NewBeginnings2018

Oh no Cheri, don't get me wrong. I am THRILLED with my decision to get the band. It does help with hunger, the physical hunger, but not with the head hunger. And sometimes it's not easy, but it's always worth it. It's a journey, and all the changes you need to make to be successful don't happen overnight. As long as you've come to terms with what being successful will take, I say go for it!

Oh puddin - if you need to break one of the "rules", make it masturbating. It honestly will help you deal with some of the sex issues better. It's not that it makes the desire go away, but you'll be able to control your urges more if you are...um...relieving the tension yourself. And I can relate to the religion thing because I grew up very religious - Born Again Christian - where everything was a sin. I'm more spiritual than religious now, but I really, honestly believe that if you're a good person God will not keep you out of heaven because you masturbated, especially if it keeps you from having pre-marital sex (if you don't want to). It's ok to be a sexual being, and I think it's also ok to be a religious sexual being that loves god. You'll find your balance. You're so good about being open and candid about things, hope you don't mind me throwing in my two cents.

Hi everyone! Yes, I am alive and sorry I haven't posted in a while. I have been really busy at work and with some personal things (mostly my friends wedding stuff), including tattoo boy. We've hit kind of a rough patch. lol Surprise, surprise. lol His grandfather died last Monday, which was more like a father to him than a grandfather. He's done a 360 and is completely pushing me away. I don't really know what to make of it (as Sherry has heard plenty about lol). But all I know is that I can't focus on it because it will drive me nuts. What will be will be! By the way Betty I LOVE the pics of the trumpet vine - it's beautiful!

Congrats Kristi - on both the man and the weight loss front! I'm so happy for you! Wootsie how are things going with the dating sites? So tattoo boy and I have hit our first stumbling block. Ugh! Why can't this stuff be easy? lol

Great pep-talk John! I think you hit the nail on the head. Thanks!

Ahhh...bandster hell is what we like to call it. You are hungry, really really hungry, but have to stick to the dreaded liquid & mushie diets. We've all been there and we feel your pain! lol. Hang in there, it will get better. Although I'll tell you that at 6 months out I'm really starting to live the fact that if I don't exercise and I'm not careful about what I eat, I will not lose any more weight. So hold onto that willpower. You'll need it! lol

Hey everyone! Sorry I've been MIA lately. A lot going on - both good and bad. That's life I suppose! But Dianne - you are doing GREAT! I took 3 percocets every 3-4 hours the first week after surgery. That surgery is VERY painful, so take your meds! That's what they're there for! Feel free to pm me with any personal questions if you have them. It's been 14 years since my operation, but I remember it like yesterday. lol Hi to Cindy, Kat, Betty, Beanie, Darcy, Eileen and everyone else!!

Wow Joan I can barely keep up with you and your men! lol. I love that you keep us posted - definitely keep doing it! I"m glad you told those guys off - both of them! I"m not so sure about giving Steve another chance, but if you think it's worth a shot - go for it. From the sounds of it you won't let him treat you badly without getting an earful. You go girl! Sorry I haven't been around in a while. Things have been busy. I'm still dating tatoo boy and things are going pretty well so far. We'll see! Hope everyone else is doing well!

Welcome to bandland Jim!! It's taken a while for you, but I'm so glad you're here!

Oh nana congrats on your surgery date!!!! By now you are home and resting and you're finally banded. Wahoo!! Hey Dez - great to hear from you! Good for you for joining WW. I understand why you would want to. I have some good days and some bad days with my eating. I keep telling myself that if I eat the right foods the weight will come off and I do well most days. But then I have these random days where I'm amazed at what a choose to eat. It's a hard process and all we can do is keep plugging away at it. Good luck at the fertility doctor!!! John - how are you feeling???

I don't know why you wouldn't wear a bikini Puddin. Your stomach is incredible looking! I'd be showing that sucker off any chance I got! But seriously, you're before and after pics are amazing. I cannot believe what a difference the lift made on your legs. I never thought about getting my legs done at the end of all this, but after seeing your results I'm reconsidering.

Good for you Wootsie!! Donny is not worth your time or energy. I am so excited for you and hope your date goes well!!!! Hi Clarity - my port is already starting to protrude a little bit so I can only imagine what it will be like at goal. I told the guy I'm dating now before we fooled around, so he was well aware of it. I think at the end of the second date I came clean about the surgery. Early, I know, but I had been obsessing ever since I had surgery on how/when to tell someone, so I just said screw it and told him. So I am still dating tattoo boy and we have agreed to be exclusive. Not necessarily boyfriend/girlfriend type thing just yet, just agreeing not to see anyone else. Man, do you think I have committment issues? lol. I don't, but I do have trust issues and that's been hard. I guess this is my baggage that I can thank my ex for. Ugh! But we'll see how things go - one day at a time. No more dates with the guy with the long hair Kristi? You're a hot mamma - get out there and get us some stories! lol

Hey everyone. I'm alive!!! lol. I have been really busy. I had my friend's 3 year old for 4 days last week, then spent the weekend (Sat - Mon am) with tattoo boy, so I haven't been around much. Things are going pretty good with tattoo boy, but I'm having some serious trust issues. I talked with Sherry a lot about it today. She is so great! My second fill has kicked in and I couldn't be happier. It has made a real difference with my hunger, which is what I was looking for. I'm hoping the restriction will stick around for a while. I want to lose another 18 lbs by May 20th for my friend's wedding. It's about 1.5 lbs a week so I can do it! Granted if I started to log some hours for Darcy that would help. lol Hope everyone else is doing well!

Haha yes I did Sherry. I knew she was special the first night I met her!

Happy March everyone!!! I am home for a few days babysitting my friend's 3 year old daughter Sofia. She became a big sister yesterday, so there is lots of excitement here. She is a lot of fun but man, I am not used to having kids 24/7. lol We were up at 2am with an accident then up at 7am for the day. I'm looking forward to a nap later, but I don't think we'll be so lucky. lol Other than that not much new with me. Still seeing tattoo boy and things are going well. He's very sweet and my friends are all very happy that I have found someone who knows how to treat me right. lol. I'll probably start introducing him to friends shortly. Get ready Sherry! lol I read up on everyone's posts. There sure has been a lot going on! March is a new month and let's hope it's better for all of us! Oh, I forgot. I got my second fill yesterday. I had started out with a 1.5 cc fill, and yesterday I had 1.2 cc left. She added .8 to bring me to 2.0. Hopefully this will help. I'm freakin starving on the liquid diet though. lol. Only another day and a half to go.... Andy (tattoo boy) has been checking on me everyday, making sure I feel ok. Cute, huh? Well it's off to the hospital to visit our new baby!

Congrats on your band date Berry! I had my surgery at BIDMC and they were great. I will not lie - the first week or so is tough. But you'll get through it (without going crazy! lol) and it will all be worth it!! Best of luck!!

Wootsie you are so cute!! I am so happy that you are meeting people. It can be so much fun!!!

Deb I had a great time too!!! I can't wait to see you at the reunion! I hope your partner is doing better soon - diverticulitis can be VERY painful! Hey Kdot!! John's surgery was on the 21st, so he should be well on the way to recovery by now. I'm curious to see how much he lost on his pre-op diet. He was a superstar. You're doing phenomenal as well. You should be really, really proud of yourself!! Sherry my darling I'm glad you got the stomach thing under control. I think I need to focus on the eating thing with you. I'm up 1.5 lbs this week. Can't wait for wednesday. I am going to beg Dr Jones for a fill. lol

Woot Woot Wootsie!!! I'm so glad you're talking to someone! I hope you guys get to meet and that it's a good meeting. You will have to keep us updated!! Kristi - oh girl I love your stories!! lol. I'm glad your second date went great. It sounds like there's some chemistry there for sure. I wonder when date three will be!! JDru - I was in a complete dry spell for a good year and a half. I had gone out on a couple of dates but no one really worth seeing again. All you can do is put yourself out there and have some fun! Oh, and a little bit of faith never hurts. lol Jack - I think dating a fellow bandster would be great, but I haven't done it personally. Congrats on your weight loss by the way!! You've done a great job!!

Hi everyone! Just wanted to let you know that things are going GREAT with tattoo boy. I am really quite smitten with him. lol. We are getting along really well, and I like him more everytime I see him. I'm heading to his place tonight and I am looking forward to seeing where he lives. It should tell me a lot! The funniest part about this is that he was someone I was really not interested in online. But I thought what the heck, and met him on a whim. You never know I guess! lol I hope everyone else is doing well!!

First of all - CONGRATS JIM!!!!!!!!!! I know you have been waiting for SO long to get your approval, and your date. I am so excited for you!!!!! Bandida I read this thread too, but don't always have time to post. But I'm definitely reading and I hope you and Jim maybe will be able to make the next group getogether that we have. Cindy - yes it is a rollercoaster all the way. It's not an easy decision, but if you're ready to make the necessary changes in your life then you will not be dissapointed. I've been banded less than six months and while I am thrilled with my decision, I can tell you that sometimes it is still a rollercoaster ride. But what's important is that you don't give up! Congrats!

Ok ladies (and gents), today is my birthday and I came home from work today to find a box on my front steps. It was a present from tattoo boy. So as I'm opening the box I'm wondering what the heck he ordered me after dating for only two weeks. I pull out this wad of white tissue paper and as I'm opening the tissue I think I see a little bit of blue peak out. I think "nooooo" and then rip the rest of the tissue open to find a little blue box - white bow and everything! He got me a gift certificate to Tiffany's. I'm just flabbergasted. I was really worried that he was just into the chase or something, but I'm impressed with this gift. I dated a guy for five years and never got anything from Tiffany's. So needless to say - it was a good b-day!

Good luck tomorrow Cassie! I hope everything works out for you. Soooo ladies, I have to tell you it's another score one for tattoo boy. I come home today to find a box at my door. It's a birthday present from Andy. As I open the box I'm wondering what the hell he could have gotten me after dating for only two weeks. I pull out this wad of white tissue paper and open it to find a little blue box. YES! A little blue box with a white ribbon and everything! lol. He got me a gift certificate to Tiffanys. I was really flabbergasted to say the least. All I can say is wow. Just had to share.

Just wanted to wish Stormsbrewing good luck tomorrow!!!!!! You'll do great! Please log on and let us know how you're doing after surgery. And hi to your neighbor KayDot. I miss ya girlie. How are things? I met Deb (rainbow) tonight for dinner. We had a blast! She is such a sweetheart and got me a great bag of band-friendly goodies for my birthday. I can't wait to try those chocolate shakes!

I dated that ellusive man for five years. I was a size 18 when we met and he LOVED my body - I mean LOVED my body. He never, ever once said one thing about my weight but he did not encourage me to gain weight either. If I complained he would tell me that I looked great and that all he was concerned about is that I was healthy. There were a lot of other problems with this relationship though, and I ended up gaining over 60 lbs and was a size 24 by the time we broke up. So yeah, the "perfect the way you are" guy didn't work out for me too well. lol Seriously though it was wonderful to be with a guy like that, and I always considered myself lucky for that piece of the relationship if nothing else.