hopeinapril

Howdy Shamrocks! Long time, no post. I tried to post Friday, but I guess the site was packed because all it did was "clock". Well, I'm back on track and very close to what my weight says it is on my tickler. Bad behavior kept me away from the board. I was away for so long I had a message at the top of the screen telling me I hadn't posted for a while! Too funny. I will post in the Friday board this week. I hope I get back to my tickler weight! Well, I got some exercise in today. Nothing like shoveling snow! Actually, it wasn't too bad because the stuff is fluffy. Of course, the wind is blowing it all over my driveway again! Congrats on all the goals and/or milestones. I read through all the posts on Friday. Oh, and someone was down because they had lost only close to 50 pounds? Join the club!!!!!!!!!!!! I think there are several of us out there! OK, I'll be back later this week, if not sooner.

aJoneen.........0 evelas5000......-4 Desdemona.......0 Fenton........ +4 HarleyGirl......0 Hopeinapril.....-2 Lynn1215........0 NurseNiki.......0 Nycm00..........0 Potatie.........-2 100LBS LOST!!! scrappy_friend..-2 SpecialK........0 Sugarbean......-2 Sharona..............0 Tess415.........0 Thin2bme.....-2.8 WestCoastMom....0 Wishin4.........0 It took me a while to get in here to put this in!

Hi Shamrocks! Robin - I have to tell you that I have heard a lot about how relationships have problems once one person changes dramatically in some way, so I don't think you are alone. Lynn - sorry to hear about your dog. I was pretty upset when mine died. I'll see you tonight at the meeting. BrandNew - Nice to see you back. WOW, 70 pounds is a lot of weight to have off. Don't beat yourself up for the past, just do what you need to do now. Very cool that people are now seeing you. That is such a good feeling. There were times when I felt invisible as well. Jennifer - Wow, what a couragous decision. It sounds like you are trying to take care of yourself. Good for you! I am finally "coming out" about my surgery to several friends. I basically only told three people. Two of them were getting the surgery after me and I knew they would keep my secret. I now feel that I won't "fail". I am also much stronger and think I can handle any nonsense that I suspect is out there. You know, that "your taking the easy way out" crap. If they only knew! I am looking forward to getting on the scale on Friday. Holy cow, did I say that?

Howdy Shamrocks! I'm not going to repost the list because I didn't loose this week. I am going to be happy that I didn't gain. I did stick to the plan, so it is slightly frustrating, but that is ok. I had to get on the doctor's scale twice this week and I was down from the last time I had been to see them both times. My goal for 3/25 is to hit between 65 and 75 pounds lost. I even know the goal after that! I know I shouldn't get ahead of myself, but at that point I will be real close to oneunderland. So, moving myself is the goal for the next week. It has been tough. My involuntary exercise is ok, but I need to get back with the program. Walking a few city blocks here and there isn't going to cut it. Congrats Harley on getting back on track. Scrappy, you are an inspriration. Everyone has a tough time at some time. I'm guessin you will be at or very close to your goal by your one year anniversary. Teri - great NSV. I think the NSV's are better than the SV sometimes!

Hello! The meeting is next Wednesday at 6:00 for post ops only. There is no topic. In February there will be a doctor who does reconstructive surgery and in March there will be a makeover photo shoot. I have no idea what that really will be. Hi Carol from Il. I think you may have posted on the wrong board. This is Delaware. Since I was self pay as well, I can tell you that there is no deal to be had by getting your surgery here in Delaware. Inhis - I have the realize band as well. I asked for it because it is newer, it has a cool website and I thought the inner tube like construction would fit better. I haven't heard anything about a recall. I doubt there will be one as they test this stuff pretty extensively.

Yeah Fenton! That is awesome. Bummer, you missed your chance to wear the pants, but how cool that they are too big. I saw the doctor today and have lost 15 pounds since I saw him last in October. I am also a few pounds from no longer being morbidly obese. Things to look forward to!

Howdy! Great news potatie - how awesome that you are so close to such a wonderful goal!!!! Wishin4 - I had a hernia repair as well, but no symptoms pre surgery or post surgery. Sorry, that is not much help. Scrappy - you are doing such a good job. I am confident that you will reach your goal. I ask the next question only because I know what I do to myself. Could it be you are sabotaging yourself? Deep down are you somehow afraid to get to your goal? You are incredible close to it! I see my doctor today. It is a follow up and I absolutely am not getting a fill. (Besides the fact that I don't have much more to go before the band is completely filled, it is working for me now!) I haven't seen him since October, so it will be interesting to see what my weight loss is. As of yesterday I had lost all the weight I gained over December. I'm still working on the head issues. While I am not a big Oprah fan, I caught her show on Monday and I totally agree that I can absolutely never think that "I got it" and be able to relax about weight loss. I honestly think that is why I spiraled up in weight a few times. I will have to write down and monitor what I eat, every day. I will have to move my body, every day. (even if it is only a little bit.) I'm actually looking forward to our Friday weigh in.

The support group meeting with Dr. Wynn is next week. I see Dr. Peters today. I don't want a fill. I am interested to see what the scale will say.

Hi Everyone! Hey Fairy! I'm not glad that the cookies got you, but I am glad that I am not the only one who did it! Having little kids is really tough on the weight loss thing. They really mess with your eating and exercise!!! I know how hard it is about the insurance. There have been times where I have had to pay for it all by myself and it really is tough. I know that as soon as I get myself into just the "overweight" category that I am going to get some more life insurance. Then I won't be embarassed by the nurse's visit! (and the rates are much cheaper) Inhis - I think there is a protein powder out there now made especially for the really hot stuff. Lynn may know which type. It sounds like you have the protein down. Personally, I find it difficult to choke down the isopure drinks, but they are awesome for their protein count. Does anyone know when the next St. Frances support group meeting is? I think the post band meeting is this wednesday, but I am not sure. I'll call tomorrow. I feel support group deprived since I haven't been to a meeting since November. I have two doctor's visits this week. One is with Dr. Peters and that will be good. (Despite my weight gain, then loss in December, I will have lost a nice chunk of weight when I see him). The other visit will be annual visit. I think that will be fun because I have lost a lot of weight since last year. Holy cow, I never thought getting on a scale would be fun.......

Happy New Year everyone! This holiday season was fun and went fast. I had some long weekends and time to play with my son and see family. This year Christmas was wonderful. Everyone got something they liked! We all got along! Life was good. Funny thing, no one said one word about me loosing weight. I guess me looking at the scale and knowing that I am wearing smaller clothes and am much healthier is going to have to be my reward for a while! I keep an eye out for the NSVs. Despite the fact that the below grid shows I have gained 2 pounds since the beginning of December, I am happy. At one time I was up 7 pounds. (OK, I had very little resistance to the Cookies, until I saw the scale! Then, I had no more cookies!) My goal for my bandiversay is 65-75 total pounds lost. That is about 20-30 pounds. I think it is a realistic goal. Does anyone else have a one year goal? My band is about as tight as it is going to get, so I need to just make good choices. The band is doing what it is supposed to do, it is up to me to get the rest of it right. The band is a little fickle. I actually had a slice of pizza the other day. Most days I couldn't have eaten that! I am actually happy that most days I can't eat pizza. I love the stuff and it loves me as it stays on my backside for a while after I eat it. (Like years!) I know that Protein makes me feel full and is what I need to eat, I have to just do it. For the most part, I am. I am still on that journey of discovery to determine why the heck I ever ate so much. Why I let myself get to almost 300 pounds? There are many things I have worked on and seem to have a handle on. On occasion I still use food as a friend. I am working on that! I seem to have a good understanding of the head hunger. Since my stomach actually growls now, I can tell when I am really hungry. I plan to continue this journey through 2009. I am actually thinking about trying a dating site. I haven't dated in a while. It has been more a "I don't like myself" sort of thing as opposed to not having available males around. I guess I should just get out there and give it a go.

NAME *******START WEIGHT *******CURRENT WEIGHT ********GOAL ********LBS. Lost aJoneen............212............210............XXX............0 Fenton.............XXX............YYY...........220....4 weeks -8 HarleyGirl.........180............184............140............+4 Hopeinapril .......236............238............XXX............+2 Hungry4help........XXX............XXX............XXX............0 Lynn1215...........174.5..........175.3.........XXX............0 NurseNiki..........229.8..........227.6..........190............-2.2 Nycm00.............220............218............XXX...........-2 Potatie............229............224............XXX............-5. scrappy_friend.....170............172............150...........+1 SpecialK...........274............272.9..........255.........-1.1 Sugarbean..........200............199............150...........-1 Tess415............294............295............289...........+1 Thin2bme...........191.2..........190..........150............-1.2 WestCoastMom.......155............153.5..........140..........1.5

Happy new year everyone! I found that unflavored unjury is a wonderful way to add protein to things. The liquids phase is tought, but get creative. I used to put a little of the cream of cheddar on top of some of the other soups to give it a little different flavor. The cookies got me this year. I am sad to say that I gained 7 pounds from eating the darn cookies. I have lost most of that now. I think it actually stopped me from eating more once I realized how much I had gained! I made chocolate cupcakes the other day, took two bites of one, it made me a little sick. Now, I could care less about the other dozen or so that are left. I figure I am on a journey and it is up to me to decide how long I take to get this weight off. I hope to be at 65-75 pounds lost by my anniversary date in March. I think it is achievable!

Howdy! NAME *******START WEIGHT *******CURRENT WEIGHT *******GOAL *******LBS. Lost aJoneen............212............212............XXX............0 Fenton.............XXX............XXX............XXX............0 HarleyGirl.........XXX............XXX............XXX............0 Hopeinapril .......236............241............XXX............0 Hungry4help........XXX............XXX............XXX............0 Lynn1215...........174.5..........174.5..........XXX............0 NurseNiki..........229.8..........229.8..........190............0 Nycm00.............220............219............XXX...........-1 Potatie............229............229..................... scrappy_friend.....170............170............150............0 SpecialK...........274............274............165............0 Sugarbean..........200............200............XXX............0 Tess415............294............294............289............0 WestCoastMom.......155............153.5..........140..........1.5

Hi Shamrocks! Thanks for the information about the PB I described. It was pretty nasty and I was hoping that was as bad as it gets. I have no desire to repeat it! I admit, I fell off the wagon and rolled in the hay. Then I got on the scale.....nasty thing. I don't really believe I gained 10 pounds, but that sure is disheartening! I think some of it Water weight and I'll drop that quickly. I'm sure the rest will be hard fought pounds to loose. UGH! Netti pot - I saw them being used on Oprah a few years ago. People swear by those things. I don't have sinus issues, so I can't say that I have ever bothered. Kettle corn - that stuff is sooo good! My doc doesn't want us to have pop corn of any kind, so I haven't eaten any since surgery. Tess - moonshine! That stuff will take the paint off your car. Be sure not to gulp that stuff down! Friday weigh ins - sounds good to me. I'm hoping that a few of the salt pounds have come off! (Please don't really be 10 pounds that I gained!)

Hello! Mary - welcome! Lets - welcome. I felt the same way, here I am ready to do something about my weight and there are months of stuff to do. The truth is that all the stuff you are doing will prepare you and make sure that you will get through the surgery ok. It will actually go pretty quickly! Good luck and feel free to ask questions! I only saw Dr. Iragou once, he is the one who actually did my surgery. He seemed nice. I have to admit I like Dr. Peters who is my doctor and assisted in the surgery. I have seen Dr. Wynn and she is very nice. I really like her as well. Good to hear your fill went well Caelyn! Well, I'm off to get some raffle tickets for my son's school@

Howdy! It's funny but, I eat out quite a bit. Most of the people I eat out with have no clue I had surgery. I just eat a little and if they notice and comment I tell them I eat very small meals about 6 times a day. (Which is true) and they usually don't go any further than that. On occasion I have pushed food around the plate to make it look like I have eaten some and like I am still actually eating. Since it is well known that I am a super picky eater, I don't usally get many questions. Harley - too funny about your oatmeal story. I routinely eat a 1/2 serving of oatmeal. I just can't eat more than that! Work has had it challanges lately. Christmas is the time when our office gets bombed with tons of bad food! One of the named partners ordered food for the whole office. I had some roast beef and lettuce. But, with the sandwiches and such, came chocolate and vanilla cupcakes. I kept telling myself that they were stale and nasty. When I went into the kitchen later on to fill my Water bottle, there was a box of candy. Today, there were several more boxes of candy and Chrismas cookies! I kept telling myself it was all yucky chocolate that I didn't like. Ok, now I have a question. I have relatively few slimes and no PBs, but I had an experience yesterday which was horrible. I ate a few bites of a turkey hot dog yesterday. I knew I wasn't chewing well enough and stopped eating after a few bites. Soon, my nose started to run and I could feel the pain coming on. Soon after that I couldn't swallow my own saliva. I spent 50 minutes kneeing at the toliet spitting out the saliva and blowing my nose. I was in some serious pain. I was ready to go to the emergency room. I actually foamed twice. Is this the pre-cursor to a PB? This was such a horrible episode and I have no desire to have that happen again. I can honestly say that if that is only what happens BEFORE you PB, I sure don't ever want to have a PB. When I could finally swallow again and the pain started to die down a little, I laid down for about an hour before I felt like I could do some of the routine things I needed to get done. I was afraid to eat much in the way of solid foods today. I have managed to get my Protein in today, but now I am wondering if this really was a PB episode or not. I could really use some input from people who have experience this stuff and can clue me in.

Hi Shamrocks! Fenton - I feel your pain. I dislike Isopure, but choke it down from time to time to get the Protein in. Lynn - I'm not sure what day is your birthday, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Tess- 70 pounds is a huge amount of weight. Just in case you don't think so, go get a 50 pound bag of dog food or potatoes or something and carry it around a little. I know what it is like to get part way there and then stall and get frustrated. I KNOW you can do it! Christine - size 16!!!!! (I'm pea green with envy) Awesome! NurseNiki - Isn't great when people start noticing? I haven't had that happen this time around, but I remember the feeling in the past. It is validation for all the hard work. What a wonderful NSV. Life is moving along quickly these days. I am still a little concerned about the baking in a week or so, but I have a plan. I have several "official" scale weigh ins in January, the first week. I don't want to be disappointed. I think if life is as busy as it has been, I'll be OK. Lately, I struggle to get all the Water and protein in. I actually get too busy to eat. LOL I love that my clothes are getting looser. I can't wait to be able to shop is non-fat lady stores!

Hi everyone! Christine - I am sorry for your loss. It sounds like you have a good handle on things. It sure is a lot! Harley - I thought your dress was beautiful. I bet you looked great! I have a picture of a dress I want to wear on my bedroom door. I look at it daily. Mostly, it is inspiration! SpecialK - Way cool about the NSV. I love it when stuff like that happens!!!! Tess - lol, my birthday is April 15th. We are birthday mates! Well, I went to the party and had a fabulous time. I took a nibble of some rum cake. (holy cow was that stuff potent) and took a tiny bite of carmel apple cake. (yummy!) and drank 1/2 glass of wine. The rest was all good stuff. I felt wonderful. I actually didn't want any more of the cakes or booze! I had a little, enjoyed myself a lot and danced the night away. I can't think of a better way to enjoy the party. Last year, I enjoyed it, but felt so huge and like my skin was too tight. This year was so very much better!!! Another good thing was that the scale didn't go in the wrong direction. I am a little nervous about the 22nd. It is my official baking day. I bake tons of Cookies and make this stuff called "white trash". The white trash is sooooooo good. Most of the stuff will be out of my house by the next day, so that is good. I just have to maintain my willpower for one day! It is very sad that cookies can just slide right through the band! But, I anticipate that I will eat only one cookie. I'll allow myself one and then put all the goodie bags in my car. (hopefully, it will be as cold as it is today and no way will I go out there! lol) Have a great day fellow bandsters!

Hi Shamrocks! Harley - way cool about the pumpkin pie. I had some this year and was happy when it was gone. Hopefully, next year, I'll throw it out before I eat a few slices. I think it is awesome you threw it out! :thumbup: Fenton - Hello! I found Paris interesting. I'm sure it will take you some time to adjust. It sounds like you have a plan. For me, the plan it most helpful! Sugar - YEAH!!!!!! Oneunderland is a goal that I have for my birthday next year. (Which is April 15). I am so happy that you made that goal. How positively exciting!:smile2::thumbup: Scrappy - I am in awe. :thumbup: I look at your pictures and I cannot recognize the women you were. You are one of the folks that will end up on the first page as an inspiration! Too funny about the granny panties. I have to admit I have had a few times where I almost lost my pants. When I got home, I promptly put them in the good wil bag! OK, ready for my news???? Look at my signature! I have lost 50 pounds. Woohoo! That was my goal for the end of the year. So now, I need to up it a few pounds to maybe 55? I am thrilled with my restriction at this point. I always get scared when I say that. Plus, there is only a little more they can actually put in the band at this point, but I have really good restriction. The mornings can be tough. At lot of times I need to have a hot drink first and eat breakfast an hour later. A few ounces of Protein seem to satisfy me. But, holy cow, I am so happy that I am finally hitting some of these milestones. It has been a wonderful week. I have a holiday party tonight and I am not really worried. I know the menu and there will be plenty of protein sources. I actually am wearing new clothes to this party. (It's a big deal, ritzy place, snazzy clothes, jewels everywhere, a DJ - I love to dance!) I am so thrilled, can you tell? :girl_hug::biggrin:

Hi Shamrocks! I haven't been around lately, but for a change is it not about my bad behavior! I had computer issues and was offline for about 10 days. I had no idea how much I enjoyed the computer! When I was last here I was going to get a fill. When I arrived at the doctor's office, I had gained some weight. While my doc thought I had good restriction he agreed to give me a fill. He gave me 1.25 cc's or thereabout. Well, I almost went back in to get a little bit of an unfill. I toughed out the liquids for 2 days and mushies for 2 days. I feel like I have a decent restriction. I actually had a slime event. I don't want to do that again, it was an education. I am thrilled with my restriction because now the band does stop me from eating more. Yep, I do realize that I can eat ice cream, but I work with this. I lost the weight I gained and am now at 40 pounds lost. For me it seems like it has been a tough battle. It is possible that my band is too tight. I do have to supplement at least 5 out of 7 days a week to get in my Protein. Now, getting in my protein and Water are not as easy as it was. But, I have zero intention of getting an unfill until at least January 1. Currently, I have little desire to eat the holiday junk. I did actually have a sliver of pumpkin pie, but I can tell you that over a few days last year, I ate a whole pie. Progress! I am considering coming out of the "band closet" to a friend or two. Right now, only a few folks know. Most of them have been banded themselves. I am thrilled with the successes I am reading about. Good for everyone who is back on track. I totally agree that this is a life changing event. The band cannot fix our emotional or social eating issues. Not a bad idea to talk to someone about this stuff. I actually use a nurse and my nutrionist. I have a friend who was banded in August. Talking to her makes me realize exactly how far down the road I actually am. I think we have all fought through some issues. Me, I realize that my relationship with food is changing in a good way. It is still my first thing to go to, but now, it is really tough to gobble down anything! I actually have to intentionally sabotage myself. While I am capable of sabotage, it is something I am sort of getting a handle on. Well, obviously I need to be here more, because I am writing a book. I really did miss the posts and support!

Hi Shamrocks! Long time no chat......mosty a bad sign for me! Christine - I am so very glad you are reaching out. Sometimes that is the best thing to do. I will keep you in my prayers. Teri - How awesome! one underland is the best place to be. And to buy size 16 jeans.....what a great thing. I always laugh at the size thing. Right now I have clothes that mostly fit (some are a little loose) in three different sizes! But, it would be nice to be in a teen size. Right now I wear 20, 22, 24. Not bad, but I still have a ways to go. I did struggle some in the last month or so. I actually have an appointment with my doctor at 4. I plan on getting a small fill. I am scared though. Not of the fill, but the scale. I don't remember my last weight at the doctor's office and am afraid I may have actually gained some weight in the past 6 weeks. Yikes! I just have to keep reminding myself that the band is only a tool. Only I can make the correct choices to loose more weight. I'd like to loose 60 pounds by my one year anniversary. That is really only about 20 pounds. I figure it is a realistic goal. Anyway, the new look is interesting. I haven't had the time to see if anything really has changed or if it is just new colors!

Hi! My doctor's group has several support group meetings. The hospital I went to has meetings 3 times a month. The support group meetings are with a nurse, dietician and once a month they include a doctor from the group. The meetings for St. Francis (where I went) are free. The other hospital in our area has support group meetings at least 2 times a month. They are $5. I have been to the St. Francis ones and find them very helpful. Two of the meetings are for pre and post ops. The doctors in the group require that the pre-ops attend some of these meetings. I have found the groups to be a mixture of pre and post ops. Sometimes there are topics and sometimes not. Sometimes there are handouts and sometimes not. I have found other people there and exchanged numbers. These folks are like the AA sponsers, you can call them when you need them or not. I have to admit that I really enjoy the meetings and have gone to quite a few. I am not normally a "support group" type person. I find these meetings informative and always remind me why I did this in the first place. Hope this helps.

Hi Shamrocks! Ms Cathy: Don't feel guilty for being human! Holy cow it has been a long time you took care of him. I'd feel liberated as well! Now you have more time to spend on taking care of yourself. You deserve it. Christine: I had a tiny thing happen this weekend that made me feel for you. I hope you get better soon! I ate some sweet potatoe that I had mashed up. Apparently it was too stringy or something because it did not go down the right way. I didn't PB, but it was horrible. It is possible that I am wuss. I have to tell you that it was one of the worse food experiences I have had since I had the band. I know yours is 100 times worse, so you have my sympathy and empathy! Funny thing, before my little experience this weekend I was considering getting a fill. I think I'll wait a little longer. Well, hope you are all having a wonderful day!

Howdy! I expect to go tomorrow. If I remember, I'll bring 2 cannisters of protein powder that I don't need anymore. If anyone wants them, let me know. One is chocolate and the other is chicken soup. I liked both, but I have more protein powder that I could possibly use. Julie - the fills are pretty painless. I don't particularly like needles, so I just don't look. The first one numbs you up and the second is the fill. Good Luck! I hope to see you tomorrow.

Thanks for the info Harley. I have to admit it is something rare and mostly is flat diet soda. I guess I will have to just get ice water from now on. I paid a LOT for this thing and I certainly don't want to screw it up.