Stress and Restriction

sunshinenh · July 26, 2006

Has anyone noticed a change in level of restriction related to their stress level? I am MASSIVELY stressed and feel much tighter. Just wondering if anyone else has noticed this? Thanks.

Jachut · July 26, 2006

Yes I do notice this and for me it coincides with dinner, which usually happens just following Arsenic Hour in this house. You know that hour of the day when kids get possessed.

I sit down to my dinner, and the minute I pick up a fork it starts. "I wanna drink", "I wanna sit on the couch", "I wanna chase the cat". Trying to get Eliza to actually eat anything is impossible, she just wont sit still long enough and she seems to resent me doing so so she starts demanding or she spills something.

I can feel steam coming out my ears, honestly. And there goes my dinner, ruined, as by that stage I cant get a bite down without it hurting.

Dody · July 26, 2006

I'm staying at my daughter's and my grand-son is supposed to be eating, but is doing cartwheels instead. Needless to say his day isn't here, or I doubt he would be acting up so badly. He has ADD and is in perpetual motion. Grandma is just way too old for these antics :huggie: It's very hard concentrating on dinner time or what you can eat with little ones acting up.

Alexandra · July 26, 2006

Oh, Jachut, I so hear you about Arsenic hour! Every single night we go through something like this. It's brutal.

Sunshinenh, it is very common for people to report changing restriction with varying stress levels. You're not alone!

Carlene · July 27, 2006

I am queen of the stressed Lap Band. Twice I have had to be partially unfilled because of sudden, stress-related tightening. The first time was when my son deployed to Iraq. Not only did my band almost close up, but I got a whole mouthful of ulcers. It was miserable!

My meal time conversation has to be nice and pleasant or my band will squeeze shut. I can almost feel it closing up on me.

sunshinenh · July 27, 2006

You guys are the best. I am so relieved to know it isn't just me. Thank you. Carlene, your son will be our prayers.

Marimaru · July 28, 2006

I actually had a small unfill a while back because I was so stressed and that wasn't going to be letting up any time soon, and I was SO tight at the time.

JulieNYC · July 28, 2006

I have the 10cc band, which feels so different from what I read about the 4cc band in that I don't feel different restriction from the morning to night, don't really have pain with golfballs, etc. BUT that said, stress is the one thing that really makes my band differ in restriction. If I get stressed (usually at work for me, no small kids yet), it tightens up to where I just cannot eat. It usually takes several hours (i.e. overnight) to release as well.

Oddly, I kind of like that about the band. I guess I was a stress eater before, so it makes me feel like I'm in control (even though the band really is).