Hello everyone. I haven't been writing lately but I have been reading. Sorry, just been busy with life.
Today I go for a 3 month check up and I failed. How did I fail? I didn't lose any weight but stayed within 3-5 pounds of my last visit. When I go and get a fill it is very tiny under .4cc. My doctor goes slow.
I have not been to the gym since November but I pay every month.
Joke of the day: What do gyms call people like me, who pay and don't go? Profit!!
I had an ugly thing on my forehead and had it removed the other day and have 2 blue stitches. So right now bending over makes me a little dizzy. But I have gym clothes on. I bought a new 'outfit' yesterday. The real Arlene likes outfits not separates. I am nuts. When I skied many moons ago (I learned at 40) my skis, boots, poles and my ski outfits all matched and had the same colors. I am nuts. I am so nutty that I have sox to match sweaters. Orange stripes. I buy men's sox because I wear a size 12 shoe.
So soon I will be at the doctor's and he won't be pleased with my weight not being down. Everyone have a great weekend.
Please cheer for the NE Patriots!!!! We need a super bowl, because we are Boston Strong. Speaking of Boston Strong, that came after the marathon bombings, the RMV just approved a new license plate with Boston Strong on it! Some of the money will go to the marathon survivors.
Enjoy your weekend.
Arlene
Tomorrow I see the doctor and may get my first fill. I am nervous. I am doing fine as is. After the doctor I have a dietitian meeting about new foods. I miss bread. I went to Olive Garden today, no bread sticks, no pasta and no salad. I ate a small piece of chicken grilled and mashed potatoes. Tasted great but it was Olive Garden, home of the endless salad.
It is 2 months since my banding and I'm doing super. I don't get enough exercise in. I can't afford the gym right now but hope to join one within the next month or so.
Next week is my birthday and I would like to go walking around down town Boston and window shop but my husband isn't well enough to walk around. He has health issues. Last year on my birthday I took him home from the hospital after open heart surgery. The heart is fine, it's the rest of the body that isn't doing well. He's another whole story.
I just needed to vent-thank you for listening.
Happy Thursday. My question is-do you tell everyone how you really lost your weight? I have only told a few people other than a few family members. Next week I have the Jewish holidays and my nephews engagement party and I don't know how to answer people. I am thinking of just saying I am dieting with the help of a dietitian. I hate my husband's sister, so she will never know about me. She's a long story and I've been married 42 years and she has been mean to me almost all those years.
Today I went to Kohl's and tried on a size 18 misses not womens jeans! They fit and looked good. Tops I still need womens 1x, better than 3x I was wearing.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Before you know it, it will be dreaded swim suit time. I live at a condo and do go to the pool. I don't mind it because I was never the biggest. But this summer I will need a new swim suit. For women (sorry men) there is a wonderful site where I buy my suits from, swimsuitsforall. I really like their choices and have bought cover ups, too. They always have great sales.
Another site I like is, Jones New York. They have great sales sometimes. The site is much less than stores when there is a sale. I recently bought a twin set with shipping for under $35. and list was over $150. I now fit into the misses xlarge but have bought from their plus sizes at their outlet store.
Kohl's has wonderful 't' shirt type tops that when on sale are under $10. and they wash real well. The long sleeved ones recently were under $7. I own a lot of them.
Have fun shopping.
Happy Monday everyone.
I always use Splenda in my hot and iced tea. I was watching Dr. Oz and he and a dietitian said to use Stevia. Does anyone know any thing about this? They said that sweeteners make you pee more than you should. I know I pee a lot but then I drink about 10-8oz. teas or water a day.
Thanks for the help. Enjoy your Santa day tomorrow.
Surgeries going wrong/bad has been a topic lately. This can happen with any kind of procedures done by the top doctors and hospitals. About 3-4 years ago my dermatologist didn't like a small mole I had. I went to a top Boston hospital to have it removed. Because it was under the belly fat they had to tape my fat belly. I don't do well with tape and got tape burns, aloe took care of that. The mole was removed and I got an infection from the incision. The infection turned into MRSA (I hope I spelled it right). It took 3-4 different antibiotics until the right one was found to get me healed. I was at the hospital every 2-3 days to have them look at it. My husband had to clean it for me 2-3 times a day with saline and medicines. That was suppose to be a no brainer removal. So you just never know. I have had zero problems with the BAND!! Everyone is different. Please stop knocking the Band, I love it, it helps me be under control of my intakes etc. Yesterday I had a stuck moment, it sucks when that happens. I walked and then burped and was fine. My fault, not the band, it just reminds me to be more perfect. No one is perfect.
Enjoy your weekend everyone. Stay dry-Boston is heavy rain for the next 24 hours.
Arlene aka Eye Candy
tonight I had my support group. They had a sleep doctor and she talked about the different kinds of sleep and how having the surgery does change people sleep. I know I sleep much better and hub said I don't snore anymore. Also, I no longer take 2 hour afternoon naps.
Next meeting we are having a tasting party with new products. I will let everyone know about the new items. Then in May is a cooking demo.
Most people in the crowd have not had any surgery yet. Some couldn't decide what they wanted. So being me and talkative I said the band is the best. One man had bypass a few years ago and loves it and he was with his sister who is scheduled for the sleeve. Another man, no surgery yet, said his brother had the by pass and never smoked. He now is a chain smoker and said the by pass causes addiction. I don't know anything about that. Interesting.
I really enjoy the meetings and listening to other people's stories, pros and cons.
Do all of you go to your meetings? My hospital is 5 miles from my house, which makes a big difference. I told the director of the office about this site and that she would learn a lot about people's thoughts.
Enjoy your evening everyone.
Better late than never, but we did a family dinner for the Jewish New Year last night. It was very nice, 28 people. My son's, their wives and my super wonderful 3 grandsons were there. I haven't seen some of the people for real long time and of course came the: you look great, how much did you lose, how did you lose the weight questions. I told people I do not share my weight loss with any one. They were disappointed. I said I know I was very fat and still fat and don't need people saying, boy, Arlene was very over weight. When it came to my dinner plate, one woman said to me, you have no food on your plate. I said I have plenty. My husband explained I eat around 4 oz of protein then the other foods. My sister-in-law (the wicked b***h "c" word) asked me about my 'diet'. I only said I use a dietitian. Enough words for her. About the SIL, my husband is 63 and for the first 50 years of his life he did not talk to her. They now talk only because he made an effort. She loves my oldest son and treats my younger son like s**t. Enough said about her.
So, back to the subject, I feel the surgery is my business and I just can't share it with everyone. I still feel like I am a failure because I needed the help of the band. My first surgeon said I was not a failure because I knew I needed the help. I just can't get that part into my head.
I did have a very small sliver of chocolate birthday cake. My youngest son's b. day was Wednesday, age 35 and the next day his wife was 35. I brought a super wonderful cake from BJ's for them.
Today the hub and I get to baby sit the 9 month old. He is the perfect baby, teething and never complains. He has 8 teeth all ready.
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. The weather in Boston is super great this weekend.
Hi fellow Banders. Can we wear Spanx after surgery? For some reason I think I heard you should not wear them.
Also, I went to my PCP today and had my first Flu shot ever, at 62. The doctor said there is a new version this year and if you get it expect 7 days in the hospital. That heard, got the shot.
Enjoy your evening, all.
So today I go for my second fill. I do eat too much and too fast and when I eat too fast I know it.
I have my son's dog since last night. My daughter-in-law is having a baby due around Xmas, last night she started to have a leak. So they kept her over night. Still no hard labor. Who knows when the baby will be born. She is at the same hospital as my doctor but no visitors in labor and delivery-so I will have to wait until the baby comes. They don't know the sex. My younger son has 2 boys, almost 5 and 12 1/2.
Have a great day everyone.
I don't see too much change except in clothes. Today I have on a long sleeve 't' in size xl from the regular misses department! I was wearing a 2 or 3x before. My gym pants are also a size xl from the misses instead of 2xl from the men's department. I feel great today about this.
I hope others enjoy a smaller clothes day, also.
I was just watching a repeat on TLC of Say Yes To The Dress. The bride lost 115 pounds with the band. Her future husband was there with her through the whole thing. Congratulations to the both of them. The bride's mother is thin, discipline and opinionated. The bride tried on so many form fitting dresses and loved a tight fitting that showed off her 'new' figure. The mother hated everything and the poor bride left Kleinfeld's without a dress. Why can't mother's say nice things. It is not 'her' wedding and 'her' dress. I had a cousin that was like that. When her daughter married for the second time the bride did everything her way. Sad but her mother had died. My mother did my wedding my way and when we planned it I was just 19. I got married 1 month after I turned 20 and I am still married.
If that bride, Victoria, is part of this site, I hope you finally found your dress and not your mother's.
That awesome moment when your ex is getting fatter and you are getting hotter!!
Love this. I don't have an ex but I have many ex friends and saw one the other day and she couldn't believe how great my hub and I look.
My daughter-in-law sent me a copy of Santa talking to my grandson. The site is PNP home page. It is really cute. Santa talked to him and his picture was used a few times. Great for all the young at heart for Christmas.
Hello Lap Banders,
I have said before I am computer challenged, or I would re post an article. On Yahoo just now I read that a waiter in CA named a table of 3 women on their check, Fat Girls. How awful is that?? Do they call me and my over weight husband the 2 fatties.
Have a great Hanukkah to all who celebrate.
I have been out all day and saw much earlier or yesterday a question about hair loss. At my monthly support group tonight was the rep from Bariatric Advantage. Her name is, Pat, I think. Pat had bypass surgery 10 years ago. She still looks great. About 4 years ago she started to lose her hair. She had a blood test and her Ferritin showed up very low, around 2 and she said it should be around 40ish. She had to have some medical things done to her but her hair is very healthy now. So she said if you have hair loss get tested for this Ferritin. She also said you have to keep up with your annual blood work because people that have WLS do lose some vitamins and minerals and don't know it.
Have a great evening everyone.
Arlene
Happy Saturday to all. Last night I made sweet and sour meatballs, love them. You mix equal parts of sugar free grape jelly and chili sauce together in a pot and let it come to a boil. Make meatballs,(I bought 1 lb.) I use 90% lean meat with some spices and some panko. Make the balls and put them into the mixture on low for about 1 hour. They are so good. Soft to eat. I have 3 for my 4oz.
Have a great Sunday and a Happy and Healthy New Year to all.
I finally realized by getting the Band, I put me first for once. I have been taking care of my sick husband for about 15 months. I help with a retarded brother, a 94 year old mother in a nursing home and an 89 year old mother-in-law, who finally gave up driving. You can see, I have a full plate and HATE it. I would love to find a hobby to occupy my time.
Have a wonderful Sunday everyone.
Good evening,
On Yahoo I was just reading an article that said Tim Gunn thinks it is awful the way designers treat plus size women. Finally someone on our side. He said if he was on the 8th floor at Saks in NY he would jump through the window because the clothes are that bad.
I am not in plus size any more but I totally understand what he is talking about. When I wore plus size I wore a lot of Ralph Lauren. The jeans fit the best and lasted forever.
Maybe now the designers will listen because Tim has a lot clout!!
Today I finally had my favorite-pizza! I had one slice and it went down great. I still haven't tried lettuce yet. I love to eat salad but I am afraid of choking on the lettuce.
I had my support group tonight and we talked about exercise. The one thing I don't do. Next week I am joining a gym. I am going to try to go 3-5 days a week. The physical therapist we had as a speaker tonight thinks tread mills are not great. He likes recumbent bikes and ellipticals better. Good to know because those are the 2 pieces of equipment that I like. I find tread mills boring.
Have a great evening everyone.
Just got my new People and it's the half their size issue!!!!!!!! I always felt jealous of their success and now I can be a success story like them. Who would have thought one year ago I would be down 66 lbs. at this time. Great start of the new year for all of us. We are facing our over eating and doing something about it. We all should stand up and cheer for ourselves and all on this site!!!
I just read on the internet that in MA (I live here) that schools are sending out notices to overweight children. I have a son who has been overweight his whole life and he would have hated that. I did try everything with him, too. He is now 34 1/2 and trying to lose weight by cutting out sugar and diary and he is down 30 plus since November. I am very proud of him. He has been with his wife for 6 1/2 years and she can finally put her arms around him. I think schools sending out notices is going too far. Bring back gym class twice a week. That was taken away years ago.
One year ago today I was Banded!! So how was my year? Well, I was very very good for about 8-10 months and then I went back to my eating ice cream, too often. I almost always have soft serve but with jimmies(chocolate sprinkles, if you're not from Boston).
I was going to the gym (since December, when my husband and I joined) about 4-6 times a week. As the nice weather came, that stopped. We are going today, we are in our workout clothes!! I need to get my s**t together and start over with my new life.
My eating has been for the most part great. I love my morning protein shakes. I drink hot tea and iced tea all day and night. I brew my own iced tea, so it's decaf. I enjoy my large salad about 1 hour before my dinner. I have never used salad dressing, so I know I am great in that department. I do eat bread but only in restaurants with really great bread. I do have Chinese food with brown rice and where I usually eat you can get luncheon specials all day and I bring 1/2 of it home for another meal. Use to be I ate the whole plate full and then some more. I also never have fast food. I hate it. I know what you are thinking, a fat person who hates fast food! WOW! If I did any it was maybe french fries (no salt) (hate salt)
or a shake and I gave them up and don't miss them at all. My grandsons are mad I won't go to McDonald's with them. Grampie will take them but never Grammie.
So as far as my pounds lost, I started my weight loss March, 2012 with replacing breakfast with shakes and lost 26 pounds before my surgery. As of this morning I am down 74 big ones!!! Could it have been more-of course. I am not perfect. It was a few pounds more but the ice cream took care of that and the less moving of the body.
I go to the doctor Friday for a fill. I have a 10 band with 3 fills for a total of 1.5 I guess my doctor goes slowly with the fills and I am fine with that.
Everyone is different with your loss, eating and working out. Be you and not someone you're not. We do all compare ourselves to everyone, me included. Work towards who you want to be.
Have a great day! I will try.
Arlene aka "Eye Candy"
I don't share my numbers, weight/weight loss with family or friends other than here. I feel safe here because other banders don't judge. My husband knows and I have told my sons some pounds lost but have stopped. I feel everyone judges others, I have also, so I know what I am talking about.
I told my sons about me fitting into size 16 jeans but didn't tell their wives. One wife, she has mental problems, long story, she would be hurt because she has gotten heavy and squeezes into a 16. She once made a comment that I was almost her size and her stretchie pants were skin tight. Wearing tight clothes make you look heavier and unkept. You can still look good and dress nice and be heavy.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Last night I went to my nephew's wedding. It was super, at an industry museum. I got up very late yesterday to start my day. I had my protein shake around 2pm. I know very late. I went to the wedding and wore my new suit, size 18 misses. I looked great! After the ceremony we went for the reception. I didn't have any food because of the choices. It was hot and I guess I went way too long without eating. The room started to spin and I felt faint. My daughter-in-law got me a chair, an oj and a roll. I will never go that long without food again. When dinner was served I ate. Awful feeling. I usually have a protein bar with me but thought the veggie platter would be good but the choices were not for me. The pass arounds were not great either for me. The dinner was great for me. I had wonderful melon for my dessert. The dj played a great mix of music. Must have been about 50, 25-30 year olds. Made me feel young again. There was a photo booth. That was fun.
I finally have my first and only niece.
