theatreprincess

As the extrovert that's always dated, whether I was a size 6, a size 16, or a size 26, I've learned a few things. MEN DON'T CARE!!!! They want one thing, and that's a confident, happy person to spend time with. I know that personally, I used my weight to hide behind, and instead of going out to meet guys, I would hide at home with Ben and Jerry's and blame societal ideals for my loneliness rather than my crippling fear of actually caring for someone. Can you look in the mirror and say in all honesty and truthfulness that you love yourself? Because if you can't love yourself, there's no way in heck you'll ever be able to love someone else, or, more importantly, let someone love you. I agree with the fact that the man who's going to love you is going to love you regardless of what size you are. I know that in my case, I was always the one with the problems about it. If they want to be with a person whose main selling point is that they're skinny, what does that say about the man who's going for them. Be open to experiences. And figure out why you love yourself. Because I guarantee that the reasons why you love yourself are the same reasons someone else is going to love. Figure those out, and you'll be set. Oh, and happy hunting

:clap2:*good vibes! good vibes!*:clap2:

Thanks Marimaru, you're always quick and lovely about answering. so, wannabe c++ heart for you. <3 lol.:kiss2:

I know I'm probably just being INCREDIBLY paranoid, but I would rather get the consensus of more experienced lapbanders (ps, LOVE YOU ALL FOR YOUR ADVICE, INSIGHTS, HUMOUR AND RECIPES!:clap2:) I was banded early Monday morning, ridiculous amounts of pain- I do so much Nia and Yoga that my core muscles were 'the strongest' my surgeon had ever encountered and ended up with a seven, instead of three inch incision...:sick I'm finally starting to feel better though, being very babied by my nearest and dearest. I followed my doctor's orders to the T, first day, nothing but sips of Water. Second day, Clear liquids, third days back to Optifast. Only I cannot STAND another sip of Optifast and instead did the 'if you can fit it through a straw' test. Really needed some Protein, I was ridiculously weak, blended some tomato Soup, no fat cottage cheese and skim milk and had a little cup of it. My question is this- I had a weird, slight popping sensation in my stomach about ten minutes after eating it, and I'm reasonably sure that if i ripped the stitches in my stomach, I would be in some sort of pain. The only pain I'm experiencing is the gas pain that WON'T GO AWAY AND IS THE BANE OF MY EXISTENCE. What do you guys think? Am I being paranoid?

Thanks everyone, for the love and support!!! I go in, in THREE hours for my surgery. And obviously, I can't sleep because I'm either too excited, or too scared. I can't figure out which. Ah well, there will be lots of time during recovery to sleep, right?

Please don't see this as me being offensive, but I don't pray. I'll work out. That's a good compromise, right?

Yep... I dropped 24 pounds in 9 days. Of course, then I had a HUGE fight with my s.o. and stuffed my face, so I haven't stepped on the scale since. Still, feels good, doesn't it?

So.. my surgery is on Monday. And I CHEATED on my pre-op diet, yesterday. BADLY. I ate a burger, I ate fries, I ate chili. I was stuffed and miserable and bloaty. And then today, I ate cheese. I'm worried now that my liver has regained all the mass it lost while I was on the Optifast, and that my surgery is going to be cancelled. It's on Monday. Does anyone know anything about ketosis and liver shrinkage? How easy is it to plump your liver again? I'm gonna go feel miserable in a ball now.:think Thanks for listening.

It's always been this way with me. The weight melts off my body, but it's also the same with gaining it back...:cry The band, for me, is about leaving the yo-yo in the toy aisle and finding new, healthier ways to incorporate food into my life. As a child, I hated eating, and would go to any lengths to avoid it. I grew out of that though, and gained a LOT of weight. It's emotional, and I'm addicted to stuffing my face. I've been working on it, and I've gotten much better with portion control and accepting my emotions instead of eating them away. But this is my commitment to myself. I'm too happy and active to be an overweight, unhappy girl hiding at the back of the crowd.

So I've been on the pre-op diet since July 9, with one MAJOR cheat... and I've lost 24 pounds. That does NOT seem okay. I mean, I've been battling the demon known as Optifast, and most days, I only get down one. But STILL, 24 pounds in 10 days seems a little... excessive. The patient co-ordinator said I was fine; that it's probably because I'm young (22) and very active (I do cardio at LEAST 10 hours a week- not even the skinny girls I know can keep up with me:biggrin1:). But I'm still worried. I never thought I would be stressing about LOSING weight. Maybe I just like to worry. Anyone else experience the same thing?

hey i'm being banded by dr. cobourn too, and the nurses at the clinic told me that a veggie broth (low fat, low sodium) was okay. mccormicks has a good one, just make sure you've got the lowfat/sodium one. i'm not sure why it's only the veggie... whens your surgery?

My issue with it is the way overweight people are treated in our society. It's an addiction, much like anything else. And yet, we are seen as worth less, unable to control ourselves, piggish and slovenly. People who have Anorexia or Bulemia are treated with kindness, with love and care- there are numerous rehab clinics dedicated to their recovery. And for us? 'Oh, just stop complaining and get on the treadmill'. I really don't think people understand. And I don't think they're willing to.

It was exactly *allowed*... but I'm only managing to choke down 1, maybe 1 and 1/2 a day, so the nurse told me that if I wanted to put in a handful of strawberries, they would look the other way. I think the Optifast is hard for me because although my diet was rich and fatty, I didn't really eat much processed food. So the flavour is incredibly offputting. It's true, we spend so long putting bad food in our mouths that a few weeks of Optifast should be easy... It's just the beginning of our new commitment to healthier eating. I've been trying to figure out how I'm going to change my eating habits when I go back to school in September. I'm in conservatory training for the theatre and the days are hellish and eighteen million kinds of grueling. Practical classes from 8 am to 2 pm (opera, yoga, voice, Shakespeare, Alexander Technique, acting for the camera and intensive, which is one on one with scary director types) and then rehearsals for whatever show we're putting on from 3 until 9. So in the interest of my sanity, I'm probably going to end up sticking to Protein shakes and precut veggies for Breakfast and lunch, and something light for dinner. No more fast food. It's toxic! I can't wait to be able to run again. When I was in highschool, I loved going for runs. Now, just the thought of running tires me out and gives me shinsplints. How are you feeling about disclosure? Who in your circle knows and how are you explaining it to those who don't?

I totally understand the getting scared part. I think it was signing the informed consent form that did it for me... It makes all the worst-case scenarios play over and over in my head I'm doing mine at the Surgical Weight Loss Clinic in Missississauga with Dr. Cobourn... I'm getting excited about it. I've had a fun time trying to explain to people why I haven't been around/going on pub crawls with them. I've just been saying that I'm having surgery to correct something with my stomach; they don't need to know what I'm doing. The Optifast really isn't that bad, I was being a whinybutt. I made the mistake of assuming I would prefer vanilla flavour, since i ABHOR chocolate (all my friends say i'm beyond strange), but I actually prefer it, with a couple of frozen strawberries thrown in. ALSO, I've decided that it tastes like cake batter. Especially the vanilla. Doesn't it make you happy to think about where you're gonig to be next summer? I was out today and bought a goal outfit... A really cute bcbg sweat outfit that I found at Winners, can't WAIT until I can fit into it. What are you looking forward to the most?

oooh, all good suggestions and yes, i have been accused of drama-queen behaviour. but it makes things SO much more interesting. my surgery is july 23, i can't wait!