LittleBird

you look GREAT. Did you have to have a TT or did you spring back to natural with the weight loss?

As I consider all aspects I wonder if those of you who are moms and wives can share you experience as a family with one member banded. My husband cooks the meals in our home and we eat dinner together every night. (We are not the Cleavers, but its the one of the few emotionally healthy things we do every night). How have you and your families adjusted to this change in your eating??

We've only lived there 1.5 years...Didn't have this last year. It was pumped right before we moved in. It's dry underneath...

What does "restriction" feel like exactly?

I realized something last night - I haven't had a migrane - or a headache for that matter- since this new Dr. put me on these pills to treat my high blood pressure! Holy cow. I was getting them 2-3 times a week (up from like 2 times a month). I don't know if there is a connection or not, but considering these new pills cost me .32 cents and the migrane meds cost $15 per dose (after insurance!!) I like the change! I weighed this morning. I know I said I wasn't going to - but I did. It was 245 - NOT the 240 like the Dr. scale said last week. I'm sticking with that number for a few reasons - 1. it seems more realistic. 2. It still means I've lost the required 10 lbs preop. 3. I will lose more in the next few days and it will be "cherries on top". My GOAL was 240 before surgery, so I'll aim for that by Tuesday. I will have to update my ticker though!

For my journal readers here is a bit more about me: I am 31 and the mother of two children - my daughter is 14 years old and my son is 10. I'm newly married *3rd and last time!* to a man who is 18 years my senior. I was first married at 16 - to my DD father - divorced by 19 and remarried at 22. That one didn't work after 7 years of marriage. I'm married again - more secure now, more mature, more sure of myself. The kids have had a hard time adjusting to the change... I have a day job and also own my own online company. (www.providerwatch.com and www.findadaycare.com) I enjoy living in Western Washington for the weather, the green, and the fact I can get in the car and drive somewhere. NOT like when I lived in Anchorage, Alaska! I write - poetry mostly. I love music - listening to it cause I don't have a musical bone in my body. I love to read - anything from fiction to interesting non fiction. I think I'm more serious than I should be.... From the thread "Why are you Fat?" My weight gain began about 9 years ago - it was a slow process that began with excessive drinking - high calorie drinks -depression...I gained about 30 pounds those first few years, lost some and have steadily increased reaching my all time high - currently 255. I quit drinking a year ago - eat more to replace it - and have worked at a desk job for 3 years. That combined with no physical activity. I ENJOY food, its emotional for me. When I cook and enjoy a good meal, it feels good deep down. But this good feeling is followed by guilt and remorse. When I feel full - I feel guilty. I think about being fat from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed at night and sometimes in my sleep. The bottom line is I overeat, food is emotional satisfaction, and I sit on my a$$ at work all day.

Hey thanks for the tips! I appreciate it.

Thanks for the comments ladies!! I'm glad SOMEONE understands! "Because I can..." thats what I told my daughter.

DD - "What are you doing Mom?" DS - "Are you going out Mom?" DH - "Why did you do that?" My reply - I can't smoke. I can't drink. I can't eat. So I decided to curl my hair. I'm tired. I don't want to walk. I've been walking every day over a mile and I like the way it feels but damnit I'm tired tonight and don't want to walk. It's probably PMS - I just figured it out. I always get like this (tired) right before - but right now its rather inconvienent. I primped to see what my longer hair looks like curled - I like it. And because I'm bored and DON'T want to get on that treadmill tonight. I also weighed at the Dr. office while having my BP checked (its down from last time, but still a little high) - a different scale than last time and according to that scale I've only lost 7 lbs - it says 8 lbs more than last week when I was there. So I either gained 8 lbs in one week or never lost it to begin with and have only lost 7 lbs all together. It was just the cheap on the floor kind but I expect a Dr. office to have an accurate scale. Either way, I'm freaking out. Maybe I'll just stop weighing till I get to Mexico the day before surgery. *Big sigh*

DD - "What are you doing Mom?" DS - "Are you going out Mom?" DH - "Why did you do that?" My reply - I can't smoke. I can't drink. I can't eat. So I decided to curl my hair. I'm tired. I don't want to walk. I've been walking every day over a mile and I like the way it feels but damnit I'm tired tonight and don't want to walk. It's probably PMS - I just figured it out. I always get like this (tired) right before - but right now its rather inconvienent. I primped to see what my longer hair looks like curled - I like it. And because I'm bored and DON'T want to get on that treadmill tonight. I also weighed at the Dr. office while having my BP checked (its down from last time, but still a little high) - a different scale than last time and according to that scale I've only lost 7 lbs - it says 8 lbs more than last week when I was there. So I either gained 8 lbs in one week or never lost it to begin with and have only lost 7 lbs all together. It was just the cheap on the floor kind but I expect a Dr. office to have an accurate scale. Either way, I'm freaking out. Maybe I'll just stop weighing till I get to Mexico the day before surgery. *Big sigh*

Next year at this time.... I can run. I can hike down and back up the high bank at my house that leads to the river bank. I can cross my legs. I hold my head high when I walk in a room. I enjoy shopping for clothes. I can play with my kids regardless of the activity. I can go skydiving. I can buy that sex toy DH and I want because I'll be well under the weight restriction! I can wear leather pants and look GREAT in them. I can choose any type of lingerie I want. I feel sexy when I'm naked with my man. I am at my optimal health. I have healthy cholesterol levels. I have energy. I am no longer a high risk for stroke, cancer, heart attack. I can ride my bike tirelessly. I can fit on the back of the motorcycle with DH. I can wear a wet suit and learn to snorkel. I can swim and enjoy it. My skin is fresh and clear. I can buy SEXY panties. I can buy SEXY bras. I can wear stockings with garters. I will enjoy traveling by plane. Share your own list, what does your weight loss mean to you? What motivates you? Where will you be and what will you be able to do, feel, enjoy as you reach your optimal weight? Write your list as though it already is true, even if you haven't yet reached that point!

For my journal readers here is a bit more about me: I am 31 and the mother of two children - my daughter is 14 years old and my son is 10. I'm newly married *3rd and last time!* to a man who is 18 years my senior. I was first married at 16 - to my DD father - divorced by 19 and remarried at 22. That one didn't work after 7 years of marriage. I'm married again - more secure now, more mature, more sure of myself. The kids have had a hard time adjusting to the change... I have a day job and also own my own online company. (www.providerwatch.com and www.findadaycare.com) I enjoy living in Western Washington for the weather, the green, and the fact I can get in the car and drive somewhere. NOT like when I lived in Anchorage, Alaska! I write - poetry mostly. I love music - listening to it cause I don't have a musical bone in my body. I love to read - anything from fiction to interesting non fiction. I think I'm more serious than I should be.... From the thread "Why are you Fat?" My weight gain began about 9 years ago - it was a slow process that began with excessive drinking - high calorie drinks -depression...I gained about 30 pounds those first few years, lost some and have steadily increased reaching my all time high - currently 255. I quit drinking a year ago - eat more to replace it - and have worked at a desk job for 3 years. That combined with no physical activity. I ENJOY food, its emotional for me. When I cook and enjoy a good meal, it feels good deep down. But this good feeling is followed by guilt and remorse. When I feel full - I feel guilty. I think about being fat from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed at night and sometimes in my sleep. The bottom line is I overeat, food is emotional satisfaction, and I sit on my a$$ at work all day.

I went looking back through my photos to find a "goal" photo when I decided to have the sugery - I realized as l looked at them that in each one I can remember thinking "god I'm fat" "i look terrible" etc. I was wearing a size 10 in some of them! What I would do to be there again! What I realized was the last time I felt good about my body was when I was 18 year old. My daughter was 1 year old (yes I got an early start) AND I had a tan!! I'll find the pic and scan it in.

I checked for grubs - nothing...The grass is firmly in the ground. I think it just must be from the septic. I told my DH to deal with it!

I walked last night, but it was interrupted my a fit from my son (Long story) and then I got back on the treadmill to continue - did another .5 miles for a total of 1 mile (I think) but then I was so distracted, I didn't stretch. I'm feeling that today!!! Dang, I didn't realize how much that helps the next day. Drank a bunch of water to keep from munching or "thinking" I was hungry - pee'd every 10 minutes - maybe not every 10 minutes, but 5 times during one movie with DH. My period is due to start any day now - I could tell from the cramps this morning. GREAT - just what I need - I'll be on my period for the surgery.... Excited, nervous, and worried about this being the right decision...I'd like to think that 2nd thoughts are common. I went to be last night repeating in my head all the wonderful things people have said post op - I will do this and I will feel great about it. That just doesn't stop me from being a little worried...

I walked last night, but it was interrupted my a fit from my son (Long story) and then I got back on the treadmill to continue - did another .5 miles for a total of 1 mile (I think) but then I was so distracted, I didn't stretch. I'm feeling that today!!! Dang, I didn't realize how much that helps the next day. Drank a bunch of water to keep from munching or "thinking" I was hungry - pee'd every 10 minutes - maybe not every 10 minutes, but 5 times during one movie with DH. My period is due to start any day now - I could tell from the cramps this morning. GREAT - just what I need - I'll be on my period for the surgery.... Excited, nervous, and worried about this being the right decision...I'd like to think that 2nd thoughts are common. I went to be last night repeating in my head all the wonderful things people have said post op - I will do this and I will feel great about it. That just doesn't stop me from being a little worried...

I try not to , but I weigh every morning - DH said he was going to throw it away - but I think it does - it keeps you on track. As I was gaining -before the surgery came into play - I had stopped weighing because it was too depressing. So - weighing when losing I think is ok. When I see I've lost I'm off to a great start for the day. I ONLY weigh in the AM - Naked with an empty bladder of course!! ***sad I know - but you guys do that too, right?! ***crickets chirping *** Guys?

BBrecruiter - would you feel comfortable posting pics of any scarring you have fromthe TT? Since it's been a while I for one would love to see how it looks after healing. I saw photos of a recent TT and it turned me off from teh idea of ever having it done....If you can share, I would be grateful...I'm sure it would help others too.

I just had a post about this in my journal - eating at night.... We get this dip from Haggens called "Smoked Chipotle Dip" and if its in the fridge it SCREAMS my name - very hard to resist...yea, I think I ate that last night too come to think of it....Dang it!

Ok so with 7 days left - even thought the Nutritionist said I don't have to - I figured I would go with the shake, shake, greens with balsalmic vinegar diet. I just got back from the store - got my "greens" and balsalmic vinegar and have sat down to eat it - YUK! Must be the greens because I acutally like vinegar dressing....Next time I'll go with iceburg lettuce. If I don't puke I'll be doing good...

I'd suggest walking or water excercise.

Ok so with 7 days left - even thought the Nutritionist said I don't have to - I figured I would go with the shake, shake, greens with balsalmic vinegar diet. I just got back from the store - got my "greens" and balsalmic vinegar and have sat down to eat it - YUK! Must be the greens because I acutally like vinegar dressing....Next time I'll go with iceburg lettuce. If I don't puke I'll be doing good...

I good "help and tutorial" section would eliminate the need for posts on the subject (tickers are a prime example and photos) Having the "chat" fixed would be great. It sounds like the rest of the list is wonderful. This has been the most amazing forum I've ever been a part of....Ok well maybe the only one, but thats because the rest weren't any good!

Thanks for sharing. I'm looking forward to the day I can share my input on these things!

I've wondered long, long term, what things look like...You know like 30-35 years down the road - praying I live that long! *wink* But with a 15 year history I guess we won't know for another 15 years.