Great2BThin

Julie, I am sorry you are feeling so down right now. It's gotta be frustrating, while I don't live with the pain day to day as you do, I have been for about 6 weeks with pain due to my knee surgery. I know I have an end in sight when my leg will be all healed, it's gotta be tough for you not having that 'end in sight'. It sounds like it is consuming you and depressing you and that's understandable. You say you don't know how to change the word 'hope to get to goal' to 'will get to goal', I know it sounds cliche but you just gotta repeat those words to yourself over and over. Look at yourself in the mirror and say that to yourself a couple times a day. Eventually you might start to believe it. WE believe in you. I agree, go to the dr maybe they can give you something to tide you over, refer you to someone you can talk about all this too. Or I know you've mentioned church in the past, can you discuss this with your pastor or pastor's wife? I did that once on an issue I was having and it helped immensely. I know you are in N Dakota, how far are you from Watertown, SD?? I am hoping to hook up with Apples on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, would be wonderful if you could join us, weather permitting. Meredith, forgot to comment earlier on the photos, you look awesome. Phyl, you deserve that purse. You hit Onederland, you just had a blip you'll be back there in no time. You gals will have to post pics of the new purses. Is Eva going shopping with you too? I had a very informative day with grandma and a 'Pace' representative about Grandma's options going on to their plan for her care, etc. I understand things so much better and it's a relief that she is going to be able to still live independtly more or less and with dignity. She's in assisted living but doesn't have to go to a nursing home to get assistance. We go visit their center tomorrow where her docs will be and some social activities etc. So I will probably not be posting tomorrow.

Julie, Your post jumped out at me today for some reason. Maybe because of the self doubt and frustration. Lord, knows I've been there so many times. But, honey, you need to replace words like hope to make it to my goal to I will make it to my goal. And you are so worth rewarding yourself for your progress thus far. Even more so because of all the medical issues you've had etc. You deserve it. You have persevered through so much and look at you 106 lbs down! Even if it's not a monetary reward or something you go and buy, treat yourself to a extra long soak in a bubble bath, give yourself a pedicure and manicure. Anything to make yourself feel good and that is a treat for you. You've had such a battle and you are still going strong. you do so much for others, you need to start doing for yourself. I can't think of someone more deserving of a reward to themselves than you! A Coach purse is a designer brand of purse, www.coach.com you can check them out. It's one of my only weaknesses when it comes to brand names and shopping. i guess all the years of being overweight I never spent much on myself clothes wise and could care less about brands, but a purse well even a fat lady needed a nice purse was my thinking. LOL And I could shop in a real store and not a large size store to get it. I lived a couple miles from an outlet store in CA and got hooked then. But I don't go crazy and I save up for them if I get one. I hope my words don't come across as offensive, they are said in love.

Today I am thankful for the many blessings God has placed in my life. I am thankful that he saved me at such a young age and I've hardly known life without a relationship with Him. I am thankful that every day my knee gets stronger. Today I go to therapy this morning and then have the rescheduled appt from Monday with the agency that helps Grandma as her money runs out and see what their services are. Not really looking forward to that as I really don't understand Medicare, Medicaid, etc. guess I will get a crash course! Rewards: Lets see as I lost weight I gave myself a new gold star charm for my Italian charm bracelet for every 5 lbs. until I ran out and couldn't find them anymore. They were such a rage a few years ago but no longer. At 50 lbs I got a Coach bag and I also got a coach bag at goal. And since about every 20 lbs I needed new jeans bad I got those then. In the past my rewards were always food, in my case popcorn. When I say popcorn I am not talking the fat free microwave kind, oh no. I had to pop it on the stove in lots of oil and then put a whole stick of butter on it. Even now I read of several of you eating the microwave popcorn as your treat at night. I can't trust myself with it. For me it would just trigger the cravings for my super fattening version. So I only allow myself popcorn at the movies and a small at that. I have been known to scour the paper for a movie that looks even half appealing just because I am having a popcorn craving. LOL

Wow Allie, you have lost more than you weigh now. That's amazing. Sounds like the $450 for the pain pump was a wise investment. Can't wait to hear about it. Thanks for the compliments on how I look. It's just so weird to think I am really at goal! I don't have to lose weight. I've never been able to say that before!

Greetings! Busy place since I last read. Just got home from a day of shopping with Grandma. I think she wore me out this time. My knee is a little swollen and sore. Well I got a 28 yr old living in my basement! DD just moved back in just before my knee surgery until March 26th, her wedding, to save up money for the wedding. It's working out okay right now and it helps knowing there's an end date. I would like it if she helped out more around the house the basement is a mess, just like her room used to be. Thankfulness, it's pretty hard to top Apples list. I'd have to say ditto to most of those. I am thankful for being at goal and getting used to saying that. I am thankful for my band that helped get me there. I am thankful for my 100 yr old Grandma that she is still in my life. Also, everyone here, it's so nice to have a place to go to where everyone gets one another. Tiny, welcome back, I am glad you decided to hang around. Coconut, your swelling is going down so you are going to get hungrier. Hang in there til that first fill.

CAthyChatts! So good to hear from you! Anxious to see those pics. Last I remember you were entering the dating scene. How's that going? I had an appt with my lapband doc today. He has told me to quit stressing about the last 7 or so lbs. to consider myself at goal that I looked 'fantastic'. And to remind myself that 'it's okay to be happy about my weight'. I think I spent years in the losing mindset that it's so hard to wrap my mind around the fact that I am very comfortable where I am at. And it's a place that I am maintaining really well. Since July I've been up and down 2 lbs.

Good afternoon. My appt with Dr Snyder went really well today. He told me to quit stressing about those last few pounds, that I was 'fantastic' where I was. That I needed to learn it's okay to be happy with my weight. AFter years and years of trying to lose it is jsut so strange to think I don't have to lose anymore. But still I have in my mind it would be nice to have 5more lbs off. So I am undecided if I should do the challenge or not. Janet, I enjoyed your post on willpower, I agree completely. LIke Apples my downfall was in the all or nothing thinking. I'd think in the past if I had a piece of that pie I blew it and that would be the end of my maintainance and or losing and I'd gain it back. I agree about the treats once in a while. As soon as you tell me I can't have something I obsess over wanting it. Any Biggest Loser fans here? That's on tonight and is my main night for wanting to watch tv. I also like Dancing with the Stars. I missed the post about Eva coming to visit Janet. Sounds fun. Therapy went well today as well, I got 120 degree bend which is the goal. Still really tight in the thigh muscle. I got very dizzy and sweaty there today again. Not sure what was up with that. I did a bike and elliptical and exerted myself more than normal. Could I be that out of shape in 5 mos or could it be still my low b/p issues? HMMMM

Costco is like Sam's club, however, in my opinion, much nicer. However, you will find just as many folks that prefer Sam's. Personal preference and what you get used to I suppose. When the warehouse stores first came into being, Costco is what I got used to. Apples, where do you get your crosswords? Do you subscribe to both those papers or are they available online? I used to do Sudoku a lot but got tired of it, maybe I should try crosswords. Grandma always has easy large print crossword puzzle books around and sometimes I do some of those. Is it true that as the week goes on the puzzles get harder?

Good morning! Happy Anniversary for real this time Apples! Enjoy your day with hubby! WE just got a Bose theater system for our TV and love it, but it doesn't play CD's. It's an older one we got used from a friend. Linda, Wow 96 lbs. Congrats! That's awesome in 9 mos. Glad to see you back posting. AS for the joints, I thought when I lost the weight my knees would be better too, so they told me. But alas not at all. I took less ibuprofen of course, since I wasn't supposed to take that any more, but the knees were still killing me. Alas, my surgery on the worst knee. I just feel too good with the 128lb weight loss to put up with achy joints so decided to have it done. Eva, enjoy your dinner out tonight! Laura, hope Nelson is feeling okay, enjoy your time with your dad. Tiny, welcome, just jump right in! TV (is that our 'topic of the day'), DH always wondered why I liked to go out to eat so much since the kids have moved out and it's just the 2 of us. It wasn't really to get away from them, etc. I said it's because the darn TV isn't on and you are my captive in the booth or table at the restaurant and have to focus on me and conversation. At home he tends to have the news on or a newspaper etc. to catch up on the news of the day. Since then, we rarely have the TV on during meals. Well off to see my lapband surgeon today. I was supposed to be at the bottom end of my goal range today but alas I am not, but am not at the high end either at least on my scale I'm not.

Janet, I'll take that challenge. 5 lbs by 1/1/10. Heck, I lost over the holidays last year, I can do it this year too. My daughter just asked me when I was ready to start doing my P90 workouts again and we may start next week knowing I will have to modify or skip some moves due to my knee but I can do the strength stuff etc. It also helps that DH said today he'd like to change his eating habits and lose about 15 lbs. I will get my official start weight tomorrow when I see my lapband surgeon and they weigh me there. Mondays are an okay day for me but for some silly reason I like Thursdays. They are usually my freer days with not much going on so I feel a sense of freedom to do what I want and it's almost the weekend.

Thanks for the concern about the flexion, Phyl. It wasn't me that was at 130 degrees, but a lady at therapy when I was there that got that right out of surgery. She said her dr called her Gumbo, that she was only the 2nd person he ever saw that got that much flexion right out of surgery. My goal is to get to 120 degrees, 125 max. so not going for the 130. I am at 117 now, I had cancelled therapy today before my day got freed up unexpectantly so go tomorrow instead, will see what I can do tomorrow.

Apples, Grandma is in a place that she can stay even if she has to take this aid. She's in the independent living part now and goes down to a dining room for lunch each day, other meals she eats in her apartment. If the need every arises they also have a nursing home section that she could move into. I pray that never happens. This place has a contract with the company I was to meet with so I am hoping it will be a smooth transition for her. I guess I will find out all the details of this program on Thurs. Well I am once again sporting shorter hair. I was growing it out per my daughters request but it was just so flat and limp. I am used to such thick hair full of body. My hairdresser said I my hair thinned a lot. I blamed it all on my lapband and what not but she said anesethesia also does it. Well I've only had that 3 times in a little over a year. The good news is she saw tons of new growth, but she said I'd be much happier with my hair shorter until that new growth filled in and have more body. I like it a lot and DH said he did too when he met me for lunch today. Tomorrow I see my lapband dr for a followup. I was hoping to be at the lower end of my goal but am still close to the top, but have a good excuse of knee surgery. LOL

Charlene, I am off to buy stuff today to fill one of those shoe boxes too. I have to have it turned into church next Sunday. I've had the box for several weeks but haven't felt up to shopping long with my knee. I need to go to Target to refill my vicodin so will shop for that as well. Thanks for the reminder! What are the B-12 shots for? I had a neighbor years ago that got them to lose weight I thought guess they must not have worked for her if they make you gain. Apples, I love the glass half full syndrome. You are such a positive person. I think that is so key in this lap band journey as well. How often I come on LBT and read some of the other messages/threads and there's such negativity and then of course, it's the band's fault for not working, etc. It's a lesson that has taken me years to learn however, in so many of my previous weight loss attempts I was the negative, glass half empty person. I had so many negative excuses as to why I couldn't lose weight that I think I sabotaged myself just to prove myself right! Not saying that's what every one does that is negative but it sure is what I did. I think if I can get my mind wrapped around the process and be positive about the outcome it makes the journey so much more fun and worthwhile. Even in my knee surgery, sure it was painful and not fun and I am sure I did a little whining, but have tried to keep a positive outlook on it and look to the recovered knee and future positively instead of the current difficulties as a negative and it's helped me in this journey. I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate your positiveness, it's taught me a lot! Well I was supposed to meet with Grandma and some representative from an agency called Total Longterm Care about Grandma's options when her money runs out (which in my opinion is not for another year or so, but mom thinks is imminent so she schedules me to meet with them not her while she's here, but in light of my previous paragraph I am keeping a positive attitude LOL) any way they help with Medicaid if she needs that, etc. But the guy is sick and called VERY early this morning to cancel and reschedule til Thurs. Grandma is all flustered, she doesn't handle last minute change very well. Then on Fri. we take a van to tour their facility or something. I am clueless what this all is but guess I'll find out. It's an agency that allows her to remain independent so she can remain living where she is so that is good. Of course, Grandma's pride is having a hard time with all this if and when her money does run out. I tell her I have no problem with someone needing assistance who has worked hard her whole life and has been able to support themselves without taking a dime from anyone for 101 years! Of course, we help her as much as she'll allow as well. Heck, I'd consider moving her in with me if she'd do it. (she won't). So now I have a day to myself sortta as I had to not schedule my usual Monday therapy today due to the cancelled appt and of course they are now booked solid today. Ijust am getting my gray roots covered and a hair trim. Have a great Monday.

Woo hoo!! Isn't weird to think of a New Years resolution besides losing 100 lbs??? I hit my high end goal and would ideally like to lose about 10 more but am totally happy where I am and to think when New Year's come I will get to make a whole new resolution.

Good luck on your knees Porcupine. I tried the Gloucosamine as well. It didn't work so I think my knees were too far gone. My knees were the biggest motivator for me to lose the weight. It helped but not enough, again they were too far gone. Bone on bone and not much left to do after that. I also tried the rooster comb injections. Think all the years of being 100+ lbs overweight did me in early. But I am so anxious to get this new knee feeling 100% then there's going to be no stopping me!

Apples, Sounds like a productive day. Make sure you are taking care of you and don't neglect your health and rest. Gotta keep you on the go, you know! I thought it was Sat. we were planning on so I have told DH to keep that day open. He'll probably come with me if that is okay as I am a whimp when it comes to driving long distances in an area I don't know. I found the neatest sweatshirt jacket for my Grandma for Christmas at the craft show today. Some lady made them out of regular sweatshirts, she cut them down the front middle and added a border and fancy buttons and also a quilted pocket. It looks so like something she wears I couldn't resist. I'm anxious to give it to her but will have to be patient and wait til Christmas. I actually got the majority of my major gifts boughten so am happy about that. I like being done early and then just relaxing and enjoying the holiday season.

Congrats on your band! I won't be at the nutrition class on Wed. I am not back to my volunteering yet since my knee surgery. Hopefully in a few weeks. Are you getting a fill already? That's fast? I had to wait 6 weeks to get my first fill. Amanda is really nice though. Phyl & Janet, have a wonderful time shopping. I am so jealous a new Coach purse! I was to the Coach outlet last night actually. I got a 20% off coupon in my email. It's good til the 15th, I can forward it to you if you are going to an outlet if you like and want to pm me your email address. The 20% off was off the sale and clearance prices too. I got my daughter one for Christmas.

Good afternoon! Just got home from walking around a craft show. Really enjoyed it but glad I took the cane with me because by the end I was really leaning on it. That was my biggest outing to date as far as the amount of walking I did, but I did great. We saw a lady selling hand carved Santas there and got to talking to her. We used to be in the shows selling those as well. DH kindda got the desire to do a few again. In the past when we had our craft business it was an income to allow me to be a stay at home mom. This time he's thinking it would be 'blow money' and he has lots of things he wants to blow it on! LOL We need to decide by Feb as that is when you have to apply for many of the fall shows. Apples, Happy anniversary!! We celebrated 30 yrs this year too! 1979 was a good year!

I actually made an appt with my knee doc in 2 weeks to discuss my options on knee #2. As much as I don't want to face it, it would be awesome to have them both done and be done with it too. And not having to pay anything would be even better. I should've planned one knee early in the year and the other the end of the year. Hindsight 20/20 they say.

CONGRATS!! Phyl on the Onederland!! Awesome news to start the day!! You know the hip on my knee side bothers me sometimes too. I wonder if it's from walking funny as the knee heals? That hip has never bothered me before. My other one has in the past, but not that one. I sure hope I am not goign to need hips as well as knees. I had a brief moment of insanity yesterday. At therapy yesterday there was a gal there doing therapy for her knee replacement as well. I got to talking to her. She had her 2nd knee done 5 weeks after her first. She wanted them done by year's end and be off work all at once. Well it got me thinking, since I reached my out of pocket max for the year, any other medical expenses in 2009 are covered 100%. I had to pay $2500 for my knee surgery. I thought well if I am going to need the other knee anyway, I wonder about rushing to get it in this year. however, it wasn't as bad as the first knee. But the more I think about it, it seems crazy to me. DH said to only do it if it really bothered me, don't make the decision just on $$$, we can always find the $2500 in a year or two if I don't need it til then. I just feel so guilty that I've cost us so much for my lap band, gall bladder and now knee issues. DH is so supportive though. Also, who knows what options there'll be for the next knee if our insurance all changes. I'm just about 5 weeks now though and can't imagine having the other knee done now and relying on this knee like the gal in therapy did. This gal also got 130 degree bend the week after surgery! She must be super woman or something! I hope you are feeling better soon!

Good morning! Wow, last week we had a huge snowstorm at this time, this week, record warm temps! 78 yesterday more of the same today. I just love CO weather as when it's bad you know it ain't gonna last long! Today I am getting me a pedicure!! FUn fun! Still hard to reach those toes and the nails have gotten so long. I have a neighbor that does them from her home so am going there. She's a little more pricey so I hope I like it, if not might be akward if I don't go back. Janet, thanks for sharing your 'slip'. It reassures me and yet freaks me out at the same time. By that I mean it's reassuring to know that even the best of us, can be over come by those old temptations and habits and over come them. Scares me to death to know that those old habits can sneak up on us anytime. I think my husband doesn't understand that. I think he thinks I still identify too much with being overweight even though I am 'normal' now. He thinks since I am 'normal' that those issues are all gone. I tell him no they are not. There's still a fat girl inside me that tries to get out once in awhile. Funny when I was fat I used to say there was a thin girl in there that wanted to get out too. LOL But even though I may look 'normal' now, I still can't be trusted around a bag of Fritos or some fresh popped buttery popcorn! But it does thrill me that he doesn't see that fat chick anymore. Hope that is making sense. But I thank you for sharing your journey all of it even the slip ups and then the amazing gym workouts and turn around as well! Apples, we miss you too, but totally understand. I am anxious about the possiblity of meeting you in a few weeks. Laura, sorry you had the stuck episode. That's when they tend to happen for me, in a social setting where perhaps I am not paying as close attention to my bites and chewing as I should be as I am distracted by my surroundings. Pets: Mine are almost human! LOL We have 2 dogs, one, Hunter, is DH's dog and was supposed to be his hunting dog. She was supposed to be all black lab but alas is half Australian Shepherd and is more interesting in herding the cows on the farm he takes her hunting to than retrieving birds. Lucy, is our other dog and is part viszla and part black lab. We got her from S. Dakota and she was bred specifically for hunting pheasants and she is a retreiver extrodinaire! But a big baby that also thinks she's a lap dog. I buy her pink collars, etc. and it just bugs DH as he uses her more for his hunting since she's so good and he can't have a hunting dog with a pink collar! Funny when we go to S Dakota and they pheasant hunt at his uncles farm, there are also several hunters that pay his uncle to guide them hunting. They come up from Mississippi I think. They have all these fancy pedigree dogs that they spent thousands on to train to hunt. My mutt with no official training out hunts them all! I let him take her hunting as she just loves it, but if I go walk the fields with him she tends to want to be babied by me. LOL She's my protector too. Now cats, I dont' have much use for. But most of that is because I am so darned allergic that I have myself convinced that I hate cats. But really it's just that I hate getting steroid shots if I have been around one, etc. LOL We have to be very careful even when we buy a house, if the previous owners had a cat, we have to rip out all carpet etc. I'm very sensitve to them. Well guess I better go get on with my day. Depending on the knee I might venture out to Kohl's for their 'big sale' but then again, aren't they always having a sale?

Just remembered, I think we had a couple new folks post here recently that are getting banded this week. Cocunut Latte and LCdanga or something like that (the gal that was worried about choking). Just wanted to say best wishes to you in your surgery, your are embarking on a wonderful and life changing journey.

So is the surgery going to be done all in one procedure then? Or is there another procedure coming up? Can't wait to see and hear all about it!!

Good afternoon. I am fresh home from therapy today where I got to a 117 degree bend. 120 is the goal, he thinks I will get that and then some!! WOOHOO!! Weighed myself this morning and am down 2 lbs. another WOOHO!! And my 3rd WOOHOO!! is DS called and met me for lunch. I haven't seen him in 2 weeks and was wondering what was up. He doesn't believe it's been that long since he has called. LOL BOYS! I talk to my daughter all the time (even before she moved in with us) but my son is few and far between. So I relished the time I had with him. He's trying to work out his schedule at Walmart to go to SD with us for at least a couple of the days, but you know retail and Black Friday. I was trying to get out of him what Walmarts Black Friday deals were but he's not even sure yet. Now I am home with the knee up and chilling out. Also saw the knee doc yesterday and he says I am 'super'. Next week I see my band doc. I feel old all these doctor visits. Apples, what a great family it sounds like, glad you had them in your life as it sounds like your birth family wasn't so much. Thanks for the kind words too. That's my plan, just be myself, do what it is right and what they choose to do with it is their choice. I can only do so much. Grandma is the glue right now. Meredith, welcome home. Anxious to hear about it. Are you moving to CA?? :thumbup: Laura, yes I did get the pots, she will be thrilled. Hope all is well at the dermatologist. Sorry to hear your dad is facing surgery. Glad you will be able to be there for him. Janet, hope you got your computer ailments taken care of. Good going on the new gym!

You're not excited or anything are you???? LOL When you first said you were getting your surgery it seemed so far away and yet here it is. Looking forward to some after photos!