Jim1967

You'll get there. Just follow the program your Doctor outlined and be true to yourself and it will come. It just takes time and a lot of patience.

You know it's not going to be pretty when they just stick a plus sign next the number of inches forecast-ed. Stay safe my friends. X marks the spot for me

Hey All, Just wanted to pop in and say hello. Hope you're all doing well and enjoying life. Also, wanted to say thanks for the recommendations on the dry skin remedies. Since incorporating flaxseed oil two weeks ago the winter itches are gone.

@amponder I hear you about the loose skin. I am yet to investigate it but I have it bad. Skin even sags on my leg area.

I almost reached that weight and I realize how fortunate I was to have a second chance. BMi is based on height and weight and at 5'6 488lbs my BMI was 78.8 the day I walked in and met my Surgeon. He told me if I could lose 5% of my weight and put the work in and if insurance approves it he would give me a tool to use to help turn my life around. It is unfortunate help is not easily as accessible for others as it was for me. I think all insurance companies should cover bariatrics but I agree with educational side of it. Blindly approving people for it without proper education would be a huge mistake. Fear of death is a huge motivator it is just unfortunate it came to that but it also taught me a life long lesson that there is no "fix" for obesity and it will forever be work in progress until the final day of my life. Edit: Not a complaint but rather an observation....I have lost 325+ pounds and I am still in the overweight category. I am sure if I had all the loose skin removed I would be in the norm but let's face it those BMI charts are a joke. My Surgeon even told me they're BS.

Head Hunger is the biggest bitch of all...Some of us are lucky where we get banded and for some strange reason the head hunger dissipates but for others no real change at all. My Wife (she is banded as well) and I are like that. My head hunger rarely raises it's ugly head but for my wife she battles with it often.

My Surgeon never gave me a goal but rather asked me what my goal was. I asked a couple of times throughout my journey (in the early stages) about a goal and I was simply told..."Just do your best and see what you can do with it. Goal is to live a healthy, happy life" I started thinking he did not want to put pressure on me by giving me a goal weight especially while pushing 488lbs. My goal was 220. I figured if I could hit 220lbs again I could live with that....

I chose the band because it was less invasive. Sleeve also was not an available option at the time at my Center. If Sleeve were available then choosing the Band may not have been so easy although I clearly have no regrets.

@@lisacaron I hear what you're saying about the aches and pains of the cold. I never used to be bothered by winter (with exception to driving to and from work in traffic during a storm) but now I am just a miserable at times. I am freezing all the time and a new one for me this year is my skin. I am either putting lotion or gold bond powder on my back and stomach to keep myself from tearing my skin off. I don't recall it being this bad last year. I don't know if it is wind burn or chafing but it is driving me nuts. I guess these are just signs that I need to get the loose skin removed. Stay warm my friends only 71 days till Spring!!

Little chilly this morning....

I went to Disney World week of December 6 through 12th. Came back and worked for a week then had another two off for Christmas, New Years vacation. I ate what I wanted and when I wanted all while listening to my band but I did eat things I typically do not eat. Cookies, candy and a bit of fried food. I have to say while it tasted it good man it did it leave me bogged down and lethargic at times. Thankfully I am back to my clean ways and the scale was actually at a new low for me yesterday.

I went from 393 to 219 back up to 488 in 10 years time. Yes, I can lose weight on my own without WLS. Maintaining has always been the problem for me..

Hi Nikki, I agree whole heartily with GoWalking. I urge you to be strong and seek out help before this becomes and out of control problem. Please do not trade in one addiction for another. You've clearly worked hard to get to this place and as you've learned already there is no shame in asking for help when you need it. But you have to take the first step. As for your husband...have you spoken with him to confirm what you're thinking or are you just speculating? You could have a problem drummed up in your head that doesn't even exist. I think the important part right now is that you both sit down and communicate and be open about it. Group therapy doesn't hurt either. It gives you both a place to safely sit down and talk and speak freely. I know you didn't ask for the advice but rather whether or not anyone else had similar experiences. Please know I am just concerned for you. As for my own issues I wouldn't say it is depression but when I look in the mirror I still see a very big man even though I know I am not. Clearly I have some self image issues. I would probably be fine once I have skin removal surgery. I have at times pondered talking to someone about it but honestly it is not impacting my life that much. I am definitely in a better, healthy situation in life at this point. Wish you the best of luck!!

Congratulations!!

Really wish I could attend

Congratulations Fred!!

Happy New Year my friends. Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Cheers to all and let us each write our own best Seller!!

Happy Chanukah and Merry Christmas my friends. Just read a post that pissed me off a bit. Guess I should go find something else to do with my free time. It really irks me when someone who has never been banded makes off the cuff comments that the band should be avoided like the plague if you have over a 100 pounds to lose. How dare they say that with absolutely no experiences to back it up with? People come on here for advice and support and all they face is more questions and self doubt about their choices. Sometimes I just want to scream at the top of my lungs....so frustrating.

Not sure how or why you'd be afraid of the band. Band is the least invasive surgical options of all those currently available. Or are you referring you'd be afraid of not being successful with it? I love my band and its helped me lose 285lbs since April 2012....and like you I miss nothing whatsoever before my band.

WLS no doubt saved my life...While I had no real physical health issues aside from arthritis and sleep apena I knew I was going down hill fast physically and mentally. Day to day life was a chore and I was reaching a point where I almost wanted it to end. Day to day life was a chore. Walking from my car to my office even with the use of an elevator was tough. Wiping my ass even took some effort. It was an experience I will never forget and will never repeat.

Hello All, Hope all is well with all of you. Having a hard time getting back to reality after an amazing 7 days in Florida. I estimate I walked about 27 miles in those 7 days according to my IPhone App which probably is not that reliable. Weather was OK considering what it was like in NH but I had high hopes of 80's. I got that my first day and it was down hill from there. Dropped into the 40's at night. Disney and Universal was fantastic. I cannot get over the detail of the Harry Potter stuff at Universal. You literally feel like you walked into the movie. I sent this Magic Kingdom picture to my Sister in MA on Saturday. It was in the 80's and sun shining. MA was getting an ice storm as Arlene mentioned. LOL My Sister informed me that "I suck and she was jealous" This pic of me on the Plane waiting to depart NH. NSV....no seat belt extender and plenty of room!! My Buddy Eric photo-bombing me in the background. Kelli and I standing in front of Hogwarts Express at Universal What remains of the JAWS ride at Universal. They tore it down to make way for Harry Potter. Huge fan of JAWS and the ride was cheesy but still I was sad to see it gone. Last but not least Kelli and I at Disney's Hollywood Studios Osbourne Festival of Lights show

Hello my friends I hope you are all doing well. Tomorrow is the big day....I am off to Disney/Universal for 7 days. My reward for hitting the goal I set 2+ years ago. I already expect my first NSV when I sit down in that Plane without needing two seats or an armrest that lifts and.....and NO seatbelt extender!!! Found some old jeans in the closet that was a blast from past and wanted to share. . Be well and talk to you all in about a week

Tomorrow morning I board a plane for Orlando for a 7 day Disney/Universal Vacation. This was the reward I set myself in 2012 when my journey began. I told myself if I could ever make goal this is how I will reward myself. It amazes me how different life is from 3 short years ago when I could bearly stand on my own two feet for 10 minutes. My advice....set a goal and never lose sight of the dream. Put yourself first and get the help you need to be successful where ever it may be.

Hi Carole, It is good to see you. I often wondered how you were doing, hoping you were doing well. You were one of the first to welcome me to the site and offer me advice and encouragement and I thank you for that. I am happy to hear you are doing well and considering you've had the band removed and it is great you've been able to maintain. Now that I have made it this far in my journey I have often wondered myself what life would be like without my band and quite frankly the thought is terrifying. I have even had some bad dreams about it. I still do not trust I could do it without help. Even now I still weigh myself daily to hold myself accountable. wish you all the best, Jim

Happy Birthday Debbie!!