chichigirl

Lisa, did that wacko office lady get you to drink a coke or eat more candy corn? I swear you sound like you're on a real sugar high girlfriend, LOL. I love it though, so because I have lost 60 lbs, it's my fault that where I live is currently under a hurricane threat, again? SSSSSSSSHHHHHHH!!!! Don't tell my neighbors, they'll impale me for sure if they find out it's all my fault. Seriously, or not, I had to laugh out loud reading your post, which in my opinion is always a good thing. I love laughing and you provide a lot of laughter around here. Thanks!:-] Cindy

I don't know where this will show, if it's local only or not, but I am currently watching the news and they are talking about having a new warning about the risks for gastric bypass surgery. I will post what they have to say after the report is given, but the way they're presenting it's not a positve report, but who knows with the media. It may be information we are already familiar with, I don't know, but I'll keep you posted. By the way, I am in Miami, FL, if anyone is in that news area it's being shown on Channel 4, CBS. Cindy

Paula, I am so sorry that you and your family had to go through this awful storm, but thank God you guys were not hurt. I know you probably don't really know who I am as I only started posting a little before you were hit by the hurricanes. I live in Miami, FL so believe me I understand what you have been through all too well. I have lived in Miami my whole life, so you can imagine how many storms I have been through. I don't know if it's me, but they sure seem to be getting a lot worse. Right now we are in danger of being hit by Wilma, can you imagine, they are in the W's!!!! Anyway, this lovely storm has broken a record for the lowest pressure ever recorded and kicked up to a category 5. This afternoon said that it was down to 165 mph, that's down? Anyway, I also really glad that your home is livable. I know a lot of people here have been very concerned about you and the prayers were many. Thanks for posting the pictures. People need to see just how bad these storms cn be and that they need to be taken seriously. I have a friend who lives in Meterarie and she and her daughter's home, right across the street from one another, were only damaged minimally and they were wise enough to go to Western Texas before the storm hit. So I have really been hearing a lot about the storms from her. Well, sorry to ramble on, I have a bad habit of that. I pray that you guys continue to overcome all of this and please say a prayer for us here in Florida, we're going to need it, bad. Cindy

I love reality shows too, although they don't seem really real sometimes. They're still fun to watch, for me anyway. I recently started watching The Biggest Loser and was shocked and disappointed that they were showing people losing 10, 17, 13 lbs a week. That is sooooo unhealthy by everything we've been taught, yet they have a nutrionist, and personal trainers. The way they're working out? I would think it is dangerous, they are not allowing their muscles to recover at all. I am really confused by all of that. As for the poor guy who didn't lose an ounce last night, after all his hard work, I didn't feel like he was bingeing, but rather providing the extra calories he needed to accommodate his huge increase in activity. Even the personal trainer said that when she talked to him later to see what they could do differently to have him show weight loss next week. They're forcing everyone to focus on the losses only. Whoever loses the most wins, period. They get rewarded if they lose the most weight, they get immunity so they can't be voted out, they feel like they have let their team down if they don't lose enough. What is all that garbage? Bad messages being sent and in my opinion, it's perpetuating obesity prejudice. Look, if you eat right? and work your a** off, you will lose weight, it's that simple. Reality is it's not that simple and we know that. The best way for me to protest what they're doing is to not watch the show and giving them better ratings than they deserve. Boycotting has always been the most effective way of peacfully making changes for those things we don't like or agree with. This is not a reality show IMHO. Nothing real about it, except maybe that poor guy last night feeling like he just let his entire team down. That was real on his part, but I'd just as soon not encourage anyone to be treated that way in the name of better TV viewing. Okay, down from soapbox. Hope everyone has a great day!! Cindy

Congrats, I am so very happy for you and glad you shared with us. As you know already, there is nothing more inspirational than a real success story. Another great inspiration is before and after pics, if you have any, we would love to see them. Keep up the wonderful work and keep us posted. I will look forward to you sharing more good news. Cindy

I really like Diablo, what a great character. How do you find all of this neat stuff? Well, no matter, you always share it anyway, thanks, you're great! How are you doing today? Heard any more from the docs or insurance company? I personally would really be the sqeeky wheel and they'd approve me just to shut me up. In case you haven't noticed, you being such a nice person and all, I can really be quite annoying and obnoxious when someone pushes my buttons, and believe me I have a lot of buttons. LOL :-] Hope you're having a better day, I've got you in my prayers, you and Kelly, boy you are both going through such a rough time. These things too shall pass. (((((((HUGS))))))))) Never hurts to have too many hugs!!!!! Cindy

Poor thing, yea I got pretty scared the first time it happened to me, and still do when it still occasionally happens, I'm a slow learner sometimes. It makes me feel like I can't breath, which always makes you panic, big time. So, it's normal to feel the way you feel about getting stuck. Glad you called your doc, always a good idea just to make sure. Follow his guidelines for eating the next few days and you will be fine. Hope this never happens to you again, or me either for that matter, LOL. Have a good day, it's over and you're okay, that's what counts.

Well, doesn't it just figure, I live clear across the country from you!!! I live on the East coast, Miami, FL. You know, the place that's about to be hit by yet another hurricane this year. I am so over these stupid hurricanes, major inconvenience ya know? I wish you luck with the doc, insurance and with the soon to come surgery! Keep us posted on how things are going. Cindy

In addition to asking your surgeon, I'd ask the fertility doc as well. It would be best to get both of their opinions, that way you will have all bases covered. I know how you feel, been there when I was younger, much younger. Having a baby is very important and you want to make sure you do absolutely everything just right for your sake and the babies sake. I wish you the very best of luck and will keep you in my prayers that the docs give the go ahead and that you get pregnant on your first try:-] Cindy

Too cute!!! Sounds like me on a good day, LOL!!!! Thanks for sharing! Laughing indeed is therapeutic! Cindy

Gosh, I just love those long, flowing skirts and because I live in Miami, FL, the weather is always appropriate to wear them, but too hot for pantyhose. I too have the chaffing and bleeding, really painful and awful. Congrats to you, enjoy those skirts and feel as sexy as I am sure you are in them. Any chance of a couple of pics with you wearing one of those lovely skirts? Just thought I'd ask, I love seeing the pictures, they are sooooo inspirational to me. Cindy

Oh Nykee, you are doing totally awsome!!! In less than a year's time you are already redefining your lifestyle. No more fast food, that's huge to give up, I also notice you have given up a lot of the really sugary foods and drinks, how great is that!!! You need to give yourself much more credit than you do for having self control. I don't know of anyone personally who stops the instant they feel the restriction the way you do!!! Wow, what an inspiration you are for those of us who don't do that. You are so right about doing it that way, that's the way I believe the band is suppose to work, but like so many others, I have pushed it before and had the stupid PB. My own fault, I admit it, I need to follow your example!! I don't call it magic, rather, I call it miraculous what all of us are able to do with this little band. I am so very glad to hear how well you are doing, don't put yourself down and don't allow others to either. You are obviously much stronger than you give yourself credit for and it's time you accept that. Thank you so much for the wonderful post. I certainly have gained a great deal from it and from the looks of it, so have many others. Keep us posted on your wonderful progress. We are so proud of you!!!! Cindy

Sexy, just like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. I have always been heavy my entire adult life, but let me tell you, my skinny little ex-husband couldn't keep his hands off of me. He was like a freaking rabbit and wanted to go at it allll the time. He use to tell me that everytime he looked at me he got turned on, no matter what I was wearing and that he found me incredibly sexy. Of course this is the same guy that thought I was his personal punching bag whenever he was mad or in a bad mood. That's why he's my ex! I have lost 60 lbs since the first week of August and I am already beginning to feel sexy and am allowing myself to feel that way. I know I still weight over 300 lbs, who cares, I still got it. I dress nicely whenever I go out, even to the gym. I fix my hair and I hold my head up high, my confidence in myself is one of my sexiest attributes. Lisa, I'll start saving my money for my trip to Vegas for that makeover. Gosh, you really look great in the photo and I do love your positive thinking and enthusiasm, regardless of what life has thrown at you. Lance Armstrong defines being a hero and inspiration is someone who wins in the face of adversity. So guess that makes us all hero's and inspiring to others whether we realize it or not. Thanks Lisa for reminding us how wonderfully sexy we all are! You are awesome!! Cindy

Cindy here, yep, another supportive friend of yours. I am unemployed and totally available to fly to where you live? and take care of you afterwards. You have tons of friends, they don't have to know that they communicate with you through the computer, but this is the computer age and everyone does it. Heck people even meet their future spouses, partners, loved ones over the internet, what's the difference if your support group is here? Keri's right, just call a cab if you have to to get home. I have a very close friend, my best friend as a matter of fact, who lives in the same condo building I do. But he's a guy and the most support I got from him was the ride home, the rest was all up to me. I'm not complaining, I had it really easy, so it was no big deal and if I really need anything I would have called him. Remember to jump those obsticals they throw at you or if you can't jump them, go around. Whatever you have to do, just get past them. This is for you and I don't think anyone has a right to take it from you. Good Luck! Cindy

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!! Thanks Eileen, for always putting a smile on my face and laughter in my heart!!!! Cindy

Oh Eileen, I'm so very sorry that you may have a delay in getting your surgery. These dang insurance companies are so exasperating and I think they deliberately do this to discourage or postphone people to try and get out of paying for it. They're looking for loopholes to tie things up, but don't you dare give them the satisfaction of giving up. They are not worth it, you deserve to have this surgery and to have the insurance company pay for it. I understand it's disappointing, deciding to have the surgery is difficult enough, so that when these stupid things happen just as we are cranking up to go through with it, bam, the insurance company, usually just days before, through in the monkey wrench. They are very clever at manipulating people and hitting them below the belt. They are unfair with the way they play the game and they couldn't care less about the people as long as their bottom line doesn't suffer. You show them you are made of much stronger stuff than that and we already know you are smarter than they are. The same stupid thing happened to me and I remember the awful feelings, the crying, the fury and rage I went through. It wasn't pretty, but I didn't give up. I made them pay in the end, and that's all I cared about. By the way, it was BCBS of FL that did that do me, big surprise. You are going to have this surgery and you are going to have it before Christmas and probably before Thanksgiving even. The insurance company had to scrape the bottom of the barrel to come up with this excuse, which is one that is easily resolved and you already have the wheels rolling on that. Just sit back and say to yourself, you will have the last word and they will lose this battle. In the meantime, we are all here for you and feel your pain! (((((((((HUGS))))))))))) I'm here whenever you need me, I hope you know that. You are very special to me and will do whatever I can to help you through this. More - ((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))) Cindy

Good Morning Everyone! Weight 307 loss 1.5 lbs Under Bra 41.5 loss 2' Waist 45.5 loss .5" Hips 56 no loss (it figures, my biggest area) Good Luck All!!! Have a Great Week!!! Cindy

Well, to be fair, some of us here have made negative comments about GB, so I am not surprised to here that their site bad mouths LB. It's true, it is a personal decision, only we can make for ourselves. Unfortunately there will be inaccurate information on any site, including this one. I don't believe it is ever intentional, sometimes people get mixed up or simply don't understand something. Then there is always the issue of what the docs have told us, each one is different, so it can be conflicting at times. I personally made my decision based on what I knew and I have not been sorry or regretted it once. I wouldn't get too excited about it, it's just every one is trying to figure it if one is better than the other, and for each of us the answer to that question is different, that's all. Cindy

Jessie, the folks here talking about counseling are right on! It really does help, and believe me I know from my own experience, even with the band, if you don't resolve those old issues, they will continue to run your life. I know it's hard to say the least, but soooooo worth it. It's interesting that you recognize that you quit going to the therapist when she started asking about your weight. Do some really deep soul searching if nothing else, and acknowledge if to no one else but you what the issues really are. It's sort of like being an alcholic, we won't be able to solve the problems until we own it and recognize it for what it is. Good luck and remember, if things get you down as you go through this process, we are always here for you, no matter what, no questions asked. I think you already know what a special group this is and how everyone really understands, relates and is so compassionate with one another. You are never alone as long as we are here!!! Rory's Mom - I don't understand why you would feel like someone, anyone here would be uncomfortable with you being here. I have read your posts before and have never seen anything other than caring advice and thoughtfullness from you. I am really sorry you feel that you don't belong, we all belong. I know that we have at least one person here who has lost a great deal of weight and they aren't even banded. They still needed the support this group has to offer and they have supported us right back. It's a win win situation when we are able to help whoever needs it, regardless of the circumstances, which I am not sure what yours are. I have enjoyed your posts and if you ever want to talk privately you can always PM me or email me, just go to the member list and look me up, all my info is there. Hope to see you around. Cindy

Welcome Tricia and Lalap, glad to have you both onboard! Great place with great people here. Tricia so very glad to hear you have breezed through the surgery and are recovering so quickly, I did as well, isn't it marvelous when it works out this way? Congrats on the super weight loss, it's only the beginning. Lalap ask any questions you'd like. Don't worry about what it is, someone here is bound to have an answer. Very knowlegable and caring people here, always glad to help someone who is checking things out. Good luck and hope to see you on the boards again. Cindy

You have joined a very elite club. Yes, I am one of the gals too, but I'm glad some of the guys have spoken up. They're really great guys that we don't hear enough from, like DeLarla says, we're too busy yakking it up! You'll just have to get pushy with us sometimes, we eventually get the hint, LOL! Welcome and hope all is going well with your recovery. Good luck on your weight loss journey! Cindy

Good for you in making a decision to take control over your own life!!! You have a wonderful incentive, your family, and they will support you in your decision as well. I think it's the best decision I have ever made for myself and would recommend it highly to everyone who is interested and probably a few that aren't, LOL! Welcome and know that we are here to support you as well. This is a wonderful sight for information and support, everyone here is absolutely great! Lots of experience and very compassionate people here. Hope you enjoy it and find it useful. Cindy

When I was first filled, the doctor gave me fizzy powder, similar to alka-selzer and told me to use it in case something got stuck in the stoma. I have never had to use it, but he told me if I took it, to drink in one fast swallow and apparently if there is something stuck, it's suppose to blow it out. I'm no doctor but it sounds feasable to me that it would work. If you try this, I'd be standing over a basin or commode just in case it comes right back up. If you still have the problem with liquids, I would definiately call the doc first thing Monday. Hope you feel better. Good Luck!!! Cindy

I'm with the three year old!!!! Dang Eileen, it scared the crap out of me!!! Okay, I'm laughing at myself now, but my poor chihuahua feel off my lap when I jumped so hard! You are soooooo bad!!!! :-] Good one, ya got me!!!! Cindy PS-I even read the warning about no small kids, you'da thunk I'd of figured it out, I thought it was because of the use of sharp objects. Shows what I know!

Welcome officially to bandland, I think I have posted to you during that last couple of weeks. I am so glad that you have made this decision and that you feel as confident about it and yourself as you are about to embark on this new journey. It's a curvy road with lots of bumps, potholes and a few hills, but each one carries an invaluable lesson that you will use for the rest of your life, which should be long and healthy!!! Keep us posted as to how things are going. Lots of us here believe in the power of prayer and will be keeping you in our thoughts. I wish you the most successful surgery and speediest recovery. Cindy