Pinkylee

Barbara12 My Mom uses Metamucel chocolate every night. It's the first thing that's worked for her in years. I'd clear it with your surgeon first. Spiegel says no way on any powder you mix to liquid, but others aren't so strict. Thankfully I don't seem to need a fill. I would call Patrice and discuss your options with her. She may know who is gentler. Are you going to make lunch tomorrow? I needed the laugh that the wax story brought. I used my walking DVD today Lucy. 1.5 miles. I'm content to gradually build up, and some nice warm day this spring I'll head for the beach and see how far I can go. Winter is beautiful and quiet but sure can be limiting. Maybe you could rent some shoes for a day and try them out? I don't know if the digital scale fairy sprinkled dust on my scale, but it said 189.5 this morning. This is one I'm not going to claim until I see it for several days in a row. Somehow 189 sounds so much lighter than 191. I haven't been a good bandster lately. Water?, exercise? counting calories have been more miss than hit. I'm definitely back on track today. I might actually hit my anniversary goal. Regina, DS hasn't smoked cigarettes. He does light up a cigar if he goes to the sports bar, but that's more to stay away from cigarettes than anything and he swears he "doesn't inhale". Hope you are still on track? Take care today. Yikes!!!! Tonight won't be much fun.

I was lax in checking posts over the holidays and almost missed this one. Hope Carlene doesn't mind the quote. I would have cut and pasted an addy, but I couldn't get it to work.

It's a thicker solution used for fills rather than saline. It's designed for people who "lose" part of their fills. (Barbara465 and Melissa Lea are 2 Junebies that I know of off-hand that need the Omni-pack)

Barbara4 All the best on the fill today. No way an I told you so is coming! I got to thinking, with omni-pack if Spiegel is still doing your fill, you could end up waiting quite a while for the next appt. We've worked too hard to take a step backward. You go girl!

Devanna Hope you can make Vegas. I think I'll name my next dog Junebie. This has been an amazing experience. The thrill of a new number on the scale still outweighs any loose skin I'm developing. Denim and dark colors seem to minimize the rolls. Barbara4 Bumber. Maybe it was a bladder infection all along? Barbara12 and 4 Let us know if and how you did on the fill. Out of curiosity, does hunger increase significantly with an unfill? DH and I finally got Christmas decorations put away. We actually took a walk yesterday. Hope to be released to exercise soon. No more running. Next time I feel athletic, I'll buy another walking DVD. Have a good week everyone. So far my New Year's resolutions to get back on track are making a slow comeback. The last of the treats are going to the back of the pantry and out of their clear containers. For some reason, if I don't see it, I'm not tempted.

Barbara465 I almost pm'd you, but I'm hoping others will jump on this soapbox. If you are recovering from some unknown virus, or even if you have just recovered, a fill is the last this you need. We aren't spring chickens and the stress of recent illness with the responsibilities piling up at work could set you back. You need a few "clear" healthy days before you tackle a fill. You don't take a fill as easily as some. Please consider rescheduling if you don't feel 150% healthy. What's another few days going to mean? I know how important sticking with the program is to you, but your illness and work pressures could make you really tight right now which could mean a bigger setback than a rescheduled fill would bring. You know I'll stand behind you whatever you decide, but I couldn't help putting in my 2 cents. I'm praying you are feeling perfect when you get up tomorrow.

Allergies forced me to have my eyeliner permanently applied. (upper and lower) I need touch up about every other year. The newer numbing cream works well. Touch ups are less than $100 and I am always pleased with the results. DS had her lips done, but won't again--too much pain and it didn't last long.

Good for you, Lisa! Warmmorningsun, good to hear from you. Jog our memory. Is your engagement new since banding? Have fun planning a wedding where the photographer won't be an enemy. Barbara4 I am struggling with the shape of my new body also. Clothes shopping is a challenge. I thought I was "between" sizes, but the fact is I'm a 14 in some spots, 16 in others and it better have a dropped or stretchy waistband! It wasn't easy, but I found a pantsuit for our anniversary. By the time I can button the jacket, the pants will definitely need altering! Lucy, one of my life goals is to take a week long hiking vacation. Right now I'd settle for an hour walk. I'm also a little disappointed I still have major leg and back issues after losing 50 pounds. You've lost over 100? and still have issues. Goes to show losing weight isn't a cureall. I'm hoping to get back on fish oil capsuls and glucosamine (the liquid is yuck, but the pills are so large and I need 4 a day)

I try to remember a v8, but the sodium! I think I'm going to keep some steamed veggies in the fridge for a snack. I'm craving them now anyway. Do you eat carrots? Spiegel said no carrots and I took it to mean raw. They seem nice and mushie steamed to me, so I enjoy cooked carrots on occasion.

Regina - You have my prayers for both you and Kevin. Congrats on attacking the "slip". Keep on keeping on. Ladypitboss - We've been through job loss too. Sounds like your DH is staying on track. Good things happen when you keep trying! We're so glad you joined us. Lucy - I'm not sure how long it's been since I've swam in a hotel pool, but it is a goal that I will meet in June in the company of friends who understand. Do you have much pain in your legs? Barbara - Did you feel anything while you were eating the chicken or did it hit suddenly after the 20 minutes? Have a great weekend in those skinny jeans and watch out for the chicken. I pb more often on chicken than anything else. Melissa - how many grams of protein do you eat in an average day? I find it difficult to get 5 veggie/fruits in if I eat the 40 - 50 grams of protein suggested. (even with my protein shake).

What a great bunch of posts! Sorry I've been away. Been dealing with back pain, x-rays and my holiday recital. I was a bit grumpy. Pain is subsiding and the recital last night was fun! (I have a little different slant than most piano teachers on what a successful recital should be like). Regina - get on ebay if you have to. My vice is looking for expensive items (Longaberger baskets, Laura Mercier makeup, James Avery jewelry) at garage sale prices. Send me a PM. DS is also giving up cigs (he is 25 and lives with us). So far so good. Barbaras - I am looking forward to next Wednesday. The cruise pictures look fantastic. I finally cleared my inbox. Don't know why it registered full with only 30 real messages? I'm all in for June 9 weekend. Swimming pool? Can't believe I'm actually looking forward to buying a suit this summer! I have no illusions about a great looking body (excess skin issues), but my new energy and health will prevail. I've discovered a secret for those too tight moments. Drink a hot tea before your meal. That one new habit has helped me enjoy the kinds of food I should be eating. Preferably wait five minutes after sipping the tea before eating. Unfortuantely this can also be used as a cheat. I overdid it on treats this season too, but I'm back on track and seeing some progress. This has been an amazing 6 months. You guys are my rock! Thanks for reading and posting! You guys are such great friends.

Lady - Thanks for the links! Poodles I had no idea you were still struggling. Being too tight does slow weight loss. Your log looked great. Atkins is a great choice for dealing with an unfill. Tribon I'd say relax and do the best you can. Gear up for proper healing so you can get back to exercise. Junebies, I think Regina and Barbara12 may have been our only bandsters that met their Christmas challenge. Anyone else meet the Christmas Goal? It was fun to "hope". Can we start another "challenge", but call it a "goal" for Valentine's Day? Posting stats didn't seem to be much of an incentive, but it was fun seeing everyone's progress towards their goal. There were days when I made better choices because of my Christmas goal. I'm setting two goals. One reflects my average l/2 pound a week loss. The other is a dream and a hope.

Lady, Please let us know more about that one day recovery for v veins. I don't have problem to your extent, but I do have one that runs up the inside of my lower right leg and lots of spider and discoloration. I'm also waiting until I've been at goal a while before I do any more surgery! Anyone else having a little trouble getting back on track. Still a few treats floating around. Not much damage done, but I definitely can't get gong this way!

Anyone have nagging pain in lower abs? I've had some strained pelvic ligaments years ago(compliments of the birth of my daughter). Relief comes with asprin or advil, which we shouldn't take. Is it possible my ever increasing hanging pouch is pulling enough to irritate anything? I'll see doc tomorrow, but he's not a band doc, so any insight on lower ab (and back) pain relating to bandsters would be greatly appreciated.

Barbara12 We are so happy to have you back and especially happy you have your husband back home. Take care. It's great to hear everyone survived Christmas without much gain! Time to get back on track I guess. I go tomorrow to docs to see about this nagging back and lower ab pain. Wish me luck. I need to get back to my old routine.

Julie, I'm envious of your accomplishment. I've slowed down to hoping I lose one pound a week. I love to count ahead dreaming that I'll have another 10 pound month. Plateau's and slowdowns seem to be fairly normal. Are you trying to get to a certain size for an event, etc?

A little off the subject- but I love my Quisinart small food processor. 3 cup size. Chops stuff really small to band friendly size (onions, peppers, etc.) After a fill I live on meat or chili blended in the Quisinart. So easy to clean and stores in small spaces. Is the MB a juicer as well?

Merry Christmas Everyone! Had a lovely visit with my friend in from N. Carolina. All too short. I'm still shy a few gifts, but I may have to fake it! I've had some slips with the seasoned nuts DD and I made. Not as bad as years past, but it is what it is. No weight gained so far and I am thankful to stay under 195. Two more gatherings and I'm home free! All the treats, etc get tossed or sent to my son's lunchroom at work Didn't make my Christmas weightloss goal, but I did manage to get into the size 14 jeans. The smaller top is a ways off. At least I won't be hiding from the camera this year. Thanks for all the support, stories, laughs and a few tears. Your victories inspire me and your down times help me feel "normal" in this crazy band world. Have a safe holiday.

Thanks Barbara, I'll get on photob and see what I can do. Glad to hear your NSV and that your are better. Poodles, we've missed you. All of us are placing high hopes for a fresh start on the 26th. You are not a failure. Your move is finally behind you, so you'll have time to concentrate on YOU. I'm anxious to tie up the loose ends and enjoy friends and family during the holidays! Do you have an eating trigger? DH is mine. He can really take on a stinky persona sometimes!

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Lucy, Warm thoughts and prayers for speedy repair on the power lines!

Barbara465, Hope you are better by now. I am feeling restriction in spurts. Maybe new fills take time to "get even" all the way around the band? Maybe your margarita loosened the band. Maybe the fun of the luncheon tightened your band (there is good tension too). When I am out with others, I always drink a hot drink before I eat anything. I haven't had a bad spell since doing that. (Hot tea is such a treat for me) I'm still struggling with my back, but the l.5 pounds I lost on Wednesday are still gone so that's a big NSV.

Laura, You got it! I can think of plenty of reasons to eat (slower metabolism if I don't eat enough, low blood sugar, a snack now will keep me from gorging later, etc). I'm sure these thoughts keep me from sticking to 3 small meals a day. Things have been better the past 2 days. Someone is fickle, it's either me or the band! I haven't been "stellar", but I've had a little more control and I took Barbara4's advice. Drink water and get busy before you allow yourself a snack.

Melissa, You bet! I didn't think they would premier a failure, so I guessed preggo. I am glad that Erik won. He was truly the most transformed. Can't wait until next season. Lisa, Thanks for sharing your journey! I finally moved from 194.5 to 193 this a.m., and I am claiming it. I've been all over the place since my fill. Seeing new numbers is such a relief. Anyone else lose in spurts?

I love the show no matter what. This season was the best by far. Since they change the format each season, maybe they will have one male and one female winner next year.