Great2BThin

Wow, lots of activity suddenly, how wonderful! Jennifer you look beautiful!! I might have to reconsider dresses! Actually I do have a dress in my future. My daughter got engaged on Saturday night. I have a mother of the bride dress to shop for. What a difference a year makes, I am actually looking forward to it and not dreading it and in a panic about my weight and going on some stupid crash diet. Hmmm, I wonder if this is how normal people live and react? A year ago I would've been panicking about how fat I was for the wedding pictures and a dress that it would've taken so much of the enjoyment out of wedding planning. Thank goodness she waited til she was 28 to get married! LOL Speaking of bills, anyone heard of DAve Ramsey? We started taking his Financial Peace University classes and it's been awesome, it's all about getting out of debt, living on a budget, etc. We are only a month or so into it, but it's already made a world of difference in our lives. I highly recommend it. If you don't want to take his class, he has a book, Total Money Makeover and a website www.daveramsey.com. He's on TV and the radio too. I got back into my Power 90 workouts. I hit the 170's again and I hope I never see a 180 again. Come on 169!!! I finally go for my one year post op next Tues. it has gotten rescheduled a few times. I did get my blood test results back though and they are excellent. I have the cholesterol of a 13 yr old they said!! WOOHOO!!

Laura, sounds like you are having a wonderful time. Hope dinner tonight goes better than last. Isn't it funny how we are such cheap dates now? I have to look at meals now as more of what they should be, nourishment for my body and sometimes the experience of going out on a 'date'. Not at what food I am wasting, I figure it can either go in the waste or on my waist. :thumbup: But after years of hearing about cleaning my plate and the starving kids in China it is difficult sometimes. Many times I share an entree with my husband or daughter if she's with me. Bugs, good luck on your recovery. Apples, good to have you and your humor back posting! Well gang, I didn't wanna do it tonight, but I just got home from the gym. Will I ever enjoy it? It's been a year into this progress and I still hate exercise, but I do like the results it gives me, so will keep at it. I think I am missing those mysterious endorphins that the exercise fanatics say I will get after exercise and I will grow to love it. It ain't happening! But I compare it to brushing my teeth, can't say I look forward to that but it's something I must do as well.

Corliss, I didn't even connect it was you on that thread, guess I didn't pay close enough attention to the screen name when I read the post. I am glad that after communications with the dr. that you feel good about the procedure, that is important. Hope you end up with the result you wanted. Did you post any before and after pics? Congrats on the weight loss that resulted in the plastic surgery, how much did you lose?

Too funny, it took me a minute to get that one, I know I am slow. Would there be willie Nelson playing?? LOL I'd love to try and do VEgas, would depend on my work and time off. Its a catch 22 situation, I work so I have money to travel, but I can't go because I work! I can take 10 days a year off, I used 8 for my cruise in May and need 3 in November for a family reuinion and am already pushing it by asking for an 11th day.

I am not sure I'd be comfortable going out of the country for something like plastics or not so really don't have an opinion, just wanted to mention several days ago I was reading the 'ask Dr Schulman' thread on LBT and there was someone that posted some questions about a procedure they had done in MX as well and their forehead didn't turn out well either. So just do lots of research!

Too funny on the dream Apples!! I'd love to meet as well, there was talk for a bit about a meet in Vegas or something. I knew a trip across states meant just that, but wasn't sure what a 'farm trip' meant. LOL

Beautiful pics Janet!! Right now the wedding colors are pink or green with a black/white fleur de lis (not sure how that is spelt). Lucky 7's have a great trip!

You are being such a perfect bandster Meredith. It will get easier as you get your fills, when is your first one?? Okay gals, I just googled mother of the bride dresses. I am so excited that I am actually looking forward to the dress shopping. Thank goodness my daughter waited til I got thin to get married! LOL If it was a year and a half ago I'd be in a pure panic right now about wedding pictures, dresses, etc. that I wouldn't be enjoying the process and I'd be starting yet another diet be it Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig whatever and feeling so lost and hopeless. This new feeling is exhilerating and I am so thankful for my band and that I went this route to lose the weight for good. DD wants to come over and see my wedding dress, doubt she'll want to wear it though, think she is just humoring me but that's okay. I remember I didn't want to wear my mom's either, it was just so 50's. I am sure mine is just so 70's. LOL I hit the 170's yesterday again and today I am still there!! WOO HOOO!! Maybe this time it will stick.

We miss ya when you are gone Apples! I tried to email too but didn't save your email right. What is a 'farm trip across several states'?

Julie, congrats on the 100 lbs!! JoAnn, congrats on well on the friends noticing. That always makes us feel good. I have no idea what Cars is but look forward to the day when I know all the kid stuff as that will mean I have grandkids! LOL But first things first, the wedding. Apples, come out, come out, whereever you are! Laura, enjoy your trip, you sure do get around. Janet, you too, get around, enjoy Canada, will you and Laura be near each other? Arlene, glad to hear DH is doing so well.

My blood pressure went to 80/50 and my primary care dr said to discontinue the pills at that time which was one week post op. I continued to monitor it at home and it's stayed normal and has been at every dr visit since. I did have signs got very dizzy and light headed and felt like I was going to pass out.

I got off my blood pressure meds of 10 yrs at only 1 week post op. I was thrilled and that there made the surgery worthwhile for me. It has remained normal ever since too.

Good morning. Well I had an exciting night last night. I can let you in on a secret I am supposed to keep til next Sat. when they announce it since you don't know my family, etc. I am going to be a MIL!!! DD and DF (that's fiance now) came over to tell us they just got engaged. No wedding date yet, and they want to have a family BBQ or something next Sat. to announce it to everyone. She has to take her ring in to be sized down so won't be wearing it much this week anyway, it's beautiful. I"m so glad she waited to get married til I was thin for the wedding pics!! LOL (she's 27, 28 in Sept). The scale was good to me today too, I am back in the 170's. After I hit the 170's the first time it went back up to 180/181 and wouldn't go back. Yes I am a daily weigher too. I used to drive myself nuts with the daily weighing, but have a good handle on it now. Well time for my weekly McD's breakfast before church, I eat half the egg and half the sausage on a $1.00 egg McMuffin. Cheap date! It's a ritual for us, we bring the Sunday paper, eat breakfast and discuss our upcoming week.

Congrats on the 170's Jennifer!! I hit them too only to bounce back as well but like Allie, my ticker only goes in one direction. I have noticed myself succumbing to some old bad habits though. How do those chips keep getting in the house? So gotta nip that in the bud! It's scary how quick some bad habits can creep back. But I also got a good habit back, I am back to regularly working out, no more of this hit and miss stuff. So if I can knock off the chips, keep up the exercise, I see 170s again real soon in my future and 160's my ultimate goal!

I would think you would be fine, you haven't had a fill yet so don't have as much restriction, plus you are on mushies which don't sit in the pouch long. My doc also says 4 oz and when I get to where I need 8 oz it's time for a fill. The time to be more careful is when you get the hard Proteins but still 8oz is good. Remember though that when they talk 4 and 8 oz they are talking volume not weight. So think in terms of 1/2 cup or 1 cup sizes. At least that is what I have been told by my docs office. I remember my first mushy after all those liquids never tasted so good! You are doing great. Happy 2 yr bandiversary to you PHyl.

Congrats, allie, on finding your surgeon, are you cancelling the other guy? Sounds exciting and that you are in good hands. I am anxious to hear how it goes and see the after photos. BTW, did you lose that last pound this week?? Can't remember what day you weigh on.

Happy Bandiversaries to Arlene and JAnet!! One and 2 years!! WOO HOO!! I just got home from work and am off to Costco. If I go early the sample ladies won't be out to tempt me! Then workout this afternoon. One whole week back on track with my Power 90 workouts. I just ordered another series of DVD's in this Power 90 series from beachbody.com. We have been doing phases 1 & 2 and 3 & 4, and we started over from the beginnning because a new gal joined us. But they are getting easier and boring. They came out with a Power 90 Master series and it's phases 5 & 6 plus 4 or 5 other videos to rotate with. It's like an intermediate step between Power 90 and P90X for those familar with that. Yesterday I did my push ups in the plank position instead of on my knees and I really feel it in my chest and shoulders today. But was so impressed I could sortta do them. I couldn't get my nose all the way down to the ground only about half way but it's a heck of a lot more than I used to be able to do.

My doc didn't give me a goal weight at first. He just told me what a normal BMI was. As I got closer and closer he told me he'd be happy with anything under 180, I hit that and am now working on 169 which is the normal BMI. When I first had surgery I couldn't imagine anything in the 100's. If I never lost another pound, I'd be happy where I am, of course, I'd be happier in the 160's. LOL I didn't mean to make it sound like everybody stops losing when they hit mushy stage. I just know it freaked me out and was fairly common. Sorry about that.

My DVR usually catches it when it is on as I have it set to record the series. The episode I have now recorded at midnight last night, but I did just notice it is set to record one in 10 min (7pm MDT) and they are usually TLC or Discovery. They are mostly repeats but I haven't seen them all and sometimes like to watch them over.

Arlene, So glad DH is doing so well!! Now he has an excellent nurse to take care of him and how lucky for the 2 of you to be able to travel this path together. Meredith, I don't want to be a naysayer, but also want you to be prepared. Many people do stop losing when they start the mushies. I know I totally panicked. I was losing so much so fast during my liquid phase then started mushies and it stopped for about 2 or 3 weeks. I was in a major panic thinking I just had major freaking surgery for this???? But never fear, that too shall pass, I found out reading the boards and stuff here that is very common until you get your first fill. Your body is kindda in shock and just sortta slows down. My first mushy was egg beaters and then later that day refried beans. I was so nervous and they tasted so good. Just go slow, but am sure you will do fine, you've been a model patient so far, well except for the olive incident. :) IYSOFU, PB = Productive Burp, it's when food gets stuck and you more or less burp it back up. Like vomiting but it's just the food and no stomach acids etc. involved generally. Buns, I never needed to pack a thing for the hospital I was in and out in about 4 1/2 hours. It would depend on if you are staying the night. I barely woke up and was on my way home. But if you wear reading glasses bring those as you may have to sign more forms. I forgot mine and had to rely on others to read them too me. And leave all jewelry at home.

Woo HOO!! Glad everything went well! Did one of the Dr. Davis' do his surgery too? I am watching Big Medicine tonight in fact.

Bugs, only you can make this decision for yourself. You can get advice from others but don't let others attitudes affect your decision one bit. You do the research and you decide what is best for you. Have you done that? If so, and you believe this is the tool you need, go for it. I know it has changed my life for the better and something I'd do again in a heartbeat. One thing that we or at least I tended to do especially when at my heaviest is be the victim and I'd make up more excuses as to why I could or couldn't do something. Someone could look at me wrong and I'd let that sway me from if I ever went back some place, etc. The surgeon you have picked is the one doing the surgery not the rude office staff. Sure it's awful they are that way and you might have to fight afterwards for your appts etc. but if it were me, I'd want the best available surgeon to operate on me and one that fits my personality, I'd deal with the office folks later. Best of luck to you in whatever way you decide. You've come to a great place for support.

Gotcha! I sortta wondered that after I reread it. Well I am off to work this morning til 830am and then to the hospital where I volunteer. Wednesdays are very busy for me. Then I am meeting the gals about 530 or 6 at the gym again tonight. We are starting the power 90 DVD workouts all over again. Have a great day Junies!! CathyChatts, are you still out there?

Well then, Allie, Congrats on being laid off! :thumbup: I am glad things are going to work out for you. How do you know that you will get the month of April? Do you plan on not working til after then? You will also have time to totally focus on you and your new healthy lifestyle. I just got home from the gym. It was so hard to go. I am trying working out in the evenings in order to go with 2 friends, one of which doesn't get home from work until at least 530. I don't like evenings but I like having someone to go with so will see how it goes. Can sure tell I haven't worked out as hard as I was. :thumbup:

HOpe things improve at your work Allie or that you are able to find something else.