femme35mm

I know exactly what you're talking about. I'm definitely in love with spicy food, but I'm trying to cook with foods that'll be healthy and naturally add flavor, instead of packing on sauces. Sometimes it's hard not to see food as the enemy when you choke or it gets stuck... but it always has so many surprises and ways to enjoy it without old, unhealthy habits.

I wanted to keep it a secret from some of my more abrasive family members, because now that they know I have it, all they have to say to me are negative things. Like at Thanksgiving, they made the entire discussion about how I was an idiot to get a surgery for weight loss if they only expect you to lose 1 Ib or 2 Ibs a week. And another time, someone who used to be a trusted friend became angry at me when I wouldn't let them borrow money, and told people in my company that I constantly had to go to the doctor to "have my band fixed" because I gorged myself on fast food and ate so much I threw up all the time. It just made me angry that I was trying so hard and am halfway to my goal, yet people always feel the need to attack me on my weight, since it's definitely a constant struggle. And no, I've never had to have my band fixed. I'm just careful who I tell.

It's definitely a great idea to practice!!! I've had the surgery since June last year and I still have to remind myself to chew. The quality of eating is a HUGE difference, though. With small bites, you don't feel like you'll get sick or anything. Big bites can make it hard to breathe. It's so odd going on dates and having to chew the tiniest bites! I think sometimes it can be more enjoyable though, once it isn't so annoying... this sounds weird but I read once in this Buddhism book about how people are never really mindful of what they are eating. They don't pay attention to the different flavors, or the textures, or even how their food really looks. People just turn on the TV and eat, and we have two different types of food, "good" and "bad". So try making eating a little more special, not a chore, but a time for being by yourself (not the TV or the phone or a book or anything else) or just spending time with your family. And get to know what you're eating. It's almost like meditation except a little yummier. >.<

THAT'S WONDERFUL!!!! Congrats! I know you'll do awesome!!!!

I'm really glad I was able to find this website. I had the lapband surgery in June of 2007, and I've lost a little over 40 Ibs. I know I would have lost more, but I've had several road blocks in the way. My main thing is exercise - I really don't do enough of it. I still struggle a lot with small bites and chewing, and I find myself drinking Water when I eat, because sometimes things get caught. I once choked on a piece of broccoli at a restaurant, my very first bite, and I had had my surgery for six months. I think they had it tightened to one of the tightest it can be, though. I also went through a tough break up from a long relationship literally the first week after surgery, which I think put me back some, but I don't want to use that as an excuse anymore... I had my surgery with Dr. Kent in Brunswick, GA, with my health insurance is federal blue cross blue shield, which covered a lot of it. My Grandfather died at the age of 57 after being married for over 35 years from health conditions related to morbid obesity and smoking, and they weren't able to do a weight loss surgery on him because it had been too late. His heart was so bad at that point, that he severely risked dying in or after the surgery. And I've tried many, many diets, because my family is a little diet obsessive to the max. They even had a doctor prescribe me phentermine at the age of 14-15, and it landed me in the hospital. I know they can be negative, but they are so scared I'll end up like my Grandfather. We've done a lot of sessions to work through that, so that they are positive influences, and focus on my successes instead of pointing out everything I haven't accomplished yet. I've really enjoyed reading through these forums. =) I think they'll definitely help me when I have stumbles. My end goal weight is 145 Ibs. I never want to be super thin, just healthier.