Lap_dancer

Hey Widow! I remember you. Welcome back. Girl my BMI from my beginning, January 2007..well you do the math, I'm 5'5 and weighed 389. I was pushing 360 at surgery. I think the person who told you gastric bypass was better for people in our range...if that is what they inferred by preferencing bypass over the band, may not have all the information they need. I personally chose the band because I felt for ME it was the better option as I didn't want my organs gut. The biggest concern for us during surgery is the size of our livers. Mine was huge, it shrunk because of my preop diet but it was still big. Dr. K got the band in there! Whatever YOU feel like is best is what you pick for yourself. I'm grabbing at a hunch and the hunch I have is that because we have so much weight to lose, they may think the discipline the band requires (because you can cheat but you can also cheat with the bypass too) they may think larger people fail. That's a guess.

Denise said: I had a brownie get stuck the other night and don't think I want to eat one for a long time if ever again. It was so bad, my worse yet Hey Denise, I had something get stuck last week that left me feeling like a fish out of Water on the floor flapping and thrashing. It came up surrounded by something best associated with snail drag marks. Nini said: LAP!! Congrats on your weight loss. Bitch-slappin' that head hunger made a big difference! Straight-up! Wearing my thigh highs and thrashing my bullwhip at headhunger. I seriously say: "STFU" and the impish side of my personality is like...."urg, sorry ((meep))." Hotmama why is he chasing? You chase him and remind him why he married you. If you want to borrow my velvet handcuffs..hee hee..kidding. Mini- A HUGE congrats on your son. WAY TO GO! Wow. What a victory for him. He will feel so great about hisself in a facility that is independent yet supportive. Baby steps. Definately get him a housewarming item for his unit. On Holiday Inn Select - I think they are hip to the fact they are getting business for the hospital. Where I got a great rate the first time, the second time they amped up the price and when I talked to the manager he was stone cold about it. Like that was his best and final offer. On the other side of that... Best Western Gateway - I love these people. GREAT Girl working that front desk. You say, "I'm a patient of Dr. Kirshenbaum for the Lap-Band" and boom...automatic rate. They have a room on the bottom floor that is totallly handicapped accomidating. It the last room on the left just around the corner from the front desk. The pool is RIGHT THERE. They have a full Breakfast bar, cold and some hot with fruits and cereals, waffles and pancakes, bacon...la la la..so my hubby was happy to get a big breakfast. This is included in the price. The room also has a fridge. They get my business. Friends I won't make the picnic. I'm not flying Frontier I'm going out on Continental and will be with my daughter in Texas until Clara Jean arrives. I have to be back in Florida to start school second week in August for pre-school followed by student return. I'm sad I'll miss this great event but happy for the reason why!! My first grandbaby!! Woo HOO! Feeling great. Restriction is spot on, perhaps a bit tighter than I am use to but a quick reminder if I swallow to fast or eat something too fast. The change in food plan that Paula helped me with has made a big difference. This new combination of foods is keeping me "CLEANER" in my intake. My stomach has settled down too. We have much to be thankful for.

AT BRANDYMOM Although I was a lower BMI, I am only 30-35 pounds from goal. And it will be 6 months on June 12. I think it depends on your own motivation, your activity etc... My motivation was not having a knee replacement this year. Although, I will need one in the future, I am so happy post-poning it for years! WOOHOOOOOOO!!! I a dreaming of the day. Set my goals for it. Congratulations for being so close. Way to go.

Okay folks...ROCKIN the WEIGH IN I am down DRUMROLL............. 5.4 pounds WOO HOO so techinically I lost 1.4 pounds because last week I had gained four pounds. LAPDANCER checking in down 5.4 pounds Next for the challenge..................

Hello gang! Got this from my headwork support group: Be patient with everyone, but above all with yourself . . . do not be disappointed by your imperfections, but always rise up with fresh courage. How are you to be patient in dealing with your neighbor's faults if you are impatient in dealing with your own? They who are worried by their own shortcomings will not correct them. All positive progress comes from a calm and peaceful mind. .................................................................. Isn't that nice? But why is it I would much rather tell those I am impatient with to BITE ME? Headhunger came to visit last night. I was sitting here comfortably in my bed when all of a sudden that nasty freak of nature hit me. There is nothing in my pantry to knosh on so BITE ME headhunger. Not that I went in there and cleaned out the pantry one bite at a time...no there was nothing there to begin with. YAY. Flying the royal one man victory salute at headhunger. Two more days until weigh in. Dee are you with me girl. We have some reversals to take care of. Until next time. Patty

Ohhh Mini.. I believe in this: dee: I can't believe that someone said something like that about your pictures. That's really inexcusable and so incredibly hurtful. I just have two words for that person: karma police. You better watch out, because you get back what you give. True that! AND yes, on the drugs. I take Ritalin ER for my what? huh/ where did I put it? on the way to Daytona I'd like to stop at Orange city but wait...huh? My ADD. Ritalin works, Adderall doesn't. I take Effexor, it works, Zoloft..yawn. Ho hum. Nothing. So yes, the type of drugs you take and the doseage are trial and error. Adjustment is to the fitting of a nice piece of clothing. Interesting point is, my mother started taking Klonipin, that is what I take for panic, and it worked for her as well. .......................... Enjoying reading all your words today. Patty .......................... Mal, I'm finding strength in Suzie's voice. She rocks. ........... Where is our in love Michelle? I imagine Dynamo Mini is living large and in love right now. Anyone heard from her? ...............

Bookholder you must post those pictures of the arches. How awesome you got to see this amazing place. I'm feeling empowered today. I took yesterday and licked my wounds for about 30 seconds and then cussed out my head everytime it said headfood. Really, it was quite affective. To be graphic and if you offend easily, jump down now to the red writing section as it is much nicer. So it started about 10, the headfood negotiation of offering some food sacrifice to myself for being so good for doing so well and it went like this: Head- "you know you can eat those chips in the pantry, just a few" Self: Fuck you. Head- Hey not so harsh, I know how much you like them and maybe they will make you feel better. Self: Kiss my ample ass bitch. Head- "You need to relax a little" Self: Movies are good. So I watched several movies yesterday ......................................................... Credit for this goes to Suze Orman: Balance and Harmony are your thoughts, your words, your actions and your feelings. What you are thinking is what you are doing, what you are saying is what your actions display, you are in one. Watch the things that you say, check your words and guard your thoughts. Balance is equilibrium and confidence. You look at something and you say without hesitation, “I know what to do”. The base of all that you strive to be is built on the foundation of the balance and harmony within yourself. When you have balance and harmony you find you develop courage to do the things in your life without hesitation. Courage is that energy that quiets the fears that prevent you from doing what you need to do. You are a warrior do not turn your back on the battlefield. Summon your courage, think, feel, say, speak in one focus. Generosity. This is easy for women. We are naturally giving people. We like to nurture others but generosity should not come at the expense of your self. True generosity is when it is a gift to yourself and to the one you give to. Generosity is not giving to the point you put something on your credit card to give. Generosity should not deplete your energy reserves. Generosity is when you are empowered by what you are doing. It is in proportion to what you are giving. Happiness is essential to the quality of a happy woman. When you are happy you do not go out and spend money on things you do not need. Look at your life. Happiness comes when you are truly generous, in harmony, balance, when you are truly happy you clean up that which is around you. Wealth cannot dwell in filth. When you spend all your money on clothes and your closet looks like a garbage can, what are you saying about money? Clean away the clutter. Dwell with cleanliness. When you clean and do away the clutter, when you can find something and have no excuse because you can’t find it, when you pay your bills on time you have no late fees because you can find things, they have a place, they are organized, you keep your wealth, you keep your balance and harmony you eliminate frustration, angst, anxiety because you have balance around you. Beautiful Goddesses of wealth. You can feel beauty. Beauty is not all about what is on the outside. You can have inner strength, inner beauty. When you feel that beauty you feel confident. There is nothing more beautiful than a woman who walks in and knows their own worth and own power and you have WISDOM. Wisdom to make the right choices, wise choices of who you are with who you love, you live in a clean surrounding because you are happy because you have been generous and you have been able to sum it up and stay in balance. These are qualities of a wealthy woman.

Congratulations LOSERS! I would love to be a loser this week for all the right reasons but it didn't happen that way. Okay so I know what I did wrong. I am being a mother to myself right now and patting me on the back for not popping a gasket while daughter was here or going on a full on binge. No throwing scales away! They are only the messengers. My hubby said it ever so succinctly, "Get back on track, it's only one week." I'll catch up with you cowgirls next week you watch! I'm so ready. Sharing this website with you all. I ordered my protein bars and some vitamins. Check out the uber cheap shipping. AllStarHealth.com - Vitamins and Nutritional Supplements at Discounted Prices Onward we go!!!! Dee, see you in the other direction next Saturday!!!! WOO HOO.

Mal I love it. Great idea. Never thought to ride at night with a little light. That would work for me.

Okay kids....I'm up 4 pounds. Owning it.

WOOHOO!!!

I HEAR YA! Folks I am so jumpy right now. I'll take that virtual glass of wine. Shelbi I take Effexer ER. I'm thinking I need to amp up that dose a bit. On my agenda for the summer...med check. Whew. She has shaved off years of my life.

Yup. Well she called from Houston and her plane had maintenance problems and this is what I HEARD her say...could I go online and find her flight it was a commuter flight within the state of Texas but going to New Mexico and...(pause..long pause) ..and the flight number was LAXW123 (it was 123) and trying to understand her and what she wanted (another flight to El Paso? the airline? whu??) and her voice got more terse and tight and I could feel my head starting to tighten and I offered to give her the toll free number from the airlines but..she didn't have a pen, she lost it in her purse so after five minutes I told her to ask someone for a pen...oh, wait, she found it..gave her the number and she ended up booking a direct flight home from Houston. It's that kind of stuff, all the time JUST ALL the time. My head was humming until she was home and the longer she was home the more tense I got. She just has zero boundaries and then she has amazing love and affection and kindness and then in one whip she is a hellian. It's very exhausting dealing with her. ....................................................... What is a fit wii. I thought it was a movie?

Did someone say HEADFOOD? This is me: :w00t:

Officially her diagnosis is Borderline Personality Disorder. What does someone with BPD act like? Well let's put it this way, last week, and remember she is almost 8 months pregnant, she was resolved to join the Army after deliverying the baby...six - eight weeks after so she could secure her financial future. (it gets better) She told her ex-boyfriend she was "pregnant" when she was a virgin ( I should have called her 'Mary' starting then), She is a member of Green Peace, is a huge supporter of Hillary but was a member of the Young Republicans (still is) and married a lifer Army soldier. I can't keep up with her. You can cut the drama vibe with a knife when she is home.

Are You a Compulsive Overeater? Welcome to Overeaters Anonymous. This series of questions may help you determine if you are a compulsive overeater. Do you go on eating binges for no apparent reason? Do you have feelings of guilt and remorse after overeating? Do you give too much time and thought to food? Do you look forward with pleasure and anticipation to the time when you can eat alone? Do you plan these secret binges ahead of time? Do you eat sensibly before others and make up for it alone? Have you tried to diet for a week (or longer), only to fall short of your goal? Do you resent others telling you to "use a little willpower" to stop overeating Despite evidence to the contrary, have you continued to assert that you can diet "on your own" whenever you wish? Do you crave to eat at a definite time, day or night, other than mealtime? Do you eat to escape from worries or trouble? Have you ever been treated for obesity or a food-related condition? Does your eating behavior make you or others unhappy? Have you answered yes to three or more of these questions? If so, it is probable that you have or are well on your way to having a compulsive overeating problem. We have found that the way to arrest this progressive disease is to practice the Twelve-Step recovery program of Overeaters Anonymous. Overeaters Anonymous is a fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience, strength and hope, are recovering from compulsive overeating. We welcome everyone who wants to stop eating compulsively. There are no dues or fees for members; we are self-supporting through our own contributions, neither soliciting nor accepting outside donations. OA is not affiliated with any public or private organization, political movement, ideology or religious doctrine; we take no position on outside issues. Our primary purpose is to abstain from compulsive overeating and to carry this message of recovery to those who still suffer. Is OA for You? Only you can decide that question. No one else can make this decision for you. We who are now in OA have found a way of life which enables us to live without the need for excess food. We believe that compulsive overeating is a progressive illness, one that, like alcoholism and some other illnesses, can be arrested. Remember, there is no shame in admitting you have a problem; the most important thing is to do something about it. Source: http://www.oaregion8.org/ Going to a face to face meeting tomorrow. Online is not cutting it for me right now. Whooooo, feeling really vunerable right now. PR

Sorry this font is small. Doing a quick post this morning. FIRST~~~ Sharing this from COACH on her Blog. Isn't this the truth? "Being morbidly obese you have a built in excuse as to why you don’t achieve your goals. I’m too fat to exercise, it’s too hard, and you feel defeated before you even start whatever project is you want to work on. Well now I’m not morbidly obese; I don’t have the built in excuse. How can I inspire others to reach goal if I’m not at goal myself? Oh trust me; that one tiny little question opened up a flood gate of emotions, thoughts, and feelings I didn’t even know resided in me. So I really had to take a hard look at myself and re-evaluate my game plan. A plan is exactly what I came up with. I made an appointment to go see my surgeon. When I got there I was weighed and yep sure enough the exact same weight" Her post focused on when we get to a point where we are pleased with our progress but haven't yet arrived. Very good read. ................................................................ Well my daughter and baby inside Clara are gone. Flew out this morning. My daughter is the essence of my older, bossy, overbearing sister. It absolutely drains the life out of me to be around her for an extended period of time. I will have to recover from the past few days of her visit especially last night when she didn't have her things packed and began a typical temper tantrum. Bipolar disorder isn't pretty. Peace and lotus. ........................................................... Dee...mean people SUCK. I was thinking yesterday it takes a thick skin to be fat. There is such a demand in society for perfection. If you are not that perfect thing, heaven forbid. I pity movie stars. OMG. movie stars and presidents and senators and anyone in the spotlight or at the podium. We do not allow for any imperfections and entire websites and shows are dedicated to showing the world a booger hanging from their nose. ............................................................. I just went to Amazon and purchased a book on Abstinence from Compulsive Overeating. My thoughts are jerky and it is really rattling me. I'm going to go to the doctor and see about getting my meds adjusted, increased. Trying to be proactive. ................................................ Here is wishing everyone a grand weekend. Stay strong. Stay focused. Patty

I've gotten several books off Amazon.com. Do a search of OA books, pick some that you would like to read. I recommend having the Big Book. I also recommend the pocket version of OA.

Jack's got this one right as far as my situation. I have dumping on occasion. Yes, something I do not care to do. first paragraph pretty much nails what happens to me. I'm guessing the lactose combined with the high sugar and fat of the Cookies did the trick on you.

Hello clucky: I can tell you about me and what I went through. I believe each person should see if this is a good fit for their life. You should also feel comfortable with the doctor and staff. I topped out at a known weight of 389. I personally think I hit 400 but had no scale to weigh me at that time. I tried loads of diets, diet clubs, pills, and I just kept getting fatter when I tried to resume a normal life. My biggest problem was the constant hunger I felt. I did not get FULL like normal people feel. When I read about the procedure I READ about it. I did loads of research, this was in 2006, and started the process with another doctor here in my homestate. He had only done a few Lap-Bands but was pushing me to have a gastric bypass (red flag number one). I was not wanting my organs to be cut. It was like he was trying to talk me out of the band. In the end, I didn't go with him as my insurance didn't cover it. Shopping for surgery. Since I was self pay(such a liberating experience to have the final say in WHO and What) I shopped. I was going to Mexico but my husband was not supportive of non-U.S. medical standards plus I read a post on this site by someone who had just gotten back from Mexico and darn near died. Someone mentioned Dr. Kirshenbaum had the lowest price. I researched him. First he is a surgeon, a laporoscopic surgeon, so he doesn't just do banding but before he started banding he was doing this form of surgery anyway! Very impressive CV. I then called the office and chatted with Marilyn. I liked her. When I finally spoke to the doctor prior to my flight out to Colorado I was even more impressed. He speaks very methodically and goes through the surgery, with me via PowerPoint email, like I was sitting in a seminar at my home computer. I am an educator by profession so his method to make sure I understood my surgery was important. He is a great communicator. I'm one year past surgery, never one day have I regretted this. I AM a new person. The benefits are too numerous to count. I still have a ways to go but I have come a long way. The band is a TOOL and that combined with behavior changes, food changes, lifestyle...it gets the job done. Best to you. Patty in Florida

Mini CONGRATS to you. That's fantastic. Who else is going to be a grandparent???? I thought I read something earlier. Everyone thank you for the nice messages. Its really kind of you to be so encouraging. When you have UBER amounts of weight to lose, it takes a huge drop for people to notice. My skin did clear up some. It seems hydrated more. Everyone have a grand week.

I am thinking you mean you haven't had a bowel movement, yes? (#2) If yes, I would try some green tea. That always helps me. You can buy it at the grocery Arizona brand is fine. Room temperature. Good luck.

Okay more photos from yesterday of my current MUG (this is my quota for a while) including the flash shot which shows all the details...

I'm ready to fly with it!

Happy Memorial Day: I'm resting here in me bed getting to sleep in. Close to my heart is the meaning of this day and the brave ones who made it so and those that still do. Honoring two: Sargent Christopher Henry, my nephew currently in Iraq..on his way home, injured...wait, no worries, he fell and broke his wrist and fractured his hip, non combat. Next, my sweet and precious son-in-law Shawn James Potter, daddy to little Clara Jean. Two tours of Iraq, one in the second wave of Iraqi Freedom. Happy Memorial Day from the sweet toe painted lady (yes I do them myself) Patty