DynamoMini

Paulax - take it! Congratulations! You are on your way towards goal. Teachlady - Congrats to you too! You are so very disciplined, you never need to see the Twotervilles again. This is it! Hurrah!

For me, my weight loss is just beginning. However, my family has always treated me as "poor fat Michelle," they almost don't know what to say to me. Who is going to take the place of "poor fat Michelle?" Friends are basically supportive. I do have one overweight friend who is trying to be ok with this. I can see her struggling with the idea that I am going to be a normal weight. It is like she is apologetic about eating in front of me and about herself, which is a weird behavior. I figure it will either blow over or we won't be able to be close friends any more. For me, I have come to grips with this in stages, which will continue as I lose weight. I had to first accept that I deserved a healthy life. I work on being my own cheerleader, because I am changing my whole concept of how I see myself, let alone how the world accepts my changes. Thanks for the opportunity to share!

Terri - Wow! You can really see the weight loss, up close and personal. It is fantastic. Congratulations! Kat 817 - as a former special education teacher, reading specialist, yadda....yadda. I think it is great to try and figure out what part of her learning isn't coming together. Does she always know the alphabet, upper and lower cases? Does she know and recognize numbers and colors? If you put three colored blocks in front of her could she match the pattern, and add the pattern herself? Is her vocabulary and speech good for her age? Can she follow three step directions? There are lots of issues, especially if she could additionally have had some prenatal stuff with mom (meth). Most school districts offer child find, where they would evaluate her. If they are just saying immaturity, make sure they have really evaluated what is the immaturity. Sometimes it is better to go through private agencies, but I always like to start with the ones your taxes support. Good luck, you are really in a wonderful place to make a difference, she is young and can be really helped. She is a lucky girl to have a loving grandma. I am getting a fill on Friday. I can eat anything and don't feel restriction. I noticed I can chug water now, where I couldn't do that before. I can eat two cups of salad, no problem. And I lost 1/4 pounds since ten days ago. I think I need a fill and I have also started tracking my food on calorieKing.com. I think I had become a little too generous. Not crazy eating, but more calories. I will continue with working out 5 days per week , which revs up this old girl's metabolism. What has changed for me is that I'm not beating myself up. I am tweaking the system. Yay me! Hugs and best wishes all on the beautiful Monday.

Teachlady - Congratulations! You deserve all the praises and our adoraton. You are working very hard with your band. Good for you. Kat - I liked what you said. I would love to meet another love to share the beautiful life we have been given. On a personal note, I am considering scuba classes. Has anyone gotten certified and then rented equipment in Mexico? Hugs and happy Sunday to all you Violets,

lauraj23- Welcome to Twoserville (I think that is the expression! Wow! That is wonerful! You are doing it even with all the exciting stresses. TracyK - welcome back. My husband, Ira, was addicted to buying tools. It used to drive me nuts (and bolts). I agree it is hard to combine two people's life passions (yours for a house and his for trucks). Do you think he is sabotaging the house hunt because he doesn't want a house? Maybe he doesn't even know why he does it. Ira also kept adopting inappropriate dogs and bringing them home to his house before we got engaged. It was his way to say, he just wasn't ready. Ira died 6 1/2 years ago, I miss him everyday, not the crazy tool buying, but the sounds of the machinery in my garage. Not the mess of sawdust but the smile on his face when he was making it. So, I know it sucks, maybe you guys can compromise and be happy. Like next "truck" is a house..... hugs to you. Ladies I loved the doggie pics. I will try to include one that shows my two Shih Tzus, Sammi (female) and Teddy. They are so sweet, my babies. Happy Saturday!

Hi Violets! laura - You are soooooo close, you'll be there soon. I know that is how I feel too. I want it NOW! Wenjea - I had a lot of port swelling. I iced, and iced and it would still bulge. When I got a fill one month after surgery there was a pocket of serus fluid that the doc hit going into the port. It gushed out when he pulled the needle out. I don't have swelling anymore. So maybe what you have is that. Mine wasn't just absorbed by my body, like they said it would. ginabobeana - sorry your doc had an emergency, sucks actually because you were all geared up. I hope you can get filled at the next appt. Teach - let us know how it feels to go back. There is a part of me that "goes home" when I go back into my school. Tho' after being there a while, the memories, some not so great, come back, and it feels wonderful to walk out without feeling responsible for everything. Hugs. mdrai - so glad your healing is going well. You are a star! I was really grateful for my healing time becuase I didn't feel that gnawing hunger. Yeah!!!! Have a great weekend everyone!

Kat - thanks for sharing a little of your life with us. I enjoyed hearing about the Fiesta Days - fair, carnival, rides, grandkids and all. To think we used to get really worried about social occasions and food. How it will look to eat...what others will think if I eat that..... or that much....pretending not to eat, but wanting it so badly then bindging for days after to make up for the food I didn't eat in front of other people. It is amazing how our perception of the world is as affected by our weight loss, as their perception of us. I love that I can really pick and choose and not stuff, yet feel really satisfied. Hurrah for our bands. You have worked so hard for this feeling of contentment. Good for you! Bravo!

Good Afternoon Violets! Wow! I read that post about the woman who was doing her own fill. Man, I can't imagine doing that, it would be like a form of self mutilation. I had a hard enough time when the doc did it. A fill is a lot different than an allergy shot or insulin! I am redesigning my powder room/bathroom. It is going to be great, but the other project that i thought I could do is now on hold due to money. Don't we hate waiting??? Or maybe I'll just try doing a lot of it myself. OMG! Hugs from a fellow crazy bandster - did I say I was going to tear apart the office and do it myself? OMG!

Thanks Denise. I used to sleep so well, we love menopause! I had a complete hysterectomy at 45 so I was on homones for 7 years, then when I got the lung cancer, they took me off the hormones, now I don't know where I am in the process. I understand that docs are not recommending the number of hysterectomys like they used to. I try to ignore it. Not so many hot flashes any more.

mdrai - Good for you telling yourself positive stuff. Why not? It really helps not to wallow and to take control over your destiny! I found I slept better in the recliner for a few nights. I do believe we create our destiny through our thoughts, or at least our reactions to life situations are something we do have a say in. happy healing.........

Sunny112 - Here is the other thread site: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/how-weight-loss-people-over-50-a-21117-new/ You are doing really well! I didn't lose as fast after I went back to real food. My first fill was pretty minimal. I'm not sure how much it helped and I probably need another one. I was so nervous that I think my throat closed when the doc was asking, is this right? I will get a more aggressive fill next time. I have had a few PB and some slime when I eat too fast or don't chew enough. So I am really new at this too. We'll all learn together.

Hello Cathy - So glad you are going to join us. We are a great group here with a wide range of aches and pains. Just kidding. I love this thread because it is specifically for me and not a 20 something. BJean - actually, I didn't sleep very well, oh well, think I am less lactose tolerant than I used to be. It is weird, the symptoms come and go. Do you feel that your fill loosens up after a week or so? I think my fill was pretty minimal. Dr. K only put in .9 cc in my 5 cc band, but then I thought it was perfect the way the water was not going down quickly, I also think I was scared to get filled too much - you know the horror stories. Are you doing well, recommited to a healthy life? Best to you all, Michelle

Good Afternoon Shrinking Violets, Michelle -I'm so happy you are now in bandland. Hurrah! Exercise Queens - I admire what you are doing and strive to push myself more. Basically - I do 5 days of aerobics a week with 45 minute workout on the EFX machine (it's like the elliptical without the arms). Two days a week I work an extra 30 minutes with my trainer on all different muscle groups. I recently added five minutes more cardio. As I lose weight I will capable of more time or difficulty. I also want to get my scuba license, so I am finding out what I have to do to get that. I want my lifestyle to be more active so i will naturally maintain my weight loss when it comes off. Best wishes,

This site has been weird! There are hesitations, blank pages and I don't even try to edit anymore. Flutternut - how are you doing? Are you ok? Let us know. Best wishes to all of you on Hump Day!

sunny112 - welcome to this site! Glad to hear everything is going well for you. You are close to my age, there is a site called "How is weight loss for 50 and older?" that I have found really supportive and helpful too. Best wishes on your continued success.

BJean - you are a precious person and a delightful story teller! green - did you get it? BJean and I really want you to get healthy! Smiling and going to bed,

Congratulations Michelle! We are name twins. Did they give you a little plastic machine to blow into? It really helps with the chest tightness. If not, practice breathing deeply four or five times every hour you are awake. Glad you are doing so well! Heal first, then let the loosing begin! Hey Teach, Katy, and all the other teachers - I'm a retired teacher after 31 years teaching in middle school special education and ELA (ESL). I was happy to retire. I have dedicated the last three years to taking care of myself, something that I didn't have time for during the teaching years as I raised two boys on my own. They are 19 now. Teachers work very hard and I agree the kids did really change during the 31 years in the classroom. Teachers are in a difficult position, with little authority, everyone questioning them, parents siding with kids and then administrators not back the teacher up, changing curriculum with constant revisions, wide disparity of needs in the same classroom and kids that don't have the foundation or desire to learn - I was very glad to get out of the profession without a law suit (in the special ed area). I miss lots of the kids and the contact with colleagues, but not the endless meetings and hassles. Hugs to you all - you deserve the summer off!

travelbug - the 200 pound barrier is really artifical ( meaning the difference between 199 and 201 is only two pounds) - we can break through it! I think the recommitment to writing food down and exercise will get us right over. I agree that not moving the 50 pound weight will be a delight. Best wishes and have a great tomorrow!

IndioGirl55 and MomLambert - I agree with the sentiments of Git R Dun, but it isn't going quickly that way for me. I think the weight is as much mental and emotional as physical. Each time I get stuck at a weight, i seem to have to break through some emotional barrier. It has really become a process for me. Lots of hard work and some painful memories, but this is it. I won't be doing the yo yo thing again. So I feel like I'm on the ride of my life. I do love this site, so much realness (is that a word?) Hugs and good night!

Flutternutter - What does that mean? You said your stomach came up through your band, can they fix it? Does it mean another surgery? I am so upset for you. Don't abandon your efforts, you deserve a healthy life. Did your doc stitch it into your stomach muscles? Inquiring minds want to know...... hugs sweetie!

Debi - I think the GBypass surgery is a faster weight loss, but there are so many risk factors, that I didn't want to go there. About the lapband - I also think people are different. Some people have lost 30 pounds after 6 months and others much, much more. You need to realize that the lapband is a two year weight loss process, and perhaps longer. It requires a lot of effort, but then so does life. For me it was the best choice. Good luck with your decision.

Congratulations! Everyone here seems on the move, and it ain't up! Way to go!

Bless you wonderful women - Carlene - I really liked your story and felt and affinity when you said that love is really a friendship that has caught fire. I think that is the best way, perhaps the only way. You put yourself out there, which is easier said than done. I'm proud of you! cathy - I think the self esteem from weight loss will free me up to socially feel better about myself. I have hidden in my weight, then used it as a shield, daring people to love me through the fat, now I just wanna be me, inside me body and connect with the person I see in the mirror. I want balance and some understanding of my processes so I can live the healthy life I deserve. It is hard work, but I'm motivated. Exercise definitely helps. Green - so sorry to hear of your bug, harvest the poop for gosh sakes, it is just a P.U.'ey body function. You want to get better, right? hugs to all, Michelle

green - I am amazed that everyone has a story. I think it is hard to quantify grief. It was much more powerful than I had ever imagined after Ira died. I'm not sure if I breathed let alone lived for at least three years. People tell you to be kind to yourself, but I turned my grief inward and ate to console (blanket) myself. It is only now, after 6 1/2 years that I am beginning to hear the birds sing and leaves woosh in the trees. Thank you for the acknowledgement. I am so proud of you at 155. That sounds soooooo good to me. My turn will come. Rejoice and enjoy your inner balance. Won't it be great when the outside looks like the inside feels? Hugs to you all, Michelle

Marie - Welcome! Yes, there a plenty of younger bandsters, but we've been there and back so I think it is like older people going back to college. We are serious, but willing to laugh at ourselves. Good luck with your upcoming surgery, I am sure it will go well.