Stree eating and the Band

[selswick 3]

Hello Everyone! I am post op since 10-23-2009 and so far I am doing really good. I have lost a total of 70 pounds and I have went down in my clothing sizes. When I started I was a 3X in shirts and about a 24-26 in pants. I am now wearing some 1X tops and some XL and I am wearing a size 18-20 in pants. I am really proud of myself, but I am finding as I have went through some stressful times, I am wanting to stress eat. I am working out daily and keeping with my eating plan, but I would like some suggestions on how you deal with stress eating. I am a believer that our old ways will never fully leave us, we will have to deal with them. I am in need of some advice. Please help all you bandsters.:biggrin:

[MEL50 0]

Congrats on the weight loss! That is great! I was banded three months before you and you have passed me on weight loss. I, too, have recently found myself wanting to "stress eat". It is difficult some days but we have to find some other way to deal with our stress. I have found that keeping my food journal in lapband.com helps me a lot. Journaling doesn't work for everyone, but it keeps me honest with myself. I don't think I REALLY realized how much I ate in response to my emotions before surgery, but now that I can't eat as much, I think about food a lot. I don't have a lot of answers for you but I share in the struggle.

[BetsyB 9]

Selswick, your weight loss is ASTOUNDING--great job!

It's really hard, though, sometimes--isn't it? I'm a stress NON-eater, but in the past have eaten in response to other emotional triggers, so I understand that it's tricky to know what to do when they hit post-banding.

You're obviously very committed to finding good alternatives and continuing your excellent weight loss. And in this, I think the band can be a tremendous aid.

The court sometimes orders repeat DUI offenders to place "governors" on their cars. These require that the driver breathe into the device. If their blood alcohol level measures too high, the ignition will not work. If they test clean, the car will start.

I named my band The Governor. Just like the governors in cars, it makes sure that I can't eat beyond a certain point.

So far, I have not tested its limitations. (This does not mean I never will.) Instead, I've tried really, really hard to find other things to replace eating. I write (here, in a journal, on Facebook, whatever....), I walk my dog, I go to the gym---when worse comes to worst, I pack it in for the day and go to bed!

I am not burying my feelings---I think that tends to bite us in the behind (and if you look at the size of MY behind, you'll know that I mean this quite literally; stuffing feelings can have disastrous results, weight-wise. Now that I don't have the ability to overeat, I very much want to avoid cross-addictive issues). Rather, I'm trying to find substitutes.

One thing I'm doing---that is surprisingly difficult (but it really shouldn't surprise me, given the lengths I've gone to to avoid it for four decades!) --- is taking the time to really identify the emotions I'm feeling and their sources. And then TALK about them with the appropriate people (or in write when that is not possible).

OMG--it is SO FREEING! It's hard at first, but I feel like a more genuine human...like this band--this silicone device placed in my body by a surgeon with completely different intentions--is opening the door to a completely different relationship with myself and with others.

Not everyone loves this, I have to warn. Some people prefer NOT to hear what I'm thinking! But really---it's a good thing. It feels healthy, and it feels right, and it feels true to myself.

And you know what? I'm seeing positive changes extend to others around me. The way my husband and kids relate to me is subtly different. I can't quite pinpoint it---but if I had to define it, there is an element of greater respect, I think.

It's NOT because of the weight loss. They really were quite blind to my body size---truly. It's far more in response to my self-respect, I think.

I don't know if any of this made sense. I guess what I am mainly saying is that you CAN find alternatives, and they will make you feel good about yourself. And that good feeling will reap rewards that extend far beyond weight loss.

[vlp1968 83]

That's great you are working out everyday! That is great for stress reduction. Maybe you can increase the time or intensity of your workouts. You don't specify your stresses, is there some way to reduce them? Maybe by telling some people no, and reduce the responsibities you take on? Just my .02. Good luck!

[skinnygirl 1]

That is great you were banded a month before me and i've only lost 36 from the date i was banded. What is your secret . How many ccs do you have in your band?It says you have lost a total of 70 pounds so im assuming you lost some before being banded. How much have you actually lost since your banding date?