7 Weeks Post Op ..feel Great

[breakinfree 7]

I was banded Sept 11th, and feel great. I went through the same discomfort the first 1-2 weeks with extreme shoulder pain and happy when I could sleep on my side again. I started eating "normal" pretty much by week 3, I use a side plate and follow the fridge magnet picture with a protein/meat about the size of the palm of my hand i.e. 2 to 3 oz max. Veggies 1/3 and a small 1/2 baked potato or skip the starch and have more steamed veggies. I have never had a problem yet, I can't explain but I remember the Lap band consultant telling me you will feel satisfied and I do. I know when I've had enough and it's not uncomfortable or feeling stuffed, just "oh, I feel satisfied". I simply can't over eat. I have lost 26 lbs and I am losing at a pace of 2 lbs per week. I walk but need to start adding the exercise component to my life to make this work. I live in Canada so insurance did NOT cover my surgery, I am in the hole $18,000 but will have it paid off in 3 years and will also be 100 lbs less, YES I will be. I only told a couple of people initially and of course my best friend blabbed at our girl weekend. Behind my back was the discussion of lack of willpower etc, but hey I admit, I suck at willpower. I am doing this for myself, I will be 50 next year and I broke a promise to myself to be under 200 lbs by the time I was 40. I haven't been under 200 lbs since the birth of my 1st child and she'll be 22 next year. Needless to say, being banded is not a secret or something to be ashamed of. It's smarter and safer than having 2/3 of your stomach removed, it's like VIAGARA for impotent men. It gives you your confidence back. There are commercials for men celebrating their returned virility and yet fat people that are trying to improve their health are still mocked for lack of willpower. So what?! No one can or will ever understand the mind or reasons of why people turn to food, there is no definitive answer. Whatever your reason is for putting on the weight, you have decided to do something about it for yourself. Congratulations and don't worry about anyone else. Guess what, you can still go out to restaurants, go with your family, tell the waiter your splitting a lunch size entree with one of your kids, I do this with my 17 year old who grazes (small portions 4-5 times a day). Restaurants want your business, tell them you have had restricted surgery and be PROUD, look'em in the eye. I went for a road trip with my 17 year old 2 weeks ago through the US to visit schools for her. NY, PA to NC and WV without a single restaurant giving me a hard time. We can do this, one step at a time. I can't wait until our group celebrates our 1st year next September. My bday is end of August so I will be fabulous and 50!