MINI-Me

I think you hit the nail on the head with that statement!

Only 2 weeks. Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/2011/02/shocking-body-image-news-97-percent-of-women-will-be-cruel-to-their-bodies-today My thought was wow! So sad ... But then I thought about it. Even with my new thin body, I still do this. Why? I still look at all the "non perfect" areas and want to fix them. Why can't I focus on all the good I've done to my body and my health over the past year & stop fixating on what is still 'wrong".

I told very few people at first. It was very personal to me & I didn't think others needed to know. But, I found as the weight came off, I wanted to shout it from the roof tops. I told close friends and my boss. Everyone was very supportive since they had seen me continually struggle with my weight & enjoyed sharing in my success. That being said ... My family who live on the other side of the country, are still struggling with this a bit. They don't see me everyday & just haven't made the connection that this is a permanent way of life for me now (they are all obese as well). Hopefully time will prove it to them & they will consider this as a possible option for them as well. For co-workers that didn't know me very well, I would just politely smile when they complimented my weight loss. When asked for my "trick", I told them it was the basic formula - small portions and a focus on Protein. That seemed to satisfy and I wasn't lying, just omitting the part about my tool to allow me to eat the small portions and be satisfied.

Come on ... let's all be real. Isn't there a part of all of us that want to be "Skinny Tramps"?

That's awesome Tiff! I know what you mean about NSV's being rare when you are a bit out.

I am soooooooooooooooooooooooo proud of you. Way to go!

Anna, So glad to see your post. You look great! We have really missed you around here. Did I mention ... YOU LOOK AWESOME!!!!!

Welcome to the Land of the Losers!

I had a hard time with a lot of Protein shakes - just couldn't handle the taste & gagged a lot. I finally found 2 that really made a difference for me: http://www.amazon.com/Optimum-Nutrition-Instantized-Protein-Pound/dp/B000GIUQOG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298072338&sr=8-1 http://www.unjury.com/reg/chicken_soup_flavored_protein.shtml Both are available in the US from Amazon.com. I mixed the any whey into sf pudding and yogurts for a boost in protein. It's also good in SF Hot cocoa (just don't get the Water too hot or it will clump the protein - YUCk!!!!) I was told to aim for 60+ grams of protein a day. Protein first, then low carb veggies, and starch/fruit if I had room. Usually that meant a spoon of mashed potatoes or something. I think I averaged 600 calories a day for the first few months, then moved to 800 calories, then 1000 calories (around month 5) and stayed around 1200 from month 7 to 10. I'm maintaining on 1500-2000 calories (depending on my activity level for the day). Did your surgeon have guidelines for you? A good on-line tracker is www.myfitnesspal.com. Good luck - ask any questions you have - we'll be glad to help out.

Did your surgeon say why they wanted to change the type of surgery at the last minute? For me, the sleeve was the way to go. No issues with a foreign object and no re-route of my body (plus, RYN "seems" to have a lot of regain due to pouch stretching - but I don't have any statistical analysis, just observations). I'm sure you have lots of questions. Shoot them out to us, we're glad to help!

It does get easier - PROMISE!!!! Right now, if you are awake, you should be sipping. You can do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations on your surgery, your weightloss and your maintenance. I'm sure we'll be bombarding you a lot in the future. My first question - what has been the hardest part (or most surprising part) of maintenance for you?

iegal - welcome to the journey of maintenance. It takes some time to get used to (I'm still working on it), but so well worth it!

Saw this today & had to share. I don't have and never had a lapband, but from those I have observed and those on here with revisions, I've pretty much come to the conclusion that it is not a successful tool. So, why is the FDA setting guidelines to let even more people have LapBand surgery??? The New York Times FDA Approves Lap-Band for Millions More Patients Publication Date: 02/16/2011 12:00 AM WASHINGTON (AP) Cosmetic drug and device maker Allergan Inc. said late Wednesday it received approval to market its stomach-shrinking Lap-Band to millions more patients who are less obese than those currently using the device. The expanded approval to patients with a body mass index between 30 and 40 and one weight-related medical condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Patients must also have previously attempted to lose weight by other methods like diet and exercise. Allergan, based in Irvine, Calif., said an additional 26.4 million American patients meet the new criteria for the device. That's up from roughly 15 million under the previous criteria: a body mass index of 40 or higher, or 35 and higher with weight-related complications. The adjustable band has been available in the U.S. since 2001 and about 600,000 people have had the device implanted, according to Allergan. During surgery, the band is placed over the top of the stomach and inflated with saline to tighten it and restrict how much food can enter and pass through the stomach. The device was developed as an alternative to gastric bypass surgery, a permanent procedure in which food is rerouted from a pouch in the stomach to the small intestine. There were about 220,000 gastric surgeries last year, with banding accounting for an estimated 40 percent, according to medical society data. Surgeons say the fact that the procedure is reversible and relatively low-risk accounts for its growing popularity. Some patients who were not obese enough to qualify for Lap-Band surgery have reportedly tried to gain weight to meet the body mass requirements. While analysts have speculated about the potential for sales to skyrocket, there are hurdles to wider use of the procedure, particularly its cost, which can range from $14,000 to $20,000. The device itself costs $3,000. The FDA's expansion of the Lap-Band comes as rising health care costs threaten to consume nearly a fifth of the U.S. economy. Obesity-related health care spending is estimated at $147 billion, double the level of a decade ago. More than a third of all American adults are obese.

I agree ... moderation is the key to success. I try to eat like a "normal" person with occaisional treats and a glass of wine or two. (Instead of a huge chunk of cake with a large scoop of icecream, 1/2 a pizza, etc.)

I had a BMI of 32.8 ... but after years of yo-yo dieting, I need I needed a permanent solution. I've read so many horror stories about banders. I know 3 people personally (and about 5 others I've met in support group). NONE have made it to goal. Some have had their bands for years with esphogus issues, heartburn, unable to eat many foods etc. How discouraging. I really don't see how this product is still on the market.

CONGRATULATIONS!

I have an arch of purple/yellow flowers on my lower back. Absolutely love this one! The colors and definition are awesome. I also have a shamrock on my right foot (can you say ouch!) ... I got it one year after my dad passed away. He has Irish ancestery and I love looking at my foot and thinking of my dad. I've thought about doing something for my "new life" ... but not sure what it would be. Hmmmmm...

LOL ... I am very analytical, so I just ha to do the math. There are 52 weeks in a year. Assume a person lives to 85. That equals 4,420 weeks of life. Remove 2 for pre-op - which leaves 4418 weeks. So 2 weeks is 0.0045% of your life. I think you can do it!

You look awesome ... You had a beautiful smile in your "before" picture, but the "new you" is radiating!

Don't beat me up for saying this , but it sounds like you are doing better than the odds. I was told to expect ~10 pounds the first month and 5 to 10 each month after. You are averaging 9 pounds a month - could you have done that before???

LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Faith ... don't do this to yourself. I know I can say that easily, but the doing is much harder. This is not a typical diet like we've done in the past ... it's not all or nothing. There are no "bad" foods. There are better choices and poorer choices. However, you did not have this surgery to never eat certain foods again. Use this time to learn a healthy relationship with food. Occaisional "treats" are ok. A peice of toast with a bit of jam isn't going to blow anything. In fact, it was a good choice if you were feeling low energy. Some people find that they have to severely limit carbs during the losing phase to be successful. Many of us didn't. I ate much higher carb counts than others & lost all my weight (plus some)! Yes, I had a few stalls ... I complained on here ... I cried on here ... but I made it to my ultimate goal!!!!! You need to find what works for you. Losing fast & being a slug without energy doesn't sound like a good alternative to me. I think talking to a counselor is a great idea. But, in the meantime, don't beat yourself for these small things. At least you didn't eat 1/2 the loaf like you may have pre-surgery. Keep your chin up! We're here for you.

HUGS to you. Thanks for all you do!