melissaw1976

Forgive me in advance if you feel this post is judgmental, it is meant to be. But not of you, it is meant to be judgmental of my own life.
There have been numerous threads from people who want to lose their fat, but don't want to give up a particular food or habit that helped contribute to them being that way. Each time I see one I think to myself "you really don't want to be thin, do you?" then I think "If I only had to give up <Insert food item here> or start doing daily <insert healthy habit here> to be thin, I would do it in a heart beat". But the truth is, that is a lie. I have been fat all my life, I have lost hundreds of pounds, and then found them again and while the LB is a fantastic tool, unless I am willing to make changes that last the rest of my life, the fat it helps me to loose will eventually come back.
So the question I have for myself, "today is how badly do I want to be thin"? What am I willing to do (or not do) to make that happen?

A year ago today, January 6, 2012, I had Lap Band surgery. I remember being scared out of mind and seriously considering canceling the whole thing. I cannot not tell how glad I am I didn't give into that fear and went through with it.
I have lost 175 pounds in the last year!
I've lost it by simply monitoring my calorie intake and portion size, making good food choices, walking, and learning to work with my band. I won't lie and say it's easy but it's not hard either. It's work. The biggest adjustment has been getting used to a new, healthy way of thinking and living. I still have a little ways to go before I reach goal, but I'm confident I'll be there by my second band anniversary.
To all those who are told you can't lose a lot of weight with the band, or you are too big or your BMI is too high to be successful with the band- I am living proof that's not true. The band is work and you can be successful with your band as long as you're willing to work for it.
Thanks to everyone for being there for the last year of support and encouragement!!!

I waited 8 weeks and I was nervous. I wanted to make sure I was healed and got the doctors ok!

Samskiles,
This is so difficult and hurtful. No matter what I say it will not ease your pain and heartache. I see your beautiful face and want to grab you through the computer and give you a hug.
Know that even though something horrible has happened here, your strength will get you through. Your life is going to change, you will be a different person, a stronger person, and then a happier person ....
Sending you peace, love, and good karma for your surgery!
(((hugs)))

All I have ever know was Lane Bryant (or Lane Giant as I like to call it - and I can because I am a regular customer! Sorry if I offend anyone) or the "Women's" department that is hidden on the third or fifth floor behind housewares of any department store. Now I am in a size that I don't have to shop in those places anymore. But I am scared and feel like a fraud. I don't belong in The Loft or "normal" people stores...
How did you all make the transition from the "big girl" stores/departments to the "normal girl" stores/departments?

Not scary! It's exciting! Congrats and best of luck!

Try tiny sips of Water but don't gulp or chug. Sometimes the water helps move the stuck food along. But not always.

So I'm getting do close to my goal ..

You can lose weight without exercising... BUT... your skin will be sagging. Exercise to firm up. Yes, you do have to "exercise". If you don't like to sweat, just walk... A lot.

I was eating BAGS of Halloween candy. Kit Kat, Reeces PB Cups, 1000 Grands, you name it! Today, I had one laffy taffy and one butterfinger (fun size). Thank GOD for the band.

Greek yogurt has a lot of Protein. I get the plain, fat free and add my own fresh fruit and a little bit of honey. But, it is sour.

I was eating BAGS of Halloween candy. Kit Kat, Reeces PB Cups, 1000 Grands, you name it! Today, I had one laffy taffy and one butterfinger (fun size). Thank GOD for the band.

I was eating BAGS of Halloween candy. Kit Kat, Reeces PB Cups, 1000 Grands, you name it! Today, I had one laffy taffy and one butterfinger (fun size). Thank GOD for the band.

From the time I woke up this morning I have been starving like I just left a concentratiion camp. My band is laughing at me telling me to go buy a bag of reeces Peanut Butter cups because it wil fill you up completely and your hunger will go away. Ah ha ha. Well it feels like it was saying that. But any way I didnt over eat today even though Im starving and I am not buying any Halloween candy either. So to my band I say you can be open as wide as you want today I will not buy any candy to let the last laugh be on you! Happy Halloweenie peeps.

Greek yogurt has a lot of Protein. I get the plain, fat free and add my own fresh fruit and a little bit of honey. But, it is sour.

Greek yogurt has a lot of Protein. I get the plain, fat free and add my own fresh fruit and a little bit of honey. But, it is sour.

Well, I started at 285. Today I weighed in at 270 (thanks pre op diet). I have some mild discomfort, gas pains they say. Other than that, it's a little painful when I take deep breaths. He did have to remove a hernia so that may be some of it. I feel good though and can't wait to drop the pounds!!

So a few weeks ago I posted that I would be taking a business trip this week and was hoping that I had lost enough weight to no longer need the seat belt extender. I am happy to say that I DID NOT NEED IT! Not only that but there was 5-6 inches of belt left! I usually ask the flight attendant before finding my seat for the extender. I made the decision to not ask this time. I felt pretty sure that I might not need it but I was prepared to ask for it if I needed to. I sat down and easily put it on. I just sat there and cried. With tears rolling down my face, I called my husband to share my excitement with him. He just said over and over, "I am so proud of you.". I flew back this morning with such comfort. I used the tray in front of me for my beverage (couldn't do that before) and even crossed my legs for a while. I am floating on a cloud!

Two things. #1 - you are doing this for you, not anyone else. Don't listen to the haters. #2, the woman that was taking the insurance payment from your sister may have broken the law... It's HIPAA. I would report it immediately!

Two things. #1 - you are doing this for you, not anyone else. Don't listen to the haters. #2, the woman that was taking the insurance payment from your sister may have broken the law... It's HIPAA. I would report it immediately!

Two things. #1 - you are doing this for you, not anyone else. Don't listen to the haters. #2, the woman that was taking the insurance payment from your sister may have broken the law... It's HIPAA. I would report it immediately!

Two things. #1 - you are doing this for you, not anyone else. Don't listen to the haters. #2, the woman that was taking the insurance payment from your sister may have broken the law... It's HIPAA. I would report it immediately!

Two things. #1 - you are doing this for you, not anyone else. Don't listen to the haters. #2, the woman that was taking the insurance payment from your sister may have broken the law... It's HIPAA. I would report it immediately!

let me say that this forum is a godsend to me
there is another forum that chewed my happy (never never land) butt up and spit it out.. why? how come? because i had the nerve to say i was getting banded...
someone referenced snide remarks to the newbies or prebies let me say....far be it from me to judge ANYONE. and if anyone thinks i have or am.....my apologies here and now.
i am one of the big bmi's. yepper...the biguns you all read about. and id kill to have only to lose what some do (the lower bmi's). this does not
give me the right to cast judgement or be a ass to them.
i do however say, if i feel they are not following their dr's instructions (or suggestions) that they should be. you damn right. why go through all of this to just (eat some pie a few days out and say it was soft so what is the big difference)
take care of your body
take care of your body
eat good foods
no food is off limits but sometimes some foods just not need to ate eating those foods in the past made us need WLS
so eat what you want but dont blame the band and say its not working ...i have to hold myself accountable to me and my dr ONLY
sure i can come here and say i eat lettuce only...
are you serious?...i have lap band surgery, apparently i had trouble eating in my history.
i promised myself to be open (100%) and honest in all that i have/encounter with this band/plication new life journey. that includes TMI info at times and the good and the bad.......
this forum has some good/great people
i am honored to know them and encourage them and have them help/support me.
i will always help anyone
i will never say told you so or see what you done.....
i will however be firm in saying you need to follow the rules:
eat right
eat healthy choices
exercise (do what you can with what you have)
make no excuses
follow your dr's orders (follows ups)
if something is not right---call the dr dammit
(hate seeing posts that say should i call dr).....if you are thinking it, then you should..
well, please note i respect and adore any and all who have had this surgery
please do what you need to do to get well
if you keep doing what you always done (and needed surgery because you are fat/obese) then you will remain just that.
and that goes for me too.