NewBeginnings2018

Oh god Jon, sorry to hear you're having problems with this too. My friends and I were just laughing about it the other day, since they were the ones who told me about it. I didn't catch on that they were rolling the windows down in the car. lol. Congrats on your band and best of luck!

Ok suddenly my 40 minute bike ride seems to be no big deal.... lol Ok folks, so ever since I decided to "not date" I've had guys crawling out of the woodwork. I'm not kidding you. There are actually a couple I'm interested in, so I guess I'll pull myself out of my retirement which I think lasted all of, ummm....3 days. lol. I wonder how boy-crazy I'll be when I reach goal. Hopefully someone scoops me up before then or my friends my have to do an intervention. lol

Hey JC, no formal plans yet but I'll let you know as soon as we pick a day. Thanks Karla! I thought it would be great to discuss some of the challenges we have dating while banded, but I guess if we were dating more we wouldn't have time to post here. lol. Just look at Kristi - she got tattoo boy and has been MIA. Girl, how you doing? lol Ashley I'm from just outside Boston, and I was out of commission for about a week after my band. I admire Denise bouncing back the way she did. Bummed I think my next vacation after Disney will be in the winter. Not sure where, but any all inclusive tropical island resort will work! So....within the past couple of days I've decided to take a "break" from dating since I have a lot going on in my personal life right now with an ill friend. And now the men are crawling out of the woodwork! I just can't win. lol

JC, yes I have been to Disney before. This will be my 5th trip actually. I'm looking forward to going with my girlfriend, since we like to do the same things - like shop. lol. Do you live near there? There are actually going to be 2 or 3 other bandsters there the same week actually, and we're planning on meeting up one day if you're nearby.

Hey everyone! I'd love a cruise, or any kind of vacation actually. I'm a vacation junkie! I'm heading to Disney in Sept with a girlfriend and then next winter we're planning a trip to a tropical island. It will probably be me and all my married friends but hey - I'm not staying home just cuz I'm single! lol Wednesday night was great Karla, thanks for asking. He's a sweet guy, and a great friend. Our timing has not really been good, but I do like him. I think we're going to go to the drive-in sometime soon. That should be fun. I'm not sure I'm really ready to have a more serious relationship right now (I have a good friend who is very ill), but I don't want to sit at home either. Hey I PM'd Alysa last week to check in on her, and there were some complications with her dad. She told me it was ok to mention it and that she still checks in on this thread but hasn't felt much like posting. I just wanted you all to know that she's in extra need of our thoughts and prayers these days. We're here for you when you're ready to come back Alysa! xoxo

Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't been around in a while. Life has been hectic lately, but I do check in and see what's going on. Cindy - I love the pics from Disney and your new avatar looks great! Betty - I've been seeing on the news how much rain you all have been having. Hope you dry up soon! ugh! Dianne - congrats on the new job! :eek: Eileen - good luck with the fill. Sherry - I love ya gal, and we'll get there. I can't wait until we can post our Disney pics. Kat - you just can't catch a break these days! Hang in there. Sorry to anyone I missed. My mind is not what it used to be!

Lorna I can that nine months out nothing has been a real issue. I had the little issue with the port incision potentially being infected, but that cleared up no problem. Now, like Sherry said, the toughest thing I deal with is the head hunger and working on changing my bad habits. It's not easy, but it's always been worth it! Good luck! :eek:

I agree whole-heartedly Dani. Perfectly said!

Well manatee I can tell you that I am in my early 30's, am NOT a crazy cat lady, have no babies, and don't want a sugar daddy either. So apparently they live in MA. lol Congrats on your divorce, if those are the right words. lol Bummed my self-esteem has increased, but almost back to my old level if that makes any sense? I was always a big girl, but knew I could rock it. Then I gained 60 lbs over 5 years and felt so disgusted with myself that I felt like I lost who I was. As I'm losing the weight, I feel like I'm finding myself again, which is a wonderful thing. I can't say I have more male attention than I did when I was this weight before, but it's certainly more than when I was 60lbs heavier. So here is my latest - the IT guy emailed me today that he was dating someone else at the same time as me, and that has kind of developed into something a little more serious so he wants to see where it goes. I had a feeling something was up. I'm ok with it, but a bit dissapointed. I'll be honest, I liked him but I wasn't so sure about jumping into another relationship after Tattoo Boy so I was a bit hesitant. I think he could read this because he had said that he wasn't sure how I felt about him. So maybe our timing just wasn't right. I'm not taking it personally, even though for a fleeting moment I thought to myself "I bet the other girl was thinner than I was". I guess once a fat girl, always a fat girl. lol Well...off to my next victim I suppose. lol

Hey Karla! The pictures look GREAT! I got my hair braided when I was in the Domican a couple years ago. I had no choice though. It was SOOOO hot, and the first night we were there we went to the disco and after dancing I looked like I had just jumped in a pool my hair was so soaked. So the next day I got my braids and all was good. lol. I bet you guys had a great time! Sooo.....any single men on that cruise?? lol Ash the best advice I can give you is to spend some time focusing on yourself. Find a hobby or group that you can get involved with that gets you out and about. Maybe some volunteer work or the gym, maybe even a part time job to get you out of the house and meeting new people. Maybe you can make some single friends to go out with. That's what I had to do since all my friends have been married since we graduated college. Derby girl you crack me up! I do have to say that restaurant eating is tough now for me with this last fill. 5 or 6 bites and I'm done. But so far no one has noticed, but I'm waiting for the day. Ugh! Hey Denise - glad you checked in. So I have a date this Wednesday night, but he's more of a friend. He's someone I met on Match oh, about a year and a half ago. We went out once, and then his mother died unexpectedly. It has taken him a long time to work through it, but we've remained friends and will go out every once in a while. I'm thinking he's interested in something more than friends, but I'm not sure I am. But I'm looking forward to seeing him, as I do enjoy his company. Ok, I best start moving my butt or I'm going to be late for work. Have a great day everyone!

JC I don't know why you're not dating. You're a good looking guy with a lot to offer. Get out there! lol Ash, oh to be 23 again. lol. My friends all married young too, so I know it can be tough. Don't fret, I have a feeling that once your confidence starts to increase, so will your dates.

The only good thing dacer is that you will start feeling a bit better every day. The lack of energy is from not eating many calories. I had a hard time with the Protein drinks those first couple of weeks too. Especially the first week I didn't want to eat a thing. One of my favorite drinks during that time was a chocolate flavor sugar free carnation instant Breakfast made with skim milk and blended with one scoop of low fat frozen yogurt. It was yummy, soothing to my stomach, and helped me get some protein in. Just hang in there, it does get better. You'll be feeling 90% by the time your two weeks of full liquids is up.

Welcome Paisley! Of course you can join in on the fun! The more the merrier!!! Thanks Derby! I figure at the very least I need to have a sense of humor about my current dating pool. I'm glad you like it here. So how about everyone else. Am I the only one who's having dates (albeit not the best ones lol)?

Way to go JC!!!!!!

Lmao JC! I suppose a good, clean stalking here and there can be a good thing. I think I've pissed off my stalker though. I asked him to please tell me who he is, or it's going to start to creep me out a bit. Well, apprently that's highly offensive. Oh well, I guess I'll never know......lol. Oh, and Indio he found my on myspace by doing a search on our high school. So lets review my dating options/possibilities right now: 1. Ex boyfriend who has started emailing/texting me again. 2. Stalker who now won't talk to me because I want to know who he is. 3. Hot guy who wants to just get laid and send me dirty pictures. 4. Very nice IT guy who I've gone out with 3 times, but haven't heard from all week. grrrr... 5. 26 year old divorcee on Match who is convinced that I'll be interested in him because he has a trust fund coming his way. And we wonder why I'm single!!!!! lol

JC I think that's a great weigh in for being completely unfilled! I'm sure you're relieved to get some fill back though. It's a love/hate relationship. You need the fill, but man oh man does it suck when you have too much of it! lol Very cute Indigogirl. The secret admirer lives in FL by the way, but what's killing me is just not knowing who he is. It's flattering and all, but it's getting a little creepy getting "you're so beautiful" messages from someone who knows who I am, yet I have no idea who they are. Yep, I get all the stalkers. lol

It's been quiet with our single bandsters. How is everyone doing?? Alysa hon, how is everything? I've been thinking of you! So want to hear something weird? I have a secret admirer from High School. He found me on myspace and wrote me a love letter and said that I still take his breath away 20 years later. lol. At first I thought someone was playing a joke on me, but nope it's true. He's too afraid to let me know who he is. It's absolutely killing me! lol

Hi Dez!!!! I was thinking of you today. NO LIE! And rainbow too. Where are you girl? How ya doing? I'd totally be game for a beach day but for me it would have to be on a weekend, unless we planned far enough in advance so I could take it off from work. But I'm game for any get together! I think it's great support for us. Dez I've been counting calories myself with Sparkpeople, and even with my last fill I'm sometimes surprised how many calories I can eat. I can honestly say it has made a difference for me as well. It only took us how long to figure this out?? lol How is everyone else doing? Miss you guys!

Hi everyone! I had my 3rd date last night and had a great time. He really does crack me up, and I am definitely attracted to him. This was "my" date to plan, and we ended up going down to Federal Hill in Providence and had some yummy italian food. I had no problem eating, which was nice because I was worried since this was our first date after my last fill. We ended up sharing a Caprese Salad (fresh mozzarella & tomatoes) for an appetizer, and then I got Mushroom Raviolis for dinner. They were sooooooo good. lol. I ate two, my date ate one, and I was stuffed. BUT he did not say one word nor did he seem to notice I didn't eat much. Maybe I need to stop worrying about that aspect so much. lol So after dinner we went to a nice little bar and had a couple glasses of red wine and chatted. Again, good time with lots of laughing. At the end of the night he walked me to my door and.....no kiss. Ugh! lol We hugged goodnight again. I think it's nice in a way, but in another way I just don't get it. I'm thinking either he's shy or he's not feeling sparks on his end. I really don't think that's the case though, although maybe I'm not the best at reading people. lol. So that's my story for today. I'm off to spend the day with Dad. Happy Father's Day to all our dads out there!

Cindy have fun in Disney. Hugs to Kat, Dianne, Mandy, Patty....there's been a lot of stressful stuff going on. Hi to all my other gals! xoxoxo

About a week for me as well. Good luck!

Alysa hon, you, your father, and your family are in my thoughts and prayers today. ((hugs)) Denise don't get discouraged!! You may have to kiss (or not kiss in this case) a lot of frogs to find your prince, but he's out there. I know what it's like to want things out of life that you don't have (for me children first, a man second lol), but I also am a firm believer that we get one shot at life, and since we don't know what day will be our last, we need to focus on being thankful for what we do have and not focus on what we don't. You are a beautiful, caring woman who has a great head on her shoulders. You are working towards improving yourself and your life. The man who lands you will be one lucky guy!! You need a hug today too I sense. lol ((hugs)) JC, yes my self-esteem has really been boosted as I've been losing this weight. I've always been a "big" girl, but I was always active and athletic. There was nothing I couldn't do. For me, once I started getting winded doing simple things like riding a bike, I felt disgusted with how out of shape I was. Now that I've lost 50 lbs, exercising is so much easier and I'm starting to enjoy it again. You're an inspiration to me with the exercise. I'm so glad you've become a regular poster on the thread.

Loved your post JC. And it's very true. It's been tough but I've been trying to focus on myself, and doing what's good for me. It's well worth it though. I really feel like I am finding myself again. It's a wonderful thing.

Eyespy I was just going to say that I do a lot of volunteering and I love it! We have a local women's group here and we do community projects, fundraising, and lots of social stuff. There is always something to do, which I often find to be a pain in the butt, but at the end of the day I'm happy I volunteer. I'm a firm believer that if everyone did a little bit for their community, then we would make a big difference. Hokey, I know, but it's how I feel. I've made some great friendships though, and have had the chance to do some fun things with my "volunteer" friends. Go for it! As far as recovery, I needed two weeks. I had soooo much shoulder pain after surgery I really was in agony. That, and I think I ate less than 300 calories a day for the first 7 days so I was very weak and didn't feel well. The second week I felt better, but I did get tired easily. Some people bounce right back though, so it's hard to tell how you'll do. Denise - congrats on the fill working! I hit a point after this last fill where I said "ah ha, THIS is how it's supposed to work". lol. JC hang in there! I know the weight gain is devastating, even with all that exercising, but you're doing great. Look at all the positive changes you have made in your life since you've had the band. I can bet a 4 mile walk and kyaking was not a part of your regular routine in your past. You should be pround of that accomplishment!

Good point JC! If this is his "best" behavior Denise then there is not much more to look forward to! I'm proud of you for getting out there though, and I'm sure next time it will be easier. Regarding the looks thing, there are lots of guys I've become attracted to when they are not the typical definition of attractiveness. Sometimes chemistry is in the weirdest places. But if there was no chemistry, don't try and force it. You deserve it all! I am going out this weekend with that guy again. He was away last week for a conference. We're going out Sat night -- oooh our first weekend date. lol. It's my treat, and I think we're grabbing dinner. Of course, I can't eat much at all since my last fill. I may have to come clean. lol