gowalking

Unfortunately Courtney, this is not the correct way to lose the weight. I'm not sure from your post, which surgery you've had but regardless, you should be speaking with your doctor to resolve your issues. It shouldn't be a struggle to keep food down. If I was dealing with that every day, I'd be working closely with my medical team to resolve it. I hope you can get the help you need. No one should suffer just because they've had WLS.

Hi @CC155. I'm not sure if you are scared of the surgery or of the unknown. If your fear is the surgery, the statistics show that you are overwhelmingly likely to survive with no issues at all. If your fear is of the unknown, all I can tell you is that two years ago when I had lapband surgery, I couldn't imagine what my life would be like without my best/worst friend, which was food. Best/worst because I loved to eat but it was killing me. So what has happened in those two years? Well, I've lost 150 lbs. and have gotten my life back. I don't miss eating to excess....not any more. Especially not when I am thinner than I've been since I was a teenager. Not when I wore 26/28 slacks and 4X tops and now I wear 6 petite slacks, small petite tops, and 8 petite dresses. Not when I used to struggle to walk because my knees and hips were killing me and now I walk with almost no pain and every step I take is like a miracle to me. Not when I get attention from both sexes. Not when people notice me now instead of looking through me. Not when I fit in the world again instead of being too fat for it. Hang in there...I understand you are nervous but I'm excited for you. You are starting the most wonderful journey of your life and I can't wait to read about all your future successes.

You have a point LipstickLady. I'm likely projecting in regards to happiness/size. Like I said in my OP, she reminds me of myself. I was the happy laughing fat lady. I used to say that I was fine with being fat...it was the mobility and co-morbidities that made me take the steps towards weight loss. Well...I was full of crap. I hated myself and how out of control I was. I still cringe when I look at old pictures. The only reason I post before and after shots is to let people know that even if one is morbidly obese, WLS can work. As far as my own issues, heck, it's why I'm in therapy. I need to explore the root causes of my obesity so I can avoid gaining it back. So..let me clarify and say that what I've written is just my opinion and in no way do I want to assume or presume how anyone feels....though I do agree with Surfer Girl in that I think she really does crave the attention.

The weather report this morning was possibly 10 inches of snow in the city. I was out and about much of the day and around 5ish, I wandered into the grocery store for a couple of things and it looked like they were giving away the food. Lines were out the door and I knew it had to be related to the weather so I picked up my tuna and salad fixings and went home to see what was going on. Blizzard warning and 24-36 inches of snow expected from Central Jersey on East. My admin called our group to tell us the Senior Director has said that we should work from home tomorrow and Tuesday. I'm figuring I'll be working from home on Wednesday as well if this is as bad as they are touting. I know the weather folk can be dramatic but I have a feeling this is going to be a real pain in the neck. For those in the path of this storm, stay warm and stay safe.

We don't have to explain it here on this site but I tried to make my friends understand last night just what has happened to me these past two years and they understand as best they can but you all understand in a way that folks who don't have food issues just cannot. How does one explain that as I've gotten smaller, I've become more of a presence. Look at this picture. I'm tiny as compared to my friends. I'm a tiny woman now and yet, I am more visible than I was when I was so much larger.

The biggest factor that I see on this site in terms of hoosing one surgery over the other is how invasive or not each one is. For those who want no permanent changes to their 'insides', they usually go with the band because it can be removed. For those who prefer not being bothered with the hassle of fills and finding 'the green zone', they usually go with something more permanent. Do your research and likely you will find which surgery makes you most comfortable going with. Good luck.

I'm so sorry you are going through this. I can't help you but I can try to support you. I understand as I am also one of those who's band has worked so well for me...and living here in NYC, I know firsthand about the horrors of Sandy when it hit. Please keep us posted on how you are doing and if you find a doctor who will advocate for you.

Even with the hip replacements, I still have chronic back and leg pain. I've been on tons of painkillers but now with the new hips and 150 lb. weight loss, I'm on a cocktail of Cymbalta and Duexis...which is a combination med of an NSAID and Prilosec. Too bad you can't take the chlorine. I take Water exercise classes and they have literally saved me. Those classes have done more for me than two years of physical therapy.

Congratulations. You look great and your story is very inspiring.

Hi @lynneanne. I'm also 56 and was not in shape either. I've lost 150 lbs. and I have alot of loose skin. Having said that, between body shapers, and certain clothing styles...no sleeveless, no shorts or dresses above the knee, I look just fine. As far as more intimate situations, I can only give you my experience and for me, my fella also has a band and is still about 40 lbs. from his goal weight so neither of us fixates on the things that are far from perfect. We simply enjoy the intimacy. Hope that helps you some. Oh and one more thing. The loose skin is worth the weight loss. I've never felt that being overweight was in any way advantageous over the skin issues.

You look great! So happy for you. Isn't it wonderful to feel good in clothes..and not just relieved that it fits?

Some of the looseness is better a year later. It's not better by much, but it is a bit firmer. I don't know that it makes a difference in terms of plastic surgery but I figured I could at least respond to your question based on my experience.

This may have nothing to do with the band. It could just be a change in your sleep pattern due to age or differing lifestyle. If you're concerned, I'm sure you can get bloodwork that will let you know if it's something physiological.

I was never told not to eat popcorn but I agree, you can eat more than you realize. I buy the 100 calorie packages so I know when to stop. I don't eat it often but once in a while, warm popcorn is a real treat.

Hi friends. Enjoying a lazy morning as the weather is rather sloppy here in the Big Apple. Going out with friends tonight and really looking forward to it. Brunch with my family tomorrow afternoon and a date on Superbowl Sunday. I think we're going to see American Sniper. The only negative in all this is that I'm having an inflammatory flare and had to get a shot in the back yesterday. Dr. says this will happen from time to time. It's just part and parcel of my joint disease/auti-immune ailment. It's probably not terrible to have some negatives in all the positives. Keeps me humble and sympathetic to others who have trouble or difficulties in their lives. Just wanted to let you know that I went shopping at Lord and Taylor on Thursday evening looking for 3/4 and long sleeve dresses for work. Saw they were having sales and since my weight is stable now, I wanted to get more of the 'better' dresses. The saleswoman was very helpful like in the old days and brought me different sizes and options while I waited in the dressing room. She suggested separates which I never really wore before and I must admit, I put on a couple of basic dresses with matching jackets and I was blown away by how 'professional' I looked. People at work will think I'm a vendor coming in for a bid defense because of how I'm dressed. Most of my coworkers wear basic slacks and tops....which is typical of a suburban office. I have to admit, I like looking better than the other women. I know it's vanity but I don't care. It's about time I can feel vain. Oh...and one more thing. The clothes were Tahari and Anne Klein...and to my amazement, the dresses were size 8 and the jackets sizes 6 and even one in a 4. I've never worn a 4...not in my whole life. Have a great day everyone.

Hawaii...how wonderful. Just one thing Julie..this is not always a linear journey so don't be surprised if you feel like you are going in the wrong direction. It happens and you just have to make it through. It will get better again and this is just the way it will be for a long time. Eventually, the better times will be longer and longer and you will come to an acceptance I hope. That's when you'll know that you will not only survive, but even be happy again. I promise it will happen.

you look wonderful. Congrats on a significant loss.

I'm 56 and lost 150 lbs. so I for sure have loose skin. I am considering surgery but if I do move forward with that, I'll have to pay out of pocket...no issues with rashes or skin breakdown. But as others have said, body shapers and clothes in general hide a multitude of sins so to speak. For now, it's good enough. This journey was about health and mobility first and I'm reveling in being able to move again and have fewer co-morbidities so what my skin looks like was always a minor consideration.

Where's the relationship forum you promised Alex? I'd like to see that up and running...

OK, I read this quickly and thought you wanted to know a good sports bar to go to. I was checking out where you live in case it was also NYC... I'm giggling like an idiot right now....

Spent the whole hour with the therapist last night talking about body image, control issues, 'mindful eating', etc. I have a long way to go yet. We talked about worst case scenario and what would happen if I went off the rails for a day and ate mindlessly and it scared me so bad that we stopped talking about it. She said I wasn't ready yet. I'm so frightened that I will lose control and get fat again. I talked about how the food and the eating of it made me forget my pain and self loathing for those few moments but then I'd just feel worse because I lost control and just made my situation worse. The device or surgery is truly just a piece of this process for me. I have no choice but to delve into my psyche to get to the root causes and have things in place to help keep me in control of this addiction. I really feel like I'm taking two steps forward and one step back. Not in terms of my weight, but my overall progress in beating this thing.

OK, here are pictures. Let me know what you think...really.

So glad I wasn't sipping my coffee when I read that. I cracked up...and had to cover my mouth as I'm in the office and people will wonder what I'm doing....

Guess what my friends...I'm wearing slacks and a blouse here at work. But....the blouse is tucked into the slacks. I already asked a colleague I trust if it looked OK and she said I looked absolutely fine. For someone like me...who still thinks she's fat, and knows she has a flabby belly, wearing anything tucked in is scary. I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror for probably two minutes just makng absolutely sure I didn't look dumpy. Ugh...I wish I could see what everyone else does... I know what I look like logically, I'm just not caught up emotionally.