the best me

Jill, I have at least one pair of black pants, comfy, elastic waist, rayon? polyester? kind of silky flowy pants...I think they are 24's? Very comfy...they used to be my "uniform"!!! Anyhow, they are in the basket...I'll look for more! (And if you hate them, it won't hurt my feelings at all, haha!)

I'm a huge flop on Day One. By Mid-afternoon, I was shaky, like my blood sugar was low? I don't know, but I ate some cheese with Wheat Thins and felt lots better. Light supper (Mexican, actually, just not tons of it) and this morning I'm down to my low weight again. Anyhow, if I can eat a bowl or 2 of the soup a day and then to a good dinner, I should be losing. I'm kind of a grazer during the day. So a bowl or two is handy. It's healthy and good, so I love the recipe! Keep checking back, everyone! Diane, 5 and 7 pounds?! Excellent!

Yeah Baby! I'm bringing a TON of clothes too! Let's make time to dive into the trunks tomorrow! I could use some slacks, but unless it's a 16W, I prolly need the 18s? I'll look. Most of the stuff I have is worn, casual wear. Some of it's mine, some is from my neighbors...they passed them down and I just can't fit. Lot's of size 16 denim shorts! Anyhow, get ready to dig!

Thanks for keeping us updated Penni. I'll keep her on my list! (((hugs))) Christina!

(Don't you just love Ryan's beautiful words? Hey Whip!) Doll, I'm in the same/similar boat with the fill. I could use one, but I'm scared to death of erosion, and don't want to risk it by being too tight. I also don't want to lose my ability to eat properly, even though I CAN eat my share of junk, when given the chance. I have 2cc in a 4cc band. At some point, we both need to get our heads around the eating issues long enough to get the next batch of weight off. I'm concerned with the next 20 pounds. After that, it's gravy. But, Doll, are you drinking protien shakes all day, then eating dinner? Are you tight in the mornings? Is that why? Do you really need a fill? For me, I need to get back to the basics, hard protiens first, then veggies. Snacks should be fruit and yogurt, not junk. Getting in my Water is no problem, most days. There's a handy link on the Fills Forum...it's a Sticky that Penni started with Fills info. I think it's lapbandtransformation.com or something. Anyhow, it's a great list to read and seriously consider your eating before deciding on a fill. Check it out. I hope it helps. You have done soooo well! How's that little one of yours, doing well? Happy? Adjusted? How's the job? It's good to see you here, and I hope you'll stay signed on a bit more often! (((hugs)))

Leener, you just had surgery yesterday, you are tight from internal swelling! Stick to mushies...whatever doesn't cause pain, and give it time. You know you are a "sweller" so listen to your body and don't fret. I'm glad you are getting an Upper GI, but don't worry, they won't find anything, I'm betting, and you just need to ride it out. You get down to below 200, and you'll be begging for the restriction you have now. You are doing great! PLEASE don't be discouraged! This is YOUR journey, not to be compared with anyone else's, so don't let yourself be frustrated. It's okay. Drink your Aloe Vera, take your Prilosec, or whatever, for reflux, stick with softer foods and give it some time. THEN if it doesn't get better...you can be concerned. Remember when you were so tight post-op banding? it got better, right? No reason it won't again. Give your poor little body some time, and your emotions, too! You have had lots going on these day. Be kind to yourself! ((((hugs))))

Thanks for this Amy! My hubby and I love the soup. I made a pot last night so today is day One...fruits and soup. So far, so good! Only problem is...I bought two beautiful tuna steaks at the store yesterday, and I'm NOT! not eating that yumminess! LOL So I guess I'll be a cheater and not lose the 10-17 pounds in the first week. But this is great...If I can munch on the soup all day and follow the rest for the most part...I know it will benefit me. Maybe the next week I do it, I'll be able to plan better and stick to it. I have the tuna steak issue for tonight (day one) and NY Strips on the grill on Father's day (day 4) which is a day early for beef/tomatoes day, but, I'll do my best to stick to it. Love the soup, though. I think it's a great recipe for success! I'm soooo ready to see the 170's, so here's to weight loss everybody!

Penis has turned into "peanut" with my 3yo son. Growing up, my entire family on my Mom's side called the vagina "Susie" (my cousin started it) and so now, it's just Susie. "Keep your Susie clean and dry", and don't wear panties to bed "so you can air out your Susie" and "your Susie is private, noone can touch it but you, unless Mommy needs to see it, and the doctor, but only if Mommy is there". Yada yada. But my son thought we were saying Peanut whenever we said Penis, so now, it's just Peanut. He likes to grab it, too. It's a good sign! Healthy boys loves their Peanuts! LOL But, yeah, mine doesn't whip it out all the time, so I'm sure he's driving you nuts! That's too cute!

Wonderful! Wonderful! I love your list. Well done Kim, and here's to more happy pounds lost!!!!! Good for you!!!!!!!! Now, think about what life was like 2 years ago...big difference, huh?! Ain't it great?!!!!!

Aw Angie. You ARE being hard on yourself, but I think...in a shade-tree psychologist kind of way...the thing you need most is exactly what you are avoiding. Structure, accountability, rules, focus, and drive. It's so easy to get overwhelmed with your new reality. You are avoiding what will help you to feel better...staying on track with good eating. Get your hugs from your kids, not from food. Your kids are NOT what's making this hard. Embrace them. Be kind to yourself. See you Sat and you'll get more hugs then!!!!!

What are antibiotic beads and how do they work? You got a link? I'll google...thanks Dr C! Yer cool.

Damn Dog. LOL

Economic Left/Right: 3.88 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: 0.72 Well, at least I'm in the same quadrant as George Bush! I'm surprised he's farther right than I am, but I'm not surprised he's more authoritarian than me. I tend to be very "anti-socialism, the government needs to leave me and everyone else alone" thinker. Interesting! I need to go back and look up the home page. I think the questions were pretty biased toward the Left-Wing-Intellectual-Indoctrination-Education I got at University. That's just me, I'm a rebel. LOL a conservative rebel? hehe I keep looking at this! Gerhard Schroder is the closest dot to mine on the webpage. Who is he? Am I Neo-Com? I hate being pegged, but Conservative in just about any arena (social, economic, religious, etc.) is almost always a correct name for my views. I'm really out of my league with most of this info. This is stuff that's mostly over my head...I'll admit it!...but totally interesting! Am I the only upper right quadrant here?!

I'll make this easy...no change this week. I LOVE seeing all of the pics! You all have hot hubbies! Everyone is doing so well!

Good girl Karen. Don't beat yourself up, move forward. Yup, you cheated. But you didn't eat pizza, for goodness sakes! If you had to cheat, due to circumstances, you cheated well. It's good news that your healing band tolerated the well-chewed soup. Doesn't it feel good to be so full on so little?!!!! Stay on the path! You are doing great!

I can't wait! And I hear you are a pocket full of fun, too, Betty! Yup, Paula has raved about you! Any chance we'll see you in NC? Look us up!!! Man, that would be too cool!!!!!!

Leatha PM'd back and reminded me about her Mom who had a stroke. Please be praying for her full recovery. She's on the mend and it looks like Leatha will be keeping her businees plans, but she'll check in next week when she gets back home and we'll firm up our get-together. So it's a wait-and-see. God bless you, Mom!!!!!

Yup, they work great together. I try to ignore flex points and bonus exercise points...keep it simple, just shoot for 22-25 points a day. That's alot in the beginning, but if I'm not careful, I WILL go over. Bad snack choices are my problem areas. I'm not doing meetings and weigh-ins, etc., just occasionally adding up points to get myself back on track...eyeballing it. I'd do MUCH better if I'd be more careful. WW is very flexible, though. Once you are banded and past the healing phase, you'll know better what to do. Some folks are super tight, some need several fills as soon as possible to really get going. When you find out where you fit in on the spectrum, you'll be able to count points easily. Make it fit you.

Kathy, I found this on the Inamed web page... Similarly, our INAMED Health BioEnterics® LAP-BAND® System contains no latex in the materials of construction or primary packaging of the product and accessories. I can't answer about the hives, but that's what Inamed says...hope that helps.

That is soooo nice of you Penni. I'm so shocked it's Christina! No way!!!! Aw, girl, know that we are praying for you and wish you only the best! We love you!!!!!!!!!

Just today, I put this quote on my refrigerator. It's from Deborah Tannen, from her book "Your're wearing THAT? Understanding Mothers and Daughters in Conversation" I picked it up at the library today, and the quote fits your "Mom comments" issue, so I thought I'd share. "A daughter's response to her mother's words often seems out of proportion...because it really isn't a reaction to the words just spoken; it's a response to the weight of her mother's opinion". I haven't read the whole book, but I loved that. It's true! I don't know how you do this, but is it possible to NOT care what your Mother thinks? No way.

Here's to you, Leener! I'm praying and looking for an update...

I went to my PCP for a check-up before I scheduled my band surgery. I told her what I was considering, and her comment was, "I know one person who had that and the band came unclipped, she had the band taken out and had the RNY done. Why don't you just do the RNY?" Conclusions: 1) my PCP doesn't know as much as I do about the band, and 2) I'm fat enough to medically justify the RNY. I was mentally prepared for her to know little or nothing about the band, but was surprised, as I got in my car to leave, at how surprised! I was that I was a candidate for RNY in her eyes. I knew I was fat...still! It was good to hear it, though. I felt lots better about my decision to have WLS. I just knew the band was the choice for me. So a few months ago, I went in for my check-up and I had lost about 30 pounds at the time (according to her charts) and she almost fell off her chair with praise! She's glad I'm having a good band experience, and is pleased with my progress. Plus, my blood pressure is now normal, excellent! So, I guess I showed her?! Hell, yeah, I did! (okay, so I don't swear often...but HELL YEAH!) Another thought, WW is wonderful while banded. You can actually DO it...week after week after month. And the weight stays off, too. Don't write off WW, it's a great program, just get you the help you need (a band) to make a long-term success of it. Having your doc's support is great, but it isn't required. Hang in there. Do your research, be prepared, have peace, and you'll do great!

I PM'd Leatha with the link to this thread...hopefully she'll log on soon! Oh Leeeeeatha! Where aaaaaare yoooooooou?!!

Eeewwwwwww! I love the gross stuff. I just don't know what to think about the green...I'm certainly no medical professional, but I'm really sorry you two have/are going through this. ((((hugs))) ladies. And thanks for sharing the gross pics, I think they really are helpful.