Bandista

OK...I must admit I watched it last night. Usually my BF comes over on Wednesdays but I had my personal training last night so he didn't come over and I was able to watch the show. If he was staying by me last night, we would have watched something else for sure.
So..my opinion is that I am even more convinced after watching the episode, that I'm not ready for surgery. Yes...I want to get rid of the saggy skin. No...it's not as bad as the woman in last night's episode. Also...I don't hate my body the way she did. I can cover up the parts I don't like, and I have no issues with intimacy. My BF has made it very clear that he is enamored of me regardless of the saggy skin, saggy boobs, scars, etc. There is nothing off limits as far as his touch on my body so while that was a huge issue for her, it's not one for me. I also think that they will be inundated with people trying to get on the show to get surgery without having to pay for it. LOL.

Happy New Year to you all!!! I hope 2016 is finding you happy and healthy thus far!!
Though the week before the new year I had to have 2 cc's taken out of my band I am actually feeling better for it. I'm able to eat and not really be too hungry between meals. I need to focus a bit on moving and getting some exercise in but I am hesitant to get back to the gym....not sure I'm 100% ready for that yet.
Maybe I will start with the gym at work and just get some walking in daily and go from there. Everyone in my office seems to be sick again. The cacophony of coughing and throat clearing...oh my! I have my classical music turned up loud and I'm conducting them all in unison to spraying of my Lysol!!
I'm taking some immune boosting Vitamins as well, because I just don't want to get sick again! I can't say I was fabulous in choices this weekend, pizza was definitely on the menu as well as movie pop corn but at least I didn't eat a whole pie or anything like that, and today I'm back on track and ready to focus on 2016!!!

It took me months to go through my husband's things and years to get rid of everything. I still have some things that I'll never get rid of like his wallet and everything that was in it when he passed. Take it easy with this part. Do what you can if you feel up to it, and walk away if/when you aren't able to take on this task.

Way to go Liz.. yes the holidays can be treacherous.. I had to end up throwing stuff out.. Cookies we made for Santa.. (I didn't want to look like Santa). fudge, candy and finally the remaining cheese cake.. (my downfall). I also had some silk pie left in my fridge that had to go. Sugar is my crack. It felt kind of good to be strong enough to chunk it.. I absolutely cannot eat Chinese and I'm good with that because I used to love it too much. I have been using this ugly, cold, rainy day to re-group and reorganize my house.. de-christmased and trying to go through some of my husband's things that I think the kids might want.. that has been the most difficult today.. I have quit for now because it's becoming too emotional for me..
I know you understand. Anyway wanted to tell you good job on holidays and keep it up.

Well, I made it thru the week. The BF spent this past week at my place and he's all about pizza and Chinese and ice cream. I was very concerned I would backslide and it worried me considerably. He goes home later today and I weighed 121.6 last Sunday and 122.6 this morning. One pound is nothing. We had sushi for dinner last night so some of it is likely Water anyway. While so many on this board worried about the holidays, I worried about this. I feel so proud of myself for avoiding the landmines and not blowing myself up. Hooray for me.

Debbie looking good,, Bandista, take care of yourself. I had a good New Years Day, stayed on the couch in my pj's, weather here was rainy and cool. Dumped my house of all crap food, Cookies, candy, left over cheesecake and pie.. I'm on a mission to maintain and even maybe lose a few lbs. I need to start walking if I can. My hips are giving me problems . Arthritis seems to be causing that. so, exercise is difficult but I know I need to move. I am looking forward to the New Year and hope today will be a good day to de=Christmas my house. Good to see how well everyone is doing. Keep up the positive posts.

What I miss: not much! Like others, there are times when I'd like to chow down on just the right kind of sandwich or a big, fat cheeseburger -- munching on a baguette, etc.
What I don't miss: being so damn self-conscious every where I went. It's been so great going out into the world these last two years and holding my head up high, having a good time. I no longer look around to see if I am the heaviest person in the room and I don't worry about what people might think about what I'm eating/not eating. I just do my thing and I sure don't miss questioning every aspect of my eating all the day long (should I have this, should I be "on" or "off" a diet, etc. -- happy to not be on a diet!).
Thanks for a great thread and Happy New Year all!
(Oh, I kind of miss champagne -- cannot do the bubbly unless it's in a mimosa or something that flattens out some of the carbonation....)

Thanks, Debbie -- Happy New Year to you, too, and to all my friends on this site. I am currently in bed and trying to rest after a much-too-busy holiday season. Grateful not to be hungry but still need to rein in the eating/drinking. Enough with the cheese, good grief. About to make a great big beet and green apple juice and that will be the first thing I've had today besides tea. Juicing has always worked for me as a way to regroup. Here's to 2016 and health, prosperity and enjoying our lives. Best wishes to all!

What I miss: not much! Like others, there are times when I'd like to chow down on just the right kind of sandwich or a big, fat cheeseburger -- munching on a baguette, etc.
What I don't miss: being so damn self-conscious every where I went. It's been so great going out into the world these last two years and holding my head up high, having a good time. I no longer look around to see if I am the heaviest person in the room and I don't worry about what people might think about what I'm eating/not eating. I just do my thing and I sure don't miss questioning every aspect of my eating all the day long (should I have this, should I be "on" or "off" a diet, etc. -- happy to not be on a diet!).
Thanks for a great thread and Happy New Year all!
(Oh, I kind of miss champagne -- cannot do the bubbly unless it's in a mimosa or something that flattens out some of the carbonation....)

What I miss: not much! Like others, there are times when I'd like to chow down on just the right kind of sandwich or a big, fat cheeseburger -- munching on a baguette, etc.
What I don't miss: being so damn self-conscious every where I went. It's been so great going out into the world these last two years and holding my head up high, having a good time. I no longer look around to see if I am the heaviest person in the room and I don't worry about what people might think about what I'm eating/not eating. I just do my thing and I sure don't miss questioning every aspect of my eating all the day long (should I have this, should I be "on" or "off" a diet, etc. -- happy to not be on a diet!).
Thanks for a great thread and Happy New Year all!
(Oh, I kind of miss champagne -- cannot do the bubbly unless it's in a mimosa or something that flattens out some of the carbonation....)

What I miss: not much! Like others, there are times when I'd like to chow down on just the right kind of sandwich or a big, fat cheeseburger -- munching on a baguette, etc.
What I don't miss: being so damn self-conscious every where I went. It's been so great going out into the world these last two years and holding my head up high, having a good time. I no longer look around to see if I am the heaviest person in the room and I don't worry about what people might think about what I'm eating/not eating. I just do my thing and I sure don't miss questioning every aspect of my eating all the day long (should I have this, should I be "on" or "off" a diet, etc. -- happy to not be on a diet!).
Thanks for a great thread and Happy New Year all!
(Oh, I kind of miss champagne -- cannot do the bubbly unless it's in a mimosa or something that flattens out some of the carbonation....)

What I miss: not much! Like others, there are times when I'd like to chow down on just the right kind of sandwich or a big, fat cheeseburger -- munching on a baguette, etc.
What I don't miss: being so damn self-conscious every where I went. It's been so great going out into the world these last two years and holding my head up high, having a good time. I no longer look around to see if I am the heaviest person in the room and I don't worry about what people might think about what I'm eating/not eating. I just do my thing and I sure don't miss questioning every aspect of my eating all the day long (should I have this, should I be "on" or "off" a diet, etc. -- happy to not be on a diet!).
Thanks for a great thread and Happy New Year all!
(Oh, I kind of miss champagne -- cannot do the bubbly unless it's in a mimosa or something that flattens out some of the carbonation....)

Thanks, Debbie -- Happy New Year to you, too, and to all my friends on this site. I am currently in bed and trying to rest after a much-too-busy holiday season. Grateful not to be hungry but still need to rein in the eating/drinking. Enough with the cheese, good grief. About to make a great big beet and green apple juice and that will be the first thing I've had today besides tea. Juicing has always worked for me as a way to regroup. Here's to 2016 and health, prosperity and enjoying our lives. Best wishes to all!

What I miss: not much! Like others, there are times when I'd like to chow down on just the right kind of sandwich or a big, fat cheeseburger -- munching on a baguette, etc.
What I don't miss: being so damn self-conscious every where I went. It's been so great going out into the world these last two years and holding my head up high, having a good time. I no longer look around to see if I am the heaviest person in the room and I don't worry about what people might think about what I'm eating/not eating. I just do my thing and I sure don't miss questioning every aspect of my eating all the day long (should I have this, should I be "on" or "off" a diet, etc. -- happy to not be on a diet!).
Thanks for a great thread and Happy New Year all!
(Oh, I kind of miss champagne -- cannot do the bubbly unless it's in a mimosa or something that flattens out some of the carbonation....)

What I miss: not much! Like others, there are times when I'd like to chow down on just the right kind of sandwich or a big, fat cheeseburger -- munching on a baguette, etc.
What I don't miss: being so damn self-conscious every where I went. It's been so great going out into the world these last two years and holding my head up high, having a good time. I no longer look around to see if I am the heaviest person in the room and I don't worry about what people might think about what I'm eating/not eating. I just do my thing and I sure don't miss questioning every aspect of my eating all the day long (should I have this, should I be "on" or "off" a diet, etc. -- happy to not be on a diet!).
Thanks for a great thread and Happy New Year all!
(Oh, I kind of miss champagne -- cannot do the bubbly unless it's in a mimosa or something that flattens out some of the carbonation....)

Thanks, Debbie -- Happy New Year to you, too, and to all my friends on this site. I am currently in bed and trying to rest after a much-too-busy holiday season. Grateful not to be hungry but still need to rein in the eating/drinking. Enough with the cheese, good grief. About to make a great big beet and green apple juice and that will be the first thing I've had today besides tea. Juicing has always worked for me as a way to regroup. Here's to 2016 and health, prosperity and enjoying our lives. Best wishes to all!

What I miss: not much! Like others, there are times when I'd like to chow down on just the right kind of sandwich or a big, fat cheeseburger -- munching on a baguette, etc.
What I don't miss: being so damn self-conscious every where I went. It's been so great going out into the world these last two years and holding my head up high, having a good time. I no longer look around to see if I am the heaviest person in the room and I don't worry about what people might think about what I'm eating/not eating. I just do my thing and I sure don't miss questioning every aspect of my eating all the day long (should I have this, should I be "on" or "off" a diet, etc. -- happy to not be on a diet!).
Thanks for a great thread and Happy New Year all!
(Oh, I kind of miss champagne -- cannot do the bubbly unless it's in a mimosa or something that flattens out some of the carbonation....)

Thanks, Debbie -- Happy New Year to you, too, and to all my friends on this site. I am currently in bed and trying to rest after a much-too-busy holiday season. Grateful not to be hungry but still need to rein in the eating/drinking. Enough with the cheese, good grief. About to make a great big beet and green apple juice and that will be the first thing I've had today besides tea. Juicing has always worked for me as a way to regroup. Here's to 2016 and health, prosperity and enjoying our lives. Best wishes to all!

What I miss: not much! Like others, there are times when I'd like to chow down on just the right kind of sandwich or a big, fat cheeseburger -- munching on a baguette, etc.
What I don't miss: being so damn self-conscious every where I went. It's been so great going out into the world these last two years and holding my head up high, having a good time. I no longer look around to see if I am the heaviest person in the room and I don't worry about what people might think about what I'm eating/not eating. I just do my thing and I sure don't miss questioning every aspect of my eating all the day long (should I have this, should I be "on" or "off" a diet, etc. -- happy to not be on a diet!).
Thanks for a great thread and Happy New Year all!
(Oh, I kind of miss champagne -- cannot do the bubbly unless it's in a mimosa or something that flattens out some of the carbonation....)

Male attention is really tough to deal with and I am shocked at how straight forward men can be. I literally have a kid on each hip and a wedding ring and still get hit on. My husband is a very large man. 6'4 350 pounds. We use to " match" now he feels like people look at us and wonder what is she doing with that guy?? I love my husband fat or thin but my thinner frame has made him a lot more self conscience about his bigger frame.
Plus it does t help that I am basically a midget lol

I had similar struggles and it has taken time and getting my head screwed on straight to get past this. I was not used to looks of appreciation, or being asked to dance, or asked for my number and who knew th a that sort of thing would make me feel so "exposed". I recommend the tincture of time, reflection, combined with getting outside your own head and perhaps counseling. Good friends help alot too.

food wise, I don't really miss anything. I feel like I can eat whatever I want and for the m ost part I eat much better quality, high value food. What I sometimes miss is being numb...I don't seem to be able to evade and avoid the world like I used to. This is less about food and more about the fatsuit - I didn't realize the many hidden purposes it served until it was gone gone gone.
What I DON'T miss - pretty much summed up as "sitting on the sidelines of life". I go shopping with th trim pretty girls, I take on new hobbies without fear of being foolish and too fat (kayaking, snowshoeing, hiking), i look no more ridiculous than anyone else on the dance floor, I can "run up the stairs" without fear of heart attack, I can walk across a crowded room and not wonder how people are looking me/judging my size ..Haha. I can go on and on....but being at maintenance for a few years now I realize this whole slice of life that I only partially participated in before.
I guess I told myself I didnt care about such superficial fluff, but now that I have it, I realize what a liar I was. Honestly I would have told you (and people told me this!!) That I didnt let the excess weight keep me from living a full life. I call shenanigans!! I DON'T miss being in denial about what living a full life means.

Miss: Eating a whole cheeseburger, really eating a whole anything, the ability to eat a lot of BBQ, enjoying carbonated beverages, tequila, skin that isn't loose and squishy.
Don't miss: The person I was before gastric sleeve. I always thought I was ok. After a couple years of having to adjust my entire mental state I learned that I was not as emotionally stable as I thought I was. I learned that I had used food as a crutch, that I was somewhat angry and terribly insecure, and that (newsflash) I was NOT ok. Oh and I'm not big boned either. I was just fat. These were terrible lessons to learn and lessons that should have been learned long ago. It took having most of my stomach removed for me to simply begin figuring out who I am.
Just ridiculous isn't it? It's been nearly 3 yrs now and I'm glad I finally started getting the point.
I've been wondering if any of you experience this problem: Before surgery I always thought that I would enjoy not being invisible. That I'd enjoy attention from the opposite sex and that I would love to be considered one of the desirable women. Come to find out, I don't want the attention after all. I do not want any extra attention from the opposite sex and I find that I am very uncomfortable with too many compliments. I'd kind of like to just be invisible. Go figure.
For a lot of people the weight loss journey is focused on health and food/exercise choices and habits. It's not that at all for me. The benefits have been on an emotional/psychological level. And I'm glad I went on this journey. I'm pretty much at peace with myself. All because I had the bright idea to have most of my stomach removed. Who knew.
I still would like a cheeseburger.

The only thing I miss is a good deli style sandwich !! ( do not and cannot tolerate breads)
And since I don't, (cannot) eat meat, I do miss a sandwich made from pastrami, corned beef, etc.
Go to a good delicatessen or diner and have one of these sandwiches with french fries (something else I no longer eat) cole slaw and a pickle.
Maybe a triple decker club sandwich!
But all in all I do not miss being fat, unhealthy, and a pig! Not to mention what others thought of me.
I'll take this healthy, fit life any day!
Also, unlike others, I do still enjoy things like soda, beer, alcohol, ice cream, etc, etc....I am NOT on a diet!!!
This is different than a diet.

I have thought about this one a lot. The only thing I truly miss is being able to eat a delicious incredible cheeseburger. I just cannot do it, I have had a bite and they don't taste the same, they also hurt when I do. I miss a good cheeseburger and I do not like them without the bun. There is a burger to bun ratio and I was very picky about them before. LOL
I also miss my ass! I have none and I truly mean none. It hurts to sit anywhere for even a few minutes. I have coccyx pillows at home in my car. I take it to movies but everywhere else I am in very severe pain when sitting. I don't miss having a fat ass but I do miss some of my padding.
I definitely don't miss so many things it is hard to list. I don't miss shopping for clothes in plus size stores and the way that I felt while trying them on. I despised clothes shopping and would avoid it like the plague. I now absolutely love clothes shopping! I wish we could win the lottery so I could buy a ginormous closet and fill it with clothes and shoes and handbags for me! I never thought these things would ever matter for me but they do and I love it!
I don't miss trying to cram my fat chubby body into a booth and feeling the embarrassment when I don't fit. Now there is so much room between me and the table it is crazy! I secretly will find the tightest spaces and sit in them just to see if I fit and I have yet to find one that I don't fit in. It's like a big test for me! LOL!
I don't miss having to ask for a darn seat extender and getting that crappy look from the flight attendant who was stick thin. It was embarrassing and I felt like everyone was staring at me when they handed it to me. I also felt like post of them never tried to be discreet about it.
I don't miss watching football and realizing I was heavier than most of those guys. Now I am proud to say I am too skinny to make a good football player. (Isn't this silly!)
I don't miss getting sick with severe reflux every time I ate and walking the floors in the middle of the night with severe distress.
I don't miss having to take my blood sugar multiple times a day and the medications that go along with diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and severe Gerd.
This list truly could go on and on!