Hello and good morning my friends. Welcome to Banders #7. So, I guess I'll start it off by saying how grateful I am today and every day for the new lease on life that I have. I walked to the office today from the train station. That was something I couldn't do before the surgery. I always say how light I feel and I realized it's not a state of mind, but a physical reality. We are weighed down by the excess weight and all that goes with it. When we don't rumble and jumble as we walk, our steps are lighter. I was listening to my ipod and started to dance a little as I was walking. I'm sure I looked ridiculous, but who cares? When one is thin, even looking ridiculous seems OK.

I am grateful for my for my beautiful grandson who I was able to tuck into my lap last Saturday morning so we could play while Mommy and Daddy got to sleep in a bit. I'm grateful that I fit anywhere and everywhere. No more worrying if I will break a chair, or be able to navigate a booth at the restaurant, or walk down a narrow aisle without having to suck it all in just to get past someone/something.

I'm grateful for my health. I take alot of pills, but many of them are supplements and not prescription for chronic ailments. I'm grateful that I can walk again...that I can swim, bike, climb, and yes....enjoy sex. I am surprised at how flexible I can be now that I'm thin.

I'm grateful that I earn enough money that I can indulge my new found love of shopping. I really think I'm one of the best dressed ladies in the office these days...and I know I've upped the game for others. I am definitely seeing more dresses than I did a year ago.

I'm grateful to Alex for having this site available...and I'm grateful to all the folks on it who are part of my success. I know I would not have been as successful as I have been if not for all of you. I talk about things here that I don't talk to anyone else about. You all know the struggles of being fat, and immobile, and feeling like a failure regardless of what we've accomplished..and I know now how much we 'hidden' people have accomplished. It's helping me to not turn that self hatred towards others still struggling with obesity. It also reminds me that I will always struggle with obesity. Under this thin person still lurks the fat girl. She is the one who whispers in my ear all the time that I'm not worthy of the good things out there and I should just order a pizza and eat the whole thing. She and I clash daily and it's why I still go every Tuesday to the therapist who listens and helps me to navigate this new world I inhabit.

Well...I think I've posted enough for today. Feel free to comment on the above, or share your stories, or say hi, or just lurk. Enjoy your day today...enjoy the upcoming holiday, and looking forward to a wonderfully robust Banders #7 thread.

Liz

Debbie, so good to see you doing so well. You're an inspiration to all who take this journey one day at a time. So many(me) expect it all to happen in just a few months.

Just wanted to show you all the picture of me and Julian taken at our company Christmas party. I still have the picture of me at the party back in 2011 when I was probably 250 or so lbs. and had such trouble standing during the cocktail hour due to my knee and hip pain. I don't know how many times I can say thank goodness I got this WLS.

Today I am 10 days post op Lap band. I have a few questions that I was hoping someone could shed some light on for me.

First let me tell you a little about what my doc's post op orders are for me at this point. I am on thick liquids now till Friday when I begin mushys. I have been having a Protein drink for Breakfast and cream Soups for lunch and dinner. If I am hungry in between I eat SF Jello. My first fill is scheduled for 2/5. Here are my questions:

1) Will this gas in my tummy ever go away? Will I always be gassy and bloated? I don't have the pain in my shoulder gas anymore just in my tummy.

2) I only have a BM like once a week. Is this normal 10 days post op? Should I take a stool softener to help? I walk everyday now 2+ miles and drink fluids.

3)I have quit losing weight for 4 days now. I only eat about 400-500 a day and exercise. Just seems like the scale should move some.

I love this site and Thank you in advance for any insight on these questions. I go for my 1st follow up tomorrow to see my surgeon.

@@gowalking you don't look 250 or so in the pic , but really hasn't it been better since making our decisions to get banded ,, I know We are enjoying life so much more now , now just wandering who Julian is , I'm not sure that's all.

Thank you everyone it's amazing what a little war paint ( makeup ) hides & can do to this face Lol but Thank you anyway.

Thank you everyone it's amazing what a little war paint ( makeup ) hides & can do to this face Lol but Thank you anyway.

okay you northerners.. WE actually got snow flurries here in Sunny Florida.. You know we were freaking out. but they didn't close schools or interstates.. I am not a cold weather person, that is why I live here. I feel bad for you all when it gets to the point of closing cities and transportation. We have had that problem with hurricanes. I like the comments about what to stock up on.. I think I would have to do yogurt, cheese, eggs and definitely coffee..

p.s. Debbie your son is very handsome, I know you are proud of him .

Just wanted to show you all the picture of me and Julian taken at our company Christmas party. I still have the picture of me at the party back in 2011 when I was probably 250 or so lbs. and had such trouble standing during the cocktail hour due to my knee and hip pain. I don't know how many times I can say thank goodness I got this WLS.

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lovely photo Liz. he is a nice looking guy. So happy for you and yes I thank God every day for my band. I ran into a friend in Walmart today she walked past me.. I had my boots and a fringy sweater on (I thought it was cold 45 deg. lol) she said omg you look wonderful. made me feel good and I told her honestly I feel great except coping with my husband's death day to day . She said you have never looked better.. yippee..

Where do you live, Sharpie?

@@gowalking you don't look 250 or so in the pic , but really hasn't it been better since making our decisions to get banded ,, I know We are enjoying life so much more now , now just wandering who Julian is , I'm not sure that's all.

Sorry if I confused you Deb. I'm 125 in this picture taken a few weeks ago. I was 250 lbs. four years ago.. Julian is the BF. I thought it would b nice to have you guys see a picture of him.

@@gowalking you don't look 250 or so in the pic , but really hasn't it been better since making our decisions to get banded ,, I know We are enjoying life so much more now , now just wandering who Julian is , I'm not sure that's all.

liz

Perfect little black dress.... And now we can get a visual picture of your bf when you mention him. Looks like you were having fun.

No problem I have a REAL bad memory & get confused REALLY EASILY any how.

Aw Liz, that's a wonderful picture! You are both great looking people. And so happy too!

Where do you live, Sharpie?

I live in North Florida about 45 minutes North of Gainesville, Go Gators...

Where do you live, Sharpie?

I live in North Florida about 45 minutes North of Gainesville, Go Gators...

I cannot believe you got flurries. That is pretty cool. I am in the Tampa area, and there was frost on my car yesterday morning.

Thank you everyone it's amazing what a little war paint ( makeup ) hides & van do to this face Lol but Thank you anyway.

Goodness I am so out of the loop! I get the messages via e-mail and I don't always get to the computer or the app to respond or see the pictures!!!

Deb you look great and congrats on the college grad!!! You know we Mom's work just as hard (if not harder, by now I should have a paramedic license, sono tech, EMT, and Fire Chief certifications as well!)

I had to pull your quote because my Gram used to have a saying when we would get dressed up. "powder and paint makes you what you ain't" (yes she was a gal from the 1920's kind of rings out in that saying) I think of it often as I cover up my troubles with my powder, paints and crayons every morning to "face" the day.

Love ya'll!!!

Having some minor heart issues flaring up...keep me in your thoughts so I don't tear off this harness thing they got on me again today!!! I'm afraid I may blow up the machine when they do the stress test next week....right now resting heart rate is tachycardia at 127 BPM. Either I'll start turning green, or zapping people with lightening soon....