Paulax

My husband and I go out for dinner once a week, or we try. I will enjoy a glass of wine and order a bowl of soup or an appetizer, depending on what kind of restaurant we go to. BTW, I am at goal, so I don't worry so much about 'what' I am ordering, just worry about the waste of ordering too much.

You look FANTABULOUS! I especially love the shots in your jeans. Congratulations my dear and I hope all has healed and the swelling goes away.

OMG, that gave me a chuckle. A kitty lift.....:thumbup: VOTE FOR MARYPETUNIA FOR QUOTE OF THE YEAR! OK so seriously folks. How do they do a kitty lift. Do they just pull up while they pull the tummy skin down? ????

PS Jachut, I see in another post that your boobs went on vacation, they must have gone with mine.....

I celebrate every single day, I smile at my image in the mirror and put on my size 10s. And only 2 years out, I find something else in my closet to let go of. A banded friend of mine gave me a bottle of wine called Santa Paula. She has been my mentor. She lives far away but the next time I see her, we will share that bottle of wine in celebration. Cheers

I suffer infrequently. I have watched the onset of my migraines and can sometimes figure out what triggers them. Stress, alcohol are two that I have figured out. Mine last for 3 days and usually make me blindish in one eye. I found the cure. Topirimate stops my migraines dead. I can still feel them, but they are not painful. I take the drug under the name Maxalt rpd. They are melt on your tongue type. I am so relieved that there is a cure. Good luck with yours. I know they are miserable.

2 months later, ya, my weight stays pretty stable. I do eat much the same as when I was losing. If I overindulge in Easter chocolate, I watch what I eat for the next few days and I stablize again. Two things I am in constant amazement of. 1. That this band helps keep my weight stable and I am thankful for it every single day. and 2. How truly little food we need to feel good, keep up our energy and maintain weight loss. My proportions were way out of whack pre band. Still feeling good at goal! Cheers everyone

RIGHT ON GAFFER!!!! You spent 16,000. but you look like a million bucks!!! Congratulations!

I was released only a few hours after surgery. Definately, you will need a ride home from the hospital. I think I was told not to drive for a week. I felt groggy, but relatively fine afterward. Mostly took it easy for a week. Good luck with your plans. It is a very exciting time.

I am going to repeat what Dr Oz told a guest on Oprah one day. She complained that she was exercising regularly and eating well, but that after age 40 she just gained a few pounds every year and now finds herself with 15 - 20 pound to lose. He told her that after 40, we need to work harder. He told her that she needed to get her heart rate up higher for longer periods of time during exercise. ie: work out harder for longer. I know just how hard the last 10 pounds are. But it is worth it. Keep up the hard work. I agree that you do not need a fill, just need to adjust your exercise. See you at the gym.

Oh hugs to both of you.......

Yes, it sounds as though your fill is tight, but mac n cheese isn't something that would go down easy. I usually stay away from noodles, breads and rice. IF you are too tight, schedule a defill, and in the meantime get some Slim Fast or Advantage Shakes or Protein powder that you mix up yourself. There are little to no nutritional benefits in that meal of mac and cheese and weiners. Also, if soft cooked veggies are a challenge, grab a V8 or better yet, juice some veggies. I can't eat a whole cucumber, but I can drink one. And vitamins, find a good liquid vitamin. We need to nourish our bodies to keep them healthy. If you focus on getting more exercise and eating the good, clean and healthy foods, the weight will fall off. Let us know how it is going.

You look positively fantabulous Julie! Your skin looks so smooth, you heal very nicely. Your dad does awesome work. Yes, now it is time for you to be proud of your accomplishment and enjoy life and all it has to offer. Hugs and thanks for the update...........

How is it going juliegeraci??? Checking up on youuuuuuuuuuuuu!

I had your same experience this past winter. It WAS miserable. My band is fine, and I too experienced tightening afterwards. Try not to worry. LOL @ Jachut. You are my sister-twin girl. Paulax <---- has 100 disposible gloves in kitchen, 100 more in bathroom upstairs.

July will be 2 years for me. I have not regretted it for one second. I know in my heart that I would have regretted it had I NOT gone through with banding. I'd still be fat and depressed about it.

At goal for a few weeks now. I have to say that in spirit, I feel different, more at peace, less consumed with what and how much I eat. I have to say I am not feeling any different at goal, with regard to my food. I still have to try to eat clean. I pretty much keep low carb, I don't worry about it though. If there is an occasion to eat carbs, I will. Otherwise I am pretty much a lowcarber by choice. So yes, in answer to your question, I do stick with my new eating habits, perhaps just a bit looser. I am not critical of what I eat, but I do have to watch it, because with a fill at 3.0 still, I need to focus on the putting good and healthy food in my small pouch. There is no room for 'empty' foods. And I take my vits. Good luck, goal is a wonderful place to be. Edited to add: AND I exercise as much if not MORE than while losing. I see this as a lifestyle change and this is what will keep my body at goal and my mind healthy. I was thinking the other day, that I am able to jog, BECAUSE of my weight loss.

Wow, I just want to hug and encourage you to do what you need to do to make your life happy and healthy. Your post struck me as I too had a jealous mom. It seemed to boost her confidence when when she had something on me. Like weight. Instead of encouraging me to lose, she actually laughed at me. Now, I have 2 daughters and I want nothing but the best for them. I learned from my experience that it is all about them now. I pray they don't have a weight problem, but if they do, I will be the ultimate supporter in their efforts to get and stay healthy. Hugs my dear, this is your life and life is short. Make every decision and every moment matter.

Ha, yesterday, I was training at the gym and Kayne West's song STRONGER came on. It kind of made me giggle, but was very fitting to the activity. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jzSh_MLNcY]YouTube - Kanye West - Stronger[/ame]

I live in BC, Canaderrrrrrrrrrrrrr, so I joined the online program for the Vancouver Sun Run. Well laid out and easy to follow. I did it in 1997, and I have the shirt to prove it. I am now training with my daughter and in spite of the snow and icy conditions, it is a great program and I am excited. Absolutely, you should do a 10K program. I kinda wish I had found a 5K lol! But so far, so good. I will be joined by about 50,000 of my close friends and running partners in Vancouver on April 18.

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I agree with joining a program like Learn to Run. I am in my 3rd week of a 10K training program. The programs are developed by the best doctors in the field and are designed to get you training injury free. I also want to encourage you on the plateau. Know that, this too shall pass..... eventually...... as frustrating they can be. Keep your food clean, recommit to exercise, keep your fills current and the plateaus will pass. I hit one for 6 months. I recommitted myself to clean eating, got a small fill, hired a personal trainer and bam, the scale started moving. Good luck and let us know how you are doing.

I agree with the thoughtful advice given here. Be well informed, make sure you are ready for the changes that are necessary and then I say, go for it. I wish I had this available to me at almost 18. You have the support of your parents, your insurance. I hope this will be a positive changing experience in your life. Let us know what you decide.

Heck no, I need to shop where YOU shop. My measurements are about 40, 30, 40". I love my new thighs at 22 1/2". Used to be about 28" I hear you on letting the control go, I understand. I am not ready to let any fill go yet either. I will see how the maintenance goes. Just got back from my learn to jog program. Dare I say I think I am starting kinda SORTA like jogging.....

Where is the embarrassed and fainting smilie? Wait a go Manateeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Duuuuuuuuuuuuude!