pink dahlia

Im 3 yrs banded, but if I remember right, you're going to have a somewhat normal appetite because you haven't been filled yet. The fill is what stops you from eating so much because once you hit the green zone you fill up much faster and stay full longer btwn meals. This and exercise is what will help you lose the weight. The time you're in now is called "Bandster Hell" for a reason. Just follow your Dr.s orders and concentrate on getting/keeping your body healthy, NOT on losing weight. The better you treat your body NOW, the easier it will be for your body to let go of the fat SOON !! I did that per my Dr. and it worked ! Get rid of the scale for now, too !!

Sorry, operator error ! I was trying to add that I believe in Karma ! Supporting each other is a win win for everybody !! I appreciate ALL of you especially gowalking for your kindness in your posts, and 2muchfun for making me laugh !

Justwatchme...............you mentioned me ?! Aw, gee, thanks ! That warms my heart ! As I told a co worker this week ( I had bought something for her, shemwas to pay me on payday, but realized a few days later she wouldn't have the money , so I told her to keep it and pay it forward in the spring when her finances improve )

Gowalking, you deserve every bit of attention that you get ! You show everyone that you're a smart and strong and confident woman, and if that isn't attractive I don't know what is !!! Good for you ! I think it's human nature to be wanted and desired, so if that's "vanity", take it !! We all deserve to be treated well and if someone likes the way you look, thats not a bad thing ! WLS opened up alot of new doors to new places that I had'nt been to in a LONG time, and having men think im attractive again is fine by me ! Im married, not dead !

Lisacaron, you. are. evil. .................................and like it !!!

"Those heffas" !!!!! That cracked me up ! Thanks for making me laugh this early in the morning !! Great way to start my day !!

Part of me says "do it !", the other part if me says , "No, dont do it. Nobody wins by being unkind , even if that other teacher deserves it. " Instead, "pay it forward" kindness wise, see if you can do something for a deserving teacher. It will be a Win Win for everbody !

Wow ! Way to go ! Slow and steady wins the race ! Congratulations , and keep up the good work !

Love the story, also I love Stevehuds anology about the mountain. Great stories from both of you ! Thanks !!

Same as before WLS, sunscreen daily ( NO exceptions !) and a good moisturizer.

Flew acoss the US this summer, no side effects at Have a fun trip !

I was on WW too, God bless the program and the people, they were all great, but all I could lose was 12 lbs in 1 year. Thats it. I wasn't starving, but my body would not respond. So frustrating ! Im glad I had lap band to turn to, it literally gave me my life back ! Yes, I still think about food 24/7, but I think thats because I like to think about food ! The nice thing is I get filled up real quick, and then stop eating. It took me alot longer to get full on WW !

What was your question ?

Today, my hubby and I went up to the mountains for a day trip. I put his bright orange hunting XL sweatshirt on OVER my jacket for extra warmth. It was still a loose, comfy fit. Before WLS it would of been snug just by itself, and I would of just looked something like a short , large human pumpkin !!

Im having the same problem with sweets, especially chocolate ! Its my kryptonite !! Ive gained back 5 lbs in the last few months, partly from sweets, partly from less exercise. (Heel injury in June ( plantar facitis ), Dr. says no walking, running , or anything that puts pressure on the heel until Janurary ! I miss running horribly !) I would be very careful with sugarfree chocolate or candy, they work very quickly like a laxative. Im not interested in the cleanse thing, but if you have any other advice Im all ears !!

Wow ! That's a pretty lady in the glamorous Hollywood dress ! Congratulations ! You look like a movie star !! As far as what im doing, just living a "normal" life, nothing exciting, but just being able to have a day that is easy on me is a real gift ! Not having to live my day around my weight, instead I can do what I want to do and not be held back, mentally or physicaly . Thankyou Lapband !!!

Mlogsdon09, if she doesn't stop making digs at you after you've talked to her, try matching her attitude. If she says nothing about your weight loss, say nothing about it too. If she says something nice and supportive, say something back in kind. If she says something negitive or demeaning, reply with a dig of your own. I know this sounds juvenile, but you'd be surprised at the results you get. Not only do people hear what they sound like, but they definitely don't like getting a taste of their own medicine !! Good luck, you got this !!

Im extremely grateful that ive had nothing but support before , during, and after WLS. I've been told that Im even more outgoing than I was before WLS, and will speak up more and put myself out there in a group situation. I think my self esteem went through the roof , but Im still very understanding and aware of being supporive of others weight struggles. Momma D, many years ago I had a "frenemy" just like your best friend I was a normal weight then , she was maybe 25 lbs overweight, but she couldn't STAND IT that I was smaller. Instead of her focusing on her positive points , all she could focus on was my smaller size ! And, ohhhhh the constant put downs that came out of her mouth ! Much like your friend, she was immature, insecure and unwilling to do anything but put me down to feel better about herself. Sad but true. Needless to say, I left her at her own Pity Party and moved on. Hopefully you'll see your own self worth and move on too. Sending you hugs and support !!!!!

Finediva, I would love to get to 140, but I dont think thats going to happen as I have been at 160 for almost 2 yrs. I struggle just to keep my weight there, but I have gained back 6 lbs due to less exercise ( 6 months with a heel injury ) and a daily struggle with my sweet tooth. However , bodywise im happier and heathier than I was before I was banded. No regrets ! Good luck to you !!

Finediva, you and I are the same height and almost the same starting weight. You say your friend calls you "pretty" now, but you're not sure if you like it or not. Ummm, maybe you dont realize how much a 46 lb weight loss on a 5'3 body is !! It's ALOT !!! And it can make a huge difference in every dept, but yes the first place the weight comes off is usually the face. Maybe you're being called "pretty" now because its just more obvious ! Just sayin '.........

Im not offended at all. Im 160 lbs , a size 10,, but have been told I don't look like I weigh 160, more like 140 ish. I pay more attention to how I look and feel than to a # on the scale. I have been called ( in a complimentary way) skinny, skinny butt, " Slim " , as in " Morning Slim !", petite, smokin ' ( thanks B !) and one word that I did not ask for and will not repeat. Ahem........... that being said, I appreciate the compliments, "skinny" or otherwise, as long as they're not offensive.

Well , SOMEBODY is wearing size fabulous !!! Congratulations ! Great NSV !

Congratulations ! Welcome to the other side !! Good for you staying in the hospital if necessary, take all the help you can get while you can. I was at home several hrs after my band, hubby took care of me the 1st 2 days, then I was on my own and did fine. Hope all goes smoothly for you , take good care of yourself ! Congratulations again !!

Tell the morons at the VA that they're "emotional eaters " too, it just might not show up on the scale. It might show up on the unseen scale, like high BP, heart problems, sleep issues, etc. I bet if you asked them if any of them had grabbed a chocolate when they were stressed, relaxed after a long day with a n alcoholic drink, or ever lit a cigarette ( or something else ?) to calm themselves, you'd get a resounding " yes ." Well I bet you money they would pay for AA, drug rehab, or wharever else the the medical addiction was. But God forbid anyone need a little help to with a food problem!!! Keep fighting , and if you cant get help from VA, consider a CareCredit Card for your surgery. I think you just make monthly payments, like a car payment. Good luck to you ! YOU DESERVE TO BE HEALTHY AND HAPPY !!!

Aaaaaaaaaaannnnddddd there goes a woman who is smart and strong enough to see the right path to a strong and healthy mind, body, and soul. Not only will you be setting an excellent example for your daughter, but you will also be attracting the right kind of man who will treat you and your daughter well. Congratulations ! Well done ! (P.S. Had my band done mid Dec, 2011, made it through the holidays juuuusssstttttt fine. I wanted the weight loss more than I wanted the food. Best decision ever !)