trs893

Hello all, I know that with all of our busy life schedules and all that it's normal to feel tired at the end of a long day, or when we don't get enough sleep, etc., but are there people here who just NEVER feel rested? I'm a teenager--and I do have to admit that I'm stressed out a lot because of the workload in school, but other than that I'm healthy (now that I've lost the weight . It's just that no matter what--whether I've slept 10 hours or 3 hours, or I've taken a nap or not, I'm just always exhausted. And I mean, like ALWAYS. I have sleep apnea, but sleep with a machine, so I don't even know if I can blame it on that. Could it be some sort of lack of nourishment from not eating all that much? I have no idea if it's connected, because I'll feel sick whether it's been 7 hours since my last meal or 2 hours, so... Again, what I feel is not just a little sluggish, it's sometimes full on not being able to walk straight or see straight, even after a full night's sleep. Just thought I'd put it out there. Thanks! --TRS

Great job! Enjoy your success--it was YOUR hard work and effort Good luck, --TRS

Yay!!! You must feel GREAT. Congrats, and keep up the awesome work! Good luck, --TRS

Michelle, Congrats on your mom! It's no wonder she'd want to have this down after seeing all your success... January 16th is my one-year-bandiversary, so I'll be thinking about her on that day. I only hope that in one year she'll love it as much as I do now, after almost an entire year. Good luck, --TRS

Hello all, just wanted to remind everyone who watches the show that the season premiere is on Tuesday!!! I can't wait! I think this season will be better than last season--I watched some previews that they have on nbc.com and I was already crying... Keep up the good work everybody! --TRS

Heyy I'm 15 years old, and I was banded January 08. It's been quite the journey, not at all easy, but completely worth it. I also started out as a 3x, and I wore a 24w skirt. I lost 70 lbs. between January and June, and not that many people noticed (or if they did, they didn't say anything). Actually toward the end, like the last few wks. of school, people started to tell me that I looked good--not suspecting a thing. I proceeded to work hard and lose 31 lbs. over the summer. When I went back to school in September (after not seeing ppl. for 12 wks.), everyone went crazy. They were all so excited to see me, and told me how amazing I looked, etc. It was really fun. All of my friends from school know that I'm making a conscious effort to lose weight--they just think I'm on a strict diet, because that's what I told them. That's true, though. I just didn't tell them about the band. It's much easier now that my friends are openly encouraging me to work hard. In the beginning, I could not understand why I couldn't tell anybody about the surgery. I eventually told two of my friends, and I was extremely disappointed with their reactions. They weren't disappointed with me or anything, it's just that they didn't have the reaction that I was expecting them to have. They just couldn't grasp the concept of the surgery, and I guess I understand why. These were both smaller girls who have never dealt with being fat like I was. So I could see why you would not want to tell your friends. I've managed to lose 120-something pounds without having people figure my secret out. I totally support you, and I think that you should do this. You will have to work hard, but it all pays off. I feel the best that I ever have (in my 15 years of life ), and cannot even believe that I was once as big as I was. I wish you luck, and please: don't hesitate to ask any questions. I'm always here. --TRS

Taylor, Firstly, congratulations on your decision to be banded. It takes a lot of courage, especially at such a young age, to take such a big step in your life. Just to let you know, I was 14 at the time of my surgery (I'm now 15). It is undoubtedly the BEST thing I've ever done. It's also genetic in my case. I have only told 2 friends--and I have to admit that I didn't quite get the response I was expecting (I don't think that either really grasped the concept of the Lap Band). I'm sorry to hear that your sister isn't really on your side in this case--but remember: you're doing this for you! There are always gonna be people who totally disagree with weight loss surgery. Plus, you have your parents on your side, to support you right on through. I know what an amazing thing it is to have the opportunity to change your life while still a teenager. It's worth it, and you can do it--if you try hard. I wish you luck, and just want to let you know that if you have any questions, you should not hesitate to ask. Good luck, --TRS

Wow--congratulations. You are well on your way to a healthier you. Feel proud and good luck! --TRS

Just wondering (you definitely don't have to give this information out) but where do you live? I'm also a teenager (and was banded 10 mos. ago), so I can relate. --T

Hello all, Not quite at a year anniversary, but 10 months is still pretty big. From a size 24w to a regular 10/12; from morbidly obese (297) to just overweight (175); from having no energy at all to being able to run and do what I want to; from eating so unhealthily to actually caring about what goes into my mouth--it's all so amazing. Not to say that the last 10 mos. haven't been difficult, but it's all worth it. Thanks to the forum for all its help, and for everyone who inspires me. --TRS

Hooray! This is so exciting! You're a beautiful person, and you have much to be proud of. --TRS

HOORAY!!!!! you look FANTASTIC!!! It must feel great too... Keep up the good work! --TRS

wow--these are great! hope these keep you motivated--they're inspiring! --TRS

You look great!!!!! Keep it up! --TRS

Hooray! This is a GREAT accomplishment--you must feel so good about yourself. Makes it all worth it, no? Keep going! --TRS

KatyG, This is such a nice post to read. The transformations people go through when losing weight are amazing--you are no exception. Thanks for sharing this story--it's very inspirational! Good luck on the rest of your journey! --TRS

WOW!!!!!! You look AMAZING!!!! Totally different from the beginning Keep up the great work--you're an inspiration! --TRS

Darlene, You are making the first step to helping yourself. I commend you for your bravery to admit and express your innermost feelings so that you can truly get help. My mother always tells me: Hindsight is 20/20. Whenever we look back at specific events, occurrences, or even life itself, we are often filled with doubt about everything that happened, and wonder what we could've done differently to change the bad things that came about. But that won't help--it was the PAST. At the time, there was a reason for everything that was going on, and those details seem to always be hidden from our memories. From the beginning of time, people have been living for the future--not dwelling on the past. Do you think that we could be as technologically and medically (lapband ) advanced had scientists and inventors not thought about what COULD be in the future, and not just think about the past? I often think about the "wrong" things that I've done in life--and guess what--many of them are because I was fat. Because I was in such a pissy mood that I snapped at people, or have done much worse. My personality has changed now, no doubt. There's no way I can go around now and apologize to everyone individually, so I've taken on a sort of "general repentance" thing--losing weight. I figure if I can change myself through losing weight then I'm sort of fixing the problems that I caused when I was fat. Darlene, you possess the very strength to turn yourself around--you already have. You are traveling down the right road, and at the end lies a happy and healthier you. You can picture this as starting over, if you so desire. You can create a future that may have never been possible without the tools you now posses. I wish you luck, and offer my help in anything else for which you might need it. --TRS

cckcsharp and everyone else, sorry--I just saw this post. I'm so glad you enjoyed this! I just had them for dinner tonight--still delicious! something simple to make, yet it tastes good--i think i'll be eating them for a while... --TRS

HOORAY! Before you know it you'll be needing those smalls..... --TRS

WOW! You look SO different from that first picture--no doubt you FEEL a lot different too... You're so pretty. Good job and good luck on the rest of your journey! --TRS

Hooray--these are great! You must feel so good and accomplished. Keep on working hard and continue to be an inspiration! --TRS

Hello, I've been doing Atkins since my surgery, and it's thankfully been working out WONDERFULLY! As of now I've been keeping under 20 carbs a day. For my sweet cravings, I eat sugar free Reeses and caramel filled Hershey squares--it's amazing! And for just five pieces of either kind is just 2 carbs. I also love the York peppermint patties--just 1 carb for 3 of them. Also, my favorite food at this point (not really sure if you're interested in this kind of stuff ) is "cheese chips". I just take shredded cheddar (motzarella works also) and put it on non-stick foil in circles (like make a thin pile of the cheese) and bake it in the oven for like 8-10 min. They come out DELICIOUS and they're super low carb. I usually spread some butter or Smart Balance on the chips and it tastes great! If you need any other suggestions just ask. Good luck! --TRS

WOW!!!!!!!! You look AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! Isn't all that hard work worth it? Keep it up! --TRS

Denise, That is AMAZING!!!!!!! You look so different! You are so pretty--and you're such an inspiration. Keep up the great work! --TRS