JulieNYC

Cold things make some people's bands contract. Other people find it soothing on an upset band. I say do what feels right to you. If you feel fine chomping, chomp away!

OK, I totally walked home from work today (I usually take the bus or a cab) -- 3 miles -- solely to see the numbers on my body bugg go up. WOOHOO, what a motivator! (Chimboree, most of us are really new to the BB. While you're saving up, tell yourself that you're waiting 3 or 4 weeks to make sure we're all still as enthusiastic about it once the novelty wears off. Does that help?)

Yeah, the "s" word (skinny) and the "t" word (thin) are so foreign to me. Actually, I haven't gotten the "s" word yet, but several people have used the "t" word. It's the weirdest feeling. I've never been thin. I'm still not thin, but to some people I am. The context is, I'm at a new job. I've only been with the firm for 6 weeks. A group of office assistants were talking in the hall about a diet one of them was trying. I was trying to be friendly and get to know some of my co-workers, so I tried to get in on the conversation. One of the ladies was like "yeah, but you're thin, so what would you know about it." (It didn't come across mean like it probably does here). I was like a deer in the headlights. Almost none of my colleagues know the old me. For the most part, this is a good thing. In a way, I get to see what life is like for thin people, not formerly fat people. On the other hand, I had an extremely hard time (and still am) adjusting to this job. At least a small part of the adjustment was the fact that no one here KNOWS me. How can you know me at all and not know what I've been through over the last year? Even if I told them, they still wouldn't really get it, not having been with me at 350+. It's really not a complaint. It's just something I'm going through while Passing for Thin....

This whole forum is jumping for joy with you! I'm so happy for you. WOOHOO!

Well, I got in my exercise this morning -- 4 mile run with my friend Bob. I so enjoy running with other people. It was also the kind of day where if I didn't have plans to meet a friend, I would have stayed in bed. I plan to walk home from work too (3 miles) because I'm 0.4 lbs away from moving down a "decade" in weight. Come on 160s!!! Today is a pretty good day, body image wise. My body has changed again in the last 5 lbs. My shoulders are really standing out and my collar bones are visible at the center of my throat, not just the part that's closer to my shoulder (if that makes sense). I don't remember ever being at a weight where my whole collar bone showed. Of course, the skin issues on my arms and legs gets worse with every pound lost. If I do pushups (my trainer forces the on me), gravity makes it so that my arms actually wrinkle in the front (across the biceps)-- not just the typical "bat wings" (behind the triceps) we all complain about. Come on December (PS)....

Well, my BodyBugg was right on track with the scale this morning. I only have 0.4 to lose to drop down into the next weight "decade" so you'd better bet I'm going to do the math on that today! I hope it's as consistent tomorrow....I don't trust it (or really, more my body) yet.

I would get this checked out immediately. My non-medical opinion/concern would be whether I had a port infection. Is it hot to the touch? Now my port definitely bothers me because it sticks out so much -- I'm going to look into getting a low profile. But it doesn't hurt unless I hit it, so it doesn't hurt during exercise. If I lay flat on my stomach on a hard surface, I feel pressure there, but not pain, per se. Pain is always an indication that something is awry. Check it out with your doctor, is my advice. And keep us posted....

Congratulations!! Woohoo! I can't wait to join you at GOAL!

I was 5'2 and 358. BMI of 68 when I got banded. To me, the difference in 250 and 350 was both physical and emotional. Emotionally, there are a LOT of people who are 250. A lot. So you're not alone in your fatness. At 350, there was very rarely someone in the room my size or larger. Almost never. Emotionally, that's hard to accept. Emotionally, I disconnected from life because I didn't fit in life anymore. I didn't fit in a booth or a movie theater or an airplane. I remember the day when I didn't have to turn sideways to walk in my bathroom anymore without my hips touching both sides of the doorframe. (For those who need a little pick-me-up at this point, I ran 5 miles straight yesterday). Physically, I would want a nurse to know that hygene is an issue for the super obese. I didn't rent the apartment I really wanted in NYC because the toilet was too close to the sink for me to be able to have good hygene. I couldn't sleep flat on my back -- too much weight on my chest. I couldn't tie my shoes without putting my leg up on something. As for my feelings about smaller bandsters, I never had any negative feelings. I don't think confronting 200+ lbs to lose is the same journey as someone with 100- to lose. But the need for the journey is the same. I actually think they should lower the BMI requirements. I think many more people struggle with food issues than have to and would benefit from the band. There's a limit somewhere, of course, but it's lower than 40 for me. Anyway, I don't know what else you're looking for, but I'm glad to help if I can.

Julie is right -- go get a fill, now! Then, once you're at your "sweet spot" if you can hang in there for about 3 days to detox from the carbs, you'll be amazed at how your cravings will almost disappear. Run to your surgeon and get that band working! You can do it.

Thanks for the post, Betty. I'd wondered what happened to her after the book was published. The book will make you sad, but she's an excellent writer. I wonder if it would make me less sad now that I'm Passing For Thin. Probably not. Lost youth is a big theme for me, and it was for her too. The best I can do is to try not to dwell on it.

I truly think that's quite realistic She_Smiles, and I bet you achieve at least that. Keep your Water intake up and moisturize where you feel you need it.

Betty, I know this is completely between you and Alan, but have you considered having a panniculectomy rather than a full tummy tuck, kind of as a compromise? I BELIEVE that procedure is only about 1.5 hours, as opposed to the 4 a TT can be. It would take off the excess skin but not do the "bikini perfect" muscle work. It doesn't involve moving the belly button or anything. It's the kind of thing my Dad would do in his office OR under a heavy local sedation, rather than in the hospital under general. I would think a heavy local sedation would make Alan feel much, much better, no? I really think it would be all you'd really want as well. In all candor, Alan doesn't understand what carrying around a pannus is like. It is SO LIBERATING to be without it and I want that for you, if you want it for yourself. If not -- for whatever reason --, that's ok too.

OK, I'm with the rest of you. I'm a BUGG ADDICT and it's only been 2 days! This thing is so cool. It motivated me to clean my house last night while watching tv rather than sit on the sofa. Then I jumped rope for 10 minutes just before bed -- not enough to sweat, just enough to burn a quick 50 cals or so. So cool! I'll be interested to see how closely the scale matches what the bugg says. I know I'll have to judge it more weekly (or monthly) than daily -- I tend to lose nothing then lose 3 or so lbs all in one chunk. I know my input is very accurate at the moment -- I only eat things I know the calorie content of (just for a couple of weeks while I'm breaking this plateau -- normally I do regular things too, like eat out). What I question is the accuracy of the bugg on what I burn. It seems spot on, but I don't understand the science behind it. I saw somewhere that it is advertised as being 92% accurate, which would be GREAT if that's true, but apparently they didn't test this exact model (if the article is to be believed) -- they tested a model that also used a heart rate monitor. Anyway, I'm enjoying it, and if anyone has seen a good article on the science/accuracy of the bugg, I'd love to see it.

Brooks Running - Women's Apparel - Sport Tanks & Bras: Pro-Support Bra This running bra changed my life. It comes in D and DD. It's expensive but I would have paid 5X the price, knowing what I know now. It made such a difference for me the first time I put it on. Brooks Running - Women's Apparel - Sport Tanks & Bras: Pro-Fit Bra This bra is what I use now that I'm a C. It's equally as good, but without the wire. It only fits B & C. Again, I'm a fan. Not for one second wearing those bras have I ever thought I might be hurting my breast lift. My breasts really don't move in them. I'll ask my Dad the next time I talk to him, but I'm sure he'll say running is not a problem with the right bra. Boo -- I used to double and triple bra to run as well. I don't know if the Brooks sizes fit you, but if they do, make the investment!

You should be getting near the end of it. I was REALLY concerned at the stage you're at. It does stop -- I promise. I lost about 1/3 of my hair between months 4-6, then it slowed and stopped. Once it stopped, within a month my hair was fuller again, and by the year mark, I could tell no difference in my pre-band/post-band head of hair. I know it's scary, but it will stop. It doesn't stop all at once -- it's gradual. I don't know what causes it either. I think it's rapid weight loss, whether by surgery or otherwise. I don't think it's lack of Protein, because like you, I get plenty. I also don't think it's anesthesia, because I've never had this with any other surgery. Anyway, it does stop.

She_Smiles, Don't give up hope with your skin. It's only been 7 months since your surgery and you haven't stabilized yet. They say that skin can take a couple of years to shrink to the full extent it's going to. I think there's hope for your stomach. For what it's worth, my Dad (who's a plastic surgeon) advised me to wear "spanx" type underwear as much as possible to help with the skin issues. He says the compression helps in the long run. I think wondering "how did I let myself get that way" is part of our journey. I often feel sad for the old me. Sad that I missed out on so much during my 20s. Sad that my closest romantic relationships were in high school and early college. Sad that I need so much plastic surgery. Sad over so many things. But that's only a small piece of what I feel. Mostly, I'm happy and proud of my accomplishments, as we all should be. I ran 5 miles today and it was no big deal at all. Last year this time, I couldn't run 5 feet.

The vast majority of people don't feel restriction until their second or third fill. It doesn't sound like you have any symptoms of a slip. You just clearly need a fill. Maybe two. It's not time to give up yet, you're just not using your tool yet.

Triple, quadruple, a zillion times over, DITTO! No one should feel like they have to know what their goal is to join this thread. I know at 250, coming from 350, I needed to discuss these issues. So, anyone and everyone who feels they identify with these issues is welcome. Thanks for clarifying that Boo.

I fall somewhere between you and Jachut. What's most frustrating for me is that I never know what I'm going to feel. Some days I feel like I could still lose 50 or 60 lbs -- I feel like a house. Other days I feel like I'm really very close to goal. I just don't know what my goal weight is. A big part of that for me is my excess skin. I lost nearly 200 lbs and I went up and down 100 lbs twice before the band. When I think about it logically, I think I should lose about 25 more lbs, then my thigh and butt lift (December) will take me to my final goal of 136, which is a normal BMI for me. My legs literally have rolls of skin. I see that and I know it's not fat, but it distorts my body image. I try to just relax about it -- December will be here before we know it, and I can reevaluate my goal weight any time I want to -- it shouldn't be such a source of stress. Maybe part of it is that I've ALWAYS been struggling to get to a goal weight. I mean ALWAYS. Since I was 5 years old. What in the hell am I going to do when I'm not struggling for a goal weight? I guess I have anxiety about that date, which is rapidly approaching. Lastly, I ask for this group's support on my long-term exercise goal. I am running the Chicago 1/2 Marathon on September 9th and the NYC full Marathon on November 4th. I'm doing an official training program, of course, and it's going well. Speaking of, off I go -- it's a light day today (5 miles).

First of all, thank you all for your responses. They are making me think about my own issues already. As Betty aluded to, several of us on this thread were banded in April 2006 and have had a long-running monthly exercise challenge that was mostly for the April crew. That thread is what lead to this thread -- in that many of us were starting to want to discuss the issues that come up nearing goal and we wanted to discuss that in the wider forum, yet we didn't want to lose the exercise challenge. So, let's set an official July 2007 exercise challenge. Anyone who wants to join can, and if you don't want to, that's fine too. Most importantly, if you want to modify the challenge to suit your own goals, whether higher or lower in number or duration, that is absolutely encouraged. For example, I'm setting mine to match Jachut's, and I'll reflect that in my signature. Here's the base challenge: In the calendar month of July, complete twenty exercise sessions of at least forty-five minutes in duration. Report in on your progress, successes and challenges at your leisure. Let the races begin!

OK guys, I started the new thread. It's in the Support forum, not the General forum. It's called "Passing for Thin" and can be found at the following link (I hope, if I did it right): http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f15/passing-thin-support-thread-those-approaching-goal-37513/ I hope everyone will join the discussion, as you are all very important to me.

Hi everyone! This is a support thread for bandsters who are approaching or maintaining their goal weight, whatever that may be. This thread will likely include monthly challenges for exercise and/or diet goals, which members can choose to join or not join at their leisure. I read a book once called Passing For Thin, which was written by a woman who lost 150+ pounds through OA, yet never felt thin on the inside. That is one of the things thread is intended to discuss, as well as the other unique challenges and successes of a bandster who is now Passing For Thin. These issues could be related to food in the maintenance phase, upcoming exercise goals, self-esteem issues, relating to the opposite sex -- anything you confront in your new body. Maybe in the course of discussing our issues, we will become thin on the inside as well as the outside. Let the discussion begin!

It should pass. If you're able to drink, drink a lot of Water to flush it through. Don't worry about it unless you get stuck, then revisit if and when it's a problem. Hang in there!

Freedom from my pannus was worth every minute of pain from my tummy tuck. Even assuming it would have gone back to something tolerable over, say 2 years, if I'd have waited, I would still rather have those 2 years free from my pannus. It really limited my movement. Insurance fraud is one thing. Self pay for cosmetic surgery by informed adults is another. I can't wait to have my thighs done in December. After losing nearly 200 lbs, my surgeon says he can take 8 inches off each thigh. Bring it on.