guysis

I just want all of you to know that this woman is amazing! She's been an inspiration to me and others who had surgery the same month (April 2006) - to put it bluntly - we sweat together!....................We've been supporting each other in an exercise challenge each month and because of these wonderful women I've become an exercise (Grammy) stud! Julie and the other challenge participants are my idols! Here's to Julie - may she have an uneventful surgery, a quick recovery and a healthy, sexy hard body!

Yipee Julie................so glad you'll be there in June! We'll be in Hoboken on the 31 of May, and the 1st and 2nd of June, then will be in NYC for another few days...........starting the 3rd ................then we'll be off for another few days to Washington DC (going to drive there) before heading home...............if all goes as planned! Julie, that makes me so happy - Alan is so thrilled about seeing all his old college roomies and frat brothers after all these years (I'm just going along for the ride!!!)...........now, I'll have something to be excited about. We'll probably try to take in a "show" if anything good is around - any suggestions?..........and just walk all over the city and "hug and kiss Julie" - finally in person! "Girls" - did you hear Julie say she's coming to see me in the fall.............so, why don't we try to have our own "BandBashInPortlandwithBetty" in the fall.........I've got this great "HotelBetty"............got room in my spare bedroom for 4 and can get some foldaways if needed for my office and a couple of couches!!!! Please join her...............lets set a date after all this stuff with Alan is over and done with! Come on - let's do it! We'll do NIA, walk, see the sights............and "talk Band"! Feeling like an 'old poop' today.................my "baby" is 41!

Yeah, I'm retired again - grandkids back in the hands of parents! Until tomorrow afternoon that is - watching the other set for a couple of hours - isn't that why G.. made grandparents? Back to basics - enjoyed my NIA class this morning! Stuck at this weight - seems like this is the way it is now............drop a couple of lbs, then stay the same for a few weeks - I'll take whatever I can get right now!.................if I don't lose those few extra lbs to get to overweight by the end of the month before my bandiversary - I might have to resort to "a liquid Protein diet - yuk"..............might do it tho to make it before the 7th of April - just to say I did it in a year!!!!!!

Hello All, Been involved with grandkids all week (major babysitting while our kids were visiting in Florida)..........still at it tonight - will be back to normal retired life tomorrow! Phew! Finally got to the gym this morning for my wonderful sweaty NIA class (first time since Monday) - I felt so icky the past few days - my body needs the daily routine of exercise now! Yeah Susan - happy to see you back! Blue - keep getting better - want you to reschedule your trip to the Portland area..........Boo - did you take it? Boo is so right - we all help each other - no matter what our level - it's just our "just do it" attitude - whatever that do it is - it's sure a different life than we had before (remember those days - I hardly do - and never want to again!) Julie - how is the new home? How is the new job? When is your PS actually scheduled? Alan is set to have his heart cath done on Tues and then will see the surgeon the following Tues...........so hopefully we'll know when the surgery will be scheduled soon. We've pretty much decided to cancel our France trip (we were supposed to go the middle of May) - sad, but we've decided it will be too soon for him to do that trip (pretty strenuous for just 6 weeks approx after surgery). We do hope tho that we'll be able to make his 50th college reunion (the first week in June) in Hoboken, New Jersey (he went to Stevens Inst. of Technology) - right across the harbor from Julie - but I think Julie is going to be out of town???? Hopefully since that trip will not be as far - we'll still get to go..........we shall see. Gotta go tuck in some grandkids! I'm at their house and Alan is home with our doggies tonight - we've been taking turns sleeping at their house since they also have an adorable 8 month old "Golden Retriever" who is a bit distructive and can't be left at home alone (I thought about taking her over to our house (along with the kids), but she's been chewing on their porch railing - no thanks - think I'll wait until she "grows up". Happy March!

I'm ending the month as a "lug/slug"? No workout today either! On purpose, just decided I need a rest! Onward to March - can you believe it's been almost a year?

Julie - I did meet the challenge and today I'm taking the day off! You have been so great for months - biggy deal about maybe not meeting this months.........stop that! I think that at times we just need a rest! Your busy schedule just blows me away - I lead the life of a kick-back retired grammy - gym/walk in the morning, come home do a little housework, have fun with Alan (afternoon delight (yah right), or work in the yard, or go to a movie or read a good book or go "do damage" (as Alan calls it) with my girlfriends................ Dawn - did I miss something about a $400 running room? I just looked at your ticker.................oh my.......go Dawn! Blue - how are you? We've got grandkids this week - watching them at their house during the week and bringing them to our house for the week-end - parents going to Florida to visit an old sick Dad (my daughter-in-laws)..........and so happy to say that we're able to still do this! For some reason I've been really tight for my eve meal the past few days and the night before and last night lost my dinner and got my self irritated enough so that I couldn't get down some butternut squash Soup (I tried that after losing my dinner - wrong)............did however get down some hot tea. Going to take it easy for a couple of days with just liquids - amazing, just last week was thinking about a fill - this band is just plain crazy at times! Still after almost a year working on learning how to use it!

Hi Sara - Welcome! I already "know" you from your new April 2007 thread! It's wonderful that you're already starting to think of exercise as a part of your "new life". It's been such a part of my life since I've joined this group and I am now a studly Grammy! I don't know what you have available for use - but, I believe the best thing you can do to start is to walk. Our challenge is up to 18 sessions of at least 40 minutes for this month - BUT, in just getting started - don't worry about the length of time or how many sessions you get for the month..............just start! I know I was about the same weight and height as you last April and I started walking a couple/3 times a week just in my neighborhood - my knees and ankles were hurting, but I pushed thru with about a 20 - 30 min walk. I found this group and gradually started adding exercises classes at a gym - I love classes - they're fun for me - and I need fun to keep doing it! I found a dance/tai-chi/martial arts class called NIA that I love. I now do that 5 times a week - add a strenghth conditioning class a couple of days a week and still get in a walk with my husband once/twice a week. My knees and ankles are now very strong!...............and since, because of my age - 67 - don't want to have Plastic Surgery...........and because of all the exercise I jiggle a lot less than I would have without exercising - and I feel great! Keep coming back to this group - it's a wonderful support for exercise and all band related "stuff"..............Happy Banding - quick recovery from surgery and onward to a happier, healthier life!

Bluehill - so happy you are out of the hospital - one icky thing down and now to get that antibiotic therapy done! Just enjoy your down time - I know it's hard to sit - but you need to keep that leg elevated! Don't worry about the food - luckily the band will keep you in line! I'm sure you're catching up on some good books - let us know if you read anything good. Just got back from the gym - it's nasty and rainnyand cold outside. I'm a pooped Grammy - gonna take a shower, put on my jammies, cuddle up with Alan and with a good book in front of the fireplace and just veg until it's time to watch the Academy awards - Alan hates it, but will watch it with me just to be nice - I love to see all the pretty hair-do's and dresses!

Julie - welcome home! Are you nice and tan? - Tan flab is so much nicer than white flab! There's no place like home.........is there? Are you loving your new home? Excited for you about the PS............we'll be there with you thru it all (I'll be jealous because then you can have a white bod and it will look great!). Hard body pictures to follow? Tracy - found your thread for the new April 2007 bandits..........you all sound so excited - brings back that excitement of last year - but the excitement even gets better with all our success - loss of lbs plus we're such studs and so healthy! Off to NIA.

Hello LapBandit - I just wanted to tell you that I'm astonished by your wonderful loss this past year! We have a great group of April 2006 bandits - a couple who have also had a spectacular loss such as yours!.....come join us in our exercise challenge - it's that and so much more!

Hi Sara (I love that name is was my Mom's and is my oldest Grandaughter's middle name) and all the rest of you April bandits to be! I'll try to answer some of your questions - it's hard to even remember how I felt right after surgery (for me is was a snap - no biggie and I'm not exactly a kid)............but, I had my surgery in the hospital as an outpatient............had the anesthesia thru an IV.........don't remember a thing after that until I woke up in the recovery room with very little pain......was out of the hospital a couple of hours later. I spent the first night - with my husband - at a facility on the hospital grounds set up for people who were from out of town (we live about 2 hours from where I had surgery) - a motel would have done just as good..................I had vicodin that I took every 4 hours during the night...........I had some pain but as I said before - no biggie! In the morning we drove home.......I think I took the pain meds for another day and then gradually came off......by the 3rd day! It was uncomfortable getting out of bed - felt like somebody hit you in the tummy for about a week or so.........but other than that I felt great! I'm retired, with no kiddies running around the house (we do have 8 grandkids that are here often.....not that week tho) and so was able to take it easy. I'd say it took me about 2 weeks to feel "back to normal"...............but it certainly wasn't a bad 2 weeks - I was back to doing light housekeeping, cooking etc after just a couple of days! I, like you, was online before surgery getting all the info - learning all the rules - trying to understand as much as I could before surgery.........it was such a help and made me feel so much calmer! Also, I found an online Yahoo - local for me (I live in the Portland, OR area) group called OregonBandsterSupport that I joined - in addition to being on-line we also meet once a month in each other's houses or in a restaurant........when I went on-line with that group - this wonderful "old bandster of 18 months" who had lost over 100 lbs offered to come over to my house and talk to my husband and I about her experience with the band.......it was such a help! I'm very active in this group because the support group I would have with my Dr.'s office is hard to get to because of the 2 hour distance! My Dr. and his staff are wonderful tho, and when I go up for my check-ups or to get fills I try to go the time they have the support group. BUT - the best support group I have is this one - our "2006 April bandits".....I joined it because I needed some exercise support - not only did I get that (I am now the grammy exercise jock) but got so much more! We are an extraordinarly close group of friends - we know the challenges and trials and tribulations and ups and downs that bandsters have..............and we're there for each other - can you tell I love this group????? Todate I've had 4 fills - I'm 5'3", started out the day of surgery at 234 lbs, today weigh 170 lbs - wore a 3X, today wear a 12.........not bad for a 67 year old Grammy - My husband of 45 years is so excited for me and is such a wonderful support person ............still want to lose a bit more - how much - don't know.................if I stay at this weight I'll be a happy growing older, but healthier, fitter lady!......................I have no doubt that I will stay here or go lower..............this band is great..........you will have no regrets.....go forward healthier and happier!

Hi all of you new april 2007 bandsters to be! Just another April 2006 bandster inviting you all to join our April 2006 threads - "April 2006 bandits" - exercise challenge - we support each other with exercise and also have become great supporters in all aspects of our band experience and have made wonderful new friendships. I'm a 67 year old Grammy of 8 living in the Portland, OR area and feel just great - wish I would have found this band at a younger age - but because of it and the support of so many great bandsters now feel "years younger". Love to have you join us. Speedy recovery from your surgery - it was a snap for me - hope you have the same experience!

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/223/150 - 40 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/229/165 - 53 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/257.5/150 - 42.5 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/259/165 - 41 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/231/150 - 80 total 4-4: DeltaDawn - 358/202/179 - 156 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/205/150 – 50 total 4-4: Angels - 264/255/235/? - 29 total 4-4: Harpseal Al - 327/295/220 - 34 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/165/132 - 43 total 4-5: siestaqh - 180+/177/117/110 - 63 total--NO MORE BAND :-( 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/170/134 - 64 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/216/180 - 142 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/143.5/140 - 96.5total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4:11: truckinmama - 262/234/160 - 28 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/206/140 - 42 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217.5/187/145 - 30 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/192/140 - 50 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: KAYBEE-284/198/180 -86 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-20: TrustUfirst - 210/205/177/135 - 32 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/179/130 - 41 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/228/156 - 60 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/200/150 - 73 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/237/150 - 73 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/98/69 - 27 kgs/59.4 lbs total 4-24: Ceparano- 255/270.5/201/170 - 69.5 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/203/165 - 86 total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/206/160 - 56 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/237/145 - 33 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/184/150 - 80 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/229/150 - 54 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/228/150 - 105 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 225/214/150/135 - 75 total 4-29: Momofsixkids - 238/188/140 - 50 total <!-- / message --><!-- sig --> <!-- / message --><!-- sig --> <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Just got back from NIA...........feel great! Going to the movies with friends - then out to dinner. Getting ready for our hectic/fun week with grandkids.............Everyone have a nice week-end!

Yeah Amourette - I'm close to a size 12 myself - isn't it fun! Julie - it's so funny - just think if you announced in a "normal" people gym class - "hey guys - I weigh 170 lbs - how many of them would snicker - hehehe..........she thinks she's getting skinny! Thanks to you all - we are so excited for each other and relish in each and every lb as we go down to "our skinny". Again, again, again.............thanks for all the support - what a great group. Kat - haven't heard from you in a couple of days.........hope the little one is better.

For a change of pace................just :clap2: happy news - for some reason the scale is moving again! I didn't change anything.........just kept going to the gym and doing my thing! One more pound and that nasty "Ob" word will go away - for good! I'll "just be overweight"! On a funny note - 3 days ago Alan and I both weighed in at 171.5 - yesterday we both weighed in at 171 - this morning 170 - we not only look, act, talk alike after 45 + years, we now weigh the same every morning! That guy - can't get below him!!!!!!!! Julie - When you get a chance - fill us in on the PS news! Sorry you have to work on your vacation - what type of law do you practice? On my way to the gym! Pre-posted today's gym............got that "rush" going!

I just talked to Bluehill and she's still in the hospital and will be for a couple of more days................her saga continues tho - (When Bluehill gets back on to the computer - she'll correct whatever errors) They are putting in a port so she can continue with IV antibiotics, at home, for several more weeks. She is going to stay with her daughter (in Vermont) in her dorm/apartment because her home is 4 1/2 hours away and they don't want her traveling that far - additionally her home is having a big update (new floors, new staircase, etc) and she was supposed to be on a vacation while this was being done anyway.........so if she was able to get home she would have to stay in some one elses house anyway! She explained the cellulitis to me - she had this once before - caused by diabetis - due to a nick or cut that gets infected. It was how she was diagnosed for diabetis...............before she had her band........I'm rambling, but just trying to remember what she said.........they treated it the same way then and she recovered! After being banded she was able to get off all her diabetic meds and her numbers are good...............however, she's, I guess, still prone to this because of the effects of being a diabetic and she nicked her shin and this happened. She'll be out of the hospital on Sat or Sun and she'll have access to a computer and will keep us up to date! My Mom was a diabetic and had to have "wound care" - what they called it in those days (still not sure it is the same thing with Blue - I think so) - and I know it is not an easy task/cure. I told her about all that is happening to our group...........she sends her love and concern. So, Blue - get better soon - we miss you!

Kat - so happy to hear the little one is recovering - get better soon baby Kinsey. Got to my NIA class this morning. Sorry, was not home all day today and did not get a chance to call Bluehill...........I'll try tomorrow to let you know how she is doing.

I don't have an address for Bluehill..........I'll see if I can get it from her when I talk to her and whoever wants it can send a private message to me.

Oh Kat - my heart is breaking for your baby grandaughter Kinsey. From one grammy to another know that my prayers and thoughts go out to her for a quick recovery.

I just got a call from Bluehill - she's in the hospital and has been for over a week on IV anitibiotics for the cellulitis infection she has. She was supposed to have started her vacation (and was coming here to visit with a neice and me), but did not leave because her leg got worse - instead she drove to her daughter's and is in the hospital in Vermont. She is better though..............and she's trying to get home and be treated there. I'll give her a call tomorrow and keep you all up-to-date.

Guys - You really are - MY SALVATION! I can't believe how much you all mean to me - you're continued support with our exercise challenge has been ......I CAN'T COME UP WITH THE WORDS..................I now need to exercise...........it helps me physically and spirituously get through the days with so much more energy and honestly keeps me in my SKIN with all that has been happening in my life lately..................SO..........THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!:clap2: Roberta, I'm exactly in the same position as you..........I've learned really good how to maintain my weight at 170 ish.............with me tho, I know I need to cut back a bit more with my food intake - just don't want to do it right now......I've been doing a lot of warm liquid (sugar free soy latte's) comfort stuff........that add up to a few too many calories (the difference for me I think to maintaining/losing). I keep saying tomorrow I won't do this, but to date need that comfort! I keep telling myself when things "get more normal" I'll work on it...........but, I know that there is always something around the corner to throw off that "normalcy" and I "should" do it today! Help! Got to my favorite NIA class this morning and off to babysit grandkids - Alan is already over there and I'm the afternoon relief!

Just got back from Seattle..............did the 5K walk in the morning yesterday..............don't think it was a real 5K.....but, we walked for about 45 min to an hour...........with a lot of nice bandsters. It was an enjoyable week-end...........not great tho...........the best part of the whole week-end was ..................MEETING DR. ORTIZ..........for the first time.........Boo........can't imagine how exciting it was to have him "in you"!..................sorry couldn't help that!!!!! No wonder you're going back for a fill - I'd be there every week.............!!!!!! For the rest of you, who don't know...........he's something else again! The splash was ok.....some of the speakers were good, some actually pretty bad..........most of it was a repeat for me.............but, talking to all the bandsters in all the different stages was fun............they had a slide show of befores and after and it was very touching.......a tear jerker! I met a woman at lunch who had the #234 on her name tag and I said, you and I started at the same weight............she laughed and said "no, that's what I lost"!...........she was the biggest looser at the splash! She lost me - at my highest! Kat.............love the one I have..........but, he's definately not the romantic (he'd be upset if he read that tho)..................wow, what a wonderful valentine surprise. Busy couple of days coming up - babysitting grandkids!

Alan talked to the cardiologist this morning and they're setting up the heart cath for the 1st week in March........seeing the surgeon shortly after (the surgeon that operated on our son Craig - we'll know him intimately) and then shortly after that surgery......... On my way out the door...........off to Seattle for a much needed kick back week-end, but before I go............. YIPPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEE DAWN, YIPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEE DAWN.....................OH MY, OH MY.................to 'ONEDERLAND' and beyond! So happy for you..............you deserve all the praise, happy thoughts, tears..............you have worked so hard................we're all here with you screaming!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alan and I walked in pouring rain this morning...............felt just like Dawn (except it was only about 55 deg!). Would not have done that last year......a couple of drops would have put me to shame and was a good excuse to veg. Planning on going to my NIA class in the morning before we leave for Seattle - have already logged it - so have to go! Everyone have a great week-end.................Julie go..................I expect to see the 00's when I get home................just got a feeling.......you are awesome! My weight has plateaued.............I'm looking good (not at all conceited am I)........feeling great..............still wanting to do some more, but I can wait a while.................I know how to maintain 170-174 lbs.............and when all is settled with my "one and only" I'll go and get a fill - I think I need one to continue on my way. Kat - hope you're having a great "captivating" time............plan on doing the same with my guy this week-end! Us oldies still have "it"!