of Penni picking her nose. DeLarla posted another pic on a different thread and I put an avatar there for Penni. It might be 2 pixels too big, though.

I don't know if this one will work. It might be a tad big. Let me know. This is a very nice picture of Penni's smile.

I would be very careful with drinking so soon after your surgery. If you are eating mushy foods, a glass of wine might be all right. I wouldn't try it on an empty stomach, though. Your system probably won't tolerate as much alcohol as before surgery and it might still be extra sensitive. As far as drinking later on, it is not prohibited, but can irritate your stomach. The one thing that I held on to as long as possible was the early committment to eat right and follow my new banding plan. I hadn't even tried eating bread or noodles until this past month. (I am 4 months out.) Keeping that initial motivation going as long as possible has been very successful for me. Now that I have given myself permission to try more foods and treat myself occassionally, I have to fight the temptation to over indulge. Take it step-by-step and you will do fine with all the new choices you will need to make in the weeks to come.

Hi Kelly Ann, I can hear the same kind of panic in your post that I felt right before surgery. I was scared to death -- and not just of the surgery. I was afraid of the changes, afraid of failing, afraid of wasting a big bunch of money.... At 4 months out, I can say that the changes are intense at times but well worth it. I'm not failing and it was worth every single penny and more. I no longer fight depression at every turn. Life is full of possibilities. Even if life throws me a curve, I don't feel overwhelmed and defeated. I feel like a burden has been lifted so I can face all that life brings my way. Surgery was not as bad as I expected. The happy drugs in the hospital were very effective. I had more pain afterward than some people do because my sensitive system swelled a lot and I also had restriction from the beginning. This turned out to be a blessing, with super weight loss from day one. Your attitude will get you through just fine. If you are firm in you decision, just ignore your fears and march on to surgery. That's how I got there, too. It did help me to have a trip planned for the long weekend before my surgery. I didn't have time to worry. Keep yourself busy -- it sounds like you have been -- and soon you will be on the losing side.

I am 2 down this week, putting me at 185. It is so good to be eating again...and still losing! I made Greg's cinnamon bar recipe yesterday and expect that will show up soon, but I enjoyed celebrating.

I went with the unjury, too. I make the chocolate with milk for hot cocoa, just don't heat it too much. I used the unflavored in Soup. Lately, when I travel I take a packet, buy a plastic bottle of milk, dump out a half cup or so to fit the powder and shake the Protein mix in the bottle. It works great. I also got Isopure liquid at GNC. It looks like koolaid and tastes pretty good. I get a coating of protein on my tongue sometimes. It was great for traveling because it doesn't need mixing or refrigeration. I took it on our camping trips and motorcycle runs. It has 40 grams of protein in 20 oz. for $3.50, so you don't need much. I really don't like Protein drinks at all and these 2 worked well for me.

I've never heard of that, Barb. But the weekend my esophagus problem (that lasted a month!) started, I had some hard lemonade 2 days in a row. Hmm.... I'll have to watch for that. I don't drink much at all, so it's not a problem usually.

Is the pity party over? I'm still on my couch. I need to do an exercise challenge. But...wah...I don't want to..... All right, I'm over it. I'll make you the same deal I made my hubby -- minute for minute. I still owe him 40 minutes on the exercise bike, so I better get him paid off first.

Great start you two! Glad to hear you are doing well.

Carol, that is FANTASTIC! :Bunny You look so good in all the photos. You must have partied those pounds right off.

Fantastic! Keep up the good work.

Make sure you come back to the board more often after your surgery. It sure helps to have someone to talk to about all the changes. Hope your surgery is easy and your recovery is quick.

I just love that big pile of fun women.

It's amazing how much body comes off when we lose weight. I can see your tummy shrinking away. You look great. I'm so glad your pain is easing already. It's quite a high to feel good after feeling so bad. It sounds like you had a great time riding today, and 10 miles is awesome! I keep forgetting that I owe my DH 40 minutes on the exercise bike. He kept reminding me to get on it, so I told him I'd match him minute for minute. I want to get him exercising, too. I'll have to get on that first thing in the morning.

I had excessive gas for a long time after surgery. I even ate some cream of broccoli Soup 3 weeks out and called my doctor because the pain was so bad. Then it passed. Oops! It does get better, though. Hope you are feeling better soon.

Okay Greg, I'll take you up on that recipe. I owe my sweet man something for being such a wonderful support to me these last 4 months. I had read that men were turned on by the smell of donuts, which included the cinnamon smell. That is just so strange! Have a great time at the restaurant. Be ready to bring most of your dinner home, just in case you can't eat it. And congratulations on 30 years! Happy Anniversary!! (Was going to pm you with this message but figured others might want the recipe.)

That's just around the corner. Hope all your preparations are going well.

Lovely pics. Everyone looks so young and happy. So....today's agenda here behind the Redwood Curtain (we are rumored to be several years, even decades, behind the rest of the country) is a potluck BBQ. That gives me the excuse to make cinnamon rolls. Was it Jack or Greg who said that men crave cinnamon like women crave chocolate? Well, I figure this should win my man's heart and I will have a bit of partying tonight. Woo Hoo! Maybe I'll throw in a few margarita's just to be sure. I finally tried eating bread, just a bite, and now I know....it's VERY delicious! Come Monday I'm sure I'll think it is not so wonderful.... ....along with all the other goodies I've been eating. I told DH that this is our yearly bandster blowout, though, so it's only temporary.

ok i'm crawling out of bed at 9:30 Cali time just to check on you guys. a little champagne and i want to sleep til noon... Wearing those lace thongs with the muu muu...now that's slutty! and geez zoe, that could be my house you're describing, except the farting dog is my DH

I'm glad you are doing better, Lisa. I'm sure Tom is feeling very insecure about your relationship and all the changes. And of course, we go through many changes in our banding journeys. My husband has had to adjust to this new life almost as much as I have. I think he has fears of how my weight loss will affect us. I've tried to assure him and give him the extra attention he needs. Right after banding it was rough because I was dealing with my own intense changes and had little time to deal with his. Making the extra effort now has made a big difference in how he feels. I can understand how his rudeness has put a hurdle in front of you that will take some work to get over. Only you know if it is worth it. Hope things are getting better between you already.

This is the best! I am loving seeing you guys in Vegas. Tonight I went to a bridal shower and dressed up in belly dancing gear, learned to jingle my hips (ouch!) and made a bridal gown out of toilet paper. I had a blast. But I have to say, I almost wore myself out before that party by getting so excited over the Vegas Bash and the Pity Party here on LBT. It is so wonderful to have a group of people who understand how this band can totally change a life. I never would have put on belly dancing clothes if I hadn't gotten banded. Only my banded family understands the impact it has on life. Queen DeLarla's tiara is lovely. All of you look wonderfully normal and beautiful. What an inspiration to see you all.

Okay, I just posted on the "Weekly Challenge" post, but think we should move over here. This is SO GREAT! I love it! Thanks so much Princess DeLarla! You are all so beautiful!! I'll check in with the pity partiers later.

OMG! This is a great party You guys are going to town. But...uh...Betty....drinks were tomorrow night...guess you're starting early! I'll start off with cocktail cashews. Yum... I got a costume for Halloween today. Batwings with purple glitter around the edges with ears and a mask...oh, my favorite part...purple fishnet open finger glovey things that go to the elbows. I also got a black dress that has hanky hems in see-through silky stuff. Can you tell I've never done this before?! I tried on lots of dresses and lots of them fit. Yeah! I have been this size before (5 years ago when I met DH) but have never dressed up like this before. I am so excited! I guess I finally figured out that I'm a girl. I have to go to a bridal shower tonight. I got some leopard spotted fuzzy handcuffs and a little whip....along with a very tasteful see-through nighty. Okay, I gotta slow down, I'm gonna choke on my cashews. Time to get dressed for the bridal party.

Hope the meds start to help soon, Darcy. I'm headed out to shop. That ought to help start the pity party off on a good note.

Congrats! You are on the road now! :Bunny