Apples2

I avoided the camera for so many years because I was ashamed of the way I looked. Also avoided camera during weightloss stage so really had to dig just to find some b/4's. I now wish I would have taken photos throughout this process but it is what it is. I am have been banded 2 yrs (as of June 17) and have been down to my "wedding weight" for quite some time now.

Oh Laura...such wonderful news. Happy Day! I am just so relieved and happy for you. Thanks on the teeth comments, guys! No, by no means done with procedures. Will be at it most of the summer. Had the front bottom extractions a couple of weeks ago and now have a temp (but very realistic looking) snap in until I can get my bottom bridge in 4 weeks. This last visit was grinding down the top back (4 teeth) and three hours in the chair. Also have temp caps on them for 3 weeks. But, so not painful (except for in the chair) and temps fit so natural. That after photo is the end result doc did on his computer. Have many steps to go. Resculpting to front gums to make room for longer teeth. God shorted me on my natural teeth. He gave me nice boobs instead. LOL. Figure it will all be done by mid-September. Time for healing in between each loooooooong session in the chair. Will be so worth it though. I should have called Julie to have her post that all is well with us after the terrible tornados last week. Total of 63 tornados in our fine state on Thursday. I was in the path but no damge at the resort I was staying at and no damage to our lake place. I have a friend from the lake that lives in Wadena, MN. The damage done was devastating. She is an insurance agent and has been kept quite busy with claims. Absolutely wiped out neighborhoods. Populations of 4,000 and 252 homes demolished. School with a lot of damage, community center gone, some business' gone. We were very lucky. 3 deaths in our state. Many, many farm sites leveled. Had a great time with my friend at the resort. Stayed Wed and Thursday nights. DH met me at lake on Friday for a very nice/quite weekend. He spent most of his time with buddies. They are always cooking up something to do. It's usually projects around the resort. The owners are so lucky that these guys (about a dozen of them) are farmers and can't sit still. They do not have to hire any work done as these guys love to work on their "down" time. Worked 9 hours for my friend today at her salon. I love it. A "stupid" job....don't have to think...don't have to bring it home with me. Have never had a job b/4 where I didn't have to pour myself into it. Just customer service. She is remodling and is leaving some of it in my hands as she is extremely busy running two shops. Should be fun spending someone else's money for once. LOL Well, gotta go make dinner for my two men and will check in later. Caught up on all the posts (man, it takes forever after being gone). No time to comment individually. Not happy about that but gotta pretend like I am a good farm wife...at least a couple of times a week. Getting weak and feeling a whine coming on about Vegas. Never whine to DH on things but this might just happen.

Have fun with LauraK, Linda. Wish I was meeting you guys!

As promised....my b/4 and after composites. See? The teeth do need some updating. Will talk to you all later. Just got home. Missed ya all

Thanks Janet...I have those moments when I think my face really looks old. But then I have to remember my age. The fat filled out all the wrinkles and now I am deflated. I started my weight gain at the age of 38. Prior to that I was the weight I am now. Guess I couldn't expect to have have the same 38 yr old face reappear? Why not? Oh, why not? LOL I'm on my way out the door. Blocking out thinking of my 3 hour time in the dentists chair this morning. Just focusing on fun and relaxation at the resort I will be staying at the next couple of days. Looking forward to seeing some old friends. Just hope they look a hell of a lot older than me....I'm bad.

Kurby...wow...great going on the weightloss. Even after the band...we all treat ourselves once in awhile. One thing I like now is that I never think of any one food as a "bad" food....as long as you eat it in moderation and it works into your caloric intake for the day. Great...thanks for the comments. And, yes, I feel like we have been through this together EVERY step of the way. Do you know how excited I was that day when we met? We had been through a lot together and I was finally going to meet you. We were lucky to have each other cuz our Junies group never really did take off like I was hoping. But, we were lucky to have our resident experienced banders on this thread. That store is selling out..did I mention that?

I lost 136 total. So sorry about EX issues. You gotta dump how your are feeling and there is always someone here to listen, PJ. Thanks for the compliments on the pics. I really am very happy to feel so great.

Let me know when you're comin' through...I'll lock up the young'uns:biggrin:

OMW...do I look that old, Laura? One of those "boys" is my DH and the other my oldest (26 at the time)

Janet...not wanting to do an avatar photo until the dental work is completed. 3 hours in the chair tomorrow. Right side prep for caps...upper and lower back. Do you know how much I admire you for doing boot camp? That's really something for a chick "older" than me! LOL...sorry...had to say it

Holy Hell....here it is

OK...junking up the thread again but just one more thing. I decided to have DH take a photo tonight cuz I wanted to post in b/4 and after thread for 2yr mark. Do NOT like the photo (not DH's fault...when you have the sun in your eyes it makes for a bad photo) but posted it anyway. The reason I am mentioning this is that I found a photo from 2007 at DH's sister's house. I was just floored at how heavy I look and I had already lost 25lbs by then. It's AWFUL and just makes me wonder what the heck I looked like heavier than that. (No photos at my highest).

Julie...don't know how I missed your post this morning. Did not realize that you DM was having surgery. Good to hear it was successful. You will be busy with her over the next few weeks, I am sure. I hope you did not take my comment about your extra work as anything but concern. I do get where you are coming from on being busy and wanting to do your functions. I really do get that. Sorry if you took offense. Have a great time at your reunion. I am sure you will get many positive reactions on your weightloss. Have fun!

Heck, Eva...I wear jackets when it's 90 degrees just to keep the skeeters at bay!

LauraK...just want to wish you safe travels. Have fun bonding with DD and watch the crossroads. Sorry you had a painful day, Arlene. Push the fluids tonight and see if that makes a difference with the scale tomorrow. Wish I had you for our "Weather Girl". Maybe you would have the ability to get it right!

With my 2yr bandiversary approaching (Thurs. 6/17), thought I would post a couple of current and a horrible b/4 photo. I hate to say it but my b/4 shot was taken AFTER I had already lost 25lbs. My highest weight was 249lbs. The photo in the red sweater was taken in Oct, 2009. The other 2 were taken in the last week. Don't like the "squinting" sun photo..it is what it is. When I was in the weightloss stage, I came to this thread quite often for inspiration.

Not sure if I will have time to get on and post in the morning. Hope you all have a great week. Will be back on Tuesday. 2nd bandiversary on Thurs. Think I'll be ordering King Crab and a cosmopolitan for dessert. Looking forward to mini-vacation with my friend.

Charlene...nothing wrong with letting your doc know what you feel you are ready for. Good luck at your weigh-in tomorrow. Just keep in mind...not all of us lost every week during the weight loss stage. I am waaaaaaaaaaaaaay post-menapausal and I still have a time once a month where the scale is about 4lbs up.

Linda...happy to hear that DH did fine with surgery. Never fun. Thought I would snap a few photos of some of my $5 finds. All brand new with original tags when I bought them. First is a linen jacket. Those flowers around collar, down front and around sleeves are actually shell-like buttons. Second is that jacket that had an original price tag of $740. Has the cutest satin pleated stand up collar and around sleeves. Third...a coral and brown wrap skirt dress. Love, love, love it on. Fourth...Bob Mackie silky/glittery tunic Fifth....denim Liz Claiborne jacket. Metallic and bead embellishments on collar and sleeves:tt1:

Good Morning Chickies.... Early morning here. Not sure why, but saw 1:30 on the clock and up at 4:30. Slept good when I did sleep though. Guess I just didn't need the sleep. I am a lucky lady..usually sleep good. No aches or pains. Wish that some of you that are kept from sleep with aches and pains would be able to experience that. Anyway, I am sure I will be able to sleep tonight after being deprived last night. LauraK...LET THAT COUGAR OUT OF IT'S CAGE!!!! Janet...we experience tornados and have warnings every other day it seems like. I have no fear of them but would panice with an EQ. Was in one once when I was 21. Enough for me. No damage, just scared the hell. Phyll...I'm with you on the name calling...even if it is in a loving manner. I was called "Ten Ton Tony" since I was a little baby and I'm 54 and still think back to that. Screaming, ranting and raving about what to eat and being put on diets since a tender age. Janet's way of just talking to GD is a positive. In fact, parents should just plain not feed garbage to their kids or have it in the house. So many kids have never had a meal of natural foods. That Shih Tzu with no bark and is potty trained sounds like an ideal dog. All I know is that our DD (dear dog) provides a lot of loving and fills a void on this farm when the lonesome feelings hit. Gigi is an adorable puppy. That collar she is wearing reminds me of the dress I wore at my junior prom! As far as that little job I'm taking...it's just one day a week and a very simple job. Just salon work as a receptionist. Even if it adds more for me to do in my life, I NEED the outside contact with ppl. Something I have missed so much since I sold my business. To me, my life is simple and somewhat boring. I used to work more than full time, do everything with my boys and also do what I do here. I sometimes feel like a pent up animal out here on this farm with no human contact. (Except for the months I live at the lake). I was put on this earth as a multi-tasker and my life seems like an easy one to me. Still hoping it works to meet up on your drive accross country. When the time gets closer, we will visit on that. Eva...sounds like you supply plenty of support for your sis. Not fair to get to a point in your life where you expect others to take care of filling up your life. Kinda have to take the initiative yourself to fill it up. I feel for her daughter if she moves to her area and she is expected to do that. Sounds like you have some busy weekends ahead of you. Sounds like fun. I am sooooooooooo wishing that the Vegas meet would work for me. But, DH needs me and not going to leave him without his extra "man" at the loading/unloading pit. Like I stated last week, will need to get closer to the time and see if we are actually in full swing of harvest and then make my decision. I would just get a room for myself (which I like anyway). Better hit it. Still need to shower, fix lunch for my men (only 3 today), get deposits ready to go to bank, finish laundry. Going to go get beautiful today and have a nice visit with DS's GF who does my hair. I thought about chopping it off but friends have talked me out of it. I always think that the longer it is, the longer the face looks. Just will get the ends off. After appt. need to meet a friend for protein shakes at this great little shake shop in town, come home and pack for my little insurance trip and fun with friends at the conference. I am so excited about it. Have a couple of cute outfits to try on yet this morning to see how they look. I have to many clothes to choose from is what the problem is. Most of them come from a shop a friend of mine has and will be closing at the end of the month. He is selling every item (no matter what) for $5. Yesterday he went to his back room and brought of three really nice items he picked up for me at his last NY buying trip. This place of his is one of a kind items that are overstock. He hand-picks each item. I really hate to see his shop close. One of the dressy jackets he picked out for me still had the retail tags on it. $740 and he charged me $5. I bought 5 items (2 for my friend) and total was $25...I gave him $50. The 2 jackets I bought fit me to a tee and something I will have in my closet forever. OK...rambling again. Gotta hit it! You all have a great day

Yep, Janet, I'm here. Got home, reg stuff to get done around here, dinner made, unexpected errand to run after 6pm and tried to catch up with posts in between it all. I am finally sitting back down at the computer on my way to bed. Sounds like you had a good time with the family and hope you are enjoying some quite time after it all. And, nothing wrong with talking to GD about healthy eating. Sounds like if you don't, nobody will. Any advice given in a loving manner has a chance of taking hold. Good going, Grandma. Phyll...love the new "do". I am getting younger tomorrow. Going to unload the checkbook of about $120. Costs $100 for color/cut/highlights and do a $20 tip. Been going to same girl for over 5yrs...long b/4 she became DS's GF. I always tease DS that "I loved her first". Quite the "lap dog". I fell in love with him right away. He has a kind and gentle face. Hang in there and proud of you for keeping control without your fill. Linda...always love the photos and happy to see that there really is a swing for GD. You look so great in your photos. Good idea on not sweating the 9lbs and resetting your goal. Feel good, look good and comfortable where you are at is the best goal ever. Arlene...good going on the 2lbs. Also, for opening up and sharing your stats. You are doing so great. Our showers are like yours you just hosted. Nothing at all to have 100 or more. Must be a small town thing. About 5 women host it and it just falls together. Always lovely gifts. One thing I have noticed is that ppl are giving gifts that compare to what was given for a wedding years ago. All I know is that after a shower around here, the young couple is in need of nothing to start there life together. To answer your ? about working. I will only be working Mondays. 9am -8pm. Today was shorter the owner did not want to over-use me the first day. It's on a volunteer basis..a "just for the fun of it" job. There are perks though. Joyce...I figured maybe you would be one of those ppl like me with only getting a couple of fills. You have been sounding like you have not been quite sure how you felt about your restriction. Exactly how I felt but all of a sudden I knew. Maybe knowing you have more in your band than you thought will make it easier for you to judge how you really feel. I have my fingers crossed that you will break your plateau in the near future. Great...happy to hear that you were able to sneak back to Denver for a quick visit. And, I just have to say this, your sister stories never cease to amaze me...can't they just realize they have a gem for a sis and get over themselves????? Hope you are having fun settling into the new house. PJ...sorry for your EX troubles and your stress eating issues. Put blinders on when it comes to the EX and try to hop back on the horse. You can do it. (Easier said than done, I'm sure). We listen...just dump the EX crap here when you feel like turning to food. Cheri..you were wondering about the signature photo? You change or add when you go to "Edit Signature". Again, congrats on the grant and making a difference for you school. Love to hear that you are enjoying summer school. Eva, Eva, Eva. What are you saying?????? I (and I am quite sure everyone else) thouroughly ENJOY your post and find them very interesting. I love hearing about your projects, your job, you fluttering around to concerts and different states. I was just asking DH the other day why HE does not by ME a pink cement mixer. I love hearing what you are doing in the kitchen with your wonderful dishes. Keep those posts coming no matter how blase you think they are. BTW...love the new color and cut. Jodi...busy as a bee. And, I thought my life was a busy one! Good luck with having your friend for the weekend. Julie...good to hear your doc is at least considering referring you to Mayo. Have your friend in my prayers. Lucky girl to have had that caught by the CAT following her accident. Let us know how she turns out. OK? And a little lecture for you...let the others do all the work for company/church dinners, etc. At least until you get some answers and know what is going on. OK? Kurby....good to hear that you are paying attention portion sizes, etc. prior to your surgery. As LauraK stated, it really does help us be prepared for what is ahead. LauraK...find a young'un yet???? Laura...kiss that cheeky little guy of yours and tell him congrats on his graduation. Have a great time with the family. Sending the love your way. Melissa...sorry to hear of your UTI. They're a lot of fun, aren't they????? Jewel...your poor little guy. DH's neice and 2 nephews had the same problem until they were about 7-8 yrs old. Their parents handled it with a "good spanking". Broke our hearts. Patience (as you mentioned you are trying) is the key. Hope it turns around for him quickly. No fun for him either. Take care. A BIG welcome to all the newbies. Hope you all stick around so we can get to know you. And, thanks to all who complimented on my last photo. Hoping to take a couple of shots tomorrow after my beautification session. Want to post a 2yr bandiversary on the B/4 and After thread. I am only home for one day this week (tomorrow) and not really home much of it due to appts. Wed morning I am in the dentists chair for 3 hours of fun and then off to a really cool resort hotel with a friend for 2 nights. Friend has an insurance conference and invited me. This place we are staying is so cool. On the lake and each room is just unbelievable. Anyway, will be able to visit with ppl that I used to rub elbows with when I had my 2 agencies. I sure miss it all. Times like this makes me want to put some apps in. But, I know how nuts that would be at this stage of my not so complicated life. What to do, what to do? Ok, bed time for this chickie. I know I omitted some and sorry if I did. Sending the love in all directions to all of my friends! Good night, sleep tight.

Linda..cool photos...thanks for sharing. You look great and that little GD is adorable. I can only imagine how much you enjoy her. That peasant blouse I have on in the photo cost me big time...bought two of them...one in blues. $4.40 each. They are Carribean Joe brand. Got them for 85% off at the end of last season. Have a feeling they will be two of my favs this year. Very light weight. Thanks for the compliment. Cheri..omitted you and Linda reminded me...way to go on the grant. Has to put your mind at ease to know there are funds to get the necessary things done. OK...I'm out of here till Tues. Gotta hit the road. Have a good one!

Kurby...yep, sorry to say there is that misperception out there about weight loss surgery. Everyone has their opinion and if you can learn what to "weed out" and throw to the wayside, you'll be farther ahead in the game. Heck, you'll see a lot of negative posts on this website. I just go with the thought that many more ppl post when they are having trouble or have a negative attitude than those where this journey is going well. It's great to prepare yourself and read up on the experience of others (the good and the bad) but try to draw to ppl that steer towards the positive side of things. Use this time b/4 surgery to "practice" eating like a banded person. Get rid of the trigger foods in your house. Even if those candy bars were meant for your DH. If he needs them so badly, have him put them where you are not tempted. Not a lecture...just some sound advice. We all have our times and food that is just calling our name. Hope today is a better one for you. When something really bothers you, count to ten, brush your teeth, take a walk, get into a nice warm bath, read to the baby, etc....anything to take your mind off that binge. Hugs

LauraK...do not envy you on the loooooooooong road trip but a good time to spend with DD. Thanks for the compliment. Janet..forgot to ask how boot camp went? Stiff this morning? Don't know where you get your energy from. Guess like the rest of us...once that weight comes off, all kinds of it shows up. Admire you for your committment to exercise. Joyce...was going to mention this yesterday but forgot. Linda did a good job of explaining that "sweet spot" and fills. I had a bit of a tough time knowing what the "feeling" of restriction was. One of the reasons I jumped on this thread and had followed some of Janet's posts... she always seemed to give such straight-forward advice. Had just gotten my second fill and felt it did nothing for me. I was wishy-washy for a month and just knew I needed another fill but had a fear of getting another and being too restricted and did not want the trouble that came with that. I "listened" to the more experienced banders and took their advice to wait it out a bit. Well, after about a month after my fill, it took effect. Not tight but just a feeling for being satisfied when eating my 4oz of protein and a few bites of other foods. I admire dr's that are conservative when it comes to fills and banders that are careful and take baby steps. Even a small fill can put a person over the top. Just try to take your time in between your fills to figure out just where you are. Make sense?

Janet...have fun with the family. Phyll...sounds like you are in LOVE with that puppy already and it's not even adopted yet. Pets can bring a person so much happiness. Don't know what I would do without my big baby. Way out here on the farm...he fills a void. Just plop him in Earl's lap and in no time you two will be wondering who enjoys that dog more. DH said "NO DOGS". That lasted 30 seconds after I brought that baby home. Well, off and running. Home till about noon. On the road after that for the farm and then off to the lake this evening. You all have a nice weekend and will pop in again on Tuesday. (Start my new little job on Monday). Sending the love!