marz88

Okay, okay, all this talk about tatoos has me laughing. I don't have any, don't want any, but have always wondered what the tatoos on all the skinny people would look like if they gained weight! Not that I wish for anyone to GAIN weight, but the pictures going through my mind make me snicker. Probably because as a child growing up, I was always the fat one and my friends would all stand around saying how fat they were and how they needed to go on a diet. Oh how I wished to be normal like they were. Of course, many of them have put on weight after children and stresses of life have taken their toll. I can hardly wait for my next class reunion, I won't be the biggest one there!

Whoa! Racquetball! I used to LOVE racquetball. But with an injured knee from skiing, I can't do the side to side steps anymore. Oh how I wish to play again. As a matter of fact, I still have my racquet and blue rubber balls in a bag as if waiting for an invitation. But without a knee replacement, I'll just have to be a wallflower...sigh....I am so jealous Marci.

Hey everyone! Happy New Year! Marci, I feel your pain about not being in Onederland yet, I have struggled all December and am still at 203. Aaarghh! I hadn't walked in over 3 weeks because of the snow we received and I walk outside which made the streets slick and people are stupid and don't shovel the snow off their sidewalks (even if it is the law in our community, they don't enforce it). I tried walking at the mall but I work there and can't bare to stay there and exercise. So last night, I realized the high school, which is only a few blocks away has perfectly cleared sidewalks So I walked and wow did I feel good! I can only hope this is a new start for me and will pull me out of my slump. The pics of everyone in baggy pants is so awesome! I just haven't lost enough on my bottom half to really show. My pants are still a 22 and have been for months. No matter what, you are all doing great. So here's to 2007 and baggy pants, cleaner closets, more seat room, thinner arms, more racks to shop from, more energy, new interests, no more cigarettes (keep at it Drewslou!) and healthier us!

Happy New Year everyone! I have not had a great holiday week with losing. I actually gained-the first time since surgery!boo hoo I can't get out and walk because of the snow, my dog has let me know that he doesn't appreciate it either. I think I will have to resolve to walking in the mall until the streets are melted (which could be in May). I really don't think I have overeaten enough to gain the 4 lbs that are plaguing me but without the exercise, I can see it settling back in. At least after today I won't have to worry about so much food around the house, at work, at church etc... The munchies will go away as well as the opportunities for feasting on potluck parties. Thank you Jesus!!! Here's to a New Year, may everyone get to goal this year!

You rock OU!!! I didn't get on the scale because I have been stuck at the same weight for 3 weeks! I didn't want to depress myself on Christmas with the same numbers again. So I decided to wait a few days and see if the scale moves. I did behave myself on Christmas. I didn't overdo it. It is such a wonderful feeling to NOT be miserable after a holiday meal. I'm hoping to get back to walking again this week. This last week was the longest I've gone without exercising. But the outside weather made it impossible, so now that the ice and snow are cleared off the street, I've got to get going again.

I live in North Platte Nebraska. We got a ton of wet, sloshy snow! It is finally starting to melt a bit today. Ice chunks keep falling off the trees and power lines so it important to be careful that nothing hits you in the head. We haven't had moisture like this (winter or summer) for about 3 years. Even with the problems that winter weather brings, we are happy for the moisture! Now if I could only figure out how to melt the 3 lbs off that are keeping me from 'Onederland'...Maybe it could be a Winter 'Onederland'?

Yeah Myra!!! All you wanted for Christmas eh? I have a friend who has 4 teeth on the bottom and was fitted for false teeth but has such a bad gag reflex that he can't wear them. He just gums everything. No steak for him. I am just so happy for you. You will now have more than one reason to smile. For the third week, I sit just a few lbs above 200. My weight hasn't moved. It doesn't help that this week we were hit with major ice and snow and it is now impossible to walk outside (I tried today and it was just too slick). How about you Marci, are you digging out of snow? You got it worse than we did, I'm farther east. We have tons of tree branches and whole trees down, power was out to many residents for over a day. Crazy way to get a white Christmas.

That is awesome OU! I have had those kind of moments too. I found myself running, yes running with my niece last week. I haven't ran for...I don't know how long. My belly would flop and make a terrible noise if I did. So, I just didn't. Well those days are over! Glad you had so much fun. Isn't it almost like being a kid again?

Oh Drewslou you look fabulous!!! Congrats on the half way!!! I have yet to get my friend to my house to help me get my photos posted. We both work retail and we never seem to have the same time off right now. But hopefully soon I will get them out there for everyone to see. I had another NSV last night. Our town has an old carousel located at a park that is decorated with lights and animated characters for a few weeks before Christmas. We went to the park last night after caroling about town and I rode a HORSE on the carousel!!! I have gone on the ride and stood or sat on a bench but never on a horse! What fun! I seem to be stuck for about 2 weeks. I really need to lose 4 lbs to get to my next goal. With any luck, maybe it will happen this next week.

Since I still don't have a ticker, I've never really set a goal. I just know if I lose 120 lbs (a goal of 146) I'll be at a weight that I will be comfortable with for the rest of my life. Actually, with another 30 lbs (176) I'll be ecstatic. That will put me where I was when I got pregnant with my second child. And that I could live with. But ideally, I need to lose another 60-70 lbs. If it happens, it happens, if not, I'll still feel better about myself and what I've done. Update on the support group meeting...It was so awesome to hear this man speak. He wasn't an eloquent speaker but he has a great sense of humor and a real encouragement to any weight loss journey. He has come so far...and I thought I had problems! Ha-this man has been through it all. I can't even imagine life in the manner he existed in. It was also good to see and meet others who have had LB surgery. Even a few people I knew but didn't know they had the surgery! How fun.

WAY TO GO!!! Everyone reporting on their losses and posting pics is so encouraging. I have to admit, I'm kinda stupid about how to post a pic and I have never been able to get a tickertape. But help is on the way...I have a friend who said she'd help me. So hopefully by the end of the week everyone will finally get to 'meet' me! I went to the Goodwill last week and bought 3 pair of khakis(size 20) and a beautiful sweater(size medium). I'm built very awkward and carry my weight at my middle. Hence, the size 20 pants. I am looking forward to getting out of the twentys as much as I'm looking forward to getting out of the 200s. Which I'm hoping will be as soon as this week. I have officially cleaned more clothes out of my closet than I have in it, and that includes all that I had outgrown and finally got back into and then back out of again! What a fun game. Tomorrow I'm attending a support group meeting in my community and our featured speaker has lost over 700 lbs! He had the bypass surgery. I'm excited to catch up with others in my area who have had the band and see how they are progressing. I don't usually go to the group meetings, bad timing during the week and for the most part, I consider you guys my support group. Thanks everyone!!! Do any of you wonder how all the others who started out with us are doing? I just can't imagine how they could be getting along without the information and help I've got through this website. Short of pm-ing everyone, is there any way of contacting everyone and inviting them back into the thread? I can see how they could easily lose the link. Anyone have any ideas?

I know what you mean about the selection of clothes going on and on...I work in a department store and found myself confused by the unlimited choices. Before, I had just a bit of Alfred Dunner, Koret, and McNaughtington to pick from. (And I'm not knocking anyone's taste here if you like those styles but they aren't my favorites and most certainly not for everyday wear). Now I have so many more to pick from!

Congrats to everyone on their sucesses this past week. I lost another 2lbs (7lbs in 7 days since my fill before TG). I can actually see myself in onerland by next week. That puts me only 2 weeks behind were I wanted to be. Not too bad. And that also makes my 'Dream' goal a bit more forseeable too. I can still eat a good amount of food, but I'm finding myself not hungry but once a day. Some times I have a small snack in the evening but my food is staying with me longer. That part is good.

Here's to Thanksgiving with a lot more to be thankful for. Thanks for all the encouragement you guys offer, thankful for all smaller clothes, no more snoring, I HAVE A LAP! And thankful for all the compliments (trying not to get proud) that friends and family give so freely and genuine to boot. Everyone have a great holiday!!!

I DON'T BELIEVE IT!!! I DON'T BELIEVE IT!!! I usually only weigh myself on Monday morning, since I had my doctor appointment on Monday I didn't think anymore about it. He weighed me, said I lost 8lbs for the month. Then I get to work yesterday and 2 coworkers said I looked like I'd lost a lot more weight (they hadn't seen me since last Thurs). I kinda laughed and reminded them that they just weren't used to seeing me thinner and expected me to walk through the doors as my old self. WELL... I got on the scale today just to see and I am down 5lbs to my Monday weight!!!!!!! Woo Hoo!!!! If that doesn't make me feel great! That gets me over half way to my Turkey Take off and just a few pounds from 'ONEDERLAND'!!!!! And it also puts me over half way to my goal. That is an added bonus. Thanks for celebrating with me everyone!

For a January challenge, it was mentioned by jcbydesign on the old Oct thread that we call it "I HAVE A DREAM" in honor of MLK's birthday. This can be our DREAM! I know few of us are going to make our 20lb Turkey Take Off, but 15lbs by Jan 15th seems pretty reasonable. That gives us almost 8 weeks if we offically start on Friday. Who's with me!?! Set your own goal if 15 is too much. Welcome Cherg! My fill yesterday has kept me feeling satisfied longer. I ate a Banquet Potpie for lunch and it was almost 7 last night before I felt hungry again. Which is good, but I don't know if it has helped with the portion size like I am hoping for. I just haven't had the chance to test it yet. Thanks all for the encouragement. Congrats Alicia on your bottom catching up with the top! I keep praying that will happen with me. I carry my weight so concentrated around my middle that I think it will never go away. My pants are all loose in the waist but still really tight just below the waist. Pleated pants help alot. I hate being so mis-shapen!

Janey-I like that 'I have a Dream' new goal. Post it on the November Chat and let everyone know your 'DREAM'.

I went for another fill today. I lost 8 lbs in the past month. Yeah! I am now at 9.5cc in my 12cc band. I am really hoping for the portion control I have been seeking. And just before the holidays is great! Now if I can just stay away from the sweets! I'm not going to make my 20 lbs by Thanksgiving but half way is better than a gain! We'll see where we end up officially on Thursday. Good luck to everyone!

Tight??? What's tight? I STILL have little or no restriction! At times I feel a bit, but I have never had restriction to the point of the amount I can eat. It has to be the size of the band. I am so jealous!!!

Welcome Missy! Don't beat yourself up about your small weight loss. It will happen for you. And I truly don't know how I could have done it without this thread. I know there are very few people who still post here that started out with us last May, (there was about 100) but we have all encouraged each other, we have given help to one another when it was needed, we have given ear when frustration and griping needed venting, prayer when asked, and we have compared notes and advice to help us in our journey. Not all of us can make it to local support group meetings or have a confidante to rely on. So, this is it! I have learned more here than anywhere else, including the doctor, not that I'm putting down my doctor, I love him, but this is usually practical info, day to day issues that the doctor doesn't always get to because it is so different for everyone. Having this surgery is like having a baby. We all had the surgery(baby) but we all have different stories(labors). (Sorry Ousooner and Mr 3 Loaves, I don't mean to exclude you in the comparison). Anyway, I hope you get a lot out of the chat and maybe find some info to get you going. Best wishes to you and God Bless!

A funny thing happened tonight when I went for my usual walk. I walk after the sun sets, not by choice but because that's when I have time. The street lights cast a shadow as I pass them and you know what? I don't recognize the shadow!!! I'm not the same silhouette I was 6 months ago! It was almost kind of eerie thinking it was someone other than ME. I haven't had that unknown reflection in the mirror yet, I still see me there. I find it interesting that people know something is different about me but they can't quite figure it out. I work retail and see a lot of the same customers, they make comments all the time about my hair, (did you get your hair cut?) my eyes (did you get contacts or have laser surgery?) It is almost as if they are afraid to ask an overweight person HAVE YOU LOST WEIGHT? Anyone else feel like they should wear a badge that says, YES, I LOST WEIGHT, NOW QUIT GIVING ME CHEESY COMPLIMENTS ABOUT MY OTHER FEATURES.

I had a goal of ONEDERLAND by the 15th and of course the 20 lb Turkey Take Off, but I'm only 5 lbs to my twenty and 11 from ONEDERLAND. I'll still press on, but it gets discouraging when you don't see the scale move for over 3 weeks! My next fill is on the 20th, and I want to "get my money's worth"!!! I'm tired of messing around with little or no restriction. And a question if anyone out there can answer it. Once I get a fill, I feel some restriction, but then it goes away. I can still eat large portions. I know I'm not leaking any of the Fluid out of my band and I'm not cheating, I'm eating good dense foods that should stay in my pouch. Any suggestions?

Janey-I still don't have the best restriction, and it's very frustrating! I too can eat like a glutton if I go slow and chew well. I have only puked once, about a month ago. I rarely PB, even if I eat fast. I keep thinking some day I'll have this great feeling of "STOP EATING, ONE MORE BITE AND IT WILL BE TOO MUCH" but I've never felt that. I did have some problems with breads after my 4th fill but have found that I don't have a problem if I eat small bites. I am not trying to cheat or eat the things that I'm not suppose to. But I can certainly still eat way, way, way too much.

Alicia-I have had 5 fills! And another one scheduled for the 20th of November, just a few days before TG, YIKES! None have been done with floroscopy. I lay back and the doctor feels around a bit and then pokes. I hear a popping sound and then it's over before it began. I sit up, drink a dixie cup of water to make sure water goes down. That's all there is to it. My band will hold 12cc. Which is why I probably have gone in more often. They are trying to get me to my "sweet spot". I'm still not there at 8.5cc. Don't be afraid of the fill, the needle poke is small pain and the doctor or assistant is probably over qualified to find your port

Way to go Linda! I've lost only 5 lbs for my TTO, but tomorrow I go for another fill and I'm hoping that the magic "Sweet Spot" happens after this fill. I find my weight comes off in 5 lb increments. I can go and go and go with no weight coming off then one day, 5 lbs are dropped! Oh well, I'll let it come off however it wants to come off as long as it still comes off