Julie norton

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

I adore hearing veteran bander stories. It seems to be a huge combination of better food. Better exercise. Following your bands up and down moods. Hydration. And just for me. Hanging in there everyday. No overeating or I will lose the food. Then I'm hungry and my band is upset. And me And I don't want to "fight" my band. Seven years last month and still learning from this site. Thank you

So now I have taken to Tofu for protein once a week or so and have no problems with it. I know it is good for me and adapts well Did not think I would like it as much as I do. Still learning

Shrimp and Lobster were a problem for me also....it's one of those foods that no matter how well you chew, it is just not good enough.... I did finally figure out a way to eat it though.... Funny, how we are all different. I can no longer eat steak, but I have absolutely no problem with shrimp. ok. What is your method of handling shrimp? I don't get lobster here on the west coast often so unsure. Crab works for me tho. Luckily since I'm near San Francisco!!

I,too, have issues with meat. I don't think it is uncommon. Just like some others I find soup or sauces work better. Sometimes my body just doesn't want meat I guess. Shrimp too irritates my band. Long simmered meats. Stews. Soups pot roasts. We are all learning and I am revising even 7 years in. Good luck

None of us are alone with our band. Except at night in the dark and hungry. Haha. Not really. Let us all try with the new year to make good food choices and exercise. That's the BEST we can do❤️

Terry That is so true for me too. Not what amount may have crept back on, but what Would Be if I didn't have a band. Happy New Year to us brave people who took a big step to regain our health... On a permanent basis.. Not WW or Jenny for that quick 20 lbs. then boom.. 25 back on. We seem to be in this for the long run!!! 7 years for me. Not at a perfect spot. But really happy and healthy ❤️????