gowalking

My observation is that men seem to lose easier and faster than women. No idea if this is backed up with science or not. I bet most of your comments will be of the same ilk.

Oh gosh...how could your doctor put in the band and not give you detailed instructions on what to do and how to work with it? Shame on him/her. Yes..as terry says above, find a doctor who can explain everything you need to know. The basics regarding eating with a band is Protein first, then veggies and then carbs...if you have room for them. I always follow a Weight Watchers type of plan...3 oz. protein, 1/2 cup veggies, 1/4 cup carbs and I entered everything into a food journal like myfitnesspal so I could track my calories, sugar, sodium, fat, etc. Good luck...keep us posted.

Here's what the lapband did for me. Good luck with whichever WLS you decide to go with.

I'm on steroids for chronic back pain and was very concerned about weight gain. It hasn't happened but I understand the frustration behind weight gain when you haven't indulged.

It's just a number. Yes...I understand it's an important number, but it's still just a number. Just do what you've been doing and stay off the scale for a while. Then when you do get on it, you should be under that 300 lb. mark by a nice amount.

For me it wasn't a number reached, it was the realization that I was no longer obese. I knew last year that I was 'normal' sized and felt comfortable enough to start to date. It's a part of the process of the 'makeover'. I haven't had plastic surgery but I've gone through a makeover by wearing makeup, getting a new and younger looking hairstyle, wearing attractive clothing, and feeling pretty and confident. It doesn't happen overnight and certainly not at one time. Again...it's a process and you will know when it's time to put yourself out there. You may have some negative incidents..dating is very up and down for sure but as long as you know that you are worthy of positive attention, you will be OK. Good luck..and enjoy.

Great post @JustWatchMe. And how wonderful to have daughters who love you lots and lots.

Just wanted to post here as well Debbie. I loooove the new haircut.

The shorter haircut looks great Debbie!

The pictures are absolutely wonderful and it looks like everyone had a great time.

Amen Terry! I was waiting to see if anyone would post that. The nutritionist is setting you up for failure. Have a good long talk with him/her. Telling you that you are not where you should be is not only wrong...but counterproductive. Really....think about going with another nutritionist.

My whole life is a NSV. From the most mundane things like lifting my legs to shave them in the shower to the most vital such as moving and without pain and without looking at the rest of my life being in a wheelchair. If I tried to list them all out, this post would go on forever.

You look beautiful Julie!

My port sticks out like a golf ball under my skin but I'm proud of that bump. When I first got banded, I was so fat, you couldn't see or feel the port. It's visable now because I've lost so much weight. I might get the lower profile port in the future, but for now, I don't let it bother me.

I've married off both sons after my husband passed away. Some of it will be bittersweet Julie...can't do anything about that. But lots of it will be wonderful and that's what you should focus on. Enjoy the day and best wishes to the happy couple.

Hullo!! Can we show the psychiatric community this thread? When my therapist tells me that food is not technically an addiction, I want to scream. Who does these things except people who are addicted? Old food, bad food, too much food. If you substitute any other substance for food in these posts, it would look like any other addiction be it alcohol or drugs or anything. My therapist says it's not an addiction because it doesn't change the brain. I call bulls**t on that. I know my brain lights up like the Empire State Building when I see Pasta. Hell...it happened last night. We ordered Italian in and I was cleaning up the leftovers last night and all I wanted to do was eat that cold dry spaghetti. Don't tell me this is not an addiction. I know that pasta is my heroin and no one can tell me different.

I live in NYC and while it's great for shopping, it's not great for deals. I go to the outlets when I'm in Florida or even Jersey or LI. I found that Talbot's is a great option. They have a nice selection in petites. I went to Steinmart the other day. I like their selection alot as well. I'm just glad that I have options.

CG is right. I've been at my current weight since January and have gone down as much as two clothing sizes. Somehow the body does get smaller even if it doesn't show on the scale. In fact, the only reason I weigh myself at all is because I'm on steroids and need to watch for Water weight gain as that can indicate kidney issues.

What I feel is my port moving around. Not that it actually moves...but there are times when my pants get in the way or even if I lay down, I have to sort of move the port into a better position. I'm going to see my bariatric surgeon soon and ask about a lower profile port. Mine sticks out something awful at this point. I'm used to it but there are times when it shows even with clothes on..and I don't care for that at all.

I've started to look in the juniors department but obviously the clothes are not age appropriate so most of them are a no-go. I love the clothes at White House/Black Market except that obviously, the color palette is limited. I just have to know going in, that I'll be trying on the same outfit in several sizes (if they have them) because I have worn clothing anywhere from a size 2 to size 12. I went to the Ann Taylor outlet the other day and started off with a size 10P dress and size MP shrug to go over it. I wound up with a size 4 regular dress and size S regular shrug. I'm also learning how to buy what looks good and not what fits. That's also a huge change in mindset.

I've eaten enough spaghetti in one sitting to literally make myself sick. Cooked up nearly the whole box...and then ate it all...even cold out of the pot after I put it in the fridge. What horrible feelings of hatred and self loathing that brings up for me. I tap into those old feelings whenever I feel the urge to eat more than I need. That's usually all I need to stop me cold.

Great questions @@Sun Godess. These were the questions I had when I started the process and got closer and closer to surgery. Rather than answer your questions one by one, all I can say is that I've been where you are...and am living a great life again now that all the excess weight is gone. I am so very happy with my decision and I'm sure you will be as well.

Good definitions for those of us who have difficulty distinguishing when we are truly hungry vs. head hunger vs. satiety. Not always easy to figure out...especially as we often don't know when to stop eating. I'd blow right past satiety and even past full till I would be painfully full...even to the point of sick. Thanks goodness I don't do that anymore.

As we know, the fashion industry doesn't give two hoots about larger sized women...so it's not surprising that there's hatred out there. If these were pictures making fun of sexual orientation or race, this person would be fired. I'm not saying that's right or wrong...I'm just saying that it's still OK in this society to make fun of fat people.

This really is the hardest part of the process...the time just before and after surgery. Once the band is working as it's supposed to, and you see the results of your hard work, it will all be worth it.