LindaD

Right behind ya, sister. I cannot wait! Congratulations!!!

And just to add to that -- I'm quite sure there are SOME people who keep it quiet so that if it doesn't work, then they don't have to deal with a public failure. If anyone is keeping it quiet, I would definitely recommend they examine their motives to make sure that's not part of their reason for it because, to me, that's a red flag.

There is the argument that when people go public, that makes them more accountable because everyone knows. I don't particularly care for people scrutinizing what I eat or anything, but by making myself a poster child, there is a little more pressure to be a poster child for SUCCESS and so, I'm guessing, that even if I don't consciously realize it, that keeps me more focused. Many coaches in life (not weight loss specifically, but in general) will encourage you to TELL people your goals - to make them open and transparent - because the psychological effect of doing that works in your favor where achieving them is concerned.

Are you working out? Sounds to me like you're not eating enough. (I eat anywhere from 800 to 1500 calories a day.)

I did have loved ones who were worried about the surgical risk. I reassured them that it was a pretty easy surgery - outpatient, laparoscopic, etc. I reminded them that no one freaks out when someone has a c-section which is a MAJOR surgery -fully open, etc. That helped. As for the easy way out... ha. I mean, yeah, it is AWESOME to have this Band to help me. But the band doesn't go to the gym for 7 hours a week - I do. The band helps me physically to eat less and be satisfied. So I dunno... it's definitely the "easier" way out but it's far from easy. When I was pursuing the surgery, I remember thinking it was like having Jillian from The Biggest Loser with me all the time. That would definitely make me more successful in weight loss, but EASIER? Perhaps not. LOL I tell people the truth, I try to dispel myths about obesity, and I go on living my life. Good luck to you!

Maybe you need to get to the bottom of this chocolate thing. Is this mental? Is it physical? I'm afraid (this isn't very sensitive of me, by the way) it sounds like you're making excuses for yourself there. If you think it's a physical thing, try to find whatever it is you crave (caffeine or whatever) from other sources. If it's a taste/sweetness thing, substitute out a sugar-free version to get your chocolate fix. If you say you can't do either of those things, I'd find it a bit dubious, honestly. I agree that a slight unfill and back on track with nutrition and exercise is what is needed. Don't let yourself make excuses.... Good luck!

You know, sometimes appetite is about more than "will power". I firmly believe that there is more of a physiological drive to eat than we typically acknowledge. Here is what I know. I overate. I had a large appetite and I overate. That is what got me to where I was. I tried Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig and I was hungry, oh god, so hungry when trying to lose that damn weight. It made me more obsessed about food, that anxiety of feeling uncertain about when I would get to eat again. The whole concept of surgical weight loss is taking a PHYSIOLOGICAL approach to this whole thing. My appetite did not go away just because I had decided to pursue LapBand! I was still hungry, just like the OP is saying. A couple months before my surgery, I started taking an appetite suppression drug. I wanted to drop some weight prior to surgery, to lower the risk. Suddenly, taking this pill, my appetite was VERY manageable. I remember thinking "Wow, I wonder if this is how a normal person feels." I suddenly was able to do all the things the experts recommend around weight loss... eat slowly, take small bites, etc. etc. I had my surgery at the end of May. I stopped taking the appetite suppressant and now the BAND is what is helping me. Yes, I still have to make good choices, I need to NOT eat when I'm not hungry (that's a choice!). I need to exercise and all that. And I'm doing all that - doing it pretty damn well, in fact. But without those things - the band, or the pharma. approach... my appetite was part of the problem. And it wasn't about me not being WILLING. It was about my body pushing me to eat. To the OP... think about WHY you are eating. Are you choosing to eat when you aren't hungry? Because I do also believe there are people who eat for reasons other than hunger, and if those reasons still exist then the Band won't do a thing to help those. But if your struggle with eating is that you are hungry, your body is physically craving food or calories, then the Band CAN help with that. That's the problem it is meant to help solve. I don't think having out of control eating is a reason to walk away from the WLS approach. I think it's a reason to consider it very carefully and decide if it could be the solution to that very problem.

My surgeon required 1-2 weeks of nothing but clear, no-cal liquids. I drank Crystal Lite, water, etc. for a week. It was HARD because I was so hungry (I didn't follow it perfectly). Anyway, I was always jealous of those who could have protein shakes because I thought they must be less HUNGRY than I was. If you're more concerned about taste than hunger, then perhaps talk to your doc about doing no-calorie clear liquids instead of protein shakes. The primary goal is generally to limit carbs to shrink your liver. There are more ways to accomplish than than just protein shakes. It doesn't hurt to ask.

I've not faced that sort of thing, and I'm sort of glad. Part of me is thinking "They wouldn't DARE say that to me, even if they are thinking it." LOL I've had some people, prior to my surgery, express concern about surgical risk. I'm trying to think of how I would respond to those sorts of comments. Maybe with "Well, clearly you have some misinformation about obesity and the effectiveness of these sorts of choices. I'd be glad to help educate you if you have specific questions." Yes, that's a bit pompous but perhaps also deserved given what they said to you. The truth is obesity is a disease that is about more than just choices made in our heads. We cannot go cold turkey from food so we need to fight the battle (a hard battle that a huge percentage of our population is facing, indicating that the problem is bigger - no pun intended - than any individual being a lazy, gluttonous slob) on a physical front and behavioral front. Where one is more likely to lose is JUST fighting it on the behavioral front and acting as if the physical part isn't real. When someone is significant depressed or bipolar or whatever, we don't treat THEM as if it's all in their heads. We help them physically as well as mentally. Clearly, the fact that so many DO so well after the surgery - lose weight, put in ALL the activity and exercise, make good food choices (easier with the physical help of the surgery) it proves that they were not lazy, gluttonous slobs... the boost that we get from some help on the physiological part is just what we need to succeed. Good luck. Don't let the bastards get you down.

I haven't held back from telling people... coworkers, family, friends. I'm pretty sure they would have been speculating about it anyway. Hell, I've lost 80 pounds in the past 7 months. That is not going to happen without people wondering. Sure, it's none of their business, but I'd rather be up front then have them wondering about it behind my back. Plus I see it as a way to dispel myths about obesity and weight loss surgery. I don't judge harshly anyone who wishes to keep such information private, though. I see it as a personal choice, but I'm also proud to be one who is open about it because I think that could be helpful to others struggling with obesity, blame, and the decision about what to do.

Yeah, I had that too. It went away. I can't remember the last time I had hiccups now. Well, OK, I guess it was probably Julyish. LOL

I just replied in another thread... I was STARVING too the week after, and I called my surgeon's office and they told me to use oyster crackers when I get overwhelmingly hungry - just to let them practically dissolve before swallowing. I'd definitely call and ask!!

I did. I had done a week of PURE Clear liquids prior to surgery (no calories at all, basically) so about day 3 after my surgery, I was overwhelmingly hungry. I called my surgeon's office to seek advice and they recommended I try to still my hunger with oyster crackers - to let them practically dissolve before swallowing. I went through quite a few oyster crackers those first couple weeks until I was on mushy foods. I'd ask your doctor for advice. Maybe you'll get some relief??

I don't think there is any PROOF needed other than the doctor's notes talking about his or her supervision of you during this diet and exercise period. I was (am) Aetna and had to do a 6 month physician supervised diet and exercise program. Each month, my MD sent his office notes to my Surgeon. At the end of 6 months, my Surgeon's office had what they needed to apply for insurance. Good luck!

Congrats!! I remember how excited I was when I heard that news too!!!

2 pounds this week, so I'm down to 205. 5 more pounds and then I move into the onederland. I can't wait!!

I just had one today, .4 cc's. I feel fine - had dinner with the family. I think I feel a little tighter but not sure. So now I have 2.8cc's of Fluid in there. Hopefully it will pick up the pace a little bit. I've lost 3-4 pounds in the past month, which isn't bad but given how ACTIVE I have been - averaging more than an hour a day of good, solid activity, I feel like it should be a little more than that. So we'll see if the fill helps...

So funny to see this post... I'm sitting at my desk and my rings are sitting on the desk next to my laptop. They're so big on me now, and I'm only about 4 months post-op. Prior to the surgery, I couldn't even wear them - they were too tight. So they were in my jewelry box. I lost a lot of weight before surgery so I was able to wear my rings then, but I've lost more since and now they are just so big. I'm trying to decide when is the right time to resize. Maybe I'll just do a ring guard for now. But if you're thinking of buying one, waiting might be a good idea... buy a fake one for now (most people can't tell the difference, really).

Congrats to you! That is all wonderful - each of those mini-goals and the 100 pound goal. You're doing so well! You sound awesome, too!

I've not experienced this at all... interesting, though. I'm curious what is behind it, why it happens.

I eat nuts almost daily... pistachios, cashews, etc. They have never ever ever gotten stuck.

I track on thedailyplate.com. I have used sparkpeople and I've also used fitday. They all do the job. dailyplate has a lot more foods in their database, so that's why I landed there.

I was banded in May and also gained 4-5 pounds in the couple weeks following. Don't sweat it. This isn't about this short term thing - this is a marathon. Let yourself HEAL first. THEN do the work, make the right choices, etc. If you do that, it will come off. While you're just out of surgery, you are limited on what you can eat and how much you can move. This is OK - let yourself heal. In a few months, if you're making bad choices, not moving, and you gain, then you can kick yourself (not the band, yourself). But for now? Go easy on it, maybe even avoid the scale if this sort of thing sets you back...

I've only had one and I didn't feel any different afterwards.

We do eat out quite a bit, and I was really worried that the surgery would mess up that part of my life (we enjoy eating out so I didn't want it to). But I've been doing pretty good. We went out for dinner last night. My older daughter and I split an entry. It was a nicer restaurant so portions were not that big (we got lobster ravioli and there were 6, so that's 3 ravioli each). What I do (and thankfully my family is indulgent) is I get my variety by having a bite of this or a taste of that from their plates. Last night, I had a few bites of spinach, green Beans, mashed potatoes, and even dessert. Makes me feel like I had a well-rounded and plentiful meal (because I did!!!) even though I only ordered 3 ravioli.