Have you had lap band surgery, met your goal, but still see
yourself at your starting weight in your mind's eye? Are you afraid you
are going to wake up one morning and all of your hard earned lap band
success will be gone? Do you still shop for large size clothes? Would
you like some help changing your image of your body size after you
change your body size? The following is one patient's journey towards
self confidence and self esteem as she changed from a high BMI to a
normal healthy weight.
I believe that self confidence and self esteem is something that we humans work on daily, no matter what our size or where we are on this journey called life. However, having lost 250 pounds can certainly skew one's self image and these are some of the tools you can use to help you get over those challenges:
· Be your own cheerleader. Weigh yourself frequently and celebrate every pound you have lost. Check yourself out in the mirror and remember how much more of the mirror your image covered when you started your journey.
· Find a support buddy, mentor or coach. Take someone with you when you shop for clothes so they can point you to the smaller sizes and give you honest input on how you look in clothes. You will probably not be seeing yourself through the same eyes that the rest of the world sees you through. Use this person to remind you that you can sit in a booth at a restaurant, you don't need to use the handicapped rest room.
· Look, really look at your significant other as he/she introduces you to someone or talks up your success with someone. There will probably be a sparkle of pride in their eyes. That pride is for the success you have achieved after your weight loss surgery, as well as how healthy you are and how good you look. Your family can be your biggest cheering section.
· Use your support group for what they are- support. Being part of a group of like people is always rewarding and you get the chance to celebrate your successes with those who actually are going through similar experiences. Besides always learning something from a support group meeting you can find out that you are not the only one who is afraid of waking up fat every morning.
· Pay it forward. If you are a successful lap band patient you can offer to give testimonials at your surgeon's informational seminars. Every time I speak at one I am reminded that without using my lap band to successfully lose weight I would have either been dead, or have a very restricted quality of life. This allows a room full of strangers to be your cheerleaders.
· Use your surgeon's office with all of the staff, physician's assistants, nurses, patient facilitators to be the support you need to understand how far you have come. These people are there to be your best friend, your coach, your teacher and your conscience as you embark on your weight loss journey. They are there for you as you maintain your weight loss too.
I have asked my surgeon whether he considers me cured of obesity at six years post op and maintaining my weight loss for over four years, or whether I am in remission or undergoing treatment. His response is "It depends on your own personal frame of mind and what empowers you the most".
Personal empowerment is an ongoing process. Employ whomever you can to help you along the way.
I believe that self confidence and self esteem is something that we humans work on daily, no matter what our size or where we are on this journey called life. However, having lost 250 pounds can certainly skew one's self image and these are some of the tools you can use to help you get over those challenges:
· Be your own cheerleader. Weigh yourself frequently and celebrate every pound you have lost. Check yourself out in the mirror and remember how much more of the mirror your image covered when you started your journey.
· Find a support buddy, mentor or coach. Take someone with you when you shop for clothes so they can point you to the smaller sizes and give you honest input on how you look in clothes. You will probably not be seeing yourself through the same eyes that the rest of the world sees you through. Use this person to remind you that you can sit in a booth at a restaurant, you don't need to use the handicapped rest room.
· Look, really look at your significant other as he/she introduces you to someone or talks up your success with someone. There will probably be a sparkle of pride in their eyes. That pride is for the success you have achieved after your weight loss surgery, as well as how healthy you are and how good you look. Your family can be your biggest cheering section.
· Use your support group for what they are- support. Being part of a group of like people is always rewarding and you get the chance to celebrate your successes with those who actually are going through similar experiences. Besides always learning something from a support group meeting you can find out that you are not the only one who is afraid of waking up fat every morning.
· Pay it forward. If you are a successful lap band patient you can offer to give testimonials at your surgeon's informational seminars. Every time I speak at one I am reminded that without using my lap band to successfully lose weight I would have either been dead, or have a very restricted quality of life. This allows a room full of strangers to be your cheerleaders.
· Use your surgeon's office with all of the staff, physician's assistants, nurses, patient facilitators to be the support you need to understand how far you have come. These people are there to be your best friend, your coach, your teacher and your conscience as you embark on your weight loss journey. They are there for you as you maintain your weight loss too.
I have asked my surgeon whether he considers me cured of obesity at six years post op and maintaining my weight loss for over four years, or whether I am in remission or undergoing treatment. His response is "It depends on your own personal frame of mind and what empowers you the most".
Personal empowerment is an ongoing process. Employ whomever you can to help you along the way.
If you or someone you care about has a lap band or is struggling
with significant weight issues learn more about Banded Living™ by
visiting http://www.bandedliving.com, a community for lap band patients, by lap band patients.
For more about how Sandi Henderson uses her lap band to maintain a 250 lb weight loss and view the free interview " 7 Things We Wish We Had Been Told Before We Had Lap Band Surgery" visit http://www.sandisbandedliving.com/7-things/
© 2010 Banded Living, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandi_Henderson
For more about how Sandi Henderson uses her lap band to maintain a 250 lb weight loss and view the free interview " 7 Things We Wish We Had Been Told Before We Had Lap Band Surgery" visit http://www.sandisbandedliving.com/7-things/
© 2010 Banded Living, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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