gowalking

Wow!! What a wonderful NSV this morning. I got to a meeting late in one of the conference rooms and all the chairs near the door were taken. It meant going all the way around the table to the front to grab a seat. Before I lost the weight, it would have meant unbelievable embarrasement to me as all the folks already sitting down would have had to pull their chairs all the way in just so I could squeeze past them. I had to do it once or twice before and it was awful. It got to the point that I always made sure to get to those meetings early so I could grab a seat right by the door so I wouldn't have to squeeze past anyone getting in or out of the room. So like I said, I was late today and knew I was going to have to get around all the others already seated. Well...hallelujah!! No one had to move in, I didn't have to squeeze my big ass body past anyone...this newly slender gal just walked past all the chairs and sat down at the front of the table. Whatever I had to go through in order to get to this place in my life was so worth it just to know that I don't have to deal with things like this anymore. What a great feeling it is.

Sweetie...I'm very open on this forum. I see a therapist. I have plenty of body issues and self esteem issues even with the weight loss. In fact, it's the weight loss that's bringing it all bubbling up to the surface. We all have unhealthy relationships with food...it's why we needed surgical intervention in the first place. It's a wise woman who realizes she needs someone with experience to help deal with all of this. Good luck my dear. Keep me posted.

My primary care doctor wanted me to get the bypass because I had to lose at least 100 lbs. and she said I'd never be able to reach that goal with the lapband. I wanted the least invasive type of procedure so I went ahead with the lapband in January of 2013 even though it wasn't what my doctor wanted me to do. When I saw this same doctor back in March, I got on the scale as I do every visit and she quietly told me that I was now five pounds less than she was. At least she was 'man' enough to admit she was wrong. Do your homework, read and investigate all surgeries, but know that if the band is what you want, find a surgeon who will support you and go for it. Good luck!

Yes...I think therapy is something for you to explore. You are having separation issues. You need to create a new relationship with food that isn't so emotionally based. A professional can help you work this issue out. Good luck my dear.

Hi Lee. Looking forward to meeting you as well.

It's still new to me also...this smaller body I inhabit. I know (and hope) that it becomes ordinary and just a part of my life, but for now, I'm still surprised by how much less space I take up as a normal sized person....and how no one notices me anymore for the wrong reasons.

I've been dealing with this since oh...about a year ago. I hate it and it's the first thing I'm getting fixed. I see my bariatric surgeon next month for a follow up and I'm asking her for a reference for a plastic surgeon. Plus I have a hereditary factor as well. My mom was a gobbler too and not because she lost alot of weight either, but just because that was the way her skin was. I seem to be just like her in that way. I don't wear scarves or turtleneck tops. I just think it brings more attention to my neck instead of hiding it. Truth is, there's no hiding this...I just have to deal with it till I can get it worked on.

Yes, ma'am, that's a bonafide NSV. So is the increase of the reps. Same here with my love for the pool. It's the one place I can exercise with no issues. I take an exercise class 2-3 times a week and if I can fit it in, I do laps as well. That pool saved me for sure. You have a great day as well Mikee.

The pre and post op diets are horrible. All I can say is that you just have to get through it. Hang in there...we're behind you.

Good luck my dear. Most of us on this site can understand all too well what you are going through. I do hope that you get the surgery so you can reclaim your life.

If this helps at all, once I was eating regular foods, I'd eat for lunch and dinner, 3 oz. Protein, 1/2 cup veggies, and 1/4 cup carbs. Breakfast is often oatmeal or cream of wheat. I weigh my food, even now and used myfitnesspal (no need anymore). I stayed around 1,100 calories a day making sure I got around 60 grams of protein. I also take a protein supplement because I needed the extra 21 grams to battle hair loss. Hope that helps some.

Non scale victory Mikee. It could be anything that tells you that you're smaller other than what the scale says. For me, it's things like being able to walk, sitting in a chair with arms and not worrying I won't fit. Not needing a belt extender on the airplane, etc, etc. Those NSVs are way more satisfying than just numbers watching.

What can I say? You are my hero.

I know that stats are important. Many of us post those stats. We do it just to show where we were and where we are. Some are still losing and some have made it to maintenance. But for those starting out, please please stay off the scale. I know how tempting it is but don't give in to that temptation. If you follow your doctor's and/or nutritionist's protocol, you will lose weight. If you follow the program....eat less, exercise more, you will lose. Hopefully your band, or other surgery will make it easier to walk away from temptation but you will still have to make that call. For some, it will be a rocky road to that goal, and for others, not so much. Such is this journey...it is very individualized. But some things are consistent and those are what I noted above. This is a lifelong change and regardless of how long it takes, or what your definition of goal is, there's no need to obsess. I'm in maintenance at this point and here is where the challenge lies. I've lost weight before...but to keep it off...to be like this for the rest of my life...that's my goal now. And part of that goal is to stay away from the scale. I know at a year and a half out, how much I can eat. I know when I'm out to dinner, to pay attention and stop when I'm no longer hungry....which is a vast change from prior to banding when I ate till I was stuffed. There's a big difference between the two and it's not nor will it ever be something that occurs naturally for me. I will always have to listen for my band to talk to me. And woe is me if I don't listen... So anyway....just to sum up this rant...eat smart, eat small, chew well, and move. Even if you have challenges, move anyway. I couldn't barely walk before being banded so I joined the Y and paddled around in the pool. Today I swim laps for an hour at a time. And I'm telling you all...if I could do this, so can you. I am one of those folks who got my life back with the band so I'm feeling entitled to tell you that you can do it too. Good luck to all you newcomers. We are here for you with support and a little tough love if you need it, but also many kind words and understanding as well.

Get rid of that scale. Do it now. Hide it, throw it away....I don't care what you do but stay off it. You know just by what you wrote, that there are reasons why you shouldn't focus on the numbers, so why do it? Just follow your doctor's instructions, do what you know you need to do, and the weight will come off. I promise. Look for the NSVs instead of what you weigh. Those are better than any number on a scale. Please...you are just starting out and this is a lifelong journey. No need to sabotage yourself right out of the gate.

Couldn't have said it any better than the above poster. No matter your good intentions, no one who is fat wants to be reminded of this. Believe me, they already know.

Welcome Mimi. I'll be 56 in a couple of months and am also a grandma. You may have read some of my posts but if not, in a nutshell, I had no life before the band. I was in tremendous pain because I had joint disease and could barely walk. I lost 70 lbs. and was able to get my hips replaced in October and now at more than 125 lbs. down, my life is almost normal again. There's no way I can express how grateful I am to the band and how it's helped me. There's also no way I can express how grateful I am to the wonderful people on this forum who have helped me more than I can say. Please keep us posted and let us know when the surgery will be scheduled.

Thank you Shelly and Justwatchme. Your posts mean so much to me.

The numbers are only part of this journey. I find myself still struggling with body image and self esteem as many others on this forum do. Was at PT last night and the therapist has been working with me for two years so he knows what I looked like before being banded. I was looking at myself in the mirror while doing my exercises and was not happy with what I saw. My slacks looked baggy and the blouse looked like it was hanging...along with what else was hanging if you get my drift. I'm just so super critical of myself so I've no idea why, but I suddenly blurt out that I'm only a few pounds from half my starting weight and when he asks how I feel about that, I answer honestly. I tell him that I'm mortified, ashamed, and embarrassed that I got so heavy to begin with. There's an uncomfortable silence and then he says that he can understand that but I know he doesn't. He's wondering why I'm not thrilled and embracing my new size. See...I am thrilled with my new size and what it enables me to do but I struggle mightily with body image and self esteem same as I did 125+ pounds ago. I'm working on this with a professional and hope to be able to see what others see when they give me compliments. I just wanted to put it out there because I know I'm not alone and I want you all to know that even with meeting goal, and seeing the numbers keep going down, I'm still very much a work in progress.

Mirilax and yes...as TMF says, get off the pain meds if you are still on them. Oh, and while we're on the topic...I have found another solution for this problem....which I've been suffering from since being banded. I get acupuncture for back pain but told her about the constipation and while the back is not better unfortunately, the digestion is much better. I've been going regularly for a month now. You all can appreciate how much of a relief this is. Hang in there Zara...we've all been where you are. If necessary, call the doctor's office on Monday for some additional help.

What a wonderful post. This is what it's all about. Reclaiming our lives...no matter what it is...running a race, playing with the kids, sightseeing in Italy, riding a roller coaster, and for me....just being able to walk without pain and without the cane. This is why I think it's important for us vets to stick around on this site. We help each other as well as provide inspiration to the newbies. I know that you will have a great race readysetgo and I for one can't wait to see those pictures. Good luck today my friend..I'm so very proud of you.

Happy Bandiversary my friend. You are truly beautiful.

Yay!! Exciting when the clothes start to get loose...and more exciting as you go down in sizes. I went from a 26/28 pant to an 8/10 and a 4X top to a petite large. I wish I'd have kept one pair of those 26/28 pants just so I could post a pic with me in them. Oh well....

You just may not be ready yet to commit to this...because that's what it is. It's a commitment. No matter what WLS you have, it's just a tool and you still have to put in the work. You'll know when you've really had enough. It may be due to health issues as it is for many on this forum, or you may just finally decide your life has been impacted enough. Hang out here on the forum for a while....read the good and bad about WLS and good luck with whatever decision you make.

Welcome to the forum. You sound like you're in the right frame of mind starting on your journey. Just know that there will likely be setbacks and potential pitfalls. We are here to help you when you stumble and Celebrate with you when you find your success. Good luck to you and glad you are here.