skinnyoneday

I can totally relate to all the things I left in. Although I am happily married, I would like to know that I am still attractive to the opposite sex.

I got Mirena inserted in April 2009 and at this point I hate it. I am still having my period. While my period is just a tad lighter than before it lasts 8 to 10 days - compared to about days before insertion. I plan to have it removed next week. I just can't take it anymore.

Currently it is because I want to look good but I got the band because of health reasons. I was prediabetic and had other medical issues. I was tired all the time, had joint pain, shortness of breath from walking short distances, uncomfortable in my own skin. I saw my future in the lives of older family members who are suffering from heart disease, diabetes and other ailments and didn't want to end up like that. But NOW I want to feel attractive for myself.

Jachut, let me just start out by saying you've been an inspiration to me since I joined LBT. I have to admit I've always been intimidated by your signature. I guess most of my issues with lack of losing can be taken care of by simply stopping with the complaints and just getting up and moving. In fact, I was losing weight steadily until around March when it started getting warm again. I started getting bored with my exercise routine and then eventually hurt my knee attempting the Couch Potato to 5k. Once I stopped going to the gym it was hard to get back into the routine. We're pretty much the same in that we haven't always been big. In fact, I was an avid exerciser and played handball on a regular basis until around the age of 23 when I had my son. I gained weight when I had him and just continued to gain. I've also tried a few diets with little to no success and this surgery was the last resort for me. I refuse to be fat for the rest of my life. Maybe I'm just being impatient. I don't know. Thanks for sharing.

I've always wanted to see a thread dedicated to people who've been several years post surgery but have never come across one. While success stories are great, I'd also like to hear about stumbles and failures just so I can get as close to a realistic view of where you can end up weight-wise after surgery. I am struggling and would love to hear about others who also struggled and still reached their goal weight. I had surgery on 7/15/08. I initially lost 50lbs and was doing great in the beginning. But since around March of this year I have been going in the opposite direction and have gained back 20 pounds. I'm really looking for encouragement right now and would like to know how our "veterans" are doing. I am sure I am not the only one who needs this so.... if you're 3+ tell us what's been going on with you. Share your low points, high points, tips, anything!

I think I have forgotten the rules of post band living already. Please refresh my memory. Prior to having surgery I said I'd have to be nuts to have spent all that money on surgery (insurance paid for mine also) and not get to my goal weight or at least pretty close to it. However, I've lost focus and that's why I started this thread. So that others in my position would have words of wisdom from our veterans to lean on. This thread will definitely be a "go to" for me when I lose focus again.

Wow, Marian, thank you so much for your input. Your story is very encouraging to me in that you did not gain all of the weight back (or even most of it for that matter) and that even now you are back to losing weight. And thank you so much for officially joining so you could respond. I hope many others follow suit.

Alright I cheated a little yesterday (day 2). Did good the whole day but took my son out for graduation and got a salad of which I could only eat a few forkfuls anyways along with an alcoholic beverage and 2 spoonfuls of dessert. Back on track today. doing good so far and already I am seeing a difference in the amount I can eat. This is not easy so kudos to all of you who successfully and faithfully stick to the test.

I'm in for this round. wasn't quite prepared for last.

Thanks Southern Missy

because it's coming up on my one year bandiversary and i am nowhere near goal.

I'd really like to take part in this but need some ideas on what to eat. It seems like forever since I was on liquids. Help!

I give my stuff to a friend to send to his family who live in a poor country.

I would like to join the challenge. Just added my info to the spreadsheet. A lot of you have lost a significant amount of weight already. I really need to get motivated again and hopefully this will help.

I don't know how you ladies looked when you had just started dating and married your husbands but... In my case when we started dating I was in great shape and always said I would never allow myself to get fat. I was a fanatic about looking good. When I got pregnant with my son it was a license to eat anything and everything in sight - afterall it wouldnt be fair to deprive the baby. Right after I had my son I jumped back on trying to get myself in shape. It worked for a while but then I started getting unmotivated and weight kept creeping up. Due to this and other issues my marriage started to dissolve. My husband started getting angry and this was demonstrated by his distancing himself from me. We went through some rough times. I would always lash out at him and he would go into himself. I was too expressive and he was too dismissive refusing to entertain my argumentative behavior. Anyway, instead of making this story too much longer, when we finally started to just talk to each other he let me know that when I started gaining weight he felt as though I didn't care about him anymore. Even before we got married he said he didn't want a fat wife and I always said (and meant) that I would always keep myself "hot". I didn't keep my promise and he felt like I'd betrayed him. When I started to lose the weight he started chasing me and I couldn't help to feel the way you felt. I had bouts of anger and hurt but I kept those feelings to myself and had to let them go. I love this man too much to hold onto those feelings. They're destructive and not worth it. But as some said open communication is necessary to the health of your marriage. Hope everything works out.

It was hard when I first got my band but I followed the rules because I was afraid of jeopardizing my progress. Now my band simply won't allow me to eat and drink together. The consequence is bringing everything back up.

Congratulations! You look terrific!

My go to places are NY&Co, T.J. Maxx and Filene's basement. All reasonably priced and really cute stuff.

Hey ladies, I have been a fool lately going into various stores and looking at all the cute little outfits that I will be able to wear soon hopefully. I've been haunting Filene's basement, T.J. Maxx, Macy's and NY & Co to name a few. What stores are you looking forward to?

Why don't we do a formal introduction? Hi all, here is a little info about me: I am 37. I am married with one 13 year old son I live in Brooklyn, NY. I work in the medical field. I am quiet. I am introverted to the umpteenth degree. I value the people in my life very much but tend not to show that as my preference is solitude. Selfish, i know, but i like quiet times. Your turn!:biggrin2:

I was given the okay to do all exercises 6 weeks after surgery. It has been a gradual process. I am learning to listen to my body as an indicator of how much I can do. The best thing to do would be to take it really easy at first paying attention to what doesn't feel right. I'm about 2 1/2 months postop and can do pretty much everything except for full sit ups.

What are you eating? I am now allowed to eat regular foods and am struggling with getting my protein in. I would like to hear from NYU bandsters as to what you are eating. Is anyone doing red meat? I have found that I can eat it - I guess because there is no restriction - only tried this once with a small piece and am not anxious to do so again right now anyway. I am not really a breakfast person. The only breakfast foods I enjoyed prior to surgery were fried eggs, bacon, toast, muffins and bagels. Eggs any other way I don't like, not a cereal, oatmeal or cream of wheat person. Any ideas? Lunch is usually tuna but there is only so much tuna one can eat.Can you guys please give me some meal ideas? Also becuase I have been gaining weight I have become scared to eat solids. I had all liquids today because I can't stand seeing the scale going in the wrong direction. Any ideas? TIA

Hi Chrisann, Nope I don't think they changed the rules but I wonder if they do make exceptions. I may have mentioned that I was advanced to mushies 6 days post surgery by Gaspar. Because of that I was able to start solids a little earlier. I have had 2 fills so far and don't have restriction. I am still able to eat about 2 cups of food without a problem. This was okayed by the nutritionist considering that I make healthy food choices. I have also been making slow steady progress weight-wise and have lost 37lbs between the preop diet and now so I guess I am doing okay. As far as eating, I have not really had any problems with the foods that I have been eating. So far I have been able to eat chicken breast without a problem. Although I LOVE red meat I've cut that out altogether along with rice and only eat WW Pasta occasionally. And so far eating in the morning has not been a problem. I am looking forward to not being able to eat in the morning and only being satisfied on 1 cup of food.

I know how you feel Yettia. I've also had 2 fills and feel no restriction. I have had to control my amount of eating on my own. According to my nutritionist I should be full after 1/2 cup to 1 cup of food. I can and do eat 2 cups with ease. Aside from my initial issues with weight gain I have steadily been losing. Have you found you are losing weight anyway?

Where have I been? Congrats Ms. April!!! How are you feeling today?