kareyquilts

McGreen: I bet thermage will help. I had it when I had lost 50 pounds and it really helped the jowls I had developed. I've been thinking of getting it done again for my crepey neck, but I may hold out for a face lift. When I think about how much it costs and if I have it done twice, that is about half what a face lift costs. It's a hard decision, because I'm pretty frightened to have a face lift and I'm sick of this neck! Keep us posted on how it works for you!

Renewed: Life is fair! We all have to make those mental aerobics every once in while. At least you didn't partake of that junk food, even though it does taste good some times! LOL

From the day I was banded, I've been waiting to add my name to this list! I can finally do it! Yeah! I love my lap band!:cursing: To everyone who hasn't made it yet, don't give up. It's taken me 18 months, but I did it and you can too!

Diane: Thanks! Love to learn about new things! When I through with this extremely restrictive diet I'm on, I will make some! Glad your posting!

BJean: So thankful your with us. I know that your family is too! Hope you're feeling better soon. Will keep you in my prayers. Do you have to be on a special diet while you heal? Ghost: Okay, is your fruit flavored cottage cheese a special brand that you are purchasing or are you adding fruit to it? Just asking, cause I like to find new things to eat that are good for us. Sounds like your getting back on track and I'm really happy for you. Our bandiversay is coming us and it will feel so good to be at or close to goal. Finally! Okay, I went to protein powder for 2 days to give my esphogaus a break. I lost 1/2 pound, instead of 2, but I think I needed to do that. I'm going to go back on the meat, veggies and fruit snacks today. Hopefully, with careful chewing, I won't pb, because I absolutely hate that feeling. If it keeps happening, I will call my band doc. Had a hard work out today with my trainer. I did dead lifts with 50 pounds while doing squats. I did about 100 squats today. Got a little light headed toward the end of my work out and my trainer gave me a little lecture about eating enough to work out. But, I just told him that for a few more weeks, he is going to have to take it a little easy on me and we'll hit it hard in August. Jacquie, thanks for the encouragement. I know only about 20 more days and then I can go on maintance. YEAH! I'm not that hungry, if I can only keep the meat down, it will all be fine. I don't even mind the injections. Who can complain with a 10 pound weight loss in 10 days? I'm going to need this group to help me maintain! Hope everyone has a great day!

Salsa: Hope you feel better soon. I don't want to get too personal, but maybe you could do without any antidepressant? Of course, only you know how your feeling but almost all antidepressants have negative side effects. I know because I have used them and tried many in my past life. I'm just wondering if the new you and exercise could help your depression?

Becky: Your before and afters are amazing! Your stomach is so nice and flat and your legs look fantastic. Makes me think I should go ahead and schedule my back side and legs. Congratulations!

I'm getting so tired of this diet. It's really boring. Also, I've been pbing a lot. The chicken and fish might stay down and it might not. I"m not sure if I should get a little bit of an unfill or just tough it out, since I won't be on this but about 20 more days. I just felt like crying yesterday when I through up my fish lunch. It's about the 3rd time this week that I've had problems. I decided last time to just have a protien shake for dinner, even though it's not on this diet, and give my throat a rest. Not sure why my band is acting up, I hadn't had any problems with my fill level before the diet. Sometimes this band is so fickle! Anyway, hope everyone is doing great. Mimin, glad your water weight is starting to move!

Renewedhope: I would tell your ps doc that your goal is 150 also, but than I would lose as much weight as I could before PS. The average skin weight for a tt is 4 pounds. I wouldn't count on the plastic surgery getting you to goal. You will probably lose weight, some do and some don't. Personally, I would just do the very best you can before your surgery. You are not going to be able to exercise for quite a while afterwards and a little cushion doesn't hurt. I think too, that after you reach the flatlands your motivation to lose weight goes down because you look so so so much better. Just some thoughts.

Jacquie: Your plan sounds really great. I'm so impressed with all you've accomplished, especially given your health issues. I bet you'll do a lot better with your surgery this time around. Being in shape really does make a difference! Instead of just plain jogging, why not just do intervals and jog for a while (minutes) and then back to walking. Research shows that interval training is the most effective fat burning method. Keep on posting.

Salsa: I did have some leaky around the drains also, but not as bad as you describe. I guess it's good to get it out of your body, even if its such a messy process. Becky: I hate my arms also. I'm anxious to get them done. My family is totally not supporting me on getting anymore plastic surgery. They think I look fine for my "age." BLAH! I don't like the idea of the scar either, but I believe I'll still get it done. I really want to get my legs done and I don't know if my surgeon would do an incision like you had, but it sounds better for looks. The pain you describe though is putting me off. Doesn't sound fun at all! My ps wants to do the back side first (and arms), don't know that he would do the front at the same time and I don't think I'll go in for a third round (especially when my family is so down on it). Anyway, glad your both feeling better!

Jacquie: I'm sure when BJean gets back on her feet, she'll read your post, but if not, I'll pass it on. You have come a long ways! Congratulations. Of course you can join the challenge. The more the merrier! What's your plan for getting off the last 20? If you get your TT in September that is a perfect time to try and get whatever you can off. Sounds like you've had some challenges, but good things are coming. Keep us posted!

Renewedhope: I use to grab my flap too and yes it will go away! I call it my "painful miracle!" You will love the flatlands! LOVE IT, LOVE IT!

Cori: I like to shop at all the aforementioned places also, but truth be told, I really don't like to shop. It's confusing to me in large department stores where the clothes are all by brand names, etc. I have found that online shopping is just great, because I can think about it, I know what I like and I feel no pressure, if something doesn't fit it's not a big deal, because the companies I use have really good return policies. Here are my two favorites for everyone to check out (they have good outlet sections on line too): Monterey Bay, www.shopthebay.com and Norm Thompson, www.normthompson.com. Have a nice day everyone!

Mimin: See we need you on this thread. You're already helping others with your good ideas. I've never heard of a lymphadema center before. I'll be curious to find out what they'll do to you there. I had lymphatic massages when I had my TT and I swear it made a huge difference in my swelling. Wonder if they'll do that? Please keep us informed. SheSmiles: Feel free to post here as you're working on your last few pounds. It seems that life is always throwing us curve balls. My unfill after plastic surgery reallly opened my eyes to how much I depended on my fill. It was really humbling because I thought I was such an expert and so in control, but I started trying things I hadn't been able to eat in a year and half like reuben sandwiches and hamburgers and instead of losing weight after plastic surgery, I gained 4 pounds. Not being able to exercise is the pits too. Glad you're doing better! RenewedHope: Please join our dialog. Sounds like your right here with the rest of us! How exciting that you're getting close to plastic surgery. I can't tell you how it will change your body image and really let you know how much you have accomplished with your weight loss. When I was where you are at, I got a personal trainer who started me with weight lifting. I didn't know much about it and was very intimadated by the machines and the whole scene. I was also scared to get a trainer, too many of those drill sargent images sprang to mind, but I carefully chose my trainer and it made all the difference. Of everything I've ever done to get in shape the weight training and trainer has made the biggest difference. After my surgery, when I couldn't use my abs very much, I was able to do squats and move in ways that I wouldn't have been able to if I hadn't been in such good shape. Also, think that my recovery was so good, because I was in such good shape. Anyway, please join us here with your ideas, frustrations and acheivements!

Laura: Running? I'm impressed. Way to go! I just got an from BJean's daughter that she is in the hospital and had to have emergency surgery on her colon. I know that everyone would want to know, so that they could keep her in their prayers!

Diane: Wow! No wonder you haven't been posting. You've got a lot going on girl! I think your health is the number one priority, not your weight. Of course you can lose weight without the band, but you've paid a lot of money for that tool. Thank you very much! I think I could recommend the HCG diet if your desperate to get the weight off, but it's expensive and somewhat difficult. Maybe you should concentrate on trying to get healthy and just start doing some exercise, like walking. Please keep posting and don't feel guilty. I always love what you have to say. Wishing you the best!

Jacquie: You spell your name just like my niece. I love it. Your weight loss is going great guns! Congratulations! Thanks for the support. It really does help. Salsa: I hope you're feeling better. I was paying close attention on your thread to what your doc was going to do with your upper ab skin. I will see my doc for my 6 month check up and pics and hopefully, I'll have all my weight off and so we'll be able to see what is what and I will ask him about a reverse tummy tuck. I think the scars under my breasts would bother me less than the skin, so I would be willing to do it. Anyway, I'll definetely keep it in mind. Thanks for the info!

Luluc: You might what to ask your question on the Ask Dr. Schulman thread. I think he checks that one a lot more frequently. Terry: Congratulations. I know the first little while with that procedure is kinda a scary with all the bruising, etc. How exciting! Good for you. Can't wait to see the pics!

Today was a better. Felt less light headed, had a good pilates work out, stayed on the diet perfectly. The chocolate chip cookie cost me any weight loss yesterday, hope I haven't already hit a plateau. I'm really not enjoying this diet, but I know I'll like the results. I think my upper abs are looking smaller and so are my saddle bags. May be in my head, but I think they're smaller. Hope everyone else is doing good!

Salsa: Too bad your primary care doc couldn't see you. Hopefully all will be well! Take care!

MBT shoes? I'll have to google them. Glad you found something that works! Today I did weight training and I'm pretty worn out. Also, had a bite of a cookie. Not feeling good about that!

Doesn't sound fun! Hope everything clears up soon!

Frangi: Thanks for the encouragement. Recovering from ps is a really big deal. I'm only realizing that now, since I'm feeling better and back fully into exercise. I don't think you realize how truly awful you feel until you feel better (which is a good thing, LOL). That's why right after I had my surgery, I was yes, yes, let's get the rest done and now I'm like, not quite as sure. I just want to enjoy feeling better for a while. It's too bad that they can't do it all at once. My ps said that there are places you can go where a whole team of surgeon's work on you at once and then you are not under anesthesia too long and you don't have to worry about surgeon fatique, etc. Of course, you are in a world of hurt and in the hospital for a week and in the poor house! But, sometimes, I just wish I could have done it that way. I really am liking thinking about going through the recovery process again. I'm not as afraid of the surgery itself, so I guess that is a good thing. Anyway, glad you're both doing well.

LauraP: Feel free to join in! Thanks for encouragement! Today I walked 3 miles and did an hour of pilates. I've been perfect on my diet and I'm starting to feel a little better. Still get shaky in the mornings, I think I need to slow down on the oolong tea and make it last until the afternoon. You're suppose to drink 4 cups, so I make it all up and drink it as fast as I can, because I really don't like it and I want to get it over with. I think my body can't handle that much caffeine at one time. How is everyone else doing? Mimin: How is the swelling going?