mousecrazy

"Walkin' in a winter onederland..." (singing to myself) J: 225 / C: 225 / G: 199 Came out even this week...it's okay.

I guess what I would add is that you will learn every day, and there's no way to have all the answers right now...how to cope with stress without food is a BIG DEAL. It was for me, anyway. Not such a big deal that I haven't learned how to do it...most of the time anyway...but it's been an inner exploration, and I've had to figure out how to cope with things without drowning them in food. How it will work for you, and how you will change is hard for someone else to guess at. I do know that you will figure it out. Keep asking questions, and read what others are doing and have done. I learned a lot from the members here at LBT. Good luck to you! Cindy

Congratulations! That is a mighty big achievement!

I'm not sure when the start time is, but just to be sure, I'm ready for RIGHT NOW! I will forswear ice cream and chocolate candy for one week starting today, and longer if the week actually starts on Monday. I say SF popsicles are okay, if anyone wants a second opinion on that! LOL! I picked ice cream because that is my big big big food downfall of choice, but if Hersey kisses are yours, then that would be the thing to sacrifice...right? Let's do this, girls! One week...we'll negotiate the goal for week 2 later, if we survive! hahahaha! Eileen, I'm sure you really are getting applause from your household...that can't possibly be your arms! You do crack me up, girl! I had my massage and my seaweed body wrap, and tomorrow I go for a fill. I'm gettin' see-wee-us! (serious). Watch out! Darcy, you know how you were talking to Kat about letting people help? Well, that's how I feel about you letting us help you...so let us help, ya hear? The ICE CREAM CHALLENGE IS ON! AND THE CHOCOLATE CANDY TOO!

Definitely check it out, that's only prudent. I am just letting you know how it worked out for me. I was not asked to pay anything I wouldn't have paid for an in-network facility. Also, it was out-patient.

I'm a Texas girl, but if you don't mind, I just want to encourage you to take it a day at a time, and prove to yourself that you "have had the power all along." (That's probably a misquote, but it's from the Wizard of Oz). It will be the singular, best thing you'll ever prove to yourself. Just do it, friend! You are on your way! Cindy

Good morning! Kat, thanks for that good informative post! I am so proud of you for asking for help, and I know the friend who is honored by the request is happy to help. You probably made her day! You and everyone in your family are in my prayers, and I have faith that it will all work out for the best. Your great-gm was a very wise woman, and I have often used that same advice...change ONE thing, no matter how small. It seems to help me get out of a rut, everytime! Blessings to you. Darcy, I will make a pact with you for one week without ice cream, starting whenever you are ready, if that will help. It would help me, too! Just say "start" and you're on! If you want to pass, no pressure, either. Let me know! Eileen, you totally floored me with the "you can wear sleeveless shirts" comment! LOL! I DON'T wear them, I only wore it for the picture...do you think I can? REALLY? I'm not kiddin' around here...I think my arms are flabby and yucky, so I don't wear sleeveless in public, maybe once in a while, around the house and feel weird about that. So THANK YOU!!!!! That's a nice compliment! Dianne, thank you for your nice words, also. I am trying so hard to meet you in onderland, and have set that for my Christmas goal...wonder if I can make it there before then? You are a great inspiration! Group hugs to all of us, and I'll be back after my little trip to get my passport (for next summer!) and my seaweed wrap/massage (aaaaaaah....) Cindy

Welcome to a great site for info and support! Losing slowly is actually a good thing, although 21 pounds since May is not all that slow! yOu're doing great! There are local threads on here so you might try posting in the Ohio thread, too, and see if anyone is here who lives close to you. Also, you can make tickers to track your weight, add an avatar, etc., just however involved you want to get! Come here often, and ask all the questions you want...also, use the search feature...you can find old posts on subjects that are interesting to you. Cindy

There are tons of people here who had their surgery in Mexico...use the search feature at the top of the page, and search "Mexico" and start reading! Good luck!

I think it's great that you got that all out there, and can face it...that's really healthy. Dwelling on it isn't, you know? That's why a lot of us call our one year date our "bandiversary". It is a very special day for us, a day that we CHOSE to make a new start in our lives. I hope it will be this way for you, and that you will have a great bandster journey! Come here often, and you'll make great friends who will help you get through and thrive during this year ahead! And beyond....it's a great life! Cindy

You have lots of responses here, and they accurately reflect the individual journey that is the bandster journey. There are so many variables, and only you know the answers to some of the questions. For me, I think it has helped with the emotional eating, most of the time. The band has reduced the feeling of hunger...and I am satisfied with less food. I also want to avoid pain, so I have to eat less. Now, since I can't turn to my old pal food when I need some comfort, and I have already given up smoking and drinking, I have had to seriously deal with other ways to cope with stress. That will be an inside job, and yours to do. Overall, I say yes, it does help with emotional eating, IF you are willing to get in there, roll up your sleeves and do the heavy lifting.

Let go of the shame idea, and free yourself to move forward. You have a lot of stress with taking care of your father, and you've experienced some major life changes. If you have been an emotional eater (haven't most of us?) then that is probably coming into play. Please don't be ashamed; that is such a wasted emotion!

Many thanks for the pats on the back! Speaking of PAT...hey there! It's so great seeing your post! Any size 12 that would fit me, I think I'd have it bronzed! LOL! Donna, I know you are so PROUD of your kid, well, young man! Patty, you have fun on that trip! Darcy, remember to get all the moral support you need from us! Let's stick together and get through these slow times! I went to the dr. today, checking up on the meds for my stupid migraines...she changed them a little again, and added a med for me to take when I am under big stress, which seems to trigger them. I say it's worth a try, so I'll hope this helps. They have been getting better, as in fewer...but still causing vomiting when I get them, and ya'll know that's not a good thing for a bandster! I have a fill appt on Thursday morning, my first since November. I'm interested in how different it will be, if at all...I am hoping for slighly more restriction, but not too much. No PB's for me, please and thank you! I am ready to get after it again, and make a bigger effort to lose some more weight. Hope everyone is staying cool! Cindy

I am one of those older people, but a benefit of that is that I can look back to a place you are just now getting to...and tell you that being any age at all is only what you choose to make it. You have made a positive decision to change some things in your life, and that's definitely worth celebrating! Happy Birthday, and I hope you enjoy your 30s as much as I did!

Gee, thanks, ya'll! I appreciate all the compliments! I'll change my avatar here in a while, and thank you again, Darcy! I just can't tell you how much I appreciate your know-how! Last night, I showed my DD the layout you did, with the side-by-side pictures, and she said, "That's YOU, Momma? The top row? That's not you!" I promise you, it made me cry. She could not believe that person, the one who was me only one year ago, was her momma. I guess that just about says it all. So, let's just keep working on it, one pound and one day at a time...okay, everyone go throw out the Kleenexes I know you had to get when you read this story! Sorry 'bout that, but knew you would want to hear that story anyway. Darcy, that story is especially for you, get back on that horse and ride it, girl! Betty, hope your foot is better...are you still wearing the cast? Sherry, how's the woozy ship-rocking feeling? Eileen, I see you're reading along while I'm writing this, so be sure to have a great day! I must go now and run those ever-present errands...BBL! Hugs to ALL, Cindy

Love to you, Darcy! Thanks so much for posting these for me! Well, here I am, girls (and guys!)...the whole truth, and nothing but the truth! P.S. The black/white pants I am wearing in my "before" pictures are still in my closet. Should I do one of those pictures where I put them on and show how many inches are extra? I've always thought that would be fun! Or, should I wait until I reach goal?

It may not mean too much. The hospital I had my surgery in was not in network, and somewhere in "paperwork land" I was only charged what I would have been charged if it had been in the network. Ask the office staff at your surgeon's office...they know how to handle this stuff with the super-special world of insurance!

I don't think I can improve on Alexandra's post, which is informative and wise. I only want to "second" it. The choice to receive a band and accept the responsibility of living with it has been the best choice for me. At the beginning, I did log my food, so I could learn to evaluate what I was eating. I don't do that anymore. All along, my goal was to learn to eat "normally." The food itself isn't the enemy; my use of the food was the problem. I've worked on that and am making lots of progress there, even though I still have periods of time where I know I use food as an emotional crutch. HOWEVER, because of the band, the amount of damage I can do is extremely limited. That's a big plus, and it teaches you that you are not solving any problem by filling up your stomach organ. Isn't that idea that absurd? Not that I don't do it sometimes, but how crazy is that, if you really, really think about it? The band is healthy and safe for the majority of people. You are going to have to make some lifestyle changes, but don't worry about all of them right now. Face them one at a time, as you go. Good luck with your decision, and read everything you can! Cindy

Hi, I am a teacher, too! Your particular teaching situation may be different, but for me, I can have drinks at my desk, so water was not a problem. Also, since I eat smaller portions at a time, I eat more often, so a Zone Perfect bar (that's my fave, but you might like something else) is easy to eat between classes, or whenever you have a chance about mid-morning. Some fruit, string cheese, a protein drink, or something like that is good about mid-afternoon. You will have to plan ahead, or you will eat something "stupid" that's lying around in the teacher's lounge...isn't there always something in there, just waiting on you to break down and eat it? I have never had a real PB, so if you are careful about how you eat and chew very well...and don't get too tight of a fill, this should not be a problem. If you have any questions beyone what I've tried to answer, don't hesitate to ask! Cindy

Thanks again, everyone!

Hey, if anyone knows how to put tickers side by side, I'll do that to save room on the posts.... I saw someone had theirs like that, but I don't know how to do it...don't mind learning.....help!

Yep! This is my last SEMESTER of teaching before I retire on, OFFICIALLY, Dec. 31. Can we say "Zippety doo dah"?! I guess you are going to have to go to the store and find you some ginger tablets...I spent the weekend (long ago) on a houseboat, and I had that watery rocking sensation for several days...I just learned to live with it, but I didn't get nauseous with it. I know it really bothers some people a lot more than others. Good luck, Sherry!

Sherry, I don't know anything you can take that will help, but if ginger is good, you might try ginger ale? Is it a nauseous feeling, or just that rocking feeling? I hope it settles down soon! I share your excitement about only gaining a couple of pounds on vacation! Isn't that fantastic?! Eileen, yeah, Stephen King is pretty weird...I read more of his early books than I have his latest ones. I don't find the time to sit and read like I used to in my pre-mom days, I don't know why? Ha! There are only 2 more weeks in my summer...I go back to work on Aug. 8. Basically taking care of a few things I've put off, and DD goes to church camp week after next. No more trips for me for this year! Gotta go for now...everyone have a great day! Cindy

You've been given good advice and lots to think about, and so many people are reaching out to you. From all angles, as was said, but I like to think that you are being reached from all "angels" as well! Having a spiritual hole in your life can cause you to fill it with things that cause even more pain. Pain can cause you to come closer to God, which is part of the purpose of pain. It would do no good to imagine a life without accountability to God, since even in an atheistic viewpoint, all action has consequence...in a Christian viewpoint, the consequences are more eternal, but what is kharma but ultimate consequences? Well, I got off on that idea, huh? All I was wanting to say was to encourage you to reach out to God, read your Bible, find a spiritual guide, something to fill that hole, and do something nice for someone every time you even think of those nasty chemicals! The best of luck and health to you, and I hope you feel the care and concern in everyone's responses.... Hugs, Cindy

You've been given good advice and lots to think about, and so many people are reaching out to you. From all angles, as was said, but I like to think that you are being reached from all "angels" as well! Having a spiritual hole in your life can cause you to fill it with things that cause even more pain. Pain can cause you to come closer to God, which is part of the purpose of pain. It would do no good to imagine a life without accountability to God, since even in an atheistic viewpoint, all action has consequence...in a Christian viewpoint, the consequences are more eternal, but what is kharma but ultimate consequences? Well, I got off on that idea, huh? All I was wanting to say was to encourage you to reach out God, read your Bible, find a spiritual guide, something to fill that hole, and do something nice for someone every time you even think of those nasty chemicals! The best of luck and health to you, and I hope you feel the care and concern in everyone's responses.... Hugs, Cindyh