the1surething

I'm so excited! I just gave my size 17 and up pants to goodwill today!! They didn't fit and I knew there was no reason to keep them around!

For anyone offended by my post - I want to say this. Clearly I am a PROPONENT of exercise. I said that not exercising has had little to no bearing on MY weight loss and that it worked FOR ME. Obviously I and everyone else in the world knows that you have to exercise to be healthy. The original poster - unless I read it wrong - was (rather angrily) stating that you HAVE to exercise to LOSE WEIGHT. That has not been my reality - I may not be healthy, I may not be toned but I have lost a lot of weight with little exercise (on average 1-2x per week for an hour each on a treadmill). I should have completed my post with the following: I sit on these forums day in and day out - and I see people complaining the band is not working for them or they are not losing weight - and the minute someone starts digging a little deeper and asking questions we find out that the person is exceeding the surgeon recommended caloric intake (we've all seen multiple posts like this). The person is not following the rules, is eating sliders/junk whatever the case may be. And I think to myself - weight loss is about CALORIES. Exercising helps burn calories - but in the end you can exercise all day and if you're eating way too many calories - more than the exercise is burning - then you will not lose weight period. I am a "bad bandster" for not exercising that much - but I will say this for myself - I religiously stick to the caloric intake recommended by my surgeon. That is often a difficult thing to do and took a ton of discipline in the first 4.5 months when I had no restriction - but was still losing. I'll end with YES YOU NEED TO EXERCISE AND SO DO I. But to say that there will be no weightloss without exercise isn't accurate. Again, you may not be healthy, you may not be toned and a lot of other bad stuff may occur without exercise - and maintenance of weight loss once at goal may not happen without exercise - but weight loss is largely about calories. So if you are going to exercise be sure to keep in mind calories (surgeon/nutritionist recommended - whatever that is for you). BEST OF LUCK TO US ALL ON OUR JOURNEYS!!!!

good luck...my surgery is also on the 16th...I can't wait...I have been on liquid pre-op for 2 weeks so I am ready to eat something I actually miss fruits and vegetables. your boss is a d**k for making you get him lunch.

BI am writing this but I don't need to because all the answeres are here to read. I am not a failure because I did lose 65 lbs., but I didn't meet the goal I set for myself and am far from the one the doctor set.
I got my band on 3/9/09, it went well, the weight had started to come off Nov. 08 because I decided to do the band at that time. I chose the band because I didn't want to be on a diet the rest of my life, I gave up sweet tea, ate smaller portions and waited for the band. Doc put in a couple of cc's in surgery and I felt great. Weight came off all over without much exercise and I was so dang happy. Had a fill in Oct. all was well until Jun or Jul and I TIGHTEN UP! Some out, waited to long and gained before a fill again in Oct. Now here I am almost 3 years out and I have never had restriction like others mention, steak, bread. rice no prolems; normally. But my band is fickle, I am tight some mornings, I don't ever seem to be hungry (I can forget to eat till I get lightheaded); temps change and nothing wants to go down for a day or so. Then I am right back to eat what I want if I do it slowly. I have goten stuck on cream soup, eaten something for lunch, but can't eat it at dinner. I have also noticed that my taste in food has changed. Chicken salad, tuna, deli meat and grilled chicken breast were my staples, now I don't want any of it. I am craving the sweet stuff and trying to bypass it with coffee (not good). I want a fill, but I don't think I really want it. I don't want to be overfilled, I think I'm at about 5cc. and I have started to do the late night graze. I need resolve and it is going in the wrong direction. Don't bother to fuss, that's not what is needed; this journey is about the mental process and I think mine has slipped.

Hi all!
I am subscribed to an email newsletter called Godvine. Every weekday they send me an email with a verse, several video clips, and a story. This story was in the letter from yesterday, 2/3. It really warmed my heart, so I had to share it with you all.
"Get Off The scale
Whether weight is a 'problem' in your life or it's some other single factor, this can apply to everyone. Never forget it!
You are beautiful. Your beauty, just like your capacity for life, happiness, and success, is immeasurable. Day after day, countless people across the globe get on a scale in search of validation of beauty and social acceptance.
Get off the scale! I have yet to see a scale that can tell you how enchanting your eyes are. I have yet to see a scale that can show you how wonderful your hair looks when the sun shines its glorious rays on it. I have yet to see a scale that can thank you for your compassion, sense of humor, and contagious smile. Get off the scale because I have yet to see one that can admire you for your perseverance when challenged in life.
It's true, the scale can only give you a numerical reflection of your relationship with gravity. That's it. It cannot measure beauty, talent, purpose, life force, possibility, strength, or love. Don't give the scale more power than it has earned. Take note of the number, then get off the scale and live your life. You are beautiful!"

I too, had my band placed Monday. It hasn't been a picnic, I feel what you are saying. In addition to the abdominal pain, I thought that dry mouth would drive me insane! Then, my throat was red, swollen, raw,,went to Dr,,had laryngitis.Then 2 days ago, developed cramps in my calves, went to Dr, thank God, no DVT. I swear by all that's holy, the devil himself developed protein shakes. I imagine hell as a place you eat nothing but protein shakes. I sat here all week missing work (never thought that would happen)knowing my friends and family were doing the things I love to do,, but can't yet,,going to the beach, movies (don't want to smell popcorn), out to dinner, Friday night happy hour,,
My girlfriend stopped over last night,, I couldn't even put a bra on (hits my top steri-strip) and sit at the table! So I stayed on the couch covered up like a 'sick' person! I watch my husband and my children go about life so normally,,in and out of the fridge, having no idea how lucky they are to be able to move thier jaws up and down over substance according to God's plan...(I have been known to be a bit of a drama queen),,,lol
So I had a crying jag last night after everyone went to bed. Spent some time truly feeling sorry for myself,,ohh yeahh,,a pity party like no other..I am mourning the passing of my old life. Yes, I was (am) fat. That doesn't mean I didn't love my life!
So I woke up this morning. Everyone was at work. My poor dog. He knows I'm not myself,,curls up next to me moaning like he thinks I'm dying..so I got up, carefully put my bra on (avoiding steri-strips,,10 minute job, but hey,,I got all day) and put my sneaks on. Inside part of me was screaming,'nooo back to bed,,we must continue our pity party!)...I grabbed the dog leash, my iphone, earplugs, and off we went! We walked 30 minutes. I didn't 'power walk', didn't think about calories, just walked. And Thanked God for the beautiful day, the shining sun, the ability to put 1 foot in front of the other..
I am almost 50 years old. 20 of those years obese. I have 85 lbs to lose. As I've aged, this weight (coupled with arthritis) has made pain in my hips, ankles, knees part of my daily life.My first grandchild is due in 8 days. I want to know what it's like not to drip sweat from the simple exertion of holding a baby and walking around the room. I want to wear jeans with zippers! I want to be able to cross my legs when sitting! to wear a shirt that is not princess cut! a bathing suit without a skirt! to eat a small amount of food, and like a skinny girl say, 'oh my, I'm absolutely stuffed'!..lol
I know I haven't had my last moment of sadness/regret/depression, but I do know I will find my way out.
So I say we buck up! think of all the wonderous things we are going to be able to do! I wish you all the luck in the world, as I do every person on this forum.
Let's do this!