pendulum

I can't speak to the suggestion to gain 10 lbs (am 398 here) but I do know I find myself going up and down.. (consult is Dec 1). Somedays are 'bandy' (eating good food) other days are crazy bad (1/2 gallon of ice cream, a whole pizza, high carbs, etc...). I think this is just normal for me....

my consult is Dec 1st, I am in a similar quandry (my insuarance does cover). btw- come back often- this is an AMAZING group.

In coming up with the 'reasons I am doing this' column, I was making a list of med cost this will save me. I currently take 4 diabetes meds (lantus, humalog, victoza and metfornin). I am struggled with depression for...20? 30? years (I am 49 now) Once banded did you find the/your depression ended or abated? Is there a 'post banding' funk? What about the feeling of saying good bye to the food and/or old life(style/habits). just trying to see the before and after....heck- do they even MAKE liquid forms of anti-deps??

Matt, thanks- this is where MY personal concerns come in (and my folks), I am basically very lazy (I think will power fits in there somewhere) and its one of the reasons I am on this board long before the events- to discuss... and not sure if I wanted to know there is a 'cake batter flavored' Muscle Milk (laughing). funny tho- even before my consult I feel like I have 'bandish days' and 'non-bandish' days (translation, did I go by the groery store on teh way home and get crap or not) thanks again PenNdulum

as a non-banded person, this sorta spooks me a bit- I have heard the horror stories of 'eating around the band' (and gaining the weight back...pardon my ignorance but is 'going to shakes' a slippery slope? what if (I) then 'moved over' to NON healthy shakes? (I love me some milk shakes/crap food). I know the focus is on Protein, but food is such a sneaky sucker.... how do I avoid the excuse of (when I get banded) 'Oh, I don't want solid food, I could "just this once" have a milk shake (with the evil ice cream, not the silken tofu/protein/etc)... not meaning to 'take over' the topic, but I can hear the 'healthy shakes' talk but part of brain is hearing...hmmm...ice cream?

my Pastry Chef friend (who had his band 5 years ago) talked about using Silken Tofu in smoothies (with Protein powder), he said it blended MUCH better...and maybe had higher protein? just a suggestion....

this came up in another post and thought it was a better seperate question... question for the bandsters- how do you handle having food in the house? do you REALLY register the fullness? i.e. just because its there I won't be able to eat it? for example a box of mac and cheese- sure you could MAKE it, but then 2 bites and its a waste...(and you would rather spend the calories/time/effort on something you NEED, like Protein protein protein? did/do you clean up/out the pantry before surgery? if you CRAVE (say ice cream) you just go somewhere and get a small, really luscious scoop and enjoy the heck out of it? I worry about all the horror stories of 'tricking the band' or 'eating AROUND the band' and gaining weight etc...etc...) thanks!!!

Congrats!

I am diabetic (no band date) and to get more Protein in the AM I simply spray a ramekin (or small round bowl) with butter spray (adds flavor) to about 1/4 to 1/2 inch, nuke it for one minute (the tallness of the bowl stops splatter) and done, I sprinkle a pinch of salt/pepper on it, and maybe some salsa or more cheese (I put it on frozen whole wheat waffle, but that is VERY non-band), its a great way (for me) to stay more full AND its hot too...again, try a dash of various spices to perk it up. (I like the ideas of a smidge of flavoured sauces..)

SOOOO glad I could help and I am not even banded (yet) :) those little hand held blenders are really helpful... its the 'spackle' like texture of greek yogurt that also puts me off... I used to do a chilled peach Soup that might be useful.....

you can also jazz up the eggs with spices (cumin is nice), or a bit of salsa... as to the yogurt the taste or texture? try a bit of sweetener (artificial) I am not big on yogurt but find the greek style 'worse' (its the texture) can you try the regular kind? also try some diced fruit in juice and possibly puree it a bit (makes it more of a smoothie type thing...I have tried for years to like yogurt, there are a few I like (go for sweet not sour flavors)

I am also type II diabetic and told there is a STRONG coralary (sp) between the 2 (and of course FOOD)

WOW, this is why I am (already) so amazed with this group- like an instant 'phone a friend' (this from someone who has a tiny group of friends). You really did help with the questions... I do live alone so that helps- I am always stopping by the grocery store on the way home for '2 items' (or the curs-ed drive thru). I have food in the cupboards (amazing how being lazy makes you NOT cook healthy huh? a half gallon of ice cream is SO much simpler isn't it? (sad laugh). Thin people just do.not.get.it). You really have answered the question in your own ways.... feel like I am whittled, slowly down the self doubts/fear on this one. ----did any of you found you saved (a lot of) money on food post - op? just curious... and just realized saving $$$ on the 4 meds I take for diabetes, AND depression.....hmmmm....

I was talking to my (step) mom about the band and casually mentioned how food "calls" to me. She truly honestly thought I was insane and asked if I had EVER told a therapist about this? was it more than one voice? etc. I think she now thinks of me differently... When I was a chef and food would come back, or there would be a sample, it was like having a crying baby in the middle of a museum, CRYING out to me. I was baffled how others could not see/hear/notice it. the only way to make it stop? eat it. (or toss it in a really nasty trash can) or get so busy that you wouldn't think about it (that much). so- WILL the band be a tool to help with this? or...? (yes I know there is a psych evaluation and I HAVE had good talk with both doctors (not the surgeon). AND I am talking it out on here (and yes I realize this is very normal (I HOPE (smile)) thanks

Wow I seem to be all over the map... one days its 'who cares!?!' (which is part of what got me here) then the next day is 'I need to start thinking about how and what I eat for when (then a tiny tiny part of my brain says 'if?') I get banded... assume this is normal? Anyone on this side of the band just get SICK of dealing with food thoughts? Seems like I am always out of something, or thinking about where I am going for lunch, or what I will cook for dinner, or breakfast the next day....and do I have stuff in the house? and wow, I wish I would actually TAKE something for lunch to work, as oposed to eating out for lunch (and spending money, but the breakroom is hell so maybe eating out IS better and....) and....and... Anyone else feel that one part of the 'tool of the band' will be easing up on some of those choices? then I will be more focused on protein/fat, simple and ENJOYING the few bites I get and savoring them or? Will it be cheaper (food cost wise)?

STOP USING LOGIC (smile) and this written from a guy who wrote and published his own cookbook....(should I share some recipes?).... one of my problems with the freezing is I get bored with the 'same thing' (writing this I realize how many times I go to the same fast food place for lunch...hmmm...) I also realize(d) writing this that food IS my drug- wonder how much of this is the 'don't mess with my drug!!!!!' part of my brain here (probly why I like this board so much- it really does help not hearing the 'crazy thoughts' are NOT so crazy after all or I will try to make a 'for 2' batch of something and wind up eating it all....not right then mind you, but little nibblings....so it does not last til the next day... my dad bought me this BIG can of peanuts- I can not WAIT for it to be gone, its driving me nuts (oh god the pun I just realized) if peanuts were not so expensive I would almost dump it out).... thats one thing I like about the band- the tool of.....I have food in the pantry but yet worry about having MORE food in the house... (does that make sense).

Hi Maggie- I have heard so much talk about 'eating around the band' how do you avoid it, 'not' do it, get past the old behaviors/mindset? How do you avoid the fear of failure? i

Congrats! (I have Aetna too, so that is even better to hear!) keep up POSTed!

a question- not sure how far away Beverly Hills is from you....? remember you will be going back for fills so that may be a factor. After all the disapointment maybe if you met with the doctor? Honestly Is say go with your 'guy' (no pun intended). Could you reluctance be from the previous disapointments? Keep us posted please? Not banded here, waiting on my consult and I DO know there are some AMAZING folks on here. So keep us in the loop. PenNdulum

My parents are wonderful folks...loving, supportive..... but. Today I got the 'I read this article from a lady who was going to have the (lapband) surgery and instead she just lost the weight...question. You know this discussion/ topic......I am sure most lap banders have heard it..... Friends are fine, family...not so much. When I looked at banding 6 years ago it was the same discussion... How do I combat (NOT the right word, but the only one I can think of) this mindset/train of talk? Ultimately this is NOT their decision, it is MINE, that said I think we all want support from them. (side note, this is my father and (step) mother who have been married 32 years, my other mom I haven't told nor do I plan on (none of her business). Hi

Well I told managment (2 of the 3 assistant managers and the store manager) about my plans for surgery next year (and that my endo has put me on a new anti-dep to give me more energy...basically 'covering my tukus') Reactions were interesting...the skinny female Asst Mgr didn't 'get it' (she was very nice but I could tell the 'why can't you just lose weight' reaction) the other asst mgr was....odd (he is pleasant but lives in his own world), he couldn't stay on topic but I DO answer to him). The store manager didn't really give a hoot, gave me a muttered thing about 'we will just need to know whether to put you on medical leave or.....) I will worry about that next year.... but I did do the 'I want to be a better associate' type speech... Interesting reaction I am seeing... one type is 'I am happy in whatever you do', another is 'why can't you just diet and exercise' one thing at lunch- I mean to start practicing chewing everything until it was 'gone' and realize I read while I was eating and not paying attention to my food...so am I not 'realizing' I was eating? something to look at (the whole relationship/with food) thanks PenNdulum

I have realized I don't want to 'get ahead of myself' (there are a lot of ifs yet (the financing is becoming a worry, yes I have insurance but) and the 'what if.....3 months? 6 months' thing (its the NOT KNOWING thats infuriating! lol) so I am just trying to sit quiet (and not eat over it...) anyone else get TIRED of food pre-op? I get sick of the gotta go to the grocery store again...etc...sigh

to me its like the 'religious' folks who hand/shove out pamplets... if I am curious- I will ASK. if I see its working for you, AND I am curious, then -I- can ask (not the other way around). and lets face it, when we are ready then we can ask (the joys of googling!)

wow. love all the PASSION in this group (guess you gotta put that former food passion somewhere eh?) as to the comment, this is my folks....part of there job IS to make us crazy eh? -little side note here- if this (weight loss) were SO easy ....well I WROTE a healthy cookbook ("No More Fat Bears, a healthy guide and cookbook), taught healthy cooking and have a genuine culinary degree.....easy as um...pie. -as to the voices calling- when I was in a kitchen I told folks it was like a alcoholic working in a bar.... there was food EVERYWHERE....nibble here and there and here and there....culinary school was like a fantasy! (rule- in B&P (baking and pastry) you gain 3-5 lbs, I gained 5-10). I would hurt from eating after class.... I even have a one year chip from OA here somewhere.. as to the smile and nod reply- I like that. just say thanks and let it pass (the ultra skinny boss is a good case, she can eat a moose and not gain weight.... yet I am sure she has her own challenges) so... you folks are awesome...thanks one day closer to my consult with Dr Daly.... PenNdulum

DING! thanks!!!! my step mom was freaked when I told her food CALLS to me....she said 'you hear voices'? (lol)... I asked how there could be one or two bites of something and she not notice it... like when someone brings sweets in to work....it drives me NUTS!!!! I can hear it calling to me. She does not and will not 'get that'. Same with my dad....thank you so very much for this 'reasoning tool'- great group folks ..... PenNdulum