PhotoNut

*BANG!* hehe! What.. no weddings or funerals to attend in June? Bah. Ya big baby! *grins* Hang in there Penni and don't put yourself in last place on the priority list for too long. It's easy to wake up several years later and wonder how the hell you got so far off track. *hugs*

My story exactly. McDonalds for Breakfast during the week, big country breakfasts on the weekends. lunch out at some burger joint every day of the week. Pick dinner up from anywhere that had food to go on the way home from work. I never cooked! The only food brought into the house that came from a grocery store was beer and Snacks. The money we spent on food was astounding! But we didnt care. We were lost in self indulgence and enjoying every bite of it. Ahhh.. the variety, the choices, the freedom!! Loved it! But then I felt like crap about myself after eating it. It hurt to get up out of my chair to go throw away the fast food containers. None of my largest clothes would fit. I stopped wearing jeans and started wearing those soft pants with the elastic waist so I would be comfortable. I was so depressed about my appearance that I stopped looking and then, I stopped even trying to care for myself. I wore my hair in a ponytail all of the time, never put on makeup, and then I just quit leaving the house. I sunk into a deep depression. My hips would hurt so badly in the night that I was taking two Aleve before sleeping just so the pain wouldnt wake me up. I was also living on antacids. Acid reflux would shoot up my throat and into my sinuses. I would wake up feeling as if I were drowning in burning acid. Choking and gasping for air. My feet hurt so much I limped when I walked. So I walked as little as possible. Then one day it dawned on me. I wasnt free at all. I was a prisoner. My band has truly set me free. To quote a song I dearly love... "Why be afraid of freedom, if it's yours?"

Man oh man. What a tough situation to be in. You did well Diane. I'm glad it's all working out and that the family will be getting help. I stayed out of this thread because I hate bringing the authorities into personal family business. I have seen so many instances like Kat described. And, it seems like once you allow those types of agencies in your business they never leave. But like I said, I'm glad this case turned out for the best. You're a good friend Diane.

Yay!! Thanks for the good news, Shawn! I use ThermaSilk Volumising conditioner on my hair and I love it! Really makes my hair look so full and thick. I don't use the shampoo with it though because it just ends up too greasy in a short time. I use Head n Shoulders Scalp Care for my shampoo.

I'm very happy for ya gal! The summer will fly by and by Christmas you'll be looking awesome! Can someone say EXCITED!!??!! :D

My face has never looked good with short hair - IMO. I have quite the double chin (neck... thing) and short hair just makes my face look bigger. Some heavy women retain thin faces and look much better in shorter hair. I wish I were one of them!

Paula, you are SO darling!

Awwww! I'm so sorry to hear that y'all are having bad experiences with fills. I feel fortunate that mine went so smoothly without the need for numbing. Didnt feel a thing and I was so scared the nurse had to hold my hand! hehe

I sure am loving the pictures of all you losers and your good looking men! Em, you look fabulous dahling! Terista - You are always welcome on this thread! Browse, visit, comment.. anything ya like! *hugs* Woah!!! I just saw your current weight girl! It seems like just the other day you were cheering about getting under 400 and look at you go! w00t!!

Yup, and you and I were banded in Jan so I think this is pretty typical at about 5 or 6 months. So think pretty when you get your hair done! Dont be thinking utilitarian!

Here ya go. If you want to save them you can. Right click and select Save Picture As.

I have bangs too.. Love the cut Want some more pics of that cut?

hair really is important! Mine is still falling out too, and I can see the round "horizon" of my scalp through my hair across the top of my head, starting at the hairline. I keep trying to ignore it, hoping that what everyone says is true - it will stop falling out and it will grow back. I went and had some golden highlights put in last Saturday, and it does help draw away the attention to the thinning - I think. I hope you like your new haircut. I suggest you don't go with anything too extreme. You can always have it cut shorter but there's not a lot you can do when you're standing in front of the bathroom mirror crying over what you preceive as a disaster when it's been cut too short. I had mine layered up the front and blunt cut so it looks thicker. I also part it more to the side to cover the.. oh dear! It's a combover!! LOL! Anyway.. The layers really do help with thin hair. Here is the cut I got... Yep, that's Rachel! Isn't she a doll? While I was disappointed that I didn't come out looking like her, but my hair looks better! Best wishes for a happy outcome for you!!

I just realized that I have LESS THAN 100 POUNDS TO LOSE! (100 has been a daunting number staring at me for many years) I just realized that I NO LONGER QUALIFY FOR WLS!! :clap2: I just realized that I'm only 11 pounds from being HALF WAY TO MY GOAL! :faint: I just realized that I'm in the freaking 20s FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 13 YEARS!! :rockon: I just realized that its after midnight and I need to get my tired arse to bed. Night y'all! :notagree

I always could feel my lumpy port. Drives me nuts. I can see the lump too. I'm just hoping it goes away when I get thinner. The other day I was making it "dance" by moving my stomach muscles around. *snickers* I think maybe I should get a hula girl tatoo'd over it so her hips can move when I flex my stomach muscles. *laughs* Anyway, it could be that you're overdoing it a bit. Remember that you have those stitches into the musles that can pull and sting if you're putting too much stress on them. Follow the Dr's guide for weight and activity limits. And if the pain increases, dont hesitate to bug your Dr about it until it's looked at.

Well crap. I just spent 20 minutes typing out a bunch of info on Protein shakes and lost it when I tried to post. Blah. Basically I told you about a shake I made when I was on liquids: Blend in a blender until all liquid - 2 cups skim milk, 2 scooops strawberry flavored protein powder, 1/2 banana, 1 teaspoon Splenda Then pour in one can Vanilla Slim Fast. This drink should be split up over the day, and equals about 75 grams of protein. Be sure to count the calories. There are plenty of them in there. You can also get creative with other flavors such as chocolate or vanilla protein powders or sugar free flavored syrups or pudding mixes.

Hey Laura... Is the incision healing nicely? All closed up or is it still open or draining? I went through periods of itching and stinging.. but there was more time between those periods as time went on.

Hey Penni... It's June. What's the verdict? Have you been to the Dr yet?

Hang in there. The first week is the worst and typically when people wonder what the heck they were thinking?! LOL! Each day will get better. Be sure to stay hydrated, and do your best to get 60 grams of Protein in per day. It will help you heal fasters and give you more strength and energy. Your body is recovering from surgery, and your food intake has dropped a LOT. It's normal to go through this healing and ajustment period. Get all the rest you need, but do get up and walk as often as you can. It really helps too.

Awww.. You'll go through this again most likely. I've felt it, I'm sure others have as well. It's pancake envy. *grins* Seriously though, it's tough to watch the world enjoying your old favorites while you have to go without. Just take a few steps back, take a deep breath and repeat after me... I have lost almost 100 pounds! I need a slight unfill so I can eat healthily and continue to lose until I reach my goal. All of the pancakes, waffels, toast, and hashbrowns wont feel as good as weighing 189 pounds will feel. I'm on the right track, I'm doing a great job, I'm not deprived... I choose not to eat those things because I have a goal and by god, I'm going to reach it! Atta girl, Margo! Its a tough climb, but we are all with ya. *hugs*

*rolls up randy's tongue and stuffs it back in his mouth*

I'm going to be gone this next week. When all of you in the South feel the earth trembling, dont be afraid... it'll just be in shock from me actually being there again after 23 years! Since I wont be able to update the Members Page, I'll need someone who can post a temp page and do all of the updates for me until I get home. If anyone has the computer savvy and the time to do that, please PM me and I'll show ya what I do. Thanks!

I'll be there on Saturday, the 17th, but it looks like you'll be busy at Friday's! Hope you're feeling better today, Kim. *hugs*

Bermy and I were talking on the Before and After Picture thread and I thought we should move the discussion here because the topic is so close to my heart. I hope she doesn't mind me quoting her.. This was my biggest fear once the decision was made to get the band. Everytime it would really hit me that I was actually going to see 130 pounds again, pure cold panic would run through me. How was I going to be treated by family, friends, me?! once I was no longer "me". Now, everytime I have to go buy new clothes I stop and think... Wow, I have bought the same pants and shirts for years now. I know how to "hide" myself behind material. How on earth do I dress myself now? Im not young anymore so I cant dress like I did when I was 17. But... I'll weigh what I did when I was 17. Confusion abounds... how do I stay comfortable with this new person in the mirror??

Being TOO restricted will cause PBs, slimes, and pain. My Dr's aim is to have me eat three times a day, 4 hours between meals, no Snacks, and not be hungry until it's time to eat. Some days I'm right on targe for that and others I eat more. I keep my calorie intake in the range of 800-1,000 but sometimes exceed that by a little. But since I'm not having any PB problems and I'm losing weight at a good speed, and because I'm not having to struggle to keep from eating more, the Dr has not added more fill to the band. (I have 1cc in a 4cc band). You don't necessarily have to feel restriction. In fact, I'd say it's best if you don't. Your eating patterns and weight loss should be the guide used in determining your amount of restriction.