Great2BThin

YIPEE!! JB congrats on being overweight. I can't wait to be overweight myself. That's a BMI under 30 isn't it??

Colorado, conservative??? Not anymore? It sure used to be. I lived here many years and then moved away for 25 yrs, it's definitely become way more liberal and I've lived in both extremes over the years, very conservative Utah and a liberal California (bay area). Actually I believe Colorado is pretty 50/50 and that is why we are getting so much media and political attention lately. Both candidates are in and out of the state all the time trying to win our 'swing state'.

Glad you are back, Charlene, and that there are no more hurricanes this season. Weekend plans? Let's see today just going to the gym nothing else planned til tonight. A few gals in our small group at church are starting up a 'Young at Heart' group and it's for folks our age and each month will have an activity or potluck. Tonight we are bringing snacks and just getting to know each other and may play some games. Then in the morning we are leaving for Estes Park. We will meet up with some dear friends from High School all 4 of us met in high school, actually the other gal and I have known each other since 6th grade. They camp in Rocky Mtn Nat'l park we hang out all day through the campfire and night then go 'camp' at the Holiday Inn. LOL Since we don't have a camper and I refuse to tent it. It is elk bugling (mating) season and all the elk come down to lower elevations and the males are bugling like crazy and at dusk they start fighting for their harems. It's fascinating really and so gorgeous as the aspens are turning yellow as well. There's so many elk and they come right into town. Estes has to close down the golf course as the elk take over. I should get lots of walking/hiking in. I'm anxious to see how much better shape I am in this year. It is at such a high elevation that one gets winded easier but last year I could hardly walk a block.

Not sure if this helps or not but this is what I do when the front office gals tell me I can't get a fill in forever. The fill nurse gave me her email address and I email her directly when I need a fill and she almost always work me right in.

No Becky you didn't hear that from me. That doesn't make sense that a 10cc band only holds 4cc. I do know that there is or was a 4cc band out there though. that sounds so small especially when I hear mine is 14cc. But I thought whatever cc's it was, that is how much it held, but I don't know for sure. I am noticing my great restriction going away the past few days. Here I thought maybe I was at my sweet spot. I go for my gall bladder post op a week from today and plan on asking about a 'tweak'.

Apples, I like Jones of NY too. I will have to get more and more familiar with all these new brands and things to shop for now! I am a 38DD too, but with my humgongus butt it looks more propotioned I guess. My waist goes way in. My pants gap in the waist as I have to buy so big for the butt. A good side effect of that is my surgeon had commented on my small tummy and said he doubted I'd have any trouble with excess skin there. Now if only some of the weight loss would leave my butt and legs!! it's gonna have to sooner or later. BrownBear, I wonder if it could be stress. i've not noticed that yet. But did notice after my last fill I thought I was going to need an unfill as for about a week I was feeling stuck on everything. Now seems like I can eat anything again. This band sure seems fickle. I've had 4 fills already for a total of 9cc's in my 14cc band that seems like a lot so am leary of asking for another when I go in next week. Glad you are safe.

Phyl, thanks for sharing your story. inspiring! About sharing about surgery with your church friends: When I got my surger I told no one besides my husband and kids. Then afterwards as folks started noticing I was open and upfront with them and shared I had had lap band surgery. My entire family knows except my parents now who live across the country and have no idea I've lost anything at all and will surprise them but I will tell them about the surgery. My mom is a very negative person but when she sees my success she can't say much. However, that being said the only folks I have not told are my church friends outside of 2 closer friends. My husband leads a small group in our home and not one person has commented on it. I think that's so odd. And 2 of the gals in it are former WW employees and are very anti surgery even though one is very overweight now. These are the folks I am the most scared to tell and they should be the first. If they ever ask me, I am not going to lie about it but have just not put it out there myself.

Finally some scale movement!!! I am down 1 more for a total of 62 today! Becky, do you know the size of your band? Maybe you have a small band and that's why the fills are smaller. I know I have the large which they told me is 14cc's. My first fills were larger but now they are usually .5. Editing to add a special message to Charlene! Hope you are okay after Ike. Please check in when you can and let us know!

Name_________Start Weight__CurrentWeight______Goal______Lbs lost *****************************:tt2:*******************:laugh:* 1day at a time.....263............261..........243..............2 2BHealthE!.........194............179............194............0 ahsem2bme..........244............244............225............0 aJoneen............223............221............213............2 Aphrodite1984......208............208............190............0 Ariel..............199............196.4..........180..........2.6 ArmyWife4life......209.5..........209.5..........190............0 Barb12590..........228............223............213............5 Bea1128............210.5..........207............188..........3.5 blueriley..........206............206............190............0 Brandymom1234......227............151.9..........135..........4.1 Caramia71..........208............203............195............5 cQQlgirl...........194............194............180............0 Crzytchr...........281............277............265............4 DebinFl............181............181............168............0 georgiagirl........245............234............230...........11 HarleyGirl.........188............187............175............1 HeatherA...........210.5..........209............200..........1.5 HeatherO...........155............150............140............5 Ivyrose325.........212............212............199............0 Jazzyywan..........255............255............190............0 Jodi_620...........196............188............177............8 KikiVal315.........237.5..........235............220............0 Lana24.............208............195............185............0 laurigee...........180............180............160............0 Leslie2Lose........220............214............205............6 lindar172 .........274.2..........271............256..........3.2 LisaB..............205.5..........200............180..........5.5 livn4thm...........235............233............210............2 Long2bthin.........248............243............230............5 Luu2008............203............199.5..........183..........3.5 KikiVal315.........237.5..........235............220..........2.5 Mamanmidwife.......299............292............280............7 mamato3............186............186............170............0 MarinaBleu.........226.5..........226.5..........216............0 memom..............210............210............170............0 Minxz..............299............285............280...........14 mominlv13..........299.8..........294.8..........275............5 nip50..............175............173............160............2 NurseNiki..........258............255............239............3 odamay.............242............242............225............0 paige65............252............247............232............5 Peaches11..........205............205............194............0 pj_txlady..........220............220............200............0 Redtulips3.........180............180............170............0 Renee74............214............213............199............1 Renewedhope........171............170............150............1 reif78.............294............195............185............0 shaversd...........230.5..........227............210..........3.5 SpecialK...........294............290............280............4 Sunshine2..........177............171............167............6 Tess...............304............304............280............0 thatDEgirl.........211............209............195............2 Turler.............225............219............210............6 wendyw.............192............192............172............0 wowox7.............195............189............170............6 WyominGirl.........327............321............312............6

Ellen, I think it's an unwritten rule around here, never change your ticker going up, it will go back down soon. At least that is what I do. Does your grandson live with you too? I've heard it said where we are the sandwich generation in that we have elderly parents to take care of and then young ones as well whether the younguns are our own or grandchildren. You so need some time for yourself. Is there anyway you can get a day off? Go to a spa, go shopping, or just take a walk in the park? They say we are better caretakers if we take care of ourselves first and that is so hard to do because: a) we feel selfish if we do, and finding the time to do so. That pound is probably just fluid, no way did you eat 3500 calories. Drink lots of water today and see if you can't flush it out. I wonder about another fill myself. I've not lost, am hungry more. But on the other hand when I eat I have to be very careful as things get stuck a lot if I don't chew chew chew and take tiny bites. So seems there's restriction there, maybe it's a head battle. And I'm not losing!

First, Ellen, CONGRATS!!! Hitting 50 is a major milestone. I can picture you now at Dr. Phil. For reference I am a little less than when we first met but about 8 lbs heavier than when the season ended. I have pics in my camera but I am such a clutz at downloading them. Janet, you are going to do great in the commercial. I hope there'll be a link some where where we can watch it. I had an awesome day. I went shopping with my daughter. First we went to Express, her favorite store. I showed her a sweater I thought was cute and she said I should try one on too as they had XL's. So I did and IT FIT!! it was on sale so I had to buy it. Next stop Ann Taylor. We were walking by and she knew that every time I got by I say some day I am going to be able to shop in there. So we went to 'look around'. She convinced me to try on a few tops and they all fit! One I really liked was $54 and I didn't want to spend the money on it, so she got it for me. What a daughter. It was the one that when I had it on in the dressing room I got very emotional and started blubbering and crying like a baby. LOL I bought the other 2 as they were buy one get one 50% so I had to have both of course!! I can see this is going to be dangerous as the temptation is there to buy all these clothes now, for once I am beginning to care how I dress and look. But I don't want to spend a fortune on a wardrobe yet as I am barely half way to goal. It will be awhile before I can fit in Misses pants as i carry all my weight in my butt and legs. Not that my boobs and chest are small by any means!!

Congrats Lapbandana!! The seat belt issue is huge. I have my own extender so I never have to ask again. Next time I fly I am hoping to leave it behind on the airplane. I am supposed to go in a week or so to Las Vegas. He has to go for a day for business and no way is he going without me. We used to live there. What did you see and do in our beautiful state???

Apples, congrats on the 8's. didn't sound like bragging to me and even if it was, go for it!! I will be if an 8 ever fits me. Today I had a great moment. I love Ann Taylor but have never been able to shop there as it was too small. Well, not today!!!! I am the proud owner of 3 new tops. Still to big of a butt for their pants, but soon!!!! Mall of America would be great, we could all shop for our new wardrobes!

Lizalee, I love the ear piercing story. I've thought of getting a 2nd hole as I love it when folks wear a little hoop in one and a diamond stud in the other, But then, wait, I would need diamond studs!!! LOL Thanks for the kudos on my shopping trip. I can see already that it is going to take great restraint not to buy everything that fits now, because in all reality I am not quite half way to my goal so these clothes won't be fitting a long time, it would be silly to spend a fortune (especially at Ann Taylor full price) on things that won't last long. Oh and at the Biggest Loser weigh in I was down 1.5, not sure how as my scale shows nothing. Well I am off to my bariatric exercise class, wonder what he'll have for us tonight. I have a very sore toe and it could be broken the way it feels and how bruised it's getting. I stubbed my baby toe going around the wall to get into the shower this morning. Another ah..ha, moment, I am closer to the walls now. LOL

I have UHC and they wouldn't cover mine, said it was excluded. Even though you got the 11th hour denial, it sounds promising that if you do submit it that it will be approved, so hang in there. Even with self paying though it is the best money I have ever spent on myself!!!! Congrats on losing 120 already!!! Sounds like you know what to do, so keep on keeping on!! You'll get there. UPDATE ON THE SHOPPING TRIP: OMG OMG OMG!!!!! First off we went to my daughter's favorite store, Express. I picked out a sweater for her thinking it was cute. She said mom, why don't you try it on? They had XL's in it. Lo, and behold, IT FIT!! So I had to buy it. Next up, Ann Taylor. I've walked past that store so many times in the past and always said how I'd love to shop there and/or Talbots. So she convinced me to go in. I tried on 3 tops AND ALL 3 FIT!!! I broke down crying in the dressing room. The one I really liked was $54 and I wasn't going to get it, but my daughter wanted me to have it and bought it for me. I bought the other 2 which were on sale. I so can't believe it. I am much larger on bottom than top so know I can't get pants there yet, but some day soon!! I should make DH take me out to dinner in one of them!! LOL

Carol, I agree, would definitely like to hear from you more often. Sounds like we started off nearly the same and have the same goal weight in mind. I let my weight control my every move. It's so freeing as it comes off to not be trapped by fat. MominLB, CONGRATS!!! Today my daughter and I are going shopping at a mall clear across town. Haven't been there so it will be an adventure. will I be able to find something in Misses again? STAY TUNED!! Oh and I gotta weigh in for the Biggest Loser challenge today but not expecting anything.

You look fantastic. I like the green top or the one with the black and white top with the white pants. Good luck!

I really want to lose 100 by Christmas too. But it seems to be really slowing down so I'm not sure. I can still have the goal though. Looking for 75 by Halloween. But I am just getting back to the gym as I had a set back of gall bladder surgery in August and couldnt' work out with weights or anything. I get released from restrictions at my 9/24 post op appt. but in the meantime I am still doing light cardio and upping that more and more each time. This past week is the first I didn't lose a thing, but usually that means I have a good week coming!! Here's too 100 by Christmas!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND CONGRATS MUSIC MOM!! That's awesome. I'm 2 lbs behind you and trying hard. Isn't it amazing to go to the gym? Ihad a free one in my development to go to and never used it. Now I go a minimum of 3X a week and try to do more. Keep up the good work!! And enjoy your special day.

Janet, Can I have your autograph??? Is this a commercial for your Dr's office? or for the lap band itself?? Wear something sexy!

Pie Update: The evil monster has been ground up, the dishes rinsed completely free of any pie residue. Challenge overcome!! Thanks so much everyone for the words of sanity. I can't believe how fast I let myself start spiraling downward in the head. And you should've seen my piece of pie. In my former pre-banded life, I wouldn't have even called it a piece, it was a mere sliver with one scoop on a Tablespoon size spoon on my plate. So I did good. And it tasted oh so good! Also, I went to the gym and worked up, upped the intensity but at that intensity I couldn't go as long. Which was fine as I was running late to meet my sister for lunch. And I met the challenge there. She wanted to go to Wishbone which is this fried chicken diner that is to die for. I thought oh no, what do I eat? why did she pick this place? Well as she sat there with her number 8 which is 3 thighs, fries, texas toast and gravy, I got the KIDS number one, they let me order from the kids menu but when an adult does they add $1.50 to the price, I was okay with that. I had 2 pcs of chicken one of which is in my fridge now, about 4 fries and no toast. I was stuffed. Do I eat fried chicken every day? No, between that and my pie last night I probably consumed a few more calories than normal, but I kept it in control. I used to eat that number 8 too and still want more! Sis, by the way, is asking a lot about my lifestyle and diet and now. HMMMMMM and was very complimentary on how I looked and discussed how mom will react. I left that place feeling pretty smug about myself. What a difference a day makes. What's so great about the band is even when I get in those self defeating modes and in the past what have said what the he$$ and eat the rest of the pie, or the other piece of chicken, the band won't let me, or if I do there's a high price to pay! And then the stinkin' thinkin' passes and so does the urge to binge. Okay I've rambled enough. Thanks so much for the understanding and support!

Lori, Please don't beat yourself up, because if you do, then I will have to beat myself up too, for losing so little, if anything, this entire month. I think what I have to come to grips with is that I will always be a "food person" and that there will be times that I'm human and the difference this time will be that my slips don't become permanent. (I hope! I hope! I hope!) I wonder if you took a poll of overweight women, (women especially) if you would find that we are more apt to be people pleasers, more apt to beat ourselves up over the least little thing, more apt to be concerned about others before ourselves and therfore more apt to judge ourselves harshly. (I think I was a bit repetative there.) Maybe some of the difference has to do with choice. What if you CHOSE to eat one piece of pie - with ice cream, of course - and then you CHOSE to go back on program right after? Would that eliminate beating yourself up? I want to reach a place where I think like that. I am definitely NOT there yet, but I do think that my goal is that it doesn't have to be all or nothing. It can be that goodies (and good things, for that matter) are a normal part of life. (I think Janet talked about choice at one point.) Well, forgive me for ranting, or as I say to my daughter, "processing out loud." Talk to you later. Love, Ellen Thanks for the pep talk, Ellen. See I did choose to have that pie and was okay with it when I did that. It was after I ate it that I beat myself up for that choice. I guess I still have this good/bad thing going on in my head when it comes to food ar as you said the all or nothing thinking. This morning that pie was mocking me on the kitchen island and I got back at it and ground it up in the disposal. the pie is out of the house! And I got up this morning and put gym clothes on first thing. I am headed there next. I can do this!! Most times I believe that, then those doubts come like last night and all that old stinkin thinkin comes back.

Wow you are so close too. You'll make it. Now that's a goal I'd like to reach!! I lost so fast the first 3 mos but it is slowing down but if I mind my p's and q's I should be able to make it. Great job!!

Well this jedi warrior is beating herself up pretty good tonight. I had taken an apple pie to a function last night. Well guess what there was some left over. Guess who's favorite pie is apple? Yep i had a piece ala mode nonetheless. I got scared and thought all those old habits are still there. GRRRRR No wonder I'm losing slower! the rest is going down the disposal. Janet- never knew you could sprain an ankle on the computer, thanks for the warning!! Seriously I hope it's better fast! Ellen, I watched the Dr. Phil thing today, I taped yesterday as the TV guide said yesterday too and it wasn't. But the end of the episode siad to watch tomorrow for it to continue, but according the previews it's something else, but I set it anyway. It brought back lots of memories.

Wow Georgia Girl you are really doing great!! What's your secret??? I've usually lost more by now myself but have slowed up. GRRRRRR