burnsun

It depends on what is causing them to be so heavy. Mine was PCOS- and the extra estrogen from the fat made me stock away cells and the fact I don't have them regularly made them bigger and ickier. That has all changed with weightloss (the metformin made sort of regular) but since hitting abou 30 bmi- they have been regular and what I suppose is normal (however abnormal it is for me)

I sort of have a feeling of how it could work. I am so close to being "NORMAL WEIGHT" that I am scared!!!! When that scare reads 168 my bmi will be 24.95 and I am "normal" and it just hit me this week and I freaked and feel that for the first time I am really scared. I wanted to eat lots of crap- (ok I had a little crap - rest won't fit thank you inamed!) Hopefully this to will pass- like the freak out when I made it to 199 I just really freaked and don't know what to do - I am also waiting for my big 1 year insight thing to hit!!!! I guess the closest I might get to that is hey- I am only human!

It depends for me- (1) are my kids with me!!!! Then I usually order Soup or other mushie. I have four under age 5 and can't risk screwing up with them and having to try to drag them to the bathroom to pb. (At MCDonald's or the like I get a yogurt parfeit or something or chili - love lion's choice- have soup there; thanl the lord for taco bell). It is not the best thing- but it works for us (2) with just dear husband or friends only- I get what I want!!!!! and eat what I can and take the rest home. I am still working on a taco salad from applebees two days ago.. I sometimes eat off dh plate- but it drives him nuts. I have eaten lamb and lobster stuffed manicotti and other neat things. I hate the price a buffet restaurants, but they do work - so I can pick and choose what will work best and I feel I am always running back for something for the kids so that I get some exercise.

Ok here is my favorite black mail photo I will ever have for Adrian!!!! She has decided to potty train herself (and is doing great) but the key word is if you here her say POPPY- grab and run to thew toilet because she doesn't want to go in her pants anymore!!!! LOL As you can all see- touching our bottom is bad - but I guess the pother end is ok! I had to laugh because I felt like crying, and I figured she couldn't really make a bigger mess - far cry from that beautiful fairy picture a few weeks ago!

ALMOST 19 MONTHS- BUT i WAS VERY UNEXPECTEDLY PREGNANT AFTER 13 YEARS OF TEYING & TWO ADOPTIONS AND NO LUCK. tHE PREGNANCY WAS A SELF PAY (AND YOU ALL THINK THE BAND IS ESPENSIVE!!!! tRY SA LEVEL TWO ULTRASOUND SEVERAL TIMES!- SO IT TOOK OVER A YEAR AFTER IT TO RESAVE THE $$$$$ TO SELF PAY AGAIN.

However they may be a reason that the liquid may work better for you at certain times or if you have a need to get in a lot more Protein than the 60 grams (ie- nursing or pregnant or other medical issue). Personally I still have them on mornings when I am really tight (corresponds to my cycle) and I needed them to make sure I got the required amount when I was nursing my toddler and our new little one

We are not serviced by either in our area. We have to have a satelight. However I would have cable over DSL. But I spend most of my time on when cable is not as busy (during the day)

I am packing and getting ready to move my mother in law out of my house (yeah!) and then we will be moving in another month and I felt so very discouraged and depressed and etc, till I ran across so very old polaroids. SOme days I feel that I am still no where near healthy or skinnier or anything- that body dismophic thing! Well I really was surprised. So Delarla- I will be proud with what I have accomplished and hope it continues and wear my big a$$ batwings like a badge of honor and keep plugging away. (Ok maybe it was the pms thing and the curse that all women have to want choclate, salt things and then gain a few) I guess I will be proud I am happy healthy and still kicking after almost a year.

I had to continue the Protein shake till I weaned (ok- cut Adrian back to once a day- about 3 weeks ago). Do make sure you get in at least 150 g of carbs- will keep brain up and functioning and enough for milk and still loose weight! Depending on the age of your little one- you need almost 300 to 500 calories a day to nurse. I was thinking of you the other day- glad it worked!!!!! I would have missed the relationshio (and you always pump less than the little one can get - so don't ever let that worry you!

I love reading all the posts. I didn't have any problem- but I used to live in Mexico (long ago and another life) and my spanish is better than some. I also wasn't letting them give me pain meds- and no Iv after surgery- I had asked it to be taken out if no problems. No problems and since I was still nursing I would want any extra drugs but tylenol It is a great hotel though- by Mexican standards and we loved it and the staff was very nice!!! and about 15 years ago it was grand (maybe a US 5 then). I am very pleased over all and I have had blown IV-s here every single time and was so greatful they got me on the first try setting up for the surgery I could have kissed them I have also had nurses here do the same thing on me when I was trying to give birth naturally- keep trying to put stuff in my IV as well in my great granny's and grandmother's IV's as I sat with them. They never seem to care to answer or even ask- they just assume you want or need it if ordered. I always ask- due to allergies- but I am also (or used to be ) a big threatening loud mouth when I am in pain! I scare people when I am not- so I know I get nastier when I hurt (I even hit a L & D nurse) But everyone has their own experience. And likes or dislike docvtors in every country or area! I wish everyone would have as good exp. as I did- but then they might not thin k it was that good for them (and vice versa) I still laugh about the glove thing though. THAT DRove my mother in law nuts!!!!!!!! i HAD TO REMIND HER WE USED TO DO IT THAT WAY HERE TO (and not to long ago) And the dentist used to not look like a combat soldgier with all his gear. I have always been told that is for the employees protection not ours (or so say my medical friends) I left mom a note to show her nurses that asked for glove please. Everyone I have known that I spoke to that went to Mexico- I gave them a small pamphlet that is for doctors (I got at borders) for translating to a spanish speaking patient) I tell them to at least point it has over 250 things you would need to say and to DR or nurse or etc (just use backwards) including IV need meds, allergies, medical history, etc..... PS- my aquaintence her who had the RNY- in US hospital 2 months ago had a clogged and then infection due to catheter, blew four different iv's. Couldn't find a nurse in middle of night and felt that the nurses were mean to her because of her size and that they didn't notice when her drain wasn't working- but hey it can happen anywhere (and she was a self pay here- nice to know $$$ didn't make to much difference here either)

DH and I were watching the tv last night and we saw the new nutrisystem commercial and I couldn't believe that a size 10 would want to diet to be a size 4. I was just utterly amazed and so was DH!!!! His comment was I guess you (he ment women in general) will never be happy no matter what your size and how could that woman even thought she needed to do that. I really wondered if that was/is my problem now. As I approach closer and closer to my original goal of 165- I keep mentally either trying to adjust it (ok I now have it below 160) or trying to sabotage myself or keep thinking I look great now- how will I look at 145 or so? I personally am finally starting to get hanging stuff (besides my huge huge batwings ) and it is starting to annoy me. dh THOUGHT THAT MIGHT BE THE CAUSE- BUT i THINK i'LL JUST GET HANGIER!

Hey- I had some fritos and potatochips and a margarita on the 4th too! (Ok I am PMS'ing and craving salt this month- oh for the choclate- well maybe next month) I used to let this get me down, but if these are not the only things I eat and I don't make a habit of eating them by the bagfull each day then I am not worried. (and neither should you be) I have lost weight the whole time while eating a little junk on the way - it is about living and getting healthier- but you still have to like what your eating anf that "junk" does seem to taste good! Just smile and go on!!

Some people can not do the water trick- It just makes it worse- (in my case) I can't drink with any or my meals including soup! Make sure if it happens again you try small small small sips- because it might make the pain worse.

I have had only one fill to date - last september at my check up! I really am doing great with it. We have had a few weeks were I didn't loose weight- inches yes- weight not, but I have slowed to about 5 lbs a month now. I am very happy and pleased it has gone so well. I had budgeted one ever 3 to 4 months. However one of the women banded with us- made it to goal and she never ever needed one at all! So it is so different for each person and doctor etc.

I wish I had mine done- we are having a few problems with it and my insurance company is saying they don't want to remive it because it is only a problem since I lost the weight- therefore it is acomplication due to the band and they don't want to pay. I am arguing- but at this point I don't even know if I want them to touch me and go near my band which is working great.! I figure if it gets really bad they will have to take it out or I'll go visit Dr. O. I was told it was not rapid loss- but the amount I lost in 11 months that caused the problem and the Protein at about 75 grams. Oh well! I am best friends with my heating pad and bed buddy!

i AM SO HAPPY- PERSISTENCE SOMETIMES DOES PAY OFF!!!!!!!!!

I also love my band!!!! iT WAS EXACTLY WHAT i EXPECTED. tHERE ARE PLENTY OF DAYS i AM SURPRISED IT WORKS AS WELL AS IT DOES FOR ME. I would just cry if it went away. I love feeling normal and looking normal (ok as normal as a 5'8" chick that wears fairy costumes to her daughter's birthday party can look - see picture thread) My family loves that I am energetic and having fun. I am allmost at my original goal - 165 lbs- I may revise that- I am almost at at 24.9 BMI and I am really excited! It has been great for me- one fill and that is it!

Here are the photos of me and the birthday girl in our fairy costumes from the party! cutting the cake opening presents the pinata bash- or how to beat your brother with a stick and not get in trouble drum roll please- me_ please note I made the outfit to wear without the tutu- but I freaked and had to put it on I was afraid of my butt! (It is all there except the silver corset (eric said no at the kids party- his party later ok- but kids no)) this is from last year's 1st birthday (it was 2 weeks after my surgery - and I was so excited about the pants and my 20 lb loos then- who would have ever guessed I would have been in a tutu for her second birthday! I just really have to get over food though- we had a fairy tea party and I made individual cheese cakes (choclate & regular) cherry and rasberry codials, veggie plate, fruit salad, "bug" AND "flower" finger sandwiches, cake, custard cups, merague mushrooms with rasberry filling, cheese ball, spinach dip and deviled eggs, chicken tenders and popcorn chicken and meat cubes, chips,and etc snacks..... Jane

Ok- I did the natural childbirth thing for Adrian- so that would be my 10! My band was maybe a 3! I think I was more fatiqued than in actual pain! I have had periods and kicked shins that hurt worse! but I have a high tolerance

YOu really are doing very well. I know it is hard- an aquaintence just had her by pass 6 weeks ago (she is down almost 70 lbs- but OH my *&^~!!! she looks horrible and Makes me tired just seeing her. I am at 104 down as of toy (almost 11 months out) Slow and steady is great in my opinion. I think you biggest problem (IT WAS MINE) was when I got closer to breaking the 200 lb barrier- I thought it would never come and stay (that scale bounce dance) Well today I was 173.5! I have a 31 inch waist (though I always had a waist - even at 330 lbs) wear size 10/12 tops and 14 bottoms and still going down each day!

I had been meaning to start a thread on this- that photo looks gorgeous. I need to have time to do mine or at least get it cut and colored again

I have been getting rady for another big birthday bash for my soon to be two year old. I will attach a photo of her and me in our fairy costumes saturday- but for now my gorgeous foursome will have to do! THE BIRTHDAY GIRL- ADRIAN ELLIOTT SMITH

I can eat pizza if it is that "&**&" St/ Louis style- very thin- I call it the tortilla pizza- maybe two pieces (the corners). WIth any toppings (I am an anchoivy gal)- If I make it-my kids love whole wheat pizza and cheese- I can eat about one square (3") . I usually eat the toppings!

I am so proud Michele!!!!! My problem is the butt/hips thing! Ialways had a waist even at 330 lbs (albeit bigger) I am so happy!!!!!!

I really was discouraged at the beginning!!! My mother in law and I were banded at the same time. SHe did absoulutely nothing and the weight was falling off- I did the pre op diet for 14 days (little loss) I lost only 20 lbs from surgery till first fill she was loosing tons- but to top it all off she never exercised, ate everything you shouldn't had two to three glasses of wine a day and still drinks juice a lot after banding. Ice cream and popcorn every nighjt and more salad dressing than I can count (almost 4 table spoons) I cried and cried- ash she was down thirty five an I was closer to 20- well somewhere around novemebr last year I was steadily loosing- she stopped. Now if she looses 3 pounds a month - it is great but usually 2. I still am close to 8. I know you are not supposed to compare- but we live in the same house- so we are horrible. I wa sso afraid I wasted our money and Eric would be mad if it didn't work and it was just more wasted time and money- and so depressed (I think I need more light in the winter!) Well now it is just the opposite as my centure mary is looming ever closer (ok not till the oms thing comes and goes this week)- I keep thinking of the slow and steady turtle- I will get there- eventually- I have a lot of hangin empty skin and mor muscle in my legs and arms than ever- I can run and walk without getting winded and I love to cook and don't feel bad when I do! I can acutally eat part of apice of cheese cake no the whole thing and I am enjoying clothes shopping!. All kind of other things are better and lots of things haven't changed. My kids still think I am the world and the sun shines out of my &&&&, DH is still the greatest and we still fight about the car and money- but making up is a lot more fun, and I do love it when he compliments an outfit!