thinkthin

Look! Just Look Kellie at how much you've lost!!! Don't lose sight of that, and remember that this is a LIFELONG process. So maybe now is the time to take a look at the Head Game that goes along with this process. Certainly, there is a huge physiological piece to hunger and weight loss, but there is also a big psychological piece, the Head Game that goes along with it. Maybe the challenges is to NOT FREAK, don't panic, and don't cross the "What the Hell Line" into eating whatever. Make a few behavioral changes, like changing up your diet, doing some different exercise, etc., and then sit with your hunger and feel it or analyze it . . . is it coming from somewhere else? Is there any other reasons for feeling so out of control, and what is it that is sabotaging getting back in control? This is the hardest part for me, I think. There are times when it just feels impossible, and other times when I feel so empowered - what makes the difference? Hang in there, you're doing so well, and don't let fear drive you into a bad place!

Hi Jill: I'm not an MD, but I presume that the reason you're not losing weight is METABOLIC. In other words, you're metabolism is way too efficient, so that it tries to do all that it can to conserve fat stores instead of use them for fuel. Have you talked to other professionals about how to increase your metabolism, as opposed to just reducing calories so radically? From what I've read, there are only a few ways to increase metabolism: While Eating Food; While Exercising; and by increasing muscle. There are also some foods that do help (like spicy foods with peppers like salsa), but I think their impact is fairly minimal. I need to learn more about this as well. I have been banded for only 2 months. I try to eat around 1000 calories per day, but I often go up to 1300 or 1500. I find it hard to keep the calories low, I do feel hungry. I'm still in the process of getting the proper fill, but I do find that restriction is different than feeling full. I only lost .5lb in the past 2 weeks, and felt a little discouraged, but reminded myself that this is a long-term lifestyle and learning process. I also eat alot of Protein - and there are definitely ways to have plenty of protein with very low calories (e.g. Isopure Protein Drink has 40g protein for 160 calorie bottle). I do find that the more protein, the more satisfied I feel. The band is definitely not "easy", but I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I will be much more successful with the band than I could ever be without! I anticipate that it will get easier as I really learn how to use it and my commitment grows as I lose weight. You're wise to ask the questions now as you're thinking about this huge decision. Good luck!

I still don't have much restriction, so I can eat alot - however, I've learned to avoid some things - mostly turkey & chicken. I have found that baked or broiled fish is often a good restaurant choice - even if there is a grilled fish sandwich, you might be able to eat that. I have also been able to eat tacos & burritos - or at least pick them apart. Refried beans, lentil soup & crab cakes are other good options for me when eating out. Enjoy your lunch, just take it slow.

I have had a mixed drink once, but with no carbonation. I think the real issue is calories and carbonation, not that the alcohol itself is bad for you. I think its much more of an issue with gastric bypass people due to absorbtion issues. According to my post-op diet. I am not supposed to eat raw vegetables for about 5 months! I have had a tiny bit of lettuce, but mostly cooked vegetables. At only 2 weeks out, I was just beginning mushy food - most people would tell you that you should definiely NOT eat raw vegetables at all for a while, not this soon. :-)

Hi there . . . I have some personal experience with this. I was having some unidentified pain that I was trying to ignore for a long time. During the work-up for the band, they did an ultrasound of the belly, which showed that I had gallstones. As Janieh mentioned above, weight loss can exacerbate gallbladder problems and people often to have it out later. My doctor said that he needed to take it out first, at least 3 weeks before doing the band surgery. He stated that they cannot safely be done at the same time because the gallbladder is full of bacteria and other nasty toxins. If any of that were to get onto the band, which must be 100% disinfected, the band could become easily infected etc. He told me that he has seen serious complications and infections from having the 2 done at the same time. I asked what would happen if I did nothing and he said that it would likely worsen and I'd end up having to have a emergency surgery. This made sense to me, and although I was bummed out that it had to be done, I resolved myself to postponing the band surgery a little while. (I ended up doing it about 5 weeks before the lap band). So - I went in at 9am, got the gallbladder out and was home at 2pm. It was a very easy operation, and it prepared me for the band (which was even easier). Both were not difficult for me at all. Thank God. Now, I'm really grateful that it was done - I no longer have the pain that I did have, I averted a likely emergency procedure, it has not effected me in any way with regard to my digestion, etc, and I needn't worry any more about the development of gallstones! The same doctor did both surgeries, which also gave me alot of comfort and confidence in him. I recommend that you make sure your M.D. orders the tests to screen for gallstones. Good luck with this!

Fabulous! Its great to hear what a smooth start you're off to . . . It'll all come together in due time!

It is a sad statement about our culture . . . However . . . GOOD FOR YOU for taking weight issues into your own hands and taking the lap band step toward greater health and freedom! Despite how incredibly discouraging the job search is, I hope you'll still feel empowered to use this time for yourself - it is still an opportunity for you to work on healthy lifestyle habits, work hard at the gym, and appreciate the changes that you're making in yourself as confidence and self-esteem boosters. Its hard when you're being rejected . . . but you are being ACCEPTED into a whole new world of health right now, even as we speak, because you stepped out and took control by having this surgery!!! Don't forget about these super important changes! My gosh - look at what you've already done!!!

Hello Laura - your dream sounds so distressing! I am no authority on this, however, I am a clinical psychologist, and I think the unconscious is a very tricky thing. Certainly, even though there are distressing things that emerge in dreams (aggressive, sexual, conflictual, etc.), that does not mean that you are "crazy", nor that you unconsciously want to or have the capacity to abuse one of your dogs! The brain is so complex, and our neurophysiology is effected by so many things that I would definitely not assume that these dreams mean something about you or your mental health. While these dreams may be influenced by the many stressors of your surgery, I (personally) doubt that the dreams are due to the anethesia you underwent. Since it has been a week since your surgery, the anesthesia is probably well worn-off. It is far more likely that you are having these dreams due to other medications that you may be taking - like pain medications or antidepressants. I have worked with many patients on antidepressants whom had very distressing, wild, or bizarre dreams that disrupted their sleep, like Nyquil has done to you in the past. You may want to consider if there is any substance that you've introduced into your system that could be the culprit. I hope you'll be sleeping soundly soon . . . good luck with your continued recovery and progress with the band!!

My surgeon says 2 days of "full" liquids, 2 days of mushy food, then to the regular diet.

Yes - it is a terrific thing to know that help is here, and it WILL HELP! Just this week I was also feeling particularly grateful for the help the band provides. Congratulations on the banding - great success is to come!

WOW, that's amazing - I celebrate with you!!!

I believe his name is Dr. Hekier and his screenname is DrHekier. Good question.

I did a lot of eating for future hunger - but I didn't need to! It is almost like I thought that I'd actually never eat again, so I was having bacon, egg, & cheese sandwiches every morning. Believe it or not, I really don't miss them much. Plus, I know that I could have it if I really want it, but I don't. Just as Sarah above said - there isn't much you won't be able to do. This has truly been an easy transition for me (thus far, 6 weeks out). I was able to sleep on my side after the first night in the hospital (though I was up all night there). I started exercising on day 3 and felt 100% after 10 days. I have felt very good about making new habits, like planning my meals everyday, packing my lunch and counting calories. I know that it is different for everyone, but I am really relieved to know that this hasn't been the scary inconvenience and adjustment that I thought it would be. I guess what I did do was to prepare myself to make a commitment to working with the band and not against it. I bought a weight loss product. Now, I have to use it! Enjoy your pre-band month, but I hope you'll find that life is not full of losses afterwards - or at least, that the sacrifices you do make will be of your own chosing!

Yep - I did that too! I engaged in a good deal of EATING FOR FUTURE HUNGER!!! I think it is hard not to engage in this - but as someone else said - if you can remember that just because you're banded doesn't mean that you can't still eat these things. They're still there, its just that now I am chosing not to eat them. Good luck with the surgery!!!

I really liked what the Road Queen Celeste said . . . I too, continue with the battle, and right now - 6 weeks post-op, I am still maintaining the good habits that I had purposed to start off doing. I am realistic though, and I imagine that there will be times when I am just surrendering to the struggle and not fighting it. I am hoping the band will help to minimize the damage I can do to myself, and will find it a little easier to get back on track and feel the rewards of weight loss. Before I had this surgery, I really said to myself that this has to work. I cannot continue on the weight roller-coaster, and I must work through the food issues and understand my relationship with food to the other side - to the point where I am not self-sabotaging or giving up. I was also afraid that this may not help, since I'd failed so many times in the past . . . but I also felt that this was my best option and that I must keep trying! I have not had one regret so far!

Thanks! I'll give it a try. I've used the clear Isopure alot, which does have a bad aftertaste, so I'll look for the dutch chocolate stuff.

Hey Jen - congratulations - the journey begins! First, about being hungry - I was allowed to have clear liquids for the first week which included clear Protein drinks - like Isopure and Myoplex berry. Isopure tastes much better. It has 40g of protein in a 20 oz bottle and it tastes like kool-aid with a bad aftertaste. That saved me. I drank Isopure, ate sugar-free Jello, sucked on sugar-free popcicles one after another, and drank lots of Water. They protein would really help you to feel less hungry. I had some difficulty distinguishing hunger, from belly/incision pain, from gas at first. Call you doctor and ask about clear Protein Drinks - seriously! I also had pain medications that I took for several days - I made sure to take them every four hours, and before bedtime for the first few days (as prescribed) and then reduced them gradually. I quickly felt better and was sleeping great. My point is just that it is OK to use the pain meds if you need them, to stay off increasing pain and improve your sleep. I don't have a scale - and didn't weigh myself until my first follow-up 10 days after the surgery. It was nerve wrecking, but I was so happy to go into the doctor and see a really nice loss. It made all the pain worthwhile. Plus, I would encourage you to NOT WORRY about weight loss in the beginning. So many people have emphasized that on this site - that the initial focus is just HEALING. Your body is going through such a major change and adjustment that it just isn't fair to your body or yourself to get overly concerned about weight loss yet. Usually, people don't get their first fill until 4-6 weeks after surgery, and some lose very little weight because there is very little restriction (at least that was my experience). I am considering buying a scale, but so far I've just relied on the doctor's scale, and have weighed myself at the gym too. These first couple weeks are very challenging - but you will soon be amazed at how well you feel and how great the band works. Its only been 5 weeks for me, and I really feel terrific. Good luck!

Hi there - I do live in Connecticut - much further south - in Norwalk. I am also relatively new to this - banded on August 16th. I see that Robin was in July, myself in Aug., and Brunswick in September. I, too, am afraid to fail at this. I went in for my first fill last Friday and had only lost 2 lbs. in 3 weeks. I am not getting too concerned, since it is early in the process and I'm still healing and learning. I count calories, protein and try to exercise, so I am surprised that it's not just melting off. Still, 23 lbs. in 1 month is nothing to sneeze at . . . that's better than I've ever done on a traditional diet. Its difficult to be patient . . . but this will be lifelong, so I guess I better get used to it. Lets continue to use the Connecticut board and support one another.

Excellent question - I want to know that too. My first fill was last Friday, and yesterday I had a regular dry turkey sandwhich on wheat bread for lunch. It was well-chewed and eaten slowly, but it doesn't seem like I should be able to eat that, maybe at all!

YES!!! I felt the same thing!!! NO!! You are not over reacting!!! As the surgery got closer, my awareness increased of my fear of not being able to eat anything I want to, along with the fears of what if it doesn't work, etc. I did what Condy suggested, I tried to dissect these fears, which mostly come from such a long history of weight loss defeat, that it's so hard to conceive of something successful!! Honestly, sometimes I'm still afraid it won't work . . . I'm still early in the process. But I'm beginning to see that it has a great liklihood of working if I work with it, and that it helps me work with it. I think that with each step, and as success occurs, the fears will melt completely away! Hang in there!

Good for you on the approval! Its so exciting and scary at the same time! I would say: have the best doctor you can find do the surgery - that's the biggest part with the greatest risk. I am sure sorry you have such slim-pickin's wherever you live. I have really appreciated the competence of my bariatric surgeon and his group. If the doctor you have now is in-net and you can do the surgery before the end of the year, I would have him do it and do follow-up fills, etc., with someone else, since that's a little more straight-forward. In the event of a serious problem, you can always go back to your original surgeon for help even though he's out of net. Do you have out-of-net benefits? I think that having confidence in your surgeon is so important, and there is a long-haul of working with someone. I do understand the financial limits, so do what makes the most sense, but don't disregard your own comfort level with the doctor or his office, etc. Good Luck!!!!

I did! However, I am SELF-EMPLOYED and did not have any other insurance. I live in Connecticut and researched available plans in advance to know which ones covered WLS with the least amount of hassle. I wanted Oxford. I could apply to Oxford (I'm amazed I was approved at over 300 lbs. to start with!), but I had to provide a copy of my tax return to prove that I am self-employed. Thank God that I actually did get on-board with the insurance, because in the pre-op workup, I learned I had gallstones and had to have the gallbladder removed. My insurance has been worth every penny!

Wow - my first fill was today also!!! I was sweating on the table because I was so nervous. He gave me novicane, and it took a couple tries to find the right spot, but then it was done. I have a smaller band and so it was filled 1.4cc. I am drinking liquids (2 days, then mushies for 2) and feel no restriction yet. Life with the band really starts now!

I was never told anything at all about eating or drinking beforehand. I had my first fill today at 10am, so at 9am I had a huge breakfast (2 eggs, 2 pieces of toast) because I knew that I'd be on liquids for 2 days and mushies for 2 days afterward. No problems here!

My doctor just focused on calories pre-op: 2 weeks of 1000 calories per day and 2 days pre-op Clear liquids only. Mashed potatoes were allowed, just gotta count them. Post-op: 1 week clear liquid, 1 week "full liquid", 1 week mushies (can include mashed potatoes, but again, keeping calories to around 1000), 1 week soft food, then progressive regular diet. I did have a small serving of mashed potatoes on the mushies stage - I looked up the calorie count and enjoyed them.