illuminationlady

I love it! Hey! We have a theme song now...lol

Welcome allison and Mishay! This site has been my backbone through this whole process. Feel free to ask any questions and keep us updated on your progress. I love my band although I'm just getting restriction now (was banded Dec. 16th). It hasn't always been easy and it's work but the payoff is tremendous!!!

I can't find it anywhere and am afraid to take it now. I've had 3 fills. The doc says it's okay but I'm scared. I've PB'd a lot this week but am learning how to eat a new way. It's been work and food has not been my friend.:cursing:

Wow! That's a good one. Congrats on your weight loss and keep on huggin' that beautiful girl!!!

Yes, my therapist and I do visual imagery a lot. Many times she leads me, in my mind, to when I was a little girl. I have found out that my family glorified food. We had big celebrations and Sunday roast beef. Everything centered around food. And, of course, my mother always had me on a diet; taking my to doctors and trying to figure out what was wrong with me. Just knowing this has helped reverse the negative inner voice. I have learned a lot about myself through therapy. It's the best thing I've ever done for myself.

How many of you engage in subconscious negative self talk? What do you find your "mind's eye" saying to yourself? I'm am learing about this in therapy and find it fascinating. Now I am becoming more aware of what my mind says to myself. Just curious about this...

Congrats on making it through the social event. I'm at the point now where I don't feel I could ever eat out again. I've PB'd twice this week and really have some great restriction. The problem is now I'm afraid of food. I don't think I'll ever be able to eat in a social setting again. I know I'll get past this, just not right now. Glad you're doing so well!!!

What I did was just tried to maintain during this period. It was hard and I was hungry but I did do it. The doctor expects this to be a hard time for you and has probably seen lots of patients gain weight during this period. You don't have restriction and if you can just maintain, don't feel badly. Hang in there...Best wishes!!!

Thin me, I have this pain too. It's more in my left shoulder and my neck when I'm "stuck" or too full. The thread recommended by another poster said that the band may be on the phernic (sp) nerve and if it's a real problem the band may have to be removed. It would take a lot of pain for me to give up my band!!!

I posted this a while ago. Thanks for responding. I guess unless you're in deep analysis you don't really understand what "negative self talk" is. I will look for the book. I, too, am recognizing now when I do it (neg. self talk) and making the necessary corrections to it. Best wishes!!!

Eating is a chore for me now too. I just got my third fill on Monday and now I'm having a hard time eating. I've Pb'd twice since Monday. But I'm giving it time for the swelling to go down. I can eat and have eaten but very little. Trying to keep my Protein up. Can drink easily also...so I know I'm not too tight. But I can see over time how I'll just say, the heck with it and be done with obsessing over food. I'm getting there already. Feels good...:eek::thumbup::mad2:

I do the same exact thing....so I can't help ya there girl...

Being banded and having true restriction involves following rules. As the PP stated you must take small bites, chew, chew, chew, eat slowly and not over eat. If you don't follow the rules you will have many problems. You must be committed to changing the way that you eat or you will have problems. And vomiting all the time can cause your band to slip and you will have further complications. Hope this helps. Best wishes!!!

I believe that with the weightloss the pain will go away also. I'm quite relieved to hear this! My pain in more in the left side of my neck. And it isn't there all the time. I notice it more after a "stuck" epidsode.

Hey there December Delights! I got my third fill on Monday and still have really good restriction. Almost too good. I PB'd yesterday on a bite of chili...it was my fault...didn't chew good enough. But I'm no longer starving as I have been through most of this journey. I am learning to take small bites and chew, chew, chew. Tonight we're having chicken and I'm a bit scared of this. I get stuck easily but am waiting it out to learn and for the swelling to go down. Just wanted to update you all as you are family in my eyes. Have a great day...hugs your way...

So, so sorry for your loss...I will say prayers for you and yours...

This is a sharp pain...like the gas pain you had after surgery. No like fibro...I have fibro and those are dull pains. Fibro makes me feel like I have the flu. This is not like that at all.

I'm 8 weeks out and completely healed. I can feel my port with my fingers or if I lean against the counter in the wrong way but for the most part don't even think about it all day!

Since being banded I have this pain on the side of my neck. Sometimes it's really bad. I noticed with this last fill that it's gotten worse. Last night I even took Tylenol. Is this the same thing...I wonder? What do you think? Could it be because of the band. I don't think anything would make me give up my band. What are you gonna do? Oh no!!! I'm so glad you posted this. I thought I was nuts with this pain in my neck. Let me know what you think...

There are a few basic band rules that I do try and follow. Yes, drinking 64oz. of water or fluids a day is one of them. Another I try and follow is portion control. I use a toddler plate that is portioned out. Also, small bites and chew, chew, chew. Otherwise I would be stuck all of the time. I don't do carbination at all but do have a glass of red wine occasionally before dinner. I might try a beer this summer. I go back to the doctors for my fills regularly until I hit my sweet spot. Some people don't follow up on fills...that's why I mention this rule. For the most part I follow my doctor's orders. Once and a while I'll treat myself only so I don't feel like I'm always on a diet. There are rules we all follow being banded. And those who don't follow the rules probably have a hard time with losing the weight!

Too bad Elfie! I know you were looking forward to this. It's all experimental...isn't it? We find one food that stays with us and another just slides right through the band.