Leepers

Catfish, I'm a nurse and I work in Electrophysiology. Specifically we deal with the heartbeat. I also do tilt table tests for vasovagal syncope. I'm not really up on my anatomy but usually the vagal nerve can be stimulated in the rectal area. It could be up near the band too. I've just never heard that. People come for a tilt table test to see if they're having inappropriate vasal vagal response. A condition where your vagal nerve causes your heart rate to drop drastically and therefore pass out.
Another reason for passing out or dizziness symptoms could be orthostatic hypotension. When you stand up your blood rushes down and causes low blood pressure which could cause syncope or presyncope symptoms.
Lastly, sometimes people's heart just stops beating the way it should. It happens more with age but I've been a nurse in pacemaker cases for 18 year olds to even a 102 year old! You could be having a low heart rate or pauses. This will definitely make a person pass out.
This is all from a cardiology view. There are probably hundreds of other reasons people pass out. But you sound just like many of my patients. You could possibly ask to be referred to a cardiologist who specializes in electrophysiology. Don't go to a regular one.
Hope this may help and if you have any other questions, I'd be happy to try to answer them.

I have always said I am the opposite of an anorexic. You know how anorexic people look in the mirror and still think they are fat? Well, I look in the mirror and think I'm not that fat.
I get dressed and think I look ok. Then I see a pic of myself and I am MORTIFIED. Who is that girl? There's one from yesterday that my mom took. It's awful.
You're not alone.

I would love to be involved in starting and leading a local chapter. In addition to being a very focused and successful WLS'er, I am also an RN. I have worked in cardiac units for five years. I see the effects of weight every day. So, I feel that I have extra knowledge to pass on to others. Plus, I'm very outgoing and have a knack for making others feel comfortable. I'm very organized also.
My schedule is flexible. I'm normally off on Mondays and Wednesdays, but I can change that add needed. I'm also available most weekends.
If someone else in my area is interested, I don't mind co-hosting either.
Looking forward to hearing from you.

I eat 2 hard boiled eggs for Breakfast. It's 12 grams of Protein. Also, you can beat eggs and pour in a muffin tin, add bacon, ham, or turkey sausage, Any veggies you like and a bit of cheese. Cook until light brown on top. Very high protein and easy to heat up in the morning. About one egg per muffin and I use the Reynolds foil muffin wraps because it helps with sticking.

I was out for a run and towards the end of my run, a guy in a truck slows down rolled down his window and yelled out a comment about how I looked running. It totally killed my mood and my run. I stopped and started to walk. Luckily I was at mile 4.5 and only planned on running 5. I don't know, maybe I'm so used to having snarky comments made about my size that it took me right back to the "fat girl" that still lurks below the surface. Same thing happened at the park a few weeks ago, I was running with a friend and 2 guys hanging out in the parking lot shouted out comments every time we passed. It was annoying and because of their tone and choice of words, made us feel borderline unsafe.
Seriously, guys let me finish my run in peace. I don't need you rolling down your window to comment on my legs, arm, chest, etc. I certainly don't need to feel unsafe. If you think it's endearing, it's not. It's rude, obnoxious and creepy and I damn well guarantee it will not get a positive response from me.
Thanks for letting me rant. I guess it proves to myself that I am not a fan of unwanted attention and long to fade into the background!

I was as okay as one can be with having not lost anything according to the scale in 2 months. Stalls are a normal part of any weight loss, yada, yada, yada. Then today my Rheumatologist made a comment based only on my weight from two weeks ago, it hadn't changed so he says, "Looks like you've peaked. Have you asked your surgeon why your bypass stopped working?" I've loved this guy until today, now I just want to sucker punch him in the nads. Stopped working??? I go to the gym 3 times a week, according to my InBody test I've gained 3.5 pounds of muscle since November and lost 12 pounds of visceral fat. This is my first stall. It's also the first time in as long as I can remember that I didn't gain at least 5 pounds during the holidays that I would never lose. Thanks for perpetuating the myth that the only thing that matters are the numbers on a fucking scale. And...exhale.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/244749/avocado-basil-cucumber-bites/

Yes, maintenance is NOT the sexy part. It's important to find other things to excite and motivate.
I struggle with this sometimes! I loved the loss and the attention and the focus and the payoff. For me my new toys are running and yoga. But even there I need to keep finding the new goals and things to work towards. I've done one marathon. Training for another but it's not new anymore.
What are you doing to look for new things?

The thrill is gone and its a fabulous place to be.
Life goes on after the honeymoon. The NSV's , The shock from people around you and being driven by weight loss. Looking back I have to laugh. The high from the honeymoon was incredible..I even thought I had the answers to everything bariatric.
The transformation is complete. Finding other adventures and things to overcome and conquer. I'm soooo over it!

If the key to weight loss success is self-esteem, and you’ve got none stashed in the pantry where you used to keep Cookies and potato chips, where do you go to find some?


HOW WE GOT HERE
In Part 1 of this article, I introduced the idea that positive self-esteem is the key to weight loss success. In Part 2, I’ll talk about why so many obese people have a negative self-esteem
Now let’s have a quick look at how we came to be such sorry specimens. Any psychologist or sociologist will tell you that some of the most troubling factors contributing to low or negative self-esteem (on the levels of individual people as well as the aggregate of citizens called American society) are a person’s physical appearance, weight, intelligence and peer pressure. Very often all four of those factors are tightly intertwined. In an elementary school cafeteria, Jane, an obese girl with a tray piled high with food winces at her classmates’ teasing. Unable to find a friendly place to eat her lunch, she sits down alone and cries at the sound of other kids’ voices: “Fatso!” One of the school bullies shoves Jane’s lunch onto the floor and laughs, “You didn’t need that food, Fatty!” Jane heads to the lavatory to cry in private. She hides in a stall and hears the popular girls chanting, “Fatty Fatty, two by four, can’t fit through the bathroom door!” I’m sure you’ve guessed by now that Jane’s name is actually spelled Jean, and that the school cafeteria scene above lives in my distant memory. Even when I don’t consciously think about that unhappy incident, it and many others like it formed my beliefs and feelings about myself a long, long time ago. Sometimes I feel that I’ll never get them all weeded out of me. In my case, that ancient stew of negative self-esteem flavored my life with some miserable symptoms: hypersensitivity to criticism, perfectionism, guilt, shame, irritability, a defensive attitude, a sense of defeat and insignificance, and a persistent, low-grade “fever” of dissatisfaction with myself, my life, and everybody else.
And yet, despite all that, at age 62 I can call myself a success, not just at weight management but at a host of other things. No, car repair is not one of those things, but on the whole I’m doing pretty well. I have my husband, my friends, and my own determination to thank for that. If I can turn myself around, you can do the same for you.
Low self-esteem is not something that gets fixed overnight, and having bariatric surgery is not the cure. Choosing surgery is a wonderful first step, but it’s not the end of the journey. So please, be kind to yourself! I’m not talking kind in the sense of indulgence but in the sense of a loving caretaker who understands that you’re weak and believes that one day you’ll be strong.
WHERE ARE WE GOING NEXT?
Psychologists say that self-esteem is linked to a sense of competence – the awareness that you have the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to accomplish a task. It’s unlikely that you’re going to start your weight loss journey with a strong sense of competence regarding weight loss. In fact, it’s quite likely that your self-esteem in that area is torn down and tattered from all the diet and weight battles you’ve fought and lost in the past. No matter how much information you’ve gained from your pre-op education, you don’t yet have a history of weight loss success to buoy you along.
So how do you even begin to feel good about your ability to make the lifestyle changes required for weight loss - make good food choices, control portions, take tiny bites, avoid grazing and so on? I’ll adapt the take tiny bites strategy to this effort. You tackle the weight loss project one tiny bite at a time. You repeat the effective actions of making good food choices, controlling portions, taking tiny bites and avoiding grazing over and over again until you’ve learned how to do it with less effort and more enjoyment. You seek and acquire the knowledge, skills and resources to help you succeed. You seek assistance from your surgeon, your support group, your family and friends. All this work may never become fun for you, but in my case, weight loss made it all worthwhile.
TODAY’S WEIGHT LOSS SUCCESS FORECAST IS…
Does the importance of positive self-esteem mean that you’re doomed to failure if your self-esteem isn’t already strong on the day of your bariatric surgery? Certainly not. If you take on the challenge of a weight loss winner’s lifestyle one tiny bite at a time, your WLS journey can actually help you increase your overall self-esteem while decreasing your weight. Each step you take, each new behavior, each pound you lose, will prove to you how capable and worthy you truly are.
From time to time, you may have to ignore or silence the voice of self-doubt. I like the way my friend Lisa counsels self-doubters. She says, simply and firmly, “You can do this.” So when your inner Doubting Thomas (or Thomasina) whispers (or shouts), “Forget it! No way! Lost cause!” take a deep breath and tell her “I can do this. I will do this.” Eventually you’ll turn your eating behavior around, reach your weight loss goal, and finally feel proud of what you’ve accomplished.

I'm a little over 7 months out, and 112 pounds down. I've gone down to a lower BMI class, and about 5 pants sizes. I go to the gym 3-5 times a week and work by butt off, literally. I try not to make mistakes, and when I do, I've worked hard to not beat myself up about them. But I've found some of the hardest stuff to not beat myself up about, are the things I have absolutely no control over.

I didn't know that I would be gossiped about by literally EVERYONE at work. I didn't know that they would gossip instead of openly ask me how I lost the weight. I'm apparently super naive.

I didn't know that people would comment about how great I look, and then when someone tells them how I lost the weight, they would immediately change their opinion about how I look.

I didn't know that overweight people would be the LEAST likely to support me. But it was true! Jealousy is pretty common apparently. I made the terrible mistake of telling a coworker about my surgery 3 months out when they commented on how good I look. I then proceeded to get lectured for a half hour about how dangerous it is and what a terrible decision I made.

I didn't know that even after your success is becoming OBVIOUS, people would still feel negative. I just thought once I lost a lot of weight, they woudl come around and see it was a good decision. Sorry everyone, but the answer is no. 7 months out, that horrible coworker still makes horrible comments. Today eyes were rolled and a sarcastic "yeah right" was stated when I said 'yes I go to the gym 3-5x a week'. Apparently I'm lying. And apparently it doesn't matter that I've lost a ton of weight, you should still judge me and consider it a bad decision.

I didn't know that healthy, fit, thin people would actually be VERY supportive of my decision. I guess it makes sense though. They know how important health and fitness is, and they are happy to see someone else striving to better themself. I've actually found a great support system to discuss recipes, Protein shakes, new Snacks and workout ideas! My fiance tells me all the time about some of his friends who ask about my success and comment how great I look when they see pictures. I was terrified for those people to learn about my surgery, and I'm so thankful I finally told them.

I didn't know that I would have trouble seeing my own success. But I do, ALL the time. How does someone NOT see a 100+ pound loss? How is it possible that I look in the mirror and still see the old me sometimes? Maybe I need to get my eyes checked. I never thought that would be possible. But it happens everytime I go to the gym. Doesn't matter what I wear or what I'm doing. I look and don't see the curves, or the thin legs. I don't see that I actually have a shape other than round. I see what I used to be. I feel like a jerk talking about this too. No one wants to hear 'oh I've lost over 100 pounds but I don't see it myself'. It sounds like I'm fishing for compliments, but I'm not! It makes me sad. I know I should be thrilled, I know I should see it, but it's really challenging sometimes.

I didn't know that I would be so ashamed of my loose skin. I hate seeing my own body. I avoid the mirror all the time. I'm so embarrassed. Thank God its winter so I can wear long sleeves. How am I ever going to wear shorts!? Or a swim suit. I feel like people must see the skin and think its gross. I feel like I'm waving a flag to the world, 'Hey! Look at me! I was really overweight'. I don't want to hide my past, but I don't want it to be a neon sign in someones eyes before they get to know me.
I get married this October and my dress is sleeveless. I really don't want to be stressing about my arms, but I already think about it all the time.

I didn't know that I had so many triggers that made me want to eat. I don't handle stress well, and I know that about myself. That's not new, I'm working on it. But I didn't realize how much it made me want to eat. I've been able to focus that stress and use it at the gym, and its been really successful. But its a struggle every single day. When I get really upset, I still think about wanting junk food. I don't think that struggle will ever go away.

I didn't know how lucky I was having a great support system. I've always been really independent, and don't like relying on people. This process has shown my how wrong I was to feel that way. I would never have been so successful without my amazing fiance and friends. Having people to talk to has been so important to me. Even if they can't always understand what I'm going through, it makes such a difference getting things off my chest. I look forward to the support group meetings at my Bariatric Center every month. There's something about seeing people in person going through exactly what you are going through that gives such relief. Knowing I'm not alone has been so important to me.

So I have stated in previous posts how I loathe artificial sweeteners like stevia, Splenda etc. anything that is not "real sugar"
I have been off of sugar since January 1st and yesterday I tried some Splenda in my coffee with vanilla premier Protein ( 60cc=28 cal) and I loved it!!!
In the past, I have strongly disliked the after taste of Splenda etc. but after being sugar free ( almost, only sugars I have are what's in my Protein drinks) I can say that I'm loving the Splenda now!!! Yeah!!!!!!

I had lapband surgery in June 2013. I loved my band. I was 10 months post op and down 80 pounds when I discovered I was pregnant! We went through unsuccessful fertility treatments in 2012 so this was such a welcome surprise! I had half the Fluid removed from my band due to extreme nausea and to have a healthy pregnancy. Life was good. I had my baby in December 2014 and started refilling the band in February 2015. It was never the same! The cc number that was golden before was way too tight after. It was a battle of too loose and too tight. In September 2015 all the adjustments got the better of the band and I had a pretty severe slip. They removed all the fluid and believed letting it rest for 2 months would correct the slip. Everything seemed good and I had just received the go ahead to refill when the reflux, vomiting and inability to keep food down came back in November. After another upper GI it was discovered that the band was not only slipped but moving as I moved. My band was removed in December 2015. I was 355 pre surgery, 275 when I got pregnant and currently 290 and rising. I go through so many mixed emotions. I'm still a believer in the band but DON'T MESS WITH IT! Get to your green zone and stay there! Don't let your band be too tight for too long.
I have my beautiful little boy and I'm thankful the weight loss band gave me gave him to me. I just feel like my one chance at surgery is gone and I made the wrong choice.

I'm getting my band out on Dec 22 due to having complications. I ended up going to a different bariatric doctor because the doctor who placed the band never un-fill me when I would see him. I had constant acid reflux for a couple of years, no matter what time of the day it was and whether I ate or not. I complained to my primary care doctor and he gave me Nexium. That still didn't work and I wasn't sleeping. I finally told my doctor that I wanted further tests because I was scared of getting cancer of the esophagus front the acid. He finally mentioned that there was a bariatric center in my town (that I wasn't aware of) and referred me. I got an appointment where the doctor unfilled me and and then I went back every couple of weeks to try and get my fill right. The acid reflux subsided while I was unfilled but I started get spasms in my esophagus more frequently. I am now getting the band removed on Tuesday and the doctor expects there to be scar tissue, which he will remove. I hope to get a revision to RNY in February or March depending on what I look like inside. I'm afraid that i will be so messed up that he will not recommend I get it done.
I loved my band because it helped me lose 100#. I was never able to get all of my weight off and have since gained 40#. I wish I wouldn't have been so afraid to the the RNY done in the first place. I just hope my insurance will approve the new procedure.

Just had an interesting interaction at work. An admin stopped into my office asking for a pen to borrow to sign off on a lunch order for a meeting. I like to kid around so I said, 'sure...but it will cost you a cookie.'
As a fat woman, I would have never said that. It would have been embarrassing because I would have expected her to think that the last thing I needed was a cookie. But as a normal sized person, there is no embarrassment when it comes to 'bad' food. I don't think twice if I have ice cream in my shopping cart...or some other item that once upon a time would make me look around and wonder who was checking out what I was eating.
And by the way....she brought me two Cookies. I told her that I was only joking and all she did was wink at me.
I know people say all the time that they have not changed...only their bodies have changed. I know that everything has changed for me. Yes...I'm still basically the same woman I always was, but a better, more outgoing, comfortable in my skin woman now. Not that I don't have my issues still...nothing is perfect. But even little interactions are different..and big ones as well.
I look people in the eye now. I used to look down. I have a sense of confidence I didn't have before. I'm understanding that it was the confidence and satisfaction in my life that attracted my boyfriend to me...and not just that I was a small body. Especially as he's seen all the loose skin, hanging boobs, etc. and he tells me how much he loves to see my naked body..how it turns him on. He's seeing something else in his mind's eye...and not my physical 'flaws'.
I just think we don't always see or realize all the changes. We notice the big things...the typical NSVs but not necessarily the daily interactions that shift as we change...or should I say 'evolve'.
Anyway...just wanted to get my thoughts out on a post. Back to work now...

I ran 6 miles yesterday! Then, today I went to this park that is a giant hill, and ran the whole way uphill for 2 miles! I'm not even that tired.

I ran 6 miles yesterday! Then, today I went to this park that is a giant hill, and ran the whole way uphill for 2 miles! I'm not even that tired.

The adjustable gastric band, such as the LAP-BAND or Realize Band, is a band that goes around the top portion of your stomach to create a small pouch, or stoma. The pouch fills up faster than your regular stomach, so you feel full on less food. That’s how you lose weight.


A lot of lap-band rumors have been swirling around, but many of them are just that: rumors. There’s a good chance that a lot of these rumors have been started by surgeons who prefer to perform gastric sleeve or gastric bypass operations. Here are five common lap-band myths, where they came from, and what the truth really is.
1. The LAP-BAND Doesn’t Work
It is true that you are unlikely to lose as much weight in the first year after getting your LAP-BAND as you are in the first year after getting gastric bypass or the gastric sleeve. It also doesn’t interfere with nutrient absorption the way the gastric bypass does.
However, long-term success rates are far more important, and the data on the lap-band is positive. In one study, patients lost an average of 70% of excess weight by 2 years post-op (Michaelson et al, 2013). After 5 years, another study found an average of (Ponce et al, 2014). And, after a long 15 years post-op, a different study noted an average excess weight loss of 47.1% (O’Brien et al, 2013).
The lap-band works for patients who follow the prescribed diet – just like the sleeve, bypass, and other WLS options work if you eat right.
2. All Bands Are Being Removed
This simply isn’t true. The band is intended to be a permanent weight control solution, and is removed only in cases where complications occur. This can usually be prevented with proper placement and adjustment, and high patient compliance. In one study, less than one out of five bands were removed in an average follow-up of 3 years (Yildiz et al, 2012). Long-term satisfaction and weight loss are very possible with the lap-band.
3. Nobody Is Putting in Bands Anymore
It’s true that the surgeon closest to you may not be offering lap-bands, and you may be seeing a lot more ads for the sleeve. Still, Apollo Health reports that 245 U.S. surgeons offered LAP-BANDS last year, and 40,000 patients opted for an adjustable gastric band.
If you are considering the LAP-BAND, it’s important to make sure you know where you can get it adjusted. You’ll need the initial fill a few weeks after you get your band inserted, and you may need to get it adjusted a few times over the next several weeks or months.
You should also be sure you know where you would go in an emergency situation when you needed an unfill. This is good practice whether you are at home or planning a vacation.
4. The Sleeve Is the Best Procedure
The “best” procedure is the one that’s right for you. That may be a different procedure than the one that’s best for someone else. The sleeve may be best for rapid weight loss, but an overwhelming majority of potential weight loss surgery patients favor the band. In fact, a study this year found that 13 times as many patients had a favorable opinion towards the band compared to the bypass (Obesity Today).
These are some of the reasons why you might prefer the gastric band over other procedures.
You have a lower BMI.
You may want to become pregnant in the future.
You do not like the idea of having your digestive tract rearranged or your stomach permanently removed.
You do not want a high risk of nutritional deficiencies and the resulting health problems, such as anemia and osteoporosis.

5. The LAP-BAND Will Not Fix My Diabetes
It is true that the lap-band does not have the same reputation for resolving diabetes as the gastric bypass. It also does not work as quickly, since it does not affect hormones as much. Still, it is considered to be effective.
Patients who lose weight with the gastric band are likely to see improvements in diabetes, including lower blood sugar levels. They are often able to reduce their doses or stop using their diabetes medication. One study of gastric band patients found a 73% decrease in diabetes at the 2-year post-op mark, and a significant decrease in diabetes medications after 3 years, with one-third of patients going off medications. Almost one-third of patients achieved long-term resolution by 5 years post-op (Courcolas et al, 2015).
The Conclusion: Do Your Homework
Weight loss surgery is a big deal. It’s not just a question of whether to get it, but of which one to get. When you’re making a decision that will affect the rest of your life, it’s best to do your homework. Don’t just depend on what you may read on the internet or hear from people who may not know all the facts. Check them out, and make the decision that’s best for you. It may be the lap-band, and it may not.
--
Yildiz BD, et al. 2012. Adv Clin Ex Med. Long-term efficacy of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding--retrospective analysis.
O’Brien et al. “Long-Term Outcomes After Bariatric Surgery: Fifteen Year Follow-Up of Adjustable Gastric Banding and a Systematic Review of the Bariatric Surgical Literature.” January, 2013.
Ponce, et al. “Efficacy and Safety of the Adjustable Gastric Band – Pooled Interim Analysis of the Apex and HERO studies at 48 weeks.” Current Medical Research and Opinion, 2014.
Michelson et al. “LAP-BAND for Lower-BMI: 2-Year Results from the Multicenter Pivotal Study.” Obesity Journal, 2013.
Data on File, Apollo Endosurgery, Inc. Austin, TX.
Tan, Anna. Obesity News Today, July 7, 2015. Survey Reveals That While Weight Loss Surgery Still Not Common, Gastric Bands Are Most Favored Option.
Courcoulas et al. “Three-Year Outcomes of Bariatric Surgery vs Lifestyle Interventions for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Treatment.” JAMA, 2015.

When I reached maintenance, my honeymoon was definitely over. For me, losing weight was easy. I had a plan, and I stuck to it. As I started to allow foods and portions back in, I realized that I would never be able to eat mindlessly for the rest of my life. For the rest of my life, I will have to think about everything I put in my mouth. I exercise a lot. I'm running half marathons and doing mini triathlons. But you can't out exercise a bad diet.
I am still trying to find balance. It is difficult. But every time I get dressed and look in the mirror, I realize that it's worth it. I never want to go back. Every time I reach a new exercise goal, that is my reward. I try to accept that to live the life I want to live, I will have to evaluate my relationship with food on a daily basis.

Hi everyone! It's been quite a long time since I've posted in this forum. I see some old familiar faces still posting and commenting.
Just to catch up, I was banded December of 2013. Highest weight 295. I reached my goal of 165 in February of 2015. I've been mostly maintaining since then. I've gained about 5 pounds recently and it's something I need to work on. Lifetime success is not letting it get out of control, right?
Since my band, I discovered a love of fitness and running. I ran a half marathon last April on the day before my 42nd birthday. This August,I completed a Sprint Triathlon!
Just want to say, I love my band and I am loving having my life back.
I hope everyone is doing well.
To all the newbies, find a plan and STICK WITH IT! The band is only a tool, you must make some changes.

When I reached maintenance, my honeymoon was definitely over. For me, losing weight was easy. I had a plan, and I stuck to it. As I started to allow foods and portions back in, I realized that I would never be able to eat mindlessly for the rest of my life. For the rest of my life, I will have to think about everything I put in my mouth. I exercise a lot. I'm running half marathons and doing mini triathlons. But you can't out exercise a bad diet.
I am still trying to find balance. It is difficult. But every time I get dressed and look in the mirror, I realize that it's worth it. I never want to go back. Every time I reach a new exercise goal, that is my reward. I try to accept that to live the life I want to live, I will have to evaluate my relationship with food on a daily basis.

When I reached maintenance, my honeymoon was definitely over. For me, losing weight was easy. I had a plan, and I stuck to it. As I started to allow foods and portions back in, I realized that I would never be able to eat mindlessly for the rest of my life. For the rest of my life, I will have to think about everything I put in my mouth. I exercise a lot. I'm running half marathons and doing mini triathlons. But you can't out exercise a bad diet.
I am still trying to find balance. It is difficult. But every time I get dressed and look in the mirror, I realize that it's worth it. I never want to go back. Every time I reach a new exercise goal, that is my reward. I try to accept that to live the life I want to live, I will have to evaluate my relationship with food on a daily basis.

Hi All...
Got this text from my hubby today. So fun after so much hard work and years of failed diets and challenges...and I've just gotten started after WLS revision a month ago. Just thought I'd share to inspire all of us as we search to change and get healthy and to realize the positive effects on those around us. Let's go do all those things we couldn't do before and include family and friends in the journey.
"I cannot tell you how excited I am right now about our journey and path forward. From our house and life at home to your health and our family's health. Being more active and moving our center of focus from eating to doing... It's great! It's an adjustment but a good one.
It will open so much for us. We can do ski trips and hike and swim and snorkel and bike and ... On and on for fun getaways or around our neighborhood. Just think, you will be able to walk up the mountain with me in Aspen or where ever.
Then at home, we are able to work on the house together... I love that. Before, it was daunting, but yesterday showed me how great it will be now. Tackling a closet or a room is nothing. We can organize and decorate together. It will make our house so extra warm (it already was, but now it will be even more so).
THANK YOU for tackling this health monster. I'm so proud of you.
I will do the same in my life. You're inspiring. Thank you. Love you."
Question: What are you doing or going to do that may drive you and possibly inspire your loved ones? (Me-I've now joined a gym. Your turn...)

Leepers,
These are my 3 favorite things you said in your response. Especially because you said them ALL. You pointed out key things that we all need to remember. 1) we have to stay honest with ourselves - to stay on track with the plan means we have to watch what goes in our body and the energy that comes out. Both of those matter; 2) we have to be honest about the fact that it DOES feel good to look in the mirror and see our progress. Yes, we are doing this journey for more than just our appearance, but darn it! It is a great side effect! and 3) we have to be honest about our relationship with food. We didn't become the way we were by accident. I love that you have that self-awareness. I applaude you for that.
Amanda

Hi everyone! It's been quite a long time since I've posted in this forum. I see some old familiar faces still posting and commenting.
Just to catch up, I was banded December of 2013. Highest weight 295. I reached my goal of 165 in February of 2015. I've been mostly maintaining since then. I've gained about 5 pounds recently and it's something I need to work on. Lifetime success is not letting it get out of control, right?
Since my band, I discovered a love of fitness and running. I ran a half marathon last April on the day before my 42nd birthday. This August,I completed a Sprint Triathlon!
Just want to say, I love my band and I am loving having my life back.
I hope everyone is doing well.
To all the newbies, find a plan and STICK WITH IT! The band is only a tool, you must make some changes.