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bandfan thank you for the kind words. I am holding my grandson, born April 20! the photo turned out to be a good one, which does not happen often. I tried to post it under my name on the side, but can't seem to fix it. I don't know, for I am still stuck at 189. I can't seem to budge the scale down! I am 5'7" and I guess it is stretched out! But believe me it is there! when is your date? are you getting excited?

Good morning gang. All that talk about protein and body mass has my head spinning..LOL! I really haven't looked at it that closely and may be the reason my wl has slowed! wombat...wow, your weight loss is great, you are reaching goal!! that is fantastic. Beckie, sorry about your struggle, I hope it works out for you, I know that it must be hard. Missy, your doc sounds difficult!! I have not seen mine since surgery a year ago, I see the PA and she is great. I asked for a flouro to just look at my pouch to ensure it is all ok in there! I have my tight moments more than I think I should, but also don't want an unfill if I don't need one. I go in June 3. This weekend is the Marine Corp. Half Marathon in our area in VA. I read all the articles in the paper and know people running. I really wish I could run, and probably could if I put my mind to it. Do any of you run? this is the first Marine half and will be an annual event in our area!

bandfan..thanks for the suggestion, I realize I could do that, but that is work!! Yesterday I was out all day doing stuff and did not eat. So I went to McDonalds for an ice coffee( I love them, half the cream!) and extra ice, and they asked me if I wanted a FREE southern chicken sandwich, I took it thinking it would never go down and give it to my dh later, but I tried to eat it, just the chicken, and the grease of course helped it go down. I only ate half. So, not the most healthy pick, but protein finally! Have a great Friday!

GREAT NEWS STEF!!!! I am glad it all worked out and you are back on the fills!! And a weight loss to boot! I will check out the carb cycling this weekend. I am taking my son back to the oral surgeon for a recheck, he had his wisdom teeth pulled on Tuesday. I am tired, and he is 19!! Regardless of age, they still need their Mom! well, TGIF...talk to you all later.

oregonrose GOOOOOOOOOD Luck!!! Let us know how you are doing. You will be fine to return to work by then...I agree get up and walk, even to the door and back will be a start! Hope all you are doing well. I have a question for you all... how do you count food you eat when it is only a bite or two? there are times I will begin to eat and decide it won't work and give up. how do you count them into your daily limit?

Miss "foof" LOL what is a carb cycle? After almost a year you would think that we would know all this! I was actually wondering how you all count bites? For example, we had a cook out yesterday at work, I had a half a hamburger( no bun) and then a bite of mac and cheese and a bite of spaghetti salad. How do you count bites? This is why I think counting calories is hard. what do you all do when this is the case? Now having said that, I was hungry yesterday when nothing would go down with out work so I caved in and had two brownies! They went down fine!! YUK!!!!Today is a new day!

Suzzzzzzzie HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!!! I thought of you yesterday and could not respond to your psot on my blackberry. your treat at Coldstone sounds YUM!! I am glad you had a great Birthday!!! I am sorry to hear about your cat. I am a pet lover and know how hard it is. How is he doing today? I went to the doctor yesterday and lost ony 7 lbs in two months :thumbup:. But it is better than a gain! She said I looked healthy and to stop beating myself up. She emphasized something we all know, exercise will get you over the platue. I asked for a flouro just to take a look at the band to ensure all is good for my bandaversary, so I have an appt. for June 3, no fill or unfill, just a look! Capt. Dan GREAT to hear from you. Your life sounds so exciting. Can't wait to hear about it. Jamie Welcome back. Don't get discouraged!!! As you can see all of us have our challenges and take one day at at time! Your bandaversay is close to mine!! Speaking of ice cream, I did by some Edy's slow churn cake batter, haven't opened it yet for the calories are still high to me. I will wait for when I really need a fix.

Ok all you site experts!! how do I get my picture on the side where you all have yours, and not at my signature? that pic was taken on 4/21/88 with my grandson!!

Happy Mothers Day!!! I was searching around the threads and found the Fabulous 40's and had to check it out!! I was banded almost a year ago and agree with the discussion regarding the weight loss journey! I have to remind myself that I am almost 50lbs less than pre band and I will reach my GOAL!! when that majic age of 40 hits, it really does make the weight loss slow, so we are hit with two challenges, but we CAN DO IT!! bandfan How are you doing? what have you been able to eat since surgery? Steph C... congrats on your weight loss!! Did you have a tummy tuck? that is great, how did it go?? Best wishes to all that are joining Band land this week, you will love it!

Happy Mothers Day to all!!! I went back and read the posts, and could not remember what Richmond site I posted on, so difficult sometimes for me to navigate since they changed everything! I am glad everyone is doing well. I go for my doctor appointment tomorrow, I am reaching my one year mark! I have not seen Dr. Batista once since surgery. Jeanine Moss is great, but think that is weird. I am at 8.5cc and do not need a fill at all. I did not reach my goal weight for the anniversary, however I have to be happy with the weight I lost for I beleive with out the band I would never be here. I want to ask if I can have a flouro just to look at my band to see that it is ok in there. sounds weird, but would make me feel better. I will keep checking in and welcome to band land!!!

Good Morning and Happy Mother's Day to all you Mom's out there!! I am having my son, wife and two grandchildren for dinner. My dh feels I should not be doing all the work, but I enjoy it. I am making shrimp and chicken fajita's and dirt cake for desert with all light ingredients. I should be able to eat some of this, I hope. suzzzie wow, my step daughter turns 13 in July and I hear your concerns. My neice who is now graduating from high school, was 20 on her my space a couple years ago when she was only 16!!! I called my sister in PA and told her, she was clueless. After that the pass word was shared etc. it is crazy what these kids talk about too. My dh is an only child and really has no experience with teens. he has two girls, 16 and soon 13. I think you did the right thing talking to them. stef wow, sounds great, what is your doctor's supplement regimen? I need something. I am so stuck too, but to be honest, I know where my faults are, eating snacks on the weekend and a few coctails. that does not help things. And of course the big E, exercise!!!! bigb GREAT work, I have a doc appointment tomorrow, Monday. I don't plan to get an unfil or fill. I am worried about my eating, most things are tough going down. First I was waiting to see if it was pre time of the month, but now that that has come and gone, the problem still exists. I want to work with it more, chew more, rather than get an unfill. I am not pbing at all, so I feel I am ok, What do you think? both Rhonda's Hang in there, we have to, we have made a life commitment!! hunterm glad to hear from you too! I live in virginia and we have had tornado's this past week, with in 5 miles from my house. My dh and I heard the alert and just layed there like 2 dummies! I can't beleive how the severe weather hits VA like it never did before. Scary! well, off to do some prep for dinner. Enjoy your Sunday!

suzie stick to your diet, it will come off. I don't remember how much I lost, maybe 15 or more? Try to stick to the plan for it is important. My doc told me of starting surgery on someone who did not do the diet and he could not do the surgery due to the liver to large. that scared me, so I did it. you will be fine. my bmi was about 36-37 too, so you will be ok. Fear and stress is normal thinking about the surgery. I was nervous too, most people are, but you will be fine! you will be happy to join band land! I am happy to answer any questions I can. hang in there...

suzzie You have had a great 4 days! I can understand being the 'cool" aunt. I love my niece( nephews too) but she was the only girl in the family until I married my dh and gained two daughters, which did not make my niece very happy! But now she is happy to have girls around. the walk, the time and the DATE all sound awesome. I can understand you want the current guy to step up and see you are not just waiting( I haven't read your blog, but from what you said). I want to see Ironman too! also the new Will Smith movie coming out. Leenie, a wedding, sounds exciting. I was planning my son's wedding last year at this time, can't beleive his anniversary is coming, 7/7!!

huggie bear welcome! Your surgery date is almost here, are you excited!! where are you having it done? I am almost at my bandaversary date, and just about 50lbs down. I try not to get discouraged that I am not at my goal in a year, but it is a process, remember that. you still ahve to make good choices and exercise. so you will have ups and downs. I am glad I have the BAND and would not change a thing. GOOD LUCK. mammie It sounds like you and your dh are doing well. I can't remember the # of fills I had, but I am at 8.5 or 8.75cc. I am at my spot now, sometimes can't eat much or the food does not want to go down, but I need to chew better and eat slower. I don't want an unfill. you are lucky to have a live in support system to talk to. talk to you soon.

bigbaby thank you! The clothes size issue is strange! Mainly I am in a 14 however like I think someone else mentioned, shorts that fit last summer at the end of the season fit still. I thought they would drop off. They are very loose, but still!!! They are both 16's. I have some size 12 that I would love to wear this summer and some work clothes too. That will be my goal! I think if I went to the gym and worked out more, the inches may improve more! I am sure Stef and Suzzie would agree. talk to you soon. It is Monday, yuk back to work!!

HOW IS EVERYONE DOING??? I have not been on the thread for while and see no one else has either! hopefully you are all on other threads that are supporting you. I have been struggling with exercise, which in my past I enjoyed. Not sure what is going on in my head! I finally reached below 190 which is exciting for I had been stuck for several months. I hope I can keep going down! hope to hear from you soon!

Hope all your walks and bike rides went well!!! you guys are awesome. I finally out of the 190's!!! I reached 189 today, it seemed to take months. But I am not out of the woods yet, I need to get at least a 5lb spread to feel safe of no return!! But I will celebrate today.

stef enjoy your ride this weekend for MS. I walked last week for MS with at Team of folks. I wish I could give again, sorry. We not only did the walk but the Team had two bake sales and a "flip flop" day at work. you pay $5 to be allowed to wear them for one day. It was fun. Just think all those biking miles will jump start your weight loss!! suzzie enjoy your walk, I hope the weather is good. My DH and I have been walking at night with the dogs. I move ahead and walk fast some trotting, the dogs love it. My weight still hanging at 191. I just am so frustrated too! I think I to need to look at where my calories are coming from! Enjoy your time with your neice, that is great. the idea of pottery is good, shopping is always fun too, those crazy stores like build a bear and I am trying to think the one that is all pink and has Hanna Montana in it? My DH one daughter is 12. She loves HM. bb let me know how hte trainer goes? TGIF

wombat...how was Jimmy Buffett? and the margarita stand...

KT Welcome back! I have not been posting as much as Stef, Suzzie and Rhonda, not sure if it is the motivation or time, but I am back to trying to keep involved because all of us are motivation to each other! I have been at the same weight for the longest time. I go back to the doc in 2 weeks and would love to be under 190! Rhonda huntersmom, I had the same short experience! I have 2 pair of size 16 shorts that were snug last summer and I thought for sure they would fall off, nope! Now they are looser, but still wearable...YUK! Suzzzie I did a walk this weekend too, for MS. It was only 3 miles, but fun. Good for you...two weeks in a row. I am already sponsoring a person for the march of dimes... sorry. Rhonda I hear your frustration, I feel the same way. I got on the scale after eating hardly anything yesterday and I am up a lb instead of hoping down! I am so P____ed! I know the TOM is around the corner, but still, it really sucks. But after reading stefs words of wisdom, I agree with all she said. I know that the band is only part of the plan, I need to get my butt to the gym! I know you all have heard me say it over and over, not sure what my stubborn Irish A-- is all about????? Well, off to work. Rain and cold here in Virginia,yuk, but it is a work day which all is good!! Have a great day.

rhonda where do you get the greek yogurt? I have been tight all week and I am wondering if I pre TOM. I will keep an eye on it to see if it relates like others have said. I am at 8.5cm in a 10cm band. I think I am done for a while. I had an awful day eating bad stuff. I was so excited in the morning when I got on the scale at 191, so close to going under 190, then I got pissed off at my DH about my son and came home and ate. Not good here is what my day yesterday went: b: 2 bell cheese L: potato soup from Wawa/ few pretzels D: 3 stuffed shells( went down good tonight, but not the night before) coffee/water/diet tea snack: dirty martini and salsa/chips! does it matter that they were wheat chips! I then had a glass of wine and a light icecream bar. went to bed at 9 mad at myself!!! today is another day, I need to stop the emotional eating.

Thank you all for the best wishes. My son and his wife have a daughter too, Elise, 2.5. She is wonderful, I was a grandmother at 47! I don't know how older grandma's keep up, I can't some times. But I am glad to be losing weight and healthier so I can be around and have fun with them! I hear you about the scale, it is really a strange tool to dislike. I am stuck at 191 and can't move it. I hardly eat, and think I need to jump up some protein or something to burn more calories. Does anyone have any ideas? I want to be in the 180's when I go back to my doctor in May. I really wanted to be at goal at my bandaversary, but won't make that..but I am better off than a year ago and need to focus on the positive. have a great day