gowalking

You are an inspiration to me Kime-lou. To have suffered such a great loss and still be able to function and look to improve your life is amazing. I understand the struggle with temptation...we all do. None of us got to the size we are by eating smart and as food is our drug of choice, you've simply fallen off the wagon a bit same as anyone else with an addiction. I have no great words of wisdom...you will find your way, I know it. You are a strong woman. Next year at Mother's Day...if children have not become a part of your life...do something wonderful for yourself to celebrate the person you are. Get a massage, go on a trip, buy a new outfit. Whatever brings you pleasure, go ahead and do it.

So...I had three doctor appointments today. A mammogram first, then a visit to the lapband surgeon for a follow up visit, and then the rheumatologist to discuss the knee and hip pain. Great NSVs at the breast imaging center. I fit fine in the narrow seats in the waiting room. Last time, I had to sit on the couch...the chairs were too tight. Then was able to wrap an XL gown around myself with no issues while the last time, I had to put on two 2XL gowns, front to back, back to front, so I could cover up. Then...off to the surgeon. Lost 23 lbs in two months....59 total since pre-surgical diet. Doctor said I am doing exceptionally well especially as I've not had any fills. Now I'm literally floating on air and heading to my next appointment. So, I get to the rheumatologist....and that's when I got a big old dose of reality. He put me on methotrexate and told me to take four pills a week even though based on my weight, I should really be on six pills but he wanted to start me off at a lower dose and go up if needed. That kinda burst my bubble. I knew going into this lapband thing, that I needed to lose at least 100 lbs. but I was feeling so good until he brought me back to Earth with that comment that I should be on more meds based on my size. Not to worry...I'm not letting this get me down, it's just that while we may know in our world, how well we are doing, the rest of the world still sees us as fat. I can't wait to not be fat. I'm not interested in being skinny...I'm just soooo done with being fat.

Hey Mark, that's really great. I hope you-know-who is giving you more support now that the results are so positive.

I'd love to do that dani. I don't get to the Wed. support group...I usually have PT that conflicts with the meetings. We should check with the other ladies on our 'Hi' thread like NYCTeacher, and Bubie, Karen, etc. I also invited two new folks to that thread who I met surfing the forum. Mark is on the UWS and Zinhaa is on Long Island. Turns out she and I went to the same middle and high school in Brooklyn.

This is going to sound so silly but I can't wait to go to my mammogram appointment next week to see how the gown fits. Last time I was there...six months ago, I gave in and finally had to wear two gowns..front to back and back to front in order to cover up sufficiently. I don't expect that this time now that I'm down more than 50 lbs. Also...am flying in a couple of weeks and the first thing I want to do is buckle the belt without a friggin' extension. Oh how I hate having to ask for one. And...the next thing I want to do is put the arm down without it scootching back up because my hips are in the way.

This guy is an idiot. Ignore him...don't let a thoughtless remark derail you. and...just my opinion...don't think about dating for a while. Focus on you right now, and when you are ready, then think about meeting guys. Until you feel more comfortable in your new body, don't share it with anyone.

That is friggin' awesome! Brag all you want...you deserve it. I'm doing well. 54 lbs. down so far. No issues either thank goodness. I'm heading to Florida soon and can't wait to do some shopping. I'm waiting till then because I live in NYC and the cost of clothing is so high here. I don't want to spend a whole lot because I'm still losing but I can do Walmart and Target, etc. down there. I've dropped several sizes and have been able to get into things that have been in the back of my closet for years. Very exciting. More important, I'm off one of my blood pressure meds, and have gone from 60 to 20 mgs. on the other one.

Good luck BandedMarco. Welcome to the forum.

great news Mark. Keep us posted.

He used the same doctors I did. Gonna keep an eye out for him when I go to the office for followups...LOL!

Saw it this morning on the news. He went to the same Bariatric group at NYU that me and and several others on this site used. Good for him. Only concern is that the media will start a 'weight count' and no one, not even the governor needs that additional pressure. Too bad he couldn't do this off the radar.

thanks for the info and encouragement!

Hi Qtjan5. Dr. Ren did my surgery in January. I've been thinking that once I get to or near goal, I'd like to have cosmetic surgery as well. My tummy, thighs, and boobies will all need a little help. Is Dr. Sterry at NYU as well or does he work out of another hospital in the city? I'd like to keep his name for future reference. I'm down 54 lbs. but need to lose at least another 50 before considering cosmetic surgery.

....and this is why we fail. I'm not saying a person can't lose all the weight within a year but it should not be about how long it takes. None of us got to be fat overnight, and we're not going to lose it overnight either. Good for you hondoford that you modified your goals and did not go into 'failure' mode. You will reach your goal.

I ate hummus during the mushies stage, and I still eat it....it's so delicious. I tear up a WW whole wheat wrap and scoop up the hummus with the wrap. No wrap for you yet, but the hummus is yummy all by itself.

Celebrated a tad early. Went to dinner last night and had the flautas de pollo appetizer and a cup of mexican chicken and rice soup. There were three flautas on the plate and I had 1 1/2. They were delicious and I felt so good that I didn't finish them all. In fact, I went out to eat Tuesday night as well as last night and still lost over three pounds this week.

You'll do fine Mark. I was banded at the same hospital you are going to. I had Dr. Ren do my surgery....Dr. Fielding's wife. They are great at NYU...the post-op nurse never left my side and my pain and nausea were well controlled. I stayed overnight but that was because I have arthritis issues and needed help getting in/out of bed and walking around after surgery. At your age, you'll be back to normal before you know it. There's a small group of us in and around the city and we have a separate thread on this forum. If you are interested, I'll invite you. There are no men in our group as of yet, but we're all different ages so I'm sure you can find we can be good buddies for you as you start the journey. Good luck,

1800 calories is too much. Your NUT is a nut. He/she should be giving you alot more input than 'eat healthy'. That's just stupid. Get more info or at least follow a diet similar to WW...3 oz protein, 1/2 cup veggies, 1/4 cup carbs. Track you food intake on myfitnesspal. It's a great app. As for exercising...my knee is shot and I'll need a replacement most likely. I can't walk or run. Find a Y or gym with a pool and exercise in there. The Water will keep you buoyant and you'll be able to move around in there much easier. Swim or walk, doesn't matter. It will get you going. Oh, and I'm 5' 1" and topped out at 267 just prior to going on my pre-op diet on January 1st. Today, I weighed in as I do every Sunday and the scale said 212.8. If I can do it, so can you. You'll do great on this journey, you're already going about it the right way with information gathering and asking for feedback.

I'm 54. I like reading your posts and dylanmiles. I suspected you two were around my age. I also went from two hypertensive meds to one...and at a much lower dosage to boot. Except for my knee, the rest of me is doing much better since I started dropping the weight. If I eventually need a knee replacement, at least I'll have a better chance that it will be successful without all the extra weight. Step104....it's normal to feel like you might fail. I just posted a topic earlier today about the fear of failing even though I'm doing very well at 3 1/2 months post banding having lost 53 lbs. so far. Listen to the other folks who replied. Work the program and you will see results.

Thanks all. I really appreciate the feedback.

me too, me too!! Heading to the spa in two weeks. Can't wait to try on the robe and not have to worry about anything falling out or showing while waiting for the masseuse in the relaxation room.

Thanks for suggesting the read. I guess I'm right where I'm supposed to be. It's just confusing because people talk about restriction, feeling full, not being hungry and that's what I'm not understanding. Even reading some of these responses, I see that Missy noted 'it's not about restriction' and B-52 says 'it's all about restriction'...LOL And I do see that I can walk away from a fraction of the amount of food I ate prior to surgery. It's just not an automatic response though. I still think about food an awful lot and I track everything I eat so as not to get into trouble. I already checked the menu of the restaurant I'm going to tonight to make sure when I'm actually sitting at the table, I chose from the better options. I guess for us food addicts, it doesn't really become second nature, does it? I think B-52 is an anomaly. I'm happy for him, but I think most people do not have that same experience. Thanks again for some feedback. I think I'm just like any other addict....fearful that I will fall off the wagon.

Hi all. I have a question about something I don't quite understand. I'm fairly new to being banded...nearly four months. I see folks on this forum who've been banded for years so maybe it's just because I'm new but can someone explain how you can overeat with the band? My understanding is that if you eat too much, you will feel sick and likely throw up. I stick to around 1,000 calories daily...3 oz. Protein, 1/2 cup veggies, 1/4 cup carbs. I find this amount of food is basically satisfying...I never feel full but I know I'm not supposed to. I also get hungry regularly but not between meals as much as just before it's time to eat my next meal. There are times when I would love to have a big bowl of spaghetti but I truly fear getting sick and that is often my motivation for sticking to the rules. How is it then that people 'slip back' into old habits and gain much if not all their weight back? When I read about folks gaining it all back, I think this being banded is no better than all the other diets we've tried..and failed at. I'm really concerned that while I'm currently successful, anything could get me off track, and I'll put the weight back on. I say this because I've been there before. I lost 80 lbs many years ago and kept it off for about six years. Then a second marriage went sour and before I knew it, I had put it all back on and then after stopping smoking, I put on another 50 lbs. on top of what I gained back. I currently have no fills but have not felt the need for any since I'm not grazing or overeating. I wonder if I should get a fill at my next appointment just to dampen down the hunger even though I'm able to control it so far. Any insight from my fellow bandsters would be really appreciated.

I agree with Spaness...500 calories is pretty low and your body may be in starvation mode. I eat around 1,000-1,100 calories a day and I've dropped 53 lbs in four months. Talk to your nutritionist but I bet you need to increase your intake.. Good luck!

Are you kidding?? You are doing awesome. I was banded on January 14th and I'm down 52 lbs. and I know that's faster than alot of folks. You should be losing 1-2 lbs. a week so don't worry about a thing and be happy that it's coming off as fast as it is.