pink dahlia

I cant eat chicken breast no matter how its cooked, baked, bbq, roasted, it doesnt matter, it wont go down. So I switched to chicken thighs and wings with no problems. Yes the thighs mays have a bit more fat on them, but I need the protein, so I just dont worry about the little bit of extra fat I might get.

Advice ? Yes, give yourself a big hug and a pat on the back !!! You have lost 25 lbs in 5 months, or an average of 1.4 lbs a WEEK ! !! That is very healthy "normal" progress, as 1-2 lbs a week is usually whats recommended. CONGRATULATIONS ! Keep up the good work !

Browneyes, you are right on with your comment of " I deserve a better life, etc " Oh so true ! I started out about the same weight as you ( but 5 inches shorter, sigh.........) but I can only tell you from my experience, it was the best and smartest thing I could of done for myself. The surgery and recovery was easy, I followed my Dr rules most of the time , listened to my body about fills, exercised , and the weight came off. I couldnt be happier ! I can live my life again without my weight holding me back ! Hope all goes well for you ! Good luck !!!

My Dr. told me to follow his rules 95 % of the time to be successful. I did and I was ! Still very happy with my band ! Good luck !

Who knows what your kids will want to do education wise when the time comes. They may decide on the military, or no college at all, or they may look at the "trades", which could be building trades, mechanical trades, etc. ( Free, no college needed, but will be some training /schooling) College is' nt for everyone, alot of people with college degrees are looking for ANY job, not just one related to their degree. There are'nt alot of jobs out there and a college degree does' nt guarantee one anymore. Ask yourself this, "If I use the money wisely to further MY education, will this eventually let me earn more $ to put away for my kids ?" Just a thought, my best to you !

Nobody is ashamed when they go to AA meetings for a drinking problem, Rebab for a drug problem, or use a nicotine patch for a smoking problem. Everyone thinks well of them for getting healthy ! Well, food is an addiction too, but people forget that. You're just getting help in a surgical way. Good for you for getting smart about your future and your health! You have NOTHINGto be ashamed of ! Good luck !

Congratulations Bandista !! Happy for you ! Love your progress report , Its so much like mine ! I also started at a size 18, now almost any size 10 off the rack will fit. I also got addicted to exercise , running ! Cant run far or fast, but as soon as my plantar facitis ( heel injury) heals , I'll be back to running ! Congrats to you !!

Congrats on getting started ! Its a big step, but a necessary one if your Dr and you are on the same page. The fact that you 're fit can go along way in your recovery. My only regret is that I did'nt have WLS sooner ! Good luck and ask lots of ? !!

Wow ! What an accomplishment ! You should be soooo proud of yourself ! From a fellow Washingtonian, CONGRATULATIONS !!!

Whoa yummymummy !!! I know you're frustrated about the saggy skin, but I had no idea you were having such other problems too ! Congrats on loosing 50 lbs in 7 months ! Great job ! You might want to see your Dr. about the constant hunger and low energy, and ask him/her about the bathroom problem. If you're drinking enough fluids this should'nt be a problem at all. I cant help you on the hair loss, never had any. As far as eating out, why cant you eat out ? Im on vacation right now, so im eating out more than usual, but just ordering a small version of my meal, eating a little and saving the rest for another meal. Hope this helps, please see your Dr. ASAP ! I wish you well, let us know how you're doing !!!

God. No. Never again. I dont have saggy skin so I cant speak about that, but im way happier and healthier than ive been in a looooonnnnnnngggggg time. I still have 20 extra lbs, a chubby tummy, and far from perfect skin, but I'll still take all that over being overweight ! Hopefully you will be able to see the positive over the negative soon. Good luck !

Somehow my "send button " got hit twice, sorry bout that. I did notice someone above made a comment about peri menopause and how it brings out the crankiness in some women. Oh, how true ! !!! That caused some bitchiness with me , and also, too much SUGAR make me extremely angry , VERY quickly !! Although you cant control all your problems, you can control your sugar intake to some degree. A healthier, less sugar diet does wonders for me. Just something to think about ! I wish you well.

Um okay, wow.............speechless. Well, almost. I get that you are working with Dr.s for you issues , good for you ! I also get that you are trying to figure out why you 're feeling so angry and judgemental etc. Dont know, im not a Dr. But if this is any help , years ago I went through a long , rough, hit rock bottom situation. It was all I could do to hold a basic conversation with people. I found that since I had no desire to speak alot, I had to choose my words very carefully. My boss commented about me " She is very blunt, she speaks her mind but she is very tactful, very polite, very careful of everyones feelings, but you know where you stand with her. "4 I was fine with that reputation, still am very careful to speak like that. You might want to choose your words slowly and carefully, that way you get your point across clearly, but are'nt offending anyone. My best to you !!!

Um okay, wow.............speechless. Well, almost. I get that you are working with Dr.s for you issues , good for you ! I also get that you are trying to figure out why you 're feeling so angry and judgemental etc. Dont know, im not a Dr. But if this is any help , years ago I went through a long , rough, hit rock bottom situation. It was all I could do to hold a basic conversation with people. I found that since I had no desire to speak alot, I had to choose my words very carefully. My boss commented about me " She is very blunt, she speaks her mind but she is very tactful, very polite, very careful of everyones feelings, but you know where you stand with her. " I was fine with that reputation, still am very careful to speak like that. You might want to choose your words slowly and carefully, that way you get your point across clearly, but are'nt offending anyone. My best to you !!!

Great job ! Tell us more !

I think you look great !! Congrats !! Im purely guessing, but you may see your self as needing to lose more weight when you might just need toning to tighten up certain areas. That doesnt necessary mean a loss of lbs on the scale, but would change your bodys muscles etc. Yoga, pilates weights ? Either way, you look beautiful !!!

Congrats on also hitting " onederland !!!"

PS - forgot to tell you this, try getting the Sketchers tennis shoes that have the built in full foot squishy gel pad. Amazing for the Plantar F., also my 3 pairs of Nike running shoes have the same thing , but the Nikes are very hard to get on, the Sketchers are easy. I also wear the gel pads in them for extra cush. Huge help !!!

Weird that this subject came up as I was just diagnosed with this Plantar Facitis ( ?) just 2 weeks ago ! I thought I had just bruised my heel running ! You're right about this being painful, its not for sissys !!!! I cant tell you if it would change after your weight loss as ive lost most of my weight, and since I can't run at all for awhile and only walk short distances I ve put on about 4 lbs. Not alot but very frustrating. Also have had huge sweet attacks! Beside the stretching, ice and Dr. Scholls gel heel pads, the only thing that has helped is swimming. Good exercise, easy on the joints, and you can use one foot only if thats all you can put weight on. Hope you feel better soon !!!

PS , your pics just showed up on my screen, your mom looks AMAZING ! Tell her congratulations and great job ! Way to go on both of you !!!

Amazing job you've done ! Congratulations ! You should be so proud of yourself !

Its 6:30 am and im sitting in a NJ hotel getting ready to head out and take a train to Cooperstown , NY for a week of fun . ( Hubby is an umpire), anyone have any advice, things to see or do in between hubbys schedule ? Thanks ! Bandista, congrats on all your pretty dahlias, not one of my 8 (Seattle area) came up this year. Not sure what happened but I sure love them !

Here is one of them google " Mels kitchen cafe " for 40 make ahead meals. Looks good to me !

I dont cook alot either, its just me and my hubby now, kids are moved out . (Yay !), but if I had had kids at home and were super busy like you are I would of cooked differently, now that im banded. How about making it the big "once a month cooking day " and then it all goes into the freezer ? Take out what you need nightly for the next days meals . I dont remember what its called, maybe google "freezer cooking " or " make ahead meals "? But lots of variety, easy on the wallet, less cooking stress, etc. Good luck !

I dont cook alot either, its just me and my hubby now, kids are moved out . (Yay !), but if I had had kids at home and were super busy like you are I would of cooked differently, now that im banded. How about making it the big "once a month cooking day " and then it all goes into the freezer ? Take out what you need nightly for the next days meals . I dont remember what its called, maybe google "freezer cooking " or " make ahead meals "? But lots of variety, easy on the wallet, less cooking stress, etc. Good luck !