sweeTHEArt

I don't think there is anything you really need to know. This evaluation is strictly about you and what your expectations and issues are with food. They just want to make sure you aren't an anorexic lunatic. Of course there may be depression issues, its sad to be overweight. That won't discount you from surgery. They just have this as a formality so they know you aren't going to totally lose it and end up in a room eating your own hair or something like that. I found the psych eval sort of fun. AN hour talking to someone about you and only you in a totally unbiased capacity. You will be fine. I actually ended up seeing my psych evaluation person multiple times before surgery just to calm my fears. Good luck!

I am having a baaaaaaaaaaaaad day. I put my faith in a guy and I was let down yet again. I attribute it to my weight and him finding me less than attractive. It's the same scenario every time and it makes me loathe myself. I have lost 28 pounds but sometimes losing that much weight just makes me realize how bad it is because I have so much to go and I haven't really seen much of a difference with the 28 pounds. I mean it's not a huge investment I made in this guy but it still hurts like hell. I have cried today. I have gone to the gym today and I have binged today. This is my first binge/ego hurt since getting banded 2.5 months ago. I didn't think I would binge but I guess it's still possible. I mean the degree to which I did it is so much smaller. I had some frozen yogurt a frappaccino, almonds and sushi (all spaced out throughout the day) but I still feel pretty bad about my sadness and now about eating like I did before. I know old habits are hard to break but it was really the only way I knew how to cope and I still don't really feel any better. I could still probably eat more but that isn't really what I want to do and it isn't make me better. I know I need to learn new habits but I am seriously sitting here feeling miserable and alone. I am really lonely and frankly whats the point of being thin if I am going to be alone forever!?? :myscared:

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH! I appreciate the support. I am feeling a little better today. I have gotten myself back on track minus some chocolate I ate today at work (but not to the degree I would have back in the day.) I know I need to take care of myself and just let it be but I keep saying "i'm not looking." and constantly glancing around. I can't help think that things would be much easier if I had someone I was in love with to support me. I guess I am taking it a day at a time and thanks again for all of your warm wishes!!!

So I had my second fill on Monday. I know it can take up to a week to feel the results of a fill but honestly I still FEEL NOTHING!!! I mean I can still eat a piece of bread and two scrambled egg in one meal. I mean its not that high in calories but it is high in protein but should i be able to eat that whole thing??! I feel like I am some sort of lapband failure that I can still eat so much with two fills under my belt. I received 1 cc on 4/30 and then 1 cc on 5/14. I have another fill scheduled for 4/27 but seriously, why am I not feeling this yet? The PA said it can take up to 3 fills to make a difference but how come it seems like almost everyone else feels a big difference with their first fill?? I am starting to get very frustrated.

Berry-What does it feel like when it "backs up on you?" Sometimes after I eat I feel like I have this lump at the bottom of my throat. Is that from being backed up?

Jennifer- It sounds like it might be time to trim the fat (pun intended) from your life. You need a support system and a group of people who will be there for you. You are the same person regardless of your eating habits. You need people who are going to be there for you through thick or thin (again pun intended.) Your eating habits are only a small part of who you are and they should love you for you. If you need anything we are all here from you and you are not alone in this journey.

I have been seeing a bariatric psychologist. The one who I had my psych eval with actually. She said that in over half of lapband patients they need to prescribe some sort of anti depressant within the first six months. This is a life change and that is extremely difficult to process. you very literally wake up from surgery a different person to a certain extent and that makes old habits hard to break. I think it's great to recognize that. i have noticed how anxious I get at night and now i am not able to eat to cover up for that anxiety. Keeping busy is the best way to combat the problem. I go for a walk, or shop or call a friend. I am trying very hard right now to beat the feelings and NOT to go on anti depressants but the fact is I know its pretty normal. I just keep looking forward to the future and thinking how good I am going to feel. Think, no matter where you are on your band journey this is going to be your last "fat summer." Your last summer at this weight and level of uncomfort. That is pretty good news no matter how sad you may be feeling at the moment...

Tomorrow marks my first fill. I am a little nervous but I want to make sure I follow the protocal correctly. I know you have to go to full liquids for two days after a fill but my question is PRIOR to the fill can I eat normally? Like tomorrow morning can I eat Breakfast with solid foods or should i not eat anything or should I only drink liquids? Can someone please let me know from their experience what is best. My fill appt is at 8 am so if I need to not eat anything that won't be too difficult but I don't want to make a mistake and have a problem without realizing it. Thanks!

I am in the exact same boat as all of you. I had my first fill on Monday. An added measure of stress is that according to the Doctors scale I have only lost 19 pounds but according to mine I have lost 26. I keep telling myself not to worry about the number but as my appetite hasn't really decreased since the first fill of (1 cc) I am still worried. The doctor said it usually takes people up to 3cc's to feel any major difference and I have a second fill in two weeks but I don't want to see the numbers climbing. I am young and I figured the first few montsh would be easy but now I am starting to get depressed and lose motivation...

Thanks guys. I realize I was being hard on myself and probably a little melodramatic too but it is frustrating to flounder so early in this journey. Today is a new day but I definitely have a sweet tooth and am trying not to indulge it too much...so tricky!

I had some nutella and ice cream after my Soup and cheese this evening. I am 5 weeks post op tomorrow and I know that I didnt do perminant damage and i certainly don't even feel THAT full but I feel so guilty! i haven't been perfect this entire time but I also haven't gotten sick and i have lost over 20 pounds so far. I make sure to eat my Protein first as much as possible and try not to eat and drink at the same time. But how come I feel so miserable now? I had a bad evening and found out I owe 600 bucks to the government for my taxes so I came home and had the lapband equivalant of a binge. No sickness but I just feel like I may never unlearn my habits. Does the fact I am not full and craving more food mean I need a fill ASAP or just that I am a lapband failure and I am never going to manage to be thin? I am scheduled for April 30th to get a fill but I just feel like I am sitting here undoing everything and cheating when I should be motivated and enjoying life...I need to rant and know what other people think/feel for support.:help:

The cold avacado soup sounds pretty tasty. Thanks for the suggestion!!

Does anyone know of a tasteless protein I can put into water or juice or something so that I can get more protein in my diet. I am at the mushy stage and by my calculations I am getting probably 20+ grams a day of protein but I should probably be getting about 40 at this point. THe protein shakes are not something I can see myself eating long term so is there some solution?

I have isopure and the whey protein powder in chocolate but they both are making me naseous and I have only been banded since 3/20. I definitely need something that is TASTELESS and won't make anything thick and gloppy. Ideally I don't even want to be able to know its there. Does anyone know if unjury would do that?

I have been on mushy foods for a week now. When I was on liquids I know it was liquids in, liquids out...but now on mushies its solids in and major difficulty coming out. I find myself pushing and then I feel searing (yet manageable) pains in my port area. Am I hurting my stomach or pulling stitches by struggling to have a BM? Should I start taking laxatives? Is this a bad sign???:omg:

I'm 24 so I think (and no offense to everyone else who responded) I probably am closest to your age range. I think that the lap band is a great decision. I know what its like to be overweight in your early 20's as I'm sure a lot of people do. I think its better to get this when your young. Think about how many life stages you have had to miss out on or experience in a lesser way (prom, dating, the bar scene? etc.) this will change with the weight you lose. You will be "normal" weight and that will greatly impact your life. Plus the younger you are, the easier it is for weight to come off more quickly. You have your whole life ahead of you and this is the perfect time to do it. The 20's is a time (for most) in your life when you can focus on you without having to worry about juggling so many other obligations like kids, morgages etc. I highly recommend this and if you ever want more support feel free to email me. I would be happy to discuss more with you about my journey even though it only began about a month ago. Best of luck!!!

I think thats probably gas from eating too quickly but I am only about 3 weeks post op so I can't say for sure. It happens to me too so I am curious to hear the response of others. I have been taking Gas X desolvable strips and that makes a tremendous difference.

I am feeling very uncomfortable. I started on mushy foods last week. Its all been fine but I haven't felt too full and I haven't PB'ed or anything but I have started to notice that EvERY time I eat something not liquid I feel like there is something caught in the back of my throat. It feels like its stuck by that thing that hangs down but there is nothing there. I chew everything very thoroughly and i don't feel like I have to burp or throw up. I don't even have heartburn so what could this be!?? Its really just a nusance and uncomfortable but it won't go away for a few hours each time. What is going on???

It was on 3/20 so that was three weeks ago now...

Good luck to you!! Please know everything your going to and will experience through your journey is normal and this site really will help you.

I am on mushy foods now. Did anyone consider very very soft meatballs as mushy food. I ate one last night and one this morning and it hit the spot and seemed to be just fine if I ate slowly. Also I had parmesan chicken salad that was the same consistancy as tuna fish for lunch today. Very rich but delicious. I highly recommend.

I'm wondering how some of the bansters on here handle the no eating and drinking simultaneously. I just started on mushies this evening and I have to say, it feels very unnatural to not be able to drink anything while eating. I was told by my doctor that I need to wait 30 minutes after food before being able to drink anything. Do ALL successful bandsters adhere to this rule? I am finding this difficult and its just hour one of "real food."

Autumn-I had the same melt down your experiencing. It really is totally common and understandable. The important thing to remember is there are good days and bad days and you just need to take it one day at a time. This is a journey that will allow you a better life. I am 9 days post op and it as been difficult at times to only drink liquids but each day gets easier and I look at it as a challenge. Mind over matter. You will get through it because I am no stronger than anyone else. Just keep things in check and realize you decided to do this because you WANTED it. It took you however many years to get to this point and it isn't going to be instantaneous to undo those habits, but you will find the strength. Keep in touch and goodluck!

I was banded last week. So far the liquid diet was a little tough mentally but fine physically. I have lost 15 pounds in a week (WHICH i KNOW WILL SLOW BUT I AM STILL THRILLED SO FAR.) My problem is that while doing clear liquids I was with my family away from my home of NYC. Now that I just got back today I am struck by how much food there is out there. How many amazing restaurants etc. I am fine except for sushi. I LOOOVE sushi. One major concern is that when I can have regular food again they say rice may be difficult to digest. Can someone tell me if they are able to eat sushi rolls anymore? Diet coke I could give up, but living without spicy tuna might be heartbreaking for me...

HI all. I am a little embarrassed to write this thread but I am concerned and I figured it was good to ask...can someone reassure me how normal it is to be going to the bathroom(not to pee) each day? I am 5 days post op and yesterday I had to go #2 three times and so far its twice today. I know i'm on liquids so things run through faster, but is this normal? I am starting to think something might be wrong with me! :help: