Julie norton

Please inform us more about chemical peels. I seem to have decent thick skin, but beach living as a kid gave me sun spots. I'm really thinking some sort of re surfacing, but unclear on what.. Thanks

Love the cut of skinny jeans. Somehow making the calf part smaller lengthens the look of my legs. Gotta go with it. And a wedge heel Gotta stay with it even if trending is wide leg palazzo pants. I think I'm done trending

I'm still here, jack. Just finished my 9th year... I'm a 2006 bander... But I agree, not many of us left here... The sleeve is the new standard I guess. Glad to be healthy and happy for 2016????

Sorry joe about your loss... The older I get.. The more losses I'm handed. Sigh Earth wind and fire!!!! Liz. If you aren't dancing, something is wrong and you need to see a dr!!!!????????

For some reason, I cannot eat kale and quinoa? It never has stayed down. A nice soup is a bit better and moist for me Best of luck. Trial and error is how this works for many of us.

Thanks for the info Meg. I learned from it. Please don't let this get in the way of your awesome weight loss over the past 1+ year. ( someone else whose band tightens over time ... I'm not alone with that issue thanks )??still don't understand it but I guess I don't need to

Gosh. You gals are downright fashionable!!! I'm so happy to see healthy sizes and happy banders Years down the road. Sorry lisacaron for the latest gagging. Does your band get tight over time? Or do you think it was just meds? I'm so glad taking a bit out worked.... Hope you don't need more out and all is calm. My band is fairly calm these days... Some days she is downright fickle. But mostly chew ,chew, .... Lots of beans and chicken lately

Thanks for sharing. It would be hard for me to face a life in pictures all at once. Some great decades... Some not so good... Having a dreadful marriage and having children were the biggest triggers in my life that added poundage. A happy life and marriage and WLS equaled a fabulous (almost) decade. I have joy seeing those pictures.

Thank you always for your steadfast support banders. ???? Made it thru the birthdays Just hanging in and hoping each year sheds a bit more light on my clouded heart. On thru Xmas???????? and hoping for for a fresh new year????????. Thanks again for being here!

Smooth move tea can be your friend... Helps keep me regular Without nasty side effects.. Good luck.. It's a bit tricky

It IS hard to find that link

Just saying hi and checking in with my favorite group!! Im feeling so blessed to have surpassed the 9 year mark of banded life ...and feel very grateful for the gift of health I gained. The second holidays without my husband and the first without dad. Sigh. And their birthdays (!) are this Friday ....dec. 18. Sad. My kids are really being my touchstone lately...another thing to be so grateful for. Each year gives (and takes) and I'll be ok when New Years comes . I'm hoping for no more surprises.... Just a nice calm year .... For all of us????

Beauty can hurt... I'm just saying the truth for me

Thank you my friends. (We lost him bit by bit. Legs. Arms. Speech...) So I am content knowing he is whole and comfortable in the beyond. I do take solace that he loved his home and the smell of cooking and being Italian he loved to eat. Missed and loved????

Just look into non surgical diet success rates and anything that beats their 2%..... well it has got to be better WLS has great stats comparatively and again. ::: All are different. Compliance.... Exercise..... Water.... That is what I re-read in the success stories. I'm just thankful for an alternative that REALLY works.????

This forum is one of my best support groups!!! Truly The moderator couldn't get past introductions in the 1 1/2 hours Really the group is for pre and just post. Maybe a year or so. Otherwise it is a conduit for surgery I think Wish they had a ...say.. 5 year out group or something so as to not be repetitive... Still looking 9 years later. Maybe start one??? Unsure

That is a spectacular dress and a great healthy body in it!!!

Thanks JWM. Feels like we've been around awhile now. Glad to have cyber chats with people who really understand. I'm thankful I did not have to ever have replacement or revision. I think I do better with a very small amount in my band... Harder on my head tho.... Easier on my throat and stomach ????????That is the dilemma

So truly happy to say that I am beginning my tenth year today! Nine years ago , I had no idea how different my life could be. Outpatient surgery and 1 night at a hotel, quick check up and on with banded life... Yes, I had to learn to eat differently and work out consistently. No, I'm not perfect, but I'll take my size 12 over my life in stretchy size 22 ... How it used to hurt when walking.. Or being winded easily .Truly how hungry I felt and how I soothed myself with food. I am so content with my band ( and I get it doesn't work for many ) and how life is so good for many years. I forget how thankful I should be everyday for the opportunity to breeze thru life at a "normal" size. I just feel I fit in this world better. Some of us veterans are still around and happy with our choices????

Happy bandiversary???? Great year. You look very healthy. And happy Aren't we so glad they came up with a great tool??? That works!!! and if you plan right, it does NOt come back Keep us updated.. We need a community for long term fun in my simple opinion.

I second the emotion of fitting in the world at a nice size!! This seems to be much easier at a smaller size. I remember not wanting to stand up in a group ,room, theater when I was large... for fear that all eyes would be looking at me and my wide butt. I am happy to say that I haven't had that thought in many years.... And it probably wasn't so true... Who knows? ... But I know I felt that way.... It used to be my truth. And it is NOT anything I think about now... Ever. I think it takes less energy and thought to maneuver this world now And I am very thankful!!!

Gobble gobble I'm still paying penance for 2 helpings of pumpkin pie....ya. With the whipped cream...fabulous. But you know, I got time. A month or two of keeping Water and Protein high )exercise is a constant) and 2016 will be moving forward ... Into my tenth year of being banded... Happy to be blessed with a certain constitution that takes foreign objects in stride???????? Lots of WLS patients have a hard time w/ the band. I am happy to share my experiences with others.

Even in California. (36* last night). I built a fire My car has both seat warmers and steering wheel warmers and I take full advantage of that feature. Alas ...heating pads are in a couple of locations. As are heated blankets. And some cats on the bed... March and April sound better and better. Now I get how Arizona sounds so good to the snowbirds

Yes I used the silicone sheets also My tt was in March. The scars on either side look good. But a bit reddish in the middle 4" or so I'm 60 so I thought it would be ok sooner. Anyone else's scars cleared up in 8 months? Just wondering.. Thank you

I say whatever makes you feel right in this world. I like to go by fitness and size pants. That is a good bellwether for me. I don't like the old insurance charts. I like to be in a comfortable and most important. Maintainable. Size. That's my deal and I'm healthy and happy In less than 2 weeks. I will have been banded 9 years. THAT I am very thankful for????????