gowalking

Ah...Alfred, Alfred, Alfred... You just asked the $64,000 question. (that is a reference to an old quiz show BTW) I'm almost four years out from surgery and have been at or near goal for two and a half years. I still have to be mindful not to self sabotage. I have had to find other ways to cope with stress, anger, boredom, fear, etc. While I don't recommend this to everyone, I needed to get professional guidance to help me find these other coping mechanisms. I'll suggest staying on this site for support. Going to bariatric support groups, reading books about how other addicts deal with their addiction (and yes..I do believe most of us are food addicts) All I can say on a positive note is that the longer we are 'normal', the more routine it gets. But..and this is a big but..the temptation is always there and many vets like me have good days and bad days. What I do is stop the slide before it becomes unmanageable. That, I think, is the difference this time. The tool we have been given, allows us to reset before we get too far. So..good luck, keep us posted and come here as often as possible for help and support.

Your Mrs. did my lapband surgery a little over three years ago and about six months ago, she had to move the port under the muscle as it stuck out like a golfball...which she said was because I had no fat anymore. She's a great doctor and the office and those who work there have been great as well. I lost all my excess weight and got my life back thanks to your wife and the office that supports her. Many thanks to both of you.

I was doing OK with reading her article till I read the following below. I call BS on that. We're all in this predicament because we eat/ate more than we burned. The reason we are losing the weight is because we've cut our calories drastically..and are eating less unhealthy choices..though she does mention that in her article and I have no disagreement there. But don't tell me we don't eat more than thin people...or that we are more sedentary...because we are, and we know it. no one has proven that fat people generally eat more or exercise less than thin people. Period.

There are so many things I want to say after reading this but I think thank you says it all.

I was? I only went in there for about 10 seconds last night and it was empty... wonder if maybe my window didn't close out until later or something. oh yeah...maybe.

I went in there last night. jamielogical was there but then she left. I thought it was all about me, but I remembered what my therapist said...and let it go... Maybe I'll see some of you in there tonight or tomorrow night.

Folks used the chat rooms alot more when we were separated by our different WLS surgeries. Once we were all under the BP umbrella, the chat rooms sorta faded away.

What Ann said. Amen sister!!

I watched the show and as much as you knew you wanted plastics, I knew without a doubt that I did not want plastics...at least not yet. Oh yes...I'd like a flat belly and arms and legs that are not looking like a Sharpei dog. But I'm not feeling what you others feel. I don't hate my body like the woman on the show did...I don't feel bad that I can't wear sleeveless tops or shorts. I just figure I'd wear what works for my body same as I do in terms of shape and style of the clothing I buy. Very glad for those who have had or know they want plastics. If I change my mind...I'll provide before and after pics...LOL.

Thanks for posting this Alex. I often feel like I have to defend my choice of WLS and the point is to do what is best for you, not necessarily what is the 'hot' procedure or to feel pressured into getting something you don't feel is right for you. Oh...and one more thing. I know that the band is often a good choice for lower BMI people but the band still can work for higher BMI folks as well and I'm proof of that.

This is not about love of food. This is about an abnormal relationship with food. You are obviously not a food addict so it's understandable that you don't get it. Oh...and about picking up cigarettes from the ground, ash trays, etc. I've done some pretty disgusting things in order to get in my food fix. I won't go into details but I've seen other posts from folks who are also ashamed of some of their behaviors regarding food and let me tell you friend, it's not pretty.

Great tips Alex. The chicken paninis are pretty good options at Starbucks. That and a cup of regular coffee works very well for a healthier option. I even have a regular burger once in a while. If you eat it without the bun or half a bun, you're fine. Like you say, just don't panic and don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. You can eat fast food once in a while and not get totally derailed.

Check with your HR department at work as well. My company subsidizes 'healthy' lifestyles. They give us $300 towards diet plans like Weight Watchers and gym memberships as well. It doesn't cover the whole cost, but hey...$300 is still $300.

Water exercise is the best. I was walking/dogpaddling in the water when my hips were horribly painful. After they were replaced, I started to exercise in the pool 3X a week and I make sure to go as often as I can. As far as what we look like in bathing suits, I went in the water at 250 lbs. and I go in the water now...at 113 lbs. and very wrinkled upper legs/thighs. When I see an obese person in the pool, all I think is good for them for trying to improve their lives. That's how you should approach it if you're uncomfortable in a bathing suit.

I wonder if the good doctor has ever been fat. Has he ever struggled to not eat what he knows is not good for him? Sort of like an alcoholic knows a drink is not good for him. My eyes (and brain) light up like the Empire State Building when I pass a restaurant and think about the wonderful things cooking away in it. I have no issue walking past a liquor store, a casino, or saying no thanks to a friend passing the weed... Shall I continue? I take full responsibility for my situation. So much so that I talk to my therapist about it constantly. This does not mean I am not a food addict. Substitute food for any other addiction, and that's me. Eating in secret? Not being able to stop even when you know you are so full that you want to throw up? Eating things that will keep you up at night with GERD and having your throat burn with it? If that's not addiction, I don't know what is.