gowalking

I don't really check out shopping carts but I've become very aware that I no longer fear what others think who might be looking at what I'm buying. I was always very aware that my cart showed the world why I was fat. Boxes of Pasta, lots of processed foods, candy, Cookies, ice cream...ugh. I haven't bought a box of pasta in months..I eat it but in such small amounts that a box will last forever. Now what you see in my cart is fruit, veggies, hummus, chicken, fish, turkey, 100 calorie ice cream, SF jello/puddings, etc. I've got nothing to be ashamed of anymore including my size.

Oh you can do it...don't doubt it for a moment. I was also a 4X this time last year and now I'm now wearing (depending on the manufacturer) anywhere from medium to XL...which is not the same as 1X..I know because 1X is still larger than XL.

My doctor said liquids only before flying, during, and at least an hour after. It's not a problem for me as I've so far never flown longer than three hours at a clip.

yeah, sure. If it was warmer, we could meet up in a public outdoor space but during the winter, I don't know where else other than a cafe or diner. I just don't want it to be about the food..but more so we can finally meet each other face to face. I've wanted to do this for months but alot of the NY folks I met when I first joined this forum are no longer active and it just fell by the wayside.

I'm around on the 8th as well. I think we should do like Tomander does for his meet ups and just put a post out that NYC and surrounding area lap banders are going to get together on February 8th and pick a place and time. All I can suggest is a diner or coffee shop near Penn Station for you commuters. I googled a diner...Andrews Coffee Shop on 35th and 7th and a cafe/bakery called Macaron Cafe on 36th between Broadway and 7th. Will wait to hear from you all.

Spectacular!

Just saw a People magazine in the doctor's office and the cover was dedicated to women who lost half their size 'without gimmics'. Meaning...no WLS. Right now in our society, WLS is a gimmic and that's why I keep my surgery close to the vest. Not because I'm embarrased but because of preconceived notions. Even close family doesn't understand this process. My sister thinks I could have lost the weight without the surgery because 'my head was in the game'. My mother doesn't understand either because she thinks that getting fills means you are not doing a good job. I've explained how it works, but she doesn't get it. Now she's asking me if I'm done losing weight. Again...no understanding. I'll be done when my weight stops coming off. I'm not starving myself so whatever else comes off, so be it...whether it's one more pound or 30.

Not just horrible but chock full of sodium as well. Almost everything in that place is very high in sodium. Stick to fresh grilled fish...with sauce on the side. And try not to let anyone derail your journey to a healthier weight. I know...easier said than done but I'm behind you and so are lots of other folks on this site.

I just changed my profile picture recently because the one I was using showed me alot heavier. Since the weight loss, I thought I'd update it to show a more accurate account of what I look like now. As you can see, I'm not in my 20's and it's certainly not a glam shot. It's a nice one though...at least I think so.

Toss the Snickers. I did the same thing as you when I had surgery a year ago but it was a bag of cookies rather than candy bars. I held onto them for all this time thinking if I had company, I'd have something sweet to offer. Well..I finally threw them away a couple of weeks ago. I figured they were stale by now anyway. It's just if you keep them in the house, it's a temptation you don't need.

If exercise is not going to work for you, find something...anything..that will take you away from sitting on the couch and watching TV. Read, take a lovely warm bath, knit, do puzzles... What you want to do is find something to occupy your time so you are not always thinking about food. Oh..and maybe some other type of exercise might work. I don't run or walk...can't do it yet with my new hips but I started taking a Water exercise class and it's not only good for me physically, but I'm getting to know the other folks in the class and it's also a way to socialize. Maybe something like that would work for you. Good luck and keep us posted.

Forget about full. If you are full, you've eaten too much. Think satiety..which is when you are no longer hungry. Eating slowly lets you know when you've reached this feeling and it's something you will learn over time. Some folks have 'soft stops' which can be any number of things..a burp, a runny nose, a feeling of pressure in the chest...it's very personal. Just know that this process of re-learning how to eat...and how to listen to your band does not happen my magic and you may go months before the band starts to work for you. I can only give you my experience which is that one year post banding, I can eyeball portion sizepretty well at this point...I choose healthier options as often as possible, and at home, I have a scale to keep me from inadvertently overeating. Oh, and I use myfitnesspal...not as often anymore because I know what I can and can't eat, and what the calorie count of most foods are at this point but I recommend all these tools to use along with the band. If you take away anything from this post, know that the band is not a cure-all, it won't stop you from overeating or making poor choices...you still have to put in the work. But...if you are smart about how you eat, and listen...really listen to your band, you will have success in your weight loss journey. Good luck!!

Regardless of how obsessive you may or may not be, this is medical information and you have a right, legally and morally, to know anything that involves your health. Demand to know how much Fluid is in your band and make no apologies for it. What does he think you are, an hysterical female? Never liked a doctor not being completely transparent with me. Maybe because I'm in a related field and work with doctors, I would never allow that....and you shouldn't either. I demand full disclosure from my medical professionals and you should too.

A good friend suggested I post the following below so here I go. I've just celebrated my first 'bandiversary' and so you are aware, I was one of the ones who was not excited about starting my weight loss journey. I was nervous, anxious, fearful of failing, fearful of the future...basically a mess. I just wanted to say that that It just breaks my heart to read about others who struggle, who are fearful and question their decision to go ahead with WLS, and I just want them to know that we all understand the fears and anxiety but that given time, almost everyone will find success. Wishing you all well! Also...for those who like the visual, I've attached before and 'after' pics of myself. I put the after in quotes because I'm not finished...no one is finished with this journey..not until you're cold and in the ground but for our purposes..this is as good an after shot as required.

totally normal. I was the same way a year ago and found my footing in this journey and have lost 105 lbs. without depriving myself of anything. I just eat a little bit of it, and I'm fine. you will be OK...good luck with your surgery.

so sorry to hear of your situation AJ. you know you have friends on this forum and friends don't judge. we don't care if you've stumbled...you are human, not perfect. please keep in touch and let us know how you are, or just come on and rant if you must...the good thing is that we don't care...it's just good to see you here. feel better soon!

Hi Ladies. Alice...I'm one step closer to getting to the UK. Turns out my hips were worse than my knees but I lost enough weight six months post op to get hip replacement surgery. I'm just over three months post op on the hips and hoping to get over there if not this year, than maybe next. My sister is working on a project that will take her to London at least once a year so I'm hoping to take advantage of that. I just celebrated my bandiversary last week and you can see by my ticker, it's been a successful weight loss journey. I'm working now on making sure I continue maintaining at this point. It's not always easy...the head hunger is still there and old habits die hard. I hope to be able to celebrate many successful bandiversaries in the future. Glad to see you are both doing well. Not sure if there are any other January 2013 bandsters still on this forum but I know I'm on here all the time...it really helps me to stay motivated and I post my experience hoping to help calm the fears of those just starting out. Congrats again to you both.

I've had back pain for quite some time now, mostly due to the hip and knee problems. Even with the new hips, the back still gives me problems unfortunately. So I saw my doctor earlier today and he feels that I could use another epidural for pain management. I've been hesitant to get more shots because I have concerns about the steroids and the possible risks to other parts of my body. When I mentioned this to the doctor, he said that he'd give me a lower dosage. Then I questioned him about making sure it was even worth getting an injection if he lowered the dosage and he laughed and said that I would do fine with a smaller dose because I'm a smaller person. He looked me right in the eye and said that half the dose would be all I needed at this point. My first thought was well...this is an unusual NSV.....

I'm sorry you're going through such a tough time right now. I can't offer anything but support, virtual though it may be. Just know that somewhere out there is someone who is thinking of you and wishing you well.

You hit the nail on the head when you said both of you were struggling with your 'new' body. I struggle as well though not with a husband around. I think when anyone changes their appearance drastically, it has to f**k with your head. And yes...I look much better in clothes than not so that's also confusing me..and would surely give me intimacy issues if I had a partner. I've actually started to see a professional to deal with this issue. I don't know that you want to or can do the same, but please consider it for you and the hubby. I bet he's as confused as to how to react as you are. I can so identify with you on the body image issue right now and I do wish you the best of luck.

Just hang in there. I always had lots of hair and didn't worry when I saw it falling out...always thought I had more than enough. About six months after the surgery, I saw Patches of scalp and freaked out. I did the same...took Biotin and upped my Protein with unjury powder and also started taking Iron. It took a while, but it's finally growing back and while it's still thinner than I'd like, you can't easily see my scalp anymore.

What a strong lady you are. I'm so impressed... it's a huge thing to toss food in the garbage. I've done it a few times myself and once it's done, I always know it's better off there than in my mouth. Great job terry.

Outstanding!! What a difference...you are looking sooooo good.

Same here...sweaters and long sleeves have become my best friends..LOL.

Oh lord...that picture is evil....just evil! LOL!!