Woobs

Jeff,
Just realized I never answered the 5k race question-not until March. I might do one sooner but March is the goal.
Congrats on hitting goal (and a little extra). I'm still about 20-25 lbs from mine. My weight loss has slowed down to a crawl but I'm not gaining and my sizes are still going down so...I will just be patient.
I hear you on the body image stuff. Some folks around me say I'm getting "tiny." I don't see it though--but my body image thing had always been off. When I was morbidly obese I didn't see that girl in the mirror either. Its good to get the head check and make sure you're mentally where you need to be too - this journey isn't just about the weight alone.
Remember this is the short part of the game, maintenance is the long game! But I'm sure you'll do great!
Amber

NSV- I have started using the app couch to 5k (c25k). I ran/ walked 2 miles today. My miles were under 16 min each. :-)
Fay, I hear you about the hair EVERYWHERE. It's crazy--thinking about it and having a coat for the winter made with it. Ok, not really but jeez!!!

Hair loss has hit here too. Comes out like I am shedding excessively. No bald spots (yet)
I am bummed that I am in a 3 week stall. I dropped 3 lbs two days ago and got excited but those 3 lbs came back this morning. I am trying all the change ups to trick my body but no luck yet. I am 1/2 way to goal so I am still a very happy sleeve buddy!!
Sleeved jan 10th with 100 lbs to loose.

also struggling with losing hair...i find hair in everything lol...food my desk the bathroom sink. EVERYWHERE...LOL
I'LL take that over being fat lol.

Can't wait to not-
Have to curve my shoulders inward and be as "small" as possible in an airplane, bus, or any other seat where I have to sit next to someone else and feeling like a human pretzel afterwards
Having my chest so close to the table in a restaurant booth seat I could prop them up on it.
Have to head straight to the big girl section of any clothing store I walk into or walk by a store because I "know" they won't have anything in my size
Being worried if the spa I want to go to has big enough robes for me to wear
Feeling tired after cleaning my house because I went up and down the stairs to many times
Having a friend's little girl tell me that my "legs are really big" or any other kids brutal honesty for that matter
Being able to skydive or zip line because I'm to heavy
Etc...

Way to go!!! :-)

I am on my second stall since surgery. The scale is loving 207 and just won't let go... It's annoying but I keep telling myself that it won't last forever. I am just impatient because I want to get to onderland
I am the lightest I have been in I can't remember how long. I had a NSV realization the other day-- the weight that's on my drivers license which when I last renewed I sheepishly told the DOL gal a weight that we both knew was incorrect... is now still incorrect but now in reverse. :-)
...

I am on my second stall since surgery. The scale is loving 207 and just won't let go... It's annoying but I keep telling myself that it won't last forever. I am just impatient because I want to get to onderland
I am the lightest I have been in I can't remember how long. I had a NSV realization the other day-- the weight that's on my drivers license which when I last renewed I sheepishly told the DOL gal a weight that we both knew was incorrect... is now still incorrect but now in reverse. :-)
...

Glad to hear you're feeling better. I've treated everyone around me who even sniffles like they have the plague. I just couldn't imagine trying to concentrate on healing, etc and add a bug on top of it.
Good luck on the 5k Jeff. I'm doing a 5k walk this month with a friend. Should be fun if the weather cooperates.
My big milestone this week was going to my gym's "body works plus abs" class today. The instructor is this super fit older gal who gives everyone a run for their money. I'm not going to lie, I couldn't finish all the sets, and I used the lightest weights I ever recall using...but...I stuck it through the whole class and did the best I could. I'm pretty sure I'm going to feel like I got hit by a car tomorrow but it will be a good pain.
Hope everyone is healing and doing well.

Jeff, oh definitely the deal won't work for everybody and it helps that we don't have kids.
Good luck with the birthday party #2. I feel your pain on the food = love front. I'll be honest, I've been avoiding seeing my Dad for that very reason. When I was on my pre-op diet he kept trying to feed me until I finally had to say "Dad, I love you and I know you love me. You can stop offering me food." He just stared at me for a second like I'd grown two heads and then said ok. I don't think he even realizes what he's doing. So good luck fellow sleever! I'm sure you'll do great!

Hi there,
I'm still preop--scheduled for surgery in January. I have been looking at the forums for awhile and there are a number of people who are 6-12 mos but i was hoping to hear from some folks that are further along in their journey. What issues have you faced? What has been you're greatest success? Are you having trouble with regain? Any complications?
Thank you for your input.

Can't wait to not-
Have to curve my shoulders inward and be as "small" as possible in an airplane, bus, or any other seat where I have to sit next to someone else and feeling like a human pretzel afterwards
Having my chest so close to the table in a restaurant booth seat I could prop them up on it.
Have to head straight to the big girl section of any clothing store I walk into or walk by a store because I "know" they won't have anything in my size
Being worried if the spa I want to go to has big enough robes for me to wear
Feeling tired after cleaning my house because I went up and down the stairs to many times
Having a friend's little girl tell me that my "legs are really big" or any other kids brutal honesty for that matter
Being able to skydive or zip line because I'm to heavy
Etc...

I'm still pretty new to the forum but I wanted to say "hi!". I'm a Portlander though technically I live up in the 'Couve. Scheduled for surgery at OHSU in January. Excited and scared...which I think us pretty typical.

I'm still pretty new to the forum but I wanted to say "hi!". I'm a Portlander though technically I live up in the 'Couve. Scheduled for surgery at OHSU in January. Excited and scared...which I think us pretty typical.

I'm still pretty new to the forum but I wanted to say "hi!". I'm a Portlander though technically I live up in the 'Couve. Scheduled for surgery at OHSU in January. Excited and scared...which I think us pretty typical.

Jwaller, I'd check out Sparkpeople.com, they also have a free app. The excercise section has TONS of excercises, will show you video clips of how to do them! Lots of exercises that don't require gym equipment. Walk briskly for your cardio.
Good luck. :-)

I use myfitnesspal also, plus FastFoodCal will give you the nutritional components at Fast food like Wendy's chili, and if you forget a pedometer an app called Walk Star allows your iphone to be the pedemoter.

MyFitnessPal rocks. and Weightbot but I don't think it is free.

Jwaller, I'm a newbie too. Luckily for me, my doc isn't going to put me on a liquid diet (*sigh* of relief) but I am going on a cal restriction until my surgery on the 8th of January.
I don't mind the premier chocolate shake--you can get little predone packs at costco. I'm not going to lie, they they aren't fantastic but I can manage them. I haven't tried the vanilla yet. But a girl can't make it on chocolate and vanilla alone long term so, I'm looking for good Protein shake options myself.
Good luck to you!

The big piece of quitting is the behavior modification. In other words, breaking the habits associated with smoking ( like while driving, at bars, after a meal, etc). Its hard but not impossible. You can do it! Plus, it's good practice for the behavior changes that go along with the surgery. :-)
Good luck to you!

My doctor gave me a really good book. It is called "The Lap-band Solution: A Partnership for Weight Loss" written by Paul O'Brien, MD (2007). It is published by MUP (Melbourne University Press) and The Centre for Bariatric Surgery, Melbourne Australia and the American Institute of Gastric Banding. Well written, easy read, easy to find information and interesting stories. I can highly recommend it. I don't know if it is available on Amazon, but hopefully it is.
PS...I just checked, it is on Amazon and apparently there is a 2011 edition as well.

This is the best book ever, I wish I had found it before my surgery.
http://jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com/
I also hear the cookbook is great, I will be getting it soon.
Good luck to you.