TracyC

Perhaps she should alter some of her recipes to reduce the fat content. I'm sure her food tastes great, but there are behavior reasons for why she is where she is at the moment, the same as the rest of us.

I too had some of the same problems. I have actually gotten more support and concrete answers here on this site than I did going to the group meetings. The group-clique was frustrating at best. I have been able to be very open with my questions and am always amazed at the number of people who have similar situations and suggestions on how to handle whatever is going on.

I told a few co-workers and my immediate family. I too was worried about a couple of extended judgmental family members. However, I did find that when I was asked directly if I was losing weight, I answered honestly. When asked how I was doing it, again I couldn't just say, exercise and high protein diet. It felt sort of dishonest. So I answered honestly and inevitably got into a conversation about the LapBand. I think I should be a spokesperson. There is only one person I have not told. And like you, it is a tricky situation. I have a friend (best friend through school) who is overweight and has done everything under the sun to lose weight. She has spent thousands of dollars and not gotten much in the results category. We visited last year (prior to my surgery) and my stepmom went to dinner with us. My step mom was one month post surgery for gastric bypass. I can't tell you how much I heard about the dangers, etc.. from my friend. She thinks she knows all the answers. I decided then not to say anything about my decision to have Lap Band to her. She lives out of state and we see each other once a year. Maybe a year from now, when I am happier with myself, I will feel comfortable defending my decision. Until then she will remain in the dark.

Please tell me if I'm being unrealistic. I had my first fill yesteray and was excited to think I'd be feeling hungry for longer periods of time. The last month was a tough one to get through, I felt like I was eating everything in front of me. Part of it was because I didn't feel full and the other part (at the end of the month) was from emotional eating. I went in yesterday and had my first fill. I was told liquids for the rest of the day, mushies today and regular foods tomorrow. I did the liquids yesterday as directed and things seemed fine. Today, I've had a Protein shake for Breakfast (normal) broke down and ate some sugar-free pudding two hours later and am now sitting here listening to my stomach growl and feeling uncomfortable. I haven't even come close to making it until lunch. (I have about 2 more hours to go) I thought after the first fill, I'd be full longer, not shorter. Is this normal or am I misreading something my body is telling me? I feel frustrated. I'm still drinking as much water/crystal light tea, as I was before the fill, so why am I hungry sooner? Ugh. Anyone have thoughts on this?

Definitely a NSV!! Very nice.

I'm early in the process but I agree with you about needing to make life changes. You can't keep the old habits and think this "tool" will fix it.

I love this story. I think the NSV stories are emotionally more important than reading the scale.

I love it.

The first three days after my surgery, my family did fast food take out. It was weird. I wasn't hungry but just seeing it made me want to eat. Thankfully, I was still acutely aware of my surgery and the feeling that I wasn't going to screw anything up. But I was frustrated with their choices so soon after my decision. Then I got upset with them when they changed the Thanksgiving menu to fit what I could and couldn't eat. I was uncomfortable that they were bucking tradition because of me. When I look back now, they really couldn't win regardless of what they did. I realized that while they were along for the ride, it was my decision to have the surgery done. I have to figure out a way to make it work for all of us. I serve healthier food but have to remember to eat what I know is right and walk away from the other stuff. Sometimes it isn't easy. I wish you luck in your journey. Remember that as big as the changes are for you, they are huge for the non-bandsters of your life as well.

Congratulations. And best of luck in the new year.

I had my six week follow up with my primary care physician today. I like it when the nurse walks in and tells me I need a new picture for their file. I don't look like the original they took a year ago. The doctor was happy with my current weight loss. So that was the good news... ...Little did he know that I am at the same weight I was two weeks out of surgery. I didn't handle the Christmas holiday very well at all. I've tried to refocus this past week but am not having much luck. I feel like I could eat everything and anything, and sometimes catch myself doing just that. I've tried asking myself why I'm eating just to give myself a chance to put whatever I have down. That worked well for a while. Now I am eating because I can. I feel hungry a lot more often and there isn't any restriction to help. I don't go in for a fill until January 4th and it feels so far away. Somehow, I have to get through the weekend without completely losing it. I told myself I would be the same weight, if not less, on January 4th that I was at my two week checkup. As of this very moment, I'm losing that wage with myself. Instead of being down, I'm actually up two pounds. It makes me want to cry. I thought I could be stronger during this four week stretch. So while I love the reaction of the doctor and the nurse, I'm not happy with how I'm feeling right now. I don't want to be hungry anymore. I want to be able to eat a few bites of something and walk away from the table, not belly up for more.

It took me a little while to feel better. I was expecting a much quicker turn around. I emailed the doctors office on day 7 saying I wasn't feeling well. His nurse responded quickly, that I needed to increase my fluids. She felt, based on my description (much the same as yours) that I was getting dehydrated. I took her advise and was amazed at how quickly things turned around. I was pushing too hard to get back to exercising and 'normal' life. I also have a five year old who didn't quite understand that Mom couldn't play like normal. Let me tell you, when I finally started feeling physically better at two weeks, the first thing I did was some controlled rough-housing with my little one. He loved having Mom back and I needed to do something normal again. Increasing my fluids definitely helped me get over the "Icky" stage. As I was told by numerous people in the chat room, you have to give yourself time to heal from the inside. It doesn't help to push yourself too hard and have recovery become even longer. Take things one day at a time, increase your fluids and you will be moving around pain free in no time.

I was banded on 11/18 of this year. Since I was told in June that I had diabetes, I have changed a lot of habits (still have a ton to work on) and lost 25 pre-surgery and an additional 10 post surgery. I have a large family function this weekend and am unsure how to approach it. I haven't seen a number of my family members in a long time, so the weight loss will seem drastic to them. I'm not sure how I want to answer questions about it. I'm proud of making the decision to have the band done. I'm happier with the new me and can't wait until the next version comes along My boyfriend is of the opinion that it isn't anyones business but my own. I almost feel that he is embarrassed with my choice, but I'm not sure that is it. I think there are underlying issues with his family. We didn't tell his father, who lives in the apartment downstairs, until my surgery was complete. I didn't want to have to defend my decision to have the lap band done. Which would have happened because his father is a sweet guy and thinks I'm great the way I am. I couldn't make him understand that if I'm not happy with how I feel, it doesn't matter what he thinks, I'd still be miserable. To his credit, when it was explained to him (by my boyfriend) he has been nothing but supportive. He had some questions and I answered them the best I could. As for my family, it's a mixed bag. There are those who would be supportive and those who would give me a hard time about how I'm "cheating". I'm not good at being evasive. So far when I'm asked by acquaintances, I've been very honest. I then get into a very lengthy discussion about what it is and how it's done and what I can eat, etc. I become the center of attention, not to mention an advertisement for the band, neither of which I am comfortable with. Then I think maybe I'm being selfish. I have family members who would benefit from making the decision I've made. If I can share my story and it helps them in any way, aren't I obligated to do just that? I don't know what to do. Any suggestions?

I just feel like I'm being deceitful if I say I'm watching what I eat or something like that. It is only partially true. Yes, I watch what I eat much more carefully than ever in the past and I force myself to use the treadmill for more than a clothing rack. But without the band, I wouldn't be where I am now. I guess part of my issue is that I don't want my boyfriend to be uncomfortable if the topic comes up.

Personally, the only shake I've been able to drink is the Special K shakes, vanilla and strawberry. It is almost like drinking a milkshake which I didn't find with the other kinds I tried. Too thin and it was like drinking melted ice cream, no matter how cold it was. Then there are others that taste like chalk. These came straight from the doctors office. The Special K shakes were comparable to what my doctor wanted me to drink nutrition wise, at least pre-op. Post op, they'd like me to be drinking something with a bit more protein. I haven't found a shake that compares in taste, so if you do, please share.

LOL

https://www.lapband.com/en/sign_in/?cID=T2&eway_id=1081836 There are some great recipes on this site. Free to join and tasty. Personally I like the chili enchilada soup. It was awesome. Making more tomorrow for this week at work.

My doctor allowed soft foods on day 5. It was Thanksgiving. I was able to eat mashed potatoes with gravy and the cranberry sauce. Of course, the amount I managed to eat was about 3 tablespoons. But it eased the craving for "tasty" food. I also ate a lot of jello. I know it didn't really help with my fluids, but it made me feel better to think I was "chewing" something.

Thanks for the explanation Cakegirl. And a huge congrats to Healthy and Happy. I can't imagine how great that had to feel.

The other reason has to do with some insurances. Mine put a restriction on my approval. I had to lose 10% from my initial visit until they would approve the procedure. They want to be sure you are seriously committed to the program before they pay to have it done. Almost like a good faith gesture. The two week diet the doctor puts you on prior to surgery is to help shrink the fat around your liver. The doctor has to move it a little to secure the lapband and if your liver is less fatty it is easier to accomplish.

Congratulations. And good luck.

In the weeks leading up to my surgery I went a little crazy. Got the approval from insurance and decided I was going to have some of my favorite foods that were sure to be on the "NO" list post surgery. I got a little silly with it but feel better now that I did. I didn't want the band to feel like a punishment so I needed to have that last fling, so to speak.

Congrats on the decision to move forward with the Lap Band. I think the urge to vomit will depend on how you handle the anesthesia they use. The banding itself should not cause you to vomit. As for eating again, I was banded on November 18th and after the first two weeks I can eat almost anything. No I haven't tried bread, the stories at the support group meetings about bread have me leery of even attempting it. The hardest thing I had to contend with was coming to terms with my obsession and affair with food. It was something I was not even aware of. Mentally the doctors can't prepare you for that. It was in those two weeks that I realized just how much I relied on food to get me through each day. That feeling has lessoned quite a bit. You can expect to feel uncomfortable but keep yourself hydrated and you will feel better much faster. I'm sure your doctor suggested you keep a journal of your fluid intake, but if they didn't it will help tremendously to help you feel better post surgery. I wish you the best tomorrow.

Hi Elisabeth, Reading your post made me feel that I was looking into the mirror. I too had surgery on Nov. 18th and have been having some of the same 'issues' since then. I did very well the first 3 days, or so I thought. I realized, with the help of my doctor, that I was a bit dehydrated. Once I got that a bit under control I started to feel better. I made it through Thanksgiving because I really didn't want anything to eat. Now I guess I'm going through that 'mourning' period you were talking about. I wish I knew exactly what I was getting myself into. Although that being said, I wouldn't change the decision I made to have the lap band. Since the beginning of this process I've lost 35 lbs. and couldn't be happier. I'm just missing food. It's not that I'm hungry, but I miss food.