Needing some advice!

[Donna D 1]

I think our head will always be at war with our stomachs. I find that I must pack a lunch and snack daily because there is no place to drive thru to get a healthy lunch. I don't want mcd's or wendys besides I can't eat the bread. I bought a bran muffin today and thought I was going to die. I try to make large quantities of food at nite so that I have a ready lunch to take with. I use ground chicken and every vegetable you can think of and cook it over med heat, smashing up the meat so that it crumbles into small pieces. The tomatoes and veggies give it a bit of liquid and I put it on crackers, chew 20 times then swallow. I was also told that we should only use a baby spoon that way we can't put too much in our mouth at one time and less chance of pbing.

[Donna D 1]

Uniqueone you are absolutely welcome here!! I have been known to do a little stalking down your way too.

[blugini59 0]

Try Hummus. It comes in different flavors and is very thin so you don't have to worry about chewing as you would with chicken. Another good thing is Lox or smoked Salmon. I put a LITTLE scallion cream cheese with the Lox on a cracker. It's good for Protein. I can eat 2 maybe 3 crackers total and I feel full.

[Miranda 0]

Hi all!

Ok here is what I did....dont know if its the best plan but I had to do something. Ok you will be shocked to hear this...ready....I put myself back on the pre op diet. I had to!

I was out of control. First thing was I was back to binging. I was soo over eating. Then I was scared crapless I streached the band (well still scared about that). The I only did the pureed for half the time.

Ok really...im not coming up with excuses....I soo didnt do it on purpose. I have no idea what happened there.

So my first fill is not till July 23. I cannot keep going this way until then. So I joined the gym this week and went back on pre op.

I have kinda convinced myself you have to do the pre op before the fill. (even though I know thats not the case).

I just cant wait for the 1st fill. Not that I expected it will be a mircle worker but I think it should help!

[susansilver 0]

You know what Mirand - we all have to follow our own path. Yes there are instructions from our clinics, but in the end we have a sense of our bodies to make the minor modifications that suit us best. I started my preop diet about 1 week early, because my eating and binging was out of control. It made it harder, but it was important for me. If you need to do the pre-op at this point in order for you to get control - or feel in control - then you know your body best. It certainly won't hurt you or your band. Good luck!

[Miranda 0]

Thanks Susan!

I have added a few things in there...like no sugar apple sauce and pudding and Beans...so that spices the day up I guess.

Im feeling kinda good today bc I hit the gym and felt pretty good.

[marcar35 0]

Hello Uniqueone and welcome. We would never snub our friends south of the border..therefore you are duly dubbed "Honourary Nevadan-Canadian"...notice the 'u' after the 'o'?

[Gaffer 1]

Thanks Susan!

I have added a few things in there...like no sugar apple sauce and pudding and Beans...so that spices the day up I guess.

Im feeling kinda good today bc I hit the gym and felt pretty good.

Sounds like you are doing better. You are in the roughest part of the process, but it will get better.

I found that Beans worked really well for me at your stage. I would put them in the blender/bullet and puree them a little with some FF Sourcream or some salsa or both.

That is great that you are hitting the gym. It is not only about getting one's body back but also one's self confidence.

Andrew

[peaches9 3]

Yuppers, we're Canadian eh?

Just a few differences in vocabulary... we say "ro-o-o-f" and you say "Ruof" that always cracks me up when I am watching "This old Yankee Workshop" with Norm Avrams.. My DH LOVE the guy!!!! Seriously!!!

I used to live in Victoria B.C. and it is truly a beautiful spot in Canada.. But I LOVE Nevada too!!!! Las Vegas is a fav. destination of mine and I'd love to retire for the winter months to Arizona... ah,joy, oh bliss!!! But I'd always come home for the Spring, Summer and Fall here you just can't beat "Our Home and Native Land".....~~~~~

[angel bear 2]

When I started my journey I also got some professional counselling. Admitting that we have a food obsession is part of the problem and doing something positive to get over these thoughts makes the banding all the better. Without a positive reinforcement over the reasons for "overeating" or "over indulgence" or having food calling us, the band can't possibly work - even with a fill. Think of how you can make wiser choices - if McDonald's is calling you - take a walk, divert your attention but if it continues to call - order a salad and put a small amount of the dressing on it - there you've given in to the call but you haven't added all those calories. And if you do "fall" off occasionally shake yourself off and get right back on.

If you can put non food rewards in place during your journey that will help motivate you as well. Whether it's a book, scarf etc that you wouldn't normally buy yourself - you're worth it! My husband use to find me a piece of clothing one size smaller (about 10-15 lbs if you think about it) and use to hang it over my closet door - that was my incentive for keeping on track. Some other rewards when I hit big loses like the 50 mark (a manicure), we had a night of dancing when I hit 75, and I had a romantic dinner cruise when I hit 100lbs.

Others here have celebrated other victories - such as being complimented on how great you look, staying on course, exercising etc. You'll have to find the things that work for you but remember to take it in baby steps. I know if I had thought of the enormous amount of weight I had to lose I would have given up - but 10lbs at a time seemed manageable and it seemed to do the trick.

Good luck.

[Band-aided 0]

Okay, I'm scared now!!!! I just started on solid food and am right back up there with portion sizes. can't seem to control what I eat and sometimes my tummy hurts a little, I feel I've eaten too much! Oh God have I stretch my pouch or ripped my stiches. I have so tried to not overeat, did great today! Any advice would really help. The first 3 weeks I felt so in control and full and satified.

Jx

[blugini59 0]

I get very hungry, but the pain of eating is just not worth it. I found hot tea with a little cream and sweetner will help curb the urge for me at night which is when I get hungry.

[angel bear 2]

Jetlagjane,

Part of this journey is very mental and having these feelings is normal - how you let it control you is the next step. You said you did great today - that is FANTASTIC. Give yourself a big hug. Try starting your day with a positive self talk and don't be hard on yourself. Give yourself a goal for the day - even if it's just for the morning. Keeping yourself busy has also been a favorite theme on the site. Besides surfing the web (when I have spare time) I search out new recipes, write and cross stitch. Not much time these days with the beautiful weather I'm out walking - yes even in the rain. My youngest loves picking up worms when it rains - not my cup of tea but hey it kills two birds with one stone.

Take it easy on yourself. Some days will be like that but the band is pretty resilent but if in doubt contact the centre for advice.

Have a great week. Hugs.

[marcar35 0]

First of all Angelbear congratulations I'm looking at your ticker and thinking "man I hope that's me in August 2008". I'm having the same issues as everyone else on this thread. I had my first fill and I can eat EVERYTHING in large amounts. Today, I lost my 'banded virginity' by experiencing my first blockage . GEEEZZZ I heard and read so much about it but the feeling you get is UNEXPLAINABLE...it's almost like childbirth at the wrong end...well...lose the virginity and give birth . I didn't realize how much you can bring up....enough said.

On a positive note my scale is FINALLY moving again :whoo:.

Take care everyone.

[angel bear 2]

Thanks! It was a long haul so I know how you feel. I hit several plateaus along the way and had a few gains too but it's all part of the journey. Yeah, blockages are never fun but it sure teaches ya to slow down and chew. I find different textures do it to me if I'm not careful. You're doing great though - 30+lbs gone for good!! My first 30 gave me the taste for more. Be sure to keep track of NSV(non scale victories) as those are just as good as the lost lbs. Yesterday my doctor walked by me in the hall of the hospital and didn't even recognize me - she did the double take thing and said WOW! You look fantastic. I was on cloud 9 for the rest of the day.

Good luck on your journey.