Thats All Folks

Sounds like you're doing a lot better than "ok". Sounds like you're doing great!

Onederland = weight in the 100's NSV= Non scale Victory PB= Productive Burping ... I think I'm forgetting a few lol. Welcome btw!

I agree with Guy. I'd have small, conservative fills until you feel you're in the Green Zone. I'd also ask your doctor why you're having these problems. Is it your anatomy? His surgery technique? Something you're doing unintentionally? You have to eat healthy not only to lose weight but to be healthy. You can't live on slider foods. Talk to your doctor about your fears and let him help you get back onto a healthy diet.

I can understand how it can lead to psychological issues, but health issues? I just can't make the connection logically. The only thing I can think of is that the obesity was a byproduct of emotional issues caused by the physical punishment and the cardiovascular and arthritis issues were a byproduct of the obesity. Maybe? I don't know. I'm just trying to logically make the connection between the issues.

Honestly, considering the history leading up to this issue, you really need to talk to your surgeon and let him decide whether or not you need some removed and/or need to be checked for a slip. Best wishes

These are extremely wise, honest words. When I finally get to my goal weight I plan on giving myself the same 5 pound threshold. I think that's the mistake a lot of people make- they hit goal then get too relaxed. "oh it's only a 7 pound gain, no biggie" and "I'm still only 11 pounds from goal". Before they know it, they're now 40 pounds above goal and are going "I don't get it, I didn't change anything, how did I gain?!" I hope others read this blog post. It's excellent!

I just saw this post- thank you so much for the kind words! <3 But like I tell others all the time about my weight loss- it's heck of a lot easier to dump the weight when you start at 400+ pounds. Weight seriously just melts off when you're that morbidly obese. These days, I'm lucky to lose 6-8 pounds a month. It's really all relative to how much you have to lose and how big you were when you started.

You will definitely get there!! I've never been a fan of exercise, either. In fact I historically avoid it like the plague lol. Like you, I much prefer to actually "do" something. For instance, mowing the lawn is my job and I actually (oddly) enjoy it. The cool part is, according to my pedometer, I walk almost 2 miles when I mow it, too. I also do all the weeding, hedge trimming, etc. I think that's why my main form of exercise has always been walking. I actually enjoy walking. I live in a really awesome spot for it too so that helps a lot. There's a lot of wooded paths and beautiful scenery. Because I enjoy it it's never a chore and I never feel like "ugh, I have to go walk a couple miles now". I look forward to my daily 2+ mile walks and get bummed when I can't for some reason. Perhaps that's what you need to find- something you truly enjoy doing?

The further you go down on the scale the slower the weight comes off. I know people who've struggled for months to lose 5 pounds. What you're dealing with is pretty normal. I have found when I hit a stall, changing up my calories will "trick" my metabolism into action. For instance, I normally don't count carbs. The couple times I hit a plateau that lasted more than a month, I carb cycled to break the plateau. I know people who follow low carb normally but use the carb cycling to kick start their metabolism, too. Just remember, even if you keep doing what you're doing, the weight will eventually come off on it's own. Plateaus seriously suck but they are a very normal part of the weight loss journey. Best wishes.

That was a big "sign" my band was working too. Like you, I will completely forget to eat meals if I'm busy or distracted. The funny thing is, I am physically hungry even, but food has become such an afterthought in my life that sometimes I don't even realize I am hungry. I now keep a Protein bar in my purse at all times. This way if I do forget to eat and realize I'm hungry, I can have one.

Congratulations and welcome to Onederland!! You look great!!

I eat rice regularly with no problem. But I don't restrict/count carbs either.

That's definitely not normal. I'd get some removed if I were you.

For me, it did become second nature. I still measure all my portions when at home but when I'm out I've gotten really good at "eyeballing" things for size. Plus, I've learned to listen to my band, which is really the biggest thing. I know when I've had enough immediately- and I know when I reach the point if I keep eating it's not going to be pleasant. Without the band? I'd never be able to happily stop after so little food. But, without the band, there was nothing inside me going "hey chic, you take another bite and I'm gonna make you regret it" either. The band is the reason I can stop, and be satisfied, with the small portions. It's a learning experience.

Oh we totally "get it"! Awesome NSV!!! Congratulations!

Honestly, no. My main source of exercise is walking. When I started this journey I walked with a cane and could barely get around my house. I started slowly going down my street and back, then further and further as I got stronger and lost weight. Now, I walk 2 miles a day and haven't needed a cane in over a year.

For me, it's walking. I walk 2 miles a day anyway, but if I'm struggling with food demons I'll put on my sneakers and just start walking more. Some days I log as many as 5 miles because of it.

It is very little but normal for the phase you're in. Like you, I was on clear liquids for 2 full weeks. It wasn't easy and I had a lot of dizzy spells and headaches. One thing I did to help increase protein and calories- I added clear, unflavored protein powder to my chicken broth. Unjury also makes a protein chicken broth that isn't great but it's not awful either. Hang in there!

It's heartbreaking but common. I was teased a lot as a teen, too. I remember wearing size L shirts and feeling gigantic. In retrospect, I think I felt so giant because it was drilled into my head that I was. All that teasing starts to wear you down after awhile. Fast forward a couple decades to now- I am THRILLED to be in L shirts. Just to be out of plus sizes made me jump for joy. I still have a minimum of 40 more pounds to lose yet I actually got called "tiny" a couple days ago. Granted, I looked at her like she had 2 heads because I'm NOT tiny...but...wow! 25 years ago I was teased for being this size yet now I'm called "tiny". It makes no sense.

I just turned 40. I've lost 222 pound in 18 months. You might have better luck than me because of your age- I hope for your sake you do. But be prepared because when losing so much, some excess skin is kinda inevitable. This is particularly true if your tummy already "hangs". (just being honest).

This is actually a really good point. It's not often my bills are under $30 for my family of 4- but I do similar. If the bill is low I tip considerably more than 20% for good service. This is particularly true in states like mine where wait staff are only paid like $3/hour. They literally live off tips. (for the record, I tip hair stylists the same way for the same reason)

I'll be honest, I tried everything. Vitamin E, Keratin, Collagen, Retinol, Alpha Hydroxy, etc. If they make it in a cream or as a supplement, I tried it. I've lost over 200 pounds and despite all my efforts still have a ton of loose skin. In fact, I just had over 12 pounds of skin removed from my tummy 2 months ago. Whether or not you have excess skin really boils down to genetics, how much weight you lose, age, and how long you've been overweight. Some people get lucky and don't have skin issues but others (like me) do regardless of what we try. But here is what I tell people: I'd rather have excess skin than excess fat. I can hide the extra skin with clothes. I couldn't hide 200+ pounds of excess fat. The skin is totally worth it.

I agree with Mike70. I typically tip 20% for good service.

Yes, in fact a lot of us did exactly what you're doing. Think of puree as the constancy food needs to be. So, if you can puree it, you can eat it. One of my favorites at that phase was taking some chili and pureeing it with a bit of cream cheese. I also took chicken and puree'd it with chicken broth. ...I called it the "baby food" stage lol.

Thanks! And yes, I have MAJOR loose skin issues. I just had 12 pounds of skin removed from my tummy 2 months ago. You can see how bad it was here: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/169905-tummy-tuck-before-after-pics/ I still have considerable excess skin on my arms and legs. It's not pretty but it's still tons better than weighing what I used to. My logic is, I can hide excess skin with clothes. I couldn't "hide" over 200 extra pounds. The extra skin is worth it.