gowalking

Funny Lisa! I also never got the milk and bread thing either. I went out and bought staples. coffee, wine, cheese, and ice cream...for the BF. Me...I got farrow, asparagus, chicken, and fruit. Should hold me over OK.

I use them lots. I buy low cal 7 grain and whole wheat bread as well. I can tolerate bread fine so I just look for the least harmful version(s) Be careful if you can't tolerate bread and bread products though. The flatbread is fairly soft and I know that's a problem for some.

This is likely the family dynamic...and a big reason why she got so heavy in the first place. Some of us just like to eat but most of us have issues that just manifest themselves in overeating. Our addiction is just more noticeable and unfortunately less acceptable than others.

What can I say? I love ya my friend and I'm just a phone call away.

you guys look awesome!!

I watched. They must be getting the surgery for free...the Hispanic woman was from NYC and had Dr. Now do her surgery down in Houston. Makes no sense to go out of town..or to go to him. He's not a plastic surgeon and it showed. Though with all that loose skin the first woman had, I'd just want it gone as well. All that skin must have been horrible to carry around.

Sounds promising but keep it together Bella...that IS something to keep an eye on...you don't want to be the rebound chick.

Your remark about questioning the point of losing weight is bothering me. Did you decide to do this hoping to find a girlfriend? I hope not. Love yourself my friend...and everything else will fall into place...even if you never find the 'right girl'. I decided to start because I had high blood pressure and sleep apnea and am only 30 years old. Finding a girlfriend was a high priority. Even if I get down to a normal weight, my body is still ruined. I started questioning why I was dating on the last date. We went to a restaurant and sat in a booth and I barely fit into it. How can I date when I have to worry if I'm going to fit in places? Now wasn't the right time to start. In the past 6 weeks I gain a pound. Granted I didn't undue what I already did but I was losing about 3 pounds a week. I'm about 20 pounds behind schedule. Ah...OK, now I get it. I agree...you're likely not ready for this yet. It's too soon. Focus on yourself and your goals right now. I agree...dating can get you off track for sure. I know that it's happened to me. I used to go to the Y three times a week to swim. Now I go once a week..if that. And when it comes to food..I had to explain to the BF that Chinese and pizza were just not a good choice for me except once in a while. I really had to reiterate this more than once in order to not sabotage myself.

That's actually one of the nicest blow offs I've seen. Most of the time, you just stop hearing from them and you are left to wonder what happened. I'm not trying to make light of this, just letting you know that it happens all the time. You really need a thick skin to be doing this dating thing. I got really lucky and found a man I enjoy being exclusive with and have been off the dating sites after looking for about a year and a half. It's nice not to be going through that but I also know that if things go south with this guy, I'll be kicking him to the curb and back looking once again. It's the only way I know to hopefully meet someone. Good luck Smye...and hang in there.

Yeah...hopefully it will be easy peasy but don't be surprised if it's not. Everyone reacts differently. I needed 12 weeks of rehab when I had arthroscopic to smooth out the meniscus and still had issues after PT. My BF also tore the meniscus and didn't need any surgery...and the orthopedist just told him it would heal on its own...which it is. Depends on how much damage there is and how bad the knee in general is.

Your remark about questioning the point of losing weight is bothering me. Did you decide to do this hoping to find a girlfriend? I hope not. Love yourself my friend...and everything else will fall into place...even if you never find the 'right girl'.

Here's a little story about my dad from last year. He needed three valves replaced and at 82, this was not a walk in the park surgery at all. He was ready to have this done at a small community hospital because his cardiologist recommended a surgeon with privileges at this hospital where he was also on staff. When my sister and I got wind of this, we objected strenuously and his response was that his cardiologist wouldn't steer him wrong...'the man was like family'. My sister came back and said, 'I AM family...do you want me cutting into your chest??' Suffice to say, we took over his care, investigated thoroughly, and wound up at Mt. Sinai where they do the most cutting edge procedures and where he had the valves replaced without them having to crack his chest open. Even when he went back to his cardiologist and showed him the scar by his rib cage instead of down the front of the chest, they guy was amazed. He had no idea this type of surgery was being done. As was said above....do your research and find the best...and never never settle...or presume. Not when it comes to your health. Oh...and FYI, dad is bowling and playing golf again...

Hi friends. Well today is my three year bandiversary and I've been in maintenance for about half that time. As many of you know, my journey was far from linear in that ten months after getting banded, I had both hips replaced. The recovery was long and hard fought and it was months before I was finally off the cane for good. I literally had to re-learn to walk and move like a normal person. I also found myself in therapy due to body image issues and feelings of loss of control among others. I'm taking a break after two years to see if I can move forward without the therapist's help but I feel sort of like I did when I stopped using the cane. Both scared and happy to put it behind me. Time will tell if I can manage without her help. I still have physical issues because of all the abuse my body underwent but I can do the things most people take for granted like going up and down stairs, bending over to tie my shoes, crossing my legs, fitting in a booth or airplane seat...the list goes on and on. Mostly what's changed is that I got my life back. I know that sounds dramatic but it's true. I didn't even realize how small my world had gotten as I got larger and less able to move without pain. In 2015, I took a vacation to London which was something I wanted to do since I was a teenager. I even rode a bike through the royal parks. I met a gentleman online back in May and I am very much enjoying spending time with him. I've found physical love again and emotional closeness. The feeling of happiness as I lay in his arms nearly overwhelms me. I have to pinch myself just to make sure this is real. My children no longer worry about my health. They lost their dad more than 20 years ago and they worried that I would die young as well and leave them without either parent. I know this is no longer an issue for them and I'm relieved I don't cause them any additional anxiety. I like to shop and dress up. I care a great deal about my appearance now and I almost feel like a real life Barbie doll deciding each evening what I will wear the next day and what accessories I will pick from. I have lots of clothes, shoes, pocketbooks, makeup, real and fashion jewelry. It's all to make me look and feel pretty. It's wonderful to feel pretty when I felt invisible for such a long time. I'm part of the world again and not sitting on the sidelines of it watching others engage while I cannot. I owe all of this to my band. Doesn't mean I don't struggle with hunger and making good choices. But I like the way my therapist said it. I 'sample' things now rather than overdo it. That includes food obviously but also my love life...we are NOT joined at this hip and it's a good thing. Same with work, exercise, friendships, and life in general. I sample things and savor them. In many ways it makes me appreciate it all the more because I don't do anything to excess. For those of you starting your journey, or those of you who are vets, I just wanted to put it out there that while I went into this process kicking and screaming, it was the best thing I could have ever done for myself and my family. I will always be so grateful for the tool I now have at my disposal, and the support I get from my virtual friends here on BP.

Your post makes perfect sense @enjoythetime. It's not the 9 lbs. It's the feeling of loss of control. I was 112 at one point but fine with 115-120 in maintenance. Today the scale said 126.4 Time for another fill.

all I can say is...... NEXT!

Well...technically we're not band twins but since we're only one day apart, it's close enough. So from one band sister to another, job well done, congratulations, and here's to many more healthy and happy years to come. Liz

Congrats Kathy. From one Grandma to another...isn't this a great time to be alive and well? I too feel ten years younger...if not more since I lost all the weight. Here's to many more birthdays and anniversaries!

I was told at pre admission testing to stop taking all vitamins and any ibuprofen products a week before surgery. They want you off any blood thinning meds. Ibuprofen is an NSAID and some vitamins have blood thinning properties as well. You should confirm what vitamins you should or shouldn't take prior to surgery.

Yeah..don't get me wrong..there has to be chemistry..it just doesn't have to be lightening bolts. I've had my socks knocked off a couple of times but those relationships burn themselves out quickly. My current beau is more of a slow simmer type of chemistry. He doesn't take my breath away but I enjoy his company very much and we do well in the intimacy department...not Earth shattering, but good and I'm OK with that. At my age, I'm not looking for someone to spend the rest of my life with and raise a family with...I'm looking for someone to share my life with for however long it works.

What she said. Like ten times over in fact. That's what I did this time around and no..no lightening bolts but a sweet, normal, lovely man who makes me feel wanted and desired and is someone I can count on.

thank you my dear friend. You know you are my inspiration as well.

Give him a chance. He may have not been very diplomatic but he was saying something based on his experience. Lot's of people have prejudicial feelings about WLS but that's mostly ignorance or their poor experiences. Go out with him if he still asks and if things go well, you can show him just how fabulous WLS actually is.

I have joint disease and have already had both hips replaced. I'm only 57 and my knees are also bad but if not for the weight loss, the knees would have had to be replaced already. Because of my new size, I am still doing OK with them. I had this surgery to avoid going into a wheelchair. This is me now riding a bike so I would say the pros absolutely outweigh the cons. As long as you are willing to commit to a new way of life regarding food, you will be fine. And that's a big part of this. The surgery is not a magic wand..it's just a tool. Good luck and let us know what you decide to do.

I watched the show and as much as you knew you wanted plastics, I knew without a doubt that I did not want plastics...at least not yet. Oh yes...I'd like a flat belly and arms and legs that are not looking like a Sharpei dog. But I'm not feeling what you others feel. I don't hate my body like the woman on the show did...I don't feel bad that I can't wear sleeveless tops or shorts. I just figure I'd wear what works for my body same as I do in terms of shape and style of the clothing I buy. Very glad for those who have had or know they want plastics. If I change my mind...I'll provide before and after pics...LOL.

..that the reaction the plastic surgeon had to the guy in the new Skin Tight show when he found out the weight loss was done without surgery was something akin to 'good for you'. Meaning...good that you did it the old fashioned hard-work way and didn't take the easy way out by having WLS. And this was from a man in the medical profession. Even he had a prejudice obviously against those who lose weight with surgery.