FLORIDAYS

It takes all the will power you can muster.... but keep in mind...any weight you lose will shorten the time until you hit your goal while any weight you gain will prolong it. Thats what kept me on track! You can do it!

I had intended to take a pic of myself on the 9th of every month...so I could watch my progress... I didnt but I think it would be cool to see.

My band scars are not visable.... so i wouldnt worry about the scars. As for the skin... its depends on your age and how much you need to lose... but I will take being thin with some sagging anyday over fat and unhealthy. You will be fine.

Sad but true....I would say people started really noticing after I had dropped about 50 lbs. When you have 217 to lose it takes a while. But they sure do notice now... and they will notice only a 5-10 lbs difference

The last time I posted in this thread was a long time ago and I had lost 60 something pounds. I am come a long way since then but I am still trying to eat 1000 calories and I am still losing.... however its a lot more slow now that I am 10 lbs from goal. I believe that the quanity is key.... but my limited math skills tells me there are more calories in a 1/2 c of french fries then 1/2 c of peas. But I would be lying if I told you I didnt have stuff over the past 22 months that I shouldnt have.... b ut I will tell you if I did it was never to excess. It might have been one cookie instead of 6. Or a dolup of sour cream instead of a cup full.... and yes... I can eat just one M&M and be happy! Its all about how bad you want success!

Mine was the same.... the only thing I could supplement was low sodium V-8 , low sodium broth and sugar free popsicles. Period.

Get the fill if you are due to have it. You have to remember that you eat to live...not live to eat. You arent going on the cruise for the food are you? Just eat normally like you would at home. Take a little bit of everything and leave 1/2 of it on your plate. Food is just a permenant reminder of a temporary feeling. Listen to your body. Have a great time!

My pleasure... I am happy to answer any questions. Believe me if I can do this...anyone can! PS.. I answered your email.

Hi Karen... My avatar is a before and sort of after... Me in the green was the morning of surgery and the one in the black dress what taken in April ....30 lbs ago. I need to get some updates I guess

I have kept a food journal....as I recorded every thing I put in my mouth until my dr asked me to stop back in march.... He wanted me to be able to eyeball it. I think so far the best thing is exactly why I did it... I have my health. I am not scared of having a heart attack anymore! I actually was very healthy for being overweight but I couldn't walk from Walmart to the car without stopping... I was just carrying too much weight. Now I don't look for the closest parking spot.... I can walk for hours. And the added benefit of being on the receiving end of double takes isn't bad either

You are very kind. I am pretty proud of myself.

If you are going to drink alcohol...count the calories as other have said but don't forget to drink a glass of wAter for every glass of alcohol.... As alcohol usually makes you retain water will will be reflective on the scale

I lost before I got to the green zone... You can too! Good luck!!

Be ready to do what ever it takes..... You will need to call on every ounce of will power you have to be successful... This isn't the easy way out. All the best!

Ok... Something isn't kosher here... How does a medical device puncture through the skin without getting infected? I am not saying I dont believe you but it makes no sense ....because if that happened it would be medically necessary to repair it... They won't just leave it sticking out.... Would they ? Maybe I need to read the thread again...

My head hasn't caught up with my body yet. 21 months ago I couldn't fit into most chairs comfortablly... Hated clothes but today I still am shocked when a small top fits me and my butt and hips measures 38 inches. 21 months ago it was 77 inches.... I am not sure when I will feel comfortable but I will tell you that the size 14s I bought 4 months ago which I was SO HAPPY to buy... look and are ginormous! So maybe I am getting there

And just to add.... When I wanted cookies or brownies or something unhealthy... I would make it but not eat it....hows that for warped....lol. Of course They enjoyed it and I enjoyed making it,

Of course we don't know your situation but i shop for groceries, plan meals I cook for my family every night....during preop, post op and for the past 21 months of losing, occasionally there were a few calls to order take out or we would eat out but pretty much it's all me. That said.... You cannot stop your life just because you are banded. You also cannot expect the world to make the choices you have made for yourself. Sure it's hard but no one ever said it wouldn't be. Many times I had to get up from the table because I couldnt stand to watch them eating dessert or pizza or something else I couldn't have but I set my mind to do this and NOTHING was going to stop me. I know it sounds a little tough love but we cannot blame others for our choices, so cook.... Enjoy making a nice meal for your family and if they eat stuff you cannot have ... Dig deep and find the will power to chose to say no. It really is very simple.

Great topic.... My dr told me a long time ago that he was looking forward to seeing me in color. He said that is the biggest difference he sees in people! I laughed at the time but I bought some jeans the other day .... They are pink. And a size 10! I also bought a pair of capris The same size....that are bright lime great with huge tropical flowers.... Who.d a thunk it???

I remember seeing a thread when I first joined of someone who had lost about the same amount I needed to.... It gave me hope. Just wanted to pass it forward,

you Re so sweet....thank you

I don't know how to post them in the thread but my profile is of me on surgery dAy and of me in march...about 30 lbs ago.

Thanks so much. The best advise i can give is to stick to it... Eat 1000 calories every day .. Or what ever yourndr suggests...track your calorie intake and see your dr monthly until he tells you you can go a couple of months between visits. I did everything he told me and went through withdrawal back in march when he told me to come back in 2 months! lol Now it's every 3 months and I am still losing.

Trust my experience on this one... In a year or two when you are 10 lbs from goal...it won't matter who says what.... Because they will be too busy looking at how wonderful you look to care. so in the meantime tell or not tell is a personal choice... But in a few months I am telling you.... It will not matter!

I didnt have that but i would ask yor dr..... I am assuming you have a visit scheduled soon.... Good luck