Dr. Spivak's patients .....

[TerriDoodle 6]

I'm not banded yet, BetsyJane....so I'd like to hear what YOU think!?

From what I understand so far, what the good doctor said seems reasonable to me....but what do i know?

[Betsyjane 2]

Well, I definitely did not learn all of that without ever needing a fill. In fact, my first 2 fills seemed to do nothing. My third fill worked, and I began the learning curve of a bandster in earnest. I find that I am still a grazer, although in miniscule amounts. I really want to attack that behavior next...for me, it will be dangerous over time. I also don 't chew my food as well as I should, although I do it 10 times better than before. I think for me, these messages are good. I am not perfect and need reminders of where I'm headed. I thought I had all the concepts down before the surgery, but for me, it is an interesting journey of little "ahas", being kind to myself when I'm imperfect, and being open to learning...sometimes learning the same lesson over and over. I'm really quite satisfied with the band, but unlearning the lessons of a lifetime takes time. I am so happy for people who get it from day 1. I'm not one of them. On the plus side, I currently have the meal thing down well. I'm getting the exercise part. Now it's time to tackle the snacking. I suspect since that's the part I was hanging onto, that's the part that will bring up the emotional issues....although I think alot of it is just about eating when bored, and I get bored when I sit still. sigh. I also think that a bitg difference for me has been in eating quietly and mindfully, in a meditative way. It's different for everyone.

Congrats on your surgery date, Terry. Let us know how it goes.

[TerriDoodle 6]

Well, to me, it sounds like you've just described the experiences of 90% of the bandsters on this board....so sounds like you're perfectly normal and the kind doctor is living in fantasy land. $20 says he does not have a band himself. That's what is so great about being here, that you know going in that it's learning and re-learning, trial and error, over and over again until you finally get it. Then you may have to do it all over again as your body adjusts, you get filled and unfilled, etc. From what I can gather it's at least a year+ long learning curve.

I am always kinda shocked when I see new posters that come on here and say, "I was banded a month ago and I can't seem to eat BREAD!!" Uh, hello??? Were they just not listening??? I can't help but worry about someone like that....man, are they in for a shock!!

[Betsyjane 2]

The way I figure it, I'd much rather obsess about how to lose MORE than to just obsess about eating, like in the old days. Besides, I think the whole thing is just darned interesting.

Speaking of bread...I tired so hard on high Protein low carb diets, and actually felt better with them than with other kinds. Not being able to eat bread easily is a real plus as I see it, and not a disappointment at all. I'm happy about it.

I guess I'm not surprised that bread came as a surprise to her. I found that I was frequently surprised at first, even though looking back, I had actually read stuff before. It's different once you step though the looking glass. The funniest one for me is that when I think I'm not losing and falling behind in my weight loss, I go back and average across all the weeks since my band, and I'm right on target. I'm usually surprised about that.

[I'm still here 0]

The funniest one for me is that when I think I'm not losing and falling behind in my weight loss, I go back and average across all the weeks since my band, and I'm right on target. I'm usually surprised about that.

I am curious ladies . . . . how much are you (should we be???) losing say, per week??? Dr. Spivak said 1 pound a week is good, Brenda said 1/2 pound a week is good . . . I want to lose 15 pounds a week!!! ha . . .

I had my surgery on 1-12-07 and have had two fills . . . I am pretty restricted, but can eat things I know I shouldn't. Just when I think I need to call and schedule another fill, I will get 'stuck' on something and then be messed up the rest of the day.

I guess I am struggling to understand what is 'normal' and am wondering how long it is going to take me to lose 40 more pounds??? Did I mention I am a little impatient???

I did attend the support group meeting on Tuesday at Dr. Spivak's office and plan to continue attending. I think alot can be learned from the folks who have walked / are walking in the same shoes as us.

Lynn

[Betsyjane 2]

Hi Lynn. I've hear and average of 1-2 pounds a week is right where we want to be...so the skin can catch up and so we don't go into starvation mode. For me it's in fits and starts....lose nothing, then lose a chunk,,,then nothing, but it averages out to be on target.

[I'm still here 0]

Hi Lynn. I've hear and average of 1-2 pounds a week is right where we want to be...so the skin can catch up and so we don't go into starvation mode. For me it's in fits and starts....lose nothing, then lose a chunk,,,then nothing, but it averages out to be on target.

Hi Betsyjane, thanks for responding . . .

That is what I have heard too, the problem is that I am not losing 1-2 pounds every week . . . I guess that is where the AVERAGE part comes in . . . Did I mention I am not the most patient person in the world??? Ha, I know I'll (we'll all) get there, the pace is just slower than I like.

Have a great Sunday ~

Lynn

[nurseamy 2]

I am soooo hungry!!!:welldoneclap: :eek: I was banded on Mach 12th and I am so disappointed to already be hungry! I am eating a variety of soft scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes,refried Beans, protein shakes, crystal light, diet green tea,soup and I feel like I am starving.Does anyone have any suggestions???I REALLY want this band to work!!!

[Betsyjane 2]

Nurseamy! I have been exactly where you are, and I'm down 30 pounds! Have heart. For most of us, there is no restriction until you get a fill and hit the sweet spot. Your job right now is to do everything you can to eat like a bandster....practice what you can, and forgive yourself for what you don't do. In essence, you are currently no different than before you were banded. It's a long process, a marathon and not a sprint. I had no restriction after surgery, after my first fill, or after my second fill. I learned. I studied. I practiced. I learned patience and to shed myself of self-blame. On my 3rd fill, I was actually finally living life as a bandster. Some people only need one fill to get to that restriction, but frankly, there is so much to learn, I've been grateful to have been easing into it.

In the meantime, try spicing your food up with some Thai seasonings. I found that artificial sweeteners made me hungry and gave me gas. I liked hearty Soups and meaty things. I did a lot of blending or grinding ham and beef into hearty Soups. I just wanted meat!!!!!

[I'm still here 0]

I am soooo hungry!!!:welldoneclap: :eek: I was banded on Mach 12th and I am so disappointed to already be hungry! I am eating a variety of soft scrambled eggs,mashed potatoes,refried Beans,protein shakes,crystal light, diet green tea,soup and I feel like I am starving.Does anyone have any suggestions???I REALLY want this band to work!!!

Hang in there!!! I was hungry too, much sooner than I expected to be, and much more than I thought I'd be . . . I remember telling Dr. Spivak at my first post-op check-up that I had never heard a stomach growl as loud as mine had been, and I was hungry . . . it wasn't just a noise.

I have had two fills and I really don't feel 'hungry' anymore . . . I can eat, but I don't have that hungry feeling like I used to . . . .

Give the band time to work - and your body and mind time to adjust to having it. I was banded exactly two months before you and I promise it gets better every day.

Lynn

[I'm still here 0]

I am curious what the 'sweet spot' is supposed to feel like . . . Anyone know??? Anyone who is there, or has been there willing to share??? :welldoneclap:

I was banded on 1-12-07 and have had two fills. I have restriction, but can still eat . . . I want to lose this weight, but know I don't want to be too tight again and I am afraid if I get another fill I right now I will be.

I am just curious and hoping someone can shed some light on this for me.

Thanks,

Lynn

[teacher 1]

Hi NurseAmy!!! I'm glad you're doing OK!!! I was so hungry, too...still am. I was banded just about a month before you and will have my first fill on Thursday. From what I understand this hunger is normal. Right now, as your stomach heals and the swelling goes down, you will feel like you can eat more and more. The thing to do is to practice chewing a million times and try to eat small portions. The thing that helped me most was to season my food a little more than usual. I also cheated a little by eating a cheese enchilada...tortilla and all.It was very soft from a great Mexican food place. I could eat one for lunch and bring the other one home and eat it in 2-3 hours. See what you can do to add more variety into your diet. I thought I would gag on another cup of soup!! Hang in there...it does get better.

[TerriDoodle 6]

Nurseamy --

Now, I'm not banded yet, but I do have a long history with blood sugar issues and related hunger. If I was eating what you're eating, I'd be starving too!! To me it looks like too many carbs, and not enoughprotein and fat. This may sound really odd, but not to anyone who's ever been on a low-carb diet like Atkins. Adding a little fat will really help keep you satisfied longer. LIke Betsyjane said, make your Soups hearty, make scrambled eggs with some butter, use full fat cottage cheese and yogurt and add some whey Protein powder, blend Peanut Butter into your shakes, etc. You can watch your calories on www.fitday.com. There will be plenty of time for restricting your calories further later on after you get filled when the band is doing a better job.

[Betsyjane 2]

The sweet spot actually differs for people. some people like alot of restriction and some just like to sense fullness. It's actually the spot where you live best as a bandster. For me, my first 2 fills didn't do it but my third fill did. I could eat Breakfast at times, and at times I was too restricted for anything but a Protein Shake. For lunch and dinner I could eat the recommended 4-6 ounces of food. I didn't feel like snacking. Food just stopped holding an allure for me. Physically, I was forced to eat slowly or I was in trouble. when I was full, I felt a huge sense of fullness and satisfaction. It was a heaviness in my chest and throat. I was losing between 1-2 pounds a week regularly. I wasn't food-seeking.

[Betsyjane 2]

A copy of my favorite all time post on this website::::::

HowtoTellWhenYouArePerfectlyAdjusted:

You are losing 1-2 pounds per week.

If you are not losing 1-2 pounds per week:

A. You may need an eating adjustment

1. Are you eating 60 grams of Protein a day?

2. Are you eating 25 grams of Fiber?

3. Are you avoiding all liquid calories?

a. Soup can be sign of soft calorie syndrome

b. Alcohol contains a lot of calories 7 calories per gram.(It's also a stomach irritant).

c. fruit juice is just sugar Water

4. Are you making healthy food choices from a wide variety of foods?

a. Are you avoiding soft foods

b. You can't just eat what's easy

c. cheese is glorified fat

5. Are you drinking 6-8 glasses of Water a day between meals?

6. Are you eating too much junk?

a. chips, chocolate, nuts, ice cream, Cookies and other highly processed junk foods are too calorically dense to be regular parts of a healthy diet. But don't avoid them completely to the point where you feel deprived.

b. Stay out of fast food places

7. Are you getting in two servings of Calcium daily?

8. Do you always eat the Protein first?

9. Then the vegetables or fruits

a. Five servings a day

b. Potatoes are NOT a vegetable

10. Is your portion size appropriate?

a. meat or fish (3 ounces the size of a deck of cards)

b. Vegetables (½ cup the size of your fist)

c. Starch (If you eat the protein and the vegetables first you don't need much - Avoid: rice, potatoes, pasta)

11. You might try avoiding artificial sweeteners

a. Some people think that artificial sweeteners stimulate the appetite

b. They are HUNDREDS of times sweeter than sugar

c. They teach you to like things too sweet

d. There is no evidence that people who use them are any thinner than people who don’t

12. Avoid most diet foods

a. Real food usually tastes better

b. Real food is more satisfying than low calorie substitutes

c. When you are only eating a tiny bit the caloric savings is not that great (Use a teaspoon of real butter instead of a tablespoon of diet margarine.

d. The body has no way to break down artificial fats).

a. They may go into permanent storage

b. Some people think liposuction is the only way to remove

hydrolyzed fats from the body

B. You may need a behavior adjustment

1. Are you eating only when you are hungry?

a. If you're not sure drink 8 ounces of water and wait

2. Are you eating three meals a day?

a. With maybe 1 or 2 small Snacks

3. Are you sitting down to eat?

4. Are you eating consciously?

a. No distractions, turn off the TV, put the book or newspaper away, pay attention to your food and your companions

5. Are you eating slowly?

a. Put the fork down between bites

b. Take 20 to 30 minutes to finish a meal

c. Taking longer might cause the pouch to begin emptying

6. Are you taking small bites?

a. Tiny spoon, chopsticks, cocktail fork

7. Are you chewing well?

8. Are you drinking with your meals or too soon after your meals?

a. Practice water loading between meals

b. You won't be thirsty if you are well hydrated before the meal

9. Are you stopping at the first sign of fullness?

a. Sometimes it's a whisper: not hungry, had enough

b. Hard stop versus soft stop

10. Do not eat between meals. Stop grazing.

11. Do not eat when you are not hungry

C. You may need an activity adjustment

1. Are you getting in 30 minutes of physical activity at least 3 times a week?

a. Over and above what you would do in the usual course of your day

b. Could you make it 4 or 5 times a week?

c. Could you make it 45 or 60 minutes?

2. Are you taking advantage of opportunities to increase your physical activity?

a. Taking the stairs instead of the elevators or escalators

b. Walking on the escalators instead of riding

c. Parking your car further away from the entrance

d. Getting out of the car instead of using the drive through

e. Getting off the bus one stop before your destination

f. Washing you car by hand instead of the car wash

g. Playing with your kids

D. You may need an attitude adjustment

1. Are you committed to your weight loss journey?

2. Are you totally honest with yourself about how much you are eating and exercising?

a. Log your food and activity on ww.fitday.com for 3 days

3. Are you using food inappropriately to deal with emotional

issues?

a. Have you identified what the emotions are that drive your

eating?

b. Can you think of more appropriate ways to deal with those

emotions?

c. Are you willing to seek help from a qualified counselor?

4. Are you attending and participating in support group meetings?

5. Have you drummed up some support from your family and friends?

6. Have you dealt with saboteurs realistically?

7. Do you have realistic expectations about the weight loss journey?

8. Are you still obsessing about food, weight, dieting, eating?

a. Obsessive compulsive thoughts (Obsess about something else)

b. Perfectionism (All or none, black and white thinking)

c. Patience with the pace of healthy weight loss

9. Are you acknowledging your successes with non-food rewards?

10. Have you learned how to take a compliment?

11. Are you giving up diet mentality?

a. Stop weighing yourself several times a day or every day

b. Stop dieting

c. Stop depriving yourself

d. Stop defining food as good and bad

e. Stop rewarding and punishing yourself with food

12. How do you feel about all the changes taking place?

E. You may need a band adjustment

1. You feel like you are making healthy food choices in appropriate portion sizes but getting hungry between meals?

2. You can still eat white bread, fibrous vegetables and large portions.

3. You are having to struggle to lose

4. You are gaining weight in spite of eating right, exercising and having a good mind set.

F. You may need your band loosened

1. There are times when you can’t get fluids down

2. You are vomiting too much

a. How much is too much?

3. Do you have frequent reflux or heartburn at night?

a. Do not lie flat or bend over soon after eating

b. Do not eat late at night or just before bedtime

c. Rinse your pouch with a glass or water an hour before bedtime

d. Certain foods or drinks are more likely to cause reflux:

(1) Rich, spicy, fatty and fried foods

(2) Chocolate

(3) Caffeine

(4) Alcohol

(5) Some fruits and vegetables

(6) Oranges, lemons, tomatoes, peppers

(7) Peppermint

(8) Baking soda toothpaste

(9) Carbonated drinks

e. Eat slowly and do not eat big meals

f. If you smoke, quit smoking

g. Reduce stress

h. Exercise promotes digestion

i. Raise the head of your bed

j. Wear loose fitting clothing around your waist

k. Stress increases reflux

l. Take estrogen containing medications in the morning

m. Avoid aspirin, Aleve and ibuprofen at bedtime (Tylenol is OK)

n. Take an antacid (Pepcid complete) before retiring

o. Try other over-the-counter heartburn medications

p. See your health care provider<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->