She Smiles

Awww wow. I feel really flattered. Thanks, you made my day :thumbup: You should comment on my blog - even if its to tell me to harden the f**k up (especially recently)! haha Deb, sounds like you're doing great! Stick with it and you'll be fine!!

I was the same, optifast 3 times a day and 1 cup of NON STARCHY veggies a day (I had spinach, bok choy, carrot, onion, squash etc). I had a shake for brekkie, a optifast bar for lunch (easier to disguise at work) and a shake and my veggies for dinner (I stir fried them with some low salt soy sauce, garlic and herbs). Stick to what YOU have been advised by your Dr's/nutritionist though.....and it WILL get easier after a few days. I was hungry day 3 and 4 and was fine after that. Stick with it It will be worth it in the end, I lost 7 kilos on my pre op diet.

You know Manatee, you mention of covers of Men's Health......brings to mind pictures in womens mags. I KNOWKNOWKNOW they are retouched, fixed etc....but I see women that look AMAZING (ie my brothers current gf) in real life and I know that I could be a million percent on what I am...... So yeah, I hear you, loud and clear on that one!!!!!! (goes to look at your blog

Yep I'm with Denise on this one. I still feel like the fat girl most of the time, and when I catch a glimse of myself in a window or mirror as I walk past I sometimes do a double take because I don't recognise the reflection. I've posted about this a couple of times on my blog .I don't even know if I will feel normal when I get to my goal (soon hopefully). I don't know what it is that WILL make me feel that way. For a while I thought plastic surgery would help. You know, to clean up the "mess", but now I don't think even that would do it. This is a tricky one. And one I think we all just have to deal with and work through in our own time. Unfortunately from all the soul searching and pondering I have done on this, there doesn't seem to be a quick fix, for me at least.

Hey Wasa, so I'm quite interested in the mechanics of how the sleeve works - I get that the stomach is now a "sleeve" hence the name, but I get the gist from what you are saying that they might cut out the section of the stomach that produces ghrelin? If so, that rocks! How exactly does that work? Do you mind telling me (us? ha) more? Or referring me to a website you've read that might explain it for me? What are the pros and cons of the sleeve? I was going to PM you, but I thought others might be interested too.... Thanks in advance - as many others have said, you're an asset to this forum and have helped many - now you can educate us all about the sleeve :rolleyes2:

My guess is that its a way to make us re-live the horror of popularity stakes in high school.

Some one who hasn't even posted one single post friend requested me, now THAT was weird!

Glad to hear you're doing well Wasa. I personally will be (honestly) interested to hear about your experiences with the sleeve. I don't know much about it but would like to keep my options open, you know, just in case *something* (touch wood it doesn't) happens to my band one day.

I think I might try this the next time some one says something like that to me. Either that or pull up my shirt and show them the muffin top I still have and ask them to grab it (and force them to when they decline). Nothing like extending an extremely uncomfortable moment, hey?

Why has no one told me before now then? I'm only ever doing stuff for periods of 6 weeks from now on. Whats the point? *throws a tantrum*

So, apparently when you've been doing something for 6 weeks, that makes you the best and most experienced at it. Ahead of anyone with more experience. Apparently..... *tries to stop head from exploding* That is all.

Ahhh yeah I was having bad reflux, vomited a few times in one night and ended up with a slight slip. The slip is now fixed after being unfilled, refilled a little and then unfilled again after a serious bout of gastro. Now I have 3mls in my 10ml band. It was scary at the time because I thought I might mose my band or the slip wouldn't fix itself, but it shocked me back to being the good bandster I should be. Who knows why there was more in our bands - maybe some one else will have some insight into why it happens!

I recently had to get a total unfill and both my surgeon and I knew there was 7.5mls in there (he even had it in his computer as that).....when he took it out, there was 8mls.....he just couldn't explain it.

Not me....I'm ALWAYS there to shop....my cupboards are bursting with new smaller clothes!!! :eek:

This is good. It means the boys won't accidently stumble into into a thread about periods or waxing or other girly things they don't want to know anything about! We can remain the mysterious creatures they want us to be hahahaha

When you want to check the menu of a restaurant before you go out to eat to make sure they have small, healthy "safe" meals for you to pick from.

I saw this on Sunday too. There certainly is some headwork that needs to be done with a massive weight loss for most people. And, some people need to do more than others. I am incredibly thankful for the support network I have in my family and friends, and this forum. I hope that the secret poster finds some support and peace and learns to enjoy the new life she has been given in time.

I'm staying on plan today because I'm tired of seeing the scales jump around so much lately. I want to see the lowest number again, and have it stay there.

Wow! Congrats, you've totally shrunk! :laugh:

Hi there, I just wanted to post to say congrats on your success so far. I've been banded 18 months now. I didn't have my first PB until I was about 4 or 5 months out (and then had one maybe once every couple of months) and up until a month and a half ago I'd not had any problems with my band AT ALL. However, very randomly (hadn't had a fill for 5 months, nothing had changed, diet was normal) and in the space of a very short amount of time, I developed bad reflux, PBed twice in one day (which NEVER happens) and I knew something was up - I saw my Dr and I ended up getting totally unfilled, I had a very minor slip from the vomiting, and he wanted to be safe and give the swelling time to go down. I tell my story only as a picture of what can happen - I considered myself a successful and careful bandster - I've lost over 50 kilos and before sustaining a knee injury recently I was seriously training to do a half marathon! I eat small portions and I eat a good variety of foods. I never in a million years expected to get any of the side effects others spoke about because 16 months of my journey had been a breeze! I'm not trying to be a downer, I apologise if it sounds like I am - I just wish that I hadn't been so ignorant to the fact that our bodies can react very strangely at times, and without any rhyme or reason. We all just need to listen to what our bodies are saying and take care of our bands, because I'm sure none of us want to lose them. I'd be devastated to lose mine!

Congrats on the milestone! Its taken me about 6 months to lose the last 25 pounds I've lost, so I feel your pain. It may have taken longer that I wanted/expected, but I know I'll get there.....eventually. So will you!!

Anyone in particular BBK?? I know theres a lot to pick from.......

To address your issues from my perspective only - My boobs are smaller - (US evivalent [i'm an Aussie]) 22DD to 8-10D-C currently. I'm in proportion with my frame though. I haven't mourned the lost of my cup size, it makes being active MUCH easier. Wrinkles - I was banded at 27 years old and am almost 30, I look younger now in my face than I did at the time I was a banded because of the weight loss. If you are talking about stomach and other body areas for loose skin, well I have some, but an amount I can live with and disguise at 30. Its a hell of a lot better than I was 18 months ago being mordidlt obese! I eat Pasta and rice often, daily almost. Bread I cut out cos the yeast did horrible things to my body not cos I coudln't eat it. I don't even know if I can with my band! Each person is different, you'll have to see how you tolerate your band to see what foods you can eat confortably. I don't miss much....everything is worth from where I am.....

I'm at 94% lost by my Dr's recent calculations. 50% is an average, if you work with your band there is no reason why you won't lose 100%.

Ouch! Hope they can fix your belly button without too much bother. You're looking fabulous BBK, I'm not surprised you're loving that teeny new waist of yours!!