Hello my peeps!

Happy 2007 to you! I'm already starting this year as my best ever. My biggest New Year's resolution was to quit smoking. I am now on day two and going strong. Yesterday evening was tough, I kept reaching for one or starting to ask my hubby for one then I caught myself and did something else.

I am now officially down 60 pounds since May 06! It amazes me each and every time I step on the scale. I did some major purging in my closet and now have 7 huge trash bags full of clothes to give away. I went to Old Navy on Saturday with the intention of getting some smaller jeans. They didn't have the size I wanted (14!!!) but I did get some cute camo pants and a sweater (XL!). I also did some online shopping at Torrid yesterday, so hopefully I will have some things to get me through awhile longer.

As this new years begins I can't help but reflect on 2006 a bit. I have made some amazing connections with people here and I can't thank you enough for cheering me on and being in my corner. You guys rawk!!

Here's to 2007!!

Peace.

Marz-I'm so sorry about your sister and nieces. Your whole family is in my prayers. I pray that your nephew and brother-in-law will heal with time. I am heartsick for you and your family...you will all be in my daily prayers.

Myra, good luck with your procedure. Keep us posted with the details.

ps.. none of my business prob, but does your insurance cover you with band related problems??

I wonder because my insurance company has made me fight literally for every penny related to this surgery so far.

I worry if I had complications...would my insurance cover.

Mvpo.... are they replacing your port? If so I can tell you it was a super easy recovery for me. Waaaaay easier than the original surgery!!

Good luck to you!

Hey DL I am not sure if they will replace the port or just flip it back and suture it in better. I will have to get back to you on that one after next Wednesday.

MissyC yes my port revision is covered under my insurance. I have the HCA UHC and it covers it according to my surgeon's office.

Myra

Marz - I am so sorry for you loss and will definately keep your family in my prayers!

Myra - Good luck with the port revision. I'm sure fills will be a lot easier after it's done.

As for me, I could use some prayers too. We just found out that all of the operational aspects of my husbands company are being relocated to Chicago. They have offered to relocate us but we really love Idaho and have no desire to move back to the urban jungle. I am praying that a job materializes soon because they have a very agressive timeline for this move (about 6 weeks).

On the food front, I have never been much of an emotional eater but I have discovered the past seek (since we got the relocation news) that I am a stress eater. My life is usually stress free and relatively uncomplicated but since last week I have been dealing with a lot of head hunger.

I guess this is good is a good opportunity for me to do some dealing with this issue. I recognize that it is not physical hunger but that doesn't lessen the desire to eat. It doesn't help that my TOM is approaching and I am usually extra hungry at that time as well.

Anyway, if you guys think of it, please send a prayer for a job our way. Thanks!

Myra - so sorry to hear that you are having port issues, but I'm sure the revision will be a peice of cake for you. Good Luck!

Linda - well, that sucks! I'm sorry that your hubby's job is stressing you out so. I know that the best thing for your family will happen, always have faith! God Bless, and I'll be praying for a good resolution to your delimma.

Missy - I eat in the same range of calories as you, but my weight loss is stalled. This is soooo frustrating. Guess I'll just really try to restrict what I shove in the old "pie hole" until I can get my next fill on Feb. 13th. Keep up the great work!

Missy - I understand about the carbonation. I still cheat occasionally, although I cannot drink Dr. Pepper at all anymore. It's just way too fizzy.

Myra - I am so sorry to hear about your port. I am glad your insurance covers it. That is a blessing.

Linda - Prayers for you and your family. I know you have a great support system and friends in ID so I can understand not wanting to move.

Kim - I am going to see Dr. Rose tomorrow for a follow-up. I haven't lost any weight in a month so I am thinking it is time for a fill. I am also going to ask him about the post fill diet because ours is very conservative compared to most bandsters. I find it really hard to follow it and try to delay fills because I hate the diet we have to follow so badly! I just dread the length of time I have to spend there - they are so slow!

Linda... sending prayers your way!! Everything happens for a reason... just keep telling yourself that.

Kim... I am pretty stalled out right now too. I am going in for a fill next week so I hope that jump starts me again!

Well.. seems that some of us Maysters are all stalled out. This can be soo frustrating can't it? I really have a hard time understanding how I can be eating 1300 - 1500 calories a day, drinking 100 oz. of water and exercising for 6 hours a week and not lose weight....

You are right Alicia... they are really slow there sometimes. Please let me know what they say about the post-fill diet. Looks like I'm headed there next month, though I had hoped to not have to have another fill anytime soon. I HATE the post fill diet. It is really difficult to do the 3-5 days of clears, 3- 5days of full liquids, etc.. My boss jokes that the after fill diet is why I'm losing the weight, not the band. He kinda has a point there...

Drews - Hope the fill gets you going again. Have you noticed an increase in the amount of food that you eat? Are you hungry between meanls? I've noticed that I want to "snack" a lot in the evenigs and between meals as of late and can put away more food. What is your post-fill diet like?

Wow Kim2bhealthy where do you get your fills at girl?

My fill center asks that we do liquids the rest of the day on the day that we get our fill and then one day of soft foods and then we are good to go.

I think I would commit harikari if I had to do all those days that you do.:omg:

My hats off to you.

Myra

Kim.... I have notice a HUGE increase in the amount of food I am eating in one sitting and my snacking at night is getting out of control! I am hoping a fill will close that gap and keep me feeling full much longer. After a fill I have liquids/mushies the rest of the day and take it easy for 24 hours or so then ease back into a normal diet. Your after fill diet sounds BRUTAL!!!

Edited to add.... I quit smoking on Jan 1 so I think that might have a lot to do with my incessant snacking. It has been 24 days smoke free!!

Hey Myra Well- Alicia and I have the same Doc (Walter Rose In Chattanooga). He has the most stringent after fills diet I've seen. It sucks, but I follow it. That's why I'm dreading getting the fill.

Yep, Drews.. the snacking is killing me! Congrats on the no ciggys. You are doing great!

Well folks I have to tell ya that I think this fill may do the trick for me.

Today I have eaten the following

3 crackers with 1 tsp deviled ham

1 cup skim milk with CIB

1/3 cup chili with two crackers

2 cups hot chocolate (made with water). This is my treat I use a packet of no sugar added and a regular packet to cut down on the calories.

I am feeling good and not hungry and not over stuffed. Although my mind is screaming at me that this amount of food can't keep a bird alive much less a human.:nervous

I bought some rubbermaid 1 cup containers at Target and some four ounce containers. That way I can divvy stuff up and stay within the recommended amounts.

For example I like sphagetti noodles and chicken with Ragu Alfredo Sauce so I just make enough for a few days and put it into individual serving size containers.

So I am feeling some real hope that this last fill has given me good restriction.

I am even thinking about going to a gym to sign up.

DL great job on the not smoking. I quit 3 years ago this month and it has been so worth it.

Myra

Hi guys, Haven't posted here in a while. Marz - sorry to hear about your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

I had my first PB yesterday. Totally my fault. I ate a peice of roast and it was too hot to chew, so I swollowed it instead of spitting it out. Big mistake. Feel better today though. I go for a fill on Friday. The PB was not caused by too much restriction, just too big of a bite.

Kim - good news. I talked to Gina about the afterfill diet. I went for my follow up appt today and I asked why our post adjustment diet was so conservative compared to other bandsters. Here is the answer I received....The diet we are on is evidently one of the first post fill diets invented and that is just what my doctor stuck with. The nurse told me that they basically give us that diet because they know if we have that type of diet, we will at least take it easy for a few days. She says that they know most people do not follow the diet. She said they feel if they told us to only take it easy for 48 hours, then we might not take it easy at all and some people don't swell until the 2nd day or having longer swelling issues. It makes sense but I still think it is silly they give that diet. She basically told me that today that I have been banded long enough to know my limitations and use my best judgment. She said if I am hungry and ready to move on before the next phase should officially begin, to go for it but just use common sense and caution. Makes perfect sense to me! That being said, I am getting adjusted on 2/13 at 2:30! :mad: