ditzypoohjean

I have to say, getting my band was undoubtably the best thing I have ever done. In the past 3 years I dropped over 100lbs and have had so many personal achievements along the way that everyday I wake up every morning excited to finally live. Having always been a plus size child and adult, this is the first time in my life that I have been considered of average size, or even just "a little overweight." I am now an athletic girl (still a little curvy by choice) that plays competitive women's racquetball league, enjoys hiking emensely, and overall I am living my life to the fullest, trying everything I wouldn't have if I hadn't lost all the weight. I am happy in my skin and I wouldn't change this feeling for the world. However, losing all the weight allowed me to personally experience how different society treats the obese vs. the average populus, and it began to really upset me. I noticed how much nicer people are to me because I'm "thinner." I became more aware of how I got served quicker at a bar or restaurant, how men perceive me, and even how generally polite people are to me. I'm not saying that everyone judged me when I was heavy, but the attention I get now vs. then is almost maddening. I feel that I am the same beautiful girl that I was when I was over 300lbs, but sometimes people fail to recognize that beauty when masked behind the curse of obesity. I was sitting here tonight wondering how many other people notice these blatant discriminations due to size and how it's made them feel over the years. Is size discrimination what pushed you to consider surgery? Again, I couldn't be happier in my own personal success and I wish everyone here equal or greater success in their weight loss journey. When it comes down to it, our health is all we have in the end and we are all making the decision to better our own health by dropping the excess weight. I just thought I'd bring up one of the major psychological struggles I've personally faced with the extreme weight loss and hopefuly I can get other's opinions on the subject. I added a couple before and after pictures so you all can see my transformation, I'd love to see yours too! Before 1: Before 2: DESK 001.BMP After 1: After 2:

I began my weight loss journey at 306 lbs. It may have been more, but after seeing that number I refused to step on the scale until I lost some weight. My moment of clarity was not being able to enjoy the theme parks that my friends did. The roller coasters were not designed for people "of my stature." I was embarrassed and disappointed in myself for giving up on my own health and that was when I decided to really put the effort into betting myself. I began the research into LAP-BAND® and found out that my insurance would only cover it if I maintained a 6 month diet first. This set me on my way to better health and before my surgery I had lost just under 40 lbs, bringing my weight down from 306 to 269 the day of my surgery. Prior to my surgery, my long time boyfriend proposed to me and I became even more motivated to lose the weight. After surgery my weight dropped at a steady pace and every day I made a promise to myself that I wanted to finally be healthy. Throughout the year I exercised, ate relatively healthy, (i'd be lying if I claimed perfection because I was in no way perfect with my eating habits) and kept that promise to myself. one month before my wedding I was down from a size 26 to a size 16 and my dress maker told me "if you lose anymore weight you're wedding dress will not fit because we cannot take it in anymore." I have maintained my weight at around 213 for the past 3 months and walked down the isle in a sz 16 dress, a size I hadn't worn since Jr. High school! I have now begun the second leg of my journey to finish what I have started. My first goal was under 250 (check), my second was to weigh less than I did in high school at 225 (check) next is to finally be in wonderland (7more lbs) and be under 200 (14 more lbs). I just wanted to share my story with all of you out there and hopefully you'll be willing to share your journey, even if it isn't complete yet, because it will help others out there realize that every small goal is an achievement and although you may not be "thin" by societies standards, everyday you better yourself and be proud of all the little changes that bring you to better health. I have wedding picts and before and after photos on my profile now so feel free to browse through them. Best of luck to my fellow bandsters and remember to be proud of who you are at every step of the way!

I feel your pain! I am finally starting to feel restriction in my band but it's been a slow process. I have lost 57 lbs since my surgery almost a year ago but the past three months have shown little to no weight loss for me (partly by choice though because my wedding dress couldn't be taken in anymore) but I definitely know that my food choices were not good and once I got home and started eating right it helped a little but it's so discouraging to stay the same, or even gain, for several months at a time. I finally got filled this last time to the point where I actually feel some significant restriction, which I haven't had this whole year of adjustments. Just hang in there and really watch what you are putting in your mouth. We are our own worst enemies and can sabotage our weight loss. Until you find that sweet spot, it's going to be tough. You have support here though. feel free to message me anytime and I'll help you get though it. You've always got friends on this message board

I'm having the same prob right now with the swallowing and pain. Food goes down no prob but it hurts. What was the result with yours?