Anwyn

This has been on my mind for a while now, and I was wondering if anyone else has gone through something similar... I have an identical twin sister. We've both always been heavy, though for the last 5 years or so I've outweighed her by about 40 lbs. We've always been very non-competitive and supportive of each others weight-loss efforts. BUT, she was not very supportive of my decision to have WLS, and tried to talk me out of it several times. I know in my heart she wants me to lose weight, so it's not a jealousy thing - she just thinks it's too extreme. I've been through several back surgeries. My neurosurgeon telling me to lose weight or I would need a back fusion was the best thing that ever happened to me because it helped my family realize how imperative this surgery was for me. I always knew it was the answer for me, but my family is full of worriers. My mom called me up every week leading up to surgery with another idea to help me lose weight so I could cancel the surgery. I wanted to scream, but I'd just repeat to myself (she's just worried, she's just worried...). Anyways, I haven't tried to push banding on my sister at all, but I have had a hard time understanding why she's so resistant to it for herself. It's not that she thinks it won't work, she just thinks that she can do it herself. I don't want to be a pessimist, but she's never been able to do it before... I've closed the gap significantly and now we're just 5 lbs apart. Meanwhile, she's stayed the same (around 235) during my banding process which began almost a year ago. I want to be thin, but being identical there are kind of complicated issues around being different... Should I try to talk her into banding? The only thing that would put a damper on this great experience would be hitting goal while she stays at 235. Has anyone else experienced this? Maybe not as an identical twin, but how about with a spouse or a sibling? I don't want to leave her behind, and I know this would have to be a decision she would make on her own. Should I just let it go? Sorry for the rambling... thanks for letting me vent!

I just read this entire thread and... wow. Nykee, I think you should read the whole thing over again from start to finish. Do you realize that your main complaint in your first post is that your current diet is making you gain weight. Your main argument in your last post is that an unfill won't work for you because your... current diet is working out so well for you. HUH? You can't have it both ways. What's the worst thing that can happen here? You get an unfill and try it out for a few weeks and you gain a couple pounds because everyone here was wrong. According to you, you're gaining weight anyways. I'm trying to hold out hope that you'll see sense in this, but you make it really hard! Maybe you're one of those people who will only do things for others but not themselves... If so, get an unfill for me because I'm going to have to go on blood pressure medicine if I keep reading this thread...

As far as your question about why you're not losing weight right now, your body is having the classic starvation reaction because you're not getting in enough calories. It's holding onto the fat because it's afraid you're never going to feed it again. You need to be getting in 1000 - 1200 cals a day. I was just like you - during my first week post-op I lost 8 lbs, and then I gained a pound my second week of liquids. I was only getting in about 800 cals a day and it was sooo frustrating to not lose more weight, so I feel your pain! Eat more cals, even if it's a Protein shake. Kathy's right though - you are losing like crazy if you look at your overall loss! Also, I second what everyone else is saying. Time for an unfill as soon as possible.

Need more info.... When were you banded and when were the fills? How much saline do you have in your band? I've only had 1 fill and I have good restriction (so far at least). But, there are some people out there who have had 6 or 7. It all depends on the size of your band, the size of your fills, and your own stomach. Unfortunately, it's not something you can really compare with other bandsters because we all respond differently to the band - there are some out there who have NO fill, but their restriction is fine without it.

I lived on refried beans with cheese melted on top during my mushy stage. I was also told that I could put stuff in the blender with broth, but the thought of a whipped cheeseburger just never appealed... If you blend it enough with some fat free mayo I don't see why you couldn't have tuna or chicken salad.

I love this thread - sometimes I think I'm the only one with these bad habits, so it's reassuring to know I'm not alone. 1. I repeatedly eat potato chips even though they sit like lead in my stomach and hurt like He**. 2. I eat too much ice cream. 3. I eat too quickly. 4. I split a bottle of wine with my hubby about once a week. 5. I weigh myself every morning. And every night. And every time I pee.

Good luck tomorrow - you're going to do great! Just a few hours left...

Congratulations! The long wait will be worth it.

That's great news glitterqueen! You're proof that anyone can make it work out if they keep at it. Good luck with your surgery - we'll all be wishing you a speedy recovery!

Ditto what Vinesqueen said about the pain meds. I was told it was referred pain caused by the band rubbing against the diaphram. I don't know what really causes it, I just know it hurts! Hope you feel better soon!!

That's a great goal Carrie! I always do better when I have a big event coming up to give me focus. You're going to look amazing!

That's great news! Have a speedy recovery and keep us posted on your progress.

What an AMAZING list! Thanks for sharing - you're an inspiration!

Good luck to you both!

I use Bare Minerals (I think that's the same thing as Bare Escentuals, but I'm not sure). It's the loose stuff in the tubs, right? I really like it. No heavy feeling at all, and it covers up my red patchy areas nicely. It can be a little messy too if you're not careful. I made the mistake of letting my 2 year old play with my makeup bag and she unscrewed my dark brown eye makeup. What a mess!!

I didn't want to weigh in on Monday (denial). I stayed at 250 even. Hope everyone is having a good week!

I was banded by Dr. Ganaw at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. I've been very happy with my experience. Fair warning - they primarily do RNY's so he's only done 13 or 14 band surgeries. But, he's a very experienced surgeon and placing a band is a relatively simple procedure. I'd recommend them in a heartbeat. If you're interested in Henry Ford, the contact person for the Bariatric Surgery department is Wanda Szymanski. The main hospital number is 1800-HENRYFORD. Good luck!

Okay, here's my list David Ducovny (from the x-files) Johnny Depp Orlando Bloom (in full Legolas gear) Viggo Mortensen Antonio Banderas And I know I'm supposed to be dieting, but I'd never turn down a Colin Firth/Hugh Grant sandwich...

The electroshock therapy was the worst part of it for me... Just kidding! It was a piece of cake for me as well. Just a very expensive conversation. You're going to do great!

Way to go!!

I'm so sorry this has happened to you. If he gives you a fill, I would just make sure it is a very small one. I would hate to see you in pain from being too tight after all you've been through! Good luck with your recovery. December will be here before you know it! (((HUGS)))

Okay, this may be a LITTLE childish, but I'd go into your kitchen at work and shake the Hell out of every can of pop the next time a shipment comes in. You can always say "I guess it was a bumpy ride in the truck"... It'll keep you away, and think of the satisfaction of seeing dear Erin with a sticky shirt all day long.

As I stepped off the scale yesterday, disgusted with myself for only losing 5 lbs during the first 5 weeks of the Fall Weight Loss Challenge, I decided to think positively. I've come up with a list (some of it just a tad tongue in cheek) of why we should never lose more than 1 lb per week. 1. We've all read it time and time again. It's much healthier to lose weight slowly and steadily, blah blah blah... wait - did I already lose everybody's attention? 2. Give those naysayers time to accept your decision to have WLS. Maybe if they see you're not emaciated and malnourished 3 months out from surgery they'll come around to our way of thinking and get off your back. 3. Who can afford an entire new wardrobe every 3 weeks? Not me. 4. You won't lose 60 lbs in 3 months like our RNY friends, but hey - nobody likes a showoff! 5. My stomach is already sagging down to my knees. That skin has been stretched out for a long time. Give it time to snap back! 6. These boobs are already sagging down to my bellybutton. That skin has been stretched out for a long time. Give them time to snap back! 7. Ice cream has Calcium and Protein. And doesn't dairy help your waist shrink? The people who are losing 3-4 lbs are week surely didn't enjoy a big bowl of Haagen Daas last night like I did. I'm not trying to say you people are going to end up with Osteoporosis, but... Those are all the reasons I can think of for now, but feel free to add yours if you're so inclined.

Hang in there sweetie! My heart goes out to you and we're all sending big hugs your way. You CAN make it through this. It's just like going through the surgery. You take it one day at a time and one day soon you'll wake up and realize that you feel so much better!

If you can find the time, I suggest taking a beginner yoga class. I started one two weeks ago, and at the end of the hour I'm stress free. It's a class geared towards older people who are out of shape or recovering from an injury. If you can find a similar class in your area I highly recommend it! Just a word of warning because I'm worried about you - valium is a very strong muscle relaxer. Don't take it at work if you're driving home. It stays in the system for at least 8 hours...