So I was hoping to get some insight from people already having had the surgery. What kind of psychological changes have you gone through? What should I expect?

I have been a bigger girl my entire life. I don't know what it's like to be smaller. I have heard some bigger girls comment that after they have lost a large amount of weight, they still feel fat. Should I expect that?

Any thoughts, comments?

Hi Jamie:

Before being banded I had to do a 10 day liquid diet that was very low calorie. I started to mourn food at that point and that continued until I could have mushies. I just missed overeating and I felt sad about it.

During the weight loss period you may start to feel better about yourself because you are doing something that is good for you and your energy level should increase.

After you've hit goal you may still feel fat, especially if you have alot of excess skin. I had a tummytuck in May 2009 after losing 140'ish pounds. Since then, I don't feel fat unless I look at my legs.

Hope the band works for you. I love my band and my new flat tummy!

Sue

Tummy Tuck... how much does that cost? Did insurance cover it? Someone else who had the surgery was able to get her doc to say she needed a tuck for medical reasons and they did cover it! I wonder if I could get that lucky?

EVERY person is different. You may "mourn" food, you may not. (I have NOT. I've been so glad to finally be free !!! and thanks to my great surgeon and the education he's given me, I can still eat anything I want. ANYTHING. so there's nothing to mourn) You may still feel fat as you lose, you may not.

You may be frightened as you get smaller, you may feel empowered. IF you encounter emotions or issues that are bothersome, some therapy can help you. You may not. Our reasons for obesity, our personalities, body types, are all so different. Just trust yourself, get help if you need it, and get ready to get healthier!