Dolores33778

Try calling while you're chewing....I'm talking a mouthful! I bet they'll get you in real quick!
I know you're joking...so am I. It helps to have a sense of humor and a positive attitude. We're here for both.
-d

I get why my panties were in a bunch about the comment. Here's the deal:
The complete and utter HYPOCRISY of his statement! The contestants on that show exercise for 8 hours a day. According to his statement, they are losing weight the RIGHT way, and not turning to "distasteful weight loss surgery." How about he give us the skinny (pardon the pun) on how many of those contestants keep the weight off after they are back in the real world and the show is long over? I'll be willing to bet the stats are better with WLS patients.
Notice how I used the word "contestant"? This guy is the spokesperson for a GAME SHOW, and he wants to tell us what the right way is to lose weight?
And for those of you who say "Oh, who cares what some guy on TV says about WLS. I'm happy with mine"...that's the EXACT reason why we need to speak up and defend our choice to lose weight and keep it off! If we as the WLS community just stand idly by and let people misinform and misguide millions of people about it, we are doing a disservice to ourselves, current and future WLS patients. You say you don't need to be an advocate for WLS just because you had it? If we all in the WLS community aren't willing to speak up and fight the ignorance and misinformation that's floating around out there, who will?

You look great i could only hope to look that good after good job

Here is my most recent side x side. 4 years banded today !

Bravo, well said.

Thank you Christie...I told some friends from church about it yesterday so I have a lot of support there as well. I am really excited about this new chapter.

If you’re a weight loss surgery patient or patient-to-be, you’d better grow a thick skin if you haven’t already. Your thick skin will help shield you from negative reactions to bariatric surgery. People are not afraid to make personal and hurtful comments about this surgery, even they often have no idea about the facts.


One of the barriers to getting weight loss surgery is the fear of telling others about it. People are quick to make you feel ashamed about your choice. They accuse you of cheating or of making a dangerous decision.
But it’s not just uninformed people who can make you feel bad. What about the media, which you trust to get its facts straight, and which influences millions of Americans’ beliefs and opinions? Sadly, the media spreads its share of misinformation about weight loss surgery.
One striking example occurred on the final episode of this season of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser.” For the record, this was not the first time this show publicly aired negative comments about weight loss surgery. On this occasion, Dr. Robert Huizenga clearly stated that weight loss surgery is an unhealthy choice. The implication was that it is a mistake in all cases, and far inferior to the weight loss methods used by “The Biggest Loser” contestants.
There was no mention of the fact that the weight loss methods used by the contestants are the exact same as the most effective weight loss methods used by weight loss surgery patients. That is, both use a low-calorie diet that dramatically reduces junk foods, and both encourage physical activity. The problem with weight loss surgery? Dr. Huizenga did not explain. Viewers can only guess at the horrors he was thinking of.
I’m certainly not the only one to notice such snubs on national television. The BariatricPal community had a thing or two to say about this particular episode of “The Biggest Loser,” and I invite you to check out the comments and add to the discussion if you haven’t already.
The Biggest Loser
Nobody’s dream in life is to get weight loss surgery. Unfortunately, nobody’s dream in life is to struggle with obesity, but many of us do. What options do we have? Those of us who have chosen weight loss surgery chose it because we exhausted our other options. Those options – regular diets – just didn’t work for us.
So, what would Dr. Huizenga have recommended in my case? A 16-week stay at the Biggest Loser Ranch, just like the contestants who made it to the season finale? Full dietary, medical, and physical activity support, just like the contestants? Sure, I would have been happy to try that option. Unfortunately, it costs about $3,000 per week to stay at the resort. That’s a value of $48,000, not including the longer-term support contestants receive.
Could I have lost the weight without surgery if I had had $48,000 to spend and the promise of lifetime support? I don’t know. What I do know is I did not have the chance to try. I did, however, have the chance to get weight loss surgery, and I made the most of it.
Don’t get me wrong. I really respect what I see on television of the Biggest Loser trainers and health staff that I see on television. Dr. Huizenga seems genuinely distressed about contestants’ poor health at the beginning of the show, and just as genuinely satisfied about their improved prognoses by the end. This season, trainer Jen’s tears were representative of the sincere stake the trainers have in the contestants’ lives. And, like many in America, I’d be on the first plane to Los Angeles if Bob or Dolvett offered to train me. But I do wish they did not feel the need to bash weight loss surgery without explanation.
The Truth of the Matter
Even if you have the choice between losing weight the Biggest Loser way or through weight loss surgery, which is better? There’s no question that you need to decide for yourself, but let’s take a look at each of these weight loss methods.
Losing weight Biggest Loser style means spending hours a day in the gym. The show doesn’t air nearly as much material on food as it does on exercise, although terrible eating habits got contestants to where they were, and good nutrition is clearly a part of their new lifestyles. It seems doubtful that Biggest Loser contestants can continue to exercise so many hours per day for the rest of their lives after the show, and I am certain that many other individuals just do not have this kind of time.
Weight loss surgery is…well…surgery. It involves going under the knife and changing something about your insides. There are inherent risks that are unavoidable when you undergo weight loss surgery. Aside from that, bariatric surgery requires a controlled, high-protein, nutritious diet, and exercise is recommended. Many patients can average about 100 pounds, or a respectable and reasonable 2 pounds per week, during their first year after surgery.
How do the results of losing weight Biggest Loser style versus with bariatric surgery? Initial weight loss seems comparable, according to a study discussed in US News and World Reports. But the study found Biggest Loser contestants ending up with a lower metabolic rate – making them potentially more likely to regain their weight. Granted, this study did not follow participants long-term, so we do not know what will happen in 10 or 20 years. What does seem clear, though, is that it is not yet justifiable for the “Biggest Loser” to state matter-of-factly that all weight loss surgery is bad.
Why Does It Matter?
Does it really matter what a reality television show says in passing about weight loss surgery? I believe it does. For one thing, the country already has a culture that largely views bariatric surgery negatively. We don’t need to increase the negative feelings with these vague statements proclaiming that the show helps contestants lose weight the “right” way, and other methods of weight loss are “wrong.”
Second, the show has millions of loyal viewers, including many who may be eligible for weight loss surgery. In my opinion, the show is doing them a disservice by stating unequivocally that bariatric surgery is a bad option. For some of these viewers, bariatric surgery may be the only option that would allow them to lose the weight that has plagued them their entire lives.
I don’t know what the solution is to this problem of negativity towards weight loss surgery and weight loss surgery patients. Education and patience come to mind – spread the word, when you can, about how weight loss surgery works and why some people get it. And, grow a thick skin. No matter where you are in your weight loss journey, you’re bound to get some negative comments about your decisions. Just know that you are doing the right thing for yourself.

Yes I had regular check ups and fills, unfills, but My slip happened fairly fast after the initial surgery. I've been dealing with the effects of the slip for almost a year now. I was never a good candidate for banding, as I've always been an over-eater.

Thanks everyone. I still have a hard time seeing myself as "skinny" but that's a mental image that I'll always struggle with.

Here is my most recent side x side. 4 years banded today !

Here is my most recent side x side. 4 years banded today !

Thanks @@haleyk, I feel like I'm 25!

Maybe for the same reason my 2 mini poodles think they are. I talk to them all the time in English, at this point they have a bigger wardrobe than me and have their hair done more often, my girl poodle has pink bows, and I cook and measure all their food, which happens to be mostly Protein and some low-carb veggies. Basically, they ARE human!

Thank you. I appreciate that.

I also weigh daily and write it down to track it. This is something I started after my first check in with my surgeon at 2 1/2 weeks post op because he asked me to. I usually only used to weigh in once a week in the past.
At my last docs appt I asked if I should continue with the daily weigh ins and the doc said sure as long as I didn't let it rule me. I like knowing where I am everyday and so far (I will be 4 months post op tomorrow) I have not had a gain yet. KNOCK ON WOOD!!!
I also take my measurements and pictures every month.

Celebrations centered around food. Always.
"You got a new job, let's go to dinner and celebrate"
"It's your birthday, let's order a cake and celebrate"
"Graduating from anywhere, let's over do it with food and celebrate"
"Any holiday ever...food, food and more food!"
Why, does everything have to be centered around food? Why can't we Celebrate with a painting class or roller skating or a trial membership to a zumba class for everyone! It's sickening to me that our entire focus for living is so food-centric.
I know it's not just us, it's everywhere and it's not going to change, but I can change me. You want to celebrate one of my accomplishments? Let's repaint my living room together. Let's get our nails done then binge watch Breaking Bad!
I eat to live, not live to eat. (drops the mic)
-dt

I'm in Massachusetts and am SO OVER this snow. We are in the middle of yet another blizzard. Another foot of snow on top of all the old snow that hasn't had a chance to melt yet!
In France, Sponge Bob is called Bob l'ponge (or something like that--pronouned LaPonge).

In answer to the movie question. At the theatre I work at if no one shows up within the first 30-40 mins we turn it off. We always start it though because sometimes people are just late.

What a wonderful success story yours is. I hope you're as happy as I imagine I would be at your age having accomplished what you have.
Congratulations!

YOU LOOK FANTABULOUS!!!! Still after fours years what a testimony! Congratulations to you!!! I may not brag either lol but when I get to where you are... I will definitely wear it PROUD!!!

Keep posting those pictures. You worked hard to make the changes we see in those photos so be proud of your achievements. Besides...I look at my before/after pics all the time. It helps me to see the new me because I still struggle with being the fat girl. Great job and keep it up!! Long term WLS success stories is what inspires me.

Sometimes I feel like I'm crossing a fine line between showing off and being proud. Between bragging and inspiring others. I was hesitant to post this, still not used to the comments but I'm trying to get passed all that.
I am proud of where I am and am happy to help others in any way I can.

Interesting. I experienced some jealousy from my twin but she's better now that her lap band was fixed. She used to say i flaunted. Nope, just walking from one place to another. Not my fault you don't like it.
It's tough, but try to surround yourself with positive influences and get your resume out there.

Sometimes I feel like I'm crossing a fine line between showing off and being proud. Between bragging and inspiring others. I was hesitant to post this, still not used to the comments but I'm trying to get passed all that.
I am proud of where I am and am happy to help others in any way I can.

Too many sexy women photos?? That's terrible! Ha ha, just kidding!
Wishing you all the best.