cindyluhu

I agree! I haven't been here in years! How is everyone doing? I am going to have to take some time and go back and read some posts. It feels like long lost friends!

Melissa, Congrats!! What a nice surprise to be away for so long and one of the first things I read when I came back to catch up was that you are pregnant! I am so happy for you. Cindy

Well said, that is exactly how we should look at this journey. Look at how far each and every one of has come this past year. I certainly never thought I'd be happy shopping for bathing suits, or anything much for that matter. Like you, I have tended to go by the scale and sometimes get disappointed when it didn't move fast enough. But things have shifted and clothes are definitely smaller!! Keep up the great work everyone, Laura, thanks for the reminder. Cindy

Hi Sue, You sound like you're doing great, and you WILL get there!! It hasn't even been a year yet for you. Loose Size 18's that is awesome, whoo hoo!!! Isn't it fun to watch the sizes go down? Now if I could firm up and tone some more, I'd be psyched. I'm doing the Couch to 5k and trying to incorporate some hand weights for my arms. Hope it gets some results. I've been very happy with things this past year, however, so I'm definitely NOT complaining. Sorry to have missed the last (few) support group meetings. Sounds like I missed an eventful time!! I AM planning on coming to the April 22nd meeting, in fact I'm looking forward to it. Will the plastic surgeon be there again? I really am thinking about getting the "girls" done, but like you said, it costs plenty I'm sure. With a daughter in college, and the other just graduated from college (and her and her longtime boyfriend will undoubtedly be getting married in the next few years), don't know when the "extra" money will become available if you know what I mean. Good luck you're doing great, and keep in touch. Cindy

Who's ya, Congrats!!! Good for you:thumbup:. That is so awesome. What an accomplishment. I have started back at the c25k. I actually look forward to it! It's funny, though, the whole time I'm running, I keep asking myself why I'm doing this and when will it be over. As soon as it's over, I love it and feel great. Oh well, it's definitely growing on me. I'm building up to my first 5k on June 26th in Boston, The corporate challenge. Never done a distance race before so it will be interesting. I'm really psyched about it, I just hope I can do it. I am on week 3 now, so hopefully I'll be up for the challenge. You must be so proud of yourself, I am proud for you!! Cindy

Weazer, hang in there, I'm sure it will come off in no time. Where there is a will, there is a way! Wenjea, welcome back. I've been away a long time, too. Boy, doesn't it feel good to be back though. I find myself once again getting addicted to this sight and realizing how much I miss everyone. Congratulations on Chloeigh. What a pretty name. Anyone else doing the Couch to 5K? Cindy

Hi Sherry, I would love to get together with the group. I live in Wrentham, so Taunton isn't very far away at all. Hi Sue, how's it going? Please let us know how that goes, when you'll have it out and all. It sounds like you're doing well, other than the gall bladder, of course. Do you not just love the Glasgows? They are awesome. I saw Dr. Adam at the Stop and Shop in Norwood a couple weeks back, small world! Good luck all you new bandsters, banding is awesome! We're all here for any questions you have. Cindy

Boy I can see I missed a lot. Gotta go back and play catch up. Cindy

Melissa, I can so relate. I went last Monday and had lost only 3 pounds over 2 months. My last fill had been in Sept (2cc total), so I got a .25 cc fill for a total of 2.25 on Monday. We'll see. Like a few others here, I had discovered ice cream and also potato chips and onion dip. It's funny, I didn't really eat either of those things before being banded, but since probably December until the end of February I really enjoyed them. Bad bad bad. I gave up salting food when I got banded. I used to salt my food before I even had a bite. I wonder if that is why I craved (and ate) the chips and dip? At any rate, I've picked myself up and moved on to better food choices, and even started the couch to 5k running program again. I haven't finished catching up on reading all of the posts yet, but I love hearing everyone's progress! Mini, glad you're doing well after your surgery. Sorry, I didn't know you had it until now. Cindy

Hey Losing Just read your blog. Your pictures are AWESOME. You must be so psyched (and proud). And you WILL do the four miles tomorrow. You're doing great. Just keep focused and do the best you can. I'm on Week 3 of c25k (I skipped week 2 only because it wouldn't download on my Ipod) and you are my inspiration. Keep up the great work and let us know how it's going. I love to read everyone's progress, it's so motivational. Keeps me going. Cindy

Losing, you'll do fine, keep up the great work! How did your tt and lipo go? Are you so glad that you had it done? I'm seriously thinking about having the ladies done, but we'll see. Cindy

Losing, are you going to do the Disney Marathon? That is soo cool!! I would eventually like to do some type of marathon. I was never a distance runner. In high school track (100 years ago) I sprinted (the 100 yard dash, 220 relay), but could never do distance. I just started the c25k again this week, just finished week 1. I'm doing wed, frid, sunday, so Wed I will start week 2. Anyone else have a problem downloading week 2? Guess I'll either have to count in my head (ya right) or start week 3 and do that for two weeks. Guess I'll just see how it goes. Wow, sorry for the long post, guess I got long winded while I was away! Cindy

anyone here? I know it's been a while for me, but is everyone else busy too? Weezer are you there? Just trying to catch up with everyone. I'm going back to read some posts that I missed. Have a nice day (night) everyone. Cindy

Any news yet on this wonderful cookbook? Cindy

Hello everyone. It's been a while but I just wanted to check in and say hi. I have a lot of reading to catch up on. Everything's been going real well, with God's help, of course!! I actually feel good about myself for the first time in a long time. I didn't even realize that I felt poorly so much until now. It's just so nice to shop in a regular section, and to have the energy to start running, and doing "normal" everyday things!! So much to rejoice in. Thank you God!! Weezer, are you there? Cindy

Can you guys believe it's almost been a year now since we've been banded?!! This time last year I was so excited, nervous, anxious, etc. And now look, we're the experienced ones giving advice to others that are in our "old" shoes. I am so very thankful that I got the band, I can't even tell you. It's so fun to go shopping now and be in "regular" sizes. Cindy

Sandra, Congratulations!! I realize you must be nervous about being unfilled, but I'm sure you'll be fine. To gain some in pregnancy is healthy. I'm really happy for you. Are you going to find out if it's a boy or a girl? I do high risk ob ultrasound, which I absolutely love, so you'll have to tell me if you find out!! Just remember, you still have the band so when it's safe to do so after the baby's born, you can always have it filled again. Hope the "morning, afternoon, evening" sickness feeling leaves soon. Take care, and let us know all the details!! Cindy

It's so funny. You'll soon find that alot of the doctors give different versions of this. Mine gave no restriction on caffeine or soda and I asked specifically. I don't know why but after surgery I didn't want any coffee anymore. Just recently, however I started getting into lattes. I LOVE them. Oh well. I stopped drinking soda before my surgery, maybe 6 months to a year before surgery. Just didn't like it anymore. I've recently craved it but havent had any. My doctor said soda is fine, but who knows? Cindy

Annie Try not to be too hard on yourself, we've all been there. This is what is referred to as Bandsters hell. Once you get a fill, I'm sure you'll see a difference. Work hard, stay motivated, you can do this, and we're all here for you, believe me. Keep us posted, we care! Cindy

It's not bad at all. I just felt "pressure". Try not to be scared, you'll be fine, I'm sure! Good luck Cindy

OMG, I use my Magic Bullet every day. I have a blender, ultimate chopper, cuisinart, you name it. But I love my magic bullet. I make a protein shake every morning with Vanilla Carnation instant breakfast, a few frozen strawberries, Vanilla Unjury protein powder and drink it on the way to work. I have also made salsa in it. I haven't used it for much else, but everyday protein shakes make it worth it for me. I LOVE IT! It does come with a recipe book that looks really good, but for almost a year now, I've used it every day.!! Good luck. Cindy

Sorry, I prob should go on a different thread for that. But, oh well, I've been away for a while. I'M BACK!!

Wow, haven't been here for a while!! I like jelly beans. Losing, how ya doing? Read just a little about your surgery, I'm so jealous. Good for you. I'm lucky so far about the tummy, but I gotta tell ya, not to be gross, but I feel like my girls are down to my navel. I'd love to look into helping them perk up. I have to work up the nerve and make a phone call to a PS I guess. Anyone have that done? It's not the size, I'm ok with that, just how they are behaving. Cindy

I would love one also. I am a sucker for cookbooks, I just love them. This would be just perfect for us banders! Please let me know how to get one! Cindy

Metalband, good for you! and don't apologize for the long post. That's what we're here for. (although I have not been here in a long time, just busy I guess). I have, however, missed LBT and am back!! I now have to go back many pages to catch up on all my May Banders!! Manatee, just read a little about what's going on with you, a slip I guess. I have to bo back and read about it. I hope the best for you. Cindy