bbbanded

When I started I wasn't wearing jeans because my 24s no longer fit and I refused to venture any further than that. Now I'm in baggy size 12 jeans, from F21 of all places. But I don't understand it. Obviously the way weight loss works is you lose weight and clothes fit differently yadda yadda but, it's just so weird to me. I guess it's an nsv in a way right? I don't feel like I should be in anyones 12 much less them be baggy. What am I to do when the 12 is too big??? It's a great feeling to know that I fit into clothes or that I don't for a good reason. But I still don't feel like I belong in the "skinny:" side. I still have that feeling that an associate will come up to me and point me towards the plus sized section. Mental weight loss is a real b***h!

During my initial meeting with the doctor he asked if I was a volume eater or a sweet eater, and being the type who hates to waste food, I would always have to finish what was on my plate. Volume equaled lap band, sweets equaled gastric bypass. I guess with the dumping syndrome from eating sweets, where small amounts of food with the band would suffice for me.

My mom obviously knew, my siblings found out when I came home. I sent a picture to my then boyfriend, and my two best friends found out when I couldn't stop holding my stomach while laughing. And that's all that needed to know. Because of the reactions I get at work from people having seen my weight loss progress I wouldn't dare tell anyone there. The amount of watching my intake would increase even more I told my roommate because she'd likely wonder why my eating habits are so weird. I haven't told my now boyfriend, with ms I think I've dumped enough on him for a few months time, and extended family knows. I'm not the proudest that I had to end up having the procedure, I guess, so it's not something I like to broadcast. Overall though, I haven't received any negative reactions to my face anyway.

My doctor told me to wait 30 minutes after I eat to drink anything. He, nor my nutritionist, ever said anything about before. For that I drink what I feel I need before I eat. I'm even at a place where if the food I'm eating is too spicy to not eat without drinking something I don't eat it. When I was newly banded I tried helping my food down by taking a huge gulp, horrible idea almost embarrassed myself in a restraunt. I say after don't drink it's just gluten for punishment, but surely drink before you eat.

I told people I had just cut out all fast food and started eating primarily protein and greens, drinking tons of water and exercising 3-4 days a week for an hour and change, which is all true, there's just a bit of extra help . But as I've reached almost -120 lbs that explanation isn't working on everyone so much anymore.

I love the Atkins protein shakes, they're in my grocery store, and they can be found at Sam's Club. 11 oz, I believe 15 gr of protein and 1 gr sugar. Many flavors, yum!

Don't deprive yourself because you'll break and binge. Be honest and eat sparingly. It helps to record what you consume in an app. I think, anyway. Good luck and don't let the season get to ya! Also 6 weeks is soon for solids, even melty ones like chocolate, be careful!

It is very expensive, I went through insurance and it's still very expensive for me. When I look at where I was and where I am now, I feel it was very worth it. I was down 90 lbs by 10-11 months. I'm now down 115 lbs and I'm 18 months out, just did the math wow! I have about 50 lbs until ultimate goal. They say the average patient loses 40% of their excess body weight, I guess I beat the odds but there are people who don't lose so much. I definitely agree with Mis73 about doing real research. Maybe even get opinions from two surgeons in the event that one seems to want to sell you a band at any cost.

Not nearly as much as I should. Old habits die very hard I guess. While my eating has gone from 100% before the band to maybe 30% that liquid and Protein intake I should be working on is minimal. I could tell you how much I should have though, if that counts for anything.