Jachut

Good luck, lol. I bought a new scale today, just have to get a 9V battery for it. I'm dreading stepping on it - my old scale said I had 30% body fat, which is just really not likely to be true, but I'm terrified the new one will weight me heavier and still tell me I have 30% body fat!

I'm maybe weird, but I enjoy a meal in a restaurant, I dont want it congealed in a plastic container to be heated up several times the following couple of days. Yuck. I think being "attached" to your food in this way and unable to waste it by leaving it on your plate is a throwback to obese attitudes to eating. The cost of a restaurant meal to me is to pay for seeing my friends, having a good night out, I dont need to get "value" out of it by bringing food home. Truly, I do not care a bit if I eat 2 mouthfulls of what I ordered. Also, most restaurant eating is "special" occasion eating and not as healthy as a plain meat and 3 veg home cooked meal. I dont need to be eating say fettucine carbonara more than once in a blue moon, and generally I find that when we eat out, its sooooo often Asian - Thai, Malaysian or Indian which is smaller servings anyway. Most bistro, chain restaurant or pub food is not worth the effort of bringing home anyway. Its against food regs here anyway. I also dont journal, wont journal and never journalled. I knew when I hit a stall in weight loss that I had to put less treats in my mouth and move more.

I think that's a healthy attitude - its certainly how I approached it. It took me a year to lose the last 10lb, which I wasnt really focussing on anyway. You have a choice, you can obsess over it or allow it to fall off in its own sweet time (assuming you're dong the right things of course). Several years later, it doesnt matter to me at all how long that weight took to go.

I would love nothing more than to see my 5ft 8, 250lb 14 year old slim down. I cant help thinking if he's this big at 15, what's he going to be like in 10 years, although I slimmed down appreciably in my 20's from my teens. There is something in the "puppy fat" theory, and he hasnt hit puberty yet (late bloomer I guess). H'es going to be TALL and he might have a huge growth spurt soon. So - no way would I consider surgery till puberty's over and done with and adult height reached, so you're pushing 18 to 20 years old there. Then there's this: he's not ready to take responisibility for his weight. He may be fed by me, true and he's not much into fast food and such, its a once or twice a month thing for him, he just eats a LOT of healthy food and we have too many Snacks like chips in the house. He's COMPLETELY inactive though, his passion in life is his Playstation 3, he cares not one bit about his appearance, has to be nagged to clean his teeth, have a shower, clean up, and he couldnt give a rats arse what girls thought of him, although he seems quite popular at school. He's just not ready! It has to be his decision and he has to want it, its not up to me. I really, truly dont think many teens are mature enough to decide this, unless they've gotten so obese that it really is life damaging, which for my son, its had no effect on his self esteem yet. These are the things you have to consider. i dont want my son to be fat, I also dont want him to do a job that doesnt pay well, I want him to invest well in property as soon as he has a job, I'd like some grandchildren before I'm 70 etc etc but NONE of those are my decision, just as WLS for him really shouldnt be my decision.

Truth is, I think GERD is a problem for any WLS - the band is *supposed* to fix it, but I dont think many people would say that was the case. Good luck with your decision, it is a very personal one in the end and only you know what you're comfortable with doing.

This is a hard one. I've always been of the opinion you eat less, you move more, you lose weight. BUT - losing fat vs losing fat and muscle is quite a different issue. I've got to the stage where I'm a stable, healthy weight but I'm a little disappointed with the flabbiness - and that sounds a little vain given I dont even need any PS but there you go, its how I feel. i can tell by looking at my body that there is still a little too much fat vs muscle there even though weight is right so..... obvious answer is to gain some muscle. To do that you HAVE to eat, its very very very difficult if not impossible to gain muscle and lose weight at the same time, maybe men can manage it, women sure cant. Muscle does need calories and Protein to grow. For me, to achieve that would entail what you're going through, eating more than I feel comfortable about eating, being sure I will gain weight and get bigger etc. But its how you gain muscle and lose fat. So I guess it depends what your goal is. I think you have two options - you can lose the weight first and then worry about the fine details of your body composition when your weight is where you want it, or you can lose the weight a LOT more slowly but probably have lots of muscle and have lost only fat at the end. Either way, you can get to the same outcome, personally I'm happy to have gotten to a goal weight and size and now I might worry about body composition. I'm not so afraid to add calories if I'm not looking for a loss on the scale, in fact I'll probably put the scale away.

For body smoothing, if you can stand wearing things like that, they do that job brilliantly. Personally, I can only stand them for the most formal outfit, for everyday wear, I'd rather let it all hang out, lol. It gets so hot and uncomfortable being bound up. If you mean to help PREVENT loose skin, then no, they wont do that. Although some garments are advertised to do just that, dont be fooled. Loose skin occurs when the collagen bonds in your skin are broken and that happens as you GAIN weight more so than as you lose it, your fat merely disguises loose stretched out skin that is ALREADY there. Nothing you wear and no cream you apply is going to change that. Its down to genetics and nothing more.

Oh, I went wild! I have NEVER been able to buy what I wanted and I only ever got to a BMI of 35, which seems ridiculous. I was obese yes, but not shaped so that I needed to wear a tent. I had recognizeable waist, hips and bustline, I could have worn most of what was out there if it came in anything over a size 16 (which is about a US 12). Only "fat clothes" do here in Australia, size 16 is about the top of most regular stores range. I had soooooooo many clothes. It was a joyful moment every time I got into one of them. I bought so much once I'd booked my surgery! I did slow down, and now I dont shop nearly so much. I dont need that validation of buying somethign to make me feel good about myself and what I do buy, I actually like so I keep it and wear it again and again. I used to buy clothes wear them once and throw them out becuase they didnt magically make me look good.

My loss just got slower and slower and slower and eventually stopped, a couple of kgs below my goal of 70, I had a bit of a bounce around there for six months, from 67 to 68 to 70 back to 68, up to 69 etc etc and now my weight is stable at 69kg give or take. I've been here for over 2 years and have had one fill - teeny tiny 0.1cc fill - because I felt myself getting hungrier. That was 18 months ago and I havent felt the need to be back to see my surgeon since then.

Its the same with anything, moderation is one thing and if a food has good benefits and some not so good, then moderation protects you to some extent (although lead and arenic?). Having them several times a day is overdoing it. You shouldnt rely on any one food to that extent.

Whynot make some soup with some meat and beans in it and blend it completely smooth? Like a beef and barley soup or something?

Hmmm, I've made goal and then some and I've maintained it for well over 2 years with a band. I dont think you'll find many who would say get a band here, and to be honest, it requires good aftercare and a lot of maintenance and the way things seem to work in the states, with your health insurance system and so many people going to Mexico etc, I just dont think its maybe the best choice unless you happen to be able to find a surgeon a suburb or two away and can be SURE you can afford all the aftercare etc. When the band goes wrong, it goes very wrong, as many people here can attest, they are thrilled to have the bands out of them and a new chapter of life beginning. For a bandster with a perfect working band that has been successful, long term, the adjustability of the band is GREAT, I wouldnt want to give that up for anything. I have been able to eat a good 2000 calorie a day diet to maintain, its NORMAL eating, just without overeating! When I hit plateaus etc I was able to go tighter, the adjustability thing is a very big advantage. As to day to day issues, from reading here, I'd say with a well functioning band, the eating issues are similar between the two surgeries, I've read of many people here having far more issues than I ever had with a band - reflux, am I full yet, did I just eat too much, why cant I eat this food or that food, etc etc. But that's weight loss surgery, you take that on when you decide to do it, and if anything were to happen to my band, even though I've had such a great experience, I think I'd choose a sleeve next time simply for the permanence, the lesser aftercare and not having this feeling that one day, something's going to go wrong and I'll lose my band. I fully expect that this band wont be in me forever, and even my surgeon said it will probably wear out one day. I truly dont think anyone should let the permanence of a sleeve put them off - ANY weight loss surgery has to be considered permanent if you want to stay thin and healthy - just because the band can come out, doesnt mean it should or will one day.

I dont quite trust the numbers either, you just never can really know. By all accounts, my sessions (which are not in the gym, I do running, bootcamp and boxing) burn around 600 to 700 in an hour, and I know when I get on my treadmill, I usually run 7kms which says I burn 700 calories. I know I can eat 2000 a day and maintain, so its probably not TOO far off. But I agree, for me exercise is about a lot more than calories. You work up to it, dont feel you're not doing enough, when I started off I ran, walked 4kms at a time, it was more like 400 calories. Its taken me a couple of years to comfortably burn 700 or more and to be able to towel off and get on with my day without being exhausted. Its now a part of my day that takes under an hour, and there's no way I have more time to burn more. I agree with the above poster, it needs to be a comfortable part of your day and you will burn more as you get fitter, not by trying to find time you might not have.

Congratulations! I dont know what it is about running, but there's NOTHING like the feeling of conquering a big distance like that. No other athletic accomplisment feels quite the same. I know that teary feeling as you cross the finish line, by the time I did my one and only half marathon I'd lost my weight and kept it off for a while, so it wasnt then, it was actually crossing the finish line when I did my first 7.5kms. I was blubbering like a baby. I did my half the year I turned 40 and it took my 40 year old hips and knees about 3 months to recover, lol, so I'm happy to say I've done it but 10kms is my distance! Good on you, you should be very proud.

I probably wont have anything done BUT if I somehow have so much money that I cant think of other ways to spend $15,000 or so, I'd want a lower body lift. I know, I know, there's that photo of me in my avatar, in a bikini and looking not too bad. But I do have a "spare tyre", my skin doesnt hang but it is loosish and flabby and it really ruins a lot of outfits, just that hint of lovehandles and muffin top drives me MAD, and when I wear said bikini, I have to be careful to arrange myself in a flattering position and then not move becuase if I bend over, then things definitely hang! DH would like a nice big pair of plastic tits, and they would be more spectacular and perhaps a better use of any PS money, but the truth is, they just dont worry me that much. Once I'm dressed and have a good bra on and even a decent bikini top, they look allright and I really dont want big breasts that will draw attention anyway, its just not me. Its that spare tyre that drives me nuts. DH would spare the cash if I really wanted it, but then I'd feel bad getting done what I want done and not what he would probably like, lol.

If you need hot tea to eat any solids then I'd say you were already too tight. And obviously, you're werent able to eat enough in a sitting to sustain your needs, which is why you're hungry. I think an unfill was the right choice, eventually you'd find you were eating sliders simply to get calories in.

My personal view is that anything like that - chewing and spitting, deliberate vomiting, having your band SUPER tight and living on liquids and taking weight loss drugs all fall into the category of you needing more help than the band can give. I hesitate to call it "gross" as it really is an illness and people need help, not contempt. I know our natural response is "eeeeew", and its certainly what I thought too, but it is really very sad. Its not the first time i've heard of it though.

Off and on, I have. Have you tried cardio coach for the elliptical? Have a look at www.cardiocoach.com, his programs (which you play on an ipod or MP3) REALLY make the time fly and get you on the right intervals and intensity. You get long intervals, short intervals, etc. Also Treadmill Trainer is good, but you'll have to google that, not sure of the URL. I also do a lot of Bootcamp at a local group and that's similar, really high intensity interval stuff. What I have found is that it has blown away the last of that body fat, but unfortunately I notice when I go for a run that I've slightly lost my endurance and aerobic base. I've got a lot more fuel in the tank for brief spurts and can get through an hour of bootcamp, but the longer runs over 10kms are harder for me now. I really enjoy the bootcamp, a lot of the intervals are done in the form of exquisite tortures such as squat jumps, lung walking with a 10kg bar, burpees etc - and believe me, burpees work even better than sprinting to send your heart rate through the roof. So I've found I've gotten great toning at the same time. So I think its a matter of what your priorities are. I figure I dont really *need* to run more than 10kms but its simple, come running season which it is now here in Melbourne, do more running, less intervals. Come bikini season DEFINITELY do more intervals, lol.

Its kind of surreal, I saw them but I didnt. the same way as I knew I was fat but I didnt "see" it when I looked in the mirror. That awful moment when you suddenly see a picture of yourself without your blinders on! I'd have to say though that the most gratifying and exciting part of the journey was the last 30lb, that's when the changes became really obvious to me. Every couple of pounds made a difference in my appearance and dress size. Its why I'm just baffled when people set goals for themselves 20 lb above a healthy BMI, saying they look "better" at a higher weight. Logically I appreciate that's true for different body types but I cant help thinking that people are scared to see the real change so they stop before it happens. that last 30lb is the difference between remaining a fat (but not SO fat person) and really leaving the old you behind and I'm sure for some people, its fear of that that makes them set those higher goals. Enough pop psychology, I'm making enormous assumptions about people based on what I believe which is not really right. But yeah, that last 30lb was what was most exiting for me, and it took that first 70lb to be gone before I could see the new me emerge. Before that, I saw my body get smaller but it was still the same shape if you know what I mean. It was still a "fat" body just a smaller fat body. The last 30, all the flab dropped away, the bone structure and muscles emerged, I started to look entirely different.

The only thing I really cant eat is huge meals. I can get any food down without too much trouble. But like you mention, there are several that just turn my stomach. I would STARVE before I'd eat pizza, the smell of it cooking, the sight of it, it makes me dry retch. It absolutely nauseates me and I dont really know why, I've never had an issue with it (although its never been a favourite food). This has come on over the last 12 months and i've been banded nearly five years! The same thing with grilled cheese. I used to eat cheese on toast or toasted cheese sandwiches happily, now the very thought makes the bile rise in my throat. The smell of it cooking is hideous.

It'll be five years for me this coming December. I've been at goal for about two and a half.

You blend them and you cant taste egg at all, that just adds some oomph and nutrition to the drink. It tastes mainly like milk and vanilla blended with some nutmeg on top. egg flips are sort of traditional "sick food", the kind of thing your mum always makes you when you're ill or convalescing - a bit like chicken Soup. Its a habit of the 1970's that has kind of stuck with me.

I think you'd probably be fine with a fill before you go, but just in case, I'd wait. Its only a few days.

I've had awful trouble this year (four and a half years banded, never had any trouble before), but I'm not sure that its the band. My family has a strong history of endometriosis, particularly all over the bowl, in the women and bowel cancer on my dad's side AND IBS (which tends to go along with endo on the bowel). I havent felt well all year, its been chronic low grade diarrhoea, bloating, flatulence, and to be perfectly blunt, I havent had a good satisfying sh*t in about 6 months. I get the urge and then I just fart, sigh. I cant tell if I need to go or if its gas but I have to go to the toilet because small amounts of liquid sometimes pass and I can never be sure. These are all issues others in my family have had and I to date have escaped. I've always made an effort with my band to continue to eat wholegrains and stayed FAR away from a high Protein low carb diet because I'm concerned with getting fruit and vegies and grains for fibre. But what I find now is its hard to eat enough to make my bowels really regular, I eat prunes, I use benefibre but if I slip up for a couple of days, I'm miserable. I dont think my band has caused it but it doesnt make it easy to eat well enough.

I hope it becomes a forum where you can just vent. I think the "tough love" that struggling bandsters often get is well meant, and its probably best thought about and considered too, but sometimes you just need to get it off your chest and you dont WANT the advice.