Julie norton

So truly happy to say that I am beginning my tenth year today! Nine years ago , I had no idea how different my life could be. Outpatient surgery and 1 night at a hotel, quick check up and on with banded life... Yes, I had to learn to eat differently and work out consistently. No, I'm not perfect, but I'll take my size 12 over my life in stretchy size 22 ... How it used to hurt when walking.. Or being winded easily .Truly how hungry I felt and how I soothed myself with food. I am so content with my band ( and I get it doesn't work for many ) and how life is so good for many years. I forget how thankful I should be everyday for the opportunity to breeze thru life at a "normal" size. I just feel I fit in this world better. Some of us veterans are still around and happy with our choices????

Thanks JWM. Feels like we've been around awhile now. Glad to have cyber chats with people who really understand. I'm thankful I did not have to ever have replacement or revision. I think I do better with a very small amount in my band... Harder on my head tho.... Easier on my throat and stomach ????????That is the dilemma

Happy bandiversary???? Great year. You look very healthy. And happy Aren't we so glad they came up with a great tool??? That works!!! and if you plan right, it does NOt come back Keep us updated.. We need a community for long term fun in my simple opinion.

I second the emotion of fitting in the world at a nice size!! This seems to be much easier at a smaller size. I remember not wanting to stand up in a group ,room, theater when I was large... for fear that all eyes would be looking at me and my wide butt. I am happy to say that I haven't had that thought in many years.... And it probably wasn't so true... Who knows? ... But I know I felt that way.... It used to be my truth. And it is NOT anything I think about now... Ever. I think it takes less energy and thought to maneuver this world now And I am very thankful!!!

Gobble gobble I'm still paying penance for 2 helpings of pumpkin pie....ya. With the whipped cream...fabulous. But you know, I got time. A month or two of keeping Water and Protein high )exercise is a constant) and 2016 will be moving forward ... Into my tenth year of being banded... Happy to be blessed with a certain constitution that takes foreign objects in stride???????? Lots of WLS patients have a hard time w/ the band. I am happy to share my experiences with others.

Even in California. (36* last night). I built a fire My car has both seat warmers and steering wheel warmers and I take full advantage of that feature. Alas ...heating pads are in a couple of locations. As are heated blankets. And some cats on the bed... March and April sound better and better. Now I get how Arizona sounds so good to the snowbirds

Yes I used the silicone sheets also My tt was in March. The scars on either side look good. But a bit reddish in the middle 4" or so I'm 60 so I thought it would be ok sooner. Anyone else's scars cleared up in 8 months? Just wondering.. Thank you

I say whatever makes you feel right in this world. I like to go by fitness and size pants. That is a good bellwether for me. I don't like the old insurance charts. I like to be in a comfortable and most important. Maintainable. Size. That's my deal and I'm healthy and happy In less than 2 weeks. I will have been banded 9 years. THAT I am very thankful for????????

Adore reading posts from us more ahem " mature" ladies. Post menopause, weight loss is more difficult and slower for me,but still maintaining fairly well. Had WLS pre menopause and I am so thankful, this year as always, for changing my life and size. Water is the hardest part some days. I think water helps with skin too. Those jowls, not so much the neck, are kinda getting to me.

I did send a message on CG 's blog about missing her wicked sense of humor on this site. I hope all my cyber friends have something to be thankful for???????? I'm very thankful for this site. For humor. For spirit. For encouragement For Info. And way more. You are always around! deb3 I hope you get much needed sleep on your day of thanks .

Gosh. I'm not trotting much on thanksgiving.... But I will work out on Friday with a trainer. I still don't foresee trotting in my immediate future...best of luck to those who do!????????????

Dang. Not on California coast yet. Kinda hard to ship!! Or mail!! I may have to travel and try

Thank you BP members for helping me switch to a new bar. Those new Quest additives were wreaking havoc On my stomach! I am thankful this is such a great place to exchange lots of information. I know of no where else that I can go to chat about WLS and how to live my life healthily through. Ok. That can be what I'm thankful for this thanksgiving....and I won't mention it at the table.

We are all so different and we all have the same WLS . I like hearing what works for some. Things change a bit for me occasionally, which makes it a bit harder to plan. Chicken thighs cooked in liquid seem to be my go to food for the past year or so Some rice occasionally seems ok. And a sweet potato was a surprise this last week. It all stayed down. Of course I try to still go slow and chew and don't drink w/ meals.... But I still get surprised with a STOP now and then... Gotta lose the food ...pressure is too much. Just reminds me....Compliance.... The band is Queen Ps steak,pork, pasta. Sometimes chicken breast. A big NO from the queen

Thanks for the info. I ordered them today. Even after years, I learn things from this site all the time. I am thankful.

I am addicted to this site too. My cyber friends (thank you to them) really know what it is like to have WLS and live with it... Many for years. There seems to be good and so so advice, but info is gold to some who are unsure of the process. I try to check the boards almost daily Pesky work and life sometimes stop me!!

Thankfully. It got replaced when it was due. After carrying around an awful, sad and fat looking license photo for over 10 years... I think the picture this time is digital and crisper looking... Bonus. Fabulous HAPPY and lean looking picture for the last 4 years and got an auto renewal for 4 more????. Sometimes it is the little things

This is a tough subject in my opinion. I had a bad habit of eating the leftovers... Mine and my kids. Did not serve me well. This got better after surgery. I don't need the last couple of anything! Then, we lost our beloved labs one at a time and with no dogs there was even more "extra". I think it is a different mindset to me now... But it has been years..I truly shop less... Cook less ... And absolutely eat far less. Food gets tossed... And not into my mouth. It took awhile to just know it was ok to do that. Best of luck to us all????

I cook 1-2 X per week. Chicken thighs. Enough for several days That is a for sure every week as it is just me.... Only if my grown kids come over can I be coaxed into Salisbury steak or meatloaf.... Not too much of a red meat person. We happen to have a restaurant in the family so once a week I'm picking up a salad or a wrap . Otherwise deli meat. Chicken salad. Eggs. Yogurt. Soup. I actually read that people who were successful at keeping weight off ate many of the same foods regularly. That is my deal and I hope to continue. December will be 9 years. Wow. It's just a regular habit now thankfully. Hope I can keep my band forever????

I'm thankful for band posters... I try to read most of them. And really there are fewer... The sleeve is quite the darling of WLS now and it is a bit different journey.... But yet we do all have the same goals of health and quality of life and ok maybe a bit of vainess.. Please keep posting... Sometimes this board is my daily jolt of inspiration! I really love to hear from like minded cyber friends. My gal friends here really don't want to hear the nuances of banded life. They forget over time That I was so different pre 2006.... I forget sometimes too! Keep reminding me ....COMPLIANCE is my word right now????

Thank you cyber friends. Sometimes. Ok often. I feel like WLS people are the only ones who truly understand how year in and year out we need each other???? Yes. My losses are heavy on my heart and I take hope from others who also go through really hard times. The holidays just amplify my feelings. It does not help that my late husband and recently deceased father shared a birthday, as do I, right in the week before Christmas. I just went to a hospice grief group on surviving the holidays... It helped.. I'm strong and I'll get through.... but damn I miss my mom and dad and husband as I hear sad holiday songs and families are joyous... And I'm just smiling and gasping for January ???????? Ps. I do know food is not the answer and will NOT help. Thanks WLS

My stomach could only accept chicken thighs. Not breasts. I don't know why. Perhaps the moistness ? I just accept it... Chicken salad cut up very finely also works for me. Shrimp just seemed too fiberous also unless they were the small moist type?? I think we all agree trial and error is what guides us along. I know I have to live by what my body accepts... That can be harder for those of us who are used to being in charge of what our stomach got.... Ha! The head set of accepting a new set of foods is a whole different post ????

Best wishes for a speedy recovery. It's just another turkey day.... It will be here next year too .. You are strong and I always look for your posts

Yes. Please add me to the list of fearing regain. Next month will be 9 years post banded and I love my tool. Having been unfilled recently led me to the realization that I will forever watch what goes in my mouth. Old habits do get changed thankfully but hunger is a strong motivator!! Getting a second fill Monday to address the " I can eat more; I'm hungry syndrome ". I will not go back to size 24..... I adore my size 12 and am determined to keep a healthy weight. My doctor recently wrote"fit and well nourished" in my chart ???? love it .....I should get someone to needlepoint a pillow for me with that slogan!!

I'm with you on that last point. The moderator just couldn't keep on point and one or two people monopolized the hour and a half. It took an hour and fifteen minutes one group just for introductions. It was put on by the hospital and seemed like it was for pre and post op. Not really veterans at all. I would adore a group like that. That is why I really appreciate this forum????❤️