Kat817

It wasn't what WAS said, but what wasn't. I was out with friends, and we ran into an old boyfriend. A man I had at one time been quite serious with, he had proposed to me! When we dated I was thin, borderline skinny. When we ran into him I was not, in fact I was close to my heaviest, he acted like he barely knew me, shook my hand like a total stranger! And could not get the hell away fast enough---like before I blurted out in front of his friends that he had actually been involved with the likes of me before! Ironically, the reason I turned him down, and broke things off, was he was getting more and more superficial all the time! He has since went on to marry 3 different arm candies, none of them lasting! Go figure!!! Kat

The only thing I can think of is to take a break, from all the counting. Try not to lose all your protein etc, but bump up your caloric intake, take on some quick burning sugar. I know it goes against everything we have been doing, but when I hit those inevitable plateaus---and I am told with plateaus, it is not IF you will hit them it is WHEN you will. Anyway, I bump up my intake for a few days, a week...whatever, and it makes my metabolism kick back up a notch I guess. It may be the old body thinks you are starving it thing---who knows. I don't! I have no idea why it works for me, but it does---or has so far!! Even if it doesn't "work" in a weight loss sense, it may give you a break from journaling everything you eat, and give you a break from worrying about it for awhile. Which should help with the stress. Take a vacation! Not in the literal sense, although that too would be fun! But take the kids and get some ice cream, fix your favorite meal, you don' have to eat the entire thing, but do some things that make you feel like your old life is still yours. That is why I chose the band, so I could live as normally as possible. I choose not to diet with the band, and it very well may take me longer to get to goal, but I do not feel deprived. Even eating that way, I do find myself watching it closer than before, so when I stop losing I used to really cut down---it did not help at all. Now I bump up a couple of days, and I get going again. Take a break--you have done a great job! Another thing to think of, is it may be a little bit of SAD--seasonal affective disorder. Triggered by the winter days, and less sunlight. It is not something you choose to have or not have---it is a form of depression, but luckily one that will right itself as the seasons roll around. I know I am sick to death of snow already, and want to be outside, where we can DO things----come on Spring!!! Good Luck---if it doesn't improve by all means see your Dr.!!! Kat

Yeah, I have found I have to not only plan tonights dinner, but plan it in a way that I can reuse the leftovers. If I cook a roast--I plan on making stew with it or shredding it with bbq sauce the next day, because simply reheating it, even with gravy is not going to work. I do the same with chicken, shred it and make enchiladas or something---makes meal planning a real PITA!!! Plus, like last night I cooked a pork tenderloin, and it was SO tender and good, but I was a good bandster, and did not overeat, but it sure would be nice to be able to have some more of it, but I can't, I must re-invent it into something I can eat! I don't know if it is because when you double the cooking, you cook out all the natural fats in the meat or what---but it sucks! Thank goodness, my DH enjoys taking leftovers for lunch, or you are right the cost would be outreageous! Good Luck guys---I know it was worse when we really did "eat the whole thing"! Kat

As I read through these posts 2 things jumped out at me...and both have been pointed out by Wheetsin!!! It made me feel that this kid mainly did not want to participate, and did not want to be pulled out in front of the class, for not participating in the pep rally. MANY personalities would not like that. My Dad is without doubt one of the smartest people I know, and he would have been there saying it loud and clear....his brother on the other hand, equally smart--would have been the smart ass saying mediocrity was fine by him. He would likely say the same thing if cornered about it now. He is literally a brain surgeon, he is a neurosurgeon, so obviously even with the attitude, he is NOT really ok with it, but his whole personality is like that. He does not tell funny jokes, they are always puns, or deal with very dry humor. He chose not to have children, but has paid for each and every one of his nieces and nephews to go to college if needed and wanted, as well as numerous others....mostly Mississippi Bulldog jocks to be honest!! He does not read anything light hearted, he reads constantly, but always serious subject matter, and always non fiction. If he were a teenager today, he very well may be Goth!!! But underneath the seriousness, he is great fun, and giving, BUT you have to give him the chance to see it! Also Laurend brought up the subject of the differences in HS and college. There are huge differences, the school system is dealing with so many different learning disabilities, and guidelines, that have been either dealt with or are non existent in a college setting. The law requires that even a bed ridden child with mental retardation be allowed a public education---and now most schools have total inclusion in the classroom. So you have teachers who have students there who want to learn and have a right to be challenged, but you also have students who want to learn and even with classed dumbed down, already find it a challenge...and then you have the other side of the coin, those who do not want to be there at all, and will do all in their power to make everyone else as miserable as they are. Not to mention the inclusions into the classroom. Now one teacher, one school, one school board, has to try to make a curriculum to satisfy the needs of all---good luck! By the time they move on to college, you can weed out a few of the issues, the inclusions referenced earlier are not there, and the ones that are, were not the problem. The students who didn't want to be in HS, are not bothering with college---so of course the ability to challenge is easier! I do think parenting has a lot to do with it, as far as what is accepted at home, but even home life is a challenge sometimes, and it is going to take those kids awhile longer to get to a point of wanting more for themselves. The woman who lives next door to my best friend has 4 teenagers. 2 of hers, and 2 of her late husbands---she struggles, she works 60+ hours a week....and those kids are all different as night and day! They will grow up being different--not necessarily one better than the other, just different. Mom cannot be at every event, maybe not even at every conference. I went to my kids, Dad was working---and like it or not, that cannot be helped. I hate that the kid may truly feel that way. But, if he does, then he is not likely to be disappointed. We cannot all be CEO's some of us have to be the peons! All that being said----BOH, the fact that this was eating at you and made you start this thread---is tarnishing your reputation as being a BOH!!!! Keep up the good work! Kat

Mine started coming out about 4 months into the recovery---and has yet to quit. I used to buy clips for heavy hair, and now, they are useless....it is getting pretty pathetic! I have lost it ALL before with chemo, and this is feeling scarily familiar! I am taking all the recommended biotin, and the hair and nails vitamins, I get minimally 70 grams of protein a day, otherwise, I try to eat a balanced diet, adding good fats in, and fruits and veggies, I have no idea what else to do. I baby my hair, shampoo gently, comb out gently---but even my stylist was in shock! I had her cut a good 8 inches off last week, figuring at some point maybe the new (hoping it is coming in somewhere!!!) and the old will meet in the middle....she just kinda smiled like "yeah sure!"---till then, I am trying to remain upbeat, and not worry about it, I figure stress can't help it. I have had issues with other hair, not growing at all since my hysterectomy. I used to need to shave my legs daily (notice I said need...not DID!!!), and I had normal amounts of body hair elsewhere--arms, pubic area etc. Now none of it grows. I shave my legs once in a blue moon---same with my underarms. But up until this point, I have had no issues with my head of hair, in fact it was thicker and healthier than ever. Now, the hysterectomy was in direct treatment with my chemo---I am a survivor of uterine cancer. So...seems like if it was going to affect the regrowth of all my hair, I would just never have grown it back following the treatment and surgery. But it did, it grew back different, but it was thick!!! I had always had fine straight blonde hair. It grrew back in darker, and curly with a heavier texture. Wonder if it grows back again what I'll get..........wanna bet it will be gray!!! Kat

Same goes for you---any questions just ask away!!! Welcome to LBT, and congrats on the quickly approaching band date!!! It was by far one of the best decision I ever made, and I did not make it lightly! Well hang out, tell us all about yourself, and we will do all we can to help support you on the wild ride you are getting ready to take! Welcome! Kat

Wow--let's see... Mine: Matthew McConnaughey Kurt Russell Sam Elliot---back in the Mask time period. I'd hop on a bike behind him!! Was hard ruling out Jesse James, Chris Nunez...if I could toss all of the above in a bag and just pull one out, I'd be happy any old way it turned out! DH: Jennifer Love-Hewitt Denise Richards Lauren Holly and he too would likely have a dozen runners up---I just ask him for 3!!! This is fun---loving the pics! I too vote that Leo is totally strange looking--something way to feminine about his look--prefer a manly man!!! Kat

If you just work the band, and concentrate on small, steady fills, until you reach good restriction, the band will definitely help you get back on track. The fact that you come back, and ask, shows that you still want to do this. That is what makes the band so wonderful, it is sitting there waiting to work, while you get your head back in the game. Like everyone before me said---get started on the fill process, and that will give you the encouragement to begin eating right---and when the weight starts dropping, it is the best incentive of all!!! Hang in there Pink---you have NOT failed!!! Many of us had the free for all---when we could! I had a very enjoyable holiday, I ate sweets, drank waaaay too much eggnog---and am now re-losing a few pounds, but it made me love my band that much more---I did not fall off the "band"wagon, I just had a minor layover!!! Hang on---it will work! Kat

Yes Julie, it refers to losing over 48"! But even I can likely scale a 4 foot wall now!!! My scale is finally back down to where it was prior to my holiday fun!!! It is sure slow moving tho!! I wish Spring would hurry---I miss being outdoors and doing things! I did a workout video this morning, was actually quite fun, my granddaughter was right there trying to keep up as well!!! I think I will keep doing them with her, get her used to moving early---maybe it will stick in her. Most habits and personality traits develop by 3 years of age---maybe this will be good for her!! I found this set in the mall on clearance at Waldenbooks, it is a "Dummies" series, there is Beginning Yoga, Fat to Firm, 15 minute workouts, and Pilates. You know the Windows for Dummies books, these are exercise DVD's for Dummies in the above titles. We did the Yoga. A total of 45 minutes. Tonight DH and I will be weight lifting again. I wasn't as sore as I expected to be last time! I am enjoying doing this WITH him. I was ashamed to try to do anything exercise wise with anyone for a long time, now, he is only 2 pounds (yes 2 pounds) lighter than I am, and he is so encouraging--it is fun. We have a good marriage, I never had any complaints, other than the usual, living with someone little things everyone deals with. But this is such a good thing---he is right there with me as I am lifting the weights, and we are totally focused on one another, and looking at one another, and laughing, and encouraging, it is something I am VERY glad we have decided to do. We walk together...but that is side by side, and we talk and laugh---but the eye contact is such a plus! I can see the pride shining in his eyes, it is hard to explain--but it is a keeper for working out. This was great fun with my little DGD this morning as well, seeing her look at the TV and then look at me, and try so hard to copy it. I kept thinking, "honey don't look at me, I know no more than you do!!!". She was unhappy when the video ended! I would never have thought I would associate all these exercise activities with fun. But it is! Thanks for helping me stay motivated until I figured this out!!! You gals are awesome! Kat

OK, Mandy, glad you verified that, it combined with your response of knowing you were dying scared the hell outta me to be honest! Having been the recipient of scary news before, I made myself, wait and not push, but man girl I am so glad you are ok! However, I am sorry about the foot! As far as Abi goes, she is asserting her ability to decide things for herself. It could be things are confusing her, and her response is to just NOT DO IT!!! My dearest, darling Chris (my best friend Becky's oldest son), has several learning disabilities, and while they made exceptions for him, he still participated in many regular class assignments...there came a day he just flat out quit doing any of them. Several meetings with the teacher, and punishments, promise of rewards....you name it...later...Becky was cleaning out his closet one day and found piles of papers he had done, and never turned in! She confronted him, after school, with papers in hand---it finally come out. He was so afraid of being teased, that if the teacher took up the assignment to grade herself, he would turn it in. BUT if it was going to be handed to the student in front of or to the side of you to grade, he would just act tough, like he had not done it! He preferred the other students to think that than to know he was "stupid" he said. Little kids minds work in mysterious ways. And Abi is still young enough to take things very literal, so who knows what her little mind has heard!!! My DD has it headed her way, right now my granddaughter is running around here with her jeans on backwards, because she refuses any help getting dressed. Sooooo stubborn and she turned 2 less than a month ago!!! Her Mama is gonna have fun! Anyway glad to hear you are ok! Glad to see everyone here this morning! Kat

If I ever mention to y'all that I am going to eat 2 tacos again, someone smack me! 1 fills me fine, I ate 2 and was hurting and refluxing all night long.....will I ever learn????? Granddaughter is napping, think I will join her, bbl Kat

.) Money - HAVE TO SELF PAY... credit is 545 not sure if i can get a loan or not??There are several on line medical loan companies, I am sure you would qualify, your interest rate may be a little high tho. 2.) my mom has the money, to LOAN me, but she is afraid she will need it becuz she is dying of diabetes.... etc.... Do you have a history of loans/paying back with your Mom? If so, draw up papers, and be sure to pay her back as agreed. If it is going to cause her extra stress at this bad time for her, I would try to find another way. 3.) Can I still live the fun single life... having drinks / wiine with friends, smoke a few ciggies with my martinis, going to lunch dinner with clients and friends... ??You will have a period after surgery where your eating will be curtailed, you will be on liquids only. And some Dr.s flat out refuse to take you on as a patient if you smoke...it increases risk in many ways. After you get past the liquid stage, you can eat just fine with your friends, you will just eat much less. You can drink, I am not sure if the amount would be affected or not, I have not drank to excess in several years (!). The one difference, is you will not be able to drink carbonated beverages, so will have to stick to other types of drinks. And keep in mind the small part of your stomach, may get irritated more easily with the alcohol and cigarettes than it would now. 4.) When I look at some of the lap banders, I see people who have lost tons of wt. but I dont see people who are really hard bodies, is it "impossible" or too hard to get a fit / tight body ?Most of the bandsters still posting here, are works in progress, the further along everyone gets the less we see of them! They are out living life! It is not impossible to get the "hard body" look, look up Telly's profile for instance...but not all of us are young enough to pull that off regardless how much we lose!!! But when you look in the mirror now, it is not a hard body you see obviously---so if you have a little excess skin, and end up wearing a 1 piece as opposed to a bikini---is it really worse than what you have now? Many of us will end up with Tummy tucks following this, but they can do wonders!!! When I had my LASIK eye surgery 14 years again, (before it was populaur) I was NOT scared AT all, cuz the alternative was worse for me... is this the same... thing???Well as you have stated diabetes is looking down the gun barrel at you.....yes this can be life changing, some habits will have to be changed. But it is nowhere near as drastic as the life changes diabetes brings....nowhere! Not to mention all the other health issues obesity leads to as well. All LASIK saved you from was glasses---this can literally save your life! But, I know it's not, I cant do anything anymore, and I am missing out on so much in life.... free tickets to the Broncos, Avalanceh, games, ... wont go, cuz the seats are too tight... ; Free Airline Tix, - wont go cuz the seat is too tight; Camping, Hiking --- cant go with my frenz cuz I cant breathe!!! .... I have sat in the new Invesco Field seats, and know I will fit better now. I have ridden many rides across the interstate at Elitches, and I have avoided many more, being afraid I would not fit. This summer? I am riding them all! I am back to riding horses, I can walk anywhere I want without losing my breath....hell I can run when I have too!!! You are in a great city, there is lots to do---but you will enjoy it all more, and for many more years to come, if you can gain control of the weight issue, and therefore the health issues. No one can make these decisions for you, it is a decision you have to research thoroughly, and make it an educated choice. But with your family history, and the fact that the weight is controlling your life in negative ways---it sounds like it is time to make a change, whatever the change may end up being. I would recommend banding to anyone! I love the control it gives me over my life. I can live normally, and eat normally, I no longer feel frantic and starving---and I see a future for myself, watching my grandkids grow up...life is getting better and better!!! Good Luck in your decision making. Ask any questions you may have---the support here is awesome!!! Kat

I did not exercise for the first several months, easily the first 50 pounds. I do not to this day "diet". The band limits how much of things I eat. I can no longer sit down and munch half a bag of cookies down. 1-2 cookies, and I am full, binge over. While a good part of being banded for me was vanity, and how I looked, another part was health. As I lost weight, and began feeling a huge surge of energy, exercising felt good. It feels good to get my heart pumping, and breath fresh air. I know you are doubting this---I did too....I swear to you! Many people do follow some sort of standardized diet while working towards acheiving restriction. It does help the weight loss during that time. Once the scale begins dropping, and clothes start bagging off, you get the urge to move it off faster, and then the dieting etc, comes in to play. I eat everything my family does, with one exception, once or twice a month DH goes and buys donuts....now I can only eat cake donuts, not yeast/raised donuts, they get half way down and feel like they expand to 10 times their original size!!! I eat out, I enjy treats more than I probably should, but it has not stopped my loss---so I plan on living as normally as I possibly can, this is not a diet to me, this is the way I plan on living the remainder of my life....being normal. Normal is not a word I would have EVER used to describe me or my life before banding. It is now. I have a control I never had before. The plan you have to walk, do some free weights, and control your eating via the band is perfectly acceptable, and should support the 1-2 pounds a week loss, as long as you do not eat around the band---milks shakes, ice cream, etc. A sensible eating plan works fine. Tonight we are having tacos, last night we had chicken fettucine---normal food, I just eat way less. 1 taco will fill me up. 2/3 of a cup of fettucine was more than I could handle last night--but I felt full so it didn't matter! I hope you get responses from others, because I personally do not do anything like a "diet" and while I do tend to exercise now, that was not the case for a long time. Now I joined Curves, and I walk. I look for ways to get some extra exercise, but nowhere near 2 hours a day. My band group has a challenge, for 17 workouts a month of 35 minutes each. My walks count, as does my Curves. So did chopping wood, and sledding with my grandkids---it is all doing the same thing! The band was and continues to be a blessing to me! Good Luck in your decision! Kat

Confusing me??? Some peoples jobs are just tooooooo easy!!!! Kat

LOL, me too green---us blondes will just stand over here, and wait for an explanation!!! Kat

I don't want to hijack Wonders thread here, I just feel like I stepped in and judged something that was not my place to do---I hate it done to me, and then go and do it myself---go figure!!! What I did not want was for this thread to turn into an arguement concerning approaches, and how to properly provide support and advice, as opposed to simple, everyday support for Wonder. I am glad to see it is not. Kat

I measure--- bust upper abdominals waist hips thigh (standing with hands down, I measure right at the fingertip) calves upper arms ( relaxed against the body) I only add the inches lost from one arm and leg! That is just how they do it there.... These are the measurements they take at Curves as well as my weight, and body fat %. For my own measurments, which I did the week before banding I have also tracked my neck, and just under the breast, for bra strap sizing, and cup comparison. It seemed my cup size was increasing rather than dropping as the rest of me is, but I am losing huge amounts of back fat....so it is making my bras fit differently, and consequently the cup size has gone up. Now I am on the 4 foot wall at curves!!! I also received a new Tshirt from them for making the 4 foot club...and ordered it in an XL....not a 3X!!! WOOOHOOO!!! Kat

The band has given me what I lacked before...control. IT helps me portion size, it helps me control my hunger, it is helping me control my future! I have been able to lose weight any number of ways...but it never stayed off, and like ReneBean, I had to THINK about every single bite that did or did not go into my mouth. With the band, I no longer think about food that much. I have found a spot, where I am not hungry, so I tend to forget to eat if I keep myself busy. If I am not busy my head tells me I need to snack all day!!! But as for my stomach? It isn't hungry! I have learned to eat in a healthier way, healthy food first, then if I have room and still want it, I eat sweets or carbs---whatever is calling me! There just isn't a lot of room to eat much of it! Take today as an example---used to be for lunch I would have had a sandwich, 1/4-1/2 a bag of fritos (not a tiny bag!) and then found some sort of goodie to eat as dessert. Instead, today I took the ham I would have made a sandwich with, and rolled it up with a slice of cheese, and ate it, I ate 3 of the scoops size fritos, and could not finish the others left on my plate, was just one of the times, my band said enough! I have a square of Ghirardelli dark chocolate, I was planning to eat, but it too will have to wait. Control----it is awesome!!!! Do it without the band---I only wish, I would never have gotten to the point I did if I could have. But now I know it is gone, and will stay that way! Feel free to keep asking what is on your mind! Kat

I am at what I condsider to be my sweet spot right now. I can eat most anything in moderation. I eat probably 3/4 of a cup of food per meal, and have snacks off and on through the day. I drink lots. I feel it is my sweet spot, because I feel no hunger. And if I keep busy, keep my head out if it, I can go for hours without eating or even thinking of food. It is my head than thinks snacks are required, or it is time to eat again. The only things I have steady problems with are dry meat, mainly chicken. I also had a nasty reaction to a yeast/raised donut, that I have opted not to try again---not like I needed the damn thing anyway!!! I was banded last April, had my first fill of 1.25 in June, and another .50 in July, and have had no adjustment since. I have however seen my Dr. since then. Good Luck---I look forward to seeing what others feel constitutes their sweet spot! Good question! Kat

Hi all- I just received an apology from Persistance, saying she did not mean to come across to hard on our WonderMom here. When responding to her, I realized, I too had handled it wrong. While she was harsh in the way she said things, she too is honestly looking out for Wonders safety. She deals personally with abusive relationships, and has seen the worst happen. NONE of us want that for Wonder, we all have different ways of voiceing that, and advising her. Some of us wish we could just go pull her out of the house, and fix it all for her!!! We can't. Dammit! Anyway--please know wonder, that we all just want the best for you, we worry about you. Many of us have been where you are, and know it can go from bad to worse very quickly, and we just want you to be proactive rather than reactive to things he says and does. Keep in contact with your attorney, and with us---even when we say things you don't like it is done, hoping to help you. I really do not believe anyone is trying to be unsupportive, we all just show it in different ways. Tough love is afterall still love---just wrapped up differently. Hang in there Wonder---we're all here! Kat

My Inamed card was in my box from the band, has the identification numbers etc. on it. My fill Dr. gave me one, stating that I had had WLS, and would appreciate being able to order off of the childrens, or seniors menu, etc. I have never used either one for that purpose!!! I have taken my Inamed card out in a restaurant, to show the waitress who was interested a picture on the card! I too tell them I have had weight loss surgery, and can only eat a small amount--they have most all been accomodating. Only one local restaurant refused to allow me to order from the childrens menu, and we just have never went back. I agree, many childrens menu options are not worth it, I do not care for fries with everything!!! Chili's has been awesome in accomodating me (we go often for lunch). Other places, I just pay for the buffet, and feel it is worth it for the night out, the company I am in, and figure it is their way of getting even for how much I ate prior to banding!!! Kat

Glad to have yo back Dawn---way to go on the holiday loss....I took care of it for you, and gained it!!! It is on it's way out of here again, but I'm not too worried about it right now!!! I just got back from Curves. Weighed and measured today, I need to update my ticker! I have lost all but one pound of my holiday binge!! And lost 5 more inches!!! YEA!!!!! That puts me over 50 inches lost on this journey---good riddance! My body fat % went down as well, by 3%. Was so much better than I anticipated!!! C'mon over Julie, and we will chop some wood---I always tell DH that the wood warms me up many times----not just when we burn it! Boo, for some reason my coordination with the wood chopping is better than most other times, I am not named Grace, and it is a good thing!!! Just wanted to share my good findings at Curves!!! BBL Kat

You will be fine for your formal--post us some pics!! gonnabeskinny---I do not want to rain on your parade, but do want to caution you to proceed carefully. Too tight of restriction has got bad consequences sometimes. It leads to severe acid reflux, pouch dilation, and in some cases slips and erosion I understand. If you limit your food intake too much, you also suffer from malnourishment. The band is not a "QUICK" fix....it takes time, but hopefully with that time, we learn new eating habits, and ways of eating, that will last us a lifetime, even if for some reason our bands do not. I am not sure what size of band you have. It is my understanding that with some of the bigger bands they actually do add some fill during surgery. With the smaller bandm they do not. You have an empty band until your first fill. The first feeling of restriction is likely due to swelling. Your stomach and surrounding tissues react to the invasion, and banding by swelling. It will also swell following a fill, or adjustment, which is why you go back to liquids for a time following a fill. Ideally, you should work with your Dr., at a steady pace to find a "sweet spot". A place of restriction, where you can still carefully eat hard proteins (meat for instance). Where you can eat a small amount, and remain full feeling for several hours following the small meal. The nerves that signal fullness are located at the top of the stomach. withour band, the food reaches those nerves quickly. Often with good restriction, after only a few bites. Right now with liquids, and mushies, the food passes through quickly (it should you are only healing), and does not trigger the nerves. As you reach restriction, those nerves will allow you to feel full quickly. When you lose enough, that you can eat more, or want to eat more often, then it is time for another small adjustment. If it is too tight, then you have any follow up swelling, you can get to a point where you cannot even swallow your own spit, it just won't go. Then you have to have an unfill----which will cost same as a fill most of the time, and then you have to start all over. It is safer for you and your band, to take a slow steady approach. Keeping in mind, we did not gain all this weight overnight, and it is not going to be lost overnight. The recommended 1-2 pounds a week, is best. There is also an emotional side to being unable to eat "right", and hitting the sadness over it, or the anger at being unable to have a big juicy burger, is normal. We now have to learn a new "right". Just like Ashley said, do not forget to drink lots of water, that alone will help with weight loss---and helping you to feel full. It is the best way to flush the toxins our bodies are releasing from weight loss out. I know it is hard to be patient---really I do!!! I have the same want it now attitude!!! but more than wanting to be thin tomorrow, I want to be thin forever...I want it to last. I need to learn better eating habits! The band is teaching me. As soon as you begin your fill process, it will become some easier. It is something you will have to work with, but it will be easier! Good Luck to both of you! Kat

Good morning everyone! Betty, your woman and the hot chocolate, made me realize it is time for me to do something for someone!!! Years ago (lots of them!), I was single and living in an apartment, when one of my friends who managed the complex told me about this old woman who lived in another building within the complex. She had seen her at the store, and she didn't have enough money at the checkout, so she had to put something back. My friend/manager, Reta, was unable to help her at the time because she was using food stamps, as her DH had just been killed, and she was just beginning the job at the apartments. She said the woman had bought cat food, but elected to put her own food back. We were fervently hoping she was secretly feeding stray cats, as it was a no pets building! We, along with another friend decided to help her, so we would shop, and always pick up something extra, especially the buy one get one free items, and we would leave a bag on her step. With Reta being the manager, she was the one the woman called when it first began showing up...and Reta said she would stand there looking around, and then tell her, "My angel struck again". As luck would have it--and it was lucky for all of us--my DD and I got caught putting the bag out one morning by another neighbor, who ratted us out! And that is how Grandma Sarah come into our lives. She had 2 grown daughters who lived in Arizona, and never come to see her. She had been widowed for years. Soon we would visit as we took things, and we could take bowls of dinner over---and her favorite, rice pudding with raisins. Grandma Sarah was soon going to the senior center every day ( My Mom was the director for the Senior Center), the van would come pick her up, take her down, for companionship time, feed her lunch, then bring her home. She told us all over and over she knew we were her angels, that we had saved her. We had Grandma Sarah for 5 years---long after my now DH come into my life, she approved him btw!!! It eventually proved to be too much for her own daughters to deal with, her talking about us, and Reta's family all the time, and they went through legal channels, with the State, proving she was now legally blind--and had her put into a nursing home---here---NOT where they, her family was! We visited her, it was hard, she would beg us to take her out of there. I tried to get permission to take her down the the Senior center, or to dinner, her daughter refused to let us. Grandma Sarah, went from vibrant, and feisty, to dying within 6 months. Now she is our angel! I used to feel so good about helping her. She brought so much into OUR lives! She told the best stories, she was NOT a meek mild little lady, she had a crazy life, she rode logs in a saw mill--welded on ships in WWII, awed my DD with knowing someone who rode wagons like in Little House on the Prairie!!! I know there are people out there who need help now....it is time to DO something! I am so glad you told us about the hot chocolate.....I am going to find a way to make a difference! Sherry is right, an angel will come to you as a stranger---you didn't disappoint her! Maybe your angel inspired us all! I'll try to get to personals later, I need to get changed, it is time to go to Curves. DH and I split wood yesterday, and then lifted some free weights last night, my shoulders and upper arms feel it today---yea!!!! My upper arms need help!!! TTYL Kat how wierd I can't cut and paste anything this morning----wonder if it is my mouse...nope, I just can't right click anything on the site....off of it I can. hmmmmmmmmm

Welcome--you are in the right place, the right place to ask anything you want! I would have been fine a month out, I am sure the wedding will be fine. You should be feeling good again, losing well, and back to eating pretty normally by a month. The wedding would be good to keep your mind off of the hard time, following surgery, when liquids are your main food! It passes quickly, and is done so that you can heal. As for alcohol, I have had several drinks at different times in the last 8 months. I will occasionally have a margarita with my dinner at a favorite mexican food restaurant. The other night we were at a friends bridal shower, and they had Fuzzy Navels---I drank that without issue. I don't notice a difference in how my body reacts, I do not drink much, never did, a drink or 2 here and there, never in excess. Pretty much anything non carbonated is fine. My friend who is banded drinks vodka and cranberry juice she says. So it should be fine. Please feel free to ask away!!! You have found a great site---with great support, and we believe fully in our bands!!! Kat