GrizGirl

Hi All- I think I've hit the magical (for me) 50 pound mark..I too made it through the holidays. Didn't lose, but didn't gain either!! I've been hitting the gym 3 times a week since late July. I am wearing sizes that I haven't seen in 10+ years. My hubby says I seem like a happier person. I've got more confidence than I've had in years also. I really didn't think this was an issue..I know now I feel more at ease and more comfortable in meetings (at work) My goal is to drop 35 pounds by August 1, 2006. I've got a raft trip planned then, and I for once do not want to cringe when I see the pictures. All my best to everyone, Sal

Here Here to a good fitting bra (with padded shoulder straps) Also--I seem to have become a jean addict. I went to Old Navy--Like Lisa--bought two pair of the same size (16Long) and Style. Also--I seem to have a huge number of black V-Neck T-shirts.

I didn't use the old boppy for its intended purpose..It was great for Sophie when she was learning to sit up, and I often times I would sit her in it to feed her.

The boppy pillow is great. I always needed onesies. I considered them disposable. When a diaper overflows its' boundaries, and you've got baby poop up one side and up the other, I just considered those onesies as one big disposable diaper wipe. Also, I always like jammies with zippers that ran from neck down one leg to the foot. Zippers were much easier for me than the thousand tiny snaps on some of the jammies.

I do have a drink now and then. It's usually just wine now. I never thought I'd say it, but I've truly lost the taste for beer. Tried a few post banding--just didn't taste good anymore. Could be the fact that it too takes me about 3 hours to finish a beer. I do like Mikes hard lemonade when I golf. It seems like the rough ride in the golf cart shakes the bubbles out, but again I do just sip on one (or maybe two) during 18 holes. Sal

I'm with Vines (except for the sun & smoke thing) I actually have and appoinment next week regarding a Breast Reduction/Lift. I saw my band Dr. briefly last week and mentioned that I was going to see a Doc about the boobs. He said I should also talk to them about my stomach. He said regardless of crunches/sit ups, I will have the loose skin I've got hanging around my belly. If I do go the way of the breast reduction, it makes sense for me to have work done on my stomach at the same time. We'll see after next weeks' appoinment. Sal

Hot Damm girl. I'm thrilled for you. I too wrangled with my insurance company (BC/BS of New Jersey) for about 8 months. I felt like jumping up on my desk & yelling when I finally recieved the letter telling me that yep, the surgery was medically necessary. I know I was hyperventilating! This is WONDERFUL NEWS!

Chiming in...I am a big ole gal too. Try womens size twelve shoes..wrist of just under 8 inches. My twin and I have the same bone structure. Now my older sister has tiny wrists, ankles and feet--Suzy and I have always teased her about being adopted/having a different father etc....You can tell she's our sibling though by the size of her rack. Anyhow, I, like Vines think that 200 would be a good goal. See you how feel when you get there. I know I looked pretty darn good at about 200 pounds. I am shooting for 175-180. I'm at about 231 now, and I just bought a new pair of jeans at Old Navy--16Long--Down from the 20W I bought last year.

For Lack of a better title! Who's got the skinny on boob jobs? I want some length taken off of my when I get nearer to goal. I'm curious what the cost of a boob lift is and what the likliehood of any insurance company covering any portion of if it's deemed medically necessary. I don't know why they would deem a boob job for me medically necessary unless I keep tripping on them and skinning my knees. Maybe not skinning my knees because my boobs are nearly hanging down as low as my knees. You get the picture.

Hi Everybody, thanks for all of the thoughtful posts. Yes, Paula, please do PM with some names. I appreciate it. I do have an initial consultation with a surgeon who a dear friend used for her reduction. The appoinment is scheduled for January 25. I'll let you all know how it goes. Thanks Sal

I'm in the "tell all" group. My family knew what I was going to do and was very supportive. I selectively told work folks ( and they told two friends, etc) I really felt like I was eating in a fishbowl for the first couple of months. I work in about a 90% male environment and as alot of you know, their memories tend to be short so, where there was interest in the beginning about portions and what I was eating, they have mostly seem to have forgotten I've had anything done.

My heart goes out to you..Hugs and healing in the New Year. I'm glad that you've been so active in seeking help for your daughter. You and your daughter are in my prayers. Sal

Oh Karen, we must be living parallel lives. I was amazed how much I could eat (and did) on New Years Eve. Ribs and Mac & Cheese, (The good home made kind) assorted appetizers and a multitude of other crap. Well, ever since then, my band has been rebelling. I too can't seem to make it a day without a PB..The worst was last night. I am doing liquids today and tomorrow to see if I can't get the old stoma to settle on down a bit. Hang in there. Sal

You know, I find this happens to me when I take a tylenol. It's wierd. I've never had a problem (physical or mental) with taking any kind of pills or capsules. I will put one tylenol in my mouth and take a sip of Water and almost gag. It seems like the pill will just adhere to the top of my mouth. I really have to think about swallowing to get it down. Now, why won't that same thing happen when I've got Hershey kisses in my mouth?

Got my check yesterday...I really didn't expect to see it. What a pleasant surprise.

What great news. Thanks for the update. You continue to inspire! All the best in the New Year! Can't wait to hear how the Personal Trainier works out..

I did a barium swall directly, and I mean directly after surgery. I rememeber being in the recovery room and then in the X-Ray Lab. The most exciting (?!) thing about the barium swallow was that they tilted the bed I was on upright, granted I was still strapped in, but I felt like I was on some kind of horrid ride. This was really, IMHO the worst part of the whole surgery!

A small insight to what I find funny. This cartoon nearly had me wetting my pants. Bigfoot.pdf

Thanks for posting this. I had my husband hide the scale (digital) a while back. Well I found it.. It is simply amazing how a stupid number on a machine can completely dictate my mood. This post has me ready to resolve to hide the damm thing again!:ogre

I am in! See you all around 10:30. Got a potluck at work around 11:30, but I will be there! Sal

Congrats!! I love that you took a picture of your scale!!!

Morning--Kashi Go-Lean Crunch-aka Colon blow cereal-tough to get down this morning. The chocolate covered mint grahams crackers on the back table at work? Slide right on down like buttah!

HAHAHA I actually have "Village Idiot" bumper sticker on my car! I used to have a bumper sticker that said "Democrats are sexy-Ever heard of anybody wanting a piece of elephant?"

Hi there! I will take ibruprofen occasionally. It is on the list of meds not to take though. I guess it rather inflammatory to the pouch. Tylenol doesn't seem to do a damm thing for me. I know when I do take ibuprofen, I make sure to drink plenty of Water with them..Just a mental thing I guess..I like to think that by drinking a ton of water with them, I am washing them through my pouch into my stomach. I had sciatica when I was pregnant. It is absolutely horrible. Hope you're feeling better. S.

Hi everybody. I was wondering if anyone can relate. I am one of those who went through the buffet line twice when they were passing out boobies. Some of the poundage I've lost has come out of the boobs. They are getting longer by the day. The thing is, they, along with my tummy itch like crazy. This has been going on for about a month +. I actually went to the Doctor about it and went through the whole drill about whether or not I'm using (soap/detergent) or eating anything different--I'm not. Anybody else had anything similar?