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I can finally see the posts again on the website threadJ. Jods – I am so happy for you & your progress! Enjoy the man & feeling like a kid. Just sit back and have fun & let it take shape. Have fun! Have cleaning up your room & good luck with the last 10 lbs too. Charlene – keep up the great work! It is tough. Apples – just read you post about the weight gain. Don’t beat yourself up as overall you are still ahead. Just get back on track. Have a great day! Kristi xx

Stress, stress, stress. My how we are all so stressed. My DH just took himself back to bed because I'm having grandkids dropped off at my house around noon while my daughter goes to Chicago for some more appointments or tests. This is his day off and even though he got plenty of sleep last night, yesterday, and the day before, he thinks he won't be able to get in his usual naps before going in to work tonight at midnight. I can see he's mad at me but I'm basically at the eye-rolling stage and am ignoring him. This is my vacation and I spent the entire day with him yesterday. This is the only day I'll have the grandkids over instead of going to their house because he normally sleeps during the day. I've never met a guy who needs as much sleep or worries about getting his sleep as much as my DH. Great, I'm sorry you are so lonely. Do you think that's really what your trip down memory lane is really about? Do you think it would help you to become a volunteer again or find a part-time job now that you're settled? Or do you like being free to fly places whenever you want to? It's OK to reminisce but please don't get stuck there. You seem to have established friendships already and renewed some old ones. I envy you. When I'm working I have no time for that, just for my family, so when I'm off, like this week, I have no one but family to do anything with and they're all tied down. Fortunately, my grandkids are also on spring break and I'm needed to babysit. My friends are the people I work with, but we all have lives when we're not teaching so we don't get together outside of work. Eva, I admire your well-balanced lifestyle. I'm glad you were able to retire but still find a part-time position to keep your hand in and income coming. You have your projects and school and friendships that also involve your DH. Mine is such a loner that it's actually led to isolating me as well. Julie, what can I say. Mother/daughter relationships are some of the most complex in the world. Especially when the daughter is pregnant. You got the band to save your life and she needs to continue to hear that from you. This isn't about looks, its about living. Looking better is a bonus, but the health is primary. I don't think I'd allow anyone to hold me to a promise made under such duress. However, you do not do well with abdominal surgeries if your past history is any indication. Janet is right. Ultimately, its about making healthy choices. I'm thinking that seeing a counselor together with your daughter about your weight might be good for you and your daughter. Making the weight thing a mutual project was a good idea. Ask your daughter if she wants to be around for her children and grandhchildren. I'd also suggest that you get physical therapy for your knees and so on. Water walking is one of the safest things you can do to regain strength safely. It takes the weight off your knees while still exercising them. Also, percocet is likely to make you unstable and lead to falling again so you want to get off that asap. Strengthening the joints without inflaming them should be your goal to reduce pain. You're probably feeling these pains more now because your primary, overwhelming pain has been taken away. Using this whole situation as an incentive to lose more weight on your own will also help your physical pain. Did you know that every lb you weigh puts 5-10 lbs of pressure on each of your knees? So every lb you lose removes that much pressure on your knees. If you were to lose 25 more lbs it would take at least 125 lbs of pressure off each of your knees. That's what I keep telling myself. Even my 5 lb weight gain is affecting my knees. I can feel it. It's 25 extra lbs of pressure that they're carrying. My fake knees will last longer the less I weigh. Charlene, keep on keeping on. We all have our days of indulgence (except Linda, LOL). Getting back on track asap is the trick. For you, I would think the incentive would be that your FM symptoms are likely to improve as you lose more weight. You've done great, however, and you need to give yourself credit. Our addiction not only hurts us, it hurts the people around us. That's the hard part to remember. Our kids don't want us dead, or incapable of being there for them and their children. Hopefully, our husbands don't want us dead either (most of the time). LOL. Melissa, loved the "Green Things" e-mail. Too true. Hope you're doing well. Tell us more about your counselor. One of the simplest things I've done to automatize my meals is to always have a Protein shake for Breakfast. I buy pre-made because I have no desire to shop for and try to keep ingredients in the house, and as someone who works outside the home I need simple solutions. I have no desire to spend hours in a grocery store being tempted by all the food. For supper I prefer simple foods, like pan frying (in olive oil spray) fish, hamburger, steak, pork chop, and having a veggie on the side. My DH makes any sides he wants that are carbs (like potatoes or rice) for himself. Or I have a salad with mixed greens, cheese, nuts, a little fruit, and a flavored olive oil and vinaigrette based dressing. (Favorite-raspberry). For lunch at work I have peel off cans of tuna or chicken available, or Protein Bars, or Protein shakes to grab as Snacks or meals. I am very much a keep it simple person precisely because I am ADHD. That's why keeping rotisserie chicken in the house is another easy solution. Great Protein, always tender, fix it with various condiments. Take a small mouthful whenever you start craving carbs. Throw in a baggie and take to work. It's the KISS philosophy of food. Keep It Simple Stupid. People like Linda and Apples seem to be able to be around food and cook and bake it for others without over-eating themselves. I am not one of those people. People have to eat what I'm eating or make it and take it somewhere where I'm not around it. It's hard to stop feeling guilty about not feeding everyone around you but it can be done and its an enormous relief to stop cooking for others. You'd be amazed at the reduction in stress. You don't have small kids anymore and your son and husband can easily make themselves a pbj sandwich or something else if what you're eating isn't enough for them. One of the biggest reasons why women get fat is because they cook for everyone else and feel guilty if they don't. That's another reason why I gave up guilt for Lent. Cheri

Here's Kaye Bailey's this week's newsletter -- it seems to hit the nail on the head for us this week, so thought I'd share it again. From Kaye Bailey: Recently in a question and answer session I was asked "What is the single most important advice you give to post weight loss surgery patients?" Well, I was certainly caught off guard by this and on the spot I'm not sure I gave the best answer when I said "Make your own health a priority before taking care of anyone else so that when it is time to care for and nurture others you have the physical and mental strength to do so." I am not original with this advice and it does sound good in a sentence, but how do we do that in the real world of family-work-friends-social-religious-networking commitments? So, I am taking the opportunity with this 5 Day Pouch Test Bulletin to amend my answer and offer something a bit different, although I do know that we do our best when we are healthy. Knowing this, I suggest we actively pursue an internal peace treaty whereby we separate the medical condition of obesity and/or morbid obesity from our moral character and personal self-worth. In 2010 I wrote an article that explains this better: "I Am Not Obese. Since kindergarten the word "fat" defined me and I actually thought that was who I was because "You are fat" and "I am fat" were constant phrases in my world. By about age 40 I finally figured out that I am not fat. I have obesity, a disease. Have you heard a heart attack patient say, "I am heart disease" or a leukemia patient say, "I am cancer"? We are not the disease. Heart attacks and leukemia are not a moral failure and neither is obesity. We are not the disease! We have a disease that is part of the whole person that makes us the wonderfully unique and powerful person we are." Read the full article. When we disjoint our moral character, our spiritual self, and our self-worth from the medical condition we are fighting with weight loss surgery we are able to pragmatically approach the control and treatment of the condition without making it personal. We are not bad people if we relapse with weight gain and we are not bad for having this illness in the first place. It just happens to be the cards we were dealt in this life. If you have ever been the parent of a child with an illness you understand the emotional baggage that comes with the news that something is wrong. But you also know that when you take a knowledgeable and deliberate approach in the management of the problem you are better able to function and do the right things. So, I suggest we take a clinical approach toward our obesity. management. When we lose weight we put obesity in remission. When we gain weight obesity is in relapse. As intelligent beings we can take an active role in managing our remission by using our experience and the knowledge we glean from others. We can return to the behaviors that worked shortly after surgery to help us lose weight. Behaviors that are not supportive of our health can be considered and replaced. We have opportunities every day to improve our health and enjoy the pleasures good health brings. Please consider this if you are using the 5 Day Pouch Test to get back on track. Take your knowledge and let it empower you because you are a good and worthy person. You are not your disease. I have met enough of you, my WLS Neighbors , to say this with complete conviction. You deserve to be your very best - obesity be damned for getting in the way! Comfort Eating is Okay IF.... From the moment we were born food has provided comfort to us. It is natural that we are compelled to reach for food when seeking comfort. This is not a character flaw: this is the human condition. Weight loss surgery does not take away our intrinsic human need to be comforted with nourishment. WLS gives us a second chance to rethink the type of nourishment we reach for when seeking comfort. Gone are the days of empty calorie comfort snacking. We are better served with a warm cup of Soup or a delicious meal of perfectly-cooked Protein and vegetables. Sweet berries or fruit provide far more nourishment and comfort than convenience store Snacks and they come without the post-noshing guilt. So I say, indeed, comfort yourself with nourishment: it is human nature. Just use wisdom in selecting your comfort foods. Pot of Soup Never underestimate the comforting power of a healthy well-made soup: it is your best weapon in the battle against the Carb Monster. Use any fresh vegetables that you like. Saute them in a scant amount of olive oil which will help your body absorb the nutrients and then simmer in reduced sodium chicken, beef, or vegetable broth until nice and tender Serve yourself some delicious goodness one cup at a time and feel the love. Focus: Practice mental presence during the 5 Day Pouch Test. Be mindful of all you eat, how you move your body and observe your energy levels and patterns. Be completely aware of yourself and identify the things that are working and helping you to feel refreshed and alive. Use the 5 Day Pouch Test journal to record your experience and focus on learning about yourself. Awareness is not selfish, it is part of the process of understanding so that we may improve our health and wellness. Carry this focus forward to Day 6 and continue to treat your body in a kind and healthy manner and avoid stepping back into the the self-loathing and unhealthy behavior that brought you here. Lori, so excited for you - can't wait to see the pics. You will love being a grandma. Meredith - it's okay to not want kids -- I only wanted one, my DS and his wife aren't having any and that's fine -- the only time I think it is sad is when you get old -- then I think it's nice to have kids and grandkids when you're old and sick. LOL. But that's just me. Gotta get back to work. Linda

Hi to everyone tonight, Well Janet, today was weigh day and I am down exactly 2 lbs since last Wed. I'm HAPPY:thumbup:. Today I went to my sons house to have his cable installed. I had large cup of decaf coffee and then I had choc unjury drink for breakfast. Got home at lunch and had a half cup of cottage cheese and a small helping of applesauce. Went for a 1.2 mile walk, came home, did some laundry, soon it was time for supper, so I had 2 egg salad with a few crackers (soft ones.) Was full, so I went outside and worked in the garden for an hour. Plus I had about 3 bottles of water. I am like Jill and cathychatts. I am still on mushies for the rest of this week and next before solids and I am afraid to go to regular food, not for fear of weight gain but for fear of choking. I don't understand how everyone can eat salad but get stuck so easily on other things. I started to eat a half piece of bread today and I took two bites and got afraid so I threw it away. I just wanted to see if I really missed it or not. (NOT REALLY). Also I went to daily plate and tracked my meal yesterday, and I did very well except I had 49 grams of carbs, mostly coming from oatmeal. Now oatmeal is supposed to be good for you but what about the carbs. Next page for more Beckyo

Cheri...that composite photo is exactly what the end result will be. All impressions have been done and bridge and 20 crowns are just sitting there waiting to be installed. Arlene...congrats on the weightloss and getting to the "real" food stage. I just have to put my 2 cents worth in...I cringed when I read bagel. Gotta have some carbs but I would eliminate that one. Maybe it's because I was one to eat a large bagel each morning dripping in peanut butter or cream cheese/jam. I KNOW it contributed to my weight gain. But, you are sticking to you caloric intake and admire you for that. Joyce...a BIG congrats on reaching Onderland. Feels great, doesn't it?:thumbup:

Man, I hate pbing. Lost a lb. Got 2 more to get back into my "safe" range. Then 2 more for insurance. Once the weight is off I'll be able to eat my meat again at night. I end up eating sliders at night because just eating a couple of ounces of meat just isn't satisfying. Once I'm done pbing I want something that tastes good that won't trigger that tightness. I have to eat unbelievably slowly and I'm almost instantly tight. Just a few lbs of weight gain makes such a difference in the band. Interesting about the various PSs. I have a very flat, flat tire that is well hidden by my clothes. I only lost 75-80 lbs and I have no rashes and it doesn't get caught under me. For, me, it would be purely cosmetic and only I would see the improvement. Same with the underarm skin and boob lift. The thing I really want to do is get my varicose veins treated. I may get partial coverage from my insurance but then have to pay the rest myself. However, if I up my flex dollars and preplan for the expense I can do it pre-tax. Even then, I'd like a thigh lift to pull the skin up on my thighs. Then I could wear shorts and be less self-conscious in my swimming suit. Since I love to swim, I think I'd be less self-conscious if my legs were fixed up. Thanks LakyK for the complements. Have a great trip to Guam. Couldn't post my concert clips. My husband is going to try to figure out why. I think its not a recognized format. Be gone from Lapband till maybe Friday night or Saturday. Gotta go to 2-day conferences in South Bend, IN. Can't say I enjoy them much. I liked last weeks conferences better. Gotta go pack. Cheri

And...soon to be TOM would explain the Zippety Doo Dah all day yesterday!!!! There were times when I knew I was getting a visit. Just had to get on the scale. I would flucuate up to 6lbs during that time. Ugh! Just keep your foods good and healthy and try not to let it upset your way of eating...and, drink plenty of fluids. Good Morning Everyone! Happy Monday! Back to my "normal" self. Just a little bump in the road with the stones. I hate the word hate so I will just say I REALLY dislike when my life gets interrupted by them. Julie...hope you were able to sleep. You really do need to get to the bottom of this. From the sounds of it, your DH is missing one of his butt cheeks and I know you don't like being that way. I would be a b__ch on wheels and insist on some answers. You need some action on this pain you are having. We have a busy week around here. DH and DS have a few pre-spring meetings to go to and I was signed up to go also but an overnight with a friend looked a little more apealing. Heading out early Wed morning with a friend to help her find a MOB dress. Her DS's wedding is May 1. Time to get on it. She is about a size 14 (has put on about 60lbs in the last few years) and just is having a tough time making herself look for a dress. She feels "fat" in everything she has tried on this far. She knows I will be honest with her on how things fit, so she invited me to be her guide. Should be fun. She's a beautiful woman that always had mega self-esteem but she has now lost that with the weight gain. I feel her pain. The trouble with living in the sticks is that we always have to drive 3-4 hours for any quality shopping. We'll get er done! My stone incident made me tight over the weekend and notice it's not much better this morning. Got my cals in though with soups, etc. Always have a stash of homemade soups in the freezer for times like that. Was able to get in a protein bar and a bowl of oatmeal with dates this morning already. Well, need to get to the books. Been putting them off for a week and they just won't do themself. You all have a great day. Eva..miss ya. Come out, come out, where ever you are!

Boy oh boy - 9 pages to read to catch up! There has been a death in my Extended family - actually, she passed away 3:00 am last saturday morning which is why I didn't make the meeting. My Aunt is just a wreck behind it so I've been spending all my spare time with her. I'm in the same boat with alot of you - Rambo is doing his job but I'm not really doing mine - I do eat a lot less than if I didn't have the band but I can still eat the wrong food and I can still eat often. Sad part is I'm NOT hungry at all! Ever!! But my mouth has a mind of its own and just wants to taste everything! Heather: Happy belated girlfriend! Love that your mom did that for you. And since you opened that can of worms now you know you HAVE to sing for me! Missed you too TamTam: You never mentioned how it went in Tahoe - or maybe I just missed it?? How did it go? Coco - How ya feelin? That gas gone yet??? I have 2 black labs you can have - Bobo & Asia, I have two cats you can have - Cali & Bella - See how that would all work out - You can have the animals and the names you want and I can get some sleep at night JES: We need to hook up and do the damn thing! I too keep losing & gaining the same few lbs. Just can't seem to keep my mouth in check. I do so well during the days but in the evenings/nights I'm like a crack addict - gotta have my carbs. Ash - how's your son doing? Do the tubes bother him at all, can he feel them? Bridezilla was working the Monster Jam - did ya see her?? Congrats on the psyche date! TINA: I FORBID THIS GROUP TO BE SPLIT! DAMN IT! Us rookies could never make it thru without the guidence of the pro's. Sorry about all the struggles you're having with Kaiser and work. The fill recommendation list was informative - maybe we need to mail a copy to Robin. I don't agree with having to "earn" a fill. Kaiser absolutely can not take my band back - I have to allow them to do surgery on me for that and I won't do it! John - I know parting with some of the fav's are hard but don't you just feel so great now! You & Terminator have lost 10 inches in your waist?? Yee Ha! Maria - waiting to hear about that interview sister! Riley - I am so with you on the carbs - Do they have a shot or drug for that? Analynn - congrats my girlfriend! On the goal weight that is, not on your choice in men LOL. Proud of you for letting go of someone you loved - sometimes, love just isn't enough! Beverly: The port, for me, wasn't as bad as I thougt it would be - just felt like I had done way to many crunches at the gym - but it was an extended soreness - lasted about 8 weeks. Pammie: I agree with you about the after care & support. I feel that there should be a therapist that specializes in food addiction available. Reggie - Yes! We need to find the underlying causes of the weight gain. For me, I think its clear that I'm an addict. I am obsessed with food. Let me repeat this: I am NOT hungry at all! but yet & still I'm obsessing over food 24/7. No idea why or how to stop it but i am. I love Rambo because he will actually HALT me. He will refuse the food I put in him if I try to go overboard - I would love to know if the sleeve does that at all?? Girl with the band problem - so sorry I didn't write down your name!! Sounds like maybe you've slipped your band?? I don't really know what that feels like but what you are describing just sound off beat for the band!

OMG Nicole your only 25 away!! That isn't much!! your right there!! Candra I put my jeans from yesterday in the give away pile. They are comfortable but ok if your girls are saying they are to big than I have to wonder that people at work say!! LOL. They aren't as nice............so they sadly went to the give away pile. (heather I have another bag of clothes for ya now!!) My job is a huge part of the reason for the weight gain. Dr. Baggs and Liz have talked to me about this. In my field we work long hours, no lunch, lots of unpaid overtime and way to many cases and expectations for one worker. That is why since surgery I don't do OT anymore. I take my lunches and I go home at 6pm when I get off. My supervisor who is clueless is going crazy since I refuse to rescue her butt anymore like I did in the past. But I am trying to be more balanced. When I am at work I work m my butt off and I am good at what I do. But once I leave my cell phone is off and I am done. But I pretty tough around the edges. I don't put up with much crap and I can see right through people especially the drug addicts. I so have them pegged and I don't help people out who don't help themselves. I won't put more time into a client than they put into themselve. If someone want to improve than I am their best advocate and I will walk them through the process and have their back all the way. HOwever if they are playing me or lying to theirself than I am the first one to call them out on it and in a big way. I have no problem slamming someone to the wall and making their life hell for the short term to get them to wake up and face reality. We have a saying that in the social work/addiction field that we don't ever pull a bird out of their cage but we will open the door so they can come out on their own. And if they are just sitting in their with a door open doing nothing than I am have no problem shaking the hell out of the cage so it get really uncomfortable to stay inside the cage..............I am good at what I do. I just need to have a life outside of work or else the stress will make all my weight come back. Remember stress and boredom are what makes my head hunger kick in big time. Having said that I do tear up alot in my work and I am ok with that. As long as I am not crying harder than my clients than it is perfectly ok............this is exciting and sometimes frustrating work but I am good at it and like it. Never boring...........just wish the economy was better!!

Riley 5 pounds overnight!! Seriously I want someone elses fill!! LOL. Ah have a really bad headache today. I did start taking my blood pressure meds again today and wonder if the headache is related to that. Going back to bed I think. Between the diahrea and that headache I wonder if it is the flu............ Riley maybe the weight gain was just water weight??

I don't mean to sound like a bummer, but I am curious now.. if you have your thyroid taken out, does it affect your weight? Isn't thyroid problems what causes some people to be overweight? So does this mean you'll lose MORE weight, gain weight, or it doesn't really affect it? (HUGS!)

Okay everyone back from the LB Dr took 4.5cc out of my band. I am going to be on Prilosec for a while to get my stomach to settle down due to it is most likely irritated under the band from the acid, PBing and so forth. I have 3.3cc in my band like in the begining liquids till Wed. the soft/ mushie then start solids this weekend. I get to start over and this time follow correctly. Oh he was not surprised at the weight gain because of the issues. I am go to my reg MD shortly cause I have had such a Migraine for two days and have not slept so she can give me a shot of toradol it is the only thing that really works. I might take tomorrow off to so I can get some rest I will keep you posted.

Good Morning.... Linda...I ordered the fake boobs and butt for both myself and my friend. She's always been a skinny little thing (she's the one I was talking about yesterday that wants a boob job and is saving for it) and she talked me into it. It was fun. My son had ordered the theatrical beard and hair (he has shaved his head for years) and it looked so real. He is one to dress up in really elaborate outfits each year. It's killing him this year cuz he is at a wedding in Mpls and cannot attend the many costume competitions which he usually comes in first. Anyway, he came that night with the fake hair a beard and decked out in his trench coat and lace up boots. I could not post a photo of what he had under that coat. All I can say is that it was a very real looking prostetic. We started harvest again yesterday and am keeping my fingers crossed that DH is not too tired to go out. It's been so long since we have been out and I sooooooooo want to be his sleezy date. LOL. It's sad when you live farther out and don't get a lot of kids coming to the door for Halloween. I grew up in town and every kid came to the door. We only get a handful but I am going to dress up early and Tanker will be decked out in his headless horseman garb so we can meet them at the door. Gotta load up their bags with candy cuz DH and DS have packed on a few pounds...my fault buying it too early. They don't get the concept of having just one. Here is how it works at our house....yesterday I was Christmas shopping and not here at lunch time. I was unsure of how many would be at the table so left an apple crisp on the table with 1/2 dozen serving plates and roast in the crockpots to put on buns. Well, it turned out that DH was the only one to eat. Asked him where he put the rest of the apple crisp...in frig?...in freezer? He got this look and said "I thought I was supposed to eat it all". There were like six servings! But, DH has always been one to watch the scale. Up 5lbs and he has the determination to take it off in a week. I used to envy him for that. Arlene....I had responded to another thread yesterday to a girl that was struggling with extreme hunger between meals and was stating that I have somewhat defied my doc and had 5-6 small meals a day. My metabolism was so out of whack and I think that is what brought it back to where it was b/4 all my weight gain. I also am a believer (this is pushed by my LB doc) that carbs should be minimal. I know Cheri is a believer in the same tactic. If you can really make sure of the carbs you are getting and counting them, try to keep them between 20-40 carbs daily. Give it a good 2-3 week try and I bet you will see a difference. Those little things that we all think do not matter really do add up. I know you probably feel that we are closing in on your with all our advice and tips. Please don't. When one of us is struggling, we all feel your pain. Cheri wrapped it up in a neat little package with her post about some ppl being carb sensitive. I have a friend that if she introduces anything over 35 carbs into her diet, she will notice the difference. She is very vigilent in watching and it does it to her. I used to be during the weight loss stage. Somehow it did a turn around for me. Quite weekend on the thread. I am home most of the day (just have to run to town in a bit for parts) and will check in later. Hope everyone has a great weekend.