LenRen25

Sounds delicious-look forward to trying it out!

I love the idea of a local chapter & am def. interested in joining if made available in my area...my surgeon's office stopped having support group meetings one month after my surgery. I spent the next several months flailing on my own, feeling very isolated, until I joined this site. I am glad to say that the feeling of connectivity I've experienced here has helped me feel grounded, and I am finally making some progress-I credit the inspiration I receive here for helping me get on the right path. The opportunity to enhance the support experience via face to face meetings would be so beneficial. I do not feel qualified to take a "leadership" role, as I am still struggling, and not a success story (yet!) but am willing to contribute anything I can offer if this gets underway in the south suburbs of Chicago ; ) what an exciting prospect! And the cruise idea? Woohoo! I'm in!

I'm 11 mos. out & my stomach growls when I'm hungry....much moreso as of late, since putting forth more diligent effort. I try to wait for the growl and use it as a guide to know when it's time to eat, instead of giving in to my "head hunger." For me, I find it a reassuring reminder that I'm finally waiting long enough in between meals instead of just eating whenev I want, regardless of true hunger.

Ugh....I'm in the Chicago burbs & this winter blows...literally & figuratively! But I am counting down the days til I take my 5 yr old granddaughter for her first trip to Disney World! 31 days woohoo! We may never come back to Illinois!!

That's the best outlook to have! Hope it all continues positively for u!

I didn't experience any pain either-went in for my surgery by myself, got a ride home that afternoon & was up and about entertaining & cooking for my sisters who came over to visit the very next day...had the procedure over my spring break, but really could have worked if I had to, easy peazy- you'll be fine! Good luck to you on the new start!

I'm on there too and would welcome the connection & camaraderie!! I got my daughter using it too, but she's actually on there to help herself gain weight...lol...she didn't inherit her mother's genes ; ) (my user name is same as here)

I'm on there too and would welcome the connection & camaraderie!! I got my daughter using it too, but she's actually on there to help herself gain weight...lol...she didn't inherit her mother's genes ; ) (my user name is same as here)

Reading your post about feeling "normal," finally, inspires me to keep working to get myself there, as the "baby" in a family of 6, including 2 beautiful, "normal" sisters, & an equally beautiful "normal" mother, I, the only abnormal, aka fat one, have never thought the day would come when I don't feel ashamed, self-conscious, or down right ugly in comparison to them. Even now, when my sisters, who with age have gained a little girth, I cringe when they bring up how "fat" they've become in front of me...I would be more than happy & proud to look as normal as either one of them....maybe one day...thanks for reminding me it's a tangible goal ; )

This is a longer one, but so powerful..I've had this on my fridge for years (along with sev. others, as I am somewhat of a quote collector : ) "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same." -Marianne Williamson

This is a test to check if this posts correctly, as I wrote an incredibly long 1st ever in my life blog that did not post!! Arghhh! I was so dismayed, I haven't yet attempted again, so this is merely a test post to make sure I'm doing it right...if so, I will try again!

" I may not be where I need to be, but THANK GOD I'm not where I USED to be." -anonymous.

" I may not be where I need to be, but THANK GOD I'm not where I USED to be." -anonymous.

I, too, saw that episode & felt a mix of emotions as I watched it. I found myself feeling disdain for her pompous attitude, and then reminded myself that this is a journey, not for a short stint, but an entire lifetime, and she simply was not ready yet for the commitment it will take to really change. I wasn't ready at first either, and it took me a long time to recognize that this is NOT an easy choice, regardless of what the uninformed public may think. It takes hard work EVERY DAY. Maybe one day, she'll be ready to embrace the opportunity given her...hopefully, she will. Each of us has our own unique path to truth, and maybe she has a few more lessons to learn before she gets there...until then, I hope she & her family can hold their own...

Tomorrow is a new day, with a new opportunity, and u are certainly not alone! If it were that easy, there wouldn't be a need for this support site! Be gentle with yourself, it's hard enough adjusting to this life change....no need to beat yourself up about a slip up. You recognized it & dealt with it! You will be just fine...wishing you a positive tomorrow!

You look absolutely fabulous!! Great pics, such an inspiration! Thank u for sharing, and hope u bounce back to your normal routine soon!

That puts it into perspective doesn't it?

Ahhh...guilt & its best friend, shame, seems they've been constant companions my entire life as well-but love that the "guilt" you feel these days is for a much better reason...working on shedding the guilt and shame along with the pounds and replace it with self-forgiveness too. Thanks for inspiring words of wisdom!

Though I didn't have the experience of gaining weight with the band, I did not lose any weight for the first 9 mos. after my surgery, so I understand your feelings of dismay...it took me a long time to get my head outta my @** & "in the game," and when I did, which was extremely recently, I finally started to lose. You CAN do this...it just takes some of us a little longer. We have to be ready for the life changes that come with this choice. It is not just a physical change; it is a mental change. I've found that if this is going to work for me, my whole life kind of needs to center around the band-when I tried to eat, socialize, or drink without being extremely conscious of the band and it's ultimate purpose, I failed. it is not too late to start again. Your band is okay, so that's good news. Now you start from here. I wish you much success!

Your question makes me wonder yet again what the best method is for tracking (I have been having a hard time deciding what is best for me---counting protein, cals, carbs, fat...ugh!!)1000-1200 seems about right for someone of my age/size/gender, but seems low for a male...I always thought it was closer to 2000 a day for a man, but not sure if that's to maintain where you are or lose...sorry, guess I'm no help, but your topic is one I, too ponder. I thought about counting cals, but have decided to count my carbs instead, as those seem to be the hardest for me to resist, and I figure if I stay under 50 net per day, I should see some results...counting cals always seems like the least complicated to me...maybe I should do that...ooohhh decisions, decisions, good luck to you!!

Oh wow! That's awesome : ) Hope you are feeling well, and welcome to what I hope will be a positive, fulfilling, life-changing experience for you!

Blessings to you and your family, great idea to seek support here--you will definitely find it! I am new on here too, but had my LB surgery over 9 mos. ago---so kudos to you for reaching out early; it was a wise decision on your part. I know this is both a scary & exciting time for you, and wish you and your family the best on this journey!

Well, I can't offer you any advice, as I am floatin' in the same boat you are, but I can tell you, this is what gets very convoluted for me as well. I think it stuck in my head and lodged there stubbornly when my surgeon told our pre-op group that eating with the band should not require a great deal of effort, as in dieting...that it's not something we should be obsessing over, counting calories and what not, just stick to the rules and come see him when it's not working. Well, that strategy over the last 9 mos. has not worked for me. I have always been able to eat more...and have. I saw him so much the first 6 mos., I'm sure he thought I was stalking him! I have had approx. 6 fills, the last w/fluoro, and I have been at a total standstill, not gaining, not losing, just up & down with the same 5 lbs. over & over again...it's like Groundhog Day...so, if the band is fine, and I am making no progress, then I absolutely have to do what I thought I wouldn't need to do: put the dreaded "structure" into my meal planning...oh yeah, I guess I have to "meal plan" too! Amazing concept! I had this epiphany approx. 4 days ago, and am still kind of clueless as to the best approach: Proteins, and calories, and carbs, oh my! What to count? So, I am there with you! Much to my chagrin and rebellious nature, I started a food journal to help keep me "honest"--to stare down the enemy: the Pasta, bread, and sweets tempting me with their carbo-liciousness. I was living in a fantasyland the last 9 mos. and ignored how difficult a process this actually would be...it took this site to wake me up and motivate me to start the process of "total honesty." So, you are not alone...I may not have any answers for you, but at least know there are others struggling with the same issues you are ; )

OMG, that's hilarious! I have not named my band, but I think I'm going to...if it's a permanent part of my life, it may as well have it's own name, that'd only be right...I'm going to have to think on this

Thank you! I agree 100%...though I am new here too, I am learning that supporting each other here is a vital component to getting or staying on track