losingoncemorewithsurgery

Anyone in the Bellingham, MA area? I would love to start some sort of group locally.

Hi All- So I've noticed that since surgery, I'm itchy ALLLLLLL THE TIME. I have a friend that had bypass and she said it's from losing the weight (releasing the fat toxins making me itch). Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks!!

I crush my anti-depressants everyday. I put crystal light in a shot glass, crush them, pour them on top of the crystal light and take it like a shot. It's the only way I can stomach the taste. You should talk to your pharmacist and ask for an equivalent to your medication that can be crushed and bring that medication name to your prescriber and have them change the pill. Best of luck!!

good I'm glad!! good luck!!

They make you meet with the Social Worker first to see if you're stable emotionally/mentally for the surgery and then you meet with the nurse and Dr. H. Sometimes they do it all in one day, sometimes they break up the social worker appointment from the other two. So no worries - you're on the right track

It took me 4 months from faxing in my paperwork to laying on the surgical table. I was banded on December 7, 2011. It was a pretty smooth process and everyone there really seemed like that cared about me and my situation. I had Dr. Schneider and I have to say he was amazing and still is every time I see him. I like everyone in the practice (especially Elaine-she cracks me up!). My nutritionist (Michelle) is really helpful and always responds to emails I send with my (stupid) questions very quickly. All and all, I would highly suggest them!!

I haven't been to one either- I live near the Wrentham outlets so it's a far drive for me. That's why I joined the forum.

For 5 months, I've struggled with eating too fast. Sometimes I'm awesome and eat really slowly and I feel great throughout my meal. However, sometimes I devour my food. Up until this last bandfill it didn't bother me at all to eat quickly, but this one I just can't eat quickly anymore. So, my question is - what are some tricks to reprogram myself to eat slower? I appreciate your help!!

I too had Dr. Schneider and I LOVE him!! I think he does a great job answering questions and working with you to make you feel comfortable. Do you go to the BIDMC support group?

Congrats on your munchkin! Don't be so hard on yourself. We all mess up and we all fall off the wagon - you at least had a reason, you were pregnant!! Now is your chance to start fresh. You've got to look at this as a new chapter in your life and not as an uphill battle (easier said then done, I know). I know changing the way we think is probably the hardest part of this journey - at least to me it is. BUT - you did it once, so you can do it again. The first thing you should do is find a food tracking system to keep you accountable and help you see what you're taking in (you can even track your exercise). I use myfitnesspal.com, you can friend me as alanapapa and I will encourage and support you while you are doing this! I know it helps more than anything else. The other thing I would do, is get rid of all the "bad" foods you have in your cabinets and start fresh at the grocery store. Plan your meals out for the first few weeks and stick to that, it's helps a ton. The other thing you can do is the 5 day pouch test (you can find it online). It helps to sort of restart the journey for you - though you may not be able to do it while you're breastfeeding. I hope that helps. You can definitely do this!

Hi Breanne, Did this ever happen? If so, do you plan to have a second one? Thanks!!

I too am not quite in the "green-zone", but I'm closer than before - so alot of this is will-power for me. Which means, I've got to make changes with my relationship to food or I'm not better off then before surgery. I know I'm a food addict, but unlike other addicts that can move on from their habits - mine is in my face everyday and I struggle. So I choose to surround myself with people that understand my journey (whether they've had surgery or not) and support me. I can't talk about food all the time, it makes me want to eat. I can however, talk about my surgery, the reasons why I took this step, what I'm doing to reprogram my mind, and what I need for support. That said, I do like to give and receive recipes I've tried that are beneficial for people with the band (I even bought Eating Well after WLS-which is a great cookbook). I think it's helpful if someone's tried something and suggests it. HOWEVER, it is not the only thing I think about - I just can't function that way.

my surgeon didn't give me any carb restrictions. my nutritionist just say eat "good carbs" (which wasn't descriptive enough for me-so I'm researching). I am working out 3-5 times a week - trying the couch to 5k program, so from what I gather - I need some carbs to maintain my energy. I guess, it's just a trial and error kind of thing. Thanks so much for your help!

I'm playing with the idea of cutting carbs out of my diet (except fruits)-I have a hard time with breads and rice, so I don't think it would be too hard to cut out Pasta and potato as well. I'm losing weight at a slow and steady pace - but I'd like to jump start and kick into high gear my weight loss (I'm getting married in August and bought my wedding gown 2 sizes smaller than I was at the time of purchase - and it still doesn't fit). I'm a carb addict - so if what's left that I can eat are in front of me I will eat them until I drop. Any thoughts?

well I got the eating slow app, which made a huge difference the last few days at meals. I've also taken to putting my silverware down. Both of which have helped a ton. Thank you so much!!

It makes me feel so much better, that I'm not the only one struggling with this. You all have some great suggestions that I've been trying to incorporate into my daily meal times. Thanks so much!!

I'm 5 months out and I still burp ALLLLLLLL the time. It drives me crazy, because it happens at the most inopportune times!

Hi all! So we are having people over tonight and tomorrow and I'm really concerned about my food intake. I have a terrible time controlling myself in social situations. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to avoid eating poorly or eating too much? I just had my third band fill which I think is going to put me in or very close to my green zone so I want to be smart.

Thank you all. I have a hard time syncing up my feelings and my mind sometimes and remembering I'm not living to eat anymore is a constant struggle for me. Last night went well I drank from my Water bottle all night and kept my hands on it the whole time, so I wouldn't be too tempted to eat the queso my friend brought (I had one small bite, but that was it!). Keeping my hands busy seemed to really help me keep in perspective what I really want out of my band- mainly bc I had to consciously think of taking my hands off the bottle and it gave me time to evaluate. I'm so appreciative of this forum in the short time I've been using it, it's helped so much. I've been doing it all on my own since December (the closest support group is an hour away and after a long day at work the drive is the last thing I want to do).

So I'm struggling. I feel like I have no restriction, I only have 1cc in my band and I feel like I have nothing in there. I can eat anything I want but rice and bread without any problems and very very little restriction. It's just so frustrating. I was doing so well-down 62 pounds since I started the process. I feel like I'm failing and just need some encouragement from people who have been there. I just need to know it's not just me.

Hi all! I had my band fill today. Another .6 so I'm at 1.8- according to my surgeon my ban is the smallest they make. So we shall see how it goes once I'm off the liquid diets. I'm feelin more positive (and a little more full!) Thanks so much for your support!!

I would live some buddies on myfitness pal! I'm alanapapa

I would love some pals on myfitness pal!! Alanapapa is my username

Congratulations!! Just walk as much as you can .

Not to add insult to injury but I was told soda can stretch your pouch from the carbonation. Which obviously is not a good thing for us. Try weaning off of it, it's hard and you will crave it for a little while- but you will be ok. You can do it!!