ljv52

Looking so great - be proud of all you've accomplished -- very nice pics .

Hi Julie, Here's my information:

Linda Vilcone

2303 Ridgeway Ave.

Oskaloosa, IA 52577

Home: 641-673-5478

Cell: 641-660-5104

Work: 641-676-2101 (private line)

e-mails: lvilcone@yahoo.com or lvilcone@mahaska.org

B-day 4-22-52

What else did you need? I can't remember, hope this is it. Thanks for doing all the work.

Thanks Apples, I don't get here as often as I want to, but I love all my lb friends too. I'm hoping some day to drive up to Duluth as I lived there 40 years ago and would love to go back and visit now that I'm back in the midwest. I'll definitely let you know and you likewise should you come south. We have a guest room. Love you and thanks for always giving me positive reenforcement.

Hi SJ, how's it going with you? Have you made a decision yet about the band? By now you may have already been banded. I've had a lot of success with my band, but it's been work -- you still have to work hard to get the weight off. What helps me is to know that I will never have to lose the same 100 plus pounds again. I had my band January 26. I just finished a 12 day vacatioi and I'm happy to report that I didn't gain any weight over vacation which is truly a major victory for me. I did have some special treats during my trip and I didn't exercise every day as I normally do when I'm at home. It was good to know that I can "maintain" -- what a great feeling it is! :rolleyes2:

Great attitude, always stay positive!!!!!!!!

Great, keep me posted!! I'm getting excited for you both!!!!

Thanks for your lovely comments. I live in Iowa - I've lived all over the U.S. and my DH and I retired here in 2004. We love small town living as we used to live in Long Beach, CA and I commuted to downtown LA everyday for work - I was a legal assistant for over 30 years - very stressful work. Thanks for saying I'm "pretty" -- I sure didn't look or feel very pretty with that 72 extra pounds on, I feel so much better - I used to hate looking at my pic, but now am loving it again. I'm so glad you are feeling better. That's the thing I worry about the most -- getting too tight. I don't ever want to go through that. I can't remember now where you live. but for sure let's keep in touch. Linda

Pam, yes, I exercise a lot. I'm like you, I want all my weight gone as quickly as possible. I use thedailyplate.com to figure out my calories. I put in my weight and that I want to lose two pounds per week and it calculates the calories by how much you weigh. Right now it's at 1003, which is not much. By exercising I can eat what I need to eat -- 3 meals, with protein. I also log my exercise as well as my foods that I eat and I usually end up with a minus calories or very low (100 to 300) calories total that count for the day. I hope this makes sense, kind of hard to describe.

Continued (message was too long). That's what I'm giving her for her 50th birthday -- a new and improved older sister. We lost our mom 5 years ago and they lived next door to each other and it was very hard on her and I know she's worried about my weight for years. She's an RN so she knows all the risks. She and my brother never had a weight problem -- I was always the fat sister (and middle child). Hoping you are feeling much better when you read this. Linda

Thanks so very much. Hope you are doing okay at your dr appt this morning -- keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. I'm originally from Ohio, but was married to an Air force man and have lived in many places -- Minn., Texas, Alaska, Nevada, So. Cal. and now Iowa. I love it here after Southern Cal. -- too many people and too many cars there. I had my surgery in January. I have been losing faster than most people, so I am one of the lucky ones. I am surprising my sister and her family in August with my weight loss.

PJ, you look fantastic!! I know you from the mentor's group-- you and I have very similar bodies -- and I've lost about the same amount of weight as you have -- what's interesting, is I look at myself in the mirror and don't see such major changes -- but I look at your pics and see the HUGE change!! I'll have to get a before picture posted as well -- you are doing so well, congratulations on your weight loss -- you look wonderful!!

Good Luck Aluv -- you have the same body type as I do -- apple shape-- small arms, legs. I have lost 54 lbs. since I began my lap band journey - started my two week pre-op diet on 01-13-09 and surgery 1-27-09. Hope to hear from you, and good luck and god bless you!

Linda

Had to post this separately, as the first message was too long. LOL

I'm chewing a lot of gum too. My doc said some people don't tolerate and thank god I can! It's keeping me sane. I don't feel hungry -- in fact I feel too full some of the time. I'm not having any problem so far sticking with the liquid. I've also lost quite a bit and already have improved quality of life issues with less pain in back and leg. Wish I 'd done this a couple of years ago!

Linda

Hi Peg, Sorry I haven't responded. I went back to work Friday (I work Fri. through Mon.) so have been pretty busy and unable to read much. I did very well on my surgery, didn't have much pain (was surprised). I had to spend the night because I live 1-1/2 hr. away from hospital and I spent most of my time up and walking which I think really helped. Tomorrow is one week and I can't believe how great I feel. Very little pain except when bending over at the port area. I am dreading my first outing with people. I belong to a red hat group and we have a mystery dinner next week and then a luncheon at the end of the month and I'm not telling very many people I had the surgery. Trying to figure out what I can say about not eating. Maybe that I'm having some tests done or something. You did great with your party. Linda

Let's keep in touch. I'll let you know how I do, although I'm spending the night in the hospital, so not sure you'll get it before your surgery.

thank you for replying. I'm just curious, although I am following my doctor's orders of no caffeine. I hate decaff coffee, so would rather go without it. Thanks for your reply, I appreciate it. good luck with your surgery -- I'm getting a little scared, but know I can do it. Just got back from my doctor and I've lost 8 lbs. on the pre-surgery diet. So that's GREAT - eight gone forever!!