mousecrazy

I think you are a hero, and brave, and I'm glad to know that not everyone is so afraid of harm they never stand up for what is right. Of course, you paid for it dearly, but you stood up for what's right. I think that counts for alot. Your children have a good role model. Now, take care of yourself, and follow through on that drunk bully by filing charges, and the dog needs to be put down because it is too dangerous. I'm sorry you are hurt, but proud of you, too. Hugs, Cindy

Donna, I am sooo sorry about your house. I bet you are sick. I know I would be. We've discussed buying property to rent, and this scenario stops us every time. I feel sorry for her kids, too. Kids don't ask for this crap. Then people get all whiney when someone reports them and they go into foster homes...but what would be better? Oh, I know...PARENTS. Uh-oh. I'm dangerously close to my soap box....better back away.... Say your prayers for the children, and protect your property. That's really all you can do. Sherry, one more try on the size/number thing: if it says it's a 22, but fits like a 20, it's not gonna get too loose any faster than it would if it was a 20 that fit like a 20, right? FORGET THE NUMBERS. It's the fit that counts. Something else I've noticed is that since the style is to wear shirts pretty tight, they are actually smaller than they used to be, in the cut of them. It'll just make you crazy. Buy whatever size looks good and feels good on you. Go to Penneys. I like their A.N.A. line. You'll find something. Where do you live? I know I should know, but I guess I'm having a brain freeze! Hugs to all, Cindy

Hey, Sherry. Don't look at the numbers. Only go by how the clothes fit and feel on you. Letting go of size numbers is just part of our journey. It'll be hard, but you'll feel better when you do it. I would rather buy clothes at Walmart than Fashion Bug...have you tried? Target? I also have great luck at JC Penney. I don't know what kind of cruise, is it really fancy or kinda casual? I also have found some really nice things at Dillards and Foleys. Wish I could go shopping with you! I LOVE shopping, especially with someone else! Do yourself a favor and forget the size numbers!!!!!!!!!!

Still looking for July '05 Bandsters! Thanks for the postive feedback!

It all comes down to treating yourself like you would treat your friend. You wouldn't buy your friend bad-fitting, shabby clothes, would you? Let's treat ourselves as if we were our very best friend in the whole world!

Hope you don't mind if I jump in here and offer you some encouragement. I'm almost one year out now. Head hunger will be a battle you will face time and time again, but less and less often, and you will be more and more successful. This happens over time. PLEASE don't beat yourself up over your little mistakes, and PLEASE give yourself credit when you defeat a food demon! Have patience with yourself while you learn new ways. I am not a perfect bandster and haven't exercised like I should, etc. I am a regular person with food issues, completely grateful for the band, would do it again. You will learn how to handle the issues, if you want to. It's all new to you now, you're learning. You will have to find something else to occupy your mind, so start with that. Keep adjusting as you go. Good luck to all of you!

I think your weight loss is fine as is. I post this all the time, so if you are a regular reader, forgive hearing this again...it is very important to be patient. Being in a hurry can cause problems. Your body might need some time to adjust to its new weight as you go. That's what would happen to me, and still does. As I would lost 5-6 pounds, I would stay there for quite a while, then lose some more. It was never a steady progression. As you read more and more here, you will see that each person has a pattern. Find yours, and accept it. You will be happier, and enjoy your journey more!

If you think about the care and concern most people (don't) show in all other aspects of their lives and work, it makes sense to believe that we should go ahead and wash our produce even if it says it has been washed already, huh? It's sad but true. Better to go through the extra effort and be safer!

A couple of things to think about. What size of bite are you taking? If it happens on the first bite, some people find that a cup of warm tea before eating helps to ease that. If you are distracted while eating, like talking or stressed, that will cause the "golfball" feeling sometimes. This is one of the things bandsters learn to handle, and you have to figure out the pattern for yourself, because we are all just a little different. For me, eating too fast and too big of bites causes it. Good luck!

If this isn't the most fantastic group of online friends anywhere, I'll fry you a pie! (Sorry, that's an expression used in East Texas, and it always makes me laugh!). Sometimes it just stuns me how we all ended up in the NJ thread...but I know there was His hand it, had to be. Dianne, I sure would like to meet up...but don't think I could do it anytime soon, so don't get real serious...but we can always talk about it! You never know, right? Maybe Nashville? I've gotta go, two little princesses are out in the living room, trying to eat us out of popcorn! You'd think they'd be tired after swimming for 4 hours......sheeesh!

You've done great, Kim! That's one of the great things about lap band...we still lose in year 2! Keep checking in, and keep us all posted on your great progress!

I was driving about 4 days after surgery. Probably could have in 3, but why push it? Remember, each person is different, so judge for yourself.

Keep with the gas meds...try the baby drops, simethicone. Not so much to swallow, more bang for the buck, so to speak. Also, move around as much as you can. It helps work the gas out. Remember, they gassed up your abdominal cavity so they could work in there, so the gas isn't limited to your stomach and intestines...move around. I liked a heating pad. Sometimes on my back, sometimes on my tummy, sometimes on my shoulder. I remember the gas pains being THE WORST part, and trust me, it will end....patience is one of the important lessons of band surgery. Hang in there!

Betty, I'm worried about you, hon. At least call your doc. Maybe he or she will give you some new meds, or set up an appt with the Sports Med clinic without you taking time off? My doc is really good about that. You know, ankle/heel pain is the very reason I have the band today...this stuff can be fixed, but you can't be traipsing all over the place on it, unsupported! You're a hard woman to keep down! Thanks to all the support, I made it through the one year mark...I do remember the good times and memories. I am relieved in some ways that the first year is past, even though I realize that there are bumps still ahead. It's still a heartbreak, but we made it through the "firsts" of everything, and for that, I am thankful. We're going to the waterpark tonight with DD and friend...should be fun. Sleepover to follow the park, so we're in for a busy night. This is one of DD's nice and sweet friends (she has one who is a little devilish...thankfully, this isn't the one!). Eileen, hope you can play soon! Pat, are you still out there somewhere? Hugs, Cindy

Good morning! I'm just checking on in on the July '05 Team! I was so excited about PinkMary's post yesterday, and hope some of our other friends from last year will post on this thread, so let's keep bumping it up so it will be on the new post list!

Dianne, hey, no need to apologize for whining around here! That's what friends are for! $$ is a big worry, and certainly you are worrried about it. Everything will turn out okay, I'm sure. I also understand about the food and lose weight loss (although I think you look terrific!). I'm gonna stay relaxed about it until after we get back from Maine, then I think I'm going to go for another fill and see how it goes. Anyway, just wanted to give you a hug, and let you know that I'm thining of you, too! Cindy

Congratulations! You are doing great, and thanks for posting your NSV's. We can all use the positive news!

Just stopping in to say hi to everyone. I'm okay. Cleaning and organizing. Well, not right now, I'm hanging out here! Betty, I love oatmeal, too. I use dried fruit also, plus some ground flax seed or wheat germ. I agree, it does stick with you longer. Isn't Darcy on vacation? Patty, sorry about the denial. Dang it! Stick with us, girl. Bubbame, I appreciate the hug. To all, have a great day!

I've been looking for your post, because I know we were banded about the same time! I'll post my before and after pictures the week of July 22, after I get back from vacation. A big, hearty, Texas congratulations to you!!!!!! I'm thrilled at your accomplishment! Way to go!

Hopefully this will be of some reassurance to you, but I have never received a negative comment of any kind, ever. I told everyone, and have been completely honest and out there about my surgery and my reasons. I have never felt I was under a microscope, I have never felt that I had to defend my food choices, and the results speak for themselves. If anything, I have been an example and someone others who are suffering from obesity can ask questions of about lapband, and I think that is definitely a worthwhile thing. In fact, after I started talking about it, two other people at work started talking about their weight loss surgery also. Do your own thing, I'm sure you are aware that your mom likes to talk, so you probably suspected she'd talk about this anyway. This is about YOU.

Hellos to everyone1 Eileen, hugs on your DB's birthday; Mom's is on Sunday. The NJ budget crisis is all over the news, so I was aware of it. What I heard was that because state employees oversee the gambling, and they cannot work, then the gambling cannot happen. Probably ought to get on the phone with your Jersey girl moxey and tell your rep to cut that budget and do it now. They can start with their pay, and continue on to their retirement package! LOL! At the very least, you'll get their attention. Betty, rest your foot! Beanie, glad you had a restful 4th. DH and I made a contribution to an organization that provides scholarships to fallen soldiers as our 4th of July gesture of support for our troops. Did ya'll know that on the Dept of Defense website there's a link for America Supports You. mil (I don't think there are any spaces) and you can just type a message of support to the troops, and it doesn't cost you anything? Tomorrow is the anniv. of mom's death...I am feeling okay, just trying not to dwell on what was happening a year ago. We are going over to dad's to have dinner with him, even though we didn't really say why, I'm sure he knows. I don't think we actually have to say anything. Love you all, Cindy

I am cheering you on, Terri! Congratulations!

I'm almost one year out now, and have had not one problem, even small, with my band.

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Happy 4th of July!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: We've done all our celebrating on Sunday and Monday, and today is just for our little family...did anyone watch the Space Shuttle launch! It gives me chills! Eileen, Sherry, Kat, Patty...ya'll are the "go-to" gals for advice! I read every word, and feel really good about how things are going so far. We do drive together alot and talk alot in the car. I don't think she's embarrassed about anything. She even told DH the next morning that she wasn't looking forward to that period thing! We're good communicators, or try to be. I love the idea of "ladies day" and think my sister would love to be part of that, and maybe my nieces and some of the other women who are important to DD. We have a wonderful ladies restaurant in Denton, The Chestnut Tree, and it would be perfect for that! Sherry, your mom was so great with you, and I love how she prepared you for that important decision. I think it would have helped me to make better decisions about that...I know I treated those decisions way too casually. That caused a lot of pain and stress, and who wants that for their daughter? Or sons, for that matter? A big thank you and I'm still up for hearing any further stories...all of them are very helpful. Dianne, it is good to hear from those further down the road that it is natural to be unsettled during the weeks around the time you lost someone really important to you. I feel sorry for people who never talk to others, and carry their burdens all alone. They never have the comfort of knowing that others feel the same, and have survived and thrived, and they can, too. I can't even explain how comforting that knowledge is. I know Betty, Eileen, and others have shared this with me, and don't know what it cost them to share, but I do truly appreciate the gift. Thank you. Hope everyone has a safe and happy and grateful Independence Day! Hugs, Cindy

How about Viactiv calcium chews? I have some that are chocolate mint flavored and they taste pretty good!