Fairysaddle

Welcome, BigRob! Congratulations. It sounds like you are doing pretty amazing, even with the 1 month stall. That was one heck of a weight loss for a month.

I'm sitting here all suited up to go to the gym, and my 3 year old daughter is still asleep! How frustrating. I am rapidly losing my window of opportunity here. If I'm not at the gym at 10:00, I won't make it home in time. I watch my sister's children, and they get here around 11:45. They leave at 1:30, which doesn't give me enough time before picking my son up at 3:00. Then we start the homework battle/dinner/bedtime routine, which makes it almost impossible to fit 2 hours in for going to the gym after school. And tonight we have a school picnic at 5:00, so I don't even think I could fit it in if I wanted to brave homework after his meds have worn off. Arrrrgghhhhh! The good news is, that I have finally gotten to the point where I _want_ to go to the gym. That's kind of cool, I guess. But I'm still frustrated. Hopefully things will get better in a few days. My son's last day is the 6th, then we'll have a week before summer school (he's mildly autistic (Aspergers), and in the autism program, thus automatically qualifies for summer school.) It's a slightly shorter school day, and I'm hoping that summer school is lighter on the homework so that we can go after school. Well, it's now 9:45. DD is still asleep. I missed my window. Guess I'll go take a shower and wash my hair. *sigh* Maybe I'll drag the kids & dogs around the block later. Not exactly a power walk, but they'll enjoy it.

Welcome home, 366! Glad things are going well. Potty problems are completely normal. In fact, I think mine got worse. It started out as liquid, then went to explosive liquid (don't stray too far from a potty, and be careful thinking it's "just gas"), then I got really constipated. If your journey was like mine, don't expect to be normal any time soon. Sorry. You might want to buy some benefiber. It dissolves really well and doesn't clump up like some other brands. It will help both ends of the potty spectrum. Get some rest. Remember that the pain will get a little worse for about 5 days, but then you will start feeling better rapidly. That's completely normal, too. So is left shoulder pain. Remember, walk, walk, walk! You are lucky that the weather is so nice right now.

I hope you had a great vacation! Where did you go? 366, I'm thinking about you today. Drop a note when you can to let us know how you are feeling. I'm struggling right now with the repercussions from having a "false sense of security" from losing so well at the beginning. I let the salty, crunchy snacks creep back into my routine. And I'm a little out of control. :w00t: I try to stick to stuff that's better for me, like soy chips or nuts, but it's still wasted calories and is slowing me down. I think I'm still losing, but slowly. I also can't seem to make it to the gym more than once or twice a week. On the plus side, I've been making my DH show up to watch the kids during their swim lesson so that I can swim laps. I've never done laps for exercise before, I'm really enjoying it!

Good Luck 366!!!! I also wanted to tell everyone about an AWESOME deal... QVC Outlet (in Prices Corner shopping center) has bathing suits 70% off, and they go up to (at least) size 26. They are $70+ suits for ~$21. I just bought 4 bathing suits for $84, only $3 more than the tank of gas I bought on my way home. :biggrin: Two in my current size 24, plus a 22 and a 20 - since I'm sure they'll be tough to come by over the winter, and we use an indoor pool. I'm wondering if I should even go back and get an 18. I just can't fathom that I might need it. They are nice, stylish suits. The same styles come in skinny sizes. And they did a nice job of minimizing my bumps and bulges. All their other clothes are 70% off, too. But there wasn't much summer stuff, and I can't predict what size I'll be in the fall. Bummer. Who would have thought, eh? I've never bought clothes from QVC before. I'm not a fan, and don't ever watch it. I was surprised to find them.

All along I have felt the same way as others here. Bypass was too risky, too invasive, non reversible, etc... I felt strongly about it and never once questioned my decision to go with the band. Now, a couple days ago I ran across this... Gastric Bypass Special on CBS's 60 Minutes - The Bypass Effect Towards the end it talks about how bypassing the duodenum is a cure for diabetes. Well, crap! I'm not diabetic, but I am very high risk due to family history. So, I have been wondering if I made the right choice. But, thanks you for this thread. Because it has reminded me of all the reasons that I chose the band. And, they are all still very good reasons. I'm feeling better about my decision again.

I can chug two or three gulps, no problem. Not a whole glass, perhaps 1/4-1/3 of one, then I have to stop for a minute. I haven't gotten to my "sweet spot" yet, though. So that might change. So, it looks like the answer is "maybe". You'll just have to wait and see what your body allows. I've always been a gulper, so I was worried about that, too. It hasn't been a problem for me thus far.

Fun discussion! When I get below 200 lbs, DH has promised to take me somewhere where I couldn't go before. :tongue2: I'm thinking riding camels to see the great pyramids! But, realistically, it will probably be something a little less cost-prohibitive. Other things... Riding a bike Being "on top" :smile2: And, being able to run around with my kids

DH and I are getting each other a Wii for our birthdays. We have it, but haven't opened it yet. (My birthday is on the 15th) I've never used one, but it looks like fun, and we're hoping it will get the whole family moving a little bit more. I'm not yet convinced, we're all a bunch of uncoordinated couch-potatoes who aren't even into video games, but I'm hopeful. I was looking at the Wii Fit. I'm not sure that I would like it. I'm OK weight-wise now (yay!), but I'm still a little too big and the knees are a little too bad to be getting down on the floor or into weird positions. So I'm not sure how fun it would be. And, standing on something the size of a scale to do exercises sounds like a good way to fall and crack my head open on the TV. But, since I've never even used a Wii, I probably just don't "get it". You'll have to let us know how you like it, and if it is big girl friendly. Good luck on your finals/papers! And I envy you being able to just clean out the pantry! (I have two young kids - house is full of junk.) Good job on recognizing that and having the willpower to make the change.

Mine was just a little late. But I think it was rather fast - like 30 minutes. (I was asleep, so I'm not sure about that. :biggrin:) However, so your loved one doesn't panic, after they are sent off to the waiting room, you go back to another waiting area. I was back there for about 30 minutes or so before they took me in. (I don't know why you can't just wait with your support person - it's kind of cruel to make you wait all alone when you are stressed about the surgery.) After surgery, you'll be in recovery for a while (you'll be pretty out of it - I couldn't tell you what that room even looked like), then you'll meet up with your support person again after they get you settled in your room. Good luck!

I have a "no numbers" policy. I've told everyone up front that I'm not going to give numbers. So, they don't ask me. Giving numbers is just too stressful. It would be fun when you are losing 10-20 lbs a month, but once you level off, or hit a plateau, it would feel like such a letdown to tell someone and have them look dissapointed. I'm not offended when someone asks. I'm happy that they noticed and care enough about me to want to know. But, that doesn't mean that I want to tell them. :w00t: I do like the "a few sizes" reply, though. My reply just makes people start to apologize for being rude - which isn't what I intended. A softer way to evade the question would be a good thing for people I don't know as well.

You should consider walking at Longwood Gardens this weekend. I took the kids today, and the tulips are amazing! I think their tulips are my favorite display of the year. I doubt they'll last too much longer. As for me - I had to cancel a fill today. :w00t: I didn't realize I needed a referral until they called this morning. I really need a fill, too. I don't think I've lost anything this month. I'm afraid I was lulled into a false sense of security due to my sucess thus far, and I let myself get pulled into the late-night salty munchies trap. That, and I know I'm just plain eating too much. *sigh* I've got to get myself back on track. On the plus side, I made it to the gym today AND went to Longwood Gardens. The latter isn't exactly a power walk, but we covered quite a bit of ground. I wish I could make it walking with the group. That sounds like fun.

Jessica, I have no idea about the self-pay thing. My DH is self-employed, so our insurance stinks. We pay quite a bit more for insurance than for our mortgage, and have incredibly high copays and no dental. :thumbup: But, at least they paid a big chunk of it. We're just about $6,000 in the hole. So I feel for you. Good luck! (Sorry for the insurance rant - you can expect to hear it every time insurance comes up in any conversation. Insurance *&$%s in this country!!! It is single-handedly destroying small businesses. I'll apologize for this and all future rants now. LOL!) As for your son... Personally, I went for my first consultation when DD was about your son's age. I elected to put it off a year for that reason. But, in retrospect, it really isn't that tough of a surgery. I probably could have done it. I had a lot of help for, I think, 3 days before I flew solo with her after surgery. We did fine. But she was over a year older than your son, and that makes a big difference. If you have your surgery over the summer, perhaps you could hire a young teen to be a mother's helper for a week or two? If your Mom will stay, I would try for at least 6 days. You will be pretty sore at first. The pain actually gets worse for about 4-5 days, then it starts to get better pretty rapidly. Start working with your son now, train him to wait until you sit down, then work together so that you are helping him climb into your lap, rather than lifting his whole weight. Also, work on picking him up in ways that don't stress your abdominal muscles. Bend at the knees or pick him up from the side. Good luck! And welcome. :biggrin2:

OK, I fully realize I am being rediculous, as far as problems go this is one that I WANT to have, and you are welcome to pull out your tiny violins, but I'm still freaking out.... I just did my first big clothing purge. I threw all my 4x pants into a big trash bag to be donated. This should be a good thing, so why am I practically in tears???? I've been 4x for almost 10 years. So these are clothes that I am comfortable in. When I look in the closet, I know exactly what each outfit will look like. Perhaps they are old and worn and didn't even look good to begin with, but they are comforatable old friends. I know what to expect from them. Now I feel like I'm staring at a closet full of strangers. What will happen every morning when I put on these pants? Will they fit? Will they be too short? Will they just look awful? Will any of them match the shirt I want to wear? :biggrin: I can't afford to shop for new clothes right now, so these are clothes that fit me 10 years ago, before everything started to sag. I was an entirely different body shape. What a stupid, unexpected emotional crisis! I hope future size purges won't be this painful, since I won't have owned the clothes that long and will be used to it. These first few are going to be tough, though. I still have to get through my 4x summer clothes and shirts later. Please tell me I'm not the only one who has freaked out over this???

Happy Birthday!!! :rolleyes2::thumbup::biggrin: Consider getting yourself an Ipod for your birthday. DH got me one shortly after I started at the gym. I didn't think it would, but It helps a LOT. And I'm not even into music all that much. You get something with a good beat, and it makes all the difference. When I don't have my music, I watch every second on the treadmill timer. It's torture. :tongue: I hope everyone enjoyed their walk! I wish I could go, but I have childcare issues. *sigh*

Ninja - Nice to meet you. Don't be too impressed, I have a lot more to lose than you. It's tougher to lose the weight when you don't have so much to lose. You've done great, too! Ann - Excellent suggestion on the seamstress! I'm a stay at home Mom. I don't have any nice clothes. But, I am thinking about converting most of my pants into capris for the summer, though. I'm sure they won't fit in the fall anyway. I'm not much of a seamstress, but I can probably manage a hem.

I just wanted to thank everyone for letting me know that I wasn't being crazy. I really wasn't expecting that to be an emotional crisis. But isn't that always the case? The big stuff we plan for and expect, we can handle fine. It's the little stuff that catches you off guard that gets you. I am glad that I posted. Because now I know to brace myself for the loss of my favorite store. I hadn't even thought of that one. It will be a little scary being faced with THE MALL *run around screaming just at the thought*. I'm also sure I will feel the same way about form-fitting clothes. I've been heavy as long as I can remember. I didn't even have skinny teen years. So that will a difficult adjustment for me. I've been in tunics and knit pants my entire life. The good things about this journey far exceed the bad things. But I guess we can't forget that there will be a little bit of bad stuff, too. I do love that I'm looking a little better, and I definitely have more energy. So these things do pale in comparison. I am very pleased with my band! I don't want to sound too negative. I certainly don't feel that way about this journey. I love that I'm in 3x, even if it was tough doing the purge.

Welcome Paige! Congratulations on your band. I understand about the telling people thing. I didn't want to tell people, either. But I completely screwed things up. I had to tell my Mom and younger sister, since I needed help with child care. Then, since I told both of them, I kind of had to tell my older sister, too. I told everyone that I didn't want anyone else to know. Well, apparently that last bit didn't sink in very well. Both Mom and DH say that they didn't know that. Both told people. Now I'm in an awkward situation where I don't KNOW who knows and who doesn't. And who knows but has been told that I don't want them to know, so they are going to pretend like they don't know, but know when I'm not entirely being truthful.... Oh, the tangled webs we weave.... The best part... After I fussed at DH about telling people, he calls up his parents to tell them that I'm in the hospital - but won't tell them why because I told him not to. They send me a nice little angel pin. Arrrgh! Why did he call them???? They live in Pittsburgh, they never would have known. And, then I had to figure out a way to thank them for the pin without telling them why I was in the hospital. That was slightly awkward. I adore my DH, and I know he did it because he was stressed about it too, but... come on! Really??? I didn't want to tell people because there is just too much stress with everyone knowing. I didn't want to have everyone evaluating my success (or lack thereof). For the same reason, I don't tell anyone other than my band-buddies how much I have lost. I have a "no numbers" policy. It would be fun now when I'm losing so rapidly, but what about plateaus? And, I also don't particularly want everyone to know just how heavy I had let myself get. I reserve the right to change my mind about telling people, in fact I probably will, but that's the way I feel right now.

You snuck in on me Delaware (yes, I was composing that message for a long time due to kid interruptions.) Glad your day went well, too! Get some rest. You deserve it!

A girls' night sounds like fun. :crying: I'm glad the first day went well, Lynn. Bet you are going to sleep well tonight! The triscuits are very coarse, they don't turn mushy like other crackers. Even when you chew, chew, chew. Someone over on OH recommended them, which is why I thought to try a box. I like them, and they are keeping me from eating too much, but they don't go down easy. As for exercise... I'm fine with the exercise part. I actually kind of enjoy it. It's the getting dressed and out the door that is the problem. :thumbup: I wonder if you asked them to throw a bowl of soup in a blender at a restaurant if they would do it? I was going to try it, but I never went out to eat during liquids. Nancy

Congratulations on the 8 lbs! That's great for just a couple weeks. I'm eager to hear how the first day went, too. I had my first minor PB today. I got stuck on chicken salad (canned chicken) with low fat triscuits. I've been slightly stuck a couple times, but this is the first time I actually gagged. Very little came up, but I guess the muscle contraction was enough to get things unstuck. Not fun. I've had problems with the triscuits before. I'm trying to decide whether that's a bad thing and I should throw them away, or if it is a good thing and I should have them more often because I don't eat as much. Oh, I also made it back to the gym today after a 2 1/2 week lull. I just had a few weeks of big family obligations, plus my daily schedule completely changed. I have to start going in the morning right after I get my son off to school. I am sooooooo not a morning person. It's going to be tough getting used to the new routine.

Great thread! Let's see... My favorite was that I was playing "beauty shop" with my 3 year old daughter. We put bright red lipstick on each other. It was so much fun. And my first instinct was to grab the camera and take a picture of us! I can't tell you how great it is to not find myself so abhorrent that I can't take a picture of a fun memory. Aside from that, I've pulled all my 3x clothes out of the basement. They are horribly out of date, but I guess I'm going to have to take a trip down early 90's memory lane for a month or so. LOL! I can't justify buying clothes that will only fit for a month or so. I can wear jeans! Elastic waist, but still, they are jeans! I can put my socks on without having to turn sideways and put my foot up on the bed. I can slide my wedding ring off - they had to tape it for surgery since I couldn't remove it. I hardly get out of breath walking up the hill to pick up my son from school. Love the band! Banded 1/29/2008 S 340 / C 295 / G 199

Hello everyone! I met several of you tonight at the St. Francis Lap support group. I live in Newark, and was banded on 1/29/08 by Dr. Wynn. Nancy

I screwed the whole thing up, and put myself in a tough position. I had to tell those nearest and dearest to me, because I have two young children and I needed them for child care. Well, my Mom and my husband both "didn't realize I wasn't telling people", even though I very clearly asked them not to. Most annoying is that my husband called his parents - who live 6 hours away - and told them I was in the hospital. But, since I asked him not to tell anyone, he didn't tell them why I was there. Aigh!!! They sent me a pretty little angel pin, and I had to figure out how to thank them without spilling the Beans. It isn't even like they talk to each other all that often. He had to have called them up to specifically tell them. :cheers2: Oh, and my Mom told a distant relative who lives 900 miles away, after I had asked her not to, because "they live so far away, what does it matter?" Well, why do they have to know then? Now they'll tell a few people, and they'll tell a few people, and they'll ask my aunts and uncles how I'm doing, and..... So now I don't know who knows and who doesn't know. Or who knows, but has been told that I don't want them to know, so they won't say anything to me but they'll know when I'm evading questions. Moral of the story, if you want/have to tell some people about it, make SURE they know not to tell anyone else. My family loves me, and I love them. They are proud and supportive of me, and they just don't "get it" that not everyone is going to feel that way. I guess I can't be too mad at them. Aside from this, they've all been wonderful.