Answers for Linda O

I am gonna follow Catherine & Amy's and post my answers to Linda O's questions she asked. I am still fairly new to being banded. December 4th will be 4 months for me. Everyday I am still learning this whole process.

1. ANY REGRETS? Are you happy with your decision and would you do it again?
I have no regrets. I wish I would have done it sooner.

2. ARE YOU SORRY, YOU DIDN'T GIVE TRADITIONAL DIETING ONE MORE TRY?
Not at all. I have tried before, but gave up. Now the band helps when I wanna take that extra bite you just can't.

3. WHAT IS THE WORST THING ABOUT HAVING THE BAND?
Not being able to have bread and not drinking with meals has been my hardest. I have finally mastered the not drinking part and I have not had bread since two weeks before my surgery. I also love what Catherine wrote. So I ditto her response.

4. WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT HAVING THE BAND?
For me it is the results thus far. I am so excited about how well I am doing. I am sure as I get further along my answers will change.

5. On a scale of 1 to 10 HOW HARD WAS/IS IT PSYCHOLOGICALLY TO GET OVER THE FACT THAT YOU CAN'T EAT THE SAME WAY ANYMORE?
I think it is about a 2-3. I had my mind made up and I know that I want this soo bad and when we want something we get it right.. So you just do it. I know I can't have bread so I dont eat it. It like conversations me and myself have together. It sounds odd I know, but I am getting to know myself more and more.

6. HAS BEING BANDED MADE YOUR PERSONALITY CHANGE? For the better or worse?
Not changed, but for me I have never been complimented a lot so this is a big change for me. I am loving that people that dont know I am banded notice I am losing weight. It is making me more confident.

7. Are you still able to party a little? (I am a wine drinker...can't imagine giving it up completely) and are you a party pooper now cause you can't party as much?
I still hangout with my friends. I am no party pooper here. I am usually the ring leader so that wouldnt go over well. haha.. I do have wine it is the best choice. Beer is a total no no for me. Which is a good thing. My Dr. has us do low carb so my new favorite is sugar free jello shots. No carbs in vodka. ha..

8. HOW MUCH HAPPIER ARE YOU WITH YOUR BODY? I am wondering what I will look like 50-80 lbs thinner. I am 47 and will have a "lose skin" issue.
I have a long way to go still. 50lbs lighter though at this point I am already noticing changes in my body, but I am not sure how the skin will be when I get to my goal. I do work out to try to not have a lot of the loose skin.

9. HAVE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS CHANGED? Spouses? Family? Friends? Strangers?
No my relationships are still the same. I have the best family and friends support system in the world.


10. DO YOU FEEL LIKE THE SAME PERSON OR COMPLETELY DIFFERENT NOW THAT YOU HAVE LOST WEIGHT?
I feel the same. I am going to remember this and come back and do this again when I lose 100lbs, then when I get to goal weight to see the changes.

11. What do you wish someone would have told you pre-op?
It will be ok. You can still eat pretty much anything you already do. Your not giving up everything. I went into this thinking I was giving up a lot of foods, but the truth is you dont have to. Its about quanity.

Thanks Linda for posting some great questions. I hope this helps.