JustWatchMe

Ok I assembled the ricotta stuffed cherry tomatoes. I'll pop them in the oven right before the party. They already smell fantastic!

Jane, your posts are always thought provoking. I am excited. And scared. So much unknown ahead. But I'm focusing on me and my health, mental and physical. There's a lot I can't control, like the legal calendar. But it will all work out eventually. Thanks for the uplifting post!

Man, people suck.

I think I was hungry within a day. My post op required six weeks of full liquids. I had lots of cream s oups. Congratulations and best of luck!

Well, I've dropped 320 pounds that you'll never see on my ticker. Divorcing my abusive wasband is the hardest thing I've ever done, but long overdue. WLS gave me back my self confidence. I've learned that I'm worth a happy life, and as difficult and uncertain as this phase of my life is right now, I have nothing but hope for a brighter future. Oh, and my dog gets walked more now.

Well said!! This was a very inspiring post. Never, ever give up on yourself. Best of luck to you and keep posting here!

With all these ideas, I'm going to have to throw my own party. Thanks, everyone!

These are great! I'm getting hungry!

My surgeon never set my goal weight. Somebody, can't remember who, asked me what I wanted it to be. So I picked it myself.

It's not ridiculous at all. We see what we think are old patterns returning and we rightfully get scared. I stopped losing after dropping 100 + pounds with fifty to go. Started getting really lax with my food and drink and ten came back. It's been hard hard work to drop 7 of those but I'm finally back in Onederland. The band/sleeve/bypass can only do so much. I'm motivated and committed today and grateful for the chance to resume my efforts after only ten pounds and not 120. Hang in there and stay connected here. For me it keeps my goals in front of me.

Jane, good luck with your surgery.

This is very normal. I recommend that you focus on educating yourself and preparing your home for your post op life. I was on full liquids for six weeks after surgery. This meant stocking up on s oups and foods that fit that category. I also was told to immediately begin walking, so I was glad I had a treadmill at home. My nurse told me to walk 15 minutes the first day after surgery and add a minute every day until I built up to two miles. Then keep going two miles a day. You won't believe how wonderful your life will become once the weight starts coming off and food is no longer the focus. Good luck and keep posting here. That really helped my motivation as well.

Happy for you!

Sharpie, you're a wonderful inspiration to me and other banders! Congratulations on your success and thank you for your involvement with this forum. You've helped me a lot!

See your doctor for a small unfill before the weekend.

I've been on and off the WW wagon so many times that by the final few attempts, I barely lost five or ten pounds before giving up and gaining more back. It's a good diet. I just can't stay on diets. The thing about Oprah that strikes me is that she's full of self awareness. She's been over the issues that make us overeat many many times. She had a trainer. She had a cook. She starved herself. She exercised like a fiend. We all watched her lose and gain and lose and gain. She talked about the emotional reasons behind eating. She gets it. And it still wasn't permanent. Why? For me I think it's twofold. Yes, all the emotional and mental stuff is there and has to be addressed and worked on and retaught. I have to learn and practice new ways to self soothe. But also, my body is different from my normie friends'. It won't stay cooperative. It wants too much food. Over and over and over again. My LapBand finally got my body in line. I'm working my ass off emotionally and mentally too. If I didn't, I'd eat right through the WLS and weigh 302 again plus some bonus pounds. I need both solutions. WLS got me started and keeps me not starving 24/7. The rest is discipline and hard emotional work. But it's so much easier with WLS helping me.

Skinny girl problems. Boo frickin hoo. ????

I have nothing to add except I really hope it works out for you. My band has been a great help to me. Once it starts working for you, it's amazing.

I get stuck on raw broccoli now. No matter how thoroughly I chew it.

A friend gave me a set of tiny containers for Christmas. They are one cup or less, and have screw on lids. I love them! I portion out what I plan to take to work the next day and also use them for leftovers. Learning to cook in smaller batches has been a big challenge for me post WLS. Now my kids are away at college, I'm divorcing, and I cook only for myself. Making small portions is a very new skill for me. And my food lasts so long now!

Your tastes may change. Mine did. You would never have convinced me I'd be uninterested in pizza or other foods I previously loved, but that's exactly what has happened. Don't worry. And you don't have to give it up forever. Just for 24 hours. One day at a time.

I came here with many questions about the physical aspects of WLS, specifically LapBand. Almost two years later, I look for the posts about the emotional, social and mental aspects of living without overeating. This site has been there with me through it all. Thank you, Alex, for this labor of love.

This is one of the key changes I've made recently. Bringing my lunch to work always results in me eating healthier and with proper portions. I always bring two s nacks too, like an apple and a grapefruit. So far so good!

I think it depends on how long and how severe the obesity was, plus age. I've lost over 100 pounds twice in my life. The first time at 28, loose skin wasn't so bad. At 54? Well, let's just say the old bod has changed. Even with loose skin, I'm still happier than when I was morbidly obese.