kshallow

I have a normal BMI and there are still times if I'm going somewhere where there will be alot of people that I wonder, wow, are people going to be looking at me wondering why I don't do something about this fat?! Or if I do catch someone looking at me someplace, I'm thinking that they're starting at me because I'm fat. I am slowly shrinking out of my size 6 clothing and these are my thoughts at times!! It takes time and effort to get your mind, body, and eyesight to all see and embrace the same image. Not a fast process by any means....

About a week ago the view counter on my blog stopped as well as everyone else's as far as I can see. Is it me or are there others who's counters have stopped?

I do have some excess abdominal skin after substantial LB loss and would love to tighten this area up. I know the full TT is not covered by my blue cross plan and have been told I need medical documentation for any PS coverage either by PLas. surgeon or bar. surgeon for any kind of PS coverage. Is there any medical reason that I can get documented for abdom. work done if there is not an excessive flap of skin hanging? Has anyone gotten ins. coverage for loose tummy skin that was not excessive or hanging?

Binge eating is a tough one! That's what I struggle with. I don't even deny myself treats and other foods I really enjoy and I still struggle with bingeing once in a while. I'm not sure there's any sure fire way to prevent it other than just working through it. My binge episodes have gone way down but definately something I still am working on. It's a slow process to change this for sure! I do have quite an issue with getting that chocolate/sugar taste and then losing control so I can soooo relate to your comment!! Sometimes the feeling both physically and mentally after a binge is actually a good thing, a reminder our bodies were not meant to be treated this way. I feel your pain!

you don't have to necessarily eat more or up your calories a whole lot! Try taking 8400 calories for example (1200 a day x 7 days) and just mix up your daily amounts. Eat 900 one day, then the next, eat 1500. My doctor recommends this quite often for people experiencing a plateau. The point is to change up the quantity of food, not quality. I wouldn't recommend a bag of doritos to get the extra calories. It doesn't take a whole lot to add in a few hundred calories a few extra days each week. Things slowed down for me quite a bit over Feb-march so I took the suggestion and tracked my calories quite carefully to see if this would, indeed make a difference and nine pounds in the last ten weeks is lookin pretty good to me considering I am about 8 lbs. away from my 135 goal. The point is this: it may work and it may not but to state that it absolutely won't work, don't try it, it's a bad idea, it's ridiculous. I think it's great to try different approaches now and then, tweak things here and there, change things up! As long as it's not crazy unhealthy or physically dangerous what have you got to lose...except some additional pounds?

I started zigzagging my calories a couple months ago and I do believe there's something to it. My weight loss picked up and I do think there's something to the theory of not allowing your body/metabolism to get too comfortable or stagnant. It keeps your body working harder to burn the calories. That said, what works for one person may not work for another. It's worth a try!

I have the same temptation at night. I suck on sugar free lemon drops. (or the sugar free mixed fruit ones) or I chew on sugar free gum (I like trident cinnamon flavor) I know these things don't take the hunger away but may take the edge off. Oh, also maybe try having a protein shake as the last "food" you eat for the day at your "cut off" time ?

Congrats!!! What an amazing accomplishment!!

Amjcal: sometimes drug therapy for depression is a lifelong issue that weight loss can't cure necessarily. I'm involved in some research re: post bariatric emotional/mental issues. Early studies indicate there is something behind depressive symptoms in the first one to two yrs. Post bar. surgery but this is generally linked to evolving body and self image issues as well as changing hormonal issues. Generally speaking, bar surgery doesn't cause major depression but of couse I'm speaking in generalities. Depression is such a vast issue that it really comes down to your own personal situation.

Welcome!! It does make things more difficult without the support of family but maybe they'll come around when they see what great positive changes will be made in your life?!? This is an exciting time when you start counting down the days 'til BandDay. Have fun continuing to peruse around this sight...definately info on anything-lapband! By the way, your pic is downright gorgeous....Beautiful face

I hear you!! My sons bday was yesterday and every time I walked by the cake after it was cut I kept slicing off a thin piece cause it tasted sooooo good! I have yet to figure out how to navigate these in your face temptations. Moderation is tougher than all or nothing for me

Yay!! Super exciting! Such a terrific accomplishment! So glad you took the time to share! Enjoy and celebrate this awesome milestone:)

Ugh!!!! That's the worst!! I can eat everything and anything during TOM! I usually have about two days of crazy sugar and salt cravings. It just sucks and every month I stress about how I'm going to try to get through it without too much damage!!

I've verbally attacked my scale on many occasions. It's been the proud recipient of the " f-bomb" many many times! We have a love hate relationship. I've vacationed in Gulf Shores before and I'd love to go back....beautiful! Congrats on such a great weight loss so early on! Keep rockin it out!

Wouldn't want to live without my pizza!! Someone else mentioned what I was thinking. Depends on your band restriction level. So much of what you "can" or "can't" eat really is a person by person thing, though. Just in this thread alone you can see the vast array of responses for this one food. It's going to be like that for all kinds of foods. Each person's food experiences with the band can be very different. You may have to just do some careful experimenting with different foods to find out how different foods are going to work with you and your band.

Waterford in the lapband house....

Jachut: you sound just like me....I kinda made a pig out of myself last night when I was filling all the eggs. I won't get back on the scales for probably a week so I don't have to stare at my indescretions and I'll put in extra workout time as well. I agree about the overindulging....it's about handeling the fallout, not preventing it from ever happening again....

Wheeler: I've thrown up exactly once in almost a year. If that is her norm, there is something desperately wrong and she's headed for serious trouble with the band. And actually, when I "threw up" it's more like couphing up a big ball of yucky phlegm, not throwing up like you think of when you have a stomach flu kinda sick.

Mattie: it tends to take much more food for me to feel full than what I tend to see on here. Honestly I don't really understand the whole 1 cup type measure system. There are a whole bunch of foods it seems awkward to measure in terms of cups. I can easily eat for ex: 4 oz chicken breast. A heap of brocc/caulif. And yogurt mixed w/ fiber one for dessert. I've played around w my fill level and if I go tighter than I am now (6.5cc in 10 cc) it's too tight for me and I experience pain w lots of foods. Because I usually require more quantity to feel satisfied, I really try to stick to lower cal nutrient dense food......well, for the most part..., those damned peeps are getting the best of me

I don't think people realize what an emotional and mental challenge this whole thing is. Some days you may feel great about yourself, other days you might feel downright crappy and those two ends along with everything in the middle is absolutely normal and OK to be feeling!!! The more weight I lose the more critical I tend to be about my body. That's just part of what I'm personally going through. You'll experience a whole spectrum of ups and downs positive and negative feelings and just work through them best you can. We all have those days where we think eerwwws gross! Just know you're not alone

Jodi...I felt the exact same way when I first went to my initial seminar!! The way the person who spoke there made it sound, I was going in for a teeth cleaning and I would be running around jumping up and down 2 hours after the surgery. That is actually one thing I touched on the last time I spoke at the seminar b/c I didn't feel like I had the entire picture that there IS some pain, discomfort, and down time involved with recovery and while everyone is different in their recovery, the fact is that your body was cut into, there is internal swelling and there was general anestisa (sp ?) used. So, I will definately talk about the realities of recovery and surgery. Thanks for your input! Dawn..that's so funny! I am cold ALL the time now!! Often, I have to put on a big oversized sweater in my house if I'm just sitting around b/c I can't ever seem to get warm enough! (I'll take that side effect of being thin, though....)

'kay peeps.... I asked for some help with this in my blog a few weeks back but got no responses... (that's OK...I only cried for awhile..) but..... I'm speaking at my surgeon's seminar for people interested in WLS in a few weeks and I'm wanting to know from everyone...What would you have wanted to know when you first went to your seminar from someone who has already had surgery and been through the whole process? What are things that either 1.maybe noone told you 2. didn't think to mention 3. are good/bad? And the other question... What did you want to hear most about at the seminar? i.e., pre-op process?, sugery day?, recovery?, process of losing weight?, what I do personally?, emotional/mental aspects of surgery and weight loss? I've spoken at one other and some of the people's questions helped me to revamp but I'd really like to hear from others....what do/did you want to hear from the "surgery person" at your seminar? Thanks for the input!

Thanks for all the input and suggestions everybody!! Some good ideas for sure... If you think of anything else, be sure to post it here. The seminar isn't for a few weeks so I'm open to more thoughts.

Howdy.... I'll let the surgeon answer that one... I'm just going to be answering questions from people who are coming to the surgery to get info on the diff types of WLS. I do think he does cover his fill philosophy though which is important

Get a small unfill if possible. The same thing has happened to me twice. After being fine for awhile it's possible something irritated the esophogous or stoma possibly without you even realizing. It doesn't have to be a major stuck episode for this to happen. It's easily resolved with a slight unfill but if not addressed, it can lead to even more inflamation and end up causing long term trouble. Even a quarter cc can relieve all the pain and pressure you're experiencing and allow for that swelling going on to heal safely. Good luck to you