TLL

Mashed potatoes are my big "problem" slider! I just love them! I still eat them, I just have to be careful to get plenty of Protein in first so it can kind of "hold up" the potatoes so they don't just take right on off through.

Everyone's body drops the weight differently! Sounds like yours is probably coming off more your face, arms, etc. Do your pants feel like they fit better, even if you haven't changed sizes? I've been wearing the same size jeans for the last 30 pounds or so, myself. The waist has gotten loser and they're gapping at the back now, but my thighs and butt haven't gotten any smaller so I can't go down a size. I had forgotten about this problem when I was at this weight on the way up!

Everyone's body drops the weight differently! Sounds like yours is probably coming off more your face, arms, etc. Do your pants feel like they fit better, even if you haven't changed sizes? I've been wearing the same size jeans for the last 30 pounds or so, myself. The waist has gotten loser and they're gapping at the back now, but my thighs and butt haven't gotten any smaller so I can't go down a size. I had forgotten about this problem when I was at this weight on the way up!

Everyone's body drops the weight differently! Sounds like yours is probably coming off more your face, arms, etc. Do your pants feel like they fit better, even if you haven't changed sizes? I've been wearing the same size jeans for the last 30 pounds or so, myself. The waist has gotten loser and they're gapping at the back now, but my thighs and butt haven't gotten any smaller so I can't go down a size. I had forgotten about this problem when I was at this weight on the way up!

Everyone's body drops the weight differently! Sounds like yours is probably coming off more your face, arms, etc. Do your pants feel like they fit better, even if you haven't changed sizes? I've been wearing the same size jeans for the last 30 pounds or so, myself. The waist has gotten loser and they're gapping at the back now, but my thighs and butt haven't gotten any smaller so I can't go down a size. I had forgotten about this problem when I was at this weight on the way up!

Down 89 pounds! I finally got a fill last Tuesday that I think put me in the green. How is everyone else??

Sometimes, definitely! When we go out to eat and there's this table FULL of awesome looking food and I know good and well I can only eat a fraction of it. There's ALWAYS going to be the 300+ pound girl inside of me that just wants to EAT EAT EAT! Just gotta try to keep her beat down as far as I can most of the time!

Current Weight: 229
Goal weight for March 31st~ 226
Weight on March 1st~ 234
NOW we're talkin' and moving in the right direction! WUT WUT!

Weight loss surgery is difficult, to say the least. The operation takes place after years or a lifetime of being obese and after months of research and preparation. Recovery can be anywhere from “not too bad” to riddled with complications. Nearly every aspect of your lifestyle changes, from your diet to the way you look to your relationships to your mental state. The entire experience is long and challenging, no matter how rewarding.


BariatricPal recognizes the challenges of being in the weight loss surgery community. You need every bit of support and information you can get to choose the best surgery for yourself, prepare for surgery, lose weight, and get healthy for the long term. The peer-to-peer support that BariatricPal members provide can be among the most powerful tools you have to help you achieve your goals. So please, help build the community up instead of tearing it down.
Potential for a Powerful, Unified Community
Our weight loss surgery communities began as WLSBoards, with four separate forums: LapBandTalk, VerticalSleeveTalk, RNYTalk, and SleevePlicationTalk. Each forum was dedicated to a single type of weight loss surgery. Members could discuss surgeons, diets, complications, and anything else related to weight loss surgery in general or the specific type of weight loss surgery in particular.
Then we merged the four WLSBoards to create BariatricPal, which is geared toward all types of weight loss surgery. This decision was based on the following beliefs.
We are all in this together. We have the same goal of fighting obesity through weight loss surgery.
The surgery types share many common characteristics and BariatricPal members can therefore benefit from having more input on topics such as the post-surgery diet progression, choosing a surgeon, ways to get more Protein, and dealing with head hunger.
As a single community, we have greater potential to be a unified and strong voice for weight loss surgery than we did as separate communities.
Some topics are surgery-specific, and there is a need for surgery-specific subforums for certain topics such as fills for lap-band patients, experience with Protein Shakes for sleeve patients who may not be able to eat enough on a regular basis, and dumping syndrome for gastric bypass patients.

Has BariatricPal Become a Divisive Arena?
Unfortunately, BariatricPal members have had some regrettable experiences that contradict these principles. Rather than being supported, encouraged, and assisted, some members have felt attacked or belittled by other members who do not believe in their choices, whether in regards to type of surgery, food choices, or other lifestyle choices. Rude behavior, while unacceptable in any circumstance, is especially damaging in our community.
It weakens our collective voice.
It prevents some weight loss surgery patients and potential patients from getting the information they need.
It discourages WLS patients from pursuing their healthy lifestyles.

Avoid Destructive Posts
Most BariatricPal members are polite, helpful, and encourage. Occasionally, though, members post inappropriate and potentially hurtful posts that put down one type of weight loss surgery or another individual’s choice. In general, a poor post is one that makes a person feel bad and does not offer any useful information. These are examples of unacceptable posts.
“I didn’t even know they offered the lap-band surgery anymore because it’s so dangerous.”
“Weight loss is easy with the gastric bypass surgery. The rest of us have to work harder.”
“You shouldn’t be asking if you can eat that. If you even are thinking about it, you shouldn’t have gotten WLS.”

It’s okay to offer your opinion, but do it kindly. If you’re not sure if your post is okay, think about it before your post. The rule of thumb is to always err on the side of caution. Think how you would act if you were face-to-face with a good friend who had an opinion with which you disagree. You would listen to his or her position, then acknowledge the reasoning for that opinion. Then you would state your opinion and explain why you feel that way. Remember that feelings are harder to convey in written online conversations, and gentle words of advice can be interpreted harshly.
What We Have to Gain (or Lose)
When we all support each other, regardless of type of weight loss surgery, we have a lot to gain.
Positive atmosphere where everyone feels welcome, so those who need it feel comfortable to come and ask questions
Unbelievable wealth of experience and knowledge…among people who are kind enough to share it
A place where open discussions can lead to brainstorming and generation of ideas and strategies for success
A sense of pride that we are all here, with the same goal through the same means. Let us celebrate!

When rudeness and disrespect take over, we have just as much to lose. Just think about what would happen if you had a question, asked it, and got told that your question is dumb or that you are doing something wrong in your weight loss journey. Maybe you would leave BariatricPal or, worse, you would be afraid to ask your question anywhere else because you didn’t feel comfortable anymore. Nobody deserves to be treated like that.
Take a moment when you are on BariatricPal to appreciate the warm community, and think about what it means to you. The next time you post, ask yourself: are you helping to build a stronger weight loss surgery community, or are you tearing it down?

Down 89 pounds! I finally got a fill last Tuesday that I think put me in the green. How is everyone else??

I try to cut all my food up into small bites before I even begin to eat. That way I don't have to keep trying to make the conscious effort throughout the entire meal. That leaves the biggest thing for me to fight is not getting into a hurry and trying to pick up TWO pieces of food on my fork to cram into my mouth.

Sometimes, definitely! When we go out to eat and there's this table FULL of awesome looking food and I know good and well I can only eat a fraction of it. There's ALWAYS going to be the 300+ pound girl inside of me that just wants to EAT EAT EAT! Just gotta try to keep her beat down as far as I can most of the time!

Sometimes, definitely! When we go out to eat and there's this table FULL of awesome looking food and I know good and well I can only eat a fraction of it. There's ALWAYS going to be the 300+ pound girl inside of me that just wants to EAT EAT EAT! Just gotta try to keep her beat down as far as I can most of the time!

Current Weight: 229
Goal weight for March 31st~ 226
Weight on March 1st~ 234
NOW we're talkin' and moving in the right direction! WUT WUT!

Wt is 181.6 lbs!

Every pound down is a pound of progress! Congratulations, losing a few and starting to get back into the swing of things really motivates you, doesn't it!?

My daughter is active in the music and theater departments, which also means that my bride and I are also busy as volunteers. The show started this past Thursday (Shrek, the Musical if you are curious). As the president of the Booster Club, I have been at the school every night the last two weeks doing everything from repairing puppets, shoring up sets and delivering Water bottles to the actors backstage. I run into many parents that I don't see too often.

If you want to have a happy day, meet up with a lot of people that haven't seen you in a year after you had WLS.....it is great. Many people comment, but the ones that really don't know you are the best.
Not once, but five separate times (Yes, I have been counting) I have had this type of conversation.

After a few moments of talking to one parent or another, the person gets "that" look in their eye....you know it. The one where they are trying to figure out who you are. They pause a bit, they look at you a bit more intently than normal, all the while carrying on the conversation. At first, I was puzzled, I know these people. I have known they and their kids for years. Some, I coached their kids in softball. Some go to the same church. Finally, they ask the question.....You sound familliar, do I know you?
When I explain that i am Sara's dad, they are relieved.....but confused. One asked me if I got a haircut, another asked me if I shaved my beard (Never had one). I think they are too polite to ask if I lost some weight.

I explain I am a little smaller than I was last year. I explain how I had the surgery and how it has worked for me. The best thing was when one woman asked a lot of questions about thesurgery; insurance, recovery times, etc....up to the point of asking for my doc's number, she was considering doing it herself and had never met someone willing to talk about it.

A good week overall......

I try to cut all my food up into small bites before I even begin to eat. That way I don't have to keep trying to make the conscious effort throughout the entire meal. That leaves the biggest thing for me to fight is not getting into a hurry and trying to pick up TWO pieces of food on my fork to cram into my mouth.

I try to cut all my food up into small bites before I even begin to eat. That way I don't have to keep trying to make the conscious effort throughout the entire meal. That leaves the biggest thing for me to fight is not getting into a hurry and trying to pick up TWO pieces of food on my fork to cram into my mouth.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! The band is not for everyone, but in the long run, you found what works for YOU and that is exactly what this is all about!

I try to cut all my food up into small bites before I even begin to eat. That way I don't have to keep trying to make the conscious effort throughout the entire meal. That leaves the biggest thing for me to fight is not getting into a hurry and trying to pick up TWO pieces of food on my fork to cram into my mouth.

I was banded in August of 2005 weighing 310 lbs. I lost a total of 45 lbs with the band before I plateaued, mainly because I did not modify my eating behavior and deal with the emotional issues in my past that caused my obesity. Well, about 6 months ago, I starting vomiting after EVERY meal, which caused severe acid reflux, an ulcer in my esophagus and two hospital stays in 2 weeks for chest pains and shoulder pains that mimicked a heart attack. After taking a stress test, having a CT Scan done, and a Cardiac Cath done on my heart, it was determined that the band was the culprit. So, yesterday (3-20-14), I had the band removed and my insurance company deemed it as medically necessary. Now, let me back up a little. About 3 years ago, I began therapy to address my past issues and I joined the YMCA and started a workout program focused totally on being a healthier ME. I also got a personal trainer and joined the Herbalife Franchise and started drinking the shakes and taking the supplements. I have gone from a size 26/28 to a size 14/16 right now and still losing. I realize this is a marathon and not a sprint, so I am focused on the long term goals of a size 10 or 12 (I am 5'8"). I am very happy with my decision to have my band removed BECAUSE I now have the tools I need to continue to lose the weight by exercising and eating healthier. I workout 3-4 times a week by jogging, lifting weights, using the elliptical machine, doing Zumba and sitting in the sauna. I have attached a before and after picture. 

Wow how much as changed in a year . Reluctantly I went to see The doctor about getting a lap band just to shut my PCP up. March 26,2013 I had my appointment determined not to be banded. Call it divine intervention but after my visit I wanted the band. And due to the fact for months prior I had seen doctors regarding my weight loss efforts and health issues I was banded July 1,2013. And how fitting close to my 1 year anniversary of deciding to be banded , the girl who could barely do a sit up won the transformation challenge at the gym. Me !!! I won a fitness challenge. I'm inspiring others at the gym. I have gym friends gym friends!! Not the one buffer friend because I'm afraid to be the fat chick at the gym but people I look forward to working out with on a daily basis and who wanna work out with me!!!! We encourage and motivate each other. Making Protein Bars and Protein Bites n replacing yogurt with ice cream wtf !!!! When I started this journey I was a size 22/24 pants and 2x/3x in shirts. Currently a 14/16 in pants n l/xl in shirts. People are calling me skinny -and worried about how much more weight I'm going to lose wtf is going on here lol.. Had about 150lbs to lose probably more if I look at bmi I randomly thought 150 was overwhelming . Well I'm down 90 .. 60 to go in less than a year and thinking Of getting to 125 if it's a heathy choice for my body. I am inspiring people at the gym me the girl who couldn't do a sit up. Now I'm doing explosive sit ups burpees , knee highs , sprints on bikes, spinning weight training mountain climbers and dead lifts etc. I get up 3 days a week at 4am to get my workout in before work. Working out 5-6 days a week n I love it. Drinking a spinach fruit smoothy with Protein Powder for Breakfast. No more bacon egg and cheese on a bagel followed by a muffin n millions of Snacks a day . I Make healthy food choices and really think about what I put in my mouth and yes occasionally it's ice cream or cake. But my band make sure I don't over do it n I love that it has my back or stomach if I was to make a poor choice. But I'm truly making choices not eating mindless. I am aware of everything I eat good or bad n rarely impulse eat anymore. I have wardrobe issues not because things are not too tight but are too big. When I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror out in a store or gym I double take cause u can't believe its me. Folding these small pants is bizarre they are my pants not anyone else's. I take pictures bimonthly for progress and can't believe where I started From to now. I'm doing a Spartan race and mud run in June. My workout clothes take up same amount of space on my laundry basket as my regular clothes. So much has changed. I'm happy really happy with me ! Thought I was happy before but not like I am now. I know this post is all over the place but the thoughts of how I changed are flooding my mind as I write this. Being banded was the best decision. For ME . Next goal onederland

Everything seems to have finally settled down, and I am starting to lose weight more rapidly. I lost 8 pounds in the 4 weeks since my last fill, and have lost a total of 16 in 2 months. I am so motivated now, I even bought out a cute swimsuit in a size smaller for the summer.

My journey began as a 56 year old, 427# woman who was slowly killing herself with an addiction to food. I was definitely the classic stress eater who could consume huge amounts of calories without even realizing that I had eaten anything. During the two years before my lap-band I had developed adult onset asthma, COPD, had sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and was Pre-diabetic. I couldn't walk more than 100 feet without being out of breath...in short... I was a total mess. The sad thing was that I was also a highly intelligent professional who made wonderful decisions daily that impacted the lives of others. I just was blinded to taking the steps to help myself.
It took the birth of a beloved grandchild, who struggled to live for six months, to make me step back and realize just how precious life was, and to re-evaluate what I was doing to myself and to my family. Once I made the decision to get my band, I have not looked back. I have carefully followed my wonderful physician's advice. I never lose sight in the fact that the band is only a TOOL, and it is still up to me to make healthy choices in the foods that I eat.
Although my current weight flexes between 195-200# I am very comfortable with where I am at and not actively looking to lose more weight. I am very active now and love to walk everywhere. My health is excellent. I no longer have high blood pressure, sleep apnea, nor any symptoms of COPD or asthma. I am also no longer Pre-diabetic.
My doctor and I talk often and he recently asked me why I felt I had been so successful. My response was pretty easy:
1. I have never forgotten that the band was just a tool... It was still my responsibility to make good choices
2. I have never forgotten that I was a recovering addict ... I was addicted to food.< /p>
3. I remind myself daily to eat slowly, to listen to my body, and to stop eating when it told me it was full
4. I remind myself the importance of drinking my Water...and try to drink 6-8 glasses a day
5. finally, I make it a priority to check in with my doctor every 3 months. Even though I lost most of my weight during the first two years after my surgery, I personally needed the accountability factor-- knowing that every 90 days I was going to get on the scale with my doc helped me to keep my food demons at bay.
So, wow, as I read back through this I just realized that this is the first time in eight years I have ever put my journey into writing. Thanks for the opportunity to do so. Life is very good. My advice to anyone looking at taking this journey is to do it first and foremost for yourself, go into it with your eyes and heart wide open, it can be difficult at times, but the journey is worth it...YOU ARE WORTH IT!