herestolosingit

Hi Toddy,
I also had surgery on January 31st. My first fill is scheduled for next week. I don't have any restriction which I hate. We had a family emergency two weeks ago and I had to go out of town for 4 days - eating every meal out. I gained back 4 lbs. that I had lost since surgery. That was very upsetting and I have been beating myself up over it and finally chose to get back on track also. I completely judge myself and am ashamed that I have only lost 3 lbs. since surgery 4 weeks ago - it could have been 7 lbs.!!! Anyway, I rarely ever drink, so can't help you there. I have kept my surgery a complete secret from everyone too, except my daughter and out of state cousin. I took 4 "vacation" days off work - no one has a clue, not even my best friend, not my father, not my brothers. I have always eaten soooooo slow, so the family and friends are used to it. Guess they will be grateful when we all finish eating at the same time and probably won't notice I didn't eat hardly anything - once I start feeling restriction. So, to answer your question (how do you act normal around a bunch of friends, none of whom know you've had WLS??) - I started talking about trying to lose weight a few months ago when I stopped drinking sweet tea, diet coke, and started working on the pre-op plan to lose 20 lbs. So, everyone just thinks I am on a diet. The good/bad thing about lap bands is that the weight loss is gradual, so being on a diet along with the 1-2 lbs. we are supposed to lose each week will make sense to everyone else. I have already started talking about portion control as well, in preparation for outings in which I only eat a small amount. Perhaps you can do the same and also mention you are trying to eat slower so you can feel full faster. I just can't wait for my first fill so I can walk the walk and talk the talk. Good luck and keep in touch - we are lap band buddies! We can help hold each other accountable and support each other since we are in this "secret" together from Day One!

If you dont want your friends to know about the WLS, just be on a 'diet' and have wine spritzers ( or whatever u call them in the US) red or white wine mixed with soda water just let it stand for a short while to let the bubbles die down or add some ice which will kill the fizzy if u cant drink gassy drinks. The bandwagon is a slow moving truck so just jump back on it .. Have a great weekend !

I haven't had that experience. Go on the Jan. bandsters site. Everyone's pretty positive so far.

I haven't had that experience. Go on the Jan. bandsters site. Everyone's pretty positive so far.

Go to the success stories forum and read some of those posts! The pre-op and post-op forums are often filled with stories of surgery pain, fears, questions on eating, being stuck, not enough restriction, etc. It's all just part of the process in the beginning phases of this journey. Once you get out a few months and get in the groove, things pick up and you start living life and not focusing on food so much. It just takes time!