wendytip

I never knew how many people are experts on how to loose weight and keep it off until I got banded. Now, they are coming out of the woodwork. I’m quiet. I’m calm. I don’t say anything, as they go on and on and ON! I decided early on to be open about being “banded.” Hell, I don’t care what people say or think, and if I can motivate just one person to do whatever works for them to lose the weight, then it’s worth it to me. However, when people find out that I’m banded; that’s when it alllll starts. “The best way to loose weight and keep it off is by eating 6 small meals a day.” “I just cut out all the sodas and that’s how I lost 30lbs.” “Yes, but if you don’t work out 5 times a week for at least 45 minutes, at your target heart range, you won’t keep the weight off.” “I don’t eat anything past 7:00 in the evening.” “I drink only the strained juice from boiled cabbage, and eat only egg white omelets.” “The best way to loose weight and keep it off is by eating 6 small meals a day.” “I do the Atkins diet. I know it’s not healthy, but that’s the best way to loose weight.” “You better be working out at least 3 days a week for 2 hours in the pool, with weights attached to your arms, legs and neck, or you won’t keep the weight off.” “The best way to loose weight is by “praying” it off, and if you pray the weight off you don’t have to exercise because God doesn’t like it when we sweat” “You have to work out EVERY SINGLE day, except Sunday, if you want to keep the weight off…and I think that’s in the Bible somewhere.” “I do the all carb diet.” “I lost 50lbs through hypnosis.” “If you don’t eat breakfast your metabolism stagnates and you’ll actually GAIN weight.” “You better be working out.” “The band causes your body to go into starvation mode and you actually GAIN weight…you need to have that taken out.” “If you don’t exercise, then your body starts burning muscle and you might loose weight, but you won’t keep it off…plus your body will look all gross.” But I don’t say anything. I just smile and think “idiots.” But, what I “want” to say…what I want to say is, “Well, I tell you what; none of this is your business. You obviously don’t have a clue as to what you’re talking about, so you can take your choice: you can either kiss my fat a** now, or you can wait, and kiss my skinny a** in a few months!

I never knew how many people are experts on how to loose weight and keep it off until I got banded. Now, they are coming out of the woodwork. I’m quiet. I’m calm. I don’t say anything, as they go on and on and ON! I decided early on to be open about being “banded.” Hell, I don’t care what people say or think, and if I can motivate just one person to do whatever works for them to lose the weight, then it’s worth it to me. However, when people find out that I’m banded; that’s when it alllll starts. “The best way to loose weight and keep it off is by eating 6 small meals a day.” “I just cut out all the sodas and that’s how I lost 30lbs.” “Yes, but if you don’t work out 5 times a week for at least 45 minutes, at your target heart range, you won’t keep the weight off.” “I don’t eat anything past 7:00 in the evening.” “I drink only the strained juice from boiled cabbage, and eat only egg white omelets.” “The best way to loose weight and keep it off is by eating 6 small meals a day.” “I do the Atkins diet. I know it’s not healthy, but that’s the best way to loose weight.” “You better be working out at least 3 days a week for 2 hours in the pool, with weights attached to your arms, legs and neck, or you won’t keep the weight off.” “The best way to loose weight is by “praying” it off, and if you pray the weight off you don’t have to exercise because God doesn’t like it when we sweat” “You have to work out EVERY SINGLE day, except Sunday, if you want to keep the weight off…and I think that’s in the Bible somewhere.” “I do the all carb diet.” “I lost 50lbs through hypnosis.” “If you don’t eat breakfast your metabolism stagnates and you’ll actually GAIN weight.” “You better be working out.” “The band causes your body to go into starvation mode and you actually GAIN weight…you need to have that taken out.” “If you don’t exercise, then your body starts burning muscle and you might loose weight, but you won’t keep it off…plus your body will look all gross.” But I don’t say anything. I just smile and think “idiots.” But, what I “want” to say…what I want to say is, “Well, I tell you what; none of this is your business. You obviously don’t have a clue as to what you’re talking about, so you can take your choice: you can either kiss my fat a** now, or you can wait, and kiss my skinny a** in a few months!

Good for you! You keep at it. You're going to be even more awesome than you already are!

Try another credit company, and do you have someone who would co-sign with you, or might sign for you?

I was banded December 22nd. I chose that time because I didn't want to take the time off from work (I'm a teacher,) so the first day of Christmas break, I was READY. I knew that making it through the Christmas season meant that I could make it through anything. I have to say that my family and friends were great! They were so concerned, always wanting to wait to eat, or go to another room, but I was fine. I had lived HELL with my eating disorder (compulsive overeater) for years, and I was ready to do whatever it took to be rid of it. Even, now, after I've gone back to work, my coworkers are like, " how can this NOT bother you?" I tell them that I've waited my whole life for this chance, and they have no idea how badly I want this. I did call my mom last week. I told her that I was just so sad at times, and had no clue as to why. She hit the nail on the head. She said, "well, I would imagine it's because you don't have your food anymore." It's like being an alcoholic, and once you don't have your food anymore you have to figure out how your going to deal with everything; anger, happiness, boredom, stress, sadness, fear, insecurity...all of it. I didn't realize how much I "used" food until I didn't have it. I'd get up and my first thought would be;eat. Watch a movie at home;eat. Go to the movies;eat. Shopping; eat. Visiting friends;eat. Driving to and from;eat. You just have to retrain your brain. I promise, it gets easier.If you're determined enough, you can do it. Hang in there! BTW, I think it was sh*tty of your family to do that with the chicken. Good for you, staying strong like that!

Someday...soon, when I don't have to shop in the "fat girls" section, I will throw a big party. The invites will read, "Your invited to my I don't have to shop in the fat girls' section anymore." Guests don't have to bring a gift, but they do have to "gush" about how much weight I've lost, before I'll let them in. At the party I will wear my clothing inside out and backwards, so that everyone can easily see that I'm not a 1,2 or 3x anymore. Then we will all gather round' and my guests will sing, "For she's not shopping in the fat girls' section. For she's not shopping in the fat girls' section. For she's not shopping in the fat girls' section; this nobody can deny." Hell, I may even make them sing that a few times; who knows?

Someday...soon, when I don't have to shop in the "fat girls" section, I will throw a big party. The invites will read, "Your invited to my I don't have to shop in the fat girls' section anymore." Guests don't have to bring a gift, but they do have to "gush" about how much weight I've lost, before I'll let them in. At the party I will wear my clothing inside out and backwards, so that everyone can easily see that I'm not a 1,2 or 3x anymore. Then we will all gather round' and my guests will sing, "For she's not shopping in the fat girls' section. For she's not shopping in the fat girls' section. For she's not shopping in the fat girls' section; this nobody can deny." Hell, I may even make them sing that a few times; who knows?

First of all, PLEASE tell me that you're on medications for your ADD. I'm ADD as well. I fought going on medication for a long time, until my ADD almost cost me my job. After I went on medication, my life was completely different. Unfortunately, for me, I had to sink so low with my eating disorder before I finally took control of my life. I WILL NOT go there again. This is a journey that never ends, and every day is a struggle. I don't care what you do; it's HARD. Some days it's harder than others, and some days we win the fight; other days it beats our ass, the thing is; you have to get back up after your knocked down. My mom says "it's not over as long as you can get back up." At this point; I will not stay down! And, I don't know if I told you this, but I lost 71 lbs. on Weight Watchers, only to gain it all plus back. God, that was such a horrible defeat! I spent the next 5 years beating myself up over that. I would have never thought that anything positive could have out of that experience, but it did. I learned that I am way stronger than I thought. I also learned that I'm never "cured" or "fixed". I have to constantly work to maintain or manage. Now...with all that being said; stock up on that protein. I drink Special K protein water with everything, and I start my morning out with 45 grams of liquid protein mixed in with water. Once, you've met your daily requirement of protein, it's impossible for you to be "physically" hungry. That's doesn't mean that you won't have to battle "head hunger", but it helps me to know for a fact, that it's just that; in my head. And I keep BUSY. I'm an artist, so I eat breakfast and find something to create. I doesn't matter whether I'm in the mood or not; I force myself to get started, and then I'm good. Find what it is that distracts you. And last but not least; are you "filled" correctly? I really hope this helps. Hang in there, girl, and GET UP!

I have forgotten what it feels like to be this happy. I love the holiday season, but it's always made me so sad/angry in the past. It always started when someone would ask what I wanted for Christmas, making me want to scream, "Nothing! You can't give me what I want!" And then, the New Year; New Year’s resolutions, and whenever someone would say, “What are your New Year’s resolutions?” I wanted to scream, “My resolution, and there’s only one, is the same as my resolution last year; to NOT BE FAT! But what difference does it make? I never stick to resolutions, just like I never stick to anything, so leave me alone!” But now; now I can breathe. When I was asked what I wanted for Christmas this year, I got to reply, “Oh, I don’t know. I think I have everything I want.” And my N.Year’s resolutions; I’m not making any. I’d already resolved, decided that my life was going to change long before New Years. So, now I sit here, knowing that my Christmas Eve dinner was…broth. While my family ate Dove chocolate that I put in their stockings, I had…broth. My brother’s wife is a gourmet, and while everyone at my mom’s ate the yummiest food you can imagine, I had… broth. I GLADLY had broth. I HAPPILY sipped that broth. And when concerned family would ask, “Are you okay?” I’d answer, “Better than you could possibly imagine.

I have forgotten what it feels like to be this happy. I love the holiday season, but it's always made me so sad/angry in the past. It always started when someone would ask what I wanted for Christmas, making me want to scream, "Nothing! You can't give me what I want!" And then, the New Year; New Year’s resolutions, and whenever someone would say, “What are your New Year’s resolutions?” I wanted to scream, “My resolution, and there’s only one, is the same as my resolution last year; to NOT BE FAT! But what difference does it make? I never stick to resolutions, just like I never stick to anything, so leave me alone!” But now; now I can breathe. When I was asked what I wanted for Christmas this year, I got to reply, “Oh, I don’t know. I think I have everything I want.” And my N.Year’s resolutions; I’m not making any. I’d already resolved, decided that my life was going to change long before New Years. So, now I sit here, knowing that my Christmas Eve dinner was…broth. While my family ate Dove chocolate that I put in their stockings, I had…broth. My brother’s wife is a gourmet, and while everyone at my mom’s ate the yummiest food you can imagine, I had… broth. I GLADLY had broth. I HAPPILY sipped that broth. And when concerned family would ask, “Are you okay?” I’d answer, “Better than you could possibly imagine.

Wooo-Hooo! Here we go! Are you excited? I'm excited for you! Don't be afraid. I wish I wasn't as afraid as I was, I would've been able to enjoy the "moment" that my life was changing, more so, if I wasn't so scared. I don't know why this surgery seems to scare people as much as it does? Maybe it's the fear of so much unknown, or the apprehension of wanting this to work so badly... or maybe it's wondering who you really are when you're not bogged down by the weight...who knows? Try to relax. It's a piece of cake...uh, I mean...broth...jello...you know, what I mean!

Truer words were never spoken, so let the hate and backbiting begin! It’s jealousy and insecurity, plain and simple. The damage that we inflict upon our own sex is far greater than any damage that men can do. When you’re a big, beautiful, intelligent, charismatic, vivacious, woman, I think that’s fine with other women as long as you stay “big.” The minute you start losing weight, the big women feel jealous and betrayed, and the thin women feel threatened. You watch; the only women who won’t have a problem with you are the ones who don’t have all that contempt and loathing in their hearts. The secure woman is the one who will be there to celebrate your victories. In the meanwhile, just try to discern who is who, and try not to take any of their sniping to heart. True friends are so rare, to everyone else; forget about them. You can’t make everyone happy, so don’t worry about it. If you’re a good and decent person, and you’re not hurting anyone, then what you choose to do with your life is your business. Keep striving for your goals, and don’t let anyone make you feel less of a person for it.

I feel you! I was banded 1 week ago and am down seven pounds! Yay, us!

O.K, so I'm one week out and I have to go for my one week check up thingy. So, I get up this morning and I think, "Hey, why don't I try on "those" jeans. But first, the back story on "those jeans." I went to spend a few days w/my mom in Atlanta, just before Christmas. This was a few days before my banding, and I wanted to get some last minute Christmas shopping done. Well, we get to the Mall of Georgia and the jeans I have one have a little worn place on my inner thigh, and my fat is smushing through the hole and rubbing a raw place on me. I figure my best course of action is to buy a clearance pair of jeans and change. I look around and finally find a pair of grey Liz Claiborne jeans for ten bucks. They're a size 22 which I figure may be a bit big, but I don't care; I can beat that price. So, I buy them and go to the dressing room to change, and guess what? That's right...they're too small! God, I couldn't believe it! I was determined to get them on. I pushed fat in. I sucked in. I pulled them up high on my hips and leaned forward. I kind of squatted down a few times hoping to loosen them up. I checked the tag to make sure I hadn't picked up an 18 by mistake. I hadn't. I tried some more. I would have lain down in the dressing room floor, but there wasn't enough room...plus I was afraid if I did get them zipped that I wouldn't be able to get back up. FINALLY…probably because I was sweating at this point, and maybe had burned just enough calories to get that zipper closed…I got them zipped. Yeah, I got them zipped and then I did this weird, stiff legged, John Wayne, walk out of the dressing room to get that shopping done. Well, as it turned out, the jeans were so tight (I not kidding, here,) that I though I was going to be sick, so I had to go and buy another pair of jeans. Okay…so this morning, I think I’ll try those jeans. I KNOW they won’t zip, but I’m sure they’ll be looser. Sooooooo, I put them on…and they ZIPPED! THEY ZIPPED! THEY ZIPPED, THEY ZIIIIPPPPPED! It wasn’t even like it was “iffy.” They just zipped right up! When I get to the Doctor’s office and weigh in, I find that I’ve lost 8 lbs! I gave a big WOOOOO-HOOOOO right there on the scales. 8lbs in one week…not too shabby.

O.K, so I'm one week out and I have to go for my one week check up thingy. So, I get up this morning and I think, "Hey, why don't I try on "those" jeans. But first, the back story on "those jeans." I went to spend a few days w/my mom in Atlanta, just before Christmas. This was a few days before my banding, and I wanted to get some last minute Christmas shopping done. Well, we get to the Mall of Georgia and the jeans I have one have a little worn place on my inner thigh, and my fat is smushing through the hole and rubbing a raw place on me. I figure my best course of action is to buy a clearance pair of jeans and change. I look around and finally find a pair of grey Liz Claiborne jeans for ten bucks. They're a size 22 which I figure may be a bit big, but I don't care; I can beat that price. So, I buy them and go to the dressing room to change, and guess what? That's right...they're too small! God, I couldn't believe it! I was determined to get them on. I pushed fat in. I sucked in. I pulled them up high on my hips and leaned forward. I kind of squatted down a few times hoping to loosen them up. I checked the tag to make sure I hadn't picked up an 18 by mistake. I hadn't. I tried some more. I would have lain down in the dressing room floor, but there wasn't enough room...plus I was afraid if I did get them zipped that I wouldn't be able to get back up. FINALLY…probably because I was sweating at this point, and maybe had burned just enough calories to get that zipper closed…I got them zipped. Yeah, I got them zipped and then I did this weird, stiff legged, John Wayne, walk out of the dressing room to get that shopping done. Well, as it turned out, the jeans were so tight (I not kidding, here,) that I though I was going to be sick, so I had to go and buy another pair of jeans. Okay…so this morning, I think I’ll try those jeans. I KNOW they won’t zip, but I’m sure they’ll be looser. Sooooooo, I put them on…and they ZIPPED! THEY ZIPPED! THEY ZIPPED, THEY ZIIIIPPPPPED! It wasn’t even like it was “iffy.” They just zipped right up! When I get to the Doctor’s office and weigh in, I find that I’ve lost 8 lbs! I gave a big WOOOOO-HOOOOO right there on the scales. 8lbs in one week…not too shabby.

I'm always so torn over whether or not to respond to a post like this. It's not that I don't know what to say, it's just that, I think that some things require a person going through it on their own before they actually "get it." But, just in case I can save you some heartbreak, I'll give it a try. DO NOT undo all of your hard work. Believe me, I know. I lost 71lbs on Weight Watchers, and swore that I was "fixed." Oh, I just knew that my days of scarfing everything in sight were long gone. About the time that I started to believe my own B.S, was when my eating disorder snuck back up on me and kicked my ass. I gained all of that weight plus, right back. I gained 60lbs. in a year! I spent years beating myself up. I would have given anything if I would have just done things differently, and I sure as hell wouldn't have believed that anything positive would come out of that experience, but I was wrong. The positive aspect of that was that I found out that I'm way stronger than I though I was, but more importantly I realized that I will NEVER forget who I am and where I came from. Don't you forget either. This is a lifelong journey. Do you think you're going to make a journey of that magnitude without any bumps in the road? This is a little bump, don't let it turn into an endless pit. GET UP! Stop that behavior and do what you need to do. Think about it; I don't know you, and yet your success means enough to me to write you this lenghty reply. You can do this.

I feel your pain, sister, as far as the "needle thing" goes. The last two times that I've had to have an I.V (including the one for my banding,) the nurse, first deadened the spot with some (and I know I'm spelling this wrong) "Lynacane." It was just a little sliver of a needle that I LITERALLY could not feel. I think it goes right up under the skin. I almost couldn't feel the I.V, and it definately wasn't painful. You might want to ask your doctor about that. Good Luck, Wendy

Hello Sweetalie! That is an awesome weightloss, and you are absolutely NOT losing too slowly. What is that, an average of about 2lbs. per week? That is so great and you look amazing! Slower is better. My doctor monitors his patients closely, and his nurse told me that if the weight is coming off too fast, he'll adjust you so that it won't; that's how important slow and steady weight loss is. And you know, just the comment you made about not grazing and thinking about food all day makes this all worthwhile. I've always thought on the rare times that I did lose weight, that the weight loss was secondary; it was the return of my "sanity" during those times that meant the most to me. I loved waking up and not immediately think, "when do I get to eat, how much, what, and when will I eat again?" You'll get to where you want to be, and in the meantime, never forget where you came from and celebrate every lost ounce!

Try the Special K protein powder that you mix with water. They're really good, and they have 5 grams per pack...I think. The iced tea ones can be microwaved and you can drink them hot, like hot tea. Very good. If I'm needing a quick protein fix I'll mix two packs in a glass of water and drink that. Also...and I don't know if you'll like this, there's this protein drink called, "Naked Organic"...something like that. It's over in the produce section of your grocery store and one of those drinks has 33 grams of protein. Now, the initial taste in kind of grainy and funky, but I REALLY like them. I hope this helps you.

O.K, here's what I do; and I can only tell you what works for me, and hope tha it helps you, but you know, everyone is different. I monitor my protein very carefully. Because you can't eat as much food, you're going to have to pay close attention to what you are eating. The problems with protein...which is what keeps you from getting physiologically hungry, is that it's very "up in the air" as to how much adults really need. However, most doctors agree that around 50 to 60 grams for an average sized female. You should as your doctor how many grams of protein you should be getting on a daily basis, because suggested protein amounts vary with the size and weight of a person. Once, you've done this, make sure that you're getting "lean" protein. If you monitor what you eat, and make sure that you're eating healthy and your nutritional needs are met then "physiologically"...you're not hungry. You "may" think you are, but you're not. I also make myself do something else whenever I think about eating,and I know there's no way I can be hungry. I'm an artist, so let me just say; I've been VERY productive lately. If you're like me, then chances are that you're working on breaking a lifetime of unhealthy habits, and no doubt you can do it, but it just takes some getting used to. I'm 46 years old, and all those years of bad eating habits don't go away without a fight. It's a struggle, but it's not longer a losing battle. We've been given a second chance. Sorry I've been so long winded...I just get on a roll. Oh, and those Special K protein powder things you can put in your water? 10 grams of protein, very low in calories, and they're yummy. The iced tea ones, you can pop in the microwave and drink hot...very good in the morning, when things are a bit "tight." Hope this helps.

I was the same way when I got scheduled for surgery. I was so scared/excited/anxious/elated/anxious. Usually, I don't have any worries about surgery, but this one scared me. I think the reason I was so afraid was because: I didn't know how much pain I'd be in. I didn't want to "mess" it up. I didn't know how much of a difference it would make, and I so wanted it to be the "help" that I've needed. Even when I was in the O.R and they were putting me under I was still so afraid...not like me at all. However...there was nothing to worry about. It was no biggie at all! I will say this; the GAS was worse than the incisions. I don't think there's anyway to get around it, but GOD, it was horrible...and, it stayed around for a good three days. I think the two weeks after surgery are the hardest for most people becuase you're on liquids; broth, jello, fruit juices and italian ice...that's it! But there's ways to get enough protein with liquids so that you're not physiologically hungry. I think it just depends on how badly you want it. My doctor could put me on liquids for two more weeks, and I'd do it...I wouldn't be crazy about it, but I'd do it. That's how badly I want a change. I'm only 4 days post op, but I'm doing great! I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Good Luck!

Lap Band Survival (Sung to the tune of "I Will Survive") At first I was afraid. I was petrified. But then I got so sick and tired of my fat butt and thighs. And I spent oh so many nights with dreams of skinny size 9 jeans, and I decided to do something really special just for me. And so I’m banded. I’m on week one. I live on chicken broth and jello, but I know this can be done. I’m gonna tuck in all my shirts. I’m gonna buy myself a thong. thought my bikini days were over, but I’m thinking I was wrong! And now I’ll go, to walk a mile or two. I might even break into a run, ‘cause there’s nothing I can’t do. I’ll have no more bread or pop, but I’ll have all those sales to shop, and I’ll survive. I will survive. Hey. Hey

Lap Band Survival (Sung to the tune of "I Will Survive") At first I was afraid. I was petrified. But then I got so sick and tired of my fat butt and thighs. And I spent oh so many nights with dreams of skinny size 9 jeans, and I decided to do something really special just for me. And so I’m banded. I’m on week one. I live on chicken broth and jello, but I know this can be done. I’m gonna tuck in all my shirts. I’m gonna buy myself a thong. thought my bikini days were over, but I’m thinking I was wrong! And now I’ll go, to walk a mile or two. I might even break into a run, ‘cause there’s nothing I can’t do. I’ll have no more bread or pop, but I’ll have all those sales to shop, and I’ll survive. I will survive. Hey. Hey

Hang in there Cary. You can do this! I had to respond to your post. This is the only place I know where you can talk about how exciting it is to poop, and people share your excitement. I'm 4 days post op, and I got to poop yesterday! While other people got clothes and jewelry for Christmas I got...POOP! I also wanted to tell you to try and find something to keep your mind off food, especially while your still on liquids. I paint and write. Everytime I start to think about food I work on a painting or I write. Lately; I've been very prodcutive. Best of luck and congrats on doing something wonderful for yourself. Wendy