NYC Girl

Should have mentioned that most of the jeans/pants are shorter lengths! I am only 5'3" (part of the reason my excess weight was such a problem)! NYC people, message me and I'll give you my address and we can arrange to meet. Lisa in NYC

Tons of jeans and casual pants available. Message me and we can arrange a try on party! I'll also serve tea but no cake. I now wear size 12 and still loosing. Lisa in a beautiful NYC -- on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

You go girl!

Petey, That is a question you should really ask your surgeon. Each person is different, depending on their age, sex, initial weight, medical history, etc. For me, I started at 223 and my ideal weight (not necessarily my goal) is 140 which would bring my BMI to below 25 and in the normal weight range. Therefore, for me, 70 lbs is 31% of my original body weight, and 82% of my excess body weight. It might not be the same for you, or anyone else. My doctor tells me that on average, LGB patients loose between 40 and 50% of their excess weight, less than the by-pass or sleeve patients, and the weight loss is slower. As you can see, I have done much better than average, but I believe the hard part is just beginning -- to maintain that loss over the long haul. As I said, everyone is different, and I wouldn't compare yourself to someone else. I also highly recommend that you try and get a handle on why you overeat. As you will see from real life, and reading these forums, it isn't difficult to overeat with the band with some foods. For instance, I could probably eat a gallon of ice cream and my band wouldn't stop me. Or drink milkshakes, eat rich puddings, etc. For me, I have been working with a psychologist at my Bariatric Center to deal with my "food issues", and I really think this has been a big part of my success to date, and hopefully will help me in the long run. I'm not perfect with my eating, or anything else for that matter, but I'm miles ahead of where I was before surgery. I also know that eventually, my stomach will get used to the band and the appetite suppression it provides will not be as strong as before. The way I look at it is that the band provides the "training wheels" while I learned to eat in a more healthy, resonable and responsible way. However at some point those wheels will come off, and I had better have learned how to eat and nourish myself for the rest of my life. I do not want to have to do this again!!!!!!!! My 2 cents! Lisa on a rainy post-labor day in NYC

Checking In again! I'm down almost 70 LBS since surgery on Sept 10 2011 with a few days to go until my first bandiversary, and I feel great! My rate of loss has slowed considerably, but is still going down. My bmi is down to 27 and my next goal is to make it down below 25. I no longer feel like I'm on a diet and feel that I have changed my eating habits and relationship to food. The band helped but isn't the whole story. I no longer obsess about food as I did before surgery when I thought about food about 95% of the time. At this point I rarely have stuck episodes and can eat most things - just a lot less. I eat lots of veggies' beans and other protein rich foods such as Quinoia. I cook a great deal (and carefully portion my food before eating) but also eat out a great deal. What has changed the most is my head! Mostly I just try to make the best choice I can and eat much less at each meal. I am the queen of doggie bags! I'm not perfect in my choices but try the best I can and then let it go. I try not to engage in self recriminations which I find are self defeating. How are the other September 2011 bandsters doing? Lisa in a quiet labor day weekend in NYC.

Forgot to add. Finally went to a good bra store and got measured. Have gone from 42ddd to 38d. Bought three much too expensive bras. The girls look great!!

Hi Sept 2011 bandsters! Just checking in. Have hit 60 lbs gone! Going crazy buying new clothes. Went to family picnic last week and my friends screamed when they saw me. Ran around telling everyone that I lost 60 lbs. Verrry proud! Still on my journey and rate of loss has (naturally!) Slowed but as my therapist says if its going down (OR STAYING THE SAMEON DIFFICULT WEEKS) its all good! Have about 20 more pounds to go and I know I will get there (even if I dont exactly know when!) Eventually. Its all good! Lisa in a hot NYC.

I know it's difficult, but stop comparing yourself with other people and you will be much happier, and more successful! Everyone has a different body, chemistry and metabolism and loses (and gains) weight on a different timetable. If you are doing the right things, and your health analysis seems to show you are, then you will be successful in the long term. The key is not to "psych yourself" out on the way so you sabotage your success.. I'm a firm believer that our heads can do much more damage to our efforts that other people. Think of it this way: If you were losing weight twice as fast as everyone else, would you be upset because "you aren't like everyone else"? Of course not, you would just say your body is different, and your weight loss rate is different. Give yourself the same respect in the opposite scenario! Just my 2 cents! Lisa in a rainy, blustery New York City

Don't be disappointed, and don't feel dumb. Doesn't help, and often hurts (me at least, I eat when I'm mad at myself). Just move on!

Remember, THIS ISN'T EASY, don't expect it to be! If it was so easy, we all wouldn't be in this position! (I had two surgeries in past two years likely due to my obesity) Remember why you are doing it. When I have trouble, I often tell myself: Do you really want to spend more time in the hospital due to avoidable disease! Also, I'm not a real expert, I'm just beginning to figure our what works for me. You will too. If you make it into the city, give me a call, perhaps we can get together. I'll send you a personal message with my phone number.