live2canoe

Sorry - I got all carried away, didn't I???? I meant - of course - to say we Turtles really need to celebrate our successes. Those pesky rabbits get to celebrate so much they're all worn out!

I LOVE the graduation idea! And Vines is right (as always) - We rabbits really NEED to celebrate each other's victories. It's not fair to not share with us!

Awwwwe! That was very sweet. Merry Christmas

Too Funny! Love the hat. Couldn't you convince the nice trooper to let you wear his?

1) How Cool is THAT?!?!?! Belly Dancing - I am TOTALLY jealous! 2) I love the photo with the dollar bills you have tucked away! 3) You look fabulous! You certainly need a new avatar. Maybe Dylan's Mom can help?? She has always got it going on when it comes to new avatar! 4) Your husband posted! We are so psyched to 'see' him! (at least I know I am!) 5) Turtles RULE and you are the best spokesmodel ever!

It's going to be -10 (f) here in Denver tonight. Tomorrow's high is supposed to 9 degrees! I hope my car starts in the morning! I'm afraid the pipes are going to freeze tonight, so I'm going to keep the faucet dripping all night. Long underwear to bed tonight for sure!

You just keep on being a nuisance. It is too easy for them to 'forget' you if you're not a nuisance. I hope you have good news from them soon.

I was thinking what Kathy said - a ghost band! Just like Donali's. We're all happy you're home and doing well. Thanks for eveything you bring to this board.

My goodness - how could he NOT notice? You have to be one of the fastest rabbits on the site. You've lost almost 10 pounds a month. Good for you. You must be thrilled (I know I would be!) P.S. Were you in Disneyland or World? I'm a closet Disneyphile - shhhh, don't tell anyone.

Wow - what a great venue. Were you nervous? Or just excited? I'd probably pee my pants if I had to get up in front of that many people. Rock On!

I got 10 out of 10 I hang out with enough geeks to be able to recognize the harmless ones, I guess.

Awesome news!! Simply awesome! I am so very happy for you. Now that you have good news - you can tell us - how was the liquid Thanksgiving dinner???

Crystal - I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to respond sooner. YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE!! You're band failed you. We all know the band is a tool and the tool doesn't work if there isn't a fill. Isn't that what we tell the newly banded before they get a few fills? I hope the fix is easy and quick. On the bright side, after you get your band 'up to speed' you just might become a Rabbit!! Oh I truly wish that for you!! Good Luck P.S. We couldn't ask for a better spokes turtle. Even if you become a rabbit - we hope you will still be our leader.

Welcome aboard. If you're not feeling 'swollen' I'd say that is a good thing. Most people get hungry after the surgery, and many gain some weight back once they are able to eat 'real' food again, before they gain any restriction with fills. Good Luck and we're glad you're here.

Tammy - I am so sorry. It sounds truly frightening. I'd be a mess, too. I'm sure the gentlemen appreciated you calling the hospital and checking on his wife. In the meantime, I hope your BF is able to heal on his own and not have to be hospitalized. Peace and Good Luck

Wow Keri! You must be busting with pride!! I know I would be. Congratulations and way to go!

Arms, Arms Arms!!! I HATE my ARMS. The medical term is a 'brachioplasty'. The downside is the scar runs from your armpit down to your elbow. Why they can't do it like a facelift and hide the scars in the armpit and crook of the elbow is beyond me. I want to see the first surgeon who develops that method. I'm checking into PS now. Probably going to MX, for cost and that's where I had my band placed. Spring is the anticipated/ hoped for timeframe.

Don't worry about gaining weight until you are properly restricted. This is perhaps the most frustrating part of the process, when you can eat real food, but before you have had a fill.

Hmm, what's been working?? I really had to think about that and here's what I cam up with: I stopped snacking on junk in between meals. I still snack, but I replaced the evil Cheetos with nuts and yogurt. I'm eating more fish. I found some great fish fillets from Gordons that are lite and healthy. I'm making sure that I get in my full 60 grams of Protein everyday. I was a litle shocked when I put my information into Fitday just how far off the protein mark I was. Wow - was that ever an eye -opener. I stopped eating past 7 PM. I did this mostly because I started to have a problem with nighttime reflux (YUCH!!) The not eating later in the evening helped that, and a couple of pounds came off to boot. Mostly, though, I think I was just patient and my body finally had to give up and let go of a couple of pounds. I just had to out wait it. That's the beauty of the band - it never lets you give up! Because of my recent reflux problem, and since I've dropped a couple of pounds, I rescheduled an appointment I had for a fill. I was supposed to go in on the 21st of this month, but I think I'll wait a while now. Thank you Turtles for the words of encouragement and support. Remember - The Turtle WON!

Go Vines and show them the way. All those skinny little dancers don't have a thing on you, my dear. Congrats on the pants fitting! What a great, caring DH you have. It would be worth a trip to Idaho to cheer you on.

OK - so a while ago, our fearless leader the divine Ms. Vines asked if any of us Turtles have had a breakthrough. I am happy to report I have broken a really long plateau. I mean really long. I've been holding steady at 188 since I can't remember when. I am now at 185 - that's huge! I mean that's small - I mean that's awesome. You all know what I mean! That means I've lost 40 pounds now! 40 whole pounds. My BMI is down to 31.8 - dangerously close to no longer being OBESE. What will I do when I'm 'overweight'?

Paula - Have you had a fill yet? If you haven't had a fill, you can expect to gain back wht you lost on the liquid diet. In any event - welcome aboard our turtle train.

Hey Vines, No significant loss to report, or mental break through. I have though, come to the same place you are - I just have to be content with being a turtle. I'm not giving up either - just not going to beat myself up for my very very slow weight loss. With that in mind, I took five pairs of pants to the tailor. It cost me almost as much as buying new - but these now fit me very well and I look great in them. One of the advantages of being a turtle is that I don't have to worry about changing sizes too rapidly!

I believe I am the slowest turtle on the board. One of the mistakes I think I've made is not being aggresive enough with my fills (it doesn't help that my after care Dr is so conservative - he'll only give fills every 6 weeks, and after you're at 2.4 or 2.5 , he only gives them in .1 cc increments) You have a power tool you haven't plugged in yet - you can't expect it to work right. Get a fill - get several - until it starts to work.

Wow!! What a rabbit! Go, rabbit, go! Size 12 is my goal size! You must be soooo excited!