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Finally slept a full 8 hrs without any Vicodin!!! That was a feat in itself. But then I looked in the mirror and saw more bruises then I imagine are on those NFL players after a game.... OMG... I look like I have been roughed up pretty well. On Friday the dr warned me they would start appearing...well he was right...
 
Yesterday I bought a Spanx like garment which is high waisted. The dr said it would help with the torso swelling. Well it helped alright... The swelling is down but the bruising has surfaced...LOL
 
And I am exercising the girls..... So much to learn. Evidentially for the rest of my life every day I am supposed to do massage exercises to keep them soft and supple.... This cracks me up. But I am doing it... only takes a minute in the morning and night but for the next few weeks I have to add in an extra massage at lunchtime.
 
 

Well I wrestled over posting these pics in my gallery...but they are there and I think they arent any worse then what I would look like on the beach... so have a look if you are interested.... I think they came out AMAZING! Can't wait for the upper swelling to go down.

I posted tummy tuck before and after in my gallery and hopefully on this blog....... granted its only been less than 48 hours but even with the swelling you get the general idea.... I am not brave enough to post the "girls"... until i can figure out how to cover up the personal parts..... but they look marvelous!

I had an appointment this morning for an unfill prior to my Tuesday's tt and breast lift surgery... I had called my lapband surgeon's office and was told I needed to come in for an unfill. SO I left work... shlepped over to his office, waited for 15 minutes and did the normal weigh in...vitals etc... I had lost 15 lbs since October (my last fill appt). I knew this but always nice to see on his charts.
 
Anyway the Dr comes in and of course is happy with my progrees and we chat about my upcoming TT and he said...so why are you here? I tell him and he said...we do not need to do an unfill for surgery.... I am so sorry my nurse gave you the wrong info. I was like...um ok... but it was nice to see you... and he said to the nurse...no charge for today, gave me a hug and told me to stop in to show him the results but that unless I need him he doesnt need to see me for 4 months. I felt like we were breaking up....LOL

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.

Tomorrow my grandson will be 5. This morning his other grandmother baby sat.
His name is Dylan.
Dylan-yesterday at school we had cupcakes for my pretend birthday.
Nana-did they sing happy birthday?
Dylan-Nooo, cupcakes don't sing.
Just had to share this. He is so cute.

Well I finally joined the gym yesterday. The doctor told me to join in September, better late than never. So I went today and rode the recumbent bike for 1.3 miles. That is a lot for me. I felt great that I moved the body. I tried the elliptical but it hurt the left knee too much. I will try to go again tomorrow. My fat went on slow over the years and now the gym will be slow too.
Some days I look in the mirror and see fat me and other days I say, WOW, I look thinner today. After reading other's blogs I think my size goal is around a size 12. My husband thinks I could go smaller. Never been smaller than 12-14 when we got married 42 years ago. I was thinner then because of diet pills. Nasty way to lose weight.
Have a great day all.

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.

Merry Christmas to everyone in Lap Band land. I went to my son's to see what Santa brought my grandsons. Santa was very nice to them. My son has a Texas BBQ/smoker, from Texas. He does catering, also. He was up all night smoking beef brisket. OMG!! it taste so good. I am going to my other son's for dinner and he is serving one of the briskets. Can't wait. The burnt ends are the best. Now that I am finally having the brisket, 3-4 oz. isn't too much food. I hope I can have a doggie bag.
I hope everyone gets to eat wonderful food with wonderful people/family today and always.
Enjoy the day.
"Eye Candy"/Arlene

I Cooked a fab dinner for my Inlaws, hubby, one of our daughters and the light of my life her 18 month old daughter. Even though I am less than week post op from the tt and bj surgery I started early and rested in-between chores. Polishing the silver was more strenuous than I expected but I didn't push it and was fine. I did have someone clean this week so didn't have to worry about that... But the shopping and cooking was all me. We had rib eye steak w bernaise sauce, sauteed caramelized onions and mushrooms, twice baked potatoes, Lima beans, green beans, carrots, my speciality spinach salad, rolls and apple pie, vanilla pudding pie laced with chocolate and homemade cookies.
 
Since I am maintaining and healing from surgery I decided I would really enjoy a few more bites then normal since I cooked all my favs...well except the Lima beans...bleckkkkk. So the eating commenced and I ate about 2 oz of meat, a teaspoon of the mushrooms and onions, a few green beans, 1 carrot, and about a 1/4 c of salad. I also had about 1/4 of the potato and one cookie.... I was amazed... I seriously couldnt eat any more...
 
I love my band. I will never gain the weight back... Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night....