gowalking

That's the one thing none of these surgeries can do. Much of this is mental. You have to be in the right frame of mind. The surgery just helps to dim the appetite or prevent you from eating too much at one sitting. Everything else is on you. Some folks go to therapy, others just find things to occupy themselves so as not to mindlessly eat. I used to sit in front of the TV alot and now I don't do that anymore. Too many food channels, too many food commercials. I do other things. Just understand that all WLS are tools and not magic wands. The weight does not come off by magic and even if you lose it fast, it can come back just like any other diet. I see posts all the time from folks who have gained some or all of it back. ..

My granddaughter is an only child and the only issue I can see is that she is a little spoiled in that she gets everything. And I mean everything. Her cousins are very close by so she has learned about sharing. Her parents don't spoil her (that's my job) and she's not a brat. They didn't choose to just have one...it just worked out that way. But she's doing just fine as far as I can tell.

So glad to hear BGP. It's like a miracle to be walking again without that overwhelming pain, right?

What an amazingly strong woman you are. I'm in awe. That is why it's so unfair for others to judge based on what they see. I've met so many fabulous folks on this site and we all talk about our challenges and struggles and not giving in to them yet others see us as fat and lazy. It just makes me mad... Oh and your auto immune disorder....same here. All this time, I was told to lose the weight and my knees would feel better. Well...I lost the weight and got worse. Finally I went to the surgeon who was convinced I had hip trouble, not knee trouble and oh boy was he right. Turns out I have osteo-necrosis which is compromised blood flow resulting in dead bone. It's likely a combination of some auto-immune disease that they are still trying to identify along with genetic pre-disposition. So much for being heavy. Yes...I'm better and healthier at this weight. I'm not sorry I had the band...not sorry at all. But same as you, this was not all obesity related. Though all of my doctor are very supportive of my getting WLS. Your doctor is just showing how ignorant he/she is by telling you to do it the old fashioned way. No sorry...it's not ignorant. It's stupid. Good luck to you. We are here to support you.

No sir...check my ticker. I met goal last month and am a few lbs. past at this point. Time to ramp up my friend and shed those last annoying lbs. Can you do any outside exercise yet or is it still too cold in Colorado? If it's too cold still, there's always the gym. I'm heading to the Y tonight for my Water exercise class. There are mostly women taking the class but there are a few smart guys who take the class as well. They are surrounded by women so what could be bad. Except I live in Greenwich Village so it's pretty likely that the men ar not interested in us women anyway...LOL.

Welcome! You want to know how losing weight has changed my life? Well...how about I start with the fact that prior to WLS, I was barely walking. I have arthritis in my knees and also found out that I had degeneration in my hips as well. I was on heavy duty pain meds and still couldn't make it more than a block without needing to sit. I was on a cane for a couple of years and was getting to the point where I was going to need a wheelchair. That's why my name is gowalking. That was my goal....and I made it. I'm off the cane, I'm able to walk farther than I have in years. I can do simple things again like bend to tie my shoes, put on socks, shave my legs. I have energy, I'm more outgoing, I fit into any seat or chair, I wear regular clothes...not the tents I used to wear. I use makeup again...I put on jewelry, my labs are all good...cholesterol, sugar, BP all normal. I could go on and on but I think you understand that what I'm trying to say is that my whole life has changed due to the weight loss. I hope it does the same for you. Good luck and let us know how you are doing. Oh...and I attached a before and after pic of myself so you have a visual.

I used food as a reward and a comfort. So...if I was happy, I ate. If I was sad or angry or depressed, I ate. Plus...I felt entitled for some reason so I ate to excess. Add all those things together and you get someone morbidly obese. I've learned a big lesson over this last 15 months. You can still enjoy food. I love love love good food. I just remind myself that eating more of it than I should, does me no favors. I gain weight, I feel bad for losing control, and like my dad said...not realizing how profound it was....'Why overeat? It's just more of the same'. EXACTLY!! That is how a thin person thinks. I love this observation. Yes...the food is wonderful, but why eat more of it than you need? That is my mindset these days and I don't mourn what I don't eat, I just enjoy what I do eat. I hope that makes sense. It does to me.

I'm glad I saw this post now and not earlier. I'ts no coincidence that you and I approach weight loss similarly....and we have both been more successful than we ever expected. First off, many congrats on your success. I can't say it better than everyone else already did...you look simply spectacular and just as important, your post was spectacular as well. Sounds like something I would write. Living happier, healthier lives. Eating small but well balanced meals and not depriving...but using common sense. I too am focusiing on the maintenance phase and wanting to stay this size for the rest of my life. My goal now is for people to forget what I used to look like, and think that I was always this size. The compliments are nice but I can't wait till no one even thinks about my weight loss anymore. I also miss some of those who posted when I first came onto this site. But I've made some very good friends with folks newer to this site than I am so I guess it all evens out. People like enjoythetime and myself and other successful bandsters are good for this site. I know we help those who are looking for inspiration. I recall well, reading Missy and CG's posts because they were direct, no-nonsense, and encouraging. Keep up the good fight, and again congrats to you on all your successes.

Like any other business, you are paying for alot more than the actual procedure and materials used. You are paying for the upkeep of the practice which includes rent, insurance, salaries, etc. I get steroid shots for back pain and I see the statements that go to my insurance company. Every time I get a shot, he bills $1,800. And it's just cortisone..not some rare or exotic compound. Good luck to you...you are not the only one out there who got this surgery and was self pay. Please let us know how it goes.

It's challenging but you can do it. We had the same problem here in NYC. I've been on this site since December 2012 and it took till January of this year to finally have our first get together. You just have to find a place, set a date and send out email after email. We had five people at our first meet and greet. I hope we have 15 or 20 this time around. And hopefully even more the next time. Just take the lead and go for it. Good luck.

When you go back on food, try weighing it out using a food scale or measuring cups. That might give you the tool you need to make sure you are not overeating. I started to do that from almost the first time I was on solids. I find that even if I'm feeling hungrier than I should, measuring my food keeps me from eating too much. Also...stay away from the scale for a while. Stop focusing on the number and focus on other things like how your clothes fit.

The carbonation can expand the pouch. Check with your doctor though. They seem to have differing opinions on whether or not their patients should stay away from bubbles. Personally, I don't drink any carbonated liquids. The only thing I miss is a Stoli and tonic so I find myself drinking wine (on occasion...alcohol has alot of calories) LOL...great minds think alike.

Amazing, fantastic, spectacular. I can't come up with enough words to describe those pics. Wow...just so great to see such success. Thanks so much for sharing.

Come to the support group on June 14th. Meeting people face to face...especially those who have been successful, will help you. Sometimes you just need a buddy or someone to give you some advice or tips when things get challenging. Hope to see you there. Liz

Spent the weekend with my girlfriend on Long Island and did a little suburban shopping on Saturday. Well I had one heck of a NSV. I tried on some dresses and I looked pretty good in a couple of them and decided to buy them. Got home earlier this evening, put one of the dresses back on and have been staring in the mirror and looking at myself because it's been just so long since I've worn a dress. Oh boy are my co-workers are going to be so surprised when they see me tomorrow...

We'll put out further information on this thread shortly.

we may need to find out if he can make it to one of our support groups.

Oh Laura I'm so sorry you are having issues. Hang in there. It will get better and you will be happy you had this done once you start seeing results

Funny! Funny!

Great post. Mrs. Dr. Fielding did my lapband and I am also very happy with the outcome. Hope you can make it to the spring meet and greet. It's on June 14th here in the city. We'll have details shortly on time and location.

Wow....you look great. And only two months out. Can't wait to see how you look at six months. You'll probably be a skinny minnie by then.

I take Water exercise classes at the Y and it's helped me so much. I don't know if it helps with weight loss but it's helped tremendously with my rehab from hip surgery.

You look wonderful! Congrats!

Will do. Good luck with the new job. How exciting!

I hope it works for you as well. Please keep me posted. Also, if you are interested in meeting other New Yorkers, we're having our second NYC/surrounding areas meet and greet on June 14th. Details are being finalized now but we do have the date set. Lisa Caron and I are co-leaders for the NYC chapter and all WLS folks are welcome. Alex will likely be attending this meeting as well. We met him back in February and he's been working with us to get this off the ground. If you want further details on the meeting, I'll be happy to send that info to you. We will also post it and Alex will send a blast email as we get closer. Liz