jackie506

Hello my Lucky 7's. I am back and feeling better...illness wise anyway. I have to tell you lately I have been falling off the bandwagon but I am back up and getting on. I have been doing some 'soul searching' these past couple of days. We had my sons birthday party at the bowling alley yesterday and I done fine while there with a VERY small (2 bites) piece of cake. Then I came home and before I went to sleep last night I had eaten 2 more. I thought 'what the hell is the matter with you Jackie?!" You have come so far to sabatoge yourself now. Scolded myself SEVERAL times while laying in bed last night and then again today. I told my hubby and son today that I really don't want the cake in the house because I am terrible with it and it is just tempting me. My daughter was gone so she wasn't here. I told them that the band banded my stomach but my head won't shut off. This is the worst week ever to have it also because flo is here. :cheers2: Anyway, I ate my WW soup for lunch and will be having it for supper again. I have been over eating because I have been feeling down and blah blah blah but honestly there is no excuse. I need to get over it. That is why I was the size that I was. So today I am taking control of this thing again. I have been letting it take control and it just isn't working. Luckily I have only gained 2 lbs but 2 lbs is 2lbs farther away from goal. I am going back to the gym and getting back into the game. Love the elliptical but I am selling it because honestly I am just not accountable if I am doing this at home. If the weather was nicer I would walk outside daily just like I was but it is winter in Iowa and every other day we are getting snow and it is soooo cold. I have a friend that goes to the Y also and lots of times we were there at the same time. I seen her and she asked why I don't come anymore. I had no reason. Friday my son and I went to Walmart. I hadn't eaten anything all day and I was starving because it was 4pm. I was not going to buy anything that was bad so I went and bought a small container of fresh cut fruit. On the way home I was eating my fruit and my dh called me. I was eating talking to him and he asked me a question and at the same time I started to slime. I was trying to swallow what was in my mouth and answer him at the same time because he said what? and then what again. All of a sudden I was sliming terrible going down the interstate. I had to quickly pull over tossed the cell to my son and he is says mom are you ok? and I threw the door open and ran to the side of the ditch to 'get rid of it'. My gosh that is the worst I have ever felt. Lesson learned? Don't try to hurry myself when eating exspecially when I am starved and eating way to fast stuffing food. :ohmy:

Phyl- so sorry to hear of the gain. I am one that is ALWAYS at least 2 pounds heavier at night. NO matter what!! I always weigh immediately once I get up in the am. Then I take my morning lasic and wait for 2-2 and 1/2 hours a weigh again. I retain fluid daily. I always have and don't know why. Hang in there!! On another note I am glad to hear that your aunt is doing better. Keep us posted and you and your family are in my prayers.

Hey everyone!!! Sorry I have been MIA. I am still dealing with the cold/sinus crap from last week. Still haven't kicked it. I tell you it is really kicking my butt. I am soooo tired. I haven't exercised at all this past week. Have to admit that I haven't been being the best bandster either. I have still been weighing daily. Thank GOD I haven't gained and have maintained the same 2-3 lb range. I need to get moving again. I increased my Vitamins and doc gave me another round of antibiotic but he told me I can try this round but he thinks this is just viral and will have to run its course. The weather here in Iowa is CRAP!! Every other day we are getting snow. I am sick of it!!! Can't wait til spring and summer again and to be moving around OUTSIDE! I am so much better with staying on track in the nicer weather. I know it sounds like an excuse but honestly it is true. Phyl- I hope your aunt is doing better. I am thinking of you. Janet-Take it easy tonight. You deserve it. Take care. HUGS!! Steph-loved the story about your "smarty pants" You are hilarious. Peaches- so glad to hear that you still have restriction. Does that mean you won't have to have surgery again? I know that so many more have posted I just can't remember who posted what. SORRY!!! I want to tell each and everyone of you that you are all doing so well and I am soooooo proud of you!! I need to get on more and talk to you all and get myself back onto the band wagon. You are all such an inspiration to me and keep me focused when I am here regularly. Happy Valentines to all my banded friends!!!! Don't eat to much chocolate!!

Thank you all for your support. It means so much to me. I think I am just feeling run down because I can't get over this crud!! I made myself get up and get the whole house cleaned top to bottom today and then I went and cleaned my car before going to he doc. I have brochitus (sp?) and I am now on another new antibiotic. Still don't feel real well but I think I sweat my fever out today while I was cleaning. Now I am really tired. Just got home and going to take a long hot shower and then into comfy clothes and back to bed. Janet- the question about the potty. Sorry TMI- I just talked to doc about that because I am going 5-6 days in between and then I am getting such terrible stomach ache and have to take milk of mag or mag citrate to get things moving. I am supposed to increase fiber intake and start using my benefiber every day again. I really have no excuse for not using it anyway because I have plenty of it I just forget. Aunt flo causes problems in this area also for a week and a half two weeks before she arrives. Peaches- I took your advise and while I waited for the pharmacy to fill my script I went to a soy candle outlet we have locally from a candle factory in town. Got out of there about an hour after going in and had $147.00 worth of candles!! I couldn't believe it!! LOL That is ok though because it was buy one and get one free so I actually have almost $300 worth of candles. MMMMM they smell soooooo good!! Hows that for doing something nice for myself. LOL Ok I better get. I'm getting woozy from the cough syrup. Better go shower and hit the bed. Hey I like this stuff though. Not hacking constantly.

Ok so it is time for me to fess up. I have not been posting lately because I have been on this damn plateau and the weight goes from 197-202. I am so angry!! I am getting really discouraged lately. The last two months the weight loss has slowed so much that I am losing my motivation. I admit that I am not even exercising like I used to. I am so discouraged. I do not need a fill either. I have restriction. I don;t know what the hell is wrong. I am really hoping it is because I am getting ready for flo to rear her head again. I usually get stuck and fluctuate 3-5 lbs 2 weeks prior so I am hoping that I will start losing again once she shows. I need some major encouragement from all of you. I used to post all the time but as I said lately I have been so discouraged. This weight thing and damn cold/cough crud is about driving me nuts!!

The one in the gray (before pic) was taken 8 days before band surgery in July 07. The other one was taken tonight Feb 5, 2008.

I too have sleep apnea. When I was diagnosed and given my c-pap before surgery the sleep clinic tech told me that after losing some weight I would probably need titrated again. He told me some people need their settings changed after losing 20 pounds and some other can stay the same but if I found that I was not able to sleep real well or that the air flow seemed to be uncomfortable to come back. I was told I had to go to the sleep clinic again though. I do not use the c-pap anymore. It is in the closet. They told me that since losing weight I seem to be doing fine but if I start having head aches in the am or feel really tired all the time again or anyone noticing me gasping for air in the night I should start using it again. I would ask your doc about it.

Janet you look GREAT!!! What a difference!! Congratulations!! Steph- Those nights with the family really help sometimes. It is great to see you got to spend some quality time and are feeling better. Peaches-how are you doing? Still feeling restriction? I never remember who posted what when I get here. Everyone else that has posted from your posted you seem to be doing wonderful. I have been sick the past almost week now. Cold and cough crud. Still not getting over it. I have noticed that my band has tightened since becoming sick. Not to the point of pbing but it is tighter. Actually kind of hoping to keep the restriction I have. Well I am off to post pictures in the other thread and then to take some more cough meds and back to bed. Night all

CONGRATULATIONS OF YOUR DECISION TO GET HEALTHIER!!! I was banded last July by Dr G. The whole staff is wonderful!! I agree with lorsbander that Angie is totally awsome!! She is a wonderful support! How are you doing?

Mango I am so sorry about the itching. I was alergic to a medicine they gave me one time and I tell you I thought I was going out of my mind!! Have you talked to your doc yet?

No there is no 'cure for HPV. HPV never goes away once you have it. That is what my GYN told me. The symptoms if you have any may go away and it will lay dormant but it never actually goes away.

Here's something I don't get: Several of you are talking about wearing size 12's. We're all at about the same place weight-wise, and height-wise, but I'm maybe a 16. I bought a pair of Calvin Klein jeans in a 16 and there is no way thoes things are going to meet on top. Even the thighs are tight. Granted, I am big boned (size 11 shoe--OK? there's NOTHING small or even average about me--well, ok I'm 5'6, that's average), but still, size 12 is totally out there for me. I have some XL tops that fit well, but mostly still 1X is better. What's with that? Linda- We are here for you anytime you want to come b@#ch, scream, cry, yell or laugh. We love ya!!!:tongue: I don't get all the size differences either. I can wear a 12 in Levi Staus but a 14 in my levi red tabs. Guess which ones I wear most. :biggrin: I am 5'3. Everyone is built different and carries their weight different. I have always distributed (that makes it sound like I had control. LOL) my weight evenly. I am also losing the weight evenly all over. I think that helps. I don't know. Hang in there. You will get into those 12's. To me since I am a 'shorty' I am thinking you have to look really good in a 16. My GF had gastric by pass and she is 5'6 and she is wearing a size 16 and she weighs 174 and I think she looks great but was surprised when she told me she wears 16 and not smaller. Who knows?!

Marcy congrats on the NSV with the towel. Aren't the little things what mean the most. Funny how much we appreciate something that others take for granted and actually probably never have given a thought too. Don't know if I could eat the dishes you did but glad you liked it. Glad you didn't get stuck and enjoyed yourself. Sounds like Andrew is paying a little more attention these days. What a wonderful experience we are all having!!

Happy Birthday Janet!!!

Hi everyone!! Sorry for all the posts. Just trying to catch up today!! Today has been one of those head hunger days. I thought I was hungry ALL day long but when I would ask myself are you REALLY hungry the answer was always NO. It is about a week and a half before aunt flo and she starts sending me her telegraphs announcing her pending arrival around this time each month and all I want to do it eat. I don't eat much but still I want to eat and every little bit adds up. I do not think I have been getting enough calories. Haven't done very well counting this past week but have barely eaten much each day. My fill is tight but I am ok with it. I am not uncomfortable or anything unless I try to push it. Tonight at supper I ate about 1/4 of a cup of the 1 cup of food I had on my plate and tried to eat more but I was just full. Couldn't finish. I know I have eaten more today than other days because I have snacked (good snacks) 3 times today. I got on the scale tonight and I am down another pound. My body must need that jump start to get me going again. So I am going to try to increase my calories tomorrow again too and see what happens. We are waiting for a winter storm once again in Iowa. Supposed to get 5-6 inches of snow again tomorrow and then the blowing wind. Guess that means I will be working from home tomorrow. That is ok though I like days like that because they are so relaxing. LOL I 'll get up in the am and do my daily sweeping, vacuuming and dusting and then I will maybe make some soup to stew all day and get on here. :tt1:

Katrina- LOOK AT YOU!!! You look fabulous. What a difference!! Your doing wonderful. Congratulations!!!

Salsa- Count me in too. I want to be in the family!!! :tt1: Maybe your older sister. LOL Congrats on the running!! I hope to be running again too. I had lost alot of weight about 7 years ago and I started to run. Stopped running grew roots setting on the couch and gained ALL the weight and then some. This time once I get to running I am going to keep on running and just not stop like Forrest Gump. LOL :frown:

Marcy thank you so much. I really do feel like a whole new person. I am much happier. I find that things don't affect me like they used to be and I like being out and about more. Happiness matters to me also. I want to be able to smile and look into a camera now. :frown:

Linda I am sorry you are feeling so miserable. Sounds like your family needs to wake up and see what you do. Your daughter in law should have known that you were going to be excited. ITS YOUR FIRST GRANDCHILD!!! You have grandmothers bragging rights as my mom calls them. Have you talked with your doctor about the reflux at night? My doc told me that reflux can cause damage so if I have it at all I am to call them. I take pepcid 2 times a day. I always took nexium before surgery because of Gurd so bad and now when I went in last week she asked me if I have been having reflux and I told her no so she told me I do not need to refill my pepcid. I am really worried about going without it because I SUFFERED terrible with reflux all my life and now I don't have it and I am afraid if I quit taking my medicine that it will come back. I think I am going to refill it 'just in case' so I have it on hand. I was also told nothing to eat 3 hours before bed because that causes reflux for me. Believe me there are nights that is really hard to accomplish!! :tt1: Take care Lindaa and hugs to you.

Ruby- We got a WII for christmas too. I love it!!! I found out the other day that in March there is a game for the wii that is for fitness. It has a step stool for aerobics, counts calories burned and etc. I can't wait. The guy told me it is going to be about $70.00 I figure if it is something that I can get exercise and the kids can too I will buy it. We have a lot of fun.

My battery lasts usually about 2-2 1/2 weeks. I bought the display with mine and I only upload about every 2 weeks. I try to keep track of my calory intake on my own and then I have the display to tell me my burned calories. I honestly think it is something to do with the batteries. I have had a couple of times that I put BRAND NEW OUT OF THE PACK batteries in and they lasted 1 day and then a couple others were 3-4 days. Just a thought. How do you like your bugg? I still love mine. Feel naked without it. I took it off for New Years eve night, the only night I have gone with out it in 4 months and I felt ackward. HAHA

Phyl you look wonderful!!! The jeans look great on you! Salsa- so glad your BF is going with you. Sorry about your dad not making it. I know what you are talking about with the evil step mom trying to make sure to much of a bound is made. It is a VERY long story but I have the same. Dad has a second family (26 years ago they got married). We have always maintained contact but it is has been a strained relationship. My full biological brother and sister have no relationship with my dad now. I refused to give into her so I take her with a grain of salt and just never 'went away' like my siblings did. I will do what I have to do to maintain that relationship with my dad. I know he loves me and it hurts him that my siblings don't call or come down to see him. He talks to them when he is in Iowa which is about once every 2-3 years. I call him 2 times a week and we go there about 2-3 times a year. Good luck and hugs to you. Thank you all for the compliments! When I went to the PA at the surgeons office last Wednesday she said 'girl you have a whole new make-over going on look at you!!' My hair is longer now and I did that shadowing underneath and even wore my glasses!!! I NEVER where my glasses. I always wear my contacts but like I told you all before my contact got ripped and I ordered last week and still don't have them. I have gotten lots of compliments this week on my 'new look'. I do feel alot more confident lately. I have noticed the last couple of times when we go out that some people that we have known and not seen for a while give me a second look and even a couple second and third looks coupled with a little flirting from others. Now I am married and don't plan to leave the hubby but I have to say DAMN it feels good to be noticed a little. LOL I told hubby that and he just laughs. Last night I put my favorite pair of capris on that I had worn before surgery. OMG!! I walked out into the living room where hubby was and he laughed so hard he had tears rolling. They were falling off if I didn't hold onto the waist band. Then we went down to in laws so that I could show them. MIL said 'OMG!! Look at that!' It was fun to be able to 'see' the difference in the clothes I wore 'then' and now. I will always keep that pair of capris and my largest pair of jeans I ever wore to remind myself of the difference in before and after. I know I can see it now but it is amazing to me to really put it into respective and see it when holding up those jeans and todays jeans. :cursing:

Hey everyone. Sorry I have been MIA. Don't really have a reason. I check everyday and read the posts but haven't posted myself. It has now been 6 months and 3 days. I didn't get my six month pictures taken right on my aniversary so I took them today and amposting. The first is 8 days before my surgery and the other is today. I can definately tell the difference. Let me know what you think.

Kathy- I am soooooo sorry to hear of your dad passing. You and your family are in my prayers. Keep visiting and let us know how you are doing. Take care!