Jenn1214

I think this is a lesson that I have needed to learn for a long time, and will probably always struggle with. I have such a fear of being hungry that as soon as my stomach growls even a little bit, I'm ready to run to the kitchen. Not to mention I get very hangry if my blood sugar drops too low. This has been a constant problem and a huge source of my past failures. My weight loss had stalled for a couple weeks because I was grazing almost constantly. I decided to try an experiment where I would force myself to ignore my growling stomach for a hour or two and see what happened. Lo and behold, I didn't die of starvation, the world didn't end, and I made it to my next meal unscathed. It's OK to be hungry! My band helps somewhat in this department but I realized all over again the necessity for some form of willpower. I was sick of being stuck at the same weight for weeks and starting to feel my old feelings of failure and the "Screw it, I'm going to eat a box of cookies since I'm not losing weight anyway" mentality. Then I went to the mirror, lifted my shirt, and looked at my surgical scar. I didn't go through all this pain, the post op diet from hell, and weeks of recovery to fail now. I knew I was in this for life when I had this surgery and there are going to be ups and downs in this journey, but so far I've been heading in the right direction. Happily, I broke my plateau this morning and I'm down three pounds! My new mantra: It's OK to be hungry!

I have a few "full" signals. Sometimes I will hiccup, other times I get shoulder pain, and still other times I feel a slight pressure under the left side of my rib cage. I try not to rely on them too much, instead deciding what portions I will eat ahead of time and not eating after that unless I'm absolutely starving (though that rarely happens). If I get one of these signals before I'm done with my predetermined meal, I will stop.

I was banded around the same time as you (March 14th) and I just broke a frustrating plateau. I upped my water intake, focused even more on protein, and tried to switch up the types of foods I was eating. You'll start losing again; don't lose hope.

I was very camera-phobic before surgery. If someone did manage to get a shot of me you could tell I was very unhappy about it. It's getting better now, but I can't wait to get to the point where when someone takes my picture I'm not thinking "Ugh, I hope my face doesn't look fat" or "This picture is going to show off my enormous gut."

I still get shoulder pain and I'm three and a half months out. Since I was adjusted on Wednesday, it's become a signal that I am getting full and should stop eating.

I ordered my copy on Amazon.

How is your water intake? I notice that if I don't drink enough I feel exhausted. Also make sure you are getting the required amounts of protein or you will feel like crap too.

I'm going to see my surgeon tomorrow for my 3rd postop visit and I definitely need a fill. I'm lucky if I can make it two hours without being hungry (not head hungry, I mean tummy growling, lightheaded hungry) and I can eat almost as much as I did before the surgery (well ok maybe not that much but more than I have since being banded). I'm hoping this one will put me in the green for a good long while *crosses fingers*

When I saw the PA and told her what was going on she asked me about my food choices. I told her what my typical Breakfast, lunch and dinner was like and she didn't see any problem with it. I also just had a whole battery of blood tests last month and everything checks out. I really think I just needed a fill and the PA agreed. Let's hope the third time's the charm!

Wasn't it enough for the guy to say "I noticed your wife is looking great these days. She must feel awesome." Done. End of compliment. The guy sounds like a total weirdo...sorry your husband got upset :-( If someone was talking about my wife like that I would have knocked them out!

I just ordered some SF drink mixes from Baja Bob's. I made margaritas with the Margarita mix and they're not too bad, plus they're way lower in calories than regular mix. The Sweet and Sour mix isn't too bad either (I do like my whisky sours!). Just a way to keep the calorie count down while still enjoying the occasional drink.

Men don't realize that more often it's the WAY they say things, rather than WHAT they say, that is the most hurtful. That may have been his own stupid way of showing concern for your health, or he might just actually be that stupid. I don't know your husband so only you can answer that question. Hopefully he realizes how much he hurt you and he will learn to support you in the future. If his lack of support and hurtful words continue, you may want to consider counseling if he won't talk to you about why he is behaving this way. Good luck and keep up the good work!

In a few minutes, I will be picking up my dad from the airport to go to my brother's rehearsal dinner tonight. He lives in North Carolina and I haven't seen him since a few days after the surgery. I hit the 39 pound mark today and I'm curious to see what he will say. He has seen me at all my ups and downs (weightwise and otherwise) and I know he was very proud of me when I decided to go through with the surgery. Frankly, I'm pretty damn proud of myself too! Lap band surgery is not easy, no matter what anyone says about it, and I know I've done the right thing for myself. Not just for my looks and self esteem, but more importantly, for my health and my ability to stay around longer to bug my future husband Weight has always been a touchy subject with my parents and me. I've been on countless diet and exercise plans throughout my childhood and teenage years and always felt that they wouldn't accept me if I was fat. It's hard to be 8 or 9 years old and having your pediatrician tell your parents to buy you toys as a reward for when you lose weight. Most kids get toys for getting good grades or behaving well, but not me. Kind of screwed up now that I look back on it. I always felt like less of a person the heavier I got and thought that my parents were ashamed of me. I never had the guts to actually come out and ask but it was kind of obvious. My late mother was never as bad as my father, who I am convinced felt guilty for overfeeding me as a baby and probably thinks that if I'm thin in my adult years that it will absolve him of all wrongdoing. Again, these aren't facts but just my assumptions. Someday I'll work up the courage to ask him. I just wish I could have one conversation that doesn't revolve around my weight, either what I'm doing to lose it or why have I gained so much, etc. Someday I hope it will be a nonissue altogether. I want to worry about who I am as a person and what I'm doing to grow and nurture myself, not what I'm doing to make the numbers on the scale lower. With Bandy's help I know I can get to that place and it's a happy feeling.

I had my second fill last Wednesday. With my first fill, I definitely noticed that I was able to be satisfied with less food and I could go longer without eating. It wasn't immediate but eventually I felt it. With this last fill I don't feel any different. Is this normal?

My period was all whacked out after surgery too. My gynecologist said it was from the powerful antibiotics I got during surgery and the stress of the surgery itself.

I've had shots and stuff since surgery with no problem. The only thing I've noticed is the drunker I get, the more I want to eat junk food ( especially ice cream, which we all know is a slider food). Just something to be aware of.

Congratulations on your awesome success! You must feel fantastic!

I have the same problem with my scale. Why are they so finicky? It's so annoying!

Thank goodness, I thought I was the only one! I've lost 38 pounds in 3 months and dropped two sizes, but I feel like I had more libido before the surgery. Weird.

I have lost 38 pounds in three months with minimal exercise, but I count calories obsessively. Even if I slack off a little bit, the scale doesn't budge. I plan to start exercising more regularly soon so I have a little bit more freedom.

I don't think it will be a problem as far as hurting the band, but just be careful because I know when I drink it lowers my inhibitions and I eat things I shouldn't. As long as you are aware of that you should be ok. Happy Anniversary!

For me personally, I find the more sugar I eat the more I want. "Just one cookie" can turn into two or three or more if my willpower is down that day. I try to avoid it as much as possible for that reason, but every once in a while doesn't hurt.

I fill up a 32 oz water bottle and keep it with me at all times. I sip on it throughout the day on the advice of my nutritionist and I'm able to get my water in that way. I also find I'm usually always thirsty because of all the protein I eat so I actually look forward to drinking my water.

Hangry describes me to a tee! At least before banding anyway. My poor fiance knew if I didn't eat at least every 4 hours or so, look out! It's better since the banding, especially when I get my protein and drink my water. During bandster hell, I found I was more depressed than hangry but it subsided once I hit the mushy stage. I think almost every bandster goes through a period of "Oh dear lord, what did I do to myself?" and thinking they'll never enjoy food again (so not true). As long as you're prepared for it you will do fine!

I don't know if it's just my imagination, but it seems like my PMS has gotten a lot worse since I was banded two months ago. I have been taking birth control for years so that has controlled my symptoms, but after the surgery even with BC I'm having cramps, terrible chocolate cravings, and I'm even breaking out! This has not happened to me in forever...I feel like a teenager again! I also notice my flow is a lot longer and heavier than it used to be, and I had breakthrough bleeding for the first time ever (my gyno chalked it up to the antibiotics and stress of surgery, but it was still weird). Any other ladies notice this? Why would the band have this effect?