pink dahlia

Goodwill was and is my lifesaver. Try buying several pairs of pants , then turn them into your local consignment store when you outgrow them. You'll get back at least what you paid for them, possibly more. I haveca very nice wardrobe, 90 % from Goodwill and other thrift store s. Good luck !

If you dont mind me asking, what ADD med were you on ? I have an appt coming up with a Psych Dr. to discuss possible ADD and meds etc. Do the meds really tone down your appetite ? Also, im sorry your insurance doesn't pay for WLS surgery, they 'll pay for the dumbest things that will keep a person overweight, but not a smart thing that will enable someone to live with a healthy body. Grrrrrrrr............Anyhow, if my insurance hadnt paid, I would of financed it myself through Careacard or whatever the name of that medical program is. Im sending you positive thoughts !! Please PM me on the ADD info, I appreciate your advice or suggestions !! Good luck !!

Ive never had ANY problems with my band so im no help at all, but maybe you might want to try a different type of flavored water ? I do very well with Propel and Vitamin water zero, dont like anything strong tasting like Gatorade, etc. Hope you find something that works for you soon ! Im sorry you had to go through Hurricane Sandy, hope things are going a little better for you. Sending hugs !!

My surgeon told me if I followed his rules 95 % of the time, I would lose weight and be successful. I did and im VERY happy with the results. Im in a better place mind , body and soul. Absolutely NO regrets !! Sooooo, listen to your Dr. and your body ! Good luck !!!

Costco and I have a loooong time love affair going on, whats the name of that song ? " If loving you is wrong , I don't want to be right ?" Yeah, that pretty much sums it up !!! Loved the above ideas, I agree on the "fresh" salmon (ha !), their "farm fresh " salmon is horrible ! Farm fresh means the fish has been swimming in a cage absorbing its own waste through its gills ! Tasted horrible ! I would rather spend extra money on real fresh fish, or catch my own ! Nothing better ! As far as Costco ? Frozen chicken breast and thighs , roasted chicken, canned beans, canned tomato products for home made spaghetti sauce, Preimer protein drinks, turkey jerky, Belvita Breakfast biscuts, Propel water, steak , ground turkey burger, canned tuna, Babybel cheese, etc.........mmmmmm, sigh.......just about anything else. Oh ! And if you see the packages of "Sommersaults " , buy them ! Crunchy little sunflower nuggets, addictive !!

I would never consider the band "the easy way out ", ( my a $$!!!), to me I took an opportunity to achieve a healthy body that I couldn't get with traditional "methods." If those "traditional" methods ( diet and exercise) worked for everybody, I figured WLS wouldn't of been invented in the 1st place !! Usually WLS is a last resort, but it takes just as much hard work and commitment to get a stronger, healthier body . We STILL have to watch what we eat, exercise and make good choices EVERY day or pay the consequences. Im just eternaly grateful that WLS existed for me, and that the Hunger Monster is gone . Thanks for the reminder to go exercise this morning, I was all set to internally complain "I don't have time !". Ummm , yes I do, I can MAKE time !!! Thanks !!!!

I am banded 3 years now and love love love my band ! Im VERY happy with a tool that helped me go from an unhealthy 225 lbs size 18, to a healthier, stronger 160 ish size 10 in a fairly short time. I have not had a single issue with acid reflux or ANY problems . I still eat rice , pasta , bread and pizza, just 1 -2 x a week, and only a few bites . Thats all I can have at once, and im satisfied. I no longer have sleep apnea, digestive problems or hate the way I look and feel. I asked my hubby recently if he could think of anything negative about me being banded, his response was "only the occasional times when you have to go inthe bathroom and spit up some food". Hey, it sometimes stiil happen s when I dont chew well enough, but that the ONLY negative. Thats it, everything else is positive ! HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY !!!!!!

I just came across this recipe on Pinterest.com for homemade creamer. Mix together 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 2 cups milk (any kind), 1/3 cup Torani flavored syrup, (any flavor, maybe caramel ?). This recipe pointed out that this only had 3 ingredients verses 13 ingredients in a bottle of Coffeemate. If you dont like this recipe just Google homemade coffee creame. Good luck !!

Anything sweet. Chocolate, cookies, fudge, brownies, ice cream, sigh............ my kryptonite, especially if it has nuts I it.

Ive had under eye circles no matter what, thin, fat, young, old, lotsa sleep, little sleep etc..... doesn't matter, mine are inhereited. Ive tried numerous concealers, none have worked as well as Benefits Erase Paste, sold at Sephora ( most JC Penneys have a Sephora store, ) Apply a tiny bit with a small brush, blend well, then put your foundation over it. It runs about $17.00, but it lasts about 4 months or so.

3 years ago at age 53 I had the lap band done. Considered morbid ly obese, at 225 lbs, tired , hated the way I looked and felt, had trouble doing everything. NOT living a happy, healthy life at all !! Existing, not living. Today ?; MUCH better !! A happier, healther, slim mind, body and soul. The recovery was easy, as was the surgery , the next 6 months was FUN because the weight was falling off and the compliments were coming in and I was getting better by the day ! So take the plunge , and 6 months from now you'll be wondering why you were so scared over nothing !! Best decision ever !! Good luck !!!

Congratulations ! Great story ! I hear you on the being invisible part. Before WLS I was very uncomfortable with people noticing me, or going into new situations. Now ? No problems ! If people want to notice ALL of us in a new , attractive way, Im all for it ! And of course the men are looking at you !!!! YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL !!! You literally shine in those new pictures !!! Congratulations ! You are such an inspiration !

Wow ! Sorry you're having to go through such problems. Ive heard gallstones etc are not uncommon in WLS patients, but Ive never heard of it this bad ! Hope all goes well tomorrow, keep us informed ! Good luck !!!

Oooops, I hit your topic by mistake, but hey it was interesting to read ! Im not a guy, dont have a clue about meeting women , especially in Bulgaria. But from a girls point of view, I can only suggest that since you're not being successful meeting girls your way, try meeting the girls their way, in their comfort zone ? Look where the girls hang out. See where they are comfortable, and feel safe and not threatened. Can you meet them there ? The gym, a cooking class, a walking club , etc. Volunteer so they get to know you as a friendly person ? If you're a Mr. Fix it type, offer your services. Not that type ? Atheletic ? Offer to help others get in shape . If you want to meet a girl that has some common interests with you, go there ! of Offer to volunteer, teach or just help out .

Well, that's because you're awesome. Just sayin '. Congratulations on a job well done !!! Great transformation !

Hey there, don't know if this will help, but before you eat the high carb / fat item, try eating your protein and fruit/veggie portion FIRST. I find that if I eat those things first my stomach is fuller and I dont crave the junk as bad. I still fight and lose that battle alot, but I eat LESS of them , which makes my body and mind (and my pants) alot happier. I used to be a big bread /carb person, but I cut it down a little at a time. Now , I have potatoes or brown rice 1-2x a week, bread maybe once a month. Good luck !!

I can eat beans, corn and popcorn with no problems, rice is trickier. Uncle Bens brown instant rice, a few bites I have no problems. Same with white rice, 3 bites and im done. But Uncle Bens quick rice in a microwave bag ? Cant eat it at all, its too thick. Sometimes the brand and type can determine what you can and cant eat. Same with biscuts and potatoes and some pastas. The only thing I cant ever have again is raw broccoli, pork chops, and chicken breast. Too thick, so I substitute celery, pork loin and chicken thighs. You'll just need to experiment to find out whatgworks for you, especially in the AM, when you're tighter . ( no eggs for me AM, fine in PM).

You didn't say how much you've lost, but by your title you said less than 15 lbs in 8 weeks, so thats just under a lb a week, completely normal, right on track. Did I miss some info ? Sounds like you're doing great, and your body is adjusting slowly. Not everybody looses at the same rate, sometime s your body will lose slow because it wants to becsure its not being starved or deprived. It sounds like you're doing great ! Keep it up !!

From a fellow "Seattleite" , if you've got the pipes, SING ! And sing LOUD ! ( GO SEAHAWKS !!!!)

LipstickLady, don't take this personally, but I think I love you. Im very open minded, and I thought very carefully about what I eat, past and present. Nope, nope, don't think I have a food addiction....................... um, well, that depends........... I love to grocery shop, watch cooking/food shows, new to cooking and loving it, talking about cooking, read cookbooks for fun, live on Pinterest.com , mostly for the "food and cooking " section..........have a sweet tooth thats hard to control.................. hmmmmm, maybe this IS a food addiction, or just an enjoyable hobby.........? Either way, im okay with it. And JustWatchMe ? I love you too, but I dont.know. what. to . say.about.your.mom....................I never had any of those issues, my mom was a great cook, normal eating at the table every night, no obesity in my family except for my grandmother and of course, ME ! (In adulthood), so I don't have any advice for your Mom situation, other than Im sorry you have to go through this with her. Hugs !!!!

And just out of curiosity .......... someone please explain this to me !! I ate like a horse until I was about 25, normal weight. About late 20's the metabolism slowed down, I ate less food and healthier food ,still gained, but now supposedly this means I have "food issues "???? Nobody told me I had food issues when I was a skinny teen living on fast food, but now that Im an adult who gaines weight easily, and doesnt lose it easily, I have "food addiction " or "food issues "??? Just a little confused ! Opinions ?

1. Yes, I did quietly let people know I was having WLS, luckily for me , all were supportive !! Family and friends knew I had been struggling for years, Weight Watchers didn't do well for me, and I needed help getting a strong, healthy body back. Thanks to my band, and following my Drs. rules, Im getting there !! I put WLS in the same category as Dental Surgery. If your Denist said " you cant fix this tooth problem on your own, I know you've tried many times, but I think dental surgery and following my rules will make you healthier ", well, wouldn't you gave the surgery ?

I used to hate to cook too, but Pinterest.com changed that ! Even though you're cooking for one, and Im cooking for 2 ( hubby) the concept is the same. We all want healthy , quick, no brainer meals without a ton of leftovers. I love to cook now because Pinterest shows the cooking step by step with lots of pictures. Im very much a visual learner and need simple but detailed cooking instructions. We lean towards diabetic meals but they're great for WLS people too, healthy, quick and very tasty ! Give Pinterest a try !

Gavin, if you ever come up with a solution to the sugar addiction, please let me know ! I find healthier sweet substitute seem to help, Weight Watchers ice cream, or frozen fat free pudding , etc . Good luck !!