tapshoes

Hi Ebony!! Another great NSV for you - that's wonderful! I've heard about Spanx, but haven't invested in any - yet. But given the serious belly overhang I have, I'm thinking maybe it is time to invest. Plastic surgery is something I have thought of, but the cost is just too much. But I'm thinking it would certainly help me drop a few more pounds - honestly, the reason I haven't reached the upper limit of my doctors goal just HAS to be the excess skin!!:thumbup: Besides, several docs have mentioned waiting for 6 months to a year after your weight loss before having any PS, so that gives me time. (Of course, just as many do not make any such recommendations...). I did come to work - gets me out of the house and with my mother visiting it is important for both of us to have 'time outs'... And speaking of work......gotta get some stuff off my desk!

Restriction does NOT mean mini throwups and pain etc...Get to a doctor asap for a small de-fill. Then take it easy for a day or two and eat mushies or liquids, and give your stomach a chance to relax. The more irritated it is, the more difficult it is to function propoerly and therefore you begin a vicious cycle of pain.

Ebony - that is FABULOUS!! And you rightly should feel proud of yourself for finishing - who cares whether you are first or last, you ran a 5K - CONGRATULATIONS!

When family members explain to dinner guests that "No, she's not sick; she just doesn't eat like a real person" When having one bite of a dessert is enough sweetness to last a week or two! When close friends who haven't seen you in 3 years walk past you not recognizing you since you lost weight. (And then when you call out to them, they do a double-take, give you a hug, and then ask in a whispered tone, 'Did you lose weight intentionally or are you sick?") When your weekly groceries fit in the childs cart or basket.

Lil Miss - that's not a glass case...that's a mirror on your wall reflecting the trophy in MY cabinet...

A wonderful feeling, isn't it??? It's a whole new life! Yes Ezma, snow!! And tghe garden work isn't done yet, either! Sounds like you are having fun with the house-buying/ renovations...enjoy! LlMiss - Your doc sounds wonderful - he really does seem to have your best interest and health at heart. I'm glad he is taking the time to work with you and arrange tests and appointments. I'm also delighted to removed some fill - I too wonder if that has been your issue all along...hate to think it, but glad he is going to make sure. Keep us posted on your journey! AS for me - a horrible weekend food-wise and exercise-wise. I ate everything - nothing in moderation, and was a blob....what is wrong with me?? It's almost like since I've reached within 10 pounds of goal, my mind has decided to sabotage me...and I can't resist.... BLAH!:w00t::thumbup:

That was quite the multi-quote Ebony!! CONGRATULATIONS are your first 5K...:w00t::w00t: You should be proud of yourself. I can't imagine doing it, but YAY you!!! Gumdrop cake is an old-fashioned cake (my mother remembers it from her childhood). It is associated with Christmas for me, and I am starting my christmas baking now. I don't eat it, just bake it. Hi Suzanne! What a nice post - positive and friendly. Come join us and post here regularly! Heartfire - sorry to hear you are feeling the 'blahs'..seems to be a lot of that going around. Hugs to you. Monday morning...I'm not feeling up to par myself...sore throat, upset stomach...should I stay or should I go (to work)? (Are you singing it now?)

I think we are sharing a 'work sucks' phenomenon - sorta like mass hysteria only without the yelling and fun!! AS for the youngsters exposing their bellies...once the snow flies, that ends! But yes, I don't know whether I am pleased that these 'less than media perfect' girls feel comfortable in their skin, and therefore should be admired, or think they need to look in the mirror before they leave home! Thanks crzy...nice thought, but cute is not the word I would use...more like nanook of the north!! (Not the LBT Nanook....) HOld fast in your resolve, Slim. I'd use call display if you have it, and screen her calls. Let DH take her if he thinks it is that important she goes to the store - and for what? Thanks for the update, Kat. I appreciate it! Have a great evening all...I'm just waiting for my gumdrop cake to finish then I'm headed to bed...an exhausting day with mother!

Let's see... It snowed last night.:cursing: My mother is visiting for an undetermined length of time.:ohmy: Found out that a job I really really want pays LESS than I am making now, and would require me to move - at my expense.:sad::smile: It snowed last night.:frown: DH was just informed that their company is having a 2 month (or more) shutdown beginning the week before Christmas.:thumbdown: It snowed last night. My organization laid off 2 employees in the summer; I have 'absorbed' the work of one of them, plus my own work. No extra money or glory. Did I mention I hate winter....well, actually I wouldn't mind it if the temperatures were warm/hot. This below freezing, and snow stuff sucks.... HOWEVER, I am maintaining a size 8 (although just barely after my vacation, but still doing it).

YAY on the clothes. Wish I could get excited about any game... Please wish G4E my/our sincere best wishes...thanks. Hi Ebony - not the way to lose weight, though. I really hope Jillian loosens a bit for you. Enjoy to dinner tonight, and be prepared for the jaws to drop as they see the 'melting Ebony'. It takes courage to decide to tell people, just be prepared for the range of responses from "WOW Tell me about it", to the 'You did what? Don't you know you have ruined your body', etc... Have a great time - forget work and relax!! HUGS.

Hi Slim!! **Tap bounces excitedly and waves both arms and grins broadly** It is soooo good to 'see' you; now we need all the news!

Hi JB. It was a real mystery to me too - until I checked with my doc. And for some reason, I did tighten after months of being with the same fill level. So, some was taken out, and I could resume my normal eating routine - all foods, but in moderation. Then of course I went on vacation, completely abandoned the rules, and gained 7 pounds. So, it is back to the routine a slight refill - not as much as before though. Get an unfill; your eating process concerns me! Good luck.

Room clearing belches...I can do them!!! Interesting side effect of banding.:scared2: Like Mimi, exercising produces the 'other' gases - thank heavens they don't happen while eating, that would be tooo much!

I'm in shock..... I went outside and there was snow. :scared2::scared2: Snow. It is too early for me to get back into the snow shovelling routine. Not in mid-October! November, yes k. I don't like it, but I acept it, but NOT IN OCTOBER!!!.:wink2::eek::w00t: Ok you may now resume normal operations......... Happy Friday!

Good morning all, and Happy Friday!!! SLG - Your trip sounded marvelous; hope you took some great pics! And as for your weight gain - you should be so proud of yourself! SHM - Congrats on the house! Now, I can focus all my good wishes on the promotion.... So, where is everyone else? How are you doing? If you are 'lurking', could I entice you to post even just once a month - I miss my VVs. And now for todays news bulletin - it snowed last night!!! ARGHH I don't have the garden winterized yet.....:scared2:

I can eat anything...and have been able to throughout my entire banded journey. I may be able to eat only small portions of bread for example, but I still can. The only times I couldn't it was because I was too tight - which at the time I thought was great for faster weight loss, silly me! I much prefer to eat normal foods, but smaller portions, even if it meant I achieved goal later than others. So, breads - ok, if chewed well. Any type - toasted or not. meat - bring it on! Salads - I love them all. As for the restaurant question, although I rarely ate out during the weight loss period (too afraid I'd overeat or PB or something - silly me), I do eat out more now. I NEVER have an entree - my meal is the appetizer, and even with that I usually bring home 1/2 of it. However, any resaurant should be willing to oblige a customer on replacing a salad with more veggies - whether you are banded or not! They are providing a service you are paying for. Good luck....

After almost 2 years, I can tell you that yes, sometimes I experience physical discomfort when I don't follow the rules. Unlike other posters though, I can eat anything - including breads - but only small portions. If I eat too fast (first bite syndrome) or eat too much, I have a constant dull pain in my chest. Now, I am usually given a 'warning' - for me my nose will start to run, and that means 'stop now you fool or you'll be sorry!'. If however I ignore this, thats when I get the pain. I RARELY PB or slime, but have the pain that takes 15-20 minutes to pass.:scared2: There is no food that I cannot eat - it is only the volume issues that I have.

Hi Suz1. The Protein drinks are for me, a 'breakfast' but only if I don't have my real one. I never used the protein drinks you buy though, I thought they tasted vile! I just bought unflavored protein poweder and would make a smoothie in the mornings with it - it was like having a milkshake - and that I could do!!!:scared2: (Blend a scoop of the powder, with some ice, some fruit, some fruit yogurt, maybe a tablespoon of cream cheese, and there you go). The combination of protein drinks plus meals will really increase your calorie intake, so unless you are really low in your calories, I would not do this. As a previous poster mentioned, you are in the place known as bandster hell - hungry, wanting to chew, but not yet able to. DO NOT push this phase, get through it (without chewing off your arm or someone's head) and then you will start the fill process. It won't happen 'all of a sudden'; it may take multiple fills over time. But with each fill it should get a little easier to be satisfied. Good luck

Jessica, First CONGRATULATIONS on the weight loss you have achieved - that is fabulous!!! Many bandsters go through what you are struggling with - you have lost weight, have more to go, but just don't want to have to think about it every day. It is difficult to keep up the momentum and always think about what you are eating, how you are eating, and (my personal bug-a-boo) doing the exercise. You need to focus on the end goal now - not on how far you have come, but what you want to be. And then back to the basics...is it time for a fill to help curb the appetite? time to change up the exercise routine for variety? Time to treat yourself to something to inspire you to continue? Time to experiment with new foods? You have the willpower and strength of mind, you just need to take a deep breath and plunge back into the routine focussing on the end result. You have done wonderful so far, you CAN do this!

I wish we could attract some of the 'veteran' PJTP-ers back, and recruit a few more like minded...maybe over time... Ebony sorry to hear that Jillian is still putting your stomach through a rough time; push the fluids, and try to relax this weekend. HORSES!! Whoo hoo. Better than snakes in my opinion!!! It's a wonderful feeling to have that much room, isn't it? Your kitchen reno will make it perfect, but you can wait and take the time to design just the perfect one now. Sleep in.....what's that????

And Paranormal activity doesn't even make my list of movies to see....

Kartman - You are correct in your assessment...infighting, economy, and repetition boredom. Congrats on your achievement!!

OK - Speech over - back to the real stuff.... Heart - you are not having good vehicle karma; I'm with you, don't travel tonight just in case. Ebony - How are you doing today? Slim? Sick? Kat? Fanny? KC? Suzy? CC?.... Come back, come back...and bring a friend or two!

If in just eating normal you can stay within your 5 pound margin, then that is a great accomplishment. My eating just like normal means more than 5 pounds...my recent holiday proved that. I must always be vigilant....which can be tiring, but is essential! Hey Shiny - glad to see you posting; sorry about the plateau and the no-house situation. I relly hope your hubby's interview pays off! I know exactly what you mean about not forgetting the past - doomed to repeat it, if I do! So, although I really don't like to be constantly self-monitoring, I do have to. I will pay attention to your journally Diva. although I am (knock on wood) not having any problems, and don't forsee a need to change my band, I am interested to know about your process - and mostly I just want to make sure we stay in touch. I really feel we are starting to lose our VV connections, and I miss that. Hey Jul! Glad to see you back! Sorry to hear about your struggles - it's almost like you are reporting on my life! I too have not been doing my exercise....and although my eating is better, it is not true bandster style. I have to say, my doc only restricted sodas - not bread etc like your doc. I enjoy bread - but as with anything else only in small portions. I'm glad my doc didn't say the no bread/no rice rules or else I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have had the surgery. I have rice or Pasta or bread everyday - good fibre in those! As for exercise though........................................... Hope to hear from some other VVs. Miss you all.

Glad to hear you are alive and well. Still waiting for the Tug pic. 'Stuff' is worse than wire coat hangers in the closet at multiplying...I move on average every 3 years, and still I throw out/donate stuff - and wonder where it all came from. It doesn't help that DH is a packrat....'Don't throw out that broken plastic lid; we may need it some day"...ARGHH!! I'm all for reduce, reuse, recycle, but sometimes it just isn't worth it!!! Aren't all men? Isn't that their role? Morning everyone! I'm late this morning as I've been preparing for a broadcast Im doing this afternoon. I love public speaking (yet another way Im a freak of nature), but doing a national live broadcast while sitting by myself in a small room isn't the same thing. I like the energy of a crowd, and gauge my presentation based on the audience body language etc. This way I have NO way of knowing if they are 'getting' what Im saying or not....oh well. As they won't send me across the country to do many individual presentations, a single broadcast it is.... Wish me luck; will chat later.....