sue11

ONEDERLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's offical, no more 2** I'm sitting here nearly in tears, never thought I'd get here! This is the best thing I've ever done for myself. It's not just the decision to band, but the decision to commit. I am committed to never be what I was...the best is yet to come!

Goldie... It's Today...It's Today! Did you go visit Vitalady? They will let you try all kinds of protien drinks, maybe there is one you will like better. My favorites are Champion chocolate, nectar Lemon and ProV60 vanilla Ice cream (Lemon and ice cream flavors mixed makes my favorite fruit smoothy base). You're in my prayers today, Sue

Goldie1109... Just saw your post...tomorrow is your big day! Good luck and God's speed on your recovery Good job on the pre-op diet, you're on your way! Sue

Speaking of tickers... If I could just get mine to move one more pound...I'm so close to ONEDERLAND (big time goal for me), but my scale is teasing me (200..201...200...you know the routine). I'm ready to do the ONEDERLAND happy dance! You guys who weigh once a week (or even month) have so much self control, I'm addicted to my scale! I know it's better to weigh periodically, maybe I've traded my food addiction for a scale addiction! Oh well, better the scale then Reese's PB Cups (my sweet daughter shared her Holloween candy with me, but I'm determined to hit Onederland before I touch any of it!) LOL

Carol... The tickers are from The Ticker Factory: Trying To Conceive Ticker They can be a little tricky to add to the signiture at first, but once you get it going it's really easy to maintain, and it tracks your weight loss.

Carol... There are support groups in Federal Way and Tacoma through the franciscan hospitals Weight loss surgery, gastric bypass support groups - St. Francis Hospital Washington There are several of us on this talk line that go to the Tacoma meeting (It will now only meet once a month on the 3rd Monday) These meetings are open to anyone, as are the meetings that some of the local doctors have running from thier offices. You can call the Federal Way docs to find out when they meet. Let me know if you're planning on coming so we can meet. Sue

Mer... It's so hard to know. Even if your plan covers it (as ours did) the employer decides on the exclusions for the plan...the more exclusions the lower the rates. Ours excluded any weight loss treatments. Are you self insured?

I woke up feeling so cruddy this morning (just a cold), but really got a lift when I stepped on the scale (200). Just one more pound to my Thanksgiving goal! Now I have to decide on my next goal, I think it will be BMI < 30, but I'm not sure where to set my date, the holidays are coming, then we're going on a cruise mid January.

I had the sholder/neck pain too, and have to say it was by far the worse pain I felt through the entire recovery. Good news is it will pass, it's the gas (diaphram pain is refered to the sholder)

Mer... Go Girl! It turned out great! What a great way to have some fun with your son. I do love those boots...you sexy thing!

Chelsey... Congrats, hope your recovery is speedy. The first couple weeks can drag, but you'll turn the corner quickly, just don't push it, give yourself some time to heal. I'm a huge believer in support groups...are you involved in one? Sue

Dawn... I really enjoyed the metting on Monday too. It seems so long to go a whole month, I'd really like to get together for a Soup night or walking once a month too. Maybe there's a good deli (at the mall or something) where they would have Soups and salads, then we could walk. Mer... Too funny on the Boots...LOL I have to go to costco today, I might look for some of your potions

Yippee Ki...see you tomorrow night! Sue

Mer... I'm almost ready to buy an new set of bras...again. I've already thrown out the b4-band size and today I looked down while trying on some dresses and realized the suckers were only 1/2 full. May be exciting if you start at a DD, but a little discouraging when your B's are sagging! By the way...the dresses were size 14!!! never thought I'd even dream of a 14 again. Still got a ways to go in the but, but the fuller skirted dresses were snug, but they did FIT!!! Yesterday I was telling Wendy how overwelmed I am when I go shopping. I'm so programmed to ignore 90% of the store and only look at the PLUS sizes, where there is very little selection. I've always based my purcahses on "if it fits". Now there is an entire store (except the PLUS department) and it almost scares me. I don't do well with SOOOO many choices! I guess I'll just have to learn how to deal with it...it's a tough world! LOL

Dawn... What an experience! I'm so sorry you had to go through that, and to not really know the cause must be frustrating and scary. I'll be praying for you, and you're right, the keeping the perspective is sometimes the best thing we can do for ourselves when we just can't explain it all. Take extra good care of yourself!!! Sue

I would love to walk at the mall this week. I need some distraction and some "fellowship". I really don't know what my schdule is, we had a rough weekend and my son has to go in for some testing this week. He had a seizure on Friday and they think he has epilepsy (I don't even know if that's how you spell it...I'm going to be up late tonight doing research). Any of you that would do so, Bryce could use a prayer or two. AHHHHH!!! my TOM is around the corner too...I am really fighting the urge to go in the kichen and eat my stress away...yes, I really do need a good walk! Sue

Who all made it to the St Joe's group last night? Was it a good meeting? I sure hate missing, but had a open house at one of my son's school.

Dawn... I ask people all the time if the exercise will, at some point, become "fun". I enjoy walking with friends, b/c I can distract myself with chit-chat. I keep telling myself to keep going, some day it will be fun, but it's still just a chore. That's great that you're "enjoying" your ellipticle, I hope to be doing 20 minutes at some point soon, I've never been very good at that machine, but I'm getting the hang of it. I'm not sure the ellipticle will ever be my cardio workout, but it's working real well as a warm-up for the weight machines. I don't think I will be able to make it to the next St Joes meeting, it's open house at my son's school :rose:

OK, I finally had my 1st "slime" last night. I guess my fill on Monday did something! I'm not sure if the issue was chewing or dry food, but either way, it wan't pleasant. I was eating my dinner in my car in the parking lot wating for my son's water polo match. Had a tough time deciding if I should make a dash for the pool bathroom, but it passed after about 15 minutes. Makes you really want to be careful, especially when you're in public!

A boy...Butch, he's my little sweety who's keeping my feet warm while I sit here on the computer. Wendy & I have gone to the YMCA for the last 2 weeks on Tues & Thurs, then walk on MWF. We started with a 5 minute warm up on the eliptical (I've always hated them in the past, but I'm getting over it) we add a minute each time we go, so soon we'll be up to 10-15 minutes. After we warm up we do the weight machines...boring...I like walking (talking) better, but I know it's important to do more. Hope to get together soon...BTW...your picture looks great!

Mer... OK, I finally measured, Neck - 11.5" Chest - 20" Neck to tail - 18" Have you been our walking lately? Your ticker's really moving! Great job! Sue

Mer... I'm with you on the Wendy's Chilli...yum!!! I've got my 3rd fill today, and I think this will be the one. It's funny, I usually only have a protien drink for b-fast, and I had that today, but just knowing that it's liquids only today and tomorrow has already got me drooling for FOOD. :faint: I like your comment on the year. I was talking with a friend a couple days ago and we were discussing the "process". I told her I was trying to be patient, it took me 15 years to get where I am, I can work through 15 months to get back!!! I know I can do it! I think it feels different than any other diet b/c there is life-long hope. With every other diet I alway had it in the back of my mind that some day I would rebound, the typical gain it back plus ~10%. That thought would defeat me everytime. But now I feel like I have the tool to make it lasting, this truely is a life change!!! :clap2:

Mer... YIPPEEEEEE!!! I'm doing a happy dance for you too!!!! Happy Happy Joy Joy I know you were frustrated waiting for that final # to put you into onederland, I knew it couldn't be long...CONGRATS!!! We need to have a party, Onederland for YOU and 1/2 way for ME!!! Yah for us!!! (sometimes you just have to toot your own horn!)

Mer... Her name is Laura Frank. I think I'm going to check my insurance to see if they will cover a visit or 2, she's such a great resourse! Sorry...I ment to tell you that it was Dawn sitting next to you

Dawn... I enjoyed the meeting Monday too, it sure helps me keep my motivation going to sit & chat with others that are banding it too. I don't know how people can do it without support, but maybe that's just me. AND YES!!! I HIT 1/2 WAY YESTERDAY!!! :clap2: Onederland is the next goal