JoannMarie

Apples - DH's family is from Texas. It's dinner and supper to them, too! Hey folks - farmers and ranchers work hard all day - they need a lot of food in the middle of the day to keep a-goin'. Dinner and supper just makes sense.

I thank everyone for your nice comments. Flagstone Path has been in a couple of national shows and won a blue ribbon at the MO State Fair. Rainforest also won a blue ribbon at the state fair. I found the pictures of my firefighter quilt made for my son. It was made in early 2002 and the background is based on my memories and impressions of 9/11. There is an angel quilted into the left shoulder of the firefighter. DS has been a firefighter since he was 18 and still in high school. He was made battallion chief in his dept a week after 9/11 - working with training and all the homeland security changes. He is now deputy chief in a large neighboring fire district. He will be 40 next week and looks 25. The quilt is posted in this note. "Guardians ~ Call to Duty" has been in the IQA show at Houston 2002, AQS show in Paducah 2003, and several other large shows. It won 3rd place at Quilting on the Waterfront in Duluth, MN in 2003. It hangs in DS's office at the fire department now, right where it belongs.

Oh Roxie - you are funny. Of course we are going to listen to you. Your comment about a cup of food is right spot on! After my fill on Monday I can't eat more than a cup of food w/o being very uncomfortable. This is exactly where I need to be! Now I just have to retrain my eyes to match my stomach. I am certainly measuring right now! For the first time since surgery I feel like I have a band and it feels great! I do think some doctors are not aggressive enough with fills. My doc gives fills in increments - starting with 3cc, then 2cc, then 1cc, all about 3-4 weeks apart. I don't know what the 4th will bring but if I continue to feel the way I feel this week it will be a while before I find out...

Oh PJ - that must have been so hard on your mother AND you to be so far away. I just got off the phone with DD (37 minutes!) - we are able to talk every day as long as we want. She has Vonage and pays $25 a month - has a number local to our area, so all our calls are local calls. It has been a real blessing! They will keep the Vonage when they return to the States, so calls will remain local for us, though we don't yet know where they will be posted. Many military families are doing that now. Skype with the webcam has been great, too. Our grandson knows who we are, shows us his trucks and cars - and everything else in the toybox. At least he will know us when we see him. Charlene, I don't have my quilts on a website. I do have some pictures and will post them here. For about three years I had a long-arm quilting machine and quilted for other people. It was a big mistake for me. That whole three years I hardly had time to work on anything for ME. I feel like they were lost years - worked on LOTS of quilts, but they all went home with somebody else... I am back to doing my own thing, and feeling well enough to be in the studio on a fairly steady basis now. I like to do art quilts and wallhangings, but still make traditional quilts for my family. I'll find a few pics tonight... I found some, but will have to look for one of my favorites - my firefighter quilt I made for my son. I'll look. Meanwhile, here are a few...

Hi Sue! I'm here!! Just had my 3rd fill on Monday. 1cc this time for a total of 6cc. I am feeling very good restriction at this time. My doctor says there is always a little swelling after a fill, and it takes several days for it to go down. I should loosen up a bit after that. That has been my experience with the first 2 fills. I am liking this restriction, but I'm having to relearn some eating habits. Since I did not have very good restriction prior to this I am feeling like I am banded for the first time. Cutting meat very small, chewing a LOT, being very careful to eat slowly enough to not crowd stuff in there. The last few days have been interesting. No major difficulties, though, so I guess I'm doing okay - and - let's face it - this is really what I have wanted all along! We are looking forward to spring around here - how 'bout you?

These last few weeks have been so hard - the closer our visit comes, the more I miss her. The first year they were in Korea she was home 3 times - twice with the baby and her husband, and once just with the baby. Her last visit was in May, so it's been almost a year. I am very thankful to have great communication options - Vonage is wonderful! and Skype means we can see each other and watch the baby as he grows. But nothing takes the place of holding them in my arms! I'm working on the quilt for the new baby today. I have to finish it by the end of March so it can go with us...

Welcome, Kristine. I am new to this process myself - banded 3 months ago. I still feel pretty motivated, just because I'm learning so much. I do understand how difficult it is to deal with financial issues these days (we are retired, but DH went back to work several months ago for that very reason), and we survived the teenage years of 3 kids - you have a lot of tough issues on your mind. I do know it is really good that you are exercising so regularly. There are great people on this thread who have been through it all and are successful at the weight loss and maintenance phases. I know they will have words of wisdom - and we all care about you and want you to be successful. Hang on! Hugs,

Good for you, Long! You KNOW it is going to go down... It's so hard to have the patience it takes to wait it out sometimes. By the doc's scale on Monday I had lost 5 lbs in 3 weeks since my last fill. That did not seem so bad - but on my scale it seemed like I had been stuck for a month! I can be very patient with other people - not so much with myself... Good luck with your mom and dad - I know you have had issues with mom on other visits. You have not even mentioned that this time - I think you are more confident in your ability to accept situations and let some comments roll off. I hope so, because you are a remarkable person and inspiring to all your friends on LBTalk. Negative people never inspire anyone, unless maybe to run the other direction as fast as possible. Hugs to you,

Katy - I had the same trouble with my ticker. Alex had to help me get it into my signature block. I was following all the directions, using the correct "BB" code, but kept getting an "invalid file" response. Once he fixed it for me I've been able to revise it and bring it back in with no trouble. For pictures in your note - I clicked on the "go advanced" button in the quick reply screen. It gave me the option to attach files (under "additional options"), "manage attachments" - then it allows you to browse your pictures and select one, then upload to the note. I hope that works for you. The picture I have uploaded is of me holding my brand new grandson - 23 months ago today. DD is in the background wanting him back... (I sure hope this worked! When I previewed the post I had to click on the link to see the pic...)

Oh my goodness - I love that woman, too! She is all business and approachable, too - a great combination... I would love to meet you. I am scheduled for a fill on Mar 20 at 10am. After my fill I always go to the Red Robin across the street for a cup of Soup - to make sure everything is going down okay before I drive 80 miles home. (I'd hate to have to make a return trip right away.) Wanna make a lunch date for Mar 20? PM me and we can plan the particulars.

I just had my 3rd fill Monday (3/2) and have very good restriction. My first fill was 3cc, second was 2cc, and third fill was 1cc - total of 6cc at this point. I am pretty tight still - the restriction from the first 2 fills seemed to fade away as the swelling went down. This one is hanging around so far. My surgeon will continue to give me fills, each one will be a bit smaller until I reach the point where I am satisfied with 1/2 to 1 cup of food per meal. From that point she will make adjustments as needed. I am there right now - but I'll have to see how I am after a week or so. I find it is absolutely necessary for me to make healthy choices and practice portion control. If I had not been doing that during the last three months I would not have lost any pounds, because restriction was not there yet. The band is not designed to do it all. It is a tool that helps you control your portions, but you have to make the good food choices - particularly when it comes to hard Protein. That is the food that stays in your pouch the longest and provides the best hunger protection. For myself, I have found that if I measure my food, eat what I am allowed, then wait a few minutes, I do have a sense of fullness and decide I don't need anything else. I think my brain just needs a few minutes to catch up with my appetite. and I do believe exercise is a very important component. Muscle tissue burns more calories than fat tissue does, so building muscle helps your metabolism. For most of us we can start small (walking for 30 minutes) and build - just like everything else. In the end it all comes down to calories in-calories out. I hope your daughter has success and reaches her sweet spot with another fill.

Don - I know you have the Realize band - have you been using their website? I really like it. I track my food there, though I don't track every day. They have good information for exercise, support, planning, etc. If you have not been using it, give it a try. You should have received an access code number when you received your band. If not, give them a call (you will be able to go into the website enough to get a phone number) and they will contact your doctor to coordinate with him and get you an access code to use the full website. Play with it a little and you'll figure it out. If you have trouble, they will help by phone till you are able to use whatever part of it you want. They also have recipes that look pretty good, although I have not tried any of them. You can track your food and exercise both. Food tracking is broken down into calories, Protein, carbs and fat, so very helpful. If you have only had one fill, you probably don't have enough restriction and another fill will help. My doctor starts with the first fill of 3cc, then a second fill with 2cc. I had my third fill yesterday with 1cc, so I now have 6cc in my band. She says it takes several fills, starting w/3 and working on up with smaller fills each time till I am at the place where I have restriction that will allow me to be satisfied with 1/2 to 1 cup of food per meal. After yesterday's fill I am fairly tight, everything is going down, but very slowly. I know it will loosen in the next few days as the swelling goes down, and hope to be where I need to be as that happens. I'm scheduled for another one on Mar 20, but I don't know if I will need that one. I'll just wait and see.

Maggifer - I just noticed you are from Kansas. Where did you have your surgery? My surgeon is Bernita Berntsen at Tallgrass/St. Francis in Topeka.

Thanks, Apples. I agree - I don't think this surgery is done in Korea. That is one reason for being cautious with another fill. If I have reflux issues or worse - it would be a problem getting anything corrected. I have been successful so far with eating healthier and watching portions, even with sub-optimal restriction. I know I can do the same for a month while in Korea, and it would be better than having problems while there. I am down 29 pounds in 3 months - even without being at my "sweet spot." I am GOOD with that! My DD is so excited about my weight loss, and planning meals to make it work for me. I'll do just fine.

Oh Gosh, Maggie -- I had my 3rd fill yesterday. First was 3cc, 2nd was 2cc, yesterday was 1cc. After each I have felt a week or so of restriction (doc says after a few days the swelling goes down and you feel less). After the second fill it was better. Today I am quite tight - everything is going down, but very much slower. This is okay and where I think I should be. I think after the swelling goes down this time I will have pretty good restriction. My doctor told me yesterday that it does take several fills - she can't start me off with 5 or 6 cc, because I would be throwing everything back up. So she does it gradually, each fill a little bit smaller, until they get to the point where I have good restriction, and can comfortably keep my food intake to 1/2 to 1 cup per meal. I am scheduled for another fill on Mar 20. I may not need it, but I'll check in with her anyway. So plan on a few fills before the optimum restriction sets in. Meanwhile, eat healthy, lots of Protein, and portion control. You will have enough restriction to help you with that, and you will lose pounds.

Apples and Janet - I just want you to know how much I appreciate hearing your comments about maintenance of your weight loss. I KNOW I will get to my goal weight. Right now that is a foregone conclusion. I know the real purpose of this band is to help me when I am at goal - to STAY at goal. Knowing how you are accomplishing this is invaluable to me. I had my 3rd fill yesterday - another 1cc to make the total 6. Not that I am concentrating on the numbers here, Janet! but it helps me to know my doctor's plan in getting me to my best level of restriction. I am quite a bit tighter today - know I will loosen up a bit in the next few days as swelling goes down. Everything is going down okay - just a lot slower. Not a bad thing and probably just where I need to be right now. I am scheduled for another small fill on Mar 20 - I may not need it but the doctor wants to see me anyway to make sure I'm ready for the Korea trip. I have been exercising! Almost afraid to say anything, but despite the knee and foot pain, I am finding the recumbant bike to be my friend right now. I am planning to chase a 2 year old in a few weeks - gotta prepare for that! Apples - you look good, you feel good, you are eating healthy, and you can wear anything you want. Anyone who has the audacity to try to make you feel bad about your weight loss has to be rude, insensitive, jealous, or just plain crazy. There - that should just about cover everyone. Love you, Girlfriend. You are inspiring!

Hi All, PJ - I'm a little bit late getting back with you, but it sounds like your Sunday breakfast lasted a while! I hope you are able to do that on weekdays, too. Work can be such a drag...a blessing YES, but also a drag... I had my 3rd fill yesterday. I am considerably tighter today! Everything is going down, but very slowly compared to a few days ago. I think this is okay - and probably where I should be today. I asked why my restriction was only lasting a week or so after a fill. She said it is because I have not been at my best level yet, and also because there is a little swelling that takes place immediately after a fill, and it takes a few days for it to go down. Once I reach the optimum level it should stay with me for a longer time. She put in 1cc (total of 6 now). I am scheduled again for Mar 20, fills getting smaller all the time to avoid problems. She said I may not need the fill on the 20th, but she wants to see me anyway to make sure everything is okay before we leave on our Korean trip. That's okay by me! I like her approach to fills. She is assertive - without being aggressive, and I think that has been good for me. Since I have not had "perfect" restriction (if there is such a thing!) I have also had to learn to do a good job with my choices and portions. I don't think I would have any losses at all if I had not been working at it from that perspective. It's not easy, though, and don't we all know that!!!

Rose - "Onderland" is that magic moment when you step on the scale and it puts a "1" in front of the number instead of a "2"! One of those big step-goals we all have in our Quest for a normal BMI and a healthy weight. The birthday party for our friend was great! He was 75 yrs old last week and had quite a crowd at the party for him. He is one of my favorite people - crusty, funny, retired firefighter, talented woodworker, devoted family guy, Navy veteran of many deployments... The party was fun, food was good and I managed well with a glass of red wine, BBQ on 1/2 bun, 3 bean salad, and a small bite of DH's piece of cake. I was sure they would have purchased the cake at the bakery down the street from the bar/grill (owned by the birthday boy's daughter and SIL), as it is a very supportive neighborhood of businesses - but someone made a different decision. Too bad. That bakery supplied the cake for our DD's wedding 3 yrs ago and it was the best I've ever had anywhere. Last night's cake was not very good - dry and flavorless with a pile of too sweet frosting on it. Probably good for me, tho - I did not mind limiting myself to one small bite! I hope everyone is having a good Sunday. My DH is working this weekend, so it's kinda quiet around here with just me and the dog and grandcat keeping company. Orea - are you getting the snow we enjoyed yesterday??

Hi to all, Not much going on around this house today. We've had more snow today than we have had all winter! It was nice to stay home and watch the dog play in the snow. We have a surprise birthday party to attend tonight for a very good friend. I'm not concerned about eating poorly - have heard some of the menu and I can live with it pretty easily. I may have a smidgen of birthday cake, though. I think it is coming from the same bakery that did DD's wedding cake 3 years ago and if so it is too good to miss completely! teehee. Smidgen it is. I, too, am struggling with the same weight for almost 2 weeks. It is so frustrating. I just keep doing what I'm supposed to do but the results are disappointing. Ah well... I am off to Topeka on Monday for my 3rd fill. We will discuss to see if I am missing something, or just slow.

Mary - you are soooo right. Just doesn't seem fair, does it??

I forgot to mention a thread that I find very helpful. Check the homepage and find the Mentoring section. "I'm Here to Help..." is a thread started by IndioGirl and there are several people on that thread who have been successful and have great insight on the lifestyle change necessary to get to goal and stay there. It is not specifically a Christian oriented thread, but most of the people there speak openly about their faith and are very supportive, kind people. You may find it helpful to stay in touch with others who are struggling and those who are commited to helping in that struggle. They have become some of my best cyber-friends.

I am concerned, because I think you are feeling guilty about something you have already acknowledged, and for which you have asked forgiveness from God. Continuing to feel so guilty may mean you have not really turned away from it. I believe God has forgiven you if you have asked him to - in your heart you know this to be true. You have done an amazing job of working toward that healthy body God wants you to have. Please try to concentrate on the positive results you have had. If you have moved away from the food guidelines that go along with banding, make a commitment to begin again. Concentrate on your Protein, portions, exercise, Water intake. Commit to the program all over again. Your idea about "something to do" while you are watching TV in the evening - it's a great tool! Work on the bible study materials for the class you just started. Try a new hobby or pick up an old one, such as knitting, crocheting, sewing, reading, scrapbooking, etc. TV content is not the best stuff filling your head and the food commercials can really be tough to take. Be selective about how you feed your brain. I hope I don't sound preachy! I deal with the same issues. It helps me to think about them in a constructive way, and writing it all out is helpful for me. You are an amazing person to accomplish what you have already done. Please tell me your first name, as you are in my prayers.

PJ - I wonder if you are getting enough protein in the morning? Slim-Fast is liquid and goes right through, doing nothing to keep you full. Many of the Smart Ones are really more of a mushie food, and also will not keep you full. I don't know what the protein content of Slim-Fast is, and it varies with the Smart Ones, but if they are going right through you won't feel full very long, if at all. Try having a more solid protein - about 3 oz of it - at each meal. That will take a while to work through the pouch to the stomach and you should feel more satisfied. I find that if I don't have enough protein in the morning I will be wanting to graze all day, even tho I am having plenty of protein at lunch and dinner. Those days drive me crazy. Try low fat deli meats, eggs (scrambled or hard boiled), low fat cheese, etc. Just my 2 cents - and as we move to hyper-inflation levels it will be worth even less....

I think your butt is adorable (and SKINNY!) I guess it's your choice! Love you, GF!!!

Hmmm. I think Isuza has an ax to grind... Maybe just another name for a person who is no longer welcome on LBT because of unfounded and inflammatory posts? I did my research, too. My doctor originally said it was my choice - no particular recommendation of either band over the other one. But when it came time to make the decision, she was leaning strongly to Realize because of her experience with the band and the patients who were having success with it. I've had mine since early December, losing at an acceptable rate, NO problems with any foods, 5cc so far with reasonable restriction - I am happy with it. I have absolutely no problem with either of these bands. Both of them do the job if the patient follows the guidelines provided by the companies and the doctors. There can be risks or problems with both of them, too. That is the nature of any medical procedure. Do your research - find a surgeon who has a good reputation/track record, talks to you and gives you guidance through the long term process - and make your decision based on the facts learned through your research and your doctor's recommendation. Isuza - with all his/her hyperbole - is doing damage to Allergan a lot more than J&J. That is not fair to either company.