socalgal3

Extra Virgin Olive Oil
(it's a Rachel Ray-ism)

Oh! I feel your pain. I was so depressed when I found out I had slipped. I physically couldn't eat, so I had to be on liquids. I was self-pay, so I had to wait to get financed all over again and wait for my doctor to get me a date and get time off work.....so it felt like I was on liquids FOREVER! I vented to my June 2006 thread alot! Between pre-op, post-op, fills, slip, etc. I felt like 50% of my journey was on liquids! But, after my repair, things are SO MUCH better! I think my band wasn't in a good spot to begin with because I struggled alot. After the revision I have felt 100% better and my weight loss has been steady. I am nearly to goal. Hang in there! It is a tough time, but take it as a learning experience and treasure your band! I faced the possibility of losing my band, but luckily they were able to reposition it without removing it. It gave me a new appreciation for my band and I know I don't ever want to be without it. I hope you heal quickly and that things soon improve. PM me if you need support!

Hi Everyone! It's good to hear from some of you that we haven't heard from in a while. I know that life gets busy. I have been crazy busy with work and in the process of buying a house. I am so ready to pull my hair out. I reached a new milestone today on the scale, down to 185 pounds. I hope the weight loss momentum continues in my favor as things have been moving so slowly for me.

Pinky and socalgal --good luck with your fills. I am sure that you both will have a very positive weight loss journey in no time.

Barb --welcome back from your travels. Where all did you go again? Good luck with your fill when you body settles down and you are able to get one.

Has anyone heard from Barb12??? I think she must have fallen off the face of the earth :frown:. I hope she and others drop by soon and say hello!!!

Melissa Lea

Socal you look great. I think the bathingsuit was fine, but you must feel comfortable. We all need to stop playing our old tapes and embrace the new us. Of course my new me is still the old me from a year ago. I just can't seem to make forward progress. Its partly my fault and partly my band.
We must all learn to take care of ourselves first. We are the most important. We cannot take care of others if we are not caring for ourselves. That being said, don't buy into other's insecurities. We have enough of our own without taking on everyone else's problems.
Melissa congrats on the house. I know its a big step and one that is scary and exciting at the same time.
Have a great week everyone.

I don't know why but my email stopped getting updates, so I just saw that bathing suit pic. I'd say you were brave to post it, but you look damn good actually. It looked a bit roomy.
I have been having huge ups and downs, my BF went through a midlife crisis and broke up with me to spare me from it (??). I spent a few days trying to get some better explanation, then said, so long have a good life. It took him three days to beg me to take him back and a week to convince me that he is sincere and wants to stay with me. In the meantime, I lost three pounds. So of course, in the process of celebrating, I gained them back plus more. Today, two of them are gone, whew!
My 17 yo DS is giving me nothing but trouble. Can't even turn in the work on Independent Study, totally evasive and moody. My 23 yo DD is calling me crying daily and said she might move back home because her BF quit his job and they're broke. And work has been grueling, I may be trying a case next week, and the preparation is killing me. I was hired to do research and writing, but as usual, they are throwing me into the fire.
I'm taking Xanax before bed, because my anxiety has been keeping me awake at night. The only comfort I have is that I look so much better, feel so much better and know if this had all happened two years ago, it may have been even worse on me. Hoping to reach goal by August 4, my vacation. BF taking me to Hawaii. I don't think I'll be taking any bathing suit pics though!

So Cal - I'm sorry, I'm guilty of looking at your pic and thinking "she looks really good" and not posting it. I thought the suit fit well. I hope your embarrasment goes away, I should have posted!

I haven't "clicked" yet and I am almost 2 years out! I was self-pay also and had a slip and that still wasn't enough to slap me into shape!Honestly, the only thing that helps me is proper restriction. I just got refilled after 3 months of being unfilled. During that time, I realized I haven't changed a bit and leaving me to my own devices, I will eat whenever and whatever I want. Head hunger is a demon! I also am lazy and won't exercise. Since my fill last week, I got back on my stationery bike and am making better choices because I physically can't eat too much. I am more of a volume eater than a junk eater, so cheating with bad foods isn't my style. I just plain enjoy eating and will eat several helpings! I have tried hypnosis, counseling and other things to address my issues and I know that it is a daily battle for life. It is not something that I cure, but manage. I hope I haven't discouraged you! That being said, I did reach goal a few months ago. During my unfill I gained 12 pounds which I hope to have off again by my 2 year bandiversary. You can reach your goal too-one day at a time.

Definitely DON'T get the donuts! It is hard not to rely on others for positive feedback and even harder not to have hurt feelings when people say less than nice things. I agree with others that is why you come here! We know your struggles and what a BIG accomplishment 50 pounds is! You are awesome and already half way to your goal! Keep up the good work!

I don't like the changes to this format of LBT!!!
I finally got a fill 2 weeks ago. I was gaining like crazy - over 10 pounds. I was down 3 pounds this morning - which considering what I've (Not) been able to eat - ain't much. I'm doing better eating solids now which is helping the scale move.
My Sunday black pants were loose again yesterday. Inches are good too!
Congrats Aimee and Cathgr8. We are closing in on that 2 year mark.
I'm almost done with our taxes (all the real estate deals were a bear so I got an extension).
I don't like being so tight (again), but I do like not being so hungry. A real sense of empowerment.
Good to hear from you guys.
Please stay in touch.