Christian bandsters

[JoannMarie 0]

Hi Clempier,

I try to keep busy - go for a walk if weather permits, which can be an issue this time of year. Read a book or magazine. Give yourself a manicure. Call a friend on the phone. Go shopping (can be hazardous to your checkbook). I have several hobbies that involve handwork - knitting, crocheting, quilting. Those hobbies help a lot because you are keeping your hands busy and if you are knitting or sewing you are not eating. We have a new grandson due in April and he has an knitted baby afghan and several knitted hats (so far). Fabric for his quilt is on the work table ready to be cut and sewn. His big brother received a couple of knitted hats recently, and will have a new hooded sweater soon. I always have a scarf on needles - just in case I am between projects and need something to pick up and knit. (Wow - I must have a lot of cravings!!) Go to LBTalk when you have a craving. You will not only forget the craving, you will receive a lot of support and answers to questions. Draw, paint, write, make jewelry - in other words do something creative. If you don't have any hobbies like that, go take a class or find someone who knits or quilts and ask them to teach you. Knitting is not hard to learn, equipment does not have to be expensive, and yarn does not have to cost a lot either (although it can...). There are just a couple of basic stitches and you can eventually do any pattern with those stitches as you gain experience and want to try something new.

In other words - get your mind (and hands) off the craving and busy with something else. I allow myself a snack in the evening because that's when I like to snack - sugar free pudding, sf fudgecicle, etc. But most evenings I get busy with something else and forget all about it. It's been working for me.

Always plan your Snacks in your daily allotment of food/calories. Whatever "evil" you think you will crave the most, find a sugar free and low fat substitute to use as a snack at the time you will most crave it. Stick with your plan, using the above techniques to help you stick with it.

Best of all and most effective - pray about it.

p.s. I am so glad you are enjoying the book. I sure found it helpful.

Edited February 2, 2009 by JoannMarie

[beccanut 0]

So happy to finally find a group that I can honestly ask my hardest questions to...

I am truly more afraid of not being able to eat after my surgery than I am of the surgery. When I told the Dr. this his whole demenor changed. He was almost angry with me. I guess he doesn't know anything about the comfort of food. Deep down I know that God is my Comforter, but food is such an instant release. Please tell me what your thoughts are on this matter.

[Great2BThin 5]

So happy to finally find a group that I can honestly ask my hardest questions to...

I am truly more afraid of not being able to eat after my surgery than I am of the surgery. When I told the Dr. this his whole demenor changed. He was almost angry with me. I guess he doesn't know anything about the comfort of food. Deep down I know that God is my Comforter, but food is such an instant release. Please tell me what your thoughts are on this matter.

You are right, God needs to be your comforter. That being said I think we are all guilty of comfort eating. But, in my opinion, and it may not be popular, you can't put food before God. And if you truly are that afraid of your eating after surgery, I think you need to research it more before you go into it. You need to be totally prepared and willing to make this a lifestyle change. If you aren't, then it will be hard to be successful. As you have probably read or heard, it is possible to 'eat around your band' by having too many liquids, mushies etc. Many junk foods like ice cream, Cookies, chips, are slider foods and go through the band pretty easy and are empty calories. You need to be willing to eat Protein first, low fat, etc. I like to think the band is doing about 20% of the work, and the other 80% is up to me. My 80% includes things like proper food choices, listening to my body and hunger signals (they are different than pre band), exercise, etc. The bands part is restriction and reminding me that I have had enough and need to stop eating. My intent isn't to sound harsh or dissuade you from banding, but please go into this with your eyes wide open and willing to make the changes necessary. Really seek God's help and guidance in your decision, He will direct your path. I felt so blessed in my decision, I prayed about it, whether it woudl be His will, and the doors just seemed to blow wide open for me. And I've had amazing success, but it's hard work, a lifestyle change, and many blessings by Him. Good luck to you and your decision.

[phyllser 3]

You are right, God needs to be your comforter. That being said I think we are all guilty of comfort eating. But, in my opinion, and it may not be popular, you can't put food before God. And if you truly are that afraid of your eating after surgery, I think you need to research it more before you go into it. You need to be totally prepared and willing to make this a lifestyle change. If you aren't, then it will be hard to be successful. As you have probably read or heard, it is possible to 'eat around your band' by having too many liquids, mushies etc. Many junk foods like ice cream, Cookies, chips, are slider foods and go through the band pretty easy and are empty calories. You need to be willing to eat Protein first, low fat, etc. I like to think the band is doing about 20% of the work, and the other 80% is up to me. My 80% includes things like proper food choices, listening to my body and hunger signals (they are different than pre band), exercise, etc. The bands part is restriction and reminding me that I have had enough and need to stop eating. My intent isn't to sound harsh or dissuade you from banding, but please go into this with your eyes wide open and willing to make the changes necessary. Really seek God's help and guidance in your decision, He will direct your path. I felt so blessed in my decision, I prayed about it, whether it woudl be His will, and the doors just seemed to blow wide open for me. And I've had amazing success, but it's hard work, a lifestyle change, and many blessings by Him. Good luck to you and your decision.

Very good points, Long!

Having felt some of those same fears, I can attest to the fact that my whole way of thinking about food has changed since banding. My comfort foods were things like... mashed potatoes & gravy, Pasta, etc. I now very seldom eat carbs, but I don't completely deprive myself either, and it works for me. On occasion.. like today... went out for "Valentine's Lunch" and I had some Pasta and chicken parmigian. No where close to what I used to do as far as amounts! First of all, I cut off 1/3 of the chicken breast and gave it to DH. In exchange, he gave me about a 1/4 piece of his lasagna. I ate that and about another 1/3 of the chicken and some of the pasta. The rest I brought home. Garlic bread... they gave us two narrow strips of toasted garlic bread. I broke off a small piece of the end of one and DH got the rest. So... I can still enjoy those things that were always my favoites, in much smaller amounts, and only on special occasions. That works for me.

[Great2BThin 5]

Very good points, Long!

Having felt some of those same fears, I can attest to the fact that my whole way of thinking about food has changed since banding. My comfort foods were things like... mashed potatoes & gravy, Pasta, etc. I now very seldom eat carbs, but I don't completely deprive myself either, and it works for me. On occasion.. like today... went out for "Valentine's Lunch" and I had some Pasta and chicken parmigian. No where close to what I used to do as far as amounts! First of all, I cut off 1/3 of the chicken breast and gave it to DH. In exchange, he gave me about a 1/4 piece of his lasagna. I ate that and about another 1/3 of the chicken and some of the pasta. The rest I brought home. Garlic bread... they gave us two narrow strips of toasted garlic bread. I broke off a small piece of the end of one and DH got the rest. So... I can still enjoy those things that were always my favoites, in much smaller amounts, and only on special occasions. That works for me.

Oh I still have my occassional treats as well. We went to dinner for Valentines early and went to Texas Roadhouse, I had BBQ ribs and part of an onion blossom. And then popcorn at a movie. But these are occassional treats, not every day occurances. I think i appreciate them and enjoy them more this way now too.

[sharmom 7]

I am so glad you have concidered this surgery I am a mom of 10 children 5 his 3 mine and 2 ours and 8 grandsons and one little grandaughter. My husband is Retired army and is 15 years older than I am. I am 44 years old. I started this journey 5 months ago my military insurance was approving this surgery before I had finally made my decision it only took 3 days and I was fully approved. God is my source and comforter by myself control flys out the window when it comes to being comforted with food. I have been medicating myself with food for over 15 years to the grand total of 320lbs On Sept 26,2008 i was wheeled into the operating room trusting God and my surgeon with my decision. I really had no clue what to expect. Since my banding I now weigh 276 I have lost almost 43 lbs. I was fortunate that my doctor filled my band with 5cc of saline(i have a 10 cc band). I drank my Tomato Soup with added flavorless protien for 2 weeks. I have over 100+ recipes for smoothies with protien. There were some rough times 1 month after my surgery the doc gave me a 2cc fill. It was perfect until I discovered my old lack of selfcontrol slip back in. I was in an accicdent that took away my ability to excersise for the past 2 mos. I had a disc in my back tear from a car accident. I then was in an emotion mess state. I tried some of the so called slider foods But God reminded me of my life commetment to this band in my body. I also got a few of those slider food stuck (it can be very painful) Getting the band was the best thing FOR ME I just bought my first size 20 jeans and they look great! I have been feeding myself with the Word when I have the uncontrollable urge to poision my body with unhealthy choices. Now I am a changed person I eat a lot of fish and shrimp and always Protien first. I wish you Love on this Valentines day and pray that God will give you the answer that is right for you. I am here if you would like to email me anytime. Blessings in Christ! I hope to see new postings.

[melody_mary_42f 0]

what a wonderful POST. And such a peaceful one too. I can tell there are differences in the mindset of those on the christian site and those that done knoe HIM. My surgery was 4 weeks ago, and today is a new day.,I feel good and the sun is shining, and im looking forward to what is in store for me. I want health and the ability to give of myself to the service of others. Up till now i was in to much of a mulligrub myself to be of anygood to others. I have lost 30 pounds and I hope to never see those pounds again.

God worked out the finances for this procedure now I need to obey the rules and come out victorious.

God is so good!

[Numbrgirl 0]

Been so busy - haven't been in this group in a while. Hope every is doing great. Celebrated my 20th wedding anniversary yesterday. My husband sent me flowers with a card that read "you look great - spend 20 more with me!" - What a great feeling. God is good. In the good times and the bad..........

[phyllser 3]

Been so busy - haven't been in this group in a while. Hope every is doing great. Celebrated my 20th wedding anniversary yesterday. My husband sent me flowers with a card that read "you look great - spend 20 more with me!" - What a great feeling. God is good. In the good times and the bad..........

CONGRATULATIONS!

That's wonderful!

Three of our four kids celebrated their 20th in the past two years!

I'm so proud of all of them. In this day and age, when committment is taken so lghtly, it's so good to rejoice in those who take it serioyusly!

You're right... God is GOOD.... All the Time!

  

[clempier 0]

Hi Numbrgirl,

Congrate for your 20th Wedding Anniversary. I see you lost quite a bit and for that too I say WoW!! I'm sure it's not always easy. I'm still waiting for my date. At the Hospital, they are not quite ready yet to perform gastric surgeries. We have a new surgeon who can do them. There was only one hospital doing those kind of surgeries in NB but now they're going to be able to do it here. I've been waiting for 6 months now. I say to myself, God is giving me more time to be ready went I'll have my surgery.

[Numbrgirl 0]

Thanks to all for your kind words and congrats!

Clempier - what a healthy outlook! I taught a Women's Bible Study this evening that stressed the need for us to find a "God Perspective" instead of our own....God knows what we are going through every minute of every day - he has promised to be with us all the way through it OR take us out of it if it becomes too much.

Blessings to all of YOU!!

[JoannMarie 0]

It's great to hear from you Clempier! I'm sorry to hear you have had such a long wait, but - having had a long wait myself (March to December) I found it was actually a good thing because I had a lot of time to read and learn. When the day finally came I was very well prepared and more determined than ever to make it work. I also made a lot of great friends here on LBTalk! There is a lot of great support here.

I've had 3 fills to date. The first two (3cc and then 2cc) did a pretty good job of restriction for a week or so, then seemed to fade away. I just continued to eat healthy and watch portions carefully. This fill of 1cc, received on Monday (Mar 2) is giving me a lot more restriction in the first few days - I have hope it will last better this time. I am scheduled for another fill on Mar 20 - will decide later if it will be necessary. DH and I are going to S Korea to visit with our DD and her family. SIL is US Army, and they have been posted there almost 2 years now. They have a 2 yr old boy, expecting another boy in April and we are going to help out, leaving 4/7 and I am returning on 5/8. I absolutely don't want to be too tight while in Korea - far from home and help for subsequent problems. I would rather have less restriction and have to be a good girl on my own. I know I will have powerful help with that! I may wait till I return home before I have that next fill.

Yesterday I tried on several articles of clothing that have been in my closet for a number of years. I almost passed 1 pair of pants up, almost too loose already! 2 pair of jeans I can now wear -good thing cause there are 4 pair of jeans that are way too big! It was really a good feeling - I really FELT slimmer for the first time since banding. scale and logic aside - it's that FEELING that made my day!

I can't wait till you feel that way too!

Hugs,

[Numbrgirl 0]

So good to pull out those articles of clothing and try them on and they fit (or sometimes are too big!!) I have four bags of clothes to go to Goodwill and adding to it all the time!! My husband has taken to saying "get some clothes that fit!" but since I am going through them so quickly these days, I am just wearing the baggy clothes until they fall off.

Thrilled with the band.

[phyllser 3]

So good to pull out those articles of clothing and try them on and they fit (or sometimes are too big!!) I have four bags of clothes to go to Goodwill and adding to it all the time!! My husband has taken to saying "get some clothes that fit!" but since I am going through them so quickly these days, I am just wearing the baggy clothes until they fall off. Thrilled with the band.

It's a great feeling, isn't it?!!

Are you keeping an inventory of all that stuff you give to the GoodWill? Tax deductions add up!

[Numbrgirl 0]

That is what I do for a living - report to the tax man!!

I always remind my husband to make sure he gets that receipt when he drops off the stuff - and then ask him 3-4 times about it throughout the day!!! :thumbup: