Julie norton

there are ups and downs for most people I would think. You are so right with the numbers. We know we didn't overeat anywhere near a pound of calories (3500) yet it shows up. Life is not fair. Personally I can keep calories low and work out and times the scale won't budge. I also checked out some new medication side effects. Of course weight gAin was listed. I was able to switch meds thankfully and my clothes are once again feeling looser (I am not a daily weigher). And just for added pounds.... Menopause does not help Nonetheless. Here I am headed towards 8 years post surgery and happy to not "fight" hunger daily Life is easier at a more "normal" size for me. Good luck!!

How do you get through the sadness and longing everyday? Having my adult kids visit is good. And therapy. But the missing. And the daily tears Just sad 20+years of a great fun marriage gone in 5 weeksFrom first dr visit to death. 2 months and I just still can hardly belie bit daily

How do you get through the sadness and longing everyday? Having my adult kids visit is good. And therapy. But the missing. And the daily tearsJust sad

Well said. I think some people don't understand that many overweight people are truly hungry. You cannot just diet your way out of that. It remains until a large change happens in my opinion. That was a huge gift with the band. No more obsessing thinking planning shopping cooking cleaning. Centered around food. It is just a more everyday small need than focus of my life. I am thankful!!

Good luck. Just keep going and trying. Lots of us have just put one good day next to another and another. Yes occasionally. Cocktails or a desert sidetrack THAT DAY. But then it seems to me easier to get back to putting good days together again I could have lost. But never Maintained!!! My weight loss for 7 1/2 years without a tiny piece of Equipment in my stomach entry. I mostly appreciate NOT being hungry except when needed Keep going. Keep us posted

tThis is one of the hardest long term life lesson I have ever experienced. Even 7 years out. A little too loose and I regain. Sigh. Don't want it too tight tho part of me loves losing weight absolutely. Back to the dr

I really like reading about other banders. Try to remember what life without the band was like. Lose 20 gain 20. Maybe more Over and over and over. Feel like failure. Now. It's not as much loss as you want but it is staying off. And w/o your band perhaps you would steadily be going UP. For me I am so grateful to change my life at 50 !!! 7 years plus and only a little came back. And I can work hard and get most of that off Don't despair. Life is better for almost all of us Even 5% -10% of your body weight off helps you be better❤️

Sometimes the stomach ship needs to be abiden Seems life is on this long twisty journey I can feel good. Enjoy lots of life????hopeful Julie

Thanks healthy It is truly an individual struggle isn't it? Having surgery was such a big step for me. Changed the rest of my life. And nearing 60 I'm gonna try to make it a good last 1/3 of life. But some days (actually nights) are difficult. Just gotta start over the next day for me and keep trying to put together a good week and then month. Goes fast And sometimes I look at old pics and am sooo thankful for the change Julie

Well said Melinda Totally not fair crap food goes down easy and lean proteins and salads are tougher. That said. Week by week we forge ahead. Trying to exercise Now I'm trying a support group with some help also. We shall see. It is really an individual struggle isn't it?? Julie

Thank you for reminding me to try everyday to love my self more heck. Some days I don't even like me. But mostly I do because I do know I am a good person and I try hard to do what is right ❤️

May I also chime in ladies?? The losing may be slow. But to me,The NOT gaining back,Yo-yo dieting syndrome is gone from my life. All the wasted time thinking of ways to drop 10 lbs by next(fill in the blank). It is truly long term ... then the healthy things that go with it. A walk. (Ok. Not enough of those. Trying ) I just appreciate navigating in the world made for mid size people!!????

I don't tell many. You can't unring a bell only those serious about needing to know. Or considering surgery. I am forthright about eating well and working out 2-3 x a week. I'm now signing up for a 5 k in Golden Gate park just to make myself walk more. And I want to see more of the Park. It is a couple hours away. Also a good excuse to go away

For some reason my Doc places ports right below the middle of my boobs. It's ok but a wire bra can hurt a bit after a long day. Or if I sit slouching (bad habit I know). I guess each surgeon has their reasons. No problems in over 7 years so I'm ok with it. I can sure feel it right under my skin

Thanks Jack. I feel that way too. Everyone has their own sense of normalcy

I'm chiming in on this thread. Great info here. I am over 7 years post op and would surely do it again. Not always easy, and I do get checked once a year, but the band allowed me a much healthier lifestyle. I embrace it (on most days )but no one is perfect. It allowed me to stop thinking diet and start just living life. Long term progress. Can I just say I feel like I fit in this world better at this size??

Funny! However. Getting new bras feels great. They do stretch and I have to remind myself to take the time and energy to go try on ten or so to get a good fit. Waocal are nice but yikes! Expensive. Puts the girls up a bit higher... Better

All of us in my office thought Rachael looked far too thin. Almost skeletal. Sad because that show could do a decent job of educating people about eating better and exercising(????altho not 4-6 hours a day!)too bad it is about money now. Not enough about health and long term goals of a good well rounded life. Just our opinion

What a great way to put it. Wish I had known about lap band sooner. Changed my outlook on life in general Happy!

I think we all need to look at the BIG. LONG picture. One year out. 2 years out. Week by week is very tricky and can upset some people. Kinda like the issue of weighing every day. Big picture...rest of your healthy life❤️

Oops sorry. Typo. Truly miss about my fat!

I'm also cold...even in California. Long pants slippers. Shirt and jacket. Heating pad(my best friend) and a blanket. And hubby in t-shirt and shorts. All this just to sit and watch a tv show with him I do now use an electric blanket at night because I can't get into a cold bed and warm it up like I used to. One of the ONLY things I truly is about my fat!

I am sending you positive thoughts to do whatever you think your body needs. I have faith and hope you will find what you are looking for. And insurance that is a hard one. Lots of money. Lots of hoops to jump thru. I knew at 50 yrs old I couldn't lose it by myself since I hadn't kept weight off in years. You are young and can have a different life I am years out and SO glad I did the lapband. I wish I had done it sooner. Best wishes. Keep us updated

Life is hard and maintaining a good lifestyle is also hard. If I did not make "dates" with my pals to meet at a certain time at the gym 2x a week. I don't think I would go nearly as much. So easy to blow it off. Too rainy too tired. Wanna just go home. We do text each other to make certain. I think it helps me. Still hard. But thankful AFTER every time

I have great hope for 2014. I know there will be challenges... Even after 7 years I learn ... I am resolving to join a WLS. Support group this year. Hoping for Feb 1 in SF. Need to hear from others because they truly understand