gowalking

Come to our support group meeting on the 25th in midtown. We'll be your support! The info with the address/time is in the support group thread...or PM me. PS: Say hi to Dr. Fielding for me. Haven't been to the office in quite a while but heading back in December for another follow up.

I never saw it that way before. I like that you put a positive spin on it. I'll try looking at it that way instead of so negatively. Oh...and you were all correct...I got on the scale this morning and the two pounds are gone along with about another half pound. It's not even the fact that the number is back to where I was prior to going away...it's the feeling of not being in control while away. That's really what my issue is about at its core. Either I'm in complete control, or I'm totally out of control. The massive weight gain was me very much out of control and now it seems that I'm only comfortable when I feel back in control...like when I'm home and eating 'normally' again. Funny how I don't worry about eating out. Maybe because it's one meal rather than several days of eating out. Something to discuss with the therapist tonight...lol.

I hear you all. Thanks. I just get afraid that I'll undo all the hard won gains I've made since getting the band. I know how easy it is to sabotage the work we've put in and that's what scares me most of all. I suspect strongly that I will always have to be vigilant. I just don't think this will ever be second nature. I should ask folks online who are banded for a number of years if this ever gets more instinctive. I really do feel like someone with an addiction who's in recovery. Not that I've experienced it, but I've heard and read enough to know that those folks always consider themselves addicts....so why shouldn't I, right?

I was on vacation last week and found myself less than compliant. I didn't want to struggle like that but I found myself challenged to eat healthily as I was able to when I went on a cruise earlier this year. I was with my adult children and a grandchild and found myself no where near 'healthy' food options so I did as best I could. I had Cereal and fruit every morning instead of the egg/bacon/cheese sandwiches everyone else was eating. I tried to stay away from the 'snack' foods that were in the house...chips, candy, etc. I bought healthier Snacks like 100 calorie Cookies and pretzels to go along with the fruit. I figured I could minimize the damage that way. I chose a grilled lobster instead of salmon one night but didn't dunk the meat into the melted butter. I had 1/4 of a baked potato..no sour cream. I gained two lbs. over the course of five days but as my son said, 'it was a vacation.' I had hummus and pretzel flats for lunch yesterday...not a sandwich, and ate a typical band friendly meal last night. I'm trying to live a normal life by indulging once in a while but getting right back to my regular food schedule as soon as I can. I hope this becomes second nature at some point, or at least something I can control as thin people do and not find myself going off the rails as I often did prior to being banded. Just finished my salad with tuna and am so glad to be back to eating normally again. I don't like when I'm not in control of my intake. Just goes to show that it's still a journey even though I've been and exceeded goal for several months already.

Not sure if I should say sorry or lucky you...lol!

Hi Julie. I was widowed 20 years ago. It takes time, but I promise you that you will be happy again one day. I don't necessarily mean with another relationship. That's a maybe or maybe not. But so soon after your loss, I know how hard it is right now to think that you'll be able to enjoy yourself and laugh again but you will....

Great pictures Lisa. You and Ken look adorable!

Sure was!

You bet! She'll be taller than me real soon.

This trip to Myrtle Beach is one year after my hip surgery. I still have aches and pains....having done lots of damage along the way, but I was able to keep up pretty well and walked around without limiting anyone. Some pics attached below. Me and my granddaughter...who loves me fat or thin...though I can't say enough how enjoyable it is to be able to keep up with her now. The pic of me heavier is from two years ago...and the pic of me at the beach...well, what can I say? I hadn't been to a beach in probably 5 years or more. Now I can navigate walking in the sand just fine.... Life is good.

You are beautiful my friend... inside and out.

Will post pics when I'm back.

With the family in Myrtle Beach. Having a wonderful time.

Thank goodness candy isn't my trigger food. Oh boy do I feel for all you sugar addicts...

I can only add to what others have said. I decided on the band because it wasn't permanent and could be removed if necessary. I'm fairly certain this is the reason why people choose the band over other WLS because the band is also alot of work for most. What I mean is that there are fills, and the 'green zone' can be very elusive at times. But...if you are dedicated and compliant, the chances are very good that you will find the success you are looking for. I was morbidly obese at 267 lbs. on a 5'1" frame. My BMI was over 50. I am now 123 lbs. I used to wear a size 26 slacks and a 4X top. I'm now wearing 6/8 slacks and mostly medium tops. Oh...and I look terrific in dresses again and wear them quite often though I do need support garments because of the excess skin. I'm 56 and it is what it is. I'm healthy and that's more important than wrinkled skin. I'm also vain again. I wear makeup every day, have shoes to match my outfits, and get my nails done every week. I take care of myself and it makes me feel great. My co-morbidities are under control. I no longer need a cane to walk around and I have the ability to move around in a way I wasn't able to for many years. I'm enjoying my life again. Whichever surgery you get, my thoughts are with you and here's to wishing you a very successful journey to good health. Please keep us posted on how you're doing.

Just saw this thread again today and thought I'd post an update as my response above is nearly a year old. For those who are not aware, I'm just days away from my one year anniversary on the hip replacement surgery, down 140+ lbs. and walking just fine thank you. Heading to Myrtle Beach with my kids and granddaughter in a few days and she and I have plans to walk the beach to look for awesome shells. Never could have done that pre-band. Oh...and get this. May be heading to China over Christmas with my brother and niece to visit my SIL who is working there for a year. China was always on my bucket list and there were plenty of times I thought I'd never make it as heavy and immobile as I used to be. If the timing works out and I do get over there, I'll be posting so many pics that you guys will be begging me to stop..lol! I can't say enough what a miracle this lapband has been for me.

Listen ladies...there isn't much you can do about the hair loss. I went through it and I know how devastating it is. I was horrified the day I realized my scalp was showing. I did my best to cover it up, started to take Biotin, Iron, and upped my Protein with

You are correct VSGAnn. I was told by my orthopedist that no amount of further weight loss will make my knees any better. At this point, the damage is there, and all the weight has done is make the load bearing much better and the pain less. But I will need knee replacement as well...the weight has just given me more time...which is no small thing as I am just a year out from bi-lateral hip replacement. I'm more than happy to put off the knee replacement for as long as possible. For some of us, we can avoid surgery but for others, it is inevitable...

I guess you really can find everything on youtube...

Look online for wig stores near you. Just remember that wigs, like anything else, come in varying degrees of quality and the better ones are considerably more expensive. (Had a friend who lost her hair from chemo and went wig shopping with her)

Rant away Alfie. You know what you need for successful long term weight loss. Your friend means well but doesn't understand. I was in such a bad state prior to my surgery that you would also presume I would have 'the mindset' to lose weight. I tried for a year and lost a total of 25 lbs. After a year being banded, I lost around 100 lbs. Now, 9 months later, I am mobile where I was once bed ridden. I went from a size 26 pants to a size 6. I am planning a trip to China...something I thought I'd never have the ability to do. I'm wearing makeup again...dresses, shoes with heels, and I get manicures again. I look and feel better now at the age of 56 than I did ten years ago when I started having knee issues. I swim and bike at the Y. I am normal again. There is no way I could have done any of this without having WLS. Hang in there.....remember you are doing this for your quality of life. I see that you are from NY. If you are near NYC or the surrounding suburbs, please feel free to come to our face to face support group meetings. If you want info on them, just PM me.

It is worth bothering labwalker. You know why? Because like you said, it's a small but vocal minority. As a fellow successful bandster, I think it's our obligation to stick around so other folks who want to be banded same as us, have our experiences to draw from. When I was still waiting for surgery, and terrified of what the future would bring, I found this site and read everything I could from successful bandsters. I am so grateful to folks like Missy and CG who helped me every step of the way along with many others. I'm paying it forward and all of us who understand that bandsters choose this procedure to avoid more invasive procedures need advocates on this site. Please don't leave. Liz

Congratulations. We are working on a support group meeting later this month. Pre-surgical folk are more than welcome to join us. Hope to see you at a future get together. Liz

Ken's looking real good Lisa. Tell him I said so....unless he'll be impossible to live with...lol!

Not at all. In fact, that's why I weigh daily. I need to know all is OK because I haven't found my 'normal' yet.