ladykcusa

Jewell - congrats on 40 lb loss. Your brother will be so proud and surprised. Way to go. Joyce

Love the sunrise pix - Phyl - I NEVER see them either - I'm a night girl. Apples - sorry about the 20 yr struggle with stones. Even tho you passed it on to sons, you will have lots of experience to make the journey easier for them with advice. Have a great weekend. Joyce

Congratulations, Kendra. 25 lb loss is wonderful. Remember to chew, chew, & chew. Have a nice time with your grandmother. Joyce

Laura - Nelson looks like such a good little boy and so happy. He is lucky to have such loving parents. Sending wishes for a lovely visit with your folks and Easter dinner. Janet - WOW did I ever love the letter you suggested for Melissa. Powerful. Julie - I agree, we want to see our children happy. The trends today of tattos and piercing (and clothes) are difficult for us to appreciate. Hope they do take their time and take it slow. Had PT this a.m. and it is a gloomy rainey day in K.C. I'm meeting another bander today for coffee and sharing experiences. Happy Easter to all.

Melissa - so sorry you had a "detour". I loved Lori's comments - remember why you started this journey. I remember some of mine - can't pull my boots on - too much stomach in the way - even outgrowing coats and bras - yuk - always afraid I'd be fattest in the room - can't wear any of my clothes - HATE shopping. Living life with guilt and shame. Others have been successful and you & I can too. I had lunch today with young man who had surgery for the band same day as I did. It was delightful. Then went to nutrition class tonight. Only 5 banders there and the same (very dull) dietitian who led group last month. I won't go again. Same info as last month and a waste of time - EXCEPT I met another new gal (teacher) and exchanged e-mail addresses. Also took all the baby food I bought before surgery and gave to friend who will pass it on to someone with a baby. I tried two jars and hated it. PT in the morning and I did my exercises here at home today.

Sharon - great to hear the fill was a breeze. I have my first one next Wednesday. Here's to success for all of us.

Way to go Arlene. Well done, lady. Laura - enjoy your trip to see your parents - hope you get Dad out on the boat. Anxious to hear from Julie. DJD - dengenerative joint disease - PT said it is the same as arthritis. Surgeon does NOT feel surgery is necessary for another 5 to 10 years and agreed with me that physical therapy would get me back on track. Three days a week for 6 weeks will make me a new gal. The staff worked with me to rehab my knee last year and I enjoy all of them. Welcome to Debbee - lots of great information here from great ladies.

Laura - so good to hear that you are feeling so much better. I understand how difficult to wait 1 1/2 hours to eat. I still need Nexium in the AM and wait one hour to eat breakfast. Apples, Janet - It will be fun to shop again when I have a body. It has been so long, I can't even imagine shopping being anything but agony. Great - Thank you for sharing how it felt to have all your hard work acknowledged. You MADE this new life happen. How wonderful to have an event where so many ppl could see how beautiful you have become. Yes, you were beautiful before - but now it shows inside and out. It encourages all of us to hear how success feels. Well, my exercise begins today. I saw my orthopedic surgeon today. He gave me my new knee last May. Now I'm experiencing pain and instability in right hip. After x-rays - he confirmed the knee looks great (which I knew) and DJD on right hip. So - I had the choice of PT 2 or 3 days a week - I took 3. The evaluation was this afternoon. Tomorrow I begin 45 min. in the pool therapy and 1 1/2 hr. land therapy 3 days a week. That should boost my weight loss and set up strong workout routines. Will continue this schedule for 6 weeks, then see where I stand. My first fill will be 8 days from now. Ready to start losing again. Joyce

Janet - thank you for the reminder to eat hard protein. Still in learning phase and have lots to learn. Joyce

Doddie63 - I saw that research study info on TV today too. Food addiction is ugly and the band is here to help us.

Majj - Your possums are much, much cutier than in USA. Great pictures. We started this journey about the same time. You are braver than me, I have not tried a wrap. Fear still dictates much of what I try, but I know I need to branch out to learn to make friends with my band.

Linda - I was so lucky. While my husband & I were in Grand Cayman, our partner bought the new flatscreen and custom made a piece of furniture to place under it (hung on the wall screen) to hold the receiver, dvd player, cable box, etc. with side enclosed compartments for misc. items. However, they moved the old entertainment center to the corner of the room (not knowing what we wanted to do with it) and THERE it sat for 5 years. Did I complain?? I sure did. DH was attached to it - not me. I would have it hauled away. Oh well, one of the young men who works for our company was thrilled to take it. So, as soon as he has time, he'll come and get it. Had trouble getting full today. Will add an extra protein shake to satisfy hunger.

Welcome - aniceto06. Lots of info on these boards. Join in. My surgery was the same day as yours. How are you doing?

Laura - so relieved that you are feeling better. I was praying for resolution. Apples - for a newbie, like me - your response to Laura about seeking the fill level - which allows some hunger - yet not too tight, will hopefully help me as my fills begin. I find it interesting as I read this thread how clear it is to others, when one of you is too tight. And yet, we are unable to notice on our own. Truly reinforces the support available with the experience each one brings to the table. Very comforting as I walk thru this journey. Julie - sorry you had a difficult night of pain. Wednesday won't come too soon. We have 2 adult children who are unmarried - our 38 yr. old daughter with a 10 yr. old son and 42 yr. old son with no children. We would love for them to have a partner to share life. Daughter was dating someone we felt was not right, and remained silent. Thankfully, he moved out of her life. It clearly sounds like your daughter might have found the ONE. It will be interesting to see what you think after seeing them together and what DD thinks of his parents. It is a blessing that she will share her feelings with you. Well - time for me to get busy.

Before the surgery, I named the band - My Hero. After 5 weeks, I changed the name to My Friend - realizing that much of the work would still be mine. Hmmmm....... name of port. Have to think about that one.

Busy day today. Finally convinced DH to give away old entertainment center (which was standing in the corner since we got the flat screen). It was custom made for the wall and cost lots $$$$$. So he was attached to the thing. I repeatedly referred to it as the dinosaur and explained that everyone HAD one, but they are obsolete. Anyway - we cleaned it out - then there was no place to put all the "display items" and junk. So ---- he finally agreed to put away all the family pix which were on the bookcases - many 10 years old or older to make room for display items. So we spent about 3 hours boxing up frames, removing pictures, sorting items for sale, and reorganizing. I'm exhausted. We have lived here for 23 years and it was time to "move some energy" in the house. Feels good to have it done. Will take some items to one of our tenants who conducts sales once a week. Maybe get a few dollars.

Kathy & Mist - I still have another week before my first fill. This is an interesting, challenging journey. We can and will be as successful as so many others that we see on this site. Good luck, ladies. Joyce

Great - is it Lori? -- You looked gorgeous and so very happy. Such a lovely family and wonderful memories created this weekend. Deep sigh....now relax. DH & I took daughter and son-in-law to dinner @ Houlihans - then back to our house for a visit. Lovely evening.

Congratulations - you'll be banded before you know it. Then the journey to health begins.

Way to go BeachBum

Cheri - Yes, hope you feel better in the morning. Julie - so excited that you are on your way to better. Janet - how wonderful - no more readers. I wasn't able to adjust to contacts, so it's glasses for me. Only need them to read - not for distance. But with cell phones, we constantly need to be able to read. Joyce

Linda and Apples - thank you so much (once again) for suggestions and encouragement. Went with my sister to favorite mexican restaurant tonight and enjoyed very small amounts of some of my favorites. Taco salad (brought lots home) had my first ground beef since banding. Also a few (too many) chips and cheese dip. Felt like a major splurge (planned) and was worth every bite.

Welcome Jason - lots of information here on the boards. Just take all understanding that everyone has an opinion and their own experience with the band. Read info from the Dr. and embrace one phase at a time. Check out all the success here - it will reinforce your decision to improve your health.

Apples - you are the second bander who has mentioned 4 months as the "magic" - my mind gets it - time range. I have not tried chicken yet - protein sources for me have been mainly fish and eggs and string cheese. LauraK - sending a hello and thanks for your input. Julie - anxious to hear about the MRI results next Wednesday. Sending hugs to all. Joyce

Janet & Eva - thank you for your input and experience. 67 yrs. of eating to "fatten up" will take several months to change (behavior). Nice to hear that "fun" foods can be enjoyed in moderation - without vomiting or consequences. What would I do without all of you ladies?? I don't have to answer, you will always be here.