imaluckydog

I am tired of people coming up to me and saying "wow you better not lose too much more weight it's not healthy" How do they know what is healthy for me!!! Best wishes imaluckydog

Great blog Best wishes and love hearing all about your success it keeps me going. Congratulations yippee Thanks again imaluckydog

I do Love your Blog as always, Thank you. My paws have been out of the cookie jar for months now but I sure do miss my over dose on holiday cookies! Thanks for the memories. It was my husbands birthday dinner last night and he wanted a cheese cake it had this turtle nut chocolate topping I should have taken a picture. OMG 1/2 cake still left was making me crazy. Long story short, I sent it over to the daughters boy friends house. It's gone and now I do not have to take a lick a poke or a smidge every time I walk by it. It's GONE!! Funny I am still thinking about it and it is 5 am the next day. Have a great day. Here is to my better choices today and my new HEADBAND LOL going skiing tonight wish me luck. imaluckydog

I did not feel much restriction until my third fill. The third fill did me in and this is where I have been forever, well at least a few months now. No more fills for me for a while. Living, Loving, Life with LB. Best thing I ever chose to do for myself. imaluckydog

Great Blog. I also have what I call an eating disorder!! I never really wanted to admit that to anyone but it is so true. I have come to understand many of the reasons I used to eat. Some are the same as yours. It is such an amazing journey this LB one and I am so glad I found this tool it has saved my life. Keep blogging and Best wishes to you on your journey. imaluckydog

Keep up the excellent work this is helping others as well. Thanks for posting. I may just have to try that Ricotta cheese and jello thingy does it have to refrigerate long before serving? Do you add milk or water? Sounds like a good protein source. I just love the Cabot products and Fage Greek Yogurt is great too. Best wishes imaluckydog

My recovery was a lot longer than most and I had some bruising at my port site. I would say almost 4 weeks until I was feeling myself. To help with the hunger getting the protein is very key. It always helped me with physical hunger. Head hunger is emotional and that may require the use of a headband and power of positive thinking and wise choices about food. Best wishes imaluckydog

Getting off the soda was so key for me too. It caused so much havoc with my digestive system. I never new..... I have not had any soda since June 29,09 and going strong. I love to make better choices today. Keep up the great work and charting your proteins and foods is excellent. Best wishes imaluckydog

I have many head bands of which you speak. The one that fits me the best is the one I wear with my head held high and proud that I made this decision to have the LB done. The best choice I have ever made for myself. I read your blog last night you always make my day. I always read something that is true to my own journey and real about our new life situation. Thanks BG for sharing. I am ready to face a new day with healthy choices and new and exciting activities for me to engage in. I feel so much better. The LB and Head band has saved my life. Life is Good. Best wishes to all. imaluckydog

I ended up getting my band a month earlier. It was and is way better than I ever thought it would be. I am very happy with the way I am working with my band. It is a nice tool and the best one I have ever used for weight loss. Best wishes on your journey. imaluckydog

Some Pray for Snow!!! I went with our Ski Team Skiing last night I did well. I am Livin' the DREAM Cold but so much FUN. Your pictures always make me SMILE. Some Pray for SNOW.....THANK YOU imaluckydog

Yes, I can now eat about 3/4 cup of all foods. Cutting back is ok for me. If you go slow and chew well you will not throw up, take your time. Just remember if you want to be smaller those people eat a lot less than we do. I am really OK with less food and I feel so much better now. It is a journey. Do what is RIGHT for you and talk it over with your team of specialists. You can like you said get an un-fill too. Best wishes and NO WORRIES. Have a great day imaluckydog

I was in the same place a few months back. I had the same delima. I have had a total of three fills and I have refused the past two times as I am as full as I ever want to be. I was banded June 29th. It takes me forever to eat and Bread crispy and crusty are ok in very small amounts. Soft bread is a no go and has been from the start. Three fills did me in. I will toss the cookies if I eat too fast and do not chew well enough. I have learned well what I can and cannot eat. My last fill was just a very small amount and it was all I needed. I have taught myself the better eating habits and my weight has just fallen off and my energy has picked up. I must say I almost had some taken out but I just went slow for a few more days and everything settled down. I did feel deprived for a while but I got over it fast enough...You will know if you are tight enough that is for sure. It took a good 4 to 5 days after the 3rd fill to register and feel the tightness then I was like woops!!!! I had to slow down. I do not go back until Feb 22, I just pushed my next apt. out farther so I would not have to deal with it. I am hoping that by then I may need another. Your Dr. or NP will ask you questions and figure out if you need one a fill that is. I could have refused the third one but I figured a little would not hurt. I am Happy to say #3 has been fine for me. Best Wishes imaluckydog

Great blog as usual it made my day;-) Thanks imaluckydog

Best wishes take time to heal. imaluckydog

I was back to normal in about two weeks but I'm a baby and I needed extra time to heal myself. I did not have any pain in my throat. My recommendation popsicles and lots of water in between meals. Be kind to yourself it takes time.Best wishes imaluckydog

You are doing great. Best wishes and Happy New Year imaluckydog

I did not have a real pre op diet as I ended up having surgery earlier than expected. I have read that the pre diet is not that bad it is only a few days. This LB has really worked for me. I was not much of a believer before hand. I had a surgery before my LB too, so when the Dr. went in a second time he was excited to see how I had healed from the first surgery. Best wishes and I hope all works out as well for you as it has for me. Six months banded, 77 lost pound , my head is in a great place and I am skiing my first really big weight loss goal. imaluckydog

What I did on my winter vacation! It was a cold Blue Bird Day and I did it!! Dreams do come true thanks to LB and all the support from this site. See first picture. This is my family and the shadow in front is my husband taking the picture. I am second from the left light blue helmet and black oversized slimming outfit. See me second picture. If you can see my smile it is bigger than the mountain . I felt young again and have now accomplished my first really BIG GOAL. I better think of another one real quick. It will have to be to go skiing again next weekend. I just loved it and can’t wait to do it again. My husband said I better get a smaller outfit soon. LOL I am just going to wait for the sales. I have to Thank my LB friends and ALL the determination it took to get to me this point. I still have a long way to go. Maybe not that long. I have found my head is starting to catch up with the way I am feeling. I am enjoying more physical energy these days, no more food cravings to speak of, and I seem to be satisfied for the most part with my foods. I am enjoying a sense of calm I am not used too. I am still as full as I have ever been. I go back to Dr. Feb 22, 2010. Now that does seem like a long time away. It was my choice, I have had two Dr. visits and have refused two fills. I am hoping that if I wait a good while I may need a fill then and if not I will pass again. I am Happy and Bandlandia is agreeing with me for today. I am just about 40 pounds away from what I think will be a good weight for me. I am just going to keep doing what I have been doing as it seems to work for me. Best wishes to all the newbies I was banded on June 29,2009 lost 77 pounds and for the most part I have followed the rules, be kind to yourself it is an amazing remarkable joyous journey. imaluckydog PS Thanks BG Love You

What I did on my winter vacation! It was a cold Blue Bird Day and I did it!! Dreams do come true thanks to LB and all the support from this site.  This is my family and the shadow in front is my husband taking the picture. I am second from the left light blue helmet and black oversized slimming outfit.  If you can see my smile it is bigger than the mountain . I felt young again and have now accomplished my first really BIG GOAL. I better think of another one real quick. It will have to be to go skiing again next weekend. I just loved it and can’t wait to do it again. My husband said I better get a smaller outfit soon. LOL I am just going to wait for the sales. I have to Thank my LB and ALL the determination it took to get to me this point. I still have a long way to go. Maybe not that long. I have found my head is starting to catch up with the way I am feeling. I am enjoying more physical energy these days, no more food cravings to speak of, and I seem to be satisfied for the most part with my foods. I am enjoying a sense of calm I am not used too. I am still as full as I have ever been. I go back to Dr. Feb 22, 2010. Now that does seem like a long time away. It was my choice, I have had two Dr. visits and have refused two fills. I am hoping that if I wait a good while I may need a fill then and if not I will pass again. I am Happy and Bandlandia is agreeing with me for today. I am just about 40 pounds away from what I think will be a good weight for me. I am just going to keep doing what I have been doing as it seems to work for me. Best wishes to all the newbies I was banded on June 29,2009 lost 77 pounds and for the most part I have followed the rules, be kind to yourself it is an amazing remarkable joyous journey. imaluckydog

What I did on my winter vacation! It was a cold Blue Bird Day and I did it!! Dreams do come true thanks to LB and all the support from this site.  This is my family and the shadow in front is my husband taking the picture. I am second from the left light blue helmet and black oversized slimming outfit.  If you can see my smile it is bigger than the mountain . I felt young again and have now accomplished my first really BIG GOAL. I better think of another one real quick. It will have to be to go skiing again next weekend. I just loved it and can’t wait to do it again. My husband said I better get a smaller outfit soon. LOL I am just going to wait for the sales. I have to Thank my LB and ALL the determination it took to get to me this point. I still have a long way to go. Maybe not that long. I have found my head is starting to catch up with the way I am feeling. I am enjoying more physical energy these days, no more food cravings to speak of, and I seem to be satisfied for the most part with my foods. I am enjoying a sense of calm I am not used too. I am still as full as I have ever been. I go back to Dr. Feb 22, 2010. Now that does seem like a long time away. It was my choice, I have had two Dr. visits and have refused two fills. I am hoping that if I wait a good while I may need a fill then and if not I will pass again. I am Happy and Bandlandia is agreeing with me for today. I am just about 40 pounds away from what I think will be a good weight for me. I am just going to keep doing what I have been doing as it seems to work for me. Best wishes to all the newbies I was banded on June 29,2009 lost 77 pounds and for the most part I have followed the rules, be kind to yourself it is an amazing remarkable joyous journey. imaluckydog

What I did on my winter vacation! It was a cold Blue Bird Day and I did it!! Dreams do come true thanks to LB and all the support from this site. This is my family and the shadow in front is my husband taking the picture. I am second from the left light blue helmet and black oversized slimming outfit.  If you can see my smile it is bigger than the mountain . I felt young again and have now accomplished my first really BIG GOAL. I better think of another one real quick. It will have to be to go skiing again next weekend. I just loved it and can’t wait to do it again. My husband said I better get a smaller outfit soon. LOL I am just going to wait for the sales. I have to Thank my LB and ALL the determination it took to get to me this point. I still have a long way to go. Maybe not that long. I have found my head is starting to catch up with the way I am feeling. I am enjoying more physical energy these days, no more food cravings to speak of, and I seem to be satisfied for the most part with my foods. I am enjoying a sense of calm I am not used too. I am still as full as I have ever been. I go back to Dr. Feb 22, 2010. Now that does seem like a long time away. It was my choice, I have had two Dr. visits and have refused two fills. I am hoping that if I wait a good while I may need a fill then and if not I will pass again. I am Happy and Bandlandia is agreeing with me for today. I am just about 40 pounds away from what I think will be a good weight for me. I am just going to keep doing what I have been doing as it seems to work for me. Best wishes to all the newbies I was banded on June 29,2009 lost 77 pounds and for the most part I have followed the rules, be kind to yourself it is an amazing remarkable joyous journey. imaluckydog

What I did on my winter vacation! It was a cold Blue Bird Day and I did it!! Dreams do come true thanks to LB and all the support from this site. This is my family and the shadow in front is my husband taking the picture. I am second from the left light blue helmet and black oversized slimming outfit. If you can see my smile it is bigger than the mountain . I felt young again and have now accomplished my first really BIG GOAL. I better think of another one real quick. It will have to be to go skiing again next weekend. I just loved it and can't wait to do it again. My husband said I better get a smaller outfit soon. LOL I am just going to wait for the sales. I have to Thank my LB and ALL the determination it took to get to me this point. I still have a long way to go. Maybe not that long. I have found my head is starting to catch up with the way I am feeling. I am enjoying more physical energy these days, no more food cravings to speak of, and I seem to be satisfied for the most part with my foods. I am enjoying a sense of calm I am not used too. I am still as full as I have ever been. I go back to Dr. Feb 22, 2010. Now that does seem like a long time away. It was my choice, I have had two Dr. visits and have refused two fills. I am hoping that if I wait a good while I may need a fill then and if not I will pass again. I am Happy and Bandlandia is agreeing with me for today. I am just about 40 pounds away from what I think will be a good weight for me. I am just going to keep doing what I have been doing as it seems to work for me. Best wishes to all the newbies I was banded on June 29,2009 lost 77 pounds and for the most part I have followed the rules, be kind to yourself it is an amazing remarkable joyous journey. imaluckydog

Happy New Year BG Great Blog thank you so much. H N Y to everyone of my LB friends, wishing you all the best in 2010. I am placing "ME" for sure on the top of my list this year, I have never done that before. This past year has been a great year. I am Back from Skiing and able to talk about it. I am still alive and well and did it with no problems. When I figure out how to post a picture I will. I had sooooo much fun. Best wishes to all and Happy New Year again love imaluckydog

Dreams Can Come TURE..... On the 1,2,3,4,5th,6,7,8,9,....12th.....Day of Christmas I was just wondering if my dreams will come true? I have been so good, so willing, almost too good these last six months as my Bandlandia roller coaster has changed my entire life. Full of Emotional ups and downs, Full of Happy and Sad Sad Sad moments, Tranquillity and Frustration to say a few. But mostly JOY, JOY, JOY to the WORLD!!! The CALMNESS is probably the most profound FEELING of all for me I have never been a calm person, I am NOW.....I am at PEACE....with my being... 
I just want to SING out loud and clear for all to hear! OK, yes it has been a challenging some what difficult 6 months, but look how fast these days and months have gone by!!! You can do this!!!!!! I do remember sitting in the psychology group classes before LB and having to think of the one real, THE REAL reason I wanted to lose the weight? LOL does anyone have a REAL REASON? OMG I thought my psychologist was a quack!!! He said in six months there will be some REAL changes. I did not believe him then, I do NOW. I’m going to send him a picture of me skiing. It had to be SKIING. I wanted to go skiing with my family again. I have not done that since they were two years old and I have missed out on all these years of Family FUN on the Mountain. The kids are now 21 and 20!!! I know you are thinking SKIING she is nuts and out of her mind!!!!! You may say, I can think out a million and one more reasons to lose the weight before I go skiing that is for sure!! YES, I must say I have many more reasons too keep losing as well. But the one I felt I could accomplish in 6 months had to be SKIING. It is WINTER in VERMONT with snow I can cross country ski, sled, walk, NOPE I have to go Down Hill skiing with the FAM. My kids have both been to the Junior Olympics they do the BIG AIR and Moguls events. I always had to wait at the bottom because I could not get my over 250 pound out of shape, Fat body to function on skis without killing myself. I could only watch video of theirs runs. I am going SKIING this week! Got the boots, skis, poles, helmet, goggles, an out fit that is a little too big, but hey this is not a FASHION SHOW yet I said yet it may be soon!!! I just want to go skiing. I want to have FUN with my family again together. I do not care how I look yet I just want to be comfortable doing it. My son’s GF and I will take a lesson together that will be FUN. I do know how to ski but to help her ease into it and to refresh my spirit and soul again I am also doing this for me too. It has never been about the numbers but I do think about it a lot. I must let everyone know that I have lost another 9 pounds and a total of 77 pounds since June 29 when my Bandlandia adventure began. I do not own a scale but I dream about being on one everyday. I now wear a teen size and I have been called skinny. I am not SKINNY believe me!!!! When you lose this much weight people see you differently than you see yourself. Car is almost packed so I will say goodbye, I will be back in a week and will fill you all in on my Wild and Crazy Adventures. I’m going Skiing. LB has changed my life and thanks to all me LB friends who have helped and coached me along the way I would not be doing this without you, you will be with me every inch of the way. I’ll be back soon. DREAMS DO COME TRUE!! imaluckydog