PhotoNut

Great (and interesting) news Hope! So glad to hear that you are feeling better and eating well again. Sinuses.. Who'da thunk it. hehe

er.. one more thing.. My band feels like it opens wide and beckons the entire supply of food on the planet into my stomach when its my TOM. I feel ravenous and like nothing can stop me. But reality is, I'm still not eating too much for a reasonable bandster. Are you journaling your food intake? Try it and get a clear picture of what you're eating. Throw in a bit more protein when you get hungry like that. Chicken, tuna, beef.. all great ways to feed that TOM band (fickle bitch that she is) *smiles*

You've lost 71 pounds since the end of March with no fill. If I were you, I would go through this list and see if you really need a fill. Hunger and ability will change a lot during any given month. I got my fill taken out and I'm happier with it now than I have been in a long time. It looks to me like your weight loss is going along at a very good clip, are you in a hurry now? Or have you started gaining? If not, why get a fill? Anyway, here's that list: http://lapbandtransformation.com/Adjustments.htm Whatever you decide, make sure it's because you have given your body and your circumstances lots of consideration. Don't base your decision on what others would or wouldnt do. *hugs* By the way, grats on that 71 pounds, babe! That rocks!

Awww, don't hold back Joe, you're among friends.. just say it like it is. *winks*

*licks her thumb and laughs as it sizzles against her butt* naw.. im not hot, but dang.. thanks for the compliment!! a girl needs friends like y'all when she's about to turn 50! Sho, youre one hot mama yourself! I've seen your pics girlie! *grins*

Mary, you inspired me to go try on some 14s the other night and dang if I didnt get them on, buttoned and zipped! I was giggling like a school girl in the dressing room! Of course they were low cut and my belly skin was hanging over them. Back to my favorite saying, "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!" I also got on a slightly higher cut pair of 14 Lees. They didn't look half bad but $30 for a pair of jeans for only a couple of months? Nah.

Heyas Road Queen! Youre my hero. When you took off and went to Africa to live, I was so envious that you had the courage to not only KNOW what you wanted to do but to go do it! The 12s are falling off of you now? My goodness! Im so happy for ya girl! Must be all that heat and good food eh? *laughs* Hm, do I have any plans. Funny you should ask that. I've been treatening to run away from home and spend a couple of weeks somewhere by myself. I've never been able to be alone with myself. Long story. I want to take my camera and just go. Of course my wonderful hubby is all supportive, even tho he'll miss me he is willing to give me that time. Trouble is.. where do I go? It's a biggie turning 50. JoyceGA asked me the same thing because she's kind of going thru this too. I'll still be overweight, but my goal is to be at 180 by then. I'm behind on that. Wow, turning 50 is huge. HUGE! *laughs* I'm open for ideas about my getaway. Anyone have any?

Telly, what beautiful kids. I'm glad they are getting to share in your newfound enjoyment of life. *hugs* Welcome to the Club, Stitchy!! Glad you joined! Hiyas Mo Thanks for the compliment on my avatar! Kathy, DSL?? Finally? Yay!! No more dial up! Mmm coleslaw has been one of my downfalls lately. But.. but.. its just cabbage, right?? *laughs* And Kathy, here are the page those pics are on: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=4642&page=30 By the way.. *snicker, giggle, claps hands* I can wear size 14 jeans now! Down from a very tight 26! *bursts out in a big yell of YAHOO!!*

Heyas Girl, Glad to hear you came thru surgery ok, sorry you had to experience it tho. I've managed to hang onto my gallbladder even after having some very severe attacks about 8 years ago. They mentioned taking it out and I was adamant I wasn't going to have surgery. Fortunately, it just stopped being a problem and has been happily doing its job since then. I can see why people would say you look too thin. They just aren't used to seeing you like you are now. But if you compare yourself to healthy people your age, I'm sure you don't look too thin at all. In fact, I've seen your pics and you look GREAT! Thanks for the update. Hope you heal quickly. *hugs*

*laughs* I hate pics of myself, but last night I got a bit tipsy (I know, you're all shocked about that.. oh shup. *laughs*) Anyway, I'll be darned if I didn't end up with pics I actually am happy to look at. In fact, I'm posting them all over the place. *laughs again* Soo... I did this little experiment and ya know.. There just might be some hope for me yet. Another 80 pounds and a little PS on that turkey gobbler I've got going on there, and hm... maybe.. just maybe there's some life left in this old girl afterall. *winks*

*gasps* You too??!! LOL!!

Oh my gosh. I got my package today and it took me so long to go thru it all. It started with the most awesome letter from my SWS. She put so much time and thought and care into that letter, I had to read it again and again. The gifts she sent were so special. It seems that we share a love for photography too! I'll list the gifts now and probably wont post pictures because of the type of gifts I got. Ok, here we go... A canister of Crystal Light, pineapple Orange A package of Lipton's Iced Tea to Go (measured for bottled Water, how cool!) Two packages of little fudge Cookies, made with healthy stuff. (I have to admit to letting my family scarf these. One bite of a cookie and I'd be toast. But they sure did enjoy them on my behalf!) A canvas bag with a quilt pattern on the front and back, in colors that I adore! This bag will be with me on every photography outting! It's perfect for all my reference books and journals! The Change-Your-Life Quote Book by Allen Klein (awesome quotes! can't put this down!) My favorite quote so far: The tragedy of man is what dies in himself while he still lives. And my second favorite: When skating on thin ice, you might as well tap dance! *laughs* Love that one! Rising Venus, a book of poems by Kelly Cherry. I haven't had time to read a lot of this yet, but just flipping through the pages I have been touched by the depth of the authors words. I look forward to a quiet morning, a cup of coffee and this book. A darling little book, hard bound, about 4 inches square, entitled What I Ate. It has pages for journaling what I ate, favorite restaurants, etc. There are pages with funny quotes, like, 'food is an important part of a balanced diet' *laughs* Great book! And last, but certainly not least, four very lovely note cards with historical pictures of Savannah, Georgia on the front, complete with envelopes.. which will never be used because I'm not giving these up! I love them! So yes, my Secret Working Stiff is in Georgia. She is a lovely woman with a talented and gifted spirit. She is a writer and also enjoys photography. She loves historical photography and supports local artists by hanging their work in her home. (Maybe I'll get her to hang one of mine someday.) She enjoys travelling and Broadway. She has really touched my heart with her gifts, but her letter to me showed me what a caring, thoughtful, and very interesting person she is. So, JoyceGA, I send you big hugs and thank yous. What a truly wonderful package. I only hope I can do as well for my SWS. Eeep.. I'd better get shopping! :Banane27:

Hiya Jill! Two months to lose 10 pounds. Shake up the routine a bit. Re-examine what youre eating and drinking. I know that its been slow going for me over the last couple of months, primarily to my discovery of wine *drools* I'm trying to limit the consumption of this wonderful gift from the gods to weekends only and it seems to be working. The scale is finally letting go and moving again. Hmmm.. maybe there is something to that saying.. "all things in moderation" :Banane27: Naaahhh.. *giggles*

Wow, I'm sure sorry to hear about the complications and that you had to give up the band. I skimmed over everyone's responses, so if I'm asking a question that's already been asked, please forgive.. Would it be possible to put you in a bigger band? Say the VG band? Do you have any hopes or plans to try again?

I dont know if anyone else started a happy birthday thread for this wonderful woman, but if so.. oh well. She deserves another! A very very happy birthday to you, Gadgetlady! May your next 40 be filled with even more joy and splendor than the first! *big happy b-day hugs*

Hippo's Hope just brought it to my attention that I am only 11 pounds away from 100 gone. Wow.. it didnt really hit me until she said it in a PM. Woohoo! So close now. *beaming*

:rockon: Ohhhhh Yessssss!!! :rockon:

Ok, I have debated and debated whether I wanted to show this or not. But I have decided that it's important that I do. I want to show you what this band has done for me. It has literally saved my life. I had let go of all hope. I was so fat and always in pain. I hardly moved anymore and I really didn't care about life. I had shut out my family and friends and rarely went out of the house. Now, almost 90 pounds down, I want you to look at my eyes. Yes, there is a difference in the face, but look at my eyes. I think they speak volumes about why we are all here, and what we are all fighting for. I love you guys an awful lot to share this with you. *chuckles* I hope it means as much to you as it does to me. Far left, taken about a week after surgery (287lbs). The other two were taken last night, by me, in the bathroom mirror (218lbs). I was suddenly struck by how much more alive I looked, so I grabbed the camera. *laughs*

*huggles Bandayed* You're such a sweetie! And look at you! Only 25 to goal? Wowzers girl! I'm still snickering about those size 14s. And youre right, I'm not spending $30 on a pair of jeans that I don't plan on wearing for long! Woot!!

I'm so happy to hear that your complications are behind you and that you are now enjoying your weightloss journey. This is a wonderful place to find support, information and even friendships. Your post made me smile. Thanks

I drank them when I had no choice. Now my choices include beef, chicken, fish, milk and cottage cheese. I'm a much happier woman and much easier to live with.. I think. *grins* By the way, I eat about 75-100 grams of Protein per day and about 900-1,100 calories per day. I think my two month average was 85g protein and 950 calories.

I just realized that I haven't posted anything new on here since the middle of June. Sooo.... While I was at the store a few minutes ago, I thought I'd have a laugh and try on some size 14 jeans. You know, Levis and Lees. Guess what? OMG! They FIT!! 14s! FOURTEENS!! :faint: I haven't lost much weight in the last coupla months, but I'm losing inches. FOURTEENS!! WOOT! I LOVE MY BAND!

Regina! Wow! Grats hon! 19 more for me and I'll be joining ya. Aint life grand?! *boogies down*

Hiya Andy.. or is it Liz? hehe It was good to hear from you. Thanks for letting us know how you're doing. It is amazing how the upcoming surgery gets us in the "shock and awe" frame of mind. I went thru bouts of dancing around the house with pure joy and excitement, to bawling my eyes out over the thought of giving up my only comfort in life, food. Bah! I look back on that now and laugh. I didn't give up anything... I was set free!! Would I take back my near 90 pound loss in exchange for all of those foods I used to find comfort in? Helllll no! *laughs* Next Thursday huh? I'll be thinking about ya. Get prepared for the ride of your life girlfriend! You're going to be amazed at the changes that are in store for you. *big hugs*

My husband was very nervous about the idea of me having any kind of voluntary surgery. However, the more he listened to the information I found while researching the band the more informed he became about the risks and the potential benefits. Of course he was still very nervous when I went into surgery, but having his questions and fears addressed prior to surgery helped him relax and support my decision to be banded. Here is an hour long video that you might get hubby to watch with you. It shows an actual band surgery and the surgeons also go over a great deal of information about the band, the surgery, the post op expectations, etc. You might also go over this list of questions with your husband and get the answers from your Doctor. Having so much knowledge could help you both feel more in control about the decision. Best of luck to you. The video: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3190472028990485080&q=lap+band The questions for your Dr: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=15595