Gone4Now

He's a cutie! :sneaky: I love the rodeo, but haven't gone yet this year...hoping to make it this weekend (Houston).

I haven't read the rest of the replies to this thread, so forgive me if this has been addressed already. I find what you're saying, Wheetsin, to be very interesting. I never would have imagined that "normal" people are biased against, too. :drool: I've been fat forever, so I've never experienced that feeling of being overlooked and NOT thinking it was because I'm fat. Growing up, kids made fun of me because I was fat. My best friend's grandmother used to make comments...I was always in competition with my 3 size 0 cousins who were my age. SO - I'm wondering if I was programmed from an early age to think any discrimination was because of my weight, or if it was real. Certainly the fat jokes were. But, kids are kids....if you have a weird haircut, or scars that are visible - they'll latch on to those kinds of things to make fun of - basically anything that is different. Very interesting to think about. I do know that there have been instances where I know people thought poorly of me because of my weight. But, I'm starting to think that maybe not ALL cases were because of my being fat. Maybe it was my own perception of myself. The kicker there is - Does that mean I discriminate against fat people?? :sneaky: I'm anxious to become normal and see how much I get overlooked vs. being fat.

LOL...I just saw this! I have to say: ME, TOO!!!! :sneaky: That's all!

What part of Houston? I swear by my doctor (Dr. Jason Balette) from the Surgical Group of the Woodlands. The office is clean, the nurses remember you (and the ones who don't are just as friendly as if they've known you forever). Dr. Balette has done all my fills and it never has been a painful or bad experience. (Even an unfill when I told him I was fine and walked out thinking I'd loosen up. Big mistake. I called, they immediately fit me in for an unfill). So, if you're North of Houston I highly recommend him.

I reached a personal NSV today...I can cross my legs! Now, in the past, I've faked it by leaning slightly to one side and flinging one leg over the other, and then holding onto my knee for dear life. From the front, sure...looked like I was normally crossing my legs, while resting slightly on my knee. Meanwhile, the back side of me was hanging over the armrest. Now, I can sit normal with my butt and hips straight and cross my legs. AND IT DOESN'T FALL OFF! I don't have to hold it. My next NSV - on the road to becoming a "normos" - will be when I can tuck one foot behind the leg that's being crossed. The BIG NSV will come when I can cross the leg, tuck the foot, and twist my legs to the side - without moving my butt. I've studied the normal woman for years. Pretty soon I'll be able to mingle among them with no one the wiser that once I couldn't even cross my legs. :tongue: In the meantime it's small steps toward normal...

Hey everyone - I was very happy to meet you all today. :thumbup: Here are my pics that I said I'd add (so you can put the face to the username.) See you next time! - Rhonda Before at 298 [ATTACH]12441[/ATTACH] Now, at 233. [ATTACH]12442[/ATTACH]

Good luck, Laren! :tongue:

Jennie, We sound like we have the same story. :tongue: I have lost 64 pounds (as of this morning) down to 231! I'm with you on the new clothes and the size 20's and 18's! I am so excited, and I am happy for the both of us! I also agree 100% about having 32 years behind of us being able to eat whatever we want, now is the time for restiction and good eating habits. We're going to be smokin' hot in our 30's...Woo Hoo! :tt2:

If anyone has tried this, can they post the results? It sounds interesting, but I'm curious to know how long that restriction is felt. I admit - I eat a lot of slider foods. My weight loss has been very good, and I'm happy with it, but I don't feel as though I have restriction.

Mariposa - LOL - not really... Snap judgements about strangers don't take any time at all. I can sum up in seconds whether or not I like the boob grabbers "eat my apple, bitch" pose or not. :thumbup:

I'm staying on plan today because I'm picking up pants from the tailors - they were taken in and I want them to fit!

I plan on being there, and I'm bringing a friend who hasn't been banded, but is looking into it. :thumbup: I'm excited to meet other banders. I don't know anyone in my personal life who has had one. I know a lot of people who's "sister-in-law, neighbor, ex-boyfriend's mother's pastor's wife" etc who have had it done, but no one directly. Plus, Starbucks...Yum.

Halo - I know! When I read that in the earlier post, my heart dropped. I have elderly parents who really need some sort of health care reform, but they couldn't wait a year, either, if something happened. I guess every plan has a plus and minus side. I am glad I have had the operation, and as quickly as it happened was a bonus! ***Quick note: The meds given to me for the operation really stopped me up badly! Take some milk of magnesia, colace, or whatever - sorry if that's too much yuck but I wouldn't wish that or the stones on anyone!

Jennie - You've given me a new store to try! I've tried Lane Bryant, but their jeans are funky now (anyone else been there lately?) I wanted to know if I fit into 18's now, so next store to try: Old Navy! They still have real sizes, right????

wjbluv - I am sorry for your losses that you've had recently. I also apologize if you mentioned this in a previous posts, but: have you seeked therapy for these feelings? It seems to me that you're turning to food for comfort and are trying to break free from that, by the sound of it. I would encourage a therapists. I recently started seeing someone periodically, due to some stresses in my personal life and at work. Just talking about my problems out loud made me feel better. I know that seems simplistic, but it could help you sort out these feelings. I've read posts to you and I urge you to try to see them for what they are: help. In cyber space, it's hard to give advice and/or help someone without words getting skewed. I know you're looking for understanding, not help. But, sometimes it's hard for people to see someone who's hurting and not try to help. Those are the good people in the world that don't just stand by - they jump in and try their best to help people. :drool: But, please don't be defensive or angry at the way things are said or done...and please give this site another chance. I have found so much helpful information about my band here and maybe it can get you past your upset at the band. It's a great community, please give it a chance.

I did! I still can't believe it, but it was the best thing in the world for me. I lived in Northern VA all my life, and up and moved to TX almost 2 years ago. I had a friend who moved w/me, so I wasn't completely alone. I was at the same job for almost 7 years, owned my house...I quit, sold it, and moved! I decided in March of 2006 and was living here and working here in June 2006. That said, it wasn't overnight. I have a 10 year old daughter, and had been in a very long relationship. Things weren't going well with him and I kept trying to make it work. It didn't - and I discussed with my family the idea of moving. My daughter was up for it, because of the idea of being able to swim longer during the year. I think if it's in your heart, follow it. I would have had a completely different life in VA, and I am so glad that I made the move. Life is meant to LIVE! Have fun, go where you want! Who says you need to stay in one place forever???

I had a sub bowl for me for 3 weeks and by then I was fine, even though the sub was better than me! :drool: I stumped the doc by asking pre-surgery how long would it be before I could bowl. :cursing: He said he never had that one before.

Rachel, I am interested. I, too, have a hard time getting anywhere in the evenings due to scheduling. March 8th sounds good to me.

Hi there...I had my lapband and recent gall bladder surgery with Dr. Jason Balette in the Surgical Group of the Woodlands. I LOVE HIM! He and his office staff are the best professionals I've worked with. He comes highly recommended by me. :w00t:

LOL! I hate that picture, too! I never noticed the boob thing, though - don't know why I didn't. But, I don't like how she looks so smug and angry. Like, "Eat this apple NOW or be a fatass forever." I can't even eat apples...they stick. I liked the other girl before the website changed...she looked like Rachel Ray to me. :w00t:

I like cottage cheese with any fruit, and also with some salt and pepper. But, I'll be trying the hummus! That sounds good!

Hi there...I was banded on 9/5/07 and I've lost 60 pounds so far. But. I am noticing your ticker and it looks like you have less weight to lose than I do. I was close to 300 pounds, and the first 50 came off very easy, but the last 10 has taken 2 months to come off. I think that it's just a matter of how much weight you have to lose. I've gone up and down 50 for 10 years, but now I'm starting to hit the weight that's been on my for 15-20 years and it's going slower. I have no idea if that's based on medical facts, but it seems to be the case for lower bmi banders that it's slower to lose. I know you're frustrated, but keep it up! You have lost weight, so it is working...and if you keep the rate you're going, you'll still do better than without the band, right?

I have a strange one. I've been in size 24's for a few years now, sometimes 22's...Well, now I'm in 18's! I held them up at the store and said to my daughter: There is NO WAY those are going to fit - they're too small! They fit! They slid on like butter! It was so wonderful. I haven't been in 18's since high school (15 years ago.) Here I come 16's!

Good luck! I can't wait for the results. We're all right behind you!

Okay - Update: I had the surgery today. I'm home now, and am doped up on pain meds, so I'm not sure if it hurts or not. :rolleyes2: ha ha. I'm up and walking around, and it's much better than the band surgery. I think because this time they gave me something for naseau after. The first thing I said when I woke up from the band was, "I'm going to throw up!" So, they think I may have had a reaction to the anesthesia, which they prevented this time w/the nausea meds. So far so good. I'm on lap band liquids for the next 2 days, then back to normal band diet. He didn't have to do an unfill, which he said he may have had to do if there was a problem. What was really great was my band doc did the lap cholestyctemy (sp?), so when he was in there, he peeked at my band and was able to see if it was doing all right or not. :tt2: So, that was really cool. Anyway, thanks to all for your support! It's going to be nice to be able to eat and not worry about pain.