Apples2

Laura...you have such a talent for explaining everything that's going on. Thanks for keeping us informed. Don't know what to say except hang in there. Sounds like your dad is really appreciative of having you kids around him at this time. Every minute spent taking his mind off his medical troubles is a good one. He sounds like a very caring Grandpa with ordering the kid's fav pizza. What a guy! How's your band reacting to all of this, Laura? Make sure you take care of yourself and know that we are all with you in this. Again, thanks for updating us. Also...thanks for the photo compliments. All I know is that I feel wonderful..healthy. Sending hugs.

Good job...wishing you luck on your lapband journey! All the best!

Call your doc and ask him...that would be your definate answer. You can guess what it would be. Not worth the risk...you really should stick to your doc's orders. Hope I am not sounding too harsh but you want your body and mind ready for that surgery.

There are quite a few people that do the 5-day pouch test to get them refocused and back on track. Also, get those trigger foods out of your house even if you need to throw them away. If it is your weakness, don't be exposed to it. I know one thing that really helped me during the weight loss stage was to journal EVERY morsel that I put in my mouth. I allowed so many calories and day and it made me accountable. Planning my meal menus a day or even a week ahead of time was a huge help also. Clean some veggies and have them in the frig ready to eat when you feel like snacking. Have a bowl of fruit ready to grab. Wishing you luck in getting back on track. Give yourself some credit...you KNOW you can do this. Just have the right things on hand to help get you steered the right direction.

Congrats on getting through all the steps and preparing yourself for this life-changing surgery. I have had many surgeries but was more nervous about this one than any other. (and this was the easiest one). I think it was because it was sooooo life changing. All I can tell you is that the surgery was a breeze. Take care of yourself...follow all of your doc's rules. Just keep in mind why you are doing this. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. There are many here to prove that. Keep us informed as to your date and how you are doing.

Just a few suggestions... As another poster said...take some time to pamper yourself when you feel your cravings are insurmountable. Go brush your teeth, read the daily paper, pour yourself a cup of coffee, tea or Crystal Lite. Grab a sugar free jello cup, take the dog for a walk, do a load of laundry...anything that takes your mind off of eating. I always have a bowl of celery, carrots and cukes all cut up and ready to grab....I know, not the most exciting thing to eat but does the trick. For my sweet craving, I also have a bowl of strawberries, cleaned and sprinkled with Splenda. I put these into the smaller Gladware cups in the serving size I eat. (about one cup).

Julie..you are too kind and waaaay to hard on yourself. You are a beautiful woman in more ways than just your outer beauty. You will get there...you've made great strides so far. Do you realize how many setbacks you have had? You are going at it day by day and seeing results. Hang tough and good luck with all your events this weekend.

Just jumping in to wish you good luck. Only advice I can give is to follow ALL of your doc's orders....i.e....food choice stages, exercise, etc. I can tell by your post that you are very enthusiastic about your decision to do the lapband.

My DH says he "hates" Greek yogurt but he does not know he eats it all the time. So much better for him (and me) than the others. Today I made him a version of banana cream pie. 1 small container of honey Greek mixed with DaVinci SF banana flavor poured over a banana and topped with Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal. He raved. Some day I will disclose that he's been eating Greek yogurt for about 18 months now!

LOL....I don't think you could intentionally offend anyone, Lori! I think if there is one thing all of will learn during this process is that our relationships WILL change even though we, in our hearts, feel that we have not changed and we are the same person inside. If we have people in our lives that are shallow enough to resent a person for moving towards a healthier life. One of my favorite says is "They'll just have to sit in their own pew for awhile." If a relationship has gotten to a point where it's more work than it's worth, let it sit by the wayside for awhile. If it is a relationship that is truly worth saving, put some work into it. Time will tell which ones are worth saving. When it comes to family...who the hell knows!

Gosh, Lori...I hope I did not insult you when I made the statement about being sensitive...I, myself, wish that I were not as sensitive as I am. My point I was trying to make is that you ARE sensitive and these things are going to get to you. Didn't want to make you feel bad. My DH is always saying that I should learn to just let things roll. Easier said than done...especially with women. Guys can curse a guy one day and be patting them on the back having a beer with them the next. Women, on the other hand, have a little tougher time with things like that. Anyway...I do understand where you are coming from with your family issues...Maybe THEY should show some sensitivity towards YOU.

Oh...and thanks for the compliment.

I hate to dis your mom but I think she is tough on her daughter. I have seen photos of you, Lori, and you look very young for your age. I, myself, was always saying I thought I looked older after I got to my goal. My DH and others have reassured me that I look younger. But, I do think that in the intitial stage after losing the weight there is a certain truth to it. The skin does magically tighten up after a few months...face included. Take it all with a grain of salt...if you can, Lori. You look wonderful. Sisters and the mom need to encourage...not discourage. :thumbdown:

Thanks, Iteach...you know what one of the best things is? (besides feeling so great)...wearing jeans...had not worn them for years cuz I could not get any to fit me. I was soooooooo big through the middle.

Believe me, Larraine...this will all settle down and you WILL feel better. Just make sure you get your liquids in and don't get dehydrated. I know it's tough to get things in when you are feeling nauseated, but it's worth it. Is it the pain meds that are making you feel sick to your stomach? Maybe give your doc a call to let him know how you are feeling. Come back here with any questions you might have. It' does help to have a support system. Take care and good luck

Hey Phyll...thanks...and, I love my kitchen too. We remodeled 9 yrs ago. Waited so long to be able to do it that it was very well thought out. That's only about 1/3 of it in the photo. Have dining and my "office" on the other end and off to the side. What a good grandma and grandpa. My two DS's never saw a grandparent at a game, wrestling match, Future Farmers of American awards program, church program, etc. and one set lived 2 miles down the road and other 25 miles. (We did fill their lives up with good people that made an effort though). You get the Grandma Gold Star for the day!

Arlene...thanks for the kudos...Hot Chick? I am just an almost 54 yr old that is just happy to be healthy again and be able to move about and actually wear a pair of jeans again. Happy to run through this too big house now that my DS's are gone and actually be able to accomplish what I set out to do. So many perks with reaching that goal that I once thought was unattainable. Linda...aren't you sweet...it is nice to hear what you and Janet said about not being too skinny. I was afraid to post because of that. My DH thinks I'm normal and healthy. You guys on this thread know I have struggled with many comments from locals (even one at a wake a couple weeks ago....A lady I didn't even know broke into a conversation I was having with the widow and said "Girl, you'd better eat something and just walked away". Needless to say...it blew me away. But, I handle it and I live my own life and don't put my nose where it doesn't belong and feel that a person deserves the same respect in return. Got the same kind of comments when people found out I did the band. Had many say that I wasn't heavy enough...WTH? 249? I guess it is a shock when I have not seen someone for awhile...that's part of it. Another is I have extremely lanky arms and legs and have always dressed to cover up that dreaded middle. Hell, I'm just going to get on with life and not worry anymore what anyone thinks. As far as the jealousy issues...I try to give people the benefit of the doubt and believe that is not an issue. You girls have been the best thing for me. I feel like I can ask you anything, have great daily conversations, not be judged and I thank you for that. Ok, Linda, to your harvest question...nope have not been out for quite a few days. We have had rain since Wed. SUN is finally out this morning and thinking we will get back into the field Mon or Tues. Cheri...I read your post last night but did not comment. You got it right with children needing someone important in their life to guide them...especially if they are challenged with learning disorders, ADD, ADHD. Raising mine, doing homework, etc. was a challenge. Had DH and both DS's tested at the same time when sons were in early elementary school. Never wanted to "label" the boys but needed to know. One DS and DH were waaaaaaaay off the charts ADD and other DS sooooo ADHD. We got them through and they came through college on their own with flying colors. I think if they have parents or someone in their lives to encourage them and tell them that they can do whatever they set their mind to, they can take that and run with it. They need their confidence built up and to know that they always have someone in their lives that believe in them. I give you credit for the job you do with these children. Too often they fall through the cracks because there is not a person in their lives that makes the effort to make them see they can do it. Cleaning blinds today. Have white wood ones in the kitchen. Three large windows. Should be a good workout for the arms. Others in the living areas are a little easier to clean. Why do flies have to crap on white blinds?????????? Better question yet...why do crazy ladies buy white blinds???????????

Would be nice if you had the support of your husband but you have the right frame of mind thinking about your health and what the added weight is doing to your body. I was banded June, 2008. I will be 54 in a month. My top weight was 249# and I am 5'6". When it got to the point where I was winded just walking 50 yards, I KNEW I had to do something. I could diet....but I just could not keep it off. I was ALWAYS hungry. I feel very fortunate to have taken off all of my excess weight and to have no complications whatsoever with the band. I was required to do a six month supervised diet prior to surgery (ins co required) and was able to drop 54lbs b/4 getting my band installed. Like I said...I can diet but keeping it off was always the thing I could not get. But, with taking off those lbs b/4 surgery, I could see the light at the end of the tunnel..I knew I would have the band to help keep them off...I just posted my first photos on this sight last night. Go take a peek in the b/4 and after thread. I feel so wonderful and could outrun an 19yr old (OK..haven't tried it but feel like I could). I am so active and just so very thankful I went ahead with the band. Good luck to you!

OK Guys...have not been very active on my June, 2008 thread the past few months. Thought I would share my b/4 and after photos. I feel 100% better after losing my weight. :thumbdown: First photo was taken today...the b/4 is me at 249#

Thanks Laura and Janet...I feel ten yrs younger or more.

LLK....thinking of you, also, as you go through this with your mother. Janet...yes, we were in Vegas. Nope, not DH....this is my youngest son when he turned 21 and I flew him out to Vegas. He is now 26

OK Everyone...one more thing and then I PROMISE I won't post any more today...Just want to say one thing... See....I DO look like my avatar!!!! Told ya!

Laura...have not made a decision on the job yet. I have a couple of weeks to think about it.

Awww, Laura, I just hate what you are going through. I wish I could be there to cook for your poppa. I am sure your dinner was very tasty. Try to just fine out what he is hungry for and go from there. Sometimes the basics is what a person craves the most when they are not up to par. If your dad doesn't tell you his favs...ask your mom. Happy to hear that DH is keeping everyone busy on the homefront so you can concentrate on your parents. Take care and will be thinking of you.:thumbdown:

Janet...thanks for info on uploading photos. Your instructions made it easy. Kind of a scary episode in your neighborhood. Eeks! Happy to hear you got your recognition....about time. At least there weren't the layoffs like you guys expected. Anyway, congrats on your 30 yrs. We promise...when you hit your 30 yrs strong on this thread, we'll also celebrate!