babsyintx

Hi Michelle, I reread my post and it sounded awful. (the last line). What I meant to say is that I hope all of the tests do not show anything negative ! I pray that your son will be well. Babs in TX

Michelle, Just saw this thread and I am so sorry for what you and your family are going through. I will pray that your son is well. I am amazed by your strength. Since I came back from Vegas, I have been talking to my husband about each and every person I met and what difficulties some of my bandster friends have encountered. I cant even imagine what you are going through. Please know that you are in my thoughts and I sincerely hope everything turns up negative with the testing. Babs in TX 334/194/170 -140

Bright, So glad to see you back here posting.!!!!! I missed you here. So ya finally got to see a pic of me at the Vegas Bandsters Bash. I brought the before photos and DVD with me when I was in Vegas. You have done wonderfull and I am proud of you. I still want to meet with you when and if you ever get to the States. Keep up the good work and dont panic about the fill. Its not a big deal. Just like getting blood drawn. Babs in TX 334/194/170 -140 6/23/03

Megan, You have done so well. Just so you know, you fall into the norm for weight loss with the band. Expected losses are 50-100 pounds the first year, so give yourself a big pat on the back and a hug from me. You looked so happy in Vegas and that is what this journey is about. I wish that I had more time to talk with you when I was there. Congratulations on your bandiversary!!!! Babs in TX 334/194/170 -140

Lisa, Thanks for your help! It is really appreciated. I now have a face.......!!! Babs in TX 334/195/170 -139

I just wanted to see if my avatar transfer worked. No more COokie monster for me!! Babs in TX 334/195/170 -139

Hi Lisa, Thats a great avatar and I would love it if I could post it. What do I have to do to get this pic up permanently? I am so untechy and unsavvy with photos. i would love to have this as my permanent pic. Please feel free to post this unless you need a password to something.... Babs in TX 334/195/170 -139

Hi Everyone, It looks like I was the last one back from Vegas! Got home at 12:30 am this morning and I am pooped! Missed my kids terrribly and I barely had time to get them off to school this morning and now I am back to work sitting at my desk thinking of my wonderful 4 day weekend in Vegas..... Lisa: Thank you for being the best host and opening your home to all of us. I know we will meet again. I have so much more I want to say to you, but I have to get to work, so I will call you.! Leatha and Ginny: You were great roommates although I know you did not see as much of me despite the close proximity.! I have a reputation of being a cosmic traveler and like to be alone and wander occasionally. It is a form of ADD!!! Leatha: I am glad you won some money there at the end of your trip! I did too, just not as much as you. My last night, I won about 125 dollars. Although it didnt cover my trip, it helped me justify all my big spending. Michelle: You look wonderful and what a strong and brave woman you are.! After hearing your story about your boys, it made me realize how much we need to enjoy life to the fullest and cherish every moment we can with our families. You are such a brave woman and having stood in the face of adversity, you have triumphed. Kudos to you. Donali: You are everything I thought you would be and so much more! What a generous spirit you have and thanks for listening to me drone on for an hour at dinner. I wish you much luck with you man and the new living arrangements. Vera and Carol: I cant beleive how many wonderful things you did to help with the party. You are both fantastic people and I feel honored to have met both of you. THeresa: You and your hubby are wonderful people and I know you will be successful with your journey. Look how well you have done already. Penni: I am awed by your kindness. I bet you were the best nurse ever and if I were ill, I would want you to take care of me. Megan: I hardly had time to see you and I didnt really get to talk with you, but you look so very happy! I wish you luck with your journey! There are so many things I want to say, but my brain is still not coherent yet, so I will wait to give you the extended thanks . I really enjoyed my trip and having the chance to meet with all of you. Big hugs to everyone. Babs in TX 334/195/170 -139

Well, I was gonna save this as a Vegas surprise, but Vera and Leatha saw my picture on another board. It is the only picture I have posted on a support board. So now, drumrolll......... I am coming out of the closet two days early! Heres the link... Go easy on me!!! http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=6&uid=2686462 Michelle (Southern Bandgal started a pic trail for me, so I am working on scanning a before pic) I will bring some photos to Vegas with me, so you can see how big I really was. Not a lot of before pics though. I hated to have my picture taken. See yall in Vegas now!!!! Babs in TX 334/196/170 -138

Vera, All I can say is WOW! I feel almost ashamed posting my one measly picture before the Vegas trip. You have a beautiful family. I really look forward to meeting you!!! Yeah!!! At last! Babs in TX 334/196/170 -138

Lisa, You have a way with words. (Skinnier than the baby had me cracking up!) You should really consider a career as a satirical writer. I would be happy to co publish a book with you. At least we can make some money from our misunderstood and warped perceptions of life! LOL Babs in TX

Hi, Cindy: I have lots of days where there is little restriction and I jump off the bandwagon and eat crap. THe trick is to get back on quickly. I lost 120 in my first year and 18 in the last 3 1/2 months. It is slowing down to about a pound a week. Zoe: The little guy is my 2 1/2 year old Ryan. I had a pic left on the roll, so I took it right before I was getting it developed. I am bringing before pics to Vegas. Dont have many of them, but will bring what I have. Donali: Thanks so much for the compliments. I cant wait to meet you. Babs in TX 334/196/170 -138 and hoping to be -140 by Friday!!!!

Hi Greg, I saw you pic too. You are looking great. Hey, arent you in law enforcement? If we need bail money or someone to call the local law enforcement (just in case LOL) will ya be around? Babs in TX

Hi Ms. Vera, Whatcha doin up so late? My excuse is that I almost never sleep since I lost all this weight. I seem to have boundless energy and sleep maybe 4 -5 hours. Babs in TX 334/196/170 -138

Hey Michelle, Sorry I did not have time to call you today. You are looking great. I wish I had your legs ! I think it has a lot to do with weight distribution and youth, something that i dont have working in my favor! LOL I will call you tomorrow. You look lovely. Thanks for helping me with the pics!!! Babs in TX 334/196/170 -138

Hi California Dan, I eat soup for lunch with some Wheat Thins once or twice a month. It is true that it does not keep you as full as long as solid Protein will, but some Soups laden with chicken keep me quite full like tortilla soup. I usually drink the liquid first then eat the solids to give me the full feeling. Hasnt hurt my weight loss. Babs in TX 334/196/170 -138 6/23/03

Hi, I am very excited!!!! I need to buy some clothes myself. I think I own a whopping total of 4 pairs of pants that actually are the right size.! I think I want to buy a dress and wear some really high heels. And I want Lisa's hooker gloves to complete the ensemble.... Babs in TX 334/198/170 -136

Hi Guys, I am sorry to say that I totally got rid of all of my fatty clothes at clothing swaps or charities here in TX. However, I still have 26-28 very expensive power suits and cocktail dresses that I can bring if there is anyone that would need something like this. I am lucky enough to have a bandster friend who now weighs 168 who has given me her 14-16's and I have been living on these til I get to my final destination. Yes, it still amazes me that I fit in these sizes..... I guess I will soon run out of bandsters who will give me freebies. Thats the downside to getting closer to goal. THeres no one to give me clothes!!! Babs in TX 334/198/170 -136

Cindy, The key is Protein, protein, protein. THese are some of the things I do to get my protein in and keep the carbs low: Morning: Carb Countdown Low Carb Fat Free Milk 70 calories and 12 grams of protein. I make a latte with the Carb Countdown and my coffee Low carb sugarfree yogurt 90 calories and 10 grams of protein Carbolite Protein shake 21 grams of protein and only 100 calories. Also packed with Vitamins lunch Can of Tuna (33 grams of protein for 6 oz) or a ham and cheese rollup or some turkey chili (25 or 30 grams of protein for an 8 oz serving) Omelettes made from Eggbeater with some lean turkey or ham and a little salsa dinner Some kind of chicken, fish or turkey with several veggies like sauteed mushrooms, broccoli, eggplant or zucchini Small salad with lettuce tomato, avocado, cucumbers and some fresh parmesan cheese Snacks Beef Jerky, airblown popcorn sprayed with artificial butter ( about 3 cups equals about 60-70 calories, low carb chocolate bars or a skinny cow ice cream bar. low fat sugar free yogurt soft serve, low carb tortilla chips (about 10 chips have 10 grams of protein) , soy chips, vanilla protein shake with 6 strawberries mixed in the blender with ice, two teaspoons of Peanut Butter on wheat thins I hope this gives you some ideas. I eat about 1100 calories on an average day. Drink lots of Water and sugarfree non carbonated drinks like Fruit20, Propel water, decaf iced coffee, decaf ice tea, etc. Babs in TX 334/198/170 -136 6/23/03

Hi Donali, Congratulations to you. IT should be fun. Since you guys have spent lots of time with one another already (10 years!!) you definitely should be able to make this work well. See ya guys nect week!!!! Babs in TX

Hi Everyone, On Friday, I made a last minute decision to go to New York for my sisters 40th birthday. My family consists of thin folks who eat carbs, Teddy Grahams, cheesecake , biscotti and lots of Pasta. So naturally from the time I arrived until the time I left, I ate what others ate. First there was the party which consisted of penne ala vodka, a five foot italian sub sandwich, eggplant parmagiana, lemon chicken, potato and macaroni salad and for the rest you get the picture! Dessert consisted of three different choices like cheesecake, cannolis and birthday cake. THere was also champagne, MUDSLIDES to follow and homemade wine. Well needless to say, I had to try everything. I guess I was surprised at how much I could eat with the grazing over a 5 hour period. I knew it was bad since once I get on the carb trail, I have trouble getting off of it. Saturday and Sunday were pretty much the same. I tried to get some exercise and walked a little and did the elliptical machine forabout 15 minutes. I am afraid to get on the scale and find myself back over 200 pounds. Here I am 15 months post op still obsessing about food some of the time. I know I could use a fill, but my doc wants me to wait 2 more months. (I recently had an unfill of .20 after a fill of .10 which made me looser and more receptive for food.) I dont believe in the elusive sweet spot that everyone talks about despite my success losing 136 pounds so far. I do have restriction and when I attempted to find the sweet spot, I just got overfilled and had to take more out than they put in . So I do know my maximum which is somewhere between 2.5 CC. and 2.6, but not a drop more because I was miserable for about 2 days before having the .10 they put in . I now have 2.4, which is not enough but still offers me some restriction. So I am upset with myself for making such bad food choices. I could have just said no. I was hoping to drop another 5 pounds before coming to Vegas next week. Now I will be lucky to just be the same weight I am today. I think I am going to do Protein shakes this week and see where I get.... Do you sense my frustration? Babs in TX 334/198/170 -136

OOPs, I forgot to answer Lisa's question: Lisa, I really didnt do much when I reached the century mark. When I got below 200 a few weeks ago, I had a couple of parties and dinners out with other bandster friends. Babs in TX

Hi Guys, You are all wonderful. I did get on the scale reluctantly today and I gained two pounds since Friday. So back to mostly liquids and Protein shakes this week. I really overdid it this weekend. Yes, I am a little down about the gain, but at least now I know I can get it off. So my goal this week is to work out almost everyday and keep my calories under 1000. I think the one thing I have learned with this journey is that it is filled with ups and downs and you have to just go with the flow and not get discouraged everytime there is an increase. (Now if I can only convince myself of this.... Donali: You are very sweet and wonderful and I look forward to meeting you too!!! P.S. The one thing that freaked me out this weekend is how much male attention I received. It seemed like men were falling from the sky to help me with my bags on the plane and talk to me inflight etc.. I am in scary territory! Babs in TX

Hey Donali, Whats Cerbot? I am staying til Monday night so I wanna come!!!! It sounds fun as long as my hangover that I plan on having from Saturday nite doesnt kill me!!!! Babs in TX 334/198/170 -136

Nancy, Please dont get discouraged. Now that I have lost 136 pounds, it is getting harder and harder to lose the other 28-30 I still need to lose. The things I did to be successful and get to this place and the rules I followed before do not work as well anymore. It takes far less energy to move a person of 195 lbs than it did to move my 334 pound frame. So the quantity of food I was able to eat before during my ongoing weight loss is more than I need to continue losing weight as rapidly as I was before.. So one of three things have to happen. I either have to eat less than I am now, make better food choices more frequently or exercise more. One bad day of food choices sets me back 3-4 days on my weight loss track. So at least for me, I go back to the beginning and think like a new bandster. Am I drinking enough Water? Have I resorted to snacking needlessly within the 1100 calories a day I eat now? Am I eating out too much? (Lots of hidden calories in restaurant food) Is there anywhere I can make a cutback without feeling really deprived?? Am I exercising enough? Do I have enough restriction to get me where I want to go? THe most important thing is that you are not in denial and that you are reaching out for help. It is really easy to get complacent. I speak first hand on this topic. But if you do get complacent or want to stay complacent for a little while and wait to step up the progress, the band will still be there for you. And the best part is as long as you are not sabotaging yourself, you will not gain back the weight you have lost so far. And dont be down about a 2 pound gain. The body fluctuates so much on a daily basis. my weight fluctuates 2-4 pounds in one day! What you are experiencing is a plateau. At least you know what it takes for your body to maintain. And I think you know that you need to eat less now to lose again. So hang in there. Babs in TX 334/198/170 -136 6/23/03