mousecrazy

Hi, and welcome to LBT. I've been banded about 6 months and am very happy with my choice. You will still have to work hard, even with the band, but it will be much easier. You stay full longer, and don't usually get as hungry. I still struggle with "head hunger" or wanting to keep eating even after I am satisfied, but because of the band, I really can't eat as much as I would have before. I have a daughter, 8 years old, and I wanted to be a more active mom. Also, I turned 50 this year, and decideed I needed to get more serious about long-term health issues. For me, bypass surgery seemed too drastic; this seemed "just right." Good luck, and post any questions! Cindy

Just stopping to say Hi! I live in far north Texas, so some people say I live in Oklahoma! This is a great site, and you'll get lots of support and info here! Cindy

I'm with you on the jeans...and I would add a nice fitting pair of khakis, since I wear them to work most days...I teach, and have to look nice, but I want to be comfie, too. I don't like wearing dresses because of the panty hose! How about comfortable and cute underwear? Fun question! Cindy

Hi everybody! I'm having a great time watching NFL playoffs (sorry, Cowboys!) and the Seahawks won...yea! Can't like the Redskins if you're a Cowboy fan. Now, Denver is playing NEW ENGLAND...please forgive me, but I have to pull for Denver, since they are the underdogs. I bet ya'll are not rooting for the same teams I am! LOL! Went shopping instead of exercising, and ate candy, too! Not the best lapband day, but it was a fun day. My nephew came by and I helped him write some applications for overseas study. He wants to go to Costa Rica and improve his Spanish. Other than that, just totally goofing off in between loads of laundry. DD is in her room, our Valentine's craft is drying (the glue anyway), and that's about it. Betty, it's good to hear from you! I'll see the rest of you tomorrow. g'night, Cindy

Fantastic list! Good for you for looking at the positives in your life! I am comfortable in my bathtub,too! Granted, it's a bigger size tub, but STILL! LOL! Cindy

Jan. 14, Saturday B: coffee and Zone Perfect L: pepperoni pizza slice, Caesar salad S: chocolate, cashew, caramel candy (OMG!) D: get ready for this! ICE CREAM :paranoid Water: Exercise: shopping Vitamins/calcium: yes Cindy

Good morning, everyone! How 'bout I do the 20 minute hip-hop dance cardio thing? My DH is up in Kansas hunting, so DD and I are hanging out this weekend. That salsa part kicked our patooties last weekend....are we supposed to be getting exercise every week or every DAY? LOL! I want to say a special welcome to the "girl from Nevada," beautifulTina...can we call you Tina? This is the best chat thread...you NJ girls are magnets for the fun people! Eileen, our "lost" friends are probably not sitting in front of the computer like we are! They are probably doing stuff! LOL! The way I look at it, it's hard to eat AND type, so I'm probably better off typing! Lazy day planned here...if we get antsy, we might go shopping or something. Maybe get our hair cut....I'm just going to se what mood DD is in...sometimes she can spread all the Polly Pockets out on the floor and live in imaginary Polly world for hours! Check with ya later, Cindy

Great pictures! Even greater triumph! Congratulations!

Tell her we think she's doing great! You are super to be head cheerleader! Cindy

HI! Just want to welcome you , and assure you that we are here to help! Congrats on your successful progress so far! Cindy

I agree, it is interesting to read about goals and how they were set. I am a little over 5'7", so I picked 150, even though 135 would be the "stated" goal on a chart or something. In reality, 180 would be plenty good. I remember that weight...I honestly don't remember 150. Maybe when I get under 200, I will adjust my goal, but right now, I am gunning for 50 lbs lost...that's what the bottom ticker represents.

I was thinking about the Cracker Barrel moment, too! We just wanted you to know that we understood, and we also knew the moment where SOMETHING was gonna fit, and for you it's the BRA!!! Isn't life good? Congratulations! Cindy

Patty, glad you liked it. I'm not ruthless for nothin'! LOL!

Jan. 13, Friday B: coffee/Zone Perfect S: Zone Perfect (and I want to eat another!) L: chicken bacon ranch toasted Subway (that was hard to eat! I'll try a salad next time I'm there!) D: Caesar salad, grilled meatloaf/pasta, veggies and apple skilettini (went out to eat: Carino's) Water: 36 oz Exerise: why do I even put this? Vitamins/calcium: yes

Eileen, I totally understand. We get reviews every year. They are supposed to be "objective" because they use numbers, like yours. Like you have found out, if someone doesn't like you, like Mr. Drill Sargeant, he can choose #3 instead of #4, and it's easy to justify. I have the same exact problem. In my 28 years, I have been "Clearly Outstanding" and then "Proficient" (doing my job). The principal I have now doesn't really get anything about alternative schools...yet, he rates me as "proficient". It doesn't matter how many students write to me, come to see me after they graduate, that ALL my students passed the state exams, etc....it doesn't matter. Fortunately, our reviews are not tied to our pay. Is yours? When you hear teachers objecting to merit pay, I hope ya'll will understand why that is. It is interesting to hear this kind of story from the corporate world...I thought the managers had just lost their minds in the education world! So, Eileen, I'd tell ya to blow it off, because it's good advice, but I know you won't, just like I don't. We are proud of our work, and don't like seeing hacks evaluate it, and demean it. I'm glad you cried in front of him...he'll think twice about repeating that little number, won't he? Crying is a great defense; most men hate it. And on top of that, they think it means you're weak....HA! Now, get your revenge: get yourself a promotion, and be HIS supervisor! I am so sorry...I'm mad for you!

Jan 12, Thursday B: coffee and Zone Perfect S: South Beach Chocolate protein bar L: salad with turkey D: Starbucks hazelnut mocha/ Zone Perfect bar NO ICE CREAM!!!!!! Water: 24 oz Exercise: typing Vitamins/calcium: not yet Cindy

Eileen, hope you're okay? Being soft-hearted is a good thing, most of the time. Let us know how you are! Hugs, Cindy

The best thing you can do to prepare is to read, read, read...EVERYTHING! Use the search feature. I did that...found some lists with stuff that sounded good. Liquid gas medicine was a big plus, liquid Tylenol (Sore Throat...not that you'll have a sore throat, but it's in liquid form) and sugar-free popsicles, applesauce, yogurt and protein drink. I like Atkins. Carnation Instant breakfast is good, but doesn't have as much protein. A heating pad. The mental prep is more important. Be sure you have a few days that you don't have to do anything big...you won't sleep that great and you will be tired. I have spent lots of time on LBT, and have learned most everything here. REad the good stuff, and the bad stuff. Ask questions (like you are!). The hardest part of being banded is just adjusting my thoughts...and being patient. Good luck! Cindy

Congratulations, Patty, on your new position! Goodbye's are hard, but you have go through them to get to the next place. Good luck! Anne...hope your DD is doing a little better today...strep throat? That can be tough! So far, DD does not have pink eye. I am at work right now! yea. Betty, it's your turn now...now that we have all our body parts back (from Beanie's "crossings"!) we can cross them for you! It's fast and furious here...when I'm out a couple of days, their world doesn't rotate! Later, Cindy

Jan 11, 2006, Wednesday B: coffee and Zone Perfect L: Zone Perfect S: Zone Perfect D: Lean Cuisine frozen meal, ice cream:rolleyes Water: 12 oz I don't even want to talk about exercise. I took my vitamins and calcium Cindy

:clap2: CONGRATULATIONS, BEANIE!!!!!!!!!:clap2: This is the best news so far this year! It might even be the absolute best news of 2006! OH, that's YOU dancing in your Santa hat! Life is good. :high5: Hugs and more hugs, Cindy:girl_hug:

Calm down. One baby step at a time. Panic will not help you, right? Do ONE thing. Just ONE. If you feel overwhelmed, that will just fuel your desire to eat. You know what to do. Hugs, Cindy

Great NSV! I hadn't thought of that one, but you're right! Cindy

DEFINITELY! Get a fun substitute ring for now...but if you love your real wedding rings, get 'em sized more than once! You deserve it!

Good for you! Do you mind me asking...what size did you start, and what size are you now? I love to daydream about stuff like this, so inspire me! Please? Cindy