piercedqt78

Well, sometimes I see a skinny girl with way too much skin and sometimes I still see a size 22/24 woman. It is weird, in pictures I see a happy healthy skinny mom/wife/woman. But the mental picture is still cloudy. ~Mandy

I also used the chewables, I actually bought the Meijer brand and they were pretty good. There is a liquid for babies. ~Mandy

It's not really a noise that anyone else can hear, it is more of an internal noise. I hear it but the doctor says he feels it but does not hear it. I think it is something you have to experience to understand. Maybe I am crazy, maybe not, but fills don't bother me, but I hate the bandaid that I have to remove later that day. ~Mandy

My daughter is having her tonsils out on the 25th of May, she is suffering from sleep apnea and they think that this will make it better. The surgery is a bit more complicated as she also suffers from seizures and panic attacks. I know that God will take her into his hands and keep her safe, but we can always use the prayers from my LBT family. ~Mandy

Ok, here is my 2 cents, if you want it or not your gettin' it. I agree that we need the ability to edit posts, whenever. I also think we sould be able to delete our own post, is it possible to have it delete our posts, and also any quotes that have been made from that post? Have the quote link back somehow? I am not too computer savy so I am totally unsure of this. Also remember that even though you have deleted something, if someone is subscribed, they may very well have a copy of your words in their in box, ya know? I am a member on several other boards and we can't edit or delete anything once the post button has been hit, that sucks. I like that I can make spelling corections and edit in more thoughts or make them more clear. I also like to go back and reread my post at a later time and often find mistakes and I edit them even if they are several months old. It is a way for me to reflect on my thoughts and feelings at the time. I know that it is pointless, but when a person deletes a ton of threads, it also really reduces some members post counts. Like I said I know that really isn't important but some people look at that as a symbol of wisdom, a lot of post equals a lot of knowledge. I am a bit upset that some of the posts that were deleted contained links that are now gone. There were also some recipies that I would have liked to have. I didn't print them cuz I am on my laptop and I can only print from my desktop. I miss several of the members that are gone, not sure why some left, others can go and I won't miss them. I like the harmony that we have had in the past, but all of the bickering is getting to me. I was here during the last big blow-up and it almost made me reconsider joining, and then I considered not staying. I have only been here a little over a year, and I am not a huge poster, but I feel that I do have something to offer, but right now I have to dig to find the people that are really here for support. Someone said that there is no "in crowd" or something to that effect, but I disagree. I was gone for 2 weeks and no one looked for me, but there is an entire post for missing members, right around that same time and I was not mentioned at all. I have been here over a year and do post and PM on a somewhat regular basis. I'm not complaining that I'm not part of the incrowd, but there is a clique here. I have made friends here and I am glad I have this place to vent, and get information but don't really feel that I "fit in". I don't attend a live support group, this is all I have, but I feel like that is slipping away now too. I don't post anything that I wouldn't want anyone with web access to see, but I would like the option to edit as nessary. It is like a huge family fued, someone is going to be unhappy in the end, there is no way around that. There is another option, as for the picture issue, another site I belong to has a photo page that each picture that is uploaded is stored there, you can log on and just look at the new pictures and if they interest you, simply click on them and they take you to the post. If the post is deleted the pictures are still there, until they are archived. Maybe that would work? I am rambling now, but I have been reading this thread and stewing about it since last night, and I just wanted to speak my mind. I am not here as much as I used to be, there just isn't the draw to log in everyday like it used to be. I guess, what I am saying is can't we come to a mutual place and all just get along? ~Mandy

I don't think the numbing shot hurts all that much. It is a quick pinch and then it is over. My port is a bit hard to hit and I would prefer the numbing. I hate the feeling of the needle actually penetrating the port, it is the noise that gets me I think. ~Mandy

I am down 68 pounds, and my 9 month bandaversary is in the 28th of April. I feel like a million bucks. A year ago, I was always behind the camera, this trip I actually have lots of pictures of me....~Mandy

Thanks, I am lucky to have a really great follow-up doctor and a wonderful husband/family that totally supports me. That makes all the difference in the world to me. ~Mandy

I don't "workout" but I park far from the stores, and walk the extra disntace. It sounds odd, but we just came back from Disney and I insisted on being the one to carry the backpack, it burned more calories. I eat grilled food when I can, and I bake breaded foods instead of frying them. I can't eat bread or rice and I do very little pasta. Potatos are hard unless they are mashed, fries get stuck every time. I too go weeks without losing and then I will drop 2 or 3 pounds in a day or so. I have averaged almost 2 pounds a week, sometimes I really work at it and other times, I don't. I was a binge eater pre-band and I know if I deny myself of good things, I will binge and possibly hurt my band. I have an occasional piece of chocolate, and a great snack is the 100 calorie bag of microwave popcorn. I usually share it with my daughter. If my family goes for ice cream, I order a lowfat or sugar free, I also keep a bag of sugar free russel stover candies in the house, for emergencies! I know I already answered but wanted to add to what I had said. ~Mandy

I am almost 9 months out and am down 67 pounds. I have 1.6 cc in a 4cc band.I have a protein shake for breakfast, usually vanilla with OJ like a dreamsicle. (the tropicana light 50% less sugar oj is great) for lunch usually leftovers from dinner the night before or a turkey hot dog no bun, and a slice of cheese. Dinner is some kind of meat, usually lean beef or chicken. I also do really well with ground beef. And some veggie, I am working on cutting back on salt and fat. I think I am as thin as I can get without surgical help. Most of my excess inches is made up of skin. I have gone from a 22/24 to a 12/14. I feel like my band has been a total success. Even if I don't lose another pound, I am content with my current size. The only thing that my band didn't help was my knee pain, I guess it wasn't the weight affecting it after all. ~Mandy

All I see is a black screen, is the site down right now? ~Mandy

I have discovered that eggs are almost always difficult to eat. And chicken without some kind of sauce is also out of the question for me. But I can eat steak, go figure. My band loves carbs, it says bring on the chips, popcorn and such and I can have all I want. I can't however do hot dog buns, 2 bites and I am uncomfortably full. Some days I can eat an entire kids meal for dinner and other days I struggle with the veggie pieces in soup. I love my band but wish she would make up her mind. ~Mandy

I recieved my bath set from AlyCat today, it is Mint and very nice, Thanks~Mandy

My daughters first trip was when she was two and she just loved being there. My nieces have been going since they were tiny and all of them love the parks. Don't wait, take her now, the look on her face when she sees the characters will be priceless. ~Mandy

I didn't think my legs would get smaller either but they are. I had thunder thighs and now they are getting more and more normal with each size I get into. I was able to wear a 22 but had to buy a 24 to fit my thighs, now I am in a 14 in everything with no poblem, I am even buying some 12's. Keep walking and don't give up hope for your legs, they will get smaller. ~Mandy

Skinny, I'm getting there, normal, I don't think there is any hope for me in that department. ~Mandy

We just got back and I am lready planning our Oct trip. I live Disney and the whole Orlando area as a whole. I am always willing to help plan a Disney trip, feel free to PM or email me. ~Mandy

We were lucky, there were characters everywhere. We managed to fill 2 books with autographs. And we took 500 pictures, over 10 days. We have friends that work in EPCOT so we have a personal tour guide on his days off. We really had a blast, I was able to do parks from morning to late evening without napping or going back to the room for a mid-day break. My DH laughed at me, I carried the back pack and pushed the stroller everywhere, I said the extra weight of the backpack helped burn more calories. He said my weightloss had gone to my head and I was getting a bit calorie crazy. But that backpack weighed about 9 pounds and then I had a 45 pound child in a big stroller, I think that is why I came home smaller but weighing the same, I built muscle and lost fat. Our family really needed time to relax and recharge. The time spent with good friends that are too far away helped us recharge too. It aways feels good for me to be "home" at Disney. I have very fond memories of my dad holding my hand and walking down main street with me as a little girl and I want the same for my Abigale. I lost my dad when I was 12 and those are some of the memories that really stand out from my childhood. I can stand on main street in the Magic Kingdom and just cry like a baby on each trip. It is a good healing cry and I always feel better after I am finished. I wanted to share my pictures to inspire others and also to show how much my band has changed my life. In the first picture (btw Thanks, Photonut for the side by sides) I am resting on the fence, not posing for a picture, the second was taken just 8 short weeks after my band surgery, in front of my favorite Disney steak place and the last I am posing after a very long day of rides and shows at the Magic Kingdom. We were not on our way back to the room, we were on our way to do another theme park. If this band can change my life this much I just know that it can work for others too. You guys are my band family and I just wanted everyone to see how great things are for me and my family right now. We have been through so much in the last 5 months and it seems like things are finally getting better, I am just relieved and blessed to have a band family to not only share my hard times with but also my joy. Thanks guys for being there when I need you and also for letting me just be me. ~Mandy

WoooooHooooo half way feels great!!!!!! I know how great you are feeling right now. Keep up the great work, just think, next picture you will have to hold those shorts up, maybe put your whole body in one leg???~Mandy

NJChick, this is actually my daughter. She as inspired to get her hair cut like Tinkerbell when we arrived. One of her favorite things to do in Disney is get a hair cut. There is a tiny barber shop in the Magic Kingdom and they really do a great job. This is a tradition for her. She got her very first haircut there and we do it every trip. I thought my heart would stop when they made the first cut as her hair was down on her back and they chopped it really short all in one cut. It is really cute and she just loves it. It is growing on me, I have to say it is much easier to comb and wash being this short. ~Mandy

I was activly updating my avatar as the messages were posted. Disney is my second home, we try to go twice a year. When our plane lands in Orlando my heart is racing and I am giddy like a kid at Christmas time. I grew up in Jacksonville Beach so Florida is really my home. We spent 10 glorious days in the sun and I am already planning our Oct trip. I am either in Disney or planning to be there. It was nice to be there and feel like I was thin enough to take pictures and not be ashamed. I was a very good girl, I made sure to get in my water and as much protein as I could each day. I fell in love with the rotissery chicken kids meals and the dessert was sugar-free applesauce. I had that and a splenda sweetned tea just about everyday. I managed to maintain my weight while there, that is a first for me ever. I actually lost 3 inches at my waist and around my thighs, I think I walked off those inches. I am hoping that my pictures of me smiling and living life will inspire, new and hopeful bandsters. ~Mandy

not sure about the peanut butter but if you like davinci, also check out torani, it is cheaper and just as good, and they have watermelon, yum! ~Mandy

I love DaVinci products, I have never thought about making mixed drinks with them. I get them really cheap at Marshalls and Value City. I will have to check out the website for recipies. ~Mandy

I would love to see some drink mixes made with splenda. I am not a big drinker but I love a virgin Daquri now and then, why can't those mixes be low calorie???? Mandy <~ rasing her low cal drink to Splenda

woooohoooo! I love splenda!!!!~Mandy