Deedee13

Ok so today I went shopping because my size 12 jeans were getting fairly loose. I went to my favorite place to buy jeans since having WLS. Lucky Brand Jeans.
I grab a pair of sweet and straight jeans in a size 10 and I am grinning from ear to ear because I am confident they are going to fit and I love that feeling. I have not fit into jeans this small since I was a teenager.
I put them on and I am right! They fit fantastic! I come out of the dressing room and model for hubby who promptly says, those look a little big. Maybe you should think about a smaller size.
I the immediately say "no way!" An 8 is not going to fit me. I am honestly not sure if I have ever worn a size that small. I decide to encourage him and prove there is no way I will get them up.
I grab an 8 and head back into the dressing room. I look at this tiny pair of jeans and go, here goes nothing. They fit perfectly! I could hardly believe my eyes.
Then the sales clerk tells me that they are buy one get one half off but she says the darker dyes seem to be more forgiving so she gives me an 8 and a 6 to try on. I laughed but thought well just see how far off you are.
Well, I put the 6 on, buttoned them up and stood there in shock. Now, I didn't buy the 6 because although I could wear them, I do like my jeans to be comfortable and have a little room.
So when I started this journey I wore 24 jeans and 26/28 tops. I am now in a size 8 and a medium or large top. Sometimes I have to get the large because I have a lot of loose skin.
I cannot believe where I am today! For me, clothes shopping is when I can really see the thinner me.

I'm a little over two years post op and throughout this journey I've constantly struggled with finding that LINE where I'm always mindful of my choices but yet don't obsess over them, where I can live my new life but my new life doesn't control or change every aspect of ME. So, a few months ago I decided to take a HUGE step out of my comfort zone and chose to let my "new norm" do it's thing which to me meant not coming on this site, not counting calories, not journaling my food, you know the things I thought healthy people didn't worry themselves with.
This was a huge eye opener for me! During my hands off approach I flexed 5lbs which isn't the end of the world, it doesn't mean I failed, it just means that I need more accountability in my life then what some others may require to maintain a life-long healthy lifestyle.
Lessons Learned:
The hands-off approach isn't right for ME!!!!
I HAVE to hold myself accountable!
I can't do whatever I want; I can't eat whatever I want; I can't act like I've never had a weight problem; I can't stop doing my part and expect I'm going to stay where I'm at for the long term.
I'm only as good as my plan so living without one means DISASTER! Throwing everything into the wind made the lines and my perspective blurry, it got me off course.
I HAVE to remember to stick to the basics!!!! When I get off course I have to get back to the basics. They're what got me where I am today and they're going to be what keeps me here.
Through all of this my band was still true to me and continued to do it's thing it's ME who stopped doing my part, the part that made ME get to where I am now and maintain it for over a year!
I have to journal my food so I can see those less than perfect choices glaring back at me, not for punishment but for a reminder of what I need to do to get back on track.
I have to have an idea of the calories, grams of Protein and oz. of Water I've consumed. I don't have to be exact about it but I have to have an idea.
We all need encouragement and what a better place to get it than from a site filled with others who are going through the same journey and can relate to all of your victories and struggles.
Be true to yourself.
Know your strengths and weaknesses!
I'm getting these Damn 5lbs off:-)
The point of my post is to say it's ok to still be figuring out your course no matter how far along you are in your journey. I've read on here over and over about people who just live their new life without counting calories or journaling and they have a history of GREAT sustainable success but I can't so now when I read these posts I don't have to wonder if this is something I should be doing, I've been there done that it doesn't work for me, I know what does, stick with it.
This little band around my stomach has done amazing things in my life!!!! It's removed the weight of an entire adult person from my 5'1" frame, (I've lost more than I weigh). I'm healthy and I feel better then I have in my ENTIRE life. I look forward to new experiences, I no longer have to worry if the airplane seatbelt is going to fasten or if I'm going to fit in a space, I can play and run and keep up with my kids and our busy lives. I could go on and on but at the end of the day this is the one of the BEST decisions I've made in my life.
Stay the course and fight the fight. If you fall get up, brush yourself off and be better than you were before!!!!

I would also stick with a solid color for the top, but the color choices are wide as an option. You can always be safe and wear a white top with each, however the black and white striped pants would work with nearly any solid color top (I would like red, deep purple, or any of the green family). As for the khaki and striped pants, I would go for lighter colors such as corals, seafoam green, maybe a pale or dark blue (blues, khaki, and white generally look great together). I like to layer shirts, so for the black and white pants I might wear a deap purple cami with a black or white top. The khaki pants I might wear a seafoam cami with a white top (I probably wouldn't wear a khaki top unless it matches perfectly) or potentially a brown top. As for shoes...if you can match the color of your top exactly with the shoes, that is a fun option, however for black and white pants, black heels or flats, and for the khaki and white pants, go for a camel colored shoe or a brown. If you wear a brown on top and can match shoes to the brown top, that would look super cute too.
Your own style is yours- everyone has one. Fashion sometimes looks completely ridiculous with their feathers and half naked areas, however your style is what makes you feel attractive, comfortable and confident. Short of matching polka dots with stripes, if you feel great, rock your outfit, and no one else will see anything other than fabulous.

I'm not talking about taking offense, I'm talking about not accepting it. That's how change happens. When people told women they could vote because women lacked the intelligence or were too emotional or whatever else BS women rose up and proved them wrong. I refuse to accept unjust treatment as "what it is" ever. Unconscious prejudice is still prejudice. If you want and feel you deserve respect you ave to let people know when they do something that's not okay. In this case, I would definitely have let that person know she was being rude. Otherwise people just go on offending. I just happen to believe that many more will take it as a learning opportunity and correct themselves.

See I think this is BS and everyone who has experienced it *should* be offended. The fact that you are a larger person has NOTHING to do with your intelligence. Yes I realize it happens but we don't accept prejudice because of the color of someone's skin, or their sexual orientation, why on earth should we accept it because of our weight?

My related pet peeve is people who are relatively early out from surgery who don't want to eat something or drink their Protein Shakes because "it doesn't taste good" "it's boring" "I need something crunchy" or "I can't tolerate it" (when "I can't tolerate it" means something other than "it makes me throw up."). Especially early on, food isn't about entertainment. It isn't supposed to keep you from boredom or delight your senses. It's supposed to nourish you and help you heal. If it doesn't make you throw up and it helps you meet your nutritional goals, choke it down and move on.

Consignment shopping has sort of become an obsession of mine lately. I would rather go to the Goodwill Boutique and spend an hour or two searching, but end up with three or four new outfits for what I would spend on one at a department store.
Some of the things I've gotten at the Goodwill recently:
-A Micheal Kors dress with the tags still on it. Retail was $120, I bought it for $15
-A pair of DL1961 jeans, again, tags still on. Retail was $160, I paid $30
-An Ann Taylor skirt, no tags, but would retail for at least $50, I paid $8
-A pair of Calvin Klein capris, no tags, but in flawless condition. I paid $9
The best part is when these things stop fitting me, I can resell them on Poshmark. I've sold multiple things that I've outgrown on there, not only is it fun, but it feels good knowing someone else is getting enjoyment out of the clothing that I've owned and loved, but just can't wear anymore! It's a win-win! Just thought I'd share, since many of us are probably going through the same trials of outgrowing things quickly!

I have gone from a size 18 to a size 8. I can see how much smaller I am but I don't feel thin. Can't help it but I keep waiting to feel thin and I don't know what I am waiting for. Has anyone else experienced this and if so when did it change? If it did. Thanks.

I have gone from a size 18 to a size 8. I can see how much smaller I am but I don't feel thin. Can't help it but I keep waiting to feel thin and I don't know what I am waiting for. Has anyone else experienced this and if so when did it change? If it did. Thanks.

Old navy and New York & company

Yes, there is a very good website (blog) dedicated to bariatric / high Protein cooking:
The World According to Eggface

I get this stubborn mucus as well mucinex does not help me. It's like the mucus just won't leave. I have done some alternative medicine during these times like acupuncture or foot massage. It helps every time. Those darn post nasal drips can go on for weeks for me and I hack and hack. Good luck. You also may try a Neti pot or hot Water with peppermint oil and out a towel over your head.

years ago reports seem accurate, that many people suffered increased 'mucus' from ingestion of dairy products...especially 'milk'
and today the 'not milk' fanatics list dozens of know bioactive additives in milk products, that do bother some folks.....
There are a variety of herbal teas I've long used for the astringent qualities..."cold tea" "gypsy throat tea" etc etc
Your local health food store may well have a qualified nutritional consultant available (NOT just a 'sales person') who can give you some tips.
Start reading widely on the subject, there are a jillion sources that offer good advise.

Another two thumbs up for unjury -- best, smoothest tasting Protein shake. I like the chocolate splendor, too, and the vanilla tastes like melted ice cream.
Good stuff!

I really like Unjury - their chocolate splendor flavor is the least medicine-y and whey-y tasting Protein I have found. It is very light, almost like Nesquik or something like that.

This is the only Protein powder I use. Not only is there no medicinal aftertaste, it is 100% Protein isolate, which is most absorbable. Thumbs up!

Offended? No. But, it does make me feel uncomfortable. I understand I'm much thinner than what I used to be (245 to 135), but I am by NO means skinny!

Months ago some one posted "What Things Weigh" and on the list was the weight of a cinder block: 33 pounds. For some reason I latched on to that as a goal. I know how heavy a cinder block is because I have to move them around from time to time. We have a small farmstead and I despise those cinder blocks that are out behind our garden shed. Well now, as of today, I am down two of those babies (plus one pound). Sixty-seven pounds down!! Honestly I cannot even imagine carrying around two cinder blocks all day every day and yet that's what I have done for years. That and more. No wonder I feel so good -- I'm free of those anchors.
Along with shedding weight, I am also still letting go of my old dieting mentality. I was an epic dieter -- on or off a diet for twenty years plus -- and so I still sometimes think in terms of being "good" or "bad." Yesterday might have been what I would have called a bad day. We ate out and I had a lot of guacamole, a few chips, a little chili, but kind of a lot of guacamole. And a cocktail! That was lunchtime. Then we went to a friend's house for a little dinner party and there were cheese and crackers. Yummy blue cheese. I had a loaded cracker and then another bite of cheese at some point, and wine was flowing. A Soup and salad for dinner; I didn't have bread. Then dessert! I even had a little bit of ice cream. This is very unlike me. BAD GIRL, right? Well, there is no good girl/bad girl anymore. There's just me and my band. I have been stuck at 187 for ages and this morning I jumped on the scale hoping, hoping, hoping yesterday hadn't taken me back over the top and into the nineties again (yikes). Nope, down two pounds to 185. This is the way it has gone for me the whole time. I think I'm not getting anywhere and then when I least expect it, there goes the scale down, down, down.
Yes, I want to put down one more cinder block -- I'd like to lose another thirty-three pounds. I'm not sure what my body's ideal weight will be and whether that is even the right goal, but I'm just going to keep doing what I've been doing and let it take the time it takes. What do I do? I eat when I'm hungry and I don't eat when I'm not hungry. I'm keeping it as simple as possible, having overcomplicated everything to do with food and eating for such a long time. Best wishes to all, wherever you are on your journey. The day-by-day can seem like a bit of a slog sometimes (especially when the scale isn't moving like a speedometer), but over the course of a year? WOW!

If you get a window at all....I have a few things that I have already missed the window. But it is definitely ok!

Hi all,
I'm celebrating my fourth fall since WLS surgery in May 2011. Here's my fav fall foods that keep me at goal:
pumpkin Pie Greek Yogurt: I mix one large Fage Yogurt from costco with 1/2 can pumpkin (not the pie filling), about 1 1/2 cups Splenda, 1 Tablespoon vanilla and a few shakes of cinnamon. I eat it in the morning for Breakfast. For a nightime snack, I crush one graham cracker sheet (just put it in a baggie and roll a can over it) and pour it over the top.
Pumpkin Latte: I make a cup of Decaf espresso or use a packet of Starbucks Via Instant Decaf French Roast, add a cup of soy milk and a big splash of Torani's sugar free Pumpkin Pie Syrup.
Pumpkin Cream: I heat a cup of Soy Milk and add a big splash of Torani's sugar free Pumpkin Pie Syrup.
Soup: I love Soups in fall. I doctor up my canned Soups, added frozen veggies and extra Protein. I freeze two and three ounce portions of meats left over from dinners. Put the Soup in a bowl, toss in frozen veggies and meat and heat till it's all hot. Easy-peasy. I found frozen black Beans at my Walmart. I throw in some of those sometimes.
Sausage: What is it about fall that makes me what sausage? Who knows. But I do like turkey sausage. I eat Turkey Little Smokies or Jimmy Dean's Frozen Turkey Sausage Patties. I especially like the Jimmy Dean sausage with Mrs. Butterworths Sugar Free Syrup and a Thomas' Whole Wheat English Muffin. It reminds me of McDonald's Sausage McGriddle, but clocks in at just over 200 calories.
Sugar Free Hot Apple Cider: I love this stuff! I add a splash of Torani's Caramel Syrup to make a hot carmel apple drink.
Apples and Persimmons: My go-to fall fruits.
Roasted Veggies: I love Brussel Sprouts, onions, sweet potatoes and winter squash roasted tll the outsides start to crisp. I use a Misto sprayer to hit them with a little oil before cooking. If I'm making a lot at once, I put them in a bowl and roll them around with a tablespoon of oil.
What re-imagined treats do you enjoy in the fall?
Lynda

I drink Crystal light ... lots of flavors and only 5 calories in 8 oz.

I've been where you are now, just keep thinking of the end results. I was so nervous I don't think I slept at all the night before. LOL, so I slept while waiting for my surgery. Everything will be fine. Thoughts and prayers go with you.

Today was my 9 month bandiversary. I've had many NSV's along the way but none as good as the one I experienced today. You see, 1 year ago this weekend, I participated in my very first 5K race. My teenage son talked me into doing it. I reluctantly agreed. I walked the entire race and it took me almost an hour to finish it. And I was walking as fast as I could. The race is held annually so we decided after last year's race that we would return this year. So today, we did the same race that took me almost an hour to finish and I was able to finish it in about 31 minutes. Not only that, I placed 3rd in my age division! I've been doing 5K races about once a month since spring and I run 3-4 days a week but I've never been able to finish a 5k in 31 minutes and I've never placed in any of them. Needless to say, I got all teary-eyed when I was walking up to get my medal! I have an appt. with my surgeon on Wednesday and I intend to take my medal with me so I can show him what he's done for me and thank him for helping me to get my life back

Well I would like to say that everything is awesome my first day after surgery, but it's pretty painful. I will say though it isn't that bad to swallow which I was overjoyed to see. But the tenderness and soreness feels like I went 12 rounds with Mike Tyson. Another cool thing I was glad to see was that they glued my incisions up instead of stitches. You can almost barely see the cuts on my skin. All in all I don't feel real bad but like I said the soreness is pretty extensive. I'm going to get up and try to be more mobile today and hopefully some of the gas pains and little aches and pains will get better by tomorrow.

I love my lap band, didnt even look at anything else as I didnt want my insides rerouted either. The only thing im not "wasting my time on " is sleep apnea, exhaustion, size 18 clothes, and hating how I looked and felt , etc. Now im "wasting my time " swimming , running/walking, shopping for smaller clothes, traveling , climbing stairs easily, and having fun !!! Find a Dr. that supports YOUR wants and needs, NOT just his/hers !!, because you are going to want/need his/her support for a looooong time, so you both need to be on the SAME TEAM. Just sayin' Good luck !