JustWatchMe

I'll watch the video later, but feeling light on my feet and healthy does it for me.

I only told five people for the first few months. Later I told a few more. But I don't tell the pounds lost to acquaintances. I say I've lost "a lot" and I'm about halfway to goal. If they press me for a number, I laugh and say "you KNOW I'm not telling you that number, right?" And that generally does it. People have been supportive, but some things are private.

Now that's a happy post. Yay!

My boobs deflated. Before anything else did. But the good part is I can cross my arms now. I also fit in a movie seat without spilling over. Did I mention I can cross my arms now? I find myself doing it all throughout the day. I'm easily amused.

I'm sorry it wasn't successful. Are you considering a different surgical solution?

You look beautiful. If time doesn't help you see it, get a therapist to help. You deserve to enjoy your new life.

Yep me too

I used to think losing my appetite would be a blessing. But it's a part of the pleasure of life. I lost my appetite for much of the month of July from stress. I was too busy to care then, but I wouldn't want to live without a desire for food. A dimmed desire is great. Absence of desire not so much.

08/18/2014 219.6

I was very worried pre op as you are. 80+ pounds down the comments are coming daily. At work I've told a few people about my band but mostly I just say I've changed my whole life and took my doctor's advice to lose the weight so I wouldn't die young. People generally accept that. Of course they ask how. I say I cut carbs and eat way less and walk walk walk. All true. If they ask how much I've lost I say a lot. If they ask again I say you KNOW I'm not going to give you a number, right? And laugh. I gently tell them for someone as big as me it's a big number before anybody notices. Usually they then realize how personal they were in asking. I try to make them feel ok for asking while not giving up my personal info if I'm uncomfortable. I also tell them I'm only halfway to goal and that usually elicits a "no way", to which I reply "way, but I'll get there this time". Your attitude may change as you drop weight. Mine did. I'm glad I feel strong and healthy and look better. I've also had to replace a lot of clothes. Goodwill is my friend now. I may have changed my view on this because I just filed for divorce, and the positive reinforcement from acquaintances is a boost to my fragile self esteem right now. No matter. I'm in charge of this decision and for today I choose to share certain details with some people and not others. Early on it pissed me off that others only recognized me after I dropped weight. Well I've since come to believe that being angry over that is useless. I'll choose to accept the compliments with grace and under my terms and only share what I choose to share. One overweight coworker asked me sincerely how I did it and I shared my band story. She's thinking about starting her own band process now. So there's pros and cons in sharing the real details. Maybe, just maybe, my experience can actually save another life. Wow, huh? Do what YOU want. But then let it go. You cannot control the comments you receive. So take it a day at a time. And good luck to you! This forum is saving my sanity daily.

I just saw The Hundred Foot Journey. Now I want to take a cooking class.

I've noticed that as my food intake went down, so did my tolerance for bull$# +. I am edgy and p!$$3d off at people more than before. It's a direct correlation to how I used to numb my feelings and reactions with food. Instead of turning my anger toward myself by overeating myself into a food coma every day, I feel the sucky feelings and have to deal with them. Thankfully my impulse control is pretty good and I don't go off on coworkers or others outside my immediate family. But those closest to me sometimes get it. I keep reminding myself that I changed, they didn't, and I need to ease up. Also going through a divorce, and talk about repressed anger there, whoa. So I feel ya. Hang in there. Take a breath and remind yourself that just because we feel it we don't have to say it. And don't eat it. Just don't eat it. .

I had a similar situation occur last week. I went to a community veterans memorial where the traveling Vietnam wall was here in Illinois. A dozen or so towns were memorializing their Vietnam veterans from these communities. Four different clergy were there. Of course, prayer is to be expected, but two of the clergy spoke for "all of us" when they ended their prayer giving glory to the "One we all turn to in our time of need, Jesus Christ." Really? All? There was a crowd of hundreds there, in memory of 64 soldiers from a dozen towns. All? I'm Catholic so I expect to hear that at mass each week. But not in a crowd of hundreds where the honored dead are of unknown faith. I found it distracting, and offensive. Resume the beatings. .

I don't hear my band exactly. My stomach is noisy a lot. Maybe it's trapped gas? I'm five months out. I'm listening to my stomach right now. Lol

Thanks, I didn't see it. I'll look again.

I was happily making my own cream soups, but check with your NUT or doctor. I just added veggies to everything in the blender. Side note: maybe it's my iPhone but I cannot read your posts with the font and color you use. I can only read it when I hit "quote" so it puts it in regular text.

Welcome to Bandland! The breathing will get easier. Try to walk as much as you can and if the hospital gave you a breathing gadget use it. The first couple of days are uncomfortable, so if you use painkillers, be sure to drink prune juice so you don't get constipated. Good luck and stay connected here! We are all rooting for you!

Here's what doesn't give me a soft stop, so I guess these are my sliders: salad Soup Popcorn chips Pasta Some breads Here's what gets me stuck: Pork chops Here's what gives me a soft stop and satisfies me if I slow down and chew well: cheese Red meat like beef or hamburger chicken Chili Some breads eggs Here's what satisfies me for hours but does not give me a soft stop: Protein shakes .

Sounds like you're too tight or eating too fast and too big of bites. Don't keep doing that because you'll damage your band. Sounds like "stuck" to me. Happened to me with pork chops. If it's all your meals, call your doctor for a band checkup or adjustment.

I love unjury chocolate. I didn't care for the chicken or unflavored. I'm five months post banding and still drink the unjury some mornings for convenience. Order some packets too. Those are great for travel.

One day, one meal at a time. Today make your next choice a positive and healthy one. Remind yourself why. Stay connected here and know we all have our struggles, but we can get back up on the horse at this very moment. And congrats on your success! I hope to be at that weight by my next birthday. I can do it too. I need to remember that daily.

@@Bandista, I want to be a delicate eater too !

I was banded March 2014 and the band is helping me with the physical aspects of my relationship with food. For the psychological, emotional and spiritual underlying issues, I've returned to the 12 step program this week. I was in OA 20+ years ago but dropped out early in my marriage. I've started attending Codependents Anonymous meetings. I'd like to hear from people who have found the 12 step programs to be of help as they have learned to live without the crutch of excess food after WLS. I may return to OA as well, but I'm learning that my relationships with several key people in my life have been very damaged, and so CODA is where I am starting. Back when I was in OA, I lost 130 pounds, but immediately began to regain. I'd never done thorough work on the underlying issues, nor had I truly worked beyond the first three steps. OA was pretty much a diet support group for me back then. Thanks in advance.

Wendy, take it from me. It's never too late. I'm 53 and I started over in my life. You recognize the problem and want to change it. Just worry about today. Heck, just worry about the next eight hours. One foot in front of the other. Don't over think it. Just do it. Today just low carb. Choose proteins you enjoy. Get some fresh air and take half an hour to meditate in any way you like. Even if that's listening to music or reading. Just. Do. It. We're here for you. Tomorrow will take care of itself. .

Congrats to all of you. What a beautiful family! So many happy changes!!!