DebbieGail

Wow, everyone's first week was great! Had a great weekend at the lake....One morning I did get 1 mile in...believe it or not it was all uphill....from the cabin to the campsite. I was active all weekend though....Was in the lake over 5 hours Saturday and 4 hours Sunday....The whole time I kept my feet kicking, peddling, and frog swimming. It wasn't enough to cause me to breathe harder....(my body sign that I was not raising my heart rate into the fat burning mode) but I know it helped with toning because arms and legs a bit sore. Tomorrow I'm on Clear liquids for a prep for a procedure I'm having Tuesday. I what to remind all of you to do those lovely screening procedures at 50 like the colonoscopy because it does find problems before they are life threatening....Mine showed a PRE cancerous spot which will be removed Tuesday....dr said it was small and very treatable.....My lapband dr is also doing this.... I am so relieved that I did the screening and can have this taken care of before it got out of control. I'm going to walk in the morning put then I will probably have to lay off for acouple of days...I will listen to the doctor! He hasn't lead me wrong so far! Anyway, I knew when I joined this group You would help motivate me and I was RIGHT! My Early Bird Girls keep the pavement hot the next couple of days and walk a few steps for me...I'll make it up toward the end of the week! Keep Moving! Deb

My miles this week look good....17.5 miles - walking my back countries roads.....I pushed myself this week because next week will be way down. Gotta run going camping this weekend and the lake is calling. Good Luck everyone. Deb

I am a kindergarten, Title I Reading Teacher. I can have up to 6 children every half and hour which I try to keep it under 6. My caseload is usually about 45 which means I see a little over half of the kindergarteners in my building. I also do the daily lunchroom duty. My plan time is during the afternoon kindergarten recess. I'm thinking about starting a wellness exercise kids group during this time with those little guys that don't or have trouble moving at recess I just hate seeing those little ones not moving at recess. I'm just not quite sure how to get those involved. Any ideas? I also like the idea of being accountable for the miles weekly. So Saturday it is. Willocat - I'm not a morning person either but I have a very strong DH that does a great job of kicking me out of bed every morning. I'm getting up at 5:30 am and have to be out the door before 6:00 to get my hour walk in, then back by 7:00 (shower & breakfast) and out the door by 7:45. Luckily I'm only 10 minutes from school unless I get caught behind the bus (yuck!)then its a 20 minute ride. I started practicing my schedule this morning ... it works but not much time to breathe. LOL Anyway thanks for welcoming me into your challenge. Deb

Hi Paige, Boy was that me ... you were writing it but it was what I was thinking a little over a year ago! It's been a little over 2 weeks since your post...and I haven't seen that you have posted back. We want to hear from you!!! You ask how to start...well you had already started when you posted...In your post you said, "I know I need to do it, and I want to do it" your words. You used two very important words - NEED and WANT. You didn't say WISH which to me means by some magic wand or star it will happen. You said NEED and WANT which means you are READY to do something about it. I too was told that I had to lose weight before he would do the surgery - 350 lbs was the goal weight I needed to be at. I too was ashamed of my weight...before my first visit to the doctor I was at 386-I lost my first 10 lbs because I was ashamed to go to see him weighing that much...but I picked up the phone and made the appointment (which you have already done - so you have taken the 2nd step in your journey) At first when he told me I had to be at 350 I too thought this was crazy ... but I was determine and felt it was my only chance at getting my life back. I had lost so much of my mobility, health and life and was headed for a wheel chair. I made the commitment and started the process of the pre-op testing that was required - my next visit to the doctor was the follow up and he gave me the news that I was a good candidate for the surgery but I had to to be at that 350 lbs. It took me 3 months but I was finally down to 5 pounds to go when I called the doctor to schedule the surgery....I had the last week on the liquid Protein diet - the morning of surgery my scale had me weighing 346 ... but you know how scales are you can rock on them and it can change a pound and I also was scared that the hospital scale would weigh heavy...but I kept saying to myself "have courage" I was prepared to strip down to my birthday suit if need be to make that scale say "ready, set, go" Well it did and on December 11, 2009 I was banded. I've also learned that I have to do this, the band is a TOOL to help me but it's me in the drivers seat, it's me that even when I don't feel like it- I tell myself I have to and do it. YOU ARE CAPABLE of doing the same. Think positive --- "I CAN" One step at a time....You have already made two very big steps that I can see from you post and probably more in the past two weeks. See you are already like that "Little Red Engine" chugging up that hill ..I think I can , I think I can, each chug closer to I KNOW I CAN! There have been lots of good suggestions about how to start the process of exercise - chair exercises, bike, pool, walk - Which is your choice? Quick don't think to long pick one?...set your realistic (for instant I can walk into each room of my house without sitting down) that was mine and I met my goal and said I can go just a little farther and pushed myself a little more. When I finally did sit down I reflected as I was getting my breathe back - "Wow I met my goal and went farther, later today I will try to do it again and take that one step farther" Now I have walked over 4 1/2 miles walking Ozark Mountain Roads...and it all started with a walk around my house...Both walks were important victories on my journey...It's now like a game I play - 1 step more! Is it hard at times?...YES...Do I NEED to do it? YES Do I WANT to do it? Well sometimes I have to mentally kick myself in the b_ _ but ... YES I WANT ...so I do it. Have I got angry at times because I have to do it? YES I won't lie to you sometimes it takes hard work ... but it IS worth it. My energy level, my mobility, and my attitude is getting better every day. My life has changed ...I still have a long way to go ... it will happen ... sometimes I fall ...I have to pick myself up, dust myself off ...look at where I came from and then turn around and take that next step towards where I want to go. Thank you Paige, believe it or not you have helped me tonight...reflecting on my journey has made me reaffirm that I CAN do it! We want to hear from you! Deb Highest Weight 386 lbs 1st Dr. Visit 376 lbs Surgery Day Weight 346 lbs Todays Weight 289

Okay, you are all High Achievers!!!!! Your July Challenge just hooked me! I'd like to join for August. Just came back from two weeks vacation in the Ozark Mountains.....Those hills looked so intimidating!!! Every morning between 6:oo and 7:00 I'd quietly sneak out to walk before family got going. My goal was to walk a little farther than the day before....It really did motivate me! Day 1 - All up hill on the going trip which was great. Got about 1 1/2 miles. Day 2 - 2 miles........Last day I was over 4 1/2 miles!!! I was on top of those Ozark Mountains.....What a feeling! So this sounds like a challenge I'd like to travel with you! I'll set my goal at 50 miles ... I start back to school also ...my evenings always get booked up...so I'm going to try the early morning before school and shower to get in my miles. Beside beginning of school and getting to know all my little kiddos takes a lot out of me...so in order to meet my goal .. I think early morning is going to be my answer. Thanks again for the motivation, accountability, and if needed a KICK out of bed! Please keep me going. P.S. 8 months ago and 96 lbs heavier I could not make it from the school parking lot to the office without people being concerned that I was going to have a heart attack me included. What a ride it has been for me...I'm not quite half way to my goal everyday brings me a little closer to it! Keep it up! Deb

Emilyxx - sounds like you're doing great...30 minutes a day on the bike - hooray! Doesn't it feel great to see that scale # go down! Suggestion make sure you measure everything for a while....My eyes were always bigger that the measuring cup!!! I'm getting a little better but my estimate is still bigger that the mcup. I have the goal on exercising that I push myself just a little farther or a little faster each time I'm out and no no no excuses for some sort of exercise daily! We have an extremely large yard so the past couple of days (since a two week vacation put it in bad shape, I've been helping my husband get it back into shape....I can't believe this but I elected the push mower and raking while he did the riding mower.) that has been my exercise....Man, are my arms sore from the raking! But I'm hoping it will help the flabby arms. About 2 1/2 hours each day....It's definitely helped me get all my Water plus in each day. Keep it up. Deb

Hi All, It's been awhile since I checked in. Emilyxx, it's been a little over 2 weeks now...How are you doing? Have you moved to soft foods yet? It's an exciting time...make sure you are following all the lapband rules ... the rules are really there for a reason. You asked how everyone was doing...well since starting this whole process I'm at a 96 lb. loss. Now that is not all after surgery I had to lose 26 lbs before he would do the surgery. I have hit a plateau and have played with the same 4 lbs for the past 9 weeks... so I have increased exercise and made it more regular. My life has drastically changed....my success story is not so much in the pounds but in what I am capable of doing now. My energy level, mobility, and attitude is getting stronger every day. When I started this lifestyle change I could barely move from one room to another....on the vacation I just took to a resort a little out from Branson, MO (Ozark Mountains) out of the 14 days I walked 12 days....I started out walking about 2 miles...those hills were somewhat intimidating...(my goal was to walk a little farther each day)...Well my last day there I walked just over 4.5 miles in just over an hour and 20 minutes. Wow when I realized what I did I was on top of one of those Ozark Mountains!!!! Dr. Minkin is great, very caring and will take the time to answer any questions you have. Good Luck! Think about coming to the support group meetings at the hospital...it helps me! Bassman47 It has to feel great to be nearing your personal goal...what a year! Congrads! How are you feeling about keeping it off...That prospect scares me some... but I'm sure you'll do great! Atrivia - How are you doing? Would love to here how everyone else is doing. Deb

Atrivia, I know you're getting excited plus a little nervous but just keep busy tomorrow. Make sure you have the foods (liquids) that you need. My favorite was from GNC Chocolate Caramel Whey Protein Shake. Dr. Minkin and Des Peres Hosp. has been great to me and I'm sure it will be the same for you. I will be thinking of you and sending you all my positive thoughts and prayers. Good Luck! Deb

Hi , I'm a big fan of Dr. Minkin, Des Peres Hospital, and the lapband. It was the best decision I have made for myself in quite a while and I was a self pay. I was banded in Dec. 08. Since my first visit to Dr. Minkin I have lost 86 lbs. I have not set a number goal but I still have at least 100 lbs to go. My main goal was to get healthier. It definitely is a life style change...I have so much more energy, mobility, and a positive attitude adjustment. I'm just getting over two unrelated to the lapband health issures and need to get back on track focusing on what I'm eating and exercise. Dr. Minkin was extremely helpful and made sure when I was hospitalized that I was taken care of. I have attended the support group meetings at Des Peres Hospital the last three months...I have to miss this months due to my kindergarteners graduating that night and I will be at the podium calling out their names. I really wish there was more frequent meetings...It's just very helpful hearing from others that have been there. Hope to be able to meet some of you there sometime... Take care and I hope everyone is doing great! Here's to a healthier life. Deb P.S. Russ3, I hope you are still as excited as you started off being....Hope you are tolerating your newly introduced foods well and following all our new eating rules...I still struggle with getting all the Water down...but everyday I start over with that 64 oz as my goal! I'm cheering for your success!

After my 2 weeks off of school(teacher) because of hospitalization-kidney stones and 10 days Spring Break I went back to school - decided to wear a t-shirt that actually fit me .... well, my first class,6 children every 1/2 hour - I'm a kindergarten reading teacher, came in. One of my little guys gave me the once over. You could just see his eyes go over me from head to toe and then back to my face...he looked a little perplexed...then he said, "Are you getting skinny are what?" Later, that day a second grade teacher came over and had to tell me a conversation with one of my former students that is now in her class. Her conversation went like this..."This morning when we were waiting for our special class in the hall and you stopped and talked to them, well after you left B---- asked me "Is it just me, or is Mrs. B losing a lot of weight?". I do parent pick up duty everyday and I am having a lot of them ask me about my weight. This has just started happening because I'm pulling out spring clothes from a longgggggg time ago (over 10 years) and wearing clothes that are fitting and showing off my 83 lb. loss. I never throw anything away so I do have a new-old wardrobe. All this sounds great, right? Well, I do have some worries....that I'd like some help on.....My history tells me when I lose weight enough for people to notice...I have always in the past started to slip off the program...I don't know why? Is it I'm being successful so I don't have to try so hard and give myself permission....Am I feeling uncomfortable with the Personal attention (although I'm a pretty outgoing person). This time I am changing my lifestyle - Exercise and not as obsessed with eating...I guess I keep saying this is too good to be true...when is this going to end. I still have 100 lbs to lose ... I have been very true to the lapband rules and measuring my food until just recently have slipped acouple of times... This is scary for me.... This my not be the right thread for this conversation but along with NSV and being motivated because they did bring a smile and good feeling to me...comes my insecurities. Please share thoughts, experiences, or suggestions. Thanks Deb PS I'm having a hard time getting rid of my too big clothes.

Today's my 4 mos anniversary of being banded... Total weight loss 81 3/4 lb. - since surgery 48 3/4 lbs. I am still convinced this has been the best thing I ever did for myself, my life, and my family. Since 1/22/09 my health has taken a nose dive... whooping cough, inflammed brochial tubes, (6 weeks), just feeling better and kidney stones hit with lots of complications including two stays in the hospital 3 day and a 8 day. Infection in my blood, surgery on stones, and pnemonia. A very sick cookie. I know you are wondering where I'm heading with this...NSV - Not being able to exercise but craving, yearning, wanting (in the shape I was I won't use dying) to EXERCISE what a change in my thought process. My LBS has been awesome...visited me in the hospital both times admitted. Dietician has also visited me in hospital. They have given me such support ... I know I am and will continue to be successful in my new lifestyle change. Through all the illnesses my primary concern was my band...it has come through like a trooper. I'm still very protective ... which is good because it helps me make good choices and follow the LB rules! I'm really beginning to realize what all the talk about it being a TOOL is about. I have to make my food decisions and can make good choices. Still measuring all my foods. DH has bought me the Wii/Wii fit and a sport's watch to monitor my heart rate. I did fudge a little (dr. has not released me to do any exercises yet except minor 5 to 10 min. walks.) and tried some of the balancing games and I did try the Basic Step Aerobics(laughed with DH more than anything because I have no rhythm - can't figure out right, left, front,back - out of 85 steps I got 13 and this was on the beginner! Another NSV - realizing my DH is there to be supportive and that I can handle his help. I am nothing but grateful for having my best friend travel by my side on this journey. Have you begun to see a common thread through my rambling.... My most important NSV is my MIND SET. I am beginning to BELIEVE I am changing my LIFESTYLE. In the beginning of my journal I wrote, "I am dedicating this journal to a lifestyle change: From Living to Eat to Eating to Live!" I believe I am on my way to doing that! PS - I could actually buy a top today at the local Walmart store and only pay $8.00 instead of the only store for plus size women I've had to shop at for the past 10 years! What an anniversay present! Keep the faith! Deb

My DH just bought me the Wii and Wii Fit. Okay, after setting it up and putting data in ... we both tried some of the balance games and the Basic Steps Aerobics...The Lapband (I was banded 12/11/09) has definitely changed both our lives... a 55 and 60 year old couple giggling and playing (hopefully soon I'll call it exercise). I have a lot of practice to just get up to being in the ball park or should I say gym. On basic steps ... I only got 13 steps out of 85. See what I mean...no rhythm and left, right, front and back...I don't think I can do more than 1 thing at a time. My DH did much better but we had fun and got off the couch! What was good it did raise my heart rate 11 points. It must have been all that laughing!!!! Well anyway, I think I'm going to love it! I'm axious to hear more about using Wii programs for variety to exercise. Deb Highest lifetime weight 386 1st visit to dr. 376 Surgery 343 Today 294 Today is my 4 mos. anniversary of being banded...best thing I ever did for myself!!!

Here's an update, my doctor's appointment a week after my lithotripsy was not good...the kidney stone did not break up so I still have two, the stint is still in place sent me home to wait another week because he thought he saw a small fragment in the tube.....today was my 2nd doctor's appointment ... still have 2 stones, one is getting close to opening...he gave me a choice --to go in and try to remove both stones or wait it out....I have been so miserable that I've decided to do the surgery and I hope he'll be able to get both of them out...won't know until Monday when ... have to be sure I have no infection..culture has to come back clean. Monday is also my next LB appointment. 4 weeks ago my LBS and I decided not to do an adjustment with all the things going on but he did set up this appointment 2 weeks earlier.... for the past three weeks my body has been playing with my weight up acouple pounds then down. I've fluctuated around 6 pounds. I noticed when I started this thread I was 301.5 this morning I was 302. I don't know if it's my frame of mind or that I need my second adjustment but I am getting hungry and it's getting harder and harder to stay with my 1/2 cup meals. Sometimes I think it's just my habit of emotional eating causing this. Then at other times I have only been adjusted once and I might need to have another fill. But again until this kidney stone thing is done I am having to drink so much Water and that's so hard for me to do at the present time do I really want to deal with more restriction and my water intake. I just don't know what my feelings are about it... I know no one can make up my mind but maybe some different thoughts might help me out of my funk! Any thoughts? Help? Deb

What a way to Celebrate my 3 month anniversary of being banded! Tomorrow I go for outpatient surgery to get 2 large kidney stones blasted. Last week I doubled over in pain at work...I thought it had something to do with the lapband they called my husband and to the Emergency Room I went...past 3 hospitals on the way but I kept telling my husband to take me where I was banded...called my surgeon on the way and he said the ER....After the diagnosis of one BIG kidney stone stuck and 1 in the kidney, I had surgery to get the big one out...I woke up to find out they pushed it back into the kidney ...to big to get out. So tomorrow I get them blasted! Even though my lapband surgeon does not handle kidney stones he visited me in the hospital twice and sent his intern in twice just to see how I was doing. Has anyone had this done since banded...I'm nervous ....worried about it effecting my band. I have been so uncomfortable since leaving the hospital...pain pills, antibiotics, I feel like a walking pharmacy. Any encouraging words about the procedure? Deb Highest lifetime wt. 386 1st visit to dr. 376 Day of Surgery 345 Today 301.5

I have learned to my dismay that my eyes are definitely bigger than my stomach. To solve this every thing I eat is measured BEFORE it goes on my plate which is 1/2 cup. I always cut up everything in very tiny pieces. I then gauge how fast I eat and my wait times between bites so that I finish the same time everyone else is finishing. That way I don't have to watch everyone still eating and I don't have anything. Mentally if I eat the last bite about the same time everyone else does, I don't feel as if I was deprived. Listen and try everything others suggest but you will have to find what little tricks work for you ... At work in our lunch room many times people bring in treats for everyone. I position myself away from and try to keep it out of sight. I am not to proud to ask for help from my co-workers by asking them to move it to the other end of the table...They have been great! I also try and focus on the non scale victories (NSV)! Just think YOU have made a conscious decision to make your life better--healthier! That is a NSV! Just keep trying different ideas and talk to yourself...(POSITIVELY)! Find things that you can side track you mind. I don't think I have ever or I haven't recognized the FULL feeling....but I do know that I don't get hungry between meals. I guess I'm lucky in that respect but there have been times ...like right now .... that I have to find something to do to keep me out of the kitchen. Good Luck and work to find what works for you. Deb Highest lifetime wt. 386 1st visit to doctor 376 Surgery date 342 Today's wt. 302

I'm so sorry that you had a bad experience with Olive Garden and your eating out. I know that eating out can be a scary prospect. We are still struggling with fitting in and learning to live with our new choice of lifestyle. I'm thinking out loud here...maybe we need to call ahead to some of our favorite restaurants and sort of have a game plan ahead of time. The main reason we want to eat out is to enjoy those around us...and when the establishment does not want to accommodate our needs, we should not let it ruin our outing. So far, I have only had GOOD experiences and I have even went so far and emailed the headquarters to compliment the restaurants on how they have dealt with my request. Maybe the more vocal we are about our needs ... the easier it will become. Again, if we plan ahead and be prepared for what to expect ... it again gives us control over the situation. Don't stop enjoying going out with friends and family...just don't let situations like this ruin your pleasure. I always go for the doggy bags....and I always have them pack it before they serve it to me...that way I don't have to concentrate on how much I'm eating...I just have to concentrate on chewing and eating slowly. Enjoy eating out! Deb Highest lifetime wt. 386 1st visit to dr. 376 Surgery day 343 Today 303

Feeling a little blue right now...The lithotripsy was okay I guess...but when the dr. came out and let me know that he only blasted the 8mm stone that was moving around ...the stint has to remain in and in about 3 weeks we do this all over again. Not what I really wanted to hear. Also, let me know my secondary problem ...yeast infection would probably continue because of the antibotics I will continue to take. Yuck! I also have the task of drinking 16 oz of Water before going to bed...making sure I get up during the night to urinate and then drinking another 16 oz before going back to bed. Sip, sip, sip means I won't be getting much sleep. My DH is usually very supportive but his teasingly telling me to quit whining isn't what I want. Tomorrow is a new day and I will get up, look in the mirror and tell myself all the things I have to be grateful for like a loss as of today of 75 lbs, 1 lbs to go to get of of the 300's, that's been at least 10 years ago that I saw that. That this is not fatal and it will pass ...just will take a little more time. Patience!!! And that I feel I have someone to talk to and that I can be honest with about my weight and journey. Since I started this I have made a promise to be honest with myself, DH, doctor and my new found friends here at LBT. Gee, I guess I started tonight and mentally I am starting to have an attitude adjustment. Apples2, Thanks for sharing your thoughts about how things are going that for out ... I've been following the LB rules but sometimes I get a little scared that I might fall back into old habits...I agree with you that the benefits I am starting to have high energy levels, more activity, and better health...well except for these temporary set backs is worth the effort of my new lifestyle. Thanks, Doxie...I have pain pills right now helping me through the next couple of days ... and I keep telling myself as I strain my urine ...This to will pass. But it does feel good to know others are thinking of me. DH said time for me to go to bed ....Thanks again. Deb

Apples2, Thanks - I can't wait to start feeling decent again. I had 1/22/09 a case of Whooping Cough/turn into Brochial Inflamation for 6 weeks....then this. The only thing all the doctors are saying it has nothing to do with the lapband...and me losing the weight has probably helped me recover faster. My LB surgeon just keeps telling me to relax...we have to take care of the primary causes and then we will work on the lapband...I am still following the rules and only eating my 1/2 cup mostly Protein and the weight keeps coming off... I have not been able to exercise at all...anytime I breathe a little more than normal I have a coughing fit! I can't believe I'm saying this but I can't wait until I can exercise again ... By the way, Your weight lose is fantastic... Is your lifestyle change ... automatic now ... or do you still have to think about it? Deb

Again, thanks flowers, I think you're right I need exercise, right now my bike it out ... I can't go 1 minute on it without going into a coughing fit...but maybe a slow walk ... one that doesn't speed up my breathing (which stimulates the cough) might help if nothing else my state of mind and sense of control. I feel so helpless. It also hasn't helped that my DH and grandson have now come down with this same virus and I feel responsible for passing it on to them. Anyway the topic is binging and we all have to deal with it... Exercise, tomorrow during my plan time and the kid's recess I will stroll up and down the halls for at least 10 minutes each time. I go to my first support group meeting tomorrow night and I'm hoping that will also help get me out of this funk...I'm also thinking I'm not going to get on the scale until my 10 days off Prednisone is over ... why torture myself until I can really do something about it. It's 9:49 and I have not snacked at all today and when I'm done here it's right to bed...Thanks for helping me think through a plan. Deb

Hi mlafentres, Thanks for responding ... again you are keeping me here and not wandering toward kitchen...My DH is not quite understanding my obsession with this site. Although a perfect angel and very supportive...I need to talk, share, listen, and learn from those that are walking in my shoes and understand my thoughts and feelings. I'm the first person I personally now that has had this done...so lots of my community are watching my progress and are asking me lots of questions and giving support but it is not the same as talking with those that are living it. Anyway it looks like we are close (December Bandings) to have lots in common! Like why on earth did we chose to do this right before the holidays! Mine was what better present could I give myself and get a head start on the New Year's Lifestyle Change! Deb

Marys, I was just wondering if you ever thought of your situation this way...If I wasn't banded and following the rules where would I be today, you said you would yoyo up and down 50 lbs....Before banded I yoyoed but mine was lose 20 gain 30, lose 30 gain 35...it kept up this way until I now I was headed for immobility and then the grave...so could your situation have been worse if not for your being banded? Can you look for the NSV you have now? I applaud your perserverance! Keep looking for a way to get going again it's out there but you can't give up. Your in my thoughts and prayers. Deb Highest lifetime wt 386 7 mos ago 1st visit to dr. 376 Surgery day 343 Today 315 just over 2 mos banded.

I was banded 12/11/08. Up until last week, I have been that extremely LUCKY one that had never felt hunger since banded. On 1/19/09 I had my 1st fill 2.5 cc in a max 4.0 cc band. I know my eyes want more than I need so measuring is a must 1/2 cup per meal is what I eat. Since 1/22/09 I caught a case of whooping cough...turned into bronchial inflamation... 4 trips to GP 2 antibiotics, then Prednisone(10 days) and steroid inhalers... This past week I have been STARVING. My meals aren't doing a thing for me ... thank heaven for work ... I can't get to food and my DH is trying to help by distracting me... when I can't take it anymore I get a prepackaged piece of string cheese or some type of protein. It hasn't helped my mental state that the scale keeps going up ...6 lbs this week. I'm trying hard to stay on the program and I feel I'm not that far off. I did call and talked to my support bariatric nurse today. She said it is the result of the Prednisone and I still have as many days as I was ON Prednisone that I will be feeling the side effects that many days OFF and could continue to gain. Encouraging ...yuck. She encouraged me to keep doing what I'm doing...if I have to stick with the solid protein...Once the Prednisone is out of my system my body will turn lose of everything it was hanging on to. All this said I still have the urge to eat everything and the kitchen sink! I want to scream, rant and rave. So thanks for keeping me at the keyboard right now...It is so nice to have all of you that understand and help me out. I keep telling myself this is only a short term situation and it will get better... I guess I kind of got spoiled with the no hunger thing! Anyway thanks for letting me spout off. Deb Highest lifetime wt. 386 1st visit to dr. 376 Surgery 343 Today 315

I find that I can go almost anywhere ... what I do is when I order I ask for only the portion that I can eat be brought to me and the rest put in a take home. Right now I am only eating 1/2 cup total...I have had some awesome waiters...one teased me about that's not enough to fill you...I assured him it is exactly what I could have...my DH then ordered a steak with a loaded bake potato...he told him he was mean (teasingly)...when he brought me my broccoli chicken fettecini - he put it in a small dip bowl made sure their was equal parts of broccoli noodles with 3 strips of chicken very pleasing arranged. At the end of the meal he came back and said he was not being mean but it was part of his job...did we want any dessert. I have found that most restaurants will try and accomodate your wishes. I have also been pleased that the take home portion usually will portion out 3 or 4 lunches for me. My freezer has all sorts of choices for other meals. Highest Lifetime Wt. 386 1st Visit to Dr. 376 Surgery Day Wt. 343 Today 314

As of today I have had four people out of the blue comment on how much faster I walk now. My DH was first, I usually walked several steps behind ... only because I couldn't keep up with him...he has commented that he is having to hoof it to keep up with me now. My grandson, with it's great grandma we don't have to go slow anymore. A co-worker with you sure are walking up and down these halls faster. And last my daughter in law - well look at speedy gonzolis moving. It's been fun hearing there comments but the one I'm most impressed with is ME...I'm noticing how much faster I do everything! Highest Lifetime weight 386 1st visit to dr 376 Surgery 343 Today 314

Okay, I'm determined to do this ... I'm going to try and get my surgery day and 2 mos. on here ... Cali thanks your directions got one on...my computer is as fast as snail mail and keeps freezing up. Listen to me blaming the computer!!! Anyway here goes!