PrettyThick1

Wow! If I still lived in the area, I'd be your buddy! I was born and raised in Gary...before it went all the way down hill. I still visit about every other year or so. I love Chicago!!! My mom worked at Lever Brothers in Hammond for 20 years, my dad worked at U.S. Steel in Gary for 45 years. And I am a proud graduate of Roosevelt High!

I'm sorry you're going through this at a time when you really need support. I told everyone...I'm just an open book about things anyway and don't really care what people have to say. I had plenty of people say "you don't need that" "oh, that's dangerous" "I hate surgeries" blah, blah, blah! The fact of th matter is, they are not in my body and don't know what I've gone through to try to lose weight and keep it off. I took the plunge and I'm so happy I did. Much of what you are experiencing is pure jealousy, please see through their negative comments and judgemental behavior as just that. They know what this is going to do for you and they are afraid to see you get further in life than they are. Because honestly, once you start losing weight so much about your life is going to change! I am a witness, so many things have changed for me in a very short amount of time - the same will happen for you. Being overweight holds you back and now much of that won't be an issue for you. You think they are upset now? Baby, please prepare yourself for the haters once you start dropping pounds left and right. I hope someone comes around and can help get you home and settled in. You won't need anyone after the first day or so, just get all of your things together and make sure you won't have to go out of the house for the first couple of days. You just need a ride home and someone to get your prescriptions, which can be done with a cab ride; just have your doctor call the prescriptions in before you leave the hospital, then go to a drive-through pharmacy. Good luck and keep us posted!

Congrats! You've lost a 4 year old...seems like so much more when you put it like that, doesn't it? LOL

Standing ovation!

Everyone is different, but I could always tell I needed a fill when I started being overly hungry and what I ate didn't last but a couple of hours. I'm not very strict with what I eat, simply because it's a challenge getting in enough calories every day. I am on fill #3 and have gotten to the green zone with my band at 5cc's (10cc band). How long do you stay full and do you track your calories? You could lose more if you boosted your Protein without getting a fill.

I think the happiest birthday gift I got came from my scale yesterday. When I read 169.2 I was in awe and had to step back on to make sure it wasn't playing one of it's cruel jokes on me again. It wasn't! This morning I weighed in at 169.0 and I'm tickled pink! Miss Pearlie is doing her job and she continues to make me happy! I've only hit short plateaus during this journey - a week or less at a time. My secret? Increase your Protein by 20 - 25g over what you normally consume, in 3 days the scale is moving again. Have a great week everyone!

Wow. It sounds like you're alergic to the meds. Not sure what you need to do, but please avoid vomiting at all costs.

I'd kill for cooler weather...it's 93 today. Hot gets old, fast!

Technically, it's a solid with a sauce/cream. But if you blend it with mayo in a blender it would be like a mushy, I wouldn't try to do it with a fork.

Adios! You are overly sensitive and need to grow up. Temper tantrums don't work here.

Good job!!!

She's probably blocked many more blessings in the process.

Forget about what people who don't matter say or think about you. You are changing your life for the better, but at the end of the day she's still going to be an old, wicked woman. I'll bet her family doesn't even like to be around her, so she is to be pitied. You have friends - albeit virtual, we like you just the way you are.

Let me chirp in...honestly, bigger doesn't mean better. ***drops mike and walks off stage***

Missy is right, I totally missed the part about you not being able to keep liquids down. That is a problem you need to have checked out.

Weight Watchers fudge bars or Blue Bell No Sugar Added Dutch chocolate ice cream are my go-to's. At only 90 calories a serving, no fat and 9g Protein - you can't get much more guilt free than that. Don't be too hard on yourself, this is a process.

Get well soon!

Chester passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family on Monday 9/30/13 at 7:30pm. Just as the New Orleans Saints were kicking off, my little Saint went marching in. I miss you Ches, Love Mommy

My experience with fill #3 varies - sometimes I have no issues, sometimes I do. For instance for the past couple of weeks, I've been able to actually eat food in the morning and in the evening. This is the first time since I've had my band that I've been able to do so. I'm still in the green zone - I stay full for 4 -5 hours on 1/2 - 3/4 c. of food, but I don't have an issue with early morning or late evening tightness anymore. Just ride this out, don't get an unfill especially if you were doing well with it in the beginning. This is just a phase you and your band are going through, and it's worth navigating rather than getting an unfill.

Don't be too tough on yourself. Your body might just be a little bit stubborn, maybe there are other things you should try with your meals. Bumping up your protein intake should be at the top of your list - if you want to see significant changes, I would have not less than 80g a day.

Name, real or screen~ Gwen Goal weight for October 31st~ 165 Weight on October 1st~ 172 City/State~ Housto, Texas Dietary goal for October~ Drink more water, get more protein in Exercise goal for October~ Completing the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on October 5th - 1 day before my birthday. Personal goal for October~ Don't let stalls discourage me Date banded~ June 19, 2013 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 47 Favorite Halloween Activity~ Dressing up and taking my daughter, her friends and my dogs trick-or-treating.

Dealing with my dying dog made me completely forget I had an appointment for an adjustment today. Fortunately, I don't think I need a fill; the weight is still coming off, I'm not hungry and when I do eat I'm full for nearly 5 hours. Not bad for not havnig a fill for almost 2 months now.

I decided to let him die at home, his vet doesn't have an appointment available but suggested we just come and wait to see if/when she can fit him in. That doesn't sit well with me, I don't want to have him in a crowded waiting room for hours when he could be comfortable at home. He's unresponsive, no longer whimpering and just in a deep sleep. This is what I prayed for and it seems God is answering my prayer. Thanks for all of your compassionate messages, they've really helped me. Animal lovers are some of the best people in the world and I'm glad that so many of you understand my grief. I've told him it's okay to let go and I don't have a single doubt that he knows how much he is loved.

This has nothing to do with my lapband, but my heart. I'm losing my furry son Chester and I'm torn as to what to do. From the looks of things, he might go on his own sometime today - which is what I'd prefer, for him to die in the comforts of his home surrounded by his two furry sisters and his human sister. But I've made an appointment for euthanasia by his doctor at 3pm today. I took today off, but I can't take off tomorrow so one way or another today will be the day. This hurts so darn bad. I love him as if I gave life to him myself, he's been nothing short of exceptional in these 13 years we've shared with him. I could write a book on how sweet, loving, gentle, affectionate, intelligent and funny he has always been. I knew this day would come and when I saw him slowing down 3 years ago we got Chloe, who perked him up and gave him something we as humans could not - it worked. We got Pebbles 2 years ago, but she was only supposed to be a short-term visitor. We fell in love and she and Chloe became instant best friends, which took the heat off of Chester to keep Chloe entertained during her terrible twos. I'm going to miss him so much, but right now it's more pain than pleasure to see him. I've had to hold him off and on through the night - he's in unbearable pain and the expensive prescriptions his vet gave us on Friday did absolutely nothing, in fact he's gotten worse. He's suffering from dementia and arthritis, so things haven't been too pleasant over the weekend. Anyway friends, if you have furry children love them a little bit extra today in honor of Chester, the most precious boy in the world.

I lost about 30lbs in the first 6 weeks.