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So I've been thinking about this problem and I wanted to ask. Those of you who are losing their hair... do you have thyroid problems? Are you taking meds for it? The reason I ask is, I'm on synthroid. Have been for years now. If I ever slack off and forget to take the synthroid for a period of time, my hair starts to fall out. So, I was wondering if perhaps our thyroid conditions are changing with our weight loss, which causes the hair loss. Since I was banded, I have been eating between 70 and 100 grams of Protein per day (meat and dairy products, no suppliments) and I've been taking Multivitamins, Calcium, Vitamins E and C, every day. My weight loss has been fast, but not drastic. So I'm thinking about having my thyroid levels tested to see if things have changed. *shrugs* Just a thought.

Telly - I knew you weren't trying to insult the handicapped. You were trying to point out the stupidity of fighting on the net. And you're right, it is pointless. You apologized for offending anyone. That should have been the end of it. It's so easy to let our feelings get hurt and to want to defend ourselves in situations like that. I've come to find that if I just ignore the posts that trigger that in me, I'm better able to find more valuable information in what people have to share - even if it comes from someone whom I've fantasized about ripping their lips off in the past. And trust me, there have been a few. *chuckles*

Back Row L - R: Jtaurus, Mrs Sabre, gordonfamily3, wavy Frond Row L - R: (some of the kiddies) Bondgirl, Dragonwillow, The Best Me

Once someone has apologized.. dont you think it's time to let it go? Telly deleted her posts, she apologized for the joke and deleted it as well. What more can a person do? Please don't keep dragging it back up by pasting the deleted stuff again. I would ask that any further personal arguments be taken to PMs. Thanks gals. :confused:

I made y'all smaller and you didn't have to have surgery. Isn't that cool? Back Row L - R: Jtaurus, Mrs Sabre, gordonfamily3, wavy Frond Row L - R: (some of the kiddies) Bondgirl, Dragonwillow, The Best Me

Hey Steve, if you'll delete the [ url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/] and the [ /url] in your signature, the ticker will show up correctly.

I had seen threads about hair falling out and never could contribute much because I hadn't experienced it. So here I am at just midway between 4 and 5 months out and I'm shedding like crazy. There is hair in the shower, on the bathroom floor, on the counters, in the sink, in the hairbrushes, always on my shirts and my arms. It's awful. I haven't seen a real difference in the way my hair looks, but dang... this is more than a little disturbing!

I got my 30 minutes of walking in today, and only spent $20 at the yard sales. I bought a small tv to put on top of the bookcase by our treadmill. Hey, it was exercise related! *grins* Telly, hun, just reading your exercise posts wears me out. Can I count that on my daily chart? *chuckles* Mystjin - Tuesday? That's wonderful! You know, you are fairly close to Dody. She's in Knoxville.

Happy Happy Birthday to you Jenna! Hope it was one of the best! *hugs*

:happybday: :happybday::happybday::happybday: Happy Birthday, my friend! I hope it was blessed in every way!

It was good to hear some real facts about what people are seeing with their bands now that they are 3, 4, or 5 years into the journey. I've always wanted to know the facts. And I'm well aware that the facts won't all be good. My only objection has been the vague and discouraging comments that have appeared to claim that it's only a matter of time before we won't be seeing success, or that our success can only be attributed to this brief state of uphoria that we are experiencing. I have appreciated what Babs and Alex have shared. Once we got past the communication "speed bump" and started talking about facts, it became interesting. I appreciate learning facts from experienced people. It's the assumptions that it's all going to go downhill for us all that clouds the facts and causes some of us to become defensive. When that happens, we don't learn. So far, here's what I've learned: The journey is long - probably life long. What works for you, might not work for me. While there are basic and fundemental principles to achieving weight loss and a healthy body, there are also a vast number of varying physical and psychological inhibitors that can make it difficult for some to apply these principles in their lives. We will all encounter different stages of our journeys which will bring both joys and challenges, but we should not expect that all of us will encounter the same things. Those who are struggling in their journey can find the enthusiasm of those seeing great success quite discouraging. Likewise, those who are seeing great success can find the warnings of those who are struggling quite discouraging. It's always good to be willing to hear all sides of the discussion. Assuming that others are being intentionally hurtful causes everyone to become defensive and stops the communication that we all come here to find. We can all learn from each other. New and old, we all have different perspectives and experiences that others can benefit from. Telly has a warped sense of humor. *grins* What is offensive or hurtful to one may not have any negative affect on another. Each of us has faced struggles within ourselves that only we will ever truly understand. No matter the reason behind our obesity, we all struggle with the fear of failing to some extent. Some come right out and express that fear without hesitation, while others hide the fear behind determination. Either way, I think we all know the fear is there and we don't really need others to remind us that there's a chance that this dream will also be shattered. So please, share facts and not assumptions. Share hope and not fear. Share support and motivation, not expectations of darker days. They may be out there, but why waste the sun while it's still shining?

Motivation! It's subdivision yard sale weekend and I can already hear the car doors shutting outside as those greedy little people are hurrying to grab those great deals right out from under me! This woman is going walking!! Laters! *puff of smoke*

It's ok, Yoda. I don't think people are fighting. I think this is an emotional issue which stirs up feelings about our own journeys and gets us talking - which is a GOOD thing. Continued discussion that helps people dig deep and talk about things which they might otherwise repress and deal with alone is a GOOD thing. *hugs* Thank you to all who are responding. I appreciate hearing all sides because it helps me to understand more and enables me to be a better friend.

Wow Dave. If you get the answer to that question you'll probably be a rich man. Everyone I know that's had problems with their weight ask themselves this very same question. Prior to my being banded, my husband and I asked ourselves on a daily basis - WHY do we continue to do this to ourselves??? Then, we'd go do it again because.... ? The only thing I can tell you is that since being banded, I don't do that anymore. I can't. The band prevents me from eating myself sick. And, because I don't do it anymore, my husband has been able to change his eating habits as well. Consequently, he has lost about 66 pounds. It has been a very positive change in our lives. And, we got a two-for-one special! hehe Anyway, welcome to LBT. I hope you find some of the answers you are looking for along the way. You'll find a great bunch of bandsters here who are the most sincere and open people I've ever met. Ask lots of questions oh and speaking of questions, here are a couple of must read threads for you and your wife to read. Enjoy! Questions to ask your Dr BEFORE getting banded: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=15595 LBT success stories: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=16050 Cold hard facts about being banded: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=18533 Before and after pics of LBT members: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=4642

"Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you're a mile away and they have no shoes on." Thanks for the chuckle, Wheetsin!

Oh my gosh, I totally agree!! This was never meant to do that. Please folks, no fighting and breaking up into this side against that side. We are all on the same team, just trying to understand one another and get along as we travel together. This is, without a doubt, the greatest community of people I have ever seen online. Do not think that I was grouping all older bandsters into one target and taking pot shots at them. Eeep! I'll be so distressed if this is how people are taking this. *sighs* I just want us all to be aware of our words and how they effect others. That's all. Now I'm going to stress over this. I have hives! *laughs* It's true! I'm such a dink. *sighs* I love you guys. I really do - even you old bandsters. *winks with a big smile*

Oops, I forgot Letha. Hun, I have never seen you be anything less than loving and encouraging and honest. If someone claimed that your posts had insulted or discouraged anyone, I'd take fast exception with them. You're a gem, Letha. Sincerely.

DonnaB - Thank you. I really appreciated what you said. No forgiveness necessary my friend. None at all. *hugs* I loved your analogy of telling young married couples that their honeymoon phase will be coming to an end. It was right on and exactly what I was thinking as well. In response to the comments about being banded (a whole) six months... A marriage that lasts 5 years is hardly considered a long term marriage, but being banded for 5 years is considered long term. Therefore, it is reasonable to think of someone who has been banded for 6 months as someone who has put in enough time to be familiar with how to be a bandster. Comparing that to newlyweds of 6 months, when a long term marriage could be 50 years or more is hardly a reasonable comparison.

Hiya Babs, Thank you for taking the time to write about this. I'm very glad you did and I appreciate it a great deal. You made a lot of very good points in this post and even though you may not think you can change the way I feel about this, you have - in some areas. I still maintain that making the "honeymoon phase" comments can be discouraging, and that they have been used in ways that appeared to be a means of taking away the hard earned praises for those who are doing well. I'm glad to hear that you didn't intend yours in the way that it seemed. I've always found you to be a very friendly person with a lot to contribute. I think that people are misunderstanding what I've said. Contrary to what some have implied, I do not have on rose colored glasses, and I don't live in a fluffy little cloud of naivity. I struggle with depression on a daily basis. I have already experienced days of feeling like I was going to fail, even though I can see that things are going well - so far. I have faced head hunger and the temptations to fit in a bit more food than I know I should. I have already had days when I was weary of thinking about food and this damn journey. I see my friends doing 200 leg lifts and running miles and having huge successes with excercise routines, and I have quietly felt like a lazy ass wimp in comparison. But you see, I don't tell my friends that they are only doing well because they are in a honeymoon phase and soon they'll be wondering how in the hell they ended up doing nothing for six weeks and felling like crap. Now that may very well happen to them, but then again it may not. All I know is, I will not be one to toss out negative forecasts - just to be sure they don't end up disappointed down the road. What does that accomplish? Nothing except chipping away at their current good state of mind. I see nothing reassuring, educational, or supportive in it. And you're right, that might just be my perception. However, from what I'm seeing it isn't just mine. There are many who feel the same as I do when they hear comments like this. And my goal here was to make people aware of that, on behalf of those who don't speak out but rather take those words to heart and let them chip away at the hope and confidence that they have in the here and now. Now this is interesting. Honestly, I'm not being sarcastic at all. I find this very good information and I'm curious to learn more about why this occurs. Surely we don't end up with a tool that is "worn out" and not as effective, leaving us to fend for ourselves... do we? And I'd really like to know if stepping back to re-evaluate our eating habits and then regrouping wouldn't be helpful. You said that you don't notice that you're eating more... Wouldn't keeping a food journal help you be more aware of this? Measuring portions, etc. I know it can be a drag to do that all the time, and often I forget for a day or two. But I also find that if I completely stop, I mentally rationalize the bad habits I'm allowing to creep back in. So I make corrections. It's like driving along a straight road. We usually have to keep making small adjustments with the steering wheel to keep the car from drifting off the road or into an oncoming lane of traffic. I really would love to hear more about this from you. If you get time. You said for the first two years. Why did you stop? If you were seeing success in years one and two, but you have struggled in years three, four, and five, then wouldn't that suggest that you stopped doing what worked, rather than your "honeymoon phase" being over? Again, Babs. Thanks for writing. Sincerely.

I wholeheartedly agree, Alexandra. Again, this is not what I was taking exception with. I've tried very hard to explain that. I'm sorry it's not getting through.

Mo, I do have a walking buddy. Actually, three of them! But I've had my 2 1/2 yrs old grandson all day every day and I swear he's wearing me out! I also have my gym partner, Dawg, and we are just going to have to force ourselves to go after he gets home, whether we are tired or not. We are both getting down from all of this evening inactivity.

*goes to update her cards with a look of shame on her face* I really have been doing everything right - except exercise. What is my problem? I bought a bloody thousand dollar treadmill and never step on it. When I did, I was feeling great! Physically and mentally. I'm a lazy ass. That's all there is to it. I have to say, it's so stinking cool to get on here and see you all talking to each other, being friends, encouraging one another. Heather... this is exactly what we invisioned isn't it? *high fives Heather* Ok, Mo, you and Funny have both fussed at me about the exercising. I know you're both right. How do I find the energy and the motivation to get started again? Hm.. Thirty pounds to go to join the 100 pounds lost club, and only 8 pounds more after that to be in Onederland. That can take me 4 months, or it can take 2 1/2. I'm the one that's been whining to myself about this taking For-Ev-Er, so I should shut up and work my ass instead of my whining brain. Right?! Right!! Ok, that's it. I'm turning over a new leaf and I'm NOT letting the new kid show me up! *grins at Telly* Thanks pals. You all rock. PS. I weighed 237 today. That's 70 pounds! OMG! *excited laughter of disbelief*

Heyas 3Loves, I had to smile when you said you thought you'd ruffle my feathers because that's my nature. Actually, quite the opposite. I appreciated your post because I could tell you were speaking sincerely and wanting to help. The thing is, I am not feeling discouraged because of the things said to me. (And the posts I quoted aren't -that- old. That was only a couple of months ago.) What bothers me is people devaluing someone's success by off-handedly giving the credit to being in a honeymoon phase. Please know that this isn't about what was said to me. It isn't about my own feelings beyond the fact that it upsets me to see people who feel it necessary to offset another's accomplishments by attributing those accomplishments to a "phase" that will pass. Understanding the basic principles of losing weight and being healthy has nothing to do with "phases". And sharing those principles with others does not make anyone self righteous or judgmental. Whether you have been banded 10 years or 1 day... it does not change the fundemental facts about what has to be done in order to have a healthy life. And to me, poo-poo'ing someones encouragement and success based on how long they have been banded just seems wrong. Big Paul has lost 135 pounds. He has been banded for six months. That is half a year and the man is still living by the fundamental principles of weight loss and good health. THAT is why he is losing weight and feeling great. NOT because of some "phase" he's in. Comments like "You're just riding high on your rapid weight loss" are pointless really. Of course he feels good about his weight loss, but maybe... just maybe... he's feeling good about realizing that by following the guidelines of making healthy choices he's actually seeing that he's not controlled by phases. He has the freedom to make choices every day. He has made, and continues to make, choices that he knows will give him what he wants. And THAT is what I'm trying to tell everyone. It matters not how long you have been banded. Each day you face the same choices that everyone else does. What you do with those choices is up to YOU! That should be freeing, not threatening! For those of you whose "honeymoon phase" is over, I suggest you go back to square one and start putting those fundamental principles back to work for you. Perhaps you'll fall in love with your journey all over again.

Hey bug! Welcome to LBT! You know, you don't even have to get the band surgery reversed to be pregnant. There are a few bandsters here who have gone through pregnancy with their bands and did very well. In fact, there are a few who are pregnant now. You should start a thread for pregger bandsters to see how they are doing. Best of luck to you on your journey. I think you've made a wise choice to go with the band. Stay plugged in here and you'll learn lots from others in your shoes. Get your hubby to read with you. Knowledge is power, and the more you have prior to surgery, the better you'll be prepared and the better you and he will feel about it.

Wonderful NSVs Maudie! I'm really happy for ya girl! *big hugs*