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

so sorry to hear about your leg.. I know my legs ache like bursitis since I lost weight. I have been going to yoga and light exercise classes seems to help but not sure why that happened since I lost weight? I haven't asked my pcp about it yet but will probably have to. I have to take Tylenol arthritis formula every day . I hope yours is resolved and you do not have fibromyalgia.

Well as everyone should or probably knows , when WE WERE HEAVIER it took a toll on our bodies & I guess this caught up with mine , it is starting to get better & I am being able to walk again but I'm not able to walk or dance like I was but I WILL get there soon.

Debbie3sons

sorry to hear Deb. I didn't know they could test for Fibromyalgia. I've titrated off Cymbalta (for pain, not depression) and am starting Lyrica soon..which is for fibromyalgic pain..but I've never actually been diagnosed... It's always 'inflammatory pain'..

Leg finally getting better now I have to find out my results from a C.T. scan I had done because of stomach & pelvic pain not anything to do with my band thank goodness then I will be traveling on the Amtrak train for vacation next weekend to Louisiana & Texas for about a week.

Debbie3sons

Today is my two year bandiversary. It's also my new low weight, 189. On my way to goal!

@@JustWatchMe whoo! Hooo!

Debbie3sons

Lots of positive things coming your way JWM!!

Congrats on taking good care of yourself[emoji171]

Wow I was going through some memories & found a picture from 5 year's ago of my Son & I and I can see the difference in out faces from 5 years ago till now .

Debbie3sons

Debbie3sons

Debbie3sons

Debbie3sons

I accidentally posted twice of my Son in the green , just showing from 5 yrs ago till now ,looking at what a change for the both of us.

Debbie3sons

On my way to Honolulu with my wife and youngest grand daughter.

Had to tighten my seat belt once again woo Hoo

So glad things are going well for you Debbie and Joe. I'm a bit miserable these days I'm sorry to say.

I'm happy with my fellow but work is very stressful. All I know is that I've crept up 15 lbs. over the last few months even with two fills and just now, I put on a pair of jeans that after a wash and tumble in the dryer, are uncomfortably tight. I'm so disappointed in myself. I said I'd never let this happen and now I'm close to having to slip into a bigger size because of the weight gain.

I need to get another fill, and go back to basics...even go back to tracking my food intake again. I know what to eat and what not to, I just am not following the plan that helped me to lose the weight. I'm posting here rather than on the main site....I need my support and no comments from people who don't know my story and struggle.

The one thing I'm not going to do is disappear. I think alot of people do when they fall off the wagon and folks need to know how hard...really hard maintenance is even with surgery.

We are always here to listen...

sometimes life is so frustrating!!!!

Many of us , myself included, know the struggle of that dreaded 10 lb coming and going...

In fact, when I look at older boards, many posters and banders are not around anymore.

I like it when I still see familiar faces... (Smaller ones...deb3!). Makes me feel like my own support system knows how good, yet hard , WLS can be.

Some days and weeks seem easy.... Some are damn hard!

Glad two of our group are lucky enough to go on vacations!![emoji322]