jules50

today I had an egg baked inside a portobello mushroom cap.

This is my journey. You may judge me by it, but maybe you can relate to some of it, or maybe it's going to shock you. Either way hopefully something in my story will help you; hopefully you will see that it's not just being overweight that is the hard part; that WLS is not the “easy” way to go and that this decision affects every part of your life.


This is my journey. You may judge me by it, but maybe you can relate to some of it, or maybe it's going to shock you. Either way hopefully something in my story will help you; hopefully you will see that it's not just being overweight that is the hard part; that WLS is not the “easy” way to go and that this decision affects every part of your life.
Life is never perfect; if I could go back, I would tell myself that with losing the weight and transforming into the person I wanted to be comes a whole new set of problems.
I am 34 years old, fairly healthy; I started my wweight loss journey in 2013. I had tried working out, boot camps, over-the-counter medication, weight loss plans and books. Nothing seemed to work for me. I had been married at that point for 13 years, have four beautiful healthy children, and had been pregnant nine times. My body had taken a beating and at only 5'2" tall, the excess weight made me feel like a blimp. I was always hungry. I would eat my meal, and then finish my children's meal as well. It's not that I ate badly, I just ate a LOT.
I decided that I wanted more information on the lap band, but knew that my health insurance had certain steps I had to take before they'd even consider that a possibility. I met with the nutritionist, and we sat down and made a plan. I went on two different prescriptions. One was an appetite suppressant, and the other was an antidepressant with a side effect of decreased appetite. When after a few months of taking medication, going to Boot Camp and logging all of my efforts- did not seem to have much effect on my weight; my nutritionist ran some blood work and decided that I met the criteria for weight-loss surgery.
I was shocked; I did not think for one second that I was heavy enough to qualify for weight-loss surgery. At my heaviest, I weighed 204 pounds. That may not seem like a lot to you, but remember I'm only 5'2"(I'll include some photos so you can see for yourself). My health insurance required that I attend mandatory classes once a week for three months before covering the surgery. These classes taught me how to eat, what to expect, vitamin intake etc. after and before surgery.
I was very excited about the surgery. Right away after starting the classes I decided that the lap band was not for me and that I would go for the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. I thought that it would not only help my eating, but be a permanent change vs. something that has a shorter lifespan (lap-band for example).
I was an active person, but I could've out eaten a lot of people. I was not the first in my family to have the surgery either, six people in my family and close friends had the same procedure done and I knew what to expect going in to it. To my surprise though, I did not get the support what I expected from the family. Suddenly they were anti-surgery, and telling me that I did not need it and that I would regret it. It confused me because I had seen them successful with it and yet they did not want the same for me. Secretly I felt that it was jealousy, or fear that I would suddenly be skinny and then they would feel competitive with me for some odd reason. Everyone was so used to me being a chubby housewife; they didn't need to feel insecure around me. I understood it to the point, I wouldn't feel comfortable going out or being in a bathing suit around super skinny person either, but this was my family. They had no reason to feel insecure around me; we weren't in any sort of competition.
Surgery day came, and I was ready and excited. It was relatively smooth for me, no complications, no excessive pain. The one thing I can say is that everything was too sweet for me for the few months following surgery. My car air freshener was too sweet I felt sick smelling it; all the protein drinks and bars were too sweet. I ended up buying unflavored protein and adding it to my soups and broths, etc. Also, immediately following surgery I was very thirsty. My mouth was always dry and I craved the ability to drink gulps of water, but couldn't. I'd have pain from even drinking one ounce of water too fast, and if I drank cold fluids, I would have that same pain so I stuck to room temperature. I did however find relief in munching on the crunchy ice that I found at my local gas station. It kept my mouth moist and gave me relief.
When the weight started coming off, I couldn't help but smile. I got so used to watching it coming off daily that when it started to slow down a bit I got scared. I realized that my working out had to increase. No longer would the regular walks around the block be enough. That's when I got into a gym that I actually liked. I did not feel insecure there, it was not full of people that I thought were judging me, and it was something that I have actually stuck with now for over a year. I fell in love with Zumba, I fell in love with the staff and felt that I was supported by the people at the gym. I started working out daily and working out hard. I started seeing a difference in my body structure; my stomach muscles were getting defined and my arm muscles were showing. It was very important to me not to have excess skin if I could help it, so I worked really hard and pushed myself at the gym even to the point of throwing up. I had not thrown up from working out before, this was new to me; but it felt great. It felt great to post pictures of my progress and have people comment about my “six-pack”. Was this really me?
Part of my motivation came from social media. Letting friends know I was at the gym, kept me going to the gym. They motivated me. It held me accountable. I also started getting messages from friends that wanted to know more about WLS. I wasn't hiding it, and was sharing my journey. I would post pictures of my progress. I felt proud of my hard work and people wanted to see how I was progressing. That was where some problems started to arise in my marriage. My husband didn't want pictures posted that showed my stomach. He was thinking of them in a way I wasn't.
A problem I did not expect, was having to buy new clothes pretty much weekly. Every week my jeans would be looser and not fit me right, and after losing the weight the last thing you want to do is look heavier than you actually are. I was going shopping buying new clothes smaller and smaller each week, and I was excited that I could actually shop at stores that I never could walk into in the past. When I could fit into a size “0” I almost fainted. It was a proud moment for me. I was thin, but healthy. My doctor checked me regularly and I had muscle tone.
Strangely though, I noticed people starting to treat me a little bit different. Certain family members were very cold towards me suddenly, and pulling away from me and becoming more distant. It felt as though I was getting judged, people thinking that I was losing too much weight, or dressing differently and becoming more “sexy” in my attire. I didn't feel this way though, I felt like I was finally able to dress in style versus dress in overweight sweaters that came down below my waist and loose cut jeans. That was always my thing wearing shirts or sweaters that came down and hung below my waist, made me feel like he was hiding my stomach for some reason. LOL, as if it actually hid the fact that I was fat.
As the people around me started to change, I started to see my marriage for what it was. Not that it was bad, but there were things that I was trying to turn a blind eye to that I no longer feel I needed to. I suddenly felt like I was worth something, and that I didn't need to be turning a blind eye to anything. I felt that I deserved to be happy, and with that in mind so did he. I gained confidence; not that I changed, but I was able to be me for once and not feel worthless. I had felt like I could not live without him, that I couldn't survive. I was codependent and with the weight dropping off I suddenly felt like I could do anything I set my mind to. I felt like if I wasn't happy, I needed to make myself happy and not depend on anyone else to do so. I started to express my needs for more in our marriage and he was so used to our “routine” that he didn't hear me or take me seriously.
People started telling me that I was changing; people started thinking that losing the weight was turning me into a different person. They blamed my decisions on the weight loss, versus just finally standing up for myself. I felt confident enough to go out and dance, confident enough to go have a drink with a friend and not feel like a fat blimp.
My husband had gone through the surgery, and I had seen him lose weight. Our reactions to each other's weight loss were quite different though. When he lost the weight, I wanted to lose weight as well and started working out more and more. But for him, when I lost the weight he got more and more jealous and insecure about himself. Suddenly in his mind I was having affairs, or wanting to be with other people because I was losing weight. Arguments became more and more frequent, and it ended with him becoming cold and pulling away from me more and more. I wanted more in my marriage. I wanted affection, love and an emotional connection.
Everyone around me (besides select few) started talking about me negatively. I was either too skinny, or making bad decisions. It was shocking to me, because they were so used to me doing nothing for myself and staying home while they all went out, that the minute I decided that I wanted one night a week for myself, they could not handle it. Looking back at it all, I realize now that I was expecting my husband to be happy in our marriage, when I was not happy with myself. I feel that in order for you to be happy in your life, you must be happy with yourself. How can I expect him to be happy with me, if I wasn’t?
One night my husband and I got into an argument. I was pouring my emotions out to him and as expected, he just sat and watch TV and when I was done telling him that I needed him to be there emotionally, he told me he did not give a f$&@ and to just go hire an attorney. That was it for me. Something clicked and I just thought to myself, I can do this on my own. I don't want to cry myself to sleep. I want to feel loved. I'm beautiful and smart and I should be with someone who loves me, not with someone because it's routine. So I hired an attorney and so began my “new life”.
Now this is not going to go as you'd think. My husband and I are still together, and happier than ever. But the journey isn't something that I expected.
We separated. He was shocked. I had actually gone through with it. Drawn up and signed papers. Served him and discussed custody. It got ugly and he couldn't see where this came from besides the weight loss. So that's what he told people. Suddenly I had people talking to me about the surgery and divorce statistics. I received emails of the news reports on the surgery and divorce, and people kept telling me that I was making a bad decision. What did they know? They did not realize the lies that were told or things that happened behind closed doors at my house. On the outside we seemed like the perfect marriage, but they didn't know the pain inside. Of course it was easy for them to blame the weight loss, but I don't. I still don't to this day. I do think however that it did give me confidence in myself, and helped me to believe in myself and feel that I had some sort of worth.
While we were separated, I went to out with my friends. Once a week I would have a night out. I would let loose and have fun. Sure, I got hit on, but that wasn't where my mind was. It felt strange to me to have a man approach me, and many times I looked at my friends to rescue me from these moments.
Suddenly I noticed friends and family looking and treating me differently. Friends were now choosing sides. I even had a family member spying on me and relaying all to my husband. People that I thought loved me, didn't bother to a check in with me, but judged me instead.
During this time I kept working out, kept eating right and kept up on my blood work ordered by my doctor to check my progress. My body was transforming into the body I'd always dreamed of. The more weight I lost, the more of my breast size I lost. I went from a DD to a small B cup. The excess skin that I had was on my Breast and my stomach. Sure when I stood up you could see my stomach muscles, but when I sat or bent over, the skin would hang and wrinkle up. I needed plastic surgery. I expected it though, so that wasn't a shock. The price tag was though. I am going to need $14,000 to get my breasts and stomach done. I'm hoping to get the procedure in the next few months. My inner thighs are another area that I have excess skin. There is a surgery for that, but I have decided against it (for now).
I throw up more than usual. I think though that it's because I use my limits. I have a food addiction; it's hard to just take a small bite, even when you know you feel full. My solution when eating out is to box most of my meals right when I get them.
Another side effect I was now going through was hair loss. I noticed it falling out more and more. It was thin and straw like. I started taking hair vitamins, but it kept getting worse. I decided that wearing a wig was a solution that I could afford and one that would not harm what little hair I had left. I loved them too. I'd never had long hair and it looked amazing. Of course the minute I started wearing the wig, people started talking more and more. Those that cared enough to hear my reason, understood it; but family just thought it was me changing from the surgery yet again.
I just couldn't win. Every step I took was judged and every step I took to make me feel good about myself was interpreted as me wanting to be single or making bad decisions.
My husband and I were going to counseling, we were having date nights and trying to talk about things that had been hidden for years (yes, secrets came out). We were trying to talk with the kids and let them know we were working on making our marriage work.
The minute we knew something changed and that we were falling back in love with each other, was the minute all of my thoughts on the family were confirmed. When we announced that we were staying together, certain people in the family showed their true colors. They were in fact jealous. I was even told that I looked like a “crack whore”. Really? So losing weight, standing up for yourself and what you believe in and being happy was suddenly a behavior I was to be apologizing for and me being a healthier version of me made me a drug addict?
So when I was fat, I was fat and put down. Now that I'm skinny, I'm too skinny for their liking? Again, I can't win.
My husband realized I needed him and his support. He began to see things for what it was with the family. He finally saw how I was treated and took a stand himself. We realized that outside influences were interfering with our happiness and we decided to pull away and focus on OUR family and not others.
I've learned that people project their anger, insecurities and unhappiness on those around them that are happy.
I've learned that I should have known I was worth something before the weight loss and if I had maybe it wouldn't have been such an easy target for the people around me.
I've learned that if I'm happy with myself, it doesn't matter what anyone else says.
I've learned how to eat right, enjoy working out and take pride in my health.
I've learned that with confidence comes insecurities in those around me and that I need to reassure those closest to me that I was still me.
I took boudoir pictures for my husband’s 40th birthday. I never thought I could do it, but I did and it was an amazing experience. It was empowering for me. I felt proud of my hard work. I felt sexy. When I saw the pictures, I cried. It didn't feel real. Didn't feel like I could ever look that beautiful. Then again, maybe I always was?
My journey is mine. Maybe some of it you'll relate to, or maybe not. But I felt it should be told.

I'd like to throw my 2 cents in here, I'm a proctor for both Lap Band and Realize Band and have a pretty good feel for both products:
1. J&J does not pay surgeons $10,000 per month per surgeon to advertise their band. They have a cooperative marketing campaign where surgeons can co-promote their practice along with the Realize band and J&J will pay 45% of the cost up to a total of $10,000 per surgeon total, not per month. Allergan has had 2 programs just like this in the past.
2. The FDA trial for the Lap Band showed less than 40% excess weight loss as compared to 42% or so for the J&J band. There is probably no statistical difference between the two. You can't compare a "best of" study like Dr. Ponce's to an FDA trial, which includes both experienced and inexperienced band surgeons. In fact if you isolate out the best center in the FDA Realize trial it was around 60% excess body weight loss to my recollection.
3. The most recent data comparing the two bands was a meta-analysis comprising thousands of patients. It basically showed equivalent weight loss and complication rates between the two.
I certainly would not offer both products if I did not think they were both safe and clinically effective.
Trace W. Curry, M.D.
Lap Band and Realize Band surgeon
Cincinnati, Ohio
Trace W. Curry, M.D. Lap Band, Realize Band, Sleeve Gastrectomy, and Gastric Bypass Surgeon :: Home
513.559.1222 / 877.442.BAND
DISCLAIMER: Any information contained within is meant to be general medical advice only. Please consult your surgeon on your specific problem!

Great! I'm so confused! I just got the Jand J band 2 weeks ago. I had a choice and my Dr. did both. Allergan and JandJ. What gives, what they told me was the JandJ is newer stronger and better. Why would they say that if they provided both bands? Now I'm really freaked out I made the wrong choice. Although most of the people getting un-banded didn't have J and J. I really hope I have great results like the people I've talked to that have it. They've lost over 50% of their weight in about 16 months. Was I scammed? I did do research. It was so different than what I've just read. Now I'm really stressed out!!!

And how much are you getting paid by Allergan to bash the Realize band on support websites.
That is what this is a SUPPORT webiste. Where people who have a gastric band come for support from each other. Not to get called names or have their surgeions called hacks or money grubs because they choose to use one band over another.
Remember it is OUR body it is OUR choice to put in it what WE want to. We are here for SUPPORT. Go do your bashing somewhere else.
And I happen to like my Realize band and have no problems with it.

I don't see any good Protein until 1 chicken thigh at 6:30pm.....I'd be hungry all day! Even with the one chicken thigh, that's no where near the amount of protein I "eat" per day.
I usually start with 20-40 grams of protein within an hour of waking. Usually Protein shake or Liquid Protein. Keeps me satisified until lunch.
Lunch is deli meat, grilled fish, tuna salad, or lentil Soup (homemade!). Maybe some cheese or cottage cheese and a few crackers.
dinner is solid protein. Fish/chicken/occasionally crock pot pork or beef (rarely). Salad, green veggie, sometimes potato.
I eat fish/seafood probably 10 times a week. My fav solid protein source by far.
Lots of liquids.....coffee all morning, Water, crystal light lemonade, Powerade zero, etc.

Are you currently frustrated with your weight loss ?
Do you feel like you are eating a well-balanced diet, but still not losing weight?
Are you struggling to eat healthy foods?


No matter which category you fit into, your diet is the major player you need to get right to lose weight.
These are so many possible sample diets to review to help you self reflect and pin point which areas of your diet you could change. Lets start with the sample indicated below displayed in the table.
Can you see the 5 points which can be improved?
9am, 1 weetbix and milk consumed in 10-15mins, no discomfort on eating
11am, low fat late'
2pm, 1 salad biscuit with cheese, consumed in 5 mins, no discomfort on eating
5.30pm pre dinner nibbles of cheese and biscuits, grazed over 40mins, no discomfort on eating
6.30pm 1 chicken thigh and steamed vegetables, eaten in 10-15mins, experienced discomfort on eating
9pm small bowl of nuts while watching TV, no discomfort on eating
Assessment:
1. Even though the Lap Band feels tighter in the morning, 1 weet-bix consumed in 5 mins is quite quick. This is indicating that the Lap Band may need more Fluid. Hence only 2 hours later more food is consumed again, unfortunately the consistency was liquid again. This means that the receptor sites still have not been stimulated by the diet to induce satiety.
2. 1 salada biscuit with cheese for a meal is not sufficient food.
3. Nibbling pre-dinner will be due to hunger. The Band needs more fluid, insufficient amount of food was eaten during the day and most of the food was of a wet consistency.
4. The evening meal is fantastic, but eaten quite quickly. This confirms the Lap Band needs fluid to help control the hunger more. You would notice that some discomfort was experienced on eating the more solid food. This is due to eating too big mouthfuls of food and inadequate chewing likely followed by not waiting sufficient time between swallows. If fluid is added into the Lap Band ideally but the pace of eating was not slowed down, then discomfort on eating will result in food regurgitation.
5. The evening nibbles in front of the TV could be either from hunger as the Lap Band needs more fluid and or insufficient amounts of food was eaten during the day or habit
Reading this article you may be thinking, my diet is so different, I would love some feedback. Well the offer is there. Provide me with a sample days intake and I'll let you know what is wrong with your Lap Band Diet, to help you lose weight.
Start typing...........

“Why do we always talk about such ‘nice’ ways of dealing with anger? When I’m angry, I need to do something physical and not so nice!”


Get that Anger OUT!
In the group class I am currently leading, we have been talking about the importance of learning to identify feelings – the word that describes the feeling (mad, sad, glad, scared) AND where and how you feel it in your body (heaviness in your heart, tension in your jaw, tingling in your arms). We have also been discussing healthy ways to express and deal with feelings.
A woman who I’ve known and worked with in therapy for several years has been very quiet throughout the first nine weeks of class. To my surprise, as we were talking about some of the most noted healthy ways to deal with anger (breathe deeply, set aside time to talk to the person using fair fighting techniques, talking to a friend), from the back of the room, this woman, who I will refer to as Kathy, blurts out in a healthy vocal level: “Why do we always talk about such ‘nice’ ways of dealing with anger? When I’m angry, I need to do something physical and not so nice!” Being like Kathy myself in that I have a pretty intense anger response, I laughed and told her I completely understood where she was coming from. The class offered a few helpful suggestions for dealing with anger in physical ways. I promised her that I would create a list just for her delineating healthy physical ways to deal with anger.
Tonight, sitting at my favorite calming spot, the swing on my second-story deck that looks out into the sky and newly budding trees of the woods behind my house, I saw a dinosaur in the clouds. Its ribs were showing, it’s head rather distorted, and it’s tail very, very long. I thought of taking a picture for my grandkids, but my phone was upstairs charging and I didn’t want to move from my swing. Wish I had. I guess it was actually a dissipating jet stream, but I thought it was cool and remembered seeing some really cool cloud pictures recently online. I don’t know for sure what that has to do with anything, but all of a sudden I decided I needed to make Kathy’s list.
I did the very scientific thing and Googled, “Healthy ways to physically express anger,” “Physical expression of anger,” “Ways to work out your anger,” etc. I found ONE little article that had four lame little suggestions. Everything else focused on… yep, the standard things - breathe deeply, set aside time to talk to the person using fair fighting techniques, and talking to a friend.
Too passive for folks like Kathy and me who need to find a physical outlet when we are really ticked off and want to scream at someone. Of course, that option is just not okay (which I worked really hard to try to convince Kathy of)! Because I couldn’t find anything worthwhile on line, I sat down and to my own surprise, came up with this list in just minutes!
Enjoy it. Share it with your friends (and family)! And use it!!!!
Kathy’s List of Ways to Express Anger in a Physical Way that Won’t Harm Anyone
1. Scream – where no one can hear you.

a. Scream into your pillow.
b. Go into a closet, shut the door and scream.
c. Sit in your car with the windows up and scream.
d. Then get a cold glass of water and cool down. 2. Do an ANGER dance!

a. Be like Goldie Hawn in Housesitter and have yourself a good old “expressive” dance! Shake what your mama gave ya!
b. Jump up and down like you’re on a trampoline – and scream while you’re doing it!
c. Actually jump on a trampoline if you have one handy!
d. Then turn on a love song and have a good cry. 3. Exercise … yes, move your groove thing!

a. Walk or run – outside or inside on the treadmill.
b. Get a kickboxing DVD and kick some arse!
c. Do that strenuous type of yoga – you’ll get the energy out and relax yourself all at the same time!
d. Then lay on the cool floor and have a laughing fit, remembering it’s probably not so serious after all. 4. Find a dog…

a. Chase it in circles… big circles, small circles…
b. Play tug of war with it.
c. Have a growling contest with it.
d. Then, pet the little friend and you’ll feel much better! 5. Get one of those old toys that kids practice doing hair on…

a. Comb the mess out of it with all your might!
b. Pull that hair!
c. Tell the mannequin head all about your anger.
d. Then listen to what it says back to you… 6. Stand in front of the mirror…

a. Tell yourself what the matter is.
b. Use foul language.
c. Make horrible, mean, ugly faces at yourself.
d. Then laugh with yourself. 7. Have an imaginary conversation with the person or situation you’re mad at…

a. Exaggerate the details so they/it sound really horrible.
b. Tell them about how wonderful you.
c. Remind them how valuable you are to them.
d. Then find some rational thought and calm yourself down! 8. Go outside…

a. Pull some weeds.
b. Throw some twigs.
c. Stomp some dirt.
d. Then look at the clouds and find a fun shape. (Maybe that’s the connection to the dinosaur I saw in the sky.) 9. Make some angry art…

a. Watercolor a dark scene.
b. Draw out the situation you’re mad about.
c. Write an angry poem.
d. Then write yourself a love note. 10. Write the “THERAPEUTIC Letter!”

a. Spill it all out on paper! (Do NOT send this letter!)
b. Use red ink or red font color.
c. Use whatever language feels best.
d. Then thank the person or situation for the lessons you’ll eventually glean from this. Connie Stapleton, Ph.D.
www.connie@conniestapletonphd.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/connie.stapleton.923
Twitter: @cstapletonphd
LinkedIn: Connie Stapleton, PhD
YouTube: Connie Stapleton

100% happy with my band. I am able to make some small behavior changes permanently and the band does the rest. I think the sleeve is for people who have a little more of the "fat/crazy" which I think we all have some of. I still want to eat when I am not hungry etc but I was never one to sit and binge on ice cream and cry about my life. I think if the crazy part is pretty strong a person may need the sleeve. But if you still have a little bit of sanity in there to make some changes, the band is probably better.
I hope I haven't offended anyone, my theory about the "fat/crazy" voice in our heads is just that, my theory.

Thank you so much Dr. Fielding,
I'm pre-op, hoping to get approved to have surgery next month, and you have answered many of my questions with just these 13 facts. It seems out here on the West Coast that the lap band is a bit poo poo'd by the bariatric community, that they are discouraging people from having it, but I think it seems like a really good solution for someone like me. I'm 45 years old, 5'4" 225 lbs, fighting going on insulin, and i think this is the best option - I'm so glad to hear from a patient AND Dr. that thinks it is worthwhile.
Thank you!

Dr. Fielding... i couldn't agree more with your 13 points... they are spot on. Thanks for writing this.
Banded 11/09..... What is this hunger you speak of... i never feel hungry. I wake up, wait about 30 min and have a cup of coffee, then another when i get to work at 7am. I fix myself a 1/2 cup of plan yogurt with some granola in it and eat on that till about 9-10ish... depends on how busy i am it sits on my desk and i eat a bite.. work.. bite...work. lunch comes around and i normally eat tuna or chicken salad with half of avocado... that normally takes me till 1ish... again depends on work. I normally have a snack of nuts or cheese. I cook supper... last night was Crawfish stew, rice and potato salad... (its a Louisiana thing)... i had a glass of wine while i cooked... ate my cup of stew with out the rice and two tablespoons of potato salad... The end. I eat slowly.. very slowly and i find im never hungry....
I saw my dr. every month for the firs 1.5 years.... some were for adjustments some were for just advice. I have been able to maintain an 80-87lb weightloss and could not be happier with my band.... I pray every night that the band gods keep me in there good graces....
Thanks again.....

Your Mrs. did my lapband surgery a little over three years ago and about six months ago, she had to move the port under the muscle as it stuck out like a golfball...which she said was because I had no fat anymore.
She's a great doctor and the office and those who work there have been great as well. I lost all my excess weight and got my life back thanks to your wife and the office that supports her.
Many thanks to both of you.

Wonderful to see all my positive friends here.... Great idea for a fun thread.
BT. Welcome to the club and not for one minute have you not really belonged. You are MY true inspiration. (maybe if I had had a heart problem I would have been as motivated as you). You are doing AWESOME!!!! Be ready for the surgery pain. GAS, Bloating and weird head for 2 days. By Friday you will feel good and be off to the races. Enjoy that loaf of bread!!!!
I had a weird week. After hitting 299, the scale went up 9 pounds. (Water retention??) I had salty Peanut Butter pretzels this week, and salty buffalo chicken nuggets and forgot my BP meds for a few days. But this morning, it showed 300.2 before going to the gym so I am back to even. (I think I was dehydrated at the 299 day, as I had just gone to the gym and worked out for an hour then sat in a steam room).
Best NSV's: I now wear XL tee shirts, and 46 jeans, but I can actually button and zip 44 size Levi's and bought them at Kohl's not Casual Male...
I keep having to put new holes in my favorite belts. I had to buy a leather hole puncher.
I can wear a pair of size 12 Nikes that used to be too small. Funny how your feet shrink too.
I noticed I sit a lot farther back from the steering wheel in my car. Funny huh...
I am flying tomorrow, and despite not being upgraded yet (I fly so much I have top status) I selected an exit row seat that has more leg room. I usually could not, as I had to use a belt extender. Not anymore!!!
I stopped counting calories and exercise cause I have figured it out in my head how to live without having to be anal about it. I still watch calories and exercise a lot (45 min to an hour on an eliptical, six days a week)
I can eat out, and do so often. I have had 2 fills and feel some restriction and feel close to PB if I eat too fast.
I don't have head hunger often, and when I do, I have figured out substitutes (sugar free Jello, pudding and popsicles) that work for me.
Best of all, I eat real food. Had a steak last night. 7 oz filet instead of a 22 oz ribeye. I alway eat on a small plate and cut food small and eat slow. I have had ribs, chicken, mexican, and a just about every other type food. Just a lot less.
The band has changed me. All for the good. I read this site everyday and love the positive posts. I angst sometimes over the drama posts and the needy people, but sorry, that may be a guy thing.
You guys are all terrific cause ALL of you have made a choice to change your life. We are really a small minority of the obese, overweight America (and other countries) that have chosen to fight our issues. We are the people that will succeed. OK, we need supportive people around to help and also to validate. But we will all live longer, more fun lives because we are here doing this.
You guys and girls are awesome... Keep it up!!
TJ

Hey all you Positive Pollys, great idea for a thread! I recognize a lot of you from other posts.
I had a 10 day stall on the scale recently that spurred me on to get more serious about cutting out empty calories and stepping up my exercise. I have now lost two pounds in the last four days since putting more effort in.
I go in for my 3rd fill on Monday. I'm excited and nervous. I think I may be close to my sweet spot. I thought I had it after my second fill because I suddenly could only eat half of what I used to, had to chew, chew, chew, and wasn't thinking about food between meals. But, that restriction quickly faded, could eat big amounts for awhile and hungry a lot, then now I am kind of in between. Hoping this 3rd fill might give me just a little bit more so I can get back to how I felt after the 2nd fill long-term. That was great!