I just found out my surgery will be in July (granted my pre-op testing goes okay) SOOOOOOOOO

Here's a thread for everyone getting banded in July 07!

Does anyone have any good ideas for a neat name we could call ourselves?

Guess it's gonna be a lo-o-n-n-g-g quiet week-end here. Karrie's gone, Janet's gone, Candace is gone........and haven't heard from anyone else and I'm first on since early morning when Janet posted. Just got home from dinner at the neighbors. I didn't do too bad. Had a little of everything and came home satisfied. I hope none of you over did it. It was hard but I managed.

Anyone out there brave enough to hit the stores tomorrow?? I'm thinking but I am really a wimp when it comes to those crowds.

OKAY, THEN, HAVE A GREAT WEEK-END, DON'T BLOW ALL YOUR MONEY AND DON'T EAT TOO MUCH.

TALK WITH YOU TOMORROW.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Internet connection has been awful all week, to the point that we caved in and scheduled Time Warner install... a week from tomorrow we get cable internet & phone.

Birthday was great fun. Didn't win a lot on the slots, but came home with almost half of my $$ to spend on something else, and that after playing for 3 hours or so! Decided against the buffet and went to a favorite Italian restaurant for some spaghetti & meatballs. That was a disappointment. Here I splurge on spaghetti and they've changed their sauce and it was grim. Oh, well!

Today we had a very enjoyable day with old high school friends. They live up in the mountains above Palm Springs... about a 50 mile drive. They invited us up for Thanksgiving dinner and we had such a nice time! Kids, grandkids, FOUR dogs, beautiful home and warm hospitality. OH, and good food, too! What more could you ask... a very nice day!

Wow!!

You're right!! Quiet around here this weekend!!

I still have internet problems!!

That's my excuse and I"m stickin' to it!

It's horrible!

I'm online now because it's early in the morning!

Next Friday we get cable modem/TimeWarner install!

I give up on this ridiculous "new" Wi Fi system the park has put in. I have "free access" right now while they test the system.

It stinks!

Did pretty good on Thanksgiving... few bites of this and that, small amount of mashed taters and gravy, dressing, corn casserole. Didn't feel stuffed or uncomfortable when all was said and done!

Well, going to try to do a few other things before I get bumped off again. Later it gets, more people online using the bandwidth and clogging up the works!

Sorry, Steph, not sure how much Sudoku I'll be playing between now and next Friday, but enjoying the heck out of it when I can get online to play! Glad to find someone who will play with me! I'm playing Earl's turns, too, BTW!!

Yep, Looks like it's just us Old folks here, Phyl. (of course, we're really 29, and holding). The youngsters can't keep us with us. Of course, they're gonna say that they're out and about cause they're young and not old and decrepid. LOLOf course, their time is coming.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK-END.

Hello Everyone,

The computer is not letting me change the fonts again. Whatever!

Today is a dreary rainy day outside. DS wants to go to the store for some jeans. We'll see. Me and DD spent yesterday at the mall. We got some Christmas presents. However, they are all for me and her. We didn't get any presents done for anyone else. How selfish is that? Oh well. DS almost went with us, thank goodness he backed out. He woulda ruined the shopping extravaganza..... "I'm ready to go, I wanna go, get me outta here, I'm gonna kill myself, I'm gonna run away, and on and on......

The amount of people at the mall was unbelievable. It's hard to believe the economy is falling apart. When stressed, SHOP!

I have the Christmas tree half up. I gotta clean the dirty house. One and a half more days and I have to go back to the bowels of hell. I don't wanna go. AAAHHHHHHH

DH just walked in, and I gotta go dry my hair. Talk to ya'll later. TTFN

2:28:49!!!!

Won't let me change the font either! That was 11 minutes 40 seconds BETTER than my personal best!

I am VERY excited, VERY sore, and VERY tired. After running for 2 1/2 hours I had a 7 hour drive home. I am going in to take a bath and then heading to bed.

Hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving.

Hey Gang

Super quite weekend I see.

Karri CONGRATULATIONS !!!! GREAT JOB..

Well I am still at DS house- fog this morning so didn't leave till noon - OMG the traffic - I went about 6 miles in 45 minutes - So I turned around and came back - I will leave in the morning - fog or no fog - there will be fog - but I will wait til about 9 then leave..

I have a great time with DS & family - GD Kaitlin who's bday is tomorrow and I went shopping on Saturday - My Sis came for dinner last night - that's going good...

Well DS just has some access card - so I don't want to run up his bill - So talk to you tomorrow

Oh - My food hasn't been super bad = I have eaten way too much sugar since I have been up here - but did get about 1 1/2 hr walk around the neighborhood .. I am going to have to detox from the sugar when I get home..

Congratulations Karri!!

Everyones been sick around here. It's my turn. I just downed my Nyquil, and I'm busy hacking up a lung. Oh my Lord, this ain't fun. Nightie Night everyone, it's back to work tomorrow. UUGGGG!!!! :thumbup: here comes a coughing fit

Hey Janet, almost as bad as evacuation traffic.

2:28:49!!!!

Won't let me change the font either! That was 11 minutes 40 seconds BETTER than my personal best!

I am VERY excited, VERY sore, and VERY tired. After running for 2 1/2 hours I had a 7 hour drive home. I am going in to take a bath and then heading to bed.

Hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving.

Congratulations, Karrie, Must be a great feeling. I am trying to up my exersize routine so I am going to start keeping track of it for Dec. I'm gonna try to add it to my signature but since this is the 1st. I'll start here.

Biking - 102 min /28.6 miles/1051 cal.

resistance workout - 30 minutes

treadmill - 36 min./1.85 miles/ 241 cal.

Good Morning Gang !!!

I made it home safe yesterday - but as I walked in the door my GF Candy called and her DH in the hospital with blood clots in his lungs. So after 456 miles - I jumped in the car again and went to the hospital.. He's doing ok I guess in a regular room and talking etc.. Then went to dinner with Candy and another friend - this morning I am up 2 lbs - so back to my regualr diet !!!!!

Denise - Hope you are feeling better - yes the traffic looked like evacuation traffic - omw - I see why pple stay home..

Well, I jump back in the car this morning to go to beverly hills for my p.s. consultation... I really don't want to go - but I made the appointment so I have... I am a bit tired and need to get stuff done around here.. But it will get done evenually...

Ok - I got color on my hair - need to go wash it out... I will talk to you all tonite..

Candice - 13 or so days - hows the exercise and food going

Karri - where you able to move yesterday...

Kari - good going on the exercise

Phyl - any internet yet - Dinner Friday remember 0ne pot wonder made with kelbhsa (sp)

I could move...barely. I was pretty sore, very tired, and getting sick. My throat is killing me!!! I may take tomorrow of if I can. However this is the last week of the trimester and I have A LOT of kiddos trying to make up work. SO my day off might come next week!

I am moving better today and slept a lot better so I should be able to make it the rest of the week.

The scale is not cooperating with me right now. I think part of it was all the eating out that we did for 4 days. I made healthy choices but you can't control what they put in the food when you are not cooking.

I have refined my plan a little more food wise.

7:30 Am - Breakfast 300 cal

11:30 AM - Lunch 400 cal

2:30 PM - Snack 250

5:30 PM - Dinner 500

Well I had best ger going...classes start in 15 minutes.

good morning ladies! I know I've been MIA for a bit. Honestly, if I'm going to be honest with you and myself, I think it's because I'm struggling. Thanksgiving wasn't good but I can't blame it on that....it's me.

I'm making horrible choices. I'm high carbing it again. I'm munching all day every day. I can't seem to quit feeding myself. And it used to be because I was upset...but that isn't the problem. It's like I can now so why not?

I'm struggling with the idea of getting a fill this month. Pros...it will stop with the overeating and possibly stop me from eating the things I shouldn't (high carbs). Cons...when I'm so restricted the band does the choosing, not me.

I honestly believe that if I made better choices at home (I do really well when I eat out I think), only eat 3x a day, and get my butt out exercising, I can do this without the restriction that I had that was making me miserable. I know, I have the band I should use it, but the way I've been using it, I haven't been learning to control myself, I've been starving myself.

I just don't know. When I eat a good meal I feel full after about a cup. I can drink my water as fast as I want. My struggle is in the snacking. grrrr.

Anyways...that's why I've been MIA. I don't know. I shouldn't disappear like that because here is where I need to be to get back with the program. Stupid me. So...I'm back. I'll be better.

Congrats on your run Karri! That is beyond awesome! And then to be caught up for the next 3 weeks so you can take care of yourself! That's even better. Enjoy the time you can relax a bit.

Okay...off to get some work done. Talk to you later ladies.

Steph - I totally feel your pain and share your struggles. I am debating on whether or not I should get an unfill. I struggle regularly with food getting stuck (not a lot of pb'ing just MAJOR discomfort) but am scared to death to get an unfill. It is taking a lot of work to try and get my head screwed back on straight but we can work through this together.

I figure I have to start treating myself like a defiant 5 year old child again. I have put myself back on a schedule (see above post). There are 2 HUGE behavior issues that I need to address.

1. Not feeling the need to clean my plate

2. Being able to eat just 1 of something

The first one has been an issue for me even with the band. Yes...I made my plate smaller and I put less food on it, but I still can't stop eating until my plate is clean. That makes it tough when there isn't a small plate available or their is too much food put on the plate. I can't open a small box of raisins an just eat a few...I have to eat it until the box is empty. I do this time and time again. Yes... I usually stay within my calorie limits but I have to learn how to not hoover my plate clean.

The second behavior is very much tied to the first one. I can't seem to just eat 1 of something. If I want string cheese, I will eat 2 of them. If I have a piece of candy...it has to be at least 2. I can't have 1 serving of salad dressing...it must be 2. Again...I can usually stay in my calorie range but I NEED to learn to be satisified with 2. These are the things that I am going to be working on with my therapist...assuming any of them call me back. I called 4 last week and haven't heard a peep from any of them! This is why I stopped looking before!!!

Well I have a lot to get done during this period so I had best get going.

Steph...we are all here for you. Take it from an experienced one...going MIA doesn't help the situation.

I hear you, Steph and Karrie. I just wanted you guys to know that you are not alone. Do you hear us Ruby??I'm right there with you. That's why I'm trying to up my exersize. I seem to be stuck....for about the past few months. goes up, then down, back up then down. Only a couple pounds but it does get frustrating cause I'm not sure if I'm done losing or just maintaining. I sure would like to lose about 10-15 more but I'm starting to look haggard. The main thing is, I'm a whole lot healthier now.

OKAY, DON'T BE STRANGERS. LET'S ALL GET BACK ON TRACK.

I could move...barely. I was pretty sore, very tired, and getting sick. My throat is killing me!!! I may take tomorrow of if I can. However this is the last week of the trimester and I have A LOT of kiddos trying to make up work. SO my day off might come next week!

I am moving better today and slept a lot better so I should be able to make it the rest of the week.

The scale is not cooperating with me right now. I think part of it was all the eating out that we did for 4 days. I made healthy choices but you can't control what they put in the food when you are not cooking.

I have refined my plan a little more food wise.

7:30 Am - Breakfast 300 cal

11:30 AM - Lunch 400 cal

2:30 PM - Snack 250

5:30 PM - Dinner 500

Well I had best ger going...classes start in 15 minutes.

good morning ladies! I know I've been MIA for a bit. Honestly, if I'm going to be honest with you and myself, I think it's because I'm struggling. Thanksgiving wasn't good but I can't blame it on that....it's me.

I'm making horrible choices. I'm high carbing it again. I'm munching all day every day. I can't seem to quit feeding myself. And it used to be because I was upset...but that isn't the problem. It's like I can now so why not?

I'm struggling with the idea of getting a fill this month. Pros...it will stop with the overeating and possibly stop me from eating the things I shouldn't (high carbs). Cons...when I'm so restricted the band does the choosing, not me.

I honestly believe that if I made better choices at home (I do really well when I eat out I think), only eat 3x a day, and get my butt out exercising, I can do this without the restriction that I had that was making me miserable. I know, I have the band I should use it, but the way I've been using it, I haven't been learning to control myself, I've been starving myself.

I just don't know. When I eat a good meal I feel full after about a cup. I can drink my water as fast as I want. My struggle is in the snacking. grrrr.

Anyways...that's why I've been MIA. I don't know. I shouldn't disappear like that because here is where I need to be to get back with the program. Stupid me. So...I'm back. I'll be better.

Congrats on your run Karri! That is beyond awesome! And then to be caught up for the next 3 weeks so you can take care of yourself! That's even better. Enjoy the time you can relax a bit.

Okay...off to get some work done. Talk to you later ladies.

Steph - I totally feel your pain and share your struggles. I am debating on whether or not I should get an unfill. I struggle regularly with food getting stuck (not a lot of pb'ing just MAJOR discomfort) but am scared to death to get an unfill. It is taking a lot of work to try and get my head screwed back on straight but we can work through this together.

I figure I have to start treating myself like a defiant 5 year old child again. I have put myself back on a schedule (see above post). There are 2 HUGE behavior issues that I need to address.

1. Not feeling the need to clean my plate

2. Being able to eat just 1 of something

The first one has been an issue for me even with the band. Yes...I made my plate smaller and I put less food on it, but I still can't stop eating until my plate is clean. That makes it tough when there isn't a small plate available or their is too much food put on the plate. I can't open a small box of raisins an just eat a few...I have to eat it until the box is empty. I do this time and time again. Yes... I usually stay within my calorie limits but I have to learn how to not hoover my plate clean.

The second behavior is very much tied to the first one. I can't seem to just eat 1 of something. If I want string cheese, I will eat 2 of them. If I have a piece of candy...it has to be at least 2. I can't have 1 serving of salad dressing...it must be 2. Again...I can usually stay in my calorie range but I NEED to learn to be satisified with 2. These are the things that I am going to be working on with my therapist...assuming any of them call me back. I called 4 last week and haven't heard a peep from any of them! This is why I stopped looking before!!!

Well I have a lot to get done during this period so I had best get going.

Steph...we are all here for you. Take it from an experienced one...going MIA doesn't help the situation.

I hear you, Steph and Karrie. I just wanted you guys to know that you are not alone. Do you hear us Ruby??I'm right there with you. That's why I'm trying to up my exersize. I seem to be stuck....for about the past few months. goes up, then down, back up then down. Only a couple pounds but it does get frustrating cause I'm not sure if I'm done losing or just maintaining. I sure would like to lose about 10-15 more but I'm starting to look haggard. The main thing is, I'm a whole lot healthier now.

OKAY, DON'T BE STRANGERS. LET'S ALL GET BACK ON TRACK.

I will reply to all 3 of the above in one swoop ... I have the same problems - I have to clean my plate 99% of the time - I will be full on just my fish - but have to eat my rice - I will eat that some times before my veggies - sometime I don't have room for the veggies - but like Karri - I am usually within my calorie allowance..

This weekend at my DS's I ate donuts and candy... I seem to do this when I am away from home - I eat more sweets.

Yes Steph & Karri - I don't think fills are the answers - it the whole control issues - this is why I always say 75% of the work is up to us.. We can't rely on the band to starve us - then we just eat around it...

Karri I like your calories - good choices -

Steph - we all love our carbs - I still do - last night (you will read the story in a few about my trip ) I hadn't eaten all day - stopped to get gas - can't really eat fast food and I don't care for it that much.. But I got Frito's and jalepone cheese dip - ate about 1/2 the can of cheese dip and some fritos - came home ate 1 cup pasta (pb's on it then finished it) then 2 sherbet ice cream cone and then 1 candy bar - ya - I was still under my calories for the day - but crappy food choices... The scale was 138. this morning - but I am not eating correctly.. Well tonite I will and for the rest of the week cuz I am home and I do better at home

Kari - I agree - exercise more when you eat more helps.. But the exercise does have to burn more that what we are stuffing in our mouths and I know that it takes me 1 hr to burn like 300 calories - so ....

I love that we are dealing with our issues - this is good this is VERY VERY GOOD. This is a process and we are going to all have to work on it for the rest of our lives.... We have all lost tons of weight but we still have food issues...

That's why we have each other and our thread - so that we can talk about it - we are here for each other and how each of us are dealing with them...

Hugs ladies - you are not alone we all have these issues - the damn cat is in front of my screen - i can't see what I am typing :smile2: OK I just moved her - I can type without seeing what I type :thumbup::cursing:

OK here's my story from yesterday.... and let me tell you it's a fricking story !!!!!!

OK I have put 1500 miles on my car since last Friday...

I will tell you something - I would never never never live in Los Angeles... OMW the fricking traffic - I didn't get home till 9:00 last night.. OK here's my days events

I thought my appointment was at 11:30 (you know how you get something in your mind) so I left here at 8:30 allowing 3 hrs to get there - Well I missed the turn off for the 10 and got on the 101 (hwy) and knew I went too far - I am a little familiar with the area from years ago.. So called Dr office and got directions (girl was great) so get there at 11:30 and she tells me my appointment wasn't till 2:30

OMW now what to do (oh ya - had about $10 cash not thinking I needed $$ - well in LA you gotta pay for parking :tt2:) so I left found a mall - and walked around and tried on some clothes - didn't get anything - found an ATM got some cash - then left about 1:45 so I could get back - well got lost again - stupid me (my son is giving me a tom tom navigation for Xmas but I needed it yesterday :scared2:) - finally go to the doc office 15 minutes late...

Like the doc alot e - I told her my arms were what bugged me the most but I wanted cost for the works - she said one thing at a time and that the works would be about $50k :laugh: (which is what I assumed)

So she show me pic's of other patients - scar would be on the inside of my arm (these pic's were of older ladies and you could barely see them)- It would take about 4 hrs - and that she herself would do all the stitching cuz that's the most important part and she doesn't give that over to a nurse.. I would stay at an after care place overnight - and then she would see me the next day I would then go home and come back in a week - OK ready for the cost - and she gave me a 10% discount - for her the hospital - anethiease (sp) $8229 then about $800 for the after care overnight stay...

Plus I would most likely have to get a car services to take me... so lets say $9k for the whole thing... Plus I gotta figure out when to schedule it...

OK I gotta go put my face on - Have hair appointment this morning - so will ck back later - have a good Wed everyone..

Hugs....