We need a place where we can support each other through our "more than most" journey. Just as turtles don't get much out of hearing us talking about fast we're losing, maybe it would give us a nice break from "I'm getting banded because I need to lose 60 lbs".

I think we have our own unique challenges, expectations, baggage, etc. -- and we need our own little niche to support eachother. We all have a very long journey ahead of us, and need to band together.

Wheetsin

Forgive my intrusion, I'm not a supersized bandster, I'm a bandster with a supersized appetite. Your recent post on a "typical" day was another reinforcement that most hunger is mental and not physical.

Way to go Wheetsin! You look totally fabulous!!! You are such an inspiration for me!!!!

Dawn

Banded April 4, 2006

Montreal

Fill June 9th

Thanks guys! I'm still waiting for this double chin to go away, but it's nice to not look like StayPuft.

As for:

Forgive my intrusion, I'm not a supersized bandster, I'm a bandster with a supersized appetite. Your recent post on a "typical" day was another reinforcement that most hunger is mental and not physical.

No intrusion at all. And you know - I truly believe that. We have all kinds of "cognitive distortions" that make it OK for us to eat more than we need. Even after banding. I really believe that if people really paid more attention to what their body is telling them than how much food is left on their plate, or how much they've eaten in the past day, or whatever - we'd all behave a lot differently. I may take a plate of food, and feel compelled to finish it because it's just a little bit of food, or because I haven't eaten anything else all day. But whether it's 1 scoop or 6 on your plate, that's still "finish your plate" mentality.

This is why I've said from day 1 that I think emotional eaters will have a much harder, longer journey ahead of them than behavioral eaters. Behaviors are relateively easy to change, at least when compared to emotional outlets.

wow! Wheetsin, you look great!!

You guys have a great weekend. Drink your water and move that body!!!

Wheetsin, your face pics were an inspiration to me. I can't wait for my face to start reappearing. I hate how its hidden under this fat now.

:clap2: I am having my surgery in late feb. or early March. My BMI is 53 @ 5'5" and 317 lbs. I am really excited to get this done. My surgeon requires about 4 weeks pre-op Optifast, which isn't great but I have been on medifast in the past and as I recall after a few days I didn't even miss eating. It does get you used to all liquids before the surgery so in that instance it must make post-op a little easier. I am really enjoying reading about everyones journey on this site. It makes it a little less scary to read about eveyones experiences.

Jean

Yesterday I broke down and bought new jeans. I have been avoiding it because I hate to put too much money into new clothes because I don't plan on staying in them too long. Well, my hubby and I went into CJ Banks and I saw that the largest size they carried was a 24 and I told him it was no use, I couldn't fit in them but he convinced me that it couldn't hurt to try. I tried them on and they fit perfect!!!! :whoo: I couldn't believe it!! I had been wearing a 30/32 and assumed that I was probably in a 28 or 26 if I was really lucky but I never in my wildest dreams figured it could be a 24! The sales girl must have noticed my obvious surprise when I ran out to show them to my hubby and she commented on how nice they looked. I felt like dancing out of the store!! :dance: I can't remember the last time I wore a 24.

Met my personal goal of 50 lbs. by Christmas and got a bonus of fitting into a 24...this year is ending wonderfully! :high5:

Congrats, Denise! To be able to shop from ‘regular’ stores again – what a Christmas gift to yourself! And with 50 pounds down, you deserve it! WAHOO! Remember to give DH a pat on the back for having more faith in your efforts than you did, and encouraging you toward something that made you feel so great! Way to go! :high5:

I hate to show my ignorance....but what is a pannus? :help:

scratching my head....probably not my pannus....cat:guess

I heard someone once refer to the phenomenon of ‘hanging abdominal pannus’ as a Donelap or as having Donelap Disease (as in, my belly done lap over my belt), which I found hysterical & use now myself. :laugh Several years ago I saw reference to ‘the apron’ (as in apron of fat) from an actual WLS doctor, which I thought was far less funny, but equally appropriate.:rolleyes

THanks for clearing up the the pannus thingy for me. ik ik ik I don't want to think about mine today....grin

...cat:eek:

Hi I am pre op. Going to get the band Feb 1/07. I am 300 lbs BMI of 49.9. I am aware of "fills" but why are they done. I thought once the band was on, that was it. Can anyone tell me why they get "fills".

My family GP said he will do them for me when I asked him but I am still not sure why. Don't mind saying I am scared and excited. I am really glad to have been referred to this site.

Congradulations Wheetsin and Denise... I am so impressed and feeling that I can do it too.. At my daughter's wedding in August I too had a marshmellow face.. When ever I see her video I remember why I did this. Down 42 and feeling better about myself and my face. but the question I have is when you start at 320 pounds does the double chin ever go away. especially when you are 56 and can't remember what elasticity is??

Also the pannus? does it shrink up or just look like in the movie Click?

also how do I get rid of the extra space at the bottom of my reply?

Hey all! I just had my surgery on 12/18. Initially I lost 20 lbs since then which is great, but now the weight loss has stalled as I've moved to pureeds/mushies. I was wondering what your experiences have been of about how long it takes to get the scale moving again? Thanks!!!

PS I started with a bmi of about 55 and now I'm at about 51