CowgirlJane

HaHa - first time I saw that movie was at a self discovery type seminar. Maybe the leader made it all up... but i found the characters in the fairy tale to all have their own little message. The spaniard's obsession actually mirrored some of what I was going through back then, really trying to overcome some of the pain of my childhood with a big ole chip on the shoulder... It was pretty sad when he killed the bad guy right, i mean what the heck was he going to do next? Luckily, they needed a pirate! My path was a little harder to find... The giant - he just "did" he pushed through no matter what. The pain, the difficulty, and even if it was really worth it didn't matter... he just plodded along. How many of us have lived that way? The sicilian - he spent so much time in his own head that even seeing the facts in front of him couldn't sway him - it was "inconceivable" that his well devised plans could somehow not be working even as he watched them fall apart. I didn't like that guy at all, but reminds me of every diet I have been on... Buttercup who actually seemed pretty useless at times, represented true love. Wesley of course was the hero. I believe he is intended to be the vehicle to move the story forward....lol... without a lot of special meaning but how could you not like Wesley? I think it is a great movie too! My favorite line still remains "Have Fun Storming the Castle!"

I am doing the ripped in 30 days DVD of hers - I really like it. It is hard! It has good reviews on amazon and only cost me about $10

Can't speak to the pregnancy questions, but the sleeve does not have the same problems as the band. Of course, you have to eat small amounts etc etc but it is just alot easier to live with then the band. I agree that given the choices we now have - I don't know why surgeons are even still doing the band. I suspect they like the income from the fills and complications, but maybe I am being too negative. I had the lapband for 10 years....

Had the band for 10 years - I would call my complications "typical" not extraordinary. -couldn't handle any fill or else constant reflux -band slipped -pouch dialated -not great losses and eventual regain -could eat any and all junk food, challenges with some healthy food, even with no Fluid -too much vomiting, at least when I had any fill -much scar tissue that was scraped away when the band was removed - I think everybody has that. The photos are scary looking. I have had zero complications with the sleeve. I had my band removed Sept 2011 and was sleeved Dec 2011 I was warned that we revisions probably have about twice the rate of leaks and excess bleeding as a virgin sleever. I was told that after that initial risk period, no reason to suspect higher rate of problems then any other sleevers.

Many years ago I was doing online weight watchers. The support board was not the official site, but rather a very open and honest forum visited by people with more then 100# to lose. That forum was hit by a small pack of trolls who liked to go find sensitive people and hurt their feelings. I will never forget one woman standing up for herself (and all of us really)just basically saying that her whole life she had been put down and made to feel bad and she just wasn't taking it anymore. She didn't beg for them to stop, she didn't argue, she poured her heart out to the trolls. Weirdest thing - a few apologized and then they left - off to go look for cancer survivors or some other group they could pick on. Anyway, I think the best way, in general, to deal with trolls is to just ignore and report. Who needs the freaking drama? Some of us may feel tough enough for the fight, but what about all the people in fragile emotional state going through this process who you know are reading EVERYTHING???

herbal teas are fine - they aren't really tea so no caffiene. Just remember that this will soon be a distant memory. Trust me, once you have lost a bunch of weight you will realize that a few weeks of misery was a small price to pay...

I dont rhink I am A slow loser either but slower then some! Here is the puzzle for me....do people think they will reach a magical day and STOP working out and eating right? I may only lose a few # a month now but i am doing more or less my " forever so I dont regain" plan. Am I off base here?

Have you ever seen the movie, "The Princess Bride". My favorite character is the spaniard who is seeking his fathers killer. At some point he realizes that he has given his whole life to this pursuit... to slay the man who hurt him so badly... then when it is done... he has nothing. this is the classic "adult child of an alcoholic" that rages against that painful history but I think can sometimes apply to the formerly morbidly obese too. The Spainiard found a new life and I guess in some way, we all need to do the same. It doesn't mean leaving your family or going crazy, but it does mean finding a life that not only feels comfortable but perhaps more importantly supports a lifetime of fitness. I don't have the answers myself but i keep finding small building blocks of happiness and contentment and adding them to the construction material for the "new life" I am building. for me, the potential is huge. i have been stalled in my career. I think I can fix that.... I need a new career life! Girlfriends - well, a couple of my closest ones moved away. I still have alot of friends and activity partners, but I need a bff - I am looking for one and finally actually OPEN to one. Husband/partner - I have significant issues with mine (not weight loss related) but he is a good guy and I am trying to work them out. Activities - man, I just don't even want to hang with the TV watching, restaurant eating crowd even though I used to be their leader...lol. I just make small choices everyday that are slowly building a different way of living. Harsh reality is that even skinny people have to do their dishes and pay their bills - dammit and here I was hoping to be swept away like a princess once I was skinny (not really, but you know there is still that tiny fantasy of an easy life when skinny). The main advice I give myself is to just not go nuts and radical since sometimes my ENERGY is just so huge it won't fit in my regular life. I find outlets for that energy (60 minutes of spinning is an outstanding choice for that!) but it is still something I watch to not find a transfer addiction or something. Shopping has the potential, but I keep it in check...lol I find myself needing multiple outlets for my energy and desire to explore the world as a skinny person - I think that as time goes on I will settle into some sort of calm and boring routine like most people...lol

I too have thought about the people treating us differently. Okay, complete strangers/men - well that is to be expected. I decide to take the glances and occasional "approach" as a huge compliment. Maybe they are only interested in hooking up, I don't care since I am not doing anything or seeing them, but I choose to view that attention as positive is all I am saying. Hell, that is what I wanted for years, to not be freaking invisible and I am NOT! People that I have known.... well, I look at it from a positive angle too. I can see that i often used sarcasm, my physical size, intellect and logic all sorts of barriers to being loving to me. I often acted reserved and "proper" whereas now I just throw my arms around someone to give them a hug. I just do less and less of that pushing away.... no wonder people are "friendlier" to me - I am friendlier to them! Very large/overweight people ARE less approachable. It is sort of like a person who is outside the norm of anything (dwarf, giant, in a wheelchair, etc etc) there is something a little awkward about just daily interactions. Most people aren't intentionally mean (in my opinion) but they don't find a 300+ pound woman relatable. There is also the fact that everything from well fitting clothing to being able to physically keep up makes it harder to do alot of cool social things. I again chose to see the positive of just how many people accepted/loved/respected me just as I was. The fact that they are so much more huggy, and seem to invite me to the inner circle more I chalk up to ME being different - not just skinnier but different. I realize there are mean people and I realize that many have judged me, but frankly i can't change how anyone else thinks/feels but I can impact how I choose to experience it and feel about it.

I usually work from home so don't see people face to face too often. I think it has been a month since I was in, but I have lost about 10# since and more importantly I have been doing high intensity interval training. I have been doing boot camp, spinning - just stuff that really does body toning. I went in today wearing my size 10 dress and I could not help but notice what a defined waist I had! This dress is fairly conservative - long sleeves and high neckline but very modern and close fitting and short. I wore it with black tights and ankle boots. I went into my bosses office to show off as she is very supportive. I took off the long sweater and she gave me all the wowsa type remarks. I went to put my sweater back on and she said "You leave that sweater off! With a body like that, you gotta flaunt it!" So, at first I was kinda self conscious, but I relaxed into it as everyone complimented me - I proudly wore that cute dress, not covered up, all day long!!! I had a couple of people not recognize me today - although those people I haven't seen in 6 months or more. It was funny to have to show people my badge to remind them who I was...lol Anyway, I was feeling great today!

Most of the time.... 99.5% of the time I do so good. food just isn't my main thing anymore, but last week I caught myself eating Peanut Butter from the jar.... dipping a spoon right in and eating it. I had one of those "what the hell are you doing???" moments. I think I was hungry but also tired and just slipped into a self destructive old old pattern.

Try a different brand. It gets better, but what you experienced is common. Here is a tip, don't get crazy with adding Peanut Butter to chocolate Protein shakes when you are very early out. I thought I might die.....

I am 13 months out. I feel like a vet! LOL I have lost 10 POUNDS since Thanksgiving. That is wonderful for me, considering how far out I am and getting close to goal. My frustration is I haven't lost an ounce in weeks. Now I am sounding like a newbie...lol I eat low carb, I follow the rules and I work out regularly. Well, except for the last week due to a minor health setback.... Anyway, life is good. So thankful for my sleeve!!!

I am glad this thread was revived! I am now 13 months out, down 140# and wearing a size 10. The skin is ugly BUT I FEEL so great, get alot of compliments and plenty of "looks" that I am over the moon happy. I am choosing to focus on the positives and that makes me feel good. I wish wish wish that I had a tight body....and I do under the loose skin.... but reality is that many women my age are not fit nor healthy looking so I dont compare badly really. Even with the loose skin - my excercise, healthy diet and lifestyle help me look pretty good.

I always knew there was a reason I liked people from India - not just because they are good software engineers (I am from the land of Microsoft so lots of Indian SW engineers around here). hahaha to the person who said that ladies all like men to be clean shaven - NOT true. I don't because I dont like being stabbed with sharp hairs and I don't consider body hair a turn off anyway. To me, at least some body hair is a masculine trait and I just think it is normal/expected in an adult. Update on my experiment - my shaving wasn't nice. Even with the conditioner, I got a few bumps. However, it has grown out nice and soft - I don't really have that much hair and it grows slow - I am just going to trim unti I get the nerve to try waxing. I want to wax legs first and see if I die from the pain or not...lol I must say that this and a couple of other threads are what keep me coming back to vst even though I am over a year out from surgery. Maybe this is how we keep more veterans posting on the site...LOL

My attitude about surgery changed alot once i became educated on the whole issue of metabolic disorders and why I simply couldnt do it on my own. It helped me let go of the regret, guilt and negativity and instead focus on how to leverage this tool to the maximum.

I have been very curious as to the cultural aspects of this too. What culture prefers natural? In my youth, we had razors and waxing (we had the technology!!!) but I never heard of going smooth down there until I was in my 30s. So I think something changed in the USA where people didnt shave to it is practically expected - for women at least.

I wish you all lived closer to me. I love finding cute/flattering clothes. None of my friends have such enthusiasm for it!!! Wouldn't it be just a hoot for the formerly plus; newly skinny jeans wearing crew to go hit the stores together! Lookout....hot babes in a pack!! Talk to me about cross fit... I need to get those last 10# off. I keep getting slimmer looking (woo hoo) but the scale hasn't moved since Christmas! I do spinning, other stuff at the gym and just started julian michaels ripped in 30 days DVD.

I just rook a swing dance lesson! I didnt get tired, my feet didnt hurt, and most importantly I didnt feel out of place or fat. (Instructor had a bigger muffintop then me!!!!). It was fun and I am looking forward to more!!!

I had the band for 10 years. Trust me, nobody banded in2001 still has one issue free. There are always problems eventually. always felt weird about that damn port too.jk Read the revision board here and on obesity help. It is a failed experiment. I believe that less then 30% "do well " with the band even in the medium term. It was a nightmare I wouldnt wish on an enemy. seriously... Talk to banded people who are 2 -5+ years out.... very few are satisfied.

Interesting, most food just doesn't taste as good to me anymore. Maybe it isn't taste, it just doesn't give me the "hugs" that food used to. I find it is alot more satisfying to get comfort and joy from my family, friends. people I see reguarly at the gym, the barista down the weay and heck even online support over my old "buddy" food. My point is, I am in full contact with the rest of the world!!!!

There is more to a goal weigjt then height. Those of you that thing goal weights are too high should consider that not everyone is the same. I weigh 169 righy now solid size 10/medium tips and I am pretty muscular and have a big frame . I would like to be a size 6/8 which will likely still be a heaviet weight. I have been obese since childhood and have weighed over 300# for many years. 115 is just not realistic nor healthiest for me. I know I will end up in the 140-150s range.

Mason, I think you on the right track in your thinking but I dont think you have only 6 months to figure it all out. I hit a little ambivilence at 7-8 months but then got back into the swing. I am 13 months now, 138# lost and still rocking that sleeve better then ever!

I did my first business trip I think about 2-3 months post op. It was to a destination I had been to many times. That was the hardest. I will confess that I ordered some favorite meals from favorite restaurants. They didn't taste good - that nearly broke my heart....lol. The anticipation, the build up and then... blech... this isn't what I remembered. I didnt gain, but i didn't lose that week. Since then, business trips have been pretty easy. I am just not about the food anymore... I think I needed to go through that sad sad trip to "overcome" Remind yourself that you no longer want to use food as recreation, that isn't the new you. Remind yourself of your goals and forgive yourself any mistakes. I bet the next trip is easier!