molynn

Welcome Beckie! You will find that this is one awesome group. The wealth of information from this group and their friendships and encouragement are priceless. Post often so we get to know you. Let us know when you get a date.

They sound a little like my son. He was not in favor of the band. He thought I just needed to eat right and exercise. DUH, why didn't I think of that!!!!! lol Anyway, now when he comes over he tells me I am getting thinner all the time. He won't however, say anything positive about the band. That doesn't bother me....hey, it's my band, not his.

The last time I saw OPRAH do a show on weight loss surgery it was ALL about bypass. She had that judge from American Idol on. She also spoke to Dr. Christine Ren from NYU but there was no mention of the band and Dr. Ren does both surgeries. The thing I don't like about the shows is that weight loss surgery is always persieved as taking the easy way out. It drives me nuts. Even Dr. Phil has taken that attitude (I guess because he is trying to sell his fitness book).

Not having access to all of you is like being cut off from your family. Heck, I was cut off from my band family. I don't get on the other boards much, but i love this one. You guys are the best and I would do whatever it took to keep this board running. I NEED YOU ALL.........

Gee Lisa, I know exactly what you are going through. My husband was always a litlle insecure, but now he has gotten a lot worse. He calls me everywhere I go. I think they only thing we can do is reassure them that we are not leaving them, that nothing has changed other than our appearance.

I'm joining the scale challenge. I have been weighing myself several times a day. Like Lisa I weighed myself every time I was in the bathroom. Last time I weighed myself was Sunday morning, so that will be my weigh-in day. My weight was 213.5. That brings me to 49.5 pounds. This is such a hard challenge for mem but I lose the same 1-2 pounds every week. I do not have any fill since I had problems. I am having knee surgery in 2 weeks so they don't want to fill before that. About a month after my surgery my surgeon told me when I hit the 50 pound mark he would pay for me to go for a facial or manicure and pedicure....whatever I wanted. He is a sweetie. I am just 1/2 pound away from collecting on his offer. I can't wait.

I'm joining the scale challenge. I have been weighing myself several times a day. Like Lisa I weighed myself every time I was in the bathroom. Last time I weighed myself was Sunday morning, so that will be my weigh-in day. My weight was 213.5. That brings me to 49.5 pounds. This is such a hard challenge for me but I lose the same 1-2 pounds every week. I do not have any fill since I had problems. I am having knee surgery in 2 weeks so they don't want to fill before that. About a month after my surgery my surgeon told me when I hit the 50 pound mark he would pay for me to go for a facial or manicure and pedicure....whatever I wanted. He is a sweetie. I am just 1/2 pound away from collecting on his offer. I can't wait.

WOW WOW WOW.......you are awesome Donali. If anybody can do this, you can.....as your pictures show. Can't wait to see the finished pictures. Thanks for being such an inspiration for all of us.

The band caught you red handed. I had to learn my lesson the hard way too. Please, please please follow doctors orders. You won't be sorry.

Okay, I'm a computer idiot. I don't know how to do it, but I lost 49 pounds since 3/17/04.

Great pictures Kathy. You look ALOT younger. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

Ryan, a man I work with just got the band 3 weeks ago. His doctor told him he had to lose weight at the first appt. He weighed 450 pounds. He had to lose 50 pounds before surgery which he did with Optifast. I think your doctor would have told you already if he wanted you to lose weight before surgery. I had to be on lowfat 2 weeks before my surgery and liquids the week before. I would definitely question the doctor just to make sure.

OMG Lisa, you look like two different people. The pictures are great. You look incredible. You should be very proud of yourself. You are going to look great on the Harley.

Best wishes Pam on your upcoming surgery.

I decided for my 50th birthday in April I want to have my arms done. The hanging skin is horrible. Has any one had their arms done. I guess I will be paying out of pocket since I don't believe my insurance will cover it.

I'm 5 feet, currently weight 214.5. I went from a 26/28 and 2X (sometimes 3X) to wearing a regular XL in most stores. On the bottom I am wearing a 20 (and 18 if they run big). I was just in K Mart yesterday, buying some sweats. I was able to buy in the regular department the XL in tops and bottoms. I also bought 2 Jaclyn Smith tops for work in XL. I seem to be losing from my waist up. My stomach and thighs just don't want to leave me.

What a great NSV Leatha. You are going to look great in whatever outfit you choose.

I'm just going to add my two cents Gail. First, you wouldn't be lying if you told them you definitely did not have your stomach stapled. They didn't ask if you had it banded did they? Our bands are our business and if you choose not to tell people that is our right. I told the people in my department that I was getting the band. My boss chose to tell someone from another department while I was home recuperating. This man lives around the block from me and his daughter and my daugher are friends. He has told everyone we are having a contest to see who can lose 100 first (he was banded 3 weeks ago). He has been on liquids since April because he had to lose 10% of his body weight before they would do the surgery. Him and his daughter are driving me crazy. If I had to do over again, I would not tell any co-workers or my boss. Good luck in your decision.

Congratulations Babs. That is awesome. I can't wait to get to onderland with you. Doing the happy dance for you.:banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana

I'm glad you are okay Alex. That is a horrible situation to go through. I don't do well with chinese food. I think because it is a little too stringy for me. I am also still a big offender of eating too fast. Still working on that. Take care of yourself.

Don't feel so bad Alex, I ate 4 chocolate chip cookies and a 3 musketeers bar at work the other day. I was having a bad day at work and that snack machine was calling my name, I felt so guilty afterwards.......I was back on track yesterday.....that is until my next out of control episode. I have a dr appt on Monday to beg for a fill. I can eat almost everything since they unfilled my band. Donali......you are one amazing person....I can't even hang a picture straight.

OMG Teresa, you look great. That picture of you by the water is beautiful. Your hubby is one lucky guy. Thanks for being such an inspiration for the rest of us.

Happy belated birthday Penni!!! I love the hat. You all look fabulous. Glad you're having a great time.

Your kids are gorgeous Leatha! They take after their mom. Your daughter does look like a model. Thanks for sharing the photos.

The next few weeks will fly by. Before you know it, you'll be banded. Good luck!