Pinkylee

Thanks for info. I'll quit worrying. Have to admit, I'm a bit hungry. My Liquid Protein shake really filled me up, so I guess I'll have another for dinner. Melissa - Dr. Spivak allows soft mushies by day 2 right? What did you do? If I have too many liquids I feel as if I'm sloshing.

You'll know when the time comes. My instincts last fill shouted "no more", but I went along with the extra "hit". This time I followed my instincts. Good thing. A little chilly around here. I have a back warming patch on today for my aching back and it is comforting. You might try one if the chills get to you. I still can't believe I'm at 3.0. I complained that it's really close to the max of 4.0 this early in the game. Patrice said that they can actually put in 5.0 in my band. Doc has to do anything beyond 4.0. The newest fill nurse did the fill and she did a nice job. She had some guidance from nurse #2, but I was very satisfied and relieved. The quickest fill yet.

Laura - Glad to hear you got some relief. Melissa Are you at 3.0 or above? I was shocked when they put in .4 to make it 3.0 and then wanted to go another .4 because barium went so fast. I declined and it's a good thing. Water went down ok at center, but my one sip of liquid protein since being home seems to be taking it's time. All I can say is--yeah! I want restriction and I can handle liquids and mushies for as long as necessary I'm off to lah lah land until I begin teaching this afternoon. One more NSV. I stayed in Onderland even at the Surgi Center with all my clothes on. I was 198.6. My scale showed 199.5 fully clothed right before I walked out the door.

Barbara Melissa got the thicker fill time before last and it stayed (if memory serves me correctly) I called SurgiCenter this a.m. (prepared with only liquids and lite supper just in case) and asked for a cancellation spot. I get a fill at ll:15 a.m. today. I'm hoping to get to my new Christmas goal. How much lead time will you have for your cruise? Maybe you should wait for thicker fill until after the cruise?

Melissa: Congrats on a "safe" lunch. I'm right behind you for a fill. Not scheduled until 12/12 (you're right Barbara465, what harm could a small one do?). Lucy and Regina: You two may be the first Junebies to GOAL. I hope you'll let us "ride your coattails" on what it's like. Anyone looking forward to a sexy new outfit for New Years Eve? We never go out, but this year we are. I finally let go of a few more of my old favorite outfits. Somehow it's given me the courage to look ahead. I've decided to "enjoy the ride", but it's time to shift to a higher gear.

Koala, You've lost so much in 3.5 months! You'll be down 100 before you know it, so that doesn't give you much time to be discouraged. Congrats on doing so well.

For the first time since my surgery, I can actually visualize myself thin. Not just the physical, but me as a person. I've been afraid of who I might be at a normal weight. I could accept me at a 14 or 16, but at an 8 or 10? I guess I'm guilty of reverse weight discrimination. I can't tell you how difficult this journey can be when you know deep down you are afraid of success. It's hard to describe, because I've been afraid of failure too. I'm going to change my rule of no fills unless I don't lose two pounds for the week. We'll see what Wednesday brings. Yeah for the Junebies! When I think back on our timeline, we're doing well! Determined seems to be the "theme" for the week.

Routines are what gets things done! My routine is rather simple. Hurry up with chores and errands so I have some time left to myself before I begin teaching or DH comes in. Orrr, fake the chores.

Melissa, I'm impressed. You'll be glad you made the bows once it's time to give the gifts.

My digital scale has been teasing me. I weighed a nice new number, so I stepped back on. Back to old number second time. Same thing next day (3 pound difference). Too much not to think something is screwed up. I'm replacing the lithium battery and hope that works. I also hope I keep the lower number, but I kinda doubt it. Had a few pb episodes, just when things were going so well. My Dad is having tests and carotoid artery surgery Friday. He is usually so cavalier, but this time he is really frightened. Please remember him on Friday. Barbara congrats on Tgiving and enjoying the roll and yams and getting the decorating done. I guess I'm not too Christmas savy. Decorating takes me 4 hours at best. Did anyone feel deprived over Tgiving? I thought I might, but the small portions were a blessed relief and so much more satisfying than in previous years. Cathy: It's amazing how love affects the band. So happy for you. Loveleece: Glad to hear from you and applaud your loss.

Happy Belated Thanksgiving Everyone!! Aging parents and sisters who have fewer hormones than I do made it with love through the weekend. My jaws aren't aching from all the laughter we used to have, but there were lots of chuckles. NSV DH helps me shop for new outfits now. Before I was just too embarrassed to have him critique any outfit I tried on. NSV I actually had the nerve to try on a 2" heal shoe! DH said "buy it", but it was a very expensive "Helle" and I'm hoping to lose another shoe size (I'm down from 9 to 8 now) NSV This is the biggest of all. I stayed in onderland. NSV - and this is really the biggest of all. FIL and MIL extended an invitation to their home and I'm ready to make a visit. I've had a lot to process as our relationship was a painful one the past 3 years. I'm happy to say that my new inner strength will help me ignore the silliness I used to internalize. Dear friends. I still have a love hate relationship with the band and I wish with all my heart I could have accomplished thie loss thus far without it, but it's time to move on and be thankful for my new life. It is indeed so much richer. You guys mean a lot to me and I am really Thankful for LBT.com and all my new friends.

Don't think I would have chosen RKtreats as a favorite dessert. They were handy and not too bad made with real butter and vanilla. Melissa, will you be having Tgiving through a straw? Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Should be interesting how we all do! Please post what your day was like. We'll all have a few chuckles, or whatever.

Today is a fun day. A few of my piano students are coming by for a group lesson. I think I'm ready for Tgiving. I've eaten a little of the rice crispy treats I made for party this afternoon. A real wakeup call. Of course they were "tastes" that turned into a nice portion. If I would just make a plate and sit down and enjoy whatever, I wouldn't feel so guilty. No real harm done--just my ego I guess.

Leila, Glad to hear you are progressing. We take for granted our ability to move. I'm considering a gym membership for our entire family as a Christmas gift. DD is a sad chicky this year. Just like her Mom, she can lose, but she can't maintain. I'm sure I could use a fill. Went to Chili's last night with fam and ordered a hot tea as we sat down. Somehow that really opened the gates. I ate the entire chicken breast on my salad, at least 10 tortilla chips and the melted cheese out of the quesadia that came with my salad. No room for greens. So much for trying to get in a few more veggies. I was really hungry. I babysat for my grandoggy all afternoon. When Jack's around, it's a lot of running. DH wants me to wait for the fill until after Christmas. I did lose another pound this a.m. There must be something to that "relaxed attitude" thing. Barbara465 - you may be a size 16 by the end of that cruise.

That's great!!! Size 14 jeans are my Christmas goal. Size 14 sounds so normal is scarey.

Christa I have your chew chew chew problem. I'm really good most of the time. It takes just a split second to make a 20 - 30 minute mistake! Wish I was tight at night! Barbara and Carol I sympathize. Sometimes "the night is long". My big pit is that I'm cook to DH and DS. I love the job, but the fringe benefits (sneaking bites) are surely a big part of slower weight loss. Is it possible to conquer Blue Bell, a hungry son or husband who worked late? At one point I was making my carmel Vitamins and a cup of tea my late night treat. Somehow I've gotten away from that. I need to have a firm game plan and stick with it. Oprah Magazine has a great article in it this month about hypnosis and weight loss. Anyone else read it?

Socalgal: I'm envious of your walk. Onederland is a touch away for you. I was a bit surprised at how happy 199.5 made me. Minor back injury this week has my exercise sidelined. I hope to start back at 50% this week. I've replaced exercise with shopping and my Christmas list is really short now. At least I was on my feet. I'm actually looking forward to all the treats this week. I'm determined to stop at a "taste". I've actually rehearsed it in my mind.

Anyone experience excessive fatigue after a small increase in exercise level? Had this problem since I was mid 30's. I added 5 minutes of eliptical machine to my 45 minute walking DVD yesterday and muscles are weak this a.m. I'm hydrating now and plan to gut it out and try again. I feel so strong mentally. This weight has got to go!

Thanks for reply Anniemay Never been checked, but fatigue has subsided and I've even increased intensity. I began drinking more water before and after. Don't know if it was just a matter of conditioning, or the need for more oxygen in my muscles, but water seemed to do the trick.

I think I found a new treat. Thin crispy crust veggie Pizza Hut pizza. 180 cals a slice. Two slices is more than plenty. (I can remember eating two slices setting out the paper plates and sodas, never mind the breadsticks--don't miss it a bit!) OK, I have to confess, pizza was good, Ohio and U of M on TV and I got stuck slightly. There is still restriction somewhere. Melissa: Congrats on your net loss during a "hungry period". I intended to wrap all gifts this year, but Dollar Tree had so many cute bags . . . . Bet your tree looks "designer". How about posting some pics?. We have pared down to one small flocked tree. I have some neat looking santa's, etc. We started redecorating in a "lodge" look while in Michigan. Had to complete it in Texas and you guessed it--Yee Hah. Not much lodge stuff here, so we have a western theme. DH is very happy.

Melissa: Loose as a goose. I doubt they could put enough fill in to give restriction. I'm allowing veggies and fruit snacks and I'm drinking with them. My tummy is growling so loud, I'm causing a stir in line at Walmart. Wish the hungries meant lost pounds. Barbara465: My hair appt. is Tuesday and I'm due highlights. I'll let the operator decide. Guess what little hair I have left might as well look nice while it hangs on.

Jojaba Shampoo from St. Ives was really a great one to help with hair loss. Cheap, but hard to find. Usually in grocery stores. If you find it, buy it and mail me some. LOL Julie welcome back and congrats on the 30 and a size. I am a hungry bear. My usual 6 - 8 ounce meal has turned into 10 ounces today. Scarey!!! I feel as if I could eat 10 more. No more starches until I can gain control or get a fill. A plus for the band--I'm sure I can maintain damage control by ditching the starches. What a great device! Empty is good. Empty is good. Empty is good......

Socalgal, I agree with you on the "good/bad" days. One minor slip-up and it's a pound (or 2). One week of being "really" good and no loss. I'm pulling for you. Being barely under 200 has kept me on my toes. Two mornings I saw 200 again and boy was I mad, but not surprised. I'd quit obsessing over the scale, but I got to 245 by ignoring it. At least I'm down to weighing once a day (most days) A small amount of honey in tea seemed to help me with the hungries last night. Probably mental, but I was more satisfied than with Artsweet. I can't allow myself the usual sf pudding treats. Can't seem to stop at one. If it were booz, I'd be drunk. Melissa, I wasn't losing such huge gobs of hair until this month. I'd slowly gotten into the habit of ignoring veggies as too much trouble. I'm going to step back up on them and see if I can't slow this down.

The ups and downs of the band are incredible. I know that longing for the drive thru. The few sips I've tried of colas has left me burning, but it still doesn't keep me from wanting (needing) a Big Gulp! Had a real craving yesterday. I learned a lot about myself chatting with Barbara465 yesterday. Ditto - If you get a chance to meet fellow bandsters IRL you should do it. It was a lot of laughs. Missed you Barbara12. Hope you're feeling better. Cindycam - I'm going for the fish. Melissa Lea maybe your veggie habit is keeping your hair attached. Maybe we should start a veggie challenge? (Hah) Eligee - WELCOME. I'm clueless on good heartburn remedies, except to stay away from spicy stuff.

Cindy What a marvelous transformation. You look terrific. What's your secret. Is it the gumbo?