hagerteresa

Michelle and Ellen, Congrats and good luck on both of your surgery dates. I had my surgery 5/8/04 haven't had any complications, lost 61.7 lbs so far and absolutely love it. It is tough the first few weeks with the liquid diets and such but it does get a lot better as each week progresses. Hmmm, surgery advice: SLIP ON SHOES! Best wishes to both of you and hope to see both of you around a lot, Teresa

Hi Leatha, You do indeed have a lovely family. Your daughter is gorgeous. I am the shortest one in my entire family geneology, literally!!! My whole family are like paul bunion folk and then there is me at 5'4". It is ridiculous at family reunions. Funny you have a 24 year old brother Lisa, mine is 24 also. He was such a pain growing up, but we get along good now. Thanks again for sharing Leatha, Teresa

Kimber-lilly, I am glad you are back safe and sound. I also had tons of bruising and felt the same as you, but it will get better. It IS amazing how wonderful showers are. Don't know anything about protein supplements. Congratulations!!! Teresa

Hi Debi, Nice to meet you and I wish both you and Pam the best of luck on your surgery's later this month. Keep us posted about how everything goes, and let us know if you have more questions or concerns. Teresa

I am with you Lisa. I don't make much out of the blobs either. LOL. Good luck CB864 and hope it all gets straightened out. Teresa

Thanks folks, Your all so sweet. I notice small changes especially after seeing the pictures but nothing has seemed to drastic yet. I am in this for the long haul and still have plenty to lose for goal. My husband and our roommate are always thrilled to hear how my weekly weigh-in's have gone. Both big supporters. Yes Alex, We were the only ones on the beach right then. It was late afternoon and all the tourists had headed off I guess. My best friend had rented a beach house (ended up being a mobile home) for $50 a night and it allowed dogs. It was so comfy and we had a grand time. It was in the town of Seal Rock, just between Newport and Florence Oregon. There are hundreds of ocean overlooks, beaches and picnic areas and this just happened to be one of them. The Oregon coast is a beautiful sight to see and highly reccommend it to everybody. Once again thank you for all the sweet words and support. I think you are all doing great too and can't wait to see some pictures from people who haven't shared yet. Best wishes and lots of XoXo, Teresa

We can't wait till your back and we'll be thinking about you till then. Take care and see you on the "other side". Teresa

Sue, I was still editing. That picture should make us look like a cute couple. It is my brother and I. My husband I are down further. LOL. Thanks though. Teresa

This is my husband and I last weekend at the coast.

This is me last weekend at the coast, down 61.7 lbs.

This is my husband and I last Easter before surgery.

This is my brother and I the evening before surgery.

Here are some requested before/after pictures of me. Not that I am anywhere close to goal yet though. Teresa

Thanks Sue, You sound pretty friendly and competent yourself. I do try to keep things in perspective and take deep breathes when I need them. I can't imagine being a police officer and the personal stresses you must go thru everyday. I think that would be a challenging job. I am going to be a high school science teacher so I am sure I'll deal with my fair share of stressful days. LOL. This has just been a long summer and I will be very relieved when this class is over. I have mainly just noticed subtle changes in how I react to things and considering I have lost 62 lbs in a little over 4 months I'm sure has at least a little to do with it. This class has made it so I don't see my husband all week and that makes communicating difficult too. I have my final next week and there finally be some nice peace. No more cramming for horrendous chemistry exams every week... My bachelor's will be 100% done!!! I sure hope we get to keep in touch on this forum and everything works out smoothly for your banding. For the most part everyone is really nice on this site and you won't find a better support team. Anyway I got to go, Best wishes, Teresa

I didn't use Dr. Rumbuat though I certainly have heard good things about him. Before I scheduled a date for surgery I had to fill out a few pages of questions including questions concerning sleep apnea. I found everything to be professional. Best of luck and wishes, Teresa

Mary, I think you have done very well losing as much as you have lost. I wouldn't be too hard on yourself. Are you still following all of the band rules most of the time? Have you had many fills? Overall I think you should be really pleased with your success. I think as you get closer to goal the weight loss might be a little slower. I have heard that before. Best wishes, Teresa

When I had my surgery in Mexico they ran all kinds of tests the afternoon before surgery. I got an echocardiogram, x-rays, saw a nutricianist, got blood tests, etc.

No problem, Geezer Sue. I will certainly remember not to represent you in the future. I realize not everybody is on the same wave length. Teresa

You are welcome to come and visit anytime. I love touring people around the state. I know where old ghost towns and mining caves are, all the geology of the state, the ocean life, history, etc. I love Oregon. I am literally one hour from both the snowy mountains and one hour from the beach. The washington border is 2.5 hours north of us and the california border is 3 hours south of us. Kind of just dead middle of everything. Growing up, I was certain I did not want to remain in Oregon but the more I have seen of other places, the more I appreciate the state I call home. The only other place I would live that I have seen is the big island of Hawaii. I am sure there are other lovely spots in the world and even the U.S. but it would be hard to beat Oregon. The economy is the only stinking thing here but thank goodness that really hasn't affected anyone I know and I know it has gotten a little better recently. Like I said, any of you are welcome any time. Teresa

Ah Marie, I have an old soul... LOL. For some reason I have ALWAYS related better with older people. During my early education I always related VERY well with my teachers and would spend all my spare time with them. Even now all of my closest friends are my customers and they are all much older than I am. All are slightly younger or slightly older than my parents. When I run the bed and Breakfast most of the guests I take care of are older. I am alse very good at handling difficult guests and can charm the pants off of them. The best days of my life were after I graduated high school. I was teased horrifically all thru those years and then suddenly I was free of it! I have always dealt with people old and mature enough who understood my weight is only an appearance. I have met some mean spirited adults who still like to belittle others but I choose to have nothing to do with those type of people. Marie, I have no doubt that you don't really need that eye cream. The only lines you would have around your eyes are smile/ laugh lines and those are always in-style in my book.

Hi Sue3, I am not sure what Geezersue was trying to imply either... LOL. Oh-well, as far as I know this is a banding sight and most of us banded are slowly but surely winning the weight battle. Maybe she is past hormonal phases but I know many of us still deal with the roller coaster as we lose. None of it is anything out of control but I do notice a difference about how I react to things. When my husband might be griping about something in the past, I would lie low and just try to get him to calm down. Now if he has tantrum I just give it right back. I think he is still amazed and adjusting to that response... On the other hand I have a very difficult chemistry class right now and the teacher likes to really challenge us on the exams. I used to leave feeling kind of mad and somewhat upset when I knew I didn't do so hot, but now I downright sob all the way home about it. And then I cried when I actually passed that segment (it meant I was going to have to survive another 4 weeks of chemistry torture). I also recall at about 2 or 3 months post-op, I would go weigh in and happily find I lost another few lbs for the week and feel absolutely elated but then 10 minutes later I would be driving along and hear some sad story that would move me to tears. My mom always did consider me a little mellow dramatic and I always have been able to cry over anything pretty easily. Over all I am thrilled with my progress and the surgery in general. I am at my lowest low in probably 10 years. Considering I am only 30 years old, I find that pretty amazing. Keep us posted about your surgery date and such. Ask if you come up with any questions. Teresa;)

Pooooor Lisa! That is terrible! I remember coming home one time with no electricity in the wintertime (I had forgotten to pay the bill...) I was so desperate for lights and heat, I paid the extra $75.00 to have the guy come and hook it all back up after hours. My mom teased me for an eon about being so wimpy and not wanting to camp out in the dark for one night. I could care less about cable, but I would really miss the phone and computer. You have my sympathy. You need to come to Oregon for a long weekend sometime. We inherited a 1967 Dorsett boat. We had the motor repaired last year and we are doing some minor stuff to the body but definitely hoping to get it out on the lake next year. In the meantime we need to renew the expired registration and get our boaters license. Figure we can get all that done in the winter. It isn't a fast boat but it will be fun just getting out and feeling the cool lake breeze. I grew up with canoes and sailing boats. I love Water. Anyway hope your life gets unchaotic soon. Teresa

You are amazing Marie!!!!!! One of my goals for later this fall or next spring is to walk this trail 20 miles around a lake in Cottage Grove Oregon. It used to be railroad tracks and got turned into a walking/ biking trail. I grew up in that area and it is a really pretty lake. There are several covered bridges along the route too. You sure do amaze me and I am thrilled at your accomplishments. Best wishes and hugs, Teresa

Leatha, You have done a great job and like so many other people, I am also proud of you. You are MORE than halfway. Your over 2/3 rds of the way! How cool is that!!! I know I am like Nancy. I have NEVER EVER EVER been thin and the closer I get to it the happier I am. Your doing great!!! Teresa XoXo

Damn Girls!!! Now I know what I am missing from not working in a normal office/group type situation. I am a housekeeper for a bed and Breakfast and lots of individual homes. I am always working by myself, and sometimes wonder about having a job that has more sociallizing benefits and company picnic type deals. I frequently hear about everybody complaining about it though... HMMMM. It will be interesting when I get my first job as a teacher. Leatha, since you split the dinner with somebody, is anybody with you willing to split a desert? What about just ordering a few deserts among all of you and you all just have small samples of each? That is a predicament. Teresa