Lap_dancer

Thanks so much. I will go look on Amazon now.

I use to be a Pasta freak, now it tastes like paste to me. Candy also doesn't do it for me and neither do chips. This is something I noticed strongly when the day after surgery. I had simply lost my taste for some foods that I use to love. I'll take that.

I have to echo what Dana just said above me. I am my own best advocate and they developed through years of frustration and my determination to become my own medical advocate. Lucky for us, we have the internet. You would be better off to call your state government agency in the capitol in Springfield (let's see if my geography is right). Start from the top and then work your way down to a person or office that may help. Here are some suggestions: Write yourself a script and practice reading it: My name is **** and I live in (city). I'm calling because I am attempting to find out if I have coverage through my Medicaid on a medical procedure. I have contacted my caseworker and I think five weeks is enough time to know if it is a covered benefit. Unfortunately I don't have an answer yet and that is why I'm calling. (they might say) What is it that you want to know about? (you say) The Lap Band which is a gastric procedure for morbid obesity. ( they may say) We don't deal with that here. (you say) Okay, can you direct me to the appropriate agency? (they may say) I would continue to try your caseworker... (you say) Again, I am very frustrated and simply would like an answer as to if it is a covered benefit. What you want: Is it a covered benefit and if so who is the doctor in your area to see/hospitals with a bariatrics program. Be nice. Be understanding that you are one in one hundred plus calls they take. Be polite and say thank you. Ask the person's name and that them by name. Write down their name, the time and date after you hang up. Write a brief summary of what was said so that when you call their supervisor in six weeks, you can have a detailed recollection of who, what, where and when. ....been down that long and winding road more times than I care to recall. Good luck. ..........................What I found with a GOOGLE search HFS Agency Information

Hello Friends!~ Sorry not to post yesterday. I was tapped. DrewsLou- Congratulations on the win. Woo Hoo!! You have goals and success happening often in your life~~ NM Sunshine- Good Luck in Mexico. Michelle how are you doing? I know you must be feeling so strong especially first thing in the morning when you get out of bed and take those first steps. Keep it going! I read the article with great appreciation. Mal how is your son doing the first weeks of college? Woofey how is the excursion going? Write about it when you can. Yesterday: I didn't have the energy to post back about the session yesterday afternoon. I was so mentally tapped out I just came home and took a long hot shower than went to bed and watched movies. (this, btw, is a great source of escape and distraction ) I repeated the entire story of this past weekend to my therapist. I went into detail about the past, when I was younger and how things played out. You know what is hard? It is really hard when someone holds a mirror up to your face! One of the things I think we are all forced to experience is the WHY of our overeating. How DID we get to be 100+ pounds overweight? When I got to the part of the story when my sister was yelling at me my therapist stopped me and said "you let her talk to you that way?" I replied that I thought my sister "misunderstood" the why of my post on the OE board and subsequent replies, she let me continue telling the rest of the story until I got to the point of hanging up and my mother hanging up on me. And then she sat up in her seat and leaned across and looked at me and said "that's abuse!" she predictably guessed "your mother probably read your journals and looked through your private things" I said she had. And she accurately described how my sister had probably been talking to me like this for as far back as I could remember, she has. She told me that these two women were "toxic to your recovery". Like you all, she applauded my efforts to stay on top of myself and avoid a situation that may throw me into a binge but she said "if they put you in a place where you are 'hanging on by a thread' then why would you risk exposing yourself to that? If you had a child, and you knew a neighbor was abusive to your child, would you let your child go to that house?" I said no. That's when she instructed me to stay away from them and gave me some skills to avoid speaking to them on the phone if they called. I will not answer my telephone, my husband or son will. And per any other situation I am to instruct my mother to "contact your other daughter". And so it is. Strangely, while feeling a sense of sadness I am also feeling a sense of great relief, RELEASE is more like it. That's what happened at my therapist's office. Thoughts???? .........................................................................................

Well I'm at the ton of food category. I can eat about a cup of food. I do stick with the regiment of Protein first to get it in there, no liquid going down with my meal (most of the time). My last fill was in July. I was restricted for about three days and then it settled into what I thought was a sweet spot. That lasted one month. Now I feel hungry, not like I use to before the band, not that nawing feeling, but enough to know that it wasn't like a month after the band when I had limited ability on volume. I'm still having to S-l-o-w down.

80 grams of protein a day is what my doctor ordered. Dietary intake starts with protein first so you get that in there followed by your vegetables. Drink your water throughout the day. A multi vitamin supplement could help. I take Flintstone Vitamins.

Goodmorning Friends: First acknowledging the art prints on NM Sunhine's website. WOW. It gave me the thought that it would be a wonderful experience to do Plein Air painting as a group of those of us who are artists. Come in town for a fill, then on Friday or Saturday meet for Plein Air somewhere that the locals know of. I would tote my paints for that experience. I thank you all for your wonderful encouragement. It has meant more to me than words can express. It definately has been a hault to bingeing as I have drawn strength from you all. A couple of things that happened over the past day and a half. First, someone told me that events happen in our lives and they may not be as we would hope them to be but in the end, they result in that which is better for us. Since as far back as I can remember, there has been a them vs. me relationship. I was applauded as a child for using my money to "take something home to sis" when I was in a store. It could be a penny candy or something trite but it was something nurtured in me, to care about your sister. I can assure you it was not the other way around. Why? Was I somehow less of a person because I was not the first born? What about the stories that children do, the funny things they say, misheard words that are pronounced in a funny manner... over the years, they evolved into all being what my sister said, or did. Oddly enough, when I was a teenager and my sister ( 3 years older) was drinking beer, smoking and driving to parties in my mother's car, I was the kid sister who sat in the backseat and kept my mouth shut. When cigarette butts were found in the ashtray, I said they were mine so my sister wouldn't get in trouble. Beer bottles...mine. They weren't. I hated beer. I was grounded, chastised, all for my sister who would say, "thanks" for shielding her from being grounded. Sister first right? When I was 21 I had to get out. I moved 1200 miles away. Here I was down here in Florida with no relatives, my husband became my best friend, my spouse, my confidant..because there really was no one else. I was blamed and fingerpointed at every time something negative had because "if you were closer to home..." some how the world would magically change to my favor. My mother retired and moved 1200 miles close to me. I imagined this wonderful experience. FINALLY! I could have my mom to myself without any interference from my sister who always managed to drama herself into the center of the picture. And for a few moments it was wonderful. I have this sweet memory of going to a Tea Room near my house with my mother and getting to nurture HER. Of going to an antique store and buying a vintage doll for her birthday. Then after my sister's first long visit it all changed. My sister couldn't stand living where my mother had lived, and now she wanted to move here. She also had an affair ( totally justified by her and my mother, after all, my loving brother-in-law didn't want to go anywhere, was not as affectionate as she liked and besides, he was only a delivery man!) The new guy is a PILOT (said over and over and over). While my sister was still married, my mother covered for my sister when she brought the other man down here on vacation. When we all went out to dinner, here is this stranger sitting with my sister. My children, in their early twenties) later asked me "Are Aunt P and Uncle C seeing other people?" It was awkward, embarrassing and I was so very angry at her for exposing my family to this very awkward situation. (but I'm the one with the problem). My sister moved down here two weeks ago. Any dreams I had of family of origin celebrating together in a healthy and loving manner are Napalmed. The decision is no longer it's us or them the decision is it is my recovery and health or them. For me there is no other option. I am creating a new family now. I have a friend who is older and wiser and still young enough to be like an older sister to me. She has so much love in her that she would make a wonderful older sister. I asked her if she would be my older sister, she was thrilled. I have another person in my life who I asked to be a sister to me, she never had a sister and thought the idea was so clever that she laughed and giggled like a school girl. These people respect me and love me for who I am. They would never even consider reading my private entries and then confronting me. They are my new sisters. My extended family are the ones I have in my support group. Some of you here on Lapbandtalk have my love and admiration. I know you care, you REALLY care about me. You have no hidden agenda and I can trust you. I have never known that with my Family of Origin. This is how I am moving on. My salad yesterday was DIVINE. The vegetables were tender and the greens were sweet. It was like mother earth produced these soft leafy greens as a gift to ease my worried self. I got in for my therapy appt. today at 3. I am eager to tell her what has happened and gain direction from her. I will share her thoughts with you all this evening when I get home. With much love and respect for you all. Have a grand day. Lap Dancer!

From my OA group. Family of Origin and Family of Choice (FOC) An original idea. .............................................. What you've related is exactly why I have a family of origin ( my parents, brother, and sisters) and my family of choice (the wonderful friends I have, my support groups, therapy groups, church, and just joyful people God places on my path). My FOC is what I get support and encouragement from, not my "real" family. They cannot relate to my life. I'm single, been a single parent most of my daughter's life, I work hard, I have a lot of physical and mental illness, I have trauma they cannot begin to understand or even fake comfort. It's not their fault, they are not in recovery. I've been in years of therapy and recovery and have more emotional depth than they do. I try to "radically accept" them, but find it difficult to get past the hurt. I know it is something I must do so they don't continue to hurt me and I can continue on with my recovery.

Hello Friends! First of all, you all are amazing. What strong people as a collective and individually. It's my rise to know you all. I read all of the posts since my comment this afternoon. First, I want to tell you that I'm still gaurding from a binge right now. I'm not even allowing myself the exposure to anything that may have a trigger in it. I found a lovely Greek Cafe that just open that has amazing salads and herbs. I feel the need for gentle on my system so these next few days I'm sticking with salads from this cafe which isn't far from my job. This is my gift each day to myself, nutritious, gentle meals. Sunshine said: your mother had no right to read your email (abusers do that sort of thing). And your sister is a brutal abuser , screaming like that to over the phone. They both gang up on you. Do you know my family??? They have been ganging up on me since as long as I can remember. I felt bereft when the family, under my orders, are no longer allowed to ask or talk about my weight, progress or no progress. I was so surprised about the feeling of loss not being discussed like that, but then their comments went to other things I was doing like painting in a positive way. I realize they don't even know me. This made me cry. I guess it hit me in ways I didn't know were tender. I have an appt. at 3 with my therapist tommorow. I'm going to write down what happened so if I get emotional I can atleast get through what happened. I'm thinking that maybe the thing to do is to keep the subject of anything related to my weight, my surgery, my therapy, off limits, tabu to them. But I have to speak to them and right now I am not speaking to them. I need a wall up and some time away. My friends I want to thank you for the support. Thank you for listening, for understanding, for sharing of your own selves. This is incredibly strengthening. Thank you so very much for that. I will be in Denver Oct. 10, 11, 12 and home on the 13th. We'll see eachother! Okay, I need to cocoon right now. Going to hot shower, no food, bed, blankets and books or movies. Peace and hugs to you all. Patty

for ticker: You go to the Ticker factory website and select a ticker, follow the directions to the end, you will generate a code that you can see which will say something like "post to website". You can either click on the code and it will COPY automatically or click and drag to highlight and then copy or CTRL + C. Go into your profile here on Lap Band Talk, you get there by clicking into "USERCP" (user control panel) find your SIGNATURE and then open it up. In the window, PASTE your ticker and SAVE CHANGES. .............................................................................................. Oh friends what a weekend.!!!!!!!! You all know I am working a recovery 12 step for Overeaters Anonymous. YES. I'm also a member of Compulsive Overeaters who also have emotional issues they are dealing with such as depression, anger, bipolar disorder, manic depression, self harm concerns, along with their compulsive overeating. All of our websites that we post to are private but the last one I spoke of is moreso because of the sensative nature of the subjects. The short version of my story is that I was at my mother's, used her computer and according to her I "left" my email open so and she read all of my responses, posts that had come to my inbox. I posted a very private quiery for COE (compulsive overeaters) EI with (Emotional Issues) to help me deal with my sister's visit this weekend. I feared a binge. I feared backsliding emotionally because of all the baggage I have from my family. My mother not only read my very private post she shared it with my sister who I indicated I had emotional problems with (verbal abuse, emotional abuse) My sister spoke to me last night and screamed over the phone at me telling me everything I said was "bullshit" and she was pissed as hell that I "talked like that about me" and on and on and on and on. There was no explaining to her. I tried. I told her I was in recovery and that my emotions were what they were, I felt that way, and they were raw. She didn't hear any of that. It was loud, abrasive and I ended up telling her I needed to protect myself at all costs at this time in my life and CUT HER OFF. I hung up. Moreso was I angry at my mother who showed her my emails. (( Why would someone deliberately want to make another person feel hurt? )) Right now, the voice in my head has directed me to stay away from them at this time in my life. I hurt. This is very hard. I feel so betrayed and alone.

At four months post-op with my band, I'm taking the next step in my journey by doing some "head work". I went into therapy a few weeks ago. Today I came across something I would like to share; I think it is relative to all of us at some point. -------------------------------------------------------------------- From PREVENTION, "Don't Check Arrival Times, Changing your relationship with food is a journey not a destination." By Geneen Roth If a wish-granting genie had appeared during the 17 years I was gaining and losing a thousand pounds, I would've said, "Take 50 pounds off my body immediately and make me thin. When I wake up tomorrow, let me eat ice cream without guilt and munch potato chips without seeing them on my hips within 10 minutes." If the aforementioned genie had been smart, she probably would've said to me, "Are you kidding? With all the wishes you could possibly have--being forever happy or endlessly wise or even unspeakably rich, you want to be thin?" And my answer would've been a resounding YES. I wanted your basic miracle. Just one teeny miracle. If there is one refrain I hear constantly from people who are struggling with food, it's that they want this to be over, done, kaput. They want to wake up think tomorrow and spend the rest of their lives without a food problem. Yup, I understand. Been there Wished that. But let me tell you the good news about that wish: It's entirely possible to break free from emotional eating. You can be someone who walks around without thoughts of food occupying the main portion of your mental life. The bad news, of course, is that the work of transormation is up to you, and the work itself is a journey that-- uh-oh--here it comes--never ends. Rats. Part of the challenge of dealing with food involves changing how we think about it: from a problem to fix to a path we walk. Instead of telling ourselves that we want to get rid of our struggles, we can ask ourselves how the vehicle we've chosen for the journey--our relationship with food--functions in our lives. How is emotional eating helping us, speaking for us, and expressing something we feel we can't express directly? One of the principles of my work is that there are always exquisitely good reasons we turn to food when we aren't hungry-- and our work is to develop a kinder, wiser relationship not only with food but also with ourselves. It means being willing to consider and then exploe how we use food in our lives. It means treating ourselves with compassion, and understanding that the point isn't to arrive at some imagined destination but to have a transformative, fascinating, fabulous time arriving. And arriving and arriving. (snip) After she lost weight, Rebecca would go back to her dessert-laden lifestyle. Rebecca wanted help figuring out why she constantly sabotaged herself. I told her that I believe we use food for good reasons and even though it seemed like self-sabotage, I knew she was trying to care for herself in some way; it was our task to discover what that was. At first, Rebecca was only interested in discovering how to fix herself immediately; she wanted magic. She wanted instant answers. She wanted to wake up thin tomorrow. But when she relaxed and stopped focusing on the goal, she remember that when she was younger, her parents were very poor and there was never enough food on the table but there were always Cookies. "We always had sweets because they were cheap, and my mother could feel she was giving us something we liked." Once she realized what she was doing, she could ask herself if what she believed was actually true. And she recognized, of course, that it wasn't, and that there were other unharmful ways to remember her parents. When she stopped wnting to make the problem go away, she relaxed enough to explore the root of her eating. And she stopped being married to sugar. If Rebecca had woken up thin before understanding the reasons she was eating sweets, the sense of guilt and abandoning her family would've still haunted her. (snip) Think about how different life could be if you stopped emphasizing the end, the fix, or getting there and began enjoying each step of the way. If one moment was as good as the next. If the goal in life was not to fix yourself but to transform yourself. Here, after all, is a miracle: You're already on the journey. You already know and already have everything you need to continue. Relax, breathe, be kind to yourself and everyone else. Oh, there's one more thing, enjoy the ride.

Goodmorning good friends! I can't wait to see you all in October! It's gonna happen! A "boom shakalaka laka" to Dynamo Mini" on those inches. Hey, I'll take inches over pounds any day. Inches are what make the pants fit better! Beautiful thought for the day from OA this morning. Today's thought is: Adversity introduces us to ourselves. --Anonymous ... After difficult or challenging times we often say, "I never would have chosen to go through that, but I learned a lot from it." ... It could be a job situation, a failed relationship, trouble with the law, or relapse. ... When we bump up against something hard-something that pushes back at us, our strength is tested, forcing us to draw on unknown reserves. ... A mountain climber standing on a safe ledge finds it difficult to move forward onto a more frightening spot. ... After he has completed the route, he looks back and feels good about himself because he met a challenge. ... We meet these challenges in many ways in our lives, and they help us build our self-respect. ... Whatever difficulty is facing us today, we do not have to be alone while we do it. ... We can reach out for support while we do what we must. ... This difficulty is part of being human and can help us see more fully who we are. ... I pray for the courage to face my adversity and ability to learn from it. ... From Overeaters Anonymous Recovery Group at Yahoo Groups. Be well my friends. Lap-Dancer Patty

Goodmorning friends! So much to say! Michelle remember that working out builds muscle which weighs more than fat. And the Navy (actually the military) ain't such a bad plan! Newlywed daughter who married into the Army, is jumping with joy over her benefits: Free health, no co-pays, free medication, no co-pays, free housing, a stipend to maintain the house inside and out, military discounts on just about everything! She is VERY happy. Rash? Baby that's just an excuse to go shopping!!! You need to go to a Crabtree & Evelyn store sweetie and by their double milled soap for your tender skin! I use Veranda liquid shower gel OR you can go to Bath & Body Works and use their gentle shower gel...I go for the Coconut Verbena. So shhsh shhhs now! Retail Therapy is definately in order! Shelbie, nothing happens for naught, there is always a lesson a greater purpose when it impacts your life for seemingly no apparent reason at that moment. In time it will reveal itself and the lesson comes clearly to us when we patiently await it. Your friend is so lucky to have you as a pal. I've no doubt she cherishes the fact that she has you in her life. Peace to her at this time. In other thoughts: I've got one mean-wicked redneck, tire kickin' NASCAR luvin' slap on bacon greased cornbread in yer face attitude when I want to. Mental note on Budget. I had grand luck with Enterprise. Want2beme: High energy your way my friend! Cherish the journey right now. Pamper yourself and be gentle. You are giving yourself the best gift, a journey back to health. Anita: Focus on getting that band as it should be and relax more. I've noticed when I tense up, my stomach swells. I think it is possibly the additioin of stomach acids churning that may be causing the swelling. I call it my "muffin top". Right now it is going down. I went back to eating exactly what I did a month out from surgery. Same restaurant, same meals, same Kiwi-Srawberry water, same same same. I think it is helping. Drew's Lou I want to meet you girl! I'm coming to Colorado October 10th. I have an appt. the 11th and will not leave until the 13th. MAL DARLING WELCOME TO DEBTORSVILLE! My daughter graduated last year with a degree in Humanities...then got married and is now a homemaker (but like I say, education is never a waste) and my son is still rolling on. He may turn out to be my Psychologist as he love, love, loves the subject and the coursework. It's valid investments. If not our children then WHAT?? If not ourselves and our bodies then what?? My friends here is my OA thought for the day received by my over200 OA support and Recovery group: Every morning I make a decision. I decide to prepare for a day of recovery, or I decide to not prepare for a day of recovery. It comes as no surprise that on the days I prepare I do better. I have to take responsibility for my decisions, even my indecision. If I do nothing to help myself today, I have no one to blame but myself. If nothing else, I can take five minutes in the morning to invite my Higher Power into my life. ONE DAY AT A TIME . . . I will prepare for a good day today. I will take responsibility for my recovery. "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference." See you all in October!!! Have an awesome day. Patty the Lap Dancer Starting Weight: 378 lbs this morning: 338 lbs. Food Plan: No trigger foods, desserts, dinner rolls, candy, Today I will drink all of my water, walk the extra steps, meditate on my Recovery for one hour through the Higher Power of the many friends who lift me up. I cannot do this alone, I can do this with many.

Congratulations!!! We have an entire thread about Dr. Kirshenbaum that you can JUMP forums to at the bottom of this page. Go to Doctors and Hospitals and it is titled "Considering Dr. Kirshenbaum". I flew from Tampa, Florida to Dr. K. He is the best!!! I am flying back out October 11 for a check-up and fill. You are making the right choice! Isn't it exciting? I know how you feel by once again having HOPE. I can recommend for you a hotel, The Holiday Inn Select at Parker, CO. When you make reservations, tell them you are a patient of Dr. Kirshenbaum coming in for surgery, they will give you a discount. That hotel is directly across the street from Crowne which is a lovely medical center. For an upgrade of about $10 you can get a room with a mini fridge, sofa and coffee table. Best wishes and best of luck to you for an awesome experience. He is the best!! Patty in Florida

I love you all !! October 11 at 11 AM is my next appointment. I tried to get in a few weeks sooner but he is booked. I have to have a Thursday or Friday. Let's make the plans friends. I'll be there!

I decided I needed some head work when I went to the store and bought something, oh..now I remember, it was at Cracker Barrell and I purchased chocolate covered dried cherries, usually a seasonal item I buy at Christmas but now they are available year round. I did not eat this bag at one sitting, rather, I GRAZED on them over the course of three days. They were good but when I considered all that I had put myself through, even flying to Denver from Florida to have a self-pay operation, the vastness of my actions to become healthy only to EAT CHOCOLATE?? was a self awakening. I concluded on my own I have an addiction to food. Admitting you have an addiction was not easy for me atleast. But I do. I suspect I've been addicted for years. I can tell you I have actually gotten a buzz off of food. I think part of the high for me was sending my body into a woozy food induced haze by way of sugar/carbs. I sought out an addiction counselor and she had my number after about ten minutes. Right now our sessions focus on digging in the dirt and excavating the lies I have told myself. Nasty work but necessary. I also joined Overeaters Anonymous ( OA ). I'm working the 12 steps to recovery but I'm only moving up a step until I can tell myself I have a solid acceptance of each step. So far I am on step 2. For me the headwork is just as important as not drinking liquids with my meals, and avoiding old habits. We'll get there!!

I haven't seen Dr. K but spoke to him on the phone. He needs to see me. For now we are treating symptoms. I'm changing up my diet. I have less restriction but it's also been six weeks since my fill.

This sounds right up my alley. YUM. What store did you buy it at?

Anita what were your symptoms with the leak? Did you have any swelling around the surgical area?

Want2beme no worries. Know that everyone is different. Sometimes when groups of people who have a negative spirit and outlook on things get together, it can be a gripe fest. Being a water drinker is to your advantage. Stick with what our doctor tells you to do. He is just the best and I am a very picky person when it comes to medical care. ( I flew from Florida to Colorado to have my band done by him ) Again...no worries. My girls, I spoke to Dr. Kirshenbaum yesterday. As an aside I also spoke to Marilyn...love her spirit she is such a sweetheart. I am having gastric problems big time. Not with the band, not in the upper but it appears I am not absorbing the fat from my food and I'm having a constant case of UY&^%$## something Dr. K called that I cannot name. I need to see him so probability is I will be out to Denver in the first part of October. I am checking my schedule at work...otherwise I would be going next week but I can't take the time off right now. Food is zipping through me and I'm painfully on the pot all the time. My stomach is swelling. I read the symptoms and I have every symptom of colon cancer BUT I had a colonoscopy 9 mos. ago and everything was clear. I'm now on Metamusel (sp?) intaking more vegetable carbs (corn, potatoes) hoping this change in diet and additional intake will stop the flow. I'm up 4 pounds as of this morning and that is no doubt the swelling (and SALT from yesterday...whoa way too much). I have a muffin top. I'm looking for a block of four days to come into town. I see my sister tomorrow and she is the flight attendant who gets me my freebies. Going to pick a day, call Marilyn and see if I can get in. I am leaning towards the last week of September. In case something is wrong and he needs me to come back out for another check, I will do so in October when I have a professional day available at work. **I am hoping to see my posse at Red Robin** I will let you all know for sure. Keep me in your thoughts friends.

Hammer I'm a self pay too. I had mine put in April 17th. Here is what I can offer to you. The hardest thing for me to break has been my eating habit. The band isn't going to do that for me I have learned because I just get sick when I eat the way I typically do. I am use to large bites, short chews and swallows. I might get away with one or two bites but try a third one and I will get sick, I'll have pain and so forth. For an immediate, I can suggest for one day to give your belly a rest by switching it up to post-op food like the broth, soft easy foods like Toddler meals from Gerber. I've even done it for two days and up to three at one time, just to give my stomach a rest. (we have to remember what has just happened and to be gentle on our system) For me, that seems to take me out of a pain and worry zone into a calmer place. I start all over like that and have done so on several occasions. I go real slow and eat chicken and easily digested foods (research that on the internet). Another thing I have done is joined Overeaters Anonymous. To attempt to describe the help would not do it justice. Yahoo Groups has an awesome selection of message boards and "Loops" where you can receive emails of support. Although our intake is unique, anyone who has an obesity issue and is trying to gain some semblence of new lifestyle..HEALTHY lifestyle, is relateable to us. I have a 10CC band and am filled to just under 7.5 CC's right now. I weigh 336 and started out at 375. I didn't get like this over night or in one year so I also know that for the average person, 10 pounds a month is a healthy level of weight loss. Hope this has helped. Good luck

Hello Friends: I am planning my trip to Denver. I need a fill but decided I would not go to the Fill Center this time. I believe I need to see Dr. K. He has a surgeon's touch and I believe so very much in him. I was looking at coming out when the leaves change. I have not seen colored leaves on trees since 1987. I was going to take my son, my husband and myself out there. The question is do I go in October or do I go in November the week of Thanksgiving ( I have the whole week off )? I will yield to my girls in Colorado for advice. Is anyone having no problem (if you catch my drift) going potty #2 as in "everybody out!! This exit, 2 minute warning!!" ?? I have switched to eating Gingersnaps, thin ones, low cal but very strong in ginger, to slow down the process and ease my stomach. It does help but I would appreciate feedback. My original posse: Mal, Woofy, Michelle, I miss you all so much. I very much could use a hug around your neck!!! You all are on my heart. Patty

Shelbi my thoughts go to your friend. A purpose for everything, it just isn't revealed sometimes for a while.

Marcy a good story to read. Congrats on your loss. Way to go and way to go for doing what it is you need to do! Anita!!!! The pictures are FAB! Wow. I saw that heart painting Michelle had on her display and love it! We need to have an art swap! Breckinridge look amazing and I wish I could have been there too. Everyone know that I keep you on with me in my heart on this journey..every day! Your support means so much!

Goodmorning friends: I'm feeling the loss each morning when I get out of bed. What use to be pain, is now a lightness in my walk. It feels great. I still have a large stomach and amazingly enough, my bra size is staying very much the same. I'm thinking of a breast reduction before all the weight is off. I was reading on another thread here on LapBandTalk, they were talking about how insurance will pick up the surgery as a reduction but not so much after the weight is all off. It got me to thinking if I wanted to continue another few years with the backaches, shoulder pain, neck pain and so forth carrying these 48DDDD's around. Any thoughts? How is everyone doing today? Michelle I'm thinking of your art show this weekend. Take pictures of the creation if you think about it. I'm envious. OA thoughts for the day: We don't like the idea of being different from other people. why shouldn't we be able to eat everything? Well-meaning family and friends can contribute to the self-deception. "It won't hurt you to have one little piece of birthday cake." "you're not overweight; how can you be a compulsive overeater?" "You've been doing so well, you deserve a reward." "Life is too short to deny ourself pleasure." Life will be even shorter if we kill ourselves with food, and there is little pleasure in the aftereffects of a binge. A compulsive overeater is different: he or she is always one bite away from a binge. This is what we need to remember every day. How we got this way is irrelevant. We are not "bad" people. We are addicted to overeating, especially certain foods, as an alcoholic is addicted to alcohol. We cannot eat spontaneously, on impulse, because once we get started we don't know when we will be able to stop. There is no need to judge ourselves or feel guilty-- this is a disease, just as alcoholism and diabetes are diseases. --Twelve Steps for Overeaters, By Elizabeth L. ISBN: 0-89486-905-1 ....................................................................................... Had a great session with my therapist. The golden nugget I took away from yesterday's session is on bingeing. Food has been a form of soothing comfort and I have trained myself to use food for emotional purposes. Re-training my thinking to reach for something else, another activity, one that is enjoyable such as reading, painting, using my camera to experiment with photography and photo software on my computer can be a replacement practice to change my thought patterns. When I retrain my brain, I am less likely to want to put something in my mouth. Everyone have a great day. Hope these items help. They are helping me. Patty