eyespy

Thanks, Peanut!

I am pre-banded. I start my day with powdered Slim-fast mixed with soy milk because it is easy and I like the consistency and taste. However, it has a lot of sugar--in fact that's the first ingredient. I know that after post surgery, I will need to drink a lot of shakes. I am very picky about the taste and texture. I wanted to start trying some now, so that I would already know which ones I like and have them ready for after surgery. Soes anyone have suggestions as to shakes that you like? I don't really like the flovor of the canned ones, but if I must . . .

I started Welbutrin on Tuesday, and I'm about to crawl out of my skin. I feel nervous and jittery. I also have constant ringing in my ears. I can't wait until tomorrow when I can call my Dr. and ask how to stop taking this. My Dr. and I were trying this to see if it would help with weight loss--I have not been banded yet. I suffered from depression years ago and took Prozac. I never had any problems with it, so I didn't think anyting of taking Welbutrin. It's definitely helped with my appetite. I don't feel like eating anything, partly because I feel nauseas. I would rather be fat than feel this way. I don't think I want to wait a month to see if the symptoms will go away. Has anyone had a similar experience with horrible side effects?

Good for you, Denise!! :clap2: Thanks everyone for talking about how the band is working for you. Right now, I struggle with cravings. I feel like I have no impulse control when it comes to food. I also eat way too much. If a make a certain amount, I eat it, even if I am full. I know that when I get all the garbage out of my system, my cravings go away. It's just getting to that ppoint that's hard.

Thanks, Chickie. I saw your before and after pictures, and you look great! How long have you been banded?

I totally understand that you have to change your habits and the band is just a tool. I guess what I'm wondering is how come you're able to do that post band when you couldn't do it pre-band? If I was able to change my habits, I wouldn't need the lapband. A few years ago, I did change my habits. I lost 30 pounds very slowly and healthy. I accepted that this was my new lifestyle, but after a year-and-a-half, I resorted back to my old ways and haven't been able to get back on track since. So how is that the lap helped you make that change you couldn't before? Sorry to be so negative. I just want to be fully informed before making my decision. Maybe I will feel more confident after meeting with the surgeon. I go to a seminar on Thursday, and after that, I can make an appointment with the surgeon and get the ball rolling.

Thanks for your reply. Are you taking the vitamin E oil, or rubbing it on the scars?

I thought I'd post this separately since I carried on and on in the last e-mail. Did any of you see that special on PBS special: Fat: What No One is Telling You? Here is the address if you want to watch it online. I got this from a previous post. FAT: What No One Is Telling You - Watching: Chapter 1 | PBS In one of the segments, a doctor reported that only about 5% of gastric bypass patients get down to a normal weight. Have any of you heard any statistics about the lapband? Have you heard what the average amount of weight loss is? I don't necessarily care about getting to my *ideal* weight, but I would like to move into the plain, old overweight category instead of being MO. It sounds like some of you are having difficulties with your band. Is anyone sorry they had it done? I am so afraid the hunger will remain after surgery. I am afraid I will still crave sweets and processed foods. It's such a big decision. That why I love this site. You get the good, the bad, and the ugly--not to mention the Big and Beautiful!

jcgrove: I live the Panhandle of FL--NW FL. That's as specific as I want to be on-line. Am I paranoid, or what? Indiogirl: I like what you said about being bored but not lonely. I think that is more how I feel, but I never really thought about it that way. I miss feeling special to a man, having someone to cuddle, and spending time with someone, but I have friends and family and I'm good at being by myself. I don't really feel lonely--although until your statement, I probably thought of it as being lonely. Although I would love me someone and get married, part of me thinks I might not like being married. On top of being single into my 30's, I'm an only child. So, I really have never had to do things other peoples way. I'm not saying that I have to get my way. I'm actually very comprising in social situations, but on my own time, in my own house, I like things done my way. That would be the hardest thing about being married for me--having to take someone else's opinions into considerations.

Cool! I deleted her, too. They should put a different person each week up there. One's who've actually lost weight. (Not that we know if their model did or didn't) I just got tired of seeing the same face every time.

Crap!!!! I accidentally sent a *smile* back to him. I clicked on it thinking it would give me some directions. I wasn't ready to do that just yet. Oh well, I guess I'm in it now!

Okay, so I'm freaking out. I got a *smile* on bbwdatefinder, and now I'm totally freaking out! Gosh, it's been a while!

Thanks, Julie. You and I seem to have some of the same thought processes. I have also been thinking about the statistics of successful weight loss and realizing that the odds are not in my favor. I went to a seminar and they said 95% of dieters regain their weight. There was also another interesting study she mentioned where people were surveyed prior to a weight loss program and asked to identify four amounts of weight loss: 1. their ideal weight if they could wave a wand and be whatever weight they wanted, 2. a happy weight (not their ideal but they would feel good at that weight), 3. an acceptable weight (they would not be excited or happy but they could live with), 4. a weight they would be dissappointed with. The counselor did some calculations and determined that the average weight loss for people to be disappointed with was 10% (or so. I can't remember off hand. Maybe up to 15%) At the end of 6 months, nearly no one had even reached their disappointed weight. That really made me think WLS is the way to go, and this was a class for a non-surgical weight loss program! I will be glad to start the process and meet with the counselor. At least I know I am not being impulsive about my decision. I've seen shows about WLS, and a lot of people said they almost had to grieve their relationship with food. Did you experience that? I thought it was interesting that you picked the legally blind analogy because I am a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments. What is your PhD in?

Hi all. I am so wishy-washy about getting the surgery. For periods of time, I am convinced I am going to do it, Then I think maybe I'll wait. I think I am still in denial that I can lose weight on my own! If that were true, I would have done it by now. I never realized before contemplating the surgery how much enjoyment I get from food. I don't consider myself an emotional eater--I don't eat when I depressed or to Celebrate. But I do love food and I wonder how it will be after surgery. For those of you that were hesitant about getting the surgery and finally did, how do you feel about your decision? How has your relationship with food changed. I am really trying to think about all the changes that will need to take place. I don't want to go into this thinking it's a magic thing and won't be any work.

I agree it depends on your height! I am 5'0", and I can't remember the last time I could cross my legs! I know I couldn't even at a size 18, and probably not a 16 either. I'm sure in high school when I thought I was fat at a size 7!! I wish I were that fat! When I do try to cross my legs, my knee hurts and cracks. Must I move it clean out of socket! Not banded yet. Maybe I could band my thighs! Since there are some shorter ladies on this thread, can I just say that don't you find it annoying that you can get petite clothing in plus size dept.? They occasionally have business suits or dresses, but who wants to be formal all the time? Well, I do have luck with pants. I need some petite/plus size shirts and casual wear!!! They seem to think no one short is overweight! One day, I went into Catherine's, a plus size clothing store. I saw this adorable dress. I was excited because it was a short length and usually the want us to hide our legs--I rarely find plus size dresses that don't go to the ground. Anyway, as I looked more closely, I realized it was a blouse!! That is why I need plus/petite! Oh the day I can wear a 14 and shop in the petite section!

Chrispy: Thanks for the encouragement. Encouragement for you, too. Doubt he would have spent so much on a second date if he wasn't interested. Plus, he asked you out again instead, "I'll call you." I understand what you mean about being distrustful of the on-line thing. I agree that some men think that overweight women are easy bc of low self-esteem. Too bad for them that I'm not and I don't tolerate being treated with disrespect. (Even if my self-esteem isn't what it should be!) Mostly I'm just interested in meeting a couple of guys to get to know as friends and maybe get some encouragement to boost my ego. I'm really a little freaked out by the on-line dating thing. Joan: I think you are beautiful! I am glad you are getting encouragement from this site. I am too. I think I will probably have to wait 6 months to be banded. I'll have to do the dr. supervised weight loss if my insurance won't take past attempts. Due to traveling for work, I will probably have to wait until next summer. So, I feel your pain!! I can't believe that guy told you you were too fat!! Didn't you meet him on a site geared toward overweight women? I met this guy at church that I went to high school with. I had no romantic interest in him, and very little friendship interest, for that matter. Anyway, he was sitting by me in church one Sun. and I pulled out a picture of me from high school. I had it in my purse bc my friend wanted to see me with long, red hair. (I was blond with short hair at the time). I thought it would be funny since we went to high school together. He said, "No offense, but you were in better shape back then. Have you ever thought about dieting." Then he starts telling me about the book Body for Life. I could have died! DOes he have amnesia or something. I didn't think it was a suprise that I gained weight. I was a size 7 in high school, and a 20/22 at the time of his comment. I wanted to tell him he needs better social skills, but I was too shocked at the time! I guess we've all received those kind of comments.

Since I am new to posting a profile, I just wanted to get some feeback on what I plan to post on my profile--be gentle. :paranoid (I feel like I'm hogging the threads today!) Thanks, Alysa I’m a Florida native. And can you believe it? The hurricanes haven’t run me off yet!! I like to travel, which is good, because I travel for work all over Florida. In the last year I have been to the Bahamas—my first cruise—and Vermont in the fall—gorgeous leaves! Hopefully going to Hawaii next summer. I’m a Christian woman who would like to meet a Christian man. I don’t have a long list of “must haves,” but I want to meet someone with the same core values as me. I think I’m a great catch! I like action adventure movies, hate shopping, and don’t want to change you. I’m not clingy or needy. I like my alone time, but I’m also very social with my friends. I don’t care for the bad boy type. Guess what? There are actually women out there that like nice guys. I’m an intelligent and funny woman who wants to meet someone who will add value to my life. I’m not in a hurry to have a relationship. I’d like to make friends and see if anything develops.

You guys have inspired me to do the internet dating thing! Does anyone know anything about BBW DateFinder. I have no idea what to say on my intro. page . . . very unusual for me. I scanned in a picture I like, but it doesn't look as good scanned. Oh well, I'm just putting my toe in the pond!

Thanks Chrispy. I have been to the sites for big, beautiful women, and it seems that it's mostly guys with fetishes! I don't think that all guys who like big women are like that, but it just seems like most of the ones on those kinds of sites are. What frustrates me the most is that I would actually like a guy to get to know me a little first before deciding he's not interested. I have met guys before that I wasn't particularly attracted to at first. After getting to know them, I became attracted to them. (I started to make a generalization for ALL men, but out of respect to our guys here I'll just say . . . ) My experience with guys I meet is that if they are not attracted, they don't even take the time to get to know you as a friend. Can I just say what a great site this is! I only have one MO friend, and she is married and lives out of town. I have great friends who listen, but they can't really understand what it's like to be fat. (Let me get of my pity party!) I haven't been banded. I am going to a seminar in June, so i can't meet with the surgeon until after that. I think I have to do a 6 month dr. supervised diet before I get coverage from my insurance. I just met with my primary and she said that my insurance will probably not take previous attempts. So I have at least 6 months to go. I was hoping to have surgery this summer because I travel so much for work, but I don't travel summers. Another good time for me would be December, but who wants to have surgery before Christmas? Anyway, when I travel for work, I fly and carry 35-40 pounds in wheeled suitcases. Based on your experiences with your healing processes, how long do you think it would be before I could resume that schedule? Alysa

I wrote this in another thread before I found this one. By social life, I mean dating! I feel more comfortable saying that on a singles thread. It sounds like there are a lot of you who were dating regularly pre-surgery. I wish I had the same luck. Where are all the guys who can appreciate a large woman?? (Here's the orginal messsage, and thanks for this thread!!) For those of you single Lap-Banders, how has your social life changed since being banded? I have to admit that part of why I want to have the surgery is to improve that aspect of my life. Don't get me wrong, I don't expect the surgery to magically make everything better in my life. I'm pretty grounded and have realistic expectations. I like the person I am, but I do have issues with my appearance. I want to improve my health, so if that were not a factor, I would not consider the surgery just to look better. I would also love to hear stories from those of you who met your significant others when you were overweight. I know there are lots of overweight women out there who are with guys who are not hung up on weight; I just have not had the good fortune to meet one.

Thanks!!

I sent a PM, but then found this link. What if we book directly with the cruiseline? What bandster activities will be going on? Anything particularly scheduled? Would I stil be able to particpate with you guys if I signed up last minute through the cruiseline?

No, I just tried to link it from a pitcure I scanned into a file. I just put it on my avitar, now. I really like the picture, though! (That's seldom!) You can't tell much from the avitar one. How did you put your ticker into your signature?

Has anyone used any products that helped minimize their scarring? I am considering the surgery. I know the scars will be small, but I would still like to reduce the scarring as much as possible. Any suggestions?

I thought it was a great show, too. I especially liked it when the doctor told the thereapist to remember that obesity is a disease. When you saw pictures of the heaviest man on the show as a baby and toddler, you just know that his weight problem is not totally environmental. I too hope they will show some lap band surgeries, but I have a feeling it will just be gastric bypass. Anyone know how to contact TLC? Maybe if they hear from enough people, they will make some episodes about it.