sbmorgaine

I have heard altoids make it a cool minty feeling, and maybe would make it taste better? Or at least your breath would be fresh when you finish. :faint:

I smoked for a long time. I started when I was 12 (to be cool ya know) and I did meth for a while, but quit that when I realized that it was stupid to think my cat was bugged by the FBI. Luckily, I stopped after 6 months, and now I realize how big of a bullet dodged. I think I am addicted to food, and am going to OA so that I can get control of my food addictions.

The wedge haircut...man! I have some bad memories about that one. I was like, 10 years old and had beautiful long hair clear down to my butt, and my mom decided I need a cut...so off I go...and come home with that horrible Dorthey Hamil do. Gah!

A woman gave my mom this advice once, and it seems to hold true. What you believe is going to happen, will in fact happen. So if you believe that it won't work, then it won't. I am SURE (even when I am not) that this band is going to get me down to 175-180 lbs. I know it. I am not wavering, because once you begin to doubt, then the doubt wins. SO, don't doubt, it will work. To use an AA saying, it works when you work it, and your worth it.

WHOOO! I can't even imagine! Very happy for you!

I am looking forward to: fitting in my kayak again wearing nice clothes not getting winded going up stairs no knee pain going hiking going biking going sky diving going out without the stares not being so darn tired all the time!

My parents are living on a sailboat, and they are on the way to Mexico. They have researched dental care down there pretty intensively and found that most of the "cruisers" (people who live on sailboats) have nothing but good things to say about Mexican dentists. The only thing they say is that you should try to find one who speaks English, or take a Spanish speaker with you, because that is where problems happen.

You know, really, if it doesn't hurt you, who cares if some doctors say it is bad? If you feel better after a colon cleanse, then go do it! If you feel better after having a big glass of mineral oil, then go do it! As long as it is not going to harm you then to each their own. If I believe that dancing naked in a field of flowers is the cure for my depression, and it works for me, then who is to say "well that isn't valid?" Because, it worked, so therefore, it is valid. A lot of healing your body is in your mind.

I was worried about telling people, but the reaction I have gotten has been almost overwhelmingly positive. I think that my family and friends worry because we are going to Mexico, so I have heard about that one dateline episode more than I care to, but really everyone has been positive about it. I think that it could be because I don't ever say that this band will "cure" my bad eating and then I will be perfect. I give people both the positive and negative side of it, and when they realize that I have knowledge of both, they know I have done the research. When I first mentioned it to my mom, she asked me about 4,000,000 questions, and I could answer them, or say "i am not sure, I will call you later with the answer" and then, called her later with the answer. Knowing that I had researched it well, made my family supportive. Now my mom is telling EVERYONE, which is normal for my family, and they are all happy for us. I think because they see how unhappy my partner and I are being stuck in our fat.

:biggrin1:One thing I forgot to say about Birks though. The first 2-3 days you wear them, they hurt. I have heard so many people say "oh, i tried them, but man my feet hurt, so I gave them away". NONONONO (unless you wear my size and send them to me:biggrin1: ). They have to form to your feet, and then they are the most comfortable shoes ever.

Have you tried Birkenstock insoles? They are hella expensive, but they work! And my dad, who taught for 30+ years swore by his Birkenstock clog/sandals. He said that he never hurt again after he changed to them. I mean, I know you look like a hippie, but they have recently come out with some very cute sandles, that don't kill your back and legs.

One thing that my partner and I do to keep our spending in order is we put our debit cards/ check books into a locked box that we put up. We take it down so that we can pay bills, and then back up it goes. We decided on a set amount for every payday for entertainment, food, etc. That we get in cash. That way, we know how much we have. If you are anything like me, debit cards are the DEVIL!! I forget how much I have used it, or what I bought, it is amazing how much money I spend on $4 here and $3 there. Now, when I only have cash, I KNOW how much I have spent, because I don't have the money in my pocket anymore. And, I don't buy a lot of things, because I don't want to use my money!! Try cash, it really shows you how much you spend. IMHO

This thread is an inspiration! I have about 170 lbs to lose, so knowing that someone has lost 100+ really helps me know that I can do it.

Funny Duddies, you crack me up. I swear I knew you in a past life.

Am I the only one that thinks Tired Old Man's avitar is the funniest thing ever on this thread? Every time he posts it cracks me up.

Josette, I don't think you look like him at all.

I am feeling so nervous. What happens if the band doesn't work? what if I have complications? What if it doesn't work? But, I also know that it is going to work. the doubts in the back of my mind can control me, so I am not letting them. This is the start of a new life, that is all I can keep repeating to myself.

We start the 2 week liquid pre-diet on monday, and I am not looking forward to it at all. sigh. I am not looking forward to it. We have been doing a South Beach type diet the last couple of weeks, just because I didn't want to go from frozen custard to slimfast with nothing in between, and I have lost 10 pounds. WHOO HOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My mom just keeps saying "do you really think you will be able to eat pizza after the band? Is that a good idea?" Like I am going to become a vegan and only eat super healthy foods because of the band. It is a tool to eat less, not a brain transplant :heh: !!!!!!!! I wanted to agree with whomever said that people perceive you the way that you think of yourself. For years, I have been fat, but I have never acted fat (until the last 3.5 years when I really started having physical syptoms from my weight). I pretty much dated who I wanted, a lot of times I got the hotties, because I could make them laugh. I know that it doesn't always work, but making someone laugh and not acting fat can really help. If you sit in a corner thinking "my god, no one will ever date me, I am so fat", everyone looking at you will think "my god, she is so fat, who would date her??"

Great thread!! I have never been diving, but since I was in high school I have wanted to go. My parents are in the process of sailing to Mexico to live, and we are going down in December for Christmas, and one of the things I want to do is go snorkeling while there. One of my future rewards, once I hit goal, is to get scuba certified so I can go! I can't wait!

I agree, Telly is much prettier!

You totally look like Linda Carter, you should go find a look-a-like place and sign up!

My partner and I both are being banded on the same day, and we have noticed that we are both showing signs of life that we haven't seen in a long time. we are cleaning the house, and getting our money in order, and really looking at what we have allowed our lives to become. I feel hope. That is the biggest change since the decision to have this surgery. For the last oh, man, 10 years:eek: I have felt no hope where weight loss was concerned, I figured that someday a pill or a sharp blow to the head would give me the motivation to really do it, but I felt no hope. Now, I feel hopeful. I am looking at my life post-band, and see so many things! I am going to school to finish my degree (finally, I started it in 1993!!!) and the job that I will have after school requires a lot of standing. I had not thought about that part of it, I just found something I love and went after it. Then, about the middle of last year, I realized that a HUGE!! part of the job is standing in front of crowds, on your feet for 1 1/2 hours (at least) at a time. Yeah, not something I could do now. Life is starting new, fresh! I can't wait!

:clap2: :clap2: We finally got our airline ticket information!!!! Yippie! :clap2: :clap2: We are for sure scheduled for August 10th! I am so excited I can barely stand it... :eek: :eek:

Not so much romantic, as funny. He is a 19 year old who has many different mental delays, mostly he is severely retarded and autistic. So he has seen us kiss (my sweetie and I) and tries to do it as well, but he uses his front teeth. It is so innocent and sweet, from someone who can be sooooooooo trying sometimes. And...we have to wrestle with him to brush his teeth, and he has the WORST (!!!!!!!!!!) breath ever.