mousecrazy

My weight loss have never been steady, either. It has always been in spurts, and then gain a couple of pounds back, then stay there, longer than I like, then lose a bunch again...I have gone long periods of time without losing "numbers on the scale" at all, but clothes have become loose, and people start commenting on how much I have lost. Bodies need to adjust. Bodies change. You gain muscle weight, that replace all that space that fat once took. I don't know how it all works, but it does. Stick with it, take a big picture point of view, and in a year, you'll be amazed! (probably waaaay before then!)

Report on 8-2-06 J 224 / C 224 / G 199 (-1 this week) Yea! "Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?...."

I've been working like a dog in my DD's room this afternoon, and I'm on my "break" right now...we went to IKEA and got her a futon for her room! We're moving the twin bed that's in there now to my DH's room, and that bed is goin' OUT. (oh yeah, we have our own rooms for sleeping due to snoring...still lovebirds, though...sorry, TMI) SOOOOO, as you know, when you start one of those projects, it leads to others....and I've cleaned out her closet, her dresser, under her bed, and so on. It feels good to get it out of there! I lost 1 lb. last week, although two days ago it was 2 lbs, so WTF? It's mysterious, sometimes, huh? Yes, I did have some ice cream, and I agree with ya'll. When I try to deny myself a particular food, it makes me want it soooooo much! The Lent thing worked fine, but then I was doing it for a more spiritual reason, I guess. My personal goal, beginning 8/8/06: (don't laugh!) 15 minutes of physical activity that isn't regular stuff. On purpose exercise of some kind. Every day. Eileen, are you keeping a list? Are we just reporting in each day how we did? Darcy, I'm craving a peppermint mocha sooo bad. The nearest Starbucks is 15 miles away, so tough for me. Hope you enjoyed your sis. I'm gonna go read some posts, then go back into the DD's room and take advantage of her absence to straighten out her little world! LOL! Hugs, Cindy

I say give it a go. My DD has been a Scout since 1st grade, so this willbe her 4th year. They don't talk about religion, although we are Christian (full disclosure). We do the activities for the patches, and most of all, the girls learn to get along with each other, which should be its own patch! If you are willing to be involved, and are willing to keep it religion-free, then go for it. Sigh, isn't it sad how many parents don't want to parent? I'm excited that you want to! Happy Scouting!

Alright, gals! Seems like today was "a bad day." But, that's the absolute beauty of friendship and the band...we'll do better tomorrow. All is not lost. Look how many good days we have had! How's that for a bright shine on a bad day? Just to make you guys feel a little better, I'll go have a little bit of ice cream...then we'll all be even. THAT'S how much I care about ya! Seriously, Darcy, are you feeling any better? Good for you, Dianne, on getting that great advertiser! Sherry, that meatloaf on the grill sounds soooo good. I'm still eating vegetable soup. I did have a Zone Perfect bar today, but with this new fill, I really, truly, cannot eat much at one time. Okay, I know that's the point, but it is sometimes annoying. I'll be glad in the long run! Okay, as Scarlett O'Hara said, "Tomorrow is anotha day..." Hugs, Cindy Did I say how quiet it was around here?

At first, my part was $50, insurance paid the rest. The last fill I had was last week, and I paid nothing. Apparently, I had satisified my deductible or something.... It is totally up to the agreement your school district has with the insurance company. Your doctor's office should be able to tell you.

Bumping as a gentle nudge to Mandy to post the pictures... maybe I'm nagging.... Oh, well....wanna see pictures!!!!!! Hugs, Cindy

Tricia, O Holy Night is my favorite, too! I love Josh Groban's version, but I have not heard Mariah's. Don't be surprised if I, at a later date, say something else is my favorite, but definitely, this is a top 3, if not the VERY TOP!

Hi, John! First, have you healed from your mishap of a couple of weeks ago? Next, I say if you think you'd look/feel better minus the 5 pounds, then go for it! I have NO DOUBT you can do it if you decide you want to...you are the most strong-willed guy out there!

Just order an appetizer, and talk about how out of control portion sizes have become... For me, I've told everyone, so I'm an open book...but if I'm at a function with people I don't know, that's what I do. You just look like you're a light eater. Cool!

I suppose LBT is one of the addictions we might have! I gave up drinking alcohol well before my band surgery, so that's not it... I've tried to become more involved in things outside myself...using food as comfort is, by it's nature, very self-centered...when I feel nervous or stressed, I try to do something that will make someone else feel better, then I feel better, too.

You sound about right to me...I was driving after a week...but still sipping liquids. I was easily tired, but kept going. I just rested when I could. I'd give myself a month to really be 100%.

Teresa, I used Dr. Marsden. They do have group meetings, but I haven't been to any...I have used LBT and been perfectly happy. Are you sure they do not have support group meetings, because they used to...they were at the Surgery Center. Good luck with your surgery and healing....post anytime, and be sure to read, read, read so you'll have a good idea of what to expect, AND what NOT to expect! Best of luck....Cindy

WTF! It's AUGUST! HULLOOOOOO! I already posted once today on the July thread, and nobody wrote me a little PM and said psssst, it's August already, wise up! LOL! Just got home...dropped DD and her friend at camp. Helped them make their beds, kinda...unpack their bags, kinda...get ready for the pool, kinda...friend had already misplaced her little ID necklace, so we left while DD was helping friend find it. Sheeesh! Will DD and friend survive 5 days without mommies? Will they be wearing each other's underwear before it's all over? Will I be washing friend's clothes and who knows what else when they get home? LOL! Stay tuned for this weekend's exciting conclusion! Then, on the way home, DH and I went to her school, and unloaded some bucks at registration...PE uniforms, lunch tickets, etc. Nice to be home, just hanging out. Quiet, here. Hugs, Cindy

Great news, Eileen! A skinny chick with a big mane of hair! Hot! Cindy

You all will get a kick out of this...yesterday my DD was singing Christmas songs in the back seat of the car while we were driving! She said she didn't know why these songs were stuck in her head! I don't think she has been looking over my shoulder....???? Remember, tomorrow is reporting day... How goes the Christmas shopping?

NJSunshine, If you are NJ girl, there is a thread in NJ support that you might like to hang out in for fun and, well, support! You are doing great...don't be depressed! Most of the people who were banded in July 2005 (when I was) have lost about 70ish pounds, so I think you're doing really good. You may have hoped and tried for more, but don't get down on yourself and ignore the accomplishments you have made! That's a recipe for sabotage, and you do not want to go there. Stick to it, you've got the rest of your life!

DonnaB has said it perfectly! Get feedback from others, then make your own decision...everything is too individual, every body is different and responds differently.

Thanks for posting the happy news! Congratulations on your successful weight loss!

If you are hungry later at night, eat something light that won't sit in your pouch all night while you sleep, causing reflux and other problems... I just responded to your questions about fill levels, and if you are having this kind of fluctuation throughout the day...having a bigger fill will only cause this to be more striking. My best advice is to give yourself time to adjust to the band thing and get used to it's fickle little nature! It's so typical to have fluctuating restriction, but a tighter fill will make this even worse. Learning how the band works for you is all part of the fun! Are you getting excited about going to your new school?

I am a year out, and have not done any formal exercise. I have increased my activity level, as I have lost weight. I walk more, move around more, in general. I think Alexandra's post most reflects how I feel...Just now I am feeling an interest in more active pursuits, and am interested in getting a gym membership, or going to the natatorium to swim for fitness...I retire in a few months, and that is on the top of my list, and I'm looking forward to it.

After a year, I have a total of 1.3 cc's in a 4 cc band. I think if I had a big 2 cc fill right off the bat, I would have lost the experience of learning how to adjust my "head band." That would have caused lots of problems and emotional distress. There was plenty of emotional adjustments as it was, with more conservative and slower adjustments. Everyone is different, and hopefully, your progress will be tuned just for you. Good luck!

Good morning, everyone! I'm all in for for supporting whatever personal challenge is the best for you! I need the ice cream withdrawal, because it's my personal booger, so I'll stay with that...I added chocolate in solidarity. Let's think of something interesting to do starting next Tuesday...one thing we haven't ever done is something like "15 minutes of movement" each day, which is a piece of cake for Darcy! OOOPS! Did I say cake? Or, we could each make our own committment, and do the Personal Challenge thing...that's a great idea, too! Everyone give their ideas! Dianne, good luck on your ad sales! I had the most vivid movie in my head of you flying through the air on the tube! I'm glad you're (mostly) okay! Darcy, I'm so sorry you had that nasty run-in with the steak! I understand about the liquid diet, though...we live in nearly parallel universes! I just added mushies yesterday...the good news is that I should be able to change my ticker tomorrow (Christmas Wish weight posting on Wednesdays). It will be the first time I've changed my ticker in more than a month...so, we'll see what Mr. Scales tells me tomorrow! Take it easy today, and let that swelling go down...do you do that Carnation Instant Breakfast thing? Trying to thing of way to get protein...and liquids at the same time.... Hope everyone's staying cool during these "dog days of summer." I'm gonna paint DD's toenails before she goes to camp! Then 4 days with out DD...whatever will we do??????? LOL!

You might get a laugh out of this...about two months before my surgery, my niece had lapband surgery, and I teased her about it! So, even those who might make light of your decision, CAN be converted! Those who scoff are just people who probably need a bit of an education about it, first of all, and most of all, they are NOT you, and you are the one who is living in your body. YOU get to decide! There is no question that the decision to have this surgery, and then follow through during this year with learning better ways of coping with stress than eating, and staying on the LBT boards (willing to learn), have transformed my life. I have an 8 year old DD, and one of the most important reasons for choosing lapband was to be able to participate in her activities. That has happened! I can walk all over the place, climb rocky beaches, dance with her...I even helped lead the music class at vacation Bible school, which was 3 hours of movement and singing...I seriously could not have done it last summer. I am wholeheartedly, 100% happy with this decision! Good luck to you, BRD!

I'm a year out, and still thrilled with my band! I hope you will love yours, too! My dinners are just normal dinners, usually...but instead of two (or three) plates of food, it's just one smaller serving of dinner. I even eat dessert many nights. As you go, you will have choices to make. You will choose the level of restriction (per fills) that you want. This will give you control over the amount of lifestyle changes you have to make, which will also affect the rate of weight loss you have. The band is a wonderful tool, where you have control over how to use it. Good luck!