Nathalie

I know why I'm weighing heavy. Aunt Flo reared her ugly head tonight. A WEEK EARLY! No wonder I've been irritable the past few days. Well, more irritable than usualy. bk, I can't speak for yours, but I think my sister's self worth and self image is tied into being "the skinny sister." She thinks I'm the pretty one, I'm the smart one, I'm the organized one... And she is the skinny one. One thing she "wins" on. not for long! Tomorrow I take my 1 month picture! I'm excited and nervous. I wonder how much of a difference I'll see in the pic? Bed!

Aside from my medical professionals and the LBT forum, there are 7 people in the world who know about my surgery. Only one of them is an immediate family member. I know who supports me in my life, and I know who will use this against me, and try to make me feel ashamed of myself because of my decision. At this point I wanted to be surrounded by people who love and believe in me, so I chose to keep my decision to myself. So far, I know it was the right decision for me.

Hi All - I'm back. GLAD to be home. Brandi - I wish I was there to give you a huge hug and chat away the night. I don't have anything to tell you that others haven't. In time you'll feel better inside, though you may never understand the WHY of the whole thing. Forgive him and heal yourself, or you'll never trust another man again. And that would be such a disservice to yourself. You're such a wonderful girl, you deserve a great guy. Kirsten - Did. It. Hurt? hahah I can deal with everything else, but the pain, oh the pain of the prick (of the needle). I am so skeevish. My fill is 1/25. I'm jazzed because I am eating like a professional wrestler lately. bkwallint - I will keep your daddy in my prayers. Bless his heart. I hoped he would have improved by today. Love him up while he's down and out. he'll appreciate it. Kaydoll - your loss is spectacular! You're not doing anyone a disservice by not spilling your guts. You are protecting your self-interest, and there is nothing wrong with that. Since when are you obligated to tell everyone all of your business? Yeah, you're not. I think I owe you an email or two... sweethot - congrats on pushing for your fill! You need to do what you need to do for you. forget your big scary doctor and his cruddy attitude! StephC & dawnae - HI gals! :girl_hug: I owe you both an email, too! I had drama with my sister. She is such an idiot. I'm glad I didn't tell her I'd had the band, but she did notice I had lost weight. I wanted to stand there a hula. hahaha She's not threatened yet, since I watched her eat biscuits, hotdogs, etc. She also pissed me off and I won't see her for another 2.5 - 3 months because of it. (selfish little whore) When she does see me, she is going to really be jealous and then try and lose a bunch of weight to keep up with me. HAHAH Little does she know, i have a secret weapon! Confession - I ate a McFish tonight. The whole thing. And 3/4 of a PowerAde drink with it. I was stressed, pissed and starving. Tried to wait til I got home, but my little one was hungry, so I got him nuggets and apples... I'm about to hop my butt up on this elliptical for a while. And hopefully tomorrow I'll be back down to my "normal" weight. I weighed tonight and am up to 270.5. ACK! I haven't pooped since Thursday... I just have to tighten back up and do right. I need a fill, but I need to put myself back in check. Love you guys and I'm glad to be back! i am going to have that glass of wine right now. I don't know why I think I deserve it, but I'm doing it anyhow. I have a sick kid on my hands and I am just whupped. Nat

Hi Friends! No daycare today, so I'm doing great. Thanks for thinking of me. I feel like we are real friends around here. Glad to vent. The good news is, my eating is under control, so I am proud about that. Old Me would have killed a chocolate cake and a plate of nachos. I am on the run until Saturday, so you may not hear from me until then. I'll check in as soon as I can though. Love you! Nathalie

I remember how back-stabbing BW was to Star Jones when that whole fluff-up occurred. Not that I'm a SJ fan, but BW disparaged her entirely too quickly and was very harsh. In comparison, Star was quite graceful after she left the show. It should be no surprise to Rosie that BW is now bashing and back-stabbing her as well. Sounds like Barbara's MO. And I would be surprised if Rosie comes back next year. The show needs her more than she needs the show - and she is anything but forgiving. They also have a pdf version of the letter to Rosie on the site. Trump is quite biting. ((laughing)) He cracks me up.

Hi guys - I'm home, I've had no nap. I've also had no drink, but damn I'd love a glass of wine! I totally just got done crying. I also posted a msg on our yahoo board because my problem is too detailed to put out here. (All explained in there.) I am major stressed, and very anxious regarding a situation at work. In addition, I am going to have to change my boy's daycare. This one isn't working out. I feel like I am failing him. He's still sick, and he's not napping there, so he's just crazed at night when we get home. Kay, I love that book. I checked on Amazon and didn't see it available. I think it's from like 1993 or something. Maybe a used bookstore? I'm sitting in my crappy hard bed drinking water and wishing I had a slab of chocolate cake instead. I think I am going to lay here and cry for a minute, then I'm going to sleep. I'm sure everything will be brighter in the morning. *sigh* N.

Happy Birthday, Beversman!!!!! Hope you are enjoying every minute of your special day! :happybday2:

I'm a grump-a-lump today. A real, hardcore, true blue grump-a-lump. Work is on my last nerve. I'm in need of a nap. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr! n.

Judge much, Missy. You don't know me, and have judged me and my family based on a paragraph? I never said we were above working at such places, and I certainly don't think we're better than anyone else. But why bother explaining to you? Your mind is already made up. Have a great day!

llewis: I understand and respect your opinion, but I disagree. I will not accept mediocrity from my children. I will do what it takes, reach them however I can, to have them understand that "average" is not acceptable. If my son wants to play sports, he will understand that he must get his grades first. I wasn't allowed to bring C's home and still have an active social life, nor was my sister, nor was my brother. My sister is a lawyer, my brother is a physician, I am a director in a company with my Ph.D. On the converse, my cousins were allowed to be mediocre - they put forth medium effort and skated by, although they were in plays and sports. One cousin is a lunchroom supervisor and the other works at the Gap and at the MAC counter in the mall. I know that my siblings and I have a much easier time making ends meet than my cousins. But even now, they don't want to work hard. Yes, children are different. But we as parents have to find a way to reach them and get them to understand that some things in life aren't optional. And if you want the rewards in life, if you want endless opportunity, you must work hard. I'm sure you are equally proud of your boys. And please don't think that I am judging your parenting skills at all, because I'm not. We have different views, and that's okay. But no, my children will not be mediocre. Even if C's is the best they can do, they will know the value of hard work and put forth their best effort (even if I have to beat it out of them). HA! Nathalie P.S. I didn't mean I'll physically beat my kids, so nobody answer me with "You're a child abuser!" ahaha

StephC - so she busts her hump working 2 jobs and hubbo stays home? Girlfriend, that would not be me. I hope she's doing okay. I thought about her last night. Everyone must be caught up. I know how busy it is at my job right now. (BOOOO!) I'm actually playing hookey this morning. I'm a lil devil! Nat

Gerbera - I call anything a "whip" if I whip it up in my mini food processor. I am not eating high carbs, so I'll mix up the tuna hotdish (without the pasta) and then heat it up. Thus, "hot tuna whip." I have a bunch of recipes for whips. Usually with chicken/turkey/tuna/salmon and cottage/ricotta/cream cheese or yogurt and some kind of seasoning - hot sauce, bbq sauce, lemon pepper, greek seasoning, dill. My favorites as of late are the greek seasoning ones and the buffalo flavored ones (hot sauce and blue cheese). I eat it from a bowl with a spoon, but some days I really really really wish I had some crackers. Doc says no crackers yet.

I am a big ole eating machine. TOTAL stress eating. I ate 10 Scooby Snacks (graham crackers shaped like dog bones) and soy milk after dinner. I am friggin STUFFED. My boy is insane. New daycare sucks. He doesn't get naps, and when we get home he is irritable, cranky, throwing fits, hitting, biting... little fugger. I'm going to talk to the day care lady again tomorrow. If we can't get it together within another week, I'm going to have to find another solution, even if it's more expensive. Tomorrow is all liquids. I hurt tonight, and I don't need to be stretching a damn thing. StephC - yes, I will pray for your friend. Why didn't she follow doctor's orders? Poor thing. I have a "friend" (HAHAHA) who ... wait, let me cut/paste his email: He is so full of shit, first of all. I dated him. He had RNY, and I was literally disgusted at the amount of food he would eat. He didn't take his Vitamins, kept drinking beer and wine, would eat pizza and hot wings... He sickened me. We'd be out at dinner, and he would either get something stuck or eat too fast - excuse himself and go throw up - then come back and keep eating. I told him over and over to take care of himself, and he told me he knows what he's doing. Uh huh. Dumbass. They KNOW what the doctor tells them after surgery. That is a major, body altering surgery! Why don't they listen? DUH I know I'm ranting, but this guy is so great, but he is a hard core food addict, and I can't be around him. We'd be like 2 crack addicts feinding for our next rock. But I digress....

I'm eating about 750 calories per day and I am plenty full. I have a slight restriction and I'm not hungry. I'm also a month out, so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about. I think it depends on how you choose to get your calories. Everything I eat has Protein in it. My 1c of food has about 200c. I honestly think that I can eat like this most days with no problem. Just my two cents. But again, I'm a newbie, so I could very well be wrong. N.

I'm sorry, that cracked me up. I think it was the big ole nips in the first picture and all of the subsequent naked flesh. What a way to disservice his "wife." HAHAH I can't believe ppl actually believed that garbage. Who was their doctor, Dr. Nick? What kind of doctor would just ignore his patient's health like that? Give me a break.

LOL... I like you marjon9! N.

apinksoprano - did you ever tell us how that date turned out? I lost the thread. I hope you rocked it like a Hollywood starlet, girl! As far as eating goes, you need to forgive yourself and take your tail to the doctor for a fill. Why the delay? Call and tell them you have no restriction and you NEED A FILL. Be assertive. Speak up for yourself. And believe in yourself. Just like with dating, it's half the battle! Nathalie

Consider the source. They're both hacks. And Rosie's big ass of all people has some nerve. I can't stand that sow.

Gerbera: According to wiki, "In Australia, they are known as 'potato gems' or 'potato pom-poms' (also used in the UK and New Zealand). " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tater_Tots And they are delish! I like mine baked crispy with vinegar on 'em. And lots of salt. (Damn y'all for mentioning TT... now I have to work through this craving.) I think I'm going to have a hot tuna whip for dinner...

All: Just looking at my surgeon's info regarding fills. The material says "Fills to the LapBand are provided at a cost of $125 each." Does this mean $125 out of pocket, or will the insurance company pay for it? Maybe I'll just call the surgeon's office. I don't like surprises, and if I get in there on 1/25 and they want me to write them a check for $125, I'm going to be a lil peeved. N.

mystique - haychoo. :laugh YOU MADE ME LAUGH OUT LOUD! jump around and tuck your fat in? HAHAH Yeah, that's about how I'm fitting in the size 18's. Then I have to lay on the bed and suck in my guts on an empty stomach to get them to zip. skinnymom - I have added your advice to my little toolkit. Especially since it worked! I do think any kind of oil will work. I would've used flaxseed oil instead of olive oil. bk - your pop is in my thoughts and prayers. I know he'll pull through like a champ. sweethottie - ROCK IT GIRL! 6 pounds down? Man, I need to put my scale away until the 14th (1 mo. anniversary) for my next weigh in. I get on that stupid thing about every other day now.

I know this is not helpful of me to say, but "grits" made me laugh out loud. :laugh Reminds me of My Cousin Vinnie.

Like skyeblu said, I blame the parents. My parent never accepted us to be mediocre. You learn as children what your potential is, primarily though being successful in what you do, and the messages your parents/teachers, etc. provide. If the kid's parents don't care if the kid is average, then you're going to have a hard time making the kid a success. I can tell you this: it won't be my child.

Hey Mamas, I was in bed last night at 8pm. Didn't clean up a thing - my house is trashed. And I slept like a restless cat. Did I mention I hate my mattress? I am calling them today and citing their 100% satisfaction guarantee. Cuz I can't get no satisfaction on that mattress. I'm going to raise a stink and get my own way. Nat the Brat always gets her own way. HA! Bevz - HA on skipping the porkchop dinner. GOOD FOR YOU! you were mad though, weren't you? ahahahah I know you were, cuz I would have been mad. You've got the eye of the cyclops, girlfriend. I would have been nibblin around the edges and trying to chew and chew and chew. I went through a phase last fall when I was CRAVING porkchops. And short ribs w/sauerkraut. I think we ate pork for like 2 weeks. And I'm not much of a meat eater at all! smithkr1 - I am envious that you're off work until 1/20. I came back on 1/3 and it was too soon. I should have waited until yesterday. Now i'm all tired, and my side hurts (like a cramp). Rest up. As for people asking how much y'all've lost? Tell them you appreciate their support, and you will share you success on your own timescale. Otherwise they should STFU about it. I only told my closest friends (4 ppl), my HR girlfriend at work, and my Daddy. Everyone else can stuff it. And of ALL of those folks, my Dad is the only one asking "How are you doing with your diet?" It doesn't drive me crazy, because he only asks when he sees me, and he starts out saying "I can really see a difference, daughter! You are really slimming down," or something to that effect. People, as a whole, make me sick. LOL No one here, of course. And by "here" I mean Lap Band Talk (as not to hurt anyone's feelings). HAHAH So skinnymom, how's it hangin? Did you get unstuck? What helped? Kirsten - rock on with the smaller size pants! I can't wait until I'm back in my 20's. i have really nice size 20 pants in my closet, and I can't wait to wear them again. Some happy woman is going to be thrilled to inherit all my 18/20 Jones New York suits. I may be fat, but I love to be sharply dressed. StephC - that wasn't a rant, that was a load off your chest, girl! And I hear you 100%! I'm not to the point where I don't approach this as a diet. I mean, it is a change in the way I eat, and I say "I have changed my diet." So maybe I think of this as a diet, instead of a Diet. (If that makes sense.) For me, I could look at a plate of food, and where others would say "That's a lot of food" I would see a moderate amount of food. I'm not good at salad bars, I can't make a small salad. I think that journaling my intake and counting my Protein and calories helps to keep me accountable. I love that you have the discipline to sample teeny amounts and stay on track. I know the beast inside me, and if I feed the gorilla, she will gorge. Even if it means I am uncomfortable as a result. Isn't it amazing how different approaches work for different people? I made a whip last night that looked like dogfood. It was mushy and gross. It's the last time I'll use the taco meat. The saddest part of all is that I made enough for 2 meals. Guess what I'm gagging down for lunch? Yeah, dogfood slop. *hurk* I try to limit myself to 1 whip per day, just because. I think I will still have a Greek whip tonight - that Greek one was the best of the bunch! Nat

skinnymom - don't be ridiculous! No one is upset with you at all. It was a situational thing more than a personal thing. :welldone: As for your onion ring? Wow. That's a hard one. I'd try (in this order): sips of hot water, a little olive oil (like a cap full) to see if you can't sliiiiiide it on down, maybe a glass of wine to see if you can't relax yourself enough to let that little bugger slide through, aloe vera juice (I hate it personally - it tastes prickly), and if none of that works and you're still in discomfort come morning, a call to my surgeon. You're not insane, you're not a bad person. You just lapsed into your comfortable old skin and *oops.* You need to relax and unstick the onion first and foremostly. Everything else is secondary. And don't be too embarrassed to call your doctor. If you think he'll be horrified because you ate a little piece of onion ring, all of his other patients must be perfect saints! :cool: And we both know that's not the case. I'm more concerned about your discomfort than anything else. I hope you feel better soon. Nathalie P.S. More later. Going to play with the baby, and then put him in bed sooooooooooooooooooooon!