Jazlady

Well, it's time to fess up. A year later, I've started with the old eating habits again. I'm doing the candy thing, movie popcorn and icees, fried foods, no exercise. My weight has flucuated 5 - 10 lbs. but now it's creeping up one lb. at a time. It's time to stop. This morning I was 15 lbs. more than my lowest band loss. I must be crazy to sabotage myself like this. I know the problem is in my head but I just don't get it. The band is not the problem. I have great restriction and can basically eat whatever I want just small portions. I was self-pay and that was my motivation for a long time. But now...how do you get motivated again?

Sounds good to me. Is anyone else still following this thread or shall we start a new one posting the date/time?

I agree Janet, I do eat those protein bars like candy, usually around 3-5 a day. Perhaps, hidden calories there I never thought about. I also only drink a low carb protein shake for breakfast but get hungry soon after. I've never been much of a breakfast eater so I asking everyone for quick on the go breakfast ideas as well as snack ideas. Tonight I'm pan frying shrimp and putting it in a greek salad that I have. Hopefully I will stay full. I do worse at home than here at work.

Janet, I ate 2 oz. of baked chicken for lunch and about 3/4 c. fresh fruit. I was stuffed and had a hard time getting the chicken down. That answers my question about whether I need a fill. But, even without drinking I got hungry again after 1 1/2 hrs. Ate a protein bar. I could eat again now but not sure if it's from boredom or hunger. Apples, do you count calories? My doc wants me to count carbs - no more than 15 grams a meal. A food journal would help, I agree. Jeanie

Got it, thanks!

Weekends are bad for me. My vote is Tues, Weds or Thurs for 6 pm at the Picadilly in Gretna. (I get off at 5 and work across the river).

Thanks Janet. You've encourage me to begin again. I just got your letter today so I will try the protein/veggie thing tonight. How much is 4 oz? A palm size? Jeanie

Again looking for a weekly support group meeting. Not sure where a middle place would be. I know Picadilly has a private room. There's one in Gretna.

When is the support group meeting at WJ fitness center?

I want to join this bandwagon although I'm very embarrased to admit where I am. OK, here goes. 2 years ago I was banded, went from a size 22 to 8. Then, slowly but surely developed ways to cheat the band and eat whatever I wanted. I've gained back 30 lbs. and now in a size 14. I am totally disgusted with myself and don't know how to get back on track. My volume is up so I'm thinking about a fill, but until I get my food choices in order, I'm not sure if even that will help. HELP!!!!!!!!

Please advise! I am 2 years out and lost most of my weight and then have gradually gained back 30 pounds by eatting bad foods. I've have 3 fills and 1 unfill. I am scheduled to have another fill on Thursday because my volume has increased so much. For a few months I started drinking Diet Coke again because my nurse said that there has been no proof that it can harm you. But I've since given it up again, about 1 month now. I'm afraid I've stretched my pouch. I also drink during meals most times. But I can eat sub sandwiches, bread of any kind, and of course all the bad stuff. In fact, I haven't found one food that I cannot eat. I am not eating junk although I have eatten a lot of carbs. I don't exercise regularly either. I'd like some advise because it will cost me $150.00 for this fill. My nurse is going to try and talk me out of the fill since the last time (over a year ago) I was too tight. I'm so disappointed in myself and don't know how to get back the motivation I once had. Thanks, Jeanie

Thanks for the great advice. My problem is that I'm not sure if I need a fill or just an attitude adjustment. lol

I've eatten them without a problem except for the 'eye'. Sometimes I need to swallow it in small pieces.

My daughter is going to study in Paris for a month this summer and needs a lapband doctor and hospital as a backup. She's being banded 6 wks before going. Send me name & numbers if you know of any. Thanks, Jeanie

Hi, I'd love a support buddy. Can we do it privately thru email? Please write me at jazlady999@yahoo.com. Thanks, Jeanie

I can so relate to your post. My lapband journey happened so fast I found myself going from a 22 to an 8 in about 6 months. I hadn't been that thin...I think...ever. I didn't know this new person who kept getting all this attention. I got scared. I slowly started back the old eatting habits and found some new food addictions too. Now, I'm slowly crept back on 20 lbs. and 3 sizes. I'm scared like crazy. Did I waste my good precious money? Am I hopeless? Well, I decided it's got to stop. Today it's back to basics. I'm going back to liquids today. I need to purge my system of sugar, flour & oil. Plus I need to get my butt exercising. I was really proud of myself in the size 8 but scared. I need to work on why all the attention really bothered me.

Always use straws...no problems. But I do gulp too without problems. I get so thirsty.

I would have to say for me the emotional eating has been the hardest part. I'd advise to really work on this before lapband. What has made me happy is knowing that I can still eat whatever even if it's in small bites. Like on holidays I still eat all the dishes I want but now it's a teaspoon of each. Believe it or not it does satisfy me. It's different than being on a diet and 'not' being able to eat it. The one things that's really hard to understand until you get banded is that you really do get full and are satisfied. It does take awhile though for your head to learn that this small amount of food will be enough to make you full.

I'm actually starting to miss the attention of people telling me how 'good' I look. Now they've adjusted to the new me. But what boils my blood more than anything else is when I meet new people who only know me now and they talk to me about fat people. It's like they look at me at this size and think I'm one of them and it gives them the right to put down fat people. That's when I have to tell them that I used to be one of them. You should see the looks on their faces then.

TYPO - I meant it will NOT limit the liquid calories.

I have so been where you are. I am a compulsive overeater too and I can honestly say 1 year post lap-band that the band does stop the compulsion except when it comes to mushie/liquid calories. In other words, it will limit my amt of popcorn but now limit my amount of ice cream because the liquid will go straight thru the band into the lower stomach. So, am I still a compulsive overeater? I would say that I'm a sugar addict instead. If I practive overeating real food, the band will force me to throw up. But once I eat candy, ice cream...any of my binge sugar foods it is hard to stop. The band doesn't stop that. That's where it's the head problem. But it's all a process. I am so much better off now. Jeanie

I've been feeling great but have had my share of problems. Mostly emotional and not physical. But even still, lapband was the best decision I've ever made.

I'm also a Westbanker/Dr. Treen patient. I'd like to see more support group meetings like once a week. I'd be willing to start it up if you come and we can find a place. I think it's important to share the good, the bad and the ugly. Jeanie

I hear you. I can tell you that I am there right now myself. I keep reading the boards. And today I decided to put the tennis shoes on and go to the track. I turned back to food as a comfort. All I can say for myself is that I was very uncomfortable at the size 8. I didn't know who that person was. It all happened so fast. Now at a size 12 I'm ready to go back down. Baby steps, baby steps. We can do this together!!! I'm an April 2007 bandster. Jeanie

What's the recovery time and time off of work required for a tummy tuck?