gowalking

It can take some time for you to adapt to your new eating habits. Plus, you should be trying to get in all your protein and water. If you are not, that could also be the problem. Lastly, you had surgery and it's a trauma to the body so keep that in mind.

..your port is obviously visible because your tummy isn't huge and hiding it anymore. I find myself touching it all the time almost like it's a talisman that I rub it for luck. It didn't even become noticeable till I lost nearly 70 lbs. and now it sticks out like the alien in the movie. No one sees it but me at the moment but I've started to date so we'll see how that goes...lol.

Oh sweetie...I don't like this post...I LOVE this post. It's powerful because I can relate completely. How do you explain it when you've literally gotten your life back? I too have had the best summer in more years than I can count. I'm alive again after being on the sidelines for way too long. I am so very very happy for you and your success. I look forward to more inspiring posts from you and others who have reclaimed what obesity took away. You are now experiencing your forum name as I am also experiencing mine. This post just made my day!!

The article is true enough. The problem however, doesn't lie in BMI numbers, but the fact that the medical profession uses it as an arbitrary, albeit major indicator of what is considered a healthy vs. unhealthy weight. BMI should be only one of many guages that determine a patient's overall health.

I usually don't respond to stall questions because they annoy me. But I realize that there are times when people just don't understand the process so I'm going to respond to your seemingly sincere question. A stall is weeks, not days. You didn't get overweight overnight and you won't lose it that way either. The number of calories consumed is for your information so you know not to overeat. Your body is responding to a sudden drop of likely hundreds if not thousands of calories. That means your body might be wanting to keep the weight on in case you are starving. The body only knows you are feeding it less so it is compensating. Don't go on the scale when you are in a stall. Look for the non scale victories. You will find many of them and they will help you during this frustrating time. Just so you know, I had to lose around 50 lbs. to go down 1 size in my clothing. Then I started to drop sizes sometimes in a matter of weeks and not by losing lots of pounds. The body reshapes and gets smaller at times even when the scale doesn't move. Especially if you are exercising. Just follow the doctor's instructions, stay compliant, and you will find success.

The theory is that the change in cabin pressure can make the band tighter. There are folks who have this issue and folks who don't. I would speak with your surgeon and explain that flying is your job and have him or her tell you what you should do. Good luck and don't let anyone intimidate you in terms of revising to a sleeve. That's a huge step and should be one you decide on your own, not based on second hand info.

I hate the loose skin but you can cover much of it up and with good foundation garments, no one is the wiser. I'm considering cosmetic surgery but it's a couple of years away at least. My life is so much better now...I too am in NYC and was nearly unable to walk because my arthritis was so bad. New York is not a good place when you can't put one foot in front of the other. I can now walk anywhere and can take any type of public transportation, which is vital. I have my life back and that beats the loose skin any day.

I went from an 8 1/2 to a 7 1/2

For those in the NYC area, I just received an email from NYU Bariatric Group. There will be a clothing exchange on September 7th. I've cut and pasted the info below. I'm bringing a bunch of things that no longer fit me and were very gently worn including my winter coat from last year. I hope everything gets taken. I also hope that others on this site stop by to drop off or pick up new things. Join us in midtown Manhattan Sunday * September 7, 2014 * 11 a.m.–2 p.m. qwetyuip[asdfghjkl;' 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, swimwear, sleepwear, socks, hosiery) must be new/unused/unworn. Accessories are great (belts, jewelry, scarves, neckties, purses, shoes, etc.). Dressing rooms are available. If you need nothing now, feel free to stop by with 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, please come at 10:00. If you're able to stay a little past 2:00 to straighten up, please do.

I'm so sorry the band did not work for you. I don't understand why any of the doctors should be judgemental in any way. That is not their job. Wishing you well in your recovery.

Welcome and congratulations on your upcoming surgery. I too, have had a complete change to my life due to the weight loss and subsequent hip replacement surgery. I can do almost anything again and have gotten my life back. You will find that you can eat alot of the foods you think you won't tolerate anymore and better yet, you will find that not eating alot of these foods will not bother you so much as you become healthier and happier with your decision to be banded.

Love it, love it, love it!!! There are a few really special people I've met through this forum and you my friend are one of them. I congratulate you and want you to know that I am inspired by you every day.

There are a few of us Nana. It's uncommon but not unheard of. Thanks for the kind thoughts.

Rollo, I've been banded more than 18 months and have not had any fills. Sometimes the feeling of satiety does not always kick in right away so I eat Weight Watcher type portions. Typically, 3 oz. Protein, 1/2 cup of veggies and 1/4 cup of carbs. You can see from my ticker that it's worked very well for me.

We're here for you!

This is not normal circumstances. Nothing you do during this stressful time should be taken into account. If you cannot get back on track after the crisis is over, then you have something to worry about. Until then, prioritize as needed.

This was an ignorant comment from an ignorant person. It's like telling an alcoholic to just stop drinking. It doesn't work for them, and just not eating doesn't work for us. You don't need to give her any comeback or smartass remarks. Not when you look like you do. You are strikingly beautiful and that picture tells it all.

Same here. My PCP said that if I got down to 150, she would be thrilled so that's the goal I set. I'm 25 lbs. lower at this point...the same weight I was when I got married back in 1977. It's not the same body though...can't be..not after two kids and 35+ years. I think I'm probably done losing in that my weight has pretty much stabilized at or around this number. I'm a 6/8 in pants, 10/12 in dresses and all over the place in tops. So much so, that I have to try them on since I can be a Small to Large depending on the style and manufacturer. I can do just about anything and I can fit just about everywhere. I have loose skin and still have that pot belly. Only surgery will fix that and I haven't decided if I'll pursue it. My BMI is in the normal range and I've lost more than half my body weight. I have days where I'm amazed at the transformation and other days where all I can do is criticize everything. It's a journey still even if I have reached my 'goal'. I'm thinking you will know when you are at goal when you become comfortable at least most of the time with the amount of weight you've lost. The scale, the BMI, the clothing size...they are all just guidelines. It's how you feel inside that counts.

Here's what turns me on way more than food. These are pictures from last month taken on our submarine experience excursion in the Bahamas. Two years ago, I was also in Nassau and couldn't even get off the ship because I was so heavy and in so much pain from my arthritic knees and hips. Now I can do almost anything again. There isn't a food in the whole world that tastes as good as living my life normally feels.

Hi all. Here are a couple of pics from our submarine experience excursion when we were in the Bahamas. I love looking at these pictures because this is the same girl who couldn't get off the ship two years ago because I was in so much pain and couldn't even walk the pier or navigate the tender. If I've said it once, I'll say it a million times. This band gave me my life back. Have a great day everyone.

It's more important for you to get the education you need instead of sacrificing it for your children. Use that money to further your own opportunities. Good luck!!

This is bandster hell and you just have to use self control and just diet even though you are hungry. Once the fills start working, you will find that you are not hungry all the time and it will be easier to eat better and eat less.

So glad to see you back on the site my friend. This is a wonderful post. It's not about the numbers...it's about quality of life. I am still obsessing over the scale but working hard to stop. I am also a work in progress regardless of the fact that I've reached 'goal'. I'm still dealing with body image and other psychological issues related to my size. I am still working on living with this body and if I should or shouldn't have plastic surgery. I need to make sure if I do it, it's for me and not to seek some unrealistic expectation of perfection. I too, went on vacation and did the things I wanted to do without worrying if I could or not. I also stayed in control of my food choices and intake while I was away which was a big thing for me. That is success. My most important success is to come. Life long maintenance where no one even remembers the fat me but only this me. Congrats on your progress. You look wonderful.

Oh yeah, I get it. I also used to spill over into the next seat...or I would stand because I didn't want to squeeze anyone else in. I fit fine now on the train and bus. I used to get on the last car of the PATH train because it was empty. Now it doesn't matter if there's only one seat between two people that's open. I always fit. Good luck! Follow the doctor's instructions and you'll do great.

You're no different than lots of other folks on this site. Hell, if we could control what and how we eat, we wouldn't need WLS. Tell the truth to the NUT and let her know you are having a great deal of difficulty sticking to her suggestions. Sounds like you are having some food funerals. I had them...lots of them. I thought I'd never be able to eat certain things again so I ate like there was no tomorrow. Once I got banded though, I followed the instructions to the letter and when I started to lose, that was great incentive to stick to the plan. It's been over 18 months now and I'm smaller than half my size and happier and healthier than I've been in years. Don't let this setback derail you.