livingmydream

I have been banded for just over a year now. I have learned so much about myself and my body since that time. I have become more patient, tolerant and thankful for every victory and weight lost during this journey. I understand that each individual's experience is unique and takes different amounts of time to become accustomed to the band and learn to use this tool in the way that works for you. food, on the other hand...well, let's just say that I am still learning. I still struggle with choosing the most nutritious and healthy food that I should put into my body. For some reason, since I have this tool, my mind thinks it's ok for me to have food that I would have never been able to "control" before my band was in place. This has given me freedom in a way, but it is not necessarily a good "freedom". I continue to lose weight consistently, but I really feel that I need to make better eating/drinking choices. Any thoughts, comments, suggestions? Anyone else having this problem?

Thanks for the advice! Yes, I am a fitness fanatic and exercise hard every day - sometimes twice a day, so activity does help with my "splurges." I think a lot of the food struggle comes from years of not being able to control myself when it came to eating "bad" food, so I would just avoid it or end up bingeing on it.

You are so inspiring! I am one year out (in June) and feel like you. I haven't lost 100 pounds, but still feel the healthy, wonderful feeling that comes with weight loss. Keep up the good work and congratulations!

So, in June I will have been banded for a year! I can hardly believe it! This past year has been a year of learning how to use food as a fuel source for my body and not as a crutch to help me with boredom, fatigue, anxiety and other feelings and emotions. I love the way my body looks and feels. I exercise religiously and don't and did not expect overnight results. My doctor has been a great help and encourages me when I get my fills. I remember I posted when I was pre-op and said I wanted to start living purposefully and not just existing anymore. I feel like I am doing just that. I feel good about my decision to have the lap band and do not regret anything about it. Granted, there are times when I want to eat away my problems, but they are short-lived and life goes on. And, it's a good life!

Wow. Thanks for sharing your feelings. I am so happy that you have 100lbs of weight gone! Imagine the health benefits that you don't actually see that your body is enjoying. I, on the other hand, am one of those people who have struggled with being overweight all of my life. I am almost 1 yr. out of lapband surgery and feel like a new person, even though I have lost about 35lbs. I too have had a struggle with trying to outsmart the band and fill that ever-present "hole" in my life with food that goes down easily. This is a life-long journey for me and I am glad to have the tool that I now have to help me get to my goal. I feel thankful that I was fortunate enough to get it, but now I need to use it properly and not work against it. Best wishes to you.

I had my LB put in place in June 2011. I am now at 4ccs in my band. My experience has taught me that this is not for the weak at heart. Life with the lap band life is like learning how to walk. There are hills and valleys involved and bumps and bruises along the way. Of course I am speaking figuratively, but I hope by my posting this that people will realize that there are no "easy fixes" even with the LB. I continue to be challenged by eating small bites and chewing very slowly and thoroughly. There is still an opportunity for me to overeat as I have learned, although now there are painful consequences. Learning to eat to live is an everyday battle for me. Years of bad habits are hard to break, especially when our society celebrates, mourns and everything else with food! My hope is that this message will encourage, challenge and speak to those who have made this life-changing decision and to remind us all that this is an everyday battle that we fight. Focus on your goal and get to that finish line. We are all worth it!!!

Great dialogue! I am glad to know that I am not alone in my struggle to succeed. I wish it were a Miracle Cure for me, but unfortunately it is not. I still have to keep temptation at bay, not eat around the band and not eat when I am not hungry. Alas, it is getting easier with practice! Happy holidays to each and every one of you!

First of all CONGRATULATIONS to you. I remember trying on smaller clothes in the fitting room and actually crying when they fit! Nobody understands the feeling like your struggling with weight peers! Keep up the good work. You are an inspiration to many!!! BTW: onederland = getting out of any numbers higher than 199 - get it? One (1) derland?

My doctor just reminded me to chew well and take very small bites, so I made the mistake of eating regular food right after my fill. Boy, did I pay for that. Not only did I feel like crap, I thought I had messed up my whole band...scared me straight though! I won't make that mistake again. After my next fill I will eat soft foods and chew, chew, chew!

Ok, so I was banded on June 17. As soon as my swelling went down and I was feeling "normal" again, I started eating like my old self again. No small bites and racing through meals. Yes, there was some restriction and I could feel when I had enough, but it was usually after I had eaten more food than I probably needed. I had my first fill on August 30. I tried to eat like I had before and guess what? Sliming and nearly stuck on at least four occasions that I can remember. What is wrong with me? I know in my heart of hearts that I want to be successful and lose this weight, but my mind is not getting it! I am hoping that maybe one or two fills will be all I need to get to the sweet spot. I don't want to end up messing up my band, so I have promised myself to behave and chew carefully after very small bites. I guess it's true...it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks!

Thank you all for your great advice. I need to learn patience and to listen to my body. You are correct: this is a learning process. Best wishes to all of us on this journey! We are worth it!!!

Im so glad I made the decision to get on this forum today! You have inspired me to keep working hard. I was banded in June and have come to a complete halt in terms of weight loss. I can eat larger and larger portions and am very hungry, both head and tummy hungry in between meals. I almost feel like I never had the band, but I know that I am motivated and determined to make this thing work! I told myself and my family that this was my last ditch effort, so I will do this! It is helpful for me to read posts like yours to remember that I haven't even had a fill yet and that I am going to lose more weight when I find the sweet spot. It just seems like it is taking forever (my first fill is Aug 31). Anyway, thank you so much for sharing your experience! It does matter to those of us who are in limbo.

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I am about six weeks out too, but am struggling to keep my portions limited as I do not have a fill yet. I am so happy that I made the decision for banding since I have lost about 23 lbs so far. I am short, so that makes a lot of difference in clothing sizes. Keep up the great work!!!

Wow! I feel the same as others...find a new doctor! He is a complete jerk and is forgetting that he is working for YOU! He should be fired for his poor bedside manner. Don't give him another dime of your hard earned money (or any from your insurance). He doesn't deserve it!

Hi Everyone: I had my surgery on June 17. I am down about 23 pounds from where I started. I will not get my first fill until August 31 and am at a standstill with my weightloss. However, I continue to work out religiously and watch what I eat. I remember reading a post where a person was asking the poster, "Are you tummy hungry, or head hungry?" I try to ask myself that question when I feel like munching. I believe all of my internal swelling has disappeared as I am now able to eat larger portions than when I was first banded...I guess "the honeymoon" stage is over. I have had no problems with my band and am so happy I chose this as my tool to help me reach my healthy goal!

I'm so happy for you! You are doing an amazing job! I love that we can rejoice for each other as well as commiserate when needed. I can't wait until you post that you have met your goal! Keep up the good work!!!

I have never been part of an official challenge, but would love to participate!:bananajump:

I am surprised that I don't read more about the activity levels increasing for those of us who have been banded. I was and have been an avid exerciser for many years, but obviously I was taking in more calories then I was expending. So, when I read fellow bandsters complaining about slow or non-existant weight loss, it amazes me that many don't talk about increasing activity levels. Yes, it is hard to make the time to workout, but if it means you will get to your healthy life faster, why not? Maybe I can be of some encouragement to someone about making the decision to get moving! I love how I feel after a good workout and last night attended a wonderful Zumba class. Yes, I was out of step with the cute little instructor and my upper arms were about the size of her upper thigh, but I didn't care and kept up as best I could. I felt good about myself before, during and after. That's all that counts. LET'S GET MOVING!!!

As I have gotten older, I have realized that since we only go around once in this lifetime, we should not and do not have to subject ourselves to rude, ignorant, jealous or mean people! If someone makes me feel bad, it is because I have allowed them to do that to me. I used to be what I considered a "doormat" friend who would let so called "friends" dictate how I lived my life. I am so over that! Each and everyone who has a weight problem has dealt with enough crap in their lifetime, so we all need to "grow some" and stop allowing these leeches to suck the life out of us! We are good people and worthy of positive influences in all aspects of our lives. We have put up with enough throughout our lives, by being the butt of jokes, teasing, etc. Let's make a commitment to clean up our "friends" list and kick the ones to the curb who don't support us and think they know what's best for us.

I love that we all are at different levels and can be here to motivate each other! I started exercising a few days out from my banding (five to be exact) but started back slowly...walking, but not too briskly. I kind of felt a little weak, but I didn't overexert myself. As soon as I got the green light from my dr., I went back to my regular routine. It really does make a difference in my attitude and my outlook on being successful in reaching and maintaining my goal. I am inspired by all of you and hope that we can be of help and support to each other as time goes by.

During this part of waiting for the first fill, I think we have all felt as you have. I also think that anesthesia stays in your system longer than we think and plays a big part in the "mental" craziness that comes along. I was a little depressed and even cried (don't know why) and told my hubby that I didn't know what was wrong with me. I felt like it would never feel "normal" again. I have not lost much since my follow-up visit with my Dr. and he, too, said that I would probably not lose anymore from now until my first fill. But, that being said, it has not deterred me from maintaining my healthy eating and exercise routine. I am so happy that we have this forum so that we understand that we are not alone in our Quest for health!!! You can do this...we all can!

I'm so happy for you! We all struggle and fight the good fight! I am so encouraged when I read the success stories like yours. I have been in the 160's for a couple of weeks, but have not had a fill yet and am only four weeks out. I look foward to getting into the 150 range. Good luck on your next 10 pounds and may they simply melt away!:bananapartyhat:

I am just about four weeks post-op. I am eating, but can only eat a small amount. My doctor will not fill at all when initially banded. I am fortunate to feel the restriction I need to not overeat. Can anyone tell me if this is "too good to be true?" Does this feeling go away? I hope not, because it's working for me!!! Thanks in advance for your insight.

Love all of these posts! I'm still a pretty new Bandster, but can totally relate to many of the emotions. I love the letter to the office food. What a great strategy. My break-up with food has been a difficult process, but I am learning how not to misuse it and look forward to beginning a new, healthy relationship with food. Thanks for making my day everyone!