tigs

Hello folks It's been 7 years this July since I got my band. I was losing weight (368 at surgery) really well until I got near my adult low which is 225. At that point I hit a mental block and stayed between 239-226 until now. Currently I am at 233 but I've had a breakthrough recently and I believe that I'm ready to lose the weight now. Part of my issue is that I've been at least obese since I was 5 years old. So much of my identity was that of the Fat Girl. I was always the heaviest one in the room. At my highest weight I was over 400 lbs. How much over 400 I can't tell you, that was as high as the scale went. It took quite some time before I was able to use the scale. Until recently I didn't become aware that I was no longer always the largest person in the room. I can't begin to explain how that messed with my head. With circumstances as they are now, it is doubtful that I will ever be able to have plastics done. Knowing this was another hurdle I had to get past. Finally I realized it was a matter of deciding if I'd rather look in the mirror and see the loose skin or if I'd rather see the slightly less loose skin and the progress I still want to make. I need to learn to love my body either way, so I might as well keep moving forward. And just because the universe has a sense of humor, two years ago I survived a stroke. Thanks to early intervention, I managed to avoid any lasting physical injury and remain completely mobile. I do have cognitive issues relating to speech and memory. One fun issue I have now is remembering to eat. After years of being obsessed with planning my next meal or snack, now I actually have to track my food to make sure I've actually put some fuel in the tank. Has anyone else had a mental block they had to get through before you were able to get to your goal? I'm thankful that for all these years I've been able to maintain. I guess I'd like to hear that I can make it from someone besides me (and my super supportive hubby who is always in my corner) Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Corry I'm in a similar boat. Hoping someone who knows speaks up! Tigs Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Hey all! I'm 2 weeks post op and down 36 pounds since deciding to have LAP-BAND®®. I've got a lot to lose, so happily for me its falling off pretty easily at this point. I'm starting the C25K tomorrow and as soon as my surgeon releases me to go back to strength training I'll be doing that as well. Even with the loss I've had I still don't see any change in my clothes. When I wear pantyhose there's some change which has got me thinking that I need to invest in some shapewear to help firm everything up. I hit Lane Bryant yesterday and actually had a very helpful and actual plus size gal helping me out. We discussed the Spanx at length but she said something I'd not heard before. She told me that I shouldn't wear them all the time because the compression would make my muscles (especially the abs) not work as hard and actually lose strength. Off on another note, I was really pleased to see that they had a section of Spanx you could try on. Being very bottom heavy all my life I've found the charts aren't as accurate on sizing for me and if I'm going to spend this much I am glad to know that I'll *know* when I leave the store that what I bought fits. Is there any truth to this? I was planning on wearing them pretty much all the time that I'm out of the house but I don't want to do anything to make my muscles (and especially my core) weaker. I'm not planning on getting them right now. I still have too much swelling to even want to add compression to the mix but my surgeon says that should be resolved in another 3-4 weeks. I did find another brand called Shatobu that claims that it actually helps you burn more calories and they suggest you wear it 7 days a week for at least 12 hours a day. It's supposed to help offer some sort of resistance when walking and climbing stairs. They don't make it in my current size but I'll be there eventually. I heard about Slimpressions from a blog that I follow to help with the dreaded batwing/mud flap arm. So far its the only shapewear I've seen that focuses on that. Spanx has a new line of shirts but I think they are for wearing on the outside. Input of any kind on shapewear and your experiences would be more than appreciated.