IndioGirl55

Thanks getthin :0) Becky - Yes you lost well after sugery and that's why my doc won't fill either - but since you haven't lost as much in this last month he should give you a little fill- you just have to talk to him and tell hime that you are using a lot of will power right now and that you would like a little more help from your tool - tell him you know it's about good food choices but that you got banded as you needed the help of the tool.. Tell him you ate the corn dog - that in it self should convience him to give you a fill OK on you dinner - I think thats a normal amount of food but again I don't want to eat only 1/4 to 1/2 cup per meal - I want a mini meal. for lunch I had tostada 1 corn tortilla - 1/4 c Beans 1/4 chicken and a sprinkle of ff cheese. 265 cal - and will have the same for dinner and I could have eaten more too - but I know the diff now between just wanting to eat cuz it taste good vs being hungry,, Be paitent you are doing great - just talk to your doctor honestly... Make him listem..

Denise - I think it's a school policy to suspend both - it's just something I don't understand - Like I said - I don't evny your job.. Thats right right before we went on our trip you were talking about being worried about your band - have you talked to them about fluro or an endcosopy (sp)??

Hey Sandi - Don't cut yourself short - you can make the changes - heck you have been going through this whole thing for a year now... You can make the changes.. For me honeslty it hasn't been that hard - but again I had my "ah ha moment" when I decided to have major frickin surgery to get control of my weight.. You can do this - and you may have a slip now and then - but the most important thing is to realize this and learn from them... Good Luck and Welcome our thread

Lori The words and thought are for everyone really - as I said in a post I was typing as you were posting this one - we are all the same. I am glad you are better - ya I hate pain meds too - they make you feel out of sorts and they don't let you sleep well. Congrats on the 2x falling off that's a great NSV - and get the tired by the time you got dresses. Heck I don't have the excuse of surgeyr - I did change out of jammies to house dress and brushed my teeth - but that's all I have done today...

ok here are some more stuff I was just thinking about as I was cooking - to give you a little more insight on how I am wired or just how to think about things. I took care of my parents (step-mom & my Dad) for the last 6 months of their lives. My step mom her funeral was 5/15/92 my Dad never got out of the limo at her services he couldn't breath - he ended up in the hospital and stayed there for the last month of his life in ICU (he died 6/15) My Aunt who is a very good Catholic said "why did God make my Dad go through all that pain and surgery and he still let him die" Ya I thought that too but in the next second I thought to myself - God has given me this life challenge to learn from not to pity myself or my loss - this was a learning experience (you gotta understand this being said I was/am a daddy's girl) but I found out that by me taking care of my parents and giving back to them for all that they gave me helped me in my grief at the lost of them. My Dad taught me that you can't let stuff that happens hold you back from becoming a good person - Ya we all don't have perfect childhoods - but are we going to blame the rest of our lives on one bad experience - not - pull up those bootstraps and move forward. I use to be a big Oprah fan cuz she is all about the pull up the bootstraps and self help issues (well I was till she spoke out against WLS and saying it's the easy way out - Heck she would be a great canidiate for the lapband) ok back to what I was going to say - you remember all the hoopla about "The Secret" When I watched that show - I said ' that's no secert that's how I already think.. I guess I had missed my chance at makeing a million dollars.. Maybe I should write a book I say i am not a victim or hate being one - the whole woe is me thing - I got out of a bad relationship where I was abused and I knew that I was better than than - I excelled at my job (I am only a high school grad but took baccalaureate classes for initials behind my named for my job) I bought a house - I may have had a kid at 16 but even at that age I was - I am going to show you kind of person - this isn't going to ruin my life.. I have done well at all those things - but I used food as my comfort reward all those year - I have a lot of addiction issue in my family and have had alot of pple I know be alcoholics or drug addict - Well, I never became one of those - I refused to .. But I was a person with addiction - it was food.. Just like the alcoholics thinks they are better than a druggie a foodie thinks they don't have a problem at all... DENIAL !!!!! For any of you have dealt with a drug addict or alcoholic - take what you know about those dieasesan apply it to your disease of obesity - Yes obesity is a disease it's just that society doesn't look at it that way.. The band in my methadone - my antibuse - it's my helper.. I have my helper (my band and no I haven't named it) but the rest is up to me - I have to take responsiblity for my actions (eating & exercise) be it doing it properly or not at all... I have no excuses anymore - I have gotten the help and now its up to me to do the work.. The work involved is mostly mental but we mistake (and I still do today) those head hunger issues as real physical hunger issue - it is something I struggle with right this very second - but I don't give in and if I just can't hold out anylonger - it's something like a sf fudgecicle - popcorn or sf pudding ... Now when I want to eat - I get on the computer - I play with my dogs - I go in the bathroom and give myself a facial, I will call a friend.. I find something to distract myself... Ok timer going off - my dinner is going to burn - but just wanted to share some of my random thoughts...... Off the soap box for now :youcandothis: oh ya don't have time to proof - so I hope it makes sense

You guys are making me cry - I am not band godess - I am just a 53 yrs chick who has been overweight since childhood (was thin for about a second 16 to 23) but I am no diff than any of you. I just read alot of self help stuff (not that I have always used it but it has made me very aware of things in my live) I am just a little insightful and have a pretty good understanding of my feelings and am not afarid to share them... I'm just not arfaird to speak my mind - cuz throughout the years I have found that we really all think the same thoughts - I don't care of you never graduated HS or have a Harvard education - we are all the same basically.. I have suffered being from being fat - I have put others needs before mine, I have suffered abuse at the hands of a man - I have experienced the loss of loved ones in my life (15 when my Mom died). I have been on my own since I was 16 and had my son.. I have worked since I was 19 Life happens we all have crap happend to us - but I am just not one of those pple who play the victim part - I am not oh woe is me - but I was being a victim - I was woe is me when it came to being fat - It's to hard to lose weight - I can't do it alone - who cares you have to love me the person.. Well you know what most of that is crap - except for the part about needed help - I did need help the band was the help I needed - so now it's up to me to do the rest - I REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM OF MY FATNESS ANY LONGER... But thanks ladies for your kind words - and yes even at our age we can continue to grow.. Heck in my brain I still think I am 16 and all that and a bag of chips - it just my body that has betraded me - as they say youth is wasted on the young

Wanda Sorry about the blood clot.. There are pple here who don't exercise and still have lost weight.. But IMHO the band is more than just a portion control tool - it's about changing your lifestyle for a lifetime which includes exercise. As fat chick exercise is the worse 4 letter word in the whole wide world (yes I know it has more than 4 letters but you get my drift:lol:) I am not a doc and don't know anything about blood clots - but I would ck with your doctor - is a 20-30 walk considered strenous exercise - just cuz you had one blood clot does that mean you can never exercise?? You need some direction from your doctor here You gave only had one fill - and it usually takes more than one to get to your sweet spot (aka proper restriction) If you don't have good restriction when you are eating hard proteins - then call your doc and schedule yourself for another fill. Your band is only a tool and it's not going to be working at it's full potential until you have gotten proper restriction. As to the band is not over-rated IHMO it's not but it's not properly advertized as I feel that it doesn't explain that alot of head work is needed also.. I had researched the band prior to surgery and the ladies her who posted at time on this tread told me it was only a tool (they warned me not to think it was the magical cure to my issues with food)- but so did my surgeon so for me going in I never have relied on my band to make my food choices or exercise. The only thing the band is going to do for you once you have proper restriction is going to control your portions - but even then you can eat around your band by always eating soft/mushie foods that are high calories (slider foods ice cream, cookie, potato chips) On the exercise issue I didn't start out doing anything harder than walking 20 to 30 minutes on the treadmil doing a 25 minute mile... That was hard enought at 250 lbs - as I lost the weight the longer and faster I went. I only did the treadmil for the first 8 months then I got a trainer and now do weights twice a week and cardio twice a week - But yes the band is not the magic cure all to our issue with food - What you need to do is - schedule another fill and talk to your doctor about the exercise issue.. Make good food choices and if you slip up - pull up those bootstraps and move foward.. You can do this... You really can.. You just gotta get your mind into the game.. Hugs

Yep like girdle's but not our mothers girdles - google lipo in a box heres a link High Waist Brief, lipoinabox.comor spanx's SPANX - Body Shapers: View All Body Shapers: Hide & Sleek Hi-Rise Panty- flexe has some too.. I wear the high waisted ones - I turned on some of my lucky #7s to them when we were on our m of a trip - Peaches9 now swears by them.. I wore them at 250 cuz they helped the back fat issues I had - I am hypercritcal of my body - I look at so many pple in the world and think did they look in the mirror before they walked out the door.. I have a gf at work who is plump - she wears her clothes too tight and rolls show - so i try and dress to play up my good parts and play down my bad parts - I am a big not what to wear fan...

Here is something I read in Ladies Home Journel right now as I wait for pages to load Artical by Dr Phil - Free yourself from Fear.. We aren't talking about fear of spiders etc but about the stonach turning realization that just about every major decision you've ever made has been to please, appease or somehow meet the needs of everyone - except yourself. You must decide that it is your turn and that you fear continuing on the same path you have been on more than you fear changing. This just encapsulated what I was trying to convey in some of my little (well ya long post).. For me this is my time - all my life has been about someone else - for me my 50's are about me and getting this tool has helped me with the changes that need to be made in order to fully live the life that I deserve for however long I have left.. 7 Steps to a fearless life Decice what you really care about Examine where your are now Make a life decision Acknowledge your fears Challenge irrational fears Make it happen Get help This is the Sept issue of LHJ - Articel good reading - suggest you get the magazine and read it...

Frisky - I know you have been answered on this but try them without the skin - or take smaller bites and make sure you chew - I love plums and I have to make sure I take tiny bites and chew super well - they are very filling and I will eat them when I am hungry between meals (my doc allows healthy snacks) PJ - yep you gotta get your fluids - I am glad you are doing better.. Mary - I had a terrible burise on my left side after surgery but that's all it was - if you are concerned please call your doctor. Congratulations !!!! Yes your face looks thinner :youcandothis: Lynn at the one support group I went to - the lady who runs it says that so many of us cut our hair after we start losing weight... As for sexy underwear - I have 1 pair but I live in my body shapers - I don't like the feel of the loose skin or the way it gives you a muffin top - so I have a collection of lipo in a box :Banane54:

Ellen The word will come, I know when my bro died I just got up there and spoke.. Don't ask me what I said - but I did it. Eating mindset vs Living mindset... I don't know.. Having major surgery. I was on mushies came home tired from work (food trigger for me) I remember someone telling me in the 50 + thread when I was having my last meal syndrome that I could have white gravy again - Well I put some bacon in the frying pan and watched is cook - I looked at it and said to myself - "Ya Janet that's a mushie (gravy over mashed potatoes) it's ok to eat it - but did you have major surgery (@ 52 this was my 2nd surgery my 1st was gallbladder when I was 30) to continue to eat this way"... I told myself no and threw it out - I don't remember what I ate instead - but something that wasn't loaded with fat. I think having major surgery was my "ah ha moment" I totally got it that this has to be a lifetime lifestyle change.. It took about 30 yrs for that to finally sink in but I think it has (but just like an addict I have to be very careful and mindful not to let old habits reappear). I had learned to eat healthy in my years of Weight Watcher but I never really got the whole lifetime lifestyle change - I used it as a diet then slowly when back to eating normal - and guess what happened.. I got fat again - cuz normal for me is high fat high sugar and no exercise.. The real test for me will be 2 yrs from now - will I be able to keep up with this change - is this truly a lifetime change for me.. But just like a drug addict - I can't worry if I will be sober tomorrow - I have to concentrate on today - I will worry about tomorrow - tomorrow - I just concentrate on today - one day at a time.. Right now I am on a maintenance which means that I have to add more calories in so that I don't continue to lose weight - This is hard as it is giving myself permission to eat more or higher calorie foods. The diff between us and drug addicts is that they don't have to have a little of their drug to survive - the leave it alone completely - we don't have that opinion we have to eat and food is our drug of choice. So how do I do this... I don't know this is a learning curve for me - I want to go to the gym more so that I make sure that I am burning up those extra calories or I could go to the gym less and then eat less... Well either of those options can cause me to fall off the wagon - I am a tad afraid right now. Yesterday had a small light mocha frappicino (90 c) 1 cup Beans w/ff cheese (300 c) 24 tortilla chips (130 c) 1 ice cream cone (200) 1/4 c Pasta (100c) butternut squash (50 c) 4 oz hamburger patty (300) 1 pudding (60) popcorn (200) 30 cherries (145) = 1575 calories for the day (approximately since I am no longer keeping a food diary on paper but in my head I still do) plus I went to the gym and walked 3 miles (burned 350 calories) I should be ok but felt like i ate like a pig.. I went to one of those calculator places it say for moderate exercise I should have 1972.5 calories a day to maintain my current weight.. That's alot of calories when you really think about it.. Today I have had an omeltte 2 eggs (out of eggbeaters) 1/2 oz hamburger and 1 oz feta cheese (320 c) so that leaves me about 1600 for the day All I can say - is that I love the way I feel - I love the way I look (saggy skin and all) and I know if I go back to eating high fat/sugar and quit exercising - I will gain it back and I don't want to do that... I want to enjoy the rest of my life and being fat was too limiting.. I love the energy that I have now.. Yes your anger is due to your friend Judy's death.. Plus we moarn the loss of food too it was comforting... We have to learn a different way to soothe ourselves - it's a very individual thing, but you just gotta find what works for you.. Hugs - time does help the pain - good memories will bring a smile - remember it's not the years in your life but the life in those years

Good Morning Ladies.... Happy Saturday... Lori how are you feeling today?? Well been up since 5 - got the bed made - clothes in the wash and will be off to the gym at 7 when it opens.. Yesterday since I was off - I went and did the stairmaster - thought I would try something new (it's usually the treadmill) omw -i only did level 4 for 30 minutes (something like 46 steps a minute -didn't have my reading glasses on ) it was a work out. My left leg is weaker than my right and I have some balance issues which have gotten better since working out with the trainer it's getting better and I want to get my muscles in shape so that when I do get older I won't be falling ... Just cking in - Good food choices - stay hydrated - move... and enjoy your Saturday.... I will CBL:tongue:

Denise Your fonts are working - I wish that we could just pick one and it would always be that style color etc - instead of the selecting & changeing ... I don't think I could deal with all those smart ass kids... I know that they are someones kid and that most don't have great home lives - but - day after day after day... I would want to slap the shit out of them and then I would go to jail... Also my GS (andrew) has be in fights where he was defending hiself (kid bit him on the bus a few years ago and it was known that this kid had some issues) and he get suspended too.. I still don't get that - if you didn't start the fight why are you getting kicked out of school and even if you did - heck they love not having to go to school they should have on campus suspension - where they still have to go to school and do their work - staying home isn't punishing them... Kari - it's cuz we are in the same age bracket and that's how we were brought up... but i do have to say my son & dil both do butt smacks too. You weren't bad you were living life - it's not like you are eating cake every day.. I suggest you start your Lucky #7 vacation fund today... Oh Linda I am so happy for you:biggrin: - what a great surprise !!! :thumbup: How did he react to your weight loss?? Yep prayers for that little plane - but how much fun - I have never been in one of those tiny ones.. Yep all the things that we are doing this year that we wouldn't think of doing a year ago. Losing this weight is really really improving the quality of our lives - and Heck look both you and I are up at the crack of dawn... I have made the bed - got the washer going - need to vaccum - hit the gym - nails etc.

Becky - Remember - take the word hope out of your vocabulary and replace it with WILL :w00t: That's the #1 rule on this thread - we will no longer hope or wish or try - we will do !!! If you think you can't you won't :thumbdown:if you think you can you will...:thumbup: Ok on the food issue you are in bandster hell - you just gotta eat healthy even though you don't have restriction... Cuz once you do have it - the band isn't going to make your food choices for you - and once you have retriction you can tend to lean towards eating slider foods cuz they are easiter to eat (they don't require the chewing and they slide right thru) Last nite I had lamb shank and roasted carrots and potatos - I ate Protein first and barely had room for the veggies (I LOVE ROASTED CARROTS) or the tatoes and I find this very frustrating cuz i stil want to taste the food even when I am full. When you are still hungry after dinner or lunch eat extra veggies - that's what I did - I would eat my dinner and still be hungry - I would have an extra cup of squash (I was eating 2 to 2 1/2 cups of food prior to my 1st fill - they were soft foods) then I would have my sf fudge cicle and sf puddings.. I ate but it wasn't cake cookes bread mash potatoes rice Pasta all smothered in butter... I ate veggies - and sf sweets... You can do this :cool2: Are you eating with children utensils??? and off a desert/sandwich plate - if you aren't I suggest you get some (kid's sliver). It helps with the bites. When you forget your band will remind you once you have restriction.. The bite issue isn't that big for me - its' the chewing the meat forever and no gulping Water - I miss that the most - but when I forget and I do - my band reminds me.. You are going to forget about your band at times - but it will give you a little smack and remind you it's there when you don't follow the rules and after a while - tiny bites - sips - chewing become habit - oh ya eating slowly too.. Keep up the walking - it's benefical - it helps with the weigth lost and it helps with the endorphines too.. Stay well hydrated as little sweat aint going to kill you - it's good for you.. :thumbup: Lori - I have been thinking about you all day - Glad you are home and everything is good... Just be glad that they can do it lapthoscopcially now a days - I have a big long scar from when mine was taken 23 yrs ago.. Love the now house work - what a great doc Rest take your med and we will talk to you tomorrow .. Ok gang - I will ck back later (CBL) I gotta go watch my Olympic's !!! Dinner to nite will be the left overs or 4 oz hamburger patty on the grill and some veggies and 1/2 c pasta...

Hey Linda - So when DD leaves it's just you and DH - are you going to be ok.. Well ya you will it will take a little time - but after a month or so.. You won't want them back full time - you will enjoy the visits but will be glad to see the go once you get use to the piece and quite (well this is how I dealt with it) Yep - I really wish that we had - had more time to visit and just kick back - hell even going to a bar and dancing would have been fun - just as long as the next day we don't have to get up at the crack of dawn.. Once all your stuff is over (oh ya how much longer til you are a GM) is the baby due before the wedding?? You will get those last 10 lbs off.. Well took the doggies and went looking at Marshall's for some top store to junkie for me - I don't have the patients to go thru all those racks and then if you do find something and want a size larger good luck in finding it.. Did get a cute dress to go with my brown shoes and 1 top to go with my brown cords and another top to go with Jeans or black pants at Stien Mart. Oh ya Linda - they have 3/4 arm lenght tee shirts at target in all colors and some that go to the elbow - I got like 6 of them $8 bucks each.. 2 black, 1 white 1 purple 1 green 1 gray I'm washing clothes - got the bathroom 3/4 cleaned (need to mop) and cleaning out p j drawer and getting rid of the 2 x and xx large jammie.. Waiting for 7;30 to watch the olympics... I love watching them... Ok gotta go take clothes our of the dryer.. CBL.

Hey gang - Where is everyone... Today I did 30 mintues on the stair stepper .. Level 4 OMW I was sweating like a pig... Thought I would try something new... Well off to take the doggies to the beauty shop ... I will CBL --- :tt2:

Oh Ellen Hugs - Yes this is the place for you to share your pain - we are here for you!!! I am so sorry for your loss - Hugs - I know how hard it is to lose someone your love.. I too lost one of my bff about 9 months after I lost both my parents. Also the pain in watching a person you love have a long painful struggle before they go. Words are inadequate in expressing our sorrow and I wish that I could take away the hurt and pain - just know that I am giving you a cyber hug since I can't do it in person and I know that when you think of your friend Judy - those memories will make you smile and yes sometimes cry but know that she only wanted the best for you and wouldn't want to to morn forever - she wants you to be happy and healthy... Hugs & Love Janet

Gail - I am sorry that you are struggling... But don't throw in the towel !! #1 Do you have any restriction at all ??? #2 What are you eating? Are you keeping a food diary? #3 Exercise - Ya that's a tough one - I was a total slug bug prior to being banded at 250 it's hard. Here are some suggestions - thoughts on what you can do to get back on track. Please know that I do give tough band love - but the operative word is love :ohmy: Starting today - track your food intake on dailyplate.com or fitday.com or keep a little notebook in your purse and write down everything you put in your mouth. If you don't have a food scale I would suggest getting one. As obese pple we don't know what a true serving size is - we think a pint of ice cream and some days a whole half gallon as 1 serving - do you know that a pint of ice cream is 4 servings.. Weigh and measure your food - this is a learning tool to help you understand what a real serving size is and how many calories are in that serving.. I know that pple say that they didn't get banded to diet - weight or measure their food but we have to use this as a learning tool (imho) you don't have to do this for a lifetime but you need to do it until you have learned a healthy eating style. The word diet means what you eat not starving yourself - that's why I say take the word diet out of your vocabulary replace it with Healthy Eating - Diets don't work cuz when you go off them you go back to eating normal and that's what got us fat in the first place.. This is truly a lifetime lifestyle change in the way we eat and look at food all together. I am a weight watcher girl - I do eat carbs but limit them - Eat your hard Proteins 1st then veggies and carb/starches if any room. Eat healthy low fat - sugar free - plan your 3 meals and 2 healthy Snacks (I am attaching a sample menu) Keep your calories between 800 - 1200 max - vary them daily - one day 800 - next 1000 etc. As you have heard 1000 times beefer the band is only a tool - they have banded your tummy and not your brain - and the majority of our problems lie in our heads.. The band doesn't make your food choices or exercise for you - all that is up to you - so that's why I say that 75% of the work is up to you and that once you have proper restriction the band will do the other 25% in controlling your portions. You have to make up your mind to do this - take one day at a time - food is our drug of choice and this isn't easy even with the band as we still find ourselves looking for food when we are stress bored mad sad whatever. We have use food to soothe and comfort us and when that's gone we are in a panic.. When you find yourself struggling - go clean the bathroom - clean out your sock drawer - come here and talk - if I'm not here there at the moment you need help - there are plenty of others who are and would be willing to help you.. Post talk about it - but you gotta learn to not give in to it - sometime you Will succeed and other times you might not - but when you do fall down - grab those bootstraps and pull yourself back up and keep moving forward - this is a learning process.. You can't change the past so don't fret over it - all you can do is learn from your past mistakes and move forward.. Ok on to exercise - I hated it - truly hated it - but I knew that for me exercise was key in me losing weight - our bodies weren't made to sit on our butts all day and night - they were built to move. I don't know if you have access to a gym or have any equipment at home and as i write this forget where you live (weather wise) forgive me I am old But you just gotta do it as the commercial says. I still to this day try and talk myself out of going to the gym - this morning was a perfect example of that - but I just don't let that little devil on my left shoulder win, cuz I know he is lying to me - remember devil likes to disguise himself as an angel but he's lying to you.. I started out slow - 30 minute mile and each week increased my speed and distant.. In March I got a trainer and started with weights - if you can afford it I would highly suggest getting one.. You are paying for it you will show up and the more muscle you have the more calories you burn. Also once you get into the routine of exercise you will find that it makes you feel better mentally and physically.. Some would now call me a gym rat... Like today - I have the day off and my usual exercise days are Mon/Tue/Wed & Sat mornings - but since I have a day off - I went to the gym this morning - I don't sleep in - I get up and go and I feel so much better. If you have kids - take them for a walk or go ride bikes - then need the exercise - go out side and play with them - move thats all it takes - get some exercise videos - dancing ones - make it fun - if you make it a chore you won't do it. So thats why I say start out slow and work your way into a good routine - as the weight comes off exercise does get easier. But you gotta do it - fine something you enjoy - I know that's hard to imagine but I got an ipod loaded in with songs and hit the treadmill - that 1 hour is my time and I just jam to my tunes and before you know it the time you allotted for exercise is gone. You have to make time for you - you are worth it - you dh & kids will survive without you for 30 min or 1 hr a few times a week. Losing weight is losing our barrier against the world and it's hard sometimes as we aren't ready to deal with our issues. Quit making excuses as to why you can't do it - you can do it - quit making yourself a victim - ya I still get hungry - I don't find that my band takes away my hunger - but I can say that what I will consider hunger isn't really physical hunger but head hunger and even a yr out I still struggle with this. I will eat be full and still want to eat.. But now I know this - and I work with it Being a hungry isn't going to kill you but being obese is. Being hungry is our bodies going thru withdrawals - it's use to being fed 24/7 - high fat high sugar foods super size portions. You can do this - just take it one day at a time - it's doable - Quit standing in your own way - if you think you can't do something then you won't - but if you think you can you will do it. You will find it very empowering when you make that good food choice or go out and walk for 30 minutes - It's empowering to fight and win the battle with that little devil on your shoulder telling you this is too hard you can't do. I just want you to listen to that little angel on your right shoulder who is whispering in your ear you can do this - you will do this - and if you don't want to listen to that little angel - then think of me sitting right next to that little angel but I'm not whispering I am yelling in your ear - You can do this I have faith in you :smile2:..

Candice - Since we have already talked about it - I think coming to your place would be fun - At our next meeting I want to be able to spend more time visiting... Vegas is VERY hot in the summer - just like here at my place. I would like a more relaxed atmosphere. Again too much to do everyone going off in every direction and trying to get so much done in a short period of time... So, my vote would be coming to Canada.. have fun at your sis place w/your gf's... Steph - I am glad you are going to get some taken out - if you are only eating 3 bits.. Being too tight is no good.. Love & Logic - I haven't heard that before - I did read one book when I got my GS back 6 yrs ago, but I can't remember the name. Alll I really remember is that we are not suppose to keep arguing with them and stick to what we say. Do you watch supernanny - it's like what she does - just keep putting them back on the naught chair - you don't aruge with them.. I will have to look it up. Your son's 13 right?? That just a tough age. and isn't he is not a product of your & jeffs marriage where the other 2 are - maybe he is having issues with that - just a thought as with my GS he was everyones stepchild but with me he wasn't.. Hugs.. I wish I had more good advice - but I am a terrible one to give advice about kids I am not a great disciplinarian and am a yeller.. Plus am old school - when all else fails give them a smack... Now a days pple don't spank their kids - I still beleive in a swat on the butt.. But 13 yrs old is a little old to be spanking - but I think my GS got smacked on the arm at that age... - It will work out some how some way it always does but I know it's easy for me to say - Hugs... Wish I could do more.. Thanks Denise - Isn't the storm gone by now or is a new one comming - I am off today but still up at 5:18 and have clean the kitchen - having my coffee and really havent watched the news yet.. -------------------------------------------------------------------' Good Morning Everyone... Want a shock this morning - I didn't have fish for dinner last night - I had roasted lamb shank with carrots and red tatoes.. I am going to have to up my calories in order to maintain - and have come to the realization that I am going to have to change up my eating some.. But am afraid to - I have been so programed for the last year to eat a certain way - to count calories etc.. I haven't kept a food diary since the beginning of July - but I still think about the # of calories in the foods that I am eating.. And I have become a very routine person in my old age and eating the same thing over and over with a little variation here and there has been easy for me.. Now I am going to have to venture out of my comfort zone.. All I can say even at goal - the battle isn't over and I am so afarid of going back in the other direction.. Plus I just got a note from another bander who was just banded in Nov 07 and she has lost her band (eroded) and they don't know why as she never got real restriction so it wasn't cuz she was too tight or anything. I know that I say I do most of the work - but I stil have had the help of this great tool and don't know if I would be where I am at without it's help. It does control my portions.. Ok gym is about to open gotta get dressed - the doggies go to the beauty shop this morning too and I took my ring in last week to get sized - Yes Steph size 6 like the rings we tried on in QVC store and it's ready to be picked up - need to get nails done.. I dont need to shop though... I will cbl

Lyn you are in bandster hell the time between banding and getting your 1st fill - after the swelling has gone down you don't have as much restriction - just keep up the small bites - chewing - healthy foods and exercise the weight will come off - and yes since you do have a lower bmi the weight loss can be slower. But remember we are all diff we all aren't going to lose the weight the same and remember the turtle won the race. They don't want you drinking cuz of the calorie in alcohal.. My doc says a glass of wine or a drink every now and then isn't going to hurt - but you have to follow your doc's order.. I have been where you are (lost my parents within 1 month of each other - then lost gf a year later and then my bro 3 yrs later and a year later a nephew) so I know the pain and stress of loss - But I gotta say you have done excellent with what has been thrown at you as we all know it times of stress and pain we use to turn to food for our comfort.. So be proud of all that you have accomplished during these difficult time. We all need hugs - maybe if we had them more often we wouldn't have turned to food for comfort.. (just a thought) PJ Glad you are doing better - Yep the ladies in the 50+ thread were my biggest supporters and helpers when I was 1st banded Ya I am lost on that one too :cursing: Thanks Orea... Skinmy Grandma - it can take a bit for the fill to settle in and again depending on how much the put in you may need another one in the near future - most don't get to their sweet spot on their 1st fill Congrats on the 14 lbs :cool2: Vera Welcome !!! We will all be rooting for you on Tuesday (prayers for a safe surgery and speed recovery) This is a great site for info and support Keep us posted on how your are doing... Lori - Hugs yes having surgery is a scary thing - stress water retention who knows - don't let the number today discourage you.. Just keep on trucking along and those 2 lbs will dissappear before you know it. Prayers for a safe surgery and speedy recovery - let us know how you are doing when you feel up to it.. Hugs.. Well I have a 37 son too.. :scared2: I just started A LOT younger than you two did :cursing: Elayne - I had to have a stupid cpap machine too - I didn't stop breathing breathing just got super shallow when I was in a deep sleep - I used the machine for about 3 weeks and once after surgery and then took it back. I hated it.. but again it wasn't like i stopped breathing at night - just shallow breating - You might not hate it and I do have to say i did feel more rested when I used it - but when the weight came off - didn't need it any longer.. We must have had the same insurance - I had to pay $10 -:cursing: I got tired of paying for something I wasn't using so in Jan I too it back to the sleep place.. Thanks Gwen and yes I beleive that even women in their 50's can still lose the weight and we can lose more than the 50-60% of our excess weight too - We are WOMAN AND WE CAN DO ANYTHING WE PUT OUR MINDS TOO.. RESTRICTION - slow down a bit when you eat - make sure to you are sipping and not gluping

JoannMarie - Ithink all doc's make you do a sleep study - I had mild sleep apnea - I never stopped breathing but my breathing got real shallow when I was in a deep sleep - I am a cynic and I think that they said I had it so that it would be another reason for the insurance not to deny me the surgery... My bmi was over 40 with the high blood pressure and with the added comorbity of sleep apena they couldn't deny me.. Again I can be a real cynic at time I had no problems with my band and I have flown a couple times now.. and I understand you wanting to be comfortable and use to your band before jaunting off overseas. Thanks Charlene - now I have to learn how to maintain - I am going to need to up my calories in order not to keep losing and that in it's self is a little scary. It's like giving an alcohlic a drink - giving a food addict more food to eat.. Lori - agin hugs and prays for tomorrow you will do fine..

Cut your carbs and the scales will move again - and there is always next year - just start putting away your $5 bills for vacation $$$ next year

I am no spring chicken and proof that if you work (eat healthy & exercise) your tool (the band) you can go from Morbity Obese (250) with a BMI of 42.9 to Normal (145) with BMI of 24.9 in 12 months 3 weeks.

Thanks Kathy !!! Yes Palm Desert is close to me - I live in Indio - The Coachella Valley is about 35 miles from Cochella to Palm Springs is and in between those 2 cities are Coachella, Indio, Bermuda Dunes (which is where I actually work) Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City & Palm Springs I would love to meet up... I will p.m. you my #'s and let me know what dates... Cathy - You are doing great and yes you can make it !!! Hugs on the kidney stone issue - I hear that's painful... And yes it isn't always the number on the scale that's going to show the lost in weight some weeks it will be the clothes are loser and you have gone down another size.. Keep up the good work.. Thanks PJ - Yes we will be waiting for those pictures... Lori - Hugs and Prayers for your surgery tomorrow...