gowalking

Same here folks. I go through this full/satiety battle every time I eat. That's why food addiction is worse than any other addiction. You can stop drinking, stop doing drugs, stop gambling. You can't stop eating. For me, I weigh everything out. It helps when I don't feel the soft stop. And there are definitely times when I don't feel it. If I'm out for a meal, I eyeball portions. I'm better at it now but once in a while, I overdo. That's when the band kicks in. I can tell because for just a moment, I feel uncomfortable. When that happens, I stop even if it's in mid forkful. Jean is absolutely right. The satiety signals are very subtle and you have to pay attention. What a change from before when I'd eat so fast it was like inhaling the food. I couldn't wait for seconds or even thirds. Eating slowly and small portions does help me to enjoy food more rather than focusing on eating as much as possible. ..And it's true. Being normal sized is a better feeling than overeating...even if the food tastes fantastic.

Congratulations. What a milestone!

I hate to see folks struggle. Are you working with the doctor and/or the nutritionist? I do hope you are not having band complications. Is there anything I can help with?

I see a therapist to help me with my 'body issues'. I also understand that I've lost enough weight to be considered normal but I look in the mirror and don't know who is looking back at me. Very disconcerting.

Bandista, I'm going to the Big Apple April 23-28. I already told GoWalking I'd like to meet her there for coffee. You are another person I'd live to have coffee with! Me, too; one of these days we'll pull that off! We'll have to do a cruise together...

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I can give you a heads up on what you'll be dealing with. I had my hips replaced though we thought it would be my knees considering all the arthritis. But with the hips now aligned correctly, the knees are much much better. Joint replacement is joint replacement be it hips or knees though. I won't sugarcoat it...it was a brutal surgery and a long and difficult recuperation but now that I'm six months post op, I can appreciate both the big and little things regarding better and mostly pain free mobility now. It's miraculous to me. Hell, I dove into the pool while I was in Florida last week. I haven't done that in years. It felt glorious.

Here you go TMF.

It takes more weight loss if you are heavier to drop sizes. In the beginning, I had to lose about 50 lbs before dropping any significant sizes. Now ten pounds or less drops me another size or even two.

The clinical definition of addiction is that it alters cognitive function. The medical community is not yet convinced that food addiction meets the criteria. They are waiting for further empirical evidence. As one who feels like a bowl of spaghetti is the best high there is, no further evidence is required.

Your doctor will let you know. They all seem to have different protocols.

...and it stays a lot longer than regular milk.

The surgeon will know once he/ she gets in there. If your liver hasn't shrunk sufficiently you may wake up without the band. One slice of pizza is not a big deal but don't do it again... its not worth it.

This site helps me to be accountable. I keep the ticker on my signature even after hitting goal and I think about how it would look to go in the wrong direction. I don't have the magic words you need but I can tell you that the fact that you are trying to turn it around after a 25 lb. gain rather than after gaining it all back, shows that you are trying to reverse the slide. Good for you.

Good luck!

So sorry to hear this. Get well soon.

Good luck!!

I'm around on the 26th/27th right now. Just remind me and we'll meet up. You can PM me and send your cell # if you want so we can text when you get to the city.

Didn't think my shoe size would continue to shrink but it has. Last spring, I bought a whole new shoe wardrobe because I went from an 8 1/2-9 wide width to an 8 regular width. Now I'm a 7-7 1/2. Some of the shoes from last year fit, and some do not.

For information on NYC/surrounding area Spring meet and greet: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/303116-ny-nyclong-island-local-chapters/

For information on NYC/surrounding area Spring meet and greet: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/303116-ny-nyclong-island-local-chapters/

For information on NYC/surrounding area Spring meet and greet: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/303116-ny-nyclong-island-local-chapters/

For all those NYC folks floating around on this site (and I know you're out there), please see the link below for information regarding the Spring meet and greet, and other info pertaining to our local chapter. http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/303116-ny-nyclong-island-local-chapters/

Great job Lisa. Just a little bit about myself...I live in Manhattan and was banded by Dr. Ren at NYU on January 14, 2013. I was suffering from very limited mobility due to severe arthritis in both my knees and subsequently, my hips as well. I needed to lose weight in order to have joint replacement surgery and now, some six months after bi-lateral hip replacement, I am moving better than I have in years. I rely on this site for my own accountability and to help those who need information, encouragement, a dose of reality, or just a friend. Being able to do this face to face as well as online is a wonderful idea and I'm happy to help in any way possible.

You need protein darling. Otherwise you are starving yourself. Talk to your doctor. You don't want to be sick so close to the wedding.

Thanks for the post. A great reminder why we got banded in the first place.