balletgirl

Hi! I got my lapband Sept 24, 2008. My husband thought I should not tell anyone. But I made a decision to tell mostly everyone right away because you are right. You will drop weight and people will notice and question you about it. The biggest thing is the change in the way you will eat from now on. I did not want to have to come up with some weird explaination as to why I was doing a liquid diet (always the first two days after a fill) or a soft food diet (the next days after a fill). It makes it a lot simpler during the holidays and since everyone knows you are limited on the amount of food you are consuming they won't bug you to over eat nor will they be offended if you aren't eating their food! Some foods are not easily tolerated, so if you go somewhere that that food is served then you can avoid it and not offend that person if they know you've been banded. I found everyone to be extremely supportive of me! Only one friend thought she could no longer give me any sweets and I said "that's not true - I can eat a little bit, just not a lot"! (Obviously you won't make it a habit to eat sweets since it defeats the purpose of the band!) My biggest concern was eating out with my family because I did NOT want to tell servers my personal business of having a lap band. I have only once had to tell a server that I had "stomach surgery" because she was adamit that I could not have a child size meal. Other than that, I have found plenty of things to eat when going out with my family. It's almost an adventure going to different restaurants and finding something unique on their menu that I can eat. For instance at TGI Fridays they serve a wonderful side of mashed potatoes! Mexican restuarants are great for refried beans! My husband and I joke that now I'm a "cheap" date! Soup is always a good choice eating out and then just telling the server that you aren't hungry. That way you aren't forced to tell them your private affairs. And nowadays so many people have food allergies or things they do not want to eat, most places do not question me when I ask to eliminate something from a food item (i.e. the bread topping and cheese from french onion soup). Good Luck!!

Hi Everyone! I was banded 9/24/08. I've been feeling kinda lonely though in my progress since I don't know of anyone else around me who has a lapband. That's why I've signed up there. So far things are great, and thanks to a wonderful and super supportive husband I've been making it ok! I started at 209 pounds and am not loosing as quick as I want, but I am loosing safely. I am also a compulsive overeater (I think they've changed it to binge eater?) so this lap band has been a major adjustment - mentally. At least I am in therapy which is good. My therapist does not specialize in eating disorders, but at least she is helping me figure out why I binge. It is a major struggle on days that my mind wants to take over and binge because I simply cannot physically do that! That's where the lap band is saving me, but still it is a major disruption in the brain! So far just looking at posts I know I'll get the support I need here from those of you who are experiencing the same things I am!

After the strictly liquid requirements go to yogurt (I have fallen in love with Oikos Greek Yogurt at 16g of protein). It takes a bit to get used to greek yogurt but the texture is like frosting. Cottage cheese, refried beans, mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables that are soft - zucchini works well. Green giant has boxes like "Immunity Boost" which are the perfect size for banded folks like us. Bananas are perfect and cantaloupe. Good ol' Campbells chicken noodle soup is always great if you're feeling constricted! Take it nice and slow and don't rush - ever. Don't EVER take big bites without chewing thorougly!! I took a huge bite of banana once when I was rushing around and wasn't paying attention! I paid dearly with pain for about 6 hours! Take your time and eat small bites and chew chew chew before swallowing. Good luck!