gowalking

I just added you to the thread.

there are a bunch of us from the city and/or nearby..many of us banded at NYU as well. There's some threads you might want to join to communicate with your fellow NY'ers. I've been emailing with dani_nyc to set something up next month. Use the link below to converse with us. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/index.php?app=members&module=messaging&section=view&do=showConversation&topicID=494428&st=20#msg548112

You got some great advice Mark. Everyone is rooting for you. And I know just what you mean about all the skinny b*****s in the office. Despina and Shannon do look like models and the info they provided was minimal. I got more information and insight on this forum than anything coming out of the office. For gosh sakes...have you seen how skinny Dr. Ren is too? How much do you want to bet it's not just Dr. Fielding who has a band. Just keep going to the therapist, stay on this forum, go to the support group at NYU or meet up with us as soon as we get it going. Dani and I are going to set something up next month. Go on our 'Hi' thread to talk with the other NYC folks. We're all in the same boat as you are. Oh...and I saw your post about being on the Eastside, and not UW. Sorry about that...LOL. Please don't think you won't be able to eat your favorite foods again. I can eat anything. I am learning to just eat less of it and most of the time, I can do it just fine. Plus you will learn to enjoy different foods. I go out to dinner at least once or twice a week and I've found out that fish is absolutely delicious. I went to a restaurant in the West Village the other day and had something called Monkfish. It was wonderful. I made the decision to eat that and not the short rib fettuccine (which is what I would have eaten pre-band) and I felt so good about my decision and was so pleasantly surprised at how good the fish was. Hang in there....you will be so happy with yourself as you see the transformation. It will be better than the happy you feel when you eat more than is healthy for you. I promise! Liz

So...I had three doctor appointments today. A mammogram first, then a visit to the lapband surgeon for a follow up visit, and then the rheumatologist to discuss the knee and hip pain. Great NSVs at the breast imaging center. I fit fine in the narrow seats in the waiting room. Last time, I had to sit on the couch...the chairs were too tight. Then was able to wrap an XL gown around myself with no issues while the last time, I had to put on two 2XL gowns, front to back, back to front, so I could cover up. Then...off to the surgeon. Lost 23 lbs in two months....59 total since pre-surgical diet. Doctor said I am doing exceptionally well especially as I've not had any fills. Now I'm literally floating on air and heading to my next appointment. So, I get to the rheumatologist....and that's when I got a big old dose of reality. He put me on methotrexate and told me to take four pills a week even though based on my weight, I should really be on six pills but he wanted to start me off at a lower dose and go up if needed. That kinda burst my bubble. I knew going into this lapband thing, that I needed to lose at least 100 lbs. but I was feeling so good until he brought me back to Earth with that comment that I should be on more meds based on my size. Not to worry...I'm not letting this get me down, it's just that while we may know in our world, how well we are doing, the rest of the world still sees us as fat. I can't wait to not be fat. I'm not interested in being skinny...I'm just soooo done with being fat.

excellent. good to hear. keep an eye on our 'Hi' thread...we'll probably post details there.

aww..thanks Bubie. How about yourself? How are you doing? We're going to set up a face to face next month I think. I was emailing with Dani and we're going to work on setting it up. Are you interested?

it is high in sodium. don't overdo and you'll be fine.

Thanks Ladies. The support on this forum is amazing!.

Think of this as a lessons learned thing Sweetpea. Stay away from fast food joints. There is nothing healthy for you there. Would you go into a bar if you were an alcoholic? Food is our addiction and until you see some real results, it will be hard to walk away from yummy yummy bad food. Start to investigate yummy yummy good food. It's out there...just search for it. Look up websites, make better choices. Heck, I bet there's even a healthier version of a taco salad. You can eat refried bean and tomatoes and even a dash of sour cream. This way, you can eat a taco salad and not feel bad. Good luck....you can do this!

You are an inspiration to me Kime-lou. To have suffered such a great loss and still be able to function and look to improve your life is amazing. I understand the struggle with temptation...we all do. None of us got to the size we are by eating smart and as food is our drug of choice, you've simply fallen off the wagon a bit same as anyone else with an addiction. I have no great words of wisdom...you will find your way, I know it. You are a strong woman. Next year at Mother's Day...if children have not become a part of your life...do something wonderful for yourself to celebrate the person you are. Get a massage, go on a trip, buy a new outfit. Whatever brings you pleasure, go ahead and do it.

Hey Mark, that's really great. I hope you-know-who is giving you more support now that the results are so positive.

This is going to sound so silly but I can't wait to go to my mammogram appointment next week to see how the gown fits. Last time I was there...six months ago, I gave in and finally had to wear two gowns..front to back and back to front in order to cover up sufficiently. I don't expect that this time now that I'm down more than 50 lbs. Also...am flying in a couple of weeks and the first thing I want to do is buckle the belt without a friggin' extension. Oh how I hate having to ask for one. And...the next thing I want to do is put the arm down without it scootching back up because my hips are in the way.

I'd love to do that dani. I don't get to the Wed. support group...I usually have PT that conflicts with the meetings. We should check with the other ladies on our 'Hi' thread like NYCTeacher, and Bubie, Karen, etc. I also invited two new folks to that thread who I met surfing the forum. Mark is on the UWS and Zinhaa is on Long Island. Turns out she and I went to the same middle and high school in Brooklyn.

This guy is an idiot. Ignore him...don't let a thoughtless remark derail you. and...just my opinion...don't think about dating for a while. Focus on you right now, and when you are ready, then think about meeting guys. Until you feel more comfortable in your new body, don't share it with anyone.

That is friggin' awesome! Brag all you want...you deserve it. I'm doing well. 54 lbs. down so far. No issues either thank goodness. I'm heading to Florida soon and can't wait to do some shopping. I'm waiting till then because I live in NYC and the cost of clothing is so high here. I don't want to spend a whole lot because I'm still losing but I can do Walmart and Target, etc. down there. I've dropped several sizes and have been able to get into things that have been in the back of my closet for years. Very exciting. More important, I'm off one of my blood pressure meds, and have gone from 60 to 20 mgs. on the other one.

Good luck BandedMarco. Welcome to the forum.

great news Mark. Keep us posted.

He used the same doctors I did. Gonna keep an eye out for him when I go to the office for followups...LOL!

Saw it this morning on the news. He went to the same Bariatric group at NYU that me and and several others on this site used. Good for him. Only concern is that the media will start a 'weight count' and no one, not even the governor needs that additional pressure. Too bad he couldn't do this off the radar.

thanks for the info and encouragement!

Hi Qtjan5. Dr. Ren did my surgery in January. I've been thinking that once I get to or near goal, I'd like to have cosmetic surgery as well. My tummy, thighs, and boobies will all need a little help. Is Dr. Sterry at NYU as well or does he work out of another hospital in the city? I'd like to keep his name for future reference. I'm down 54 lbs. but need to lose at least another 50 before considering cosmetic surgery.

....and this is why we fail. I'm not saying a person can't lose all the weight within a year but it should not be about how long it takes. None of us got to be fat overnight, and we're not going to lose it overnight either. Good for you hondoford that you modified your goals and did not go into 'failure' mode. You will reach your goal.

I ate hummus during the mushies stage, and I still eat it....it's so delicious. I tear up a WW whole wheat wrap and scoop up the hummus with the wrap. No wrap for you yet, but the hummus is yummy all by itself.

Celebrated a tad early. Went to dinner last night and had the flautas de pollo appetizer and a cup of mexican chicken and rice soup. There were three flautas on the plate and I had 1 1/2. They were delicious and I felt so good that I didn't finish them all. In fact, I went out to eat Tuesday night as well as last night and still lost over three pounds this week.

You'll do fine Mark. I was banded at the same hospital you are going to. I had Dr. Ren do my surgery....Dr. Fielding's wife. They are great at NYU...the post-op nurse never left my side and my pain and nausea were well controlled. I stayed overnight but that was because I have arthritis issues and needed help getting in/out of bed and walking around after surgery. At your age, you'll be back to normal before you know it. There's a small group of us in and around the city and we have a separate thread on this forum. If you are interested, I'll invite you. There are no men in our group as of yet, but we're all different ages so I'm sure you can find we can be good buddies for you as you start the journey. Good luck,