Hi All,

I am now 15 weeks into my band 'journey' and it is all going pretty well. My weight-loss is great - I have lost 20.5kg (45lb) in that time. But, I have to say that I am starting to stuggle with the mental side of things. This is a 2 sided dilemma. a) what to eat :thumbup: what to do when i dont eat

I have 6ml of fluid in my band and eating is ok, but not always easy. I have only thrown up once, but find I am having difficulty deciding what to eat. Avoiding bread is really hard for me. I love my toast and find sandwiches an easy lunch option for me and the kids. But as most banders know, bread hurts. So what to have instead in the time frame that I have?? I find that I am not having breakfast most mornings because I am at a loss of what to have (cereal isnt doing it for me either). Then I find that I am starving and grab the nearest anything - which isnt always a great food choice, and eat it so fast that I am in pain for half hour or so. This process is generally repeated at lunch. Dinner isnt too bad, but I do find I am cooking one thing for the family and then an alternative for me.

The biggest issue I am facing would be what to replace eating with. I have used food to reward myself, punish myself and occupy myself for far too many years. I have been a social eater, a reclusive eater and a definite closet eater. Now that I am not eating in that pattern I am at a loss of how to deal with things. I have gotten quite anxious at times and my PMS has hit an all time high!!! It feels like I have acid running thru my veins and I can't interact with people in fear that I will lose it big time.

I am avoiding social occassions with friends because I can't/don't want to eat. I don't think they have noticed a pattern, but they will eventually. It is really not like me to be like this, I am normally really outgoing and social. WTF??? My Partner wants to take me out for dinner for my birthday and all I can think is 'what's the point?'. What do I do when I'm not eating???

Pre-band, eating, in alot of instances, was mindless gorging. I never really obsessed about food, I just thought 'f**k it' and ate! I think I am more obsessed with food than I have ever been!! What can I eat? How much should I have? I want that, but I shouldnt have that.......aaarrrggghhhh!!!!

After eating, my next fixation would be shopping, but losing weight so quickly - I dont want to spend alot of money on clothes that (hopefully) I wont be able to wear after 6 months. So I'm not eating, i'm not socialising (as much), I'm not shopping... I am obsessing and it has to stop!!

The Doctor has said that this is a normal response after being banded. He didn't give me more fluid this week, as he said it was not my priority for this fortnight. This fortnight I have to get organised and find food that I can eat and to have it available. He also said that 'theoretically' PMS can increase with weight decrease due to the lower (?) amounts of Oestrogen. GREAT!!! My family will have to start locking me in a cage for 3 days a month...LOL!

He also told me that if my 'mood' continued for too long we would need to see the psych. I dont want to have to do that, so I am blogging my inner thoughts as a form of exorcism. Hopefully it helps. Apologies if it all just sounds like a big whingeing session!

Would love to hear from anyone who has/is having a similar experience.

Hi Megsy

Just saw your b & a pics you have posted. Congratulations!!! You are doing brilliantly. I was banded on Friday at the Avenue in Melbourne, I understand completely what you are saying, I am obviously not up to that stage yet - still on the fluids, but I have a feeling this is how I am going to be. The last few months I have been looking on menus when we go out to dinner and searching to find what i'll be able to have post LB. Keep us informed how you go - Im sure you will be fine - you are doing so well already that you will find a way to work around it.

Lou

Hey Lou,

Thanks for your comment!

Speaking of going out for dinner, my partner and I went out for my bday to the Sorrento Hotel. Looking at the menu my thought process was............

I wont have the beef

I wont have the chicken

I wont have the lamb

I wont have the pasta....

hmmm I'll go the prawns.

Well, it was 8.30pm before we got out meals. I ate 3 prawns, was in pain for 20 minutes and then threw up twice!! I thought I was making the correct choice. I think what happened was that I was sooo hungry when the meal came, that I didnt pay attention and ate too fast and didnt chew. Lesson learned!!!

As for the post, I am feeling alot better. you'll be fine!! I jus think it is something that we will all endure and get over on our way to skinniness!!!