Bandista

Congratulations and best wishes -- it's the best thing I've done in forever. One year out and so happy.

So happy for you! You're on your way now. Keep in touch with those medical professionals and keep listening to your body. Best wishes for a fine 2015!

Way to go choosing yourself and your healthy future! Have a nice recovery time -- take it easy......

A case of Karate-Mouth -- Chop, chop! Good for you. The other day some one commented on great I look "now" and I said, "Oh, I know -- a lot of people like me so much better now." It wasn't very nice of me but it's the way it went down. And sadly, I think it's true. Not for my real friends, of course, or any one I want in my life, but for those peripheral contacts out in the world. Is it because I'm shiny and happy, not hiding under my overweight anymore? Or is it just that I am more acceptable. Interesting things to ponder!

We are all so different and our surgeons have varying approaches. Mine is of the frequent small fills school of thought and it took me six fills to get to the Green Zone. I had a seventh and a tiny unfill a couple of weeks later. Think I had to find that Red boundary to be sure of what Green is for me. Sometimes I think I need anothern ill but I'm going to work on dropping the next chunk first. Could not do it without the band.

This made me laugh -- the rebellious teenager inside. Along with the toddler, the old lady, etc. -- fricken committee up there sometimes!

Hi there, put those medical professionals to work -- they are there for you! Please don't beat yourself up. You chose weight loss surgery because you want a healthy future -- that was a big decision. Pat yourself on the back for that and know that we all get where you're coming from and truly you are on your way. I am some one that needed several fills. No shame in that -- it's just science and how we all vary. At times I was (am) frustrated by how long it felt like it was all taking -- is taking -- but in truth I needed the time for all the behavioral adjustments I had to make. For me it was a process to really learn to notice everything and then to listen. A year later and I am amazed by the results. Getting that appetite monster off my back was a miracle but I needed the fills for that to happen. Otherwise it was just dieting and we all know how impossible that was and why we elected surgery. Good luck to you -- you're doing great.

@@amponder way to go! I am really working on rewiring my thinking so that I turn to thoughts of exercise rather than thoughts of food (food, food and more food). Sometimes I do this by reviewing a walk or workout session in my mind, going there mentally, and I also use that arms up in the air power pose, like crossing a finish line, and I remind myself how I chose WLS surgery, I chose myself and my healthy future. This is a difficult time of year. So grateful for posts like yours that remind me we are all in this together.

@@JustWatchMe you are so wonderfully insightful. isn't it fabulous really, really showing up in our lives? I don't think I knew how tamped down I was keeping everything. As soon as something would poke it's head up I would reach for food to quell whatever it was. That tendency is still there but I am learning to take that opportunity to examine the feeling, ask the questions, etc. Getting overtired is not good for me as things get foggy. Overwhelm is always right around the corner. And then there's all the situational stuff -- trying to rework my automatic responses. Last night I was at an old family farm at a gathering that was not with my people -- I was nervous, not relaxed. Uncomfortable with comments on my weight loss. Irritated by everything. Turning to food was automatic and I lost myself for a few minutes. My band reminded me and I'm glad of that, that I have this thing to keep me in check, even if the end result was me getting stuck. I'm also fighting with the darkness and am glad for this turn-around day and lengthening daylight over the coming months. I get so inwardly-turned. And also it's more difficult to exercise now that I can't walk outside. But I know it's the exercising that is helping with the rewiring of how I think. I'm committed to my health now, to choosing myself first. This season is all about giving and for people who give too much of themselves it's important to remember to give ourselves what we need. Sometimes I need space. Yesterday I needed a nap. This morning i need to walk so it's down to the basement and on the treadmill.

ipad driving me crazy -- erased posts, etc. Re: our forum, I am so glad for this thread (thanks CG) and also that I started out on LB Talk. No competition from other surgery advocates. Let's face it, there are a lot if Sleevers out there. Good for them but I need support for my choice. Arlene, sounds like you are having fun and enjoying time with your kids. Happy holidays! And Liz, it's going to be nice to soak up some Florida sunshine. I've been in elder care mode, too. My father is now in special care -- he will be 90 at his next birthday. I love being with him. My mother, however is more challenging for me. I attended a holiday party and reverted to old behavior -- in this case going for the salad and veggies at a buffet table -- my old dieter's mentality. Did not chew well enough and had to find a bathroom. Oh dear. I will be much more careful. Happy Solstice to all! We are having a big party tonight.

Oh Julie, I'm so sorry -- sending healing wishes your way. It is great that you are not tamping down feelngs wth food and that you're staying present. I'm so glad you're here on the forum.

Fantastic! So happy for you. Isn't it marvellous?

Hi there, my only regret is not doing this sooner! Obesity takes its toll over time and at some point life begins to feel so short. I'm not at goal yet but I sure feel good having lost 65 pounds or so. It makes everything so much easier.

LEEPERS! You are amazing! Way to go -- what a year.

Hi there and comgratulatons! I was so excited and you know what? It hasn't gone away! Joy, joy, joy. Good luck with all today. I had never been an overnight patient in a hospital before (and I am 53) so I was a little nervous. It was all so much easier then I thought it would be. Sense of humor helpful for the whole thing -- yet another weigh-in, the signing of documents, gown, being wheeled in, etc. You have an excellent sense of humor, obviously -- that is great! And nice spouse. I walked a lot -- started in right when I woke up, a little further down the hall each time. By morning I was doing some impressive laps - pretty sure that kicked my body right into healing mode, releases trapped gas, etc. Have fun and spoil yourself -- I sure loved my frozen lemonade Popsicles and warm tea those first few days.

Great pictures, Jim! And yes, NH weather was pretty icky while you were gone and more to come -- but now you guys have banked that warm weather and all those memories. Nice! Sunday I got all dolled up in vintage clothing to attend an advance screening of Downton Abbey's next episode at a local theatre. Had such a great time in beaded attire borrowed from a friend -- obviously could never have considered trying to fit into anything like that a year ago. Wore a feathery headpiece, carried a beaded purse, little velvet jacket with fringe -- such a blast. No spoilers for next season but I did learn there will be a season 6 in 2016 and that will be the last one.

Hi there, I remember this so well -- I was excited and nervous about everything, including that first fill. I chatted with the surgeon and before I knew it he was giving me an arm to sit up -- I couldn't believe it was over. Hardly felt a thing. Now I've had several fills and one small unfill. So easy. For me it can take a few days to settle in -- 4-5 days before I feel it. My surgeon has no post-fill protocol. He/she will tell you everything you need to know -- so many different approaches. I got fills weekly at first (small ones). Best wishes -- you are on your way!

Congratulations! For me the walking helped so much with everything -- a little further each time you're up and around!

Hi there and congratulations! Changed my life.

Way to go! I want those seventies so badly -- my next goal! Fun that you saved one of those skirts. I had a Catholic high school uniform, too, but I didn't save anything. I used to get in trouble for wearing clogs and tights instead of socks and tie-up shoes. "Will the following students please report to the vice-principal's office......"

There's nothing like those pant sizes going down, down, down -- such a great feeling! I was an 18 in Lee longs and am now a 10 in the same brand. Loving it. And I can buy tights so easily now, really fun ones. When the scales wasn't moving that's when I'd be just about to drop a size.

@@MamaRita it really helped me to understand about the chewing and how the esophagus signals to the brain are what triggers satiety. When I started chewing more mindfully that made a big difference. I had to go for denser foods than I was having -- and now I mix things into my yogurt, for example, so it's not a slider for me. Protein shakes don't work for me except as a treat -- no satiety is triggered because I didn't chew and swallow.

I got the "you've lost like a whole person!" comment the other day and found it very embarrassing. We are all different but I don't like this kind of comment. "You look great" is great but I don't like the comments that seem to involve a lot of scrutiny. I'm still the same person, dammit. Please don't like me better now that you find my body more socially acceptable.

Presentation! Get some doilies or do the squiggly sauce thing on the serving plate -- you get the idea. Our eyes make things taste yummy. I'm not a dessert maker but to me high Protein = eggs. What about some eggy chocolate yumminess? Me, I'll have the cheese course, lol. Have fun!

You keep on being amazing, @@JustWatchMe