khath0620

So I have done exceptionally well in the past with my weight loss. I was banded in May 2010 and proceeded to lose about 120 pounds. I was eating right, exercising minimum 5 days a week. I even ran a 10K! Then last January I got a bad ankle injury and was in a boot for 3 months and then had to go to Physical Therapy for another 3 months. My exercise took a huge hit and that one injury completely derailed me .... physically and emotionally! I ended up getting depressed and gained 20 pounds last year and I am PISSED at myself! So here I am, a year later, still clawing my way to find my motivation and get back on track. Its funny how I KNOW what I have to do but end up doing what feels COMFORTABLE....I tell myself the same stupid things I told myself before I got banded: - "Its ok if you don't want to go to the gym today, you are super busy with other things" - "You had a rough day, that extra (whatever) will make you feel better" - "You can start fresh tomorrow".... - yada, yada, yada....... I am fortunate that I didn't gain back more weight but I feel every single one of those 20 pounds on my body and soul....and I DON'T LIKE IT! So I am going to stand in the uncomfortable truth that I have choices every moment of every day. I can choose to get up and get my workouts in (and not scroll through facebook for 1/2 hour). I can choose to not put extra things on my salad that would raise the calorie count. I can choose to weight, measure and track my food on myfitnesspal app. I can choose to get my Water in. So here is the manta I need to keep telling myself to get me through this tough part of getting back on track: I owe no one anything. I don't owe any apologies for gaining weight. I don't have to feel shame for gaining weight, it happened. It is in the past and now IT'S TIME TO MOVE FORWARD. That old "stinkin' thinkin'" has to go! Time to get back to who I was, who I am meant to be! Stay strong everyone and I will do the same!

OOHHH!!! What is Hollywood Tape???

I am so frustrated that I have NO BOOBS LEFT!!!! I, of course, have plenty to share from my butt/hips. I am left to "pad up" with various lingerie. I had a tummy tuck in January and feel great, just wish "the girls" could get work done too. Oh well, 1 plastic surgery for a lifetime is good enough for me. Have a great day, ladies!

I have lost about 112 and still can't wear regular boots! Ugh!

Hi all, I guess I just need to vent a minute. I am about 5-10 pounds away from what I think is my goal weight. By the BMI standards I will still be overweight but I am very muscular that I am ok with that (muscle weighs more than fat). I am working out 4-5 days a week and getting about 1500 cal/day on average. I keep wondering why am I so stuck on chasing a number versus being proud of myself that I could finish a bootcamp successfully without having 911 called! I couldn't walk well for 2 days after but I did it! Why can't I be ok with me exactly the way I am? It is just because I am down over 100 now and I am so close to my personal goal I can taste it! I don't want to give up, I am afraid to give up. GGGRRR!!!! Anyone else feel like this??? thanks, Katie

you look incredible!!!!

THank you, Brandi! I did have 2 drains, spoiltmom. They came out 5 days post op and the other 12 days post op. I saw my PS for my 1 month checkup and she is very pleased with the results. I see see imperfections but, well pointed out, no one is perfect but I am a LOT better than I ever was. My husband has even noticed a new found confidence and LOVES it! It was the best thing I ever did for myself!

So how did it go?!?!?

I just met with my LB surgeon and he said, appropriately, that I should not be governed by a chart or generalized standard. I am not on any meds for BP nor am I diabetic or have any other health issues. With regards to my goal, I feel like I am very close. I am tall, broad shoulders/hips, and muscular. To be at a "normal" standard, I would have to lose a minimum of like 12-15 pounds more which is very overwhelming to me plus I think I would look unhealthy at that point and I honestly don't think I could maintain it. I would drive myself crazy chasing a number! I think it is REALLY important for you to determine what is healthy for you versus getting to a certain number. If people are telling you that you are looking unhealthy then maybe you past your point of stopping. Have you met with your nutritionist recently? Would they be able to help you out a bit more with a maintenance plan? Good luck and congrats on your success! Best, Katie

Hi there, my PS did not want to touch the port so it is in its original location. I have not started using anything for the scars yet but I have heard Vitamin E works well. I still have a few scabbed areas that need to heal up before I can start softening the scar. I have been told that the scar will lighten over time as well. Again, thank you all for your support. I have come a long way physically but need my mind to catch up with where my body is. I still see myself as "the big girl" that I once was. Work in progress I guess.... :^) Katie

I am down over a hundred pounds but still feel like the fat girl. My head cannot wrap around my new body. Just wondering if anyone else feels the same way..... Take care, Katie

Thank you all for your support and encouragement. I REALLY appreciate it and it is because of all the people on this website that I have been so successful! Good luck to all of you on your journeys as well! Love, Katie

Please be sensitive ... I have been on threads where people have made negative comments about any number of things. It took a lot of courage for me to put these pics up here. I had my TT done 13 days ago and still swollen a bit. I am feeling pretty well, just tired mostly. I have added the pre-op pics .... I will warn you, they are NOT pretty! I am not perfect but I am on my journey..... Thanks, Katie

I had to "detox" from sugar products a while back, I am DEFINITELY a sugar addict. It changes who I am and how I behave. The first few days were really rough but now I don't crave it much. The craving isn't gone but at least I can say no. I think what Joyce said is great, maybe you are just craving the caffeine. If you have any issues w/ sugar like I do, then that is a double whammy! Also, be kind to yourself. You are not weak! You are a strong, determined person who reached out for help and advice! Doesn't that say something to you? Good luck, Katie

I just had my TT last week and insurance would only pay for the panniculectomy, not the tummy tuck part. I had well documented rashes due to the overhanging skin. The panniculectomy is where they remove just the overhang where the abdominoplasty (a.k.a. tummy tuck) they release the skin up to your sternum and pull it down as well as tighten your abdominal muscles. The panniculectomy was medical, the abdominoplasty is cosmetic. I did have some out of pocket expense for a portion of the surgery. You can look into CareCredit loans or, as I did, did a balance transfer to a 0% credit card and will pay it off in 21 months. I hated to burden my family with that expense but it was well worth it both on an emotional and a physical level. good luck, Katie

So, my plastic surgeon took off 4 pounds. She only expected 2-3 so I figure this is a win! I am still very swollen, lumpy and bumpy so I can't wrap my head around what I will eventually look like. Feeling pretty well though so far. Take care, Katie

So I am home and doing well. Took 4 pounds of extra skin off. Took my 1st shower today and feel a bit more human. The pain is very manageable too. I check in with the surgeon on Wednesday and will hopefully get a clean bill of health and one of the drains removed. Thanks for all your support!

Thanks, everyone! I will definitely keep you all posted! Thank God for all my LB peeps!

I am so flooded with emotions right now....nervous, anxious but still very excited! I am a planner by nature so I have cooked tons of band friendly, high Protein foods and froze them, done all my laundry, done grocery shopping, filled my prescriptions, etc. I am now just waiting, waiting, waiting. I just want this behind me now so I can just recover and look forward to a fun summer. I am not sure if I will have the courage to post before pics because I HATE my saggy, floppy stomach right now. Maybe I will get the courage to post some after ones....wish me luck! Katie

Woo-hoo! It is exciting, isn't it??? I am scheduled for a TT NEXT Thursday! I am getting jitters now! Congrats!

I do exercise regularly and find the warmth factor a perk, other than that I am cold all the time!

Hi all, I was banded May 18, 2010 and am down about 95 pounds. I am due to have my TT in 2 weeks. All in all, I LOVE my band. What I don't love is how cold I am ALL THE TIME! I can't ever seem to warm up. Picture me on Christmas morning....in feety pajamas, a bathrobe, under and electric blanket, holding a hot cup of coffee, and in a room with a wood stove. Only then was I comfortable. Does anyone else experience this BONE COLD chill? Will it ever end?!?!? Thanks, Katie

None of us got to being overweight because we were "normal eaters". We all have some sort of food addiction. For me, anything with flour or sugar is a huge problem so I have to avoid things that have it in it like it was poison because if I start I CAN'T stop. The holidays have been really hard this year. The voices in my head say I am down like 93 or 94 pounds I can have a little of that pie or a piece of dessert. The truth is that I CAN'T, I am just letting down my defenses again. This food addiction never leaves us, we just find a way to be in better control of it. You already know what to do. You need to do Protein first and then veggies and, only if there is room, a small bit of complex carb. Also, do you need to go in for an adjustment? re-visit the nutritionist? Do you have a food scale and measuring cups? You CAN do this! You have the strength and the knowledge! You just need to start with 1 day or 1 meal or even 1 hour. Keep it simple and build your confidence back up. You are not a failure, you are human. Good luck and happy holidays, Katie

My insurance also paid for my band 100% and is going to cover the cost of a panniculectomy (removal of excess skin) from my abdomen because of chronic, well documented rashes by my primary care doctor and my dermatologist. I have to pay extra for the cost of the abdominoplasty (where they tighten the muscles) even though I have what is called a rectus diastasis, or a separation in my abdominals, and my "guts" are somewhat exposed beneath the skin. I guess it is common with people who have gained/lost a bunch of weight as well as for pregnant women. Good luck!