Shrinking Violets -- April 07 Bandsters

[ard 0]

Traceyinks:

CONGRATULATIONS

[Jennifur 0]

Morning everyone!

I hope you all have a great day. I have accepted the fact that today is not going to be a great eating day and what can I do. I am drinking my coffee, checking in with my violets and then we are off to Six Flags. It is cloudy here but going to be a perfect day, so hopefully not to crowded. We are going early so I can be to work at 4... YUCK, I really need to find a day job! I was out walking the mall and being silly until almost 11 last night and still couldn't sleep last night.

Oh well, back to reality tomorrow

I'll miss you all today but will check in as soon as I get home tonight to see how you are all doing.

ta ta for now........

[mdrai 3]

Good Tuesday Morning, Violets!~~

It's Tuesday, so you know what THAT means... official weigh-in day for me! (I know you all have that marked on your calendars, right?? lol!) ANYWAY... drumroll please.........

-6 ! :biggrin1: YAY!

Which brings my total to -38... just 2 more to go 'til -40! That's my goal by the end of July... I think I can make it!

Make it a great day, everyone!

[Kat817 19]

Way to go Michelle!!! 40 pounds is huge! Walk into the grocery store, and just try to pick up 2 20 pound bags of potatoes and walk around with them! Not sure how big your kids are, but I was playing with the granddaughters, and had one hanging on my back trying to tickle the other that I was holding, and I could hardly walk...and combined they weigh just over 70 pounds! I used to walk around carrying that PLUS!! I find the comparisons so inspiring!!!

Tracy---what new got settled? I think buying the dresses that way was perfect! Nothing of importance changes depending on how much you spend!!! When I got married the first time we did the big church wedding, and his nephew was the ring bearer and he was just barely 4. Somehow during the reception, he was messing around on the floor the way 4 year olds do, and connected his nose to someones foot, and got a horrible bloody nose, all over the reception hall, and his rented tuxedo! Everyone was great about it, the tuxedo lady told me "no problem, blood is so much easier to get out than chocolate cake!" The only thing that really "ruined" anything was that they had made big flowers t put on our car, and had used colored tissue paper, well one of the flowers had gotten wet with shaving cream, and it was attached to my door handle. Not surprisingly my new husband left me to open my own door as we made our escape through the rain of rice, and where the bright red flower rubbed against my wedding dress, it stained it, and 3 different dry cleaner tried, to no avail to remove the stain. Since it was ruined pretty much....my Aunt took it apart, and sewed my DD's baptism dress out of it.

Well I think I will get dressed and take the girls to the park before it gets to doggone hot today. Everyone take care, will check in with you later!!!

((((hugs))))

Kat

I had a nice NSV this morning. With my DD's new job, she has to be to work by 7 and it is an hours drive. So the girls get dropped of just before 6. I am up with Rick at 5, and he leaves at 5:30, so I just stay up. Some mornings we all go crawl back in my bed, but this morning the oldest wanted to color, not sleep. So the 2 year old was laying on the couch, and wanted me to lay with her. Before I filled the couch, one of the reasons we have this giant furniture! I went and laid down with her and not only did we both fit, we had room for her Bunny, and I could still feel couch in front of the bunny! So not only did we fit....but my arms reached around all of us to realize how well we fit!! I actually gained 1/2 a pound while at the rally, my food choices were extremely poor!!! I found meat kabobs that were perfect for us---actually Rick found them the first night, and gave me a bite. UI was eating a Navajo Taco. His kabob was excellent, and nothing but meat, so it was ideal, but when I got it the next night, it was not tender enough for me. Even he said it was no good compared to the night before! Even with my poor choices, I eat very little of it....so just went back to things I knew I could eat. Like with the Navajo Taco---I avoid the fry bread as a rule, maybe just a piece of the crispy edge, but mostly eat the Beans, meat & veggies. This morning my 1/2 pound was gone again, and am back to where I started.

My parents are off on their Anniversary trip we gave them. Hoping they are having a good time, today they are on a jeep trip over Black Bear Pass, a 14,000 foor mountain pass! The little town they are staying in, Ouray Colorado, is referred to as Little Switzerland. It is built on the sides of these huge mountains, surrounded by other 14K mountains, lush green in the summer, and solid snow in the winter! After their stay I think they are going a bit further to visit with my Mom's sister. I am taking care of their place while they are gone. And tonight Rick's brother and wife will be in for a few days. They will be staying with my inlaws, not us. I really enjoy them---but am glad someone else gets the company not me!!!

Jenn hope you have a great time in Six Flags! I loved going this year knowing I would not have an issue fitting on the rides! I am a roller coaster freak!!!

ARD, you are doing so good----hang out---let us know whats going on with you!

Josie, Terry---all you lucky ducks meeting up today have a blast and be sure to take and post pictures!!! We will be thinking of you!

TracyK---you are over half way there girl---my gosh! That is so cool! You did it at such a great time, while your kids are small, you will be able to enjoy their lives so much more fully, not letting your weight hold you back. Did you have a great homecoming with the little one??

[Kat817 19]

Not sure what happened between writing thast and posting it----the order is all screwy!!! Oh well---I am sure y'all can figure it out!!!

Kat

[kity 2]

Morning Violets~

Michelle~ Congrats on the the -6!!! I just want to break through the -23 I had right after surgery. I am impressed...-40, that is awesome. I hope (hope hope hope) I can get there too.

Well, I just got home from the gym and at 6:55am, I met the door guy in my driveway. He couldn't come yesterday (neither could the contractor, so he'll be here about 8 today too). It is gonna be 110 today and I don't have a front door for now. But it will be nice when it is all over. Then tomorrow, I will be here all day, getting new carpet in the closet and getting the acoustic removed in the master (my poor little checkbook). And then since Susanne is gone, I am gonna pay a painter to paint the master (can't wait, going w/ a subtle lavender).

I had a skinny day, then I seemed to graze all day yesterday, but still didn't do too bad. Ready for this, last week (Mon) I was 263 or 262 (don't really remember) on the scale at the gym. This morning, I was 259 at the gym!!! I guess the fill is working! Still need to break through the -23 pounds. Since I started at 280, -3 more will break through...time to change the ticker (almost). LOL, I crack myself up.

I am soooo excited for those meeting tonight. Have fun and take pix please. You have sooo many violets waiting for your updates.

Again Tracy~ Congrats baby...I know your floating on air!

Laura~ We still love you, just miss you. Keep posting. I know a honeymoon can distract you from what is really important (the violets). Don't worry about not doing as well as everyone else. Me either...but I can't deny how healthy and great I feel, regardless of the number on the scale.

Ok...sorry for the long post. I am gonna do some of this:ranger: and play my scrabble. Also, I must confess I am a Big Brother fan (reality show on CBS). So I have to check in there. I guess I could do homework, but what fun is that???? xoxoxo

Have a great day Violets!!!

ps- Denise I have been stuck 3 really bad times since my fill. I have to "re-learn" to follow the band rules because I was able to eat anything for the longest time. Remember, WWJD! (hope she is having fun)

[Daisalana 33]

A little reflection. I have been pretty blah about the band lately, so I was thinking about something I wrote somewhere else.. I wanted to share the blip, because it makes me happy and reinforces my decision to have gotten the band.. and thought maybe all of you would benefit from it

Since I slowed down on the weight loss--a month post-op, I've been antsy, doubtful, anxious, disappointed.. and everything in between. I have days where I am excited that 'today its going to kick into gear!' and then the next day when I go 'this isn't working, I hate myself..look at all the money I wasted'.

Well.. There is a rainbow through the clouds, no matter how small it may seem, it means the world to me really. I've mentioned blips here and there about this but..

When I was about 20, after gaining back my 70lbs from Atkins I had lost + 30-40 more pounds.. The back pains I had were unlivable. I would literally spend my nights in the bathtub, sobbing and trying to find the courage to cut my legs off with a kitchen knife. I was delirious with pain. I couldn't walk from my car to the grocery store without being blinded by the pain, much less actually walk IN the store. On top of this, some reason every doctor doubted my pain and refused me pain meds. So there I was, slowly trying to kill myself because I couldn't live with the pain. Around this time, I was on a bowling league with my husband and we loved to bowl. Due to the back problems, I had to drop out of the league (very emberassing and sad), and just watch him bowl. This league pooled the money through the year and sends everyone to Vegas for a weekend. Well.. That time had come up. We went to Vegas and due to my back problems, I can't even explain to you how miserable I was. It is even surreal for me to think about now.. this was my 'worst ever' time.. before anyone helped me. I couldn't get through the airport without crying.. without begging for a wheelchair. So we get to Vegas, and we all know how much you are suppose to walk in Vegas.. wasn't going to happen for me!!! I can remember certain times, where I couldn't believe myself.. a 300ft walk to a monorail, was the end of the world. I remember laying on the floor, sobbing and begging my husband to just leave me, because I couldn't move anymore. I remember wondering how I'd ever get back to the room so I could just get in the tub and soak my back. And I just turned 21. I sounded 90 or something!

So anyway.. shortly after this, I visited home for the summer (my parents in Alabama.. we were living in New Mexico at this time). My dad who also has back problems, found a pain specialist clinic in town that put you to sleep and did epideral/cortizone injections in the spine. I was ready for anything that promised help!! I did the shots.. they took the edge off the pain, but the crippling pain was still there. I could walk 10 minutes instead of 3-5. I went back 6 months later when I came home for Christmas. This time, since the injections didn't work, they did an epideral in several spots, letting it just drip in. It worked! For a year I only had dull back pains.. sometimes it would flair up for whatever reason, but I was back to living life. That was Christmas 2005. By July of 2006, the pain was slowly but surely coming back full fledge. By this time, we had moved back to Alabama. So I made an appointment to have more injections this year (2007). Right around the same time, I was looking into RNY/Lap-Band because I needed a better solution. All my doctors said if I lost weight it would help.. I had herniated and bulging disks, and scoliosis and my sciatic nerve was pinched, etc.. they said if I lost weight, my spine would essentially 'heal' itself because the pressure would be taken off. Sounded great in theory. But not being able to move much, I was only gaining MORE weight. So in March I had my next injections, with my lap-band surgery planned for April.

Sadly, the injections didn't work this time. They did what they did the first time (just the shots). So I was still in pain.. I thought, I'll wait till after lap-band and see what happens before I schedule the epideral part.

I don't remember WHEN exactly, but the excruciating pain stopped sometime since April.

I really noticed it when we went to Vegas for the wedding.

There I was, in record temperatures of 115+..walking up and down the strip, for miles and MILES AND MILES! Up stairs, down stairs.. up the strip, casino to casino, show to show.. we only took Taxis to get to and from our hotel which was off the strip (Rio).. once we got to the strip it was all leg power (AND BACK POWER!). And I tell you, not once did those killer pains hit me. And that's when I had flashbacks of the last time we were there, when I couldn't have done 1/100th of what I was doing. I had usual aches that come with a lot of walking.. my legs cramped and back ached.. but nothing that stopped me from walking, or caused me to even complain to my husband.

So in reflection.. I've realized, I've never been able to get to the weight (although it IS high..it's less than what I was), and STAY there. Even if I'm not losing rapidly, but I'm sure as hell NOT GAINING! And since my horrible back pains are gone.. I'm a happy camper!!! If I don't gain, my back pains won't come back. And so, this was a long post, but it was my roundabout way of explaining that this band has given me a better chance with life, even if I'm not becoming a skinny heffer overnight

[Daisalana 33]

<p>Yeah I posted a long post, and just had to follow up with kity LOL.</p> <p>The DAY we got back from las vegas, his brother, who got out of jail the day before, some reason got pawned off on us. I do NOT get it.. so I thought a couple days.. couple days turned into a week.. so this past Saturday my DH was to take him home (2 hours away). Well, his parents called and they were going out of town again (had already left actually) and want us to keep him another week!! I went ballistic on Saturday. I'm furious with her for thinking we want to raise a teenage boy.. a bebe one for that matter. He's not my responsibility, we're not rich, we work hard.. and yet for almost 2 weeks we're having to foot the bill, feed, (and some reason hubbie buying him beer and smokes, which I put my foot down about), etc. So, don't get me started on our 'honeymoon', I have been in a daze about all this with him in town, sex of course hasn't happened since we got back with him in the house. I can't believe my in-laws are doing this to us. I told dh, this will NOT *EVER* happen again in the future. And of course, we've been fighting a lot this past week because with his brother in town, they are playing video games every waking hour he isn't at work, and I am feeling REALLY put out. So there. No busy with honeymoon! I promise I've been trying NOT to vent, but since you brought it up <img src="http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Wink" smilieid="5" class="inlineimg" /></p>

[TerriDoodle 6]

Michelle you are on a SERIOUS roll girlfriend!!!! Good Lawd!! Congratulations!

[mdrai 3]

Thanks everyone, for the kind words. I AM on a roll... don't know why... but who cares? I'm gonna enjoy it while it's here!

Remind me about this week when I'm waa-waa'ing about my next plateau!

Laura... Wow, so sorry you've been dealing w/all that lately... how amazingly rude of your IL's! Wow!

[TracyinKS 7]

Thanks Ard and all the other well wishers.......... I am so pooped and I have GOT to get cracking on this payroll so this will be short....

I have not drank my Water in days so I am up a couple pounds....

We booked a place last night and it is so beautiful... the pictures do it NO justice....... It will be March 1st, so the weather could be beautiful or ICEY.. coin toss.......

http://www.basswoodresort.com/wedding_%20photo_gallery.html

I have a photographer...... she actually works here but her major in college was PHOTOGRAPHY and all I have to do is buy and process the FILM!

Dbf and I were up til 12:30 a.m. discussing wedding details... and it was HIM that wouldn't let me go to bed.... AND I got Lucky AGAIN!

I don't know what has gotten into the man....

wedding AND luvn *but I likey* sorry TMI

Congrats TERRY on dropping a pound!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats Michelle for dropping 6!!!!!!!

Jen: YOU ALREADY LOOK GREAT! Don't be so down on yourself woman!

Everyone that I'm missing................. HAVE A GREAT DAY! I have to get to work.

WWJD

[kity 2]

oooooo Tracy, that place looks great. Either way in March it will be beautiful. I am so excited for you!

[Daisalana 33]

It just dawned on me, I'm not LauraJ anymore lol!

Tracy- That looks like a lot of fun!! Are you going to do the ceremony on the docks??

[TracyinKS 7]

I am learning a very important band less right now as I painfully type this.... STRESS SWELLS MY BAND! I am pb'ng right now and it ain't pretty......... two bites of chicken and 1 bite of cheese and DISASTER

The pain! The pain! The pain!

bathroom now!

[TerriDoodle 6]

Thanks for noticing, Tracy! You've got a real good memory, don't you!!? I don't know why I'm losing -- I ate like a piglet all weekend! I can't believe that DF (dear FIANCE) has made such an about face!! Whatever!!! Enjoy yourself! :)

Laura - I'm so glad you have found relief from your pain. If you never lose another pound then it's all worth it, don't you think? When the BIL moves out (soon, i hope) then you'll be getting back into a normal rhythm. You've had SO much going on ever since you got banded!! When life settles down and you get your next fill, you can re-commit, and with the help of your ever-lovin' Violets you'll do just fine. Be patient with yourself a little longer, friend. It will be alright. I promise.

I haven't heard confirmation from SchexyMomma or Haydee that they are coming tonight, but me and Josie are meeting for sure! Good thing, too....my son's phone pooped out so we had to get a new one. While I was there I decided to give him mine and I got myself an I-Phone! Josie has one, too, so she can show me how the dang thing works!

Didn't get to the gym last night so I'm hoping to go late tonight, after dinner. If I don't one of you is allowed to kick my a$$.