Margo

Your biggest complication might be the complication I am currently facing......ALL MY CLOTHES ARE TOO BIG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good Luck, speedy recovery and happy weight loss!!!!!

Thanks...I could use an extra $50.00 right now!!!

You both look wonderful and happy!!! Best wishes....

Cheri, I checked to see when you had your surgery....looks like 12/5, so you are still in the first 6 weeks and experiencing tons of new feelings, eating only certain foods (probably just into the mushies), and you're still healing. With that said, let me tell you things get MUCH BETTER!!!! You will be able to eat most anything again...no, you will not be stuffing your face like most people eating at Cracker Barrel, but you will be able to order just about anything and enjoy it (and enjoy it again with your leftovers). What happened this weekend is nothing to feel bad about, Cheri....trust me as time goes on when you find yourself crying it will probably be tears of joy as you adapt to your band and all the wonderful SV's and NSV's you'll experience!!!

Ditto on the left side hurting if I eat too much!!!!

You rock, Big Paul.....

O.K., I would be the last person to be considered the head of the cheerleading squad, BUT we need to shout and yell about our victories.....we have been dwelling on scales which are not moving the right direction, slippage, erosion, feeling like failures, etc...... WE SHOULD BE PROUD OF OUR BANDSTER LIFESTYLE AND EMBRACE IT!!!! I know that scale victories rock, but I can bet that if you take just a couple minutes and count your non-scale victories it would make you SMILE. I will start my NSV list and you add on...... 1. Can sit in booth now 2. Can tie my shoes without wanting to puke 3. Can go up and down the stairs without having to take a rest 4. Can drive my car without being trapped behind the wheel 5. Not afraid to put on a seatbelt in someone else's car 6. I can lift things again 7. A regular bracelet fits my wrist 8. I don't schedule my life around food 9. My feet and legs are not swollen anymore 10. Can sit in a movie theater without pinching my butt in the sit. I could go on, but it's your turn now..... YOU RAH...BANDSTER'S RULE....YOU RAH!!!!

Penni... So glad you are home and recovering....stay strong!

Penni, I am so very sorry to hear about your band.....good luck tonight and tomorrow....I will say a special prayer for you.

Carmen, I can't thank you enough this morning for your wonderful and timely post.....I needed to hear something uplifting and positive today. I am also thrilled to hear you say you have had no problems since you and I have the same surgeon!!! Continued success, Carmen.

I saw Billy Joel in concert a few years ago.....trust me you will enjoy every minute...he is incredible!!! Have fun...

Today I purchased a pair of jeans with A ZIPPER and without any ELASTIC....and I went from a size "haha, no way in hell without elastic" to a size 26 without elastic.....and let's not forget with a ZIPPER!!! Life is good....

Major congrats....job well done!!

I am trying to remember (or forget, as the case may be!!) what my starting BMI was....I think it was nearly 60 as I was 350 and only 5 foot, 4 inches. I had my surgery done "lap" and all went well....Praise the Lord.....

My family is very interested in going on the Disney Cruise!! I have agreed now that I am losing weight!!! I want to lose another 50 pounds before we go, but I thought I better start thinking about planning it. If anyone has gone on the cruise, could you let me know how you liked it? Any "ins and outs" about the cruise would be helpful. We would take the cruise that leaves from Florida, so when is the best time of year insofar as the weather, etc? How many days did you cruise? Also my daughter will be 10 years old this summer....do you think she would still enjoy it? Thanks in advance.....

I had an interesting discovery today and actually it's a SNV!!! I could never watch the food Channel because: (1) I would have to find something to eat while watching it, (2) could not even consider making any of the recipes since I would eat half of it just cooking it then 3 servings at dinner and (3) I felt like a pig just watching all that food! BUT, tonight my daughter and I watched together and enjoyed every minute and I got a great recipe for an appetizer (which I needed for a party)! I did not eat while watching, I know I will not eat any while cooking (don't do that any more or I can't eat dinner!!) and I did not feel like a pig watching all the food instead I figured out how to cut some of the calories and still have it taste yummy!!! I was on another board and someone there said they no longer consider the Food Channel as "food porn".....too funny!!!!! Just wanted to share......thanks

8,000 people....that is soooo awesome!!! I bet you felt like a million bucks up on stage with 45 pounds gone.....you look unbelivable, very cool!!!

You are such a strong and brave women!! You have been so very helpful to me. I only hope I can be helpful for you now. Continue to stay positive and strong....you can do it!!

Vines, kudos to you....yes, positive thinking is the key to everything including our life as banded people!!!

I try not to drink at least 1/2 hour prior to eating....never drink while eating....and always wait at least 1/2 hour after eating.

1. What does your handle mean? it's my name 2. What book are you currently reading, or did you last read? The Bright Forever 3. What do you do for a living? teacher quilting classes 4. For what in your life are you most grateful? my family 5. What's one thing about you that you think would surprise other people? that I have times when my depression takes over my life 6. One word to describe yourself? Nice 7. One word others use to describe you? Fun 8. Would you rather play a game with someone better or worse at it than you? Does not matter 9. Favorite movie? Favorite show? Fargo and Deperate Housewives 10. Something unusual about yourself? I worked in TV as a producer/director and have been in several local TV commericals.

Ladies...I will be thinking of all of you tomorrow and sending my prayers and love to all of you.

Hi Everyone, I can't believe it....the day after Thanksgiving and I am down -50 pounds!!!! I am so excited and feel so good I could scream....thanks to everyone on this board for your wonderful support. Can't wait for the next -50 pounds!!!

Happy Birthday....enjoy your day!!

I am nearly crying when I write, 'I am so happy I could cry'!!! I am so happy with my band I can't believe it....49 pounds are gone FOREVER and that's the first time in my life I have been able to say that. I am lovin' life and my band!!!