chasingadream

LOVE IT! It is sooo amazing to see the transformation. And on those occasions where its tough to look in the mirror and see it for ourselves...its hard to deny it when you see a photo like that! Great job! I just cleaned out my closet today of size 18, 20, 22, AND 24 pants....LOL Now I have 5 pairs of size 16's that fit me....it was nice to be able to rid myself of all that baggage...won't be going back there! Super super job...thanks for sharing it!

I also put it on every night and then around 2 or 3 or 4 I take it off....same as terry...it gets a bad seal and keeps waking me up....hubby also says Im not snoring and i feel ok without it but i do know i need to follow up with doctor to see if i can get rid of it....i sure hope so!

Congrats on "crossing over" to the banded side Wishing you the speediest of recoveries....and much success with your new friend!

HAPPY THIRD-VERSARY! Great to hear some long term happy reports....looking forward to the day when I'm there too! Thanks for always sharing your thoughts and experiences!

Hope you get to the bottom of it...and stay safe while you wait...sending good thoughts your way!

All of the above posts have pretty much said it all. Nerves are normal...this is a huge decision that is going to be life long. I was banded (w/plication) on 9/19 and I am feeling wonderful both physically and mentally. Food no longer controls me (although it still gets the best of me on occasion...i am only human after all) One thing I remind myself of daily is that this is not a quick fix to being overweight for my entire life. This is a day to day process with some ups and downs along the way. I'm enjoying my life and Im enjoying my life not always focused on whats going into my mouth next. I have found success by NOT depriving myself of anything as long as it does not upset my band...and so far the only thing I can say is uncomfortable are Triscuit crackers. This is a lifestyle and NOT a diet anymore. I choose to make better food choices and sometimes I will treat myself with a bite of something "special"...and Im okay with that...In the past it would have been the whole darn thing. Well, my one big piece of advice is too hang in there...after the surgery I had several days of "buyers remorse" and cried and cried about "what did i do to myself". With a super supportive hubby I got past those days...part of it was fear and part was feeling crappy after surgery. But every day that passed I felt better and better...and as the weeks passed I learned what i was supposed to do...there is a big learning curve here so be sure to cut yourself some slack...you will NOT be perfect...I dont believe anyone is...I surely am not. But it has been the best decision I have ever made and I just purchased my first pair of size 16 skinny jeans (actually 4 of them...lol)....probably havent had a pair of jeans since college....and am happy to be throwing out my stretch pants. This forum is amazing and you will find some truly SPECTACULAR AND GENUINE AND KIND people here....find those that support you and follow them. We are ALL in this together....and noone truly knows how all this feels unless you have gone through it yourself. Wishing you all the success in the world...keep us posted on all that is happening....good luck!

THATS AMAZING, AWESOME, WONDERFUL, TERRIFIC AND SO DARN EXCITING....SHOULD I GO ON? What a superb accomplishment...keep up the great work!

Congrats on what is sure to be a WILD RIDE...one that is SOOOO worth it. It is tough in the beginning but every day gets a little bit better and you will feel better and back to your old self before you know it. Feel better and keep us posted on how you are doing!

Oh yummy....Cheesy-Chili dip.... spread a block of reduced fat cream cheese in casserole dish Spread chili (w/ or w/o beans) on top Sprinkly reduced shredded cheese on top Microwave until cheese is melted and heated through. Serve with tortilla chips. One little scoopful goes pretty far and its warm and creamy and so Super Bowl-ish! YUMMY!

Please dont take it as criticism....all doctors and their support staff have a different protocol...I'm just confused by the "map" your were shown about how your weight loss was going to be. If you could explain that map to me, I'm curious. I just don't understand how you can be given a map when there are so many variables....what you eat, how you exercise, your time of month etc. etc. I feel sad that you seem to be putting so much stress on yourself that you "are not doing it right" when there is no right, in my opinion...you are losing....AND THAT IS RIGHT!! Hang in there and PLEASE let us know what your nutritionist tells you....we are here to support you!

Hang in there...you've come so far.....you can do it and you will be great post-surgery. Alot of it is a mind game--mixed in with hunger pains....hang in there! You've done great so far...you said it yourself. You are worth sticking it out these last few days! Drink, drink, drink! Good luck and keep us posted!

I had weight loss surgery...not lets make a miracle surgery.... I am ALWAYS happy with any weight loss or down movement on the scale...plus a very wise woman keeps reminding me that inches lost with my clothes is a loss as well (thanks CG). Wishing you all the success in the world and hope your nutritionist doesnt have unrealistic expectations for you...after all who had the WLS...you or her! Good luck...will be interested to see her reasoning for why you are NOT being successful!

Sounds like you are doing AWESOME....I feel like the pre-op diet is a big test of our will....i also had the 2 week pre-op and it was hard but you make it through. When I was ever in doubt or nervous as it drew closer to surgery I always remembered why I chose this route and what I wanted my outcome to be....and so far so good it is working and I am happy and feeling better about myself than I EVER have. Good luck....you've got this....good luck come surgery day and be sure to let us know how you are doing!

sounds good...i'm in! Looking forward to it!

Love, love , love the last paragraph. I've had people tell me Im "fading away" and dont need to lose anymore...ummmm I'm only half way to my goal with about 70 more to lose (not sure I will ever see 140 but I can reach for it). I dont see that when i look in the mirror....THAT'S FOR SURE!!! I still havent gone shopping (which I hate to do)...although my 16 pants are hanging on me as are my shirts. I've been shopping in my closet but that is getting scarce now....I dont think i've worn jeans since high school...not sure I will even know how to shop for myself...lol...kind of sad but true!!! I will have to enlist my sister for help!! Maybe I will have a new love for shopping and I can cross over to the "other side" too....thanks for sharing such a great and inspiring story!!!

Congrats and best of luck! You're gonna do great! Feel better and keep us posted!

I am 4 months post op and my doc (and i know everyones is different) said I shouldnt be worrying about losing ANY weight for the first 6 weeks...it was all about learning my mechanics and healing. And yes, everyone's journey and body are so different you can't/shouldnt compare yourself to anyone else....remember its a journey not a quick road trip. Wishing you much success....hang in there!

I loved egg, tuna, chicken salad in the magic bullet. Even had taco meat w/93% ground beef in the magic bullet. Lasagna (ricotta cheese and red sauce heated up)...was yummy too! I ate a lot of the same foods (and still do)...some didnt look so "hot" after being mashed but it tasted awesome after 4 weeks of liquids. Sometimes that will also depend on what your doc considers "mushies". Enjoy!

I agree with you...I find weighing myself often motivating and keeps me on track. Although I try not to get too compulsive with the scale which I have the personality for....

Amazing job....keep up the terrific work! Looking so good.....it does take a while to put the face in the pics sometimes...I know it did for me too! Look forward to seeing that gorgeous face sometime very soon.

I feel your pain, in fact we probably all do, since most of us had a pre-op diet in one form or another. I had a 2 week liquid only pre-op followed by a 2 week liquid only post-op followed by 2 weeks of mushies and then FINALLY onto solids....grand total of 6 weeks without solid food....and yes, it was hard....and no I didnt cheat even once.....why?? I knew why I was making the decision to have WLS in the first place...one cheat here leads to another one there. It wasn't worth it...and like someone above said....it certainly wasnt worth a problem with my surgery. The cravings do and will go away if you stick with it. Nothing about WLS surgery is easy from the pre-op to post-op to life after healing and with the band on an everyday basis....BUT..... IT IS SOOOO WORTH IT (in my opinion)....I am having great success because I am following my doctor and nutritionists plan for me. I am NOT deprived of anything.....and for the first time ever in my life, food is not all consuming...and it is a great feeling. So hang on by your fingernails if necessary but dont cheat...you are worth way more than whatever your urge to eat is!!! You are strong and you can and will do this! Show yourself how important this is to YOU! Good luck!