hagerteresa

When I was 16 years old, I was tired of not fitting in at my school, never getting any dates, always getting teased, etc. I sold my horse for $1000 so I could have a local dentist wire my teeth shut for a year!!! Crazy, crazy, I know... I really did lose a lot of weight and for the first time was under 200 lbs but of course it all came right back once I was released from my wired food prison. Life actually improved dramatically when I finally graduated high school. I've never been teased with such cruelty since then. Actually I don't think I've even openly been teased since then. I'm sure people have had their own thoughts and stares but fortunately people do seem to gain some manners in adulthood.

Hey folks, What is going on with the calender planning? Christina did you ever look at the link about the Long Tom Grange Calender? I thought it had some awesome ideas for backgrounds and poses. I was just thinking maybe we should do a smaller before pic set in the large frame. That way people know what we've accomplished. I don't know just tossing out an idea... I would sure love to use that photographer that did those Long Tom shots. My mom went in to have her blood pressure checked yesterday and it was way too high. The bottom number was 100! She has been overweight since having children, so for the last 25 years or so. She is taller than I am and I am just now fitting into her clothes but it was definitely a wake up call that she needs to do something. She would love to get the band but our insurance won't cover it and she doesn't have a wonderful father in law that would pay for it. I think she has kind of "thrown in the towel" this past winter in regards to dieting which is what I did before getting my band. She sees me all the time and is thrilled with my progress but I sure wish I could help her. When we do the calender I think we should make a website for it and post it on every band support group out there. The Long Tom group pulled in something like $200,000 the first year. Way beyond their expectations. Lets aim high girls! Teresa

Hi Irisheyes, I live in Oregon too! The Eugene area to be precise... Where do you live? I got my band a year ago in Mexico and absolutely have had a great time with it. Sure there are moments of frustration, plateaus, etc but I have lost 95 lbs in 1 year while never feeling deprived. Which doctor are you looking at having do your surgery? Best wishes, Teresa

I've told everyone I know, and haven't gotten that comment either. Most people I know are thin but do struggle to stay within their healthy parameters. They knew I struggled and supported me all the way thru surgery and beyond. They are all very happy with my progress. I don't always like it when they question me about my most recent loss if I haven't lost anything for weeks but they never do it out of meanness and it actually just reminds and inspires me to stay on track. If I did get a comment like your suggesting I would probably confront them and give them the what-for... Most people have some kind of bad habit they are eventually going to give up (hopefully) would they consider the use of stop smoking products to help them kick that habit??? Wouldn't that be the easy way? What about the 12 step program to quit drinking? I think the less people have to struggle to kick these horrible habits the better we all are. Best wishes, Teresa

WOW!!! You do both look great! You should line those up with some before pics of both of you! Great job girls! Teresa

Hi Krystal, I was 362 lbs when I started my band journey and the 300's just whipped right past in a matter of a few months. It has slowed down a bit now but I was thrilled to have lost 95 lbs after just one year. I thought I was the biggest for a long time too (and probably was at points) but like everyone else, I strived to just be smaller. I'm thrilled with my progress. Best of luck thru your surgery and keep us posted, Teresa

Hi Lisa, Glad to see your back even just to say hello. I've missed you too.

Hi Babs, Hope things smooth out soon. The Cancun trips sounds exactly like what you need after all of this. Best wishes, Teresa

I had an entire panel done 6 months after being banded. My cholesterol was never high to begin with but it was still in the perfect zone. Everything else checked out fine too.

Tanya, My port is all topsy turvy. Not really flipped but definitely impossible to access in the normal office visit. I have to get flouro everytime and the doctor sees no reason to do port revision surgery because of it at this point. I actually am happy I get the flouro everytime. I get to see the position of everything and that it is still all fine and that makes me feel more secure. Let us know how the next visit goes. Teresa

Your not in your early 20's? You look so young in your pics!!! LOL. Glad you had such a nice NSV and got some quality time with your family. Best wishes, Teresa

Hi Christina, I'm so glad to hear your getting your BAND SOON! Congratulations, I know how much you've been wanting it. Keep us posted on your date. Teresa

I posted a thread about my banded friend having a baby too. She never had morning sickness either and breast fed for a few weeks but like you, her milk doesn't come in very well and she recently gave up. She never gained during pregnance and lost something like 18 lbs after giving birth. I met her the other day and it looks like her port might have a bit of an infection. It was REALLY pushed out when she was far along in her pregnancy and then she had a C-section so we think this recent inflamation must be due to all the stress in the area. She is going in to have it checked out. Hopefully the sooner the better. It looked fine immediately after birth but it definitely looked a little pink and tender the other day and she says it feels very different. Anyway glad to hear you experience was so good brandi. Teresa

Hello, It is nice to meet you and thanks for sharing your story. I have had my band just over a year. Yes there is changes but only changes for the better. I am able to eat anything I want but in smaller quantities. I don't feel deprived at all and in fact have actually learned how to leave uneaten food on my plate and put it in the garbage later. I don't drink enough Water but I still have been successful. I may have days when I don't eat correctly but I have a dozen other days that I eat very properly. I have lost 95 lbs in one year even while drinking my daily sugar free iced mocha and allowing a single candy bar a day. Did I mention,"I love my band?" There are days I fight with it and am not cooperative but it just reinforced the fact that I need to eat slower and chew better. THAT is a habit all my unbanded friends and family needs to learn. The band is a tool that teaches me how I should eat and makes me feel satiated with smaller portions.

Janie, You are doing a wonderful job and I'm so glad the band has been a success for you. Happy Bandiversary!!!! I remember when you got your band! Best wishes, Teresa

LOL... For some reason I thought you meant digital food scales. I'm looking for one of those and was interested in what others reccommended. At this point I've seen some nice digital scales at the post office that look like they would work for food and I'd imagine they would be pretty darn accurrate since they are used to weight mail for prices. I keep tossing back and forth if I really need one though. My house if full of unused gadgets. Anyway best of luck finding a good digital scale. Teresa

Congratulations! I'm so glad to hear you were so successful with that pre-op diet and now with the band. Keep up the good work and keep us posted. Best wishes, Teresa

I have a non-band NSV... I was driving with my mom to Salt Lake City recently and we passed a fenced pen with 4 horses in it. The pen was VERY small (maybe the size of my living room) and all the horses were standing knee deep in mud. I saw that driving in both directions (to and from SLC) and was disgusted each time. When I got back home I decided to call that counties sheriff department, gave them directions so they could check it out. I got a call a few days later and they agreed the conditions were deplorable and they were taking action to remove them. Ends up they had been in that condition for the last 6 months or so and the sheriff was amazed a neighbor never reported it. I can't believe I was able to help save those poor horses. I'm so proud of myself that I took action. I have very little faith in the "system" and really didn't think anything would come of my calling and I was so glad to hear otherwise. Teresa

Hi Heather, So glad your house sold and your on your way north soon! Best wishes to you! Teresa

Has anyone seen or heard from her in awhile? I recall someone mentioned some health issues but never knew the details and if it was her or someone in her family. I miss her though and find it odd she's been gone for so long. Teresa

I went to a local weight loss support group too and got the same response by the leader of the group who worked for the local bypass office. She didn't believe I had lost so much with the band in such a short time and just seemed condesending. I never went back either.

I hope you have a good birthday!!! Don't eat too much cake! LOL... I was thinking about my birthday a few months ago. It was during a period after my car accident and all I wanted was comfort foods so I decided to make my cake about 3 days early... Ends up I pb'ed on the first piece and ended up not touching the rest of it at all. Tossed it a week after my birthday and it was still almost whole. LOL... Anyway I hope you have a special one with lots of good memories. Teresa

Hi Desertmom, It is very nice to meet you and see your successful banding. I'm glad you didn't let your fear stop you. My blood pressure dropped like a rock since I got my band. My mother in law was born and raised in UAE. She has fond memories of her childhood there and has shown me many pics of her youth. You've done wonderfully and I hope your success continues. Best wishes, Teresa

Hi Penni, Sorry to hear about the bone spur. I know how much you normally walk so I know its a big bummer to you. Hope it feels better soon. I had a cortisone shot in my shoulder and it hurt terribly. It took the doc several tries so I have to assume he wasn't very good at administering them. My family practitioner told me they should never hurt if done properly. Hopefully that will heal it all up. I got one of the boxes of clothes so far and absolutely loved everything in there. Thank you so much!!! You are so sweet to have sent them. I didn't see the shirt in it for KC so hopefully it will be in the other box. He will absolutely love it I'm sure. I can't wait to come visit this coming December. Hopefully nothing comes up for you during that time but I know how things pop up too. I can't wait to be able to wear more 2X things!!! I can do some 2X shirts but still in 3X pants. Its driving me nuts... I have a whole collection of clothes from you and the Vegas get together but I'm still just a bit to big for most of them. UGH! I know I'll get there soon but waiting gets annoying. I know we all go thru such things. Anyway best wishes to you and hope your foot gets miraculously healed asap.

Hello Everybody, I'm trying to think of something inspirational to say about my band experience but I'm so tired from my long road trip to Salt Lake City for my cousins graduation, I can't think of anything too fascinating. My experience has been smooth overall and fairly textbook. I'm not sure I would have said that last year at this time while I was still in the hospital in Mexico of all places recovering but I can say that now. I remember waking up after surgery thinking, "what have I done!?" I'm very happy with my progress overall. I still have a long ways to go and after looking at my most recent pics of myself, I still don't love myself on camera. The pics are in chronological order from top left to right. The first pic is of me on Easter of 2004 at my heaviest weight, next is a pic of my brother and I at the hotel in Mexico the evening before surgery, directly underneath that Easter pic is one of my and my husband at the coast in Oct 04 at the coast down 68 lbs., next is a pic of me taken a couple of weeks ago at 92 lbs lost and lastly is a pic of me a couple of days ago at my cousins graduation. I really enjoy the support I get on LBT and feel like good friends with many of you. May we all continue to work well with our bands and achieve success. AND remember... CHEW CHEW CHEW