Come join us. We are bandsters without a local support group, and we're going to meet, say hi, and chat about possibly starting our own group.

We are meeting this Wednesday December 13 at 6:30 PM at Humble City Cafe near the SE corner of the intersection of 1960 and 59, on Main Street.

Let me know if you're coming and I'll make a reservation in the name of Bandsters.

Can't make it to the meeting after all. Have a meeting with the builder--can't miss it. Sorry:( I called to make an appointment for a fill and I thought I just heard wrong when they answered with that different name. They said something about they had had to rearrange all the appointments today because someone didn't show up--I guess staff. Hmmmmmm????? Anyone want to go to Spivak's meeting tomorrow night with me? Maybe we can find something out.

By the way Betsy--congrats--I noticed you've lost even more. I'm jealous a little. But happy for you. Hope to see you girls soon.

Lana-I'll be good for about once a month with Spivak...and can't tomorrow, but can any other time, as it looks now....Missed you tight.

Good luck tomorrow, Suzanne.

Secret message to all who attended tonight:

A strawberry may not be a berry, or even a fruit! It is a member of the rose family and behaves more like a flower. The definition of a fruit is that it is a seed housing. Since the strawberry has seeds on the outside, it technically doesn't qualify as a fruit. But the strawberry SEEDS are a fruit, since they each have their own little covering. The strawberry reproduces mostly by making runners rather than having to have it's "seeds" eaten and pooped out. The strawberry FLESH is actually an enlarged part of the stamen of the flower, so it is an edible flower. So the next question is why it has seeds at all!

If anyone would like an official email announcement with pictures, of our two betrothed doggies, send me your email address at GiddyYuppie@aol.com

Thanks, Lana. I was surprised at the loss this morning. Odd. I'm pleased, but somehow don't feel I deserve it. Life is weird. I'll get over it.

I promise I'll try to organize my thoughts into one email in the future.... My latest brief success: The center front of my bra was laying flat against my chest this morning (but not this evening).

did y'all meet last night?

Thanks Besty on that report on strawberrys.

I just returned from the SurgiCenter to get my little band unfill. I am now at 3.0 and have lost 53.6 lbs.

They do not take everything out and make you can start over. I talked to the girls and they said yes Doctor Spiegel did say to do that but that only lasted for a few weeks. Ha-Ha. I wonder why?????

They had me to sign all of those forms that I have to do everytime I go to the center but this time there was one extra. It was about him telling us if we wanted to lose the right amount of weight and to have the fills done right than we would have to go to him office to get the fill done by HIM. It was a strange thing when I sat down I started looking at all the forms and that one was not there. I asked the girl (who was new) where was that form and she said "Did you want a copy of that" uh yes. I wonder why they had me sign it but would not give it to me unless I asked for it. Makes you wonder whats going on. I told them that after my year was up I did not want to go to Doc. S. for my fills. They then let me talk to the business office manager Sandra Caruthers and yes she was very nice. She told me if I wanted to I could ask Doc. S. for all of me records and bring them to there Doctor at the center and see if he would accept me. But not sure if I want to do that.

And one last thing. I asked Joy about what happens when I reach goal. How do I stop loseing? She said if I am loseing to much they will fill me just a little and that should do it. And she said that after a year they want to have a test done something like a upper GI where they go down and take a good look at what is going on to make sure everything is o.k. I think that is a good ideal. But of course that is the first I heard of that.

I hope you all can under my writing.

I feel so much better......

The new name for the center is

TRUE RESULTS

Weight Loss For Every.

Glad they didn't take everything out and glad to know I can go back there. I'll keep my appt with him on Tuesday then evaluate the situation. I just didn't want to face a complete unfill. I wonder if they are going to become a "fill" center. They are not affiliated with any doctor, but take anyone. That might be an option in the future.

I'm finding great places in Costa Rica for December. Might as well have fun while taking care of my wings.

Did a light workout at curves tonight. I didn't do anything with legs involved, but did extra on the arms and chest.

Smart move with Curves, Barbara.

I wonder how much you influenced Dr. S to broaden his approach.....

What fun to look forward to being shaped and pampered!

My weight loss happends in fits and starts. I'm always surprised when I've lost because I can't put togehter much of a cause and effect, unless I've lost while sick. Got to find a way to make it a positive reinforcement......

Curiouser and curiouser. I was reading a thread by a bandster in Australia who said that low carb diets are not in vogue there, and that lap Dr.s don't discourage any kind of carb eating, beyond watching simple carbs. So she has always eaten bread. It's hard to know how much of what we hear is fact and how much is opinion on which we base our expectations! I'm actually beginning to enjoy the mysterious nature of banding, and I'm letting go of needing black and white answers. As much depends on who I am and what I'm doing at the moment as what anybody else says is true. The complexity is pretty entertaining.

Hey Betsy,

I'm so glad you wrote this last note. I'm sad that I haven't lost more. I think I'm back to 42 at this point. I do think I still need that fill I never got. Were yall discussing not having bread at the last meeting? I really want to eat normal and get a weight loss--but I don't know if that is possible anymore. I wish I was where you are sitting back and enjoying the experience. Did you unfill like Suzanne? By the way, don't worry about the meetings on Binz, I don't think I really want to go either. It just seemed right at the moment.

I think its great to get to a point when you are not obsessing about the band, the food intake, social situations, etc. I think some careful planning is in order and then just live. I would love to feel some restriction so Tuesday another fill. I want just to be able to eat normal, but in smaller amounts. Not sure about bread.

I was looking at April and realized if we meet the 3rd Monday we won't meet again until Middle of May. We might want to slip in a extra Monday at end of month. I'm not sure I can go 4 weeks without you guys.

Aw shucks. I feel the same way.

Now, Lana, I didnt' say I was enjoying it! Entertained by it is another way of saying if I don't laugh I'll cry sometimes. I'm totally obsessed with it because I don't have my patterns down. I'm all over the place. I envision someday eating incredibly healthy raw and whole foods routinely, and then when I am out to eat, having whatever I want to splurge on but in moderation. And eating mindfully. And being a dedicated exerciser, but in what style, I don't know. And diligent with water, no sugar, etc. I feel like none of it is a habit yet.....but I know where I want to go with it.

I didn't unfill. Every day is a new day so I'm still not sure.... Suzanne really needed to do it! You should have seen her face at dinner. Barabara spotted "that" face immediately. But enough pickin' on Suzanne.

I went to the first session with the personal trainer yesterday. We just did upper body. I'm really comfortable with her. Must be her age, which is the same as mine. So today I felt mildly sore, but it was enough of an excuse to go get a massage. Leaving the massage and feeling in tune with my body, I felt like I could eat right, exercise, and really develop a physical culture. But the feeling fades. Gotta figure out how to keep it going.....

Hey Lana! Will you invite me to go for a brisk walk with you around The Commons someday?