Sharpie

If they are truly your friends they will be happy for you. so, if your decision to get healthy and happy threatens them somehow you shouldn't feel bad. Everyone has to make up their own mind about health issues. No one can make your friends realize that they need to lose weight, hopefully they will see your success and follow your lead. Concentrate on yourself and make new friends at the gym or at your support group. Best of luck.

Melinda so sorry to hear you had to part with your band.. so the plication is like sleeve? or what? I thought you had to have a band with plication. I love your short and chunky name.. I always feel short and chunky- @ 5'0" I don't think I look thin ever. I now weigh 138 but I want to weigh less of course.. I hope your plication is successful for you and you continue to maintain your loss... I live in Florida too, but near Lake City area.

My thoughts are very similar to yours.. I think the show is cruel . It is a unrealistic view on obese people. Jillian is a tyrant I think they should have left her off the show period. I like Bob okay and Dovett is a good trainer too. Rachel was going to win from the beginning, she has a competetative personality but I think she looks too thin. I have lost 60 lbs this year it has been slow but steady and I am healthy. Biggest Loser has become a soap opera. All the psycho analysis by these trainers is ridiculous and disingenuius .

You Can do it... If you keep your eye on the prize.. the prize is your health... We are all rooting for you.

Ed I know you will be so happy that you decided to do this. I debated and hem hawed around for months but when I finally made that step I was determined to follow through. My health was at stake. If you look at some of the veterans on here like Jim and CG you will see that they have lost massive amounts of weight and have regained their lives.. Best to you and we are all here to help you on your journey..

Fantastic . I was diabetic as well and have not had to take any medication (metformin or glypcide) for a year . I was on track to start taking insulin before my band surgery.

yes I have a home office and my own business so I am doubly lucky but after my surgery I had a hard time working all day. It took me a good 2 weeks to feel fairly normal. Take your time, get lots of rest and stay hydrated.. it will get better but it takes time..

I ate at the Roadhouse about 4 weeks post op but I had mashed potatoes and applesauce.. I can't do much salad even now. I am 1 year post op.. now I can eat at roadhouse, I eat steak bites off of the children's menu and green beans.. no bread or potatoes.

Jim you are so right.. I was so aggravated with Penny on the 600 lb life show.. I wanted so much to see her succeed. I know about being obese (not morbidly) and I know she has a very difficult and long road ahead. I sometimes forget that I was also in denial and did not want to follow the rules . Being humble is a good thing and thank you for reminding me. I think I want everyone to have the best outcome with their WLS. I am praying that they have a follow up segment where Penny gets it and is on a path to success...

Woo Hoo that is what we call a NSV... Fantastic for you.

I think all of us have that fear.. I saw a lady today @ Walmart with huge legs and she was barely able to walk to the electric cart.. she looked to be younger than me but Lord help her she was so sad looking.. I know I was headed for the electric cart myself ..could hardly make it through the store without leaning on the grocery cart... I thank God everyday that I decided to take charge of my health and got my band before it was too late... it's moments like these that make you say there by the Grace of God go I...

Best of Luck I know you will do great.. it's been a life changing decision for me.. and T;giving will come and go.. you really will be amazed at how much you won't eat....

I get so sad for some of these poor girls especially the "big bliss" ladies.. I see such cruel things said to them by people who are supposed to love them.. Makes you think about no wonder they have weight issues...

yes there are billions of dollars spent on diet gimmicks .. wonder what this would due to your tongue after awhile>? I know I tried all kinds of stuff, including shots, pills, water pills, weight watchers, nutrisystem, etc. nothing was effective long term.. so far me and my band are doing fine and I am hoping this will be my long term answer.. I'm loving life ..I have about 20-25 more lbs to lose...

Hey Maggie.. I am coming to Colorado in 2 weeks.. My BFF and I are going to Loveland for a week .. We will be staying @ the Dude Ranch and I am happy to say I have lost 50# since Jan with my band.. I thank God also for letting me find a way to regain my health. I will be able to enjoy my vacation and hopefully won't gain any weight while I am gone.. Have a wonderful time.

at 3 weeks post op I was barely on regular foods... throwing up is not a good thing, but hopefully it will be a reminder.. I know we all eat too fast sometimes.. I have really worked on that.. I have been stuck just a few times but it's painful and I now have slowed down alot... I also realized that even though I may have something left on my plate, I dont have to eat it .. it's better in the trash than in my already full stomach...

That poor woman needs to kick him to the curb.. My husband started out 37 years ago with a 93 lb wife.. I got to 200 lbs.. he never complained.. he was concerned for my health but never once acted embarrassed or made rude comments.. He knows how much I wanted to lose weight.. he has stuck with me through every crazy diet plan I ever wanted to do... If I gained it back he'd just say well honey you will have to try again if that's what you want to do.. sounds like this guy is a jack ass... we all can't have wonderful husbands I guess... I am blessed..sounds like you are too.

track your calories.. make sure you are not eating more than the 1 cup of food at each meal, get your protein in and lots of water. the band will not necessarily make you lose weight.. it's a tool to help you eat smaller amounts and keep you satisfied longer... myfitnesspal.com will work for tracking calories.. you would be surprised how that will help you...

Our family constantly celebrates... lol.. every event involves food.. however, since being banded, I just eat what we have in a very small amount or bring my own food.. my family has been so supportive and they try (bless their hearts) to make healthy food but they all still love bbq and lasagne and burritos, etc. so, I haven't stopped living I just make better choices where food is concerned.. I am very happy these days not worrying about my weight 24/7...

excellent post.. good explanation of why we focus on protein...

yes Terry there is hope... but in our Country portion sizes are huge... I end up bringing more food home than I eat at a restraunt... however, if I eat it later fine if I don't I am getting used to throwing it out.. My Mom would be horrified.. wasting food was a sin in our house growing up.. last time I had breakfast out I ordered a omelette, potatoes and toast.. only ate a bite of toast, had about 1/4 of the omette and ate about 2 spoons of the potatoes.. it is absolutley amazing to me.. before the band I would have polished that off and probably been hungry an hour later...