gowalking

Hi Wendy. If you're interested, we're having a NYC and surrounding area meet and greet on February 8th in Midtown. I started a thread but I can send you details if you'd like.

I have been doing a basic WW type of plan per my nutritionist. It's easy to follow and makes sense for me. I've been successful having lost 107 pounds over one year.

Not if you are still on full liquids usually but best to check with your doctor to confirm.

This time a year ago, I was at the hospital waiting to go into surgery to get the lapband. What a mess I was that day. Full of doubt and fear....what was I doing to myself, and worse yet, what if I wasn't successful? I wasn't doing this to look better, I was doing it because I was heading towards losing the ability to walk. How scary is that?? I wasn't worried about walking in pain...I was worried that I wouldn't be able to walk at all. I also loved to eat. Just loved it...and loved to eat as much as I could...which is why I was morbidly obese. My life was focused on food so I couldn't imagine what my life would be if food wasn't front and center. I ate out alot...it was both the food and the socializing that I was focused on. What if I couldn't eat out anymore? Would I lose my friends? Would I enjoy my life? Again...I worried about how this surgery would change my life...but not in a positive way, I was thinking totally in a negative way. So...I was not in a good place physically or emotionally on January 14th, 2013. Well here it is...a full year later and from a physical perspective, I've lost over a hundred pounds, I've gone from a size 26 pant and 4X top to slacks in size 12 and tops in mostly medium and large. Avenue and other plus size stores/departments are in my rearview mirror. I'd forgotten how much nicer smaller clothes are and how much fun it is to clothes shop again. It's a new mindset...not 'does it fit?' but 'how does it look?' Most important though is that I lost enough weight to have the hip replacement surgery I needed so badly. I'm still healing but already I have made leaps and bounds in terms of my mobility. I can walk up and down stairs again...I joined the Y last March and am a regular there. I swim again, and now can ride a bike. I couldn't do either a year ago. I ride the subways again, I don't fear walking more than a block or two, I found that eating out is still something I can do and look forward to even though I don't overeat. Or should I say, especially because I don't overeat. I've learned that a little bit of good food is just as enjoyable, if not better than eating too much of it. Now..that doesn't mean it's all been a bed of roses...that's not realistic. I've had other health issues that have me concerned though I know I'm still better off smaller than larger in terms of tackling those issues. I also have body image issues that I'm working with a therapist to deal with. I've got alot of loose skin and I often don't recognize the old woman I see staring at me in the mirror. I realize it's my perception that's off, not anyone else's. All I get are compliments...I just don't believe them. So this too is an ongoing journey...and one most of us can relate to in that we didn't see ourselves as fat when we were, so why see ourselves as normal when we are? All I can say is that this surgery saved my life...I truly believe it. I'm not suddenly living a perfect life...no one does. I'm simply living my life in a healthier way and seeing me get back what obesity took away. To all of you on this forum I say thank you. Without it, and the people on it, I don't know that I would have been this successful. The support and encouragement has been invaluable to me from the first day I found this site right up to today and I am grateful to you all. Oh...and I've attached a before and after pic though I'm still on my journey. Just wanted to give you an idea of what 100 lbs. less looks like.

You won't know what's off limits till you try it. Everyone is different and what some can tolerate, others cannot so don't presume anything. Oh, and I love sushi too so if you can't tolerate the rice, have the sashimi instead.

Percocet is a fairly large pill...unfortunately I know..I've had to take it alot before the hip replacement. I'd ask about changing to a liquid for now.

I did the same thing. I plugged in a typical pre band day into myfitnesspal and was horrified by how much I was truly consuming. I ate like 4,000 plus calories some days. Ugh.

Read your printout darlin'. I know you got one 'cause I got one as well. The only thing I added...and still eat regularly by the way, is hummus. I love it and it goes down really well. And like chasing says, egg and tuna salad chopped fine. Those were my go to foods alot during the mushie stage.

You know who loses 20 lbs. in the first month? Not lapbanders. Gastric people do..or sleevers but not us...unless someone is super morbidly obese. One or two lbs. a week is really good and alot of us lose less than that each week. Take a look at my ticker...107 lbs. lost in total yet I never lost more than 2 1/2 lbs. a week. And that was rare. Remember..slow and steady....

Hi and welcome. Your question about less of an appetite is complicated. It's not like a light switch that goes on or off. It's a process...and it takes some longer than others. All I can say is listen very closely to your band. Don't eat more than you should...even if you can. Eat when you are truly hungry and not because you are bored, or upset, or any of the reasons emotional eaters lose control. Good luck...ask your doctor or nutritionist about support groups and feel free to come here as often as necessary.

I saw this on my local news last night Arlene. As long as people are fat, there will be those who will happily take your money...

You speak the truth my friend!

Same here. Yes, it's mighty cold right now, but it's not like it's never been cold before. I know that the difference is me. Just not the same insulation as before. I've had the heavy comforter on the bed for quite a while now, and just this past weekend, I went out and bought a couple of flannel nightgowns. The ones I bought earlier in the winter would have been more than enough last year, but not now. The ones I bought on Sunday go almost to the ankle...and I still find myself burrowing under the covers. Also...I'm in a sweater constantly at work, and at home, in long sleeves and sweatpants. And I'm drinking more coffee just to warm up, not to wake up.

Just posted a thread with details. Hoping for a nice turnout...or if not, at least meeting a few of you face to face.

...who else watches My 600 lb. Life? I never watched those shows when I was obese and out of control but I watch now as a cautionary tale. I have to say that I'm apalled when I see these folks eating with such relish even when they know every mouthful is killing them. It reminds me of who I was...and hopefully will never be again.

Congrats on your bandiversary and weight loss. Good job!

Lucky you...a doctor right in the house...LOL. I had Fielding's wife, Dr. Ren as my surgeon....I'm sure you will be able to speak to someone tomorrow. I'm here in the city, in the West Village and there's plenty of snow but I hear the plows so it should be OK to get around tomorrow. Gonna do a meet up on February 8th...hope you both can attend. LisaCaron is coming up with some ideas for where to meet near Penn Station since most of the interest is from those in the suburbs.

TLC

Hi Newbie. Congrats on your upcoming surgery. Every doctor seems to have his or her own protocol for the pre and post op diet. My suggestion is to make your doctor work for the money she is being paid and get the instructions that she wants you to follow. Some people can have pureed soup, some only broth, some even get a meal. Depends on what their doctor prescribed. Just make sure you follow the instructions of your doctor. Good luck!

Tribe of the Morbidly Obese...OMG that's as good as CG's foodgasm. I wish there was someway to incorporate both of those sayings in some random conversation, but unfortunately, I think not...LOL!!

She's just uninformed and is worried about you. Explain it to her, or just tell her this is your decision and you've made up your mind...and please let's not discuss it. Don't let her get in your head...you're in a good place so stay there. Good luck on Thursday.

You're doing this to feel better and look better...and to be able to maintain the weight loss. Everyone is/was nervous about the changes coming to our lives. You'll incorporate these changes, they will become your new norm at some point, and you will do great. Good luck!

Really?? Tonic water? I thought carbonation was a no-no. God...I miss my Beefeater/Stoli and tonics... I drink wine now but would love a mixed drink once in a while. Don't get me started on carbonated drinks...there has been plenty of discussion on this website.....it is one of those topics where you are going to get a 100's of different responses....I'll need to double check with my doctor on that then. I recall carbonation as a no-no but maybe I confused my doctor's instructions with what I've read on the site. thanks.

Just be aware that the unjury Protein powder is a supplement..not something to drink instead of a meal. Once you are eating solid food, you shouldn't be depending on protein shakes. They are sliders and will not help you to feel satiety. I take the Unjury to boost my protein and help with hair loss, and not instead of solid protein. I drank protein shakes like Glucerna that were around 180 calories during the preop and immediate post op period. Never had another one once I went back to eating.

Really?? Tonic Water? I thought carbonation was a no-no. God...I miss my Beefeater/Stoli and tonics... I drink wine now but would love a mixed drink once in a while.