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Apples, if you have trouble with losing your posts, type your respond in a word doc and then cut and paste the entire response to the thread and post it. I used to have to do that with my old computer. Morning....another day another little yoga session. Good stretching for a morning. Julie, you'll just have to wait to see what's in that ice chest. I'm bringing a little of the southwest to you. Okay, I'm not looking forward to going to work....may have to bring work with me...but it will be stuff I can do while sitting and talking. Later ladies, need to get lunch packed and breakfast situated. Later, Eva

okay everyone, take you vitamins, drink plenty of fluids and get some rest....no sickies in Florida. Eva

Melissa, I'm so sorry you can't come. Stuff happens (translate that to sh.....happens) and it can't be helped. So next year you'll be there where ever it may be. Welcome back Phil....sorry about the rain...it's going to rain again I hear. We really need the water but it has been putting a damper on other activities. I'm really tired....long day at work again and I don't see an end in sight. Wish the rest of you a really good evening and I'll try and catch up tomorrow. Eva

Julie, glad your are back safe and sound. Just a few more days and we will get to meet. I'm checking a bag too...I'm bringing too much stuff, but that's okay. I'm bringing my little collapsible ice chest and that's going in my luggage too. Spent SB at my sister's. We were watching it for the commercials, but they weren't all that great. So we lost interest and started watching a movie. DH was at a friend of his. July and Jodi, very interesting information. Having the traditions of your faith and family is pretty special. I copied and pasted your explanation of shabbos onto a word doc so I could keep it. I like that view. We went to the Ansel Adams show at the Museum of Art today. He truly had some amazing work. I think we are going back on Wednesday because there were so many people there we didn't get to see all the work. Afterwards we walked to some of the Gem & Mineral show dealers. Didn't buy anything this time. So I didn't spend any money and I got a good walk in. It was a good day. Off to bed...tomorrow is another work day. Eva

Well Mary, I'm on the very slow and low end of the weight loss curve here. I had about 4 months of no weight loss....mostly due to my inability to diet (change all of my eating habits). I am now at what I think is my sweet spot (got a fill two weeks ago) and am now losing weight again. However, I am thrilled with 1 pound a week as long as it averages around there. I have had 3 fills and have 7 cc's in a 10cc band. I really don't think the number of fills or the amount is relevant in comparison with each other because each of us will take different amounts and number of fills. It's what ever works for you. Even if the weight isn't coming off as fast as you want it too, you are giving your body time to adjust to the lower weight and you should be able to keep it off....for good. And the weight is coming off isn't it?

I've been checking on the weather too and want to make sure I bring the "right" stuff. So it's raining here today and a little cool, about 46 right now, so I tried out my hoodie with my henri lloyd rain coat (a light jacket) and that worked pretty well. Warm, but not too warm and the rain jacket is the newest and a breathable one...so I think I'm set. It's raining here now too....we have 7/10's of an inch so far. That's a good rain for us. Jessica, glad you got your plans straight. Sounds like you are going to have a good weekend too. My DH will be joining us on Saturday as long as his flight gets in. Except for the humidity, it seems the weather in FL is similar to ours in the winter. Laura, thanks for the resort info...I also had the wrong one and was going to send DH some place else. That wouldn't have been good. We went out for breakfast this morning and I changed my normal order and ended up PBing...had to tell DH to drive faster so I could get home before it started to come up. You would think I'd learn. Check back later..

If you are getting stuck on chicken every time...try eating some other type of protein, fish, beef, pork..and same thing, small bites. The chillie is a slider food....it doesn't sit in the pouch at all, just slides through and yes, you don't feel full in the same way as before. It's learning how the band works and then working with it...not around it. You have to experiment with what works with you without eating around the band. If you get stuck...meaning pain, slime sometimes and PBing...because you ate too fast or didn't chew enough...you have restriction. You might want to check with your doctor too.

Hi Judy, Yep, we start showing up on Thursday. Yes, there is room for you. It's the Buena Vista Lake Resort, I think...I'm not driving, so I'm leaving it up to the local people. I'm sure they will catch you up when they check the thread. See you soon. Eva

Jessica...at least you will know how to handle the next test. I'm terrible at taking tests anymore. I think it got worse the longer I was in school. Laura, glad Nels got his cast off. Oh boy, dirt and frogs...something to look forward to. Apples, glad you are having such a good time!!

Hi Deb, I sorry to hear you aren't doing so well....but sometimes talking about it helps and that's what we are here for. We all have really tough times and it helps to share sometimes. You can always PM one of us if you don't want to vent in public. We wish you could join us too. Janet, glad to hear the visit is going well. It's good when family can get along. I don't think it happens a lot actually. No, it isn't raining here..I hear it might Monday or Tuesday. We'll see. 1day...I'm going to Ft. Meyers on Sunday when everyone else is flying home. My brother lives there. What day are you driving down? I just got through with my aero pilates workout. Still can't do the entire workout, but I do more every time. I like it. I like it better than regular pilates...it has a padded platform to lay on...better than the carpet. I went through my undies drawer...my I have a lot of stuff in there that I haven't really seen for a while. I just threw out several pairs of undies and a couple of bras. I found another pile of undies I forgot I had. I think they fit now and they are basically new, so I now have a new stash of panties. I also bought a new set in a smaller size because my old ones are sliding in the wrong direction. I'm going through my photos to find some to bring to FL...oh my, I haven't seen some of these for years. Just too cool. I've scanned a couple and sent them off to my old high school friends. Okay...more putzing to do.

Wow Lori, that would be really amazing if your DH could meet you at the airport. I really like it when things work out that way. I haven't tried my bathing suits on in a while....suppose I should do that today. Hhmmmm. I'm sure you'll have lots of taker to split the meal. Especially most of us are leaving on Sunday, no reason to take leftovers home. Have fun in Glenwood, what a beautiful place. Great job Jessica!! Good for you. So the next time you take the test, it's the same test? They don't give you a different version so you'll already know what coming? That could be a great advantage. When is the second test? How's the nephew? Thanks Linda. It's not an easy thing with hip issues. When my hip is acting up, I can't even put on my own socks. I'm truly amazed that the very little effort I'm putting out is paying off. (It's probably more effort than I'm giving myself credit for.) But I haven't been doing this for very long. It is motivating to see progress. Also, my stomach gets in the way and now it's smaller and easier to work around. I like it. Arlene, you know, an egg doesn't last me 3 hours either. If I eat Breakfast before I leave for work (7am), I'm really hungry by 10am...I have to space out my food to keep me evenly keeled at least in the morning. If I eat an egg before I leave, then I'll take my oatmeal with me and heat it up at work about 9am. Then I'm usually good until 11:30 or so. If I have an omelet, I'll take that with me and heat it up at work and eat later like after 8am. I also have my beef Jerky backup...usually my home made stuff so it doesn't have sugar and too much salt in it. Hope your fill goes well and you start feeling better. It is a struggle some days. More later.......

Jessica....GOOD LUCK!!

Laura, fingers crossed for your Dad. And buying stuff off the racks is a big deal. I buy my bras at Lane Bryant. They have a style that doesn't have underwires and I've been wearing them for years. For a while there, I couldn't find them in my size and tried a couple of other brands, but these are still my favorite and now they carry an assortment of sizes and colors. I've been up since 4:30...6 hours sleep. I've been getting around this much all week and I know I'm going to crash big time here soon. I also have motor mouth lately and it isn't the coffee. I'm excited that I'm finally losing weight again. This fill seems to be helping and I'm motivated right now. Just staying this way is the trick. Okay, off to work. I'm going to have a facial after work, so I need to get in a little early so I can leave early. FNSC is tonight...so depending on how late we are there, I'll probably check in tomorrow again. Have a great day everyone. Eva

Julie, have a very safe trip. Say hi to Brenda in Duluth for me. She used to live here. Okay, so what do you guys do to get ready for a trip?

Sorry Lori, missed the word Sundy...that'll teach me to pay attention. I'm not leaving Sunday. Will be in Florida until Tuesday.

1 day....Janet and I are getting in around 4pm...we are on the same flight from Dallas to Orlando. 8 hours is a long drive, but have you ever done audio books while driving. They can make the miles go by faster. Or maybe you can check for a last minute deal on a flight. Don't you bail on us too. We want to meet you!! LauraK...thanks!

I'm not sure the "obsession" will ever be gone totally. Some of the other bandsters I hang out with have been banded for a couple of years, are at goal weight and still have issues with food. They do have a tool now to help them deal with those issues. I think some of this process is to learn how to deal with the obsession and make better choices. I hope to be able to "just say no" to those things I love to over eat....butter, cheese, cream, Cookies, etc. I want to eat that stuff, but in limited and normal amounts. I want to be able to stop after a bite or two. Hence the band. I'm also willing to take my time with this process. I'd love to drop 10 pounds a month, but I have been fat all my life and I think if I lose quickly, I just won't know how to deal with myself. I too have too many issues around food. Maybe a year from now, those issues won't be so prominent.

Yep, quiet tonight. This is the first time I've done yoga in years. I don't do it well, but wow, it feels good. I am very stiff and yoga helps limber me up. I can't do all of the poses (back and knee issues) but I do what I can. Here's a NSV for me, I can actually sit on the floor and cross my legs. I couldn't do this three weeks ago. I can't stay in that position very long, but I can get there. YIPEE As little as I do exercising...I'm already noticing differences in how I feel. So I didn't eat all my sashimi today at lunch (and believe me, it's sooo much less than I used to eat) so I took it back to work with me and didn't get to it there. Now I'm having sashimi for dinner. Yummmm Prattling along here. Hope everyone has a good night. I'm debating whether to turn on the auto cad computer and work, but I'm might just read the diet book instead. later ladies Eva

This sounds like a good theory....I do think it has something to do with laying down...does anyone notice a difference after a nap....does anyone take naps? Butt crack of dawn....I love it. That's how I feel about early morning. It's nice that he rearranged his schedule for US!! Good job at dinner too. I just PM'd you. I guess PMing is better than PBing..... The dentist was just a cleaning. No I don't have any cavities now...they all have fillings in them. I get the teeth cleaned 3 times a year. This appointment was about 6 weeks early...Sean lost track of time and scheduled me too soon, but it was good because I didn't have to go to the big ra ra meeting in Phoenix today. I really didn't want to go to that. Linda, I'm glad you are going to relax a little about your weight loss, I know you are doing everything right and I'm sure your weight will drop probably all 13 pounds in a week. Sorry, just my sick sense of humor. Seriously, physics pretty much dictate how the whole calorie/exercise intake thing goes and you will have to get off the plateau sooner or later. I take my eggs to work with me too and heat them up in the microwave because for some reason I don't like those cold. Janet, I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you. As long as they don't decide to move in with you, you'll be okay. And how long can it take you to pack? You've got Andrew to watch the house while you're gone...he'll feed the dogs and cat, so no worries. Cheri...interesting post on the lap-band rules, but if I limited my meals to 10 minutes....I would be starving. It takes me at least 20 minutes to eat easy food, like oatmeal and sometimes as long as an hour to eat 4 oz of beef. And if I don't chew...I get stuck....that's not pleasant. Some of the longer time thing is me....really making the food last, but some if it is me having to eat slow. Okay....I'm going to do my yoga tape. I'll be back..........

Too late to post...11 hour day today and stuff to do tonight. Tomorrow is an early morning with a dentist appointment in the late afternoon. I'll try and check in later. Good night ladies

So sorry for your pain and I do understand. Yes, it is an intense burning and it does last. The port area is the absolute worst part of the physcial healing. You might have "moved" something a little, but I'm sure you didn't do any major damage. They stapled and stitched my port in so there are metal prongs and the regular stitches holding it in place and if they move, it's going to hurt. Hold that pillow to your stomach every time you cough...if you can...it will help with the support. Do you have any pain meds left from the surgery? You might want to try a little of that just to help right now. I had pain for 3 weeks...intense burning pain, especially if I moved wrong....I still get twinges when I strain that area, but it will go away and heal. The scar tissue will help hold the port in place. I'm self pay too....went to Mexico for surgery.....you will be alright, just make sure you take it easy. You might take something for the cough too. Check with your doctor if you can.

Janet....good luck with the visit. I can understand your apprehension but maybe she truly does want to mend fences. And you are a great host. Hopefully she loves dogs. I'm having steel cut oats too....later this morning. I'm eating my egg right now and I'll take my oats to work with me and eat those later when I get hungry. I cannot go 5 hours without eating. I can barely make 4 hours...usually about 3 1/2, so I'm trying to space the food out so I can stay even. Always trying something to make this all work. Off to work today...have to go visit a customer, joy oh joy. Later Eva

Hi Agnes, I was banded by Dr. Ortiz the week before you. I just had a fill a little more than a week ago and had my first PBing episode and I found out, once I've PBed, I need to way cut back on solids and eat mushies at least the rest of the day....low cal mushies. It seems, once I've PBed my band area is a lot more sensitive and everything gets stuck. Make sure you slow down, eat small bites, chew well and wait between bites. Be really conscience of how you are eating. I find waiting between bites really helps too. It takes me forever to get 4 oz of meat down now, but it works and I'm not hungry for a long time after that. I hope you find some relief and everything settles down. If you keep PBing, you need to have a small unfill. You can always go back and have more put in later.

I have found it very difficult to focus too, especially after a length of time of not loosing because I'm not paying attention. Kick start by doing the 5 day pouch test....you can find info on the web...basically going back to the start and doing liquids, mushies, etc. I just got a really good fill and I think I'm at my sweet spot, not really sure yet, but it's just been a little over a week. I'm also slogging my way through Beck Diet Solutions and there are some great trips for dieting and staying on track. Despite the band and people saying it's a lifestyle change...which is true, it's still dieting. You have to watch what you eat. People here can help inspire you, but you are the one that has to do the work. Best wishes to you.

Linda, I would put tomatoes in my beef soup, but my DH doesn't like them either. I made a pot roast yesterday and I'm going to make beef/barley soup tomorrow with the left overs..no tomatoes. I think I agree with the people that you might want to try and eat more. It does sound counter intuitive, but I really think your metabolism is sort of shutting down and holding on to every calorie it gets. It can't hurt to try more calories...yes, I know...you might gain weight, but I don't think so. I'm not saying eat 2000 calories, just bump it up a little. Laura, DH and I have been trying to eat out on Tuesdays too. Not every Tuesday (as in a date night) but we are making the effort to try some place different. And yes, it's hard not to eat too many calories when eating out. I've really been trying to just order an appetizer (depending on the appetizer) and salad or soup. If I order a meal...I've been taking it home. A lot of the time, I just eat off of DH's plate. He needs to lose a couple of pounds too...so I don't feel so bad about that. I just don't want to give up eating out....there has to be some happy medium where we can do so in moderation. Arlene, I'm so sorry the weather makes you so miserable, but I'm not ready for summer yet either. It comes too quickly here and stays too long. It's rather nice to wear long sleeves for a couple of months. And no Apples and Julie, I don't want to live in your neck of the woods during the winter...too much cold and ice and snow. So Jodi...you're enjoying that multi button I see. Good for you. Hope all your tests go well....I'm sure they will. It's what you are making all this effort for. Lori...I'm really sorry for DD and her DF. It's got to be so hard on both of them. And for you too. I really hope they find the right decision for both of them. I called off my wedding a couple of days before we sent out the announcements and then I ran off to Ohio. I was devastated but it was for the best...I wasn't ready to be married and neither was he. I bet your daughter really is ready but if DF isn't, this may help him decide. I'll keep my fingers crossed for all of you. And yes, I am a woosie. Just wait until you see how I react to the humidity too. Oh, that's lots of fun. Jewel, how pleasant...a heart dissection. I'm so glad you are the one in school and I'm not. You go girl, you are doing great. The longer you go with the band, you are going to find out you are going to have to do the work to lose the weight. It really has taken me 6 months and 4 months of no weight loss to figure it out. I'm still working on how to handle not eating when I really want to. You can read others here are struggling with that too. Janet...I'm bringing a pair of capris unless the weather channel says freezing temps the whole weekend. You never know...laying around by the pool in the sun...they just might be the ticket. Julie, how are you? Where are you? Oh, I just got email from her...she is sick and going to bed. Feel better and sleep well. Apples, enjoy those books. Okay, it's almost 10:30 and I've got to get some sleep. Manana ladies Eva