Pinkylee

Hi Guys, Been a while. Can't believe I'm back in two-ter-ville. A few bumps in the road and I lost my edge. Happy to report that I'm getting back to my old routine. So good to hear from everyone. BTW - I'm not changing my avitar, etc. until the pic and numbers are where I want them.

When I was first banded, I read this forum page by page making note of the most successful. One common theme was they had a positive attitude towards their journey. This is a new chapter in the book. Conquering complacency.

Cindy - I'm right with you. Yesterday I ate probably 6 ounces of cheese. I crossed sugar off the list, then chips and I simply don't allow open bags of Cookies or candy in the house or it's gone. Is there no end to how I can eat around this band? I know I need to plan 3 meals and one snack a day, but I'm weak. Wonder if I could give up snacking? All I know is, I was desparate for the band to work and I stuck to the diet rules for a long time. Does anyone know where to get a bottle of determination? Cindy, Have you tried a high Protein bar (one of those 220 calorie, 20 plus grams of protein - Southbeach is good). I don't lose if I have them around, but I don't gain either.

NSV - I've had 3 sugar-free days in a row. My diabetic, pregnant neice has been in the emergency room 3 times in the last 4 months. I wanted to remember to pray for her. A thought came to my mind - give up sugar and pray for Alissa today. I did - no withdrawals - not even tempted. NSV #2 - I've added jog/walking at our track at the gym. My mood is much better. NSV #3 - I'm not jumping on the scale every morning and my day is no longer dictated by the number on the scale. Getting back to my old band habits (good ones) isn't easy. I do feel some hope in the sugar-free days. My next NSV is to put on my 16's and find that the 14's I put aside would fit better. All the best to the Junebies and learning how to continue to use this little tool for the long haul.

Over 2 years out and food is still a struggle. My battle is with "band friendly" food. Sugars and chips. Too easy to eat. Low was 186 and I've crept back up to 204 over the past 6 months. I'm gearng up for a fill (had a slight unfill for acid reflux) and getting back to basics. I wish I had never strayed. I knew I was getting lazy. Thought it would be easy to go back to the rules. Not!!!

BetsyJane So good to hear you are better. I'm up for a walk most any time. Dinner sounds good too. How about the second week of July?

Hi! It's good to read your posts. I've taken a break from the band. Tried a fill a few months back and had to get an unfill. Another few pounds up. grrr. I'm exercising and busy with family. I plan on getting back at it in the fall - this time a gradual fill process and go for goal. Happy bandiversary to all Junebies.

Looking forward to seeing you again BetsyJane.

Why don't we try again? Someone mentioned Panera's on 1960 in Atascocita. How about next Monday night?

Suefwd - If you have any restriction from your current fill - that's something to celebrate. I agree with Aimee - - START OVER. If you lost 25 pounds before, you can do it again! My new unfill is lots of (too much) fun! I've joned a gym and am considering selling a frequent flyer ticket to pay for some personal trainer hours. I love my new energy and I hope to get back to losing soon. I'm in tooterville at 201.5 this a.m. Can't believe I allowed this!!!!! Socalgal - I was impressed with your new bod - Hope you find a suit that gives you the confidence you deserve. Cathgr8 - you must be pretty "hot" to hang on to a guy in crisis mode. Kids are like Chinese water torcher sometimes. You finally get numb!

I'm in for Monday. Looking forward to it. Keep us posted Barbara.

I ate solids the day of my fill and acid reflux was impossible to tone down. I went for unfill and am back to 2.0. Not hungry - yet. Too bad, it was a nice amount of restriction. Would love to lose the 10 pounds I'm up from my lowest by June 9. #1 goal now is to get my tummy back to healthy. Good luck to everyone as we pass into our 3rd year in a few short weeks!!!!

I don't like the changes to this format of LBT!!! I finally got a fill 2 weeks ago. I was gaining like crazy - over 10 pounds. I was down 3 pounds this morning - which considering what I've (Not) been able to eat - ain't much. I'm doing better eating solids now which is helping the scale move. My Sunday black pants were loose again yesterday. Inches are good too! Congrats Aimee and Cathgr8. We are closing in on that 2 year mark. I'm almost done with our taxes (all the real estate deals were a bear so I got an extension). I don't like being so tight (again), but I do like not being so hungry. A real sense of empowerment. Good to hear from you guys. Please stay in touch.

I was uncomfortably sore, yet unable to sleep. Restless. I walked around my house for hours at a time for several days. Turns out that was a great way to get rid of gas. Good luck.

Julie - congrats. Let us know how the PS process is going. I'm so mad at my self!!!! Laziness is at the bottom of my progress (or lack of). Love hunger, depression, etc. They might be "reasons" for my slip, but they are not a battle I care to lose again. GRRRRRRR.

Weight Watchers is a great plan. I made a mistake letting the leader know I was banded. Got the cold shoulder at the scales. Consider going anonymous. I wish I had.

Regina - I missed the program - drats. I bet you looked great. Melissa - you are looking sooooo hot. Love the new avitar. You inspire me. Gotta get with it - almost time to make the drive to closing. Whew! I am ready to lose. Fill is definitely on the schedule when I can chew on both sides of my mouth. (second week of April) NSV - I've exercised to a sweat 2 mornings in a row. We won't mention other issues. I'm working on them. Have to admit getting my heart pounding has definitely cleared my head.

Regina - I missed the program - drats. I bet you looked great. Melissa - you are looking sooooo hot. Love the new avitar. You inspire me. Gotta get with it - almost time to make the drive to closing. Whew! I am ready to lose. Fill is definitely on the schedule when I can chew on both sides of my mouth. (second week of April) NSV - I've exercised to a sweat 2 mornings in a row. We won't mention other issues. I'm working on them. Have to admit getting my heart pounding has definitely cleared my head.

I think Dr. Spiegel is a great surgeon. Very few have ever had complications and none due to his technique to my knowledge Good luck

Way to go Melissa on your new "territory". I'm still stuck at barely in onederland and not exercising. My number one thing to do tomorrow. My depression is back with a vengence since getting off sugar. I have to break a sweat to break this stronghold. Cathy - life is full of adventures. Thoughts become things so our Barbara12 tells us. I love your new dream. I've decided to live my life as content as I can, regardless of the drama. That means I've got to learn to ignore some of the crap. Speaking of which, DD is getting over her breakup and socializing again. Condo due to close on Tuesday and I go to my last dental appt in early April. I need a fill, but until the dust settles.....Who knows, maybe by them I'm under control. Hope the rest of you are still hanging in there. Barbara4 - when are you and DH in Vegas?

Just got off the phone with my nuitritionist - session one. We set a goal for me. No sugar. I can use my sweet n low for now, but my long range goal is to give up sugar permanently. Many of you might remember I'm the gal that eats sugar from a bowl to get an endorphine rush. I never really thought of how addicting my newfound habit is. I have to admit I would probably be at goal right now if it weren't for sugar. I'm not talking cookies, ice cream and candy. Just plain old sugar from a bowl. Trust me, this won't be easy.

Socalgal, Thoughts and prayers for you and your family are coming your way. Don't know why I haven't 'checked in", except that I'm tired of being in the same situation day after day and knowing darn well I have everything I need to make changes. I'll have a telecon with a nuitritionist (how's that for a gift). Unsolicited from my health insurance provider. Here's hoping I listen and learn. Usually, being the professional dieter that I am, I think I know it all and don't absorb what I should in this type setting. Realtor has an offer on the condo. We countered and hopefully this will be closed in a few weeks. Timing is everything, so it'll be interesting to see how this all unfolds. DD is really in a bad way - surgery prevents her from working off the trauma of her breakup with bf. She controls lots of her "demons" with exercise. Please remember her. She's barely functioning at times.

I've given my "new life" a lot of thought. One size and 8 pounds up (looks like 20 to me) and I feel the same as I did at a size 22 (plus). Having another fill isn't out of the question, but I'd like to try for one more week to regain control. If not, I'll accept the fill. Family issues - some are better, some not, but there's always hope. Some of DD's problems are being taken care of, but the new bf is fading away and she is major depressed and I'm worried. Please send Julie your prayers and thoughts today. Condo still isn't sold. It will be in a realtor's hands by this evening. Life goes on. Treating it's ailments with food is a lifelong battle.

I enjoyed meeting with you guys. Great idea BetsyJane on an exercise meeting. I'm ready any time.

Barbara4 - Great news. Ditto on that band thing. I can't seem to allow myself to be hungry. Regina - Keep us posted on than CNN interview. How exciting!!!! Still praying for you and your family.