judych

and i agree.... totally. i dont watch those shows either . in every way they are demeening and i hate that. iont know how people can even expose themselves to it. its the lowest form of entertainment there is.

oh boy... i agree with you. how did this lady get through all the pre op evaluations i wonder?? you are right... she is a really bad ambassador for lap banding. i have a sneaking feeling that there are a few out there who have the surgery done thinking that its a magic pill of some sorts... that they can miraculously still eat those foods but somehow it just doest register. totally out of touch with reality. i bet they never got onto a forum like this and really read up and wanted to know the truth of it all. its up to us now to prove how wrong they all are.

yep.. there is. i should send a pic of me twenty five years ago. i had no major weight issues then but than i didnt have joint replacements plus arthritic feet either.. lol. i would love to be able to get back into bathers again.. i just love swimming. this is the first two years in a long time that ive just been way too self conscious. before i would pick my times and swim privately.. and now i cant stand the look of me in bathers so i dont go at all.

awww.. thats so sweet... and there you go.... im waiting to get there a well. lol.

way to go. have a look on the web for derma roller... its very interesting.. worth a look.

wow.. so its over with.... and this is really encouraging. by the way... how did your kitten go with its hernia fixed??

i definately would. mention to her about getting thyroid checked as well.. but you dont have to be tested in order to benefit from selenium. that works directly on the adrenals above the kidneys and is very important, it works with your thyroid. its not expensive to buy and it really does make a huge difference. i only have to take one a day.

...awww... i would be exactly the same. ive gotten to the point where i just hate shopping for clothes... if and when i can start buying smaller sizes again i will probably feel like you.. lol... i wonder how long it will take for you to get the fact that you actually are that wonderful size now.?? not too long i hope... lol. do you ever tell the staff in the shop that?? i probably would . its a marvellous job youve done.

Ronnie.. how much weight have you lost so far?? are you happy with the way your body is losing weight?? self image could have something to do with it. Also... get yourself some Adrenal support and thyroxine... your adrenals and thyroid gland could need some help. Your body goes under a lot of changes in that 12 months that you have had since the banding... also you may have had some stress relating to re adjustment etc etc. all this plays havoc with your adrenal gland and maybe your thyroid. there is an epidemic of hypothyroidism out there and most of it goes undetected. its worth just buying these two supplements over the counter. ive had both and after three months im feeling a lot better than i used to. My body was under a lot of stress as well... im not banded yet but you can be sure that when i go in i will have both supplements here waiting for me when i get home.

i always thought that exercise that built up the muscles increased you metabolism and caused you to burn more calories, not only when working out but also when resting...

they are goign to have to be satisfied with me just swimming.. at least in the short term. im miles away from any gymn... and so its only walking or swimming for me. with arthritic feet, hips that are locking, walking isnt my favorite passtime right now. lol. ohh... plus two artificial knees.

yes... thanks so much.. you were helpful. if you get some oil for yourself and start using it now.. because you are still young and your skin is elastic, you should be able to get rid of those marks. if you cant... have a look online for a tool called ''derma roller''... in fact, look it up and have a read... its a brilliant little tool to have in your bathroom and it does work wonders. also, while i think of it... rosehip oil is also very good. im going to make a small list of the oils you mentioned so i dont forget them. thanks.

this is just marvellous.. and yes, you are right, sometimes you just need to move on. We cant afford to let others hold us back, whatever their motives. its great to read about your difference in how you feel about yourself. way to go . i want to be more like you. lol.

is the weight that you have gained muscle tone do you think?? i dont know what to tell you about your hunger. its rough when you are feeling hungry all the time. surely you can increase protein? that should alleviate your hunger more. im no expert but i reckon if you are playing tennis three times a week then your muscles would be building more bulk.. and your metabolism should kick in soon.

can i ask?? how does your face and neck look now?? i hope im not being personal... i know im older than you... thats concerning me a well. Is it going to make me look ill in the face?/ i dont want that. i want a healthy face and body. im looking at going from an 18 to about a 10/12 fitting. i havent been that in 25 years. ,my age is 65

its wonderful talk and i love to hear it. im wondering what the sizes are like between Aust. and America ?? currently im a size 18.. i would love to be a 10 or 12.

..and its a very important point that you just made here. there are a lot more people out there who do have a thyroid problem than we realize. i wonder if you had a thyroid test done?? even then, i dont believe the readings that the drs accept are low enough. it would be really good if you could start on some thyroid meds. you can buy them over the counter.. .that is, unless you have seen a dr and got a script for thyroid meds. i take selenium. sometimes the adrenals can get really stressed when the body goes through trauma. selenium helps a lot. so does MACA root. its worth a try.

...lol... understood.. lol.

you have done so well... and congratulations on a job well done so far. i hope that your weight loss does continue.. how fast did you want to lose?? is there a healthy limit or not??

it must have been faulty. how come he didnt replace it for you? perhaps letting him know that you are prepared to take it further may move hiim to do something.

...thats so right. i told my husband last night that he wasnt to expect more beauty from me as a result of weight loss but that i would better health. im 65, i dont know how weight loss is going to affect my muscles, my face, my neck. reading these posts i can see that protein is an essential part of diet, to the point where it is encouraged to be taken by powder or liquid. im assuming that this is to help with the muscles in the body... not sure about that one. Im certainly going to try and keep a healthy skin, im not going to neglect my appearance. does anyone have any advice here for maintaining a smooth skin after surgery?? weight loss can cause havoc with the face and neck.

...and i hope it fixed the problem for you as well... you need to feel encouraged not anxious.

i have a bad reaction to the iodine thats used... and also to some of the adhesives on the dressings... so i need to be careful as well. using peroxide and air drying them is a good way to go. I will be asking before hand what they can do to stop any allergic reaction.

..so peanut butter is acceptable then?? we have ready access to that. im not sure about the sugar free choc puddings... i will have to do a search i think. its really hard living where i am in Tasmania, Australia. im going to try and find these though. thanks for this info.

it sounds wonderful... what about beef jerky?? im living in a country area where my choices are limited.. i can buy beef jerky though.