Raine

Hi and welcome to the board! You will find so much information here that will help you and people are always willing to give their opinions and support. There are a lot of band to VSG revisioners on here and we even have a place where that is the main point of topic. The best way to make this decision is to be well informed. Good Luck!

Ok peeps, trying to quit smoking again, using the e-cig this time. Going to ween myself down to zero nicotine. On Day 2 and so far so good. As long as I keep on trying. As much as I love smoking, yes, I love it , as un-PC as that is, it is hindering my whole get healthy process. So, gotta kick it to the curb. I will keep you posted on the progress. I have to take it one day at a time just like any addict, so I think I will post day by day, adding on to this post. Might help witht the frustrations etc.

NSV = Non scale Victory! Way to go! The best NSV's are the ones where our significant others are the ones to realize it. Well done!

Welcome to the Century Club *hands you a golden key* Well done Lynda, well done!

Guys don't get it LOL they also want to know why we need more than one pair of black shoes ... puhhhleaaase. LOL Congratulations, you look fabulous!

*scoots over to make room for CT* Welcome, welcome, welcome!!!! Congratulations and all the best on your journey.

I quit with Chantix before too, but gained a lot of weight each time and the side effects are pretty rough sometimes. That being said, it WAS the only thing that did help me quit. When I reach 10 below goal I am going to use the chantix again. Another side note is, it makes your sugars sky rocket, so when I do use it again I will have to take my diabeties meds again for that whole time. I tried it post sleeve again and between the eating , the mood swings from the pill, and having to take my meds again because of the sugars, it was like a hurricane of bleck LOL. I'll wait till I'm 10 below goal to do it again so I have some wiggle room.

Gotta love it, Linda! How hard was it for you not to let them see you smile???

You can't beat yourself up over it. Cigs are the most powerful addiction out there. The e-cig didn't really work out well for me. It was irritating my mouth too much. But I will try again eventually.

My doc gave me the go ahead after 4 weeks for kickboxing but I didn't start until about 6 weeks.

I am 6 months out and STILL get the grumblies just not as bad as when I was 3 months. I take it as my signal to stop what I'm doing. I listen to it most of the time, but I will admit that sometimes I ignore it and continue eating.

All the advise that everyone has given is wonderful. My piece just reiterates what they said. Try to find out why you are doing this to yourself. Once you can identify that I believe it will help tremendously in your struggles. I am 6 months out, I still don't feel the hunger but the head hunger is there. I tended to sabotage myself when the compliments started to come when I was dieting, same holds true for post surgery. I did for a little while but I got back on the band wagon so to speak. My restriction is A LOT less than what I hear on the board and that scares me a little sometimes but what I can eat is still a lot less than what I could consume pre-surgery. I can eat a whole hamburger without the bun easily with not much room for much else though. Pre surgery I could eat 2, ff, soda and start thinking about desert. Try to put it into perspective with what you can eat and what you used to eat. As for icecream, chips etc. well those are slider foods and will go down easily, so you willl just need to eliminate them if you can and try to make better choices. Find the root cause for what you are doing. That will get you back to where you want to be. Best of luck!

Raine Challenge Starting Weight: 171 GW: 163 CW: 169 L2G: -6 WOOOT there it is!!! I finally broke the 170's! It's the first time I hit 169, and it will probably go up, but I hit it damnit LOL I am so happy!!!

Well its about damn time LOL! I was starting to wonder if you were a bike or a person hehehe just teasing You look amazing, happy and healthy and I LOVE your smile.

I work out or do something 6-7 days a week: Monday: Group Power class (stregth training) Tuesday: Fitness Kickboxing Wednesday Group Power Thursday: Fitness Kickboxing Friday: treadmill/stationary bike (hate this one because I find it boring lol) or nothing Saturday: Fitness Kickboxing Sunday: Walking 3 or more miles depending on heat and crunches or squats I am a serious creature of habit and like sticking to the program so to speak but I think I need to change things up a little bit. Any suggestions?

You look amazing, you probably feel amazing and the journey just gets better from here. Congratulations! It truly shows just how hard you have been working!

Yup definately NSV material. LOL. Good thing you had your family there for cover!

congratulations on reaching your mini goal! and a super congratulations on the arival your nephew! You are going to be the bestest aunty around

Diva, you are Diva-licious! hahahaha Can't wait to see the end result. @Coops, you are amazing in your own right girl and you will get to goal I know it you know and God knows it .

I 44 and yes I am a slow loser too I know it gets seriously discouraging when you see the numbers not move as fast as others but the "everyone loses differently" is really a true statement. I have lost 70lbs so far. Mind you that is 70 from last year. I lost 34lbs during my Dr's apptments to pre op that was from June 2010 to April 2011. Then pre op I lost 16lbs. So you can do the math and see that is only 20lbs since my surgery. I am 6 months post op now and I am 15lbs away from my weight goal but I have made so many of my other goals that I am at peace with the weight loss to date. If I didn't have the sleeve, all that weight that I lost pre op would be winding its way back with a vengence right about now. With it, I have been able to lose 20 more. Keep fighting the good fight and you will get there.

You look so great! Congratulations on the 4's!

You are so welcomed! It is a hard journey regardless of what others might think. To go it alone just doesn't seem to be healthy to me, not that we don't have the support of most of our family and friends, but to hear the experiences of others that are going through the same thing seems to make the trip just a little less bumpier. Welcome to the losers bench and congratulations on all your future success, both professionally and personally.

Yecats, Rant away! You need to get it out of your system and then try to think of other options if there are any. I am so sorry you are going through this! Seems sometimes we do get tested for sure. You are right people outside of us do not understand what we are going through. It truly is an emotional roller coaster. I was sitting here reading this and thinking how can she get this done what are her options? I kept coming up short but this one thought popped in my head but not sure if it will be enough cash for you. Have you thought of selling your car and then getting another one financed? You were approved for a car before and this one is completely paid off. Like I said not sure if that would cover what you need and it may take a bit of time to do it but if anything it is just another step towards your goal. Like I said just a thought. Even though the timing is off, congratulations to your son on his upcoming wedding. Good luck and I hope your situation gets sorted out for you..

You look like a completely different person! I have no doubt you will get to goal, congratulations!

KELLY! OMG, WTG, HOLY GOAL BATMAN! Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you, I can't wipe this smile off of my face. I wait with baited breath to see your pics.