Hello and good morning my friends. Welcome to Banders #7. So, I guess I'll start it off by saying how grateful I am today and every day for the new lease on life that I have. I walked to the office today from the train station. That was something I couldn't do before the surgery. I always say how light I feel and I realized it's not a state of mind, but a physical reality. We are weighed down by the excess weight and all that goes with it. When we don't rumble and jumble as we walk, our steps are lighter. I was listening to my ipod and started to dance a little as I was walking. I'm sure I looked ridiculous, but who cares? When one is thin, even looking ridiculous seems OK.

I am grateful for my for my beautiful grandson who I was able to tuck into my lap last Saturday morning so we could play while Mommy and Daddy got to sleep in a bit. I'm grateful that I fit anywhere and everywhere. No more worrying if I will break a chair, or be able to navigate a booth at the restaurant, or walk down a narrow aisle without having to suck it all in just to get past someone/something.

I'm grateful for my health. I take alot of pills, but many of them are supplements and not prescription for chronic ailments. I'm grateful that I can walk again...that I can swim, bike, climb, and yes....enjoy sex. I am surprised at how flexible I can be now that I'm thin.

I'm grateful that I earn enough money that I can indulge my new found love of shopping. I really think I'm one of the best dressed ladies in the office these days...and I know I've upped the game for others. I am definitely seeing more dresses than I did a year ago.

I'm grateful to Alex for having this site available...and I'm grateful to all the folks on it who are part of my success. I know I would not have been as successful as I have been if not for all of you. I talk about things here that I don't talk to anyone else about. You all know the struggles of being fat, and immobile, and feeling like a failure regardless of what we've accomplished..and I know now how much we 'hidden' people have accomplished. It's helping me to not turn that self hatred towards others still struggling with obesity. It also reminds me that I will always struggle with obesity. Under this thin person still lurks the fat girl. She is the one who whispers in my ear all the time that I'm not worthy of the good things out there and I should just order a pizza and eat the whole thing. She and I clash daily and it's why I still go every Tuesday to the therapist who listens and helps me to navigate this new world I inhabit.

Well...I think I've posted enough for today. Feel free to comment on the above, or share your stories, or say hi, or just lurk. Enjoy your day today...enjoy the upcoming holiday, and looking forward to a wonderfully robust Banders #7 thread.

Liz

@@gowalking do you think that they don't have to pay for the surgeries? I would think that nothing is for free these days....I have to be honest though, I have a panus and I have not even lost that much weight and I have so much further to go but I have to tell you that thing bothers the sh*t out of me!!!

If and when I ever get to a stable weight that would be first thing that goes!!! Not because of how it looks...I think it looks just fine, but because of how it feels. It hangs and touches skin to skin and just irritates me something awful and it's worse in the summer months and when working out. I hate it...and sometimes I think that having more issues like that is what keeps me from really losing more weight....

@@Debbie3sons what did you think about the show? I am one of those weird people that like all that medical stuff. Not so much the surgery or having anyone show me how much skin they removed from my body I would NOT want to see that. Maybe on drugs it might be OK cause who would remember it

I was really happy for both of them...though I have to say the guy for having gone to plastic surgery practice I was not all that impressed with his scars or the nipple graft that they did at all.

@@gowalking do you think that they don't have to pay for the surgeries? I would think that nothing is for free these days....I have to be honest though, I have a panus and I have not even lost that much weight and I have so much further to go but I have to tell you that thing bothers the sh*t out of me!!!

If and when I ever get to a stable weight that would be first thing that goes!!! Not because of how it looks...I think it looks just fine, but because of how it feels. It hangs and touches skin to skin and just irritates me something awful and it's worse in the summer months and when working out. I hate it...and sometimes I think that having more issues like that is what keeps me from really losing more weight....

Hi Lisa. I just presumed the show would pay for the surgery. Why in the world would anyone want to show their 'stuff' to the world if not for getting something out of it. Doesn't the 600 lb. show pay for WLS and skin removal that Dr. Now does? I thought they did. Holy crap!! I'd never show the world my ugly skin and scars without getting something out of it...

@ lisacaron It was OK , but I thought it was going to show some of the people from my 600# life since the same Doctor is on there , also I don't understand why the guy from Fullerton California went all the way to Texas to get PS that is Really close to where I live like 15-30 minutes away , however I did think of all of us & how we would have to save money to get anything done but I have heard that if we get note's from pcp's & band surgeon referrals that sometime if deemed medically necessary that it would be paid for but Carolinagirl tried & they denied her , I don't understand that if it's hanging like that or is uncomfortable & We get those rashes why We can't or will be denied but I will watch it's just interesting to me & kind of upsets me at the same time LOL.

It is like a car accident.. I don't want to watch and yet I do.

Some of the struggles are relatable and encourage me....

Surgery/skin removal graphics I always fast forward through...

Yes I believe the show pays for surgery... Gotta be a carrot to dangle to get people to open their lives up to the public.... Lots of eating is private. Just my opinion

Nothing like watching the biggest loser show while eating chili Lol I'm so bad & my Mother makes the comment why don't they just get wls lol sorry I had to but I almost spit chili out thinking about it at least I'm eating protein LOL.

I've been off BP this week but I'm doing really well. Clean food plan, and I can't believe it, but I'm losing weight again. But it sure has been strict. I gave up the fried food three weeks ago. Planned and portioned meals. Working closely with my OA sponsor. I'm starting to believe I might actually reach my goal weight this year.

Today was a day to do nothing , so I did get up & go shopping , but it seems since I got back home , I have done nothing but be on my phone & catch up on shows , I don't get to watch cause I'm either out or working , now I know it's January & people make resolutions but now there is all kinds of weight loss shows back or have started My 600# life, skin tight , I'm waiting for the new botched & now there's one called my Diet is better than yours LOL , All I know is what works for you & what works for me is what works for me LOL & that's how it's been since I started this journey because ad I've always said WE are all different , like I said I can tell it's January now Lol & it's almost over already , but I haven't stopped dancing.

Wow I didn't know the shows paid for the surgeries and all that. I figured there was some kind of "incentive" and I guess it makes sense though I was hoping they chose the surgery to save their lives on 600 show and were on TV to help others in their situation find hope. I am naive ????

I would not want to do any of that on TV or in the public eye, though I do learn from these shows and it helps me remember that it could get that real if I ever let it. Especially when you see the people that are still walking and driving to the donut shop every morning and not just being waited being enabled by others. You can clearly get there on your own. ????

I was watching the extreme makeover last night and admiring that woman who really got the lead out and dropped 92 pounds in 90 days. Then I think yeah but that was all she had to do all day 100% focus on it and that is not my life. I have to work and kids and animals and family etc. finding the time for fitness and the time for recovery from work outs like that would be impossible with out 100% focus like that.

Ah well. I am not a resolution type person but I am committed to working on my health (which has not been the best) this year and making that a priority.

That will eventually include getting back to the gym, and I do miss moving especially in the cold weather everything gets so tight and stiff with out it. ????

I am pretty sure they are compensated somehow.. If you watch the shows much you will notice at some point they are driving new vehicles mostly trucks. somebody has paid for that. As to whether they get free surgery I do not know for sure I would assume they are under some kind of contract. I have chatted with one of the gals that has had surgery and was on the show . but I did not ask her about the money thing. I am inspired by their stories and don't care if they are paid or not just happy when they are successful.

There is a some funding if you guys remember I went to one of the wls convention & I forget what it's called but I did meet a few of them.

I believe that is zsalyn (not sure about spelling). She has been a great inspiration to many people. I remember watching her struggle with a non supportive husband.... Who seemed very smug... And trying to raise her daughter with some healthy habits.

She is still trying and I admire her.

@ Julienorton your right.

So, just a random question ... besides trying to eat dinner earlier, does anyone have a good suggestion to avoid acid reflux at night?

I haven't posted or been on the site in a while, I hope everyone is doing well!!!!

Ok, so straight off I'm going to say this is a selfish post, a pep-talk out loud for ME. In doing so, I'm not looking for sprinkle and rainbow compliments I'm doing this as a way for me to get back on track, you know it becomes real when you put it out there:-)

Most of you know my story but for those that don't I've been banded for 2 years and 8 months. I started this journey weighing 289lbs. Within 16 months I had lost 159lbs., surpassing my goal by 20lbs. I went from a size 22 in pants to a size 2/3 and size 3XL shirts to size small. My life is dramatically different then it was 3 years ago in every aspect.

When my weight hit 130lbs. I told myself I needed to identify a range to stay within and when I hit the max of that range it was time to get serious and get back on track, I decided 135lbs. was that max # for me. Last year about this time I started stressing because my weight began flexing 3-5lbs., which was within the range I set for myself but once I was there I freaked out, I didn't like it. I would hit the max, go back to basics the scale would go down, then I would get excited and say well now I can have this, this and this and not go over my max, the problem was when I would go down it was 2-3 lbs., never back to that 130 mark, I hovered in the middle, over the course of 4 months I gave up, I started excepting the fact that 130 was history and 134 was my new norm and that it was ok, deal with it, be happy with it, telling myself 3 years ago you would have been thrilled to be at 134, what's your problem. I finally convinced myself and a new weight range was set and my new max # became137. I stayed within this range for 8 months, doing the same thing as before up and down, treat, basics etc. Then a month ago it was vacation time, followed the next week by Christmas and then New Years and today I'm now flexing 7-9lbs. and guess what, I'M FREAKED THE HELL OUT!!!! My worry isn't about the 9lbs, it's about losing control and this developing into something more and ending up where I started at 289lbs, miserable, letting myself and those who believe in me down. I've turned this into a pattern of excuses, passes and acceptance until I keep lowering my standards to except where I am because it's easier because if I don't accept it I have to face the fact I may never be 130 again followed by the justification of remember 3 years you were XXX well if I keep going I will be XXX and I CAN NOT LET that happen!

I'm now setting here with tears in my eyes thinking how ridiculous this all is. I know the band works and I know how to work the band. I know what I want but I'm not pushing myself to get there.

I'm done feeling sorry for myself!!!! I've worked entirely too hard to look back now. I know I have what it takes to stay focused to make the right choices to get my ass up and start exercising (which I will confess I haven't done at all during this journey), drink 80oz of Water, Protein first, veggies, then a carb if I have room, to STOP eating when I'm satisfied instead of caving into that craving when I'm not really hungry. I know I have what it takes because I have the band and the stubbornness to back it up:-)

I feel like some reading this will be like is this girl for real, she wrote an entire book over 9lbs. but it TRULY isn't about that, I know that if I work the band the band will work for me I just have to start believing in myself, believe I have it in me and that if I want those lbs. gone then I don't have to settle for less because I'm "stuck" but to keep pushing and not let food or weight or worry stop me.

Thank you all for listening!