Ok guys - we are on our 5th month Post OP..

What would you say is the greatest challenge you face? With band or rny? Also, what are the biggest differences in your life since wls so far?

My greatest challenge is that I still feel kind of loose in the band - still trying to feel restriction.. and it isn't there often. And moving.. I know I don't move enough for my own good.. but I'm going to change that now. I joined a challenge on the main board and am determined to meet my goal of 10 lbs in 8 weeks.. I can do this.

The biggest difference I noticed is the confidence I have in myself - I feel like I have hope in my own journey now.. and although I often forget that I did this for ME and nobody else.. it's still hard to get motivated at times to move more! I've noticed that since I am doing things for me, I also am starting to take better care of myself - do my hair, make up, clean house, even cook my own dinners instead of eating out all the time... those nsv are big for me. Seems like basic stuff, but when you're depressed and just eating all the time... almost anything is too much for you.

:) Let's hear from you guys!

As most people already know (because I ***** and I ***** and I ***** lol), I struggle with peristent weight gain.  I have more than one, non weight related chronic condition.  Medications, thyroid fuction etc screw with my ability to loose weight.  To my disappointment rny did not fix this.  However, it has made me aware that it is far worse than I had ever imagined.  I will always stuggle despite wls. 

So there is my biggest challenge but as for differences in my life?   No real lifestyle change because of my wl other than shopping for smaller clothes like everyone else.  I've been blessed that despite my size, fat never held me back from doing what I've wanted to do.  I was suprised to discover on OH that so many people really felt limited by their obesity (I know how stupid that sounds but it is true.).  I thought that was just a television stereotype.

This weekend I zipped myself into some size 10 pants.  Three pairs were too tight but one a perfect fit.  Once I'm a true 10, I'm going to Old Navy and the Gap for my new size 10 jeans.  By then I should no longer be obese but just overweight.  I am so looking forward to that day. 

That's wonderful that you've never really had any limitations due to weight, very few people have your kind of experience.

Sizes are so weird, aren't they? I mean all the different cuts and sizes and fabrics and stores.. it can be a lot to just know what size!! lol

I love Old Navy though, that is "my" storey ;) Almost everything in my closet comes from there.. I go and stock up on the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas, every year.. get a whole new wardrobe for next to nothing! :) DH says I can do some damage in there.. it's so true.

Congrats on that size 10, I can't wait to be in a healthier size with you! :) I'm in the same boat as far as the medications messing with weight loss - I take prednisone often, for RA flare ups.. and it can really **** me off when I gain weight because of it.. even if I change nothing I still get that weight gain!!!! I swear, sometimes I think my body is out to get me..

i think my main problem is my in consistancy i am horrible at remembering to take vitamins, and meds, i get totally discouraged when something isnt going how i see it and i totally stress over EVERYTHING!

i see everyone else having all the success stories, and i want one in 7 more months ya know.  i would love to be a size 10...although, i think its NEVER gonna happen, frankly i dont think im ment to be that small....i have lost almost a 100 pounds, and that is fantastic, but...i can feel it slowing down...and its discouraging...

i still have plenty to lose...60 more lbs to get to drs goal....and finally be "normal" not overweight/obese....

thanks to all those who motivate me

You are right 100 lbs is fantastic!!! 

Not sure if you have tried it yet - but I have a pill box that I use for that.. I put my vitamins, meds and everything I need to take in each day and go from there. My goal is to ensure that I empty the box each day.

Maybe that could help?

I have one of these boxes.  It is big and has 4 compartment for each of the 7 dyas a week.  I can see if I haven't taken something during the day.  Most days I get it cleaned out.  I keep it by the coffee pot, which is next to the sink.  That way I see it every time I take a drink.

I have found that if I leave my vitamins on the bathroom counter (and not hidden away in the medicine cabinent), I SEE them and remember to take them.

When on vacation, and they were in my luggage, I remembered maybe 2x a week to take them.  :(



We are human.  We will make mistakes. We will have slip-ups .... it's the mental part of forgiving ourself that is probably the hardest to learn.  We all have to stop beating ourselves up for our misses and cheer ourselves for our victories -- no matter how small.  That doesn't mean celebrating w/ food ... it means a mental (and maybe physical) pat on your own back ... give yourself a hug ... wrap your arms around yourself as far as they'll go, and squeeze!   LOVE YOURSELF!  

You were brave enough to take the first step and have the surgery ... that's HUGE!   

Look around at the general public and how many others could benefit from the same decision that you made.  Watch people eat -- at a restaurant, at work, etc.  I have found that it nearly makes me ill to see the amount of food, and the selection of food that people are putting into their already stressed bodies.  I feel so sorry for them ... and afraid to say anything.   BUT ... I hope that I'm a beacon of hope for those around me that see my transformation.  I'm always glad to talk to people about what I've done, and what changes it means in my life ...  because, I never know when my example, and willingness to talk/listen ... may tilt the 'indecision scale' for them.

I know that I'm never going to get down to the mini-sizes. I recall, at age 13, being 5'7", weighing 135 pounds, being a 36C, and wearing a size 13/14.    I (along w/ the doctor / nutritionist / psychologist) set my 'goal' at 180 pounds ... size 18 ... which was my high scool/college weight.  Realistic. Does a small part of me still 'hope' to be smaller?  Yup!  Do I think it's sensible to be smaller?  Nope!  :)  


HINT - if you shop at Fashion Bug or Catherine's you can be wearing 'small' sizes now!  ;)   The jeans I have on are a 6-circle.  It's their new sizing system based on body shape [circle, triangle, square] ... not sure why it's a 6, but I'm not complaining. ;) 

My greatest challenge is getting off of a stall that has lasted for almost two months now. I cant break off of 224. I emailed my nutritionist and explained to her its getting stressful. I walk two - three miles a day. I get in my fluids but as far as the protein goes I am just making it. This is more difficult than what I have expected but I am making it through day to day and praying for the best to happen.


My biggest difference is I have more confidence have more energy and I feel better about myself in general.

Stalls are the worst, aren't they? I mean.. you're doing it all right and you still get to a point where you just cannot break it!

That's 230 for me.. no matter what I do, 230 is just not budging.. then I get frustrated and gain some back! Which makes it all the worse for me..

Is it possible that your body has become accustomed to having the 2-3 miles a day and now you need to up it? I know that has happened to me before.. speaking of which, wonder if that's what is going on now?

My greatest challenge is getting restriction right.  I can't figure how some times the same food is OK than others not so much.  This lose is going much slower than I thought it would and getting it right is harder.

I am actually eating worse in some ways now.  I have never eaten so many sauces trying to get solid proteins down.