gowalking

Ceviche is delish when made well and yes, is a good high Protein, low carb meal. Unfortunately there are many restaurants...even here in NYC that make lousy ceviche. When I find a good one though...I indulge.

Today is not a good day for me @@LipstickLady but this made me laugh. So...thank you.

@@theantichick Thanks for that info. I know I'm playing a dangerous 'game' between the NSAIDS and steroids. Without them, though...the pain impacts me so badly. I'm not so worried about right now, but what about ten or 20 years from now? That's what scares me.

Hi Jill. I'm at that 'arthritis of unknown origin' point. Have been for a few years now. The rheumatologist has tested me over and over and keeps an eye on my inflammatory markers. I take anti-inflammatory meds and methotrexate with folic acid. What are you prescribed now that you have a definitive diagnosis? I'm really curious to know as this chronic illness and the pain that goes along with it is draining at times...especially now that I'm in a flare and back on steroids.

Welcome. I am also from NYC, so if you need some specific info on doctors/therapists/surgeons, etc. feel free to PM me. I was banded in January of 2013 at NYU and have been in maintenance for about two years now. I also had major co-morbidities but most of them have resolved between the weight loss and joint replacement. You of all people can understand how challenging it is to be immobile in Manhattan, which is a walking city for sure. I don't know about you, but I used to stroll all over the city and by the time I lost enough weight for hip replacement, I could barely walk a single block. These days, I am again walking all over the city and loving getting my health, and my life back.

Sure is. Lot's of introspection today....

I got used to buying cheap when I was losing weight because I only wore some outfits once or twice before they got too big. Now that I'm in maintenance for a couple of years, I went out last year and picked up a handful of 'better' dresses at Lord & Taylor that were far from the $59 dresses at Steinmart. Don't get me wrong...I love my Steinmart dresses, but I can sooo tell the difference between them and the Ann Taylor or Elie Tahari dresses I own. All I know is that shopping for clothes has gone from an ordeal to a pleasure and that's the most important thing of all.

Yup. I sure do understand where you're coming from. It's not so easy to forgive...I'm still working on it. The self hatred is still a huge burden.

You're not alone..believe me. I knew I needed knee replacement prior to having WLS. After losing nearly 70 lbs...and still needing to lose alot more, I found out that it was my hips more than my knees that needed replacing. My joints were disintegrating and I felt almost betrayed by my own body. Then less than three months after the hips were replaced (yes..both hips) I was diagnosed with cancer. Really?? What else?? At that point, I had lost over 100 lbs. and felt like an old and sick woman...who had no control over her body at all. For me, the next step was therapy. I saw a therapist for two years and we discussed a number of issues both food and non food related. I'm not saying you should do the same, I'm just saying this might all be too much for you right now and speaking with a professional might be a good option to help you sort out all you are going through. {{Hugs}} and keep us posted on how you are doing.

I appreciate your story CowgirlJane. I went through a difficult time with my son and DIL yesterday related to my behavior with my grandson and not respecting my DIL as the boy's mother. I must admit I have issues with her and they do spill over. Suffice to say I was very upset yesterday and Mother's Day is in jeopardy. When I got off the phone with my son, the first thing I wanted to do was eat. Anything. Just stuff my face. I wanted to lash out and defend myself...and since I couldn't, I wanted to eat instead. I know that this is my pattern...and I have to learn how not to go that route. Just like a drug addict..or an alcoholic. I know this morning that while the issues with my son and DIL are still unresolved, I at least am not mired in guilt because I also fell off the wagon. As far as your party...you know that you cannot control everything that happens when people are together. Sometimes feelings will be hurt or bruised...things will happen...things will be said. Please don't be tempted to throw out the baby with the bathwater because it sounds like this party was a huge step for you and with all huge steps comes some missteps at times. Just remember to keep on keeping on. Oh...and one more thing...I'm also terrified of being hurt and vulnerable and that was alot of the reasons behind my gaining so much weight...and being so afraid of putting myself out there so just know that even virtually, I have your back and am hoping only the best for you.

Posts are all over the place on this thread so basically I'll say that I am a food addict and went into therapy for two years to help me deal with my issues. I still have to be very mindful though...one day at a time..like any other addiction. Regarding the physiological issues...leptin, etc., I'm sure that metabolism is a real issue...it's just that it's like saying, 'I have big bones'. We use it for everything and as an excuse so because of that, metabolism and other findings are seen as very suspect. Sort of like the boy who cried wolf. Lastly...I just saw the interview with the guy from BL on GMA and read the comments people left. It hurts to see such hatred. Fat people (and I can use the 'F' word because I am still the fat girl even though I no longer look that way) are despised. Truly despised. Maybe not to our faces but people are disgusted with us. No wonder we hate ourselves. OK...I know not everyone feels this way. This is IMO. But holy smokes...you should have seen some of those comments. Pigs...disgusting....just walk away from the food....get off your fat a$$....it hurts to know how much I was likely despised...and in turn, how much I despised myself.

I'm not sleeved but I sure do know the terror of a flare... My band doesn't do anything as far as I know regarding helping with anti-inflammatory issues. The only thing I got out of it is the weight loss...which helps simply because it takes so much of the load off my joints, but it hasn't helped my pain flares. I also don't know what will set a flare off at times. I know why I'm in this current flare, but I was in a horrible flare that lasted months last year...and we still don't know what set it off. I know that NSAIDS are not good for me...whether I'm banded or not... I know that I'm risking an internal bleed but without taking the meds...I'm not able to be as mobile as I need to. I try to stay positive because even in a pain flare, I can still walk...and before getting the hip replacements, I was virtually bedridden...and that was after losing 70 lbs.

Welcome to the forum! The people and support here are a very big reason why I've been able to meet my weight loss goals and transition to maintenance...which I'm finding waayyy more challenging.

Hi Jen. I have some similarities to you. I also likely have an undiagnosed auto immune issue. The rheumatologist has told me that there are lots of auto immune diseases that have not been identified as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis have. I also suffer from arthritis and joint disease. All the doctors can say at this point is that I have a genetic inflammatory illness. They know this because both my mom and sister also have inflammatory issues...just not in the joints like me. Mom has IBS which is inflammation of the bowel, and my sister has a skin inflammation disease that many on this forum also suffer from..hidradentitis suppurativa. My issues started before being banded so I can't say that the band is related to any of this. But I can say that with the excess weight off, I can deal with things better though I've been on anti-inflammatory meds for quite a while, I've also been on Lyrica and low dose Cymbalta for nerve pain. Oh..and I also had cataracts. There is evidence that steroids create cataracts at a substantially quicker pace than just aging alone. I had very small, very stable cataracts for years. Once I started taking steroid shots and oral steroids, the cataracts became horrific in a matter of months. I've had both eyes done. If you've been on steroids, it might explain the need for cataract surgery. Unfortunately, I'm currently in a pain flare and am back on oral steroids to break the pain cycle. I'm accepting the fact that this is a chronic issue with me and I'll never be pain free. All I can hope for is more good days than bad. Some of the meds I take make losing/maintaining the weight loss a challenge. I also can't exercise like most people. I spend alot of time in the pool. It's easiest on my joints so I do exercises there. Rather than continue this diatribe, feel free to reach out to me if you want on Private Message and we can chat. Hope my story helped you a bit. Oh...and one more thing...I've had both my hips replaced and at some point, I will need to do my knees as well. The weight loss and hip surgery has given my knees a break but they are still bone on bone and I won't be able to avoid surgery forever. Liz

I just don't care for the 'tone' of the article blaming WLS on her spiral down. It presumes that if she didn't have the surgery, she wouldn't have gone through all the other addictions and issues. As I've said many times, food is an addiction and abuse of it is self destructive like any other type of addiction. Who's to say this woman wouldn't have done this with or without WLS. I agree with VSGAnn....the blame is misplaced.

I have a nosy but well meaning co-worker who took way too much liberty in watching me and asking questions. I know it was just curiosity and it's absolutely lessened over the years to the point that she says nothing anymore as there's no reason to. I've been at goal or below for more than two years. There are people I've met who don't know me any other way...and for those who remember me fat, they are starting to forget that person...which is a relief to me. Take away story on this is that those types of remarks will lessen over time as your weight loss will not be the hot topic it is now.

Yup. This is harassment. Document it and bring it to HR. These comments are not to be tolerated at all...especially in the workplace.

Oh believe me, I hope they do make it. I just don't think they will.

I saw this episode. It won't be 'happily ever after'. They are both hoping for love but not in love with each other. I can tell...I did the same thing years ago when I wanted to be married again after my first husband died. I married a man that I was fond of and ignored all the warning signs that we really were not compatible. The marriage lasted less than five years. Take it from someone who knows. Better to be alone than be lonely in a relationship or marriage. That's worse.

What this article tells me is that food addicts 'fall off the wagon' a whole lot more than those who are addicted to alcohol or drugs, or just about anything else. I also think the reason is that you can live without booze..without drugs, without just about everything that's bad for you. You can't live without food though. It's everywhere and the temptation can be overwhelming whether we are walking into a restaurant or a grocery store, or even watching those endless food commercials on TV. I know that the medical community does not see food as as addiction but I don't care what anyone thinks. I know that my brain lights up like a pinball machine when I see food. I also know that I react differently when I eat than when someone who is not a food addict acts. I still live to eat...but just not in a detrimental way. I love food, I love how it tastes, and I love everything about it. Which is why I have to be mindful all the time. ALL THE TIME. I'm three years out from WLS and I'd be lying if I said I got this. Because I don't. Every day I make choices to eat healthy and volume appropriate. Most days I do, but some days I do not. The band helps. It helps alot. But I can eat around the band if I so choose. I can self sabotage if I so choose. I can get fat again in a heartbeat if I am not careful. Whether this woman uses WW or WLS or hypnosis, or voodoo...it's still going to be a struggle and I do not judge, nor do I feel anything but sympathy and empathy for her.

For some odd reason, I told people I was 5' 1". I'm not. I'm exactly five feet tall (or short) as the case may be. I know this little lie had something to do with my weight...like an extra inch would make a difference with all the excess poundage I was carrying. But..hey, we all do what we must in order to avoid what we don't want to face.

thanks. I'll mention it to him and see if he's interested.

The BF is a huge fan of the Star Trek series. We live in NYC so Cherry Hill is very do-able. I will ask him if he's interested and let you know. What are the dates?

Like many others, I have gained and lost weight over and over again. Self sabotage is a well known behavior for sure. But now I can see where some of it comes from. My dad, who never gave me the unconditional love and acceptance all children crave and need, asked me yesterday if I 'found' the 12 lbs. my boyfriend lost. It's something I know I should ignore, but I happen to be struggling right now and it's like he knows it....even though I've not said a word to him. I am just about those 12lbs. over what I'd like to get back down to and somehow, he knew that and called me out on it. Now I know he really didn't know I put a few back on and am actively working on taking them off. You can't see any gain in pictures. I know because I posted a side by side yesterday of my grandson when he was born, and for his one year birthday this past Saturday. But my dad....he just knows how to push my buttons. And I let him do it. I actually gave him hard numbers when he asked what I weighed at my lowest and what I weigh now. It's none of his damn business..and yet I told him anyway. And then I started stammering when trying to defend myself. He goes on to ask me if my clothes were tight and I'm thinking, why am I even having this conversation with the man? He's so unaware of what those comments do to me. All he has to do though is look at his other daughter, who is still obese. There's a reason why his girls at one time, were both 'Two Ton Tessies' as we were once called. I'll have to follow my own advice I give to those out there with this type of issue....let the comments roll off my back, and just do what I have to do. I'm going for a fill on Thursday and hoping that will help. I swear....I hate him sometimes and I wish I could tell him how this stuff is none of his business. This is so my father's MO....praise first.....so I get my guard down...and then a slap as he's walking away, just to make sure I don't get too confident and happy with myself. OK, I'm done with the rant. Thanks for listening, my virtual friends out there...

I went into this process kicking and screaming. I got the band because I was close to going into a wheelchair. I did not want to give up my food and couldn't imagine my life without eating to excess. Well...I found out that as it says in my signature, living life in a normal sized body is better than any food out there. The quality of my life has improved 1,000%. I can walk again...no cane, no wheelchair...no nothing. I can do practically everything I used to and am taking advantage of all that life offers. Don't worry that you are depressed or even scared about life after WLS. Once you see the benefits, you won't believe that you had doubts and fears at one time.