NewBeginnings2018

Good morning everyone! Gotta love holiday weekends! Kat - what a GREAT surprise! That is just sooo romantic. Awww.... Beanie - welcome home girl! I agree there's nothing like it! Dianne - when I first got my reduction I came out as a 36/38D. Now that I've gained weight I'm currently at a 40DD, but I did get much bigger than that. Truthfully I thought a D cup was perfect because I didn't want to be small either. I liked being chesty, just not obnoxiously so. lol. I just wanted to be proportionate. When I hit my final goal of 175 I'm expecting to be at a C cup. Darcy - I haven't seen that movie either, but Sherry has recommended it. I think she said she'd let me borrow it when she got her copy. Sherry - Andy I watched the end of the race last night. He was bummed Mark didn't win either. lol Hi to Betty, Eileen, Cindy and everyone else!! Well I should go hop in the shower. I'm taking my friend to help her register for her wedding. She had to move it up from September to May because her mom is dying from Ovarian Cancer. She is having a hard time functioning, let along being able to do everything she needs to do for a wedding. She went to register yesterday with her fiance and he was no help (of course! lol) so she called me last night and had a breakdown. I told her I would go with her this morning and we would make sure she registers for everything she needs, and that we would make it a fun day! I'm trying to have her enjoy as much of the wedding stuff as she can. Talk to everyone soon!

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) has a great program, and is the only one in MA to have some special accrediation. (Forgive me, I can't remember what it is.) I had my surgery with Dr Daniel Jones and there is also Dr Schneider. It's a great program and I would highly recommend them.

Hi everyone!! Betty I'm sorry to hear about your neck! I'm not sure what's going on with this board but we sure do have a lot of aches/pains and illnesses! lol. Feel better soon! Dianne - congrats on your date!!!! The reduction was the BEST thing I ever did for myself. I have never, ever regretted it. Darcy, oh Darcy. The dating game is going great. I had three dates last week, got flowers from two of the, and have already cut one of the guys lose. I am a little smitten with one guy - he's a bad boy, tattoo sleeve and all (Mandy would be proud! lol). But he is soooo sweet, very attentive, and we communicate very well. I'm trying not to get carried away and rush into anything, right Sherry? lol So, I did tell my date (tattoo boy) about my band last night. He is very open and honest and we spoke about a lot of important things last night, so I decided to bring it up. He said it didn't bother him, but when I spoke with him this morning he had done a ton of research on the internet. He said he understood the scientific part of things, and had some questions for me about lifestyle changes and what kind of pre-op and post-op programs were involved. He said he was glad to know, because he wants to help me succeed with it rather than be forcing food/drinks down my throat without knowing about it. lol. I asked him if it made him think any different of me, and his answer was no, but I still feel like he may be a little skeptical about the band. But at the end of the day I'm glad I told him. How he handles this moving forward will speak a lot about his character I think.

timeforchange the reunion is in late March. I can't quite remember when, but next time you're there ask for a flyer. We would LOVE to meet you! Deb I can do Tuesday night for dinner. I'll see if Sherry can join us and if anyone wants to join, they are more than welcome! I don't get home from work until 6pm, so it would have to be sometime after that. I'm looking forward to it!

Jodie there is no doubting that someone thinking you can be a stripper is a HUGE compliment in its own way, although I'm not sure how I'd take it if I knew they were serious about it and wanted to be my pimp. lol Kim - I've met my guys doing online dating. It's not an easy system to navigate. You have to beware of the guys who are just looking to "get some" but you do learn how to distinguish between them, especially if you don't "give it" right away. lol. I've met some very nice men, and have stayed friends with many of them. So last night I had my second date with my bad boy, or tatoo man as my friends and I have dubbed him. And I have to admit - I'm a bit smitten. lol. I also told him about my band. Ever since I considered getting the band I have been freaking out about how I would tell a guy once we started dating. He and I have great conversation, and have shared a lot, so I figured I'd tell him. He said it didn't bother him, but when we spoke this morning he had done all kinds of research on it. lol. He's curious about it, and said he's glad to know because he wants to help me succeed, but I think he may be a little skeptical about it. But at least the cat is out of the bag and we'll see how it goes! Hope everyone else is doing well and enjoying the weekend!

Oh Jim, and on Valentine's Day to boot! Ugh! lol I agree it is kind of funny now, but I'm sure it wasn't at the time. lol

Tiffany at this point I'm just casually dating - nothing serious - nor has any relationship turned physical yet, other than a make out session here or there. lol. I've dated like this before and usually one relationship will make it further than the rest and I'll cut the other ones off. It's a lot of work though, I'll say that. You get good at juggling. lol Jodie - I think him texting and calling you every day does say a lot. You never know. In a year we'll be seeing pics of the Jodie-Stripper wedding. lol

Hi there everyone! Deb how long will you be at Michelle's and what night were you thinking for dinner? Wed is my birthday, so I think my family is having a party for me that night. Other than that I think I'm pretty open. Nana I am excited to hear about the insurance approval. I'm sure you'll get approved. I think we're all nervous about that. Let us know as soon as you hear. Timeforchange your date is coming up soon! I am thrilled with being banded, and think you will be too!

Happy Valentine's Day (or Black Wednesday if you prefer) everyone!! Welcome to the thread gyfts, and I'm glad to hear you're feeling better KrisiB! So I had another date last night, and it was another good one. He brought me a beautiful bouquet of flowers, and he was a very nice, sweet guy. We will definitely be going out again. I may not be having Jodie-type fun yet, but I am having fun! lol

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Congratulations to those who made their goals, and to those (like me) who didn't quite make it - but almost did!

Hey puddin. I kind of had a guy like Tony for a while, and I really liked him. We'd talk, then we wouldn't. I always thought that if I was just cool about things, he'd come around. He never did. Dating is so hard - the whole "should I - shouldn't I?" debate. My thought is text him if you want, and even ask him where he's been if you really want to know. If he guy doesn't like it then too bad. If he really likes you, it won't bother him. Good luck, and hope you had a happy Valentine's Day!

Oh, and Mandy - so sorry you're not feeling well! Feel better soon!

HAPPY BANDIVERSARY SHERRY!!!! I know we discussed this earlier today, but I really do think you need to focus on the positive and all the positive changes you have made over the past year. Today is for celebrating you, the band, and the 77 pounds you have lost - never to be found again! The gain is a slight set-back, probably due to being too tight. I am proud of you - as a fellow bandster and friend. You are my inspiration and my partner in crime in this journey. Keep your chin up, and know that you look HOT!!!

OMG Jimboss! You are a riot!!! Congratulations on hitting the 270's!!

Hey Beanie I LOVE Carmines! The food was great, and I loved the frozen Cosmos there! I haven't been to NYC in a long time, but I love it. Congrats on your contacts Darcy!

Oh geez wootsie! You've had quite a few days! I'm sorry you won't be able to have the band for a year, but I think it's more important to get your heart fixed! Your band journey may be delayed, but you'll get there! Keep your chin up. So I had date #2 tonight. Blue collar guy, stocky, bald, goatee. We had a great time. He was fun, easy to talk to and man, can he kiss. Did I mention he was a good kisser? lol I have another date tomorrow night with guy #3, my date that I had to cancel on Saturday night. I'm looking forward to it. The other 3 guys have kind of quieted down for now, which is a good thing. There's not enough time in the day. lol. The best part - I have two offers for Valentine's Day night. Who would ever think?! lol. So yes Cascadian, things are heating up for me and it's about time! Vavavavoom! lol

Welcome White06 - glad you could join us!! Losingjustme you are kicking butt!!! Very impressive!

OMG Kristi that is horrible! You poor thing!!! Make sure you get your rest so you can heal!

I think April 8th will work for a challenge date, and I'm up for either 10 or 15 pounds! So I took a progress pic, and as horrified as I am to show my before photo, I thought I would post. The before pic was a couple days before surgery and the other pic was from Friday night. I would love to see progress pics of other Oct Bandsters. Please post!!!

Hi everyone! I'm glad to report that I am feeling better today. I'm still in some pain, but am doing so much better than yesterday. I spent about an hour and a half on the phone with Nick last night (the guy I had to cancel on) and then again this morning. He is very nice and I'm looking forward to meeting him. We're going to shoot for Tuesday. So while i was home last night I found some before/during pics to share. I have a loooong way to go but am finally able to see a difference. Thought I'd share with you guys. The before was taken a couple days before surgery and the during was taken Friday night.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I think there's enough of a mental attraction to go out again and Susan I think you're right - I'll know by the good night kiss if there is a spark. So I ended up having to cancel my date last night. I've been sick with bronchitis and was just not feeling good yesterday so we had to postpone. I spent a quiet night lying on the couch and talking on the phone. Oh- and Jodie - I think you're having more fun these days than all of us combined! You go girl! lol

Hey guys, I took an updated body shot last night and thought I would post. The before pic was a few days before surgery. I have a ways to go still, but am feeling much more comfortable in my own skin these days.

Darcy you are really inspiring me with this exercise! I promise once I'm fully healed I'll help contribute. I don't know what I did, but last night I coughed, felt something pop, and now I am in the most excruciating pain. My mom gave me some Tylenol with Codine, and it's just enough to take the edge off. Altough I'm feeling sleepy.....lol. I had to cancel a date for tonight too. Bum deal - he's cute and very nice on the phone! lol Anyway, back to the exercise, hopefully this will get better soon and I can help you log those miles Darcy! Big hugs and hello to everyone else! Hope you're all enjoying your weekend!

Awww Sherry, so sorry to hear about the reflux problems. They have been bothering you for a long time, so I think you're right to get a slight unfill. I know you're worried about putting back on some weight, but I don't think it will happen. Who knows - maybe the change will kickstart you again. Either way you're still a huge success! I only hope I can do as well my first year!

Brenda you look great! Congratulations on your weight loss!