Starstruckgirl

I now use a small container like those frozen individual dessert pies come in. Yes I ate the pie, yes I know I shouldn't have but it was was a couple of months ago and haven't eaten sweets since. Upside:I got a 1 cup serving Bowl out of it lol. Anyway I use that and I put my protein (small cut pieces) in first and if there is room I add veggies. I have cut out starches, breads and sugars. I am a reformed bandster just recently taking back control. For a while there I went crazy with eating anything in small portions burgers, pizza, fried chicken...what's the point? those were my addictions and believe me... a little was never enough. So now I just stay away from them all together. It's hard but the best thing to do is stay away from your addictions. ..Bcz eventually a little isn't going to be enough. I have had my band 5 years and 3 of those were spent cheating myself back to fat. Whatever method you use, choose to do it right.

Anytime I have smoothies or something with ice, I get bloated. Does anyone else have this issue?

Thanks y'all! I do use ice in the blender. maybe I should give it a minute after I blend it and stir it around to help the air come out? I will try some different things. Thanks again for the responses.

I don't know if this will make sense to anyone and I am writing it because I need to get it out of my head and into a place I can come back to. But here it goes.......I have been banded since 2008. I lost about 70lbs but I have gained my weight back. Let me clarify...it was NOT the band at fault. It was ME. I went into this thinking "oh man this is it! this is what is going to make me skinny"! Sure I would have to work at it a "little bit" but it's gonna be easy peasey! I mean the band would stop me from eating bad stuff, right?..I have read forums and sure some people needed to work at it, but not me! I knew it all, had a great mindset. I was ready!.....I did great for a little while. Measured my food, ate Proteins first followed by veggies...cut out starches, sweets and sodas and drank plenty of Water. Found my "sweet spot" and then, well then I went through some life changes and fell (easily) into old habits. Ok, if I am being honest, life changes is kind of a blanket term...so things got a little stressed, money got tight, I lost my job. "Life changes". Got tired of people in my life feeling sorry for me because I couldn't eat like I used to. "Life changes". Got tired of people looking at my food portions and having to explain why I ate a cup of food. "Life changes". But most of all eating junk was so much easier. Sliders, burgers and pizza BUT in smaller bites, bcz that's what you are supposed to do with a band, right? one thing lead to another and off the wagon I fell. Tumbled, actually. About 2010 I gave up completely. The weight came back and I blamed "Life Changes". I tried to get back on track, several times, but when I failed, I kept blaming everyone and everything around me. It's not me, it's them, those damned "life changes". But ultimately I knew it was me. No one can determine your life but you. But I am here today because I am holding myself accountable. I didn't fall off the wagon. I climbed off all by myself. See, "life changes" all the time. But you have to figure out how you are going to respond to those changes. Stuff your face, eat your emotions-like me? Make better choices than me. Be aware of yourself.... I am through with blaming everyone else for MY problems. I have seen pictures of myself then and now. I have felt the changes that a 70lb weight loss can have and what the regaining of those pounds feels like. The shortness of breath, the inability to tie my shoes, the inability to stand for long periods of time and feeling insecure when I walk into a room. This time I am involving family and friends so I have to hold myself accountable to not only me, but them too. Now, I have what I call my rally team. I call it that because I will need them to rally for me when I am running low and need that push. I have the person who stands beside me, the person who will push me and tell it like it is, the fashionista who reminds me of my physical goals, the gym rat to call me out when I am sitting on the side lines and the person going through WLS of her own to talk to. But most of all, I have me. Me who understands that while something can be eaten, it probably shouldn't be. Me who knows my struggles and doesn't want to be a failure again. The Me who can be a winner! For those who are banded, you probably have gone through this too, maybe not to the extreme that I have and for those new or considering getting the band. I offer this advise. Be ready and as mentally prepared as you can be. Know that restriction DOES NOT mean automatic restriction from certain foods, it means you will feel fuller with less food. Take time to learn your body's signal that you are full. Not your normal full (to the brim) feeling you probably get now. If you love food and eat and snack all day, you are in for a major change. Follow the rules, be strong. The band IS NOT A MIRACLE WORKER. It takes discipline and learning and patience. Yes you will see some people lose weight quickly, but don't get discouraged. Stick with it. Do you. Be conscious of your hands when they are heading to your mouth with unhealthy stuff. Be present in the journey. Don't take your band for granted like I did. It has taken me 5 years to realize I have a lapband that needs to be taken care of and it's not easy peasey...it's the hardest change I have ever had to make. I was able to quit smoking faster than learning how to eat correctly! lol! While there are some folks that have actual problems with the band, I can tell you that my band didn't fail me. I failed it. The difference in this go round is that I am taking responsibility for my actions and not blaming anyone for my mistakes. Wish me luck and I wish you good luck too! Here is to a new band aware me!

Thank you everyone for your words of support! B-52 the fullness signal at my sweet spot was a deep breath followed by a sigh. At that point, I would push my plate away, but sadly, I learned to ignore it. I was like yeah I know I am done but when I let myself believe that I was under a lot of stress, I gave myself the excuse that this 1 time won't hurt. But eventually, that 1 time became every time. ... Media_Girl24 I am sorry for all that you went through. It can be trying, but we have to take the reigns at some point and pull ourselves together. We can all learn from and help each other. Sometimes even supportive words will be a little harsh, but let's be honest sometimes we need that. Don't let your surroundings become you. Stay strong. Remember, you lost it once, you can do it again! The fact that we have made the decision to get the surgery means that we were ready (at some point) to put in the work. We let something deter us along the way and undermine our strength. Take it back. I am ready to take it back too! I remember the words of Eleanor Roosevelt "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent". We can all do this!