KarenIn

Happy Halloween!!! I hope you enjoy the apple. Try it without the skin first, if you are concerned. And, remember to chew well. Good luck with the appointment on the 11th. I hope you do well. Karen

Hi Yes, I eat the whole fruit including apples, plums, and pears. Berries are really very good for you. I add them to plain greek yogurt, cottage cheese and top my steel cut oats with them in the morning. I have not eaten oranges. I don't know if they would be a problem. But, I am not a big fan of them. I would be interested to heard if anyone else on the board eats them. I always cut up my apples and eat them in small bites. I have not had a problem with them getting stuck. Of course, like always, you must chew, chew, chew. I try very hard to remember to chew well and eat slowly. I haven't had too many occasions of food sticking. I have to admit that eating slowly is something I really have to work at each day. Also, I need to keep in mind that I shoul not be eating in front of the computer or TV. Wishing you the best, KarenIN

Sounds like you are doing very well. Losing 20 pounds since September 1s is AWESOME. That's about 3 pounds a week. It's great that you are working out at the gym. It's a good idea to east mostly lean Protein (chicken, fish, lean pork) and vegtables. This type of food makes you feel full. Also, be sure you are getting Fiber with whole fruits. I love eating apples to feel full. I think then you wil feel restricted. Keep up the good work.

Hi Glad to meet you. Maybe I will run into to you at Dr. Stanish's office some day. There is a picture of me in the waiting room at his office. I am on the poster for this year. I think it's the top middle person. I have on a black jacket and lost 141 pounds. Dr. Stanish is great and I love the staff. Sounds like you are doing great already. How much of the 70 pounds did you lose before the surgery? Let me know if you have any questions, or just need a bit of encourgement.

Hi I understand how you feel. I was over 300 pounds when I had my surgery and was having a very difficult time getting around. I was avoiding outings because it was difficult to get around. It was embarrassing to try to fly in a plane, and difficult to ride in a car for long periods of time. I had to get saet belt extenders on the plane, and always worried the belt would not fix in a car. Stairs were a nightmare. I always asked for a table at restaruants, so I didn't have too worry about fitting into a booth. Standing for too long was miserable. I had a difficult time deciding to have the surgery, but finally decide I couldn’t lose so much weight alone. I really needed help. It’s been just over two years, and I have lost 141 pounds and gained back the lifestyle I want. I have more energy and feel wonderful. You can do this!!!!! Life doesn’t give guarantees. However, research the doctors in your area, and then make a commitment to make this your priority. It is so worth the effort. I would be glad to help you through the process. Karen

Hi I would be glad to help you in your journey. I had the surgery just over two years ago and have lost 141 pounds and now I am working on maintaining. I was well over three hundred pounds to start. Having the surgery has improved my life in countless ways, and I would be glad to help others. It's hard to explain how much better I feel and how much more energy I have now that I am smaller. I live in Northwest Indiana, so we are too far apart. I had my surgery at Methodist Hospital in Merrillville, IN with Dr. Paul Stanish. I thought I would never be able to stay on the liquid diet, but it wasn't so bad. Actually, it was nice not having to think about what to eat each day, and the resulting weight loss really was an incentive to keep going. Tell me a little bit about yourself and what made you decide to do the surgery. Let me know if you have any questions? I will be thinking about you on the 11th. You CAN do this! :smile2:

Marion So sorry to hear that your son has been ill. I will keep both you and him in my prayers. Looks like your weight loss is going well. You are beyond the 1/2 point. Congratulations!!!! I hope you are giving yourself non-food rewards along the way. Karen

Majj Haven't heard from you in some time. Is everything going O.K? KarenIN

Marion our grand daughters are so adorable!! What cute smiles! Isn't it great being a grandma? We are celebrating Independence Day this weekend in the States. Last night I watched the fireworks, tomorrow I will first visit my mother in the retirement village, and then go to my sister's for a BBQ. My neice will be there with her 4 year old triplets (Two boys - One girl). They are alway lots of fun. My grandkids all live away, but I will go to visit my 6 year old grandson next weekend that lives 2 1/2 hours away for a trip to the Children Museum. I really appreciate every chance I get to see the grandkids. Will not see the two from Maryland (11 hours away) until the end of the year for the holiday. Always good to hear from you.

Marion Sorry to hear about your computer. Mine was out for two days over the weekend after a storm we had here, and I was starting to go though withdrawl. Yes, I admit I am addicted to my computer. I hope you get up and running soon. Karen

Carol Glad to hear your surgery went fine, and that you are feeling good enough to get out. I am some computer problems over the weekend due to a bad storm here and was not able to login. I thought about you and hoped everything went fine. I hope that you will keep posting and let us know how things are going as you get smaller and smaller. Karen

Tracy Congratulations! I am looking forward to hearing from you as you get closer and closer to your goal weight.

:thumbup: Way to Go, Marion!!!! Keep up the good work. Karen

CarolD771 GOOD LUCK TOMORROW! I will be thinking about you. You will be on your way to a whole new beginning. Karen

Carol I was lucky that I did not have a lot of health issues for my size. Mostly my problems were with my joints. My GP had told me I would need a motorized wheel chair someday to get around, and I was having treatments for pain in my knees every six months. I also was taking meds for swelling in my ankles, and pain killers for my back problems. I never thought I would be able to go a day without Clebrex. Now I don't take any prescription medication. I seem to always be in Physical Therapy for something to do with my joints. I truly feel many years younger and have so much more energy. I think getting banded was the best thing I ever did for myself. Finally, all the pieces came together and I was able to lose the weight. My doctor was great with educating us on proper eating habits, foods and execise. Good luck on the 16th. I waiting to hear your sucess story in the near future.