NewBeginnings2018

Hey everyone! Don't have time to post much, just wanted to pop in and say hi and let you know that I'm alive and well. I got another fill today. I'm at 2.5cc's. I'm nervous, but have been able to keep down fluids no problem. Sherry's overfill has me paranoid. lol. But when the surgeon heard how much I could eat in a sitting and that I would get hungry 2 1/2 hours later, they said I needed a fill. Wish me luck!

I'm not shy about being on Match. It's how people meet nowadays. I even have my parents convinced that it's completely normal, but it took them some time to come around. lol. eyespy glad you found us. :confused: I can tell you that the last time I was asked out in person was over 10 years ago. I was in a relationship for five years (I asked him out if you'll believe, the one and only time I've ever done that) and all the dating I've done after that was through online. I post many pics and write in my profile that I carry extra weight. They're ok with it, or they're not. Their loss if they're not. Well I have my second date tonight with, ummm....I guess we'll call him IT boy. lol. This was the first date I went on last week, even though I TOTALLY did not want to go. We had a fun time, and I left the night finding him handsome even though it didn't start out that way. Funny how that happens, and no it wasn't beer goggles - I just had one glass of wine. lol. Tonight will be a test I suppose, to see if I saw/felt what I really thought I did the first time we went out. I'm looking forward to tonight - except for the eating part. Why do they always want to go out to eat? Ugh! Of course he's taking me to this really nice, fancy restaurant. I probably can't get away with just ordering soup, huh? lol. I think it's too early to spill the beans on my surgery. What do you guys think? I almost want to wait and see if we like each other before I fill him in. Or maybe deep down I feel like it's something that will make me less desirable as a mate. hmmm....do I detect some shame here? ugh. Really though, how do you guys feel about this? When do you/would you tell?

Dr Jones for me. By the way, I'm going in tomorrow for 2pm. If anyone is there, look for me and say hi.

Congrats on your upcoming surgery Quinn!! Glad you found us.

Notice that our list of deal breakers has run off our guys??? lol. Come back, come back! lol

Hi Mel, Have you thought that your calories are too low? I know it sounds weird, but I know this has effected many bandsters. It looks to me like you're certainly having well under 1200 calories a day and if you're exercising along with that, you probably need to add some extra calories. Maybe try a cheese stick (100 cal) in the middle of the afternoon and a piece of fruit before lunch. These will help keep that metabolism going and maybe mixing up your diet will get you moving again. Also, make sure you're not drinking your calories unknowingly (guilty here!) and that you're getting in all your water. If these don't help it could just be a really stubborn plateau. Either way, I feel for you. Hang in there!

OK - let's pick a date and have a get-together!!!!! The weather is nice, let's have a little bbq or something? We can all bring a band-friendly dish. lol. I have every Saturday open except the 16th. Anyone game???

LL I can understand putting off dating until you feel ready. I think there's something to be said for just putting the focus on yourself for now. Good for you! :drum: Denise - I don't blame you for not wanting to deal with a pot head. I don't mind a little partying now and again, but anything that is an every day habit is a no go for me. So I'm with you on the booze/drug habit being a deal breaker. Other deal breakers for me - no job, poor hygene, guys who try to feel me up the first time we kiss (I HATE this!), and just not having their shit together. Guys, I'm curious to hear what your deal breakers are. Care to share???

JC, so sorry to hear about your marriage breaking apart. I can imagine that hasn't been easy for you. Personally, I think the lap band is half physical and half mental. And then losing the weight brings on more mental hurdles as you said. There's no easy answer, but it's good to know we're not alone. Denise I'm so happy you've met someone who is peaking your interest so far! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. Kristi - kudos to you for the exercise. That is next on my list to add. I know that I won't lose this next 60 if I don't start moving this butt. And I'd really like to lose it because I'm at the point where I'm feeling good, then I'll look in the mirror and see a big fat moose staring back at me. Then I wonder what the heck did I look like before??? lol. How's your tattoo boy by the way??

Hi JC. I'm glad you posted and WELCOME! We are always looking for some male perspective here. Feel free to share your story if you're comfortable. Oh, and congrats on being so close to goal!! Neveragain I'm so glad you met someone you like! It's funny how that self-confidence just kind of pops up, isn't it? Although for me it still pops away every once in a while, but I am feeling soooo much better than I was 50 pounds ago, so I know what your're talking about. Keep us posted! ibchelle, a bad relationship will definitely make you lose yourself. I've been there, and it took me a while but I have definitely found myself again. The most important thing I've learned over the past couple of years is to truly accept myself the way I am. It does not mean I can't focus on improving things, but I need to be comfortable with myself at whatever point I'm at in life. And the band experience has just enhanced this for me. We all deserve nothing but the best, and we shouldn't allow anything less. When you find yourself again, hold onto her - she's a great girl!

Hi all! Denise, this is not the 29 year old, although the guy I met the other night is younger - 31. But he really seems to have his stuff together. He owns his own house, two cars, has a good job, and we just planned our second date which is at another very nice restaurant. He's not show-y though. Very down to earth, normal guy. The 29 year old, which I have dubbed my "Boy Toy" because he's hot lol, wants to go out this weekend. He's definitely only looking for one thing, which I won't give him, but I may go out again just to have some fun. We'll see. I'm actually quite excited about the new guy (I'll have to come up with a knickname for him lol) but I don't want to get my hopes up. Hopefully the second date is as good as the first. Karla I usually meet them somewhere the first couple of times, and it's usually for dinner. I always suggest just meeting up for coffee or a drink, but the guys I meet ALL want to take me to dinner. It cracks me up. They have no idea if they'll even like me, but they want to buy me dinner?? I get a little uncomfortable if it's a nice place or an expensive meal. That's happened to me twice so far. My friends tell me to just go with it, but it blows my mind that a guy has no problem dropping $75+ on dinner when we haven't even spoken on the phone yet. lol But I also appreciate that these guys are trying to show me that they know how to treat a woman right so I am just trying to "go with it". Oh by the way Karla - I'm so jealous about the LBT cruise. That will be a blast! Soooo...those of you who've been reading right along with my saga will get a kick out of the fact that my tattoo boy instant messaged me last night. He saw a new pic I had posted on Match from a wedding I was in last weekend, and he wanted to "let me know" that I looked beautiful. Then he started on about how he really doesn't know why we broke up, and he's sorry blah, blah, blah. I told him not to be sorry, it is what it is, and I've moved on. Well now he's been text messaging me. Ugh. "I'm so sorry I messed things up with us" and "Thanks for letting me get things off my chest last night". I've just not been responding and hoping he'll just go away. Wish me luck! lol

Well I think with the band it is slower, but it does come off. It also takes a lot of work and effort, but in the end it will all be worth it no doubt. So update on last night's date. I was sooo dreading going out. I was just tired and had no interest in going. I came close to canceling, but I went anyway. And you know what? It was probably the best first date I've been on. It was slow in the beginning, but after we warmed up a bit we had a great time. We laughed and seemed to have a lot in common. Over 3 hours flew by and neither of us noticed. That's always a good sign. On the drive home I chuckled about how surprised I was that I had such a good time. See...and I didn't want to go! So we'll see if there's a second date. I hope there is. Kristi how are things with tattoo boy? Wootsie, Karla, Efika, how are things with you ladies? How about those gents out there. You guys have got to be facing some dating challenges too, no?

Oh Mandy you are waaaay too kind! The full body shot will show you where I need to lose the other 50 lbs from. lol

Hey everyone - I'm alive! The wedding was Sunday and it was a blast! A little soggy with all the rain, but by the time the ceremony was over the sun was out. There were a few tears at the reception, but there were some very touching moments that will make wonderful memories. Here's a pic. I'll see if I can find a pic of the dress to post as well. They were very pretty. As far as the dating life is going, I'm still out there dating. I'm meeting someone new tomorrow night, he seems nice, but we'll see. I also went out with a 29 year old who was HOT and we're supposed to be going out again. I'm not sure he's relationship material but did I mention he was hot? lol. I'm just having some summer fun right now and when the right guy comes along I'll know it. I've also been feeling like I really need to buckle down with this band. I've done ok so far, but I've really only been losing a couple pounds a month if I'm lucky. At this rate it will take me forever! I need to start working out, and I hope to start next week. I need to get things in order as I've been living in chaos for the past couple of months. If I don't start exercising next week, you can all yell at me!

Hey Kristi!! I'm so glad you posted - I was wondering how life was treating you. I'm sorry things have gotten weird with your tattoo boy - maybe it's the name. lol. Seriously though, if you're still interested in him, I would talk to him and let him know that you like him, but you feel like he's not interested. Tell him why you feel this way, and what you're looking for from a relationship and maybe he'll do the same thing. Maybe he needs you to call or plan dates so he feels wanted. You never know, but if you really like him it's worth having a heart to heart. If you talk and things don't change - dump him. You're too good to put up with crap or someone who's not going to be into you 100%. Welcome spedhelk, and good luck with your surgery! I agree that it's not about how others love us, it's about how we love ourselves. Kristi you asked, so here is my latest: I went out with a 28 year old (I'm 33) and let me tell you, he is hot. lol I'm sitting on this date with him thinking there's no way he's going to be interested in me - he's younger, hipper, and did I mention hot? lol. We shared a very nice kiss at the end of the date and he asked me to go out again. I wasn't sure if I really liked him, but he was cute enough for me to say yes to a second date. Shallow, I know! lol. We haven't been on our second date yet, but he has drunk dialed me a few times this week while he was away on vaca. It completely cracks me up! I'm not sure if there is anything substantial really there, but I'm going to go out with him again I think just for fun. I said to my girlfriends that this makes me nervous though, because I have no idea what I would be like if I get to the point where I'm able to "get" the hot guys. lol Oh to have such a problem! I've been on a few other first dates, and I have a few other offers on the table. It gets tiring after a while going out all the time. lol. But I keep trucking along.

Hey Dez!! I agree we need to get together again! Things have been crazy and hectic here too, but should calm down after tomorrow (I'm in a wedding that has been monopolizing way too much of my time). I'm still losing, but very very slowly. I have been coming to terms with some band issues and have decided that I really need to start working this band. No more excuses! So let's shoot for June maybe? I'm open the entire month!

Wow Dianne, you look amazing in that mothers day pic!! I hope you feel like a million bucks because you look like it!

Congrats Patty!!! I have to say the shoulder pain was the absolute worst part of the surgery for me. It gets better day by day.

Well Eficka I really moreso go on the first couple of dates with no expectations. If I decide I like them, not so simple. lol. Online dating is not my favorite way to day, but it's really the only way I know of to meet people, because I certainly don't meet them in my day to day life. Wootsie so glad to hear from you! I think you're smart taking things nice and slow. The right guy will understand why and not push you.

Happy Mothers Day to all our mommas on here! I hope everyone enjoyed their day with their families. Me, I had a cookout with my family and then went to go visit my "second" mother. She's very ill with cancer, and it breaks my heart to see her like she is. She has her wits about her, but is in a lot of pain and is wasting away to nothing. I am praying that her final few months are as pain-free as possible. Her youngest daughter is getting married next weekend (I'm in the wedding) and I hope she's up to being there for the whole time. I'll be sure to post some pics after the wedding. Patty - good luck tomorrow!!!!!!!!!! I can hardly believe it's finally happening for you. :rose: You are more prepared than most probably, so you'll do great. I will be thinking of you tomorrow. :rose: Mandy we are going Sept 16-22 and would LOVE to meet up for lunch with you. Since we have yet to book anything for meals (haha) you pick the day, time, and place and we'll be there! There are a few places Sherry and I were thinking of for meals - the Hoopdy-Doo Review, the Sci-Fi Diner, the 50's place in MGM, the Coral Reef. Any suggestions you can give for your favorites would be great. It's sad but Sherry and I haven't even had the chance to discuss our meals in Disney. On some level we're not even worried about the food which, to me, is a victory! lol. But I know we have to book or we'll be waiting in some long lines. Hi to everyone else - Cindy, Kat, Darcy, Betty, Beanie, Eileen, etc. I've been reading along, just not much time to post here.

I think another challenge is a great idea Jess. Memorial Day is too soon and the next holiday after that is 4th of July. Is that crazy or what?! It's hard to believe we've been banded 7-8 months now. Our one year anniversaries will be here before we know it! Personally I want to lose another 25 by then, so I'm game for any challenges or anything that will get my butt moving! lol

Happy mothers day to our single moms!!!

Denise - I think you are beautiful at the size you are so no need to wait! But you do what makes you comfortable. As far as tonight, we only spoke over emails, but they were pretty lengthy and I could tell he was a really nice guy. I just got home and he was very, very nice. I had a lot of fun, and I think we're going to go out again. I heard from the 29 year old as well. I didn't really think I'd hear back because he's really cute and out of my league a bit I think. lol. My friends hate it when I say things like that. lol But anyway, he wanted to go out tomorrow night but I have wedding so we're going to meet up afterwards for a drink. Should be fun. Thanks for the reply Lee! I'm all about the fun these days. Sounds like you're doing well with the band!

Hi Suzzie - welcome! Ok, I owe you guys a fill-in. I had a date this week with a 29 year old. He was HOT. lol. I don't think he's relationship material but I'd go out with him again just for fun. I figure I deserve some of that. I have another date tomorrow night, and it's one I'm actually looking forward to if you believe that. lol. We'll see though. I've learned to go in with no expectations so I'm not dissapointed. Sad, huh? lol Oh and I heard from tattoo boy today. I knew it was just a matter of time. lol. I'm all set there thank you. So that's it with me really. How's everyone else doing? How are things with you Wootsie??

Kristen I think it's probably better off that way. Have fun at the class today!!