JustWatchMe

I interrupt my meal. Five minutes in, I get up, go to the bathroom, wash my hands, come back. Often my appetite is satisfied but the signal didn't have time to reach my brain. It's easier to identify then if I want to keep eating or if I'm really satisfied.

Yeah, I guess my handfuls of almonds or peanuts is not a good portion. Never would have thought of four. Yikes.

LapBand and Snacks Yes or no? My surgeon's original protocol said three meals a day and no snacking. But the NUT has snack suggestions, which always bothered me with that inconsistency. Months ago, I personally found that my appetite used to wake up if I had a scheduled snack but wasn't yet experiencing hunger. Now, however, at true green, I find myself hungry in the late morning before my planned lunch (7am Breakfast, hungry at 11am, lunch planned for 1pm, dinner planned for 6pm). I now have a personal trainer and he wants me eating every three hours. He's not my doctor, I know. But I'm getting mixed messages from the medical team. I've lately been snacking on nuts in the late morning and late afternoon. My meals are getting cleaner but I'm still not losing weight, even though I upped my weekly exercise considerably. So! What do you banders do, especially those who exercise? If you snack, what exactly do you eat? What's your eating schedule?

Head hunger! Very real and very persistent. Try to "trick" yourself out of the immediate need to eat, and if you can, try to journal what's going on with you that's giving you head hunger (anxiety). Tricking can be drinking an iced coffee or a warm drink, or a big bottle of flavored Water. Then take a walk or do something with your hands. Don't laugh. I use coloring books. I'm seriously sitting here with my Mandala coloring book and my Sharpies right now. It's relaxing and keeps my hands busy. Head hunger is something we have to learn to deal with. It is worse with a band that's not properly filled, but still happens even in the green zone at times. Exercising the new muscle of "don't eat, no matter what" in these instances strengthens you for next time. Giving in does the opposite. Don't get me wrong. If you're having stomach hunger, eat something healthy. How do I tell the difference? I ask myself a question : If an apple will do the trick, it's stomach hunger. I then eat the apple (or a similar boring healthy food) and I'm done. But if I'm fantasizing about the perfect snack or meal, and an apple is a ridiculous choice that I reject immediately, look out. That's head hunger. I try not to give in to that and look deeper as to what's really going on. Hope this helps. I'm not always successful at it, but for me it's getting easier to identify and deal with, without giving in to food.

Sharpie, my doc had me do six weeks of full liquids post op. Longest month and a half ever. Great weight loss though.

I just turned 54 and no joke, I feel better than I ever did in my thirties. Love my band.

Unless you violently vomited I doubt there was damage. BUT since you are clearly inflamed and it's a holiday weekend, stick to creamy Soups and liquids another day to rest the band. Better safe than sorry. The burping could have been from the acid from the pizza. Live and learn. If it's not slightly better in twelve hours, or gets worse, call your doc. Every office should have an emergency number.

You're doing great. Take it easy on the chocolate. Not every day I hope. Most rapid weight loss is in the beginning. Yes it's normal to have a small gain a month out when new foods are added. But stay compliant and you will have great success. You look beautiful!

It's a normal fear. The difference for me one year post op is that the tool really takes away my ravenous hunger. With that help, I can do this with less of a struggle. 100 down and fifty to go, it's harder to lose. But not impossible or even painful. I just need to work a little harder to kick the weight loss back into gear now. My advice to pre ops is, be as compliant as possible right from the start. Most of your rapid weight loss is at the beginning. Ride that bullet train as long as you can. Once it slows down, it gets a little tougher. Try not to let bad habits in. I have no regrets and I know I'll get to goal. This is a change for life, not for a year.

No. I can feel my port though. If I lay on my stomach or bump against a counter top, etc. It also sticks out a bit.

I just follow Lipstick Lady everywhere.

Agreed! I made this change for life. I didn't get to goal by my one year surgiversary. So what? I just keep going and continue to improve my life choices. It will come off eventually if I work for it.

Decaf coffee with cream, hot or iced. Cup after cup.

I wish you strength and peace. Prayers for you both.

Congratulations and welcome to your new life! Stay connected here. Walk a lot. Karate chops on the neck and shoulder helped me. Every day you should feel a little better, not worse. Stay off the scale. It will drop but then you will gain a bit after a couple of weeks. Don't let that discourage you. Stay on plan and you will start to lose consistently. One year from now you will be amazed at your new self. This will also be a glorious summer for you. How exciting!

Get a checkup and have your fill level checked. Then just go back to basics. Protein, no sliders, eat slowly. You can do it! Good for you for recommitting!

And the lack of pockets in women's pants. I have a cell phone too, people!!

Pants! They are either too short or waaay too long. And I'm 5'5".

"I agree with this." Or "this is exactly what I would have said." Sorry. Been hanging around my teens too long. Lol.

If they can be crushed, do that. But some are time released and can't be crushed. Can your pharmacy give you a liquid version? I won't allow a fill too tight for me to take my meds. I actually take two Tylenol arthritis caplets during each fill under fluoroscopy before I walk away to make sure I don't get stuck. Good luck.

This. To recap my reason, I needed to get out of my food coma in order to muster the confidence to leave my abusive marriage. Banded in March 2014, moved out with the kids and the dog and filed for divorce in July 2014. Best decision ever.

You are my hero! You help me every day. I'm truly inspired by you and besides all that, you are unfailingly helpful and supportive to newbies and oldies alike. You watched me travel to Italy as a new bander and now I get to watch you travel to England! Post often!!! Enjoy enjoy enjoy!!!!

It's less important to my day now but I'm aware of it more. I know that sounds weird but what I mean is, I'm way more conscious of my choices. However, if I can't eat what I planned, or have to choose something boring because my favorite isn't available, it's okay. Food choices used to consume my day. It was my reward for everything, and it had to be perfect. Now it really is fuel, more often than not. But I enjoy it more! Go figure.

You're on your way! Great job!