Jann

Hiya fellow, Calgarian! Are you eating enough? Is your body in starvation mode? Are you at least 1200 cals / day and managing breakfast? There is also a post here and I wish I could remember who it was from explaining the variances of weightloss in percentages based on amount you have to lose. It was a really good post. Maybe the original poster will remember it and put in a hyperlink for you. Basically, the lower the amount you have to lose the longer it takes in a nutshell. Are you following all the bandster rules? Proteins, veg, fruit, starch, chewing 20 to 30 times, portion control, all that good stuff? Are you getting in some degree of exercise? Are you getting in all your water? Multivitamins? Calcium citrate? If you are doing all of that and whatever I forgot to include try going back to liquids/mushy's and jump starting. There is also a post on here from long ago on plateau busting with a hyperlink to a program that has been successful for others. I just can't remember it at the moment. Have to run, I'm supposed to be working. G'luck! Jann

OoOooo good answer! Jann

I downloaded the beta3 version of Picassa and you can save under the file tab. Place all the photos you want to collage into the same folder, start up Picassa, it will do a search of all your photos. Find the folder, organize the pictures in the order you want them to be, select them all, select create collage, pick a collage style, select the file tab, save as and you're done. Hope that helps. Jann

OMG, look at you, Ute! You're gorgeous! What a difference between your April to September picture. Look at those cheekbones! Congratulations!

Perez, I've been thinking about you. How are you? How is it going? Is everything okay? Jann

I couldn't have said it better than Willi, YAY for you Jazzy! Jann

Thank you everyone for such awesome comments and feedback! I really appreciate it!! Jann

Thanks all! I appreciate the kind words. Speaking as someone who is almost 50 I really appreciate that DeniseM. My day is truly complete! Jann

Oh Yay!!!!!! I'm glad you had such a positive first experience! Jann

I thought I would share the difference between February and October in pics. I can't even begin to tell you how much better I feel. I can't wait to see what the last 30 pounds will change! Jann

I wish I had something comforting and wise to say to you to make you feel better but there's nothing really that I can say that will be helpful. The answer is simple, you've made your choice to help these people. You need to take care of you first and foremost. After YOU they come first. They have been disempowered. Don't let this derail you. You are completely entitled to how you feel, don't beat yourself up, don't regress. Know that you have all the power but that you are a better person who would not abuse it. There's a special place in heaven for people like you. We're with you in spirit when you need it! Warm hugs, Jann

This girl sounds pretty darned toxic! I'd be putting some serious space between myself and her and quietly seriously not caring what she thought one way or the other. She doesn't sound like she's capable of having your best interest at heart. I'd start with setting some boundaries with yourself around her, she'll clue in eventually. When she starts her crap just shut down, don't give her anything to bounce off you with. You still have to work with her so hardcore isn't the approach. Don't let her transfer her crap onto you. Like others here said, let your happiness act as your shield. Her problems aren't your problems. Go with your natural high, hun! Jann

Try this -- http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?show...p;hl=first+fill and best of luck tomorrow, Vix!!

Thanks all! It's amazing how things that other's take for granted are so special for us! Admittedly, shopping in "regular world" is a bit overwhelming. There's so much to choose from now! Talk about sensory overload -- sheesh! It is great incentive to follow the rules and stay the course. My only pout for tomorrow is that I can't wear the awesome pair of leather with patent leather shooties that I bought last month because of the heels. They would have been perfect with the bag I bought today. Guess it's gonna have to be one flat and one cast -- oh well, you can't have it all! Clothes have become fun again! YAY! Jann

HOWL! Too funny! I'll do my best! Hugs!

Well, as it turns out I have two important business meetings coming up in the next short while (tomorrow is one of them) and of course I have nothing to wear as nothing fits. Happily I've given everything away so I can start again. I've never been a huge fan of shopping. It has consistently depressed me in the past (unless it's shoes or bags). Clothing has been boxy and shapeless for the most part, always buy blacks, navy's and browns, yadda yadda. Today I went to the mall and shopped in the regular stores! I bought two very stylish Anne Klein suits, size 12!!! OMG I couldn't even believe it. I took 14's into the fitting room and they were too big. I actually had to check the size on them twice in disbelief! The old me wouldn't have even bothered trying the clothing on. I would have guessed at the size, taken them home and if they didn't fit return them. I've gone from an 18/20 to 12! Having bought the suits I had to stop in Winner's on my way home to buy a new bag where I also found a really great Calvin Klein Fall jacket, size 12 with my name on it! WOOT! This Fall I'm smaller, stylin' and joyful. Shopping has become fun again! Jann

OMG Evette, thank you for this post. I feel exactly the same way these days. In fact, the latest bout was just about ten minutes ago truthfully. It's not just me! 'scuse me -- must go slime AGAIN! sheesh! Jann

Trudy, I totally love your goal for today. It's a pretty powerful one and good for you! YAY! Brothers -- can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em. hehe -- they are what they are God Bless 'em! Hugs! Jann

Congratulations to you Denise! Well done! It won't be long until goal weight! YAY!!!!!!!!!! I've met your mom and she's a sweetie, please give her my regards and a great big get well soon! Continued success to you! Jann

Welcome to bandland! Jann

Wow! Good to see you back, Trina! Good luck with your fill! Jann

I'm sure all of those responses including mine were hard to read but we needed to get the message to you, hun. We do care. We care enough to tell you the truth. If you can go back and start again, a mulligan or a do over if you will, do the liquids stage with chewable multivitamins, calcium citrate, etc. You have to get in the headspace or you won't succeed. Have a read of LisaL's facinating journey from there to here. She's gorgeous and totally committed to her health and personal aesthetics. Her entire life has changed in a very positive way according to her own posts. http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?showtopic=1786 Trying reading this thread and see if it helps to answer your question. Take good care. We're rooting for you! Jann

Eating slowly and chewing enough. I still fall back from time to time to old habit. Bah Humbug!

Excellent Kitty! Let me know how that goes. I sent hubby a link to see if he was interested as well. You are gonna be one sexy non smoking mama! hehe --

Nice work! WOOT! Congratulations!