I'm down from an 18/20 to a size 12...going into a 10 so some 12s are loose.

I've been an entrepreneur since high school and am a member of the Chamber of Commerce as I own another business that I dearly love.

Today was my first chamber function since being banded. I kinda took some time off, dealing w/ surgery, healing, and trying not to throwup in public- taking a while to relearn how to eat and slow down....

anyways, today.... other business owners were more receptive to me, I contracted new clients, etc.

Where as before, I was large...very. And I spoke with an image consultant who said...although it's not right... we are judged on how we appear...including weight. And that by losing weight, I would see an increase in the bottom line.

It's true. I have more customers now (I'm in direct sales) and it seems I have more credibility as a Beauty Advisor.

Yeah, it may be my self esteem is up...but I am still that same person.

Just wanted to share and see if anyone else has had a similar experience.

I have not had that experience yet but it was actually a factor in getting banded. I am an executive with a global company and looked around to see that I was the most overweight person (by far) in a top position. Right or wrong, that is just how business seems to behave.

I hope that I have success with this and am able to fit into beautiful size 10 clothes and then have my appearance 'set aside' so that people can see what I have to offer without prejudice....

Lofty goal maybe, but I will give it a shot....