mcgreen

I was morbidly obese > 10 years so I'm not shocked at all to have hanging skin; I'm not to goal yet and already its driving me nuts - in particular the lower body. The arms and boobs aren't pretty but those are easier to hide with a good bra and longer sleeves. good luck with your journey! I'm already researching plastic surgeon's and surgery like crazy- hopefully next October (after my bonus!) I'll be at goal and able to get my surgery done (at least the LBL)

Diane- when you say you are cleared for full activities does that include exercise?? How long does your doc want you to wait before doing crunches, cardio etc.

Congrats MimIN!!! I'm another 5'9" er and I'll need a lower body lift as well. I truly appreciate your willingness to share your journey! Its inspirational for those of us who are headed down the same path speedy recovery to you!!!

Update :confused: mcgreen………….210……………..206………….198………………...8

great job whosya! did week 3 day 2. I think I may have to repeat this week. Still not certain. I may try the week 4 day 1 on sunday and if I can't do it, go back to week 3. Running still feels so foreign to me. Ran without my headphones today and it was harder just listening to the soft music in the gym mostly drowned out by the treadmill.

ouch Losin! ice ice ice; elevate your foot! hang in there!

holy he-double-hockey-sticks YOU LOOK AMAZING! so happy for you- the results of all of your hard work is well deserved

6 months out; down 80+ lbs!!! I love my band!

Chris- if there are any nurses over there who have given chemotherapy through a port, they'll be able to access your port and unfill you if you get stuck- its a similar process. You can ask your doc in NJ for a few huber needles (I think that's the kind that are used to do fills/unfills) for emergency use only if you are nervous. If you are still losing and have some days with restriction, I would either only get a tiny bit more (0.1-0.2 cc) or stay where you are just because you are going to be away so long. If your weight loss really slows while there, you can arrange for a fill the next time you are in the states; likely you won't gain any weight. Good luck and safe travels!!!

day 1 week 3 was a bit hard - the second 3 minute run I was watching the clock on the treadmill. I'm going to keep to this week rather than going back to week 2 cause I could do it but I may need to repeat week 3 a couple of times before moving on. yea running! (or as I call it when I run- the fat person shuffle )

congrats KarenG and Daddy!!! woooo! week 3 day 1 for me tomorrow!

yea Karen!!! I went nuts shopping when I found stuff in bannana republic that fit where did you get your bra fitting done? i've seen 2-3 difft ways to measure- some use the measurement under your breasts; others right above to figure band size.. Its all confusing to me

I agree with this 100%. I was doing great with my weight loss and then I saw pictures of the current me and got insanely depressed about how much further I have to go. I only saw someone who is fat and have been on a 2 week fight to not gain any weight because my eating habits have regressed so much. It is the self-dislike/ the self-hate that must be feeding that. Its been said on this board time and time again that losing weight doesn't solve any pre-existing mental problems (on the whole). Hang in there manatee- I think it can take some people years to get comfortable with their new selves. Our bodies have changed faster than our minds can, possibly. I'm hoping to get my head back to where it needs to be soon, don't want to gain any of the weight I've worked so hard to lose. Glad that you haven't had a slide down bad food mountain. faith- thanks for the link to that thread- good read

I don't think its an early problem- I think a better poll would be to go to the complication section and say for those who developed a slip at ANY time, how many "cheated" on the post op diet? I do think that letting the stomach rest and forming tight scars is essential to keep the band from slipping later on.

that's interesting because we have the same surgeon and when I asked about the post op diet I was told it was to allow the scar to form completely where the band was sutured into place so the band wouldn't slip. I wouldn't dare risk screwing with the post op diet myself. It's only a month to 6 weeks and I lost 30 lbs.

if you look at a scar healing on your leg or foot- think about how long that takes to heal completely? Why wouldn't the same thing be true internally- give the scars a chance to heal so your band doesn't go anywhere in the future. People are insane for cheating IMO- why risk losing a band that you worked so hard to get?

I love my BB- yesterday despite vowing to be "good" I went way overboard calorie wise. With the BB help, I kept moving, went on a 2nd walk etc until I was certain calories out>>> calories in. Wasn't by much (400) but not a calorie in >>> out day!

I had to have an almost complete unfill so I need to stay on plan so I can make onderland before next year!

sorry, that's my job!!! I'm an oncologist

yea for challenges!! I want to be firmly in onederland! Name...........Chall. Start Wt........Current......Chall. Goal...........To Go mcgreen 210 210 198 12

glad today was better for you, losing! trystelle- congrats on doing so well with your run!!! I did week 2 day 2 today and it was ok- do people wait to move on until the week they are doing is "easy" or do you move on if you can do the week without too much strain??

2 different doctors where I work recommend Bonnie Baldwin; Spivak's nurses state they've seen people who have had Heller do work and were impressed

Just had a weekend of 7 diet cokes after not having any for 6 months. Didn't hurt, cause any problems although boy can I belch now! Going to stop however - just cause I didn't have a problem doesn't mean I might not in the future

we will kick week 2's heiny! sounds like everyone is doing well- congrats!

I went ahead and started week 2 rather than repeating week 1 and the first day went ok. Woo! I may have to repeat this week before going on to week 3- that last 90 second run was definitely tougher than the first one. Hope everyone is doing well!