nancyginnm

Final is a federal legislation and it is NOT up to your employer. Here is the legislation
Employees can take job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for serious health conditions. But the U.S. Department of Labor's FMLA regulations say, “conditions for which cosmetic treatments are administered (such as most treatments for acne or plastic surgery) are not ‘serious health conditions’ unless inpatient hospital care is required or unless complications develop.” (FMLA 29 C.F.R. § 825.113(d))

I had often told myself during my journey that even if I were to ever possibly hit goal I would never post a success story. Maybe I was being modest or perhaps just really hard on myself or…just not able to forgive myself for ever letting my weight get out of control as it had. I guess a lot of it no matter how you sum it up is really just embarrassment.
Well I had a change of heart. That change of heart came because I can remember so vividly the feeling of the hopelessness and despair. At times I felt I was knocking on deaths door and that there was nothing I could do about it. So I am writing this tonight in hopes that if I can help just one person even if only one tiny bit then it is my responsibility to do so. I believe in paying it forward and giving back. If it wasn’t for the people before me that helped me then where would I be? It would be irresponsible for me not to do the same. You are not alone and there are people out there, really good decent people who can help you but YOU have to want it and at some point you need to swallow your pride and ask for the help. Help will not come to you. YOU have to seek it out.
I have told my story several times and you can read it on my profile. I lost 170lbs doing Atkins between 2003 and 2004. I went from 393 to 220 and felt great…and then I got sloppy and let my guard down and weight started packing on. I went from 220 to 488 in 8 years’ time.
At 488lbs doing day to day activities was quite a chore. My knees were taking a beating carrying so much weight on a 5’6 inch frame. I developed arthritis and serious sleep apnea. Walking from the parking lot to my office was a real task and that was even with the use of an elevator. I had to sit out in the car and have my Wife do the grocery shopping because I couldn’t last more than 10 minutes on my feet. I had to sit and fold laundry sitting in a chair. This list could go on and on about the limited mobility. My amazing Wife stood by me and encouraged me to make a change but we both knew until I was ready to commit to change it would not happen. I am not sure how many other women out there would have put up with what she did. My weight affected us both physically and mentally. I did not feel like much of husband at times and I am sure there were plenty of times she felt more like a caregiver than a wife at times although she never said so or complained.
Something had to give and it finally did and in September 2011 with my wife at my side I attended a local seminar for WLS. We listened to the Doctor discuss all the surgical options available at the time and being new and somewhat naïve we decided Lapband was the way to go. It was reversible and probably the least invasive of all procedures. I signed up for a one on one consult with the Surgeon that night. October 2011 I met with the Doctor and told him I ready to make a life change. He told me he wanted to see me lose 24lbs and work on shrinking the liver. Insurance required me to do a 6 month monitored diet so instead of losing 24lbs preop I lost 38lbs. My Surgeon was impressed and after completing all the preop requirements I finally got a surgery date of April 16, 2012. I weighed in on surgery morning at 450lbs on the button.
So there I was April 17th and getting discharged from the hospital and all that went through my mind is why the hell did I do this? There was no way it would work and I will be known as the fat guy who couldn’t lose weight with WLS.
As much as you research and prepare for this new life it seems at some point you say OK well I had the surgery why is the weight not coming off?? This is so frustrating!!! Well apparently I had never heard of bandster hell. Bandster hell is that time from when you have the surgery to the time you actually get the necessary fills to get the need restriction to control your portions. Some very few people are lucky they have the surgery and automatically get that restriction. Not me, it took me 6 months. 6 months of frustration.
Probably one of the most difficult pieces for me to learn was patience. Lack of patience made this road even longer. I stepped on the scale almost daily these last 2.5 years waiting on a large drop in numbers that never happened. How on earth could you possibly see a large drop if you’re stepping on the scale daily? Do yourself a favor and don’t do it. To this day I still step on it daily but now it is about accountability not so much weight loss.
Always look for other measures to success. We call them Non Scale Victories or NSV’s. Losing weight is not just about numbers. For a while I was buying new clothes every other month because I was shrinking so fast. I went from a size 62 waist to a 34. I went from squeezing into theater seats to have padded space on each side.
I could go on and on here rambling about all sorts of stuff weight and band related. If you’ve read this far then thank you and thank you to those who helped me get here. I would like to especially thanks @@Alex Brecher without him I wouldn’t have a home here and I perhaps would’ve remained lost.
If anyone has any questions or comments or just need someone to talk to don't hesitate to message me regardless how personal you think your question may be.
My name is Jim and I am junk food addict. I have lost 300lbs and the lapband saved my life. 2yrs and 8 months 488 to 188.
Peace!!

I too am stuck on a plateau .I have been 187-189 forever.I can wear smaller pants than tops due to my body shape. Although I have lost over 100 lbs., I sometimes still feel huge. It is hard because I should know I won't transform into a petite girl. My shoulders are broad and even if I lose 40 more lbs. I will never been teeny tiny. I am trying to focus on my cardio and workouts but sometimes I feel like a big old Amazon, surrounded by friends and family that are size 2's. I have to limit my weigh ins to once a week or I get super down for the whole day. Also, I have learned to really find clothing styles that flatter my body. The right cut and style for body type can make you feel and look slimmer. Don't be so hard on yourself. You look beautiful!

Any pictures to share? If I can afford it, this would be my surgery after reaching goal. Have not shown above my elbow in over 30 yrs. Glad you said there was no pain and recovery was easy.

I say 3200 very well spent. I have to have a large hernia repaired once I'm a goal and plan to have a Tummy Tuck at the same time. I have not shown my arms publicly in over 30 years. I hope I can get up the courage to get my arms done after my hernia repair. As I lose the weight they are looking worst. Why did you chose going to Mexico, and how are you feeling? Also did you wait until you were at goal before having the surgery?

Thanks for sharing. You are smiling and look so happy. So you're saying it was not too bad a surgery? How many hours? How many days were you on pain meds? Congrats! And Dr is cute too!

I've lost well over a 100 pounds since my surgery. I went from a size 28 pants to a size 12. Problem is, when I go cloths shopping, I still go to the plus size section. Just the other day I bought a cute shirt - 3X! When I put it on the next day, it was clearly too big! Am I crazy? Does anyone else not "realize" how much weight they have lost?

I don't think I would buy the larger size but I am always asking my husband if I am smaller or bigger than someone walking by me. I have no idea how I look. I know I can wear size 16. but don't know what that means.

i love to hike! my only tip is, make sure you bring plenty of Water and some Snacks.

Duck lips unite!!!!

I just ran my second 5K race this past weekend. I finished 3rd in my age division, and beat my old time by 4 minutes. I have only been running for two months. I don't know if it gets easier, but I love the fact that is pushes my body and my mind to places I didn't think were possible. If I can stay healthy I suspect I will be logging some serious miles this spring. Good luck with your training!!!

Prior to LB surgery, my highest weight was 340. I am now about 219 and I exercise A LOT Prior to surgery, I had some bilateral knee pain but that's about it (I'm hitting 50 this year). The last couple of months I have been experiencing some back pain. I don't know if its because I'm carrying a lot of extra weight up front (boobs and belly skin) or if I'm over doing the exercise.
Has anyone else experienced this? I thought losing weight would help any pains you were having? Any suggestions?>

I suspect I could eat anything if I cut it up small enough, but I stick to band rules, which for me are:
No bread or breadlike products (hamburger Buns, pizza, etc)
No Pasta
No rice, couscous, or small grains that could "plug up" the stoma
No fibrous things like celery or asparagus. A really ripe peach would probably be too stringy/fibrous.
No big ol' gobs of sticky things like Peanut Butter, although I can tolerate a thin spread of Peanut Butter on melba toast and I use this for a snack.< /p>
Something I've noticed since being banded is that even looking/considering these items provokes a Pavlovian response in my mind. Right now at work there is a plate of pastries sitting out in the common room. Pre-band, I would have either eaten them or obsessed over them. Post-band? Just the idea of getting a hunk of bread stuck in my stoma turns me off immediately. This is the beauty of the band...naturally good choices are made, without that feeling of frustration.

I have troubles with Pasta. Geez and I'm Italian

Hi everyone. I was wondering if others have this issue. Are there foods that you just CAN'T eat? For me personally, I cannot eat, french fries (a good thing), hot dogs and some ground beef. If I even try, it gets stuck and my tum is irritated for the rest of the day. Just wondering if this is normal.

Hi everyone. I was wondering if others have this issue. Are there foods that you just CAN'T eat? For me personally, I cannot eat, french fries (a good thing), hot dogs and some ground beef. If I even try, it gets stuck and my tum is irritated for the rest of the day. Just wondering if this is normal.

I have told only my husband, no one else. I have not told anyone at work, and will not tell them. I am taking vacation, so no eyebrows will be raised. If anyone asks as I am losing weight, I will say that I am seeing a nutritionist and a personal trainer. Not a lie.

hi nancy-
you have every right to be upset. this is a very big decision and a very personal one at that. if you didnt feel comfortable sharing this with anyone yet he should have respected your wishes and kept his mouth shut. I just got banded about a week ago. only my parents and husband know- no one else. and i dont plan on telling anyone either. I feel ppl can be very judgemental eventho they have no right to be. this is something i did for myself, for my own future and health and its no ones damn business how i did it.
I hope you can talk to your husband and tell him how much this has upset you. Maybe(hopefully) he will understand and respect your wishes for the future.
Wish you much success on your new journey.

Thank you all for your responses. Very interesting. So can anbody eat Subway Sandwich? lol That is my favorite food ever!