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

you look beautiful.

All that dancing is paying off, Debbie -- you look great!

We are planning to go to a Halloween Party, something I have not done in many, many years. Having so much fun dressing up in general these days. Boots, tights and skirts -- such a change-up from years of a self-imposed uniform of black tops and dark jeans. Not hiding out anymore.

Husband had minor surgery today -- sinuses, bone spur, etc. Hes great, recovering beautifully. I'm kind of a mess even though it's nothing. Keep flashing back to two years ago when he had third major surgery and three weeks plus in the hospital. I coped with bread and cheese then. Not anymore.

Sharpie, hesitated to post because of your loss but then realized you are the one who will so get this! Sending best wishes your way.....hope you're okay.

So sorry for your loss.????

Living a new life... Without coping skills involving food is challenging

I'm sorry he had to go...I'm hearing you say how tired his body

Was ...

Wishing strength and peace for you.

Thank You girls.. I am determined to get myself together and quit eating to ease my pain. My husband was my biggest fan he was 110% supportive of my decision to have weight loss surgery. He was so very proud of my accomplishment and when I was heavy was not the least bit ashamed of me . He was more concerned with my health than any of the issues with my looks. However when I got to my goal and could dress up he was the first person to tell me I looked wonderful and complimented me every day. I have to learn to live without him so I am promising him that I will never go back to the unhealthy woman I was. I am getting stronger each day, did lots of yard work for the past 2 days and have slept well each night because I am so darn tired. It's a good tired..

Sorry...can't help myself. I know it's a little blurred but that's my Empire State Building lit up in blue and orange after The Metsies beat LA last night. Go Mets!!

Very sad day in LA

GO CUBS!!!!

Very sad day in LA

GO CUBS!!!!

Aww...sorry Joe. Well...not really, but I'm gonna be gracious...after all, the baseball gods giveth and the baseball gods taketh away

This SF giant fan is now rooting for the long suffering cubbies⚾️⚾️

And quietly thrilled the Dodgers couldn't buy a World Series ring!

OK all you non NewYorkers...stop the hating on my NY Mets!!!

We have suffered along with the best of them. It's not easy being a NY Mets fan! Now Yankee fans...you can hate on them all you like

Lets Go METS!!!!!

I won't comment on the sports thing LOL but I'm just going to say @ Lisacaron & Husband you guys look cute.

Hi friends. I have been reading but not posting. It's been a very stressful couple of weeks. Two weeks ago was my mother-in-law's wake and funeral. Yesterday I had a deposition. Over three hours of questions, many hostile, from opposing counsel. I was extremely stressed out over it in anticipation the entire week. It was difficult and infuriating, but as in all things, it served to make me stronger.

I learned a few things. I'm better answering on my feet than I thought I was. Although he won't say so, it appears from his comments about the house appraisal that my wasband will opt to stay in the family residence instead of sell. We're going to have a fight about the dog. And one big thing I learned is that I don't have the temperament to be an attorney (always wondered if I should have pursued other career options in my youth).

"Wasband" is my new, shorter version of NSETBEx. I stole the term from my divorce support group.

During all of this, my food has been moderate but I have not been losing. I have a fill appointment next week. I'm going to go for a tiny fill but I'm pretty tight at times already, so this is getting chancy now. I want a good thorough discussion with my NP before she gives me the fill.

I hope to post more here in the next couple of weeks now that the deposition is behind me. Next step is pretrial hearing in a few weeks.

My lawyer also wants to set a trial date at that hearing and the judge is already choosing trial dates in March. So if this goes to trial, the date for that could be March or April.

At least things are moving, albeit slowly.

Thanks for always being here and sharing your lives. Even when I don't post, I get so much strength from this thread.

We are here to help in our own small way...

Hopefully this can be in your rear view mirror next year. And you will still be doing well on food and water and exercising...

I let go of a lot in my settlement to get done with my ties to him. Worked out just fine in the long run. If I kept my ego out of it ( difficult for me) all went forward.... I. E. I didn't need a boat or some old cars...

I needed a new life without him????

@@JustWatchMe thinking of you......you are doing beautifully and taking good care of yourself throughout this ordeal.

I have finally started going down again and am pretty sure it's because I had to change up my workout. Those long outdoor walks along the lake (almost) every morning are in the past as we have such cold temperatures already. So, back into the basement which took some doing. A lot of cleaning for one thing, and addressed some lighting issues, etc. to make it as nice as possible. Also using a 17" laptop for movies/music, etc. Once we got started, we started rocking it hard. 80 minutes -- ten minute switch-offs from treadmill on to bike or Bowflex with some Yoga, etc. thrown in for good measure. Since I know I can do almost anything for ten minutes, we've got it cranked on pretty high. I think this change shocked my body into losing again......a theory. Whatever it is, I'll take it.

Hope every one is doing well. We still have some beautiful foliage here in NH -- it's the golden tunnel effect. And turkeys like crazy, porcupines after the apples left in the orchard.

I met with my NP yesterday. She checked my band and it is fine. No additional fill. I'm going to give up the fried food and up my exercise. She was very encouraging.