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

How is everyone doing?

I am doing well. wore my size 6 jeans to a birthday party then we went out to karoke and dancing . it was a cool evening so I got to wear my boots too. my tummy is so flat, I am very pleased. my incisions are healing well a little tender in some parts but overall I am doing really good. Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.

Hi all
I am also doing well, I am back in track already lost 20 pounds from the 40 I gained and after that I will try to get to my original goal, it is not easy but possible and we have the advantage that others don't have we have our tool and we have to put it to work ..

This month is good Well. Down 3 lbs. then up 5. Sigh. Some things rarely change....
spring is nice with tons of wildflowers from the excessive rains
Happy Moms day to those who mother anything[emoji93]

Oh Lord. I joined eHarmony. Stay tuned.

Now this makes me happy. Try to remember that it's about meeting new people and putting yourself in the position of the possibility of finding love. If you keep your expectations where they should be, you'll be OK.

I still want to be alone, 3 years after being widowed. Is that normal behavior? My weight is normal. Maybe my attitude isn't
Would anyone understand about eating restrictions?
Seems complicated and I want smooth. Sigh

No need to defend this Julie. You are not ready...or you are not interested. Either one is OK. I was widowed in 1994, remarried in 1998 and after the marriage went belly up in 2002, I didn't bother again till about two years ago and that was based on a heart to heart with myself after a cancer diagnosis and knowing that I needed to see if there might be someone out there for me. And yes...there are those would would understand eating restrictions. If he doesn't, he's not the one for you is all. In fact, my eyes are still bigger than my tummy and Corey is the one who always reigns me in when it comes to ordering at a restaurant. And he's a big eater so I know he understands how much I eat...not how much I think I can eat. He's also seen what happens when I get stuck. It's not pretty as we know, but he understands it's part of my makeup and is nothing but supportive if I get into trouble.

Thank you Liz. Some weeks and months are better than others.
I get asked out occasionally. All kinds... from an ex mayor/ Atty. To the bag boy at Safeway who I think cuts his own hair and was trying to give me 1/2 off on a sandwich
Sigh... no one compares to my wonderful late husband ... maybe someday

Good morning everyone. I'm working on revamping my diet. I've stalled in my weighloss because I'm drinking too many calories in terms of lattes. Also consuming too many carbs. I recommitted to eating healthier starting on 6/5/17 and the scale is moving again.

Lap-banded and love it!

Today was a good day. Had fun at a nice relaxing wedding of a boy I've known since birth!!
A chance to wear a dress and go out.., sometimes it is the small things

Today was a good day. Had fun at a nice relaxing wedding of a boy I've known since birth!!

A chance to wear a dress and go out.., sometimes it is the small things

Don't know why this has a different pic. Oh well

It shows up as sharpie s photo on mine. All good. We kinda know who each other is[emoji736]

Julie that's a great picture!

Not bad for an old broad!! 62...

Hello my friends! It's been forever since I have had a minute to post anything...and I probably wouldn't be taking this minute now if I didn't need to

The long story short is my hubs and I are stuck and yes I mean stuck cause we are the only ones around taking care of his ailing parents. I want to scream...last year I took care of my father who passed away just about this time last year. Since we have been what I think of as enslaved by the other side of the family. Seriously as sick as my father was he never called me up at 8 am after I got off a 24 hour shift to take him for a shave and to gossip at the gas station with his friends. Really?! My husband is a Saint cause I would be telling him to go scratch. You have a 40 year old son at home that drives your car doesn't pay rent, and does nothing!! Yes he may be "slow" but he's capable and he's gonna step up or I am going to take a bat to him!! That will be a good excuse then when both your legs are broken! Liz you can feel me right?!

OK all that said...I'm having my band removed in the next couple of weeks! I went to the Dr. yesterday and even though I'm not feeling any symptoms it appears that the band has slipped!! Last year I was sick as a dog with Pancreatitis throwing up all the time and nothing was wrong with the band. I had no fluid in it...and then in January I had an esphogram and put some fluid back in things were looking and feeling good...of course then I broke my foot and was in a brace from February to June!! Now I go in with just a touch of acid reflux and the band has slipped and a have a bad prolapse the surgeon said and they want to take it out ASAP.

So...yeah..here I am. OK they take the band out...can't have a revision for at least 3-6 months they say...and honestly do I want one? I don't know. I always fall in that 1% of people. You know how they say Birth Control pills are 99% effective...? Right that one percent is where I fall. His name is Christopher and he will be 22.

Same for the band if the percentage of the band works for 75% of people I fall right in that 25% of those who it fails.

So my band has failed, the fluid is out again while I wait for all the pre-op testing and other fun stuff so they can remove it....thank goodness I'm not suffering at all some reflux but I'm on liquids from now until what will probably be eternity (it's OK I'm used to it by now it's one of the few things that doesn't make me feel sick.) I haven't lost any more weight...but guys...what would you do?

Would you even think about a revision? Would you do the sleeve cause everyone is on the sleeve train? Would you do the gold standard and do RNY or would you call it a day leave your innards alone and just be you?