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.

I'm ready for the challenge!! Name........Chall. Start Wt........Current......Chall. Goal...........To Go sophie248...........189....................189..... .........180...................9

I really think that my internal self-hatred is what contributed to my weight in the first place. I didn't take care of myself, exercise, eat the right foods because I didn't like myself - it was a type of punishment. Normally people have to shed this in order to lose the weight and keep it off, but because the band is such a helpful tool, we will lose the weight without losing the self-loathing. It will take a lot of mental energy to make our heads keep up with our changing bodies. This will be the hardest part of my journey. I do have much more hope now than I ever had pre-lap band.

Cool, Dems! Happy exercising! Remember how good it fills to finish the workouts - we all deserve that good feeling! Mrs. Husker - I know what you mean. I actually wanted to lose weight slowly, which is why I wanted lapband. What makes me stressed is that I lost most all the lbs between March and June - so I was thinking Yee Haw - and then nothing!! Big picture though - 32 lbs gone and this is the lowest weight I've maintained in my adult life! I've been seeing 188 every once and a while. Hopefully I can change my ticker soon too! Janine - I'll be cooking and we're having turkey, stuffing, potatos, gravy, green bean casserole, cranberry salad, relish tray, buns, and desert is autumn cheesecake (an apple/pecan topped baked cheesecake..yum-o). I'll skip the potatos and bun, but plan to have a little of everything else. Stuffing is my absolute favorite at Thanksgiving - oh and also the roasted red pepper dip - I would be happy with just those two things! Momlambert - you must have a really good fill now. I'm eating like the old days (though only about 1/2 the amount), and not PBing on anything at all really. I'm not feeling that fullness anymore.....I guess I need more fill.

I found this really helpful today: Do You Suffer from Diet Rage? Rules of the Road to Help You Reach Your Destination -- By Mike Kramer, Staff Writer After slowing down to an unexplained stop for the 147th time in the space of 2 miles, I decided that I hated the world. Surrounding me were an ocean of maddening brake lights, rain pelting the windshield and thousands of tons of steel and fiberglass flung around by a clueless pack of selfish morons who obviously didn’t know the first thing about driving!! It was in serious danger of ruining my whole day. Is there anything more frustrating than being bogged down in traffic? Most all of us have been there before. That discouraged, fed up feeling that just makes us want to throw up our hands in surrender or lay them on the horn. Thankfully, I stopped muttering helplessly and started thinking instead. And I realized that I often witness another type of "road rage" – the frustration that builds on the road to weight loss: Diet Rage. Think about your dieting history. Does it give you the same feeling as an exasperating traffic jam? You never quite get where you want to go as fast as you want to get there. You get aggravated, yell (usually at yourself), and see people in other lanes going faster than you (how do they DO that?!), and it usually ends up ruining your day. Here’s the lesson: Getting frustrated with your diet does no more good than getting frustrated in traffic. It just makes you unhappy, unsuccessful and tense. By the time I got to work (it was a long commute), I noticed a lot of things that we, as weight loss veterans, can learn from traffic jams. Next time you start to feel frustrated with your weight loss progress, keep these "lessons of the road" in mind: Pay less attention to how much further you have to travel. Stop asking yourself "are we there yet?" You’ll get there when you get there. Instead, look at the scenery, think about life, carry on a conversation, sing along with the radio, or simply be thankful for how far you’ve come. The journey is always more fun with a passenger. Have you asked anyone along for the ride? You know the route you need to take to reach your weight loss goals. It’s already mapped out. As long as you stay pointed in the right direction, you’ll get there. Even in the worst traffic jams, you still get to your destination at some point. It’s the same way with dieting – just a matter of time. It may take longer than you first expected, but you will get there. There will always be periods of stopping and starting. It’s something that you should just anticipate and allow for. No use getting upset or stressed about not making progress. It’s a normal part of the journey. Sometimes, you’ve just gotta go with the flow of what’s going on around you. Life can present some situations that you really can’t do anything about. When that happens, staying straight and steady – doing the best that you can – will keep you on track and sane. In traffic, impatient people stop, change lanes, weave in and out of other cars, driving themselves and everyone else crazy – and in the end, usually don’t get any farther along than you do by staying put and going with the flow. Shortcuts never work. Driving too fast is dangerous. That’s why they call it "crash" dieting. Slow down, take what life gives you, and make sure you arrive at your destination in good health. I finally did get to my destination after all. Hands were pried away from the steering wheel, teeth were unclenched, and a few aspirin were popped. Of course, people in the cars around me probably had a good laugh at my arm-waving and soundless yelling. Funny how we can lose our senses when faced with something that frustrates us, whether it’s traffic or our diets. Thanks to these insights, my story had a happy ending. Hopefully, remembering these rules will help you reach your destination sooner – and more content – than you expected.

Woo Hoo Jeni! :whoo: Congratulations! Eden, Welcome to this forum. You've done very well! Almost double the loss that I've been able to accomplish. Let us know what has worked for you. Does the Dr. think that the throwing up is due to overfill? I've been logging my food again and am at 1200-1400 cals/day. Hope I see results now.....I'm going to weigh at the end of the week. How many cals do you guys think you are getting?

OH Julie - that is Awesome! You should be SO proud of yourself! I also want to thank you for the "you had SURGERY" thing. It has motivated me as well. I've been plateau'd for too damn long, and I'm going to do something about it! I'm going to start cardio kickboxing now, not in January - plus I'm going back logging on Sparkpeople - AND only 1-100 calorie pack of chips allowed per day! No more eating out of the big bag! I also found this helpful - got it off Sparkpeople and thought I'd share: Your goals may not come easy. There is no accomplishment without work, and no "win" without something to beat. It's easy to get discouraged when roadblocks appear--in fact, it's only natural. You've invested time and emotion into creating the perfect plan, and then something has to come along and muck it all up. Sometimes, though, all you have to do to beat that barrier is to get back up and move forward again. Obstacles are like the Wizard of Oz--they're a lot less intimidating once you see them up close. Next time you take a step back, don't let guilt pile it on top of your previous "stumbles". Just take two steps forward and you're still further along than you were before. It doesn't matter how many walls you face. You only have to get the better of that last one. :boxing:

I hear ya on the gas thing! My Dr explained that the band restricts the gas from comming out in "burp" form :confused:.....so out it comes on the other end. :paranoid He recommending using the gas-x as an after dinner mint every time you eat. I don't always remember.....so I just let 'er rip whenever I have a private moment.....or when only family is around. DH and DSs are a little disgusted with me at times...:rolleyes

I've made a new committment to exercise. Day one and I have 40 min in so far. Might do some tonight too. I've only been walking for the past several months, so I'm adding yoga, eliptical, and circuit training. I want to work up to cardio kickboxing class by January. Here we go!

Welcome to Onederland Momlambert! You look Great Jeni! How long are we supposed to go back on liquids after a major PB/stuck episode? I had a rough lunch break today . It was on a piece of smoked sausage....

Well said Momlambert! As a mother of boys (18 and 16), I appreciate your wisdom. I remind myself that someday I'm going to miss all of the "chaos." Motherhood can be so difficult in that you feel so overwhelmed while raising kids - and my big thing is guilt, for not being able to be superwoman I guess - then they're gone and you have the emptyness to cope with. I wanted to check in after my fill yesterday. I have 2cc's now. I weighed in and lost "zero" lbs since June 20. My Dr. was a bit annoyed that I hadn't come in sooner. I've just been losing and gaining the same 5 lbs for 4 months. I don't know if I really have restriction now for sure as I'm on mushy again. I didn't have much before I went in. I worry a lot. Do any of you guys feel weird about having this thing in you sometimes? I don't know, but I just worry that something is wrong with the band - or going to go wrong. Does anyone still have pains in their stomach? I get waves of pain that sometimes wake me up at night. I can't figure if it's gas, or because my tummy is empty or what. A drink of Water usually helps. My Dr didn't want to do any tests or anything, and doesn't use floro for fills.:phanvan

Go Marchies! We are awesome! In October, I'm going to kick this plateau I've been on since June! I'm getting a fill 10/17. I'm hoping 2cc's will do the trick.

Hi guys! Great to see this thread getting more activity (now if I could pick up on the "activity" maybe I'd break this plateau)! I really need to exercise more. What I'm doing now (walking/riding/eliptical) has only been maintaining me. Since June I have not lost (other than the up/down 4 lbs). I admit I could make better food choices too Pat - Congratulations on your weight loss! I'm getting a fill on 10/17 also. I think I want to increase to 2cc's. Is Dr. Mortenson with Dr Rhorer's office? anw - I know you must be quite anxious - the waiting until surgery day was the hardest for me. In fact I was a wreck until I actually went under anesthesia. I woke up with this feeling of complete hope and satisfaction with my decision. I'm very happy with my band! dreno - I really like Dr. Rhorer, though it has been more difficult to get in to see him. I was worried when I got my first fill, but it was completely painless and not a big deal at all. Joy - I'm also a horse lover, and from Eastern MT (Glasgow). I know what you mean about the support issue in our areas. I have a hard time because I really don't want others to know I had the surgery. I know a couple of ladies who I've heard had WLS, but I haven't approached them yet. Small town gossip drives me crazy, so I try to keep a low profile. I'm so thankful for Lap Band Talk! Shawn - I think that lady only taking in 600 cals and exercising like that is not doing this right. It really upsets me when I see how fast the by-pass patients loose. That can't be healthy! I keep reminding myself when I get discourged about my plateau that slow/gradual weight loss is so much better AND healthier! I'm not losing any hair, my energy level is great, and my skin is going to bounce back much better!