Randi

Make a list of pro's and con's. It's a very scary decision and especially if your husband isn't supportive. My husband, parents, friends and family were hugely supportive so that made it easier. It is a lifestyle change but the results are sooo worth it!! I am 49 years old and couldn't find a diet that worked, take care of my disable husband (head injury), work a lot of hours, that I just couldn't make it work. I am not great at the exercise part, but do try to get in 30 minutes 3 or 4 times a week. There have been a lot of disappointments with the lapband so that wasn't even a consideration for me. Just my opinion - you're in charge!!

OK - so I went to Smoothie King and they have this category of smoothies called Trim Down and I thought - GREAT!! A strawberry banana smoothie with extra protein will be great for breakfast. Until I got to work and went on their website and saw it had 84 carbs. Are you kidding me? How can that be categorized as a slim down anything??? Off to the garbage it went. It was soooo yummy, but that many carbs? No way!!!

I have noticed exactly the same thing!! I used to hate going out and seeing my reflection everywhere - had now self confidence at all. Now people treat me differently - I'm down 50 pounds to 210 and it's unbelievable what a change it makes. I had a pretty good sense the people treat fat people differently prior to surgery and it's been totally confirmed. People at work are a lot nicer to me as well. It's sad but true, but oddly I like that I'm being treated better. It's really too bad that everybody can't be fortunate enough to have the chance to change like we did!!

Try toast - sometimes bread doesn't work. I can eat both now, but right away spongy bread wasn't good.

Wow - I hear you. I hated going out ANYWHERE because I would see my reflection in doors, windows, mirrors and just want to die. We were at the chiropractor once and my hubby asked the doctor if i was having back problems because I was so big - I just started crying. He meant my big boobs, but of course I thought he was calling me an elephant. You will be so much happier when the weight starts falling off and getting to wear new SMALLER clothes. I put on a swimsuit I hadn't worn in TEN years and my hubby loved it - kept asking me to twirl. There is hope and it sounds like your family is supportive. That's key. Hang in there!!!

Wow girl - good for you! I love the come back. Most people have been very supportive to me, but I have had the few that didn't agree with my choice. I have two tiny sisters who can eat anything they want and still lose weight, I swear. They didn't say much, but both live far away and we don't talk much. Once the weight starts coming off and people notice how much happier you are (and you WILL be) they should be happy for you. Everybody is different and we all have to make the right choice for ourselves. Good Luck!!!

I agree with tmorgan - this is no easy way out. I struggle with it a lot - it's not easy hardly being able to eat anything. My husband also constantly asks me how I do it and how he could never do it. He tells me how strong I am and how proud he is of me. I too tried every diet in the book and it didn't work for me. This did. I have also had friends tell me that I'm being an a*****e telling people I had this surgery because I was able to afford to pay for it myself. How she thought I was bragging about it. Bragging about trying to get healthy? She, of course, doesn't have a weight problem. fortunately my family is very supportive - and so are my coworkers.

We moved from Seattle to Dallas in 2010 - I had lost my job and needed a good job. I'm a financial controller for engineering and construction companies. I landed a job being the Controller for 2 huge toll road projects in dallas. My hubby is disable and can't work (or drive) because of a head injury so I am the bread winner. I miss Seattle!! We lived in Bonney Lake.

I work in a small company and I know that everybody knows. I've lost 50 pounds in 3 1/2 months - what are they going to think? It's kind of hard to get those results without having surgery. I have found that people at work are actually nicer to me and I get lots of compliments. I focus on that and not who told who what at the water cooler.

Did not have a good weekend - suffering from normal people food withdrawals again. My husband wants to have date night tomorrow night which means I get to go out and have 4 bites and watch him eat an entire meal. I ate badly over the weekend, fritos and artichoke dip while watching the Seahawks win their first pre-season game. Don't forget the wine that went along with that. And, yep, gained 2 pounds since last week. I'm mad at myself and was a cranky b***h all weekend. I know - get back on the horse and do better today and tomorrow and so on and so on. I'm thrilled with my weight loss, but am thinking that I'm missing out on things. Right, the things that got me overweight in the first place. I hope somebody else out there can relate.

I'm sorry - they are gone.

So I am down about 52 pounds after 3 1/2 months. Down from a 22/24 to a size 18W. I think it's amazing how people everywhere are treating me differently. Maybe it's me who is so much happier and that brings positive feedback, I don't know. People at work, stores, everywhere - I can't believe it. Are any of ya'll experiencing this?

I had chicken twice during my pre-op diet. I was just too hungry I couldn't stand it. Everything worked out fine for me. I think they expect you to cheat.

I battle with the "stop" thing too. You'd think I'd learn after running to hurl too many times. I'm just going to take it day by day and see if i can do better. Congrats on the wedding!!!

I take biotin every day. I am losing some hair, but not a ton (yet anyway).

This happens slowly. You're still healing so you have to let that happen first. I can now drink comfortably and my surgery was April 19th.

Definitely!! I can related. When I made the final decision to have the surgery I remember just shaking and not sleeping with many fears. That subsided and then I started getting really excited. It was a great decision for me and i wish you all the best!!

I went through an emotional phase about 6 weeks out. It was like I questioned whether I had done the right thing with the surgery. But, that has passed and I am now almost 4 months out and happy with my choice and losing 52 pounds!!

My husband bought a big bag of peanut m&m's at the grocery store last Saturday. I admit to having a few handfuls.....BAD!!!!

I enjoy going out for lunch with my work friends - it's cheap and I can bring my leftovers home for my husband to eat for dinner!! I eat about 1/4 of it and he gets almost a full portion. He stays home during the day and doesn't get to go out so it's a treat. We went out for Mexican last Saturday - my $7.99 meal allowed me two leftovers at home. I like those prices!!! But, sorry you had to have that experience.

I have had french fries and those are fine. I really don't have any cravings for fried food other than maybe a grilled cheese sammie. Wait - I did eat some skin off of rotisserie chicken and that was awesome and went down find. Not sure if that qualifies as fried or not.

Joni - I'm going to be right with you on the slow award. I started at 262 as my highest weight and have lost 48 pounds so far. I think you are losing less because you had less to lose to begin with. At least you are halfway - YAY! My goal is also 140 so I have 74 pounds to go. Perhaps I haven't been the strictest with my diet but I want to have a little fun along the way. Everybody is different and i'm very pround of you!!!

I suffer from depression too and found that the first two months were the worst - specially when I had to come to terms with never being to eat like everybody else. It was really tough but now I just deal with it the best I can. My work has candy everywhere too and I do cheat a bits with that - at least they are fun size so I don't feel so bad. This is an up and down battle and we can just take it one day at a time. Sometimes i've found myself in tears at work but my co-workers are so supportive - it's a very small office and everybody knows that I had the surgery. Hang in there!!!

I am at 214 and am happy about it. I seem to lose about 8 pounds quickly and then get stuck there for 2 weeks. I guess that's the way my body is fighting me.... Just trying to get used to it and hopefuly in about a month I will see onderland!!!

I know how you feel - sometimes I think "This is going to be for the REST of my life?" Am I crazy? I think we go through phases and just have to chose to be happy about the healthy choice we made and the fact that we can still eat these things, but just in moderation. Congrats on your weight loss. 120 is my goal too. I still have 72 pounds to go....