Penni60

Day 2 = NO STARBUCKS

Took care of it. No longer a sticky. Good luck to all.

I'll give up Starbucks for 30 days. YIKES!!!! Day one successful

I still think what Erin does to you is wrong. I just think it is sad we are so quick to not see her side of her struggles as well. She shouldn't be offering you food since she knows you have made it clear on more than one occasion how you are struggling. I do support you against Erin and her actions. I just don't like to see anyone called names. Still behind you girl!!

Well I wouldn't say the norm. My surgeon only recommends 24 hours of liquid then advance to normal foods as tolerated. Liquid doesn't mean clear liquids either. Soups, Water, etc. Every surgeon is different some err on the side of caution when it comes to fills. Others are more liberal.

I wonder if Katie goes through Postpartum depression will Tom say the same things he said to Brooke Shields? HMMM!!! Can't stand Tom Cruise now. Such a jerk!

My band surgeon strongly does NOT recommend a fill with port removal. What if you end up with restriction just from the surgery itself and all the swelling that comes with that normally? Then he gives you a fill and you have MORE restriction! OUCH!!! It is not good practice to give a fill during port removal. As you mention, if you need an unfill that means more surgery and more chances for the infection to spread and that is a whole other lists of concerns. The percentages I can't help you with maybe someone else can. I wish you all the luck and a speedy recovery. I personally would NOT get a fill with the port surgery.

This is probably gonna get me hollered at by all on this post but I have to play devil's advocate here for a brief post. Erin has every right to eat what she wants when she wants just like Lisa does. What Erin doesn't and shouldn't be doing is tempting Lisa. I agree that eating a pizza at 10:30 in the morning is not normal. But I didn't see in Lisa's post where Erin offered her a piece unless I missed that part. Yes it is hard to resist the temptations of the nice ooey gooey smells of food being cooked in the kitchen at any time of day. But that is where we should all be strong and resist. I assume that Lisa did resist and HOORAY she made it through another temptation. That deserves a happy dance. Proud of you Lisa. The other comments on this post about throwing apples, sending a telegrams, etc are shocking to me. Even though they were hopefully meant in jest it is those types of comments that would have hurt my feelings had I heard them. We do not know what Erin is struggling with in her life to make her eat that way. I can feel Erin's pain and I understand Lisa's dilemma as well. I don't think suggesting humiliating Erin is the way to solve this problem. A formal letter to your boss Lisa is much more diplomatic and puts the problem in their hands to correct. We were all in Erin's situation at one point in our lives. We must all remember that. Well at least I was in her situation and can relate. I support Lisa in her endeavour to resist the tempations from Erin.

Thanks for all the kind words and encouragement. And yes it does take work to be beautiful. I look at myself sometimes and I say EWWWWWW! then I look at myself other times and go Hmmm I am really cute. Nothing is ever easy is it? DeLarla you will succeed too with your sugar addiction. Good Luck Michelle you are my idol and mentor. You ROCK!! Christina we are starting over today. BREAK A LEG at the audition! Can't wait to hear all about the adventures. Wish I could be there to see it all. Ankle too swollen this morning. And yes I have a brace on it. LOL!!! Jachut and Fee I won't quit that is for sure. I have come too far to stop now. I just fell off the wagon and was scraping my knees but gonna climb back up and put some salve on those knees and continue on down that trail. Indians and all. Jessiebear did I hear you say "Water boy"? Hmmm nice tanned slender and rippppppped abs. OH WATER BOY!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Guys I just love you all.

This process SUCKS!!! It was hard enough pre-banding to deal with the weight and now that I am almost 18 months out it isn't any easier. I had a weight loss of 70 lbs about a month ago. Now I have gained back 10 of those and only have a 60 lb loss. THAT SUCKS!! I know the things I am doing wrong. I just came back from a dr. appt and we discussed all the things I am going to start doing RIGHT. Dennis, Dr. Billy's RN, spoke with me at length about what I am doing that needs to change. We have all heard this spiel. Count Calories, Drink your Water, Measure your food, Read labels, No more than 25 min eating any meal, NO snacks, etc. Well that all sounds easy enough right? Hell no it isn't easy. If it was then WLS wouldn't be needed. RIGHT? So I took a long look at myself and my habits on the drive home from Ventura to reflect and make myself accountable for my own actions. That sucked too. LOL!!! Nothing like looking at yourself in the mirror and owning your own shit. OOPS SORRY!! Had to use that word cause it is the only one that fits. LOL!! I have to begin a new day tomorrow (yes tomorrow cause I am exhausted today). Log my food with calories and proteins. Cut out snacks altogether cause they are my downfall. Even fruit is a sin for me. I overeat it so I don't get the benefit of it. Just added calories. I am limited to 1200 calories a day period. Drink at least 40 oz hopefully more of Water a day. Watch food portions closely. Increase my calcium to 1200mg a day. I am at risk for spinal fractures so he wants me to increase my intake. I already take Actonel for that. Osteoporosis is thy name. Curses!! Family history!! So just wanted to let you guys know even being this far out you have to start that excitement we first experienced being banded. Reflect on your goals often to keep that excitement fresh. Good Luck and Keep on losing. I am shooting for a goal of a 15 lb loss in 2 months. Wish me luck. I am gonna need it.

Speaking of my son Bradley, here is his senior pics. Isn't he a cutie?

My girlfriend and I on a drunken rage in Jamaica one year started calling ours "TING TANG". The guys were "ANACONDAS". Too funny.

How much water are you drinking in a day? That has a lot to do with it. Liquid fiber would help as well so yes I would drink it. If the "monster" doesn't arrive soon please do consider a mild enema. You don't want that to get worse. BELIEVE ME!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!!

Foot is still sore but getting better every day. Went to my chiropractor last week and he played around with it and manipulated the joint. I wanted to scratch his eyes out. But you know what it felt better than before. He also said I did tear something in there but it is healing nicely. I continue to wear a brace when I am up on it. Which is ALL the time. LOL!!! Christina and I are shooting all over Hollywood and San Fernando Valley doing things. SHe is looking at possibly moving out here but I will let her give details. Don't wanna steal her thunder ya know. LOL!!! Just wanna say my kitchen has NEVER looked so good. She and I spent all day long re-organizing and throwing stuff out. We polished all John's mom's silver pieces one night watching TV. We are planning on doing the Dining room and then the Great room next. If you need her reorganizing services then I HIGHLY suggest you contact her. SHE IS GREAT!!!!!!!!! Think "clean sweep" from TLC. Gotta run.

Here is what I was told by my doc what an "official plateau" really is. If you are following all the bandster rules to the letter and doing the exercising and being a good doo bee and still not losing weight then that is an official plateau. If you are moderately following the rules and getting minimal exercise then you just need to readjust your eating habits and the weight should begin to fall off again. It will come off slower though because of not following the rules. Wish it weren't so. Oh and during this stage you most likely don't need a fill but everyone is different here. So judge for yourself. If you are following the rules and exercising but notice you can eat a little more than usual and NOT (I stress NOT) PB'ing at all then you might want to consider getting a small fill. It is all subjective and the further into the process you will learn your body more and more. Loads of luck.

I have Pacificare PPO and they would not pay for my banding. I appealed and appealed and they refused to pay. SO good luck and I truly hope you get them to change their minds. I was self pay.

I am so thrilled and might I add just a bit jealous of you hitting that 100 lb mark. You are doing so great. I am so proud of you and can't wait to see you hit your next goal.

Michelle: HEY GIRL!!! I am so glad you checked in. Great to hear from you. Glad Calvin and you are still going strong. Looking forward to the wedding pics. Keep in touch.

I talked extensively with my doctor about this subject and he said there has not been any data to support the band being removed due to rejection. IT was typically due to other complications.

OK FINALLY I am home. Just waiting now for Christina's plane to land and then she will be here as well. WHOO HOO!!! Then the real fun can begin.

Hi Again-Christina here! As you can see from the photos at the Obestiy Walk we had a Blast! Great people & met new friends. Today is Sunday & we've been shopping & walking as best we can with Penni's BAD ankle. She is now in a brace & being a good trooper! Tonight were heading out for a night of true Blues & Jazz at the BLue note!!! World Famous & HOT ! I've been there yrs ago & was told its still the place to see & be seen. Last night we hung around the Hiltons modern decked out bar down stairs & met some cool guys that are the stage managers of broadways "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang". Great conversation-Loads of laughs but no FREE drinks. We weren't their type if you know what I mean;0) Heading off to CALI EXTREMLY early in the morning-4:45am!!!--oooohhhhhh lol lol There Penni & I will try to become the "Next Greatest thing in Hollywood" Details to follow-hope all are well-Christina

Here is a couple of more pictures.

Here are a few more pics from us girlies. This is from the walk we did on Saturday.

Hi All -Christina here! Can't seem to log on as myself but having such a wonderful time! We went to an awesome jazz club tonight BB King's & had a wonderful dinner with way too much wine;0) Than it was off shopping again for matching hats to wear in the 5K tomorrow. Wish you were with us- tomorrow looks like a fun filled day & for a great cause. P.S. The weather is too perfect mid 70's & awesome. Also the restaraunt was so great were going back on Sunday & than too a concert!

Here are the pics of our purses