I'm A Brand New Band!

[bigmommybutt 2]

Today is day 3 post-op. No pain, feeling full all the time and second guessing my decision. I've never been one to turn away from food so this is all new to me. Food has never let me down and has always been my comfort. I have never gone to the kitchen and felt full just by looking at food. This is a foreign feeling to me that is going to take a while to adjust to. I keep reminding myself of all the reasons I considered before I had my surgery. It took me 5 months to finally schedule due to my fears. Trying to let go of my comfort is going to be my hardest challenge but my life, health and my family are more than worth the fight!!!!!

[dawalsh 919]

You are still swollen from the surgery. That full feeling goes away, I was feeling full post op the first few weeks. Well, that feeling went away after about 6 weeks. Some bandsters never need a fill but I've been getting fills every 6 weeks since January, 2013. I seriously believe I am finally near the green zone. I like the fact that I see the doctor every 6 weeks it keeps me in tow.

[chasingadream 1,311]

Congrats on your band...I hear your fears about your relationship with food. I am 8 weeks out of surgery and haven't needed a fill yet and will not be getting one when I go on Dec. 4th because 3 meals and a snack are doing it for me...thankfully so!

I was a constant food grazer all day long and it was my comfort and confidant on many, many, MANY days (OK...pretty much EVERYDAY)....I can only speak for myself but I thought I would be miserable not being able to eat all the foods i love and in the quantities I used to consume.

For me, the transition was not as hard as i thought.... I DO eat everything I want just the portions are much smaller and I've learned when enough is enough or if I've pushed it a little too far.

Food is still a comfort for me...its a comfort to know that I can eat to live now and NOT live to eat like was doing for decades. I know for me, once the weight starting coming off and I could see a change when I looked in the mirror it was so monumentous for me.

Wishing you all the best and hang in there....there is so much more to our lives than just FOOD!

[rosettag 122]

Congrats on your new friend. My band has been my best friend for 2 years and a half.I had my first filling a year after surgery, a year during which I lost 50 kg (more than 100lbs,I think). I was determined to make it work and that helped me a lot.

[JOANNE M HOLL 388]

I like your saying that your band is your "best friend"! I'm going to remember that when I'm snowed in here this winter. I won't be alone and my " best friend" is here with me, so not to ignore my band and begin overeating for some short-lived pleasure. I've travelled down the banded road for over 7 years. I had a Vangaard 10cc placed on September 8, 2006 and have never been sorry. My "friend" has virtually saved my life!

As chasingadream says, "there is more to life than food" but as you will all find in later years it does become one of the important pleasures of life. We just have to listen to "our friend" and keep the quantity down & the quality up! :wub:

[Bandista 7,466]

So happy for you -- I am three weeks banded tomorrow and already feel better than I have in years. Having my appetite in check is such a relief.