Band_Groupie

Part 2- See what I mean...too wordy and it cut me off LOL

Sounds like you are ON YOUR WAY! I wish I had this done at your age (well, I was just starting to pack on the pounds then after 2 of my kids, but you know what I mean). I would have saved myself 20 years of major yo-yoing and lots of lost self-esteem...at least when it comes to my weight. And you'll be such a better example to your child than I was. You're a smart and brave girl for taking control now! Trust me, all the pre-op hassle is so worth it in the end!

Keep me posted on your progress! Oh, and hey, my DD is down your way all week for her first business trip/conference...I got 3 calls from her yesterday about how it was going, what to wear for 'business casual', etc., LOL (makes me not miss those days! we're lucky to get to be SAHM's!). Send me some weather...it's a high in the 40's here today brrrrr! Oh, I'm over at TT's too every now and then...really nice people, but not a lot of banders. Your friend, BG

LOL thanks for the lovely comments...and I can't believe I can tell you you're not the only one who's told me they read the whole thing (OMG!)...I'll apologize now for my ramblings/wordiness (I need an editor LOL...no time for that) and my 'down' moments...I think there are a few in there I'd love to delete, but that's not being true to me either...so there it is. Please apologize to your DH for me for waking him up LOL, but I know how you feel. As you know, the only one who knows about my LB is DH so I often share something someone posted here that was 'just like me' or where I've learned something new. Mostly I share here though because we're all going through it together...and what does my skinny-assed husband know about WL, dieting, let alone LB (he's such a love/supportive husband though..he tries to relate LOL).

Hi there GF! We keep mirroring each other on this journey! I give you a bow for having the courage to cancel that appointment (I still haven't called, well they aren't in on Tuesdays-surgeries, but I'm still nervous about letting go of an appt....what if I wake up hungry tomorrow? and all that). But I will call. I'm starting to really believe in the power of this band now and that it WILL work for me (don't we all think we're the one that this isn't going to work for...and what if another person's 'hungry' isn't like our 'HUNGRY'? All that fat person self-doubt!).

Keep it up and we'll get there together...however slowly it's still the same result we've always wanted! Thanks for your support! -BG

Hang in their GF...I'm not sure when you got your band or if you have any restriction yet, but if not you will...just keep getting those fills (and yes, Bandster Hell SUCKS). It took me four fills and 4.5 months, but it takes some much longer and for some their band has to be almost full...we've all got different anatomy and are satisfied at different amounts.

I could have lost weight much faster with another diet too...but this time...it's different...I'M NOT HUNGRY...I know you realize what a huge statement that is! I was beginning to think it was a myth and wouldn't work for me.

I eat a cup of food at meals, protein first, almost always the same dinner as my family (pasta is sometimes the exception unless I add more meat...and I'm not the cook...DH is, so I'm not changing the families meals).

Well here's hoping you have some restriction now or soon! Your Sweet Spot is waiting for you too! Best wishes and keep me posted on your progress! -BG

Part 2- I'm rambling again and it cut me off LOL...

I eat about 1 cup at meals...more than a few bites. That will probably get less as I get closer to goal, but I'm not expecting to ever have to only eat a few teaspoons...that's just not nutritionally healthy!

I NEVER expected to even be thinking about WLS...I didn't grow up fat, but have yo-yoed (always ending in UP) on every diet out ther since having kids. This hasn't been an easy journey and most of the diets I've been on have been easier in many ways, but it's the only time I've been able to eat like a normal person without feeling like I'm starving.

You can do this! It's the best decision I've ever made! Let me know how your visit goes. Best wishes! -BG

Hope your doctors appointment goes really well today!! I'll say it again...there's NO food I can't eat...including popcorn! Actually, most people put crunchy things like chips and popcorn on that 'slider' food list as they're one thing you can eat even when you're super tight as long as you chew really well (seems weird I know, but crunchy things like toast break up well in your mouth whereas soft bread becomes a mushy ball and gets stuck).

I eat all the same dinners as my family does, and no, it's not because I'm cooking meals I can eat...I'm lucky, DH does that. About the only time I eat something different is about 1/2 the time when they're having a mainly pasta meal I'll add part of a hamburger for more protein or eat a different protein leftover that night. As long as you work with the band and pay attention to being satisfied (NOT full) it will work with you and allow you to keep eating everything.

Part 2- sorry, I'm rambling and it cut me off LOL

If you've had any PB's or sliming that can definitely cause some swelling too...I've learned the hard way to go back to liquids or at least sliders until it settles depending on how bad of one it was.

Yeah, welcome to SWA...I think I weighed myself 4 times this morning...I keep getting .5# differences and think it has to do with where the scale feet are on our bathroom tile floor...now if that's not obsessive LOL!

Take care and here's hoping the restriction soon loosens just a little and you'll be at your SS too! Keep me posted! -Your friend -BG

Hey Mechelle! Thanks for the comments! I was thinking of you last night...DH made homemade mashed potatoes and I overate a little just because they were sooo good (I still love good food)...yep it's a slider, but I ate the meatloaf first so I was full all night!

I've never had a fill get tighter (they've only loosened over time for me), but I know many here say they get that, even weeks later. If it's not better soon, you're doing the right thing. Many say even a tiny unfill (.5 or .1cc) can make all the difference (food shouldn't hurt).

I have found that I have to retrain myself how to eat after each fill. You get used to things going down with what you've been doing and then with more restriction you need to make even more changes (the hardest one for me is slowing down...doesn't seem like you'd have to if you're chewing it to death, but you do).

Oh and, Nov. 6 sounds like a great date...just in time to help you with all that Halloween candy laying around (if you haven't pitched it out the window by then), and just in time to have some restriction for all those wonderful holiday get-togethers and meals!!! It's all good. Slow and steady....we'll get there together!

Thanks for the comment and for reading! Your pics are amazing! I just realized we're both April banders (different years, but so what!). April is my lucky month too...B-day, anniversary, banding. Your pics are amazing, and I'm a pear too, so I appreciate seeing the big change in you (I think it's harder to tell on a pear, and impossible to see on myself LOL)! Keep on blogging...it has helped me so much as a support system! Your friend -BG

Hey GF! Hope that fill tightens up for you (mine never change/have only gotten looser, but I know many say they can take several weeks even to 'settle in'/get tighter...sometimes I wonder if we're tighter in the morning just because of gravity...some of the fluid from the tubing/port ends up in your band? Wild ideas!). Remember that 2cc's of that is in your tubing/port only (although it certainly effected you post-surgery, so who knows what to believe). Another fill may be in order soon. I felt more difference after my second one and the third one was almost perfect. I hope it's keeping you satisfied a little longer at least. Hang in there!