pink dahlia

Getting banded was the smartest thing in could of ever done ! Last week was my 3 yr anniversary. I started out at 235 lbs, size 18, with sleep apnea and exhaustion. I was unhappy with how I looked and felt. Now ? I lost 50 of my 65 lbs the 1st 6 months, down to a healthy and happy size 10. No more sleep apnea! I walk , run (slowly), travel is easy, wear cute clothes, get nice looks daily from people who think I look attractive. My husband is VERY happy, he has his old wife back ! Eating with a lap band is 5% negative, but not being obese anymore is 100% positive. I 'take that any day !! Good luck !!

Im sorry you're in such a tight financial position. Hopefully things will turn around soon. Again , try your local foodbank. If anything, being banded has saved me money food wise, as 1 regular meal will become 2-3 meals for me. A roasted chicken from the grocery store is about $7.00, it can be made into several meals plus the broth can be made into soup. Eggs, peanut butter, tuna etc are all good protein sources too. Think outside the box and I think you'll find it easy to eat healthy on a tight budget. Good luck to you ! Keep us posted !

I used to spend a fortune on magazines, but when I got hooked on Pinterest.com , I didn't need the magazines at all, as Pinterest covers all of my interests, ( Recipes, health and fitness, home decor, women's fashion, etc). But every once in awhile I'll indulge myself and buy a new magazine. Usually a Womens Running or Instyle. That and a cup of of hot tea and Im good !

Congratulations ! You look beautiful !!! I echo what you said in your post. Im 3 yrs banded this week (!!!), and while I dont have any problems eating later, and there's only a few few foods I can't eat at all ( chicken breast and raw broccoli and most noodles ) Im VERY happy with my band and my stronger , healthier body. For the newbies out there, the Band does work ! Any doubts ? Reread Lady VS' s above post, and look at her pretty picture ! Congratulations again !!!

P.S. I dont like spicy, so I skip the hot sauce and use only mild Rotel tomato w/ green chilis. Also, I use a cup of frozen corn not canned and it tastes really good. Enjoy !

Google "Taste of Home " for their Nacho Potato Soup recipe. Fast, easy, not super low cal, but since I can barely eat a cup at one sitting , I don't worry about the calories. Sooooo good, especially on a cold night. Leftovers heated up the next day are good too !

Is there a reason those guys aren't staring at you ? Could it be because you are so sparkly and pretty that it hurts their eyes ?? Um yeah, Im going to go with that ! Congratulations Cinderella !!

Gilmour, you and I are the same height and almost the same starting weight. My 1st 7 months the weight just fell off of me , as long as I followed my Dr.s rules. I just had my 3 yr band anniversary yesterday, so glad the band helped me get my life back ! Im stronger, healthier and happier !! Hope all goes well for you ( and flmommyof2 too ) ! The first few days I was a little wobbly, after the first week I was off and running !! Good luck to all of you ! You got this !!!

You go girl !!!

Congratulations and welcome to the other side ! You are probably swollen around the stomach so that may be why you're filled up on a popsicle and broth. Hope all continues to go well, good luck !!!

Woo hoo ! Congratulations ! Keep up the good work !

Congrats to jkim on your old jeans fitting ! Woohoo ! Way to go !! Loser2014, my Dr. said I would be hungry about 3 hrs after I eat, so I think your right on track. Im usually tight in the AM, can eat more as the day goes on. I m 3 yrs banded ( today !) and im telling you it was the best decision ever !! Good luck to all !!!

Tomorrow will be my 3 year Bandanniversary ( 3 yrs already ??) , but I loved the 1st 7 months after surgery, because the weight was falling off and for the 1st time in a long time, the compliments started coming in ! Now that I'm in "maintenance phase " im still getting nice looks and comments about how nice I look. I always make sure I dress nice every day ( thank you Goodwill !) and pay attention to my hair, nails and make up too, smile alot, and people respond to that. I' ll take whatever compliments that come my way !

I love running but I started out with slow walking and worked my way up to jogging a hundred yards, then walked, repeat. Eventually I was running a mile or more before I got injured and had to temporarily stop. I think you're asking for a injury if you are starting out running a mile and your body not in shape or ready for it. Try slowing it down a bit, read some running magazine s and talk to other runners / trainers etc.. Running helped keep my weight down and I loved the mental aspect of it too. One of my goals with WLS was to be able to call my self a runner. Im temporarily out of running ( heel injury ) , but I worked very hard , and Im still proud to call myself a runner. It means alot to me. Hope all goes well for you !

Ive gained backed 7 lbs this fall as ive not been able to walk or run due to a heel injury. ( No walking allowed until January ) Id give anything to be able to run , so if your body is strong enough to exercise, try to take advantage of it ! Find something you like, or try something you've never tried before. How about cycling class, swimming, dance class , etc. As far as food, my weight gain is also because im eating too many sweets ! Sugar is my kryptonite ! I don't cook much differently than I did before, we just lean meals towards Diabetic cooking, its all good and lots of variety. Try googling for some meal ideas. Good luck !!

My 3 yr Bandanniversary is this week ( 3 years already ????) , I was 53 yrs old, 225 lbs on a 5'3 body and what little saggy skin I do have I think is mostly genetics. I ' m btwn 160-165 lbs and am just a little saggy but that may be due to age too. Skin wise im a bit saggy in the arms ( no sleeveless for me), a bit saggy in the upper thigh ( I wore just above the knee shorts on vacation this year, they looked okay !) and I have a bit of a saggy tummy. Oh. Well. So im not wearing a bikini again. Oh darn. But hey ! I ve got a stronger healthier body than I ve had in years !!! I'll take that over perfect skin anyday !

Congratulations ! So happy things are going so well for you ! Keep up the good work !!!!

My hubby wears compression shorts for umpiring, he has Nike and Underarmour brands, but says he like the "Shock Doctor" from Umpire Attire.com. the best. They're made for men but some women umpires where them too, just without the cup.

Ready2B, you're awesome ! Great comeback ! You win !!!! ( Can you imagine if you talked back to them the same way they talked to you ? " Hey, your boobs are looking a little saggy there Sue ! Going to get a boob job soon ?, or Hi Bill, I see your stomach is starting to hang over your little private parts there !! Geesh ! No wonder the ladies are'nt interested in you !!.............. Oooooooops !!!! Did I say thaaaaaaaaatttttt ??? (Steve Urkel ,TV show)

Don't know exactly how old you are, but I was constantly hot flashing for the last 20 years or so. Ive been banded 3 yrs now, and yes im still hot flashing occasionally, but am at the tail end of menopause. ( finally !). Since I run alot colder now the best thing , besides wearing layers, is wearing a warm scarf every day, all day and a knitted hat / beanie too. Yes, I even wear the hat to bed. I found that when my neck and head stays warm the rest of me stayed warm too. Made all the difference !! Good luck !

PS. Congratulations on your 60 lb weight loss !!!!!! WOW ! Great job ! I guess I would try and focus on your amazing accomplishments instead of your co workers boneheaded comments. Just sayin '.

Speechless.................. I'll hold them down if you beat them up ! Just kidding, sorta................ I swear to God, what is wrong with people that they just bluntly speak their minds ? I know this is a weird question, but about how old were they ? Im mid 50's and I grew up with the rules about privacy, appropriate asking, USING a filter, tact and diplomacy, etc.... My youngest is 20, I DID teach her the rules, but you wouldn't BELIEVE some of the thing she and her friends say and share ! (Personal vent-fricken facebook !!!!) Sorry, had to vent.

Speechless.................. I'll hold them down if you beat them up ! Just kidding, sorta................ I swear to God, what is wrong with people that they just bluntly speak their minds ? I know this is a weird question, but about how old were they ? Im mid 50's and I grew up with the rules about privacy, appropriate asking, USING a filter, tact and diplomacy, etc.... My youngest is 20, I DID teach her the rules, but you wouldn't BELIEVE some of the thing she and her friends say and share ! (Personal vent-fricken facebook !!!!) Sorry, had to vent.

Stretch, stretch and stretch some more ! I got plantar facitits ( heel injury ) in July, and have not been allowed or able to walk, exercise, let alone run. Trust me, you DON'T want this. It's a long and painful recovery even with Physical Therapy. So stretch alot and SLOWLY work your way up from short little walks to running. "Slow progress is better than no progress !" Good luck !