Shmoopy

I'm also a refried beans eater. I'll have a 1/2 cup with low fat shredded cheese and some fat free sour cream. Love 'em. So happy I can have them. The funniest thing, I looked at the nutrition value of the Fat Free and the Regular and honestly, there isn't TOO much of a difference. So I don't sweat it if the store doesn't have the Fat Free. The regular can is okay too.

Oh yeah, I know my self esteem is an issue. I kinda didn't want to make it one in my post, so I apologize for that. I just wanted to shed light on the ridiculousness we women have to deal with when it comes to body image etc. Overall, I think I look and feel great. I never thought I would be a size 10 again. My observation was, isn't it weird that I lost all that weight and yet I'm still "fat". So ironic. I know not all men are obsessed with weight etc when it comes to their women. I know I'll meet my Mr. Right (after dealing with a few Mr. Wrongs). I'm super frustrated with my spare tire that has gotten smaller but is still there. I'm so tired of the muffin top. haha.

I'm hoping someone else out there understands how I feel. Since my banding, I went from a size 18 to a size 10 (still have flab up top so maybe went from XLtop to L). Anyway...I'm feeling very good about being a size 10 jeans. I mean, I dont remember the last time I was a 10...I'm not kidding. I remember ten years ago when my sister got married I was a 14. So anyway, I've always had issues with self esteem. And I've been feeling good recently...taking care of myself and my looks. But still cannot get guys interested in me. And then I started thinking...ok so I might feel skinnier but in reality, I'm still "fat" by society's standards. You know? And I know, I shouldn't care about society, but it is weird, losing 70lbs and still being "fat." I dont think I'll ever be "thin", I'm just not built that way. But I wish I could feel better about myself. Anyone else?

I still think about food all the time too. I'm always "head hungry" but I try very hard to listen to my body and eat appropriate foods when I really am hungry. I miss Coke the most (the soda!). Also, someone else mentioned this...but I also have more facial hair than before the surgery. Luckily I'm light haired and light skinned to the hair is blonde...but I feel like it's a fuzzy forrest on my face. And my stomach area. Oh well. I doubt I'll lose 120 pounds by my one year anniversary (I'm at 7 months) BUt I congratulate you. and wish you the very best. We all lose at different levels and speeds. I'm just so happy that I got the surgery and that I've been this successful so far

Hey Tamra! What you are feeling is absolutely normal. I was totally freaked out the day of my surgery. (And the day before etc). And while there are some folks who maybe had a bad experience, I can tell you that there are THOUSANDS of people on this message board that had a successful, run of the mill procedure (I was barely in the OR for 35 minutes) and then went on to have a wonderful life with the band inside of us. Granted there may be bumps along the way, but we'll deal with those when we come with them. The matter at hand is your surgery date, and it's totally fine to be scared. But don't let it consume you, you know? Be brave. We've all done it (and here I am speaking for all of y'all) and probably would do it again in a heart beat. As for the folks who say you dont need to do this...Its hard to lose weight and keep it off. The band is a tool to help you take it off and KEEP IT OFF. For me, I'm amazed at how I'm not hungry after eating a small amount of food. But I gotta tell ya, it's really important to know when you (and your tummy) are really hungry, and when your head is hungry. Head hunger is the hardest thing for me to overcome (well that and giving up Coca-Cola. :mad: ) So if you can read the signs your body is giving you, you'll be all set. Eat for health and to keep your body moving. Not because a cheeseburger would taste good right about now. But I'm getting ahead of myself! You'll be fine. Please come back on and let us know how it went!! Congrats on starting this new journey!!

I need to get down there. I have a lot of 16 and 18 size pants/jeans I would like to try and sell instead of giving to Goodwill. I wish we could all get together and do a swap or something!!

Agreed! Boy did I think I was going to have to give up everything! And honestly...nope. I can still eat a wide variety of things...but in smaller portions. But bagels...I can tell you that we aren't friends!! haha. There are things you won't be able to eat because it'll get stuck and hurt. i.e. bagels. Also, I was told by my surgeon, very clearly, that I should expect to lose 40% of my excess weight (I've lost more than that). and she even told me that some people don't lose anything at all. I knew all the pros and cons before going in. My recovery after the surgery was painful. But its different for everyone. I guess I wish that someone told me how normal I would be after getting the surgery. It's less about being on a diet. And more about eating healthy and living with my band. I'm at 7cc's right now (Realize band) and I think my restriction is good. My weight loss has slowed, but its' still coming off. I can't go run and get another fill just because my weight loss has slowed. A lot of this is about perserverance and will power. Remember that. It's just a tool. It's not a magic wand!!

Sweetie, I'm going to say something that might sting, and I'm not saying this to be mean...but something is not adding up. And that usually means that's becuse something is missing. And that could be another woman? If he wont even TRY at counseling...c'mon!! I 100% understand that he is your world. I get it. I do!!! And this is what's going to make a separation/divorce even harder. You need to tell your family and friends. You need support. Do you see how he's worrying about himself, and doing what he wants to do? This is the first sign that he's not interested in helping you. So guess what? You have to help you!!! I know you want him to come home one days and say "hey you know what, I do love you, lets stay married." And could that happen? Sure. Anything can happen. But there's a very good chance that is not going to happen. So you need to be strong!!!!!!!!!! Do not beg him (I tried that. Didnt work). You are so young. You WILL get over him. I know that doesn't seem remotely plausible right now. But you will. The sooner you start, the sooner you'll stop crying and move on. It could take a while, I'm not going to lie. But it will happen. Focus on you!!

I was married only 8 months before I found out my husband was having an affair with his boss. Then I found out she was pregnant. And then I found out they were going to Disneyworld during the week of what would've been our first anniversary (and oh, btw, we went to Disneyworld on our honeymoon). I know EXACTLY what you are going through. And I have to be honest...it was not easy. And it was scary. I would suggest seeing a therapist immediately. Maybe go on some sort of anti-anxiety medication. I got really really really depressed. And every day it was a struggle to get out of bed. Set very tiny small goals for yourself, whether it is for losing weight or just simply going to work all day, and reward yourself. NOW is the time for you to care about you! I'm really really sorry. Even though it's been years for me, it's still hard. I never had an anniversary. And I too married my husband thinking I would be with him forever and I loved him so much. But he was not worth it. And over time you'll work through this. But please get help. Don't get so overwhelmed that you crack under the pressure. Please feel free to email me at shmoopy32@yahoo.com if you want to talk about it. I absolutely know how you feel. Its really corny and cliche but it's a marathon, not a race. And you just have to put one foot in front of the other, and EVENTUALLY, you will get over him. You need to mourn the loss of your husband and marriage. Don't beat yourself up. Please go talk to someone. It can only help!

Congratulations!! It's such a great feeling! Before you know it, those 14s will feel loose on you too!!

How exactly am I going to get myself into trouble? Are the Forum thugs going to come to my house and break my knees? All I was trying to say is, if you can't follow a strict diet now, how are you going to do it two years into your banding? I really am sorry if someone cannot handle my truthful, albeit hurtful words. I wasn't trying to make anyone cry, but this is real life, and I'm just giving real advice. Again, I wish everyone would let this go, but after getting almost "threatened" I don't appreciate it. I know what works for me and I've lost 63 pounds since June 22nd and I'm not drinking wine or eating desserts. Sorry!

I have to agree - you do look great!! I hope you feel great too. Congratulations!!!

Hey congrats!! You've made it this far, and yes, it has been rough. The most important thing is that you allow yourself to feel rotten for a few days. Even a couple of weeks. Don't rush anything. Your body has been through a lot. But you will feel like yourself again. We've all been there. Good luck and take care!! I'm sure we'll see you around the boards! :biggrin: