Theresa Marie

You look great and so healthy and happy. You must be very proud of yourself. Thanks for sharing those pictures; they are so clearly a dramatic transformation. Fabulous job!!! Congrats.

Wow, an amazing transformation!!!! You look fabulous. Thank you for posting those pictures, you inspire us all. Congratulations and a fabulous 2005 to you and yours. Great Job Girl!!!!!!

Thank God you are an educated and communicative person; a lesser person would not know what to do or be so persistent in getting her care. How frustrating that you told the guy about the tube but he steps on it anyway-- hello?! I am so glad for your wife that she has you. Makes me wish you had a small-town Dr. right next door who loves you two as much as we do. Sometimes bigger in medicine is not always better. Ryan, what a terrible end to 2004 -- but I still believe 2005 is going to be a great year for you both. I think of you as the little boy, standing outside shivvering with your loving mom looking up and listening to the magic of the Silent Night on Christmas Eve. Keep that magic alive in your heart as you go through these next couple days. I pray for strength, forgiveness to the medical people, energy, and continued love for your both. Please keep us posted on how you both are doing. Hugs and best wishes, Theresa Marie

Please keep us posted on how he is doing. I have heard that so many people waited hours to be able to make a call or get a message through to family. The services are very poor or non-existent. I am hoping that he is just not able to find a way to reach you. I will watch for your future posts. Please let us know. Hugs and my prayers are on their way to you.

Way to go, girl. You look awesome. Your smile just radiates joy. What a fantastic job you have done. You inspire us all. I wish you many blessings and continued joy in 2005. Thanks for sharing your success, joy and photos with us. Take care!!!

Thank you for your post, Penni. Who cannot relate to you??? I sure can. I am the same way -- always ready to jump in and help and often put myself last. But, just this week with healing, I have said no to quite a few things and this is the first Christmas in many years where I am not baking gifts, planning and hosting parties, etc. We are having family here Sunday, but very low key and I am excited about it. I think it is wondeful to do for others and share who we are, but not at our expense. You have alot going on right now -- this entire year you have had alot happening. Of course we get tired and it is so great that you recognize that you need quiet time to recharge your batteries and your soul. It does not matter what spot you chose, just the frame of mind you put yourself in. You can have a retreat in your own home -- I am right now. I am enjoying music, reading, crafts, movies, walking, resting and just being peaceful. I hope you will find a chance to do that soon. Thanks for sharing your tree as I did not put one up this year so I appreciate yours all the more. It is awesome. I love decorating for Christmas. I have other things up and lights outside in trees but I did not think the tree was appropriate this year as I cannot lift much right now while healing. Remember, my post earlier when you put photos of yourself on line for us to share and I said you would be the brightest light for your Christmas tree. You are. Your light bulb is just dimmed a little bit from tiredness, but it burns bright inside. Rest and let that light shine out for all to see. I so cherish your posts here. I always smile and learn from you. You and Delarla are sisters in spirit and compliment each other's personalities beautifully. I am glad she encouraged you to post. We have missed you here. I think everyone is busy as posts are way down -- including me. I have not been posting too much lately either. We will all regroup after the holidays. I am thinking about you and will say a prayer that God will renew your spirit and soul and you will feel rejuvinated. Plus, about the pounds -- remember, doll that muscle weighs more than fat -- with all the decorating you are doing, you probably have lost inches. You are gorgous inside and out. Enjoy the holiday and let us know how all of your plans go. Again, I love your tree and your decorations -- magical. Hugs and blessings to you and yours, Theresa Marie

Terese honey, I am so sorry this happened to you. Everyone has given you great advise, I cannot think of any to add. Please know that you are in my prayers that there will be no complications to your health. I send you hugs and best wishes to get you through this stressful time. Take care and keep us posted doll. Hugs, Theresa Marie

Hello Adorable Friends, I am home and so GLAD to be home. The surgery went fine, recovery room was a little scarey, I had never been anesthesized before and I was very uncomfortable coming out of that. There was a nurse right there every time I opened my eyes assuring me what I was feeling was normal. My Mom came and spent the day and evening helping me get around; wow, what a blessing she is. My throat was very sore from the tube, that actually hurt worse than my tummy. Today now my throat is better and the port section of tummy is very sore, but none of the gas pains that some of you dear ones suffered with. Hopefully, I will be spared. To be home in my own quiet comfy house, great bed -- wonderful. To have my husband taking care of me from head to toe -- priceless. I want to thank each of you for your support, friendship and prayers. I learned so much from you and will always be thankful to each of you. All I want for Christmas is for us all to continue healing and growing in our journey of becoming a butterfly. I told one the nurses Ryan's analagy that I am in my chrisalis stage now, but soon I will be emerging and learning to fly as a beautiful healthy butterfly. She thought that was great and was going to share that with others who are going through this surgery. Ryan, you are famous. I will be your agent and arrange your book signing tours. Thanks so much, Theresa Marie -- the newly banded butterfly-to-be.

Hello dear friends, today I feel my strength returning on day 5. I still have port pain, but tolerable for sure. I am up and about and doing more today while still taking naps. I am very excited about the promise of health and vitality this new band will help me achieve. I love drinking with a straw and after going without for several days and burping alot, today I am drinking Water with a straw and seems to be better. I must be a straw person!!! Thanks for all your good wishes, prayers and loving support. I am just so thankful for many things during this blessed season -- my family, opportunity to be banded, my improving health, my dear friends whom I love here at this site. May God bless each of you and your families during this glorious time of reflection and personal growth (or shrinking for us physically). Love, TJ

Thanks a million dear friends. I am calming down. I have checked the weather forecast and there are not any warnings for blizzards or ice storms so that helps me. I will pack tonight as I know I will be very busy at work these next couple days. I am planning to work from home only as I feel up to it for the rest of the year. I can get projects sent via email or fax and then I won't have to drive and can work and rest as I wish. I appreciate all the good wishes and prayers. I will post as soon as I get home to say thanks again. Darcy, I am smiling thinking about quilting with my too big clothes SOON. What a great idea. I can make a scrap quilt and when I use it I will remember those outfits and be glad I will be able to be wearing smaller sizes. Great idea Darcy, thanks. Hugs to all.

Great photos, nice to have them side by side so you can really see the difference. You both are beautiful. Enjoy the holidays.

Thank you so much, Marie. I really appreciate your prayers and kind thoughts. I am surprised at myself at how nervous I am getting. I had the two week delay from first scheduled surgery and I did not feel this nervous back then. I have decided to work right up to night before so that I will not have extra time available to dwell on the "what ifs". I know in my heart this is the right thing to do -- but that darn brain is bugging me now. :-) You are always full of wisdome and heart when you post. Thanks for sharing yourself and your spirit. I promise I will post as soon as I can after surgery to say thanks to everyone for all their help and support AND wisdom. thanks again.

Penni doll, you are adorable. I am so happy for you and for your huge success. I am sure everyone is praising you, but it must be great when you go to your clinic to hear them gushing over you and your beauty. You are just sparkling with pride and joy. You could be a decoration for your Christmas tree and not use any electricity to light up the room!!!!!! Let your light shine bright sweet girl. Congrats. Theresa Marie

Tim and Ryan, I am sure hoping to be posting the same type of victorious, pain-free story by Thursday of next week. My surgery is Wednesday at 7:30 a.m., so I have to be there at 5:30. A couple days ago I had to go in for some blood work and I asked the surgeon's staff at the front desk (in a serious tone) that since I had to be at the hospital so early and I live an hour away - I will most likely get very little sleep the night before, could he do some work on my face to minimize the bags that will be under my eyes. They just looked at me and for a minute didn't know what to say. I had to laugh and say, oh come on, I am only partially kidding. I was thinking I would be under anesthesia and why not make the most of the time in the operating room. Then they laughed and said, sign me up too. HA. Now, I am getting nervous and hoping that Ryan's experience will hold true for me too. I hope it is not just a guy thing. I am encouraged with all the posts of people sharing that it is not too bad and some even saying, no big deal. I want to say that too. Congrats on your new band, Tim; I wish you continued success and painless healing. My surgeon's team has very specific after surgery food plans. I agree with all the beautiful people here that encourage you to follow their lead. Take care, Theresa Marie

I everyone, I do the taxes for us and both my husband and I own our own businesses as well as he is employed by a company -- so I fill out many different forms -- such a fun process. I do know that to take a deduction on medical expenses it is calculated as a percentage of your earnings not a dollar amount. It should be a quick answer from any CPA or amazingly enough the IRS has quite an informative web site. Hope that helps as you are gathering your receipts and hitting the calculators. I am sorry that you are getting those bills, that is hard any time of year let alone a time of year when you are trying to give to others. I am so thankful mine is covered; I consider that a blessing and a major sign that I am to move ahead with this and begin to take care of myself and my health. I continue to wish everyone here the best and be inspired by you all. TJ

Ryan, that is a cute story, I am glad you shared with us. How adorable is Patty to say that? So sweet. We have come to love her as well as you due to your posts that let us in to your lives. There could be no other choice than to come to love you both. I send you and Patty my heartfelt wishes for a blessed Christmas and fabulous new year. Ryan, now you remember to say a prayer for me for the surgery next Friday.....from Ryan's thoughts to God's ears. I know this much to be true!!!!! Your sis, Theresa Marie

Hi, welcome. I am having my surgery next Wednesday, 12/15, at Abbott Northwestern in Minneapolis. They have an excellent pre-op program and I have learned alot from their classes and educational programs. I called my insurance company and told them what surgery I wanted and if it was covered. When they confirmed it was covered, I asked for local hospitals, surgeons who were in their plans. I made my choice from their list. There were many to chose from. I would recommend that course of action so you know up front before you start attending classes that their work is covered. Best of luck to you in your search. It is an amazing process of learning. Take care. Theresa Marie

Teresa, I am so proud of you too. I can understand you wanting to always have the scale move -- we all do. However, please remember that as we lose weight and exercise more that we will lose inches sometimes faster than pounds because muscle weighs more than fat. And we all know muscle is our fat-fighting friend as it burns more calories even when we are not active. so, my guess is that your muscles are being built and you are losing inches friend. You have lost a tremendous amount of weight and now your body is shrinking in more ways (pardon the pun) than is obvious via the scale. How are you clothes fitting? You do the happy dance girl, hold your lovely head high, shake your adorable hair do, and walk or skip proudly!!!! You are a shiny star dear one. You inspire us all. Hugs to you, Theresa Marie

Pat, so glad that you are home and feeling great. Another surgery success story. Santa came early to your house!!!! Best wishes.

Hey Miss Wisconsin, where have you been hiding? I am thinking you were probably on some exotic trip around the world with an extended stay in Jamaica or something very similar to that. Hope all is well with you. Update us on how you are doing. Miss your smiling face and cheerful notes. Maybe you were on a fabric buying frenzy and could not get past all your piles of quilting fabric to reach your key board. That's the ticket -- too much fabric. Now, I know.... HA HA. Fellow quilter, Theresa Marie

Darcy, glad to hear from you. Those family parties are fun, and I know what you mean about getting the house ready, the actual party, hanger ons who are fun to have stay later, and the KIDS. My husband and I always tease and say Christmas with all my brother and sisters and nieces and nephews is the best form of birth control we have ever seen. HA. It gets quite loud and wild, but so much fun. Good to see your lovely smiling face again. I have to figure out how to get a photo on here of me -- I did not mean that as a threat. HA.

Penni, you crack me up -- I just love you. Jamaica call to your lap band friends to book our trip??? You are a delight Miss Penni. My best wishes to you and yours, Theresa Marie P.S. Where is Miss Darcy??????

Oh Melanie Honey, congratulations. You and I were going to be twins but my surgery got postponed due to a death in the surgeon's family. I am so glad for you that you are home and healing. You will be all better and running around by my surgery on the 15th. You will be an additional inspiration for me now. I am very happy for you. You heal and get better and stronger. Please post and keep us posted on how you are doing!!!! Take care and rest and walk!!!!

This afternoon I got a call from surgeon's office letting me know that all surgeries for tomorrow have been cancelled due to a death in the immediate family of the Proctor coming in to work with surgeons. They are changing over to the new type of band with inflatable sections/balloons and need to learn from a Proctor. So, they reset me for 12/15. I am disappointed as emotionally and logistically I was all set and things arranged at work, home, etc. Of course, I am sorry for his family and their loss. I just finished the two week diet and drank this horrible drink this afternoon to clean me out, I guess I will just continue the prep diet until the 15th. I am down 13 pounds and maybe it will afford me the chance to lose more before the surgery. Like Pollyanna, I am trying to think of something to be glad about...still trying... okay I will move on now. I am bummed. So, now Ryan, I guess I am not a November Band sister to you, unless our Mom was in a very long labor ...like 2 weeks. HA. Best wishes to all. Happy December!!!!

Ryan, that is great news. I am so glad for you that you are feeling so good and see and feel such improvement in your life and energy. That is very encouraging. I am exciting to read your stories as you go along -- you should write a book about this as you have such a way with words. Okay, now once again, I have to ask what do your new initials mean? Enlighten us please. I am thrilled for you and Patty; I truly believe 2005 will be such a year of healing, glowing, and minimized pain (hopefully) for you both. Happy New Life!!!!!