gowalking

I've been to dozens and dozens of affairs and the clutch can go in your lap or on the table. And yes...make it a clutch, not a bag with a strap. Hang in there...the day will come when you will know how to dress and accessorize.

Well...it finally happened. I had to leave the table and go to the ladies room to bring up food. I've been a little stuck on several occasions recently, but have always been able to wait it out and let the food go down on it's own. Tonight...no such luck. I was actually at Yankee Stadium in the Jim Beam Lounge with my boyfriend..and totally off topic, loved watching the Mets beat the Yankees tonight. He said the best thing to eat at the stadium was the steak sandwich. He knows I'm banded and suggested we share a sandwich and some ribs. So we sit down and he tells me to try the sandwich first. It was delicious. I was talking and not paying attention as I should...took a second bite...and knew I was in trouble. I started to hiccup and then had trouble breathing. I took a sip of Water and rather than it helping the food get through, I knew I was stuck. He could see I was having trouble so he quieted down to let me focus. I excused myself to go to the ladies room and not a moment too soon. I got into the bathroom stall, bent over the toilet, and up came the steak. I felt better right away and even nibbled on the ribs once I got back to the table. I didn't want him to worry about whether or not I could eat 'normally' so I was glad that I could continue having dinner even though I stayed away from the sandwich just to play it safe. I don't think he even thought twice about it once he saw I was OK. I even had a little ice cream later on. So now I feel like I've experienced all aspects of being banded....and the thing I feared the most has come to pass, and I got through it.

Lisa...I sent you a text last week but you must not have seen it. I was just checking up to see how you were doing. I'm so sorry you are going through all of this. Not just losing dad, but work and your health. I knew about the job...my new guy worked for Cablevision for 18 years and he told me it was changing hands...and not going to be Cablevision much longer. I thought of you...and if you would be impacted. He lives in Babylon by the way and I really want you and Ken to meet him. He may really be a keeper. I think you saw the picture of us on FB in front of the Coke Corner at CitiField, yes? I hope your tummy issues clear up soon. I can't imagine throwing up all the time and I really hope your band isn't impacted. Is there anything I can do for you hon? If yes, please just say the word and I'll do what I can. Love ya..Liz.

You don't have to tell anyone you were overweight. I've been at goal for more than two years and those who met me at my current weight, do not know I was heavy. I don't hide it but I don't announce it either. The only people who I have to tell about my weight are the men I have relationships with. And that's my choice...I don't have to do that either. I've had two relationships that went past a date or two and both those men knew I had WLS. I'm in a commited relationship now and he knows as well. I didn't disclose it right away but I saw where we were going and wanted to get it out of the way. Oh, and FYI, the reactions were always positive not negative. Good luck and like I said...it's up to you what to tell, and to whom.

Sorry...just saw this thread. I was very lucky in that I had good restriction from the band alone and didn't need a fill for nearly the first two years. Since then I've gotten a total of 5CC in a 14 CC band. I can definitly feel the restriction when I eat solid Protein and certain breads. I've never gotten stuck, but I've come close a few times. I get that pressure, I start to slime...and for some reason, I get hiccups. I actually think I might go in for another small fill over the summer as I am creeping back up on the scale. I need to drop about 7 lbs. so we'll see. Good luck with your band and weight loss journey!

My dear girl...I know you and I hear you. I too am a food addict and also thought my happiness would end once I got banded. WLSResources is sooo correct. You come to understand that our perceptions of food are off. Happiness includes food, but is not equated with food. Since losing the weight and getting my health and mobility back, I've never been happier. I still eat for joy...but it is joy, not tamping down the bad feelings by eating to excess. You will understand as you go through the journey and I'm glad to see that you are working on your emotional issues now. I went into therapy after a year with the band for a number of reasons. I'm still in therapy as my overeating was a symptom of much deeper issues that go to my core. It's not easy to get that deep seated poison out but I'm trying. I never want to be where I was before being banded. I promise you that you will feel the same way after you have a few years post op under your belt. Good luck friend and keep posting!

Everyone has their own plan they follow but I was successful with a Weight Watchers type of diet. Three oz. Protein, 1/2 cup of veggies, and 1/4 cup of carbs for most lunch and dinner choices. I used the myfitnesspal app and stayed at or under 1,100 calories. I also have good restriction so you may need to see a bariatric specialist even if it's not the doctor who did your surgery. Good luck!

Congrats and welcome to the club! Let us know how you are doing when you can.

Just glad everything is OK.

what he said.

congrats! keep us posted.

My mom had shingles and I know how painful it is. Hoping you get over it quick. Everything you do that reminds you that Bill isn't here will be painful but try to embrace the red car. My car fantasy was a Mustang convertible. I eventually decided not to buy it because so many people including my son who worked at a Ford dealership, told me the Mustang fishtailed and that it wasn't the safest car. Sometimes I think I should have just bought it anyway. By the way girls, did you see Debbie sent a status update. I told her we were worried and I even PM'd her hoping she would show up here on this thread again. I'm not sure why she went MIA and I'm hoping we hear from her soon.

I'm 24 and what you described is what I fear. I understand your concerns but I'll let others reply as I can't give advice or make suggestions for someone your age as I obviously am seeing this through my filter as a middle aged woman. Good luck sweetie.

Even ten is fine. I can swim, shower, eat, chat with the boyfriend and then online chat here on the forum for a while. I usually go to bed at 11:30. I like that you are a vet. Am very interested in seeing the successful maintenance experiences now that I'm in that phase and have been for about two years. I was at one point, 112 lbs. I knew I wouldn't stay there but was hoping to be around 120. I'm finding it hard to stay around 125. Some of it is likely due to certain meds that note weight gain, but I also know that I don't follow the plan as strictly as I used to. I do know that if I go over 130, I have to just put the brakes on and get the weight down again. I'm sure that like most folks, I fear gaining it back and I know now that it's very possible to do that no matter what surgery one has had.

I used to chat back in the day and would like to again. I'm in and I hope we get more interest. I'm on the East Coast and later is better for me as I'm usually at the pool till 8:00 anyway.

I love these NSVs. Congrats. Don't sweat the eating out. You may find it's not such a challenge when you realize the camaraderie and conversation is so much better when you aren't focused on the food. Make the right choice when you are looking at the menu, and then just sit back and enjoy.

How old are you? I ask because I'm just a few weeks shy of 58 and men my age or older are just so damn happy to be getting some, the last thing they care about is some excess skin. If you are considerably younger, it might be more of an issue just based on youth and inexperience. (Their's, not yours)

Ha!! Too funny!!! My uncles just told me I looked fabulous!! ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1469384527.955418.jpg Beautiful!

He asked me tonight if I would be OK with going to the ballgame on Friday night and again on Sunday. I told him that was a silly question...and why weren't we going to the Saturday game as well. We're also going to go to Brooklyn and watch a Cyclones game as well. Doesn't always have to be the majors. I enjoy minor league as well. Plus we can walk the boardwalk and go to Nathan's in Coney Island.

I've been doing the online dating thing since early 2014. I met a man last year and that relationship lasted nearly a year and while the breakup was so NOT fun, I enjoyed the time we spent together. So, I picked myself up and reluctantly went back online to see if lightening would strike a second time. I think it just might have. Corey and I started talking last month, have had a few dates, and last night, decided to become exclusive and see where this goes. Amazingly, his business is food based tours of NYC and the outer boroughs so he is a huge foodie as I am and has already introduced me to some of the most delicious food I've ever eaten. Now I've lived in NYC my whole life and I thought I knew the best food out there. He makes me look like an amateur. Thank goodness for my band..I am not worried that I'll lose control, I'm just enjoying the little bits of yummy goodness that I choose to eat and leave it at that. When I have leftovers...especially sweets related, I bring that stuff into the office and of course, my co-workers love me more than ever. He's also a season ticket holder at CitiField and a huge baseball fan. So am I. He is understanding that I not just love the Mets, but I love the game of baseball itself and when I told him I'd love to see some of the old ballparks like Wrigley and Fenway, he laughed and said he was falling in love with me with every word I said. This is the first time I've cuddled on the couch with a man and watched the ballgame. It was lovely. I'm so looking forward to spending time with this guy and seeing if we can make a go of it. Oh..and he's also widowed as I am so we have that in common as well. Not that I'm glad he lost his wife of course, but we have a commonality that someone who is divorced just doesn't have with me. I can talk about Alan, and he is comfortable talking about Barbara and we both know it's fine to talk about our spouses. The men who are divorced think they shouldn't discuss my first husband for a number of reasons and he and I both know that it's good to talk about them as we loved our spouses and they helped to make us who we are. Wish me luck, my BP friends. This man could truly be the one.

I was wondering if anyone was going to post about this episode with the comic. I agree, the producers coached this whole thing, but those words out of the comic's mouth belonged to someone who knows Whitney very well. Everything was on target about how she's kidding herself that she's OK with her body and her life right now. She's not. I recognize also so much in her behaviors that mimicked my own. She needs to talk to someone who's been where she is and is now truly in a better place weight wise. She can't avoid us like she did the 'skinny b***h'. I too am appalled that I watch this show. It is the worst kind of dehumanizing show and here I am watching...

If you didn't track you food when you lost the weight before, do it now. I used myfitnesspal religiously and it made me aware of everything I ate. PS: I'm banded as well and while I understand how expensive it is to see the doctor without insurance, an adjustment will probably help you enormously as you well know the band doesn't help without correct restriction. Good luck hon!

You are not alone. Don't panic...dressing now that you are a smaller size takes time. I've been at goal for two years and have been comfortable trying on clothes for less than a year. It will take trial and error before you know what style works best. Some days, everything will look good on you, and others, nothing will. Hang in there...shopping will be fun. I promise. Right now, it's hard because it's new.

good luck!! I thought you and the band were done so this is nice to find out you still might be able to lose without having to get a revision.

Here's the thing.... When someone who is obese, starts to lose alot of weight fast, everyone knows that person likely had bariatric surgery. Believe me...you're not keeping anything secret. Especially with women. I work in an office that's pretty evenly split between males and females and there is a good sized number of both who's first language is not English. So I've gotten very personal questions from many of the women...they can zero in on it very quickly. The men...not so much, but especially the men who are not from here and are not aware that telling me I'm not so fat anymore is not acceptable. Yes...I've heard that statement more than once. I can laugh now, but at the time...nope. What I eventually did at work was tell the truth to those who I knew were in need of it. I'm talking about others struggling with their weight who I know really needed an honest answer. The others I told only what they needed to know, and no more. Now...as far as family goes...same thing. They'll know something is up when the weight starts to literally melt off. You can do the same as with co-workers and tell or not based on individual circumstances, or you can have a mother like I do who told everyone..and I mean everyone, about my being banded. Hell, even her neighbors know me as the 'banded one' when they see me and my sister. Even my financial planner knows because my mother has no filter. Really.