I'm posting this in the success stories forum since this is about success. My ticker says I have 25 lbs. to go to get to goal, but I am realizing I really have reached my goal. I needed to lose enough weight to get my hips replaced and that was done nearly six weeks ago. This surgery will improve my life tremendously and allow me to walk without pain. For those with chronic arthritis and associated pain, they understand better than most, just how vital and life changing this surgery is.

I also reached goal in that I am no longer morbidly obese. I'm not talking about BMI, that's just a number. What I'm talking about is how people look at me. I'm just a 'normal' overweight person. No one stares at me anymore, no one looks horrified if I try to sit next to them on the train/bus. I no longer fear airplane seats, restaurant booths, chairs with arms, or tight fitting spaces. I'm no longer ashamed of my size.

I am wearing pants in the 14/16 range, and blouses in the XL/1X size. I'm sure soon enough, I'll be out of 'women's' sizes altogether and be able to shop anywhere. If however, I never lose another pound, I'm OK with the clothing size I currently am as there are plenty of things to chose from. Not so when I was a 26/28 and a 4X.

I've had a few weeks to contemplate this 'new' phase as I have basically maintained my weight loss while recuperating from surgery. I'm not at home and am not as in control as I normally am in terms of food. I'm eating out more than usual, I know my sodium intake is higher than usual, but I'm also seeing what it's like to maintain. Yesterday, we went for lobster Cantonese...my mom's favorite. I had eggdrop and wonton Soup and what was likely one lobster. I estimated because the special was two lobsters and they chopped them into pieces and put them on one plate. In any case, I ate what I thought was one lobster and had them pack up the other one to take home and told my mom she could eat it for lunch if she wanted it because I knew the sodium was high and I didn't want to eat any more of it even though it was delicious. Sure enough, I'm up two lbs. this morning but I know as long as I watch the sodium for a couple of days, the number will drop back down again.

So...the point of this post is that once I get home, I'll go back to my 'regular' way of eating and just let nature take it's course. I'm sure I'll lose more weight just because there's still plenty of excess in that department. Plus, as I heal, I hope to be able to finally start an exercise regimen as well. However...if I wind up staying at this weight, I am satisfied with that and am now looking forward to the real challenge here, and that is being able to maintain this lifestyle. My first 'bandiversary' will be in January, and I plan on posting every year with the expectation that I will continue being a successful bandster.

PS: I'll post before/after pics shortly. I'm waiting for the swelling in my hips to go down some. Right now, I look like my dear departed mother-in-law who had some set of hips on her. Talk about pear shaped....LOL.

You'r right just heal , how ever you can still focus on your banded life and health as you have the tool and know what to and what not we our suppose to do sometimes we fall off but we can also get back on and ride the band wagon through , so make sure and take care of you also.

Such amazing success & wonderful news!!!

Congratulations....but I have to ask...will the band let you go back to your old way of eating??? Without getting some Fluid aken out?

For me, this was corrective surgery..I cannot turn it on or off as if it were Jenny Craig or something similar...

For myself, I have set many goals, and came to the realization that eating / life with the band IS the new normal way of eating. My old way was way wrong, and made me fat and ill with many diseases such as Coronary Artery Disease, Diabetes, etc....and my body weight will settled where it wants to be all on it's own, and my illneses will reverse.....and that is what happened...

I am not trying to do anything where I need to start or stop......other than live the new lifestyle which is now 2nd nature, who I am...

That's great! I hope I can get comfortable enough with my weight to where it will be 'enough". You are quite the inspiration!

Congratulations....but I have to ask...will the band let you go back to your old way of eating??? Without getting some Fluid aken out?

For me, this was corrective surgery..I cannot turn it on or off as if it were Jenny Craig or something similar...

For myself, I have set many goals, and came to the realization that eating / life with the band IS the new normal way of eating. My old way was way wrong, and made me fat and ill with many diseases such as Coronary Artery Disease, Diabetes, etc....and my body weight will settled where it wants to be all on it's own, and my illneses will reverse.....and that is what happened...

I am not trying to do anything where I need to start or stop......other than live the new lifestyle which is now 2nd nature, who I am...

I'm hoping it becomes second nature for me B-52. Right now it's not. I have to make sure I am eating band sized portions and remind myself it's not about being full but it's all about satiety.

This is great! You reached your goal in order to get your hips replaced and now you are through that, too -- two huge goals! I'm glad it's all sinking in and you're realizing what the people around you must already know -- you are amazing. I'm convinced that exercise is the secret to success. Now that you will be able to be a real walker it is all going to fall into place. Forget the numbers -- the scale is going to be whacky for a while after all the inflammation. Your body has been through so much. Now your focus is going to be mobility and building muscle. You'll be at that other goal before you know it. Very best wishes to you -- you are an inspiration!

I am glad you are on the mend and happy

I'm posting this in the success stories forum since this is about success. My ticker says I have 25 lbs. to go to get to goal, but I am realizing I really have reached my goal. I needed to lose enough weight to get my hips replaced and that was done nearly six weeks ago. This surgery will improve my life tremendously and allow me to walk without pain. For those with chronic arthritis and associated pain, they understand better than most, just how vital and life changing this surgery is.

I also reached goal in that I am no longer morbidly obese. I'm not talking about BMI, that's just a number. What I'm talking about is how people look at me. I'm just a 'normal' overweight person. No one stares at me anymore, no one looks horrified if I try to sit next to them on the train/bus. I no longer fear airplane seats, restaurant booths, chairs with arms, or tight fitting spaces. I'm no longer ashamed of my size.

I am wearing pants in the 14/16 range, and blouses in the XL/1X size. I'm sure soon enough, I'll be out of 'women's' sizes altogether and be able to shop anywhere. If however, I never lose another pound, I'm OK with the clothing size I currently am as there are plenty of things to chose from. Not so when I was a 26/28 and a 4X.

I've had a few weeks to contemplate this 'new' phase as I have basically maintained my weight loss while recuperating from surgery. I'm not at home and am not as in control as I normally am in terms of food. I'm eating out more than usual, I know my sodium intake is higher than usual, but I'm also seeing what it's like to maintain. Yesterday, we went for lobster Cantonese...my mom's favorite. I had eggdrop and wonton soup and what was likely one lobster. I estimated because the special was two lobsters and they chopped them into pieces and put them on one plate. In any case, I ate what I thought was one lobster and had them pack up the other one to take home and told my mom she could eat it for lunch if she wanted it because I knew the sodium was high and I didn't want to eat any more of it even though it was delicious. Sure enough, I'm up two lbs. this morning but I know as long as I watch the sodium for a couple of days, the number will drop back down again.

So...the point of this post is that once I get home, I'll go back to my 'regular' way of eating and just let nature take it's course. I'm sure I'll lose more weight just because there's still plenty of excess in that department. Plus, as I heal, I hope to be able to finally start an exercise regimen as well. However...if I wind up staying at this weight, I am satisfied with that and am now looking forward to the real challenge here, and that is being able to maintain this lifestyle. My first 'bandiversary' will be in January, and I plan on posting every year with the expectation that I will continue being a successful bandster.

PS: I'll post before/after pics shortly. I'm waiting for the swelling in my hips to go down some. Right now, I look like my dear departed mother-in-law who had some set of hips on her. Talk about pear shaped....LOL.

i am so proud of you...and honored to know you and be considered your friend

Right back at you CG!

This is great! You reached your goal in order to get your hips replaced and now you are through that, too -- two huge goals! I'm glad it's all sinking in and you're realizing what the people around you must already know -- you are amazing. I'm convinced that exercise is the secret to success. Now that you will be able to be a real walker it is all going to fall into place. Forget the numbers -- the scale is going to be whacky for a while after all the inflammation. Your body has been through so much. Now your focus is going to be mobility and building muscle. You'll be at that other goal before you know it. Very best wishes to you -- you are an inspiration!

This is great! You reached your goal in order to get your hips replaced and now you are through that, too -- two huge goals! I'm glad it's all sinking in and you're realizing what the people around you must already know -- you are amazing. I'm convinced that exercise is the secret to success. Now that you will be able to be a real walker it is all going to fall into place. Forget the numbers -- the scale is going to be whacky for a while after all the inflammation. Your body has been through so much. Now your focus is going to be mobility and building muscle. You'll be at that other goal before you know it. Very best wishes to you -- you are an inspiration!

Thanks for your kind words bandista

I'm hoping it becomes second nature for me B-52. Right now it's not. I have to make sure I am eating band sized portions and remind myself it's not about being full but it's all about satiety.

After two years I am just now starting to notice that new and better eating habits are becoming second nature, somewhat. My brain still needs conditioning!