KarenG.

Its all part of the open prejudice against fat people - it is one of the last areas where politically correct people are allowed to show bias and be disdainful. Doing it the easy way? Can you imagine telling someone who had a disease other than obesity to heal themselves the "natural way"?

I have a hard time with the water. Usually get in 6 cups and not more which is particularly low (bad) on the days I go spinning. Every day I wake up and tell myself that this is the day that I am going to get all the liquid in but I never quite make it.

My favorite "eat out" meal is always sushi - these days I can't tolerate the sushi rice so I really like spicy tuna tartar, or sashimi. Also, I have asked them to make rolls with me with soybean paper and without rice. They must think that it is a really strange order! My favorite at home during the week meal is salmon grilled on my george forman grill, with sauteed spinach or zucchini and maybe some potato type of item but I usually try and avoid the potato.

That is a gratifying chart. Went from "morbidly obese" to "overweight" in 6 months.

They charge a LOT more than they ever collect from the insurance company - it seems to be some sort of game that the doctors are forced to play with the insurance companies.

LJM - you look great already! I honestly can't believe how good it looks even with the swelling and the bandages.

It is up to you but if you don't feel comfortable having soup while everyoen is ordering normal food - don't feel bad about opting out of the evening. Soon enough you will be on mushies and it is much easier to stay on the post-op diet (in my experience) than on the pre-op diet!

I just saw this thread. It would be amazing finding someone with a band. I am trying to start dating again for the first time in a long time. Haven't gone on a date in probably 18 months at least.

Yay! I am so glad to see that you are posting yourself! I have been checking your DH's postings all day. By the way the typing all drugged up makes me laugh! Take care of yourself. Or... actually let everyone take care of YOU.

Congratulations!

KarenG................195......165......185.........................20

sorry about the OJ - but think... it will be SO worth it. I have an epigastric hernia - it is right in the middle of my stomach right below my rib cage. Does yours hurt or did you have other symptoms? I am finding the entire hernia twist confusing and depressing since I was hoping to wait until at least sept/oct for surgery so I could be at goal! ah well.

Hey LJM - first of all good luck again - I know in my heart you are going to be great. Also, I saw in another post that you said that you were doing a hernia repair with the tummy tuck and that insurance was offsettign some of the TT costs - do you mind telling me how much they are covering? Also, what kind of hernia do you have? My surgeon recommend that I do the same thing and all I could think was $$ I was not mentally prepared to shell out for a tt at this point! K

CONGRATS! This was a major deal for me this week too! Isn't it fun and surreal?

GOOD Luck!!! So Excited for you. AND excited for me to hear how you are doing!

I woke up this morning 1lb from not "obese" anymore. In the fall I was shooting for this goal by my birthday in April but it looks like I could make it a month and a half early! Keep your fingers crossed for me that I make it this week! Isn't it funny (sad) that a number and a label can make me so happy?

Thans guys!! I did it. No longer obese. Yes, only by 1/2 lb at this point but I am hopeful my weight won't go up again because I am a little bloated this week in general.

I went on a 2 week vacation in europe 3 weeks after surgery and had no problems flying. Now the food! .... you should be fine.

A question for all of you experienced bandsters out there. I am just now getting to the point where my loose skin is becoming a problem for me. I think that i am at least 25 - 30lbs away from a tummy tuck or lower body lift but since I was just recently diagnosed with a hernia this looks like a real reality for me. (that is redundant I know!) A couple of questions - is it just me or is the loose skin actually uncomfortable? It occurred to me the other day that the feeling of it pulling at me is really almost painful - particularly (I know a disturbing image) if I sit on it wrong - for example on the subway - it gets all pinched up! Am I totally imagining this? Also, when you guys were at this stage is there anything you wore and recommend that makes it feel better - like support hose. I would love a recommendation about that. Also, what do you think my bmi should be when I go in for a consult with a PS?

Does anyone else here have a spinning addiction? I think there was another thread about spinning some time back but I thought I would start a new one and see if there are still spinners out there. For me, I am totally addicted. I have taken 5 classes this week alone. For anyone thinking about try it - I was not in good shape when I started 3 months ago and was very nervous about keeping up but it worked out fine for me!

It is indoor cycling on special bikes (a group fitness class) it is set to music and really fun, burns tons of calories.

Congratulations to you too! Look how close to your goal you are?

Name...........Start........Current......Goal.......To Go Brandymom1234...200...........200........185.........15 Candle..........205...........202.5......197..........5.5 cQQlgirl........215...........215........200.........15 destiny79.......255...........255........240.........15 Foofy...........242.5.........242.5......234.........8.5 Jill............220...........220........210.........10 Jovi2673........217...........217........200.........17 KarenG .........189...........186........181..........5 kjl315..........227...........227........217.........10 kristin1031.....240...........238........225.........13 legster.........209...........209........196.........13 LessnLess.......164...........162........157..........5 Linda Lu........228...........226.7......215.........11.7 Longhorn........204...........199.4......195..........4.4 Mumof2boys......188...........188........175.........13 Marimaru........206...........206........195.........11 PhDiva..........208...........208........195.........13 Rainer..........251...........251........241.........10 Redtulips3......225...........224........215..........9 Renewedhope.....213...........210........199.........11 Sades...........201...........198........190..........8 Skinny_Jill.....186...........184........178..........6 Stacy73.........222...........222........212.........10 Sunny112........143...........143........135..........8 Suzzzie.........291...........291........280.........11 Valstar.........269...........269........260..........9 wombat712.......145...........144........135..........9 debihaines......254...........219........209.........10

Yes - it will eventually need surgery. My surgeon suggested waiting a few months to see how it was feeling and maybe doing it if and when I get a tummy tuck. It totally sucks and the idea my intestines sticking out of me is totally freaking me out.

I have been able to see and feel my port clearly since my surgery 6 months and 70lbs ago. I do not have a lot of abdominal fat (mine is elsewhere!). I recently have had a pain and thought I could feel the tubing/etc. and at my last checkup with the doctor he found a hernia. Not saying that this is your problem too but maybe something to consider/ask about. It seems that the only way to fix a hernia is with surgery - I am bummed about that.