ReneBean

Good info, Wheetsin! thx

I know that most men are dogs - and certainly your friend hitting on you out of the blue must be somewhat disconcerting. Hopefully - if he is truly your friend - you will be able to discuss this with him. Try to keep in mind that some of these other peripheral men might be hitting on you now because your actions have changed. Maybe you are smiling more, maybe you are more outgoing and they are noticing you for the first time NOT because you are thin - but because you are shining - because you are bubbly - because you are crossing your legs or walking like a woman.... Try to keep an open mind - even about your friend. Maybe he always liked you but was afraid because you were so depressed - or maybe you were always giving out such strong "buddy" signals that he never saw you as a girl before now. I know that I do not feel sexy - and I never put out any "sexy" signals because I don't want all the men in the room to run screaming from my huge fatness. (trust me - I have seen this reaction from men). But sometimes I wonder if I did start putting out the "sexy" vibe if I wouldn't get a reaction from some folks - even as fat as I am. Now - maybe none of this applies to you - but it's another train of thought. Hugs and good luck with the whole "man" issue. I wouldn't panic about the baked cheeto episode, either. I understand that self sabotage is always a concern - but it's not like you ate a half gallon of Haagen Daaz.... :] Maybe a counselor could help with your concerns. The "man" thing is scary for everybody - even normies. For those of us who never really did girl things in high school - who never had a normal social life - it's terrifying. Hugs!!

Kelly Ann you rock! So - tell me - what size clothes are you wearing? Can you shop at normal stores? How tall are you? 153 is actually right on top of my 'goal' weight - but that number will fluctuate with whatever size clothes I can wear. My goal is to be a true size 14 - or maybe a 12 if I get really motivated. Maybe the number on the scale needs to be re-evaluated? Or maybe you do need to get an unfill and then really focus on the old rules... Protein first, low carbs, lots of Water between meals. Hugs and good luck~! You have come so far - it must be frustrating to just be stalled - and to have that weird coughing thing, too. I am thinking good thoughts for you.

Wowza!!!! Lookin' good, Telly!

Hey All I am just dropping in to catch up on my reading and say "hey". No time for personals, again. The gal that was out for a month and a half for her foot surgery called in sick today. Hmmm. Dang - I have GOT to win the lottery. I must confess that since we got the one toilet working, we did not actually take the time to fix the other one this weekend. I stopped and got all the stuff on my way home - but we spent the entire weekend slugging around. It was nice. The house was clean, there was plenty of food prepared and ready to heat-n-eat and we didn't have anyplace we had to be. I suppose I will be sorry about that whole slug business later this week when the joy of showering in what we lovingly call "the coffin" wears thin - but for now, it was well worth it to enjoy a completely stress free weekend. I did spend the entire weekend eating - and it was not a good thing. So, either I am totally retaining water - or I took in 24,500 calories that have been converted into 7 lbs of fat. I am hoping for the water thing - but we will be returning to the gym starting tonight! I love you guys! TTL

:girl_hug: :party: :happybday: :party: :drum: Happy Birthday, Cindy!!!

Happy Friday!! Dianne - congrats on both the 4 lbs AND the referral for the reduction. Talk about getting the weight off your chest... haha. I feel you on the water main. I managed to plug up my kitchen sink the night before TDay - and when I took my shower in the morning, it flooded the bathroom and the hallway and blew the seal out of my toilet in the bathroom we use for company. Yep - it was special. Tomorrow we get to spend the day ripping that toilet up and putting in a new wax seal and stuff. Yippee.... So did you ever get your Orange? Uh, your family must be easily distracted. Oh - and I thought of you all day yesterday. My sister got a puppy about the same time you did - and named her - you guessed it - Lucy! So every time she talked about her Lucy - I thought of you. :] Eileenie - I did eat two bites every fifteen minutes - although I did eat a lot of veggies and not just stuffing! I was full all stinking day - cause you know, you have to eat the imperfect veggies and nibble as you put those relish trays together - and then there was the dinner - and after the dinner, those deviled eggs started calling my name...and my Sister made LEMON pie - my all time favorite and, and, and..... In the end - I had to sit for about an hour before bed drinking water and waiting for the gas to pass.... But, I survived to tell the tale....Sounds like I survived better than you did! Poor baby! I hope you are feeling much better today. Chris - Sign me up for those mini Calzones... Either sounds great! Oh - and I would rather cook the feast than clean up after, too! :] Keep on Dancing! Sherry - Hope your hubby gets BIL moved without mishap. Congrats on your DS's report card. It always feels great when the loved ones do well. And no - no Christmas shopping here, yet. Not even for myself. :] I do love to go out into the Holiday crowds, though. I would be singing along with you - although, I favor "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" when the snarly faces are all over the place. :] "Here we are as in Olden Days, Happy Golden Days of yore.... Faithful friends who are dear to us, gather near to us, once more.... Cindy - just Vanilla and Nutmeg for flavoring, huh? Hmmm. I expect if it was properly creamy, it would be fabulous. *PIE* Mmmmmm. Hope you are having the best Birthday ever! Does your Birthday feel more special when you are only weeks from retirement? I would be having a very hard time being motivated right now - but I guess it is easier when you are dealing with people instead of paper. Mandy - Poor Abi - nothing like REALLY itching all over. *sigh*. But it sounds like you had a great time decorating. I am planinng to pop the box on my tree tonight. I can't wait. Cass - how did you do on liquids, hon? I hope you are feeling well. The cobwebs go away as soon as you stop taking the pain meds. That stuff REALLY knocked me out. Glad to hear the doc took a look at your incisions and that they are doing well. Hugs!! Pat - I surely hope you are feeling a little better - and I am thinking the best possible thoughts for you to kick this whatever it is for good. You are so organized... and how cool that your office gal is willing to come to your house and help out. Hope you get your tree, soon. Hugs!! Darcy - I know a lady who loves to do the quilting part - but doesn't want all the fuss and bother of making the tops. She is always looking for tops to quilt in front of the TV.... I could hook you up?!? :] She is here in TX - a co-worker. Hope you have a great day of sewing. Whatcha makin? Still working on the quilt top? Betty - I am so sorry you had a less than stellar Holiday. I was afraid all day that I would have a PB while the toilette was broken and the whole family was there... but I was lucky. I hope you are feeling better today. Well, my darlings - I heard a rumor that they might let us go early again today - cause it's VERY quiet here. All our mtg brokers took today off. Keep your fingers crossed. I got a powerful hankerin' for a turkey sandwich - and I didn't bring any leftovers in..... :] Love you guys!! **PS - they are letting us leave! YaHoo!!!. And just for fun, I went in and recalculated my BMI. At my 298 - I am JUST under 50. So, finally, I am thin enough to get the LapBand! lol!

Happy Birthday, Cindy!!!!

B Vitamins are just nasty tasting. There is no way around that. Sorry. If you REALLY feel that you have to cheat - eat raw vegetables. They have no carbs and they have the all important texture that one craves when one is on liquids. **and if you can't force yourself to drink the nasty B Vitamin shakes - look at the label. Determine how many carbs, how many vitamins - and see if you can come close with a better tasting product. I like Six Star powder - you can get it at Walmart - and Atkins pre-mixed shakes. Good luck. Stay tough.

Thanks Guys. Glad you like the post. I just know that I had some pretty high expectations when I was fighting the insurance company - and while the instant gratification factor has been low - I am certainly grateful for my band every single day. Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!! Kat - on your 30 year old "kid" - next year - just ask her what she is bringing - pointedly. She will get the message. It's past time for her to step up.... :] Oh - and we don't cater too much to picky eaters at my house. If you don't like it - don't eat it. Amazingly enough - folks always seem to find something they can tolerate. :] Oh - and the poundage in the signature is the "Official" weight as of my last doctor's visit. I will change that when I go to see him again next month. Jules - glad to hear I am not the only one who doesn't know about Chess Pie. Hope you are having a great day! Mandy - non-alcoholic wine is about the same thing as decaffinated coffee. I guess they can suck the alcohol out of anything.... I will have to try the pork thing. We are big into pork at my house. Chrispy - Calzones? I want some! What a great non-traditional feast food. Do you put meat in them? Do tell. It's all about food porn today, anyway, isn't it? I mean Geez. We have already read about Caremel Pecan pie... how much more hungry can I get? :] Eileenie - cute card! Have fun cooking. Just in case I somehow don't get back here before Friday - HUGE hugs and much love to all of you - I will be thinking of you as I take my two bites of stuffing every 15 minutes. Hugs & Love Irene

I don't think anybody is 100% against surgery for this girl - it might be a good thing for her. The problem is that the Doctor's and the Insurance Companies won't do it because she is so young. Personally - having been in her shoes - if my parents could have gotten me a band instead of sending me to fat camp for the summer - I would have wanted that and been so glad to have it. There is also the maturity issue. The band requires some self discipline - if only to get thru the healing process. A 12 year old just might not have that self control - and unless Mom is going to lock her up for 4-6 weeks while she heals - our girl will have to be able to control herself. That is probably half the reason that the docs won't do the surgery on children. I know that I would have done anything - anything at all to have a chance to be normal. I wish there was any easy answer. *sigh*

Hey - I guess enough of us have beaten them about the head and shoulders to get them to change their guidlines, Huh? :]

I'm no good at self deprivation. With the band, I eat what I want - but I want less than I did before. The weight loss isn't something I focus on every minute of every day, like I had to do on any of the other plans. And, the added bonus is that this isn't a "plan" that I will go off of. I am just going on about my life with my little friend to keep me from eating zillions of calories a day. If I am blessed enough to be able to keep my band for the rest of my life, I certainly will!!

Dr. Fox is great. He is at Medical City and at the Surgery Center of Richardson. I really can't recommend the surgery center enough - the people there were all fantastic. Congrats on your decision and good luck finding a surgeon. I know there aren't any shortage of great ones here. :]

hahahahaha Great. Tomorrow it's two bites ever 15 minutes from Dawn until Dusk! :]

Alicia - you ROCK! Dang - size 14 is like my goal.... I am so excited for you! Congrats and Great Job!

I mix flavored Water and filtered tap water and drink that. I also make use of my morning commute to drink water. I have a 1 liter bottle that I carry with me. I try to drink one on the way in and one on the way home. I haven't had any problems with dehydration. Good luck.

Take your pain meds - even if you think you don't hurt. Take them for at least 4-5 days as prescribed. It will help - if only to knock you out enough to sleep. The other odd thing I heard was to kneel with your butt higher than your head. Something about gas rising to the highest point. I am not sure that you will be comfortable doing that position so soon after surgery - but it might help. Good luck. Remember - this too shall pass.

That burping thing get's a little less over time - but you will find that without so much food in your system your stomache will growl a lot. I just deal with the burping. It's the only real "side effect" that I have other than the stomache growl. :]

IF everybody already knows - take the attention. Lap it up. You have earned it. Lookin' Good!

This reminds me so much of that commercial on TV where the guy buys the painting at auction and then turns around to sell it right away.... It wouldn't be smart to get the band removed before you gave it a try. Just wait on doing anything until you heal up. Then you can have time to see how much actual upheaval there will be in your life. I swear - there isn't that much after the initial healing phase has passed. Hugs.

I don't know anything about GB surgery - but the pain of lapband was minimal and I felt I could have returned to my desk job after only four days. I probably could have gone back sooner - except I had to sleep sitting up for the first few days because getting up and down is the hardest part after surgery. You just don't realize how much your abdominal muscles work for you until you try to lie down or stand up without using them. I know this surgery is scaring you more than your GB surgery because it means a permanent change to your eating life. Any time you mess with food your subconscious experiences a fear that is primal - food is one of the main things that your inner caveman worries about. The good news for your caveman - you probably won't have any long-term effects of having the band until after you start getting fills. Yes - the fills pierce your skin each time. The place where I go gives you a numbing shot and you don't even feel the "big needle". Just don't look at the needles and you will be fine. I have had five fills - and never seen the needle. My inner caveman gets all freaked out by pointy things.... I can't see or feel the port - nor do I have any worries that I will anytime soon - but if you lose all your weight and have a supermodel body with a port lump - you can get a surface surgery later to replace the port with a "low profile" one that is smaller. Try to meditate on the fact that you probably won't have immediate restriction and after you heal up you will still be able to eat normal foods until you start getting your fills. Your inner caveman might relax a bit. Hugs!!

Great for a quick lunch on the go - carry along food... chicken of the Sea Salmon Cups... I eat the BBQ Honey salmon cup with a serving of lowfat Wheat Thins. It's about a perfect Bandster lunch. :]

I also use Six Star when I mix my own. For pre-mix I use Atkins. They are ok. Probably not the healthiest option - but they are easy for me and low carb/high Protein. My doc also advises against slim fast - for all the reasons mentioned. Good luck!