Spinoff of what have you lost Thread-Tell me what you've gained!

[mominkansas 2]

* Self confidence

*size 8's and mediums in my closet

*a healthier eating habit

*A membership to the gym

* an appreciation of what I eat

* a more confident walk

*The ability to hold my head high

*Self respect

[Cocoabean 430]

The ability to blend into a room and not stick out.

Size 10s in my closet...a couple of size 8s.

Normal blood sugar.

Normal blood pressure.

Better cholesterol.

Cheek bones that show.

Collar bones that show.

Fun on Lap-Band Talk.

I don't obsess about food. I love it, but don't panice about my next meal.

More energy.

Self-esteem.

Shopping in Missy sizes!!

Self-confidence.

Better eating habits.

A wedding ring that was too small is now too big.

Portion Control.< /p>

Confidence to eat what I want without fear that others will think, "she shouldn't be eating that!"

Confidence to ask questions of waiters about how foods are prepared and ask for special orders.

Less pain in my feet.

No more food policing by the DH.

[Cocoabean 430]

Oh yeah, and don't forget the "Bat Wings!" :thumbdown:

[faithgirl2 0]

coco I want all u have gained ..do you have a blog? I would love to hear about your journey!!!! I just started my journey, I have had great success so far with one small set back my port had to be taken out today because of infection:sad:. But all the good i have gained, I would do this all over again:thumbup: no more stomach meds,or diabites meds,down 27 lbs... I was banded on Jan 12

Jean

[Cocoabean 430]

coco I want all u have gained ..do you have a blog? I would love to hear about your journey!!!! I just started my journey, I have had great success so far with one small set back my port had to be taken out today because of infection:sad:. But all the good i have gained, I would do this all over again:thumbup: no more stomach meds,or diabites meds,down 27 lbs... I was banded on Jan 12

Jean

Hi Faithgirl!

You are doing awesome!! Keep up the good work!!! There is a plan to put your port back, right??

Sorry, I don't have a blog. I post here and on thinnertimes.com -- but mostly here.

It has been an interesting two years. Monday is my 2nd Bandiversary! The changes have been gradual. I lost the majority of the weight over the first year and a few months. Since then, I have gradually lost a few more pounds.

I am seeing my primary care doc on Tuesday to get some blood work done to make sure I am still normal blood sugar! :thumbup: It's been a while since I had it checked.

I think self-confidence comes as a result of the weight loss or perhaps the procedure itself. You feel better about yourself because you have taken positive action toward being healthier. Because you have self-respect, people pick up on that and react to you differently.

Personal experience speaking here...as my weight went down, I felt less self-conscious when in a group of people. Then I discovered I was not always the largest woman in the room. That was a great feeling, and a boost to my confidence. Not being the largest person around, I no longer felt like people were looking at what I was eating or what was in my shopping cart and judging me.

Each victory changes you a little bit. I have prayed for the changes to be positive and make me a better person.

These changes haven't affected any of my personal relationships. DH and I are still going strong, and my best friends pre-band are still my best friends. I was fortunate that none of my friends were "eating buddies." I'd think perhaps WLS could put a strain on a relationship that had a lot of emphasis on food.

My DH often acted as my food police pre-banding. In fact it was sometimes an issue in our relationship. He is now my biggest cheerleader. He reminds me to chew, chew, chew, and cheers when I burp like a sailor. When I get stuck on something and am calling myself stupid he politely leaves me alone to deal with it. When the episode is over he'll ask if all is ok.

I have tried to make my band program as close to my previous life as I could in hopes that I create habits that would be easy to maintain. Knowing my former attempts at "dieting" failed because they required lifestyle changes I could not live with, I approached banded life with a different attitude. Not that we have a whole lot of choice in some of the changes!! I am more active than previously, but not as muh as I should be. (she says with a red face) This probably explains why my ticker still says 14 pounds to go after two years. But I am very pleased with where I am at right now based on all of the things I posted up thread.

My food choices prior to banding were not that unhealthful, just huge portions. With some junk food Snacks thrown in. So, I have gotten rid of the junk food, except for the rare occasion, and I use the band for Portion Control. When I do consume a "bad for me treat" it is in a small package so I do not brainlessly over-do it.

I haven't had any complications. Most of my stuck episodes have been operator error, and they are getting fewer and farther apart.

It does get frustrating when I go to a restaurant and the first bite gets stuck, and I can't finish my meal.

Ok, enough rambling!! :thumbdown: