cmmcguire66

I am exactly where you are right now. Soooo discouraged. It's kind of a catch 22 for me. I am depressed by the way my body looks from the weight loss (had lost as much as 92, gained 20 back) and my arms, breasts and stomach look hideous. I am newly single and have been dating, but get so self conscious when a man sees me naked. So, I revert to my old comforting tools: crunchy salty things and sweets. Ben & Jerry's goes down real easy. My insurance won't cover a nutritionist unless I am diabetic, which I am not. I feel like I need some kind of guidance and support to get back on track. I wish you well on your journey back, and please keep us posted on your new progress. We all need some encouragement from time to time.

I am here to chat, talk, lean on, cry to, etc. If you live on LI or in Queens, we can easily get together. I have been banded 14 months. Send me a message and let's work through this together.

I have recently returned to NY and would love to join this group! Just what I need...

Hi and congrats on your weight loss! Do you date woman a little older?

Hi all. 42 year old newly single woman here. Banded in July 08 in West Palm Beach, FL. Just moving back to NY after 8 year absence. Would love to meet other Banded singles. Living on LI. Not afraid to cross the Nassau County border.

So, I am newly single since my husband found an old girlfriend, and I am ready to re-enter the dating scene. The problem is, my body is melting and I am very, very self conscious. I am a very sexual person, and enjoy a very healthy sex life (or I would like to again) but the thought of being naked in front of a new person makes me want to scream. I am down about 60 lbs., and everything just went South immediately. I am still pretty far from plastic surgery time, but I will explode if I don't "get some" soon. I just don't know if I can take my clothes off in front of a new man without feeling disgusted. Any thoughts, ladies?

I am newly single and VERY self conscious about my "melting body syndrome" with skin hanging loose. How do you men deal with this in your own personal experience? I am scared to death that some man might want to see me naked, and it's not pretty. Do men feel this self conscious? My ex-husband didn't seem to mind because he saw me as it was happening, so it wasn't like he got this big shock because in clothes I looked like a 7 or 8, but naked I was a 2. Just wanting the male perspective. Thanks, guys.

See, here was the deal: I've been feeling sorry for myself because my body is melting, I feel unattractive, and I left the plans in his lap. He was going to make reservations at an exclusive restaurant that we both love, and that I haven't been to since being banded 6 months ago. I really wanted him to do SOMETHING to make me feel special: ask for a sugar free dessert, have a rose waiting for me, something. I knew I could get an appetizer and eat some of his swordfish, which is one thing they are known for. I, in turn, planned for some special surprises AFTER dinner. I bought a new dress, under garments, etc. For me to shop right now is a huge deal. I hate my odd size, nothing fits right, and I am recently unemployed. We have a gift card for this restaurant. He had 2 weeks to make reservations, he waited until today, and it all fell apart. Now I feel even worse than I did. I just needed someone to take care of me for a change, and make me and my needs important. So, now we are doing nothing, I lost the babysitter to his nastiness, and am becoming more bitter. It's a pity party to the extreme. It really is the first one I've had since being banded. I am done whining now.

Mine waited until the next day to hurt, and now it's all kinds of pretty colors.

I actually saw an IMPROVEMENT in my periods. They are less heavy and last slightly less time than before surgery.

I have the added headache of being under dental construction, so chewing is difficult. I can't do most beef, salad, pasta and bread are evil to me, I won't even get egg salad or tuna with celery in it (never been a fan of celery, but now it is a definite no-no) and I sometimes have trouble with fish. My food must be moist - I always ask for a side of low fat dressing, salsa, marinara or the like to dip my food. Oddly enough, my episodes fo getting food stuck usually happen when I need a fill. Strange, huh?

Does anyone know if there is a way to get ins. to pay for a tummy tuck if you have fibroids removed? As long as they're in there . . .

I have never been able to swallow pills, and now with the band, I am finding more and more alternatives. My migraine meds dissolve under my tongue, as does my anti-anxiety med. I got chewable baby aspirin, and liquid Tylenol. I take chewable vitamins, iron, calcium, and now papaya enzymes and there is a new item on the market called Nauzene which is a chewable anti-nausea aid. I have owned a pill splitter/crusher my whole adult life, and always ask the dr. if the pills can be crushed and or chewed.

I cook the oatmeal with skim milk instead of water. I actually prefer granulated oat bran. It is like cream of wheat (or Farina) and it is a nice consistency in the morning when I am especially tight. I do a combo of Cream of Wheat and Oat Bran, cooked in skim milk and with a drizzle of Cracker Barrel sugar free syrup. Yummy and band friendly when you can't handle ANYTHING solid in the morning!

I am in agreement with the others that have said if you go through all the trouble and pain to do this, you tend to be more motivated. Also, as the wight comes off, you are just able to move easier, so fitness comes easier as well. You will hit snags and bumps in the road, but once you start buying smaller clothes and people NOTICE your weight loss, you are inspired to keep going. Plus, the PBing is a beast!