gowalking

Oh I'm impressed. You are surely in the right neighborhood. I work in a pharmaceutical company and I manage clinical trials databases. Wow...good job Irene..lol.

A little background. I live in NYC and take mass transit everywhere as I don't own a car. So..some of my NSVs surround train and bus seats. Today, it was the metal benches at some of the stops on the PATH trains that run between NY and NJ. I used to sit on the bench and put my workbag down on the seat next to me rather than on the floor. I'd move it of course if someone wanted to sit. Well now I realize I can fit both myself and my bag in the same space. I don't have to worry about moving it if someone wants the seat. I know it's a silly kind of NSV but it's one none the less and it's nice to be reminded even if the scale is pretty stable, that you can still have these nice moments. Have a great Friday everyone. We're expecting a terrific weekend here in the Big Apple....sunny blue skies and warm temps. What more can you ask for? I think it's finally time to pull out the capri slacks I bought in Florida...lol.

OK, I'm looking thru the posts...how does this work? Are you supposed to look at my little pic on the left and try to figure out my profession? If yes, well, you can probably guess some of it by just looking at where I am and what I'm wearing.

Close...I'm a police dispatcher.Oh honey...I like your name. Keish_lorraine...made me laugh.

When I first joined this forum, I said I wanted to be healthy enough to sightsee in London. I've wanted to cross the pond since I was a young teenager and now that I'm in my mid fifties, it's not a cost issue but it was a mobility issue. I was on a cane and in horrific pain when I got banded but guess what.....I'm going to London in 2015. I still have some residual pain issues but I am able to do what my forum name says. I can gowalking again. I've made it. My celebratory goal is within my reach and close enough that I can taste it.

Might as well add my two cents. I miss nothing. Let me say it again....I MISS NOTHING. There isn't a food or beverage out there that I miss more than getting my life and mobility back. I feel light as a feather now like I'm walking on air. No more plodding along leaning on my cane for all it was worth. The cane is gone, my mobility and freedom is back and I couldn't care less about not being able to drink soda. Who cares?? I have a life again. You may not be in the same desperate situation I was in...or others on this site have also faced but you have to understand that we are passionate about what we have gained rather than what we no longer eat or drink. Wishing you well on whatever decision you make.

I feel for you Becky. Pre and post op were the worst for me and I live alone so no one was cooking if I wasn't cooking. I'm in awe of you and others who stick to the program when others are in the house and seemingly eating all the time. I don't have much in the way of suggestions...you just have to get through this...and be able to say no even after you are eating real food again. All I can do is show you my before/after pic. I'm down almost 130 lbs. and that's only a few lbs. less than your goal. If it helps, try to put yourself in the after pic and know that this could be you in 18 months. Hang in there and good luck on your weight loss journey.

OK, I fixed the text so no one gets confused. Thanks for pointing it out...I want it to be accurate as well.

Get used to it sweetie. Some days you will love the comments, and other days, you will want to scream. People don't recognize me. I mean it. They don't say, oh Lizzy you look like you lost weight...they say..OMG!! I didn't realize who you were!' I'm tired of it alot of the time and like you, think they must have really been critical of me when I was overweight. But on the other hand, how can I blame them. Look at the before and after attached. I wouldn't know this is the same person either. Good luck and hang in there!

Oh dear....we'll have to figure out what's up with the gmail address but in the meantime, just to let you know, there is no registering or RSVP required. Just feel free to show up Ilene. Looking forward to seeing you. PS: the information is in post #44.

Looking forward to meeting all you folks who posted here...and those who post all over this forum as a matter of fact. There are quite a few of us from New York and the surrounding areas so I'm looking forward to a nice turnout on the 14th. See you then!

Fantabulous! You look absolutely terrific. Great job..well done!!

Yeess...honey, you're right. I just looked back at my post and realized I said banded when I meant no fills. Sorry about that bit of confusion....

I don't like the 'one size fits all' philosophy. Everyone is different and should be treated thus. Now...if you are not following the rules in terms of what you are eating and how much, that's a different story. If you are, I don't quite know why you can't have a more aggressive fill. OK...no more on this topic....I'm already breaking my own rule in that I never comment on anything fill related as I've not had any. Keep us posted Countryheart.

Hi Deb. Where does it say I'm not banded. Right in my profile it says lap band. I want to make sure that's accurate... If it's not, I'll have to follow up with Alex.

Uh oh....I just dropped off the same script this morning. The pain management doctor wants me to try the Cymbalta since the Neurontin isn't working. Same dose too...30 mgs. He told me I might be 'jittery' for a few days. Sounds like it might be alot more than that based on what you're telling us. Oh...and another thing Bandista. Cymbalta at higher doses is for depression. For pain, lower doses are prescribed so you likely won't get any relief in the anxiety-reducing arena. Please keep me posted on how you do while on the med. I'll start it in a couple of days. Sheese......

Wow Junie...pointers huh? Well....did you see what I have on my signature? It says compliant bandsters are successful bandsters. That says it all. Follow your doctor's protocol, don't test your band, and know that the journey is not linear. You will have good days and bad. It's just the way it works. Oh, and one more important thing. The weight did not go on overnight, so don't expect to lose it that way either. During this whole journey since being banded, I've never lost more than 3 lbs. in one week. And most weeks, I lost less...way less...than 2 lbs. I've been at this for nearly a year and a half and even that's quick compared to many others. Good luck, and let us know how you are doing once you 'get to the other side' as we call it.

oh fun!! here you go.

..and that's why I love ya truthspeaker!! I've made steps in the direction of 'the rest of my life'. No more myfitnesspal, no more daily or even weekly weighing. I eat till I'm not hungry and then I stop. Some days this is easier than others but that's still my goal for each day. All you have to be is happy with yourself and healthy. If you achieve that, you've achieved success. OOOhhh...a GREAT topic for a later support group! LOL!

You are right tmf...you are not a woman and have no understanding...lol. I however, am a woman...I'm reminded every time I sit to pee...lol..and I understand what enjoy is saying perfectly. I too am 10 lbs. less than my doctor's goal of 150 lbs. I've decided to continue to eat as I have been and the weight loss will stop when my body simply is done giving it up. I'm in no danger of becoming anorexic...I love food too much for that. (Oh and I've been spoken to by friends who are concerned I might be headed that way. It makes me laugh inside...You don't know me vewwy well, do you?) For enjoy however, she is truly ready to maintain and wants to make sure the scale doesn't creep up. Here's my advice darlin'...add Protein to your diet. Not carbs, not garbage. ...and you know what I mean by garbage. Don't have a larger helping of potatoes. Don't drink another glass of wine...or a cocktail. Holy Moley...cocktails have so much sugar and calories, it's nuts. Keep up your exercise. If you stop or slow down, it becomes a slippery slope. Protein is easy to tweak. If you go up to 4 oz. for lunch or dinner and the scale goes up, then take it down a notch. I'm a carbaholic so it would be hard for me to be playing around with my Pasta. I so get you my control freak friend. We are sisters for sure. But at some time, we must give up some of that control and just try to live our lives. Let me know how it goes, feel free to PM me if you need to so I can talk you off the ledge if necessary..lol. Have a good one today. Hope the weather is beautiful in MO. It's gorgeous here in The Big Apple today.

Oh for God's sake! Why bother putting the band in if you're going to set your patient up for failure. Sweetie...demand larger fills. I mean it. You are the consumer and he works for you. Tell him. Otherwise, you are struggling needlessly.

Ditto squared!

Ditto!

This is one of the scariest posts I've ever read. To think that I might gain it back terrifies me. Bad choices and lack of self control....the reason almost all of us got into this mess to begin with. I agree with the above poster...you need to find a new bariatric surgeon right away so he/she can help you get back on track. I'm sorry you are struggling but I am keeping your post as a cautionary tale. I can't ever go back to obesity again. I just can't. Please keep us posted on your search to renewed success.

Hey Millie...don't worry so much. Believe me, folks are way more interested in what they are eating rather than what you are eating. If anyone happens to notice the small portions and/or eating slow, just tell them you ate something earlier and you're not that hungry. Or since you've lost a significant amount of weight, you can just mention that you are watching your portion size...and then drop the topic. Your cruise buddies should get the hint. Have a great time...don't sweat it if you gain a pound or two. Whenever I go on vacation, I gain a little. It always comes off once I'm home. I don't feel guilty, I eat healthy and if I indulge a little, as long as it's a little, no harm, no foul. Have a great time...I'm cruising next month.