Fauxnaif

I don't see the old me at 300 pounds but I think I see the me of about 40 pounds ago (240ish). And I haven't weighed that in over a year. I just think it takes time to catch up our image of ourselves. That's why I like clothing sizes! Can't argue with a 16!

Tossed salad with field greens and romaine and crab on top!

Half a Luna bar if I am hungry at all. And that's often like 10:00 am.

I really can't eat doughy stuff like pasta or bread but I can certainly eat nuts and seeds. Other stuff I can't deal with: asparagus, citrus fruit, brocolli.

I think that they can do what they want and you should vote with your feet so to speak. I can understand them not wanting to give a discount. It's a wonder they make any money with how much some people (myself in the past included) pile on a plate!

I've been talking it about two months and love it. It does suppress my appetite and has helped me lose more weight. It has removed all my depression symptoms, too. I don't feel hungry, either and forget to eat until 3 in the afternoon sometimes. Then I can't find anything I want. If all else fails, I drink some milk or a Protein shake. If I were at goal, I might worry but I am not so I go with it. I love this nonconcern over food. Did I mention the colossal improvement in my sex drive???? Maybe your wife can talk to her docs and lower the dose. Also side effects like this sometimes lessen over time. It's a great drug for depression. Hope your wife gets what she needs. By the way, I take 450 mg.

My work did it too. And I didn't join because I felt I had an unfair advantage. I just told everyone I don't react well to competition. They said I would have won and I would have.

MUCH BETTER!!! And the closer to goal I get, the more things I am willing to try! Here I am 35 years old and just now having the confidence to do things lots of high schoolers probably do. It's a great process of discovery!

I agree with making stuff you love and freezing it in the right portions. I also sometimes eat a Lean Cuisine or something like that and save half for the next night. This allows me to not waste them.

I haven't read the replies as I am getting ready for work, but I have a few ideas. I bet the rate is that high in bypass patients. I think that rapid weight loss can do strange things to a person's personality and thinking and all the sudden attention can be hard to resist. I bet our slower, more gradual loss is easier for us and our families to take. A lot of these people probably shouldn't have married that person in the first place. Maybe some of them settled for anybody because they thought they would end up alone. The weight loss just gave them the courage to leave the bad marriage. As for me, my marriage is better than ever. I can't even explain the feeling of acceptance I have now at 200 pounds knowing my husband married me at 320.

I was 319. I didn't feel any different or look that different until I lost about 80 pounds. The sizes took a long to go down at the larger range (25-->24, etc.) I'm still losing; I took time out to have a baby. The first 6 months is the hardest but it is also probably the most rapid weight loss. The band is hard to deal with at the beginning. I remember being tired too. And the loss of food as a coping mechanism is something to be mourned. You're doing great and will continue to do so!

I ate vanilla custard or flan at this time. I just mushed it up in my mouth really well. It was GREAT!

I don't think they can necessarily feel the port. And they definitely can't feel the band. My visual reminder that I know my husband notices is my loose skin. It hangs a bit. But hey, it's better than weighing over 300! Maybe someone should be told about your band before you take a step such as getting intimate with them. Just my opinion.

I'm also 5'9." I want to weigh about 185. I want to wear about a size 12 or a Large. Not looking to be superthin. I like my curves and so does my husband.

Four years later and I still can't eat pizza without PBing. I can, however, eat the toppings. :hungry:

YES! I cannot believe all the ugly clothes I used to wear, especially in the 80s and 90s just because they were all I could find in my size!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1. Shopping in the regular misses department 2. Fitting in booths 3. Fitting in roller coasters 4. Husband can now get his arms around me 5. Less inhibited sex/belly not in the way 6. Not afraid to walk around in my underwear GREAT POST IDEA!

I didn't remove any fill when I was pregnant. But I was pretty loose at that point. I still gained about 30 pounds during the pregnancy. So I think it depends on how tight the band currently is. By the way, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

I'm one of those lucky apples! Grrr... Anyway, I have lost my double chins. My face looks quite thin, especially if I don't eat a lot of junk (salty) food. Have patience. It will happen!

I didn't. But it was pretty lose at the time. I gained about 30 pounds when pregnant. If it were fairly tight, I would have had it loosened.

If you feel it in the morning, it could be your food from last night. I know this has happened to me. Also, liquids can certainly cause this if you drink quickly. It could also be reflux.

This is what I do, too. Give in to the craving sometimes but just a little. And count it in your calorie count for the day.

I think your timing (4-5 times per week) sounds good. And I agree you want to do it for at least 30 minutes. If you can't right now, work up to it. Another thing, intersperse some jogging or higher inclines. Like walk 3 minutes then jog or walk steeper for 1 minute. This adds variety and helps you get more fit.

I know the feeling. Can you get out of the house and go do something? Make a goal for yourself that is easy to achieve-like clean out a drawer? Eat ice chips, sugar free popsicles, sugarfree/fatfree pudding? Go see or call an old friend? Make yourself of list of alternatives to eating and put it somewhere where you will see it often.

I had about 6 months of reflux which I was able to treat fairly well with over the counter meds and not eating before bed. That's all. And it's been 4 years this month! ETA: I lost over 60 pounds with no fill and have had to have about 1 fill per year. I also had a very healthy pregnancy and baby with the band!