Julie norton

Thanks for sharing! Seems like many of us veterans are still working hard with our programs... DAILY! And accepting that we may not be a predetermined weight that a dr or ourselves have picked. I do appreciate how the OP mentioned the beginning of her WLS I believe we all need to remember where we were when we started and consider how our health has majorly improved.... We just are not perfect. Human beings are perfectly imperfect (ok ...quoting my therapist) Gotta say... I am happier and way healthier than years ago... I remain thankful for WLS ... Truly changed my life.

Great conversation I enjoy reading the veterans helpful advice to someone who is struggling. Other people may need similar advice and just not ask for it. I find these boards to be a very helpful community... And lots of informed, kind contributers.

Liz Ditto on all the above. Perhaps you have a magazine article in you. I find you encouraging and a great writer. Obviously others do as well. Keep posting and happy bandiversary

I look for support ,suggestions and guidance from these awesome posters. I think there is more information specific to WLS ( some of it is opinion, I get it) than I have seen anywhere else. Thanks for starting this forum, Alex !

For me, what has worked long term is to have a protein bar or protein drink daily to up my protein. I eat a lot of chicken thighs... Cooked in liquid to keep moist. Also chicken salad works for me Usually with a small salad or vege on the side. Some people like quinoa, beans with rice, edamamesJerky, nuts or yogurt. Extra protein milk helps too...all really fairly high in protein. Also eggs and cottage cheese can be good options It seems like you have to experiment to find what works to keep your protein high. Water is what I have to work on daily. I attempt to not sit without a tall container... I'm mostly successful, but I need to remind myself a lot! Best of luck. It is kinda trial and error with what food agrees with you.

So happy for you! You should be proud of yourself for all the right choices you made! I think all of us are lucky to get a second chance at a healthy life. I find life so much easier to navigate from a " normal" size. People treat others better , sadly, than they treat very large individuals. Ps And I also would like to see the new improved you! You have promised pictures and we need to see the new improved cute as a button!

Great post about " where are the former contestants"? There are A lot Of them and they occasionally parade one through, but many obviously are not long term successful. I guess that doesn't sell ads....or their camps etc. I watch it fast forward on my dvr... Like a train wreck, I should look away, ....but those shows help me remember how I felt often pre surgery. The humiliating sports bra weigh ins are a bit much....i have also read that a week is simply not what they show it to be...10days....etc. for the results they want. All that being said, the twin young men appear to be front runners with their youth and sense of competition.

Welcome! I hope you have wonderful results as many of us had. Please try to not put too much value on the scary stories some post here. There are many success stories to be had and you will find them. The sleeve has the most recent people posting... It seems to be a current favorite and works well for the first few years I gather. Banders can help you, as I agree it feels like you are on this quest alone We are here... Personally, I love my band. Since 2006... Maintaining a 75 lb weight loss for all these years. Know that I still work on my water, protein, and exercise. There is a saying" they operated on your stomach, not your head" and that topic comes up a lot! Best of luck.

Sometimes we just trust the process and try to forget the old diet rules of weighing X instead of y..... So long as the scale keeps going down, it is successful and it won't come back. That is super important to remember. I am a long term veteran and when you get further out, I predict you will be excited to see the scale keep going down. And no gain....

It would appear to me that MONEY is what is going to change the legalization of marijuana. I'm very glad some serious scientific testing is being done. There are many ill people who have the right to try a plant derivative as an option to serious pain, sleep disorders, nausea etc. ....now with tinctures and edibles it is even more conducive to testing. Colorado has more money now, and had talked about a permanent fund annual payment to residents ( similar to alaska). Amazing the difference in my lifetime! Education is power. And please don't confuse this for any endorsement for anyone underage. That is not what a developing brain needs. Adults? Lots of options.

You may have luck in the long run... It is a learning curve with the band mostly in control. Sorry about your reflux. I hope it can be controlled.... Often less fluid helps some.... Liquids for days helps others.... Pills and liquids have some relief. Some reviseTo other procedures. Best of luck calming obesity no matter which direction you go!

Bella bloom I'm so confused by your posts. You are a self claimed anorexic .... Admitted food disorder personality. Problematic eater. I'm not sure you can find help with this forum. I really encourage you to seek professional help....again All the hints and tips from us don't seem to work and your posts tell me you are slipping again. Please consider therapy again. Best of luck

I believe that is zsalyn (not sure about spelling). She has been a great inspiration to many people. I remember watching her struggle with a non supportive husband.... Who seemed very smug... And trying to raise her daughter with some healthy habits. She is still trying and I admire her.

It is like a car accident.. I don't want to watch and yet I do. Some of the struggles are relatable and encourage me.... Surgery/skin removal graphics I always fast forward through... Yes I believe the show pays for surgery... Gotta be a carrot to dangle to get people to open their lives up to the public.... Lots of eating is private. Just my opinion

Great to read long time bander success! Even with a few unwanted pounds, just think about where we would be had we not had WLS . I believe I would have had a slow climb up in weight and I was already 250..... That was even lower than my highest weight. Yikes I try to not give the scale too much power.....I just am happy to feel "normal". In my size 12 body.... And dang happy about it over 60 years old And all that fun menopause stuff done.... Another happy 9+ year bander????

Good luck new banders. My sense is it really works if you do the work. Water. Protein. Exercise. These are the main threads I see mentioned by long term successful banders. I'm years out and LOVE my band!

Can't make Saturday. But please keep posting meetings. As the weather gets better also. The drive from below Santa Cruz will be better. I would love to find a nice group to share!

I enjoyed every stinking morsel of the sees candy that came my way for birthday/Christmas. Never part of my routine, but if I could, I would bathe in it. Obviously, I do not keep it in the house as it is a sirens song to me!

It is a truly different mindset when you get a few months out from surgery. You can FINALLY believe you will stay a smaller size. Not the constant up and down of years past. The confidence that you have conquered some issue that has ruled you FOR YEARS is now in the rear view mirror. And you just keep driving !!

Well, at my last check up this year, my doc examined my band and said it is good for a lifetime. I believe it is a 5 cc band from 2006.i think inamed is the name. Not sure. I keep it filled about 1.6 or so. Just like you, I do NOT want this journey to end.... Even uninflated it was a bit tough to stay on my personal eating program. I am maintaining a 75 lb weight loss for all these years, save one minor set back years ago. Please tell me what happens. I don't have too much info on longer time with the band. Thanks and best of luck staying the course.

This forum gives some of the best REAL LIFE advice on WLS that can be had imho. It is so nice to see veterans helping others down the road to a much healthier life. All the basics: find protein you can handle, drink your water, walk or move in some fashion.( I have heard all large mammals have a need to move and stretch their bodies) I didn't feel like that before.... But have learned if I can just get to my work out place, I leave much happier I digress..... Great, helpful advice is here to be had and I am grateful for these boards.

I think it is perfectly normal to be scared and worried about upcoming surgery. It has been many years for me , but I personally never have felt like I was choking or short of breath. I have spat up a bit but it is NOT the same as throw up as we know from flu, etc. I don't recall it being discussed in these forums either. Some others may have experienced that; see who comments? I'm hoping you will be as thrilled as I was in a matter of hours as an outpatient. Best of luck! Update us.

i would like to go back to Hawaii. And see the SF Giants play Chicago at Wrigley field. Big question mark on further body contouring, but Botox is coming my way.

A fresh new year is coming emerald! Make a dr. Appt and see what you want... A fill? Start again? Only you can decide.... You have a tool you probably can utilize. Don't worry about dr opinion... They are there to serve you, and trust me, they have seen it all!! I'm years and years post op banded and still have to work at it!! Good luck!

Making up your mind to change your life is the first step. I'm so proud of you. Just keep going and all will be in the rear view mirror and next Xmas you will be so happy I predict????