ReneBean

Alas - I have not had the very best restriction - and I have always been able to eat pizza and burgers... You will notice that my loss has been VERY slow - so that is the price you pay when you can (and DO) eat those kinds of foods. If you want the best success - PRAY that you get so much restriction that you CAN'T eat such things. :]

Aw Lana I ate everything that wasn't nailed down before my first fill. It was a kind of "last supper syndrome" You are WAY ahead of where I was - so you ROCK. Don't panic. You will continue to do GREAT. 1 slice of pizza??? I would be sure to indulge in a slice of pizza at least once a month - for as long as your band will allow it. Don't panic if you don't have perfect restriction after the first fill, either. It usually takes more than one. Hugs!!

OK... it's Thursday. That is good. I can deal with that... cause that means tomorrow is Friday... and I can't wait for THAT. Wishing my life away, again... *sigh* Eileenie - I so need to get my haircut, too. I don't know why I keep putting it off. I'll bet the two of you look pretty cute!! Both you and G have great hair. I am jealous! Kat - How strange about Becky's dad and G. Ford. Very sad for her. Hugs to both of you. Oh - and I don't recommend looking at the scale until you are ready to re-commit. It is very depressing. I did notice that I am all puffed up right now - massively retaining water - but some of it has to be the spinach dip... 9 lbs. YUCK. And here I thought this was going to be the first year I didn't gain ten pounds at Christmas... HA! I guess your DN needs a little lesson in the Spirit of Christmas... :heh: Scorpio - HI.... I think leaks are generally found when the docs keep putting in fills that just disappear. You would probably be better off to search for Port Leaks or something. We are just your basis boring group, here.... and we like it that way. Please, pull up a keyboard and tell us about you. :biggrin1: Betty - Chocolate? I just can't deal with that yummy smell ON me. It's hard enough to resist the sight of the stuff - but the smell? No stinkin' way. I would be at the vending machines all day long. Of course, if you WANT your DH to nibble on you, then I expect chocolate is good inspiration. :hungry: Jules - I am with you. Pictures are a GREAT gift. I intend to get some of us on New Years! Well, let's see. Not a darned thing has happened between yesterday and today. Just more of the same, if you know what I mean. I am sort of pondering the mystery of maybe purchasing an eliptical machine - for those days when I just want to do 15 minutes before I shower - or for those days when I just don't want to get dressed and go to the gym... I just don't want to spend a bunch of money on another item to throw clothes over.... you know what I mean? So I am thinking about how much I would actually USE the machine. It helps that my work gives us "Ovation Points" which would finance most or all of the purchase of the machine... I just have to think about where to put it that I would be inspired to use it. Hmmm. Well - that's all that's going on around these parts. I hope everybody is doing well. I am missing some of our gals. I can't wait for them to get back from wherever they are and let us know how the Holidays went. Howdy to Everybody who has posted, and those that have not. Hugs and Love. Irene

Well - I tried an advance search - for Titles only - but I got every title that had the word pain in it... when I tried searching just for Jaw, I got nothing... so the search thing is problematic. Just do your best in the advance searches...

Well - have you had any problems with drinking Water? Are you really swollen from surgery? Do you have a VG band? It may be that the gum will just pass on thru... I would just wait and see. If you can drink water and stuff, then you are probably ok.

Hi Merideth & Maro. Hope you are both doing ok!! Hugs!

Hi Cathy Where in Texas? If you aren't far from Denton - you could meet up with us in at the Cracker Barrel on New Year's Day at 2pm - and we can answer a mess o' questions for you... Yep - you posted right... and hopefully, the band will help you lose your dependence on insulin along with that 60 lbs... :]

Hey Prosebud Love the screen name. :] I totally understand the VG band thing. I am at about 30 lbs since surgery after 11 mos. 8.2 cc's isn't quite enough... so maybe that Fill next week will do the trick. At least you didn't GAIN a bunch of weight in the last 2 yrs. That's better than you could have expected before - and now that you are ready to work, the band is still there... How cool is that?!? Hugs and good luck! 2007 is going to be a GREAT year. :]

Slowkat I have the thyroid thing going on, too - but I think mine went wacko because I have always been overweight. The band hasn't been QUICK or dramatic in any way - but it works, slowly and steadily. If I don't go completely nuts, the band does what it is supposed to do and I lose weight. Exercise is important - but I know lots of bandsters who have never been able to really get into that - and it has been ok. I do know that after losing about 50 pounds since my initial consultation, I have a whole lot LESS pain in my knees and ankles - which should be helpful in maybe you being able to at least sit for longer than a few minutes. Lots can be done from a sitting position - and certainly the pool is an excellent way to get exercise in the summer months. I think with your thyroid fighting against you, you really need the band to help you maintain your control while you try to lose weight. Besides, it's not just about losing it.... I have lost weight on countless occassions - but the band will help you keep it off. For me, the Keeping it off is more important than the losing part. Hugs!

Howdy! Another glorious day in Mortgage Lending... oh joy, oh rapture. Yes, I still haven't won the lottery. *sigh* I guess I had better get out and buy tickets tomorrow night for the next ten draws. I have decided to cut myself some slack until after Jan 1. My goal between now and then is to remove all of the miscelaneous junk food from my home. I have already "disposed" of the spinach dip. eh hem. I would like to think that spinach dip counts as a vegetable - at least until 2007. But I have cut up a loaf of pumkin bread and a loaf of zuchinni applesauce bread to share with my co-workers. I have determined that I may have to have my Sister Mary assasinated to protect myself from her baked goods in the future. You could use her lemon bars and pumpkin bread to wring state secrets out of spys. That stuff is better than any drug I have ever tried. DANG! And we won't even go into the whole "PIE" situation. My SIL Johnnie is safe - because while her zuchinni breads are good - they are resistable. Lucky Johnnie... I have scheduled a fill for Jan. 2 - so I will find out if I have dilation or not. I expect (and fervently hope) not - but one can never be sure. Plus - the fill will help me to keep on track for my very ambitious goal of 15 lbs for the month of January. I really would like to lose 50 lbs from the DAY of surgery in the first year. I am aiming for 280 by Feb 6th. Everybody wish me luck. Mandy - I am going to be counting on you to help pull me back from the pumkin bread edge... Hugs!! I hope your flu is short lived... Feel better. Chris - Are you saying I type too much?!? (LOL) No doubt, I do. And yes, I am excited about my co-worker, too. She had her surgery today... Everybody think good thoughts. Kat - Hugs!! Hope you are doing well. Cindy - I would be the "mom" if I were around... I don't dye the hair or anything, either. :] But, it's kind of an NSV for you, huh? Oh - and you had better have a couple of bandaides on hand for your lunch - for when your friends' chins get scuffed on the floor. :] Sherry - Playing hooky, huh? Cool! Hope you feel better, too. Nothing worse than not being able to sleep at night. It's cool that your DH is going to make some efforts at better eating this year... mine says he is. After his difficulties in finding any clothes that fit, he might do it - especially if I am truly diligent, as I will have to be to make my goal. Good luck! And good luck finding snacks for your kid that you don't like. I know EXACTLY what you mean - I like everything, too! Jules - I have fudge at home, too. Don't remind me... and MARY made it - so it's probably like ambrosia. Maybe I will just give it away without tasting it... (yeah, like that is going to happen). Oh well. After Jan 1st - it's a big old boot in the butt for any remaining junk food. Anne - Hugs! Glad your back is feeling better. I don't suppose it would help to tell you the only way to keep your back in shape is to do abdominal work... sucks but it's true. Good luck with the going back to work, thing. Remember - cut your best deal going in. The future is nebulous. If they want you - make them give you what YOU want right up front. :] Well my dears - work is calling....in it's most whiney, grating, horrid voice... *sigh* I grow weary of being a loan whore. Maybe I won millions in the last 10 draws and I just don't know it yet... yeah, that's it. Millions..... Hugs and Love!

Great Rose - We'd love to meet you!

Sorry BaybeeG. Insurance sucks. If you have a 401k - you can borrow against that If your own your home - you can take out a Home Equity Loan If you qualify - you can get financing thru Capital One. (and lots of people qualify) Don't completely give up hope... Hugs!

Wowza!! You Supermodel, you!! I will be excited to get to a size 12. Congrats!!!

OOO - you are at my goal size! Congrats!! You ROCK!!!

You have to stay on them. BCBS is a huge machine. If you talk to the cog, he says it's the wheel's fault. If you talk to the wheel, he'll refer you to the bolt... Nobody seems to individually care - but you have to keep on kicking the machine until it gives you an answer. Good luck!

Hmmm. I think I should have about 50. :]

Weight is just a number on a scale... I have a goal size. I want to fit comfortably & consistently into a size 14 - or tight into a 12 - and I don't care if I do that at 150 or a 190. I will be happy so long as I can wear a 14 in normal women sizes.

Hugs Poodles!! Those folks are SCOR are really the best - and Marianne is a great gal. Hope you get that sweet spot this time.

I try not to see it - and I just avoid taking that "one bite"... cause one ALWAYS turns into two. If I can just keep from taking that first bite, it doesn't seem to be so bad. I don't see it, I don't taste it - it isn't there. That works MOST of the time. Good luck!

Why would you think he wasn't serious? You are ONE HOT MAMA!! Wallow in it. STRUT. You have earned it. :]

Celery, Baby! Spit out the thready stuff once you are done chewing. Of course, if you must - try a lowfat cracker or a baked chip. Compare labels to see which one is better for you. Good luck!

I have told some folks - and I haven't had any negativity issues... But I have been fairly selective in who gets to know. So, maybe I have just been lucky. I guess my overall attitude of Not Giving a Damn about what anybody else thinks must broadcast pretty strongly - cause nobody who knows has been negative at all - and I am PRETTY SURE that some of those folks have talked to others. I guess I am just lucky. Marjon - sorry you are having trouble with your DW. Maybe she is insecure and thinks you will get so thin you take of with a young skinny chick. Try a little extra love. I wish you could wallow in your own pre-surgery jitters too - but maybe it's better this way... Hugs!

Wahoo!! Congrats and keep up the great work!

Atkins makes a pre-mixed shake in a can. I try to keep some on hand for emergencies. They travel well and they are palatable. I am sure that your emergency situation has not caused any permanent damage - but try to follow your doc's recommendations from now on. Good Luck.

For me - chocolate is like crack or booze or whatever your addiction of choice might be. I try to stay out of the room where it is - and barring that, I avoid having any, no matter what. Once I start, I can't stop. I have no control when it comes to chocolate. I have just accepted this fact and I try to limit my exposure. Good Luck!!