Bandora

I did my best to clear out as many processed food items as possible. I do keep canned tuna/chicken on hand as well as a few cans of tomatoes/canned sauce to use in a bind. I buy almonds weekly as a snack. In the fridge, I keep string cheese and some cottage cheese/yogurt for snacks. I buy a large container and split into my own portions to save money.We try to by fresh fruit/veggies weekly and try our best to eat what is in season to save $$. I use frozen veggies for smoothies if I cant afford fresh. I use frozen spinach a lot also. I use a protein powder and make all kinds of smoothies . Try to avoid all breads and refined sugars. No chips or crackers because they trigger me to eat more. I like to roll up deli meat/thin slices of provolone as a cheap " go- to " lunch.

I'm sorry that they are not being supportive and unfortunately you cant always "bring them to the other side" . As many have posted before, education and information is the best way to sway a negative opinion. If this doesn't work, they simply may never change their mind. You have to follow your surgeons recommendation as well as trust your gut feeling. Sometimes there is jealously and other issues that go deeper than the actual procedure. I wish you the best !

First of all , congrats on the 130 lb weight loss!. You just have to toughen up and do your best to ignore comments like that. Women can be such haters!!!

Sometimes friends and family are the ones that say the most hurtful things. Try your best to ignore it and keep on plugging along. You will continue to lose and look great. People will either be happy or say backhanded compliments. It really is true that looking good and feeling happy is the best revenge.

I always feel disappointed with my attempts to use artificial sweeteners etc...I just take 1-2 bites of real cake and enjoy it! I always taste a slight aftertaste etc.

First of all , do not hestitate to ask questions of your surgeon/staff. They have heard it all before and nothing should be off limits. 1. How much does your everyday life change after surgery? My daily routine didn't change much. More exercise and much more energy. I planned meals/snacks ahead of time so I didn't slip up. 2. I'm single. If I go to dinner on a first date, obviously I'm not going to divulge to the guy all about my lapband within the first 30 minutes of meeting him, so will my new eating habits come across as really strange? I met my boyfriend 2 weeks post-op. I eat slowly and do not think he noticed at first. I usually would ( and still do ) order a appetizer as my entree. People always box up large portions so it didn't seem so weird.

2 years post-op and I still am deciding on my overall style. I tend to stay with classic styles for work . After leaving the plus size world I was delighted to never see another bedazzled tunic or sparkly t-shirt. Some of the clothing found at Lane Bryant/Torrid/Catherines was expensive but looked cheap to me. My styles leans towards banana Republic/Ann Taylor and I can find deals that look comparable for 1/2 the price at places like H & M and Ross Do not get stuck dressing only in what is considered as " age appropriate". I am not saying dress like a 16 yr old girl, but be aware that many trendy styles can be adapted to a more mature woman without dipping into the old lady zone. A great fitting pair of jeans is a worth spending a few extra dollars. As mentioned previously, a good bra and/or Spanx is a godsend. Nothing constricting but a nice shapewear tank is amazing under clingy fabrics. Avoid skin tight clothing as well as oversized, You will have to spend sometime trying all various styles to see what flatters your body type. Also, do not be afraid of color. Also, from my observation some items that "frumpisize" a woman are : 1) The mid calf wide leg capris in pastel colors. Matched with a boxy capped sleeve t- this outfit screams old lady 2) High waisted jeans 3) Off the shoulder t's with animal print/floral tunics/anything with shells/shiny beading or sequins in the daytime 4) Twinsets /cardigans in matching colors 5) The wrong kind of floral prints One thing I did was spend a day by myself at the mall. I went and tried clothes all day and took pictures of myself in the dressing room. Try styles you would never have tried, especially for jeans. Focus on your best features. If you have amazing legs, try a shorter cut skirt. If you stick with neutrals try to add a color. There is no pressure to buy either. Your style will come in time. I look online constantly for ideas and try to adapt to my budget. Enjoy !!!!

I think it is old-fashioned courtesy to pay for your first dates. I appreciated it and of course the first date should be relatively casual. I have been with my boyfriend since one month post op ( June 2013) We met at a sports grill and kept dates simple ( movies, lunch)at first. As time progressed I would contribute to the bill. Most of the times he insisted on paying but I did not want to appear as if I expected it. My suggestion is to go on activity based dates where you may share an interest. For example- I love museums/galleries and art fairs so those are great options. Look at every date as a positive experience even if you don't connect in a romantic way. Getting out there taking a chance is a great confidence builder. It can be daunting to read all the profiles but you have to really devote sometime to it to see what you are looking for. I was open on age/weight/haircolor/religion etc..but my dealbreaker was someone that smokes. Just know where you are willing to compromise. Some of the best people are just not great writers and the profiles are not as catchy. Wishing you the best of luck!

Just continue to do research and read up on the surgery. Your surgeon is making a decision based on you and your medical history. You should be confident that he is making the right decision. All surgery comes with potential risks but going into it informed as possible is the best. Good luck to you!

I am frustrated when people only talk to me about weight loss. My hobbies and interests are the same now as they were before. I am not a food cop and I do not care if someone is eating healthy 24/7. I get irritated when people think I am judging them.

I think that is completely normal. In some clothing stores I feel like I am an imposter. I am not at my goal but I am close. I definitely fit in regular sizes. Sometimes I feel the salesclerk will " catch" me and advise me " we do not carry your size". I do not know where this paranoia comes from.

Wow- what a disappointing list. When we have canned food /non-perishable drives at work we have a set list of items acceptable for donation. Candy is excluded as are any frozen items. I am not sure what part of the country you are in but in my state ( Arizona) you can sometimes find farmers markets or produce markets that sell for example 60lbs of veggies/fruit for 10$. Sometimes I split with a friend to make sure the fruits don't spoil. I freeze a lot of soups/stews when I needed to save a dollar too. Good luck to you!

I would have to say besides the obvious liquid calories ( soda, sweet tea etc) mine would be salad. I assumed veggies were healthy and I loaded mine up with cheese, ham, bacon bits, croutons and topped it off with ladle of ranch. Because I picked up salad from a salad bar I would also do a scoop of full fat cottage cheese or potato/pasta salad. If it fit in the Styrofoam container I guessed this was a serving. WOW! Also, in the 90's I ate way to many carbs. Remember Susan Powter? I was eating volume and loading up on all the refined carbs because they were low fat.

I have been in the same boat. Sadly, you cant figure out the reason people sometimes change. I am sure your success somehow makes her more aware of her insecurities. Anyway, it is painful to lose a friend and I am sorry you are hurting. Congrats on the weight loss!. I would just focus on other friends and activities and don't try to analyze. Hopefully she will come around. It does make me sad to see women who don't support other women. I get tired of my weight being the sole topic with some friends. I DO like the same hobbies etc...I am just smaller.

I like Pure Protein strawberry or Blueberry ( 19-20g and 190-200 cals.) I can get these on sale for 10 for $10 at my local Fry's Grocery( same as Kroger stores for those who have Kroger). They are good in a bind when I may have forgot to pack a snack or if I cannot leave work for some reason. I am not a fan of chocolate or Peanut Butter flavors, but that is just me

Sometimes you just have to remind yourself to take it day by day. If you focus on a weight loss goal so far away it can seem overwhelming. Each day is one step closer to a healthier you. With that new found health you will physically feel better which can make you feel mentally healthy. Problems don't magically disappear with the weight loss, but you have to focus on your baby steps. Your mini- goals( exercise, smaller clothes, losing the meds....) are just as important along the way. Therapy was not for me...I am very aware why I gained in the first place, but the right therapist can work wonders for some. Take care of yourself and the best of luck to you!

Always remember ...tomorrow is another day! We all slip and feel frustration. Take it one day at time and always remind yourself of the 40lbs you have lost. Good luck !

Pictures have been motivation for me over the last 2 years. I was hardly in any photos due to my size. I would always hide in the back of a group pic OR headshots only. Just recently my co-workers sent me some pics from a company event in 2012 and I was shocked at how giant I was. Literally teared up. I encourage you to take some full body shots, or in something like a swimsuit. When you ever feel stalled or depressed....take a peek. I can honestly say I don't miss the old me....I remember how " she" felt. Good luck to you! ( I also saved one pair of jeans as a reminder)

I enjoyed slices of avocado, and pistachios.

Baba Ghanoush is amazing! I would not add much garlic though to start. Eggplant can cause gas in some people

The Cabbage Diet was the absolute worst

I have been in a serious relationship since the month of my surgery ( June 2013)so I am not dating. But.......... I would have to say that when I entered " Onederland" I began to be approached regularly by men. Now, I am in my 40's so I am not out dancing or clubbing ( ha ha) but I noticed that fellow grocery shoppers make small talk with me and also men at places like the mall, car wash and even at the medical complex where my dentist is located. Men talked to me when I was bigger but sadly I didn't seem to attract quality men. I think some feel an overweight woman is a doormat. Just a general statement. Some men I felt were looking for a big woman to take advantage of. Stay positive! You will meet that person when you least expect it.

The frumpiness factor of most plus size clothes irritated me ( excluding high end items I could not afford) The standard uniform seems to be boxy wide-legged capris that flatter no one. Top this off with an equally boxy t-shirt wth cap sleeves. By wearing this outfit you instantly add 15 more pounds. I am grateful every day that my options in clothing have expanded.

Maybe hitting a drive through & and ordering 2 meals.( One for the car ride home and one when I got home) Its sad. Apparently I would assume the calories consumed in my car did not " count ".

I would take her aside and ask her why she is so obsessed with you. I would ask her point blank if she looking for more information on the procedure or is she just being nosy. I think it is a combination of curiousity & jealousy. Give her a referral and just ask her to respect the workplace and not discuss anymore. The plastic surgery comments are out of line as that is not appropriate in any workplace. Good luck !