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

CG, come back! We love you and miss you.

Ah Liz my friend give it a few weeks before you feel the affects of the fill. Sometimes I don't feel mine until 2-3 weeks after.

While your away assess how your eating/feeling between meals you might just find that the fill kicks in and your good..or you might find that you need a little more.

Have a great time in Florida hugs to the family.

I'm going to be spending my Thanksgiving recovering from Carpal Tunnel release surgery. I'm planning on having my boys cook for me and cater to me while I whine and watch TV and read for hours I just feel like after taking care of everyone's injuries and surgeries and lives Mamma needs some extra special TLC too

Lisa...it's kicking in. Started on Tuesday. Not hungry all the time and not grazing like I was. Thank goodness!! Thanks all for letting me know it can take a while.

@ Jim1967 , I keep in touch with her , she still blogs but it is called Banded Carolinagirl WordPress if you want to look it up , we text each other all the time she has her ups & downs like We all do , she had a rough year this year but she is doing alright.

Everyone it's Carolinagirs birthday on the 21st so just send her a message or just say We miss you & Happy birthday I will let her know she does read our post sometimes she just doesn't post .

Carolinagirl said it touched her heart for people to be thinking, asking about her.

Carolinagirl said it touched her heart to see people thinking, asking about her .

Checking in on this Monday.....decided to do a juice fast and liver cleanse for a few days to clear out congestion and joint pain as well as general band care, a break from caffeine & alcohol, return to better habits, etc. The periodic fasting works well for me and usually gives me a new number on the scale that I can dance around with for a while. I think I have about fifteen pounds to lose, though I won't be sure until I get closer. Really working on toning these days. Got an inversion table (free!) and am doing crunches to tighten up my belly, which is still a little flubby. Missing the big walks and coming up with strategies for the winter.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! We are seeing our elders then sneaking off to the city for a couple of nights. Looking forward to the getaway.

This is going to pretty much be a Thanksgiving I probably won't remember since I have been really busy & getting pretty much just 4 hrs of sleep for the last 2 weeks so my only day off will be Thanksgiving & I will pretty much catch up on sleep that day right after I get home from work the night before I will prepare everything so they family can just throw it in the oven in the morning LOL no rest for the wicked

I did send a message on CG 's blog about missing her wicked sense of humor on this site.

I hope all my cyber friends have something to be thankful for????????

I'm very thankful for this site. For humor. For spirit. For encouragement For Info.

And way more. You are always around!

deb3 I hope you get much needed sleep on your day of thanks .

Happy Thanksgiving all my BP friends. Have a safe and happy holiday.

Liz

Everyone be safe , have fun don't over eat to where you either don't feel good , enjoy time with family & friends , have safe Holidays but enjoy your food by eating slowly & get little portions of this or that just reminding myself & everyone to be conscious , as I probably won't be LOL if you Read my other post but most of all enjoy this time with your family & friends have a wonderful holiday if you get dressed up which I won't Lol post those great pictures.

so I am going tomorrow for a fill. Decided that I want to lose a few more lbs and get a little under my goal so I have some wiggled room. I have started to get munchy lately and that is my clue to get a slight fill. I haven't had one in a year. My Dr. is very conservative and when I saw him last month he decided to wait on the fill because he felt my recent loss of my husband might be causing emotional issues. I am ready for a fill and to get back on track.

Hi I am scheduled for my surgery Tuesday , Dec 15th. Looking for any and all support, pointers and just some friends to hold my hand if need be. Thanks

Amber

Amber sending you prayers for a safe surgery and speedy recovery

Thank you so much