gowalking

NSV for sure!

Thanks! I tell ya......food is tremendous part of our culture, our family history and even a source of braggin rights: Uncle Gene's BBQ Sauce, Grandma Clyde's Carrot Cake.....etc. I can think back to a lot of big family moments and tell you what was being served. It took me a while, but I now see how I can still be a part of all the fun times: family gatherings, going out with friends, tailgating at ball games, etc. Just because I"m focused on losing weight and getting healthy I"m not being limited. It's the opposite, in fact, the healthier I become the more fun stuff I can do. The OP sort of scared me in that it appeared she was also thinking along those lines....struggling needlessly. She'll be able to better do all her many roles and activities with her new body. My son and his family moved to Columbia more than ten years ago. I visit often from NYC and also learned about sweet tea and buffets after church. We went to a place a couple of years back that served pig several different ways and of course it was all delish. But even in The South, one can be healthy. My son was probably around 350 lbs. when they moved down and he lost at least 100 lbs. shortly after the move. He's still about the same size even after all these years. I'm incredibly proud of him.

Did you call the surgeon's office and ask them? I suspect it's just swelling, but I'm not a doctor obviously. I'd be interested in finding out if your experience is normal.

Not a big fan of yogurt and never ate it. Still managed to lose 150 lbs. and with the help of Biotin and Protein powder, didn't lose all my hair either.

Me thinks maybe a troll at work....or he just didn't like the responses he was getting.

I introduced my boyfriend to fresh veggies dipped in hummus rather than ranch dip or creamy italian...or the classic onion and sour cream with chips or pretzels. He's good with the new option and that one change alone saves tons of calories..and is healthier to boot.

Hi all you tri-state area BP friends. Please see below. I hope to see you on Saturday! The next NYC/LI chapter F2F Support Group Meeting is going to be on October 17th from 2PM till 4 PM We will be meeting at The Atrium at 805 Third Avenue. The building is on Third Ave between 49th and 50th Streets. The Atrium is at the back of the space on the lower level past the shops. We are looking forward to seeing many of our forum friends there for a fun filled afternoon. We hope to share a bit of information, education, and ultimately support with our friends!!! So mark your calendars today forum friends and make plans to spend a beautiful Autumn afternoon in NYC. If any Jersey friends want to attend, please feel free to cross the Hudson and join us. *Thanks to Laurie for reminding me that the AVON WALK for breast cancer is this weekend so please leave yourself some extra time to get around town if you are coming in for the meeting.

Aww...sorry Joe. Well...not really, but I'm gonna be gracious...after all, the baseball gods giveth and the baseball gods taketh away

Sorry...can't help myself. I know it's a little blurred but that's my Empire State Building lit up in blue and orange after The Metsies beat LA last night. Go Mets!!

Wonderful news Jenifer. So glad for you and Dave. Wishing you all the best.

It's not the surgeon who approves or denies the surgery based on qualifications, it's the insurance company. There's certain criteria that has to be met for insurance to cover the procedure but I've never heard of any surgeon changing a decision based on tears. I'm not saying your family member is in danger, but something doesn't sound right here. I bet she's leaving alot out of her story but that's just an assumption on my part.

Those NSVs you mentioned are more important than the number on the scale. Keep focusing on that, and you'll get past this little detour soon enough. Remember..this is not a linear journey. It's full of ups and downs...two steps forward/one step back. Just don't obsess or lose your momentum.

Wonderful news. Keep us posted.

Well my friends....Labor Day is over and gone and even though it's still hot out, the summer is surely going to be on the wane soon. School has started and it's time for renewing friendships and thinking about those crisp early mornings and the colors of Fall...blazing reds, golden yellows, and sunshiney oranges. In anticipation of the season, the next NYC/LI chapter F2F Support Group Meeting is going to be on October 17th from 2PM till 4 PM We will be meeting at The Atrium at 805 Third Avenue. The building is on Third Ave between 49th and 50th Streets. The Atrium is at the back of the space on the lower level past the shops. We are looking forward to seeing many of our forum friends there for a fun filled afternoon. We hope to share a bit of information, education, and ultimately support with our friends!!! So mark your calendars today forum friends and make plans to spend a beautiful Autumn afternoon in NYC. If any Jersey friends want to attend, please feel free to cross the Hudson and join us.

He sounds a little like husband #2. The paranoid tendencies and wanting to be away from people. I thought it was a quirk..and too late realized it was another reason we were so NOT compatible. Good for you for seeing it and knowing it was a deal breaker. I agree...lots of damaged goods out there. I was one of them for putting up with alot of crap from guys just to feel loved. Was never love of course and it was one of the many reasons I stayed away from the dating world for such a long time. I worked on other things like being a good mother, having good friends, and making myself healthier. Only then, did I go back to dating...and still I had to have professional help to keep me from making some bad mistakes.

Dr. Ren is my surgeon as well. Sounds like you have everything well in hand. If you're interested, we're holding a face to face support group on Saturday in Midtown for NYC and surrounding area WLS and pre-WLS folk. If you want details, just PM me. PS: love your pictures!

Yes. Yes. Yes. Let me say it again. Yes. This is truth. Remember the line from Jerry McGuire? 'You complete me'. No. No one should complete another. Compliment yes, complete...no.

Here's the link to the article below. Just curious what you guys think. I think that there are lots of reasons why someone would want to harm themselves and there isn't specific data as to why...just that there's a possible correlation. My take on this is that food and overeating for many of us is a symptom. It's our drug of choice rather than alcohol or heroin. But just like someone in treatment goes through psychological help, so should some folks who have food issues as well. Obviously not everyone...but enough of us. I was banded in January of 2013 and a year and 100 lbs. later, found myself so very unhappy that I went into therapy. Now, I had other issues, but it started with the weight and still involves how my weight is and will always be, a huge part of my life. I feel like I have to be vigilant like anyone else dealing with an addiction. http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/Obesity/54035

I actually oversee data for a living so I am acutely aware that almost any data can be manipulated to achieve the results one is hoping for. I know this article can be misleading and statistics can be skewed. I was more curious as to what others on this site think of the article and if/whether some of us are at risk. Again...some folks get the surgery and live happily ever after but I know that for me, the past nearly two years has been focused on how to cope and deal with my issues without turning to food. Band or no band, I know I can gain every single pound back if I start to self destruct. I've done it before, and I know I can self sabotage again.

Yes...I also have swelling and can't see the final result yet. But like you, the golf ball is definitely gone thank goodness.

Look who's wasting away to nothing! LOL!

Yes...people notice you. It can take a while to realize someone is flirting with you but it absolutely does happen. Prejudice? Maybe. I think it depends on the age/experience of the person you are dating. Most men who are older have their own body issues and do not expect perfection in a partner. In fact, a quality man will likely say things like my guy says...he is so very proud of me for tackling my issues of obesity and limited mobility. He loves to watch me thrill to the ordinary again as I engage in life rather than watch from the sidelines. If you are not ashamed of your weight loss success, the person you are with won't think about it negatively.

You show off all you want. Looking good!!

It took more than 100 lbs off of me to see the port they way you do now. I actually just had it revised a couple of weeks ago to a lower profile and the surgeon tucked it under the muscle so it wouldn't be seen. I would check with your surgeon just to make sure it's not too close to the surface. If it's that noticeable now, I wonder what it will look like after a significant weight loss. Good luck...keep us posted.

NSV is non scale victory. Something good that happens that has nothing to do with the number on the scale. Examples are fitting into an article of clothing you didn't think you would be able to or using the seat belt on the plane without an extender....or tucking your legs under yourself in the chair as I noted above. Something most of us who are/were obese couldn't do.