I think food and over eating meant way more to me than i ever realized. Banded 10/10. Most if the time this journey is really neat. Losing 39 pounds already. Feeling better about myself etc etc. except meal times. I have 5 older kids and husband. Eating is this big deal. I feel left out sometimes. Is this normal??

i am only on my pre op diet and its only been 3 days,,, i feel left out already,, but we will make it thru this ,,,,,i gotta get my head right,,, but we will ,, good luck

I workout when they are eating. Then I don't feel guilty taking the time away from them to work out. We are all happy;)

I eat with my husband and just eat smaller portions. It works for us.

Yup totally normal. I was banded Oct 25th 2011, went through all the holidays on liquid. Sat out in the living room all by myself through thanksgiving diner drinking my protein feeling sorry for myself lol. But I stuck to it and it paid off. Today my mind is 100% trained to eat correctly thanks to my band. Hang in there. It does get easier;)

My family is in the kitchen right now eating pizza and I'm in the next room on here! Most meals are fine but pizza is hard.

I eat with my family, just slower and less food. I have no problem with them eating all they want. This is my journey and I am doing this for me.

If you cant eat with them, try exercising or doing the laundry etc.

Congrats on your 39lb weight loss!

this is a good time to teach the family how to eat right I know that easier said then done but little by little it can happen. You have gotten some good idea's hope one will work.

It sounds like you Equate food with love and a feeling of community. It's a time everyone gathers round the table to enjoy the food and the company. But you too can be part of this special time..., just take a few bites here and there, eat slow and enjoy the conversation.

My husband and I eat together. I just use very small special bowls or dishes for me and he has the normal sized ones. Even with such little amount of food, I have eaten and started the dishes before he is done. I can still talk to him while he is eating and by the time he is done I am almost done cleaning the kitchen and we can enjoy the rest of the night together watching TV. You need to acquire different habits that work for both of you. In 4 years it does not bother me to watch other people eat a lot of the foods that I can longer get down through my band. I have TMJ problems that were never fully corrected 30 years ago so eating until my food is mush is totally out of the question. I tend to go with soft foods and easily chewed foods. It is all worth it to me and just like a person who has acquired a disability, you learn how to live with it and still be a happy person in spite of it.