Bandora

The best feeling is being able to fit into regular sizes for the first time in forever! I still get Lane Bryant mailers and it makes me smile to know I am too small to wear anything in their store.
I have an apple shape so even thought I am currently 189 I wear size 12 pants ( size 10 if they are stretch jeans) That was a big kick to me. I have donated most of my old work clothes and hopefully someone can use them. I also had to buy all new bras/lingerie which was fun.
Although my wardrobe is limited now I look forward to shopping. No more overpriced plus size clothes. That will save me $$

You can make your own Breakfast cookie/bar. I played around with a recipe I found online.
Ingredients
Steel cut oatmeal ( approx 2 cups) bought from Sprout’s
2 small/medium ripe bananas
vanilla whey Protein powder ( 2 scoops)
Raisins
Slivered almonds( from the baking aisle
Greek yogurt- ( Greek Gods Honey Vanilla) I full cup
vanilla extract
Mix:
Mix 2 scoops of vanilla Protein Powder into 2 cups of steel cut oatmeal. Stir this dry mix together.
Cut the bananas into a few small pieced and mash in the bananas with a fork ( the riper the better)
Keep mashing until all mixed into the dry mixture.
Stir in raisins and almonds . I used about ¼ cup of each but you can add according to taste.
Add one cup of the Greek Yogurt and a splash of vanilla extract.
Stir this up so it is a chunky consistency..if too thick you can add a little vanilla almond milk or regular milk.. It should look like regular oatmeal cookie dough. Not runny.
Cook:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. We used a pizza stone for baking ours.
Drop Cookies on stone/cookie sheet *My batch made about 10 Cookies depending on size you want.
I baked for 8min and then took cookies out to cool/harden on the warm pizza stone. I flipped over and set back in the oven ( heat off) to let them sit a few more minutes. This is all personal preference if you want them harder or chewy. Also, depends on oven and how fast it cooks.
Variations:
You can substitute chopped dates or cranberries in place of raisins
You can use crushed walnuts or pecans in place of slivered almonds.
chocolate whey powder in place of vanilla
Experiment depending on your likes. Much better than dry bars from the shelf in my opinion

I use scoop vanilla whey Protein, handful of Kale , scoop of Greek Yogurt ( Honey) and a few raspberries/strawberries which are frozen. It blends up nicely in my Nutribullet. Add crushed ice/water or lite almond milk if you want it thinner.

I take childrens Flintstone chewable multi + Iron daily. I have always loved the taste! They are inexpensive and working well for me.

The best feeling is being able to fit into regular sizes for the first time in forever! I still get Lane Bryant mailers and it makes me smile to know I am too small to wear anything in their store.
I have an apple shape so even thought I am currently 189 I wear size 12 pants ( size 10 if they are stretch jeans) That was a big kick to me. I have donated most of my old work clothes and hopefully someone can use them. I also had to buy all new bras/lingerie which was fun.
Although my wardrobe is limited now I look forward to shopping. No more overpriced plus size clothes. That will save me $$

The best feeling is being able to fit into regular sizes for the first time in forever! I still get Lane Bryant mailers and it makes me smile to know I am too small to wear anything in their store.
I have an apple shape so even thought I am currently 189 I wear size 12 pants ( size 10 if they are stretch jeans) That was a big kick to me. I have donated most of my old work clothes and hopefully someone can use them. I also had to buy all new bras/lingerie which was fun.
Although my wardrobe is limited now I look forward to shopping. No more overpriced plus size clothes. That will save me $$

It is very hurtful when so-called friends and family make comments like " You took the easy way out" or " I want to lose my weight the right way" . Until you have gone through bariatric surgery you cannot judge what is easy or not. Also, for the record, I tried to lose weight the "right way" and was successful and I also regained and lost numerous times. My lap band is the tool keeping me on my healthy path.I have to make a conscious effort each day to stay on track.
I just try to avoid the negative people as much as I can. Women especially should be more compassionate to one another and not so judgmental. I work very hard to lose weight and I have to work out even harder to keep the pounds coming off. When people act like surgery is a magical solution to weight loss it drives me crazy!

It is very hurtful when so-called friends and family make comments like " You took the easy way out" or " I want to lose my weight the right way" . Until you have gone through bariatric surgery you cannot judge what is easy or not. Also, for the record, I tried to lose weight the "right way" and was successful and I also regained and lost numerous times. My lap band is the tool keeping me on my healthy path.I have to make a conscious effort each day to stay on track.
I just try to avoid the negative people as much as I can. Women especially should be more compassionate to one another and not so judgmental. I work very hard to lose weight and I have to work out even harder to keep the pounds coming off. When people act like surgery is a magical solution to weight loss it drives me crazy!

Wherever there are haters, I feel a special responsibilty to prove them wrong!

I was banded in June 2013 and as of today I am down 107lbs. I felt the same way...a year away seemed sooo far. That is all I could focus on. What worked for me is making small goals and not looking to far into the future. Take things into 30day blocks. Give yourself a weekly goal..whether it is exercising more, drinking more Water etc...and you will be surprised how fast each month goes by. I have to play so-called mind games with myself to help me along the way. But hey, whatever works, right? Exercise is super important...I really didn't get into it much until about my 4-5th month post op. I would walk but I didn't really push myself. You just have to find something that you like. Personally, I cannot handle gyms or classes. I do not have the patience or coordination. I love to hike and ride my bike. I use it as a time to relax as well as workout. You can also take a full length body photo of yourself every month. It is amazing to see your body change. You can be excited not just by numbers on a scale but by how your clothes are fitting ( or falling off because they are so loose) I am getting a little bummed myself because I am stuck at this weight even though I am sticking to my food plan/exercise routine. I go and try on clothes for a pick me up when I need to really know that my body is changing. It will get better. Hang in there!

I was banded in June 2013 and as of today I am down 107lbs. I felt the same way...a year away seemed sooo far. That is all I could focus on. What worked for me is making small goals and not looking to far into the future. Take things into 30day blocks. Give yourself a weekly goal..whether it is exercising more, drinking more Water etc...and you will be surprised how fast each month goes by. I have to play so-called mind games with myself to help me along the way. But hey, whatever works, right? Exercise is super important...I really didn't get into it much until about my 4-5th month post op. I would walk but I didn't really push myself. You just have to find something that you like. Personally, I cannot handle gyms or classes. I do not have the patience or coordination. I love to hike and ride my bike. I use it as a time to relax as well as workout. You can also take a full length body photo of yourself every month. It is amazing to see your body change. You can be excited not just by numbers on a scale but by how your clothes are fitting ( or falling off because they are so loose) I am getting a little bummed myself because I am stuck at this weight even though I am sticking to my food plan/exercise routine. I go and try on clothes for a pick me up when I need to really know that my body is changing. It will get better. Hang in there!