MrsCabes

Sweetie - I know it's scary but I promise, we all went through this stage! This is a HUGE change of lifestyle - there are certain things that you might not be able to eat, but - you'll soon learn that you won't miss them all that much. I can still eat bread - not a lot of it and only later in the day. Not everyone's band/body is the same! HANG IN THERE - it will get better! I'm a year out, I've lost 94 pounds and I have ZERO regrets about getting the band. You'll be in that category too! You're in the tough stage right now!

Around Fill #5, I had perfect restriction.

Fills are not scary, I promise!!!! They're just a part of the band - and part of the progressing stage. There are many stages in this process and one of those involves "losing" your old self too. MOST people (the majority of people) need fills - I really believe that those without fills are just really good at tricking themselves mentally.

I've had both too - it just depends. But, you always know - there's never any confusion, believe me! LOL

Aw, congrats! By far, the best feeling ever - when your jeans are too big, falling off and you need to get a size smaller...often!

I have mixed feelings about this - I "understand" why people ASSUME that it's the "easy way out". They think we just woke up one morning and said, "Oh, damn, I'm fat. I should get surgery so that I don't have to diet." The truth is - I've been battling my weight since I've been 9. Dieting since the age of 12 - yo-yo-ing for years and years and dieting just wasn't helping anymore. But, do they know any of that? No. They just ASSUME that I'm a fat, lazy person with no motivation. However, they don't know me and therefore, I don't CARE what they think of me. They can think it's the easy way out but guess what? I'll still be thin and healthy @ the end.

Well - I'm not as nice as most of you. LOL I'd say something like, "Well, at least I won't look like a deflated balloon when I'm finished losing weight."

To the OP - it sounds like you are in an amazing period in your life. Standing taller and smiling are all parts of confidence, NOT cockiness or ego! Some people, just can't handle success for someone else, if they are happy. Keep doing what you're doing - pray and work for those that ARE inspired by you and those others, well, they'll have to find another way to feel better about themselves! (and it WON'T be by bashing you!) Also - bottom line, you do not have to make excuses or plead guilt about surgery - it's a path that you chose. You don't owe anyone anything - no explanations, no backstory, nothing! Good luck to you - you sound like a fabulous inspirational story!

I'm 13 months out - I eat about a cup of food at a time, about every 4-5 hours.

It's hit or miss with me - some days I could eat a burger (never the whole burger...1/4) with the bread and other days,no. I'm very lucky with my band and it's reactions to food - most of the time soft bread is a no (especially before 5), dry meat = no (as long as it's moist, anything goes) and I have an issue with green peppers.

Personally, I haven't experienced this - and I'm sorry that you have. However, we also need to be careful that we ARE staying true to ourselves - it's easy to, instead of becoming CONFIDENT, we become cocky. There is a fine line and people will pick up on it. My SIL had weight loss surgery and changed so much. She would probably argue that she didn't but - she has. (proof being that my BIL and SIL are getting divorced!)

I know that this isn't going to seem very helpful but...you just have to be patient. I didn't hit good restriction until about my 5th fill. <--and, that seems to be the average. Hang in there. You WILL hit your sweet spot and you'll understand why the band is so great. I promise!

Yes! I'm eating lunch right now - Chipotle bowl...and it will last me 4 meals!