koolkel

I have lost 50 pounds and unless I look at a side by side before and after pic I dont see that much of a difference. I can tell in my face and hands and i have gone down 2 sizes but the pictures are what reassures me. It's really quite amazing. If you haven't put a before and after pic together, do it. It's not too late. Even if you dont have an old pic take one today and look at it next to a pic a month from now.

I couldn't agree more about using pictures to see a difference, that is really the only time I can see the difference in myself. I am two years out and almost 90 lbs down and I still see the old me in the mirror, hopefully one day we will see what everyone else sees when they look at us. I also agree to use the way your clothes fit and the sizes that are changing. Good luck on you journey and get to taking pictures!!

I think most of us have trouble seeing the truth in the mirror...whether it's that we are smaller...or larger. It's almost always in pictures that you see the reality...be it the horror of just how fat we've gotten, or..oh wow...look how much smaller I've gotten.
Oh and by the way...I've lost 65 lbs. and have gone down a couple of sizes in my clothes but only one size down in underwear. And even those sizes are dependent on the manufacturer. I try to not pay too much attention to the size as long as it's smaller than it was at the start of my journey.
People are giving me lots of compliments because the weight loss is very noticeable now, but I have to remind myself that I'm still fat...just not as fat. I have to lose another 50 lbs. at least. And a picture taken of me last week proves it. I saw the picture and said to myself...easy does it girl...you're still a fat woman and don't you forget it.

Well hopefully that person in the Mirror NEVER changes!! Your Beautiful!!
The mind takes longer to catch-up with the body when you've lost weight because you still see the same person looking back at you. It will happen it will just take time..... 40 Lbs is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! Congrats!! and continued success.

I was banded on 2/19/13 and I've lost 40lbs so far. Before banding, I thought 40lbs was a LOT of weight. I thought 40lbs would be a couple sizes in clothes. I thought 40lbs would be a lean body frame. I thought 40lbs would be shorts and dresses.
The thing is--- when I look into the mirror, I don't see a woman who weighs 40lbs less. I see the same person I have seen for years.
My face has thinned out, I can see that, but my body looks the same( even my boobs stayed the same
I am 5'8" and have a true hourglass shape. So I gain all-over and apparently lose all-over.
At what weight loss point did you start to see the changes? Will I always see the "big-boned, thick girl" when I look in the mirror?

Perhaps the one with the longer piece of tape?
It's the longest incision and usually the one that causes some discomfort. I was banded on 2/19/13 and its hard to believe how all of that discomfort went away. It takes time, it takes walking and it takes healing. My port incision and the port itself were sore for a good 2 months. Not horrible, just achy and sensitive.
Good Luck!

So excited to experience my first slime...lol. Just had band on 5/24... solid food doesn't soun so good anymore...

PB and slime. Try eating slower at first.

happen to me all the time when i eat fast or to much

I have the same thing, usually when I eat bread, tortilla etc. I asked my doctor about it. He said its called sliming and not to worry. It's just we are eating too much, too fast, too big of a bite etc.. So the food gets stuck and the natural reaction is a thick saliva tries to go to the pouch to help digestion. The problem is there is no room so it usually comes up. When it happens to me it's just feels like I cant swallow until a few slimed come up, then I'm fine. I just hope this doesn't cause slippage. I have this probably once a week at least. I'm in the green zone also.

Sliming and PBing. imo

I've decided the only way I'm going to be successful in the long run is if people understand why I'm going to refuse certain foods and order small meals at restaurants. I'm afraid if I go into this with a mindset of being ashamed it won't be long before I'm succumbing to some kind of temptation and justifying it to myself with the excuse of "I don't want people to suspect." As of right now if someone asks specifically why I'm going to miss a week of work when I never miss work I will say I'm having surgery if they ask what for I'll tell them the truth I'm getting lap band to treat my diabetes and high blood pressure.
I've always been a social eater and I'll admit I actually look forward to being able to respond when offered food "I can't have anymore, my stomach was altered and I'm full"
All that being said it was a personal choice I'd encourage you to do whatever you're confident will help you on your journey.

I just had my second fill a week ago and I don't feel a difference yet. I'm still fighting hunger most of the day and I haven't lost anymore weight. I just moved and the stress of that was extreme. My meals were not so regulated and planned so I'm thinking the lack of loss is my fault. I hate getting fills because this last one hurt like a mofo.... but I guess I have to keep working toward that sweet spot .

I think I waited about a week...

Before lap band and current pix..I'm down 70 lbs

I have the same thing going on. I just left my doctor's office and she said that is a sure sign that I've eaten too much.

Well..honestly...yes. There are rules even with the band. You will always have to make good food choices, stick to band sized portions, and change your entire way of dealing with food. You have to be committed to change and right now that means sticking to your liquid pre op diet.
But right now, your concern should be whether you'll be able to have the surgery. Not to scare you, but the pre op diet is to shrink your liver. When they do the surgery they have to be able to move around your liver. In obese people the liver is very enlarged and fatty. The doctors put you on this liquid diet to shrink your liver so it's safe to do the surgery. If you continue to cheat and your liver isn't sufficiently shrank, you run a very real risk of the doctor canceling the surgery. There has been multiple people on these forums who've gone into for surgery and come out with all the scars but no band- because the doctor couldn't continue once he saw their enlarged fatty liver.
If you truly want the Lap Band, stick to your pre op diet.
Best wishes.

I used to, but it has gotten better. Try to go with softer lettuce or baby spinach, and put dressing on it to moisten it. Really grind and chew it as long as you can.

You have to chew the lettuce a long time otherwise it might lay on top of the opening like a flap and cause you the problem. Check with your dietitian or doctor.

I get my first full tomorrow and my surgery was 2/19. So that's, what-- 7 weeks?
Seems my surgeon is extra conservative. I don't mind so much because I am learning more every day. I feel like if I can limit myself now, without any restriction, then I am bound to be successful down the road.

Thank you for responding! May I ask you a dumb question? Do you weigh a cup of food or use a measuring cup?
I'm planning to test myself right now.

Kool, I don't measure at all. I think early on I did but after some time you know how much you're eating and once your band is adjusted properly the band will help you make that decision.
But, to answer your question, a measuring cup is the amount you are too eat. Some things like salads will be more than one cup and I wouldn't be concerned over a pile of spinach, cucumbers, lettuce etc. Just try to keep the Protein and carbs within one measuring cup. jmo
tmf