lovelyLorna

Thank you all for your responses. Depression is a wonderful thing! If you live with it, you can understand it in others. If you don't have it, you think like my father-in-law "what could you be depressed about? Look at all the things you have!! So many people are worse off that you!" I'm not asking for pity. I just wanted to send that message out there for support. For compassion. For ideas. and yes maybe, a kick in the butt. I know all the things I 'need' to do to correct this mess. That's the problem. My brain knows, but my body refuses to follow!!

I was banded Jan 2010 and by April had lost 30lbs. I was going to aquacise classes twice a week and had started back at Curves. Since April I have gained a few and lost them again. I travelled a lot over the summer and didn't overeat but didn't make good choices either. Now it's November and I still haven't been able to make myself go back to aquacise or Curves. I just can't get into the groove again. My band is tight enough because when I make wrong eating choices I PB. But reeses cups slide down so easily!!! I am doing better becaused I have stopped with the junk food and I have finally come back to this forum. I'm on disability for anxiety/depression so that's my biggest struggle and getting out of the house is sometimes a struggle. My husband is very supportive. So it's blaming myself time and I feel like crap!!

Can you try a different mask? By the way, I am so sick of my CPAP esp. lately. Seems like I am constantly adjusting it, but thats a whole different forum!

from New Mexico. I can't imagine that your CPAP is causing your stomach problems. I have been on one forever. The 'air' in your stomach is from the banding. One thing I have tried that works: While standing- bend over (like trying to touch toes) and that helps me burp (and sometimes fart!). Also, it might be how you are sleeping. sleep on your side and not on your back. Hope I helped.

Thank you all for everything you've said. It helps to know I'm not alone in this journey. I went to this other thread and I recommend everyone looking at it. FANTASTIC list!

I cannot believe that I haven't been able to break my habit of snacking late at night. I now snack on nutritious things or things that don't have many calories. Such as fat free cottage cheese and sugar free jello. :sad: But it depresses and distresses me that here I am at the computer each night munching along. I am getting better about it all, but tonight I just needed to vent and send these thoughts out into computerland, hoping that as I type some magic will flow back into me!!

It is truly amazing the differences in approaches by our doctors. I just had my first fill last week. 7.5cc in an 11cc band. I can't believe that a 1/2 of a cc would do anything, but I'm not a doctor so ....

I too LOVE the grape and orange. Plus the Crystal Light tea is decaf.

I haven't vomitted, gagged, etc. Don't get scared by everything you read here because everyone is different. Just know what your goal is: being healthy, able to move around and fitting in chairs!! lol

I use fat free cottage cheese. Yummy with tuna or egg salad. And fantastic with sugar free jello!

I was looking thru my old Protein dietbook from 20 yrs ago and I had my weight in there. 154 pounds and I was trying to lose weight! And now 156 is my goal!! I was brought up thinking that I was fat! My sister called me TB for tremendous behind! I was 5'5", 125 lbs when I graduated from HS and not fat. But when people tell you that you are -- you tend to listen to them. I probably feel better about myself right now at 259lbs than I did then. Getting beyond 50 yrs old helps! Just wanted to vent a little cuz in looking around my house at reading material, esp. magazines, they all have something in them that says "You are not ok the way you are". and that is pure bull.

I was told that we should be taking vitamins that are made for WLS people. Just like for pregnancies, we need the special vitamins that are made for us. I take Bariatric Adv - VitaBand multivitamin, Mixed Berry chewable. They taste good. also B-50 Complex capsule and Fosamax for calcium. Bariatric Adv can send you a sample package of different flavors. The cinnamon was hot!

queenhunt: Having the lap band surgery is a good step, but make sure you are ready emotionally for it. I cried so hard 2 days before my surgery because I was so mad at myself that I had let myself go to the point of needing surgery. I feel good now that I am banded (1/25), but my husband and I are having to redo our going out times because they always were eating out dates. It's hard to think of things to do now without food involved. Take care queenhunt.

Banded Jan 25. Starting Jan 27 I was told to drink 3-4 Protein shakes (Beneprotein and one packet of Carnation Instant Breakfast, sugar free) a day along with lots of liquids, mostly Water. The protein keeps you from being hungry. Carn.Inst.Brk. has lots of Vitamins, etc. Good luck.

YUM! cannot wait to try this and the chicken one everyone is talking about!

Banded Jan 25 and during the last week of liquids only I really missed food. But I could drink V8 juice and that gave me a taste of real food. Now I am in mush stage and can eat so many different things. I told my husband that I miss salads. So I am going to make that a 'snack' option for me. Once we get our "fills" we can eat most things just in smaller amounts. I found a cookbook for Weight loss that I can cook for me and the same for my husband but he can eat regular amounts. Anyway, the more I visit this site the more people help. I make a point of getting on here every night and I just read and read and get so encouraged. Try to do the same thing. People here are wonderful plus they know exactly what we are all going thru!

Congrats on the weight lost! I am 3 wks post surgery (1/25) and the first 2 weeks have been a breeze for me. (Other that being allergic to the glue they used for sealing. Hurt & itch beyond belief!!) Unfortunately, now I am in the mush stage and actually I can eat most things and larger amounts without any problem. I am having a hard time controlling myself. BUT I will somehow because I do not want to fail at this. I get my first fill March 4.

I LOVE the idea of a charm bracelet! I great reminder of my goal. Thank you so much for suggesting that.

First, you didn't have the lap band surgery so that sometimes you can binge. Second, make sure you are eating enough Protein. That will keep you full and hopefully not thinking of eating. Unfortunately, it is hard not to think of food when it is all around us. And have you noticed how many food commercials are on tv?!!! UGH! Tonight I was at a service with a wonderful preacher and during his last prayer all I could think about is what I could eat when I left there! That is ridiculous. Visiting this website every night is what keeps me going. Take care and visit often!

I have 4 little holes and a 2 inch one where they put the port. I don't think you need to worry that the 2 hours time period means something is wrong. BUT it is your body so ASK the doctor. The surgery is usually an hour but that doesn't mean you wake up instantly.

i REALLY needed to read all your entries tonight. Thanks for the laughs and encouragement. I ate 5 choc chip cookies and other stuff I shouldn't have tonight. I am almost 3 weeks banded and have until March 4 for my 1st fill. So I felt like I could eat whatever I wanted to. Dang it! But I have stopped beating myself up and tomorrow is another GOOD day! This is such a good site to go to every night. THANKS AGAIN!!

I agree. Something is wrong! Are you drinking slowly? Let us know how you are doing.

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I see my doctor on Thursday, Feb 11, and hope to move to mush then. I bought a cookbook: Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery by Patt Levine and Michele Bontempo-Saray. There are many recipes I would never try, BUT each recipe has Serving Guidlelines for Lap Band mush and beyond; Bypass; and for all other people. So I can cook the same thing for both my husband and I. Chicken Saute w/Mushrooms YUM! cannot wait!

I was banded by Dr. Acosta on Jan 25, 2010. I really like him. When I changed my mind from the bypass to the band, he made sure I understood the differences. He didn't make me feel stupid for asking the questions I did, etc. I go for my surgery follow-up on Thurs, Feb 11, so I don't know about the office waiting time. Good to know though so that I can take a book or needlework!! Both Acosta and Lara go to Albuquerque and southern NM so no wonder their office is so busy.