cathychatts

I am offically a member of the bandsters! I am so glad to be on the other side. I had surgery on the 6th at 10:30 and was home by 5:00. It was pretty uneventful!:thumbup: I am doing good, just the port pain and gas between the shoulders. I am walking about every 30 minutes and not taking the pain meds. They gave me Lortab and it has codine in it:huh2: (I told them it made me sick) so I decided I would just go with liquid Tylenol and it works fine. :Dancing_wub: I am sipping every 30 minutes or so and had about 3 oz of protien bullet.:thumbup: I have a little sf jello and hot tea to fill in. Congrats to all you others that are banded and can't wait to hear from all of you!:thumbup:

Dear Junebugs! Merry Christmas!

Ho, Ho, Ho! Today is the Christmas Party at work! I will drive the 40 miles to our main campus and attend a covered dish lunch and then get to be off for 2 weeks! Apples, you have done so GREAT! I do hope we can meet someday! Long! the vitamins can be replaced! I take the sublingual B12 and it does great! Allie, sounds like you love life! GREAT vz and strike, hope all is well! Well, in a rush! Take care and I will post soon! Love ya all! PS: Snuffy... and all you other Junebugs! Say hello! I know your there! :biggrin:

And the winner is......LONG! Way to go Girl!

Hello Junebugs! I had a busy weekend of decorating and gathering gifts and supplies for Christmas. This is the last week of work for me. I will be off from the 19th unitl the 5th of Jan! I need this break! I got a Wii Fit! I am so excited! I haven't used it yet, but I hope to get it all hooked up and running this weekend. I have way too much to do to get grades and reports finished by Friday! Man! Food is flowing like rivers lately! I have done good about not eating it! I am kinda like Apples, seems if I cook it, I don't want to eat it. Today is my son's 30th birthday! I can't believe my baby is a grown man, with a child of his own! Man! time can fly! I spent part of yesterday (Sunday) babysitting for little Lylah ( my 3 month old grandaughter!) She is so soft and sweet! Well! hope everything is going good for all of you! Allie and Long! great job on the 90 lbs! That sounds unbelievable! I am still trugging along at a pound here, and half a pound there! But I am so happy with that! Everyday, I have to throw another suit or sweater in the box to give away! Pretty soon I will have to shop for me, but I am waiting as long as I can! Strike! I am with you on the "thankful for the job"! We haven't heard anymore about the pay cut the Governor wants us to take. So far, it is just a possiblity! Have a great night!

Wow Allie! I am so jealous of your oven! I want one so much! I have looked and looked at them! I know you will enjoy! I don't have a dh anymore, been single for 19 years! I was married for 20 years and dh ran off with my best friend. I raised my daughter and son, educated them and myself! I would love to find a "good one" Who knows, maybe my band will bring me better luck! If not, I am saving for a new convection double oven! :tt1:

Welcome back brown bear! We missed you too! It is go much fun to hear from the old June Bugs! I have had a good few days, my last fill is working! Finally! Strikeuptheband! There is a thread on here about rhe Realize Band. I read it and it talks about the Realize band being softer and needing more fill to really cause restriction. My doc mentioned that to me the last time I saw him. Anyway, I am now losing about a lb every 3 days. I hope it keeps up. I also have been watching what I eat better, and being more active.... now that I have recovered from the last surgery. I feel so much better. Last night I finished decorating my tree in my living room. I still have two more trees to finish. I won't like taking it down much, but putting it up sure is fun! Take care everyone and have a great night!

Hello all you "cereal" killers! We will all be safe as long as no one messes with the Oatmeal! I looooove to read this thread! Janet, you are amazing! You never miss a question or a comment! you are like "a custom fit advisor for everyone!" That...dear Janet... is a gift you have! Thank you! I am doing great! Janet you asked about the TOT surgery. The put a little sling under the uretha to keep the leaking down. My doc said mine wouldn't get better just by weight loss so I opted to have the surgey. I am almost 100% healed now and it really worked. Sooverit: glad to see you finally got your surgery! I remember you from the Cigna boards. Hope you are doing well! Joannemarie: glad you have the surgery behind you! You have been so active on here, I am sure you will be like so many here and do well and be a big support for others! I love Christmas too! I have been decorating a lot this weekend, but I am going to cut back some this year... I am like some of you and don't like to take it down! I got another fill this week and it seems to really be helping! I am dropping lbs again! For those of us with Realize bands... my doc says he likes them, but if finding that it takes more fill to really have restriction. I was the first Realize band he used, so.... I guess I will be his test patient! Well, I am still working! later!

Great Outfit Allie! I am so glad you had so much fun at the party! Itn't it great to be living to the fullest! finally! Long, I too have a poor body image. I am now dating a photographer some and he takes a lot of pictures of me. I has given me a new perspective on how I look. When ever I feel bad about myself I look at some of the photos and it helps. Now I can see the difference and how I am losing and it encourages me. I lose so slowly I really need to be able to see it. You and Apples and Allie must look GREAT with all the weight you have lost. Strike: My last fill really helped. I now have 7cc in my band. I don't set firm goals, if I had I would really be in the dumps by now. I just want to be smaller each time I go to the doctor. LOL Well,cold and snowy here and I got up too early today to cook dinner and get to church. I fix Sunday dinner for my son and his family and my daughter and her family. I have 5 adults and my 3 grandchildren every Sunday! It is such a blessing. Apples you will appreciate, since you cook a lot, I can cook like that and then eat very little. Take care Junies! See you Monday

Hi Ashley: There is a thread for people banded in June! Join us anytime! congrats on the weight loss!

Happy Friday night! Well, today was an eventful day! Some good, some bad, some interesting. Good news first, I took my class to a food pantry today and we packed Christmas food boxes for needy families. That was so good for me and my students! The bad news, with the economy so bad the state is cutting budgets! Our college president is asking us to take a 10% cut in pay! That is a huge cut! That is on top of the fact that they have already closed two programs and let 3 good instructors go! I guess a 10% cut is better than 100%! If we don't do this more of the faculty will lose their jobs! This is a really tough time for us! I pray the economy gets better soon... but I bet it will be a long time before we see improvement! Now for the interesting. I went to my doc today and he gave me a fill, another 1 cc. He said the Realize band, which I have is different from the Lap-Band and he has realized that it needs more fills to really work. I have been a very slow loser... Maybe that is why. I have a good fill now and am at 7cc. He seems to think my weight loss will speed up now. I sure hope so! Long: congrats on your job. I leave for work at 6:30 every day and drive for 30 minutes; on Monday and Tuesdays I have night classes too, so I have 2 12 hour days and 3 7.5 hour days for a total of 46.5 hours. :thumbup: I would like some cheese with my whine now... I love my job! I think you will love yours too Long! And Like Allie says... it is a win-win! Well, I am going to go and watch Ghost Whisper... I love that show!

Afternoon June bugs! Thanks vzghj Long , Allie, and Apples for the food suggestions, I think I do better to listen to Apples and avoid them all together (sort of hard during the Holidays)! I can usually stop a binge if I have a protein. There is a thread on here that says to always add protein to anything you eat. The thread is for "slow losers" Like me! I think I will do like Long and go get a Beef stick tonight and slice some of it and take it with me. I also do better if I keep almonds around (the raw, unsalted kind.) Gald you all like my photo, I would love to see more photos on here. I love to see who I am talking to. You can always take it back off If you don't want to keep it online! I am taking my class to pack food boxes for Christmas for the Children tomorrow. That is always such a joy! I will decorate my house this weekend and I am actually looking forward to it! Have a great day and it is GREAT to see more and more people posting!

Good Day! I just want to take a second and say hello! I am doing ok and hope all of you are also! My weight loss is slow... i know I can do better, I just had transorbital taping surgery and can't exercise, but that is getting better soon! Finally I will be able to exercise and not wet myself! That has been a real bummer! Fixed! Good to see new bandsters! Good luck to all of you!

Aw-shucks! Thanks for the compliments on the pic. Someone did recognize me before, but I figured "what the heck" I like to see everyone else on here, I like to put a face to the person. I am really kinda proud that I had the courage to have this surgery. Anyway, I forgot about the beef sticks, Great idea for a snack. I have been eating the pre-cooked bacon for breakfast. I have a bunch of food allergies and it makes it kinda hard sometimes. I am intolerant to dairy (yep, no cheese) I can't do egg yoke, strawberry, apples, peanuts and pecans. I have a real challenge when it comes to protein foods and fruits. I am going to try to eliminate sugar completely... or try! I will also be released from the doctor from my last surgery next week and will be able to finally go back to the gym. I haven't been able to do any exercise for six weeks due to the TOT surgery. (I think that is the funniest name for that surgery) Anyway! I hope I can speed up the weight loss, but never-the-less, I am losing! and I am very happy! So....bring it on!

I have learned to take food in moderation! I have learned that most of my hunger is in my head! I have learned that there are wonderful people in Band-land! I have learned to be proud of who I am and what I do to better myself! (IE: the return of the photo):cursing:

Good Day! I am so happy to see some of the June Bugs! Snuffy! Glad to see you again! Hope all the problems are fading away for you and your wife! Not much to report here just a normal day for me. I just want to keep my promise and post here more often. Perhaps we can share some of the things we like to eat. I try to keep some almonds to snack on. I have to admit that I have a sugar thing!:cursing: Any suggestions on how to get rid of that? Looking forward to hearing more from all of you!

Hello Everyone! It is back to work for me. Our term will end on the 19th and I will be off work until Jan 5 so that is ok. I have lost another 2 lbs! GREAT! I go see the doc on Friday and don't know if I will have more fill or not. Apples! Sorry we won't get to meet this time, perhaps someday we can all meet somewhere. Hope you enjoy your trip south! Long, you and Allie and Apples are Band superstars! Oh and Iteach you are too! I am a turtle when it comes to losing weight, but that is ok... It is coming off! I am down into my old size 14 petite and can wear 12 petite if the waist is elastic. I am happy to be losing and not gaining here at the holidays! It snowed here today and that put me into the Christmas spirit! Hope you all are doing well and post success soon! OH! Snuffy! Come out, come out, where every you are! That goes for the rest of you June Bugs!

Hi all you skinny June bugs! I haven't been too good about posting lately, seems when I start to post the site blinks or a student needs help. and some days I am Just lazy! :sad: I do read the post and keep up with all of the June bugs! Wow, I am impressed with all the weight loss! Strike, Apples, Grey, Allie, Katies and Long Thanks for keeping the home fires going on the June threads!! I will be better! I know that Santa is watching! I wonder if he has ever considered a band? :wub: I am doing great. I had transobturator taping surgery 2 weeks ago and haven't been able to exercise. (in case you are wondering that is the sling they put under your uretha to stop urine leakage.) I can now sneeze and laugh and cough without having to change my pants. I decided it was worth it and the doc said the weight loss had done its share of correction, that it wouldn't get much better so I decided to go ahead with the TOT surgery. Glad it is behind me and happy to say it is working!:wink2: I am getting ready to decorate my house for Christmas. I have worked hard this fall painting every room and re-decorating! It looks great! It makes me feel so good to have the house all pretty and to have myself back on the healthy road! :wink: I go back to the doc on the 5th and not sure if I need another fill or not. I can eat most things, but avoid starch. Oh, I do PB with rice and I love Thai food. Oh well! I am going to get moving today and spread the Christmas cheer around my house! It is so good to hear from all of you and I will be sure to post more! I promise! Keep up the good work!

Hi: I am a slow loser, there seems to be several of us. I stick to the plan, eat right and the pounds come off, but very slow! The thing that works the best for me is to keep the carbs low and protein high... that is very hard right now, but I intend to get back on the Atkins plan, that seems to work the best for me! Good luck to you all. Stay in touch, I am sure we will all lose and as my mentor Janet says "this is not a race"

Hi Folks! Oh, I so understand the candy thing. I have had a real struggle for the past few weeks! My classroom is full of junk! Seems adults are worse than any wanting treats around. But! I had a real strict "talk" with me and got my head into the right place! I brought some protein bars to work and cut it into quarters and had a boiled egg as soon as I got to school! I can't make the treats dissappear (well, I can, If I want to be the "mean instructor") I figure I will always have temptations so I best learn to deal with them! Janet! I love the fact that you are so "real" with us! You are honest and shoot from the hip! I read and re-read your post. I am trying to find my "eating" normal place. I don't want to think of diet or what I can or can't have! I want to eat for health and find the eating pattern that I can live with and be a healthy weight! You have said you eat everything, you just limit the amount and times. i am using that approach. I am a slow loser, but that is ok! I am losing! Thanks for all the support!

:thumbup:Hello all you cute and thinner June bugs! Hope you had a GREAT Halloween! :cursing: NOW! TAKE ALL THAT LEFT OVER CANDY TO THE TRASH CAN OUTSIDE! DON'T GIVE IT TO A KID.... THEY DON'T NEED IT EITHER! :wink: I am doing good, losing very slow, but steady! I am still working on re-decorating and remodeling my house. I still have to paint 3 rooms I plan to completely remodel my kitchen this spring! All this painting is great exercise. I am short so I have to climb up and down a ladder a bunch! Dont forget to set your clocks back an hour tomorrow night! Have a GREAT Saturday

Just dropping in to say HI. Long: How did the day go with the ladies? I was thinking that the comment I made about church ladies being among the worst to deal with could have been taken badly. In fact, I am a "church lady," I am very active in my church, I just meant that sometimes the people we go to church with can be the most judgemental. :biggrin: Well, I better close my mouth before I stick my foot in it more. :cool2: Janet: Thanks for the tough love! I always need to hear the tough take you give here. It keeps me straight! Apples: it is a good thing I have hardwood floors, I have made my rooms so much smaller.... :cool2: with all the paint! LOL :w00t: I am going to paint another bathroom this weekend! I will make a list and travel from state to state painting all the LBT people's houses.:thumbup: That should keep me from eating! Hope you all have a great day! :w00t:

Joann Marie: I have the realize band, (was the 1st my doc did) the proctor was there at my surgery. Here is what I unerstand to be the plus of this band, the low profile (like lynnt said) I can hardly feel mine and the doc has to hunt it when he does a fill. He says it is easier to fill. They say it is less likely to slip and has the continuous chambers. I think they are all good, but having the Realize band I can say it is doing it's job. Now I just have to do mine! Long! The church ladies can be the most difficult. Sounds like there may be a bit of envy.... maybe because of the weight loss! Just smile and say a prayer! It will be ok! And as I always tell my DD... Rise above it! Gotta go and baby sit for the new little Granddaughter! Later! OH! PHYL! I love the RV on your signature!

Hi all you strugglers! I am a slow loser! Here is what I do to kinda shake things up: I do low carb liquids for about 3 days. I need to do that again for a few days again. Try it Good luck