gowalking

I just posted the details for our next F2F support group in October. If you can't find the thread, PM me and I'll provide details.

I don't know that she was being judged or if it was more observational. I'm the first to call out something mean or catty but I don't know that this was either....

October 17th.

Well my friends....Labor Day is over and gone and even though it's still hot out, the summer is surely going to be on the wane soon. School has started and it's time for renewing friendships and thinking about those crisp early mornings and the colors of Fall...blazing reds, golden yellows, and sunshiney oranges. In anticipation of the season, the next NYC/LI chapter F2F Support Group Meeting is going to be on October 17th from 2PM till 4 PM We will be meeting at The Atrium at 805 Third Avenue. The building is on Third Ave between 49th and 50th Streets. The Atrium is at the back of the space on the lower level past the shops. We are looking forward to seeing many of our forum friends there for a fun filled afternoon. We hope to share a bit of information, education, and ultimately support with our friends!!! So mark your calendars today forum friends and make plans to spend a beautiful Autumn afternoon in NYC. If any Jersey friends want to attend, please feel free to cross the Hudson and join us.

Labor Day is gone and even though it's still hot out, the summer is surely going to be on the wane soon. School has started and it's time for renewing friendships and thinking about those crisp early mornings and the colors of Fall...blazing reds, golden yellows, and sunshiney oranges. In anticipation of the season, the next NYC/LI chapter F2F Support Group Meeting is going to be on October 17th from 2PM till 4 PM We will be meeting at The Atrium at 805 Third Avenue. The building is on Third Ave between 49th and 50th Streets. The Atrium is at the back of the space on the lower level past the shops. We are looking forward to seeing many of our forum friends there for a fun filled afternoon. We hope to share a bit of information, education, and ultimately support with our friends!!! So mark your calendars today forum friends and make plans to spend a beautiful Autumn afternoon in NYC. If any Jersey friends want to attend, please feel free to cross the Hudson and join us.

Those NSVs are so freakin' awesome, aren't they? I've experienced so many of them but they are still thrilling none the less. There is nothing better than to fit like any normal person, into a plane seat, or a restaurant booth, or anywhere for that matter.

It takes time. I've been maintaining for about a year now and still don't know what size is right unless I try it on and check in a three-way mirror. Even yesterday, I had on a size 10 dress and thought it was a little too big. I couldn't find an 8 but tried on the 6...and it fit fine. Remember...sizes will vary with style, material, and manufacturer. If you think it's OK in the dressing room, don't take off the tags till you try it at home in case you need to bring items back.

I was so ashamed of what I used to weigh that I prefer not to give the numbers except for places like this site. So when I was asked by a few people, I would just say 'alot'. Most folks let it go at that. Not all, but most.

Oh gosh...I'm so very sorry your band experience was so awful. I blame the doctor more than the device. I don't know if that is accurate or not but my band experience has been great and I have to wonder why the difference between those with good and those with poor experiences. I'd hate to think that the difference is just a toss of the surgical coin so to speak.

Oh man, does my family eat alot. We went for Chinese last night and while I eat faster than most other bandsters because I haven't had any fills, I still sat for a good 20 more minutes while they kept eating. My perception of how much food is enough for me vs. how much is enough for anyone else has changed big time. Even the order seemed like too much food. Fortunately, the waitress got it a bit wrong and brought a 1 1/4 lb. lobster for mom and me to share, and not the 3 lb. lobster she actually ordered. I at about half the lobster and a couple of spoonfuls of beef and eggplant (mostly eggplant) and a small handful of rice. No pork chops, no seconds or thirds,...just what was on my plate and then a fortune cookie and a couple of orange slices. for dessert. I'm glad to see that my eyes are starting to fall in line with how much I can consume. It makes for a much less stressful dining out experience.

Congratulations on the new baby. So sorry to hear of your difficulties though. Here's to a happy and healthy little girl and a happy and healthy new mom as well.

I found myself full of hatred for people I saw who were struggling with obesity. It made me feel awful for many of the same reasons the OP noted. It was my therapist who said that i was likely taking my own self hatred for my former fat self and transferring onto those who reminded me of when I too was obese. I think she was right, and I've gotten better about it. I also know that I often felt that i was being judged for everything I put in my cart, in my mouth, etc. These days I am all too aware that if I'm eating ice cream out on the street, no one will look twice. I used to feel that all eyes were on me if I'd do that as an obese person. It's why I ate in secret at home behind closed doors.

I followed a weight watchers type of food plan and lost 150 lbs in about 18 months. I've been in maintenance for about a year now. I followed a weight watchers type of food plan and lost 150 lbs in about 18 months. I've been in maintenance for about a year now.

How about that! My surgery is the day before you... on the 29th. Are they also putting your port further into the muscle to hide it?

terrific results. I often wonder how I'd look with a flat stomach. as much as I want one, I don't want to go through the pain and suffering to get there. one day....maybe..

Hi Donna. It's not plastic surgery you need, it's therapy with your husband. Somehow you two have to learn to love each other again if possible. Only a professional can help you navigate such a difficult set of issues to find each other again. As far as the physical challenges you are facing...ask the doctor. Two years of diarrhea and constipation must be exhausting for your body. Have the doctor work with you to figure out how to stop the cycle. Wishing you all the best...hope you can work out the problems.

Was just going to post the same thing as Sharpie. Thanks for clarifying. Folks who are not sure what surgery to go with need to have accurate info so they can make an informed decision.

Nothing personal to the OP, but this made me laugh. I live in NY and there's a Central Valley about 60 miles from the city. I bet there's a Central Valley in any state with mountains or hills.

Welcome! I live in NYC where people eat out 24/7. Guess what?? No one gives a crap what or how much you are eating. They are way more interested in what's on their plate. And I've started to introduce sharing of apps or small plates with my companion(s). Then no one even notices food left over. Works great! Believe me...as others have said, the inconvenience of eating as a bandster is nothing compared with the inconvenience of being overweight and in my case, living with limited mobility at that time.

Hello and good morning my friends. Welcome to Banders #7. So, I guess I'll start it off by saying how grateful I am today and every day for the new lease on life that I have. I walked to the office today from the train station. That was something I couldn't do before the surgery. I always say how light I feel and I realized it's not a state of mind, but a physical reality. We are weighed down by the excess weight and all that goes with it. When we don't rumble and jumble as we walk, our steps are lighter. I was listening to my ipod and started to dance a little as I was walking. I'm sure I looked ridiculous, but who cares? When one is thin, even looking ridiculous seems OK. I am grateful for my for my beautiful grandson who I was able to tuck into my lap last Saturday morning so we could play while Mommy and Daddy got to sleep in a bit. I'm grateful that I fit anywhere and everywhere. No more worrying if I will break a chair, or be able to navigate a booth at the restaurant, or walk down a narrow aisle without having to suck it all in just to get past someone/something. I'm grateful for my health. I take alot of pills, but many of them are supplements and not prescription for chronic ailments. I'm grateful that I can walk again...that I can swim, bike, climb, and yes....enjoy sex. I am surprised at how flexible I can be now that I'm thin. I'm grateful that I earn enough money that I can indulge my new found love of shopping. I really think I'm one of the best dressed ladies in the office these days...and I know I've upped the game for others. I am definitely seeing more dresses than I did a year ago. I'm grateful to Alex for having this site available...and I'm grateful to all the folks on it who are part of my success. I know I would not have been as successful as I have been if not for all of you. I talk about things here that I don't talk to anyone else about. You all know the struggles of being fat, and immobile, and feeling like a failure regardless of what we've accomplished..and I know now how much we 'hidden' people have accomplished. It's helping me to not turn that self hatred towards others still struggling with obesity. It also reminds me that I will always struggle with obesity. Under this thin person still lurks the fat girl. She is the one who whispers in my ear all the time that I'm not worthy of the good things out there and I should just order a pizza and eat the whole thing. She and I clash daily and it's why I still go every Tuesday to the therapist who listens and helps me to navigate this new world I inhabit. Well...I think I've posted enough for today. Feel free to comment on the above, or share your stories, or say hi, or just lurk. Enjoy your day today...enjoy the upcoming holiday, and looking forward to a wonderfully robust Banders #7 thread. Liz

Hi Friends. Never heard back from CG so I'm sending an IM to Alex asking him to shut down this thread. I'm starting the Banders #7 now so please head over there to continue the journey we are on. Liz

That's not luck. I bet you are following the rules...small bites, chew well, eat slow. I'm sure at some point, you'll get stuck...everyone does. But you may not have that happen regularly because you are doing what you are supposed to.

I can't swear to it but I do believe that some posters have said this has happened to them.

I am so sorry to hear that your husband is having issues with your weight loss. I can't offer you any insight as I've not had this situation myself, but I would say that you need to decide if his request for you to gain the weight back is a deal breaker for the two of you. Unfortunately, you're in a lose-lose situation..and that I have been in before. I know I went with my gut feelings and more than 20 years later, I've rarely regretted my decision. Good luck to you and wishing you all the best.

Turns out that many of our old friends, while maybe not posting, are still on the boards. I reached out to CG to find out how to shut this thread down and once I know how that is done, I'll start Banders #7