abrightfuture

10/3 Ok am 8 weeks post op and I have totally confused myself and cant seem to get a good schedule down on when to eat and what to be eating. ----Should I be counting calories (which I hate) ----What is the amount I should be eating ----What do other eat in a day ----My shedule is crazy....up @ 3:30am leave for work @ 5:45am arrive @ work 7:30am (have a nonfat latte) lunch @ 12:15 leave @ 3:45pm home by 5:30pm bed about 10-10:30pm -----Does anyone have any suggestions on when I should be eating for the best possible outcome? Seems I keep finding myself hungry. -----How to plan your meals and snacks -----Where can I find a detail list of the types of food to eat, amount, calories, etc. Please let me know the easiest way I can get this information to be effect in my weight loss. Thank you in advance for helping get over my confusion. Tired of being overwhelmed by everything and worrying that Im doing everything wrong. Micki

10/3 Theresa,Cindy,Kathy,Jadcut you have brought me to tears. I cant begin to tell you all how deeply grateful I am for you to care to respond to me call for help. Your wonderful words, thoughts, and prayers have given me the support I was needing. It has given me a sense of peace and now I realize that today was better than yesterday and tomorrow will be better than today. Im going to take a deep breath and give myself some time to re focus and remember why I made this decision and the positive outcome I believe in. I suppose some of it is that the newness of the band is wearing off, the high your on post surgery. I dont have any control over what is happening around me but I can control how I handle it. I know with people, I hope I can call friends, like you it gives me comfort when I face moments like this. You remind of the success I have had in the past 8 weeks and stop returning to the little side bars Ive taken. Again from the bottom of my heart I really really thank you for taking the time to listen to my "moments" and being there. Will keep you posted. Micki

10/3 Thought I had a handle on the band rules. Have been doing so well yet after first fill 9/8 didnt really feel all that restricted. Anyway this weekend have been out of control!! from eating my some of my father in law birthday cake to 3 medium slices of pizza. there wasnt anything i didnt get into. didnt seem like i had any restrictions. am in my period so thought maybe that had something to do with it but there is something else. It has slowing been creeping up on me....as much as I have been so positive and have seen some amazing results I think little by little I have been pushing the envelope. you know having more that I should, not necessarily the right thing either. was sick about a week ago and had so many pbs, couldnt eat anything for about 3 days. since then have gone in reverse and have stopped exercizing daily. im writing you because im feeling real guilty and stupid. having the band is what i really want to do. my dedication is there but i feel myself sliding into old habits. like not taking my lunch, eating at the right times, not drinking enough water, etc, etc..... iam so confused and feeling lost. how, how do i get back on track??? where do i start??? i cant seem to focus. lately all that has been going on around me is getting to me emotionally and if im honest, has been a major distraction to my goals for myself. in the past week my sister in law was diagnosised with end stage ALS, my father was hospitalized with rejection from chemo, my friends cervical cancer has come back, mad at my husband because he wont buy me a scale (think maybe im punishing myself becaue he doesnt see how much i need it) and and here comes the big one, havent been itimate in 2 yrs because of my weight and now that ive lost some wonder why not now has left me frustrated and pissed. see told you i was overwhelming myself!!!! since the banding life has been pretty simple but lately it has gotten so complicated. i dont know where to turn so ive come to you all. i feel so mad at myself. cant seem to shake all this. what should i do? Micki

10/2/05 Am a Senior Health Claims Processor in Seattle Washington for a Third Party Administrator. I commute from Bremerton by ferry everyday. Now on my 6yrs. Have a wonder support spouse whos a real estate agent. Been married 15 yrs, been friends for 23 yrs. Have 2 great kids. Daughter 14, son 13. I mention this because its part of what I do too. Micki Banded 7/27/05 296 presurgery 292 surgery 278 1st month 268 last visit

10/2/05 Ok, dont know if im pmsing or what but today and yesterday has not been a good day for this bandster. So much seems to be going on that im not focusing on what i should be doing. Am 8 weeks post op, had first fill 9/8 but dont feel too much restriction. Know I have lost, im down 3 sizes, my rings are really, really loose, others notice but I feel like im sliding down to bad habit land. Shoot today I had 3 med size slices of pizza and yesterday I had some cake and ice cream (father in laws birthday). Thought I have been eating the right things but some of it didnt feel right so when I went to a number of band sights for food Ive found I havent. I think my calories and volume is too much. Dont know what is the right fomula anymore. Have been recovering from a crudy cold for over a week which zaps my energy so havent exercized either. When I do eat I dont feel much of a restriction. Confused on whether I should get another fill. Theres a part of me that really thinks the 1.5 ccs wasnt enough. Sort of felt that way since I had it done. And my schedule on when to eat is off too. Ive been so on the positive and now I feel somewhat down. Hormones maybe? I just dont know. Boy what can I do to resolve some of these issues?? Where should I start? Is this normal when the newness of the band wears off? Ive had what i consider great NSV's but I so afraid Im gonna blow it!!!!!! Micki

9/30/05 Hello all-was 8 weeks post op 9/27/05!!!! cant believe it. am still so happy and sure have learned about slowing down and chewing. has been biggest change. anyway, would like someone to please give me a list of solid foods to eat as well as the total daily recommended amount per day. Im getting concerned I might be overdoing it on the protein and not getting enough of the right carbs, grains, fat, etc. Know if I dont eat balanced I wont be as successful and I want to be. Would really appreciate a quick response. This also would keep me more aware of my fullness status to determine if I need another fill. 1st one done was 9/8/05. Thank you in advance. Micki

9/22/05 What do you eat for your protein and when do you eat it? Have been reading alot of other websites for protein but want to know what you all do. How many calories do you eat in a day? Do you track what calories you eat? I absolutely hate counting calories but i do watch my portion sizes. Is that a good idea or do you something else. Do you preplan all what youre going to eat in a day or just wing it? Do you write it all down? Micki

:think 9/22/05 Here's the current scenario, bare with me. Please listen!!! Woke up at 1:45am really hungry, went to have some yogurt had 2-3 teaspoons and up it came. Doesnt seem like any big deal but its been happening since i ate dinner. i was eating a small boiled red potato and some salad and after having about 3 bites of the potato up it came, and up it came, and up it came!!!! what is going on??? havent had this problem before. in fact since getting my 1st fill 9/8 have been doing very well. there hasnt been too much restriction physically i have been watching what i have been doing and the choices ive been making. i have read that premenstrally your band can get tighter. iam premen. so could this be whats going on??? right now its 2:30am and im sipping on some tea. suffering from a wild headache and feeling like i might not be able to keep the tea down. man what should i do?? looking to you for some guidance and you thoughts. im probably overreacting but since it hasnt been 8 weeks yet i keep thinking what have i done. to me physicogically and emotionally having a band has been one of the wisest decision i have ever made for myself and i dont want anything to screw it up. i havent felt this way about myself in a long time and i get scared that something is gonna happen. this pbing has got me worried. trying hard not to be looking for problems but you know when things are going well i kinda wait for the flip side. anyway this whole thing has got me sorta down. the constant belching is driving me crazy im tired and hungry and i have to go to work in 3 hours. i recently have become very conscious of the band inside and keep thinking that maybe its shifted or isnt working, (yet im loosing) and therefore that i why this is happening......could some please give me some support???!!!!! Thank you ever so, Micki

9/22/05 Thank you everyone for your sharing you journey with me. It all helps to "band" together. I appreciate your honesty. All of you have been doing so very well and you sure a staying focused and patient. All take care and lets keeping updating one another. Micki

9/18/05 Would really like to hear some feedback from those who were banded in July 2005. Need to here how your progress is going. Here are my stats - Banded 7/27/05 in Everett, Wa. @ NWWLS by Dr. Montgomery. Pre surgery 296, day of 292, 1st preop visit 286, 1st fill 9/8 268. Lately getting alittle despondant now that newness is wearing off. Maybe there are other who would be willing to share their experience with me. This sight has been so supportive of me and those who have been banded for some time have given me such wisdom and insight, it has been invaluable. But I would like to know how others like myself are doing. (ie have you had pb's, have you got an eating plan down yet, have had a fill yet etc) Looking forward to hearing from you. Micki

9/15/05 Road Queen, Just wanted to take time out and thank you ever so. Your response sure has helped me. You have reassured me that Iam following the rules and to give myself the time to relax and remind myself this isnt magical. I think there was a part of me that thought it would be more rapid even though I dont want it to be. Now I will get back on track and focus without the intensity. Time to invest in a scale and take things in stride. Iam breathing again. Micki

I think iam anticipating too much. Had 1st fill last Wed 9/8 (2cc's). Wasnt as bad as i thought it would, the port had shifted some. took nurse a couple of pokes but was successful. Anyway its been a week now and i have had a number of PB's. i truelly believe it was because i wasnt chewing enough or rushing but it was something i could eat before the fill. did anyone else experience this? that you could no longer eat the same?? would someone please tell me what was your feeling after your fill. i have a smaller band and the nurse told be 2cc's was alot but im not really sure how my band should feel. i know im loosing and have been treadmilling everyday. i do feel better but i want to make sure that i continue on the road of sucess. how ofter should i weight myself? i find i dont have any desire to eat. did you go on a strick eating time? can eating 6 times a day be alright? my day starts at 3:30am and stops around 9:30pm. do you have a suggestion on how i should be planning my meals? if i go every 4 hrs i dont think im eating enough and i find myself hungry (? another fill). i really need some enlightenment. Open to any and all ideas, suggestions, etc. Thanks again. Micki Banded 7/27/05 296/292/274/268