gowalking

The veggies are good. If you can get the quality foods in and avoid animal Proteins, go for it girl.

Can I suggest you speak to your doctor about a little unfill. You must be able to eat solid protein or you will have problems. Shakes, cheese and eggs are not enough...and the high fat sliders are insidious. You'll rely on them more and more and undo all the good work you've already gotten to.

Oh @carleycatz...where to begin. First of all, considering what mom did...even if it was with good intentions...you are obviously and strong and intelligent young lady to cope with such a difficult set of circumstances. I agree..you need both band followup and emotional follow up. I too see a therapist to get at the root causes of my obesity. I have done well with the outside changes but now I must focus on fixing the inside just as much. Please keep us posted on how you are doing. As Bandista says, we are a very close group of folks who mostly support each other through things that only we understand. Even our families don't always help and often do the opposite. Wishing you all the best.

Nothing is off limits on this site, and no matter how 'personal' a NSV is, it's still something most of us can identify with. Congrats on yours and here's to many more!

Most people who chose the band do so because it is not permanent. This seems to be the overriding decision maker. As other posters have said, the band, and I suspect all WLS only does one thing...it tamps down the hunger. Then you have to make the right choices regarding what and how often you eat. It's not easy, but it works when you put in the work as well. I am living proof of this as I have lost more than 150 lbs. and have gone from nearly debilitating joint pain to walking almost normally. For me, this is as close to a miracle as can be. I feel like a kid again and while you may not be in that same situation, I am sure that your reasons for getting healthy and in a normal weight range are just as important to you. Try not to focus on the band bashers...they are out there and can scare people. I know that if I had a bad experience, I'd want to share it but some of these folks are only mimicking what they've heard and have not had the band surgery. If you haven't experienced something, you shouldn't discuss it in my opinion. I've never had any fills...so I never ever post or give my opinion on that subject. Talk to your doctor...remember he/she may have a preference as well due to the need to have much more follow up with the band over other surgeries so bear that in mind. Ultimately, you will know when you've made the right decision even with being nervous. We've all been where you are and know that this is not an easy decision to make but one that gives a quality of life that for some of us, is something we never expected to have again. For that alone, I am so very grateful and it is why I stay on this site and do my best to pay it forward. Good luck my dear.

I don't know how quickly folks lose who had different WLS but for me, I've lost more than 150 lbs. in a two year timespan....around 100 of those lbs. during year one. I think that's pretty darn quick if I say so myself.

Every journey starts with the first step. Twenty five lbs. is nothing to sneeze at and yes, one day you'll wake up and it will be fifty, then 75 and before you know it, you'll be actively involved in your life again and that's the bestest part of all of this. Congratulations and welcome to the 'Loser's Club'.

I consider it permanent and I also agree that removable is not the same as temporary. I know that some people have issues with the band but it's been wonderful for me and I never in a million years expected to be this size and this healthy again. I know I look good but better than that, I feel good. In fact, I feel wonderful.

Can't wait to hear all about it Debbie.

So sorry to hear that you weren't able to be sleeved. Hoping you heal quickly and get the surgery soon.

We have a NYC/LI/Tri-state BP support group that meets quarterly. Feel free to PM me or my co-leader Lisa for more info if you are interested.

Great tips Alex. The chicken paninis are pretty good options at Starbucks. That and a cup of regular coffee works very well for a healthier option. I even have a regular burger once in a while. If you eat it without the bun or half a bun, you're fine. Like you say, just don't panic and don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. You can eat fast food once in a while and not get totally derailed.

Woo Hoo!! I got an email invite to a work reunion on the 26th. I've seen a number of these folks since I left the company in 2007 so many of them have seen me both larger and smaller. But for those who I haven't seen in a while...oh boy!!! I can't wait to walk into that bar and soak up the compliments. I know I've said in the past that I don't care to be scrutinized even if it's positive but I'm not looking to show these folks up...they were all very kind to me no matter what my size. I just want to share my success with them and I can't wait till the get together. What a change up from getting invites to things and the first thing I think about is 'can I get there with the pain I'm in?' or 'what in the world will I wear (fit into)' I bet it will be a blast.

I have never met such a strong group of people as are here on this forum. I am honered to know each and every one. @@JustWatchMe, I have been following your story and am in awe of your strength and determination. I am so glad to call you friend and so happy for you for taking this important step to get your life back. You are an amazing woman. Congratulations on each and every accomplishment. Liz

You don't necessarily have to be in the 'right frame of mind' to be ready for surgery. I went into it kicking and screaming. The difference is though, I knew I had no choice. I was facing life in a wheelchair if I didn't lose weight. That's a tremendous motivator. If you are not motivated because you are happy with your body and you have no co-morbidities, I question whether or not you can be compliant with post surgery protocol. Only you know whether or not to move forward on this, but you asked for opinions, and I gave you mine. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Check with your HR department at work as well. My company subsidizes 'healthy' lifestyles. They give us $300 towards diet plans like Weight Watchers and gym memberships as well. It doesn't cover the whole cost, but hey...$300 is still $300.

Congrats Julie. One of these days I'd like to take the plunge myself into the plastic surgery pool. So.... I got on the scale this morning and I'm up to 116 1/2 lbs. I've been doing a little too much grazing since I've been in Florida. Got to cut this **** out. I worked way too hard to backslide now. Oh...I have a date tomorrow night and another one on Saturday. Two different guys. This multiple dating thing is fun but also a bit exhausting trying to remember what I said to who...lol.

Hi all. My bariatric surgery supports a yearly clothing exchange. I couldn't make the one last year but I have some items to donate and I want to bring them down...and meet other WLS folk. I thought those who are in the vicinity might be interested in both donating and taking advantage of the clothing that is available. Hope to see some of you there. HERE COMES ANOTHER… GREATER NEW YORK BARIATRIC SURGERY CLOTHING EXCHANGE [For Men and Women Who Have Had or Are Scheduled for the Procedure] Join us in midtown Manhattan Saturday * March 21, 2015 * 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Where: BOTTOMLESS CLOSET [in the Hotel Pennsylvania opposite Penn Station & Madison Square Garden] 401 Seventh Avenue, Level B, Suite 40 (bet. West 32nd and West 33rd Streets) *** Take Elevator #1 to Level B; follow signs *** Everything must be clean, intact and ready for wearing. Intimates (e.g., workout clothes, underwear, leggings, swimwear, sleepwear, socks, hosiery) must be new/unused/unworn. Accessories are great (belts, jewelry, scarves, neckties, purses, shoes, etc.). Dressing rooms are available. Need nothing now? Feel free to bring items you're no longer using and stay for the conversation. Bottomless Closet, our host, helps disadvantaged NYC women enter and succeed in the workforce and improve the quality of their lives. All items not adopted during our event are donated to BC. Documents will be available for tax purposes. Contact bandsterswap@yahoo.com if you have any questions about the exchange. If you'd like to help set up, come at 10:00. If you're able to stay a little past 2:00 to straighten up, please do.

Water exercise is the best. I was walking/dogpaddling in the water when my hips were horribly painful. After they were replaced, I started to exercise in the pool 3X a week and I make sure to go as often as I can. As far as what we look like in bathing suits, I went in the water at 250 lbs. and I go in the water now...at 113 lbs. and very wrinkled upper legs/thighs. When I see an obese person in the pool, all I think is good for them for trying to improve their lives. That's how you should approach it if you're uncomfortable in a bathing suit.

Eat sashimi. It's just the raw fish and if you cut the sliced fish into small pieces, you should be fine. For Chinese food, stay away from anything fried. I find that steamed fish is very band friendly. Just remember that both Chinese and some of the Japanese food is fairly high in sodium.

My grandson is due in five weeks and I'm so excited to be a healthy grandma for this one. My granddaughter is 10 and for half her life, I was so terribly limited with what I could do with her. I did the best I could and in the end, spending time with her was the most important thing but I have to say that I can't wait till I can take this little guy to the park and climb the monkey bars and go on the swing and slide and teeter-totter with him.

Fish, fish, and more fish. I wasn't a fish eater before. Oh, I'd have it once in a while, but why eat fish when you can eat veal parm and spaghetti? Well, obviously I choose to eat smarter these days and have found that fish can be very tasty...and is very band friendly. I eat at Greek restaurants alot more than I used to because for whatever reason, the Greeks know how to make a great piece of fish...simply grilled and even without sauce.

I didn't take pics in Florida but I just put the suit on in my bedroom and took this picture. It's not a great shot because of the flash, but you can see my body and legs and that's all that matters. I hate how they look and I don't know for sure if mom was just playing down how bad they are. I'd appreciate honest feedback from anyone who cares to comment.

Everyone's 'normal' is their own. If you need an adjustment, make an appointment with your doctor. Discuss with him or her if what you are feeling is real or head hunger. Then you can make the decision regarding a fill. Good luck.

Who says you're doing anything wrong? You said you've lost a lot of inches. That's as important as the number on the scale. If you are replaceing fat with muscle, muscle weighs more than fat so I'd think 20 lbs. is pretty good. I also used Dr. Ren and have been very pleased with her as my doctor. Talk to her and see if she is concerned. If not, again, you are likely doing the right things and shouldn't be overly concerned either. If you need support from fellow bandsters, feel free to PM me or Lisa, or others who are in the NYC area. We also have a face to face support group meeting every two or three months and once the weather finally improves, we'll hold another one. Feel free to join us. Good luck, and keep us posted on your progress.