mousecrazy

Good morning1 Hey, Betty...just wanna make sure you know that henna tattoos are painted on, not REAL tattoos! I am too big a chicken to go through actual pain to have art applied to my body! Henna is just right for me! LOL! Going to get a pedicure today...run errands...buy some unsalted peanuts to feed the chipmunks at the Maine cabin. So cute! DD is going to a movie with my sis. That's about all that's going on around here. Diane, how are you feeling today, hon? I bet you're sore as heck! Check on ya later, Cindy

Another opening for my mantra: patience. Try liquids for 48 hours. Then some mushies. Let the inflammation calm down. Slow down and take it easy. Getting in a hurry is not really helping anything...you are frustrated and not feeling well, and that's not the point. We're going to feel hungry sometimes, of course. We learn as we go what works for us, and how to handle our food choices. You will get better and better at it with time. Give these suggestions a shot, and see if you are feeling better soon!

You look fantastic! And better yet, I know you FEEL fantastic about yourself! Congratulations!

There is a prayer "sticky" note thread that I encourage you to post on. You will have lots of people praying for you and your family in no time! If you haven't sought spiritual solutions, please try. There's a church nearby with friendly people who have children and needs like yours, and we're always stronger with faith and friends by our side. No one needs to be alone. God loves you, and you need to love you, too. We're here to help. Cindy

This is just the way I approach it, but I think more patience is in order. What's the use of hurrying, if it is possibly going to lead to complications? PBing alot is NOT a good thing. I would consider even getting a tiny unfill so that you are not PBing when you eat. That can cause problems with your esophagus, and eventually, your band. I do believe that patience is a big lesson that the band has to offer. Your body needs time for adjustment, and to set new body weight levels. Good luck to you! Cindy

Diane! Please take care of yourself. I was in an accident over a year ago, and I should have had things checked out better, but didnt. It's a long story, but the bottom line was mom was in the hospital, I didn't have any sick days left, yada, yada, yada. Now, it's difficult to prove to the other guy's insurance co. that I was actually hurt, just had to tough it out. Take care. That man was an angel, for sure. What's the saying? I believe there are angels among us, dressed in regular clothes. How brave of him to offer prayer and be a comfort to you. I hope I can be that way to someone someday. Be careful out there.

Happy birthday! I'm so glad to hear that you've had a great day...I think all the years just get better and better!

Who is the doctor who helped you? Make sure he or she gets some good publicity! I'm so sorry you had so many problems, and the doctor was so hard to reach and unwilling to help. I'm sure others will appreciate your warning.

61 for me!

It's a pleasure to congratulate another July '05 Bandster-Bud on a terrific year! Looking forward with you to year two!!!!

Have a fun trip, Donna! Hope you enjoy San Antonio...it's HOT in Texas, so get ready for that! Hi Mary and Eileen!

Congratulations! Glad the first fill went well for you! Take it easy for the rest of the day by doing liquid things...then mushies tomorrow. My first fill was.5cc...then the next time .2cc's. That's been good for me until recently, so I'm going to go get another fill after my vacation. I'm interested to see how much saline is actually in my band after all this time! You're on your way! Good luck!

I have had a migraine that caused me to vomit. I was worried, but it was okay. I have since had my doctor prescribe phenergan incase that ever happens again.

Great idea, Mandy! Bandiversary will be July 22...61 lbs lost! Major NSVs: normal blood pressure, normal cholesterol, little to no foot or ankle pain, increased stamina and energy, change in size from 26 to 18. The other things: I sleep better. I can walk and walk without pain. I can sit in an airplane seat and fasten the seatbelt. I dress better. I have better confidence and am happier. I can dance with my DD. It's been a great year, and I hope others who read the July '05 bandster progress will see that even if I didn't lose all the weight I had wanted to in this year, it has been well worth it! I am not done yet, either! I expect to reach my goal in this next year.

Cindy and Karen, great job! I'm happy you've had a great year with your bands! Are there any other July '05 Bandsters out there?

The difference between "full" and "satisfied" is really critical to understand. It is the key to battling head hunger. Jack, as always, you explain it so well! Good luck in your journey, hawg heaven. You are asking all the right questions! Hope you like hanging out here!

I'm reading the Narnia series...somehow, I missed reading these as a child, and I'm really enjoying them. I've read books 1 and 2, and am taking 3, 4, and 5 on vacation later this week. Also, read Sea Glass. I enjoyed it. Otherwise, I mostly read non-fiction on politics and world affairs or inspiration/motivation/Christian. I used to love murder and mayhem books, until I had my DD, then I couldn't read them without thinking how I'd feel if it was my DD, and that kinda ruined those! LOL! Happy reading to all!

Hi, and welcome! Each person is different, so it may take a while for your fill to "kick in." Also, it depends on the size of your band and the amount of your fill. I have a 4cc band, and have had .7cc put in. For others, that amount is not enough. For me, I have averaged about a pound a week loss. There is also the idea that because you CAN eat more, doesn't mean you SHOULD. Working with the head hunger issue is a big part of this journey. Just something to consider. Give yourself a couple of weeks, and if you think you need more restriction, get another small fill, and work with that for a while. I recommend sneaking up on your "sweet spot" to avoid as much as possible over-restriction so you lead a healthy and happy banded life! Good luck to you! I have been immensely happy with my decision!

Good morning! Just up "reading the news" on my puter, and seeing what's going on. I got almost all the packing done yesterday, so today it's just the finishing up parts, odds and ends, and getting some bank stuff done for my sister to do (i.e., mail bills) while we are gone. Maybe get out the henna tattoo stuff and see if I think I can handle it...DD and I both got henna tattoos a couple of years ago and wanted to do it again, so we ordered a kit. That means we are relying on my artistic skill...hahahaha! Maybe I can, maybe not...I've never used henna. I have decorated cakes, and it's almost the same, except that henna dyes your skin, so if I make a mistake, it'll still be there! I don't know if I'll get that adventurous or not! Hope everyone is having a good day, and I'll check in later! Betty, keep looking for a doctor. Cindy

Ouch! These pictures will make excellent evidence. I just love it when people have to face the consequences of their behavior, especially when they are drunk when they do it. How are you healing? I hope you are doing much better!

Kat, good luck on your journey to the doctor with your dad...it's nice of you to go with him. Maybe if you get a Rubbermaid container, put your DD's stuff in it, she'll get the hint? LOL! Diane, about the fill...well, I guess I'm just extra-cautious. I am losing weight at a little over 1 lb/week average, and decided that was just fine. I was also concerned about pushing the band and over-restriction, which seemed to cause problems in some people, like erosions and excessive PBs and stuff like that, and did not want that. A more practical reason is that I did not have any "sick days" left, and the place I get my fills is kinda far and I have to take time off from school...so, now it's summer and I don't have to take time off from school, I'm kinda stalled in weight loss, and I think I can eat lots of food...feeling more hungry than I have been, etc. I've taken some "relax" time, and feel ready to take a renewed effort again. That's probably a LOT more than you wanted to know, huh? LOL! Definitely, I'm in the cautious group, I guess that's the bottom line. I'm planning to go the first week of August. I know what you mean about being in a more controlled environment, too...when I'm at work, I'm so busy, I don't think about food as much. Good luck tomorrow! Cindy

For someone who kinda stumbled onto this surgery (recommended by orthopedic doctor), from idea to surgery, it took one month or so. I was amazed! My insurance did cover it, and I had already been under a doctor's supervision for weight loss, had a few co-morbidities, etc...49 years young, BMI of 45, I fit all the requirements.

Good morning! I'm just goofing off right now, reading and visiting with you all...then I'm going to start folding and packing stuff. I know it's not until Friday, but if I get stuff clean, and pack it, then I don't end up having to wash it again before we leave. Maybe that's weird? Oh well, it works for me! Otherwise DD will wear all the good shorts and tops and I'll be up washing them the night before we leave! LOL! Good luck to all who are having blood drawn today...and good luck at the doctor's visits. Donna, beautiful picture! Darcy, the birthday sounded like a good one! Glad you got DD off to camp. Ours goes first week of August to church camp. I made a decision. Yep, that's right. After vacation, I'm gonna go get another fill. After all, it's been since November! I sure can eat a lot at a time, and I betcha some of the fill I've had has "evaporated" or whatever it does. So, think I'll have it tweaked, and renew my efforts. (after some blueberry pancakes...and lobster, of course!) That's about all the news I have today...I'll check back with you chickies later! Cindy

Amy, Happy Birthday! What better time to start on the new you? God loves you, and has the best in mind for you. When I am feeling down or scared, one thing that always helps me is to find someone to help. Perform an act of "random kindness." Also, don't accept any shame for his flakey "oops, do-over" behavior toward your marriage. Tell everyone, get it out there, and start accepting the help that true friends have to offer. You're gonna need them. The ones that are more interested in him, can go see him...you'll be left with the good ones anyway! Prayers for your smooth transition, and acceptance of your new life! Hugs, Cindy

Happy Birthday, Darcy! I remember 39...great year! So were all my 40s, and the 50s are going well, but it's only been this year! LOL! Hope you are having a great day, even if (or especially!) you are by yourself...that sounds kinda weird, but couldn't figure out a better way to say it. I like alone time, a lot, so that would be great for me! We went to my little great-niece's baptism this morning, she sqaulled like crazy! It was cute. Nice get together with the family, and I think my Mom would have liked it for her birthday celebration. I'm off for more laundry, starting to pack a little for our trip to Maine. We leave super early Friday morning! I'll probably say that a dozen times before we actually leave, so forgive my enthusiasm! Hugs, Cindy