Great2BThin

Phyl, thanks for sharing your story. inspiring! About sharing about surgery with your church friends: When I got my surger I told no one besides my husband and kids. Then afterwards as folks started noticing I was open and upfront with them and shared I had had lap band surgery. My entire family knows except my parents now who live across the country and have no idea I've lost anything at all and will surprise them but I will tell them about the surgery. My mom is a very negative person but when she sees my success she can't say much. However, that being said the only folks I have not told are my church friends outside of 2 closer friends. My husband leads a small group in our home and not one person has commented on it. I think that's so odd. And 2 of the gals in it are former WW employees and are very anti surgery even though one is very overweight now. These are the folks I am the most scared to tell and they should be the first. If they ever ask me, I am not going to lie about it but have just not put it out there myself.

Finally some scale movement!!! I am down 1 more for a total of 62 today! Becky, do you know the size of your band? Maybe you have a small band and that's why the fills are smaller. I know I have the large which they told me is 14cc's. My first fills were larger but now they are usually .5. Editing to add a special message to Charlene! Hope you are okay after Ike. Please check in when you can and let us know!

Name_________Start Weight__CurrentWeight______Goal______Lbs lost *****************************:tt2:*******************:laugh:* 1day at a time.....263............261..........243..............2 2BHealthE!.........194............179............194............0 ahsem2bme..........244............244............225............0 aJoneen............223............221............213............2 Aphrodite1984......208............208............190............0 Ariel..............199............196.4..........180..........2.6 ArmyWife4life......209.5..........209.5..........190............0 Barb12590..........228............223............213............5 Bea1128............210.5..........207............188..........3.5 blueriley..........206............206............190............0 Brandymom1234......227............151.9..........135..........4.1 Caramia71..........208............203............195............5 cQQlgirl...........194............194............180............0 Crzytchr...........281............277............265............4 DebinFl............181............181............168............0 georgiagirl........245............234............230...........11 HarleyGirl.........188............187............175............1 HeatherA...........210.5..........209............200..........1.5 HeatherO...........155............150............140............5 Ivyrose325.........212............212............199............0 Jazzyywan..........255............255............190............0 Jodi_620...........196............188............177............8 KikiVal315.........237.5..........235............220............0 Lana24.............208............195............185............0 laurigee...........180............180............160............0 Leslie2Lose........220............214............205............6 lindar172 .........274.2..........271............256..........3.2 LisaB..............205.5..........200............180..........5.5 livn4thm...........235............233............210............2 Long2bthin.........248............243............230............5 Luu2008............203............199.5..........183..........3.5 KikiVal315.........237.5..........235............220..........2.5 Mamanmidwife.......299............292............280............7 mamato3............186............186............170............0 MarinaBleu.........226.5..........226.5..........216............0 memom..............210............210............170............0 Minxz..............299............285............280...........14 mominlv13..........299.8..........294.8..........275............5 nip50..............175............173............160............2 NurseNiki..........258............255............239............3 odamay.............242............242............225............0 paige65............252............247............232............5 Peaches11..........205............205............194............0 pj_txlady..........220............220............200............0 Redtulips3.........180............180............170............0 Renee74............214............213............199............1 Renewedhope........171............170............150............1 reif78.............294............195............185............0 shaversd...........230.5..........227............210..........3.5 SpecialK...........294............290............280............4 Sunshine2..........177............171............167............6 Tess...............304............304............280............0 thatDEgirl.........211............209............195............2 Turler.............225............219............210............6 wendyw.............192............192............172............0 wowox7.............195............189............170............6 WyominGirl.........327............321............312............6

Ellen, I think it's an unwritten rule around here, never change your ticker going up, it will go back down soon. At least that is what I do. Does your grandson live with you too? I've heard it said where we are the sandwich generation in that we have elderly parents to take care of and then young ones as well whether the younguns are our own or grandchildren. You so need some time for yourself. Is there anyway you can get a day off? Go to a spa, go shopping, or just take a walk in the park? They say we are better caretakers if we take care of ourselves first and that is so hard to do because: a) we feel selfish if we do, and finding the time to do so. That pound is probably just fluid, no way did you eat 3500 calories. Drink lots of water today and see if you can't flush it out. I wonder about another fill myself. I've not lost, am hungry more. But on the other hand when I eat I have to be very careful as things get stuck a lot if I don't chew chew chew and take tiny bites. So seems there's restriction there, maybe it's a head battle. And I'm not losing!

First, Ellen, CONGRATS!!! Hitting 50 is a major milestone. I can picture you now at Dr. Phil. For reference I am a little less than when we first met but about 8 lbs heavier than when the season ended. I have pics in my camera but I am such a clutz at downloading them. Janet, you are going to do great in the commercial. I hope there'll be a link some where where we can watch it. I had an awesome day. I went shopping with my daughter. First we went to Express, her favorite store. I showed her a sweater I thought was cute and she said I should try one on too as they had XL's. So I did and IT FIT!! it was on sale so I had to buy it. Next stop Ann Taylor. We were walking by and she knew that every time I got by I say some day I am going to be able to shop in there. So we went to 'look around'. She convinced me to try on a few tops and they all fit! One I really liked was $54 and I didn't want to spend the money on it, so she got it for me. What a daughter. It was the one that when I had it on in the dressing room I got very emotional and started blubbering and crying like a baby. LOL I bought the other 2 as they were buy one get one 50% so I had to have both of course!! I can see this is going to be dangerous as the temptation is there to buy all these clothes now, for once I am beginning to care how I dress and look. But I don't want to spend a fortune on a wardrobe yet as I am barely half way to goal. It will be awhile before I can fit in Misses pants as i carry all my weight in my butt and legs. Not that my boobs and chest are small by any means!!

Congrats Lapbandana!! The seat belt issue is huge. I have my own extender so I never have to ask again. Next time I fly I am hoping to leave it behind on the airplane. I am supposed to go in a week or so to Las Vegas. He has to go for a day for business and no way is he going without me. We used to live there. What did you see and do in our beautiful state???

Apples, congrats on the 8's. didn't sound like bragging to me and even if it was, go for it!! I will be if an 8 ever fits me. Today I had a great moment. I love Ann Taylor but have never been able to shop there as it was too small. Well, not today!!!! I am the proud owner of 3 new tops. Still to big of a butt for their pants, but soon!!!! Mall of America would be great, we could all shop for our new wardrobes!

Lizalee, I love the ear piercing story. I've thought of getting a 2nd hole as I love it when folks wear a little hoop in one and a diamond stud in the other, But then, wait, I would need diamond studs!!! LOL Thanks for the kudos on my shopping trip. I can see already that it is going to take great restraint not to buy everything that fits now, because in all reality I am not quite half way to my goal so these clothes won't be fitting a long time, it would be silly to spend a fortune (especially at Ann Taylor full price) on things that won't last long. Oh and at the Biggest Loser weigh in I was down 1.5, not sure how as my scale shows nothing. Well I am off to my bariatric exercise class, wonder what he'll have for us tonight. I have a very sore toe and it could be broken the way it feels and how bruised it's getting. I stubbed my baby toe going around the wall to get into the shower this morning. Another ah..ha, moment, I am closer to the walls now. LOL

I have UHC and they wouldn't cover mine, said it was excluded. Even though you got the 11th hour denial, it sounds promising that if you do submit it that it will be approved, so hang in there. Even with self paying though it is the best money I have ever spent on myself!!!! Congrats on losing 120 already!!! Sounds like you know what to do, so keep on keeping on!! You'll get there. UPDATE ON THE SHOPPING TRIP: OMG OMG OMG!!!!! First off we went to my daughter's favorite store, Express. I picked out a sweater for her thinking it was cute. She said mom, why don't you try it on? They had XL's in it. Lo, and behold, IT FIT!! So I had to buy it. Next up, Ann Taylor. I've walked past that store so many times in the past and always said how I'd love to shop there and/or Talbots. So she convinced me to go in. I tried on 3 tops AND ALL 3 FIT!!! I broke down crying in the dressing room. The one I really liked was $54 and I wasn't going to get it, but my daughter wanted me to have it and bought it for me. I bought the other 2 which were on sale. I so can't believe it. I am much larger on bottom than top so know I can't get pants there yet, but some day soon!! I should make DH take me out to dinner in one of them!! LOL

Carol, I agree, would definitely like to hear from you more often. Sounds like we started off nearly the same and have the same goal weight in mind. I let my weight control my every move. It's so freeing as it comes off to not be trapped by fat. MominLB, CONGRATS!!! Today my daughter and I are going shopping at a mall clear across town. Haven't been there so it will be an adventure. will I be able to find something in Misses again? STAY TUNED!! Oh and I gotta weigh in for the Biggest Loser challenge today but not expecting anything.

You look fantastic. I like the green top or the one with the black and white top with the white pants. Good luck!

I really want to lose 100 by Christmas too. But it seems to be really slowing down so I'm not sure. I can still have the goal though. Looking for 75 by Halloween. But I am just getting back to the gym as I had a set back of gall bladder surgery in August and couldnt' work out with weights or anything. I get released from restrictions at my 9/24 post op appt. but in the meantime I am still doing light cardio and upping that more and more each time. This past week is the first I didn't lose a thing, but usually that means I have a good week coming!! Here's too 100 by Christmas!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND CONGRATS MUSIC MOM!! That's awesome. I'm 2 lbs behind you and trying hard. Isn't it amazing to go to the gym? Ihad a free one in my development to go to and never used it. Now I go a minimum of 3X a week and try to do more. Keep up the good work!! And enjoy your special day.

Janet, Can I have your autograph??? Is this a commercial for your Dr's office? or for the lap band itself?? Wear something sexy!

Pie Update: The evil monster has been ground up, the dishes rinsed completely free of any pie residue. Challenge overcome!! Thanks so much everyone for the words of sanity. I can't believe how fast I let myself start spiraling downward in the head. And you should've seen my piece of pie. In my former pre-banded life, I wouldn't have even called it a piece, it was a mere sliver with one scoop on a Tablespoon size spoon on my plate. So I did good. And it tasted oh so good! Also, I went to the gym and worked up, upped the intensity but at that intensity I couldn't go as long. Which was fine as I was running late to meet my sister for lunch. And I met the challenge there. She wanted to go to Wishbone which is this fried chicken diner that is to die for. I thought oh no, what do I eat? why did she pick this place? Well as she sat there with her number 8 which is 3 thighs, fries, texas toast and gravy, I got the KIDS number one, they let me order from the kids menu but when an adult does they add $1.50 to the price, I was okay with that. I had 2 pcs of chicken one of which is in my fridge now, about 4 fries and no toast. I was stuffed. Do I eat fried chicken every day? No, between that and my pie last night I probably consumed a few more calories than normal, but I kept it in control. I used to eat that number 8 too and still want more! Sis, by the way, is asking a lot about my lifestyle and diet and now. HMMMMMM and was very complimentary on how I looked and discussed how mom will react. I left that place feeling pretty smug about myself. What a difference a day makes. What's so great about the band is even when I get in those self defeating modes and in the past what have said what the he$$ and eat the rest of the pie, or the other piece of chicken, the band won't let me, or if I do there's a high price to pay! And then the stinkin' thinkin' passes and so does the urge to binge. Okay I've rambled enough. Thanks so much for the understanding and support!

Lori, Please don't beat yourself up, because if you do, then I will have to beat myself up too, for losing so little, if anything, this entire month. I think what I have to come to grips with is that I will always be a "food person" and that there will be times that I'm human and the difference this time will be that my slips don't become permanent. (I hope! I hope! I hope!) I wonder if you took a poll of overweight women, (women especially) if you would find that we are more apt to be people pleasers, more apt to beat ourselves up over the least little thing, more apt to be concerned about others before ourselves and therfore more apt to judge ourselves harshly. (I think I was a bit repetative there.) Maybe some of the difference has to do with choice. What if you CHOSE to eat one piece of pie - with ice cream, of course - and then you CHOSE to go back on program right after? Would that eliminate beating yourself up? I want to reach a place where I think like that. I am definitely NOT there yet, but I do think that my goal is that it doesn't have to be all or nothing. It can be that goodies (and good things, for that matter) are a normal part of life. (I think Janet talked about choice at one point.) Well, forgive me for ranting, or as I say to my daughter, "processing out loud." Talk to you later. Love, Ellen Thanks for the pep talk, Ellen. See I did choose to have that pie and was okay with it when I did that. It was after I ate it that I beat myself up for that choice. I guess I still have this good/bad thing going on in my head when it comes to food ar as you said the all or nothing thinking. This morning that pie was mocking me on the kitchen island and I got back at it and ground it up in the disposal. the pie is out of the house! And I got up this morning and put gym clothes on first thing. I am headed there next. I can do this!! Most times I believe that, then those doubts come like last night and all that old stinkin thinkin comes back.

Wow you are so close too. You'll make it. Now that's a goal I'd like to reach!! I lost so fast the first 3 mos but it is slowing down but if I mind my p's and q's I should be able to make it. Great job!!

Well this jedi warrior is beating herself up pretty good tonight. I had taken an apple pie to a function last night. Well guess what there was some left over. Guess who's favorite pie is apple? Yep i had a piece ala mode nonetheless. I got scared and thought all those old habits are still there. GRRRRR No wonder I'm losing slower! the rest is going down the disposal. Janet- never knew you could sprain an ankle on the computer, thanks for the warning!! Seriously I hope it's better fast! Ellen, I watched the Dr. Phil thing today, I taped yesterday as the TV guide said yesterday too and it wasn't. But the end of the episode siad to watch tomorrow for it to continue, but according the previews it's something else, but I set it anyway. It brought back lots of memories.

Wow Georgia Girl you are really doing great!! What's your secret??? I've usually lost more by now myself but have slowed up. GRRRRRR

Hi there, Sorry to hear about the kinked tubing. I never heard of that before. How did the post op visit go? I had a 2nd surgery too, gall bladder. He reused 3 of my old incisions and one new one. Have been wondering how you were doing. Glad you sound like you are doing well now.

I had my gall bladder out 5 weeks ago today. And no I haven't had any of those problems, if anything I had less of an appetite. It took my system a bit to get used to no gall bladder and I had a bad tummy for awhile (diarrhea), I've actually lost 12 lbs since I had it out, and have had a fill since then. I can't believe your doc charges $1000 for a fill. Are you sure about that? Can you find a different doc then for fills? Mine are $100 now that I am more than 3 mos post banding. But I agree with Janet, you do need to maintain your band and check with your dr. to make sure all is right. Charlene, hope you are safe from Ike Becky, I know how you feel about the clothes. I just had my husband move my bag to the basement for now. I know that this time is different like Janet says about losing the weight, but guess I can't quite get out of my mind how many times I have gotten rid of the clothes only to need them again. I guess I am just fearful. I thought if they were out of sight, out of mind, that a month or two it would be easier to donate them some place.

Good morning. It is cool out today so I am wearing one of my new sweaters I bought a while back in the MISSES department!! YAHOO!! I've been trying to not weigh every day and just doing so on Mon and Thurs. No more loss today, bummer. Things must have stablized for me and this is how it's going to be now. I'm still losing about a pound to two a week so that's good. I just got very spoiled with so many big numbers early. As for liquid diets, I really didn't follow one long. Just one day pre op and 4 days post op. I had Isopure protien drinks, broth, jello and popsicles.

I think most insurances have to preapprove the procedure so if they don't preapprove and you submit afterwards I doubt it would be covered. But I am no expert that's for sure!!

Yea!!! Ellen is now a filled bandster! That's a long time for liquids. Don't be afraid to drink but don't gulp. YOu need to hydrate and you need to do it in sips. I forget a lot and take big swigs of Water and then burp a lot. Regardless how much the fill is, ideally my dr. wants me to eat 4 oz in a meal and eat 5 to 6 times a day. Solid Protein should be 80% of that. If I can eat more, then I need another fill. Hope that helps. BTW, have you talked to our friend lately? If you do can you get an email? Also, saw on the previews for Dr. Phil today that he is doing another Weight Loss challenge and it's without us evidently! LOL I set the DVR to record but doesn't look like that episode was today's but haven't seen it yet.

Good afternoon. I have not been able to get on this site since yesterday. I am so far behind now in reading. Not sure what was up. Obviously it was just me as my inbox is full of notices about new posts so others have been posting away. Ellen, how did the fill go today? did you get a big one? I only had to be on liquids for 4 to 6 hours, then mushies the rest of the day, regular food the next. But, just like pre and post op diets, all docs seem to differ. I went to the gym this morning and did the routine the trainer gave me on Monday night. I also got a new ball and cords to do that part at home. I had to take my first ball back, who knew there were sizes? He recommended I get the bigger ball 75cm since I am tall and at the end of the height guidelines for the 65cm ball.