kareyquilts

Here's to baby steps. Glad the fluid problem is better. I've had lots of allergic reactions and it's not fun. Do they have you on some kind of antihistamine or blocker for the itching? Wishing you the best!

Puddin: I guess sorrow is the first step. I'm sure your sexual urges are strong, but I just wonder what else might be going on. I just wish you the best.

Well, I am off to the Dominican Republic tonight to lay on the beach and snorkel when I feel like it. I hope that I can come home with zero weight gain like Tami. Talk with you next week!

Mimin: Don't weigh yourself for at least 10 days. You're going to be fine. Like BJean said, it's water weight. Just keep eyeing those perky new breasts. I lost 2 pounds this week for whoever is taking the stats?

Julie: You express yourself so well. Great thoughts. I think that you have to go to your dad, too! You were probably nervous and excited when you got the LB, too. You're going to be glad you did this. Keep on posting!

Puddin: I have to agree with everyone else. You're letting guys take advantage of you and your taking advantage of them. If you really want a relationship that will lead to marriage you need to base it on positive things to begin with! You need to stop playing games and be honest and truthful with men. I think that you don't feel worthy still and that's not true! You're worthy if you act worthy and feel worthy in your heart. You were worthy at 350 pounds and you're still worthy of a good relationship. Looks are nice, especially when you're on the "hunt," but you need to get things into persepective. I can say this because I'm contemplating plastic surgery, etc and I think that losing weight probably makes me a little more selfish and self centered. I don't expect I'll stay that way, because that's not who I am, but I'm going with the process. Because you were over weight and are now a beautiful babe you have a lot to process. Puddin, go with your core values that have always been there. Pray to Heavenly Father to understand your true value! I'm blogging here and going on and on. Sorry about that. I'm glad that you're still going to church, keep going and listen to the still small voice that wants to guide you. You are loved by Heavenly Father no matter what you do, but I know that you want to feel good about yourself and your relationship with your Heavenly Father. I wish you the best. Keep on posting, everyone cares about you!

Puddin: You've been awfully quite lately. I hope that everything is all right and that you are doing well. Having several children who have gone inactive in the LDS church because of sexual activity, I'm worried about you. There really are guys out there who won't push the enevolpe and who will respect you. You need to get to know these guys and if there the one than get married! I don't want to preach at you. I think you are a great girl. I don't want to see you ruin your life either. I can tell that you have a strong conscience. You've been through a lot and you have some issues. Lots of people have issues and Heavenly Father loves all of us. I wish you the best with all aspects of your life. I really appreciate all that you have shared.

Julie: How exciting! Congratulations! I'm a little over half way to my goal and am thinking about PS as soon as I get there. I'm looking forward to your thread. I wish you the best!

Candice: Thanks for the information. I think that I am doing about what you do, except I don't eat popcorn. I guess there is no miracle route, it just takes time and patience. You're doing great. Thanks for the inspiration!

Avilla: I have been in the same boat. With my presurgery weight loss, I have lost 68 pounds, and I'm stalled even though I'm doing everything right. I just got a fill last week and I'm down 1.5 pounds. My doctor and nutritionist said to stop worrying about the scale and concentrate on the life long habits. They also asked was I losing any inches? I thin I have been. They said that your body needs to adjust, your internal organs need to get closer to each other, etc. I feel your pain. Patience is really a virtue. Hang in there!

Mimin: It sucks not to be able to do anything. Keep us updated as you heal. I am seriously thinking of getting a breast lift, but I'm not sure if I can put up with the healing. With weight loss thus far, I've gone from a 42 DD to a 36 C. Crazy, huh? :funnypost: Now I want to share a story. This is a true story! Okay, I think that I should make Ripley's Most embarrassing moments or something! Before my LB, I went to the gynecologists. I needed to go for all the reasons the name implies and also because she (yes my doctor is female) was helping me with my weight loss program. So, I am lying down with my hands behind my head for "the BREAST EXAM." The first eeek in the whole process. She starts prodding my breasts for lumps and is making general conversation with me. Then she asks, "So, how much do your sisters weigh?" I'm lying there thinking several things at once. 1- The doctor is certainly being casual. 2- What an odd question. 3- I look down at my breasts. How would I know how much they weigh? So, I answer, "I don't know. Maybe 5 pounds." She looks at me and repeats the question, "No, how much do your sister's weigh? I just look at her for a minute. Then I reply, "I don't know." She says well are they heavy? I'm thinking, well you can see that for yourself!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> Then it dawns on me that she is asking me about my female siblings! DUH! What would you have thought? I don't have any sisters and it just seemed like a random question. I started laughing and told her that I thought she was asking me how much my breasts weighed! We both got the giggles so bad that actually the rest of the exam was a piece of cake. <o:p></o:p> Do I get a prize for an embarrassing moment or what? So how much do your sisters weigh?<o:p></o:p> Hope I've made you feel better about yourself. Have a nice day. --Karey<o:p></o:p>

Mimin: It sucks not to be able to do anything. Keep us updated as you heal. I am seriously thinking of getting a breast lift, but I'm not sure if I can put up with the healing. With weight loss thus far, I've gone from a 42 DD to a 36 C. Crazy, huh?

BJean: Thanks for your words of encouragement. I totally agree. If I could have done it, I would have. I love my new band life!

Anne: Congratulations on your new lapband! I know how you were feeling in recovery because I felt the same way. I kept thinking why didn't I give Weight Watchers one more try? Don't be surprised if you have more of those feelings and maybe a little depression while you adjust to your new band life. It takes a while to make the necessary adjustments and to get your band adjusted so that you feel full, etc. Right now just follow your doctors guidelines and stages for your band. You'll lose some weight on the liquid diet. Remember when you go on to blended foods that you can blend soups and casseroles, etc. It's not so bad. It's really an exciting adventure. I would definetly do it all over. Please post any questions or problems that you're having and there will be lots of people willing to help you. Good luck and speedy recovery!

Candice: Congratulations! You have really zipped along! Do you have any pointers? I have lost 66 pounds, but the last month has been terribly slow. I lost the same 1 pound over and over. Did you have any long plateaus? I'm getting frustrated. What has helped you the most (besides your band)?

Sandranoelle: You're doing great on the weight loss! Bone grafts do hurt worse than a filling. Plan on taking the rest of the day off. Of course they totally block the area so you can't feel anything. I guess it just depends how deep the graft has to go. I've had 2 bone grafts. The first time my jaw was swollen and a little bruised for about a week. The second time, I only had a small amount of swelling. I guess it's worth it. It's a long process, but it will be better in the end. More of that patience stuff! Mimin: Glad your surgery went well. I hope you continue to recover well. Remember that they say the 3rd day is the hardest and don't get discouraged. Is it weird to have perky breasts or does it just feel natural? I'm think of a breast lift when I get a TT. Any way I wish you the best!

Nicey: Don't beat your self up. Let's be knd to ourselves! I may have to resort to the M/E diet at some time, but I know that it would make me very whiney! Give yourself a break and just work on life long habits. Who could really long-term live on a M/E diet?

Sharon: Weight should help you with all of the mentioned health problems. Just pick a very conservative surgeon who will watch out for all your special needs. I wouldn't trade my lapband for anything either!

Sandranoelle: I only lost 16 pounds the last go around too. It seems we live parallel lives right here in Salt Lake City, UT. I just had a bone graft in mouth last week. Life is fun isn't it? Whose your oral surgeon? Mine was Summerhayes?

Tann, I'm with you. I'm getting a little tired. I guess if I could see more success it would help. But when you have tried and done everything right and nothing happens it's frustrating! I was thinking the other day, wouldn't it be nice if I could just live my life and let it happen. Stop obsessing about it! I'm going to keep exercising and making good food choices but one of my new goals is to CHILL OUT! I think I weigh in about twice a day and think about it all the time. I need a life!

Green: Though it might be a few long weeks, it is only weeks and I'm sure you'll be happy about it in the long run and you'll be enjoying your new look for a long time to come!

Bjean: Puddin on "Lower Body Lift Fun," was going to get an alternative to Thermage. I don't thiink she has yet. My son's program is a Bachelor in Performing Arts so he as 2 more years. He has to take history of the circus, and French and works out 6 hours a day. He does triple back flips on the trampoline, the teeter board (a long board that you flip each other off of), banquine (pyramid building and acrobatics) and foot juggling (he juggles other people off his feet). I don't know where he gets it from. He may work for the Cirque. He wants to go to Europe, so we will see. I plan on going back to Montreal each Spring for the schools big program. I really loved it there. I have daughter in San Francisco who is an aerial dancer. She is dancing off a skyscraper on April 13th. I'm going to fly over for the day with my Mom and watch her. I'm pretty excited about it, since I've never seen her do it. She just made the dance troup right before Christmas. She has danced all her life and through college danced for the Tacoma Ballet. Check out her company's website at: projectbandaloop.org. One of my goals when I get fit and to weight is going to yoga retreats with her. She also teaches yoga. I don't know where my kids got all their bravery and altheticism but I'm sure glad. Maybe they won't have weight issues like their mom!

Bjean: Thanks for asking about the fill. I did get a fill. The doc put in a whole .2 cc. This is the third day and I can't tell yet. My doc has you do liquid the first day, soft food the second, mushie food the third and then slowing experiment with regular food. Tommorrow I'll be back on regular food. I know in the past that a fill kind of snicks up on you. I don't feel tighter and than I hurry and bam, I PB. I am going to be very careful this time around because I hate to PB! I should have a total of 1.9 cc in my band. However, everytime they take out the old and I have lost at .5 cc. I wish you could just get to that sweet spot and stay there! I have been on a terrible plateau, almost a month of no weight loss. The nutrionist and doc said not to worry that I'm doing everything right and that it will come off. The body just needs to adjust. But really, how can you not worry? I have noticed that even though the scale hasn't moved much, my clothes are getting loser. I even fit into a few size 12's, so I guess something is working...

Lappy, sking uses a lot of core muscles including your stomach. I would ask your doctor. You're young and doing well, but I would still ask. I know I couldn't have done it, but you are you. Good luck!

BJean: My son is going to the National Circus School in Montreal. It is associated with Cirque do Soliel. He is an acrobat. He loves Montreal. He is finally learning French (classes are in French) and feeling that he might survive. How long did you live in Montreal? I loved visiting there. Didn't run into any great bagels (thank goodness).lol. I love this thread and all the interesting conversations. Family's can be wonderful and heartbreaking. I guess we can only try our best with what we're given. Green: I hope you'll share before and after pictures. I had thermage (a laser treatment) on my face. It's suppose to tighten your skin. The full effects take up to 6 months. My jowls are gone, my double chin is half gone. I would love to tweak my face more, but am saving for a TT and breast lift. I wish you the best. Please share pictures.