cookielover

<p><p><p><p>I am so happy for you! What a great feeling! Congratulations!</p></p></p></p>

Here is the thing: I am not sure if I could help you make a decision by voting "yes" or "no". If you are not fully committed to getting the band then I say don't get it. I firmly believe that getting banded is something that you only do if you absolutely sure you want it...because it is forever! It is more than just about eating fruits, veggies, and shellfish. It is about being willing to give it all you got. It is about exercising. It is about putting nutritional food in your body to maximize your potential. And yes it is about being human...it is not about being on a "diet". <O:p</O:p I believe that you can do this, and you probably are just having a case of the "jitters". But if your doubts run deeper then maybe you should re-consider, and keep going on your own path. Surgery isn't the EASY way out, and it takes a lot work, and it is painful. Would I do it again? Hell Yeah! I didn't vote, because I know that you already know what you are going to do! Good luck.<O:p</O:p

I can tie my shoes without losing my breath. 2. My eyes don't shut when I smile. 3. My big hips have less bruises. 4. I can see my feet. 5. I can see my cheek bones. 6. I can walk much further without getting tired. 7. I can cross my legs. 8. I can shave my legs in the shower! 9. I can get out of the bathtub without 911 on speed dial. 10. I can bend over and..... GET BACK UP! 11. I can shop......anywhere! 12. My back doesn't hurt any more <!-- google_ad_section_end -->13. My double chin doesn't choke me while I sleep.<!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message --><!-- sig --> 14. I'm excited about life again. 15. I can wear REAL jeans(no more elastic waisted, pull ons). 16. My sex life is sooooo much better 17. I can run! <!-- / message -->18. I don't take arthritis pills anymore 19. I am already less embarrassed about my appearance 20. (Ditto #16!) I fit comfortably in theatre and airline seats! 21. I can see my collar bones 22. I don't have to squeeze out of my car.

Sweetheart- pictures can not capture the trueness of your beauty, as they are only one dimensional. You lost 26 pounds and you are at 189 pounds!!!! :welldone2:I think that is so wonderful, amazing, and something that you should be proud of. If it were me I would go home and take tons of pictures until I found the one that I liked the best. Put on your favourite outfit, do your makeup, hair, and then it is lights, camera, action! :)

My doctor says 24/ liquids and 24/mushies. I think it is just a precaution to allow time for your band to settle down.

You are in a pickle, because on one hand $9,000 is a fair bit of change, but on the other side a whole year is a LONG time to wait for a live changing surgery. Since I am a self-pay myself I know what it feels like to part with cash. I feel like I can give this advice: Go for the surgery now. Because: -you don't know where you will be in a year, so it may not be for sure "money in the bank". As a result you may have to pay next year, and you will have wasted precious time getting well. - It is only money this is your health that we are talking about. I put health way before money. That being said; you must do what works best for you. Good luck and I hope that whatever happens you are happy with the choice you make.

I have lost about 34 pounds since October 3rd. OMG it has been 2 months today!

Mine is about 3/4 of an inch. I love that it is so small. All my scars are really small. My surgeon is full of magic.

I am mourning the lost of someone I thought was a friend. This person was a support in my life for 25 years. She actually came out and said that she could not be with me because of the lapband. After the tears passed I realized that she did my a favor by leaving. If she could not support me than there was no room for her in my entourage. This journey you are going to undertake is all about you and no one else. I would give your friends time to come around, but if they don't then find some new ones. In my case I spent so much energy making my friend happy being fat that I forgot to be happy myself. I also realize that I have A LOT of other friends who care about me, and while they haven't been here for as long; they love me and that is all that matters.

To be honest sometimes I find it to bothersome to eat. I have to force myself away from whatever I am doing to go and find food. It kind of a bummer, because I don't get a lot of enjoyment from food as I used to, so what is the point. I stand in the pantry and everything is just "ho-hum". Nothing looks that appealing. I have also given up snacking because it takes too much energy to figure out what to have. I have set times of the day to eat, and I am thankful when my husband cooks, and there is left-overs. I am going for a fill tomorrow, because I have no restriction. I wonder what is going to happen when I have restriction coupled with my non-interest in food. I'd better buy a timer!

I love to spin stories too, if you have the time please feel free to check out my brand new blog. (Talk about a plug!)

AMY! I am a total Gemini! My birthday is May 24th! Now we have so many more excuses ummm I mean reasons for our behavior. And you may find this hard to believe but I have an entire room in my home devoted to Cookie Monster! I love that blue guy. My collection is very large, and my ebay shopping is out of control. For shame!

Carrot that is fab! You are really dedicated to improving yourself. You will see the rewards, you are doing marvelous darling. Keep riding that train, before you know it you will be there. My train is rolling in at the station for a second time on Monday! Like I said I can fit anything in my mouth. I am still keeping my portion sizes down, and exercise, but it is a challenge. I am a firm believer if life doesn't have to be hard; then why make it hard. I know I will have some restriction on Tuesday. Toot-toot for me.

Congratulations! That is a great feeling; especially when it is family that notices. I love to get compliments too, but I still tend to shy them off. It is a terrible habit. I am making mental notes everywhere: "Say thank you, say thank you, say thank you..." I also love to give myself compliments in the morning when I wake up. (I know it is kind of lame.) I look in the mirror and I tell myself, "Amy you look soooo good today!" I tend to believe myself.

I could care less what people think of people that had WLS. I only care that it works. If people want to think that I took the easy way out, it's more than alright. At the end of the day we are the winners, or losers as the case may be. "Yeah throw them stones people-soon you won't be able to hit my skinny butt!" All of us on this board took our power back, and took control of our lives. We totally ROCK! :clap2:

Hooray! Amy and Amy the dynamic duo I like the sound of that! Cracking people up where ever we go!

I can write a book on non-supportive relationships, and the band, so I had to give this a lot of thought. Do I tell people? YES Was it a mistake to tell people? NO Should I continue to tell people? YES. I am still mourning the lost of someone I care about, but if she wasn't going to be here for the long haul then it was better she cut bait. I need only supportive people in my life. Does that mean I tell EVERYONE? No of course not, but if you are close to me, or if we are going to be hanging out day after day I am going to tell you. I don't need everyone to support my decision or even agree with me, but I do need to follow my path, and people need to understand that.

It is wonderful that you all are feeling wonderful about your bodies after such a short amount of time! You deserve it all! Look at all the hard work we all did to get here!

I am going in for a second fill, because I can fit a Buick down my gob. (No really I tried it! The dealer was shocked, but he still made me pay full sticker!):omg:

I am totally up for some December goals! 1. Walk twice a week 30 minutes 2. Go to Curves 3 times a week. :whip: 3. Drink 8 glasses of Water daily:spit: 4. Goal to lose 10 pounds. 5. To survive Christmas at Mom's house for one week!!! (<- this one is the stretch goal!) :hurt :help: :censored: Here's to losing weight over the holidays! :high5:

Thanksgiving is a great holiday, but seriously it is a day we devote to eating!:hungry: It is one of my favorite holidays because it is the day before the holiday season kicks off (well it used to be.) Remember when The Wizard of OZ was on TV? I loved the who affair as a child. My grandmother used to make all kinds of desserts; it was heaven on earth! We had gravy and stuffing, and all the yummiest food I could ever imagine! In Canada :canada:(God bless her) my mother-in-law cooks brussel sprouts, potatoes, red cabbage, and turkey. No pumpkin pie, stuffing, gravy, or green bean casserole,:Cry: as my family does not care for it. I have learned to adapt, but if anyone wants to adopt me next year I would be willing to consider it. Just send me your menu and location! :phone:Oooo I also love BLACK FRIDAY. (Just think of how many calories we will burn standing in line all day!):secret:

Hello everyone- I was filled 10 days ago; I was given 4cc in my 10cc band. I followed the doctor's instructions about liquids and mushies. I felt the restriction as I drank my Protein and I thought, "all right this is not going to be too bad!" Yes I was being cocky. I started eating solids and I could not get full! I tried to eat slow, but it was like I had been starved for two months. I just shoveled the food in. The worse part is there was no restriction! For instance last night I had my regular dinner and 20 minutes later I ate another huge helping of meat. I ate it right out of the pan! I was starving. My hunger pains we so painful, but afterwards my band felt really full. I didn't have any PB or slime. Then I felt guilty afterward. In the beginning I was good I took my small portions on my little plate with my little spoon and had the best of intentions, but I was so HUNGRY. Before the fill I had self-control and I ate slower and waited for my burp to tell me I was full. Now no burp. (Honestly it does come later, but after I have eating so fast and probably ate more than I should have.) I follow the rules no drinking with meal, and no drinking for an hour afterward. However I do drink before my meal. Sometimes right up until the meal. I get 60 grams of protein a day. I eat protein first, veggies 2nd, and then a little bit of starch. I consume no refined sugar or junk food, as I do not crave it anymore, thank goodness. I have only one vice which is a half sweet, non-fat,tall Starbucks mocha which I sometimes get. (It only has 110 calories in it.) For breakfast: Protein shake (180 calories and 18 protein) or 1 cup of Kashie Cereal if I know I am going to have a coffee that day. (around 200 calories and 13 grams of protein) Snack: Starbucks (110 calories and 9 grams of protein) or another protein shake (170 calories, but 18 grams of protein.) Lunch: 1/2 cup of chicken breast in a can(100 calories and 10 grams of protein) and 1 cup of green Beans (20 calories and 2 grams of protein.) Dinner: Varies but I keep my portions to 1 1/2 cup. (Meat and veggies.) Bed time protein drink:Protein shake (180 calories and 18 protein.) Without dinner my calories add up to 690. I exercise 5 times a week. Any brilliant people have any suggestions? I am banging my head on my keyboard.

Wow you did this all in one month? Congratulations! The change in your attire is impressive, but your insulin dosage is worth doing a happy dance for. It will be a wonderful day, which I am betting will be soon where you won't need your insulin. Keep be an inspiration to many.

Dont feel too bad. We have given up a lot to have these bands, and it hard at this time of year. We are giving up food and sometimes our favorite past times and traditions. My favorite tradition is this: For me baking during the holidays is a tresured-time-honoured-tradition. I have a whole shelf in my large pantry devoted to baking. I have every cookie cook book I can get my hands on. I love my Kitchen-aid mixer. I love the cold December weekend that my husband, daughter, and I sit around and pick out our favorite Cookies to bake for our neighbors and friends. I love the smells in the kitchen. I love puting the cookies in the tin, and then artfully wrapping the colorful tissue around the cookies. My daughter makes the tags. My husband writes the Christmas cards. I feel all Martha Stewart like. I love going door-to-door at night with all the Christmas lights twinkling and delivering our treasures. My daughter buys gifts with her own money for the new babies in the neighborhood. It is such a special weekend. We are teaching our daughter the importance of giving homemade gifts, and giving without expecting anything back in return. We come together as a family. Am I going to give this up? Nope. I hope we do this tradition until my dying day. I will do this with my grandchildern. Now back to you...I understand your need to get together with your family. I can understand why it was stressful. If you do it next year allow yourself one of each cookie you bake. Even if you have to take them home, because by that time I am betting you won't be able to eat them or really want to. Make yourself a special package just for yourself and know you can eat them whenever you want! Right out of the oven, or later that night, freeze them and have them in May, or you can get home and give them to your family. They are yours to do whatever you please. Just remember you are always in control. Heck, take my advice now and this year will be managable. If you go to a party. Tell yourself you can have anything, but take most of it to go. Save it for later. We will get through this holiday. I promise.

I know I am being a spoiled child, but I am tired of this whole thing. It is hard, and sometimes I want to cry. I held on tight until I got my first fill. (I will make it...I can make it...I made it!) WONDER WOMAN! I followed my diet, exercised, and kept a positive attitude. The past 10 days have been really rough. I got my fill and nothing, well at first it was tight, but then it was as loose as a caboose. I became so hungry! I am so hungry that I can not stop eating. My stomach actually growls and hurts. I am drinking water and protein drinks between meals, but it still is not enough. I also have to annoying issue of not being able to slow down when I eat, as I have no restriction, and chewing is not a problem. I just shovel the food in, and I am as good as gold. Last night I had my proper meal with my little plate and measured out meal, and 20 minutes later I could not take the hunger any more; I went to the kitchen and ate the rest of the meatloaf right out of the pan! (I did feel a little pressure in my chest, but nothing serious or uncomfortable.) Today I went to Starbucks with my daughter and I ate her dessert and I ordered banana loaf for me too. Since I was banded I have not consumed any desserts. I mainly ate the bread to test my band...nope, nothing; nothing got stuck I not sure if I even have a band! To top my wonderful meal off I was still famished, and so I waited 30 minutes and go a venti mocha (w/o whip and non-fat.) I am still hungry. I feel as if I have been starved for 2 months! I am getting in 60 grams of protein, drinking water, eating protein first, veggies second. I just don't know what to do. I am gaining weight like crazy. I only eat when I am hungry. Right now hunger seems to be a thread that is dominating my life right now. WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO DO WITH THIS CRAP? I was not prepared for this. I need some advice before I rip this thing out of my chest and sell it on e-bay.