gowalking

I was updating some of the pictures I have in the house to include the newest Myrtle Beach pics and I realized that it's not so hard to remove the 'fat pictures'. Most of the photo's I had were of others because I didn't want to be reminded of what I looked like. I have to keep some of them as they are from important events, like both of my boys' weddings. But I'm updating others and finding that now I'm in most of them as I'm not ashamed of how I look. Can't wait to add to the collection when the newest grandchild comes in the spring and has a healthy and happy grandma to love him or her. (Don't know if we're blue or pink just yet... )

Would have loved for you to have been able to join us Bandista. I know this will work because Lisa and I are like old pals now and we already felt like we knew Tammie because of our online relationship. I'm psyched...I want to meet you gals so much. Lisa and I talked last night and maybe a warm weather location early in 2015 might work out real nice. I like the Vegas idea that was floated but we'll look at several options so we can find something that doesn't burden anyone more than necessary.

Is there something the doctor can offer or even prescribe to help you get over the withdrawal?

Yes...engage him in your journey. If he feels like he is part of it, he might be more open to the reasons why you want to go this route. Good luck.

Thanks for all your compliments. My brother had the best comment of all. He said, 'Now you look like the way you're supposed to'. I loved that response because he recognizes me more now than when I was heavy.

The love and support on this site has helped me to find the success I hoped for. Stick around and feel the inspiration. Become a success and pay it forward. Welcome!

Obesity and depression....is like the chicken and the egg. Which came first? Does the depression cause overeating or does one become depressed when overweight? No matter...they are linked regardless of which causes which.

Once it became obvious that I was losing weight, people would comment on it and of course ask what I was doing. I am not good at lying or even editing the truth so I just came out and said I had WLS. Fortunately, feedback has been very positive so I haven't had many issues with 'the stinkeye'. Then there is my mother...who told every frickin' person she knew including the financial advisor we share. Why oh why did she tell him? It's too late now to take it back so I deal with it, but I wish she hadn't told everyone on the planet.. Just this past summer, one of her neighbors on the floor of her building saw me in the hallway waiting for the elevator and asked me how I was feeling as she also knew I had WLS. Really? Oh well....

Make an appointment with your bariatric surgeon and have him assess your issues.

Yeah, you all know I'm in the city but I filled in the info anyway. It would be great to get together with y'all! Name: Gowalking (Liz) Town: New York State: NY Country: USA or :

I'm smiling from ear to ear!! I do type on my pc with my legs crossed...lol! I cross my legs on the train when I can see myself in the window so I can stare at them. This is a great NSV and I'm happy happy happy for you my friend!

Oh Bandista...I love it. Ladies of the Sassy Haircut Brigade. I'm so excited to be part of this club for sure. I love you post as well. I know just how you feel, and so do most of the folks on this thread, and on the forum itself. I don't see it as vanity, I see it as pride. Not in a negative way, but in as being proud of how we look now...and wanting to take care of ourselves by eating right, exercising, and looking good whether it be a new haircut, or makeup, or nice clothing. It just shows that we care about ourselves and that's a good thing. I know this is very ambitious of me, but I'd love to try to have some kind of face to face with you gals (and guys). I feel so close to many of you that I'd dearly love to meet up somehow. I wonder if we can try to find a central location and make plans. How I would love to be sitting over a cup of coffee with you, Lisa, CG, Di, Tammie, and many of the other regulars on this thread. What do you say? Anyone want to give it a shot?

You may be swollen. I agree with labwalker...put in a call to the office. Not being able to eat solids is not normal. Good luck...let us know what happens.

That's what I was going to say...Chico's perhaps? I was in there a couple of weeks ago and even some of the 0 sizes were too big. Clothing sizes are absurd. I mention them in my posts so others can understand where I was versus where I am now but they really make no sense. I wear size 6P in slacks but size 10P in dresses. And in tops, I can range from petite small to misses large depending on the manufacturer and style. All I care about is that I'm no longer in plus sizes. Being both fat and short always meant that everything in the plus department hung like a nightgown or needed a six inch hem and the crotch was often somewhere around my knees. My sister has said for the longest time that designers hate fat women..even those that create plus size fashion for them and I believe she is right about that.

First off TMF, lot's of luck and best wishes to you on your knee replacement. As far as viewing the surgery, my doctor made me swear not to youtube the hip replacement surgery. He said it was brutal and there was no good reason for me to watch it. I never have and I'm glad. Try to forget what you saw, OK? Keep us posted on your recovery.

I cut my hair shorter as well Di. We can carry it off now because our bodies are smaller. I love the short haircut on me and your haircut looks great too. Enjoy it!!

Try to take classes if you can. I find that much more interesting than just walking or biking or even laps in the pool. I like the new friends I've made and the interactions with these folks. I know they look for me on Mondays and Wednesdays and that gives me alot of motivation to make sure I get there those days...and Saturday mornings as well if I can.

Nothing's up with that Janice. A half pound is just a good dump away. Sorry for being crude but it could be anything...your tom, a full colon, too much salt last night...anything. Take it from someone who's been at this for a while...stay off the scale. It will drive you crazy. If you are being compliant, you don't need to weigh yourself very often. Pay attention to how your clothes are fitting or other NSVs. They're better than any number for sure. I list my stats just for informational purposes but I never weighed myself more than once a week even when I needed to get to 200 lbs. in order to have my hip replacement surgery. I've lost more than 140 lbs. and never lost more than 3 lbs. in a single week. It will come off, I promise. Follow your doctor's protocol and you will be fine. Good luck to you.

I too keep a list on paper as I start to run out of things. It obviously helps me to not forget items and it also helps me to avoid things that shouldn't be in the house. I did that whenever I was on a diet as well. However...I never wrote down Ring Dings or chips on my lists no matter whether I was watching my intake or not. It was just a mind game I played with myself though. If I didn't write it down, then I could say I wasn't planning to eat all that crap. Truth is I always planned on eating it. So again I'll ask how can the medical community not see this as an addiction?

Came across these two shots and had to post them. Like I said in my title, there are just no words...except that this is the result of being banded, not bypass or sleeved. Not that there's anything wrong with those surgeries. Whatever works for you is my motto. But for those morbidly obese and not sure they can go with a band, this just shows that it can be done.

I wish I could give you a crystal ball so you can see how much improved you will be. The best I can do is tell you that I finally gave in and got banded in January of 2013 for the same reason as you...I needed both hips replaced and both knees. I had to lose nearly 70 lbs. before even being considered a candidate for surgery. I lost the weight in six months, had the surgery two months later and now...one year after both hips replaced, I am nearly normal again. Yes, I still have issues but I no longer need a cane or wheelchair assistance. I can walk without needing to sit down every few minutes, I can climb, bend, swim, everything. I can do almost everything I want and I have my life back. I even have avoided replacement of the knees as I've lost more than 140 lbs. and my weight is no longer a stressor on my knees. This can be your future so think of me as your future and know that it is all possible for you. Good luck!

CG is spot on. Sometimes my meal satisfies my hunger and sometimes it just doesn't. When the latter happens, I know I have to distract myself and eventually the head hunger goes away..and the satiety often kicks in. Once that happens, it's pretty easy to avoid the urge to eat just for the hell of it.

Good for you! Hang in there...once the band gives you correct restriction, you'll be able to handle this so much better. Glad you see now that no one gives a rats ass about what and how much you are eating. They are much more interested in what's on their plate and not yours. I was amazed when I realized that very thing. Only the girls at work noticed...and they knew I had a band so I think they were very curious about my new eating habits. Now it's no longer on anyone's radar and they are all used to my small meals and small bites and no one thinks about it twice.