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At work today I overheard two coworkers talking. They were talking about ME and my weight loss. Now these two ladies are quite overweight themselves. Just saying so you get the picture…
 
“I can’t believe her” “She is always bragging about it to everyone who walks by”
 
I casually walk over to them.
 
“Ladies I couldn't help but hear you talking about my weight loss. I have lost a lot of weight over the last 9 months and people notice that. Often people will ask me what’s your secrete? or How did you do it? When they ask I tell them my story, and if telling my story is bragging then guilty as charged!”
 
I then turned and walked away with my head held high and a big huge smile on my face.
 
Now I happened to be wearing my new fuchsia pink skinny pants and my grey high heal boots that hubby said made me look sexy! (Fashion note)
 
I though should I be pissed? Nah, I’m happy!!!
 
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap)
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap)
If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. (clap clap)

Of things I want to be able to do on and after my weightloss journey.

To sky dive (weight limit is 200lbs for my height)
Be able to comfortably fit in an economy airline seat
Be able to ride roller coasts with a "no doubt" mind set that I will fit
Start training for a triatholon
Be back to my high school jean size of 11 and medium top
Learn to play violin (not really weightloss related... but whatev, I want to learn)
Be able to wear high heels longer than 3 hours with out my feet hurting from 270+lbs crushin my tooties
Not have to try on 20 dresses to find 1 that looks ok to wear
Be able to walk up the dry-dock stairs at work with out feeling like I'm dying (literally...my leg feel like they're going to fall off and my heart feels like it's going to explode)
Not having to crop pictures anymore
No more having to retake pictures 20 times to find one where I don't look huge

 
I know I'll come up with more....

OK... so most of you know me as a member of the Banded b*****s. I have been called RUDE, SNARKY, UNHELPFUL. WONDERFUL, A LIFESAVER, all in the same day. Such is life. Maybe, it would help if some of you knew more about me. I am currently 63 years old, banded at 62 on October 31, 2011. I am 8 pounds from my personal goal, but have achieved my GP, WL Surgeon, NP and Nutritionists goal of 175. I moved my own goal down to remind me that this is a life style not a short term diet. I will always keep working. I am 5'9" tall and no wear size 8 jeans, down from 20/22's My highest weight was 263,
 
On the personal side, I am a wife (29 years with hubby # 2, # 1 and I parted ways.) I am a mother of two girls one 40 and the other 37. I am a grandmother to two gorgeous ladies, Morgan soon to be 13 and Grace 9 1/2. They belong to the older daughter. I have 2 great son-in-laws as well. I am the Godmother of two other young girls, Grace and Eva. I have been retired for almost 10 years. My hobbies are quilting, golf and traveling. My husband and I have been to all 7 continents and over 50 countries. We actually lived in Brussels, Belgium for 2 years, and still miss our favorite Neuhaus Chocolate. Good thing we are not there now, or I might have even more problems maintaining weight loss! LOL
 
I have been an active member of LBT and really like helping newbies. My less than polite side come out when people ask what I consider stupid questions.... Like "gee do my scars look infected to you" or I went out drinking and threw op for 36 hours do you think I damaged my band." If you want positive help from me stay away from asking medical questions. We all have surgeons, nutritionists and other medical professionals for that. If you hurt take a pain pill or call your doctor.
 
I love my LAP BAND and all the members of my private social group the Banded b*****s, so don'; pick on them either. We are all here to learn and help. I learn new things every day, and I hope a help a few other along the way. That's it for my first ever blog. I planning to go in for a fill next week, let you know how that goes. It will be my third.
 
CHEZNOEL, AKA Princess Grammy.

Thanksgiving is next week and with that is the all too famous family dinner…
 
I will have my band portion, 3-4oz of turkey, ½ green beans, sweet potatoes & carrots, ¼ cup stuffing. I will be first in line and first to sit down at the table (my family makes me go first cause it takes me longer to eat).
 
I will take my small bite and chew chew chew, then I’ll wait about a minute. In the mean time I’ll watch as my family members take bites the size of Mt Everest, chew 3 times and swallow while preparing the next bite…
 
“Did you taste that?” “Can you taste the juices in the turkey?” “What about the stuffing? Can you taste the pecans and bacon?” “Oh my, don’t forget to breathe…”
 
Wow, do people eat fast? My family sure does!
 
So, I eat and watch. Everyone is finished except me. I tell my mother to go ahead and serve dessert while I finish my meal. Again, they wolf it down. “Hey, savor the bites I spent hours in the kitchen making those pies. Enjoy them, please!”
 
I finally finish my dinner as my mother and niece finish clearing the table. The men make their way into the living room moaning and groaning about how full they are….. Me I am satisfied!
 
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!

I was a big girl for a long time. I always had to let my personality lead the way. I was never noticed for the beautiful person I was trapped in a world where being a big person isnt whats attractive. Even though I was a big girl I was never a slob, I want to say that even though the weight that held me back is gone, I am still the same beautiful person I was before. Funny how now Im noticed walking down the halls, walking into a grocery store, or having a drink with the girls. As much as people will say they are not judgemental towards overweight people, have never been on the heavy side of the scale. Having been on both sides now I see the difference how I'm treated what doors have been opened to me peronally and professionally. There are no words that can describe the feeling of no longer being the wallflower. I am no longer sitting on the sideline watching my life pass me by.

I am 6 days post op and must say its been a rough week on all liquids. Took my grandson to Mcdonalds drive through and thought a shake sounded good.... Then I saw it ---- The Eggnog Shake!!!!!!! Started to order it, (it is a liquid) then I saw the calorie count posted 680 calories!!!!!!!!!! Needless to say I did not give in to the temptation and went home and had some runny applesauce and protien drink, woooooooo hoooooooooo. It was a victory for me. Just wanted to share:)

I read a post today that irked me, no it pissed me off. This Texas gal was ready to put her boots on and find her gun….. Hunt her some grammar and spelling police.
 
A fellow bandster said they read a thread where bandsters were criticizing the grammar and spelling of other bandster’s posts. It hurt this bandster so bad that she had steered away from LBT. REALLY…….why?????
 
Does it matter if we don’t use complete sentences or if we spell words wrong?????? Those of you who have a problem with bad grammar and spelling please comment and tell me why it’s so important to you. Cause (oh wait I should say because) I don’t get it.
 
We are all fighting a terrible disease called obesity and one of the side effects of this disease is low self-esteem. We don’t need our brothers & sisters pointing out more of our faults….. We do just fine doing that ourselves.
 
You are wondering why this bothers me….. So many times I hit that POST button and watch my written words appear on a thread and think SH** I spelt that wrong or that doesn’t make any sense hope they get my point. We are here for support in our weight loss journey. We consist of all different people, different education levels, different languages, different everything and we need support.
 
What we don’t need is the grammar and spelling police after us!

First you have to be willing to jump in anytime
 
Then take the thread completely off topic and talk about pretty nails, dragons & princesses .
 
And finally you have to kiss the pink princess’s butt.
 
Once you have been accepted by the princess you must protect the princess from all evil (especially VD).
 
Are you up for the job?
 

Got my nails done today, went with orange polish and a spider design. A little silly but I thought what the heck!
 
What do you think Pink Princess?

Ok as you all know...well most of you I have 7 sons....and today I had to have a serious sit down hug him talk with my 11 yr old who has a eatting problem. He is so into sports and latly I can see all he thinks about is what he can eat.So today when he came home from school I had a snack ready for them all a healthy one....he ate then ..next thing I knew it he had a slice of pie....then a piece of angel food cake...and so on.....finally when I cought him going for one more snack I said "hun you have to stop...." I told him he was just eatting to eat and couldnt possible be hungry....wellthat lead to him crying....saying your always picking on me mom...OMG made me cry...and then we went out sat in the swing and talked....I told him ow I so dont want to see him ever have to be where I am now...and I pointed out my nephew who also is very heavy...I reminded him how athletic he is and how it will get harder and harder to run....heck I told him how I couldnt walk with out holding on to his brothers wheel chair just to lean on it....So after the tears were dryed....we got on line did a BMI chart for kids....got his and then we made a shopping list together....after football practice dad "J" and mom went shopping...He is very excited to be my healthy eatting partner....and I told him I bet in a month or 2 I can buy him one of his first pairs of skinny jeans....and we can toss the gym pants ....It was a hard afternon but I think he is excited now....I know I am....God Love Him....cuz I sure do !

Ok as you all know...well most of you I have 7 sons....and today I had to have a serious sit down hug him talk with my 11 yr old who has a eatting problem. He is so into sports and latly I can see all he thinks about is what he can eat.So today when he came home from school I had a snack ready for them all a healthy one....he ate then ..next thing I knew it he had a slice of pie....then a piece of angel food cake...and so on.....finally when I cought him going for one more snack I said "hun you have to stop...." I told him he was just eatting to eat and couldnt possible be hungry....wellthat lead to him crying....saying your always picking on me mom...OMG made me cry...and then we went out sat in the swing and talked....I told him ow I so dont want to see him ever have to be where I am now...and I pointed out my nephew who also is very heavy...I reminded him how athletic he is and how it will get harder and harder to run....heck I told him how I couldnt walk with out holding on to his brothers wheel chair just to lean on it....So after the tears were dryed....we got on line did a BMI chart for kids....got his and then we made a shopping list together....after football practice dad "J" and mom went shopping...He is very excited to be my healthy eatting partner....and I told him I bet in a month or 2 I can buy him one of his first pairs of skinny jeans....and we can toss the gym pants ....It was a hard afternon but I think he is excited now....I know I am....God Love Him....cuz I sure do !

good afternoon all....
 
I have been upset since being banded I have not seen my scale move more then 3 lbs....
I have been walking miles every day and just not being a couch potatoe at all....eatting all good things...trying not to eat to much of it...but not always good there...but still the scale wont budge...( waiting for my first fill)
This morning on the way to church my 10 yr old yells as only a 10 yr old can...WOW MOM YOUR BELLIE DOESN`T TOUCH THE STEERING WHEEL ANY MORE !!! I had to take a moment and smile and rejoice in his excitment and my joy .....God is Good !!! and who needs the scale !

Ok as you all know...well most of you I have 7 sons....and today I had to have a serious sit down hug him talk with my 11 yr old who has a eatting problem. He is so into sports and latly I can see all he thinks about is what he can eat.So today when he came home from school I had a snack ready for them all a healthy one....he ate then ..next thing I knew it he had a slice of pie....then a piece of angel food cake...and so on.....finally when I cought him going for one more snack I said "hun you have to stop...." I told him he was just eatting to eat and couldnt possible be hungry....wellthat lead to him crying....saying your always picking on me mom...OMG made me cry...and then we went out sat in the swing and talked....I told him ow I so dont want to see him ever have to be where I am now...and I pointed out my nephew who also is very heavy...I reminded him how athletic he is and how it will get harder and harder to run....heck I told him how I couldnt walk with out holding on to his brothers wheel chair just to lean on it....So after the tears were dryed....we got on line did a BMI chart for kids....got his and then we made a shopping list together....after football practice dad "J" and mom went shopping...He is very excited to be my healthy eatting partner....and I told him I bet in a month or 2 I can buy him one of his first pairs of skinny jeans....and we can toss the gym pants ....It was a hard afternon but I think he is excited now....I know I am....God Love Him....cuz I sure do !

Ok as you all know...well most of you I have 7 sons....and today I had to have a serious sit down hug him talk with my 11 yr old who has a eatting problem. He is so into sports and latly I can see all he thinks about is what he can eat.So today when he came home from school I had a snack ready for them all a healthy one....he ate then ..next thing I knew it he had a slice of pie....then a piece of angel food cake...and so on.....finally when I cought him going for one more snack I said "hun you have to stop...." I told him he was just eatting to eat and couldnt possible be hungry....wellthat lead to him crying....saying your always picking on me mom...OMG made me cry...and then we went out sat in the swing and talked....I told him ow I so dont want to see him ever have to be where I am now...and I pointed out my nephew who also is very heavy...I reminded him how athletic he is and how it will get harder and harder to run....heck I told him how I couldnt walk with out holding on to his brothers wheel chair just to lean on it....So after the tears were dryed....we got on line did a BMI chart for kids....got his and then we made a shopping list together....after football practice dad "J" and mom went shopping...He is very excited to be my healthy eatting partner....and I told him I bet in a month or 2 I can buy him one of his first pairs of skinny jeans....and we can toss the gym pants ....It was a hard afternon but I think he is excited now....I know I am....God Love Him....cuz I sure do !

Everyone has opinions and advice and that is what makes us different individually. I am not one to sugar coat things but for someone to come and tell another "you are giving out bad information or advice" is just dead wrong. That is the opinion bad information or advice is being given.
 
Keys to a successful journey in my opinion is:
Patience
Education
Following basic guidelines set forth by a Doctor and/or Nutritionist
Making good food choices
Develop good eating habits such as eating slow, smaller portions and chewing up food very fine
Analyze your hunger to ensure it is really truly hunger and not head hunger
Patience
Ongoing Education throughout your journey
Constant follow up with Doctors and Nutritionists throughout the journey. This is a must should band adjustments be needed.

While I understand is is perfectly normal to read up on the manufacture website on the product I think I would put more faith in the experience others have had with the product and that goes for both patients and medical professionals alike. I read up on Realize band on the manufacture website but in the end they are trying to sell a product. I want to hear from the 'end users' and the medical professionals who work with the product.
 
 
Just my penny worth of thoughts
 
Oh and Fen-Phen said they could help people lose weight as well but in the end the drug was pulled for causing serious health issues along with deaths and they ended up shelling out $13 billion in settlements. Anyone who just takes the word of a manufacturer as FACT or word of law is not a wise person.

I use to have people say, oh I didn't realize it was lunch time. I would be like yeah right, how the heck do you forget lunch. Today I was sitting in my office working and someone walked into my office and ask, aren't you eating lunch. I was like huh, it's to early then I looked at the clock 12:30 - WOW I had no idea it was lunch time.
 
I also use to get annoyed when friends would eat a small salad or an apple and be like man I am so full. I had an apple and natural peanut butter for lunch and geez I am full. I actually really enjoyed my healthy lunch. I can't believe I am already one of those people. While eating one apple slice I didn't chew enough and felt it get caught a bit, no PB'ing or sickness just a little tightness. Wow I have a band and it's working.
 
Yesterday instead of cooking like I would normally do on a rainy day I got on our elliptical and worked out and it felt good. I am enjoying working out- WTH?
 
I am doing it, I am really doing it!!! I lost 2 lbs in the last week --- YEAH Me!! I am finally becoming the person I always wanted to be and the person who I was always jealous of. I know I will have a day again that I am doubting my band, but today I am thrilled with it. I feel like my band is helping me achieve a life long dream.
 
Thanks to all of you out there who inspire me to keep it up - Missy, carolina girl, jean - thanks for the help and for the post that kick me into action. Bansters ROCK!

I lost about 27 lbs since i started i was working out with my tainer today and we were doing some things we have not done in along time and they were so much easyer he said you relly changed in the last mouth. He said right before sugery you could not do these things and now look at you. I said yea 25 lbs off my kneese hurt so much less. I said my hip pain is so much less. I used to feel my kneese going up the stairs. I can walk up stairs with out stopping to need to catch my breat. I can go shopping in store other than layne brayntt aloth i still go there. I can do lots of things i never did before. Thats why i must live this life becuse there a life out there that i was not living 27 lbs ago.

Just a quick blog.....I went to see my Dr. today and I'm down 28.5 pounds since my very first visit (January 5th). I can't believe it....I've been banded since 2/21 and I had my second fill today which was half a cc (my first fill was last month and was 2cc).
 
I'm so happy!!!!! I wish I had done this years ago!

Laying in bed this morning and my arm hits something on my leg...I think to myself...what the hell? Turns out I have a hip and leg bone that has been hiding in my thigh for at least 3 decades. Needless to say it's pretty cool to find all these bones that have always been there but have been hiding...collar bones, shoulder bones, now hip bones...oh and I am even seeing ankles too, real ankles and not cankles. Just thought I would post this in my blog today. Feels good.

I finally went to Lane Bryant to get fitted for bra's. I"m so sad that the girls are disappearing! UGH! one effect i didnt want. well anyway she helped my find my right size and she asked how i was losing weight and i gladly shared with her about my lap band. She thought it was great. She asked me what size i wore now and i said 12's/ she told me you are too small for anything in our store! I COULD HAVE KISSED HER! never in a million years would i ever think someone would say this to me. And normally i woiuld reward myself with food, but this totally motivated me to hit the gym as soon as i left the store! WOW that felt sooo good!!!

good afternoon all....
 
I have been upset since being banded I have not seen my scale move more then 3 lbs....
I have been walking miles every day and just not being a couch potatoe at all....eatting all good things...trying not to eat to much of it...but not always good there...but still the scale wont budge...( waiting for my first fill)
This morning on the way to church my 10 yr old yells as only a 10 yr old can...WOW MOM YOUR BELLIE DOESN`T TOUCH THE STEERING WHEEL ANY MORE !!! I had to take a moment and smile and rejoice in his excitment and my joy .....God is Good !!! and who needs the scale !

good afternoon all....
 
I have been upset since being banded I have not seen my scale move more then 3 lbs....
I have been walking miles every day and just not being a couch potatoe at all....eatting all good things...trying not to eat to much of it...but not always good there...but still the scale wont budge...( waiting for my first fill)
This morning on the way to church my 10 yr old yells as only a 10 yr old can...WOW MOM YOUR BELLIE DOESN`T TOUCH THE STEERING WHEEL ANY MORE !!! I had to take a moment and smile and rejoice in his excitment and my joy .....God is Good !!! and who needs the scale !

I've been kinda down the past couple of days because I've been seeing the scale either not move at all...or move in the wrong direction. Of course, I'm chalking it up to PMS. You know, water weight and all.
 
I'm also really bad about stepping on the scale every freakin' day. I have to stop that.
 
Instead of going to church today, My son and I stayed at home and watched Dr. Charles Stanley on television. His message today was about waiting on God's best for you. Wow! I needed that reminder. You see, when we don't wait on God...when we move ahead of Him, we step outside of His will and His plan for us. We can wind up hurting ourselves or others. We can get frustrated, distracted or disappointed. But mostly, we lose out on His BEST for us. Sure, whatever we get might be okay or even good. But when we move ahead of Him, we lose out on His BEST.
 
That really hit home for me. Learning to wait, to be patient and knowing that everything, especially this LB journey, takes time. I didn't get my body in this shape overnight, and I'm not going to get it healthy overnight....but I am taking steps to get there.
 
I'm just going to trust Him and this tool He gave me, to get there in just the right amount of time...and stay there this time around!
 
I pray God blesses you all richly and abundantly!

I almost feel stupid blogging about this, but had a revolation this morning! So when you are a fat chick, you can't just go to Victoria Secret for the latest and cutest bra selection. Me personally, I have found Lindathebralady.com to be the most comfortable, but they're not cheap. So as I've lost 41lbs the girls have been less than perky. I've been dreading paying another $54 for another bra. I know that's a good problem to have needing to buy new, skinnier clothes and bras, but 54 bucks is 54 bucks!
 
Here's where the "I feel stupid" moment plays in. So I'm getting dressing this morning and like a profound moment of my entire life I realize, "duh, you don't have to use the last fasteners on the bra you big dork!" Being fat pretty much my whole adult life, I've ALWAYS had to use the last fasteners. I'm proud to say I'm on the first one! Not only is that exciting, but cheaper too! It's funny seeing things in a skinnier light!
 
Woohoo!

I haven't blogged in so long! I am currently almost 4 weeks post op and am getting ready for my first fill on Thursday morning. I have to be at the surgery center at 7:00 for my fill at 7:30....having it done under fluoroscopy. It should take about 5 minutes and I am SO ready for it!
I am hungry!!!!! I am trying very hard to follow the rules and so far have been able to do so.
 
Let's see what I've discovered so far in my journey:
*my stomach growls a lot
*even without fluid, I can't eat as much as before
*I need my water
*Remembering to take my vitamins is hard to do
*my incisions look incredible...i only have 2...one is a tiny one below my breastbone and the other at my belly button
*I've been very selective in choosing the people with whom I've shared about having surgery...those people have all been incredibly supportive
*I am steadily losing weight...with my home scale showing about 21 pounds as of this morning
*I feel incredible and have a lot more energy than I did 21 pounds ago
*choosing food at a restaurant is tricky
*finding time for exercise is sometimes a challenge while raising 2 boys and teaching
*my portion of my hospital bill so far is about $2200.00 (I'm not sure how many more bills need to be processed by BCBS)
*the things that I write here on this site have inspired others and that means the world to me
 
And finally....I've learned that for me, this has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I don't regret it at all and pray that my positive experience continues.
 
Sending positive vibes to everyone on this journey!!!!
 
Deana