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Candra - I missed you Sat., but understand. We'll do it again as we all had a great time and the Wetlands is really a nice place to walk. I want to do it when it is a little warmer so we can sit outside in my backyard and eat. Hey, BTW you should not stay away from here when things are rough - that is what we are here for - isolating doesn't help. I feel bad because Tina isn't posting anymore and I feel like she took my post badly. It needs to be OK to be honest about the good and the bad stuff. Tam - I know about the port - mine has been hurting a lot lately too - especially at night when I am in bed. Don't know what that is all about - Any of the vetrans have any ideas? Getting back to the soft pretzel - I think you need to back away from those too LOL - almost as bad as the devil children's Girl Scout Cookies! Can't wait to see your daughter's pic - can you scan one of them and put it in an album on here so we can see? I forgot to ask you Sat - any news about the job you interviewed for?

Tam - so sorry you are stuck. I guess it really is true that soft bread doesn't work. Riley told me when it happens to her that she walks, jumps up and down to try to get it to move. I ate some Irish soda bread that my sister-in-law made for our St Patty's day dinner and didn't have trouble, but it is not real soft (except for the slider stuff I put on it - Riley's dear friend butter and some raspberr jam LOL.) Hope it passes soon. I love the picture of the 3 of us - the triplet SOSs!

Donna - here are picture for you of our St. Patricks dinner table - you should have stayed - we had so much fun. Waking Ned Devine is such a fun movie. And I have a ton of corned beef and cabbage left!

Hi everyone - here are the pictures that I took from our get together.

Chrissy - what really helped me during my process was to talk to as many people (online included) and ask them why they chose the particular weight loss surgery they did. I asked at the Richmond support meeting, I asked on here, I contacted some people that I knew had both types of surgery (Band and RNY) and talked to them in person. Hearing their reasons helped me to sort through what I was considering as a pro and con to each type of surgery and I was able to make my decision. I think none of these surgeries are a quick fix or a guarantee - losing weight is still a long process and takes work. Donna always says "they don't operate on your brain" so any underlying issues for overeating are still going to be there and need to be dealt with. All the surgerys have ways that you can sabotage yourself if you eat the wrong things (high cal foods, lots of snacking, etc.) My thinking about this is the surgery is the tool that can help you lose and, most of all, maintain your weight. But only if you eat the way you are suppose to. There are statistics for both the Band and RNY with failure rates - the band is 35% - many of us on this board are trying hard to avoid being in the 35% by trying to follow the program and get support. Keep reading and asking questions and you will come to the right answer for you.

Heather, Donna, CoCo, Tamra, Chrissy and April - I can't thank you enough for making the long drive yesterday. It was so much fun and a beautiful day. I loved having everyone. I will post pics in a bit, but I think Donna took more since I didn't have my camera on our walk. Riley - it is always so good to be with you - you make me laugh and laugh. We seriously need to get together more - let me know about the walks on Sat. and you need to come back down here - you didn't do all 3 ponds likes the rest of gals! Tamra and Nicollie - you are doing so great. You can see such a difference in both of you. You are both beautiful ladies and gettin more so pound by pound! Heather - I can see a difference in you too - the exercise is really making a difference. Also you have so much more endurance. I hope you had fun with you friend in RP and a relaxing evening. Donna - it was wonderful to spend some time catching up and talking on the walk. You really really are getting smaller. I love that you are happy with how things are going - your perspective is great. It really helps to focus on the big picture - it isn't a race - it just matters that it comes off and how we feel. Chrissy and April - it was great to meet you. I am so glad you had a good time and a chance to meet some of the terrific gals on here. Chrissy, thank you so much for your help cleaning up - it made getting ready for the second party so much easier and faster! OK - so Here is our Next Challenge. Everyone is going to work on their exercise (Heather - remember you are suppose to kick my butt into doing this) and getting up more endurance. In the summer - say in 5 months - in August. We are going to do this again, only we going to walk both parks - the trails that we walked yesterday and then connect over to Schollenberger and walk that. Then a BBQ outside in my back yard. Are you up for it? And we need to rope in those missing today! Love all my SOS and BOS!

Laurel Wishing you all the best. It will go quick. Just know that the nurses don't get there until 6:30 so if you aren't there at the crack of sick it is no big deal. The registration doesn't take that long. Make sure you get them to hook up the vacumm cleaner hose to your stylish very large paper gown - it blows warm air on you and will make you feel all toasty and relaxed. You will be a true SOS Sister of Surgery in no time!

Hey everyone - I PM'd my phone number, address and directions to CoCo, Heather, Candra, Jes, Riley, Donna, Monique and Tamra. I didn't have Ash and April in my list but I think they are riding with someone. If I left anyone out let me know and I'll send to you. Can't wait to see everyone and get some SOS luv!!

CoCo - no problem - the more the merrier. I will PM phone numbers just in case you get lost. Sorry about the fill, but I didn't expect one at my 6 wk check up and guess what - I go back for my 12 wk on 4/29 and she said that would be my first fill - so we may do this together! Don't want to talk about your moving - completely understand but completely sad too! I want to drop 8 lbs by then - I think that is doable in 6 weeks. Especially if I don't snack - which I didn't do yesterday or today. Although I did have too many ribs at dinner - boy they are my weakness!

Tam and Pam - we are all on the same wavelength - lol. One of the things I am making for our lunch tomorrow is a make your own taco or taco salad with ground beef/turkey and having the small crunchy taco shells! Tam and Lee- I think what is confusing everyone is that the binder has sample menus in it for Stage IV and V that show things measured both ways - sometimes it says 1/4 or 1/2 c and sometimes it says 3 oz. What I did with some of the things I eat over and over, like grilled chicken, is I weighed out what would fit in a 1/3 of a cup. For Stage IV and V it says we are suppose to have 1/4 to a 1/3 cup of protein. For me 2.5 oz of grilled chicken is 1/3 of a cup. Since I have the scale on my counter, it is easier for me to just throw the chicken on it and make sure it doesn't go over 2.5 oz. I agree that each different type of protein has to be checked as they don't all weigh the same. I use the tablespoons to measure the veggies, although I heap them since you are right it is hard to really measure a piece of brocolli. Regarding beans, Robin cautioned me during Stage III and said sometimes the hulls get stuck. I was pureeing them on Stage III but have stayed away from them in Stage IV. In my binder it says no Beans for Stage IV but you can have them for Stage V - not sure Tam, since you got a fill if you have moved to Stage V or not.

Jes - I'm so sorry about your foot. You could still come for lunch. I miss you - you always make me laugh.

Hey everyone - just saying a quick hi before I head home. John - glad 1st day back at work was good. I agree this whole thing is a learning process. I haven't had the PBing pleasure yet but am sure it will happen eventually ; ) Heather - wow - can you bottle your energy for me! You rock. sounds like the knee is much better. Laurel - jitters before the surgery is normal - we all went through it. Tam said it best - the band is just a tool - there are no magic answers. It is hard work to lose weight - the band is what is going to help us and help us keep it off. Tam - please stop beating yourself up. Guilt is a bad word and serves no good purpose! You did great with what you ate so far today. I also have had a better food day - no snacking. I am also thinking of doing no grain carbs - I think the crackers that I have been having are triggering me. But mostly it is head hunger - stress hunger - not real hunger. I am getting excited to see everyone! So I think I have Candra, Jess, CoCo, Mo, Ashley, Tamra, Heather, April and Riley coming. Let me know if I missed anyone. Also if you need me to repost the directions to the wetlands.

Tam - I know it is hard. But I know you can do it. Remember when you almost gave up on trying to lose to qualify for the surgery? We were all here for you. And you put your mind to it and you did it! You can do this - you are strong. I know that it is hard being hungry - but harder having head hunger. We can do this. CoCo and Tam - I am so glad you are coming Sat. - the triplet sisters need it - we are all having a hard time so this is the time to 'band' together! John - Woo Hoo on 20lbs - you rock! You are amazing to have taken this long hard journey. I know you will be successful. Take it easy going back to work - it is tiring. I am finding I am letting the tiredness and stress start to push me toward eating more - my old head hunger issues.

Congrats Lee and John on 1 month. Lee - 18.6 is just terrific! I was at 16 at 1 month and now have slowed down - am at 21 after 7 weeks. Exercise is my challenge now that I am back at work also. Tam - keep up with the protein. I think it is good that the scale is away - it makes me crazy! Can't wait to see you Sat. For Our Walk on Sat. Meet at 11 am Directions to Ellis Creek Water Treament Plant and Wetlands: (It should take about 40 mins from Vallejo.) -- Take 80 to Route 37 West (toward San Rafael) -- Turn right at Lakeville Highway - Rt 116 (just after Sears Pt Raceway) -- Follow Lakeville into Petaluma (about 10 miles) -- Turn left at So. McDowell Blvd Ext. (2nd traffic light I think) -- Turn right onto Cypress Drive and follow to just before it starts to turns to the left (past the UPS warehouse, past the River Montessori Charter School) -- Drive straignt into the parking lot (Barbara's bakery warehouse is on the left). -- Parking is before the gate on the right side or to the left as you drive in the gate. I'll give directions to my house when we meet for the walk. Please confirm with me if you are coming so I can do the right amount of food. Hugs to everyone.

Hi Everyone Tam - You can do it. I applaud you for your honesty. Can you figure out what triggered you to do all the eating? This stage IV is hard when you don't feel much restriction. Hang in you have done so much hard work already. CoCo - you too. Don't do 'lonely eating'. I am with you on Stage IV bein hard and not feeling anything stop you. My strategy right now is if I am really hungry and can't ignore to eat more protein food and try to stay away from the junk. We'll see if it works. Ok for Sat. Does 11 am work to meet at the wetlands? Then lunch at 12:15 or 12:30 at my house? Candra - you have to stay for a lunch - I'm not afraid of Bridzilla - I've raised teenagers! So give me her # and I'll tell her you have to be with your girls! Who is coming? Jes, Candra, CoCo, Tamra, Riley, Heather, maybe Lee - who else? And what are your food restrictions besides those on Stage IV and Riley being a vegan?

Aww John - I'll invite you to be my friend!

CoCo - the pictures are wonderful. You looked so pretty and so happy! So glad Tahoe was fun. I never heard why your sweetie is going to WA for 3 months? Will you get to see each other at all during that time? Reggie - you are amazing. What a beautiful party for CoCo. You are a real sweetheart. What a hostess! Donna, Jess, Candra, Heather and April - you all look wonderful. I'm so glad you could go - I wish I could have too. Tam - hang in. You need to get off the carbs, like I need to cut my portion sizes down! Go back to protein and drink alot of water. Pam - I weigh and measure. I tend to eat the same things over and over, and I keep a food scale on my counter. I know that 2.5 oz of grilled chicken breast is 1/3 c. because I measured it once, so now it is easier for me to just cut off my chicken and throw it on the scale. Unfortunately I am having very little restriction so I can eat more than the 1/2 cup now. I also am not having trouble with much of anything - on Sat. we were doing a lot of errands and it got to be 4pm and we were at Costco so we got a turkey wrap - which of all their things seemed like the healthiest. I was able to eat more than 1/4 of it (and it was big) complete with the lettuce, tomatoe and whole wheat torilla - even though I'm not suppose to have raw veggies or untoasted bread. Even if I eat more than I should, I am trying to make it good food - trying to stay away from the junk (other than the 2 cupcakes last weekend and a few licks of the brownie and cupcake batter and frosting this weekend when I was baking for the concession stand.) Anyway - hope we are still on for Sat. 3/20 for the walk at the Wetlands. I suggest we meet there at 11 am and then we will be back at my house around 12:15 to 12:30 for lunch. Ok so a while back I think I heard that Jes, Candra, Heather, CoCo, Tamra, Riley and maybe Lee were coming. Anyone else? I'll post directions later in the week to the park. Ok so Tam, CoCo and I are on Stage IV and Riley is a vegetarian - any other food restrictions?

Oh Tam, I'm sorry. I agree, you really just have to make up your mind to tough it out. I think Riley talked a while back about exercising the resistance muscle. I know it is hard, but we need more successful days than off days to make progress. I did a little better yesterday B: scrambled eggs with ff cheese, spinach & onion ( 1 reg. egg & 1/4 c of egg beaters); 1/4 piece toast w/ LF butter L: 2.5 oz grilled chicken, 3 tbsp green beans, 2 tbsp yam with a little bit of LT butter and cinnamon S: licked the spoon a few times when I made brownies and cupcakes for concessions! D: 3 oz bbq chicken (skinless); 2 tbsp spinach with a litte LF butter and lemon juice; 2 tbsp yam with a little bit of LT butter and cinnamon s: 4oz of sugar free jello Again, some of the portions are a little more than the binder say but it was all good foods - also I don't know if you noticed but the portion sized for suggested meals in the binder don't always match what the guideline is - like for eggs and cottage cheese. Oh well, we just have to do the best we can to eat litely I guess. Today looks like a beautiful day and it is suppose to be nice all week - so next Saturday should be beautiful for our walk and lunch! Can't wait to see you and everyone. Have a great Saturday (I can't wait to hear about CoCo's wedding and see pics.)

Tam - I know I know. I have been so hungry and stressed this week - not a good combination. Wed night I had a craving for peanut butter and had 5 tbsp (not all at once - but kept going back). Bad bad. By some miracle I was down this morning - broke through my 50% / 58 lbs! Yeah. But I am really worried because I can't stick to just the 1/3 c. of protein that we are suppose to have at each meal or just the 2 tbsp of veggies or the 1/4 piece of fruit. And I worry about stretching my pouch and the band slipping - uggghhh. This is hard. My calories are still low, but I'm worried. I just don't feel anything and feel I could eat and eat and eat and my stomach growls. OK enough b----ing and whining. I got it off my chest - now I'm done! We've got to stay strong and master this thing. I keep telling myself only 6 weeks until my fill appt with Dr. P - I can tough it out - 6 weeks isn't a lifetime! Jess - so cool you got another fill. I'm glad Dr. P was sympathetic - did you have to meet with Robin first?

Hi Everyone - been very busy at work this week so have only come on briefly to see what everyone is up to but haven't had time to post. CoCo - been thinking about you all day. Have a wonderful day tomorrow and enjoy every minute. I can't wait for pics and to give you a hug on the 20th! Ash and Annalyn - Way to go - you are rockin it - you will be part of the sisters (and brother) of surgery in no time. Tam - how are you doing? Congrats on the interview - you will be terrific. John and Lee - sorry purees are tough - I agree with everything you have both said. The only bright side is that you really are eating so little that the weight does come off. Heather - you are building muscle - your outlook is great. The weight will come off - just stick with it. I can't wait to see you on the 20th! Pammie - I support your jammies on your day off 100%; I would do the same thing!! Where is everyone else and are you OK? Jess, Candra, Riley, Reggie, Donna, Tina, Maria, Mo, Laurel. Ok I am fightin my way to my 50% point - 58lbs. I am 2/10 of a pound away - last week I was 6/10! When I not so hard on myself, I can say almost 58 lbs in 6 months is pretty darn good, but when I look at how many calories I am eating and have only lost 4/10 in 5 days I get really mad. I have been really hungry and I have been eating more. Not bad food (except for the cupcake incident on Sunday LOL) but just can't keep to 1/3 of a cup. I am also waiting too long between my lunch hour at work and when I get home at have dinner. I know we aren't suppose to snack but I really think I need something around 4 in the afternoon. I seem to remember someone on here saying something about they thought 4 small meals worked better for them. Any thoughts?

John - CONGRATULATIONS! 100 LBS IS A BIG DEAL! You must feel so proud. And how fun to be in all new clothes, although if they are 10 years old you probably deserve some new ones! I bet Nikki is really proud of you too! Don't worry purees will not last too long. Here were my 2 favorites: puree chicken with Heinz Turkey gravy that comes in a jar - it tasted like Thanksgiving and had some texture. My other favorite was to take grilled salmon and puree with a little brocolli and a tbsp of lite alfredo sauce thinned with a little milk - yummy! But I have to agree, the soft foods for Stage IV are much better (minus the cupcakes!!!)

LOL - Pam I didn't eat them all at once! I nibbled at the bites as I was walking past them multiple times and I spaced the cup cakes out! But I was a good girl today - measured everything - protein 1st and lots of water! My husband agreed that if anything is left next weekend from concessions it IS NOT coming home with us!

Tamra - Congratulations on the your new home - sounds nice and a good size. Good job on the protein girl (minus the ice cream ; ) ). I ate some of the left overs from my concession stand at Nate's plays this weekend. Had 2 cupcakes and a part of a brownie and a lemon bar. uuuggghh! Today I am back on track - exercised this morning before work and back to measuring my cottage cheese. Have a good day.

Ashley - I invited anyone who wants to make the drive to come to Petaluma to walk at the wetlands for an hour and then come back to my house (I live about 10 mins away from the park) for lunch. We need to pick a time but I was thinking about 10:30 or 11:00 am and then lunch around 12:30. I'll send directions when it gets closer. Petaluma is about 40 mins from Vallejo (you take highway 37).

Candra - My sister in law and I have done Tea Parties, only at home. I used my grandmother's china plates (they are pink with lots of flowers on them!) and my sister-in-law had a couple of beautiful tea pots; we dressed up too (even with white gloves!). You could do hot tea in a termos (sp?). The sammies sound great. We did little sweets also - tiny cookies and triangle bar cookies. You could do "treat" bags with a tea theme - tea bags, little tea bag plates, Mary Engelbreight has some cute tea pot theme and at Michael's they have a lot of her paper stuff in their $1.00 bins. It should be fun!