gottobeme

I also have been dealing with this lately. I was banded April 13th and haven't had a fill yet.
Up until the last week or so I have been able to overcome those temptations. Now I find myself eating when I am not hungry. If I keep myself busy and away from food it's easy to avoid the temptation but that has not been easy to do the past couple of weeks. When I get back to my regular school schedule in a couple of weeks (I'm a special ed aid) I expect that to help a lot. Until then I have a feeling I will be fighting myself quite a bit.
I go back to see my surgical PA on September 16th and think I will be getting a fill.

I too have slipped into bad habits again, chips, sweets...i keep them to a minimum most of the time, and thats only because I journal everything...but i know im the person that i eat one cupcake and i just have to have another or a handufl of chips put the bag away and go right back and get it out again...i dont need a fill cuz i get full easily, but as soon as that satisfied feeling is gone i snack before im really truly hungry.
For me I just had to reevaluate my goals and when I realized that if i keep up the bad habits ill never reach them..so to help motivate myself i put my goal a little higher than what i had it set before...
we can do this, its just stepping back, realizing what we been doing wrong ( which u have already done) and mentally putting ourselves back where we were right after surgery...we were dead set on making this happen, and we still can!

Thanks for this post. I am 4 months post op, have never had a fill and never pb'ed so it's good to have a reminder that it can happen at anytime for unknown reasons.

"shut up I'm sleeping" lol two nurses were talking about their boyfriends and I just wanted to sleep LOL

I agree to stop when you start feeling full. I'm not sure I agree with trying to wait 4 hours between meals at 7 days post op. . . further out, yes!
Your body is still healing. As Chandra12 said make sure you are getting plenty of fluids (48 oz of Water minimum) and that you are eating items high in Protein. Also don't drink 1/2 hour before or after a "meal" (longer if that's what your doctor recomends). Following these rules will help you feel fuller longer.

I am 4 months post op and can take "gulps". Now it's just Water, Sobe 0, Vitamin Water 0, or Crystal Light instead of Coke Zero. The first few days post op I kept my drinks to 1-2 oz at a time and gradually increased them over the next few weeks.
My eyes are still bigger than my stomach, I'm still working on that. Sometimes I take larger bites than I should but as long as I chew, chew, chew, I'm fine.

definitely means nothing by mouth....I'm a nurse and that's the official meaning of npo
(it's latin)

If your insurance requires a psych consult please take advantage of it! As mentioned above your mom has the problem not you. Unfortunately you have been the "target" of your mom's problems. I have always had a good relationship with my mom but not so with my dad. I remember my dad once saying "You know you'd be pretty damn good looking if you lost some weight." My dad also has weight issues and paid for me to do a weight loss program when I was 16/17 (I'm 44 now). I feel like I did it for him. Now it is for me and my health!

Everyone has their reasons for either keeping their WLS quiet or being open about it.
I also have chosen to be open about it. I also feel if I can help a single person in their weight loss journey it's worth it. Just today I had some people asking about my weight loss and think they may even be considering WLS themselves.
I also feel it helps to keep me more accountable since people know about the surgery. I respect those who choose to keep quiet but I would not have been comfortable with that decision myself.

I forgot to mention those sweaters that I bagged up for donation were my smaller sweaters I bought last winter, now they are too big!

I've been doing the same. I had put away sweaters when the weather got warm and yesterday I bagged them up to be donated. I have also been buying a few sweaters on clearance and putting them away for the colder weather. It's going to be great having a new wardrobe when the weather gets cooler!

Hi everyone! I was banded/hiatal hernia repair on July 23. I am 31 years old & have struggled with my weight my entire life. I am married to a wonderful, loving & supportive husband who has been my biggest cheerleader! We actually have gone through this whole process together as he is going to have a gastric sleeve procedure Sept 17. It was a blessing to go through all these steps together! I am feeling good, each day is getting better & better. Between the pre-surgical diet & weight loss since surgery, I already notice a difference in my body. I can't wait to see what my Lap Band journey holds for me. I am so happy my husband & I are doing this, we still have many years left together & this will allow us to have a better quality of life!!

You didn't mention how old your boys are, the younger they are the longer it may take for you to be able to take care of them.
I had surgery on Friday and attended church that Sunday. I'm Lutheran but did not participate in the "Lutheran Aerobics" that week. I stayed seated for most of the service. My pastor and many other members were aware that I had surgery. If you have communion every week - wait a few weeks before you try. As I mentioned my pastor was aware so I went forward for a blessing each week instead of taking communion.
Everyone's recovery is different. Listen to your body about whether or not to go to the parties. If you do be sure to take it easy and relax.

Hopefully this helps you some,
I was told before surgery that right after surgery I would only be able to have about 1 oz at a time but they also warned that dehydration was the most common complication after surgery. I set the alarm on my phone for about every 10-15 min while I was awake. I used a medicine cup and would drink about 1 oz everytime my alarm went off. Gradually I would increase the amount I drank. If you do start yogurt tomorrow I would water it down a little until you no longer feel pain.

Five years ago, I had my band put in. I now know I was not ready for it, my NUT and LPN agree'd today. They see a new "me". It was the coolest thing to hear, as I agree that there is a new "me". It was just nice to hear it from my posse after 5 years! They remembered what a mess I was back then. How I got through the psych eval I'll never know. I 'thought' I was ready, I really did. Newbies thinking of getting banded...THINK very clearly about the seriousness at hand. You MUST change your lifestyle, not just watch what you eat. It's so much more than that. Lots of people lose weight with the band but it's not just about losing weight. It's about putting healthy foods in your mouth, to live to a healthy ripe old age. Protect against heart attack, strokes, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. None of that mattered to me 5 years ago, but I can tell you it matters now! It took years of intense therapy with the BEST therapist I've ever had to help me come to grips with my ongoing food addiction, and adjusting to my new lifestyle with my new "old" band. It's all new to me, caring for myself. It was awkward to even write that. I care enough to DO the diet, not try. I care enough to allow myself to be human. And when I choose (yes, I said choose) to make a momentary bad decision by eating something not on my diet, I will take responsibility for what I've done, dust myself off and get back into the diet again. No more "if I'm down I might as well stay down." I follow the South Beach Diet, journal all that goes into my mouth and am directly accountable to myself and my nutritionist. I lost 14 pounds of fat this past month, yippie yahooey! That's a big thing for me. They don't know how much, if any restriction I have as my file was so large and old, they thinned it down and don't know, but I know I left them 5 years ago with no restriction. They say, "no matter, you're doing great!" You know what? I AM.
Blessed be you that has read my long post. I must have had a lot to say. I hope it helps someone or makes someone smile. My "Smiley's don't work, otherwise I'd post a big, wide grin! Muwah....

This is totally normal post op! The journey is different for everyone, take it one day at a time and don't worry about what "might" happen. IF it happens you will deal with it then. Sit back take it easy and enjoy the journey!

Anyone else doing a lot of shopping at thrift stores?
Almost all of my shorts are too big but work fine with a belt. I refuse to buy more since I only expect to be able to wear them a few more weeks.
One of the Goodwill stores near me has 50% off - off season items so I am trying to stock up on sweaters for winter. I learned last winter that I get colder a lot easier than I used too. All of my clothes from last winter are too big so picking winter shirts up now for a couple bucks each seems like a good idea to me.

It is ok to eat out. Having the band teaches you moderation. I have learned in 2 /12 yrs that eating out is not a bad thing. I usually order something not fried and semi healthy. Eat 1/4 to 1/2 of it depending on the portion they give and take the rest home and get 2 more meals out of it. Having the band is about balance, not giving up everything.
Sometimes I just order an appetizer and that is enough to satisy me and I am not the only one still eating while everyone else is done.

Readers Digest version of my decision - Insurance would cover most of the LapBand and none of anything else.
Other reason's - lifelong follow up with docs, not re-routing or removing any of your insides, does not cause mal absorption, removable, adjustable just to name a few.

Yes others in the group seem to have gone silent. I do hope they are all doing well and just lurking in the shadows. Seems like ppl are viewing the posts and just choose not to share. That's ok too. Maybe our posts help them as well.
I hope so, too.
I'm baaaaack!!!!
There was a time when I would weigh myself everyday and then I just decided to stop. Wasn't easy but my mood for the day was based on a number. Ended up more often depressed because it didn't seem to matter how hard I tried, the scale wouldn't budge. Now I swing between daily weigh ins and waiting a few days before I step on. Seems to help and I try very hard to Celebrate even the smallest loss.
I wish I didn't feel compelled to weigh every day. The humidity is back up this morning, and so is my weight. I can tell I am losing, though, by the fit of my clothes. Or at least that is what I am telling myself. There is no possible way that I could be gaining when I am limiting my calorie intake and walking 10 miles daily.
I like this idea of replying to posts within the post!
Since my surgery I've had a lot of time to think about my own self image. I've lost almost 30 lbs and not one person other than my sisters (who are aware I had WLS) have noticed.
I do understand and am experiencing the same thing. Only one person outside of my immediate family has commented on my weight loss.
I have a story to share along these lines... Last fall many of my co-workers knew I was working with Dean Comprehensive Weight Mgmt Program. A few were very supportive, most said nothing (didn't bother me at all) and another told me one day when I had lost about 20 lbs that she had not noticed any difference. I know her personality and it was not meant to be mean and I didn't take it that way but I was still like "WTF??? Why would you say that to someone? If you don't notice you don't need to say anything at all!" After I had lost about 30 she did mention she could tell I was losing weight.
I've had to question why this bothers me. Am I more concerned with how others see me, or is my own self image more important. Have I not lost enough for it to even be noticeable?
I have wondered exactly the same thing.
For me most people did not start to say things until I had lost about 50 lbs. I started at (5'4") 270 lbs. so I'm guessing the heavier you are the longer it takes for people to notice. It seems like after you hit a certain point more and more people start commenting on your weight loss. I think sometimes they are just not really sure what is different about you and afraid to say something just in case the accidentally insult you.
The questions and self doubt can consume me if I let them. I did this for me, not for others and how they see me. I want to feel good in my own skin. Move around without the burden of 50 extra pounds dragging me down. No one but me felt that. They may have seen it, but they didn't feel it. I haven't shared my surgery with hardly anyone, thank goodness.
I have shared my surgery with very few people. Mainly because I feared yet another failure. I, too, did it for myself...for my health primarily but my self-esteem has also improved.
I think most of you know I have shared my journey/surgery with just about everyone who will listen. For me I have decided this is a good way for me to stay accountable. I understand this is not an approach that will work for everyone. I am sure to tell people it is only a tool and I can still gain all the weight back if I do not use it correctly.
As you know I'm a hair stylist so I work with people everyday. I may only see my clients once every 6 weeks but many times during the year. We share and over time bond with our clients. I found it amazing how the over weight clients seemed to bond with me. We had something in common. On the other hand, my skinny minnies would avoid taking to me about things like their diet or exercise programs feeling like I couldn't relate. Sadly, I can relate to both sides as I wasn't always this heavy. It will be funny to see how this shifts as my body changes. I'll be the same person I am now, but I know I will be treated differently by both groups.
I understand exactly what you are saying. I am already treated differently and have wondered if it has to do with my improved self-confidence. Maybe people treat me differently now because I am somewhat less reserved and give them more of an opportunity to interact with me and be nice to me. As an adult, I wasn't treated badly when I was obese (given two exceptions) but rather it was more like I was invisible.
There are a few people who treat me better now that I have lost weight....not people I cared much for before...so I take it with a grain of salt. I second the invisible feeling.
I won't even start about the whole dating scene. That's a whole layer cake of dysfunction. Sadly, our society sees heavier people as being weak which is anything but true.
You are definitely right about our society. I can't even imagine how difficult it would be to navigate the dating scene today.
I have been married 22 years...I think we could use some counseling. We get along fine but some things are greatly lacking, even with the weight loss...That's all I will say.
We are each determined in our own ways, far stronger than we give ourselves credit for and should be proud of our smallest accomplishment. Yep, I'm proud of my loss but perhaps I need to focus not on what the numbers are but on who I am becoming in this process. I think we will all grow differently on this journey but I feel each of us with transform not only physically but mentally as well. It will be enlightening to watch and share.
You've summed up well how I feel. I've lost weight before, lots of weight each time, only to gain it back. This time will hopefully be different from the standpoint that we now have the tool that will help us do our part so that we can stay on-track and consequently not get caught up in a vicious failure cycle.
I am also on somewhat of a spiritual journey with this WLS journey so I can relate to transforming mentally as well as physically.
Ok, maybe too much coffee this morning and too much alone time to reflect and ramble. Time for Julz to shut down her mind and move into her day.
I enjoyed your reflections. Have a terrific evening!
A great post to come back to after my hiatus!
Back to your regularly scheduled program
cheerio my friends,
j~

Hi & welcome to ALL the newbies on the Forum,
I have been reading and have been forwarded some of your Posts and Blogs and thought I should make a post so you can save yourself the trouble of having to post.
I can't stress to all of you the importance of sticking to your diet steps! Many of you are at different stages but all seem to be having the same problems.
For those of you whom are at Pre-Op stage. If your required to lose weight before, now is the time to start. Everyone has been asking can they have lets say their "Last meal"
the Answer is Yes, But don't make it a week long event. Pick ONE DAY/NIGHT eat whatever it is you want to devour before they put the inner fat kid in a straight Jacket. To many have been going wild. Party's over.
For those who are in the liquid Stage... People it's not Rocket Science.. it's liquids... if you can't determine what's a liquid, i seriuosly think you need to go back to elemetry school. I'm not trying to offend anyone Please don't take what I say like that. It's more a sarcastic way of saying THINK!
Now those in the first fill pending stage.. Yes you have a Band strapped around your stomach but , it has yet to have any saline injected, so Yes your going to be able to eat alot, not as much as before, OBVIOUSLY! So don't take not having a fill yet as "Free Ticket" because your going to discover the unpleastries that come with trying. If your due for a fill go! Remember one thing everyone, the only person your hurting is yourself. I knwo it's hard not to eat, your stomach is growling, and with all the day to day stresses we face it makes it that more harder to resist. But do yourself the favor, if you feel hungry inbetwen meals SIP Water , DO NOT drink with a straw it makes more gas and will be even more painful. and never chug anything!!!! I will tell you all a tip: anything cold will cause your throat to tighten up and restrict you. Anything Hot will do the opposite it wil lhelp relax your throat. so keep that tid bit in mind.
anyone else who has been filled more than once and has been banded for a year or more, and still makes foolish mistakes, i say this WHATSA MATTA U?