happygirl65

OK, first of all...breathe! This is not the end of your life as you know it, just a change. Yes it is a major change, yes it will be very different, but the foods you love are not leaving the planet. They really aren't. So...let that sink in firstly then we can talk about the emotional aspects of eating. I honestly didn't think I was an emotional eater. I didn't think food was that important to me but after surgery during week 2 of liquids I had a couple of melt downs just because I couldn't eat the food i wanted to eat right that minute...I stayed true to my diet but had actual tears over the foods I couldn't eat right then...which I later gave myself a mental smackdown for but I have to own those feelings. After particularly stressful events I would eat more than I should for dinner, not always unhealthy stuff, just way more of it than I should. I am an emotional eater. I am watching for triggers now and distracting myself but like you before, food was the center of my life. I still have to plan my meals in order to stick to my healthy plan, not planning for me is planning to fail so I have to do it and stick to it and then I am fine...gives me that control. One thing I do want to address however that I wish someone would have told me before the band is that the band will not make you eat less. You have to choose to eat less. You have to measure it out and know you are not getting seconds. You have to do that. The band will make it so that your appetit is surpressed for a longer period of time than it would hav been before when you eat 4 oz of meat and 6 oz of veggies. That's all. It's not about restricting what you can and can't eat, it won't stop you from eating until you are in pain, and if you can't get that under control before surgery you are looking at slips and erosion complications that can be very serious. I would honestly try really hard to measure out your portions and be done...not as small as you will post band...but practice limiting yourself right now. Distract yourself when you feel the emotional hunger come on, try to recognize what those triggers might be for you, at the very least journal everything you are eating now so you can be truly honest with yourself about what your current habits are, and what things will need to change. I beleive the band was the best thing I have ever done for myself and I am seeing a lot of success and it is a lot easier to just eat my one yogurt for Breakfast and be done but it does nothing for me when I have an emotional attack that makes me want to eat. I have to wrangle that stray thought in myself and battle with that. The band can't help me with that. chocolate will go down just fine, as will other snack foods that I just have to choose not to eat. There are still daily and hourly choices invlolved with being successful. I wish you every bit of luck and happiness on your journey. It is worth the effort I can promise you that, but it's really all up to you. The band is just a tool that dims the appetite, that is all. Just know that going in and put your expectations in the right place and you will do great!

The grammer was horriffic, not lending much to its credibility...and Laura Bush at the top...red flag...lol

Thanks for posting that. I do beleive there is a lot of real information that we just can't find pre banding. I have seen the attacks on people getting really defensive about the band and it seems silly to me. Theres no such thing as a one size fits all answer. The really great thing about your choice to go with the band is that you can now have it removed because it is not working for you. I also recently learned from my docor (who participated in a study) that said the food doesn't even stay in your pouch for more than a minute. WOW...I also thought pre-banding that filling the small pouch made you full and you would stop eating. Not so. You can eat and keep eating as much as you dare. The food doesn't stay in the small pouch that's why. You have to measure your portions and use your own self control a lot more than I thought I would have to. Don't get me wrong, it's still working for me, but a lot of what I thought about fills and sweet spots are different through the actual experience. It's not about restricting how much you can eat. It's simply about letting your appetite be suppressed a little longer than it otherwise would have on a small amount of food....still effective for me so far but certainly different than I thought going in. I love that you also state your diabetes is under control and you have learned a lot from this experience. I have no doubt you will be successful because you have learned so much. People often put too much emphasis on a number on the scale. Success in life is measured so differently! Best of luck to you in all your future endeavors.

That is a victory! Give yourself a big hug

I am going to schedule massages at 10 pound intervals. I guess I owe myself 2 now since the beginning of the year....or perhaps a 2 hr massage and I might throw in a facial to pay myself for the 14 I lost pre-surgery.

This is a great topic. I am one month post band...my husband is also obese and keeps asking me to "help him" lose weight....but when we are at Reblobster and he orders an enourmous plate of shrimp I am thinking...shrimp not so bad...butter sauce...bad...I tell him to watch it...he says...special occations...devours it....then I remind him that the third basket of rolls he is eating is gonna set him back another 450 calories...he doesn't want to hear it. Watching him eat all of that does actually inspire me because I used to do the exact same thing. I used to eat three or more of their cheddar bay biscuits (not 12 like he did) and I actually worry more now than ever about him. Because I didn't have any of those biscuits he ate them all. It was making me proud of myself but at the same time sad for him. Like watching a train wreck in super slow motion. It's sad.

Be careful of thinking that high calorie days have you losing. It's hard to imagine but it can take a few days for the effects of what you are doing to show on the scale. Sometimes you do need to shock the body a little and two or three days of increased calories are fine to break a plateau but then you need to get right back to the good you were doing before. Be careful of weighing everyday too, it's not a good thing. It can fool you into thinking that the bad stuff you ate the day before wasn't so bad...when actually the two pounds down you see was the week beforee of being good and following your plan. Losing a pound is a cumulative effect of eating less over several days....keep that in mind. Weight loss and changes is hard and confusing especially with the enourmous train wreck of information out there, just stick to your plan, get back on track and you will continue to do great!

Um yeah...had my period on the day of surgery...and now...is like 1 month out and like clockwork it is back. I have to say...I made chili this weekend with my dh and I wanted like 4 bowls of it....ok it was really good, and really healthy and all of that but, I should have been happy with the 1 cup at each of two meals. At lunch I just had the one, and dinner I had two...couldn't help it....then I was hungry again 4 hrs later which almost never happens to me at my evening meal...but it usually happens to me that I am very hungry for the week before and the week of. This month, I was super crabby two days before and hungry the week of...so that is certainly an improvement in my symptoms overall but it still sucks to be so hungry. What I am unsure of however, is how much of the hunger is hormonal and how much is any residual swelling going away and appetite simply returning. Time will tell I suppose. I also think that chili maybe too much of a slider food ezpecially the way I make it, so I will stick to really solid foods today and see how that goes.

Your body can still be redistributing the weight even if you haven't gained muscle. I know it's hard to imagine but your body needs to heal and adjust. Exercise will help. And remember that most people plateau during that time of the month...or the week before.

My doc says, every normal person can eat 3 oz of Protein and some veggies and after 20 minutes the hunger hormones abate and that satisfied or "not hungry" feeling will last about 2 hours. With the band you can eat the same 3 oz protein and 4 to 6 oz of veggies and be "satisfied" for 3 to 4 hours. Hunger feelings and full feelings vary widely from person to person. The band will not control how much you eat, you have to control that. The band will not control what you put in your mouth, you have to control that. All the band is there for is to fool your brain into thinking you have eaten more than you have. He says also that it should take about 20 minutes to eat that 3 oz portion of meat and 4 to 6 oz of veggies and if there is anything left at 30 minutes, you are done. There is no room for grazing (which is any eating taking longer than 30 min) or you will defeat the band. No eating mushy foods or liquid calories because the defeat the purpose of the band. If you are able to eat pretty much anything as you have said I highly recommend food journeling so you can see exactly how many calories of coming from where. When you can measure it, then you have a better idea of what is going on and can make better choices. When you reach a good fill level you should be able to eat the 1/2 c mean and 1/2 cup veg and be satsified for 3 to 4 hours. If it's sooner for you, then you just have to keep working on getting more fills...and it will get better.

I am not sure what is up with that? I do remember the walking helping a ton. For me, the gas pains lasted about two weeks but it got less everyday and by the end of the second week I would only feel it when I laid down. I do have to mention though that I was walking a TON the first week. Like 20 to 30 minutes everyday from the second day through the end of teh second week. It really does help move the gas out, as does belching. Leaning forward from a sitting position seems to help me burp. Others might have more suggestions or different experience. Hopefully that part will be over soon.

I have no idea how many mine has done...600 is a good number, that's enough to certainly know what he/she is doing. It's pretty normal to freak out and question everything....just keep in mind that. And if they are a center of excellence that is awesome. That means they have been monitored and audited on not only surgical outcomes but patient care and followup as well. Sounds like you are in good hands.

If you can't add intensity try adding one or two additional workouts that are the same...or increase your time on those three days to 45 minutes. That will help, as will adding any strength training you can...you don't have to go to a gym for this, it can be an exercise ball and resistance bands but it does help to build the muscle. It can be as simple as crunches and leg lifts, pilates, yoga etc. You can even find free programs on early morning TV for these. You might need to switch it up a bit so you don't get bored too. Like Indiogirl said, you are probably not eating enough if that was a typical example of what you normally eat in a day. What I can tell you is that whenever my calories drop below 6-700 I don't lose at all regardless of my protein intake...so make those tweaks. Banana for breakfast is good....so is yogurt, or oatmeal. I have never been a breakfast eater either...my coffee was always my bfast...now I still have my coffee but 10 min later I have a yogurt and that works for me. I am just coming out of the post op liquids and I got so bored with the shakes that my caliries dipped really low. Once I started a few mushies and bumped my calories up over 800 BAM...losing again. There is something to it for sure. Hang in there. Even when you don't see major changes on the outside often there are big changes happening on the inside. Very best wishes to you for your continues success.

Maybe try drinking a glass of water 10 minutes before you eat and then don't drink after for longer? I am still on liquids and have a hard time not drinking especially since I like spicy stuff.

two words...super hero....you rock!

I had trouble sleeping the first few nights. Keep taking the stronger meds round the clock, don't let the pain take over, after a few days you will be able to alternate and then will be feeling much better. Walking really helps even if it's just a walk around the house it helps especially with the gas pain in the shoulder. Hard to drink the Protein stuff..I know. The most important thing though is not to get dehydrated...so drink what you can drink...water....or crystal light, juice...something like that. Lots of pillows! You probably already know but sitting up can really hurt and if you are like me...I do too much on the pain meds and then make myself hurt longer. So...take it easy! Don't be bothered by housework or anything else that needs to get done,. just rest! Rest...walk...sip....pretty much in that order...repeat as needed. You will feel much better soon! Congratulations!!!

HeatherinCA always has awesome advice and I have to second everything she said....I would add that you need to have a variety of things becuase you may get bored with what you are allowing yourself...and that is where the temptation to stray comes into play. Congratulations!

Stop weighing everyday! I personally have a huge struggle with that! It was the brain trickery that the scale played on you that sent you into your frustrated fit....I know this from personal experience. I would do awesome...do all the right things...and then the scale didn't say so....so I would get into my "wah phase" as I call it and blow all the good work and great choices I had made. 8 lbs is a lot! You have done great...just need to start seeing success as things other than what the scale says...it plays dirty rotten tricks with your brain. Your body is adapting to your changes and it is helpful even if the scale doesnt move your health is improving and that is excellent! Everyone has varables with their weight (including the thin people that seemingly never worry about their weight) you are no different. Pick a day and weigh no more than weekly. It will help. Then you can focus on your success and not what the silly number says.

I did it too. Last Supper Syndrome hit me really hard and since my surgeon didn't require a pre op diet for me...it was bad with the cravings and emotions. I was eating stuff I hadn't eaten in years by choice...like croissants...lol. Hadn't eaten one in 3 years...hadn't desired to....but when I saw a ham sandwhich on a croissant I had to have it...crazy mixed up emotions. However symbolism has been BIG for me in my life, dealing with hard emotional things...so the whole time I was eating that sandwhich I was enjoying the texture of that croissant, focusing on the flavor and found it to be a mediocre sandwhich at best. I realized that the true flavor of the sandwhich was in the meat and veg that I can still have...but symbolicly...I was saying goodbye. After surgery the 3 weeks liquid diet (that I am still on) was easy for week one while dealing with healing...week two HARD...the family was eating junk and it was very emotional....had a couple melt downs that you can read about in my blog...but since starting the third week it is way easier! It honestly is like going through a detox from drugs. My advice...while you are eating and overindulging on your last suppers...really try to savor the flavors and textures and mentally record what it actually tastes like...even write it down if you can so you can refer to it when the menal craving hits you. Then you can remember that your memory of how that tastes is actually lying to you. It's never quite as good as the craving would lead you to beleive.

I would find your "magic day" of the week where you seem to weigh less and weigh in on that day only. That is what I am going to do. Doing it everyday is what has always gotten me in trouble before (shame spiral) which lead to more eating the wrong stuff. I can't do that to myself anymore. Never once did I consider "toilet weight" but it is likely that most of the time. So pick a day...like Saturday...and stick to that day...keep in mind (unless you are well past menopause) that there will be hormonal fluctuations causing Water weight too. Do you have a scale that measures muscle/fat content? You might consider investing in one. A good one can run from $70 on up but there are plenty on amazon. I just got one because I want to see if it's just more water weight...etc. Hang in there. I know how frustrating that is. I have the same war with the same 4 lbs up and down all the time. I think I am going to schedule my Dr weigh ins for the week after my period...lol. That's when I weigh the lowest of the month.

Mean People Suck! I keep telling myself that as I work in customer service and deal with crabby people in person from time to time. The good news is that there are plenty of nice people too. The truth is though that most of the time people reach out in their darkest hour because they need encouragement and help getting out of the hole they feel that they are in. It feels like your trust and confindence in the system of the message boards has been shattered at that point and it is really sad. It is even more sad that some people seem to kick others when they are down...hang in there. Talk to real people in personal messages...it is much more personal that way when you find a few people you want to connect with. Try not to take it personally since most of the time it's not meant to be personal afterall they really don't know you at all, they only know what you tell them. Some people are just crabby to everyone too. It's a risk that is inherent with pouring your heart out on the internet. I do best when I take what I like and leave the rest behind. I do wish you every happiness and success....maybe peruse some blogs and make connections with individuals.

I can't see or feel mine.

It has been emotional and uplifting, depressing and rejuvinating all at the same time. I have only been banded two weeks and yes, I would do it again. I have already lost 17 lbs since surgery and am feeling great. Even on liquids my energy is good, overall I am very happy, no complications. The liquid thing can get boring so plan for variety there in week two especially and it will help. I think we all kind of question whether we really need surgery and we each have to search our souls for that answer. For me, surgery was like giving up at first I thought...but after all my waffling back and forth I decided it was not giving up, it was reaching out for help with both hands and accepting help that is actually available to me. Why shouldn't we take advantage of something that can help us take control of our lives? I am so glad I did. It is scary to change....but so worth it.

You can also look in the provider directory on the blue cross website. I have used it plenty of times for BCBS of AZ

We make a Breakfast casserole at home we call it....much the same but we use the whole eggs, somtimes a lean sausage (tukey bacon would be good too) add lots of veg like mushrooms, forzen potatoe shreds (like a frozen bag of hashbrowns) Very adaptable and always good! Delicious with fresh pico de gallo on top too! YUMMM!!