OH Juli

Hi, I don't want this to come out negative, but I'm concerned Sailor girl that you talk about being banded as the "last chance at life". I know we have to get really low with our weight out of control before we will consider WLS. And that's a better place to be at to make this decision than to act like it's the diet of the month, because it is hughly important decision. Many things that were typical before surgery are impacted by the decision. Even 19 months later I'm like, "Damn, damn, damn, I can't eat with my coffee!" after taking a bite of food. Like you'd think I'd know that by now. But let me caution you that if you're like me, you'll wake up in the same bed with the same bills showing up and the same yard to mow and the same family members who love and annoy you; like you have always had. While WLS does cure the weight (if you follow the rules) weight isn't the only thing going on in our lives that gives us trouble. Those things will still be waiting for the skinny you. The up side however is that skinny you will have more energy and determination to handle those troubles. Best of luck and keep us posted. Thanks BTW, to all you Mt. C people who let me hang out here. I'm OSU.

Just a head's up to the crowd that while we are past the typical half way point on the three year journey to goal, we still have much time ahead of us to lose weight. I say three years because that's what I remember reseraching...that's how long a typical bandster takes. So chin up everyone. The fight's not over.

Fat acceptance is a tricky thing to talk about. In theory I want to support the idea, but in reality it hurts my heart to remember when I thought it was okay to be fat. I was in denile that it was miserable to not be able to do what normal people did. eh, go figure. And let me agree with Nanook, I think if a group wanted to impact Oprah's thinking writing her letters is more effective than pissing and moaning on a website she'd never see. I however enjoy a bit of pointless pissing and moaning.

Jeni, I just realized you are in Chicago! Girl we have got to meet in person next time I go out there. I'm guessing Januaray since the holidays are coming... What do you think?

Speed, I can tell you I've had the same thoughts about philandering. (Is that with a PH?) Anyway, I having always been the chubby girl, fat friend, etc., thought that if I were "hot" I'd be a hoochie. I'd sleep around, people couldn't resist me and I wouldn't resist the attention. However, reality kicks in, and while it's nice to be told I'm looking good no one is really pushing up against me looking for action. And I'm in a happily committed relationship which is more meaningful than any kind of fling could be. The reality of our situations is that we might be cuter, but we are wiser. And screwing around seems like it would be huge work. Who has time for that?

Janine, I'm in Ohio. I'm waving frantically look south and you might see me. My PCP wrote a letter to my insurance as did I. I'm waiting to see what they say. My weight is pretty stable, I'm kind of sad to say. But I figure I'll lose 10-20 more pounds before the summer gets here. I expect surgery will happen this summer. Thanks for sharing what your surgeon said. I'm actually going to go see a second surgeon in Cincinnati for a second opinion. I'll travel an hour and a half for better results, though I AM comfortable with the Columbus doctor. I just want a second opinion. KWIM? Jeni, we are lock step together at this point. Pound for pound, etc. This weight loss stuff is something, no?

Follow your doctor's guidelines and only see the nutritionist if you have questions of stop losing weight as quickly as you and the doctor determine you need to lose. You are not required to see her to be successful. That's a guilt trip if you ask me. She's looking to make money from you. And if she insists ask her to put in writing her plans for you so you can share that with the doctor. Being conflicted is not a good thing....

If you can imagine the attitude of "what evah" with a big eye roll? Yeah that was me a few months ago when people were praising my weightloss and all I could think about was the hanging skin. At that same point I was waiting for "different" to strike. You know I thought I was going to be a different person with all this weight loss. The changes were so subtle that I didn't seem to notice them. So what if I could now run a 5K and before I'd not step faster if a bus was going to hit me. I was waking up in my same room looking at the same walls thinking any day now I'll feel different. Any day now I'll be that hot girl I always imagined me to be. Well, come to find out that's not what you get with weight loss. You do get hotter, more flexible, more healthy, more in control, but it comes with sagging skin and an older looking face. My therapist suggested I think of it as success, my sagging skin which was once full of copious fattness. I can do that on some days. Sometimes however I can not. I'm still bothered by the skin. Well the up side to this and there is an up side, is that when people go on and they do about "OMGyouvelostsooooooomuchweight" blah blah blah I say things like, "I'm still the same me, same eyes, same heart". Because I am and that's something worth remembering because everyone of us were amazing, beautiful people regardless of our weight. I am not smarter or better now than I used to be, just differently sized. I mean really, I didn't hate me fat. I hated being unable to do stuff because of my size, but I was still an ethically driven, motivated fun girl to be around. And I still am, thankfully.

I notice in some peoples' signatures their blog addresses. I love to go to them and read them. I know I'm not alone. I thought I'd start a thread where you could list yours and see others. I'm sure there's some great reading out there. Mine: www.lapbandaid.blogspot.com Juli

You are amazing! That is a fantastic NSV. So when is the first 5K going to happen??? You should be very proud. It's quite a gift you've given yourself.

No and No. I've flown many times and didn't get sick. I've spent the day riding roller coasters with my LBT buddy and neither one of us got sick. You'll be fine.

Congrats on the weight loss. Now for the reality of being a regular sized person running around in XL sized sking. It stinks, it's no fun and damnit when you set off to lose the weight, if you were like me, you thought the fat was the only thing making you different from the hot version of your self. Alas it's not. Time is a bandit that steals from everyone. And now that you don't have the fat plumping your skin the wrinkles are showing. But really its how you present yourself. The differences in your skin are really only there for you and maybe your sweetie to notice. But the last I checked anyone you're about to get naked with typically isn't being criticle of your skin...they are thinking "I'm gonna get some lovin'! Go ME!" Everyone else who looks at you sees your trimmer self, your healthier self or they are seeing you for the first time and think you're just regular. I'll take regular over super morbidly obese. I'll even take regular over "hot and sexy" because that seems like too much of a burden. Again personally, if you want to percieved as someone who is well put together take the time to dress well. Really, no one you care about, aside from yourself, is looking at your skin. Promise. Oh and about gloating, I too am from a family of big folks. My best friend is SMO. There is a fine line where you can talk about your challenges and successes and be respectful that not everyone is going to take your same path. It's hard to find but definately worth working toward. I mean if you can't talk about the biggest change in your life with your people then who can you talk to about it? Well us on LBT, but I mean in general. Much respect and congrats again. You are not alone. J

Swood, I'm so sorry for your loss. Our pets a such a part of our lives. When they pass it's significant. You have my sympathy. J

Whole Foods will have it. My favorite brand is Fage. I get the 0% and add berries and sweet and low to it. The low fat and total are like eating cream.........it's delicious. Any nice big grocery store will have some if they carry natrual foods. In Ohio I've seen it at Kroger and Giant Eagle. Bon Apetit.

Hi TammyJ, You are looking good in that avatar! Get your fill girl and keep peeling off the weight. Jeni, My weekend was nice and relaxing. I actually ran, jogged really, again. Time with the GF is always well spent. The plastic surgeon has me swinging in my moods. He said that I'd be good to go right now and that there's a good 25-35 pounds of skin on my body that would be removed with surgery. That seems like a lot, but also my belly is just giant. I was really very large at my highest weight so it make sense. Now to process the fear of surgery and more enormous debt. I'll keep you all up to date, of course. I hope everyone is well.

Hey Marchies, Check in with us! What's going on with everyone?

Jeni, That is no small feat! Good for you! I've had a few good days. I'm happy to report. This weekend is going to be a trial for me though. I'm going to be with my GF and we tend to give each other permission to eat more or badly when we are together. I told her that's can't happen this weekend. I need to be able to make good food decisions when we are together. So here's to that happening.

Jachut, I could love you like that, but my girlfriend wouldn't be happy with me and I think you'd have to be gay too. Also, there's also the whole long distance thing that would make it impossible. I do think you are spot on in regard to Oprah NOT being a role model in regard to weight loss and how to show good approach to it. She's role modelish enough in other areas, her weight regardless of where it is at the moment has very little to do with her overall posititve impact on culture.

Hi ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZz A word about trainers, and I don't have one, I've just been told, that they wear down your tire. When I replaced my tires this year the LBS guy told me to keep the old ones to put on my bike for using on the trainer this winter. I don't see me getting a trainer, I do however see me keeping up with spinning at the gym. Nice to see you one here.

OUCH. Funny, ouch though. giggle.

I feel the same, she struggles like many North American women, and she's got the huge spotlight on her everyday. I can't imagine the stress. I mean she gets paid so I'm not saying poor Oprah, but man, she's done better than I ever did before being banded. In reality if she's marginally overweight the rest of her life well that's just dandy with me. And if she opted for WLS that would be okay with me too. Really she's the one who has to live in her skin. She's amazing and smart if she's 150, 200, or even 250, she be who she be. I don't hate her.

Hi kids. Well the question is will it be time to have plastics by next summer? I'm having my initial consult on Monday with the plastic surgeon. I know my weight seems high still at 178. But by June it should be closer to 160. I expect to lose 20-25 pounds in skin, so that should put be just about right. I'm planning on waiting until June because I work at a school and I can take extended time off then. Any way, I thought I put it out there. I'm currently a size 14 and that seems to big to go after surgery, but I'm also full of skin. My highest known weight was 338, and I was probably at 350 but never stepped on the scale. With that said, I've lost 172 pounds and me naked isn't pretty. I'm healthy and strong; I work out consistently so I have faith the doctor and find my pretty little muscular frame under all this skin. Any words of encouragement are appreciated. :wink2: Juli

Cindy!!! I don't know why I'm surprise you're here, Duh. I would have told you before posting it publically. I just thought I'd call and boom I have an appointment for Monday. OMG. Girl, you are well, WELL on your way. You are just dropping pounds left and right. You are an inspiration yourself. Thanks for the invite to the support group. I'm just amazed I had time to go. And where's your ticker. You need to brag, chica.

I DID! I didn't know Katie was working in the Rhodes tower. It was nice catching up with her and talking about you. LOL. She's a doll and so thinks the world of you. I'll let you know what the surgeon says. I expect I'll be told to drop more weight but I want to get a clue what I'm up for. And I don't plan on having surgery until June. Considering it took me 14 months to get the lapband surgery I'm not waiting too long to start this process. :wink2: Juli

Kathy, I made an appointment to see Dr Shah for Monday. I expect he's going to tell me drop another 20 before surgery which would be fine with me. I want to have it done in June and I know I can be there by then. I thought I'd let you know. It was good to see you Monday. Great news on the buttoning the jacket. You are doing fantastically well!