If you need a friend

I had my procedure in march, 2003.Since then I have lost 230 pounds, and have faced many obstacles, but have no regrets.There are people who understand, who will offer advice.If you are in need of someone to talk, hit me up.

What a releif knowing there is someone like you wo did it and succeeded in losing wieght. I did lost weight a year ago, I started a very healthy diet that by time became a strict diet and concluded in anorexia, furtunally for me, I was still in the first stages. I started then to eat junks and sweets and ended up fatter the ever. It has been a year since I am trying again to lose wieght but it is so difficult and I can't resist to the cravings I have for junks. I eat an continue to gain weight in an incredbile amount. I need a friend, I really do. My family can't understand. I try to explain how important it is for me to have portion sizes, to eat healthy and everything, no one cares if I am doing the right thing or not. Sometimes I cook for myself but most of the days I just simply don't mind and eat anything I find on my path. I know what is a healthy det but can't incorporate it in my lifestly. I hate the feeling of being fat, the uncomfortable feeling of taking more space then I should, of being considered a loser in life and a gainer in weight.  Would you like to be my friend? What I would like mostly are suggestions on what to eat, how and when. i went to a lot of neutritionist but no body understood that I know all the basics, it is how to use the basics that I am confused about.  Regards, Mar (from Malta)

Hi, my name is Ann. I saw your post and for some reason I chose yours to write to....anyhow, a little about me...I had lap band surgery the first time two years ago, I have always had trouble losing weight so it was no suprise that all though I worked my big butt off, I only lost 70lbs in that first year. Soon after that, my band slipped. I had gotten it too tight and really just didnt know what I was doing. After that, I went through a divorce and have just been going through some tuff times ( i know everyone is, so I do feel guilty for even feeling this way) BUT then I gained twenty five lbs! I have tried so many times in the last year to get back on the band wagon, and cannot get myself to do what I need to do. I am so disgusted with myself, noone knows. I used to be so much stronger than this, and I just hate the loss of will power I have now. I hope I dont come off as being a big whiner - I promise, I usually am really up beat....but just need some help, some inspiration...something! just to get me back on track. I went throught this not once, but twice and Im just so disgusted at myself for not suceeding! If you can and dont care to take time to write me, I would so much appreciate just having someone to talk to that knows how I feel. Thank you so much for your time.
Ann

Hi Ann-

  Nice to hear from you,I actually figured this thing was no longer in existence, but glad it is nice to hear from you.So you had the lap band procedure twice? I know it is easy to get down on yourself, but let me ask you a question. Have you talked to anyone about what is going on? A counselor? I assume there were problems that led up to your divorce? I hope you don't mind me asking questions.Hopefully I can offer some new insight to you. In February, I started attending college to be an addictions counselor.I plan on helping people who are struggling with food,drug, and alcohol addictions.Let me tell you about me.
 I am 35, and had gastric bypass in March 2003.I weighed 460 pounds at my highest weight.Today I am 260. I don't think that's too bad after six years, but I was about 220 up until late 2007.A combination of medication and poor food choices caused me to put on forty pounds, and I am trying to lose it.
 I had a rough life, was on my own at sixteen, had a baby on my own at 20, and have always struggled with addiction.I hated my life, and myself.On the surface, I pretended everything was fine, but I was miserable.I had the GBS to improve my quality of life and to be a better mother.After going through the changes with the weight loss, I got worse.I did not know how to handle the new me, plus my mother died two months after my surgery, and we had a very poor relationship because she abandoned me emotionally when I was very young. Drugs took over me, and I felt like I wanted to just end my life because I was a mess.Just as I was in my darkest hour, I met my husband. We were very different, but there was something about him (his innocence) that kept me interested.I tried to scare him away by telling him all about my crazy life, but he never strayed.It was the first time in my life that I felt someone really truly loved me, aside of my daughter.We took things slow and built a strong relationship and got married last July.In many ways, he saved my life and I will spend eternity trying to thank him.
 Well, that is a very condensed version, but I want you to know that no matter how bad things seem to be, there is ALWAYS HOPE!
 Stop beating yourself up, unless you have means to learn how to change your ways, how can you succeed? We have to learn a new way to handle our problems when what we are currently doing has failed us.Weight loss surgery is simply a tool to help us achieve a goal and if we just assume it will do all the work, we are destined to fail.
 If you want, please tell me more about you.How long were you married? Were you happy? Any kids? Religious? family or friend support?
 Because I have such great things in my life, I want to help others realize they can be the person they dream of. Am I an expert on health? Hell no, but I am happier than I have ever been because I welcomed change. If you can do that, your life will be better!

 Take care and hope to hear from you. You can email me directly at [email protected]
  Sincerely- Shelly