NancyJerry

Very well put! I was told the other day that I "glowed." That was a great compliment, since before losing my 50 pounds I didn't even want to look people in the eye! Enjoy it!

I'm sure you have a new found confidence about yourself. I sure do! I'm down 105lbs total and def hold my head up higher these days. And I got a wink from a nice looking guy last week!!! So yea you enjoy that about yourself and enjoy those pleasantries.

I've read this study and that study, it's well-researched that there is a stigma against the obese. In simple terms, we're seen as part of the world's problem much in the same way people give dirty looks to those who still drive Hummer SUV's. When you have the news blasting at you all the time about the healthcare crisis, fuel costs, and bullying you start to want to blame someone. Often, it's the obese. I know I have a stigma toward smokers in the same way. I know they're people just like you and me, but I often think, "why do you keep up such a nasty habit? why can't you quit?" I'm sure some stranger looks at me the same way and thinks, "why can't you stop stuffing your face? you're the reason my health insurance premiums are through the roof!" It's the same because I never have been nor ever will be a smoker, so it's hard for me to understand what it must be like to try to quit. I truly believe they would be happier people if they quit. The same way that stranger can't understand that diets don't always work for everything, that there can be underlying hormonal or genetic issues as to why I'm carrying extra weight, but they also think I'd be a better person if I lost weight.
It's happened to me, too. I've lost almost 80lbs and get more doors opened for me, more smiles from strangers, more engaged conversations. But I can't say it's all because of my weight. I know I've changed, too, from losing weight. I smile more, I laugh more. I'm overall a happier person. Perhaps the vibe I was putting off when I was 275lbs - plagued with Migraines, painful PMS every month, constant fatigue, chronic illnesses - wasn't the most engaging?
I've had a lot of people tell me that - literally - it looks like I had STRESS removed from my face. That made me do a lot of soul searching....
If you want to know more, there is the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance with some interesting links.

I didn't take any offense to your comments. I really appreciate them. And no I definitely do NOT plan on taking him back. I look forward to everything you said and that lying cheating scumbag can eat his heart out when I'm through. I need to remember everything you said when I crave a cigarette or a Carb overload. Its all for the better. I can do this.

Man, that does really suck (pardon my french). But... What would it look like if we put a positive spin on it??
I SERIOUSLY PRAY that your mom gets her new heart and has no complications!
After you have your surgery and rock your sleeve, here is what you can do:
1 - know that you would have paid double to get this life altering surgery.
2 - get a kick-a$$ job with your rockin' new look
3 - send pics to your lousy cheating "love of your life" (sorry if you plan to take him back but you shouldn't you deserve better!!!!!!!!) and show him what he's missing out on
4 - spend the better part of some night with a knight in shining armor that won't cheat on you - without taking a cigarette break!
5 - get healthy and walk and exercise and be with your mom for many happy and healthy years to come!
I don't mean this disrespectfully in any way. I know life doles out lemons sometimes in huge quantities. Hang in there, it will all be worth it. YOU are worth it!

Man, that does really suck (pardon my french). But... What would it look like if we put a positive spin on it??
I SERIOUSLY PRAY that your mom gets her new heart and has no complications!
After you have your surgery and rock your sleeve, here is what you can do:
1 - know that you would have paid double to get this life altering surgery.
2 - get a kick-a$$ job with your rockin' new look
3 - send pics to your lousy cheating "love of your life" (sorry if you plan to take him back but you shouldn't you deserve better!!!!!!!!) and show him what he's missing out on
4 - spend the better part of some night with a knight in shining armor that won't cheat on you - without taking a cigarette break!
5 - get healthy and walk and exercise and be with your mom for many happy and healthy years to come!
I don't mean this disrespectfully in any way. I know life doles out lemons sometimes in huge quantities. Hang in there, it will all be worth it. YOU are worth it!

Man, that does really suck (pardon my french). But... What would it look like if we put a positive spin on it??
I SERIOUSLY PRAY that your mom gets her new heart and has no complications!
After you have your surgery and rock your sleeve, here is what you can do:
1 - know that you would have paid double to get this life altering surgery.
2 - get a kick-a$$ job with your rockin' new look
3 - send pics to your lousy cheating "love of your life" (sorry if you plan to take him back but you shouldn't you deserve better!!!!!!!!) and show him what he's missing out on
4 - spend the better part of some night with a knight in shining armor that won't cheat on you - without taking a cigarette break!
5 - get healthy and walk and exercise and be with your mom for many happy and healthy years to come!
I don't mean this disrespectfully in any way. I know life doles out lemons sometimes in huge quantities. Hang in there, it will all be worth it. YOU are worth it!

Thanks. You are right. It is just so easy to get caught up in the number game. Thanks for the reality check.

Rootman,
My thoughts go out to you man. It is very hard to lose your little four legged buddies. I have lost a couple over the years and it is very very difficult for sure.
They love you, they listen when noone else will, and they never ever judge you. They just love you. When you have a bad day they can be the only thing that you can sit down and make you feel better. You loved them and you wanted the best for them man. You would not want to see them suffer beyond anything that you could reasonably do for them. You had to love them and respect them as much in death as you did in life. It takes a lot of pain of heart to be able to let them go respectfully and with dignity instead of us using our selfish human heads to let their pain linger. As hard as it was, it was probably the best decision you could have made for THEM. I am sorry for your loss bud.
I am sure the wife was hurting just as badly and that trip that she made was one of the longest drives she has ever made man. You have her to talk to and to love. Forgive her, talk about the good times, and know in your hearts that you guys did what was right for your loved ones. Don't dwell on the negative the way we sometimes do and let that negativity live in you and eat at you.... it's not worth it. It's like a cancer that can make you very ill. Very sorry about the situation.
And this too shall pass.

The timing of this thread or me finding it is perfect for today. I was wearing some of my old comfortable Victorias Secret cotton panties today and they felt weird. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with them. You know the cotton crotch area where you have a seam at the front and the back? Well the seam in the back of the crotch was halfway up my bottom today and it felt weird like when the seam of your sock on your foot isn't right. I couldn't figure out what in the world was going on because these undies fit me last week. Anyway I went into the bathroom and saw that the tops of my undies were pulled over my pants and even bunched up and this is why they didn't feel loose. Lol! Needless to say, those undies have been thrown away. I'm buying cheap Hanes until I get to goal. Good luck on your undie quest!

Johnathan,
I hope you really use the search bar on this forum as there have been a ton of excellent conversations about just this topic. I've not had both, but my sister had/has the band and I the Sleeve. I don't want to "convince" you to go either way. This is a VERY PERSONAL decision. But since you've asked, allow me to share MY point of view and observations of my sister and myself.
My sister had her done 3 years ago. She's lost about 60 pounds total. In the first year, she lost like 30 or 40 and put that back on. She got serious and re-lost it again with a little more. She is very unhappy with the amount she's lost. In the medical world you only need to lose 50% of your EXCESS weight for them to consider your loss a success. She cannot eat "normally." Everything she eats is "slider" foods so stuff covered in gravies and syrups. Pasta dishes and Desserts. Go figure she isn't still losing. When someone fixes a meal or she goes to a party of some sort, it's all about what "can" she eat, versus what "should" she eat. She has to go in constantly for fills and, when that makes her sick, un-fills. This process is on going. That's a lot to maintain, IMO.
I had my sleeve done on 3/27 (12 weeks ago) I'm down 50-52 pounds. I have no foreign body in my body for my body to absorb or reject. There is no maintenance. I "can" eat most anything without problem. As time goes by, other than carbonated beverages, I will be able to eat whatever I want. Of course, this sleeve is a tool and we need to always be mindful about what we eat, but if I go to a party and it's all foods I wouldn't normally eat - I don't stress. I love to work out and if I overindulge I just work it off. I am happier and healthier than I've been in over 20 years. And my sister wishes she had had the sleeve done.
I pray that you find the answers you are looking for and get peace with the decision you make!

September 21 will be 12 weeks. I'll put an alert on my iPhone-semi kidding. I would love to be 50lbs thinner by then! Thanks for putting the end goal ahead of these little hiccups for me. I swear my 3 year old taunted me with PB smooches this morning.

I'm 12 weeks out and had my first Peanut Butter and toast. I'm also down 50 pounds. The 12 week wait was WAY WORTH the 50 pound loss! Hang in there. This phase feels like it will last forever, but in retrospect, I hardly remember it! :-D

Yup. Water bottles get easier too!

You are going to have to learn to forgive yourself. You'll still run into those food options post surgery and if you eat them, even just small amounts on a regular basis you won't be successful after the sleeve. But we all are faced with that and none of us are perfect. So, forgive (don't forget), learn and improve. Hopefully your recent run-in with food will not prevent you from having the surgery at all.
Good luck and remember, the sleeve doesn't prevent you from being human! It will still take will power and good choices, but the sleeve does make that stuff come easier!! Good luck!

GOOD LUCK AND PRAYERS TO ALL HAVING THEIR PROCEDURE TODAY AND THIS WEEK. SPEEDY RECOVERY AND PREPARE FOR A WONDERFUL NEW LIFE, I CANT WAIT UNTIL JULY 16th.

23 pounds in 9 weeks is nothing to sneeze at!! Are you drinking enough Water? Getting in enough Protein? Doing some exercise? Avoiding refined sugar and carbs? All of those things make me lose more slowly.
Perhaps now is a good time to try My Fitness Pal or another food logging site. List every bite you take and see if there is a trend.
Patience is also the most overlooked tool in this journey. Sometimes we just have to keep doing what is required and working towards our goal while our bodies decide to start letting go of some weight. We didn't gain it overnight; we won't lose it quickly either.

Thanks, Nancy! I actually was looking at an iPod this morning because I'd like to not take my phone into the gym with me. This will be great because I can use it for MFP, Fit Bit and my music without having my phone ring while I'm huffing and puffing.

That was a trip my husband and I took just a couple of weeks ago. We were traveling from Minnesota to Michigan. At the time of the pic we were in Wisconsin driving alongside the Mississippi! BTW...Just saw that you won the iPod Touch - CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You are so deserving!!!

I made it early! Weighed in at 168 for the past 3 days, so I'm claiming it!! A little early - but Happy 4th of July!
I'm not making a new "goal" per se, but just looking forward to see where I actually end up by the 4th of July! Happy losing everyone!

I made it early! Weighed in at 168 for the past 3 days, so I'm claiming it!! A little early - but Happy 4th of July!
I'm not making a new "goal" per se, but just looking forward to see where I actually end up by the 4th of July! Happy losing everyone!

I could barely get in 14-20 ounces the first week. No big deal. The surgeon, the nutritionist and nurse, told me for the first month don't worry about it. You can live of stored Proteins for quite a while. They are more concerned with getting 64 ounces of liquid in, whether it be crystal light, decaff tea, Water, sf popsicles, MIO. You are suppose to be trying to work up to 80 ounces of Protein a day, but not the first week, heck it's not even necessary the first month.
I'm almost 3 weeks out and am getting about 30-45 in now, if I'm lucky. Last week I had a day where I could only get in 14!!
My taste buds changed a lot. For a while I couldn't even handle the taste of toothpaste, and I never had a problem with it before. Luckily now things are changing back.
I really must warn you not to buy too much of any one product. What you like now, you may hate or actually be revolted by after surgery. Pure Protein 100% whey Frosty chocolate was one of my favorites, I loved Muscle Milk Light, I loved the banana creme, the strawberry and they were making me gag just days ago. I am just starting to be able to tolerate the Pure Protein again.
I am still on full liquids. I am still struggling with Protein shakes, the taste etc. I drank Pure Protein 100% whey for Breakfast and often times lunch for almost 7 months straight and loved it before. Though I hated Isopure pre-surgery the Green Tea with Lemon was one of the better ones and I added MIO to it.
Don't go crazy buying a lot of things, because you will be wasting a lot of money if you can't handle it. Little protein is better than barfing & nausea.

I dropped a 1/2 size and went from a wide to average width! The best part is that constant pain that I used to be in prevented me from wearing cute shoes and now - 95% pain free- I can wear just about anything! Something to look forward to for you!