gowalking

Oh boy can I relate to that. I live in NYC and go to Broadway and off-Broadway shows alot. Most of the theaters are 100 years old and even though they've been renovated, the seats are very tight. I was at the theater just last Tuesday night in fact and sat down without thinking and slipped into the seat. Then my friend sat down next to me...she and I used to be the same size though not anymore and she made that oofff sound trying to squeeze into the seat and I could see how tough it was. Those are the things I think about when the head hunger starts and it's still so new...these changes in my life, that it's easy right now to walk away from bad food and overeating. I hope those NSVs never get old and can inspire me long after I can take all this for granted.

Nothing hurts more than when a 'loved one' criticizes. I suspect since you haven't told your mother about your surgery, she's not very supportive. I would look to avoid her for a while as she seems to be toxic for you. My sister is also heavy and she is getting pressure from some family members to do what I did and get the lapband. I've never pressured her and try to downplay my focus on eating per the band when I'm with her as it is very important to me that she make that decision herself.

I think most of us have trouble seeing the truth in the mirror...whether it's that we are smaller...or larger. It's almost always in pictures that you see the reality...be it the horror of just how fat we've gotten, or..oh wow...look how much smaller I've gotten. Oh and by the way...I've lost 65 lbs. and have gone down a couple of sizes in my clothes but only one size down in underwear. And even those sizes are dependent on the manufacturer. I try to not pay too much attention to the size as long as it's smaller than it was at the start of my journey. People are giving me lots of compliments because the weight loss is very noticeable now, but I have to remind myself that I'm still fat...just not as fat. I have to lose another 50 lbs. at least. And a picture taken of me last week proves it. I saw the picture and said to myself...easy does it girl...you're still a fat woman and don't you forget it.

I'm five months post banded so long enough to have a bit of experience but not so long that I can't remember when I was a newbie. I have never felt restriction...I've never felt anything to tell me the band is there...except...and this is a big except.....I lose my hunger on a fraction of the amount of food I used to eat. I am never full...that is not the goal. The goal is to be satisfied. I have the same amount of food each time I have dinner...three ounces Protein, half cup veggies, quarter cup carbs. I have been doing this since leaving the mushie stage behind and it's working for me. Breakfast and lunch...less food usually but not always. I never go over though and I use Myfitnesspal to track it all. I've lost 65 lbs. including the pre-surgical diet. I can't give you any insight in terms of fills though...I haven't had one yet but most folks have had several and you can read plenty about those experiences on this forum. Good luck on your journey.

Woo Hoo!! Congratulations...way to go!

Hang in there aviva. I just flew recently after dropping 63 lbs. and the difference was amazing. I fit in the seat no problem, I buckled the belt and even had extra to tighten, the armrest went down...and stayed down instead of riding up my hip and the tray table went down without my having to move my belly out of the way. It was the best plane ride I'd taken in years. You will have that same experience as well and it will be just as exciting for you as it was for me. Good luck!

love to read these NSVs! They're wonderful and inspiring..

that my friend is a very attainable goal. good luck to you!

Welcome Andrew. Good luck with your journey towards surgery. I was also concerned about complications...we all are I'm sure. I can only speak for myself in that the procedure went well and I recovered fairly quickly with no issues and life is back to normal for the most part. I mean everything is different food wise, but my life has not been impacted negatively. I'm sure you'll do well and will find the lapband a great help. I've only been banded for 5 months so I can't say yet about not slipping back into old habits and regainig the weight. I've seem plenty of posts like that but for me, I've been following the rules and have been successful so far. I also lost alot of weight some years ago and am concerned about keeping it off but I hope that this time will be different. The band is doing it's job for me...I'm satisfied on less food...but still have to be aware of everything I eat and have to make choices not to eat unhealthy foods or too much food at basically every meal. I have to remind myself all the time that I am not physically hungry...I'm just head hungry. Most of the time it works and when it doesn't, I try to minimize the damage by making better food choices..

are you kidding?? that is a terrific loss for one month. you should be very happy with that progress and I'm sure the doctor will be as well.

congrats on being approved. one suggestion...don't fixate on goal weights or the timeframe to achieve them. you only set yourself up for failure if you don't reach those goals. you're being very aggressive....nearly 100 lbs in 9 months. not everyone loses that quickly. I'm not trying to rain on your parade..I'm just saying to look at shorter term goals and go from there. welcome to this site and again congrats on starting your journey.

so glad to see you posting again. hope you are doing well and feeling better Missy

Oh Mark that's really good to hear. You are on your way for sure!

faaaantastic!!

I'm also looking to lose around 100 lbs. 120 would be fantastic actually. No one really noticed the weight loss until I dropped around 40 lbs. so don't worry if at 28 lbs. down, no one is noticing. They will...believe me, they will. I'm now down 63 1/2 lbs. and folks are noticing...but like I said...it takes a while plus your old clothes will hide the weight loss. Wait until you are wearing new and smaller sizes.

Doesn't matter how old you are...She can and always will bother you because she is obviously a very insecure person and sees you as an easy target. Just live a good life and that will be your revenge. It's easy to stay away from toxic people except when they are family. You should tell her thanks but no thanks for the clothes she offered you and instead ask her why she feels so threatened by you because it's obvious she is. Good idea for you not to invite her back.

You are absolutely right Jackie. Having said that though...it doesn't change the fact that I ate like crazy for three months. Some of it was frustration. I was supposed to be banded in October but Sandy flooded the hospital and they didn't re-open until January. So..I rationalized and said to myself that I had another three months to eat to my heart's content. But...and this is a big but....I was totally compliant on the pre-surgical diet (I did not want to wake up and find out my liver didn't shrink enough and not be banded) and I've been completely compliant post-surgery and the weight thank goodness is coming off at a spectacular rate. I still have alot to go and I'm still a fat woman...just not morbidly obese...which is a great thing. I know you're playing devil's advocate but I'd bet that there are more who did what I did than those who became compliant weeks or months before surgery. I'm not saying it's right, I'm just saying I suspect that's what alot of bandsters did.

LOL!!! BTW, Dr. Ren-Fielding was my surgeon.

You betcha!! I ate like there was no tomorrow. Some people start to change their intake way before the surgery but I wasn't one one them. Here's the good news....once I was banded, I followed the rules and was lucky enough to not need any fills and five months out, I am down 63 1/2 lbs. So...don't sweat it regardless of what you do these last couple of months. Yes...you should be more aware of what you are eating prior to the surgery, but if you don't....well...you don't. Good luck!

There you go! Hi TracieR...I'm in the city. Great job on the weight loss so far. Wow..97 lbs.!!

I'm in the city but there's a NY group here on this forum and I know of two people from the island. Zinhaa and TracieR. No idea though what towns they are in.

Feel better ladies. BTW, that was my nickname as a little girl...Lizzytish. It brings a smile to my face to see another Lizzytish out there.

yes it can. I'm surprised your doctor allowed you to swim, or even go into the pool after just a couple of weeks post-op. My doctor told me six weeks before I could get in the Water. I agree with the other posters that you should probably follow up with your doctor just to make sure everything is OK.

How much have you had to change your life because of the band (a big fear of mine)? OK, here's my answer to your question. You have to change how you approach eating....but you do not have to give up foods you enjoy or things you enjoy having to do with food....like eating out. Know that while so many people are excited to start their lapband journeys, I did it under duress. My back was literally against the wall and I was looking at losing my mobility which is a very scary thing. I have severe arthritis and even though I am still in alot of pain, I know that knee replacement if I need it, will now be successful. My doctor told me that I would not do well at the weight I was and I knew I was simply out of options. I'm down 63 lbs. in the five months I've been banded and I will give myself till the end of the year to see if I have pain relief. If not, I will have my knee replaced...and should see a good outcome with the weight loss. I know this whole process is scary...it's a different way of life and an unknown way of life. This forum has been a godsend in terms of information and support. Feeling good and looking good is so much better than the fleeting happy feeling when we eat till we're stuffed. Also...it's up to you who you tell or don't tell about the band. I've told some people but not everyone. If I don't want to tell someone I was banded, I just say that I'm watching my calories. That's not a lie because I do just that. The band is not a cure-all...you still have to work hard at it and keep track of everything you eat. What it does do, if you are in the zone, is help you to feel satisfied on less food for longer periods of time. Good luck with whatever decision you make.

some people bring measuring cups with them. i don't...who wants to bring that kind of attention to themselves? you will get better at knowing your portions over time but do yourself a favor and get something that won't sink you if you do overeat. go with grilled chicken/fish. be very aware of the carbs. I portion out my food when I get it even with me eyeballing it. this way you lessen the chance of overeating.