AngelaT

Hi Tom, I love your story...great idea, I will do the same at Olive Garden!

Hi Mike, welcome! I will be going to Austin for a week or so this weekend...moving from there back ti Calif. I love Austin, but work is better for me here in SFO. Anyway...let me know if you have any questions...although I am sure your wife can answer them!:girl_hug: Good luck!

Jello sugar free caramel pudding...yummy!!! I feel like I am indulging! MAKING yummy smoothies w/ protein and fruit, or even cocoa powder and a 0 cal sweetner like stevia, put in ice tray with popsicle sticks or toothpicks... ice cream bars!

Happy New Year Nov. Bandsters!!!! We have so much to look forward to this new year. We will all lose weight, even if it is slowly. We will all have better health, look better, feel better and who knows what great wonders this positive change will bring our way. Good luck to all of you! I am glad we are all here for support, friendship and cheering our successes!:party: :clap2:

I know...I wish my butt shrank faster...I am pear shape so no matter what it will always be too big!:party:

Ok, hopefully it is all just women looking here.... Has anyone as they lost weight had pain and discomfort in their breasts? I think mine are shrinking some and I do feel some pain...at first it scared me, but it goes away and it changes from one to the other..rarely on both sides. The other thing is I was banded Nov 7 and I still feel left shoulder pain, especially if I maybe ate a bit too much...is this normal after almost 2 months? Thanks!

From what I heard in this case is to do liquids for a few days, not many and mushies for about a week or two, then solids again max. 1 cup total each meal. the liquid and mushies shoulod help your pouch get back to normal sooner.

I also look forward to going to the regular section instead of plus size! That will be so awesome!

Don't forget they do have the low carb protein bars that are just like candy bars...that should calm your sweet tooth...Atkins and South beach are good and Think Thin makes some good ones also.

Awesome!!!! I am so happy for you!!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

People seem nicer, men open doors for me again as opposed to letting them slam on my face, some people at work are nicer, while others appear to be envious or jealous, overall reactions are better than pre-op. Yikes! I know part of my fat was for protection...a sort of man repellent...now I will have to work through my insecurity and my distrust of men....:faint: Don't get me wrong...I like men, but I have been hurt deeply more than once. Time to start fresh!

Thanks Everyone! Could be the estrogen being stored in fat...I almost forgot that it of course could cause PMS-like symptoms such as breast discomfort. I will also watch how I am sleeping.

DR. ACEVES is wonderful!! <.4 complication rate and those were just minor. Great bedside manner...sweet as can be! Great staff all speak english. Great hospital and hotel. Top of the line care and facilities.... i have worked in hospitals for 20 years, and yet i would go back to him for any other G.I related problems or surgeries!

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!! :clap2: :clap2:

Please do post your story of a life changing event...many times it is not something you might think is life changing... the birth of a baby, a job that inspired you, someone you met, etc. What effect did it have on you in a positive way...

Hi Everyone! I wanted to repost this for everyone to read and participate. Originally it was posted in November Bandsters, but I thought many people here would benefit from stories which show how a then perceived negative experience has changed their life into a more postive fulfilling one. Below is my reply to Tom (Oberhasi) Tom, I had a feeling something like this had been part of your life due to your positive outlook. It is great you learned and are using this experience for yourself and to help others. It is amazing how a difficult time in our life can force us to learn and change...most people unfortunately wait until then to learn these secrets which can change our life for the positive. Although I have been spiritual since childhood and with a tendency more for the positive, I still had bouts of self pity due to childhood stuff... I have always been into reading positive, growth related books...since I can remember... however it was not enough. With my only pregnancy I got sick with severe cramping and seizures...that was the first sign of something wrong...for years I experienced similar symptoms with no one giving me an answer. finally about 12 years ago I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis...In a way I was relieved because I finally knoew what I had... the problem is that M.D.'s essentially wanted to put me in a wheelchair and told me I would probably not live a long and full life...HA!:faint: Their outlook in relation to chronic illness is So negative! I DECIDED I WOULD NOT let that happen to me. I began to do research and to change my life starting with taking yoga, and then meditation and lots and lots of reading about self improvement and learnig how our universe and mind really work. I also got massage and chiropractic and evrything natural. I began to reverse everything wrong! I became more spiritual, which does not mean more religious, and made sure i kept negative out of my life as much as possible...that includes, violence and negative topics on TV, movies and books. and staying away from toxic people... I do live in the real world so I am informed, but I do not replay these thiongs over and over in my mind. The point is, any person CAN CHANGE anything they want to change in their life through positive thinking and a healthy lifestyle. My one weakness has been the weight, in part due to not being able to do hard exercise and ride a bike...but I can walk and hike, etc. so I finally opted for the band so I can control portions...even healthy food is fattening when you eat too much of it After being in western medicine for many years I went back to school and got my Doctorate in Naturology/natural medicine and became ordained so I can help people physically as well as spiritually. Anyway...who has had a life changing experience...something that changed the way you think in any way... and how did it change your life? Sorry about the length, but I hope somehow this story and Tom's story has something click inside any of you reading this and can be a positive change in your life... wishing Everyone a Happy New Year!:dance: :girl_hug:

Tom, I had a feeling something like this had been part of your life due to your positive outlook. It is great you learned and are using this experience for yourself and to help others. It is amazing how a difficult time in our life can force us to learn and change...most people unfortunately wait until then to learn these secrets which can change our life for the positive. Although I have been spiritual since childhood and with a tendency more for the positive, I still had bouts of self pity due to childhood stuff... I have always been into reading positive, growth related books...since I can remember... however it was not enough. With my only pregnancy I got sick with severe cramping and seizures...that was the first sign of something wrong...for years I experienced similar symptoms with no one giving me an answer. finally about 12 years ago I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis...In a way I was relieved because I finally knoew what I had... the problem is that M.D.'s essentially wanted to put me in a wheelchair and told me I would probably not live a long and full life...HA!:faint: Their outlook in relation to chronic illness is So negative! I DECIDED I WOULD NOT let that happen to me. I began to do research and to change my life starting with taking yoga, and then meditation and lots and lots of reading about self improvement and learnig how our universe and mind really work. I also got massage and chiropractic and evrything natural. I began to reverse everything wrong! I became more spiritual, which does not mean more religious, and made sure i kept negative out of my life as much as possible...that includes, violence and negative topics on TV, movies and books. and staying away from toxic people... I do live in the real world so I am informed, but I do not replay these thiongs over and over in my mind. The point is, any person CAN CHANGE anything they want to change in their life through positive thinking and a healthy lifestyle. My one weakness has been the weight, in part due to not being able to do hard exercise and ride a bike...but I can walk and hike, etc. so I finally opted for the band so I can control portions...even healthy food is fattening when you eat too much of it After being in western medicine for many years I went back to school and got my Doctorate in Naturology/natural medicine and became ordained so I can help people physically as well as spiritually. Anyway...who has had a life changing experience...something that changed the way you think in any way... and how did it change your life? Sorry about the length, but I hope somehow this story and Tom's story has something click inside any of you reading this and can be a positive change in your life...

Denise...I can tell!!!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: PR Brooksie.... get a closer fitting outfit...they will notice.... and smile...that really shows! Every morning look at yourself in the mirror and pick one thing you like about yourself...it does not have to be physical...it can be pretty eyes, a nice smile, what a good friend you are, or a kind heart, etc. you get my drift? Then look at yourself...directly into you eyes and say to youself i am proud of being ME because I have a kind heart, or pretty eyes, etc. etc. a different one very day and you will see your mind changing... repeat it as many times as you need.... when you get the hang of it then you can begin to say things in the present tense that you want for your future as your subconscious will make it happen...but it must be in present tense like: I am slim and beautiful! I am fitting perfectly in a size 12! I am a confident and positive person! I LOVE myself! etc. etc. Actually we all ned to do this...I try to do this at least a few times a week...it does work.

Very cute Tom...very cute! :biggrin1: the hairy legs and little skirt made me laugh! PRBrooksie...way to go!!! That IS a BIG accomplishment...focus on the positive. We attract what we think.... we create our reality...I know you can create a reality where you have complete control of your eating and of your emotions towards food... really it works! If you have not seen What The Bleep Do We Know...rent it, it might take a couple of times to get it, but the concepts are life changing :clap2: :clap2:

Yes you can add additional protein to the shake. However it is important to consume more animal protein as it has nutrients needed...several which will help with hair loss. If you are not getting at least 800 cals most of the days and at times about 1000 your body will go inot starvation mode and hair is one of those things which is not that important in the scheme of things. Also make sure you take supplements...vitamins especially the B's B6, B12, Folic Acis and Biotin to help your hait and overall health. Take care and make sure you are eating enough!

BetsyJAne I think it is a wonderful idea!!!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Good luck Inner ME we miss you!

Hi Everyone! Hope you had a nice holiday. How di you do with all the temptation? I had my litlte bits of everything...hope the scale tomorrow is kind to me. From what I can tell many of us have been too busy to use the internet much...I hope we remain in contact during our weight loss journey. Will check in tomorrow!

Thanks Everyone!! I hope Xmas didn't ruin my progress!

I went Xmas shopping today and again I got second looks, pretend not to look at me looks (but the good kind), doors were opened for me, etc. Amazing how 22 lbs can change the way people around you behave. Also 3x is way too big now and some 2x are big, 1x seems to be fitting pretty good and even a regular XL seems fine depending on the style of top. I am so excited...I also can't believe alot of it has been will power since I do not have a fill yet. I guess small portions are making me happy anyway :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Happy Holidays to All of you great people on this board...you have been a great source of information and support!!! :star: