lisalee

Sandi- Hi! It's nice to meet a veteran lapbander. I had mine put in in August 2006...kept up on the postings for about a year then dropped out. Still have my band and have maintained a 67-68 pound wt. loss (okay, so it's not what some have lost). Feeling discouraged after meeting with the nurse who focused on the last 22 pounds I need to loose... We are so hard on ourselves aren't we? Anyway, I was rummaging around on the site tonight thinking I need to get refocused and find some other old timers...then found your posting. Nice to see you are doing so well so many years out.! Lisa

Oh, and did I mention that people I haven't seen in a long time don't always recognize me? How funny!

Hi girls...I've been gone a while, very busy with life but it looks like everyone has done great! I finally have slithered into a size 12. It's very unreal but I can say I feel great physically and don't really have any significant complaints about my body except saggy boobs. (and smaller ones, how weird.) My sister and I are running a half-marathon in January in Houston. Just a year ago I couldn't run a half a mile without collapsing. Needless to say I am very pleased so happy belated bandiversary!

Doesn't bother me a bit. They have those in IKEA parking lots here. I just look at it as another reason to park a little further away and burn a few more calories by walking :eek:

I think it's because it is usually greasy, buttery or fattening. Or overprocessed. It just slides down easier! No weight loss for me this week. Something's happening though, my clothes are getting looser. I'm exercising a lot more now since joining a gym. Oh, hey! Not many more days left and we will begin celebrating our bandiversaries! Can anyone believe it's been a year? Wow!

GonnaBSkinny....congratulations and welcome! Your life is about to change in so many ways and it is such a wonderful journey!

April...I have never had the barbie doll part of my stomach make me feel nauseated and Lord knows I can't burp much from it. I bet it's your big stomach reacting to something. Maybe something you ate or a bug. If you're feeling "yucky" it's probably a bug. When you had your slip did you even know it? I can't remember what you said. I don't blame you for being paranoid but I bet it's nothing. Hope you feel better!

Dcprincess...often times I feel undeserving and it seems unreal that I have lost weight. I had an epiphany last week when I realized that "yes, I had lapband surgery but no one put an exercise band in me!" Really, the band has helped get me started but the continual success in exercise and fact that I continue to run in 90+ degree weather here in Texas is MY accomplishment and not because of that band of silicone. I like to mull over that from time to time. BTW I ran in Houston last weekend early in the morning and even at 0700 it was HOT. Way to go with your exercise down there! I had a strange experience several months ago. I was out with some friends in a club and was feeling pretty tipsy (not something I usually do anymore!) Well, I went into the bathroom and when I looked at the mirror I felt real strange. I hardly recognized myself. Surely it was the alcohol speaking but at any rate it was a freaky experience. I wonder if we have all failed to have good body images even before our weight gain years ago and consequently it was what got us to where we are today. I had a very good friend (also a shrink) tell me that I was ignoring my obesity because it protected me from being hurt by others. When I finally came to the conclusion that I could no longer continue to be overweight just the admission that I was truly morbidly obese was an extremely painful experience. I cried for days after I scheduled my surgery. I guess I was fearing losing another (in)effective coping mechanism. Dcprincess, have you ever thought of posting side-by-side pictures of yourself somewhere you can look at them on a regular basis? I just might try that myself....although I find looking at the former pictures very depressing. I just think of the years I put up with lugging all the weight around! Anyone else have any ideas?

Diane, I know the feeling....why do we do this to ourselves?!!! I happen to be someone who grazes. Mind you, my home is stocked with healthy food. It's the junk that people bring to work that gets me. Yesterday I had a piece of cake for breakfast, some frosting midmorning and a piece of cake for lunch. Yes, I brought healthy food to eat but it didn't find its way out of the fridge. Down one pound for me, I think. I'm at 171 this week. Seems like all of this running in the heat would help...but I know the snacking is just plain bad.

Karey....I hear you! I had 84 emails waiting for me this morning at work....and it's the weekend!

Mommi-hammi....I also discovered that my band tightens up after flying! Funny huh? The anesthesiologist's bill really had me worried for a while. I was so concerned I was getting hidden bills that were not explained to me. When I got the confirmation letter that my bills were all forgiven, I filed it for safekeeping and never had a problem again. Oh, and I can chug water!

Hlyndes....I got a bill after surgery (I was self pay) for another $500 or so from the anesthesiologist. Turns out it was a mistake. I just called Dr. Spivak's office and they cleared it up for me. BTW....I asked the anesthesiologist's office to send me a copy of my paid bill (just to be on the safe side) and they did. I filed it away w/my records. The steri-strips should stay on until they fall off. After a week or so and showering they will just curl up and drop off. Mommi-hammi....I have a finicky band too. I can eat bread this week but come bad weather or the time of the month I tighten up and can only get soft foods down. Not real sure what to make of that and I'm going on my year anniversary. Still learning...