NewMechelle

Okay I would like to thank every one that has tried to assist me in my dingy attempts to do the ticker. I figured out how to do the ticker. I got a really cute one, loolks adorable half way almost to goal I have copied and pasted to option one block on the "update signature" area. I have copied and pasted on the option two area. I have tried hitting upload, save signature, and preview signature. Each time I do this It says invalid file. Does any one have any idea what I may be doin wrong? except for a possible shout out saying yea I got it some day lol I swear this is my last "ticker" blog.:thumbup:

Thanks I needed that! Thats what I am going to do. Make a list, post them every where and stick to it. The holidays are rough. I wanna get closer to goal first.

Girl dont let it get you down. I promise it will come off. I have been there before. It is very frustrating and some times you will do everything you are supposed to week after week and nothing will come off. Then one day out o the blue you will step on the scale and lose 5-8 pounds out of no where. I think your body gets used to you being a certain weight and hangs on to that and then if you keep doing what you are doing, bam out of no where more falls off. I am down 97 pounds and now I go months with out losing at all. My body is getting smaller and used to being this weight (162) and doesnt wanna let go of it. I know it is hard but it will happen. God bless and good luck, Mechelle

Thank for responding. My BIGGEST fear is slippage. Bless your heart. Glad you are doing okay and I hope it gets easier each day for you. God bless!!!!!!!!!!

You are so right. ANY surgery is a big deal and what you went thru.. that must have been rough. I appreciate your sharing. A slippage is my biggest fear with my band period. I was private pay and don't think my insurance would cover any repairs if I had complications, I don't know what I would do. I have drained my husbands 401k to have the first lap band. Please tell me how you get "slippage" and how you know if you have it. God bless and goodluck to you. There are always going to be nasty people out there where ever you are....ignore them and embrace the support system offered to you. Again, thanks for sharing. Mechelle

I had three C-sections with my babies. The area where they cut and the area around my incisions have been completly numb for 10 years. The doc said the nerves were likely damaged/ cut and may eventually be back to normal but 10 years later...no such luck. No biggie just wierd feeling till you get used to it.

I remember before my band and my weight loss, I would desperately try to be happy for my friends that were losing weight. The problem was it made me feel even more like a fat a*&& loser because I COULDNT lose the weight! I was never hateful or negative because I was proud for them but it did make me just feel all the more inadequate because I couldn't. I promise you if I can do this, any one on the planet could do it. I am so blessed and feel so much better. I was 258 now 162. Try not to get your feelings hurt, keep on going and do what you have to do to be healthy. Not all of us are built to be a size 2 no matter what but we can all become healthier and get some of that weight off and Yes I believe you can do it girl. You CAN get in that 12. Remember NOTHING I mean NOTHING tastes as good as skinny feels. GOod luck and God bless.

what a blessing good Christian friends are. We all have been thru the same scared to death/ incredibly excited feelings before surgery. You will do great. It was the best thing I have ever done. Good luck and God bless!!!!!!

If you are not much better in a few days I would consider an unfill. If you have had a failry large fill, it will take your body time to adjust. Be careful remember if your not getting in enough calories you will sabatoge all your efforts and it is just about as bad as eating too much. Keep taking in your protien. It will keep your energy up and your hair from falling out!! Been there done the bald thing not fun. lol God bless and good luck.

Janet, it has been a long time. I have had computer trouble. I was able to read blogs but not respond. You look absolutely wonderful. You were pretty before but now you are beautiful inside and out. What a blessing this ride has been for us. I am doing well. I would still like to lose about 10 more pounds but I have lost 96 pounds and if I lost no more would be thrilled with my progress. I want you to know how much I enjoy your strengh in the Lord and you willingness to share your faith with others. You are absolutely a Proverbs 31 Woman. Verse 16 says She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. What a year you have had, loss after loss then blessings of precious grandbabies. Now being reborn again (the second time in Christ the obvious more important one lol) and a future with endless years of joy because of good health. God is obviously using you in more ways than you know. You are incredible and now the world can see the beautiful you that waited to get out for so long. How blessed we are. How blessed. Mechelle

My only reget is that I didnt do it sooner. One of the best things I have ever done. So happy with the new 94 pound lighter me. Had my surgery done May 09. Down from 22/24 to 14 clothes. Life is good. It is well worth it.

I know it is easy to focus on the negative when you are already afraid but for now try and avoid it. Look at all of us success stories out here. I was banded a year May 28th. I thought I would be the one person that even surgically altered could not lose weight. Thanks to God I am down 94 pounds and only 10 pounds away from my goal wieght. I feel amazing. Like a new woman. You will not regret this. This is one of the best things you will ever do for yourself and for your family. AND as an added bonus you will have more energy for that little spit fire of a son. If it makes you feel better my son (who was also about three at the time) was almost kicked out of day care once because he would have "accidents" and go in the bathroom, take his wet clothes off, come out with the dry ones on his head with the leg holes where his eyes were with his little glasses on top of that completly naked except for that running thru the church building saying "is this the way they go" This young man is now 16 a straight A student and though I found out why some animals eat thier young I am now very glad kept him. It goes fast enjoy him. He will be grown before you know it mommy. God bless

The sad thing is there are so many unbelievers both banded and unbanded that don't realize just how precious a gift life is and how much God loved us. Enough to send his son to die for us. I cant imagiane. I would like to consider myself a loving giving person but I couldnt do it. I am too selfish. My kids are everything to me. They are my life. God has blessed me so greatly with this band but like you I believe it is for a greater cause, to spread his gospel and to tell others of him and his love. God is so good. Thank you for you faithfulness. Mechelle

He has a good point that many relationships do start out quite harmless as friends and before you know it you have a mess on your hands. Especially on line friendships. As a Pastors wife I have seen it. Please assure him that this web sight is a little different. This is for people who, much like alcholics and drug addicts, are fighting an addiction and it is so hard every day to struggle with this unless you have been here and experienced it. Our friends and families dont understand they think all we should do is just quit eating, just cut back that it should just be that simple. For us it is not. If it were, we would have done it the 100 times we have done every diet known to man. Please let him know you love him very much and need support from those that understand but let him know how much you love and appreciate the man who loved you when you were huge and smaller and inbetween. THATS a good man. I have one of those two. I am here if you need support. ONe year banded. 94 pounds lost. Best decision in my life short of salvation and marrying my man and my kids. God bless. Mechelle

I remember coming out of the stretch pants and actually in pants with zippers and buttons again. I knew I was on my way. Congrats. That is awesome girl You are on your way!!! I am now in 12's never thought I would be there again. You will be there with me soon. God bless and good luck

:confused:As I move closer to my goal it all feels a little unreal. When I started my journey a year ago in May My goal was to weigh 155. I was 164.5 this morning. Last week my boss told me I was looking too skinny and I needed to start eating. Me? Need to eat? Is this a joke? Then over the weekend I had a friend tell me I looked "older" with out all the fat. Now I realize the fat did help fill out all the wrinkles but I wasnt real happy with that comment. I wouldnt go back. Wouldnt change it for nothing. In all fairness this man is a big jokester and picks on every one. He is also 515 pounds. I tried not to get my feelings hurt and just take it as a joke but I do see much more age on my face now. Honestly it is still worth it. I am more heathy now than I have been in 15 years. If I never lost anoher pound I think I would be okay. I am happy to b 93 down and still love my band. God bless to every one!!

It is worth it when your on the down hill side I promise. There are days that are rough and you wonder "what the heck have I done is it worth it" but I promise you the answer is YES YES YES YOU ARE WORTH IT YOUR FAMILY IS WORTH IT YOUR HEALTH IS WORTH IT. GOD BELIEVES YOU ARE SOOOOOOO WORTH IT. I PROMISE YOU THIS IS WORTH IT AND YOU WILL BE SO GLAD YOU STUCK IT OUT. GOOD LUCK. MECHELLE

Thanks guys I was just feeling a little pouty. I do see more sagging skin now with 94ish pounds loss especially in my arms but I feel better than I have in years. I wouldnt trade it for nothing. Wouldnt go back either. Thanks for the encouragement. I am around ten pounds away from goal. Cant beleive it!

Please dont give up. I have been where you are, believing nothing would ever work for me too. I was a private pay patient and this thing cost me 15,000. Worth every penny. I promise. There are rough days but overall I wouldnt trade it. I was banded a year May 28th and I have lost 94 pounds. I am so happy feel so good and am so proud. I would never have believd ayear ago I could feel this good. When I look at old pictures, I had no idea I was THAT big. THAT unhealthy. THAT was the problem. I was in complete denial. At this point you would be crazy to give up seriously. You have done the hard stuff, you just have to do the daily work. Keep watching your portions, walk every day and I promise you It will happen, maybe not fast but it will. If i can do it any one in this world can do it. God bless and DONT GIVE UP

THAT IS AWESOME. THAT WILL ALSO HELP KEEP YOU MOTIVTED LATER WHEN THE WEIGHT LOSS SLOWS DOWN A LITTLE BIT. WHEN I WAS BANDED FOR A YEAR MY DAUGHTER DID THE MEASUREMENT THING FOR ME TOO. WE HAD ONLY KINDA BEEN KEEPING TRACK UPPER ARM, WAIST, HIPS THIGH AND CHEST AND I HAD LOST 49 INCHES. I ABOUT DIED. IT WAS INCREDIBLE. YOU HAVE TO CELEBRATE ALL THE SMALL VICTORIES AS YOU GO BECAUSE SOME DAYS ARE TOUGH. CONGRATULATIONS SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE DOING GREAT. GOD BLESS AND GOOD LUCK

I am a year on the other side. Wouldnt trade it for nothing. Best thing I ever did. God bless and good luck. 91 pounds down....12 to goal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG MY 20 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER SAYS THAT I AM DORI. I GET SO EASILY DISTRACTED. SHE SAYS I WILL BE IN THE MIDDLE OF A CONVERSATION AND STOP AND LOOK UP.....OH LOOK HOW SHINY LOL. ANY WAY venting is good. I am so proud to be where I am too. Yes Lucky dog you and I have spoken before. I am STILL fighting these 12 pounds. My original goal was 155. Praise the Lord I am where I am though. I feel like a new woman. I wouldnt trade it for nothing. God is Good. Its worth the ride girls.

I am finally losing a little again. Some times it seems like those scales will never budge! They finally moved. I am down 90 pounds. From 258 to 168. I started out out a very snug size 22 and now my 12 jeans are getting a little baggy. My original goal was 155. I am only 13 pounds to goal. It is hard to believe. This time last year I never thought I would make it. Thank God for my band!!!! Mechelle:wub:

Thanks for the encouragement. I have found that the smartest part of this diet is just portion control. Having a few bites of the things you want and love so you dont feel deprived (like the ice cream and carbs) but filling up on protien and fruits and veggies. Of course there are so many things my band just does not like that are actually healthy for me like alot of fruit and meat but each person is just different. DO NOT DRINK WHILE EATING that was a horrible habit to break for me. I miss the soft drinks terribly. Thought I would have to go to Betty Ford to get off the Diet Pepsi but after a year ( May 28yth) I am finally adjusting to life with out it. Drinking lots of water is important too. Its good for you and keeps you feeling "full" inbetween meals. Seems like when my weight stalls if I increase my protien I do much better for a while, it jump starts me again. I do struggle with the shakes. I need them tho. My hair is getting thin again. Time to hit the shakes. I guess I will struggle with this always. I never in a million years though I could do this. If I can do it, any one can, honestly. I just knew I would fail again like I had so many times before. God bless and good luck!!!!!Mechelle

Dont let them get you down. You are right. People that initially were supportive might not be now because you are smaller than they are and look better than they do. that is threatening. My daughter is funny she says she is okay as long as I dont get smaller than her. If i do then she is "starving herself till she is smaller than me again" Not sure I get it but I am enjoying the little victories every day! Keep your chin up. Mechelle