Northern Mist

Hi All - I have not been on here in a long time and am so glad to see all the success. I am doing well.....better than I thought I would. I was slow and steady until I started my new job July 1st and boom....I dropped 15 + like it was nothing. The oddest thing happened....the stress made me NOT eat. What?! Certainly not the "old" response. Body image is a tough one. I feel fantastic and am full of energy, but when I look in the mirrror my image doesn't seem to match. I try to focus on my health and how I feel rather than how I look :smile2:

I had to stop eating Malt-o-meal and pinto beans/re-fried beans because they act as a stopper for some reason......and i'm tight in the am most of the time and by dinner I'm ok most times. I'm still trying to figure out this friend of mine too :scared2:

I was banded in February of this year and had a Uterine Ablasion done 4 weeks later (both with general anesthesia) and have not lost more hair than I usually do....I do have pretty thick hair and have ate a pretty balanced diet and most of the time just chew a kids vitamin or two a day. I'm lucky.

Anyone else have a band that will tolerate a certain food one day and then a week later you cannot eat it? But then the next time you try it it's fine? (just about all food groups) These things I CANNOT eat ever - bread (actually I never eat it because all the stories scare me!), dry meat, pinto Beans, Malt-o-meal, etc.... I'm talking about normal everyday, healthy things like green beans, moist chicken, yogurt, string cheese, salad, Soups, cooked veggies, oatmeal, lean cuisines, etc... When I'm on my period or swollen/retaining Water I especially have issues!! Has anyone asked for a water pill and just taken it when needed? And yes - I watch my sodium intake. I'm still trying to work with this tool of mine and not against it but sometimes it gets a little frustrating.

6 days and then I went back and forth for awhile....fun!

I'm in the PB and Slime club too. 5 days after my 2nd fill I tried Tuna (not enough mayo), a small, tiny bite of steak on Mothers Day and a quickly swallowed peice of ham because I was talking......none of those were fun - I took it easy the rest of the day then I was fine. My third fill is this thursday and I know I'm getting close to the "Sweet Spot" - I'm going to ask the nurse/surgeon to be conservative from here on out.

Thank you for saying this colorado....... It's sometimes easy to forget the average weight loss is much lower and slower than the bypass. I'm in this for the long haul too - I will not get discouraged!!!!

I took the classes, have the binder of info. and have a great nutritionist and great surgeons.....I'm sorry I wasn't clearer. I basically wanted to know what the "Sweet" spot felt like.....if I was having a hard time with certain foods, which I knew could happen, did this mean I was at my sweet spot even though I felt I was eating too much and at times would get hungry a couple hours later? I follow the no drinking rule most of the time, 95%, but on occasion I grab something without even thinking - it's a habit thing that is getting better :smile2: I know this feeling varies greatly but I was curious and was wondering if I was having a hard time with dry meats and raw veggies (carrots and radishes - not fibery celery, etc..) did this mean I was at the "Sweet Spot" I appreciate the advice and have been taking tiny, tiny bites, dipping dry meats and chewing, chewing, chewing....this site has helped with the learning process that's for sure!

I have had two fills and am confused. I have a hard time eating dry meat ie: chicken, steak, etc.... and crisp/crunchy veggies but I'm able to eat more than 1 - 1 1/2 cups of food at times and sometimes I'm hungry a couple hours later but not always. I know everyone is different but how do I know I'm at the right spot or if I need a fill? What does your sweet spot feel like? The first week of the second fill was tough - I swelled and had a hard time eating anything close to solid for a week or better. I'm going to take it slow from here on out.

Pre-op was a rollercoaster of emotions for me as well. I remember falling apart a couple days before my pre-op diet was about to start. I spent the better part of a day in turmoil - in bed crying, mad at my family, disliking my job/co-workers, worrying and then crying again.....Blah! Not a good time for me or my family. I apologized for my emotional tantrum, etc.... and moved forward. I have had a couple mini "episodes" since but Its par for the course....I know this is what is right for me and I also knew from the begining it wasn't going to be easy. I'm sure many are feeling the same way and it's normal to go through all these emotions and doubts. On a lighter note...my surgery was Feb. 8th and I'm doing and feeling great! I'm not losing as fast as I was on my pre-op diet but I'm losing......and I will be happy with that!