PrettyThick1

It's really strange, we want to get the weight off and that's our primary focus but you don't think about all of the other things that come along with it...but how could you? There is something new all the time we discover about ourselves and it's always something positive. Thanks for your reply and I hope you have an awesome day, too!!! Great post! Choosing ourselves first and our healthy futures -- what a powerful thing that is. Thanks for the reminder of how lucky I feel to have made this decision, to have had everything line up the way it did and now to be on my way. I can feel my life changing in so many ways. Not just the weight loss but doors opening -- lots of energy and creativity. Have a great day!

Here I am just a mere 2.5 pounds from my goal and wondering where the heck the time went? We all know that the older you get the faster time goes by, but this is unreal and I'm having some kind of time digesting it all. A year ago today, I was diagnosed with type II diabetes, crazy blood pressure and severe obstructive sleep apnea (a few weeks later). I knew something had to give, because I had too much living to do to have to worry about pills, testing and the sort. To some, the band was an extreme way to thwart off these diseases; to some, I didn't need to lose the weight at all. My questions to them were: Have you ever struggled with your weight? I have my entire life. Are you judging my physical appearance as a guage of good health? Don't judge a book by it's cover, I have three conditions that could take me out of here any time. Have you had the displeasure of yo-yo dieting? I always gained back more than I lost. Do you have to prick your finger to get a drop of blood out every morning? It doesn't feel good and it's scary. Do you sleep well at night? I wake up several times caughing or having to go pee...again! Are you concerned about going blind, losing your limbs or having a poor quality of life? I do. Do find yourself wondering if you'll see your developmentally delayed child grow up and become an independent adult? I choose to live for her as much as for myself. The band was the solution for me and I'm glad I did it. I have none of those conditions or the guilt that my health would be the reason I left this earth before completing the most important job God has given me: Being a mother. I have such different outlook on life now and I'm happier than I thought I could be. Nothing is guaranteed...if you drive a car, any second could be your last. But I feel better about my chances of living a long and healthy life now. It all started a year ago today.

I had to...I'm sorry, this was too much to keep to myself.

That's awesome bandista! A cinderblock is a great comparison...I like to say that I've lost a 4th grader or a 10 year old. LOL!!!

BTW: There is an online contest like that. You pay $20 for the month, you weigh yourself and photograph the number with your feet showing in the picture. At the end of the month you do the same thing and if you've lost a certain percentage you share a piece of the pot for that month. If they think you're fibbing, you have to go to a CVS or Walgreens, weigh in, photograph and have it signed off on by an employee in the pharmacy. If you're interested, I can give you more information. The pot grows well into the thousands, but again you have to split it with everyone else who made their goal.

Nope! We do the same thing here and it doesn't matter if you've had WLS since our average is 2-10lbs per month. That's obtainable by anyone disceplined enough to see the contest through.

I haven't had oysters on the half-shell because I can't stand to chew them, but fried oysters go down fine.

God Bless you too Ladybandito! Replies like yours really make my day and I can't put into words how much I appreciate you for taking the time out to post.

It's just an overall lack of nutrition. We get just enough to keep our body functioning, but leaves little else to spare. To stop your hairloss, the most successful thing I know of is to take Biotin supplements and topical products with Keratin (sp?) Keracare by Avlon is excellent and can be purchased at JCPenney's and other major retailers...word of advice, it's cheaper but risky to buy it online unless it's from a major company.

I'm sorry for your loss Terrydumont46. It takes an exceptionally strong person to handle final arrangements in such an intimate manner. It's one thing to plan and handle the business aspect of a funeral, it's a whole other ball game when you are responsible for their final appearance. It's an honor and I promised every woman in my family that I would do the same for them and who ever was after me, that someone be so kind to be there for me when it's my turn.

Thank you Sharpie! Bless you, too! I vowed not to cry today...that's already shot! LOL

oh honey your sister was lucky to have so much love and protection. losing siblings or children and even parents is so difficult. You must know she is in a better place... Bless You and each day will bring peace to you I am sure. We have lost children and my sister in the last few years and it is always a hole in my heart but each day gets better.

You guys are awesome, reading your replies is so uplifiting for me. I am so grateful that this forum exists and that it is full of so many kind people. May you all have a SPLENDID day...you've gotten mine off to a beautiful start.

Thank you for noticing the Christian in me Jamilyne...so many people profess their love and belief in the savior, but it's hard to believe it's genuine when you witness their behavior and the words they speak. This was theraputic for me and I appreciate your reply.

Hi Debbie...my bandiversary is June 19th...February 18th is when I was faced with the reality that something had to happen, quickly!

The biggest loser is a joke. Anybody would be at their ideal weight if they had the right foods and fitness forced on them and besed around their lifestyle...do they even work when they are on that show? Yeah, that's totally attainable. NOT!

You should have asked if she'd had a c-section, some insurance companies cover tummy tucks. BCBS Texas does. Other surgeries are covered if you've lost a signficant amount of weight and the extra skin is causing irritation or infections.

What a gentle and kind message, you have made a major point in mentioning how other bandsters make comments based on THEIR relationship with THEIR band. We share a lot of similarities, but just as many differences - there are no rights or wrongs when sharing or questioning something you may be experiencing. The contents of a post could sound completely abnormal to one person...or the entire forum - minus one or two others. Those one or two others could take a lot away from what was shared, which is why this forum exists and is successful.

What a gentle and kind message, you have made a major point in mentioning how other bandsters make comments based on THEIR relationship with THEIR band. We share a lot of similarities, but just as many differences - there are no rights or wrongs when sharing or questioning something you may be experiencing. The contents of a post could sound completely abnormal to one person...or the entire forum - minus one or two others. Those one or two others could take a lot away from what was shared, which is why this forum exists and is successful.

Howdy from Houston!

The cold weather JACKS MY BAND UP! I made a post about this a couple of weeks ago and I got bashed over the head with "your band is too tight". No, my band is perfect. I've been green since August and I'm 3lbs. from goal, I've tested my theory and came to the conclusion that I have to be in a warm environment for at least 30 minutes to allow my body temperature to increase. Then and only then can I eat or drink. For those of you who say "drink something warm" this could hinder me from being able to eat enough, so waiting and warming up is by far the most effective way around this situation. Not an unfil. Are you crazy?!

Of the TONS of reasons I'm happy with my decision to get the band, not hiding from the camera is a major NSV that strokes the "vanity" part of my ego the most.

Of the TONS of reasons I'm happy with my decision to get the band, not hiding from the camera is a major NSV that strokes the "vanity" part of my ego the most.

The band is a miracle tool, for sure. Made it through the holidays without gaining a pound, even more amazing is that I lost 8 lbs. in 17 days! #teameatwhatiwant #almosttimetostoplosing #thatwassofast