gowalking

Hi Ivonne. I noticed you used Dr. Ren. So did I. I've been very happy with her so far and I hope you are as well. As far as hair loss...for me, it started about three months after surgery and it came out fairly steady but I didn't see a difference until about 6 months out. It was really bad from that point until about four months later. At times, I could see alot of scalp and it was very hard to deal with it. Dr. Ren told me to use the

Oh this is good! I had a nightmare recently where I dreamed I ate three slices of sicilian pizza...you know, the real thick breaded pizza...not even the thin crust kind. When I realized it was just a dream, I was so relieved...lol.

If heaven exists Tracy, it will be filled with Entenmann's and we'll be able to eat as much as we want. My favorites are the chocolate donuts and the soft chocolate chip Cookies. Yum.

Happy Birthday! Let me know when you'll be here in NYC and if I can, I'll surely try to meet up with you. PM me with details and we'll go from there. I was in The Big Easy several years ago and must tell you that the food was spectacular. We did Commander's Palace, Brennan's, and some real casual place near Lake Pontchartrain where we ate mounds and mounds of crawfish. We had gumbo and etouffee as well at some hole in the wall in the French Quarter. New Orleans was far and away, one of the best food destinations I've ever been to.

I know so many of us have become calorie counters, scale watchers, exercise nuts...blah blah blah. You know what I'm talking about. And...we obsess if we don't follow the rules to a T. Well, last night I went to dinner with the family and we shared several items. We do that quite often and I like it because then I don't wind up with most of my entree still on the plate. So as I sat at the table I decided to have a cocktail rather than a glass of wine...which I knew was more calories but that pineapple margarita was just calling my name. Then even though I only took a little of everything...I had everything. I weigh once a week every Sunday and was not surprised to see a gain of 1/2 lb. I thought for a moment that if I had not had that meal, I'd have likely seen a loss this week. But I had a wonderful time with my family last night and if it meant a small gain, so what. I'm eating today as I always do, knowing my calorie consumption will be back to normal. I will do the same the rest of the week and the small gain will likely be reversed. What I'm trying to get at is that we have to live with our bands (hopefully) the rest of our lives and food is always going to be a part of our experiences. I'm determined to enjoy my food when I am enjoying the related socializing. That doesn't mean eating till I'm stuffed...or till I'm sick. But if it means eating a little too much, or eating foods that are a little higher in sodium or fat, then I will. And if it means a small gain well...like my thread says, it is what it is. As long as the next day I go back to my normal way of eating, I am OK with the occasional splurge. I will not guilt myself into being miserable and I won't promise myself it will never happen again. It will happen again but as long as it doesn't happen day after day after day, I really think I can live with it. And that's the point....living with it day in and day out. I think that's how to succeed at this.

Hi Erin. We'll likely have another in the spring...May probably. I suspect it will be in the city again.

Tell your surgeon what she said. Everyone in that office should be your advocate and not do or say anything that's unkind, hurtful, or mean. He/she needs to have a discussion with the nurse to 're-educate' her. That comment was totally uncalled for.

Nah....it's not too big. My mom is short like I am so it's sized correctly. Full length minks typically end below the knee. They're also very full looking...it's just the nature of fur. A more statuesque woman can wear a fur a little better than smaller, shorter women but it didn't stop my mom from wearing it and it won't stop me.

Many years ago, my mother gave me her mink coat when she moved to Florida. I got too heavy to wear it and gave it to my sister-in-law hoping that someone else could use it. That was more than ten years ago. Turns out she never wore it and I recently reached goal and asked her to give it back. I wasn't sure if it would fit...it's hard for me to really see what everyone else sees and only by trying something on, can I really gauge my size these days. I must tell you....I never thought I'd be able to wear this coat again. I'm overwhelmed....

Spectacular Joe! PS: I was wearing a black sweater threaded with gold at work yesterday. It kinda sparkles because of the touches of gold in it and one of my coworkers called it a 'Staten Island sweater'. I thought that was very funny...I do hope you think same... Liz

Hello! Alex is working on creating face to face support groups in conjunction with this online forum. He put out a thread recently...you can search for it. Also..a few of us met with him recently to discuss this option and feedback online has been very positive. I don't know the timeframe for this yet but just know that it is in the works.

You should go shopping for clothes with the extra money.

Same here Tracy. I was out of the office for the hip surgery, and when I got back, everyone really noticed the weight loss. I've heard everything from 'you look great' to 'I don't even recognize you'. I also feel that while it's nice to be noticed, I'm just as happy to have this part of it be in the past and have everyone get used to the smaller me so it becomes something they are all used to. I've also had those queries as well about how I lost the weight. I tell them I needed to lose it because of the hips and I eat around 1,000 calories. That part is true and that's all anyone needs to know. Because my coworkers were aware of my joint issues (limping and in pain as I walked the halls), they accept my explanation and don't ask too many other questions.

Oh sweetie...you don't want to screw it up now...not when you have been so successful. I'm glad you are going to see a professional to discuss your issues with him/her. Good luck and please keep us posted.

Guess what? I bet they have noticed but just haven't said anything yet. It's a sensitive thing...saying something to a person who is losing weight. I know myself that I've waiting for a while before telling someone they look good. You don't want to infer that they did not look good when they were heavier. Give it some time....I promise they'll notice.

Hi Verna. With all due respect, you should have never gotten on the scale at all. At one week post op you are full of fluids and swollen from the surgery. Don't get on the scale for two weeks. Then you'll see the numbers go down. As far as feeling like you lost weight, I'm sure you did. It just isn't showing up on the scale yet. This is a lifelong journey and one week out is not the time to feel down. I can't remember how long it took for me to see nice numbers on the scale after being banded but I recall clearly when I had major surgery in October, that I gained nearly 15 lbs. from swelling and Fluid retention alone. I stayed off that scale for two months and was glad I did because once the swelling went down, so did my weight. Good luck to you and remember, you didn't gain it overnight and you won't lose it overnight either.

Got a little secret for you Kacey. I've been banded for more than a year and go out to eat often. Almost no-one pays attention to what you are eating and how much you are eating. They are focused on their own food. I see it all the time. As you're talking, cut up your food, hold some on a fork, chat away...and when the evening ends, ask for a doggie bag or don't even bother. I've never had anyone say anything to me...including and especially those who don't know I am banded. Go have a good time, and don't worry.

I'm so sorry for your troubles. I can't even imagine giving birht only to lose your mother so soon afterwards. I can totally understand you gaining the weight back. Can I suggest you go back to the doctor and talk to him/her about starting over? Maybe another fill? Maybe work closely with the nut to help you get back on track? Good luck and wishing you continued success.

I had a lot to lose so even though I saw changes fairly quickly in terms of how my clothes fit, I couldn't really see a difference myself until probably around 60 pounds down.

Have a wonderful time. I live in NYC and know just what you are talking about...I used to have the same issues/worries and no longer. I can fit into the tightest theater seat or airline seat now and it's great. I walked a little this past weekend with my sister at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and it was terrific. Also..the tables in most restaurants are really tight as well and there were places I avoided for just that reason. Not any more. Great job...proud of you!

I noticed my port right away. It never hurt but I am absolutley aware of it. These days, I not only can feel it, but see it as well. I mean I see the bump since my upper tummy area is much smaller than it used to be. Once in a while when I move or bend a certain way, it is uncomfortable but once I get out of that position, I'm fine.

I go out with friends/family all the time. I make good choices (like fish simply grilled) and I often have one or very occasionally two glasses of wine. I eat band sized portions and either take home a doggy bag, or if we're sharing (which I love to do), I eat my fill at the restaurant and head home. You can absolutely enjoy your social life same as before. Don't let your WLS stop you.

Go to HR. A manager should know better....it's not like she's just another co-worker. I've gotten tons of comments at work..some inappropriate in my opinion (like asking how I lost the weight) but my manager has not said a word...not a single word. He's not blind, he's just smart and keeps his mouth shut.

good job!

I've been seeing a therapist to deal with my body image issues. I've lost 117 lbs. in just over a year and I get tons of comments. I see the negatives though, not the positives. I have alot of excess skin and thank goodness no one sees me naked. I have a turkey neck and hate looking at myself in the mirror. If I could, I'd have a facelift tomorrow. I so understand your conflicting feelings...yes I look better but the compliments also make me feel like what was wrong with me before? I was just heavier...not meaner or nastier. I was a nice person before and a nice person now. I'm hoping people start to get used to my new size and then just stop mentioning it. Good luck to you.