pink dahlia

How about "rainbow"suspenders "? I dont know your age but I will say losing almost 60 lbs took 10 years off my face !!!!!!!!! I promised myself when I lost the weight that I would wear attractive, pretty clothes that were age appropriate, and I would dress my body for what it is, not what it was' nt. So, Im a well dressed 56 yr old woman who has a reputation for being a stylish dresser ! ( And no, I don't mind the looks from men !)

I just read your about your belt problem, so skip the belt for now . Maybe suspenders ? Just kidding !!!

(Steve Hud, like the song says "It's my party, I'll cry if I want to !, Congratulations !) , and Canyonbaby, you have to go to Goodwill ! I still buy 90 % of my clothes there ! Look for clothes that have alot of "give" so that you can get alot of wear out of them as you lose weight. Try black yoga pants, underneath a long blouse or sweater, they can pass for black dress pants. Buy a belt or 2 now, as 1 morning nothing will fit right and the belt will be a lifesaver. Also try cotton long sleeved or short sleeved T shirts. Wear them under a cardigan sweater so when the t shirt gets a little big you can fold the back part in and tuck it in the back of the pants. The cardigan will cover it, and cardigans look cute even when they're a little big. Good luck !!

I had 8 weeks of physical therapy last fall for a foot injury, it helped alot with strengthing my foot muscles, but also helped with loosening up other muscles too. The therapist gave me great ideas for reducing my hip pain and other issues. When you see your Dr. , see if he /she will recommend you to a Physical Therapist. I also just started Pilates class about 8 weeks ago, Im slooowwwwlllyyyyy improving in flexibility, noticing my hips are looser and not so tight. I was told that a weak core ( common in past and present overweight people ) is connected to numerous pain and nerve problems for alot of people. So, strengthing your core might be something to look into. Good luck !!!

Congratulations to Jim1967 for your inspirational story. I hope you continue to be a success story forever ! !!! I cant say enough "thank you s" to everybody on this forum. As great as my Dr. and his staff and info was ( and still is) its the people who live daily with WLS that I found to be the most helpful. I knew I could always read/ask about anything, and go away happy that I was well within "normal" . Reading others questions and answers was a huge reason I think everything went so smoothly for me. A big THANKYOU to all !!

Heeeeeeyyyyyyyy ! !!!! If a guy grows an inch for every 30 lbs lost, geeee, does that mean my boobs will grow a cup size for every 30 lbs I ve lost ??? Haaa !!! Wouldnt that be funny !!!????

I loved the water exercise class at my local YMCA, I still go 2-3 x a week. It was and still is a huge help in my weight loss. So nice and gentle on the joints, and then the hot tub too ! Hope the water classes help in your recovery !! Good luck !!

I love how you're thinking this out and doing your resesrch well. Good for you !! WLS is a big change but oh so worth it for me !!! All my medical problems disappeared and im happier and healthier than ive been in a loooooonnnnggggggg time ! Its not just getting the weight off, its being able to DO things and not feel like im dying ! Slipping on cute clothes, tying my shoes, climbing a ladder, and ohhhh ! the utter pure joy of running (Slowly) a 2 mile trail and. not. gasping.for. breath..................yeah, THAT was a red letter day !!!! So stop using the scale as a measure of success , use the fact that you're getting healthier at the gym as a measure of your success . Good luck !!

I was always hungry too, wanted a less invasive surgery with a quick recovery time, easy to follow rules and fairly good results. I got that and more. I lost 50 of my 85 lbs in the 1st 7 months, Im still working on the last 35, but Im VERY happy with the results. No more sleep apnea, no more digestive issues, not tired all the time, love how I look and feel. Even with the plantar facitis that I got last summer , I was still able to do some things and only put on 10 lbs due to lack of ability to exercise much. ( Baking /sampling didn't help either! ). You and I have some problems in common, so do your research well to make sure its whats best for youand hopefully you will have good results too !! Good luck !!

I cant eat the lasagna noodles , they're too thick so I just eat the meat sauce and some salad and im good. Maybe try that ?? Win win for all, and it would be good practice for future meals as you wont be able to eat everything at a meal, but will figure out how to eat around certain foods. ( for me, thick noodles, most breads, some rice and meats ) . Good luck !!

Sounds like a few folks in this thread might argue with you there, including me! Yes, you might argue with me, but I doubt you would win !!!! I always say ''If he was any more laid back , he'd be asleep !" He is calm , patient , easygoing, smart , caring and supportive. And for some unknown reason, is still wildly attracted to me, even after 33 years together. Through thick and thin, literally and figuratively !!!

I quit taking the pain meds after 2 days, didn't need them. ? I just followed my Drs orders 95 % of the time and the weight fell off ! I look and feel like a million bucks !!! It was so worth it, and not as hard as I thought. Good luck to you !!

I have a hilarious sense of humor, a quirky fun personality, and "march to my own drummer. " Oh, how true ! I cant help it !!! I just see the funny side of everything ! It's . Not. My. Fault. That is all. I spent 3 years in the Army overseas, Im also a great salesperson, connect with animals , have a love of the English language, married the best husband, had a child and adopted 3 kids from the foster/ adopt program. Whew ! Im learning to cook, (loving it !), and can't wait to see what's coming next in my life !

Youve lost 20 lbs in about 15 weeks ! You should be very proud of yourself ! !! I looked back on my old calendar that I kept for my Lapband info, and I was about where you were at 15 weeks !! I think you're doing great , keep up the great work ! You will get there !! Congratulations !!

I never lost any hair ( banded 3 yrs ago ) but I started taking Biotin in early January. WOW ! I first started noticing my nails growing, now my hair seems thicker. A bottle is only a few dollars at the drugstore, so im getting my moneys worth for sure. Maybe give it a try ?

Well, thats because you're awesome . Just sayin '. Congratulations on your weight loss, thats a big accomplish ment ! Wait until you start cleaning out your closet of TOO BIG clothes ! Thats always a fun milestone ! Keep up the good work !!

About 3 months after being banded I forgot to put the cpap mask on one night, and my hubby said I didn't snore at all so I just quit using it cold turkey. I was down about 25 -35 lbs by then. I haven't used the machine since then and still dont have any problems. ! No sleep study needed ! Good luck !

Yes, it gets ALOT better ! Give it time, follow your Drs rules and BE PATIENT ! When you start getting a stronger, healthier body, and the weight starts falling off of you, you'll be so glad you did this ! Im banded 3 yrs and still very happy with my decision. Other than having to be a little careful about food choices, chewing alot and occasionally getting stuck, I have NO complaints !! Being banded is negitive 5% of my day, but being overweight was 100 % of my day. Choose your negitive............ 6 months from now, when your clothes are loose (again ??), you see it all in a whole new light. Best of luck to you ! You picked a great forum for support !

If a waitress keps asking if my food is ok, ( like the other night at Red Lobster) I just truthfully tell her that I've had stomach surgery and must eat slowly. We're both happy. Also, ALWAYS carry a plastic grocery sack or 2 in your purse. It will come in handy when you least expect it !!

All of the above advice is excellent, the only thing I would add is to keep a few healthy snacks with you at all times. This kept me from eating something I shouldnt be eating even if it was only a few bites. I was not a perfect eater, and still aren't , but having healthy snacks when out Im out is always a good option. Depending on what stage you're at, yogurt, a protein drink, cottage cheese, nuts, raw veggies, fruit slices are some favorites. Good luck !!

Trust the process. Also realize that like ANY journey, you are going to have roadblocks, detours , stop signs etc. Dont stop the journey towards a strong healthy body just because you hit a speedbump. Its temporary, not forever. Again, trust the process !

Jerrbear, dont take this personally, but I think I love you . ( Lipstick Lady already knows I love her ) I love your whole attitude. Those that think its the "easy way out " are just running their mouths, not their brains, if they even have one. How on earth people get the idea that they gave a right to criticize someone elses medical choice, without being informed themselves is beyond me. Speechless. You just stick to your guns, do whats right for YOU, and after awhile your idiot co worker will be speechless too ( because you are going to look and feel AMAZING !!!) Best of luck to you !!

I was banded Dec, 2011 at age 53. Best Christmas present I could of ever given myself. Being back to a stronger healthier body is priceless !!! My only regret is that I didn't know about a Lapband sooner . I feel freaking fabulous in my 50's !!!! Go for your WLS, you're never too old ! 45 ? You're a baby !!! Go for it !!!

I got a fitbit for Christmas too. Love it, it helps me see where I need to improve my walking etc, and shows me how much sleep I did or didn't get that night. (Which explains why Im typing this at 3:30 in the morning.......) My only complaint is that if you lose the charger no body carries a replacement !!!! Not Best Buy, Target or Walmart , so you have to order one from Amazon for about 10 bucks ! Very frustrating !!! Other than that, I love mine !

What does thin feel like ? HEAVEN !!!!! That being said, I was a size 18 too, now a nice 10. To me its not so much a number on the scale or a size of clothing, as it is a state of mind. I still need to lose 20 lbs, but being healthy and happy and liking how I look and feel is a great place to be. Yeah, that would be my definition of "thin" . Everything else is just a bonus !