jensjoy28

And you don't feel worse, which I almost always do if I eat much crap food. So even though you may feel Ike crap, you haven't made yourself feel worse, and that counts for a lot. Someone here (forgive me but I've already forgotten who) said self soothing doesn't have to be self sabatoge. So true!
Lynda

My Dr's using mine for a doorstop! LOL
Sent from my iPhone using VST

I have nothing new to add...but wanted to join the chorus....congratulations, and you are a stunner!!

I think you have to really answer this question for yourself. Do you really want to go or would you appreciate having an acceptable way out. The truth is that by the wedding date you should be more than fit to travel. You shouldn't be in pain more than a twinge here a there and you shouldn't be that tempted by the dinner, cake or booze. They certainly aren't a reason to miss a special occasion, not if it is special to you. I don't think it matters that its his second wedding and you've already attended one for him. Its still his big day. You can be prepared to make it is painless as possible. You can keep a supply of what you can have handy. If a sit down meal is served and that bothers you take that time to excuse yourself and rest somewhere or take a walk. Reappear after the meal in time for the remainder of the celebration. If you really don't particularly want to go you can easily get out of it just by saying you're sorry but not quite up to the trip yet. It really just depends on what you really want.

I love myself again, that's as plain and simple as I can say it! August 2nd was my 1 year mark and I am down 138 pounds as of this morning. LIFE IS GOOD! I'd like to lose another 40-50 pounds to really get the results I want. The sleeve was the tool I needed so desparately and it has worked just as I hoped it would. I got my life back. I got me back. I am happy again. I am full of life again.
There are SOOO many positive things to list. I couldn't even fathom that I would be this happy a year ago. Yea, I thought I'd lose weight, but in the back of all our minds we are still self-doubting, self-sabotaging, etc., etc., etc. but I really didn't think I would end up here. I am training for a half marathon (walking), I do paddle boarding, I am DATING (miracle!), I am active with my kids, my friends (I actually WANT to go out!) my family. I just have fun in life again. The Sleeve was my life saver and I would do it a million times over in a heart beat.
To anyone struggling, just know that each day gets better. I do feel very lucky in that I have not had any side effects, I eat what I want and never feel deprived - YES I eat better than I ever have, but it's because of this tool.
I hope everyone has had the success that I have had. Lots of love and support to all my sisters out there (and brothers!)!!!!
The Sleeve ROCKS!!!!
(see my before below!)

Lol...look at how your topic title got shortened on my phone...good thing for the ellipsis :-)

You will probably be able to enjoy Pasta again, but let me offer you a tasty alternative. Zucchini can be made into a pasta for something like lasagna by using a mandolin to cut thin flat "noodles". It tastes really good. We had a zucchini lasagna a week ago and I swear it was like real lasagna once you bake in the meats, cheeses and spices. There are also other tools you can buy to make spaghetti noodle out of any vegetable like squash, carrot and more. What do you think?
Edit: just noticed above poster made similar suggestion to make zucchini noodles.

I'm 100 lbs down from my highest weight as of TODAY. Highest weight recorded was November 2012 - so I've lost 100lbs in 9 months.
Had surgery May 2nd and I'm down 58lbs since surgery day. 58 lbs in 3 months -- NOT. BAD. AT ALL.
Went from 5x tops, size 34 pants to 2x tops and size 26 pants (which are already getting loose!).
Still got a waayyyy to go, but I am already thrilled with the difference I see in myself. Life is good! I'll try to get a pic up soon to show the progress.

Lol...look at how your topic title got shortened on my phone...good thing for the ellipsis :-)

I was going to respond and tell you not to be so hasty in your decision

You guys are the best! Besides the laugh, I was really wanting someone to say, "I did this and so can you." I really feel in my heart of hearts that a big change is a big change and if you're going to be a bear, be a grizzly bear. Thanks for the laughs and the encouragement! Smoke stop date is tomorrow and I'm starting on 2 meal a day liquid diet just to practice this week. P.S. I'm NEVER giving up COCK....tails.

Lol...look at how your topic title got shortened on my phone...good thing for the ellipsis :-)

Lol...look at how your topic title got shortened on my phone...good thing for the ellipsis :-)

Lol...look at how your topic title got shortened on my phone...good thing for the ellipsis :-)

Canned spinach!!! Oh wait a minute I hated that before too....
Nothing, everything still tastes good.

Hey guys, I was sleeved on July 30, 2012!!! It has been the best thing I have ever done for myself...
It has been an amazing year!
From 354 lbs to 195 lbs! I'm 5'9" and my goal is 170!

I am afraid you are putting yourself into a box. You are trapped by your impossible standards. You want someone who wants you despite your attractive or unattractive body. The problem is this: you cannot get rid of your body without dying and you want someone without human nature.
Humans have eyes that serve them by helping them judge their surroundings. From the time we are born we use our eyes to avoid danger and find things that please us.
Men have sex drives. That drive is a part of who they are. When they look at a woman they are looking through the eyes of a sexual person. The more noble among us put that drive down the list of things that are important and allow love, affection, loyalty, kindness, and responsibility to take precedence.
You could find a man without a sex drive. Would you want such a man? Not if you have a sex drive. Or you could do what many women do, find a man that is a good enough actor who can convince you that their affection for you is purely spiritual and emotional. Such men are often laden with hidden motives.
When I desparage people for being superficial I train my critical gaze upon myself and review the many times that my eyes were mistaken about my judgement of people or rather my brain interpreted the information wrong.
Ask yourself: Do I look at men and not see their bodies? Do I size them up in a way I wouldn't want to be sized up?
I am not saying to quit looking for a guy that isn't a jerk. What I am saying is to allow yourself to be desired but not at the price of allowing your inner self to be overlooked. Find a guy who thinks with the head that sits on his shoulders, not the "other head." You want someone who can love you but allow that they do not have to be eunichs.
Edit: again I put a lot of time into a reply but failed to see where it was posted, in the ladies section. If you want this deleted do so or tell me to. Sorry.

Ugh, I would definitely do some more research and talk to other doctors. Know you said you aren't in an area with lots of bariatric surgeons, but IMO, I'd travel in order to go with a highly experienced doctor who it doesn't feel like is "in Allergan's pocket." I am sure there are good doctors who still legitimately feel the Lap-Band is in patients' best interest, but I think there are a lot of them that just haven't stayed current and/or are letting personal or financial bias shade their counsel to patients.
My surgeon actually is a trainer for Allergan's Lap-Band (although probably not for much longer)...but I didn't know that until he had finished his overview and pros/cons of each of three options, and he never tried to steer me in a specific direction. Later in our conversation he even said "I can really only recommend the Lap-Band with serious reservations"
Sorry I can't speak to the insurance side of things, I opted to be a cash pay to avoid that exact rigmarole.

I went for my ex-husbands wedding while pre-op on liquids and managed to not eat or drink with some, but not a lot of trouble. I carried RTD Protein drinks and definitely we had our own hotel room to retreat to which helped.
For me, when struck with doubt on big issues, I always ask myself which I will regret 5 years from now? Having gone, or not gone? Because in 5 years you don't remember the negatives, only the positives of whatever choices you made. Will you look back and regret having missed the wedding? If so, go and do your best. If not, then rest and take care of yourself and don't feel guilty for making the best choice that you can right now.

Girl.... so does a package of Oreos

Walking is good for you. Especially if you walk fast enough to get & keep your heart rate up during your walk. So if you like walking, don't stop, just speed up some. Maybe carry some hand weights & work your arms as you stride. Power walk or maybe try jogging.
For some strength training, you can get a resistance band from Walmart or a place similar for only a couple of bucks. It actually works.
Find what works for you and make adjustments with that. Please don't get discouraged. Just hang in there. You'll be just fine. Good luck!

I don't know if you have a heart rate monitor or not - but that may assist you with the walking and measure the intensity you are exercising at. Set yourself a target heart rate and increase intensity as needed. It's also a good source of motivation as you see your fitness improve. I think that the idea of walking not being exercise is very old fashioned. I had a personal trainer in the past that told me depending on how high you swing your arms and how fast you walk, you can almost get the same work out you would from a run.

I don't know your lifestyle, but I think P90X might be a bit advanced for someone only 4 months out from this surgery. That's a pretty intense workout regimen.

I don't know if you have the personality type of "all or nothing" but sometimes I know I have fallen into that mode. However, walking is definitely better than doing nothing. I know most trainers and gyms tell you to vary your exercise routine so your body does not get used to the same activity. Often times a change will give you a boost in energy and calorie expenditure. Also with walking, try a different route if you walk outside, add ankle weights, arm weights, or if on a treadmill, vary the programs you use with speed, incline. Just make sure you don't overdo it and hurt yourself.

This morning my husband forgot his bag at home that contains all of his things for work..
So he called and asked me "How much do you love me?"
He's an ER PA so he said just pull up to the ER bay and call, I can run out and meet you.
You see he's worked there for going on six years and I've never stepped foot in there because of embarrassment about my weight..
He's never been embarrassed about me but I have. some the nurses and techs tease him about not really having a wife because they have never seen me (no holiday parties for me).
Today at 6:15am, fresh out of bed and looking that way! I pulled up to the ER, parked and walked into my husbands work like a normal spouse delivering something to their husband

He took me around to meet people and show me his office.
NSV? I would say normal life, and it felt good to be "normal" doing the little things you never would of done.