Julie norton

Funny thread! Truly though, with my TT , the dr did a bit of Lipo on my hips and on my mons... That is the fat pad in front . It only bothered me when I was in form fitting work out pants and it was so prominent. I was thankful it was part of his TT procedure....don't know if that is standard. Did not hurt down there , but the plication and TT did hurt like hell the first week. Worth it!

Hope you can come back and visit stevehud. I enjoy all kinds of viewpoints[emoji177]... Even the ones I don't share. It is nice we don't have to be the same person here. I'm thinking we all want health and smaller bodies.

Seems totally normal. Your body has bee through a lot and it needs to catch up Personally I'm in favor of putting away the scale except once a week perhaps. Have faith and work the program your dr gave you In a couple of months this will be but a distant memory! Just keep going and keep posting. We care!

Love[emoji171] (more so some days than others . ) thrilled the weight stayed off!

Thanks for the tip! I have used spanx, but would like something else. I just ordered this item to try. Things like this is why I like bariatric pal!

From observing these forums for years, and with my support group chats, it seems regaining a % of your total loss is most likely. I note several successful people who reach goal and stay, but a large number of people seem to go low, then bounce to a more long term set point. It seems such a personal choice to accept the total overall weight loss, or seek to lower it back to the lower weight . Personally, I go back and forth with about ten pounds, and I appreciate the lower end, and always try to work towards it....I just don't give it too much "fight" ... I Just plan a healthy day and go on. In the overall scheme of life, I'm healthy and aware of choices everyday. Nothing is perfect!

I love the help and support available on this site. I personally know of no where else people truly understand the process. We all tackle the road differently, yet there is unity in WLS . I am thankful !

Often it takes awhile for our head to catch up with our bodies, I think. I found actual pictures helped me believe that I was a "normal" size. Sometimes I couldn't believe it. Even now, years later , I can still be surprised that I actually look lean-ish. The TT helped resolve the image I had stuck in my head. But still, I find myself surprised sometimes.

Congratulations on a great healthy year. [emoji322]The first of many if all goes right. Isn't life easier when you are at a lower weight? I found a lot of things much better in my life when my head and body were where I liked them!!

Great post. You look very healthy!Seems like you have all the info you need to be who you are. You may not like those 20 lbs, but it certainly is not as noticeable as you might feel it is, imho . Especially compared to the old you people knew at 100 lbs more! People do go up a bit and down a bit in different phases of life ( and WLS) You might have to learn to adjust to you with 20 lbs. don't know if that is acceptable to you. I'm saying this as another banded veteran who has fooled with 15 lbs up and down. Yes I like the down part, and I'm disappointed sometimes with the up part, but it is ALL better than where I started at 250+. I sometimes forget years later how uncomfortable I was pre WLS. I'm thankful for something that got me off the yoyo of dieting and always gaining before changing my life. Just my perspective [emoji171] And yes there are weeks I struggle and there are easy ones.

I also agree that many posters are in categories: awaiting surgery, Recently operated and on cloud nine weight loss ride, Some posters who are dissatisfied with their procedure and then, Some of us are just going along, Asking a few questions, Working our program the best we can and gathering and giving support to others. Years in , many people leave. Have they regained? Gotten complacent? Given up on procedures? I don't think we know. I do learn a lot from veterans here so I hope the core group years out of any procedure continue to post. Please know it helps.... Even after 9+ years, I read forums here several times a week for answers and support.

I also have a difficult time with spicy foods , salsa and such. It just seems to irritate my band and stomach, so I avoid them. Thank goodness I was never much for spicy before the band! Hope your stomach has settled down and you don't suffer consequences on the other end.

My doctor did a bit of Lipo there and the front area ( which seemed large in my work out pants)was pulled up during my TT. Ask your surgeon if that is included. I'm thinking it is common to have droopiness after weight loss. I was pleased with the results . Good luck! Ps. It hurt a bit ( ok a lot)the first week. Just know it gets better quickly as time goes on! Ok I guess we can say mons as in mons pubis.... That for me was kinda a fat pad that was changed during my TT .

I second the prunes and raise it to a couple of cups of "smooth move" tea. Suppositories come next as a try. Then perhaps an enema. Lots of us have gone through this rather private yet painful experience and try to change a bit of eating and drinking so our bodies are working correctly. Don't freak out when you do go! Someone posted ( and I laughed out loud) it was like passing a pineapple. Best of luck getting things moving.

Sigh... It may be that the old folks just aren't gonna change. However I would try to not give them any ammunition, like exact numbers. Just Know they think they may be joking or making small talk.... And it hurts like a knife! I agree with the others to back away a bit and smile and change the subject. It probably is NOT bothering these individuals.... Just their unknowing targets. Parents and in laws and family are perceived to be kinda safe.... But they are not... As we see. We take it in deep and therein lies the rub.

Seems like we all have our bumps in the road. But keep driving!! The magic bus is moving if you just stop hindering it. This seems to be where our head tries to remind us that this is what we have always done....gone so far and sabotage ourselves. Hopefully your new tool (band or sleeve ) helps you to see you can keep going. This time can be different if you get right back on your program and do the protein, water and perhaps a walk. This can be the "oops I made a quick error and now I'm back " moment. That can literally be the difference between all the yo- yo, stop and start, and I'll begin again later pattern that got me personally over 250 lbs. think of it in the past and keep going. String together good days. And good weeks... Are there off moments? Yes I believe there are. No one can be perfect ( or rather mostly) But this surgery can work in the LONG RUN. Which is why you tried a new way, yeah? The old ways don't work! I'm encouraging you to readjust yourself and keep going. Please keep posting. There is a caring community here to help. Best to you.

Some Targets carry " better than beef". And meatless meatloaf. Both made with soy. They agree with me and are a great source of protein. I also think beans are a great source, tho I think they need to be paired with rice to be a complete protein... If I remember nutrition 101...

Yes I feel successful. I am a size 10-12 and was not that size in high school. I eat well and work out and try the amount of water.... Some days are better than others .... But all days are better than my 250+ days. We all need to feel " normal". Whatever that is to us[emoji171] How about you ginger? Do you feel successful?

About 6 weeks after my lap band, in 2006, I had my Dr give me a fill. I went back about every 5 weeks, though it was 3 hours each way. This was the only times I weighed. Just a personal preference This went on for about9 months. I have since changed to a closer Dr, and he is the only one to do a fill. His nurse will do an emergency unfill if he is unavailable , but the fills are always him. This is still one of the only places I choose to weigh in with a dr scale..... My clothes tell me... But many others still weigh themselves a lot. Just a difference in personalities I think.

No steak or chicken breast has worked for me. Kale is apparently a no go also. Pasta has also never stayed with me. Says the Italian girl.... Spaghetti squash is substituted. Fish seems to be my friend Lately.... Better than beef (target) seems to fill in for some items and my band has ok'd it.... I learn and just go on. Food just doesn't have that ugly hard grasp on me after all these years. Thankfully [emoji93]

My fills do not hurt. He injects a bit of numbing solution in my port first. And a touch of tenderness the next day. I'm cautious to stay on a light soft liquid diet for about 1-2 days after, Depending how I feel , I proceed slowly.... For me, once I'm irritated in my stoma, it takes a day or so of liquids to stop the instant rejection of food. My doctor always cautioned that people advanced too fast and kept irritating their band..... With bad results. I listened..... After about 10 times!!

What a wonderful,Inspiring thread. Some new. Some veterans. Seems like many of us want to change our lives for the healthiest selves we can be. All I can add is it is work.... Daily. I happen to fight my demons off in the grocery store. If it is not available at home, I most likely won't be going out Others use support groups, therapy, undergo plastic surgery... These are some of the proven ways WLS patients can help their long term results. I certainly did all of them and am thrilled almost 9 1/2 years out to be successful and very healthy. I wish luck to every person whose life has been determined by obesity and feels like they are ready to change. Truly change. Sadly, I'm aware WLS does not work for everyone.

I agree that bmi can often be just a guideline and not the Mecca some believe it to be . As long as you are healthy and happy with your weight loss, consider yourself lucky. Those scales cannot be right !! I ( I only weighed at the doctors office and was pleased as time went on.) Still pleased 9 years later.... Feel successful with weight loss instead of that yo-yo Problem I had for years! Good luck and please keep posting. Lots of us care and want success for others!

My hint is to be patient and work the program. It works even if the scale is frustrating. Sometimes clothing feels looser and the scale stays the same. You have done great and congratulations on 44 lbs. This may be the first time weight stays off and you continue doing the program. Keep updating... The community ( and me) cares!

Well....dangermouse it truly is going to be up to you. Yes most likely you will get a golden year of opportunity to lose weight and change your eating habits. Then , again .. That will be up to you and your commitment to really want to change your lifestyle. I think it is hard, but so worth it! The weight did not come back on for me after surgery nine years ago.... And it took 2 years for me and my band to figure each other out. But I would do it again. I'm just reminding all of us that it is a daily reality[emoji177] Protein, water. Exercise. Repeat. Please keep us updated! Best of luck!