threebeauties

Good luck Shirley, we'll be thinking of you! I have to tell you guys something that's bugging me. Let me start by saying my DH is really a great guy, wonderful hubby, wonderful father. I love him to death and I know he feels the same way. For the last ten years, since we've been married, I've steadily gained weight. we went through a lot, five pregnancies but only three children and BOTH of my parents died 8 years ago suddenly. Anyway, I gained a lot of weight and my self esteem went down the dumper. He has been great, never said a word about weight or appearance. The problem is, since I've lost over 40 lbs I've cut my hair into a stylish cut (no more pulling back in a clip everyday), I've started to wear makeup, I'm dressing nicer and, I feel I have a much better attitude. He has never been one for compliments but WOULD IT KILL HIM TO TELL ME I LOOK NICE????? The other day I said to him "you know, I really feel good about myself", his reply " I don't know why you think you look so different" AAARRRGGGHHHHHH Thanks for nothing I told him.

I don't like the shrines either. Don't understand them.

Have a family portrait done! Go to the beach and wear only a bathing suit, no big cover up Maybe belly dancing class - that's a stretch but we'll see

Personally, my opinion, if someone takes the thought and time to send you flowers I think a hand written note is more appropriate. In fact, I would do both, send a quick email saying you got them and thank you then I would follow up with a note, one for each them.

I can eat red meat but have a tough time with chicken, go figure. Soft bread is tough for many but certainly not all. I can eat pizza, no problem. Like the above said. This journey is a bit different for everyone. Its a learning process. I am almost 4 months out and its still trial and error. Good luck

I hear ya i just turned 39 and am so looking forward to wearing something a bit more fashionable than sweats and oversized shirts. I also want to be fashionable but not silly. I always laugh at the "older" women who dress like their 20. I hope I can be one of those moms I see that always looked so "pulled together". I am getting rid of the big tops too. I bought a couple of sweaters that are more form fitting and I get so many compliments. I bought some makeup and even started wearing cool jewelry (something I've always wanted to do)! Ditch the big tops, they add bulk!!!

I wonder if the odor is when some people who lose a great deal of weight end up with lots of hanging folds of skin. I've heard these folds can harbor a lot of bacteria that causes an odor????

Just to let you guys know - Kashi has frozen dinners now. I just had the sweet & sour chicken, it was awesome. I would say its the best frozen entree I've ever had. Good on nutrition too. 18g protein 330 cal. I got them at B'J's

I truly believe if they rule out a medical condition for this child then the parents should be charged with neglect.

Hey KStar - hang in there. The band is not what I thought it would be until my 4th fill in my 4cc band!!!!!! If you have a 10cc I am sure an aggressive fill would help a lot. I had the same "discussion" with my hubby at one point. The next fill did the trick. I told my surgeon I felt bad about having 4 fill already and he assured me that it was fine and to STOP COMPARING MYSELF TO OTHERS. He is right, we are all different and our insides are all shaped different. One other thing while I'm blabbing. People are always talking about how many fills when the real question should be how much of a fill. You can have 5 fills at .3 each or two fills at 1.5, right!!!!!!! Really, hang in there. If you are insulin resistant maybe trying a South Beach type of eating would help. Its what I do, very little carbs, lots of protein. When I eat a carb, band or no band, its a slippery slope!!!! Good luck

Jenn - thinking about you and wish the best for you in this journey. I am sure what you are going through is very tough. The band is always there for you. I bet a fill would help a lot, I've had 4 so far and feel like I'm doing well. Chrispy - you are doing so well on 1 fill!!! You go girl!! My drain is completely covered with my hair after a shower and my hands are covered! Also, if I'm "priminping" in front of the mirror during the day I see tons of hair in the sink. My short cut really makes my hair look fuller. I am signing off to check out that Muscle Milk y'all are talking about. Have a great weekend everyone. Keep up the good work, let's all do our best!!

Soniacan - hows the cut look???? I did the same thing about 6 weeks ago. I always thought the long hair looked better on my round face but I was wrong. i got a short cut and I really like it. I hope you like yours too!!!!! On an enitrely other note, isn't it strange how Doritos, cookies and tacos can go down no problem while chicken and broccoli gets stuck??????? Have a good rest of the week, keep up the good work!!!

I think if they told me no coffee with the band I would have seriously reconsidered my choice! I love my coffee, several cups, every day. I use splenda and 1/2 & 1/2. I grew up in a sweet n low house so regular sugar never appealed to me. I do have a question for my fellow coffee drinkers, maybe Julie can help, I JUST discovered the lattes from Dunkin Donuts. I ordered my gingerbread latte with skim milk and splenda. I guess I thought it was a low cal option but then the girl told me lattes are made with syrup?????? Help, any suggestions on how to enjoy a latte without too much guilt!!

time for a fill????

btw- I told you I was at a good point after 4 fills. I STILL EAT THE ENTIRE LEAN CUISINE, yes, I even run my finger along the bottom to get all the sauce

Raynie - I would bet that most of us have had similar feelings in varying degrees. I too mourn the loss of "pleasure eating". I LOVE chinese food but know that I can't handle it. Please let me say that as many times as my dr. told me the band is "just a tool", I too, thought I wouldn't have to work so hard. Would a cup of tea or coffee in the a.m. help with your ability to eat in the a.m. I am a coffee drinker so I always start my day with a few cups of coffee. Around 10 I am able to ear, I usually like a protein bar, some are really delicious and taste like a candy bar. Special K meal Bar and South Beach bars are excellent. Ice cream will go down no problem with tons of calories, I would try to toss it in the trash. As far as your fill, you've only had one?? I am finally at the point where I feel full on a small portion and I've had 4 fills! My peanut gallery advice, get a fill and eat good solids, toss the junk! You can do it, I know you can. Don't give up on this yet. I too am still experimenting with what I can and can't eat, what will go down, what won't.

Gottaluvave - Am I reading that right, have you lost 48 lbs since Oct???? If so, you are not doing anything wrong at all!!!!!!!!! Sounds like a plateau which is totally normal after losing that much, way to go!!! As much as this sucks to hear, I think you have to work through it. Maybe change up the workouts, alternate calories higher and lower for a while and most of all, be patient. I know it sucks to work so hard and not see the scale move but I bet your body is getting smaller even if the scale doesn't show it. Good luck, you are doing awesome!!!!

i agree, a simple "you look great" would do!

All I can say is I would rather have people say nothing than say " Wow, you've lost a TON of weight, you used to be huge":omg:

I had my 4th fill last week. My doc always checks to see whats in there

thank you for all the birthday wishes! I have had 4 fills since my 10/19 sugery. It took 4 fills to get me to where I feel like I think I'm supposed to fee. For those of you having a hard time, it is so friggin tough when you don't feel that restriction. Don't feel bad about asking for a fill if you think that's what you need. I know some docs won't do it but its worth a try. You are all doing so great, strawberry milkshakes, cookie dough and beer included. I hope this is a good week for everyone! Do your best!

Hello Oct Friends It is hard to believe but today is my 39th birthday! I am a little bit sad that this is my last year as a member of the 30 somethings. On the other hand, I am hoping to look and feel better than ever in my 40's I feel like I am well on my way. Today, on my 39th birthday I weigh 39 lbs less than I did three months ago!!!!!!!!!!! (We are going to see Supernova tonite, I have to say Tommy Lee is one of my guilty pleasures) Have a great week everyone, let's keep doing our best!

I just wanted to say thank you to all of my Oct friends!! I went to a support group meeting at my dr's office this week. There was a woman there who did everything "perfectly". She doesn't cheat doesn't slip up, always chews her food thoroughly, and follows all the rules. I just wanted to stand up and scream "SHUT THE F*%C UP". I love this thread. It really seems like everyone is so supportive of each other. I love that in addition to great advice, great support and incredible enthusiasm, people on this thread are honest and real. We all mess up sometimes and don't follow all rules all of the time. We all have days when we need a little boost. I just really appreciate that everyone here is so willing to admit their weaknesses and downfalls. We all have them!!!!!!!! Some days we help boost and some days we get boosted. It even seems like many of the other threads have people on them who are "know it allls" (we all know who they are, we've seen their posts). Often, I find many judgemental posts as well. this thread is awesome! I love the comraderie (sp?) that we share, the honestly and the support. OK - let me wipe the tears from my keyboard;) Have a great weekend everyone. Let's do our best!

I was banded 10/19 and had my 4th fill a couple of days ago. When I spoke to my surgeon I told him I felt like I should be doing better and it seemed like I was getting a lot of fills. His response in a nutshell "Everyoine is different and everyone loses weight differently. Some need more fills than others. Let's not forget, some have 1 fill, some have 7, don't compare yourself to others" I also think its funny how people talk about the number of fills. Don't forget, some dr's give tiny fills while others are more aggressive. I've seen people post here who have more in their band after one fill than I have after 4??????????? My dr wants to hear from me every couple of weeks!! Several months is way too long. It takes time to reach your "sweet spot" but the sooner the better. Good luck,

I chose to keep it to myself. I told DH and two close friends. I didn't even tell my young daughters. I figured if I did, every soccer mom within a 10 mile radius would know:nervous I am a fairly private person. I do not want to talk about my weight or my weight loss regularly. I am afraid that everywhere I go people will be asking me "how much have you lost this week, etc" the band can be a slow process for some and I want to avoid the negative comments, etc. I am even uncomfortable talking about the weight I've lost! I plan on telling my sisters farily soon. Most others don't need to know.