mrsto

If you do other things while eating, like watching TV, don't do it. Stay focused on each and every bite of your meal; pick up a small amount, and chew it until it pretty much disintegrates in your mouth. Before you pick up another bite, focus on feeling the prior one going all the way down. Then repeat. For right now, until you retrain yourself, try and remove yourself from any and all distractions while eating. Once you become familiar and comfortable with how the new way of eating feels, it will start to become the new "normal". I take small bites & chew very well, but sometimes I find myself ready to take the next bite a bit too quickly. Even 6.5 months out, I still have to stop & refocus. Good luck! It's quite a learning curve

I'm with you, Tom. I never feel that I'm missing anything with the band. And the greatest and most liberating feeling, is that I can indulge in something on occasion, without the fear of going off the deep end. The band is my new best friend; my personal police officer

I was given Lortab. It's a liquid form of Vicodin and acetaminophen (Tylenol). It did make me a bit loopy, but it also made me not care much about the pain. It worked well for me, but not everyone likes it. Unfortunately, other than straight Tylenol, most of the pain meds have a drowsy side effect. You might want to ask your doctor about Tramadol. It's one prescription pain med that isn't quite so "sleepy". However, I'm not sure that it's the right type of drug for post-surgical pain. I was given that for back issues, and I know they prescribe different types of meds for different types of pain.

I love the idea of stuffing a chocolate chip into a raspberry. I'm going to try it!

I took Altace (an ACE inhibitor), and had to stop because of the hacking. I was switched to Diovan, which is a different class of blood pressure med. Had no issues with it.

I have a snack after dinner almost every night. I account for it, and enjoy it. Sometimes it's an Atkins bar, popcorn, greek yogurt or a piece of fruit. If I'm battling wanting to continue eating afterward, I'll go upstairs and take a hot bath. Sometimes the urge to "hand to mouth it" is so strong, but other times I'm happy after one of "whatever".

Sunny - I'm 58, and my only source of exercise is walking about 5 days a week. In the beginning, I had to drive to flat areas because the hills where I live were too strenuous. Now, 6.5 months later, I'm all OVER these hills. I'm losing weight steadily, and feel great. Years past, when I lost large chunks of weight, I did a lot more strenuous forms of exercise. Somehow, I just can't seem to get back into any of it. So for me, the walking works out just fine :-) I think you're right on, not worrying about how far or fast you go. At this point, it's most important to develop a new habit.....like brushing your teeth in the morning :-) Good for you!

I haven't flown since being banded, so I can't offer any advice. However, I will say......have a GREAT time! Very exciting!! I've been to Hong Kong, and it was a wonderful trip. Enjoy every moment

Yep - I agree. If there is a chemical change causing the mood swings, all the self control in the world isn't going to stop or fix it. If these swings are something you've never dealt with before, then something new is definitely going on. I agree with Mis.....get a complete blood workup. And if nothing shows up, you might consider an appointment with a therapist. Possibly, there are a lot of feelings coming through, now that you're not stuffing them down with food. Years ago, a shrink told me, if you want to know why you compulsively eat, drink, do drugs....any of it, stop doing it. When we're not self medicating with whatever the substance, a lot of emotional issues bubble to the surface. Good luck.....I hope you find the answer sooner than later.

I have 7.25cc's in a 10cc band. At the time of surgery, I had 3cc's. About 4 weeks post op, I was given another 3cc's. The total of 6 held me for about a month, then I got another 1cc. I was good for another month, then the last fill of .25 put me right in the green zone. I've dropped 50 pounds in six and a half months, and I'm thrilled with my success so far. I would venture to say that I'll be needing another fill before goal, but I'm very comfortable right where I'm at today.

OH......and congrats on the 45 pounds weight loss! That is GREAT progress

The best one to diagnose ADD is a psychologist or a psychiatrist. I'm sure there are things OTHER than medications that can help, but I haven't tried any of them. I do notice that when I cut out caffeine and sugar, I'm much better. BTW, I've never been diagnosed with ADD, but I do have flair ups of GAD "generalized anxiety disorder". I don't walk around like a nervous wreck every day, but I do tend to obsess about things, especially if I'm dealing with some stressful situation. Steph - if this is becoming a big problem for you, try not to get too hung up on labels. In our society, I would venture to say that more people than not, live their lives with some sort of "disorder". Hey, just take a look at all of us here on LBT. I'd say that a good portion of us have/had an eating disorder. And for many, that is accompanied by emotional issues, many of which the medical world has a diagnosis for. Just do what you have to do, to find out what's going on with you, and then do whatever you have to do, to get help to improve it. By no means am I able to say what's going on with you, just that I share the things you mention. For you, if it's getting in the way of you getting through school, it's worth it for you to find out what the problem might be.

Do you see my hand raised??? Yes, I have the same issue. Sometimes it's worse that others, but I have a hard time being in the moment. Many times, when my husband and I watch TV in the evening, I'll be "watching" the TV, and have absolutely no clue what's going on. He'll comment on the story, and I'll ask him to rewind so I can get up to speed. I think I have adult ADD!! My mind is ALL over the place; everywhere except where it needs to be in that given moment. Are you under a lot of pressure, or do you have an unusual amount of stress right now? When I'm having a lot of anxiety about "whatever", that's when I notice it being really bad. Otherwise, I'm not quite SO all over the map

You look fabulous!

CG - you have a lake house?? That's it....I'm comin' to visit!!!!

I just found some new Protein bars that a really good! They're QuestBar. I've only tried the chocolate chip cookie dough, but they have lots of other flavors. This one has 21 grams of protein, 17 grams of Fiber, and 190 calories. I looked at the chocolate brownie, which had 170 calories, 20 grams of protein, etc. Here is a link...... I got mine at the Vitamin Shoppe. http://www.questproteinbar.com/protein-bars/choc-chip-cookie-dough-box-of-12-original-line.html?gclid=CIC83bWW77kCFcg1QgodoQYAuQ

That's a really good idea. I do notice that when I blend shakes instead of using a shaker cup, I'm totally gassy and uncomfortable. Though they taste GREAT from the blender....with fruit, etc., I pay a price.

Catfish - thank you for your post this morning. Beautifully written, and well received. You are a testament of what this is all about. Great job! And I truly believe that slow & steady wins the race, and that the band is not "set and forget" device. Thanks again for this post......really good advice AND encouragement

I haven't had that particular problem, but I've noticed that every time I eat a whey Protein bar, or a whey Protein shake, I get little sores on the roof of my mouth. Guess I'm allergic. Silly - are you lactose intolerant? The symptoms you describe sound like it. Since whey is from milk protein, it could cause a problem. Just a thought........

Congrats......right around the bend

I'm so with you..... I'll be out of pocket a chunk of $$ for this last round of diagnostics, but it's worth every penny. I was having a poking kind of pain under my breastbone. Not horrific pain, but bothersome enough for me to be concerned. My mind is now at ease, knowing that all is well in the world of mrsto's bariatric surgery. And THAT is priceless

I'm so with you..... I'll be out of pocket a chunk of $$ for this last round of diagnostics, but it's worth every penny. I was having a poking kind of pain under my breastbone. Not horrific pain, but bothersome enough for me to be concerned. My mind is now at ease, knowing that all is well in the world of "Marla's bariatric surgery". And THAT is priceless

Every time I hear that "140 + pounds lost", I'm so amazed!!! You & Missy are champions! Speaking of any issues with the surgery, I had a GI swallow on Tuesday, and an upper endoscopy yesterday. Other than a polyp in my stomach (that he removed), the band and plication are in tip top condition. Yay! Before having the surgery, I talked with my gastro about my concerns; issues with stomach tissue dying, etc. He said that if there were going to be any of those type of problems, they would show early on. I'm six months out, and everything is fine fine FINE

Me too, CG.....my life is so much better today. I still have a ways to go, but I don't wake up every morning with dread; what will I wear, not wanting to go out, damn near having a heart attack going up a flight of stairs....the list goes on. You know..... XO

I thought that the band over plication took the place of plication alone. I'm probably wrong.... Maybe I confused that info with the newer info, on the better results with the duo.