FLORIDAYS

I have been banded 2 yrs and 3 months... I have had no problems with slipping, leaks, port issues or anything really at all.

I have had the same experiences.... Hubby and I walked into a fav restaurant where we frequent just last week and a woman looked right at him and said.... Where is your wife? I was standing right next to him!!!
And one of the employees at resort we go to once a year in Jamaica asked him if he had a new wife...LOL

You deserve every accolade CG! Embrace it!
You know its funny.... people I didnt even know existed come up to me all the time and make lovely comments... sometimes I wonder when me being thin will be "normal" LOL

One of my co workers took this pic last week at my birthday celebration... as you see they found me the smallest cake in the world. But when I looked at the picture I noticed there really is a space between my legs which I have seen before but seeing it in a casual pic is pretty eye opening.
I know I have lost alot of weight... but as crazy as it sounds... sometimes I cannot wrap my head around it and still feel like the biggest girl in the room. I am trying hard to think like a thin person and I am not looking for sympathy so if you think I should shut up and pound sand I get that.
At 5'9" and 153 lbs, wearing a size 10 shoe.... I am not petite... and I never will be....I guess maybe that is what I need to start accepting it. I am curious if any other tall galls dealt with this body image issue?

Several people asked specifically how fast the weight fell off...when I hit plateaus etc.... so I decided to post my weight tracker of my journey from my phone ap. There was no particular way I tracked it... just when ever I thought about it I entered it. I am obsessed with the scale... but the results are worth it. So here it is.... my loss by the numbers...so far
Goal: 160.0 lb Start: 377.0 lb
Date Weight
2-Sep-12 169.0 lb
25-Aug-12 170.0 lb
14-Aug-12 173.0 lb
12-Aug-12 177.0 lb
9-Aug-12 179.0 lb
1-Aug-12 180.0 lb
22-Jul-12 182.0 lb
21-Jul-12 183.0 lb
19-Jul-12 183.0 lb
14-Jul-12 184.0 lb
16-Jun-12 187.0 lb
11-Jun-12 188.0 lb
28-Apr-12 191.0 lb
20-Apr-12 199.0 lb
17-Apr-12 201.0 lb
14-Mar-12 206.0 lb
11-Mar-12 207.0 lb
27-Feb-12 209.0 lb
30-Jan-12 214.0 lb
25-Jan-12 216.0 lb
22-Jan-12 218.0 lb
16-Jan-12 220.0 lb
12-Jan-12 222.0 lb
10-Jan-12 224.0 lb
31-Dec-11 225.0 lb
24-Dec-11 227.0 lb
16-Dec-11 228.0 lb
9-Dec-11 229.0 lb
5-Dec-11 230.0 lb
4-Dec-11 231.0 lb
1-Dec-11 233.0 lb
30-Nov-11 234.0 lb
29-Nov-11 234.0 lb
26-Nov-11 236.0 lb
20-Nov-11 237.0 lb
28-Oct-11 241.0 lb
27-Oct-11 241.0 lb
24-Oct-11 245.0 lb
21-Oct-11 247.0 lb
19-Oct-11 249.0 lb
27-Sep-11 252.0 lb
19-Sep-11 254.0 lb
12-Sep-11 255.0 lb
9-Sep-11 257.0 lb
7-Sep-11 259.0 lb
31-Aug-11 261.0 lb
30-Aug-11 262.0 lb
22-Aug-11 264.0 lb
15-Aug-11 266.0 lb
12-Aug-11 267.0 lb
4-Aug-11 268.0 lb
2-Aug-11 269.0 lb
30-Jul-11 270.0 lb
29-Jul-11 271.0 lb
27-Jul-11 272.0 lb
26-Jul-11 273.0 lb
23-Jul-11 274.0 lb
14-Jul-11 275.0 lb
8-Jul-11 277.0 lb
5-Jul-11 279.0 lb
4-Jul-11 280.0 lb
2-Jul-11 281.0 lb
25-Jun-11 282.0 lb
15-Jun-11 283.0 lb
11-Jun-11 284.0 lb
9-Jun-11 285.0 lb
7-Jun-11 286.0 lb
29-May-11 287.0 lb
28-May-11 288.0 lb
26-May-11 289.0 lb
19-May-11 291.0 lb
14-May-11 293.0 lb
10-May-11 295.0 lb
9-May-11 297.0 lb
6-May-11 298.0 lb
30-Apr-11 299.0 lb
28-Apr-11 300.0 lb
21-Apr-11 301.0 lb
17-Apr-11 302.0 lb
12-Apr-11 305.0 lb
13-Mar-11 308.0 lb
11-Mar-11 309.0 lb
8-Mar-11 311.0 lb
6-Mar-11 312.0 lb
4-Mar-11 313.0 lb
27-Feb-11 316.0 lb
16-Feb-11 318.0 lb
13-Feb-11 319.0 lb
11-Feb-11 320.0 lb
9-Feb-11 321.0 lb
5-Feb-11 322.0 lb
29-Jan-11 324.0 lb
20-Jan-11 326.0 lb
16-Jan-11 327.0 lb
15-Jan-11 328.0 lb
12-Jan-11 329.0 lb
5-Jan-11 332.0 lb
1-Jan-11 334.0 lb
31-Dec-10 334.0 lb
9-Dec-10 352.0 lb
24-Nov-10 377.0 lb

I have lost 221 lbs

Fabulous!!!! Congrats!

The unknown is scary. I get that! But I can promise you you will not feel your band at all as its around the stomach not the throat or wind pipe. You will feel the port... possibly right away or maybe after you lose some belly fat. It feels like a bump or knot under your skin and does not hurt.
Try to relax...

While this time is for healing... its important to count calories and measure portions as well. I fear many people forget to do that and think they are eating small amounts which may be true but they forget to count the calories. Also drink lots of Water... that made a huge difference for me. I found that even eating 1000 calories a day...if I didnt drink at least 64 oz of Water i wouldnt lose weight.
Also after liquids I was done with Protein shakes. The are alot of calories and do not fill you up so you may want to consider and speak to your dr about getting your Protein from real food instead.

One of my co workers took this pic last week at my birthday celebration... as you see they found me the smallest cake in the world. But when I looked at the picture I noticed there really is a space between my legs which I have seen before but seeing it in a casual pic is pretty eye opening.
I know I have lost alot of weight... but as crazy as it sounds... sometimes I cannot wrap my head around it and still feel like the biggest girl in the room. I am trying hard to think like a thin person and I am not looking for sympathy so if you think I should shut up and pound sand I get that.
At 5'9" and 153 lbs, wearing a size 10 shoe.... I am not petite... and I never will be....I guess maybe that is what I need to start accepting it. I am curious if any other tall galls dealt with this body image issue?

It is very hard.... But so beneficial to adhere to this rule. I don't even have a glass of anything nearby to tempt me when I am eating. At a restaurant I ask them to take it away. It's just a habit... You can break it. Best of luck!

It is very hard.... But so beneficial to adhere to this rule. I don't even have a glass of anything nearby to tempt me when I am eating. At a restaurant I ask them to take it away. It's just a habit... You can break it. Best of luck!

It is very hard.... But so beneficial to adhere to this rule. I don't even have a glass of anything nearby to tempt me when I am eating. At a restaurant I ask them to take it away. It's just a habit... You can break it. Best of luck!

My Dr said once the bandages fall off there is no need for them. Check with yours to see what he advises.

They are well deserved!Its funny... I have said thank you more in the past 2 years then I have ever said in my life. Its certainly an eye opener tho.... It makes me wonder what people dont say!!!
For example... we have been going to a neighborhood sports bar / family restaurant for 15 yrs or so for a quick bite or drinks with friends. There are lots of regulars there so everyone knows somebody most times... a lot of the people have become our friends over the years.
Several years ago an incident happened one night... there is one couple we know... he is ok but she is a drunk and just a trashy type of gal... she was wasted and something was said about how hot she thought she looked... and she said to my hubby...well I am surprised you dont notice me considering what your wife looks like. Hubby was smart enough to walk away from her but told me about it for some reason. Of course this was pre banded days and my feelings were hurt but I didnt really pay her any mind. In fact I am always pleasant to everyone but in her case I pretty much ignored her whenever I ran into her after her comments... and I doubted she remembered why.
We hadnt seen them in a really long time which I never thought twice about... but actually saw them a few weeks ago and she was all over me with how great I looked and the compliments were flowing like Water. I just said thank you and kept walking... really biting my tongue not to give her a piece of my mind. As the evening wore on she and caught me in the bathroom... again with the compliments.... I cracked... and I said to her... You know Cherry... I appreciate all your kind words but they really have no bearing on my life. She was like... huh? why? I reminded her about the comments she made several years ago and she denied them at first then chalked it up to her being drunk. So I said to her... its really too bad you arent able to identify your shortcomings like I did. I knew I was fat and chose to do something about it. Hopefully for the sake of your physical and mental health you find the willpower to help yourself.
Safe to say she pretty much walked away but i hope she will think before she speaks next time...

They are well deserved!Its funny... I have said thank you more in the past 2 years then I have ever said in my life. Its certainly an eye opener tho.... It makes me wonder what people dont say!!!
For example... we have been going to a neighborhood sports bar / family restaurant for 15 yrs or so for a quick bite or drinks with friends. There are lots of regulars there so everyone knows somebody most times... a lot of the people have become our friends over the years.
Several years ago an incident happened one night... there is one couple we know... he is ok but she is a drunk and just a trashy type of gal... she was wasted and something was said about how hot she thought she looked... and she said to my hubby...well I am surprised you dont notice me considering what your wife looks like. Hubby was smart enough to walk away from her but told me about it for some reason. Of course this was pre banded days and my feelings were hurt but I didnt really pay her any mind. In fact I am always pleasant to everyone but in her case I pretty much ignored her whenever I ran into her after her comments... and I doubted she remembered why.
We hadnt seen them in a really long time which I never thought twice about... but actually saw them a few weeks ago and she was all over me with how great I looked and the compliments were flowing like Water. I just said thank you and kept walking... really biting my tongue not to give her a piece of my mind. As the evening wore on she and caught me in the bathroom... again with the compliments.... I cracked... and I said to her... You know Cherry... I appreciate all your kind words but they really have no bearing on my life. She was like... huh? why? I reminded her about the comments she made several years ago and she denied them at first then chalked it up to her being drunk. So I said to her... its really too bad you arent able to identify your shortcomings like I did. I knew I was fat and chose to do something about it. Hopefully for the sake of your physical and mental health you find the willpower to help yourself.
Safe to say she pretty much walked away but i hope she will think before she speaks next time...

In addition to speaking with your insurance company You may want to consult with a bariatric surgeon who is used to dealing with insurance companies. They might be able to give you some insights as to what you need to do to get it covered. It may involved a medical supervised diet up front but they would be able to guide you as they do it everyday as opposed to a primary dr who does not. Just a thought.
Best wishes on your journey.

You deserve every accolade CG! Embrace it!
You know its funny.... people I didnt even know existed come up to me all the time and make lovely comments... sometimes I wonder when me being thin will be "normal" LOL

You deserve every accolade CG! Embrace it!
You know its funny.... people I didnt even know existed come up to me all the time and make lovely comments... sometimes I wonder when me being thin will be "normal" LOL

One of my co workers took this pic last week at my birthday celebration... as you see they found me the smallest cake in the world. But when I looked at the picture I noticed there really is a space between my legs which I have seen before but seeing it in a casual pic is pretty eye opening.
I know I have lost alot of weight... but as crazy as it sounds... sometimes I cannot wrap my head around it and still feel like the biggest girl in the room. I am trying hard to think like a thin person and I am not looking for sympathy so if you think I should shut up and pound sand I get that.
At 5'9" and 153 lbs, wearing a size 10 shoe.... I am not petite... and I never will be....I guess maybe that is what I need to start accepting it. I am curious if any other tall galls dealt with this body image issue?

Happy Belated Birthday! Legs not touching is the best feeling. I am almost there. I am not very tall, 5'5 1/2" but my feet beat you all, size 12. It sucks!
You look wonderful and seeing your before and after makes me want this more than ever. Thank you again for showing your pictures.

Congratulations on making the decision! I am 5'9 and I started my journey at 377 lbs. it took me 23 months to lose 220 lbs. I have a feeling when you drop the first 100 you will be motivated to go all the way! Best wishes for success!

One of my co workers took this pic last week at my birthday celebration... as you see they found me the smallest cake in the world. But when I looked at the picture I noticed there really is a space between my legs which I have seen before but seeing it in a casual pic is pretty eye opening.
I know I have lost alot of weight... but as crazy as it sounds... sometimes I cannot wrap my head around it and still feel like the biggest girl in the room. I am trying hard to think like a thin person and I am not looking for sympathy so if you think I should shut up and pound sand I get that.
At 5'9" and 153 lbs, wearing a size 10 shoe.... I am not petite... and I never will be....I guess maybe that is what I need to start accepting it. I am curious if any other tall galls dealt with this body image issue?

I have been banded 2 yrs and 3 months... I have had no problems with slipping, leaks, port issues or anything really at all.

One of my co workers took this pic last week at my birthday celebration... as you see they found me the smallest cake in the world. But when I looked at the picture I noticed there really is a space between my legs which I have seen before but seeing it in a casual pic is pretty eye opening.
I know I have lost alot of weight... but as crazy as it sounds... sometimes I cannot wrap my head around it and still feel like the biggest girl in the room. I am trying hard to think like a thin person and I am not looking for sympathy so if you think I should shut up and pound sand I get that.
At 5'9" and 153 lbs, wearing a size 10 shoe.... I am not petite... and I never will be....I guess maybe that is what I need to start accepting it. I am curious if any other tall galls dealt with this body image issue?