Dontondan

I don't see how you would consider that a cheat.....you stopped at only one slice and that should be applauded. Would you have done that pre-band? It would have been much worse to deprive yourself and have a bigger downfall later. Just get back on the bandwagon and move on.

Hopefully that episode was a one time only thing and you won't repeat it. Glad you are doing better now.

It is just a matter of making the holiday revolve around the PEOPLE and not the FOOD! You can still have the get togethers and celebrate, but make it about the people that are your guests and not about the food that you are serving. I used to be an avid entertainer and had to restyle my lifestyle to accomodate my health. It is the best thing that I could have done for myself. I try to "miss" the food parts of the celebrations now and it works. I still have the social interractions, but have left out the food portion of it. Be creative!

Michelle, What a wonderful transformation! I am in AWE of you! Donna

Ditto, MaMa Michelle! 10 pounds, that's great!

Why would anyone "want" to do the math??? Too early in the morningi....good article Michelle.

Glad you made it trough with flying colors! Congratulations!

I understand totally, I have to take the ferry from Kingston and I live in Bremerton. I would say we could carpool if you wanted to stop in Bremerton first and I would drive the rest of the way. I have a Prius and get about 48 miles to the gallon! Let me know if you are interested at all. I will be in and out all day long, but will check back (I have a new grand daughter and will be going to visit her today!

Sounds like you had low blood sugar or something. I would definitely call Dr Ortiz and report what happened. That must have been very scary for your son. How old is he? How are you doing now?

I am going to visit my girl and my new first grandchild (born yesterday). I will probably cook something to take over to their house since she had to have a C-section.

I save my protein powder and mix it in with yogurt or milk for an evening snack and it does the trick. it makes me feel full and satisfied. And gives me my calcium since I don't drink much milk.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. This is a difficult time and I wish you all the best.

I don't burp unless I eat too fast. I do fart a lot though, but I always did! I also poop every day, but they are smaller and sometimes a little on the hard side! I do take one metamucil capsule every day on the advise of my Doctor to keep me from running into trouble. My kids love when I pass the gass!!!! Fits of giggles and grins.

I don't have any old small clothes, so I get to go out and buy brand new! What a thrill. I just cleaned my closet out and sold all of my old big clothes on Craigs List so I could buy some new stuff. I had a lot of really nice stuff, but I was willing to part with them since they are too baggy.

It was in another topic, so here is the information for you Caroline, we would LOVE to meet you and swap stories..... When: Saturday, July 5th at 12:00 Noon! Where: Ivars at Mukilteo Landing (north of Seattle somewhere) How? Google "Ivars at Mukilteo Landing" and it will give you the location and driving directions. I have a GPS so I will be using that to find it! Hope to see you Saturday! Donna

Are you going to meet us on the 5th at Mukilteo for lunch?

I feel so bad for those of you that can't come this time. I am sure there will be other get-togethers in the future. I think it is so important to share experiences with others that have been through what we have all been through, our trangressions and our successes and it will be great to put names and faces together. I am so looking forward to this!

There are a lot of us "waiting" for our fills.....be tough, be strong! You are not alone in this. July 31st is a long time to wait for your fill, at least now you know that if you just "think" you need a fill that you should go ahead and make the appointment since you know that you will have to wait a while.

Unfortunately most of us go through this and it is not easy. Hopefully the first fill will help you out. Just keep on taking it one day at a time. You know the rules of the band, now it the toughest time to enforce them. Be mindfull when eating, only put on your plate what you can have, and chew, chew, chew. Use small plates and utensils, this really helps. Do some activities that will get you away from the food! Keep going back to the forum and get your moral support whenever possible, that got me through some of the tough times.

I would love to buy new shoes too! What an excuse to use......unfortunately my feet are still the same size!

Sad but true

Things will change for you when you get your first fill. Don't forget there is nothing in the band yet so there is no restriction yet. Just hang in there a little bit longer.

Pammie, Sure would love to see you again. It is supposed to be on July 5th at Ivar's in Mukilteo (don't know where that is yet) at Noon. How are you doing since you had some taken out? I am getting another fill on the 18 when they are in Port Orchard again. Donna

I still use them for when I PB to give my stomach a rest. I go back on liquids for a day or so. It is good to have some on hand.

Dear Renee, I am 49, does that count? I am stuck right now on a serious plateau for about a month now. It does happen (this is my second). I am planning on going for my 3rd fill on July 16th. Hopefully that will boost me over the hump. I spent the last few weeks on an emotional rollercoaster. When I stress, my band slams shut and I PB a lot so now that I am over my major new stressors, I am ready to get my fill and get back on the wagon. Even though I was PB ing a lot from the stress, I wasn't losing, I couldn't get to the gym to workout, and when I could eat I was making poor choices (guilty) and eating more than I should have been. Luckily I didn't gain anything, but I don't have any loss to brag about either! Things are finally getting back to near normal in my household, so I think I will be okay now, I even started going to the gym again. Now that I am working out I have an appetite again....therefore, I think I need another fill. Just keep on sticking with it and plugging along. My Dr. is so happy with how I am doing now and my attitude about losing. He cautions me not to try and lose too fast. He also had to start me on B12 vitamins as that was getting low. Otherwise he says I am on the way to perfect health. There are so many benefits of the banding. Losing weight is great, but getting my health back is even better! Donna