thebionicbroad

PLEASE let me have that problem!!!

PLEASE let me have that problem!!!

PLEASE let me have that problem!!!

:)I'm proud to be a bit "flappy."

PLEASE let me have that problem!!!

My surgery was done by Dr. Mun at Harbor City. Great facility. I have my 13-week check-up next week. I've heard good things about Dr. Zane, too. The other doc, I don't know about. Glad for your good news!

I hope that I don't have to be a year out, 10 pounds under goal, or wearing size 0 jeans to be considered a success, but, by golly, I feel like one. No matter what program I've been on in the past, it took me 6 months to lose 50 pounds. There was no difference between Weight Watchers, medically-supervised fasting, the "crap" band, or PhenFen. 50 pounds equaled 6 months. Well, tomorrow is my 12 weeks, and I'm down 47 pounds.
I haven't hit a stall yet (I know that I will). My hair is thinning a bit, but I've been through that before with childbirth and illness. I'm finally into a size 16, as in "off-the-rack" at regular clothing stores. I eat small quantities of healthy food, feel satisfied, and watch not only the scale but my body measurements change, too: From a 39" waist to 35. For many of you, that's still monstrous, but for someone of my age and build, it's amazing.
Has it been work? Yes and no. It took awhile to get my regimen together: liquid Vitamins and minerals, enough Protein (usually), enough Water (seldom), remembering my PPI (urp), and giving up high-acid foods and beverages. But it's as if I have the appetite that I was born with. I was a skinny kid, and because of various influences and events, I ballooned at 13. So, I again have that skinny kid's appetite. I don't binge, I stay low-carb, I don't have over-powering cravings for foods, and I'm happy with my new lot in life.
Do I have a ways to go? Of course, but how far, I have no idea. I don't know what an optimum weight is for me. I'd love to wear a size 14. A 12? I haven't worn that size since I WAS 12. It's so blasted exciting to see the possibility of a normal body size.
I love this sleeve. I love my surgeon. And I love you all for being such wonderful encouragers and examples.

I hope that I don't have to be a year out, 10 pounds under goal, or wearing size 0 jeans to be considered a success, but, by golly, I feel like one. No matter what program I've been on in the past, it took me 6 months to lose 50 pounds. There was no difference between Weight Watchers, medically-supervised fasting, the "crap" band, or PhenFen. 50 pounds equaled 6 months. Well, tomorrow is my 12 weeks, and I'm down 47 pounds.
I haven't hit a stall yet (I know that I will). My hair is thinning a bit, but I've been through that before with childbirth and illness. I'm finally into a size 16, as in "off-the-rack" at regular clothing stores. I eat small quantities of healthy food, feel satisfied, and watch not only the scale but my body measurements change, too: From a 39" waist to 35. For many of you, that's still monstrous, but for someone of my age and build, it's amazing.
Has it been work? Yes and no. It took awhile to get my regimen together: liquid Vitamins and minerals, enough Protein (usually), enough Water (seldom), remembering my PPI (urp), and giving up high-acid foods and beverages. But it's as if I have the appetite that I was born with. I was a skinny kid, and because of various influences and events, I ballooned at 13. So, I again have that skinny kid's appetite. I don't binge, I stay low-carb, I don't have over-powering cravings for foods, and I'm happy with my new lot in life.
Do I have a ways to go? Of course, but how far, I have no idea. I don't know what an optimum weight is for me. I'd love to wear a size 14. A 12? I haven't worn that size since I WAS 12. It's so blasted exciting to see the possibility of a normal body size.
I love this sleeve. I love my surgeon. And I love you all for being such wonderful encouragers and examples.

I hope that I don't have to be a year out, 10 pounds under goal, or wearing size 0 jeans to be considered a success, but, by golly, I feel like one. No matter what program I've been on in the past, it took me 6 months to lose 50 pounds. There was no difference between Weight Watchers, medically-supervised fasting, the "crap" band, or PhenFen. 50 pounds equaled 6 months. Well, tomorrow is my 12 weeks, and I'm down 47 pounds.
I haven't hit a stall yet (I know that I will). My hair is thinning a bit, but I've been through that before with childbirth and illness. I'm finally into a size 16, as in "off-the-rack" at regular clothing stores. I eat small quantities of healthy food, feel satisfied, and watch not only the scale but my body measurements change, too: From a 39" waist to 35. For many of you, that's still monstrous, but for someone of my age and build, it's amazing.
Has it been work? Yes and no. It took awhile to get my regimen together: liquid Vitamins and minerals, enough Protein (usually), enough Water (seldom), remembering my PPI (urp), and giving up high-acid foods and beverages. But it's as if I have the appetite that I was born with. I was a skinny kid, and because of various influences and events, I ballooned at 13. So, I again have that skinny kid's appetite. I don't binge, I stay low-carb, I don't have over-powering cravings for foods, and I'm happy with my new lot in life.
Do I have a ways to go? Of course, but how far, I have no idea. I don't know what an optimum weight is for me. I'd love to wear a size 14. A 12? I haven't worn that size since I WAS 12. It's so blasted exciting to see the possibility of a normal body size.
I love this sleeve. I love my surgeon. And I love you all for being such wonderful encouragers and examples.

I hope that I don't have to be a year out, 10 pounds under goal, or wearing size 0 jeans to be considered a success, but, by golly, I feel like one. No matter what program I've been on in the past, it took me 6 months to lose 50 pounds. There was no difference between Weight Watchers, medically-supervised fasting, the "crap" band, or PhenFen. 50 pounds equaled 6 months. Well, tomorrow is my 12 weeks, and I'm down 47 pounds.
I haven't hit a stall yet (I know that I will). My hair is thinning a bit, but I've been through that before with childbirth and illness. I'm finally into a size 16, as in "off-the-rack" at regular clothing stores. I eat small quantities of healthy food, feel satisfied, and watch not only the scale but my body measurements change, too: From a 39" waist to 35. For many of you, that's still monstrous, but for someone of my age and build, it's amazing.
Has it been work? Yes and no. It took awhile to get my regimen together: liquid Vitamins and minerals, enough Protein (usually), enough Water (seldom), remembering my PPI (urp), and giving up high-acid foods and beverages. But it's as if I have the appetite that I was born with. I was a skinny kid, and because of various influences and events, I ballooned at 13. So, I again have that skinny kid's appetite. I don't binge, I stay low-carb, I don't have over-powering cravings for foods, and I'm happy with my new lot in life.
Do I have a ways to go? Of course, but how far, I have no idea. I don't know what an optimum weight is for me. I'd love to wear a size 14. A 12? I haven't worn that size since I WAS 12. It's so blasted exciting to see the possibility of a normal body size.
I love this sleeve. I love my surgeon. And I love you all for being such wonderful encouragers and examples.

I hope that I don't have to be a year out, 10 pounds under goal, or wearing size 0 jeans to be considered a success, but, by golly, I feel like one. No matter what program I've been on in the past, it took me 6 months to lose 50 pounds. There was no difference between Weight Watchers, medically-supervised fasting, the "crap" band, or PhenFen. 50 pounds equaled 6 months. Well, tomorrow is my 12 weeks, and I'm down 47 pounds.
I haven't hit a stall yet (I know that I will). My hair is thinning a bit, but I've been through that before with childbirth and illness. I'm finally into a size 16, as in "off-the-rack" at regular clothing stores. I eat small quantities of healthy food, feel satisfied, and watch not only the scale but my body measurements change, too: From a 39" waist to 35. For many of you, that's still monstrous, but for someone of my age and build, it's amazing.
Has it been work? Yes and no. It took awhile to get my regimen together: liquid Vitamins and minerals, enough Protein (usually), enough Water (seldom), remembering my PPI (urp), and giving up high-acid foods and beverages. But it's as if I have the appetite that I was born with. I was a skinny kid, and because of various influences and events, I ballooned at 13. So, I again have that skinny kid's appetite. I don't binge, I stay low-carb, I don't have over-powering cravings for foods, and I'm happy with my new lot in life.
Do I have a ways to go? Of course, but how far, I have no idea. I don't know what an optimum weight is for me. I'd love to wear a size 14. A 12? I haven't worn that size since I WAS 12. It's so blasted exciting to see the possibility of a normal body size.
I love this sleeve. I love my surgeon. And I love you all for being such wonderful encouragers and examples.

I had a BMI of 36, with no co-morbidities. I had the vomiting and couldn't eat anything but sliders. My PCP referred me to a bariatric surgeon, who wanted to get the band out post-haste. I had upper GI but no classes. Between referral to bariatrics and revision was 2 weeks.

Rain,
My Best Half took me to Sizzler last night. I had a few ounces of salmon (overcooked a bit), and steamed broccoli (no butter). I actually could chew, swallow, and not have the food get stuck, or have it hurt. I didn't have to grease the food to get it to go down. And it stayed down. When I had the Fluid removed from my band before surgery, I felt the restriction, too. With the sleeve, I can eat things (healthy) that I haven't been able to eat for five years. You will be so amazed and pleased with the sleeve. Good luck, and keep us posted!

And my bat-wings do the harmony part. Sheesh.

For those of you who have been sleeved for quite a while:
With Weight Watchers, Phen-Fen, medically-supervised fasting, the Lap-band, and every diet I've ever been on, I've never been able to get below 180. (I got to 175 once after a serious medical issue, but within a week, I was over 180 again.) I'm 5'7", with a medium build, and 54 years old. I'm currently at 187, with an ultimate goal of 150.
Why the constant 180? Any ideas? I haven't been consistently below 180 since I was 30. I'd love to hear from people who have consistently maintained at or below goal.

Thank you for the info, everyone. I haven't "indulged," so I guess I'll think twice in the future, especially since I don't have a gall bladder.

I'm 9 1/2 weeks out, and I get hungry. It's not the ravening monster that it used to be, and my stomach doesn't growl, but I do get a gnawing sensation. Keeping my Protein high really helps. At this stage, if I feel hunger, I eat. I'm still only taking in about 500 - 700 calories a day, and losing slowly, but steadily. Thanks to the sleeve, hunger doesn't scare me anymore. I know it for what it is: My body needs fuel. And that's what I give it...protein, not carb. Carb just creates a vicious cycle of low-blood sugar, which, in turn, drives the hunger.

I wish that someone would have let me know just how emotionally challenging rapid weight loss can be. I've been fat for 32 years, and these quick changes are wonderful, but a bit unnerving. Maybe for many of you, this isn't your reality. For me, it has felt a bit like "disappearing."

In the interest of protecting everyone from potential harm, I just wanted to let everyone know that andersonlj is back. His new handle is IowaAndy.
Irene, on other forums, when you ban someone, you can block their IP. Is that not possible here?
He responded to my inquiry with a nasty private message from this post. I guess he didn't like that I recognized him after his rant about what a terrible site VST was and how there were much better support sites out there. Yet, he is back.
http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/30290-its-girl-scout-cookie-seasonaaarrrrgggghhh/page__p__261496#entry261496
Just be careful, y'all. I can handle his poison, but others may not.

No rant needed............. Why do you think we have two middle fingers......... Use em or lose em!!! There is always a picture after you are done with you loss. All you need is a little black dress and a copy of Toby Keiths "How Do You Like Me Now" To top it off mail it to her COD........... I WIN!!!

I'm not the best person for relationship advice, but all I can suggest is to tell them what you need. If you don't speak up and say "I need to eat somewhere that has soup/soft foods available", then he has no real clue that it is important to you. As for hubby eating sweet crap in front of you, he may be thinking that it's not a big deal. If it really is a big deal, then tell him.
Iliana, your boyfriend is used to you catering to him, probably. So, he's just acting like he normally does. He's not going to be as supportive as your mom, but he's also not going to smother you with attention in a few weeks and drive you nuts trying to tell you what you should be doing at that point. Mom might.
Right after surgery it's really tough to express what you want and need in a loving manner and, usually, men aren't as aware of what we need as they could be. Most of us really do cater to our men so much that when the status quo changes, even temporarily, they are in a state of shock. That's the reason movies like "Mr. Mom" are so funny. While we'd like it if they could anticipate our needs and wishes, the only way to do that is for us to communicate because they are not mind readers.
Maybe the guys aren't so much "insensitive" as "clueless". If you were dating women, they would probably do a better job of researching what you need, but that's not how most men work. If your guy is a WLS patient himself, he might get it better than the average guy, simply because he's been through it himself.
I'm not bashing either side, just saying that sometimes we just have to open our mouths instead of just suffering in silence. It's not good to suffer in silence. It just breeds resentment and angst.

Surf Ebay for vintage clothing in my new size.

When using a public restroom, I won't have to stand on the toilet to get the door open and closed.

Kimmr,
Heck, yes, I can feel your pain. I felt shame for years after my Band failure. People would look at me and sneer. "YOU have a Band?" I had gained all my weight back plus some, and couldn't eat anything but what kept my weight up - greasy, fatty, slippery.
My surgeon told me that no matter how disciplined the patient, whenever the Band was removed, the patient gained weight. Every. Patient.
A Lap-band failure doesn't mean that we are failures. The Band is not what it was touted to be. It causes slips, and scarring, and esophageal dilation, and erosion, and GERD, and hernias. The blasted thing should be pulled from the market. My surgeon lost someone who came in with a black, gangrenous stomach pouch. Those of us lucky enough to survive the thing to have a revision to a sleeve are the lucky ones.
Obesity is one of the most complicated health issues on the planet. It's NOT just pushing away from the table. It is NOT a character flaw or weakness. It is a genetic, hormonal, and behavioral problem. Can you imagine a diabetic hating himself because he has to take insulin? Or a cancer patient despising herself because she's in chemo? But we chunkies love to hate ourselves. It ain't all us.
Something, somewhere, at the cellular level, something went wrong. It doesn't mean that we are terrible people. It means that we need medical intervention. The Band was a flawed solution. The by-pass was out because the malabsorptive issue. The sleeve was my choice and my surgeon's recommendation. So far, I'm very pleased.
I just don't want to see you blame yourself for a Band failure. Sounds like you did as well as anyone could. You deserve a better solution, my friend.
Pat

I wish that someone would have let me know just how emotionally challenging rapid weight loss can be. I've been fat for 32 years, and these quick changes are wonderful, but a bit unnerving. Maybe for many of you, this isn't your reality. For me, it has felt a bit like "disappearing."