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

Thanks Liz you are the sweetest! We should try to meet for a game on Saturday or Sunday!! I'd even meet for a night game though those are harder on everyone

I'm doing OK getting through it one day at a time. The tummy has calmed down finally after the upper GI biopsy. I don't know what the results are yet, so the band will remain empty until they can figure out why I keep getting sick. I'm sure that my nerves have something to do with it. The band itself is in good shape from inside and outside thank goodness for that.

You know you can be "strong" minded and it doesn't matter. You can look like on the surface that you got your shit together and you might even have it together but what I have realized is that stress is going to find a way...it takes a toll on my body and it sort of has a mind of it's own. If I won't stop going and doing it finds a way to put the breaks on or breaks me so I can't just keep that mind over matter attitude.

So for now, I'm working on getting my Autonomic and sympathetic nervous system under control as best I can...by trying not to "control" everything. Just getting through it all.

Lisa, I am so sorry about your dad. I hope you get some relief soon.

JustWatchMe

Lisa I am so sorry about the loss of your Dad. it never gets easier no matter what. I know firsthand about loss and it does mess with your health and well being. I am praying that you resolve your heath issues and are able to get back on track to good health. Keep the good memories alive and be happy he is in a good place. I know my bill is no longer in pain and we Celebrate his life every day.

Thanks Liz you are the sweetest! We should try to meet for a game on Saturday or Sunday!! I'd even meet for a night game though those are harder on everyone

I'll definitely talk to Corey and we'll see about meeting up. He's going to the game on Tuesday and going to see A-Rod's last game on Friday. He's no Yankee fan, but he says it's still history.

Hi there, just catching up and sending lots of love and sympathies all-around. Hard times for so many here. Life is very poignant -- a reminder to grasp the joy and delight when we can.

Wow a lot going on with everyone sorry to hear the sad news , but everyone try to stay positive & I forgot how to post pics so now I have to learn & remember how , but I am trying to catch up,like I said I will pop in every once in awhile .

I still was dancing & doing Karoke , and having fun.

However I haven't been on because I was really busy and started couponning because I was on Disability since March so had to cut down on a lot of stuff & spending a lot of time with family doing stuff for them.

I was at work one night & my leg started hurting then it felt like it was on fire inside could barely walk coworker said go home stubborn me finished my shift went to get up to use the restroom ya I know TMI, but I fell & had to crawl & pulled myself up then got off the pot & stepped & fell again so I crawled back to my room & called into work then the Doctor , luckily got in that day.

So like I said I was on Disability form March till the 1st of this month oh I forgot to mention that the Doctor did the cortisone shot in my knee in the bone also I have a little fluid in my knee but their not concerned with it.

So I thought no problem I can dance,walk so I can go back to work. WELL after standing for 8 hrs even with my hour lunch break I was in excruciating pain & crying when I left work because it hurt so bad so back to the Doctor I went after a week working and back on Disability.

Now I have to see a neurologist because their thinking it has something to do with my system my nerves.

When I first went to my PCP for the pain to find out what was happening they told me I have athoritus all in my Left side & in my tendons, otherwise things are good except being off my feet & not moving like I was unfortunately I gained but I am having trouble getting it back off & I have tried what We usually say or suggest, so I'm not sure but I think my thyroid is acting up again so back on synthesis for a bit but I doubt I will have to stop ever taking it completely .

So now you all know what had happened & what I'd happening with me so far, I will check in every once in awhile as right now a lot going on & I don't have the time I did because it's usually something with my Boy's or doing things for my Mother since I'm home now with them , they don't seem to miss me like they did when I'm working Lol because I know they miss me then because they will spend time with me & ask me to cook and tell me they miss my cooking lol.

Like I said though now I have caught you all up.

Yes I was very busy Than you everyone.

I may drop down but I doubt if I'll ever be out and everything is good , but everyone stay positive & hopefully we all hold it down or at least steady (weight) lol.

Get well, Debbie!

JustWatchMe

Same here Debbie. Feel better hon!

I recently had seltzer and lime j uice in a bar since I gave up alcohol. I didn't think much of the carbonation issue but then I noticed the same shoulder pain I had post-op. I sure didn't expect that 2-1/2 years after banding. Thankfully it didn't last long. No more bubbles for me.

JustWatchMe

I've had the occasional bubbles but have kept it to a minimum. So far, no issues but like I said...it's a rarity. No more seltzer for you!

By the way...my weight is definitely creeping up. I resolve every morning to keep to my food plan but I tend to derail too often. It's not a horrible gain, but since the cruise in June, I've gained about four more pounds...and since I want to be at or around 125, I need to lose about eight pounds to get there. I'm finding it difficult...but I'm trying.

Hope all is well with everyone. I miss some of the folks who are gone from this thread... but I'm glad for those who are still here.

I'm going to try to post more often. Have a great day, Banders!

JustWatchMe

I am fighting the gain train also. Need to lose 7 lbs to be where I like my body more and feel healthiest.

Apple season here. The apple crisp was deadly. No more! I'll make something I don't care for.... Lemon something!!

so good to see some of you are back. I haven't been too active lately either. Had things going on that kept me from being very motivated getting ready to go on vacation soon, going to a dude ranch in Canada, stopping in Montana, touring Glacier National Park and then to the ranch for a week or riding and rafting and eating good food. I have added a few lbs also just purely didn't care. had so much depression and sadness to deal with, but I know I have to take care of myself too.

Hope you all get back on track and will hope we all have good things happen the rest of the year.

Well, those of you who know the sh!tshow that has been my divorce, please send up a prayer for me this week. Waiting for Mr. Wonderful to decide if he will settle this week. If he doesn't, we won't finalize until October. I'm exhausted and broke. This has been by far the most emotionally painful experience of my life. Thank God my girls are doing well and have good support systems. My therapist told me this week I have low grade depression. YA THINK? Seriously though, I was a little dismayed to hear her say that. I've been going to tons of 12-step meetings, increased my therapy appointments to weekly, and have been eating cleanly and haven't had alcohol or any chemical in my body since last year. I guess I'm just flat worn out. And sad about my firstborn moving to Georgia. And broke. Did I mention broke? Life in limbo for over 2 years has finally taken its toll. Well, it can't last forever.

Anyway, if his lawyer knocks some sense into his head, my lawyer says we could finalize on 9/1. Everybody wants this over with except the wasband.

It's been such a rollercoaster that I'm not even getting my hopes up anymore.

JustWatchMe