Pinkylee

Regina: You'll have to put me on the defnite maybe list for 8/25. A definite no on Labor Day weekend. The Michigan house has me hopping! Aimee, Barbara4 and Socalgal - All the best to each of you as you find your best "niche" in fill-land.

Barbara4 - glad to hear you aren't weak from the ordeal. I'll keep my fingers crossed everything goes normal b4 Friday. Socalgal3 - you are one adventurous lady.

Year number 2 with the band brings us with a new attitude about food. To be enjoyed within proper limits. Each of us need to decide where those limits will be. I'm so happy to leave my sugar habit behind me. I'm enjoying a cup of tea without any sweetner. I simply would rather taste the tea than the sweet. :whoo: I have to say guys, it is such a treat to read your posts!

Aimee - you are so beautiful! and happy! Your pictures make me want to cry with joy. Congrats on your new life and beautiful family. Cathy - Congrats on the new job. I knew you would have a counter offer. It comes with your new life. We project a more positive image and we get more results. Sometimes our closest relationships suffer. I've realized that DH and I had a lot of our communication around food, dinner, out to eat. ONce food was no longer a joy . . . . I've been replaying the Secret over and over. I realized the healing time I wanted was probably up. Time to be me again. That means cooking and being willing to go out to eat even if I don't feel like it. It's been such a pleasure to hold hands and get some real hugs again. DH started an exercise program yesterday and is eating lighter. Something I had hoped for a long time! Sharing food can be an act of love. I had been giving him all my leftovers I couldn't eat, not out of love, but with a sense of disappointment that I couldn't enjoy it. This small change in attitude has kept me from the sugar bowl and I'm happy to see DH walk in the door at the end of the day. Life will never be a bed of roses with a band, but I was beginning to wonder if I hadn't lost way more than I bargained for.

That's a clearer picture. Ask these debtors for no-interest payment plans. Offer to pay l% of the bill until your next pay increase. Don't delay. You'll get your best "deals" sooner rather than later.

Regina - I may be the wrong one to ask. DD is a personal injury attorney out of Chicago. Her advice is always, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Don't ask Doc to forgive the debt unless you are ready to sign a waiver to absolve him from any further complications. If he's not charging you interest, stall! Make sure you are totally healed from this b4 you pursue any negotiations. You could need more help than $1500. I am not advising you to seek damages. Unless your life is drastically diminished, a lawsuit puts you in a negative frame of mind for the duration of the suit, which can take years. It also forces you to look back on a difficult situation. Way to go on "attacking" in the right way. You are inspiring!

Regina - what's up with your journey. I'm worried about your "working out" thru the pain. You look fantastic and will continue to look amazing even if you do take a break to heal. Please be careful! Moma - still thinking about you too. Keep us posted. I don't want to name names, but we miss hearing from you guys. Cathygr8, Dancing Queen, Poodles and so many others.

Barbara4 - Bummer, but YEAH!!!! If you have to struggle, you may as well lose! I'll be sending positive thoughts that you make it thru. I'm not losing, but the sugar bowl behaved itself this weekend! What a relief! The Michigan house continues it's own story, but I've written the end and a lovely deserving family will own and live in a bright cheerful home. Three families have occupied 5402 Wanetah and all 3 have been happy there. We will be in Michigan by mid-August or sooner and I look forward to being in our home one more time. My new granddaughter could use some prayer. She is slipping into a depression and seems to have a continual skin rash or spider bite, etc. It's heartbreaking to see a 12 year old so unhappy! This should be a happy carefree time. She was "on the edge" of some gang related activity last year.

<p>Barbara4 - bummer on the hunger. One of my biggest complaints on the band. Maybe there is less hunger with the band. I wouldn't know. Preband days I rarely went hungry. Sometimes V8's help with hunger.</p> <p> </p> <p>It was a busy day with DS and family over. Cooked and cleaned in the kitchen literally all day long. Fajitas, queso and cookie sundaes, but I think I stayed under 1500 calories. No time to eat! Next time they come, it needs to be something easier. Any suggestions?</p> <p> </p> <p>I have a new contact lens and I can see so much better!</p> Melissa - The 2 males in my house that always love me walk on 4 legs. Work on that "get a dog thing". Congrats on getting out if just for a "little walk".

MomaT - I had acid reflux for a while and it simply went away. One suggestion - drink a full glass of water (warm if that goes down easier) before going to bed. Probably would be best if you got in to see your surgeon asap. I did and it helped me calm down after seeing the fluroscope pics. Tension can cause a lot of ills.

I was able to wear most "regular womans" clothing when I got to 207#. I was surprised! I'm a 14 pant (12 is really tight) and XL top. I think the sizing is more generous than 13 years ago before I gained all this weight

My advice to you is read, read, read. The June 06 bandsters (those having surgery in June of 2006) is a good place to start. Start at the first post and you'll see what the "journey" is like, week by week. The lapband is not automatic. It is labor intensive for most of us! There are several similarities to successful bandsters. In order of importance (in my opinion) 1. A positive attitude 2. Exercise every day 3. Keeping track of the food you eat (formal journaling is best, but a scrap of paper you keep track on each day will do) A high Protein version of South Beach diet is best 4. Drinking lots of Water 5. Taking Vitamins 6. A selfish attitude toward your journey. Put your needs first (maybe for the first time in your life) for at least 3 months. No new projects!

Barbara's - don't know what's going on with you guys, but VARYING restriction is the most difficult part of managing the band. Most days I'm tight early a.m. and early evening. Don't know what we can do, but have patience. I'm trying to put away my plate for "Later" when I get stuck. Helps me not cave in to switching to something easy. Activity level is what "does it" for me. If I have a project, I'm good. If I don't, I'm not.

I hit the sugar bowl hard yesterday. No real good reason. Today is a new day and I've got a package of tic tacs where the sugar bowl once was. Do those things really have only l.9 calories each? Barbara4 - Congrats on the good day. No doubt eating "hard" foods will help you lose. I think I have the restriction I've been wanting. Loose enough to eat healthy, but still there to bite me if I eat too fast. Let's see if I can handle it. If I can't, I'll have another fill.

Yeppers, Barbara4, I'm much better. I was encouraged that it didn't linger. I don't have a sense of urgency to lose. I'm "presentable" and my overall health is vastly improved. I'm sure it would be best to lose these last 2 bowling balls. I have noticed one good thing - I don't cave in to temptation like I used to. Pre-band days and depression meant eating lots of high calorie snacks. My grazing was healthy today. I've avoided PBing this week. The acid reflux is gone. I'm going to credit my parents' prayers on both counts. Lawry's has a new marinade (30 minute) that we tried on chicken and it was really good. I can eat marinated chicken. So far we've used the jerk sauce, but they have about 4 flavors. There's something to be said for taking DH grocery shopping once in a while.

Melissa there is a definite "disturbance in the force". My PC went wacko on another site not too long ago. I've decided to eat healthy b4 starting a hardcore calorie counting regimine. I drank my water. I had to talk myself into it - but I did manage 25 minutes on our eliptical machine and worked up a good sweat this a.m. Been depressed to a major degree. I went to bed at 7 last night. DH came in with a funny story about a drive home from an errand for DS. Seems he almost lost his very large Ford King Ranch pickup in a Texas-sized dip in the road. We were both glad I stayed home from that trip!. Bottom line is we had such a good chuckle, we moved furniture to DS new home late last night and got to see our new "grandchildren" and their cousin. Great kids! I was surprised to have the depression come creeping back after a productive morning, but it lifted in time to enjoy giving a sweetheart of a student his lesson. This is a strange phenom. I'm wondering if my depression isn't a spinoff of much lower blood pressure. It comes on very physical and sudden. Anyone else out there experiencing wide mood swings?

Barbara4 - sorry about your evening. I was "cruisin" last night and came across a post from Alexandria (I think) on her THEORY of delayed reaction that was interesting and appeared valid. When the skin is constricted, it thins. After the swelling goes down, it will re-thicken and thus a delayed reaction. Carlene's husband also has delayed reactions. At least you're in good company! If I see the posts again, I'll forward them to you.

I'd go for 10 pounds by Labor Day. I'm on board! Guess I better change my ways. Increase water count my calories limit snacks to 2 a day It's been a long time since I've strung together even 2 good days!

Minigoal Melissa - Enlighten us! I'm thinking 3 good days in a row or maybe lose 3 pounds - SOMETHING.

The "good old days" are gone on this site - FOR SURE!!!! Don't worry, Lisa - we'll know you. Appreciate your new font (in bold?). Easier to read.

Barbara4 - Eating "easy" is exactly why I want to avoid a fill. I do too much of that already. Tomorrow is another day. Hope I do better! Congrats on the Iphone! Melissa - I'm thinking you may have tightened your stomach muscles as the barium swallow was going down.

Socalgal - Couldn't agree with you more on the irritation thing, but I can't seem to give up coffee! It will be a looooong time b4 I feel like "celebrating" anything. Wish there were a magic wand or something that could motivate me to "get back at it". Exercise is the only thing keeping me from gaining. I'm happy to know how to maintain, but I sure would like to see a new number!

Poodles - There is a solution to this. Whatever it is we are backing you 100%. To you "newbies". Walking cures a lot of "ills".

Barbara4 - Glad to hear your fill is ok. I'm still chicken. Yikes!!! DH needs computer.

Poodles - you are proof positive that the band works diferently for every person. I may not be the smartest person on this planet, but one thing I do know, if you keep your feet moving, you'll eventually end on the right path. YGG! Had a colonoscopy today. All is well, but man - the new prep is a bit easier on prep day - but lingers much longer. I'm staying close to home with my running shoes on! . When my Grandmother was about my age, she wore a wig, hearing aid, false teeth and glasses. My Grandfather joked that he didn't know "whether to go to bed with Momma or sit up with all her stuff"!