So I have the lapband and my mom has the sleeve. I received my band roughly a month before she had her sleeve surgery. Considering the circumstaces we have both acheived splinded results. However, I am envious of how far she has come in her journey. She has gone from wearing a size 22-24W to a skinny size 8. I have gone from a size 20-22W to a size 12. Keep in mind that this is roughly 8 months post-op. I just wish I could have lost weight as quickly as she has. I have lost 70 pounds at this point and still have about 60 pounds to go until I hit my goal. I'm trying my best to be happy for her and I always celebrate her victories with her. I'm so proud of her, it's just that I just wish it was me...
Although I am happy for myself too. I've never been this small in my entire life. I've always been a bit of a butterball. I'm starting to realize that the "skinny life" is so much different from my old life. It's really weird. I'm now cold ALL THE TIME!!! Back in the day I was often know to go outside in just jeans and a t-shirt (in the snow, mind you) and just comfortably chill. Now I have to wear three shirts, a sweater, gloves, a scarf, and a hat... and I'm STILL cold. My bones aren't as well cushened as before, which is making it uncomfortable to sleep. My knees poke at eachother if I try sleeping on my side and my elbow keeps poking me in the ribs. Who knew being 70 lbs lighter could be so uncomfortable. I also find that I'm not as clumsy as I used to be. I don't bang into door entries anymore. I also don't trip over my own feet as often. My shoe size has also shrunk quite a bit. I used to wear a size 10W shoe now I'm at an 8 1/2. Weird...
People treat me differently too.
I don't know what it is about being fat, but I'm used to people avoiding me. If I was to sit in an empty auditorium back when I weight 262 lbs no one would sit next to me. In fact the entire auditorium would fill up and the only seats that would be empty would be the ones right next to me. You would think that I smelled bad or had some horrible contagious disease. Now however things are different. People talk to me and they don't even know me. Guys shamelessly hit on me in front of my fiance. Hell, I'm just shocked that guys are actually hitting on me!
Unlike some people, I am very open about my surgery. If anyone asks, I will honestly tell them how I lost weight. It's even all over my facebook page. I'm not embarressed and I'm not ashamed. This is the first time I've actually succeeded at weight-loss. I'm very proud of myself. I have not finished my journey, but I have accomplished many goals that I never have before. This is the first time I've been below 200 lbs since I was in Jr. High. I never thought I would be able to say that. My next goal is to be able to say I've lost 100 lbs and not be lying.
