Chickie D

I used to post regularly on LapBandTalk. I've been reading, but not posting here for a few weeks and feel ready now to dive back in with both feet. Some Background... My highest weight was 297. I was 265 or so at the time of my surgery (six years ago - or was it five?). I lost down to 180 and felt so good. So good. Changes in my life started happening (mostly good things!) and I turned to my old best friend - food. I stopped paying attention to myself and what was going on with my body and I (of course) regained. I made it up to 240 pounds, and then lost a bit. Gained a bit. Lost a bit. You know how it is. Part of the issue was that I couldn't get a good fill. Too much out and I was hungry - too much in and I couldn't drink Water and had night coughs. Annnnd...my doctor had one of the strictest post-surgical (ongoing weight loss) diets I've seen - 600-800 calories per day. My conclusion was that the band was not working for me. I gave up. Plain and simple. Digressing for a moment - I am darn lucky that the band was actually working and that I didn't regain every single pound I'd ever lost and then some. Darn lucky. I moved across the country three years ago and haven't been seen by a weight loss surgery professional since then. I felt defeated in terms of the band and I was just plain tired of trying. Worn. Out. Reality Set In... I was bobbling around 230 pounds for months and realized that something needed to change. A friend of mine had sleeve surgery, so I started researching. Maybe the sleeve was the answer for me. As part of my research, I stumbled upon drsimpson.net and devoured all of the information there very quickly. There are things on his site that made me say, "Yes! THAT!!! That's me!!!" Clear liquids for a week and I've been on full liquids for two weeks. I'm measuring everything. I'm walking again. And, surprise!, I'm losing weight. And (bigger surprise!) I'm not hungry. So..why post now? A couple of reasons: 1) I need support and I know that I can ask for and receive it here, and 2) I want others to know that just because you've stopped following your plan and just because you've regained that doesn't mean you can't start over from where you are right now. You don't need to do what I did and start over - come up with a plan that you think will work for you and then follow that plan or have a new plan. Oh, and thank you. There's so much good going on here. xo

When I was still eating at McD's, I remember telling someone, "I don't even like it!" And yet, there I was - eating it again and again even though there were consequences (weight gain and bad feelings) for doing it. As a general thing - people don't like to give things up unless they have something to replace those things. Drive-thrus offer that immediate gratification. How else can you get that? The other thing that has worked for me is setting rules about those kinds of places. For example, at McD's - no more fries, remove the bun from any burgers. With enough rules in place - it just wasn't worth it to go there anymore - and now I don't.

@@Jim1967 I appreciate that you told your story..I'd not seen it before. It's all so difficult - losing the weight is the "easy" part - it's the rest that is so complicated. (Totally agree about the scale.)

A little fear is a good thing - keeps you on track with your eye on the prize of improved health and a longer life. Most of us have been on multiple diets in the past and regained. Of course there's a little voice in the back of our minds telling us this isn't happening or this weightless is temporary. We just need to drown out that little voice with the loud cheers of accomplishments and confidence.

Good for you for getting it done even though you were initially overwhelmed. I totally get the part about mourning the loss of a favorite item. The rewards are many, but there are some moments that are difficult - even if it seems like they shouldn't be. Go you!

My story (briefly) is that I've had the lap band since 2008. I lost from my all-time high of 297 to 180 and then regained up to 240 over the course of a few years. I'm back in full force, eating well, taking care of myself, and excited about the progress I've made. Today, I weigh 202. When I lost all of the weight the first time, uncertainty began setting in ... ...how do people see me now? ...where will I shop now that Lane Bryant clothes are getting too big? ...now that I'm smaller, what new things will I do? The list goes on - and it's not important to me what the questions are (because, seriously, I could overthink anything given the opportunity). What does concern me is that feeling of new - the uncomfortable. As I'm about to hit 199, I'm starting to feel uncomfortable. What is different this time, though, is that I see it coming - I know what is going on - and, for me, that is most of the struggle. I'm looking for suggestions or stories about how you dealt with the discomfort - with the sudden changes. Or maybe you just breezed on through and there was no discomfort? (Oh yeah, and do tell me where you shopped when you were "between sizes.") xoxo

Coldwater Creek is a place I've never shopped - always thought I was too big for there. Another place that comes to mind is Talbot's. I really really appreciate the practical suggestions.

I really appreciate everyone's thoughts and support. I don't think I'm heading for a self-sabotage. I'm so aware of what is going on this time around. It is definitely related to body image issues - even at very near to 300 pounds, I really didn't see that I was so big. And now nearly 100 pounds lighter than that, and I have a difficult time seeing the loss. It's crazy - what we do in our own minds. I'm in a better place this time - perhaps just hyper-aware because I know what happened and why the first time around. Dress Barn makes sense!

It's hard. I read an article recently that many people undo all of the good they did all week on the weekends. Maybe you need to change up your routine. For example, this weekend, we had a friend over to play games and hangout. Normally, we would have gone out for a big lunch or I would have made something "bad" here. Instead, we went to Panera and brought it home. I got Soup. We still played games and hung out - and that was the real purpose of the visit - not the food. We always set the expectation ahead of time so friends aren't confused. "Come over after dinner. We'll have fruit available." It's going to be hard - especially because it's your daughter, but it's your health.

My general thought....if what you (the general you, not specifically you) were doing wasn't working, you need to find something else, and maybe this will be your answer. I'm 100% supportive of searching around and finding what will work for you. I would give any new plan a couple of weeks before moving on. Having said that...the issue I see is that you are "only" five months out from surgery and I worry that you're trying to "cheat" the band, do what is familiar and comfortable rather than explore new ideas and new ways of eating. Most successful people seem to completely change the way they are eating.

Updated from me... March 1 - 207 March 17 - 202 (Goal March 31 - 199) Still need work on increasing my Protein each day. Exercising and journaling is going very well.

I'm sorry to read this and you should feel good about what you've done....you told her how you were feeling and that what she was doing was hurtful. She made a decision about how to respond to that. She does have the right to feel as she does and you have an equal right not to listen to her feelings 100% of the time. I hope you are feeling ok. It's hard to lose a friend. xo

I'm using Trader Joe's Protein powders - they come in chocolate and vanilla - contain no stevia or artificial sweeteners. They are perhaps a bit more caloric (sugar) than other brands and a little less protein, but they get me through the day and make shakes tolerable for me. They are the only shakes I've ever been on for more than a couple of days. I believe they are $17 for a canister. I also have an unjury order coming in - the unflavored and some sort of savoy mix (can't remember which). But maybe going all shakes isn't for you. What else might be? Finally, I'm glad my words could help you. I have gotten so much help from these boards - it is a nice feeling to be able to return the favor. xo

I was banded years ago. Lost from around 260 (at surgery) to 180 and then started having trouble. I gave up, ate too much, and regained up to 240. I felt like crap about myself and the lapband and decided to start researching the sleeve. As part of that research, I decided that I owed it to myself to try again with the band. I started over. Woke up one morning and decided to start treating myself as if I'd just had surgery. All liquid diet, lots of rest, and some walking. I weighed 230 that day six weeks ago. Today, I weigh 204 and am feeling great. I drink two Protein shakes a day, have Soup or another sort of savory liquidy protein at dinner. I am not hungry. I have energy. I am losing weight. And...I'm feeling good about the world, life, and everything. Starting over doesn't have to be as drastic as what I am doing. Figure out what starting over means to you and then do it.

Whole I do t know everything ... Hahha ... I don't believe liposuction is a weight loss tool. More of a procedure to target certain areas of fat that are resistant to dieting and exercise.

Looks like you're getting it figured out. I lost a bunch, regained, and am now working on losing again. It's hard to rededicate oneself when so far off plan. I found that going back to all liquids has really helped me. Best of luck to you!

I'm glad you've had a chat with her...she may need to be reminded from time to time, but it does sound like she's receptive. So glad you did this. Good for you!

I'm sorry to hear you're having these kinds of problems and hope you can get in to see your doctor today. I know it's frustrating - I had some very difficult days/weeks/months with my band. Consider sticking with liquids until you're seen - you don't want any stress (on you or the band).

Pillow for the car ride home is a great suggestion. Might want to have a liquid laxative on hand...just in case. Loose stretchy pants. Hope your recovery is quick and not too uncomfortable! xo

Here's what I said to my bestie: I demand that you be supportive me even if you disagree with the decision I made. You don't have to say it like that, of course, but if you don't say something very clear, it doesn't sound like she is going to understand your point of view. You owe it to her and your long friendship to be direct.

Funny, there was recently a whole thread about about belching and ... Tooting. You are definitely not alone. Are you tracking all of your food and Water intake? Calories, and Protein? Some of those grumbles you're hearing may be normal gastric sounds and not hunger. Sounds like you're doing the right thing ... Getting back to your doc. xox

Glad to see you're going to therapy. I would like to encourage you to go by yourself if he later changes his mind. Getting or keeping your head screwed on straight during this time of upheaval will be the best thing for you. I will join with the crowd of others who say that these things are never a simple matter. And I will also say that the adage, "once a cheat, always a cheat," does not have to be true if there's on is willing to do some real soul searching and figure their $#|+ out.

Woooo! Huge milestone for you. Congratulations!

Yes, it hasn't been an issue. Here's my usual schedule.... Morning Walk Protein for Breakfast Protein for lunch Soup or Protein for dinner (usually soup) Evening Walk (not every day) Water in between. The only time I felt really tired was in the beginning - I had a business trip and wasn't able to get in all of my protein or water. By the time I got home, my @$$ was dragging. Perked right up when I got back. If you don't feel like you can "rip off the band-aid" and do it all at once, start with a shake in the morning. Or start by walking. Do something small that will help you get your head in the right place to do something big. I immediately started feeling better.

The first couple of days of all liquids was a challenge - after that, there have been challenging moments, but overall this has been a terrific thing for me. I've lost weight, I'm exercising, and I'm feeling better about the world, life, and everything.