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What Is An Experienced Bandster?

Jim1967

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I haven't written in a while so.....What or who is an experienced Bandster? At nearly 6 months post op apparently, not I even though I have dropped 81lbs. Being an experienced Bandster is not all about weight loss....

 

This morning on the way to the Office I stopped at Dunkin Donuts for a sausage, egg and cheese wake up wrap and a large decaf coffee. I don't drink with my meal but I wanted to have it for when I got into the office. Well without thinking much about it I proceeded to head to work on the freeway and ate my wrap. Not paying attention I ate it too quickly. Stuck episode on the freeway in traffic is not fun by any means. I ended up pulling over to the side of the road and got out and paced back in forth for about 15 minutes until it passed.

 

With my last fill I am definitely in my sweet spot. I can eat almost anything if I do it correctly. Correctly seems to be a problem still. I am eating the right things for the most part but I am still eating too quickly and not chewing enough. I have spent my entire life eating junk food and binging at times and just shoving it in. I never thought learning to eat properly with the band would be this difficult.

 

I have had probably about 7 or 8 stuck episodes since being banded in April. One episode led to (and sorry for the tmi) vomiting.

 

So a couple of things are going to happen here. I am either going to get this straight and follow proper band rules or I am going to cause a slip.

 

Next week I have another support meeting and I am going to sign up and re-take the hungry head class again. That class focus on binge eating and eating habits. I don't think I need the hungry head class as far as binging but I think being around people and talking about experiences will help me keep focus. My next Doc appointment follow up is 9/25. I am not getting a fill. I am still getting the needed "restriction" from the fill last week.

 

In my opinion and I have said it before the word "restriction" sucks when it comes to band talk/terminology. It's not about restricting at all it's all about appetite suppression and satiety. I got that going on right now, no question about it. Now if I can only learn how to eat properly.

 

I also know my band is tighter in the morning. From now on protein shakes only in the morning even if I am running late.

 

 

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jim, your postings inspire me and i look to you for guidance. although i havent had a fill yet, i will keep this post from you close in my mind. thank you for what you do. you are the best.

i would love to have a support group here also to go too.

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Jim, great blog. What is an experienced Bandster. I find that a very thought provoking statement, i am almost 2 years post op and still have days when i get to comfortable with my band and my life and do something stupid like try to force the stuck food down with a drink of something. I also find my band is tighter in the morning and extremely tight when i am stressed. I have to constantly make myself eat breakfast and work past my restriction. You are also correct in this is not about restriction, it is about satiety, bandsters who rely on the band restricting them are like a time bomb waiting to explode. The use of the band his to come from within and you consciously following the rules and making healthy decisions. I really did not learn to fully use this tool until having it for a year. I do not rely on my "fills" to control my eating, i go through highs and lows when that appetite suppression is optimal and times when it just plan sucks and i feel like i could eat an entire cow. Head hunger is real and it is mind over matter and continually going to support groups and reminding your self of this will take you far in this journey. You are doing amazing but you are smart to realize that "You" and only you can make this work. Good luck to you and please join us on myfitnesspal.com, a group of us from this site routinely log our food and offer support to one another daily. My name there is same as on this site. Good luck to you!

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