dawalsh

Have a wonderful journey!

My fitness pal name is dawalsh or tutti517. I have two different iPhones and I couldn't use the same name so you'll see me under either of those names.

Looking awesome!

Welcome home and good luck!

Absolutely, I can't imagine being skinny ever! I have been overweight all my life! I remember getting my school physical to enter kindergarten (that was too many years ago lol), I weighed 89 pounds in first grade. The doctor told my mother I should be half that weight. So, my weight kept going up no matter how hard I tried. Anyway, as an adult I once lost a significant amount of weight. I was still overweight but men started noticing me and I literally got scared because men had never paid attention to me. All of a sudden I was getting noticed and it scared me. I should have been happy but I was raised by very over protective parents so my mother would lecture me on being careful when a man pays attention to you that most only wanted one thing so I guess I was afraid. Anyway, I stopped losing weight because I was fearful of what was expected of me. Fortunately, I finally met someone who loved me no matter what and we got married. I was comfortable in my own skin but did try to lose weight and got married and had 3 children with this man. Then he died suddenly at age 40. I was left with 3 small children. I dated after one year and the fear came back. I felt if I stayed heavy I wouldn't have to worry about men going after me. I'm disabled so I figured no man would want me being overweight and having a disability. Well, I was wrong. Men were interested in me but I was afraid to commit to anyone because I doubted myself and really lacked confidence. Then I met Michael who loved me for me skinny or fat. He took the fear out of me and I've known Michael since 1988. We have been an item since 1998 and he is my rock. Anyway, the point is I cannot imagine myself thin. The lowest weight I've been as an adult was 178. So to go below 178 is going to be a stretch for me. My doctor would be happy if I get down to 150. I can't imagine it but then again, I can imagine it. The fear may set in again, the fear may set in again when I go below 178.

Congratulations! You look amazing!

I'm down from a high of 289 to 210 so 79 lbs but my PCP still isn't happy. I'm happy and will take whatever I can get. My surgeon said a pound per week is fine. It's fine with me too! By next September I hope I'll be reporting that I'm maintaining what I have lost! Cheers everyone!

So glad you're home and doing better! Wishing you nothing but the best!

I'm 9 months out and still getting fills every 4 weeks!. I wish I could go just once a year for a fill. I hope I can get to that point.

I'd be interested in the cost and where you're having the procedure done.

Stay hydrated always and congratulations on being banded. Welcome to the other side!

So proud of you Catfish! Congratulations!

Every doctor is different. Ask your doctor. I don't use flouroscope for my fills. I hope it all works out for you!

Thanks everyone! I tried those slacks on again, kept looking at the size tag and yes it still fits lol! So I guess I'm not dreaming! Woo hoo!

Ok, I went to the mall today just for the heck of it and went to a sale rack. I asked the salesperson if they had dresses in a size 20 or 22. The sales lady tells me that that there are no plus size dresses in the store. She tells me that dresses only go up to size 18. I said we'll why do they sell plus size tops and pants up to size 6X but no dresses, she didn't know why. Anyway, I go over to a sale rack of size 18 slacks. These slacks were originally $52.00 marked down to $10.98 with 40% off the sale price. Well, even though I hate trying clothes on in the store, I decided at that great price I had to try them on. Well guess what? These front zip, front hook (no elastic waistband!) fit with room to spare! I checked to make sure I was seeing right and that they were really size 18. Yup, they were! I was at my highest weight in a size 28 pants. Oh, and I got a size 1x blouse as well. No more 3x blouse. I still think I'm dreaming lol but the last time I wore a size 18 was way back in the 1970's. This may seem like a silly post but I still think I'm dreaming! Please wake me up lol! Tell me I'm not Dreaming! Woo hoo!

Congratulations on 50 lbs! Keep up the good work!

A cruise to lose is a special group cruise of WLS people who will join and travel on a cruise together with a couple of special guests. One of the guests is a personal trainer who lost 80 lbs herself and has kept it off. There will be food available on this cruise that may help you lose weight, what you eat however is up to you. I was banded in St Petersburg with Dr Rehnke. I could have been banded by Dr Fusco in Melbourne but he wanted $3800.00 cash upfront and Dr Rehnke accepted my insurance without a problem. I love my surgeon and don't mind traveling to St Petersburg.

Congratulations! I was banded 12/28/12 yup right in the middle of holiday party season it was the best decision time wise I ever made. My attitude was it's now or never and no more excuses. Where are you having your surgery?

Oh yeah, my bra size is down but it's not where I want to be yet. Yes, it seems the "girls" are the first things to go down.

I was in the same boat, I could take 50 lbs off and in 6 months have it back on. Let's face it, we're all veterans of dieting and constantly losing or gaining weight. If I could lose weight without surgery I wouldn't be on this site. This was the very best decisionI ever made. Fortunately, my insurance company covered most of it. I was willing to pay for it if I had too. I don't think you'll regret your decision but be very sure this is what you want. Were you planning on having your surgery in another country. In my job, I've been asked about medical tourism for WLS and abdominiplasty (tummy tuck) and breast lift. The seminar I went to tonight said that Costa Rica is a great, safe and reputable place for these surgeries. Costa Rica is a tad more money than Mexico but has a very high success rate with little to no complications. If I ever decide to do a tummy tuck I will consider Costa Rica if my insurance doesn't cover it. Anyway, good luck on your decision.

I'm loving this thread! It's all good!