Positive people unite! This thread is being created for the sole use of positive people to give positive reinforcement to others in the group that we care about. We know that we may disagree on some issues but we will offer constructive criticism, objective suggestions, we will always give kind support even when delivering the occasional (but necessary) kick in the pants.

Leigha: About eating with your hands.

I have found that when I eat with my hands I take bigger bites, or that the foods are highly proccessed and slide down. Either way, it is not a good thing!

I'll have to ponder the challenge to not eat with my hands, but I have cut WAY back on it.

I just wanted to check in and let you know I may be disappearing for a day or two. I'm in a state of shock this morning. I woke up to find an e-mail from a friend letting me know that a dear friend, one of my spiritual mentors, was taking a tree down yesterday when it fell the wrong way and hit him in the head. He was airlifted to the medical center and had surgery to remove the blood on his brain. He's now in ICU with severe injuries to his face, back of the skull and several vertebrae. At this point they don't know whether he'll be paralyzed and/or have serious impairment of his mental faculties.

To all my band friends who pray, please pray for this young man, his wife and toddler son. If he survives, it will be a long long road to recovery. Thanks.

HB--Awesome loss! Congratulations!~

Liz--big thumbs-up on the exercise! I'm so impressed that your heart has responded so dramatically. That is HUGE!

Denise--Truman needs a Stella in his life. His current object of love is the mailman, Greg. If Greg is anywhere in...well, the county, it seems, Truman is on amorous-alert---racing around like a fool until I put him out to run from fence corner to fence corner to fence corner, just hoping to catch a glimpse of his one true love.

A female of the same species would be an improvement. And probably save both the lawn and the fence from wear and tear.

Christie--have an awesome weekend, lucky woman!

Everyone else--I surrender. I've read all the posts, but can't hold enough in my feeble mind to remember what to post! I will keep up better from now on--just know that I wholeheartedly support you!

Well, THIS morning, the one-hundreds did NOT vanish when I stepped off the scale, then back on with camera phone. Excuse the darkness & graininess--it was 5:25 a.m., in my closet, with a camera phone. Not a good prescription for a quality photo!

I needed to memorialize it because my next recorded weight will be on Friday, fully-clothed, mid-day at the doctor's office---a hostile weighing environment!

ETA: Welcome to the newcomers!

Edited March 24, 201016 yr by BetsyB

Elfie, so sorry to hear about your friend. He and his family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Bob, How are you?

Elfie, I'm so, so sorry about your friend. How heartbreaking. Many hugs coming your way.

HB! Yay on the 80 lbs!! Totally cool! Blowing the nose has GOT to burn calories. If nothing else, it is quite the ab workout. Hope you are feeling better soon. Trying to stay warm in all that snow has got to burn calories, too!

I missed 2 1/2 days right before my trip due to my sinus infection.

Betsy: Yep, Butters went camping, along with his girlfriend, Stella the golden retriever and her family. He is soooo tired after spending so much time with her--he stayed with her while we were gone, too.

Congrats on onderland!!! Yay!!! Good work. Tell Truman he is a great trainer.

Welcome PhdGirl!! This is a great place to be. First week post-op isn't the greatest of fun, but it pays off!

I see how its already made a difference on my appetite- even before first fill... Any advice on that though?

Hey everybody!

Christie, Have fun on your trip!

Elfie, I'm so sorry about your friend. I am sending well wishes your way.

HB-Sorry to hear you are sick, but 80 pounds way to go!

Liz--100! Wow!

Betsy--I told my husband your 199-200 story about the scales/photo he was very amused.

Bob--You could leave farmville alone long enough to say hi to your friends here!

Denise--Glad your back, we can always count on you for a good time.

Phdgirl-- My advice start measuring your food and journaling it now, it will pay off later.

Sorry if I missed anyone.

Elfie, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend!

So, I finally got to see my doctor today, and I've been put off another month because he's switching practices. It doesn't make sense to submit the paperwork from his present practice, only to have to do it all over again from his new one. May it is, instead of April.

On the good side, he will repair my hiatal hernia at the same time he does the band. He also answered my ton of questions, most of them in a way that made me happy; like being able to drink my one cup of coffee a day, take occasional Advil and Aleve, and being able to drink up until meals with a 45 minute wait after. He even includes a free tummy tuck down the line!

I'll have 2 weeks pre-op and two weeks post-op liquids, and then the mushies. 60-80 grams protein and 26 grams fiber, as well as vitamins and supplements. He wants 6 small meals instead of 3 larger ones.

Does all of this sound pretty standard to you all?

In the meantime, I get to keep practicing- I can manage that!

Edited March 25, 201016 yr by AnneGG

Wow, a tummy tuck as part of the deal? ....sounds good to me. I am glad the Doc answered your questions to ease your mind. I stick with the 3 meal a day plan.

I think Elfie kinda does the 6 mini-meal thing and she will be a good resource for you on that one when she gets back (incase she is gone helping her friend).

Hi everyone,

Sorry I haven't been here in a while. Going to have to catch up on everyone later today, just want to send some positive energy to everyone on this thread. I'm doing well since spring seems to finally be breaking in the northeast - even if we are having flooding.

Anyway, I just read the last page of the thread and see that some of you are trying my (acutally my surgeon's) don't eat with your hands suggestion. To be honest, since I think I work my tool well, I am surprised at what an impact my doctor's suggestion to try not eating with my hands in having on me. What's cool also is that he is trying it himself. Anyway I'd appreciate to hear from you (and I'll read the back posts later) on how this idea is working out for everyone who is trying it. It's making me much more conscious of my choices. Have a great day everyone!

Good morning everyone, well today was my first day back to eating regular food, (I had a fill on Monday), last time I had a fill it just kept getting tighter until I had to have a small unfill. My husband (who keeps me honest with myself) pointed out to me that I started eating regular food the day after my fill last time and that is probably why my stomach got irritated. So this time I am taking it slow, 2 days of liquid and 1 day of mushies. I was concerned that the fill didn't do anything for me but this morning when I cooked my 2 eggs and 1 piece of bacon with a cheese stick I was only able to eat 1 egg and the bacon before I was full. Now I have to throw away the other egg (I have major issues with wasting food) but I can wrap the cheese up and it will keep. So I guess I better just cook less for a few days and go back if I need more. But I am very happy to be full on less food.

Oops got to go to work...see y'all later

Is there room for one more on this thread? I've been MIA on the boards for a couple of weeks ( lots going on at home ) and started reading this thread this morning. I've read all 14 pages of it, and I laughed as much as I cried. I'm a goob, I know :-)

ANyway, I know some of you, and would like ot know the rest of you. I actually feel like I know you already ...

I was banded 10/14/08, and am down 80 pounds. It should be more, but I don't exercise. I have RA in my knees and hips, and it makes just walking an experience some days! LOL But, i'm starting to get a bit more active as the weather is getting nicer. So theres still hope for me yet!

I love the camaraderie on this thread. Truly.

Anyway, if you're not already on my buddy list, can i add you ?

Thanks!! :-)

Welcome back Bobbie!

I've been gone for a week myself. It wasn't all Farmville. My niece was here for four days and that cut down my internet time a little.

My weight loss came to an abrupt halt while she was here. For 4 days, I cooked one meal. The other dozen or so times we went out. I can control what I eat but I cannot keep myself from trying to clear my plate. I go in will all intentions of taking half home but it doesn't work out that way.

My will power is waning. I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did. I need that fill on April 21st to keep me honest. I gained 2 pounds back last week and am still at an even hundred down.

This is keeping me from posting as much as I was. My attitude is not as positive as it has been. I am not getting negative about the changes I have made and am making but I am not brimming with positive either.

Another one of my addictions and perhaps more damaging is gambling. We went to the casino on Sunday because it was too damn cold to do much of anything else. I quickly turned $400 into $1,800 on slots. Even quicker, I turned $1,800 into $600. Fortunately, I had an instance of sanity; jumped up; grabbed my niece; took the remaining $600 and got the hell out of there.

Did I win $200 over all or did I lose $1,200? This is one of those glass half empty things.

I am now obsessed with a game on Facebook that isn't even fun. Farmville. I knew it was going to happen before I started playing even. Oh well, it's free but the poor dogs aren't getting the attention they deserve.

Hey Bob, i play Farmville also... We should hook up and be neighbors! I also play Farm Town , Fishville and Cafe World... :-)

I know what you mean about not being a ray of sunshine lately. I'm not upset, or dissapointed, or anything like that. I just can't seem to get motivated for some reason. I guess things at home are affecting everything else in my life... My diet, my sleep, my work, etc...

I mean, I'm not happy with my current results - Still stuck between 208 - 210 - been here for 2 months! - But apparently i'm not so unhappy as to get moving and do anything about it.

<sigh> :Banane20:

My e-mail on Facebook is triegerb@verizon.net. If you send an invite, make sure to leave a note who you are.