Penni60

ONLY ONE DRINK???

I wasn't gonna post my stats because I have a 5 that is FIVE POUND GAIN, but thought oh what the hey so I posted it. I am in a very heavy state of depression here. and the holidays aren't helping any. GRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!

OH man, I wish I could come. I even looked at flights to see if it was doable. I can't make it though. I am flying out on Friday morning for TN for the holiday weekend with family. It would have been fun to spend part of it with you ladies before heading to TN. Have loads of fun and get pics.

Hey all you great people out there: I am using this thread as a venting arena. I have been away from the boards for a couple of weeks now and visit every so often but just haven't had the urge to post. I spoke with Lisa (Delarla) online this afternoon and she made me realize I needed to come and post. Thanks Lisa. When you are a strong person through lots of situations sometimes it is the smallest of things that can knock you off your own pedestal. LOL!! I was knocked off mine by a 5 lbs gain. Seems funny to post that now but it is true. I can be strong for anyone else but ME. In the mindset I am now down and ready to climb in bed and cover my head till it all goes away whatever IT is, if I were to get a call from a friend or family member that they needed me I would jump on the plane or in a car and be there ready to do whatever. Why can't we do that for ourselves? We don't ever jump on the band wagon when we hear ourselves cry for help do we? At least I don't, why is that? I am not asking for an answer here just venting as the thread states. This past week was really hard for me. I knew I had some Christmas stuff to do (see Delarla's christmas post to understand why I feel the way I do about Christmas). I was NOT looking forward to our Christmas Tree Trimming party cause two reasons. First, the holiday sucks to begin with and Second, everyone was cancelling on us. The tree was and is beautiful. I will attach a pic so you can see. But the whole Christmas holiday has me down and then gaining 5 lbs doesn't help. Then I gotta fly to TN on Friday the 24th and fight through traffic and snow and ice and spend Christmas with family (which I am looking forward to by the way, that is the only GOOD thing about Christmas) and then fly home on the 26th. SIGH!! I hate this. I am so ready for a sabatical of about two weeks. Any suggestions of where is a good place to go for some reflecting, painting, photography, writing, and seclusion but near water and warm climate? Don't ask for much do I? thanks for listening.

Vera: I was just thinking about her the other day. I miss DONALI as well. Come and say HI lady. Yes you can kiss John first but come and post is the next thing you MUST do.

Happy Holidays to one and all. Stay safe over the holidays people.

I wouldn't take it more than recommended. You would be getting double dosage and some of the Vitamins that would be OK but there are other good things in there that you shouldn't double up on. Yeah Lisa if you don't like the Nature's Plus (Green liquid) one then send it my way. I love that stuff.

I crochetted hats for all my daughters, grandaughter, two of my friends in TN and two of my friends daughter in laws for christmas along with doing a scarf for each othem as well. SO easy and quick. I am now crochetting myself a hat, actually the hat is done, I am now doing the scarf to match. I used to make vests years ago and also made a doll, teddy bears, doll clothes for the large dolls (3 feet dolls). I crochetted like mad then. Used to sell the stuff I made too. Was very lucrative for awhile. Then the kids started needing me more. Darn kids!!! LOL!!

Got my book today from the publishers in Calif. Haven't read it yet. Looking forward to reading it though.

GORGEOUS husband oops FAMILY yeah I meant to say FAMILY. Seriously, great looking family. And you being so healthy makes all the difference I bet.

Late July is MUCH MUCH Better for me as well.

Ok staying steady at 241 lbs. I should have actually gained some since I was eating way too much crap over the last week. I scolded myself and started being more diligent about eating healthier. Hey Leatha, I got some of that Tillamook Jerky. YUM YUM!!! Love the peppered steak Jerky. So delicious and full of protein and low carb. Great for a quick snack. Just be careful of the extra sodium in them. Exercise has been non-existent the last week. I am starting a new regimen this week. Walking is a good thing. But I need to step it up some with the weight training as well. Thinking of hiring a trainer. Any thoughts on that? I know Alexandra was using one for awhile -- wonder how that is going?

Chris is a little greyer and you are more beautiful.

Still waiting on the book I ordered as well. Anyone have an email so I can write to them???

For some of you that knew my mom was having all kinds of colon problems just wanted you to know that she is clear of cancer threats. Her colonoscopy showed NO SIGNS OF CANCER which was a huge fear for me. They think for now it is the diverticulitis and all her polyps that are causing her pains and bleeding along with her AVM sites. But nothing is conclusive just yet. Just talked to Mom. She sounds great. Tired but good. Her colonoscopy went well. They were able to get all the way through and she was NOT AWAKE during the procedure so there was NO PAIN for her. Thank GOD. They said NO cancer was evident. WHEW! I was afraid of that. She said she won't know much else till she goes back for her follow up and I don't remember when she said that was. We talked for almost an hour on the phone. She is doing really good so far. We are both looking forward to Christmas. We discussed the craziness with Tonya, my sister, these days. SIGH!! Not sure what is gonna happen with her in the future, but can't dwell on that right now or at all. My sister had a really bad car wreck about a year ago that left her with some degree of brain injury. The extent we are not sure because Tonya will not give us a straight answer. She is overly medicated as well and is in denial about that. So Mom and I wait for that dreaded phone call that she has either been in fatal car wreck or has OD'd on her medication. I visited her in Sept or Oct can't remember now and it was bad. She was slurring her words and falling over things. She had also gained about 50 lbs and my sister was always the skinny one. IT was a shock. There is way more to this story but not enough time to go into it. She also has a diagnosis of Manic/Depressive and I also think Paranoid Schiz as well. Lots going on with her. SIGH!! But MOM is well and doing better. Thank YOU LORD!!

Blood clots are a risk with any surgery period. The reason there is more of a risk with the others is because of the time you are under and the actual way the surgery is performed. With the dudonal switch I think they have to actually open up your abdomen and with the lapband we can have it done laparoscopically. Anytime you do surgery as minimally invasive as possible the slimmer your chances of developing blood clots or other complications. But it is a risk with any surgery. Hope this helps clarifies things. Walking is good for any surgery recovery. IT helps recirculate the blood flow and it gets things moving, it gets the lungs exercised and helps get rid of the effects of the anesthesia as well. So walking really speeds the healing process along.

Here is a pic of your side by side before and after.

OK I will contend here that Liana is a winner cause I know alot of those stories already but I gotta share my crazy sister stories. John and I were touring and we were staying at a friends house in North Carolina. Their phone kept ringing and ringing one morning. They were both gone to work so we did not answer the phone. The answering machine picked up and we heard our friend say "Pick up the phone John." So he did. He said turn on the TV they are bombing us. You see it was Sept 11, 2001. YIKES!!! So yes we were mesmerized by the events unfolding on the TV screen. Then my cell phone started ringing. I answered it and it was my sister. She said and I quote, "Are you guys ok? You aren't in New York right? Tell you what you go get your kids, I will get Momma and we can meet at THAT place you know. We will head for the hills." LOLOLOLOLOL I said OK meet you there. She was so totally serious guys. She has never had her feet firmly planted on this earthly plain. So many more stories about her that they are too many to post here. THat was one of the better ones.

Aw shucks guys you make me blush! And thank you so much for the support. Teresa my primary didn't want me to go either but now he is a convert. He asks me all kinds of questions about it when I go in for a visit. We must educate these docs so if a patient is in need of some information then they know who to turn to. Thanks again. And just let me say we are all awesome here. Every last one of us have taken that step to get healthier and happier with our bodies and our minds. I still struggle with looking in the mirror and seeing that before Penni. I have to remind myself I am not like that anymore and it shocks me everytime. I went shopping yesterday for a christmas outfit and had to go a size smaller than I thought I would need. 14/16 shirt and still 18 pants but the shirt really surprised me. WOW!!!

But don't I look good from the backside too? WOW!!

IT was all LULU's fault. Really it was. That was LULU people believe me really it was. heheheheheeheheh Bet the truffles are good though HUH??

Thank you all. I feel like a million bucks. Yes I have my spunk back finally. LOL!! Thanks Becky for noticing. LOL!! Michelle(shellyj): I will actually be in town for two days for Christmas. I won't be back for a couple of months after that. I will certainly let you know when I will make my next trip there and we gotta meet when I do. Lisa: How are those TRUFFLES????? HMMM???? I was totally surprised by the reaction from the office staff. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!!!

All I gotta say is HOLY MOLY!!!! I am so pleased with my progress to date. Went to my regular doc for a routine appt and everyone of the office staff remarked how much weight I had lost and that I looked GREAT. Even the doctor said "WOW!, you look great." Isn't that just the coolest thing? Here are my 8 month anniversary pics. Compare them to my Sept pics as I don't have a pic beyond that since now. I will include a before pic as well so you have some reference too.

Hey Michelle this is my 8 months anniversary as well. I had forgotten we were banded the same day. Too cool. I am down another lb. WHOO HOO!! That makes it 55 lbs for me total. I am so thrilled with my weight loss right now. I am sure I have lost more inches but haven't measured myself yet. I will do that after I do my morning routine. Off to take son to school then walking.

Yeah I lost 1 lb. I am now 241 lbs. WHOO HOO> I really would like to get under 240 for the Christmas holiday. I think I can make it. Heading out to walk after dropping off son at school. It is wicked cold here this morning. LOL!!! Had to throw that "wicked" in for the Massachusetts people. The funny thing about Calif is as soon as the sun starts to shine it begins to warm up considerably more than it would if I was say in Kentucky or Tennessee. That is a good thing. I hate the cold. My bones don't like cold. Exercise was pretty slack this past week. Gotta step it up this week. Heading to my regular Doc at 9a for my usual check-up. So this morning will be a short walk. Most likely just a 30 min walk. But that is better than nothing, RIGHT?? Say yes Penni. Thank you. Tata for now