mousecrazy

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! WAY TO GO!!!!! GREAT JOB!!!!! It is a joy to celebrate this achievement with you! Cindy

Love this idea and will be thinking of my mini goal, and posting a ticker of it along with my big overall goal. I think you're onto something, here, Batgirl!

I think if you've read all the honest posts on this board, you know that it is a very rare person who follows those rules even 90% of the time. There are soooo many variables...like how many fills, and how much is in the fill, and then just personal habits, etc. It is all too easy to slip into the old habits from time to time, and when i have done that, I straighten myself back up again, and start following the rules more closely. Keep it steady, and you will lose the weight! Cindy

If you can imagine the Norman Rockwell picture of a neighborhood during Halloween, we are probably close to it. There was a constant stream of cars coming into our neighborhood for 2 hours...probably 100 kids or so total at the door! Now, someof these are teens, and I have a pet peeve about that, but they get candy at my door (just not the GOOD candy!) DD looked adorable as an American Idol, but she had to change out of the 4" platform heels and into her sneakers after an hour! I wouldn't have even tried! My sister came over and we had pizza (I had one slice, but before I would have had 3, at least!) I confess I ate some candy, but that's what you do on Halloween, right? I am pretty sure I ate much less candy than usual, though. It's quiet now, and we all had a great time! Must admit it is a bit scary to put make-up on your 8 year old daughter, and get a hint at the beauty to come...and the bills for the makeup! LOL! Happy Halloween to everyone! Good to see you back and posting, Beanie!

The sugar-free popsicles helped a lot, and then I think the rest of it is your basic "guts." You've just got to gut it out, no pun intended! Not easy, not fun, no way. But it is soon behind you, and you're a couple of steps further on your way to your goal. Hang in there, wish I could give you better advice, or even a loophole, but I feel your pain. Cindy

That is soooooo fantastic! You worked so hard, and you met your goal! Now, like the others, I want to know the most important steps you took to achieve that kind of success! Very impressive, very impressive! Here's a high five! Cindy

Hi, everyone! It's a good day for a Cowboys fan! Just finished watching the game, and finished my ironing, too! DD is with my sister at a play, so it's really quiet. REALLY QUIET! I'm gonna have to talk to myself; even the dogs are too lazy to play! Lisa, it is so fun to "create memories" isn't it? I think that's one of the best things about being Mommy! I'd like a crack at that cabin right about now! Angel, here's to hoping you are taking a nap right now. I also am glad to hear the kiddoes are feeling better, and I hope you stay healthy. That's a lot of stress on someone who just had surgery...please be sure to get your rest! Eileen, I think it's a great sign that a cheese doodle sounds good to you! I don't like Isopure either...I had a bottle in the gridge, so I drank part of it in your honor. "Aftertaste" doesn't begin to describe it, does it? Do you think CIB would be just too far out of the question? You might try looking at Unjury's website...I am really happy with their products, and the vanilla flavored protein is absolutely delicious in Crystal Light Orange drink...just like a dreamsicle! Well, you know what I mean.... Beanie? Are you having a great time with your friend? I'm kinda interested in what Punk music bands she and your DH were discussing...once upon a time, a long time ago, I enjoyed the punk/new wave scene in Dallas. Practically another lifetime, but I guarantee you it was me! I still like the music, but have a little trouble with the mosh pit! LOL Happy Halloween, what is everyone doing tomorrow? Happy Spooking! Cindy

Way cool specs, girl! A fantastic picture, I love it! How do you do that? Change your avatar, I mean. Mine is from last Christmas! Great job! Cindy

Hi! Lisa in NJ, my daughter is in Jr. Girl Scouts, and we went on a camping trip like that last year when she was in Brownies. Great time! Of course, we are in Texas, so while it was cool, it wasn't COLD! Eileen, if I"d known about your fascination with hearts, I would have picked up a bracelet for you, too! Betty, sounds like a great ride today! Pat - enjoy your pain killers...but I bet you've run out of gas by now! LOL Angel, so sorry about the sick kids...it is very stressful to have one sick kid, much less two! Everyone enjoy the evening, and goodnight, Cindy

You know, all doctors differ somewhat in their recommendation, so I'll just tell you what mine said to do, and you can just add it to the info you already have. I was on clear liquids, too, but after 4 days, he did allow the regular protein drink in a can (I like Adkins Advantage). I could only drink part of it at a time, so I poured the rest into a water bottle, so it would stay fresh...the kind that have oz marks on the side, so I oculd tell how much I was drinking. After a week, I was allowed to go to creamy liquids, like soups. After that, it was whatever I could tolerate. I started with mushy food first, of course, then I chose on my own. I was totally eating regular food before my first fill, which was about a month after banding. I also like Unjury protein powder, which I added to cooled off coffee, or Crystal light. I didn't worry at all about too much protein with little fiber, so maybe that's bad, but it worked out okay for me. Good luck figuring something out that will work for you! Cindy

Hi, there! Glad you decided to join in! It's a great place with super people, and a few guys, even! Post anytime! Cindy

Hi, all! Eileen, I'm glad to hear you have been driving and are up and around...it just gets better and better, and then you'll forget you ever had it! Except for the Brake aspect when you try to eat too much! My favorite part of bandland is the Brake! We just got back from Haven's school Pumpkin Festival...carnival games, crafts and food...I had some nachos. I bought a bracelet from one of the craft vendors...cute heart shaped links with marcasite. Now, it's the not-fun stuff like laundry and ironing! Yuck. Beautiful day, with some wind...nice day to be outside. Tomorrow Haven sings with the choir during 1st service, then my sister is taking her to Suessical the Musical and out to lunch...so I'll have a little "down" time tomorrow afternoon...see what the Cowboys are going to do tomorrow! Gotta run for now...hang in there Eileen! Keep after 'em, Beanie!

I had a hysterectomy a couple of years ago, and then the Lapband...driving on the highway in Dallas will freak you out if you think about it too much! Certainly, there are some unpleasant aspects of surgery, but the whole point of it is to correct something even worse, right? Keep searching, and asking questions...you will find the right decision for you! Cindy

1)How much of a fill you all got the first visit? .5cc 2)What size and brand of band? Inamed, size? 3)Did your Dr. use floro or not for this first visit? YES 4)How much did you get on your second fill? Haven't had one 5)How long before you NEEDED (not got it, but needed it) your second fill? N/A Cindy

Way to go! I think I moved from "off the scale" to "severely obese" on fitday.com. I get a kick out of it! Cindy

contratulations! this is fantastic news and a great acccomplishment! I can't wait to experience it for myself! Cindy

Penni, I'm a hard-headed woman myself, and that can be a good thing, right?! I only added "you may not be a believer" so as not to cause offense to anyone else...and just to say what is my explanation of the changes we experience in time. Hope I did not offend you in saying that. Some of the questions you pose remind me of issues brought up in 12-Step programs (Al-Anon). Your post is very enlightening! Cindy

Great start! congratulations! Cindy

I should know who wrote this, but I read yesterday on a post about the idea of our body/mind definition of "lose" and "gain" and that plateau's are our body's way of adjusting to a new reality...when we are ready, the will release more weight. I am trying to re-think my ideas of lose and gain, and replace lose with "releasing". I am telling myself I am ready to release more weight. I also like the idea of changing up some things you are doing. And if possible, stay away from the scale for a few days... Don't worry, it will move! Cindy

Good morning, gang! Eileen, boy, do I remember barely being able to eat anything...I could not even eat a small applesauce container of anything for a few days (at one time). I releid on the protein drinks, and could only drink about 4 oz at a time, just like a baby. slowly, it changes, and you can get back to normal. Isn't it weird that it seems like you never will, then one day you are typing to your lapband friends, and remembering it like it was a long time ago? Weird! You are so right, I'll just pass up the Halloween decorations and go right to the pumpkin/harvest theme! Ira...I just love irony, don't you? Wouldn't you like to find the right person at the insurance company to explain it to? Would they be able to see it, too? Beanie, I just emailed you to say I was very impressed with your first chapter! People, we've got a blooming writer on our hands, here. We won't be competing with each other, either, since I am more of a non-fiction writer, essayist or whatever, and she is creating characters, and a cool heroine, at that! Pat, love the bike! DH dearly wants one, but I've kept my foot down about it...but who knows, maybe someday? Everyone hang in there...only one day until Friday!

I've thought about some of these ideas, and perhaps we will never know, exactly, how it works. I would say through Grace of God, but you may not be a believer. Many of the things that would be very upsetting when I was younger, are not now. It might be mellowing, it might be maturity...it might be that with experience, we have gained compassion. Of course, we are prettier, too! I think it would be appropriate to share your lessons with others...isn't that what we are supposed to do? Help each other along this journey? The forgiveness was probably the most difficult, and you've already done that. I like this thread; it made me think. Cindy

Thanks, John! You're always right there with the great support! Cindy

I am glad that you have found a place to be yourself. My theory is that it gets easier as you get older; at least it was true for me. My weight problem really didn't begin until my late 20s, but I know there are so many things I've had to do differently because of it. I blame my attitude toward weight on Twiggy. If you don't know who that is, then you are very young! Why should weight be the issue for which we feel embarrassed? Let's all feel bad about the cause of the problem, instead of the symptom. That should keep us busy! And yes, I do think some weight issues are somehow genetic/body chemistry related...AND I think some of the problems are caused by little ol' me and the way I have chosen to cope with conflict. I wholeheartedly agree that is great to find all of the supportive and understanding friends here at LBT! Cindy

Ivan, you caught me! I hate it when I write too fast and spell words incorrectly...especially since I'm an English teacher! LOL (WOW! I just re-read my post, and it is a mess! I'm surprised anyone could actually read it! I'll try to slow down.) Eileen, you'll be okay to Trick or Treat...I was doing pretty much the normal stuff by the time a week went by...hope you are, too! Today should be the regular stuff...work, teach, counsel, play. Then oild change for the car, and home. Wednesdays really are "hump days." I like Thursday better. I feel bad because we haven't put out the Halloween decorations, and I don't know when we will have time before Monday. Is everyone's life crazy busy, or am I bad at time management? Probably a little of both. How do you guys keep your homes organized? Or, do you? This is stressing me out, lately... Have a good day, everyone. Hope you continue to feel better, Eileen! Cindy

Way to go! YOu stuck it out, got through the hard times, and came out on top...or a big loser, whichever what you want to think about it! Good job! I'm happy for you! Cindy