gowalking

I was on the phone the other day with the pre-op nurse. I'm having a procedure on Monday and she needed to go over some things with me. While discussing my medical history, she was basically confirming what was already on her records...which included my last weigh-in which was oh..maybe 3 or 4 lbs. more than my current weight. But I heard her loud and clear when she noted that I was obese. OK, I thought...yes, technically I still am obese based on my BMI...but this obese woman is wearing a size 12 slacks and tops anywhere from small to XL depending on the manufacturer. This obese woman fits into tight spaces, airplane seats, restaurant booths, suway and bus seats, and pretty much anywhere at this point I suspect. This obese woman doesn't get stared at anymore, doesn't get dirty looks when she is out and about with her cane...because now this obese woman didn't do this to herself...oh no...she probably is recuperating from some kind of surgery or injury. Now folks treat me kinder...sad but true. Plus I don't feel as self conscious either... This obese woman shops in regular clothing stores..no more Avenue for me. This obese woman is not ashamed to wear a bathing suit anymore...even with all the saggy skin, I wear the suits with a skirt to hide some of that. This obese woman got her legs up on the shower seat today to shave. Such an ordinary thing unless you can't do it... This obese woman hopes to lose a few more pounds just so she is no longer clinically obese, but I'll take this kind of obesity any day compared to a year ago when I carried 100 more pounds than I do now and couldn't move because of the knee and hip pain. I've said it before and I'll say it again...one day at a time, one pound at a time...and watch how your life will transform as you do. Happy Saturday all! I got out today...walked slowly and carefully but made it out. It's cold but not like yesterday...it's a balmy 22 degrees currently.

Now I know why I'm not married. I'd just beat the crap out of him... Just kidding!! LOL!

I'm in New York City. I know a face lift is totally out of pocket and I'm not sure what the cost is. My lapband surgeon has patients who've had plastic surgery and I have a name from one of them. It's a start for when I'm ready.

I haven't had it yet, but it's on my list. I have a real turkey neck now and while the clothes can hide the loose skin everywhere else, (and it's everywhere), I can't hide my face and I don't like what I see...lines by my mouth, bags under my eyes, and the neck as well. I'm hoping to meet with a plastic surgeon late this year and try to get this done in 2015. How about you? Are you investigating surgeons yet?

You're absolutely right not a coincidence at all. I'm 5'1.5 (can't forget that.5:)). Friend me so we can support one another to our goal and beyond. OK...just 'friended' you.

As have I Jim... as have I. Eighty pounds lost in the early nineties and I swore I would never be fat again. Eventually I gained it all back and then some.

Woo Hoo!! I can post here now. I'm close in terms of numbers...13 lbs. from my goal (set with my primary doc) but I reached my personal goal once I lost around 65 lbs. As soon as I got near 200 lbs. I could move forward on my hip replacement surgery. I had that surgery in October and though I'm still not pain free, I'm so much more mobile than before and can walk for several blocks where I once was only able to walk a block and then was in so much pain, I had to stop and sit. I was basically unable to walk or even get out of bed just prior to the surgery and now I hope to be able to visit London (on my bucket list) and sightsee without worrying about pain/endurance. I may not get there in 2104 but I'll do my very best to get there in 2015. My goal for 2014 is to scuba with my son this summer when we take our family cruise. Last year I couldn't even get off the ship. This year I expect to be able to shop again, and go on other excursions. I'm concerned at this point that I won't be able to maintain now that I've lost the majority of the excess weight but as long as I keep these goals in mind, I hope to keep my head in the game and not backslide.

I don't think it's a coincidence that we follow a very similar food plan (also per my nutritionist) and have lost a similar amount of weight. In fact, I suspect based on your BMI and mine, we're about the same height as well.

What a spectacular weight loss in such a short period of time. I know my loss has been very good and faster than many others but you have surpassed me. Keep up the good work! My challenge at this point is to really think beyond the weight loss and to making sure I maintain it.

I too gained an awful lot of weight after stopping the smoking..not the 10 or so lbs. that most people gain...I gained more than 60 lbs. and I was already overweight to begin with. I am lucky in that I don't have any urges to go back to it but I do worry about what new addiction may surface. Fortunately, I'm not much of a drinker but I do know that it's easy to substitute one bad habit for another. If you can, please try to stop smoking now before it becomes more difficult.

This weight loss thing we are all going through is full of observations and insights and I noticed something on New Year's Eve. I went out to dinner with my sister and a friend. I ordered the steak and my sister ordered the fish. I was surprised she ordered the fish...it's not her go-to food. But then again, red meat is not what I eat much either but heck, it was New Year's Eve so I decided to go for it. So...I cut off about 3 ounces of meat from my portion...it was probably about 10 ounces in size but I can eyeball portions pretty well at this point. I finished the piece I cut away and enjoyed it thoroughly. My sister finished her fish and asked me if she could take some of my steak. I said she was welcome to it and after we were finished with dinner, she said that she wanted 'surf and turf' as her meal and knew that since I ordered the steak, she would order the fish and have both knowing I would leave over plenty. I thought afterwards that this is what I'm looking for. I want folks who know me, to know that I'll always leave food over. I want this to be my new normal because as long as I leave food over, I am in control of what goes into my belly. For me...this control is so powerful and feels so much better than the fleeting pleasure of overeating. Can you tell that I'm in therapy now to help with all these changes to my body and we're discussing my need to feel in control...lol! I'm seeing alot of posts about body issues and I'm right there with you...my head is not where my body is. I still feel like the biggest one in the room, and the fat girl is still front and center. I'm hoping with time and help from the therapist, I can see what others see now...a normal sized person who will always be a normal sized person.

It takes a strong woman to admit her self sabotage. This strength is what will make you win the battle and be a success. Very proud of you.

Can I suggest you use myfitnesspal? I found this invaluable in terms of understanding how many calories and sodium and protein and sugar foods have. I know my success is in great part due to using it all the time.

Very timely post B-52. We just booked a family cruise for July and I had to check my passport to see if it included my middle name. The picture is of me 100 lbs. heavier so now I'm also curious to see what reaction, if any, I get from the ship personnel when they look at it.

What a great post Terry and this is why I don't want to hear ever again how folks on this site are not supportive. Your response is exactly why we have this forum and why I stay. Your advice to this poster was spot on and I couldn't have said it better.

I put my calendar for 2014 up on the kitchen wall today and as I always do...I took a look at my calendar from the year ending to revisit the last 12 months and see how the year went. I was also able to follow my weight loss journey as well because I started my preop diet exactly one year ago tomorrow. How very appropriate to start the new year with a chance to be a new me, right? So...what I was able to see very clearly, was that the weight did not come off in a dramatic fashion. Well...the first 20 or so lbs. came off quickly but that includes the preop diet. After that, I saw because I weighed and kept track every Sunday, what my progress looked like. Most of the time, I lost anywhere from 1/2 lb. to once in a while around 3 lbs. over the course of the week. Most of the time, the loss was less than 2 lbs. And today...one year after I started the preop diet, those mostly 1-2 lb. losses per week have added up to a total of 103 lbs. so far. Now that's an incredible number I realize, but...and this is a big but....it came off a little at a time. Just goes to prove that it really is about taking it one day at a time, one week at a time and not looking too far forward, but being able to look back and see where you came from and where you are now. For those of you just starting out, remember this post, put one foot in front of the other, and keep your eyes on the prize. The goals you seek will come.... Happy New Year to all..and much success in 2014!

Wow Donna. I am in awe of you for being so strong and resiliant. I hope you know that you are a success right now and being at goal is just icing on the cake.

OK then. Let's try to get something going for sure.

I have read many inspiring stories on this forum, but yours is the best ever, many congratulations you look fabulous.Thank you for your kind words.

I suspect so. I left Monroe in 2002.

Me too. I lived in Blooming Grove. It was really nice there but I worked in NYC and the commute was just too much for me. This was before the train went into Penn Station via the Secaucus transfer and the bus was the only way to get in.

go into the photos tab and you'll see pics posted there. I've got some before and after photos there along with many others.

Just make sure you are following your doctor's protocol for what to eat and when. If you are not sure about said protocol, call the office and get specific instructions. You should not be guessing at this..not now, nor months from now either. Eventually, you'll know what and how to eat but right now, you should have a detailed list so you can follow the doctor's directives to the letter. Good luck and congrats on being a bandster.

I'm in. Also..I used to live in Orange County...Middletown and Monroe. Let's see if others are interested as well.