Happy Thanksgiving

I can't remember if anyone posted this last year or the year before, but I thought it was cute. I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!

Meet the Devil

Nerds, that is....



It all started with Nerds...then there were Tootsie Rolls and Tootsie Pops. I have gorged myself on Halloween candy until my husband decided to hide it last night (it sounds mean, but I really had no complaints since I'd eaten all the Nerds in a huge pack of Nerds and a ton of Tootsie Rolls, etc....we had to buy another bag for the poor trick-or-treat kiddos from the damage I did). This is why I usually try not to keep junk food around...this is what happens...I really can't control myself at all! It's a sad situation.

There are a lot of blogs I've read lately about others needing fills. I am completely in that boat (not because of the Nerds and other candy, which I realize are sliders, but because I have been ravenous lately with everything...I have eaten burgers with the bun, sandwiches with bread, etc. without any restriction barring any type of food for a while now). I feel like I'm starving from the time I wake up until I go to sleep.

Early on in this process, my fill doctor described the band as a balloon...that like a balloon loses air, the band will lose a little fluid as time goes by. I know that I've lost some fluid previously between fills. But as long as I don't lose too much, I don't get too worried. I am wondering if that's why I'm needing a fill now...because of the natural loss of fluid. I guess I will see what the deal is when I can make my next appointment--see if I've lost any fluid since earlier this year (May or somewhere thereabouts was my last fill). Either way, I still need some fill since I am eating like a crazy person.

The problem is that my fill doctor has limited the days he gives fills, so there are less available appointments. Also, times are a little tight in the money department lately, and I'm totally self pay.

But I'm to the point where I just have to get a fill. I got the band for a reason, and I need to try to use it to it's potential (not that I don't have some mental work to do with the sliders--but part of that is just getting this candy out of the house...bring on the trick or treaters!).

Biggest Loser Contestant With a Lapband?

I didn't know until tonight that one of TBL's contestants this season had the lapband. Does anyone know her story as far as why it didn't work? I copied her biography below.

THE BIGGEST LOSER

CONTESTANT

JESSICA DELFS

Age: 27

Height: 5'7"

Hometown: Tucson, AZ

Occupation: Professional bridal consultant



Biography

Twenty-seven-year-old Jessica has no memory of ever being the same size as her friends. She says food was the center of everything in her life, good or bad, and she didn't know how to make healthy food choices. While Jessica was in high school, a rocky relationship with her mother contributed to her weight gain, and she continued to gain weight in college while pursuing her degree in social and behavioral sciences at the University of Arizona. She tried lap-band surgery in 2006, but it didn't solve the problem, and a "culmination of several low self-esteem moments" convinced her she needed to get healthy and change her life. Professionally, Jessica has had great success, starting her own wedding planning firm at the age of 23 called Top Shelf Bridal and Special Events. She hopes losing the weight will lead to a happier personal life, and give her the confidence to get out and meet new people and create a fun new life. Now at 282 pounds, Jessica says Season 5 winner and fellow Arizonian Ali Vincent has been an inspiration to her, and she looks forward to traveling and enjoying a more active social life once she loses weight.

Love My Bandster Friends!

I have had a really rough day. But I'm going to try not to go into all of that right now. I just wanted to say that I took a minute to go over some of your comments to my latest couple of blogs...and it really lifted up my spirits. You guys are so supportive and sweet and lovely. I am so thankful for you all. Even when I have bad days, stressful weeks, or even crazy months, I am so blessed to have this community to come to. I love you all!!!! And I am so thankful for everyone who reads my blog. When things slow down some, I am going to try to add followers to my reading list. I want to support you all like you support me.

An Award (From the Lovely Cara)

1.Thank you to Cara at http://carasquest.blogspot.com/ for this award. She is amazing, so if you haven't checked out her blog, you must. :)

2. Things I love:

My husband
My family
My friends (blog friends definitely included)
Central heating and air
Indoor plumbing
Scented candles
Bubble baths
Holidays (like today :) )
Living near the beach
Having the ability to move my body and having use of all of my senses

I am very blessed!

3. I know it seems to be a copout, but I have too many lovely friends to pick just a handful. I nominate all my followers. :)

Before and After Shots (Before I Take These Down)

I realize I haven't given you all a good before shot. I did one post earlier with my face blacked out, but while I'm revealing myself thoroughly, this is a picture taken the summer before I was banded (was banded in December of 2008). I no doubt gained some between then and banding...although I didn't weigh myself back then. You'll recall that I was a low-BMI bandster.



And now....

As Promised (though for a limited time only :) )...

I am attaching one bridal shot of me. It is not necessarily my favorite but shows my shape and the dress fairly well. The links below are to my Facebook albums full of other wedding shots, bridals, engagements, etc. According to FB, you don't have to be a member to view them. But I would be happy to add you (although I do not discuss the surgery publicly...personal choice). If you'd like to add me and are okay with that, please do!