Nathalie

Just posting quickly. I am absolutely beat today. My little one was sick last night - coughing, sputtering, crying all night long. I think I slept 3 hours. I also hate my mattress. I called the mattress co. (www.jonathanstevens.com) to find out if I could exchange it, and the lady was nice at first, then when she came back she was not so nice and told me to make my room warmer and blah blah blah. I hate that friggin mattress, but I wasn't in the mood to ask for a manager today. I would have either cussed or cried. I need to present some sound logical arguments. I don't want to return it, I just want to exchange it for one that is less firm. I think they have a pillow top mattress that is memory foam underneath. Fuggerz. I dropped Lil Nat off at daycare today and he cried when I left. That did nothing for my mood. I almost cried with him. Just broke my heart! He never did it at the old daycare and I hate that he's doing it at this one. Gosh, I wish they would come up with an opening at the new daycare. Maybe I'll call today to ask her about it. (Or is that pushy?) I just ate a buffalo chicken whip - chkn, cottage cheese, hot sauce and blue cheese crumbles. Oh man did that ever hit the spot! NOw I'm tired! I think I'm leaving work early to go get my boy and go home. Did I say that already? I need to renew my car insurance. I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SLEEPY! More Later, Nathalie P.S. Steph, my name is Nathalie Grace Adams. NGAdams. We may be cousins afterall!

Kimmy - wow, what a dilemma. I hope you don't mind some bare bones honesty. That's how we roll in this thread (HA!). I would dump the shakes. If you're drinking them all day, you're probably drinking too much. Are you on a liquid phase right now? Or is this a self imposed shake fast? Second of all, how much Water are you drinking? And finally, girlfriend, you have GOT to exercise. How are your poops? Are you passing anything, or are you plugged up from all the Protein and no Fiber? You need to take body measurements. You have got to drink your water (64oz per day). And you have got to move your body. I know how tough it is to be a Hollywood starlet. Well, I don't know personally, but I read In Touch enough to see how you have to break your ass to stay skinny. Janet Jackson lost 60 pounds in 4 months, but she was working out hard every day. How much time can you devote to working out? If it were me, I would get up in the morning, eat some oatmeal with a scoop of Protein powder in it. Find a low calorie, low fat protein powder. Wait an hour, drink some water. For lunch, eat 3oz fat free cottage cheese and 3oz. chicken breast. I whip mine in the food processor and add different spices. Each one is 200c and has 25g protein. If you get hungry in the afternoon find a protein snack - I eat string cheese. 70 calories and 8g protein. You can also eat sugar free Jello and sugar free popsicles. I would have an Isopure drink (not a milky shake, but a juice drink) for dinner. 160cals and 40g protein. You should stay full, and you should be full of protein. With exercise, you'll drop weight and build muscle. But to be honest with you 100%, you are going to have a hard time being 135lbs by March 25. Even if you eat 500c per day and exercise like a madwoman. Your body loses slower the thinner you are, and 178 is thin if you don't live in Hollywood. Hope this helps. Nathalie

AUDREE! Congratulations! I am so happy for you! The delay had to suck, but I'm glad the time passed and you're now "one of us." How do you like it so far? Sorry I don't know anything about legal rights and eating out. What kind of problem are you having? Nathalie

Brandi - I just woke up. That friggin bed made my hip and my shoulder go numb. I also had a dream that I was driving and falling asleep behind the wheel. I woke up in a panic. Do you have a 100% straight memory foam mattress, or does yours have a pillow top on it? I came to tell you guys about a book that has helped me get over my emotional eating issues. It's by Janet Greeson, Ph.D. and it's called It's Not What You're Eating, It's what's Eating You: The 28-day plan to heal food addiction. She was a food addict and she understands why we eat. If anyone is interested, I'll tell you more. Just a suggestion, of course. But being conscious of our need to eat when we're not hungry is a step toward controlling those urges. Nathalie

Hey mamas - Just got home from Dad's house. Football w/Pop is always fun. Kay I know you're stoked that NE made it one more week. On my way to bed but popped in to tell you that the Stacker2 Pink Lemonade protein water (20g protein) is really really nasty. It's got a weird bite to it. UGH. I also felt wired after I drank it. I've got a case of gas, so I'm taking some GasX before bed. I'm also going to take some MOM because it's been a while since I've "moved." Levi, is it? (too lazy to scroll up) Eating the topping from pizza is acceptable. I bet you got 5 or 6 grams of protein in there, too! Seriously, when I went in for my first follow up appointment, I was confessing my sins, and the surgeon told me that especially toward the end of the liquid phase, the stomach has essentially healed and if you're feeling ravenous it's okay to nibble on food to get you over. I felt SO much better! I was expecting him to chastise me over some string cheese and pizza toppings. Glad you didn't overdo it, hon! sweethot, even if we don't have an "official" gathering, I'd LUUURVE to swing by y'all in Deutschland to say HI during one of my trips to the UK. They've sucked up until now because I'm only over there for business, not pleasure. I'd love to do the business part, then extend a long weekend or something. StephC you're just a cute lil ole thing, aren't you? LOL I love the pics. One of these days I'll post mine (*hurk*) but no time soon. I need a decent "after" pic to post beside it so I don't feel depressed! You work it girl! Size 5 butt and size 9 waist made me laugh. I'm the other way around, except I'm a size 16 top and a size 20 bottom. Don't make no sense, does it??! dawnae - keep it up, be strong and be aware of your triggers. I'm glad Belle is doing okay. I am sure that was way scary! My little one fell down 4 steps at Dad's house and I flipped, but he was up and playing right away. (10 seconds of screaming and he was A-OK) Bits and nibbles, while not the greatest snack, isn't the whole cake or the whole dozen cookies. And girlfriend, I've had those nights. Do you journal? I am fighting the urge to eat when I'm stressed, and I write and write and write. Otherwise when I get angry/frustrated/irked/happy/sad/lonely/depressed the first thing I'd do is head for the bakery. Forgive yourself, learn the lesson and move forward. You are not bad. You have nothing to be ashamed of. *hugz* Anyhow, I've managed to hurt something, I think it's my ribs. I don't know how or why I have this pain there. I'm hoping it's gas, but it feels like it's in my bones. It may be from this mattress I bought back in June. I got a memory foam, but that bastard is so hard and unforgiving! I am going to call tomorrow and see if they won't exchange it for a different one. Maybe if I cry? I am TOTALLY unhappy with the purchase, and when I called back in August the man said it could take up to 6 months to adjust to a new mattress. Well I'm not adjusted to that hunk of rock yet - I hate sleeping on it! WTF kind of bed is that? Keep your fingers crossed, ladies! TTYT! Nat

Hey, do yall keep a food journal? I was supposed to, but haven't been doing it until yesterday. It helps me track my caloric intake, Water intake and exercise. I have been averaging between 500 and 600 calories per day, with the exception of yesterday (1000) and the day before (1500 or so - that was my pie faux pas). I wanted to hit 255 by the 14th, but I'm not going to make it unless I really push it. I was right - each one of the whips (chicken or salmon, cottage/cream/ricotta cheese and seasonings) is about 200 calories and 25g Protein. It's also about 3/4 cup, so I can't eat it all at one sitting. By the way, I bought Worldwide Pure Protein shakes at GNC. they come in a can. 35g protein, 160 calories, 3g carbs. It was absolutely gross. It was chalky at the bottom, and I shook it really well. So far my favorite drinks are the Isopure Protein Drinks. 160 calories, 40g protein. $3.75 at GNC, cheaper via Internet mail order. Bandiva, work it out girl! I agree, we are going to learn so much about ourselves thanks to the band - eating habits, psychological hangups, interpersonal relationships and other areas of our lives as well. I hope we each find empowerment in our choices and our responses to the world. Nat

OMG jillrn! HA! I fell off the treadmill once at the gym! I dropped my walkman, and DUH stopped to pick it up. I fell right off the back of the treadmill and hit the floor hard. The batteries and tape flew out of the Walkman. I looked up and a bunch of people were cracking up at me! I wanted to run to Burger King for a double meat Whopper and a strawberry milkshake. To my credit I put the thing back together and hopped back on the treadmill. HA! The WorldWide Pure Protein shakes (35g protein, 160 cals) are gross. I got it from GNC. Shook it really well and it still had clumps in it. Me no likey. Fortunately I only bought 2 of them. On a final note (and not to stir up trouble) I will also say that one person done gone and pissed me off. That lets me know it's time to turn off my laptop for a while. When some stranger with a crucifixion complex who I will never meet has me talking out loud to my monitor and furrowing my brow, it's time to check back into RL for a while. I'm heading to my Dad's house to watch football and enjoy a peaceful, non-drama-filled afternoon. Love my steady girls - rock it today, ladies! Nathalie

Did you read what was written or do you have your selective memory engaged? Here's what was said - since you seem hung up on misquoting me, I'll cut and paste. Steph asked "ok so now how do you keep others out?" Note, she didn't say THE others (as in the other December Bandsters). She said OTHERS as in any people we don't know. I answered: HA! I don't think we can keep others out, but we can ignore them if they post in here. (((laughing))) That was mean, and of course I didn't mean it. Now if you know more about what I meant by those words, then by all means, explain it to me. Nothing I've done or said is hypocritical. There are numerous explanations as to why we post in that thread over there. I invite you to read (and understand) what was said. You're the main person vocalizing your displeasure about the thread. Stirring up unnecessary drama is as unsupportive as one can get, as far as I'm concerned. Just as YOU said: "It was so much easier to check in today, so fewer posts!!! I think since a large group within this group took off to another place (yeh, being I just got here, I was a little offended by that, but whatever, there are other GREAT people left behind with me... so I'm happy about that!) And it has made it easier to stay caught up!!! YEH!" That was our motivation to take our personal chit chat to another place - it's easier to keep up. Any other questions? Or can we put this behind us now? Nathalie

((beversman)) I just love you sister friend! You and I think so much alike - and it makes me laugh out loud. I just posted on DB and as I re-read my post, I had to delete the words "Cut the bullshit." HAHAH I think everything is put to rest now. At least I *HOPE* it is. I don't understand how people just jump to conclusions about things on a MESSAGE BOARD. Take time to read, understand and form an opinion. There is no excuse for falling into HE SAID SHE SAID (except for pure laziness - i.e., being too lazy to read previous posts). Kirsten: Belching. I would KILL to belch as freely as I used to. I have no idea why I can't belch like I used to, but man I really miss it. After my Sweet Potato Faux Pas the other night, I was getting my boy ready for bed and a HYOOOOOOOOOGE one came from the pit of my stomach. It felt so good, and was the first time I'd belched in over a week. I'll check into changing my nickname. I looked before but didn't see it. Thanks! Kathy in Chattaboogie - I don't know what a Vienna Sausage is (are they like the turkey meat sticks they make for a baby?), but your tale of woe made me giggle. Poor thing! At least you killed that craving. Does this mean you've got some kind of restriction? jillrn - maybe can you go and see the nutritionist? Do you write down everything that you are eating? If your scale isn't moving and you're truly being faithful to your eating, then I'd seek help. YOU CAN BE SUCCESSFUL! You can do it! I know for me, I'm not drinking enough water so I've stalled out. But each day you can look at what has given you success in the past and change what's not working for you. And everybody - don't forget to measure! Even if the scale goes up, your measurements will tell the true story! KayDot - Girlfriend, getting back on that elliptical yesterday was harder than I expected. For realz. I'm putting my fatness back up on it today before we go to my Dad's to watch football. My goal is to ride it 1 hour in the morning and another 30 - 60 minutes in the evening. A $20 gym membership is what I need! I need to find something that has a kid coral where I can drop my boy while I work my jelly. (HA!) Okay HOW many days before you graduate to mushies? You are kicking azz on liquids though, girlfriend. Complete azz! I'm going to order the sample packs from BE.com today. I'm more interested in the Nectar packs than anything else. I'm getting sick of the milky creamy drinks. bkwalling - I am so glad to know what that pain is. I thought it was scar tissue. My surgeon said he placed my port about 2" above my navel. Sorry you had to sit there for so long, but I am so glad that you put your mind at rest. I wonder if it is aggravated by too much activity? Mine hasn't hurt in a while, but when it was aching, it was horrendous! StephC! Welcome back, mama! I'm glad you have had a house full of activity. You are a TEENY lil thing aren't you? 5'3" You are a lil spitfire. heehhe How cool that you've raised giving children. And great job on the eating! You go girl! Oh, just BTW, the Stallone protein puddings are gross. It had a gelatin film on top of it and an aftertaste. UGH. I have 1 more to eat. Maybe different flavors taste different, but the vanilla cream was nassy. (Yes, nassy.) Busting a move, but I'll check in later today. I hope all of the drama is over. Laterz! Nat Anybody have exciting plans for today?

For cripes sake, do you people read? No one has "LEFT" December Bandsters. Just to explain it so that everyone can understand - it seems some of the group is intent on villainizing others, calling us "mean girls" and intimating that we treat the newbies like fat girls and whatnot. How absolutely ridiculous. A group of us post in another thread. Big deal. We also post here. If you'd take the time to read what we posted (as some have done) you'll see that we spell out our intentions, and we have done what we said we'd do. We girltalk over there with the people we got to know over the past 6+ weeks. We became friends. With all of the wonderful new members on DB, it's hard to keep up with each other. I get the feeling that some of you think we've done something wrong by chatting in another thread. WTF kind of logic is that? We haven't abandoned you, we haven't made another December Bandsters thread, we haven't started a member's only club, we haven't padlocked the door and we don't speak in code. If your feelings are hurt by the new thread, you may want to get your hypersensitivity in check. And if you have questions about the other thread, ask us. Don't talk around us, that only stirs the pot and causes conflict where there is none. It's not like most of the friends in Steady Losers aren't still active here. It's just plain rude. We are definitely here to support each other. Not only in this thread, but on this entire LapBandTalk message board. Having gotten THAT off my chest.... 247Realtor - you are getting banded in Feb, or a fill in Feb? Just curious. If you want to know the positive and negatives of being banded, read the previous pages. It's all there in black and white! (or other HTML coded colors). As far as restriction goes, I am finding that I can eat any and everything. I sucked down a piece of pie the other night and it was right at home in my belly. I was full as all hell though. Yesterday I did 3 liquids and 1 meal. And 1 snack. I have got to do better. My scale hasn't moved in days. Fortunately I'm exercising, so it's not going up. Okiefam - I'm eating between 800 - 1200 calories. I think our bodies are in shock right now, truth be told. I was on an 800 calorie diet for 2 weeks, then I was only getting about 200 calories per day for 2 weeks. So now that I'm eating a normal amount of calories, my bod isn't giving up the fat like I think it should. I think soon enough it will regulate itself. I'd love to stick to eating about 800 calories per day most days. I'm thinking of 800c for 11 days and then more calories for 3 days. That should be enough to shake up my metabolism into not thinking I'm starving. I have bought the salmon in the chicken Of the Sea ready to eat package. 70cals, 15g Protein. It's boneless and skinless. That's the only one I've tried. I whipped it in my mini-processor with FF cream cheese, FF yogurt and added lemon juice, lemon pepper and dill. It was really good and creamy. OfferRocker - Thanks for the sites. BariatricBytes is a new one for me. I know KayDot has ordered the sample packs from BE.com and loves 'em. I keep meaning to give that a try. I just ordered sample packs from Unjury.com ($1.75 pack & $2.95 shipping). Haven't used them yet. Denise - are the products Bariatrix products? Sounds like it may be what I was on for 5 friggin weeks. http://bariatrix.com/english/products/ If you like the Isopure drinks, you can order them online for cheaper than they are in GNC, but I've only found them by the case. Some have 160cals, others have 260cals - depending on the flavor. I have only tried 3 so far, but like the Orange Ice and the Mango something. They were like Snapple, kind of. If you order enough products, you can usually get free shipping. siyah - Nacho Libre. HA! Jack Black is **such** an idiot. I'm so jealous that you had a YOU day. I'm going to have to follow suit. You feel like a new woman, don't you? And did I mention how much I love Seattle? I'd live out there in a heartbeat. One of my best girlfriends is in Kent. and her Mom is in Auburn. Gerbera - don't forget to take your measurements. Sometimes the scale won't move but your body will still shrink. You have to believe that if you are eating well and exercising, it's doing some good to your body. Don't just rely on the scale. That thing is the devil. skinnymom - I know the feeling about craving chicken salad. I was craving blue cheese yesterday something awful. I found an unopened container of blue cheese crumbles (which expired on December 9) in my fridge and I whipped up some Blue Cheese Chicken Salad in my mini-processor. Oh man it was to die for! Nothing like satisfying a craving, is there? I've never had anything stuck so I can't tell you the difference between that and a gas bubble. Hope everyone has a fabulous Sunday! Nathalie

sweetsie - I totally say that tongue in cheek. I felt bitchy the day b'man had to explain me on DB. I love the idea of a meet up. I vote Germany! I'm so jealous of you weekending in Amsterdam and taking other day trips around the continent. I work for a company based in the UK and get there about 4x per year, but it ain't the same. I'd totally move if I was offered a position. Maurdan - like I said, welcome. Enjoy! Nathalie P.S. Can I change my username without creating a new account? I'd love to be Nathalie instead of NGAdams.

I saw that too. *shrug* We never intended to hurt feelings, and we didn't leave the December Bandsters group. Had they read these posts instead of making assumption, they'd see that. Most of us still post over there, so I don't see what the big deal is. Some people just like to argue, I guess. Of course I'm the "bitch" of the group, so you may want to get someone else's opinion. :love:

ddee - how was your first fill? How much did you get in the band this time? Did it hurt? Did you watch? Congrats on the 10 pound loss. Man I can't wait to be 156 lbs! Congrats, girl! You must be a teeny lil thing with a goal weight of 115! New recipe - Blue Cheese Chicken Salad 1 can chicken, 2oz cottage cheese, 1 T blue cheese, 1 T FF mayo. I also added lemon pepper and some cherry flavored Craisins at the end. It was creamy and good. I would have liked to add more blue cheese, but I didn't want the extra fat/calories. I need to start adding up the calories for each of these whips. I'm thinking they are about 200calories each. Hope everybody has had a great day! NGA ETA: LOL @ dawnae and ChubbyGirl for being in my brain! So tell us ddee! Inquiring minds want to know!

dawnae - take that fertility talk private will ya? Don't be giving my uterus any ideas! ((laugh)) I'm actually going to pass that book title on to another friend of mine who had trouble conceiving her first child. They're thinking about having another, and she doesn't want to go through drugs, etc. again. I'd love to have a girl, but I don't think I can do it again. I'm struggling with this one. Thanks for the potty training info. Sounds like a total PITA. beversman - how was the party? And you're slippin in and out of size 18 jeans? Watch out now, I'll have to categorize you as one of them "skinny bitches" we so despise! HA! Congrats on the 118 hr after pumpin it out on the elliptical! That is quite a feat! bkwalling - what a phenomenal woman you are! I am always awe inspired when people give so much of themselves. I'll write a check, but I typically don't put myself out there like that. bandiva - maybe my doc used the same logic in setting my goal weight at 170. I'd still love to be 155 (or smaller!) one day. But I don't want to get all saggy in the thighs from it. We'll see. VABandster - Right on! One lil slip and it is all over. I was in bed early last night and was all giddy about eating a slice of pie. 6 months ago I would have eaten the whole pie out of the tin with a fork sitting on my couch watching tv. And thanks for your willingness to share clothes! Sha-weet! KayDoll - how goes today, girl? I love your gym enthusiasm! The other reason for waiting to 230 is because I can't afford it now, and I want to make sure I'll use the gym once I'm paying for it. And yes, I love sexy sexy bootcut jeans. I'll even take some pics in 'em when I can fit 'em! I have some LEE jeans in my closet - size 14. Remember when they were in? I wore them when I was in college and thought I was fine! AHAH can't wait to fit them again. transformer - your salmon mixture sounds good. I'm going to have to try that one! I made a new whip today: taco seasoned ground chicken, 2oz cottage cheese, 1oz sour cream, plus some chili powder, chili sauce, onion, garlic and hot sauce. It was spicy and guuuuuuuuuuuuuuud. sweethot - how are you doing? How are you feeling? I have a pain in my tummy right now, from drinking too much. Hope you are doing great! I have been on my elliptical once today for 45 minutes, and am going to do it again this evening while I watch a movie. I'm still trying to figure out how to set it to count UPWARDS instead of backwards. Maybe I'll just set it for 2 hours and ride to my heart's content. StephC - where are ya gal? Check in soon! I miss you. Love you guys! Nathalie

You're right Paige. You're absolutely right. 100%!!! Nathalie

What a tres cool idea! I'm glad you've decided to at least try out. And what a fun way to get exercise! I loved to rollerskate as a kid. Hey, remember that Roller Derby episode on Laverne & Shirley? HA! What a throw back. My Dad's friend asked if I wanted to join the women's football team. Maybe I'll get up enough courage to try out in the spring... What an empowering idea! Nat

Hi cher (and hi again faybie!) - I am not much of a meat eater either, so he're is how I get my Protein. Egg whites contain the protein, not so much the yolks. The egg yolks are filled with fat, and if I'm not mistaken, the whites are fat free. Eat the whites. You can also use Egg Beaters, which don't have fat and have lots of protein. That's actually what I do because I don't like the goopy egg white innards. While I don't eat beef, pork, lamb, etc., I don't mind salmon, turkey and chicken, so that is what I eat to get my protein. I buy the Amish (no steroids, hormones, injected) boneless, skinless chicken breast and usually grill it on my George Foreman grill. I buy the canned Swanson chicken. I also use the pre-packaged Chicken of the Sea Salmon (boneless, skinless). I think 3oz of each has about 15g protein. I'm still on the soft food stage, so I'm making what I call "Whips." I take the chicken or salmon and mix it with cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, yogurt (all FF of course) and add various seasonings. I can change the entire texture of the meal by adding cream cheese (especially good with the salmon). I've used Greek seasoning, Italian seasoning, hot sauce, bbq sauce, lemon pepper to flavor the whip. Each one of the whips has about 25g protein. I'm also drinking Isopure zero carb drinks. They are fruit flavored, not the milky protein shakes. 40g protein each and only 160 calories. You can also go to your surgeon's office and have them order Bariatrix products for you. You can't order them yourself, but a MD can order them. Each one has 70 - 100c and 15g protein. My surgeon had me on those for my pre-op and post-op diet, and I still use them as necessary. (I'm on self-imposed liquids this weekend, matter of fact. 5 drinks = 75g protein.) GNC is having a sale of Muscle Milk - 34g protein per drink. I only drink them on days I work out because it's got 360 calories. I also got some other high Protein Drinks, but I haven't tried them so I don't know how they will taste. Oh, I also bought some Stallone Protein pudding, too. We'll see how that goes. I don't care for pudding, so I don't know why I bought it. Oh yeah, 20g protein! There are also some IGN (?) protein bullets. The new ones are 3oz and have 42g protein. ReneBean mentioned them earlier, and if you're interested I can dig up a link for you. I've not tried those either, but plan to. Those are all of my secrets. Hope they helped! Sorry it took so long to reply, I just saw this thread. Good Luck! Nathalie

Denise, what kind of food does your doctor sell? Mine sold food that I had to be on for 5 weeks! I still have tons of it in my kitchen, which I will use as needed. I put myself back on liquids this weekend, for instance. If you love THESE posts, scroll back a few pages, like KayDotRN suggested. There is a lot of good info back there. Lots of tips and tricks for getting through the liquid phase. I was on it for 3 wks. Hang tough.

according to my surgeon, because we can't eat breads or other high Fiber foods, but will be eating other things, we will eventually face the problem of being constipated. Especially with all of the Protein we're eating. Plan ahead, girlfriend. You don't want to get caught constipated with your pants down! Fiber drinks & MOM will help. One of our members eats Shredded Wheat in the mornings, and that helps her. On a side note, I never had that liquid in/liquid out experience. Are you on regular liquids, or are you on a special surgeon's product diet, high in protein, etc." I had to buy food from my surgeon's office and it was low calorie/high protein. I didn't poop for a week after surgery.

sweethot - SO glad you're feeling better, girl! It's not fun when you're aching, paining or otherwise out of sorts. I'm also proud of you for planning your meals. It makes things SO much easier, doesn't it? I am not to the point where I write everything down ahead of time, but it's great to have healthy, protein-injected options, isn't it? As for me, I have fallen down today. I made sweet potato pies on Tuesday night. Wednesday night. Whatever. I took one to work and gave it to one of the guys. The other I took today. Forgot to take it to the other building and ended up bringing it home again. So I ate 2 pieces. My belly is so packed. I wish I could get it out of me. I threw the rest of it away, but what's done is done. I'm going on liquids tomorrow and possibly Sunday. I'm also getting on the elliptical tonight for an hour (or longer) to try and work it off. I'm not too beat up about it. I made the choice - the POOR choice - to be a little piggy. I can't surround myself with junk and expect to be strong willed enough NOT to eat it. This is why I'm fat. I am hoping that this one day of a higher calorie diet will jumpstart my weight loss if I go on liquids for the next 2-3 days. Going to put on my sneakers and get my potato pie packed pouch on the elliptical. Later? Nat

Paige - my apologies. I honestly didn't mean to insult you. I couldn't tell by your typing, so I asked. I hope you work out your dilemma, I'm still not sure what you're asking, what answer you want or how you're getting some of your views from the original answer. This is doing nothing but confusing me. Sorry I can't help you. Nathalie

So if you wanted an answer about whether yo yo dieting made losing weight more difficule why did you ask us if obese people were attractive and popular? This may sound non-PC, but just out of curiosity, is English your first language? (Didn't mean for that to sound bad if it did...) I have no idea about yo yo dieting, I hope not though, since my weight has fluxuated most of my life.

Paige - where are you getting those quotes? If you're trying to figure out what the original poster meant, ask her. Don't assume that you understand, as we all can interpret it any way that we want. You yourself posed a question, we answered, and you still aren't satisfied. I'm not sure what you're looking for in terms of an answer. In my opinion, the original poster's opinion is no more valid than any other response you've received here. JMHO. Nathalie

skinnymom - I had problems too. I was banded on 12/14 and was on a 3 week liquid diet. I could only eat pre-packaged, surgeon approved food. 4 pkgs per day. I couldn't get it down, and was eating about 200 calories per day. I was weak, sick, pained, tired, confused, fatigued. I ended up passing out, and was in the hospital overnight on an IV because I was dehydrated. My port incision got infected along with 2 other smaller incisions and I was on anti-biotics, which made my nausea even worse. I kept getting light headed. I kept getting hot flashes. It was insanity - and this was just last week! As of Tuesday I'm on mushies, and it's a whole new world! Keep your focus, think positive and believe in yourself. You'll get through it. Get your rest, do your best, and look forward to when you're healed and can eat a bit more. Good Luck! Nathalie

From my perspective, it depends on appearance. I'm a big girl, but I never look sloppy. I think that the way a person sells him/herself has a lot to do with what others think. I've always walked around like I was Tyra Banks or Claudia Schiffer, regardless of the size of my ass. I have more confidence than some girls who are *much* smaller than me. I sell it, and most folks buy it. Attitude can make or break a person. And as far as I'm concerned, I'm the bomb! JMHO, Nathalie