Infaith

{{{{Crystal}}}} Hugs to you! Take care and hope you feel better soon.

WHOOWHEE Michelle! You have SOOOO earned it!

I love my band...don't get me wrong. I would never have made it this far without my little helper. But sometimes I get so frustrated. I know I have good restriction and I'm happy with that, but then WHAM! I got sick with the stuffy head, coughing achey stuff and my band closed up tight so I have to work at even getting my liquids down. When I had to get a bit of an unfill a couple weeks back, my fill doc said that me working nights 3-4 days (excuse me nights) of the week and then turning around to be a normal person of sleeping at night on my days off will keep my hormones on the upheaval quite a bit and hense...affects my band. It's a touchy little thing ain't it? But on the flip side...my goal was to get to 250 by my son's graduation from college. He's graduating on Saturday and I'm at 251.5 (on my scale AND the doctor's scale) so I count myself as having that goal. WHOOWHEE!

Thanks everybody for the support! Crystal...you are such a doll for worrying about me. I actually have been enjoying my schedule. It's much more laid back at night. I am under so much less stress than my previous job that my cycles are actually better! I start work on Sunday nights at 6:45 pm and work until 7:15 am Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday (finishing up my week Wednesday morning). This is every other week. My long week I work Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday finishing up my work week Thursday morning. When I finish my week, I just take care of me (long hot bath, nap off and on during the day). I don't have a SO and my boys are off at college (actually my youngest will be moving back but will most likely working the same schedule I do) so I don't work around anybody else in the house. I just feel so much more freedom with this schedule. Thanks for the concerns! Love you guys!

Wahooo.....stepped on the scale this morning after work and I'm down to 249.5! Yeah....I officially made it!

We love you too!

I second all that Jack said! Heather-give yourself a break. This too will pass. Plus us here in Oregon are looking forward to you moving up here!

Jonathan-I'm sorry about the divorce....never an easy thing. I'm proud of you though. You're moving forward in a positive way. Praise GOD! Take care and we're always here for you.

Of course Jonathan!!!

A great big CONGRATS on losing the 35 pounds! As for your hubby...what can I say...he's male and they're idiots and extremely insecure most of the time. I worry that it won't get better, but worse as you lose more weight. I know if I had ventured to do this while married, my then husband would have probably reacted the same as yours and the more I lost, the more insecure and critical he would be come. I hope the best for you and pray he realizes that he is married to a beautiful, strong, intelligent woman that he should feel lucky to be hooked up with.

Hey Teresa....found the Slow Churned stuff at Safeway...buy one, get one free. My son and mom even liked it!

I agree with Michelle (LaMadam). I was one of those that said....I would never go to such drastic measures and especially go to Mexico for my surgery. My sister wanted me to go with her last year (in June) and was very caring and cautious how she approached me. After I said no, she left me alone about it and let me come to her. After watching her for a few months and the success she was having I started asking more and more questions. By November I made the phone call to ask her if she wanted to go with me to Tijuana to see Dr. Ortiz. It was the best decision I have ever made regarding my health, but I had to come into my own about it. You've said your peace, now do what you have to do and let him see what it does for you. Take care!

Actually Wed 6/15 1 PM works good for me too. That will be my short week and I start my weekend that morning so no worries of going to work that night.

I'm so sad...can't open the movie!

Hey Jack, I work nights so yeah...can fit in a mid-day meeting. That week is my long week (I'll come home Thursday morning to start my weekend). But on the 8th (what time is your appt in Portland? If you get a fill, will you be able to eat?) I can go home and sleep until noon....meet like at 12:30 or so (think the Coburg place is only open til 2...Teresa?) and then come home and rest up a bit more before work at 6. Otherwise I always have Fridays off and all day on Thursday...every other one. Let me know.

WHOOWHEE Trish! I'm so happy for you. The sun is shining on you....enjoy it and all it brings!

Teresa....oh wow....yeah, I've tried that slow churned stuff and it's awesome! In the past I've never been a big ice cream person, but it's now my treat of choice. Jack, Teresa.....is there another get-together going to happen?

I'm one of those with a weird schedule too. I head to work at 6 pm and don't get off until 7 am. Sleep from about 8 am to whenever...usually about 2 (sometimes earlier and then take an hour nap before work). But then on my 3-4 days off I try to be a "normal person and sleep at night. "Normal" person days...it takes me awhile before I can eat. Usually start with coffee or hot tea. Then a couple hours later will have something (egg substitute/veggies or protein bar). But then a lot of days I won't have "breakfast food" since I'm so messed up on what time it is!

I'm 45 with 19 & 21 year old sons both at college. Had to get a little dog when they both left. Makes me feel like the little old lonesome lady talking to my dog!

You are so right Trish..my sister gets so angry with the way people treat me...as if I am below them and sometimes as if I'm not even there. It's amazing how the bigger we are, the more invisible we become to the world. Sad-it also their loss as I know (as we all know) many extremely intelligent, ambitious, beautiful people who just happen to be fat.

Hey Bandit...I hadn't really thought about it, but you're right. Don't think there are a lot of us single gals here...a few, but definitely NOT the majority.

Best wishes to you Ron! This is a wonderful thing you are doing for yourself. Speedy recovery!

Hooray Alex! What a great feeling and NSV!

I am so happy! My scale hit under 260 today! Haven't seen those numbers in a very long time. I know my restriction is pretty high right now and changing jobs has made it harder to eat so I eat when I can and whatever I can get down. Some days I just concern myself more with getting my liquids and Water in than anything else. NSVs: 1. My attitude toward food is finally changing. I used to plan and think about what I would eat the next time I had opportunity to eat. Now, food is NOT my main concern with life. Plus I know now that if I feel uncomfortable after only 2 bites, it's OKAY to stop (and definitely is in my best interest). 2. Went to a concert of a friend last Saturday night and was told by several people (including one that doesn't really like me that much) that I looked fantastic. 3. Have had a few guys from my new place flirt with me (and we can't wear makeup or hairspray so I don't look my best when I'm there). 4. Started wearing size 20 jeans (even without elastic waistbands). At my surgery weight of 299, I was wearing 26/28 WITH elastic waists. 5. Employee at a nearby store stopped me to say I had lost a lot of weight how did I do it. Yes, I told her. 6. I can sit on the floor cross-legged now! I have always been limber, but couldn't do this because my stomach was in the way and balance was way off. 7. I can get into my mom's car without having to slide the seat back to accomodate my size. My stomach doesn't rub the steering wheel anymore!! 8. I am now working a job at nights from 6:45 pm to 7:15 am and even though I'm not on my feet all night like some are....I never could have done this kind of work 40 pounds ago. 9. Been doing home improvement stuff and am not afraid to get on step stools anymore. Was afraid of my balance being off and of breaking the darn thing! 10. Feeling so much more confident. I don't walk with my head down anymore. I'm sure there are many more, but these are the ones that really inspire me right now. Thank you! I love my band!

Get this....saw the mother of my son's friend tonight after we took pictures of them off to prom. I told her about my band (she knew about my sister's) and then she asked..."have you lost any weight?" Wanted to deck her 'cause everybody else seems to have noticed!