Kathybad

Distant, I just noticed that your BMI is approaching "Normal". WOW, that must feel great!!! Congrats.

Phyl, I met my goal today. I had said I would lose 6 lbs by your Thanksgiving (signed up late). As of this morning I have lost 6.5 lbs. YEAH!!!:clap2:

Hi Everyone, Ok, newest list of Christmas Challengers... Nicole - Level 3 (way to go!!!) Lindaa - Level 2 Janet - Level 2 Kathy - Level 2 Salsa/Karri - Level 3 (you inspire me!) Ribearty - Level 1 (congrats for committing during surgery!) I think I have everyone... if I've missed anyone, let me know. Salsa - CONGRATS!!!! I actually heard you way up here in Canada! Onederland is way off for me, but I hope to reach it someday. As for your Christmas deco pet peeve... I can relate, except our Thanksgiving was in early October, so I get annoyed when decorations start showing up prior to Halloween (which seems to happen often now). However, given we don't have the same Turkey Day as you, our house is fully decorated now. My DH put up the lights and the inflatables today, and we go on Sunday to cut down our Christmas Tree. The kids love it, and it always reminds me of my Mom. She loved Christmas so much, so I like to decorate, as it brings back memories of her. Dini - Have fun in NY, and glad to hear you & Adam are getting along better now. As for me, I'm down another lb. I'm going in on Wed. to get a little let out, so I can eat better. I really think I'm in starvation mode, and probably not doing myself any favours. I would have gone much sooner, but I couldn't arrange the trip until now. Another milestone... I'm down to a size 20, from size 26!!!! We went to Port Huron (across the border with our strong Canadian dollar :whoo:) and I went to CJ Banks (love that store, not in Canada). I bought up a few things, and felt really good!!! Take care.

Christmas Challenge This is what I have so far: Nicole - Level 3 (way to go!!!) Lindaa - Level 2 Janet - Level 2 Kathy - Level 2 Just a reminder for everyone else, between Dec 15 to Jan 2: Level 1 is to maintain (not gain) Level 2 is to lose 1-4 lbs Level 3 is to lose 5 or more lbs Peaches: Here's a few more advantages of exercising at home: * You can do it when the kids are in bed - no babysitting * You can choose the TV channel * If you want to get naked and have hot steamy somethin' afterwards, go right ahead... then hit the shower!!!! Ops, maybe TMI Salsa: congrats on the fast weight loss. Could you share your weight loss secret with us... what you're eating, & exercise plan. Sure could use some new ideas. I think I'm going to go in and get a little bit taken out on Wed. It actually hurts to eat most meals. Then within a few bites I have a gag reflex that makes me want to throw up. Sometimes I can work through it, but other times I have to go PB. Some days and meals are worse than others... but I think it might be best to get a slight bit taken out.

Ok, since we are all interested in pushing ourselves, I thought we could handle 1 more challenge for the Holidays. This one is to help us at least maintain during the holidays. I put this one out there: From Dec. 22nd to Jan. 2nd, I will: Level 1: "Not gain any weight" Level 2: "Lose 1-4 lbs" Level 3: "Lose 5 or more lbs" If you're in for this, choose your level and let me know. Then on Dec. 22nd (or as close to it) record your weight and send it to me. Then on Jan 2nd, record again and send it to me. I promise to report it to everyone by Jan 3rd and we can all congratulate each other. This will be a 12 day challenge. Good Luck.

It's snowing!!!! First of the year for me. I hate the winter, and only like snow at Christmas. Boo Hoo. But the kids love it. I got some kind of good news on my dad's cancer condition. The biopsy showed it to be large cell cancer in his lungs, which is the slower moving type. It was not what they were expecting, but it is very good news. This gives them a chance to get it all under control and to slow the progress. Two of the tumors are still inoperable, but if they blast it with chemo and radiation, it will hopefully give him a lot more time to enjoy life. Thanks for all of the prayers, but please keep us in them for now!! I'm really hoping the band will help me continue to lose throughout the holidays. It should, since I really can't eat much, and even when I have cheated, I usually PB so it doesn't stay with me. I feel bulemic, except that I don't want to PB, so I guess I'm not.

Nicole, count me in for the Dec. Challenge!! This will be a great motivator. Phyl, mark me down for 2 lbs lost. Now just 2 more to go to meet my challenge. Sunny, so great to hear from you. My dear band buddy... looks like we've been losing at about the same pace. I'm down 34 lbs now, with most of it since my last fill. I'm really restricted, but seem to be able to get at least one meal down each day. I often PB on water, but warm drinks are good and oatmeal always works. I keep thinking about having some taken out, but I'm already losing slowly, so don't want it to be even slower. Dini, have a great trip to NY, and congrats on your weight loss.

Today is my last day in Calgary. I fly home this afternoon. YEAH. I miss my DH and kids. It's also been tough to be here while I'm coming to grips with my dads mortality. Kind of morbid. Eating in restaurants this week was a bit difficult, as I'm so restricted, but I managed relatively ok. I think I will like stepping on the scale tomorrow morning, as I have been exercising all week, and eating so little... should be good (I hope). Janet, thanks for your great diet police advice... its been really helpful. Chimboree... nice to hear from you. Everyone, thanks for your thoughts and prayers for my Dad. His name is John Skinner, for those who want to add him to their prayer list.

My dad was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and is in several places already. We don't expect he will be with us for long. In fact, all this week when I've called him, he is very confused (brain tumor), which is a sign the meds aren't working to reduce the swelling.

Thank you Ruby. Your experience, as painful as it was, is also beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

Hi Everyone I've had one h#@& of a week (or two). Nov 1st my father was diagnosed with cancer in several places, originating in his lungs. The prognosis is very bad, and we expect he won't be with us for long. This is really hard to take, but what makes it worse is Nov. 1st was the 7th anniversary of my mom's death from Breast cancer. My dad just turned 65 and is a very strong man. Another thing that is hard it the fact that I'm a cabon copy of my dad. He has arthritis, diabetes, and has always been overweight.... ditto! The only difference is that he smoked and I never did. This has been a real wake up call for me, and has really made me focus on my diet. My band is still really tight, but I think its really helping me retrain my brain. I simply can't have the food I used to enjoy... it just backs up in my throat and is really uncomfortable. Food is still functional, not too enjoyable. I was thinking about having some taken out, but my band is a little looser today than it was last week, so I think I'll let it loosen on its own. I've lost 7 lbs in 3 1/2 weeks since my last fill. I'm really happy with that, since it was pretty much stalled out prior to that. One thing I really miss since my last fill... guzzling (or even just drinking) Water. I can only sip it (very small sips). Otherwise it gurgles and backs up. Funny how water does that, but coffee doesn't. I was too late to join the Thanksgiving Challenge, but will push myself to get down 6 more lbs by then. I'm in Calgary all this week on business, so used my free time to work out in the hotel fitness room. Its helped jump start my exercise routine. Goodnight everyone. I'll check back in tomorrow.

Hi Everyone, I've been busy this last week at work. Had my 2nd fill a week ago, and still very very restricted. I've had some difficulty eating enough food without PB'ing. I'm hoping it will loosen up a bit on its own over a bit of time. I find this a very strange "diet" experience compared to other times. Now I'm not at all concerned about "cheating" because I don't have enough space to put any bad food in. Now food has become functional. I still enjoy eating, but I'm more concerned about nutrition than "yummy treats". Probably a very good thing. Happy Birthday to the Birthday girls!! Take care all.

I had to share my amazing day with everyone. Each year at work we have what we call "C-Day" which stands for Charity Day. It's held on a Saturday, and those who want to participate come into work for 6 hours and donate what they would have earned to our focus charities. The company then matches these. We usually have about 100-130 people participate each year and it raises around $40,000-$50,000 for our charities. Each year we choose a different local charity. This year was a bit more personal and emotional. One of our employees lost his daughter a year ago due to an infection after an appendicitis. She was only 8 years old, and it was really sudden and unexpected. To help cope with her loss, the family created a memorial fund in her name to help support childrens charities. I remember when she died, it broke me up, as she was the same age as my son, and he is such a dedicated father. Our focus charity this year is her memorial fund. We found out today we increased participation at the event by 40% vs. last year, and raised almost $90,000!!!!! What an amazing thing to be a part of. Had to share!

I got my 2nd fill on Thurs. I was expecting 2cc, but she only gave me 1.5cc, saying I was doing relatively well. I was really disappointed with this... but thank GOD she didn't give me any more!!! WOW, what restriction!!! I can eat, but only if I cut everything up really fine and really chew... I know, I know, this is what we are supposed to do. But since my surgery I've only had mild restriction and could eat pretty much anything. Not now. On Friday, I PB'd on scrambled eggs at breakfast, then on chicken at dinner, then on applesauce before bed!!! Can you imagine... PB'ing on applesauce. Today was hard, as I was at a charity function at work and the menu was not in my control. So I nibbled on some crackers for morning break and had a few bites of pasta and veggies at lunch. I kept thinking I was going to PB, but kept everything in. Dinner was good, I just ate really slow. I thought I knew what restriction felt like, but I'm learning all over again. Oh yeah... I can only eat about 1/2 cup or less of food now, which is what I was hoping for... not unlimited amounts as before. Marcy, I'm like you. I find weighing myself every morning a comfort and a motivator... up or down. Phyl, CeCe, Jackie, Linda, Janet, any anyone else that I missed... all of your pictures are amazing!!! You all are beautiful (before and after) and your hard work is so noticable. You are an inspiration to me since I haven't lost much post op (8 lbs only). Keep up the good work everyone!

Indio, when I created my Glitter name, I created it and then just highlighted it, copied that and then pasted it into my signature. I tried the code and it didn't work. Hope that works. The hard part is to just copy the glitter name.

Way too freaky... I think I'll use my maiden name for this one!!! Apparently mine is "Euphoric Endeavor". If I use my married name it is really gross.

Hi Lynette, Welcome back. Was Florida nice? Congrats on your weight loss so far, even though you gained a few while away... no big problem! I'm the same, I can eat a lot of food, but bready stuff seems to have problems. I'm going for my 2nd fill next week, now that I'm back.

Hi Everyone, I'm back from Palm Springs.... OMG what a beautiful place!!! Indio, I envy you for living in such a paradise. I love the dryness (I absolutely hate humidity). My DH had a great time, he got to explore the area while I was at the conference. Then we enjoyed the resort in the evening. I had a few PB moments throughout the week, but nothing too horrible. I was able to enjoy myself without too much restriction. That's why I chose not to get my second fill until I returned. Didn't gain any weight while I was gone. YEAH!!!! I am planning to get my 2nd fill this week, so will definately have greater restriction. One thing I noticed while travelling... I tend to get stuck when I'm eating quickly (of course), but if I stand up, it passes easier. Also, I noticed that when I'm sitting, if I drink Water it sometimes will get a bit backed up and I'll slime just on water, but only if I'm sitting. I imagine if I ate and drank standing, I'd have no problems. :heh: Glad to be home, and now I can concentrate more on losing weight.

Hi Everyone. I've been so busy at work & home that I haven't been on since last week. I miss everyone. Even when I was on, I was more stalker than anything... just trying to see how everyone's doing. I'm doing ok. No major weight lost, just a bit... but I'm learning new ways to eat. My portions are around 1 cup, and for the most part I'm eating healthy food, but have found I can eat a few Cookies when stressed. I was supposed to have my 2nd fill last week, but since I'm going away this next week to Palm Springs, I didn't want to get my fill until I get back. Indio... I think I'll be in your neck of the woods! I understand it's hot!! My DH and I fly out on Sat. morning. I've been running around trying to organize everything for my friend and niece who will be sharing the childcare. This will be the longest we've ever been away from our kids. I've been away myself, but not the two of us together... OMG are we nervouse!!!!! I guess that's normal, but they are such unique kids, and no one knows their issues, routines, likes & dislikes as we do. Plus, we will be in a timezone 3 hours earlier... so will be difficult to call at the right times. My biggest worry is that they remember to give my son his medication at the right times. I could always wake up at 4:30 a.m. each day to call and remind them to give it to him (7:30 a.m. our time)... but I really do like my sleep!!! I hope everyone is doing well. Congrats Lynette on Onederland!!!! I saw that in Chimboree`s post! Chris, sorry for your loss. My father-in-law passed away earlier in the year, and it was a difficult time for all of us. My sympathies to you and your family. Chimboree, Lynette, Sunny, Aunt Phil, Dini, Anna, Indio, Jeanie and everyone... I miss you guys. I won`t be back online until around Oct. 13th, so good luck and talk to you then!!!

I love Sushi, and was very concerned I wouldn't be able to have it. I tried it for the first time last week, since being filled. I did chew it longer, and it passed ok. However, chewing it longer kind of turned me off some of the different fish. Salmon used to me my favourite, but it made me almost nausious (sp?). The rolls went down much better. Tuna worked fine. I didn't even try the squid out of fear. So I'm afraid I might "naturally" move away from Sushi... very sad.

Question... what is NSV? Is that someone's name or is it a short form for something... I'm clueless!

Marcy, my Fill Nurse gave me instructions to stop eating at 20 minutes for exactly the reason you mention. It takes about 20 minutes for the food to pass through the pouch. So if you eat slowly and continue to eat past the 20 min. you are just re-filling your pouch. Congrats on the 238!!!

Peaches, great idea. I was thinking to go around Oct. 16th. I have to confirm some meetings, first though. When is your nutritional seminar? I was thinking sometime the week of Oct. 15 or the next week.

Peaches, I was scheduled for Sept 27th, but am travelling on Oct. 6 to Palm Springs, so didn't want to be too restricted. I return on Oct. 11, which was supposed to be my date for my 3rd fill. So I plan to reschedule my second fill for around Oct. 16th or so. I will be going to TBLC as I don't have a family doc in London. My family doc is in Toronto (our lovely health care system eh?), so would be a trip either way. When is the next Bandster luncheon? Which tread/website do you go on for that?

Peaches, great ideas and advice. I've only had one fill, and know I don't have the restriction that others have. I'm happy with it for now, since I have to travel quite a bit the next few months. But know I want it to be tighter soon. That website sounds great. Carolin, my doctor does not recommend we continue having protein shakes. He recommends solid food. The reason being that you can consume far to many calories when you have shakes and liquids. Solid food is also more satisfying and since it is solid, it won't go through the band very fast and will keep you full longer. A shake will move through really quick. He also says that having protein at each meal is enough for our body's needs. So I usually have an egg at breakie, chicken at lunch and then my main protein at dinner. When I've added it all up, I'm getting the recommended daily amount. I went to visit friends yesterday who live in Brights Grove (Mike Weir's home town for the golfers among us). A beautiful little town that is right on the lake. We have steak, potatoes, corn and dessert. I ate only a little bit, and for once the food wasn't my main focus... conversation and friends were!!!! This was amazing. In the past I was way too focused on the food.