OH Juli

Traci, I talk about biking you complain. I was making mention that to people who may be biking for the first time. 80% of Americans live in large cities, btw. There is still value in recommending to the general population that taking a class is a good thing. If I don't talk about biking you say this forum is too off topic. Actually when I read your post I thought it was amazing and cool that you were able to make that long trek back to the hotel and found a solution, instead of stomping your feet like I would have done. I'd be calling a taxi or something. If you felt that I was condisending to you I apologize.

Going to bed feeling full usually has me having some weirdness. I try not to eat anything after 7pm. I really shoot for my last food at 6. It's a big deal because I used to be a late night/middle of the night eater. Wow, I hadn't even thought about how I used to get up and eat in the middle of the night...many changes have happened since March of 07!

One should always have on their bike a little pouch that holds an inner tube, a bike pump which connects to the frame, and the tools which are small to change a tire. Extra stuff are patch kits, etc, incase you get a second flat and need to patch your tube. If you get into any kind of riding taking a class at the LBS is a good thing too. Changing a tire is something everyone should know how to do. I miss my bike. sniff sniff.

I just wanted to share I broke the 180 plateau I've been fighting for a while. Go me. I hope you all are well. Hugs to my Marchie sisters.

pannus is the flap of redundant skin that was once my stomach. They are measured in degree in how much of your pubic/lap they cover. Mine is pretty loose and hangs down quite a bit. I think I should lose another 20-30 pounds before surgery. I think I'm trying to psych myself into hitting the diet part hard and talk of surgery is part of that. A local support group, not my surgeon's but a different one that a friend went to, is having a plastic surgeon come in and talk tomorrow night. I'm going to that support group. I want to wear a wrap dress so I can flash the surgeon at the meeting but somehow think that would be bad form. LOL. Anyway, I'll keep you posted. I could use a kick in the pants about eating like a girl who wants to drop some weight. The candy corn isn't helping! J

I'm not cycling right now. I catch my buddies in other places so I don't really feel the need to chit chat about life in general on here...

I heart lesbians. We rock. Generalizations and all. Nothing like talking to a like-minded gal.

Rhonda, Hi. I got my surgery done at OSU. Let me say I got the in your face why do you want LapBand lecture too. I dare say it's a way to test a person's committment to the procedure. I know Mikami listens for words like "it's reversible" and "scared" because to him those are indicators that one is not committed to having surgery. And I believe he thinks (I'm not in his head so take this for what it is, my opinion) that both are "save your life" surgeries and one should not be half hearted about it. Stats say RNY do better in the short term. Also it is a better choice for some people. It just is. But you know yourself and your ability to move and commit better than anyone else. If you go in there and say, "RNY is not a choice. I won't even consider discussing it, because I will not have that surgery." They won't bring it up again. However be prepared to state why you Lapbanded not in comparision to the RNY but why you think it fits your life. How you want a tool, how you want some control, how you know it's having a restrictive device is okay for one's innards, how you like the follow up care with fills, etc. being in touch during the journey is important to you... They are difficult. I feel like there is a velvet rope at the door with some high standard one has to meet before being granted access. They don't want to make it easy. I liked that but can see how it can turn people off. However once you're in, they do give very good care. PM me if you want more personal convo. Juli

I really think this thread is done......sad but true. I've got everyone's addresses. I'll be sending christmas cards.

Hi new people. Anyone watch the Palin and Biden last night? Constitutional gay rights but not civil??? Curious.

Well I'm new to this party. I'm happy to read your progress Karen. Thanks for sharing your journey. Seems like it's getting close to plastics time for me. The more you all share the more informed we readers are. Thanks again.

Funny about the surgeons. I don't know what all will need to be done. My ticker shows -131. My real weight loss from my highest known weight is -158. And I actually think I was as high as 350 at one point so that would put it more like -169. Wow I've not looked at it like that. I think I need a minute. Okay, the point is my skin is STRETCHED beyond reason. My arms definately. Pannis, very much needs to go, a TT would be great. My back side, I don't know that I want a full lower body lift, but I probably need it. My thighs need skin removed too. I had a breast reduction 6 years ago, the girls are still a D now, but it needs revised. The fourth boobies, under my armpits need to be removed. and I'd love to get my chin skin taken off. No other face stuff though. That's a lot of surgery. Whew.

I eat about an hour before working and nearly always within the half hour of finishing. I didn't do any lifting until 6 weeks after surgery. Two weeks after I started cardio training again. The two weeks between surgery and that time I just walked as much as my body allowed me. Which wasn't much at first.

I've started reseraching plastic surgeons. I think I really should loose another 20 pounds before really looking into it, but I'm kind of stablizing here. I don't know. I'm little, like short and my shoulders are narrow...I just don't know what to expect... I'm scared a surgeon would take me now and then I'd lose more in a year and be saggy-ish. Or maybe they'd tell me to drop more than come back. I'm probably jumping the gun a bit. Hmmm...... Jeni and Gwen glad to see you here in October.

Hi kids. It's been crazy in my life. Too much to go into here, but it's getting better. Hope everyone is well. I'll keep checking in. Someone needs to start the October thread....if not I will tomorrow or the day after. Hugs to everyone. J

Great pics chica. I tried to comment on myspace but it didn't work. You look amazing and your family is cute too. WTG, Pops!

Janine, cute picture. We all have muffin tops. Gwen, I feel you about getting through school witout gaining as success. It's too hard at times.

B, I may just invite you. I've got your address you know....

I had to go and look that up, the frozen water weight, etc. Yeah a frozen bottle of water will weight the same as the liquid. What's funny is because it expands as it freezes, if you measured it after it was frozen a liter of liquid water weighs more than a liter of ice. Who knew? Well apparently our smart girl BG is on her game.

Your hair loss could be from the stress of surgery itself. Mine was most noticeable at 4 months out. As for smelly urine, drink more Water. And jmegirl is on to something with fewer carbs...

Janine, So you thinking about putting up a different picture??? I mean it's fine and all but we've been looking at that same shady picture for what's going to be 2 years soon. Just asking. Carol, Moving is hard to do when your body hurts. Are there measures you can take, a knee brace, different shoes, more time in the Water, that would help? You've probably been down that road already. I'm just trying to be helpful. What about it????

Jason-Congratulations! Denise-Nice to meet you!!! Being banded is the best thing I've ever done for myself.

Tracking is good. Trying to lose 2 pounds a week with out the band being filled AND being closer to goal is asking for a lot out of yourself. You might want to take this opportunity to eat things that haven't gone down when you were filled. Like if I could I'd be eating all the fruit and veggies that are too fiberous to go down easily. Like big bites of apples.... Just a thought. Hang in there. I know it's a struggle.

Janine, I don't know how tall you are. I'm 5'2", so a shorty. But because I work out I'm muscular. It's weird, I'm in 14's most of the time but I weigh 181. Last time I was a 14 I was more like 140 pounds. So that 135 pound number is just that a number. I like it though, because if I see it I won't think I'm underweight. But if I don't see it I'm not going panic either. I really want to be a size 6 or 8. So whatever it takes to be there I'll be happy. My restriction is perfect. My will power not to eat bad foods is not so perfect. It really is like a diet from here on out. I can't eat early in the morning because I'm tight and I can't eat past 7pm or I get reflux in the night. Dry Protein is hard to get down and I PB if I eat too quickly or stuff that's doughy, or skins of fruits and veggies. Also, my exercise for calorie burning has tapered off largely due to lack of time, but I do go and weight train a few times a week and I do cardio then. I just don't do 10+ hours of cardio a week like I used to. I think that contributes greatly to my not losing weight quickly. Really, all in all, my biggest lesson was learning not to compare myself to other people in the process. Some folks are sanctamonious (no spell check, sorry) or do stuff that's really WRONG, so trying to be like them doesn't suit me. But it's hard to get into the spirit of sharing your process and listening to others' to gain insights but not build expectations. You know what I mean? I might be a little flakey, the cold medicine is kicking in. Hope that's not too much.

Kathy, I love how you think. Look at you girl, planning your plastics already! To me that means you're going to get there! You've got a plan and you are thinking about all the resources it will take to get you where you want to go! We all need to learn from your example. You rock, girl! Juli