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.

I lost 140 lbs and I've kept it off .

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I don't know why it works for some and not for others. All I know is that so far, it works great for me...no band complications and as long as I do my part, no serious weight gain since hitting goal. I'm hoping to one day get to the same marks as our founder Alex, who has his band for around ten years now. I'm not far from my four year anniversary so I've a ways to go yet.

that is a very interesting proposition and as a person who works with data and metrics, I'd really like to see the data for failed lap bands and review for commonalities. @@Alex Brecher, what do you think about some data analysis? Not just for bands, but for all surgeries?

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.

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.

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.

I am with @@gowalking on this. It is a constant battle with your brain. I lost 152lbs reaching my goal in March. I have been fighting every single day since with my brain.
As my hunger came back, and my body allows me to eat more I am constantly fighting to keep my weight off. I gain 2 or 3lbs freak out and then reset.
The good news is, my tool is there to help me reset and I must never forget that.
Maintenance is definately the hardest part of this journey and the best thing you can do is learn excellent behaviors now and take full advantage of your honeymoon period because you only get one.

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.

I live in NY and have been to the parade a couple of times. Enjoy it...you will have a blast. If you can, head to the upper west side the night before and watch the balloons being inflated. It's become a big deal now and they have barriers up but when I used to go when the kids were small, you could get up close and personal with all the big balloons.

Hello and good morning my friends. Welcome to Banders #7. So, I guess I'll start it off by saying how grateful I am today and every day for the new lease on life that I have. I walked to the office today from the train station. That was something I couldn't do before the surgery. I always say how light I feel and I realized it's not a state of mind, but a physical reality. We are weighed down by the excess weight and all that goes with it. When we don't rumble and jumble as we walk, our steps are lighter. I was listening to my ipod and started to dance a little as I was walking. I'm sure I looked ridiculous, but who cares? When one is thin, even looking ridiculous seems OK.
I am grateful for my for my beautiful grandson who I was able to tuck into my lap last Saturday morning so we could play while Mommy and Daddy got to sleep in a bit. I'm grateful that I fit anywhere and everywhere. No more worrying if I will break a chair, or be able to navigate a booth at the restaurant, or walk down a narrow aisle without having to suck it all in just to get past someone/something.
I'm grateful for my health. I take alot of pills, but many of them are supplements and not prescription for chronic ailments. I'm grateful that I can walk again...that I can swim, bike, climb, and yes....enjoy sex. I am surprised at how flexible I can be now that I'm thin.
I'm grateful that I earn enough money that I can indulge my new found love of shopping. I really think I'm one of the best dressed ladies in the office these days...and I know I've upped the game for others. I am definitely seeing more dresses than I did a year ago.
I'm grateful to Alex for having this site available...and I'm grateful to all the folks on it who are part of my success. I know I would not have been as successful as I have been if not for all of you. I talk about things here that I don't talk to anyone else about. You all know the struggles of being fat, and immobile, and feeling like a failure regardless of what we've accomplished..and I know now how much we 'hidden' people have accomplished. It's helping me to not turn that self hatred towards others still struggling with obesity. It also reminds me that I will always struggle with obesity. Under this thin person still lurks the fat girl. She is the one who whispers in my ear all the time that I'm not worthy of the good things out there and I should just order a pizza and eat the whole thing. She and I clash daily and it's why I still go every Tuesday to the therapist who listens and helps me to navigate this new world I inhabit.
Well...I think I've posted enough for today. Feel free to comment on the above, or share your stories, or say hi, or just lurk. Enjoy your day today...enjoy the upcoming holiday, and looking forward to a wonderfully robust Banders #7 thread.
Liz

Nope. It's because you live in LA. I live in New York City and also have never ever had a server question what I ordered or how much of it I ate. Never. Really...never.

I live in NY and have been to the parade a couple of times. Enjoy it...you will have a blast. If you can, head to the upper west side the night before and watch the balloons being inflated. It's become a big deal now and they have barriers up but when I used to go when the kids were small, you could get up close and personal with all the big balloons.

I agree with how things change. I was out the other morning with friends at a local restaurant and ordered the special. .... eggs, bacon, sausage toast and grits.
I started eating the eggs......offered the toast, sausage and the bacon to the others at the table..... and then as I appeared finished and my bowl of grits remained untouched......my buddy asked if I was going to eat it. I quickly said no.....to help himself to it. I chuckled hearing myself saying that......
In the past, I would have stabbed your hand if you made a gesture after my food.
Go figure

I am the planner of my family and everyone has been waiting for the menu for Thanskgiving for a few days. I pulled up the one from last year and there was so much food I couldn't believe we went through it all. Mind you we have about 50 people for Thanksgiving as it is the one time a year the whole family get together. I was going over the list and wondering do we need 3 different types of potatoes, 2 different stuffings and mac and cheese. Not to mention the multiple apps and desserts. But I had to remember that there are 40 other people that want options and lots of them on this day. Normally I do all of the veggies but this year, I signed up for one app, 2 veggies and 1 dessert. This way I know there will be something healthy that I can eat and not feel like I am just watching everyone else eat. It is my first Thanksgiving since surgery so I don't want to set myself up to make bad choices. Making a shrimp salsa as an app. (we get together at 1 to watch football, dinner isn't until 4) Asparagus and brussel sprouts are my veggie choices this year. No oil, butter but no one will know the difference. Thinking of baked apples for dessert. Hopefully wont have any problems making good choices.

Hi Sarah. It's more than possible as I too lost all my excess weight on a steady basis. It still took more than a year as I had an awful lot to lose. I never lost more than 3 lbs. in a week, but it was a fairly steady loss of 1-2 lbs. per week. and I also did not get any fills for a long time. Even now..almost four years after being banded, I have less than 5 ccs in the band.
Just know however, that this is NOT typical. Most banded folk...and most WLS folk, regardless of what surgery they got, do not lose weight in a steady fashion. It tends to be in fits and starts...and sometimes you can gain, or get off track. Just as a heads up, I used the myfitnesspal app to track my food. it was a great help to me so consider it as well.
good luck and glad t hear of your success!

Heading to South Florida for Thanksgiving. There will be nine of us. All adults...no children. Mom wanted to make a 16 lb. turkey along with lasagne and assorted sides. I ticked off the names of all the attendees including her and dad. No one other than my sister and possibly the 25 year old young man who is included in the guest list is a big eater. Some of us eat small because we are watching our weight and some are just not big eaters anymore due to illness and old age.
I told mom a 12 lb. turkey would do. Several times in fact. I know that in my family, and likely many others, the greatest sin is not having enough food. As such, there would be tons of it and lots of leftovers...but also lots of overeating. The new mindset is that we have enough. More than enough. Every day I remind myself that food is part of my life, not my life. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. But I try each and every day to eat clean and smart. I have no problem anymore suggesting some of the same to other members of my family.
Now having said that, I suspect when all is said and done, it will be a 16 lb. turkey as my dad will overrule her.
I also suspect that I will be eating turkey till I head back home a week later...

Oh not to worry...in the big picture, I know this is not something to make an issue over. All I was trying to say was that the mindset is just so different than in years past. And actually mom said a 12 lb turkey will be much easier to handle...
Happy Halloween back!

Heading to South Florida for Thanksgiving. There will be nine of us. All adults...no children. Mom wanted to make a 16 lb. turkey along with lasagne and assorted sides. I ticked off the names of all the attendees including her and dad. No one other than my sister and possibly the 25 year old young man who is included in the guest list is a big eater. Some of us eat small because we are watching our weight and some are just not big eaters anymore due to illness and old age.
I told mom a 12 lb. turkey would do. Several times in fact. I know that in my family, and likely many others, the greatest sin is not having enough food. As such, there would be tons of it and lots of leftovers...but also lots of overeating. The new mindset is that we have enough. More than enough. Every day I remind myself that food is part of my life, not my life. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. But I try each and every day to eat clean and smart. I have no problem anymore suggesting some of the same to other members of my family.
Now having said that, I suspect when all is said and done, it will be a 16 lb. turkey as my dad will overrule her.
I also suspect that I will be eating turkey till I head back home a week later...

Heading to South Florida for Thanksgiving. There will be nine of us. All adults...no children. Mom wanted to make a 16 lb. turkey along with lasagne and assorted sides. I ticked off the names of all the attendees including her and dad. No one other than my sister and possibly the 25 year old young man who is included in the guest list is a big eater. Some of us eat small because we are watching our weight and some are just not big eaters anymore due to illness and old age.
I told mom a 12 lb. turkey would do. Several times in fact. I know that in my family, and likely many others, the greatest sin is not having enough food. As such, there would be tons of it and lots of leftovers...but also lots of overeating. The new mindset is that we have enough. More than enough. Every day I remind myself that food is part of my life, not my life. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. But I try each and every day to eat clean and smart. I have no problem anymore suggesting some of the same to other members of my family.
Now having said that, I suspect when all is said and done, it will be a 16 lb. turkey as my dad will overrule her.
I also suspect that I will be eating turkey till I head back home a week later...

Heading to South Florida for Thanksgiving. There will be nine of us. All adults...no children. Mom wanted to make a 16 lb. turkey along with lasagne and assorted sides. I ticked off the names of all the attendees including her and dad. No one other than my sister and possibly the 25 year old young man who is included in the guest list is a big eater. Some of us eat small because we are watching our weight and some are just not big eaters anymore due to illness and old age.
I told mom a 12 lb. turkey would do. Several times in fact. I know that in my family, and likely many others, the greatest sin is not having enough food. As such, there would be tons of it and lots of leftovers...but also lots of overeating. The new mindset is that we have enough. More than enough. Every day I remind myself that food is part of my life, not my life. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. But I try each and every day to eat clean and smart. I have no problem anymore suggesting some of the same to other members of my family.
Now having said that, I suspect when all is said and done, it will be a 16 lb. turkey as my dad will overrule her.
I also suspect that I will be eating turkey till I head back home a week later...

Oh not to worry...in the big picture, I know this is not something to make an issue over. All I was trying to say was that the mindset is just so different than in years past. And actually mom said a 12 lb turkey will be much easier to handle...
Happy Halloween back!

Heading to South Florida for Thanksgiving. There will be nine of us. All adults...no children. Mom wanted to make a 16 lb. turkey along with lasagne and assorted sides. I ticked off the names of all the attendees including her and dad. No one other than my sister and possibly the 25 year old young man who is included in the guest list is a big eater. Some of us eat small because we are watching our weight and some are just not big eaters anymore due to illness and old age.
I told mom a 12 lb. turkey would do. Several times in fact. I know that in my family, and likely many others, the greatest sin is not having enough food. As such, there would be tons of it and lots of leftovers...but also lots of overeating. The new mindset is that we have enough. More than enough. Every day I remind myself that food is part of my life, not my life. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. But I try each and every day to eat clean and smart. I have no problem anymore suggesting some of the same to other members of my family.
Now having said that, I suspect when all is said and done, it will be a 16 lb. turkey as my dad will overrule her.
I also suspect that I will be eating turkey till I head back home a week later...

Have a safe and warm voyage.