bjr5150

imaluckydog, I am having the same issues. I am not computer savvy at all and google is not recognizing my user name or password. Barbara

BG, my 23 yr. old daughter, (also, double major degrees) has a job that will be coming to a end in 1 yr. I keep telling her to apply now for future employment, don't wait until you don't have a job to try and find one........she thinks she will walk into the perfect situation. Its frustrating. I do wish your daughter good luck, it certainly a tough time to find a job, but not impossible. I am keeping positive thoughts your way...

Congratulations!!! BG, don't be normal, I like you just the way you are. I always say that I am grateful for going to Catholic school as a kid, because it gave me my sick sense of humor. Sometimes being a little abnormal is fun.

I also knew I was fat, but like you, I didn't think I was as fat as I was. Maybe its a a coping mechanism you do so you don't loath yourself anymore than you already do? At least for me, I think so.

I won't even tell you the temp. in San Diego. I almost feel guilty.

BG, oh my gosh, you crack me up!!

Happy New Year to all! I want to be more appreciative in the new year.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!1

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU! Barbara

wow, you have come a long way. BG, what I find interesting is that I am too still on my BP meds, I am on a beta blocker and an ace inhibitor. Even tough my BP has come down with the weight loss, I still am on it. You have lost twice the amount of weight then me. I am just at the 30 lb. mark. (160lb. 20 more to go)

BG, The first time I started Effexor I lost a lot of weight, (25 lbs) without trying. I just wasn't interested in food. That was years ago when it first came out.Then for whatever reasons I went off it. Then I went back on it and have had good results. I didn't loose a lot of weight because they change the med. to time release. It delivers the medicine slower and longer. I also had a full hysterectomy in 2006. I take perarin 0.45 mg. Its second to the lowest dose according to my dr. The lowest dose I was still having the unbearable hot flashes. I went on this dose and zero hot flashes. I am grateful not to have them. I would love to on on the Bio-iden. but for the same reason, I hear they can be quit costly. I haven't ruled them out, I just am so content with the dose of Premarin I don't want to mess with anything..... One last comment BG, one word of warning I know from Effexor is when the time comes when you want to go off of them, they have a not so fun withdrawal, "serotonin syndrome zap" thats what I call it.....its describes as brain zaps, feels like vertigo. But it does pass. You just taper off slowly. Anyway, its been a good medicine for me. Take care.

The above comment can be true. But prozac and the SSRI' s generally don't increase your appetite. Actually some of them like Wellbutrin and Effexor can decrease them. I know a lot of women taking low doses for hot flashes. BG did you go off your Estrogen completely?

OH BG. That is so wonderful!!!!!! Your insights and sharing your self awareness is such a gift to us.. it just reminds me we are all in this as individuals and as a group and its a constant learning process. The difference is you can put the process into words like no other. Barbara

BG, Happy Thanksgiving to you and to all the people who reads this blog! Barbara ps. My mom gave me a sideboard like your, but it from a French monastery.

Oh Thank you BG for the quick reply. I am going to look into them. Funny, I have never heard of them before. It will be interesting to see if they help because I am having such good restriction since my last fill, I am at 6.5ccs. that every single thing feels stuck until the food works its way through in approx. 20 to 30 mins. or I automatically throw it up. (I know no other pretty way to say it) I will keep you posted on the enzymes. Once again, thank you ever so much. Barbara

BG, I just got on the computer for the first time today, so I just read this 11/17 entry, and then I will go to the 18th and read that. First, Congrats, your picture look terrific! You really do look young. You certainly do not look 50. (by the way, I turn 52 this week, ugh!) I have a quick question if you don't mind. What is the enzymes you and LuckDog refer to? Is it something you need a RX from a doctor? Thank you in advance. Now to your latest blog!

BG, First I want to tell you how lucky you are to be able to go to your son's college games. My son is a SR. at UofA and Tucson is a 7 hr. drive for us. He calls telling us that their football team is doing awesome and he is really into it like your family, the only games I can relate to is our San Diego Chargers. I loved the photo of your family spelling out your Ohio team. You had your hair in pigtails or braids, you looked 16 in that picture. As for the five lbs, no sweat, you been there, done that before. I will give you an example what happened to me this week, I get up in the morning, pee, striped buck naked got on the scale and "praise the Lord I hit a number I haven't seen in years" 15mins. later I did it again, and just drinking water to get my pills down I weighed in 4 lbs heavier than 15 mins ago.....go figure????? On top of all that, right now my husband and I took a little mini vacation, we are in Palm Springs at a beautiful resort right now. So, as I am typing this to you, I am sipping on a vodka cranberry cocktail. So, I will be up a few lbs, not big deal, I will get back on track. Ps..I got my fill and I am 7.5 cc in my 10cc band and I really think this is my sweet spot. I have to new self assurance that now the real work will begin.....I am so happy with this whole process now, may not early on but I see light at the end of the tunnel. I have had this fill for 10 days now, and 3 different occasions I was going to go in for a unfil, but its like I turned the corner and now feel like I can handle less. All I know is I feel more confident. Ask me Friday when we drive back to SD and I go and weigh in,,,,,ouch! Take care my friend. Barbara

OH BG, DITTO, "right back at ch ya!!" We THANK YOU, your blogs have been our resources to endless questions, struggles, worries and concerns. I feel reading your blogs has gotten me through all the ups and downs of the LB process. You have made me laugh so much, and I have to agree with Arb, I feel like I have known you and your friendship without ever meeting. I don't think I have ever had a cyber friend before. You are a gifted writer and your sense of humor is just absolutely awesome. Barbara

Yeah! BG, way to go. I am looking forward to buying a pair of "Not my daughter's jeans" But I am waiting until I am I am a 10. I am a solid 12 now, its a great feeling. I take all my 14 out of my closet now, before I would just move them to the side thinking I will need them just in case......but now I truly believe that those days are gone. What a great feeling. Boy does my closet look spacious now..... Barbara

Oh BG, the flu in addition to a bladder infection! Wow, I feel your pain. I am surprised that you had any energy to write as much as you wrote. This is the time to let others take care of you, (which it sounds like your husband is doing) REST, REST and more REST. We are all thinking of ya. Barbara ps. I got my flu shot last month, but not the H1N1, its still not available for general population in southern CA. just for children and other high risk groups IE....pregnant women.

BG, Happy Bandiversary to us, its hard to believe its been 6 months. Your numbers are so much more than mine but like you said its not a race and it just appear over night. I go in next week and I think a tiny fill will help. Like everyone has said, your information has been so informative and humorous. Thank you for taking the time and energy to keep it going. Barbara

BG, I had the same issues, after my hysterectomy in 2005 and my band surgery. Whats worst for me is my hair is dark brown, so what you see is a large white patch of scalp the size of a silver dollar. I keep reminding myself the hair loss will stop. Barbara

YES BG, a lot of people missed you. I was looking everyday keeping in mind that you were going to AZ. on vacation. But I paniced a little when I saw the date on your blog today, 9/8! Only reason I brought this up is today is my 26 th. anniversary. Anyway, I look forward to hearing more. Isn't Sedona one of the most beautiful places!! Barbara

lol, we did use to call them maxis in the 70s. BG as I was reading your post, I realized I still go for the cover and loose clothes as well. I don't know if you have this problem, as I loose weight, yes, I know I am thinner and I know I look thinner but still I feel I look "FAT" I know this sounds strange, but I keep reminding myself 170 is better than 190. Maybe it being at this age (over 50) and not as young. Fat use to go away, now it goes away and leaves flab. This is when I have that little voice I have been trying to ignore yelling....exercise.............ugh.

I hope so for everyone sake!! My son is a bussiness major and I worry about what if any jobs are out there.