PrtyAntOvrYt

Hey Kids! Well, I just got back from Red Robin's. It was just me and Lifesaver. She's really sweet and I'm so glad she came and we got a chance to chat. I missed you all! But I know that you had things to do! Sorry though, no pics this month. I forgot my camera! See ya Peeps, dee~

Good Morning!!! Marcy! Hey wait! I need a man! But I don't see one in sight, so I'll just continue learning to love myself. Michelle! I'm thrilled for you! I hope Ed knows what a lucky young man he is! You're a treasure! Tina! I haven't noticed the irritation, but if I have to take something, I crush it and take it with a pretty thick Protein shake on an empty stomach and then wash it down with about 20 oz. of Water. I don't drink the entire Protein Shake, just enough to get the crushed meds down. I'm loving the new Mix1 drinks made in Boulder. That's how I take my meds in the morning. I think if I take it with food it just sits in the pouch and I don't get the benefit of it. L.A.! I was worried about you! I'm so glad that it's not an erosion! I think reflux is workable. Do you know what causes a slip? I need to figure that one out. Is it vomiting? Or are there other things that can cause it? I'm just glad you get to keep your band! Well, guys, I finally lost 2 lbs this morning. I'm really struggling with the swelling and it just gets me so frustrated to see the scale go up after I've worked. I measured my waist yesterday and it's now 50.5 inches! When I started it was 58inches! My clothes fit better and I'm losing sizes so I just need to remember that! Have a Sweet Day! Hugs, dee~

Anita! I saw the weather report! ARGH! That's horrible! I don't want to be at RR by myself, BUT I totally understand! If the weather is bad, don't even chance it! You're life is worth more than a drive up north! Send us a picture of you and we'll be happy! Darn it! We miss you!!! love, dee~

Marcy, That's a great NSV!! Wow!!! While in Lincoln this weekend, I went shopping at Avenue. A store I used to shop at in ABQ. I tried on several items because they had a huge sale. The 3xl's were huge on me and I had to get a 2xl. Pants and shirts for $4.99 and there were plenty of 2xl's available. don't you love your Band? I do! I can' wait till I get to a size 16! Yeah!!!

LA, I am so sorry to hear about your problems! That's horrible! I really will be praying for you and sending positive energy your way. You have done so well with your band. You were banded just a little shy of 2 weeks before me and you've already lost 55lbs. That is impressive. You're dedicated to making this tool work. I hope with all of my heart that you'll be able to keep your band, the doctors will find what the problem is and you'll be well soon. Bless you, dee~

Lap, Everything here says we are meeting on Wednesday, the 9th. I can't meet Thursday or Friday. But maybe everyone else can. Send out a post and see if people want to change, since we were all meeting to see you. Maybe Michelle will be able to join everyone on Thursday or Friday. Take care, dee~

Kidlings! HI! I am about to get out of Dodge. I'm traveling with the Band. Doesn't that make you think of a really fun time? Traveling with Rascal Flatts, Nickelback or Casting Crowns? Just you and the Band, town after town, concerts, fans, autographs? Well,not the same band, I'm traveling with my 14ml AP band. Ha! Sorry to disappoint all of you! I'm hoping to not gain during my mini-vacation. I lost when I went to ABQ, but stress helped me there. I'm heading to the hopping town of Lincoln Nebraska! I am going to hang out with some College friends. Alumni weekend! Fun Fun Fun, peeps! Anita! 9 lbs is not so bad considering you were eating food that Grammy made! I remember my Grammy - she was the best cook in the world. She made fresh cinnamon rolls daily - along with fresh baked bread. I remember spending a summer with her - after 2 months returning home as a chubby 10 year old. None of my clothes fit AND that was the start of my weight problem for the next 34 years. My grammy was pretty much square. She was, maybe 4-10 and weighed probably 300 to 350lbs. She was soft and mushy and just the sweetest woman ever! I remember she had no lap - but she want us to sit next to us. She was a very accomplished piano player. Amazing the music that would come from those short fat little fingers of hers. I have such sweet memories of my Grandma Grace. Both of my Grandma's died of Breast CA. I was blessed with the two best Grandmas in the world! Mal, when you throw your scale out, could you run by my house and pick mine up? I weigh 3 or 4 times a day! ARGH! I'm addicted to that scale! Thanks for your kind words. I just am a regular squirrel. Michelle, I will miss you at RR. BUT IF there was a sweet man desiring my company, I'd be so thrilled -- and I'd probably forget RR ever existed. Red Robin, what's a Red Robin? Enjoy!!! :thumbup: Lap, I can't wait to see you at RR. My first goal is 10% . My scale goes up and down down and then up and down down! The dependent edema in my ankles makes it move up every time I work!:eek: Shelbi, Setting mini-goals is the way to go. I took my starting weight and plotted out 10% goals. As my weight decreases my goals decrease also. I have 10 - 10% goals. Each one I reach, I have rewards set up, massage, facial lasering, Tiffany's bracelet.... :thumbup: Shelbi, you're very sweet. I appreciate your words. I don't get to see Sandra's family since they live in ABQ and I live in Denver. I hope the other nurses and friends get the journals completed. I gave them to my bff. I hope one day, they can read our words about their Mom and know how special she was and how much we loved her! I believe the kids are doing pretty well. They have great grandparents and a great father who has told them that their Mom is in heaven. She is an angel now. Her oldest son talks about it freely. I think that is healthy. I believe the way you do about death. My Mom never sheltered us from death. As kids we attended funerals and it was just a part of living. I appreciate that way of thinking. It's not scary, it's very sad, but death is a part of life.:sad: When my father passed away, it was very bittersweet. Mare, I was so glad to hear from you! I've missed you Lady!!! Congrats on your weight loss! I hope we can see you at RR next Wednesday, but since it's your birthday, I understand! Happy Birthday, Lady! Brandy, Thanks for the Hug! I felt so 'needy' after I posted that! BUT it was honest and how I feel. I'll take all the hugs that are offered! I've got years to make up for! :wub: Well, I better get my soon to be smaller hiney moving! Hugs and Love to you all! Red Robin Banditos gathering. 7pm, I-25 and Arapahoe: Woofay Lap Dancer Brandy Dee

You're welcome Sweetie! I'm so happy for you! I hope one day to find a new love! I'm so lonely and sometimes the lonliness is palpable. Human touch is so vital for our health and well-being. I miss that so much. I always loved hugs, but now I find I crave them. Just to feel the warmth of another person helps me make it through my day. I've been dealing with my grief. I will be okay and then I find myself thinking and missing my friend, Sandra. I start crying and then I can't stop. Death is so final. Not a day passes, I don't think of her children. I pray they are able to find their peace. dee~ oh yes, I think it's the 9th of April. Lapdancer - is the 9th the day?

Good for you Linz. I'm glad you had a good weekend. I know it's not easy to focus on ourselves when our loved ones are going through a hard time. Being a Mom, we feel selfish and guilty, but as I've mentioned before, WE become better Moms when we're healthy and happy. We are also more adequate supporters when we are spiritually fed and physically healthy. I hope your husband's doctors can make a diagnoses and your husband can start feeling better. Take Care, dee~

Great! We usually meet at 7pm, but we should double check with the group to make sure that is the time, we'll be meeting on the 9th.

Hi Liteweight! As far as I know we've only met at Red Robin. I used to eat their fries, but I'm not even tempted by them anymore. They do have some pretty good options there. I always get their Ensenada Chicken Salad. It's two Grilled Chicken Breasts with a small salad. I usually can eat half the salad and one of the small chicken breasts. The chicken is really moist and pretty thinly sliced. Michelle got a different chicken breast last time and a side salad. I hope you can join us!!! Mamato3! It would be great to meet you in June! dee~

Hi Mal AND all the other Banditos! Shelbi, I agree it's a good reminder. I have to remind myself often to be good to myself! Today, I wore an outift that I hadn't worn before. I love going into the back of my closet and trying on my smaller sizes AND having them fit! One Happy Bandito - am I! Lifesaver - please join us at Red Robins. Everyone is so nice! You're going to love us! We're still on for April 8th, right? Red Robin - I-25 and Arapahoe. Be there or be square -- or in our case, rectanglar! Ha!

Greenie! I love Free Diet Plans at SparkPeople! I love seeing what I've eaten, my protein, fats and carbs! I thrive on information! I am such a nerd!

My computer posted that before I was done! Michelle, Bless your heart for reminding us that we have to let go and let God. Being in ABQ for the weekend really brought back some bad memories. I saw some of the old neighbors where I lived for the last 14 years with my exhusband and daughter. It was bittersweet. They all knew long before I did that my ex was cheating on me and not one person said a word to me. They came to my home for BBQ's, for graduation parties, for holiday parties, all the while knowing he had had women in my home, my bed while I was out of town or at work - and yet not one said a word to me. When I allowed myself to think about it - I felt stressed and I wanted to stuff those feelings down with food. The head hunger hit hard - but luckily I had nothing to eat and before I could get something, those feelings turned to sadness and I had that familiar lump in my throat and didn't feel like eating anything. I felt angry! Angry at myself for not leaving sooner, angry for giving him so many chances and angry at all of those people who claimed to be my friends. I'm glad to be home again. I need to be positive, I need to learn to love myself again - I don't need to be re-living those moments! It was a devestating time in my life. Michelle, I'm so glad you have a therpist to help you with your shrinking issues. I know that no matter how petite you become, you will never become invisible. You have a smile that brightens the room, your warmth and sweetness is huge. I thought that the first time I met you at RR last October. You're presence is not shrinking - and as you become healthier and happier, you'll just blossom more. Your confidence will help you become more visible and able to reach out to others who need your support and love. I think you're awesome. How was your date? Ms Greenie - Congrats on your planned indulgence! Do you enjoy your leftovers from Outback later? I'm loving my leftovers from when I eat out! Yummy! BE proud you can pass up that bread and Awesome Blossom. Realize that that is the ultimate control and something to be appaulded! Brandy - I can't wait to see you at RR. I think it's great that your MIL was so sweet to compliment you in front of everyone else. You deserved it! Shelbi - Don't be so hard on yourself. You have been through so much with your family issues, your son. Take a deep breath, write down your goals and work to get back on track. I hope you were able to get an appt. with your therapist on Monday. Good luck with the nicotine gum. I'll say a prayer for you. It's a daily struggle to give up smoking. I come from a family of smokers. My father smoked his entire life. Sometimes Shelbi, we give so much of ourselves to our families, that we forget what is important to keep us healthy. It reminds me of the pre-flight instructions - before applying the oxygen to your child, you must apply your own oxygen. Honey, before we can give of ourselves, we have to give to ourselves. We minister to our loved ones from what we have within - feed your soul and your body in a healthy manner, so you have the reserve to offer those you love. Hugs to you! Have I been verbose enough? A post Hog! Luv you guys, dee~

Hi Everyone! I've been Traveling with the Band. I drove to ABQ on Easter for a Dentist appt. on Monday. Yes, I travel over 400 miles to see a Dentist. Insane! NO! I have had the same dentist since I was 10 years old! I have only seen 1 other dentist in the last 34 years. I'm never nervous! He is a good friend of mine! AND I was the Lap Band Marketing Queen! I had some of Dr K's cards from my previous appts. You know the ones they give you with your time on the back - well I passed them out like candy! Everyone noticed my weight loss! It was such a pat on the back! Everyone knows someone who needs the surgery, so I would give them a card and my speech and then I would remind them that is has to be a very personal decison. And if someone had asked me last year at this time if I would have WLS, I would have told them absolutely not. They need to be patient and loving with their friend or family who is overweight. Give them the information and allow them to do the research and make the choice. The funny thing about seeing my friends and family was that everyone said I look like I've lost more than I have. I think when a person is my size, they wear very baggy clothes so they appear much bigger. Yes, I am huge, but I think with the baggy clothes I looked larger than that! This weekend I wore more form fitting shirts (my same huge and now very baggy pants - I only own one pair of 3xl - so I have to wear my suspenders.) and people were shocked! Someone at work said, "Hey you have boobs!" I replied, "I have always had boobs, but my tummy is now smaller - making my boobs look bigger." I guess you can call that a NSV! Okay Friends: Tina - we do need to see some recent pics! You my dear need to see some recent pics! It's such a pat on the back to see yourself in pics after you've lost weight, even if it's just 10 lbs, it's good to see the change. You're not a bad bandster! You're human and I think you're doing very well! I think I was like you before surgery. I never really ate poorly, I ate whole grains, lean proteins and a lot of veggies and fruits, but I was a bulk eater. Now I'm thrilled to be able to be satiated on a small amount. I think that is why I force myself to get a take-out container when I'm out and separate the food out before ever taking my first bite. Then I close the container and put it on an empty chair. What is on my plate is for me to enjoy and savor and what is in my take-out container is for tomorrow or later. It keeps me on track. Because I know my weakness! Amieru - Dr. K told me I could start riding my recumbent bike at 3 weeks and I could start swimming after I saw him at my 4 week appt. I think it's fine to start exercising, BUT I'd just send a quick email to Natalie and clear it with her. (how's that for a response from a former Telephone Triage Nurse?)

Lap, You have done so well! Don't allow your mind to take over and make you feel defeated. It's hard when our restriction decreases, because our old habits want to rear their ugly heads! I see a big difference in your pictures and it makes me feel so inspired. You give me hope! dee~

Mal! Sweetie, Baby, Lovey, Honeychild! Where are you? I miss you! PM me or post so we know you're okay! Pretty please? dee~:ohmy:

OH my Goodness Tina is right Shelbi, you're doing GREAT!!! Look at your ticker!!

Well, I'm sorry to inform you Brandy, but we aren't FUN people! Just kidding! BUT look at you!!! 50lbs lost!!! and you have 50 to go? :thumbdown: You've lost 50% of your excess weight!!!

You're welcome Marcy! My daughter loves Jelly Belly Jellybeans and she bought a bag at Target. I had to have her put them in her backpack and zip it up -- they were calling my name, "Dee, we want you to eat us."

Ms Greenie! I am so sorry to hear about the mix up! I'm not sure why things happen sometimes. But I think it's something we all need to be cognizant of -- how we deal with a mess up and how the other person perceives it. I have always believed that recognizing the other person's burden and frustration caused by the mess up - And apologize profusely will make a big difference in how the person relates the incident later. I know that I can be very upset and frustrated, but if the other party takes the time to validate my frustration - it makes all the difference in the world. I'm sorry you had to deal with that frustration. I was in his office at 1600 and I would have loved to have met you! A fellow Green Lover like yourself would have made my day! Love ya, dee~

Marcy! I'm here to support you! I have used several online diet journals and found that very good. FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal Calorie Counter, Diet Tracking, Food Journal, Nutrition Facts at The Daily Plate Free Diet Plans at SparkPeople What I love about them is I can log all of my food, see how much protein I ate and adjust my dinner accordingly. I think Sparkpeople is my favorite one, because it also allows me to log in my exercise and gives me how much calories I've burned. You might already know about these sites, forgive me for repeating this information, but I just think it's helped me a lot. Another thing to consider is doing a plateau busting diet -- which is basically meat and veggies, very much like our pre-op diet. I have some friends who have done it and it's gotten them moving again. If you're interested I can try to find it for you. Good Luck Dear! :wink2: hugs, dee~

Cara! That's not like him or his office staff! Call first thing in the morning and ask them if you can talk to him. I am so sorry! I know you were really looking forward to talking to him. Things happen sometimes that can't be avoided. Don't give up! Please. dee~

Hi TracyinKS, I take it your name is Tracy and you live in Kansas? Ha! Your Mom is making a great choice! As I'm sure you've read here, we love Dr. K and his office staff! The band has changed my life and I will be forever grateful to Dr. K for making this surgery possible for me!

That's great! 80lbs is a lot of weight! You must feel so much lighter! Why are your old friends PB back? I'd be happy to never meet those friends! Ugly! Just Ugly, I say! I can't wait to see the Biggest Loser of Lapbandtalk! YOU! You ole skinny minny!:tt2: