Sophie248

Thanks for sharing your insite. I can really relate to the emotional eating part. I love that you figured out a way to nurture yourself in a healthy way with food. I am going to practice using your idea of taking time to put together healthy meals instead of snacking when I want to turn to food for emotional reasons. That's so healthy! I'm also trying to "say it instead of stuff it" by saying what's on my mind instead of stuffing the feelings down with food. I'm also going to really try to start focussing on consistency as a step toward accomplishing my goal. It seems like I'm on an all or nothing rollercoster with the band. I'm either PBing after 4 bites, or I can eat 2 cups (or more) of food. It drives me crazy, and I don't know why it acts like that. I don't know if I should get a fill or not get a fill, etc.... I just had a realization that even though my band is not consistant, I can be - by following the band rules on a daily basis and not trying to make the band do all the work. This will take a lot of work, because consistency is not my strong point. Wishing you all the success you deserve!

I was really happy to see this thread. I came back to LBT because of these very same issues, and am looking to share support and hear what others have done to "re-motivate". I have been gaining weight back for the past 6 months. I need to stop using food for things other than healthy nourishment. Maybe I need counseling or some form of behavior modification. I also want to explore this "slider" food issue that was brought up. Looking forward to the next chapter of this journey, which will have to include believing in myself this time. This will probably be the hardest part. I just realized that I had it in the back of my mind that I would "probabably fail" again even going in to the surgery. Not a good way to start.

Hi everyone - it's been forever since I've posted, but I read occasionally. I have not been doing well at all with my weight loss - and have even gained some, but I'm happy to say that I'm back in the fight. I set some new goals and am ready to focus again. Life kind of took over and distracted me from my goals. I'm just so happy that my band buddy didn't let me gain all my weight back during this time. I've found motivation again!

Had a fill appt yesterday, plus a good talk with my surgeon. Finally I have a better grasp of my problem now. I mentioned to him that I seem to get a delayed "tight" feeling in my throat about 1/2 hour after I eat, and he said that feeling is food (or saliva) in my espohagus (ie. you overate). All this time I couldn't understand why I didn't have that "stop eating now" feeling while eating (which I had the 1st 3 mos after surgery)and he thinks I just got used to the feeling. I finally understand that the band isn't going to MAKE me stop eating like it did at first. I have to portion out 1/2 a cup and stop myself. He also wanted me to stop my afternoon snack and space my meals out more because I was kind of bunching them together (10, 12:30, 3:00, 6:00). I'm going to go further and stay on liquids for a while to maybe get "unused" to the feeling I had that told me I needed to stop eating. He also put in .2cc's to bring me up to 2.5, but didn't want to do anymore since I already have the smallest band. I have to make this work now. I feel full today on liquid Protein diet, so maybe there's hope that I'm at my sweet spot. I'm also hoping my esophagus isn't damaged, and am going to check out some threads on that. There's quite a learning curve with this, isn't there?

Is the cold due to: fat loss = less insulation? I hope so. I'm cold lots, and I get complaints all the time that my office is way too hot. Today a lady turned red, stripped down to her tank top and started fanning herself. I was just fine in my sweater. My oldest is getting ready for college too. Wow - there is TONS to do! Plus I'm having a major anxiety attack about the $$$$ needed for this whole deal. I'm really bummed out today. This 7 month plateau is really getting to me. I'm just not sure this is working....I don't know what else to do. I scheduled another fill for the 23rd, but I'm a little leary. I'm like Lara in that sometimes I can't even get 2 bites down for 3 days, then I go several days where I eat too much. Is this normal for anyone else? How many of you have had upper GI? or flouro fills? I've heard that some Dr's do the GI at one year. Mine doesn't use flouro for fills, and doesn't do the upper GI unless there are problems. I wonder lots if my band is even working right. I'm still glad I have it. I haven't been able to maintain this low of a weight in a long time. I see women I know who had RNY, and they look like skeletons. It's NOT healthy. I just want to loose at least 20 more. My 20 year reunion is coming up in June, and I was hoping to do that by then, but time is ticking and still no results...:redface:

Julie - Amazing transformation! You look really great! Janine - I'm sorry you lost your band, but happy that you are safe and healing. I am confident that you will overcome this obstacle in your life. You are and inspiration to me. TammyJ - I think it's wise to get an unfill, and hope it helps. I'm glad I have the opportunity to step back and look at the overall picture, since it's been a year. Going through the day-to-day has been a bit emotional and frustrating. I lost all my 32 lbs the first 6 months, and then have managed to yo-yo up and down 6 lbs this past 6 months. I did see 185 in Feb, but was 188.8 on my 3/5 anniversary day. I just can't be consistant. I know it's the head work I need to be doing, because my band is working fine. I don't always have the emotional energy to do the head work. I get so tired of it sometimes, and I think it's because I've been fighting this weight loss battle since age 13. My calories are 1200-1500, and I find it hard to stay in the 1000-1200 range, which is what I seem to need for weight loss. I'll do major workouts for 4 weeks, then nothing for 2 months. I's been a rough winter, and I'm hoping spring will help me snap out of it. Thanks for listening to my concerns, now to look at the positives....This is the least weight I've maintained in my adult life. I've lost a total of 30.5 inches, 3% body fat, and am no longer "obese". I can finally control my portion sizes. My husband can't keep his hands off me. People are complimenting. I'm off one blood pressure pill and haven't needed my anti-depressant. These really are great accomplishments for 1 year! You guys are all doing wonderful. I'm so greatful for this group. I don't share about my band experience with anyone but this forum, and I appreciate that you guys are here.

I'm going to change my attitude and approach. I've finally come to realize that simply eating smaller portions is not going to cause weight loss like I thought it would. I'm going to lay off the unhealthy choice foods that slip right through my band, and focus on solid protein & vegies, and I'm going to try really hard to add some fruit (other than my smoothie I have twice a week). I don't know why I have to force myself to eat fruit??? The big 20 year HS reunion is in June. My goal is to lose 20lbs by mid June, which is 1 lb per week. This is truly an attainable goal, and I need to get out of the mind set that it will never happen. I have a wide variety of exercise I'm enjoying, but it will happen more than 2-3 times a week. Sparkpeople will have regular visits again for tracking my intake. Maybe approaching our one year will give us all renewed motivation. Keep it up guys!

This is reassuring to me. I've been really stressing about my plateau I've been on for about 5 months now. I lost a lot early, but then nothing. I'm exercising and getting 1200-1500 cals. Hope to see results soon before I get seriously depressed!

My cals have been 1200-1500, and I have been plateauing for forever (it seems). I think I'll need to get down to the 1000-1200 range. I had .3cc's added on 1/9 and was eating fine until today. I PB'd on my tiny blood pressure med, and can only do liquids. We'll see how this goes. Glad to feel more restriction, but would like to be able to eat solid foods.

Kuebel, Sounds to me like you have "mushy food syndrome." It's a symptom of being over filled. We should be able to eat solid Protein and veggies by taking small bites and chewing well. If we can't, we have to rely on mushies for nourishment, and these foods aren't what makes the band work. I feel like total crap when I eat sugar - makes it a little easier to stay away from it. My problem - cheese, chips, & crackers. Ugh! I found a new product called Kay's Naturals. They have protein Snacks that are pretty yummy. They have 110-120 cals, about 10g protein, and 3-4 g fat. I LOVE the jalapeno mustard pretzels, apple cinamon Cereal, chili cheese chips, & cheddar crisps. They are also low sodium and have some Fiber. There's other flavors too. I'm hooked! Weight loss has been the focus of my life since age 13, and I also am tired of it dominating my life. Love your metaphore, Juli! I think I would have so much more physical and mental energy to persue other interests if it weren't for this constant battle with weight......maybe that's what has been the problem all along??? (Too much focus on weight, which stopped me from doing other things) I'm learning though. I think that life's struggle is in finding the balance in every aspect of life. My wish is that we all come closer to finding that balance. This is my life long resolution.

Nice to catch up with you all! Sounds like many are making a new commitment to exercise. I've felt really empowered since starting kickboxing class in December. Started with a core/cardio (this is a major 1.5 hour workout), and now I'm beating the Sh** out of that punching bag. I'm doing this 2-4 times/week, plus yoga at least twice/week, and 45-min eliptical 1-2 times/week. It feels really good! But.....I didn't lose (or gain) any lbs :cry I lost a couple more inches, and my butt's a little perkier, so I guess I'll take that. I'm still on that same weight plateau I've been on since August, but going for a fill 1/9. I just don't understand it. I'm getting 1200-1500 cals and working out big time - but still nothing. I've never been under this weight as an adult, so maybe I'm just stuck here forever??? I like Sparkpeople - haven't tried fitday though. Whitepants - hope the new fill works out. I think I want to try .3cc. Kurn - Have you had your band checked out? If you can eat what you did pre-band it must need some tweaking.

Aubrie, I wouldn't let this disclosure shatter you too much. There are many aspects to a relationship, and your hubby must love you for many other reasons. I'm sure he doesn't find you "repulsive" - there is a huge difference in "not sexually attractive" and "repulsive." Just remember that you have made an important decision to do something about your weight and should only be positively looking forward from here. Your hubby must be looking forward positively, thus he is now comfortable to share his feelings with you that he has keept inside - that is good! You two can work to put the past behind you as you go on this journey together. You had a major shake out of your denial stage - pick up the pieces and keep going! Your life and your marriage are about to change for the better!

I'm needing all the support I can get. I've been losing and gaining the same 4 lbs for the past several months, and am truly fed up. I want to loose 9 lbs by January! I probably could use a fill, but I really want to try exercising hard and really sticking to band rules first. I'm having difficulty with being consistant with these things. I look forward to sharing with this group.