Theresa Marie

Fabulous, Michele. You did great during Thanksgiving AND lost a huge amount. It just seems like yesterday you were hoping to get into onederland and now look at you. Congratulations to you!!!! You are doing so great. Take care. Hope you can join in the chat tonight, 11/29, at 8 central time -- 6 I think your time.

Leatha, I wish I was your neighbor....but alas I live in Minnesota. Darn the luck. Happy Holidays sister (I read the post where you are like everyone's favorite sister.) I believe it. Take care, Theresa Marie

That is great insight that you have. You are just starting a very positive new part of your life. I have heard so many women say that their life began a whole new dimension at 50 -- more positive, more confident, less concerned about what other people thought and just focused on doing what they believed they needed and wanted to do. That is what you sound like. You are just beginning to shine and let others see your glory. I am very proud of you and think you are doing fabulous. We all have so much to offer and the one that needs us the most is us as we heal, learn to eat in a healthy manner and get out and explore the world -- a new person -- a journey of self discovery. I wish you safe and happy travels in that journey!!! Congratulations!!!! You have much to be thankful for.

Teresa, that is so fabulous. Wow, what a thrill for you to have such a major loss -- makes the two trips to get your fill more worth it. I am so happy for you. It just motivates all of us newbies or soon to be banded people even more. Thanks for the great news. I am so proud of you and wish you a Happy Thanksgiving with one more thing to be thankful for on a long list I am sure. Keep us all posted on your success. Wow!!!!

Vera, that is a great photo. Beautiful girls, both of you. The hat is lovely. I admire crafty people. Way to go ladies. Very nice work.

Alex, what a great message. Thank you for giving us an update. Congratulations on your huge success. I am just sure your family is going to be so happy and proud of you. You will all have so much to be thankful for. It is so exciting to hear about "having" to replace your wardrobe with much smaller sizes, that is too cool. Congrats also on your new ring. It sounds like it will be stunning. You go girl!!!!! And, Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

You ladies have got me laughing until I have tears running down my cheeks. How funny are you??? I remember years ago watching Richard Simmons on TV. He was leading an exercise segment and he said to these ladies in the front row doing jumping jacks "You ladies better slow down or you are going to blacken your eyes with those bouncing boobs". I roared. You guys are as hillarious as he was doing that segment. Personally, I am so hopeful mine will shrink. I mentioned it to my husband and he said, oh, I sure hope not. And he was so sincere, I thought -- wow, that is his concern -- much different than mine. LOL.

Melanie, I will be having my surgery the same day as you!!!! I am so glad you found a way to work it out and that you are able to go forward with this. I wish you all the best -- we will be in this together on the 30th. Take care.

Becki, that is fabulous. What a great start -- you celebrate. Send those pounds packing and don't worry where they travel too. I am glad you don't know my address -- please don't send them to me. HA. That is marvelous news on your loss. Fabulous!!!!

Teresa, that is great news. I hope your drive way easier for you; wasn't it really foggy last time for you. Sounds like it was a great day -- good news reasurring you that your band is perfect, a fill, and a nice lunch to Celebrate. Way to go, girl. I wanted to tell you that I think one of the photos you attached with the guys who were visiting your bed and Breakfast place, you should crop your face as your avitar. You are just beautiful. In that photo, I cannot remember which star you are photographed with, but your eyes are twinkling and your hair looks great and I just thought, wow, that should be her avitar. something to think about. Great photos. Thanks for sharing your fun experience and photos with us. Dr. Emma Patterson is the Head of Bariatric Surgery at Legacy Health in Portland. She will be traveling to Minneapolis and will be the Proctor during my surgery teaching my surgeon about the new band they will be putting in me. I will be the first one to have this new band which has several segmented, balloon-type section in the inner part of the band versus one solid bladder. So, the company that produces the band will fly her in to Proctor at the hospital to make sure the surgeons are comfortable with the new band. I was a little concerned being the first, but I thought if she is the expert and she will be right there, might be better to have 2 surgeons than one. I hope it works out that way at least. But she is very famous for lap band surgery. Your Dr. trained her, that is so cool. Small world. I googled her as I wanted to see where she studied and she did her residency in a hospital in New York City I believe. Teresa, congrats again on your fill and your great day. Much continued success to you!!!!

I bet he said that because he did not have a clue what he was looking at or about the fabulous procedure that you had. So, to cover his ignorance, he made that stupid comment to end the discussion. Duh. I am with Leatha, omigod, I laughed so hard at her comment. What a fun lady. Don't give him a single minute of your thoughts, you move on and plan for glory. Maybe someone else will be patient enough to explain to him about your surgery so he can be educated...maybe his head is too full and there is no room left for any knowledge. But, more importantly, you are thriving. You go, girl. Now, how would you spend that quarter you would get for shining his bald head???? LOL. What a hoot. Enjoy your success!!!!

Ryan, you did it again...your post had me reading with laughter through tears. I am so happy for you and Patty. I think 2005 is going to be a strong, healing year for you both. I will be praying for that for you lovely couple. "Bless her pointed little head"...I will remember that phrase when I will be following in your footsteps on Nov. 30, and they wake me to ask if I am sleeping okay. Omigod, you are so eliquent. Thanks for the insights, that will help to calm my fears. My husband cannot get off work as he missed so much time with his motorcycle accident recover this spring, we don't want to make waves as he carries this most wonderful insurance that is covering this for me. So thanksful for that opportunity. Anyway, I digress, my Mom is coming with me and will be so helpful. She is the most positive person I know. I love her dearly and appreciate her excitement for me to be healthy. Anyway, Ryan, I am thrilled to pieces for you. Please keep us posted. I will be waiting for my next great laughter through tears with your posts. You touch my heart and make me realize how fortunate each of us are to have the opportunity for this surgery and tool, to have each other to open up and share our lives, learn from, laugh with, and love. We are all truly blessed. So, the mystery has my mind spinning....what do your new initials mean under your picture? Please share... I am bursting with pride for you and much happiness. Your November band sister, Theresa Marie

Ditto to what every one else posted. I was thinking of you and hoping you would post today and let us know you are okay -- another successful bandster. You have to change those initials under your photo now for sure!!! I will be eagerly waiting for you to feel well enough to share your story with the Ryan twist to storytelling that only you can do. So happy for you and glad you are home. Rest well dear man. How wonderful that you are on your way!!!!! Take good care.

Ryan, I am so excited for you. You have worked so hard and jumped through so many hoops to get to this day before your surgery. I hope you can take all the best wishes and love that we all have for you with you into the surgery. I will be praying for a safe, smooth surgery and aftercare. Please post and let us know how you are as soon as you feel up to it. You are such a gifted and remarkable man. You deserve this opportunity to get the tool to help you soar with the eagles (not to mention buy smaller sized leathers for your motorcycle adventures in your future). Hold you head high, smile bright, and let the healing begin. Write to me band brother and let me know how you are. Blessing and hugs, Theresa Marie

Betty, thanks for sharing your photos with us. You gals are all fabulously beautiful. You looked like you were really sharing a fabulous time with new and now lifelong friends. What a beautiful place. I am glad you had the chance to do this. I could hear the laughter and feel the love!!!!

Leatha, Greg said it perfectly. You have always been beautiful -- now you are even more beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing your story and your photos. You inspire me. Thanks again for all you sharing of information, yourself, your story, photos, guidance, and support. You are an amazing woman and such a success story. I am so very proud of you and happy for you. Wow, truly amazing!!!!

Fran, congratulations!!! I am going to banded on November 30 and have found so much help and information from this board. Look back through all the old posts as there is a wealth of wisdom from all the adorable people who have gone before us on the band procedure. You will find not only information but support and love here for you and your journey. I look forward to seeing you posting and learning with us all as we start our journey to health, increased energy, more enjoyment from life. Welcome.

Leatha, as proud as I am for you, I have to tell you I became slightly frightened when you said a "cottage cheese test". I thought you were going to instruct us all to stand up and pinch some skin together on our thigh and let you know if we have cottage cheese thighs. HA Glad it was to test by eating a small amount of cottage cheese. I laughed at myself as I read your message and thought that. Not Leatha, she is too sweet to ask me to do something like the leg cottage cheese test. LOL. Hugs and best wishes to you.

That is so coooooool that you have lost 50% of your goal. And now you know that you have been losing inches instead of pounds. With working out, you woman of steel, you have built your muscle mass. Muscle weighs more than fat and muscle is our fat fighting friend. I am so proud of you. (I worked in marketing at NordicTrack, I know all the facts about exercise, just don't practice it -- HA.) Leatha, keep up the good work. I am so happy for you for your excellent fill. Keep us posted on your success. Go Leatha, go Leatha, go Leatha, go Leatha.

Oh, Teresa, I am sorry your fill did not work out. It is stressful driving in fog and I am sure that made you be on edge anyway. BUT, darling, I am so proud of you for losing 70 pounds. That is absolutely marvelous. The silver lining in this bad experience. Your first fill still awaits you. If you can lose 70 pounds without a fill, I am so eager for you to also get a fill and see your success grow. I hope next time (and hopefully soon) your drive will be a beautiful day and besides the fill, maybe you can do something extra special just for you to Celebrate your success. Keep your spirits up, you are doing marvelous girl!!!! Wow, I admire you. T

Greg, you are so funny. I think laughter is the best medicine. We all can share and cry and laugh together as we continue on our journeys of healing and losing weight. I think when we laugh together the calories expended are multiplied by the number of people laughing -- that is why you all are loosing weight so fast. I think it is wonderful. Let's keep laughing and losing!!!!

Greg, you are so funny. I think laughter is the best medicine. We all can share and cry and laugh together as we continue on our journeys of healing and losing weight. I think when we laugh together the calories expended are multiplied by the number of people laughing -- that is why you all are loosing weight so fast. I think it is wonderful. Let's keep laughing and loosing!!!!

Hi Penni, I am so glad to hear about Felix the Fish; I just know that one will be your favorite. What a cool thing to have come into your life right now right when you need brightness and healing. We have never met in person, I only know you here online. When I read your posts I think of you as you were in the fun pictures from your party in Vegas. You are a beautiful girl and I pray that you will heal and your face will once again be filled with joy and smiles as you were on that weekend. You are well loved in your home and in this family as well. I will hold you close in prayer and thought and ask God to send His love and healing to you. Congrats on your new walking time. I am reaching for my walking shoes right now -- I want to be like you Penni Girl!!!!!!!! Take care, Theresa Marie

Congratulations Blossom!!! I am so happy for you that you now banded and that it was such a smooth process for you. I wish you a speedy healing and happy days ahead. How nice your friends brought you a gift basket; it is okay that they do not know whay type of surgery -- just so you know you are loved and missed at work helps lift the spirits. Best wishes, Theresa Marie :banana

Marie, I was very touched by your post. You are the first to answer a new post and have always responded to any question I have had in a loving, positive, supportive manner. I hope you realize the most wonderful, gifted people hear with their heart. That is you!!!!! You are an angel and guide to us all. Know that you are loved for who you are -- just the way you are. I hope you will keep listening with your heart. Best to you and yours, Theresa Marie