TracyC

Bad habit I need to conquer: I still let my emotions dictate what and how I eat. It has never helped before and it sure isn't helping now. I need to get this under control, I can't be an emotional eater and be successful.

Cheers, as I raise my glass to you. Thank you for your post. While not normally an emotional person, this one really hit home.

Congratulations!! That is awesome. Am I right in thinking you are in the green zone?

So not happy with this check in. Up one from last week. I just don't get it. Eating better, exercising a lot more and still not seeing the results. Very frustrating. Come on March 7th, I see another fill in my future.

This is an awesome thread. Thank you for starting it. Why am I fat? There are so many reasons, a lot of them already mentioned. I grew up being told I was big boned. Obesity runs in the family, every one of my Aunts and Uncles on my Mom's side are obese. My father is obese. I was handed so many excuses over the years and I ate them up. It was so much easier to blame genetics for my problems than look at myself. It didn't help that we grew up being told to "finish what is on your plate and eat it all or no dessert". As I grew older, I ate based on my emotions. Didn't matter what emotion, I just ate. I married my highschool sweetheart, a very thin man. When I would try to diet I would shop twice, once for "diet" food and another for "regular" food. Then came the problem of fertility. The meds helped pack on 30 pounds. It was never ending. After getting a divorce, I was eating all the wrong things at the wrong time. I finally found myself in a good situation and ended up pregnant. Guess I didn't have fertility issues after all. On to the next chapter, baby weight, I didn't bounce back like I'd hoped, of course not eating properly or excercising had a lot to do with that. But I never looked too hard at my habits. Certainly not hard enough to see what was right in front of me. Now while I still battle portion control issues (no restriction yet) I eat much healthier and finally feel that I can take control of how I look and ultimately how I feel both inside and out.

My first goal was to lose 25 lbs. I've always been able to lose 20, only to gain that plus back again. I needed to know I could get past that evil mark I did it. Diagnosed with diabetes in July and started watching what I ate, lost 9 before meeting my Lap Band doctor. Pre surgery (insurance requirement) another 15, I did that and was banded on November 18th. Since July, I've lost a total of 40lbs. Still waiting for that 'sweet spot' but doing so much better with portion control. AND even better, I've gone down 4 clothing sizes.

NSV's are wonderful. Congrats on yours and keep up the good work.

I was very selective at first. I was banded on November 18, 2011 and walking into surgery, my parents and boyfriend were the only ones I'd shared with. I was optimistic about the band and new in my heart I was making the right choice for me. The position I didn't want to get into was defending my decision to anyone. It was my choice to make and one I didn't make lightly. I researched for a long time before finalizing my plans. That all being said, I live in a two family home with my "father in-law" downstairs. I was worried he might think I was sick. We have dinner together a couple times a week so he would notice a huge difference in my eating habits. Added to that, Thanksgiving was the following week and I was on liquids. My boyfriend was the one to tell him. After being asked for my reasons, we were able to move on. When he understood that I was concerned with the sleep apnea, diabetes and other weight related health issues, he was very understanding. I want to be around for my 5 year old son. That was my biggest reason for making this decision. A decision I would make again. I don't regret having the lap band surgery, I just wonder why I didn't try this sooner. My last comment would be, it's ok to be upset at him for saying something, but did you ask him why he told her? Perhaps he needed someone (from outside the situation) to talk to about what you would be dealing with and going through. Maybe he had concerns he was afraid of sharing with you. Just a thought. Best of luck in your future success.

Name, real or screen~Tracy Goal weight for Febuary 29th~165 Weight on Febuary 1st~174 Age~39 Dietary goal for Febuary~Increase protein intake Exercise goal for Febuary~Zumba 2 days a week, treadmill at home 3 days Personal goal for Febuary~Stay focused on this goal and stay happy Date banded~11/18/11 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~14/38 Do you have any Valentines day plans (How do you plan to handle Valentines dinner)~ To enjoy the company of my favorite man and my sons. Regardless of the dinner plans, I know I will enjoy them but stay on track.

NSV for me was being able to go clothes shopping and actually buy something without getting depressed or crying because I felt so bad about myself. On the contrary, I was exstatic to be able to fit into the Misses section instead of Plus Size. The scale wasn't relating the change and I was getting down on myself. But having to try on a smaller size instead of the other way around, just made my day. I couldn't stop smiling. What a great feeling. The other one would be when the nurse at my primary care physicians office told me they would need to get a new picture for my file since I look nothing like the one they have.

To stateofzen, Thank you. I'm not sure how I forgot myself but you reminded me. Not one of us would be in the situation we are in if it weren't for our bad habits, food or otherwise. And like most of us, it takes something unsettling (diabets diagnosis and other health complications) to make us wake up and realize what we have to do for ourselves. I would like to join you in wishing her the best. I dfinitely spoke out of turn.

The comments on here have moved me emotionally. The strength it takes to not only make this decision but to also be successful at it is applauded for all of you. Thank you for the inspiration.

My first fill was nearly painless. You don't feel the band filling. My doc used a numbing spray first, but I don't even think that was necessary. It felt like getting a shot, no more then that.

I'm in the same situation you are. I had surgery on Nov. 18th, first fill on Jan. 4th and called for another appointment for Jan. 23 for another fill. I was very careful after the first fill to decrease my portions and eat slowly only to be hungry two hours later. It feels like I'm eating all day long which isn't an option at work. So I'm eating more at each meal. Not making any progress there. I know people will say it is just a tool, but right now, I feel like my tool isn't working properly. I want to be able to eat, like I'm supposed to, and not be physically hungry two hours later. I guess we are in the middle of band hell. Grr. I'm ready to come out on the other side.

Perhaps she should alter some of her recipes to reduce the fat content. I'm sure her food tastes great, but there are behavior reasons for why she is where she is at the moment, the same as the rest of us.

I too had some of the same problems. I have actually gotten more support and concrete answers here on this site than I did going to the group meetings. The group-clique was frustrating at best. I have been able to be very open with my questions and am always amazed at the number of people who have similar situations and suggestions on how to handle whatever is going on.

I told a few co-workers and my immediate family. I too was worried about a couple of extended judgmental family members. However, I did find that when I was asked directly if I was losing weight, I answered honestly. When asked how I was doing it, again I couldn't just say, exercise and high protein diet. It felt sort of dishonest. So I answered honestly and inevitably got into a conversation about the LapBand. I think I should be a spokesperson. There is only one person I have not told. And like you, it is a tricky situation. I have a friend (best friend through school) who is overweight and has done everything under the sun to lose weight. She has spent thousands of dollars and not gotten much in the results category. We visited last year (prior to my surgery) and my stepmom went to dinner with us. My step mom was one month post surgery for gastric bypass. I can't tell you how much I heard about the dangers, etc.. from my friend. She thinks she knows all the answers. I decided then not to say anything about my decision to have Lap Band to her. She lives out of state and we see each other once a year. Maybe a year from now, when I am happier with myself, I will feel comfortable defending my decision. Until then she will remain in the dark.

Definitely a NSV!! Very nice.

I'm early in the process but I agree with you about needing to make life changes. You can't keep the old habits and think this "tool" will fix it.

I love this story. I think the NSV stories are emotionally more important than reading the scale.

Please tell me if I'm being unrealistic. I had my first fill yesteray and was excited to think I'd be feeling hungry for longer periods of time. The last month was a tough one to get through, I felt like I was eating everything in front of me. Part of it was because I didn't feel full and the other part (at the end of the month) was from emotional eating. I went in yesterday and had my first fill. I was told liquids for the rest of the day, mushies today and regular foods tomorrow. I did the liquids yesterday as directed and things seemed fine. Today, I've had a Protein shake for Breakfast (normal) broke down and ate some sugar-free pudding two hours later and am now sitting here listening to my stomach growl and feeling uncomfortable. I haven't even come close to making it until lunch. (I have about 2 more hours to go) I thought after the first fill, I'd be full longer, not shorter. Is this normal or am I misreading something my body is telling me? I feel frustrated. I'm still drinking as much water/crystal light tea, as I was before the fill, so why am I hungry sooner? Ugh. Anyone have thoughts on this?

I love it.

The first three days after my surgery, my family did fast food take out. It was weird. I wasn't hungry but just seeing it made me want to eat. Thankfully, I was still acutely aware of my surgery and the feeling that I wasn't going to screw anything up. But I was frustrated with their choices so soon after my decision. Then I got upset with them when they changed the Thanksgiving menu to fit what I could and couldn't eat. I was uncomfortable that they were bucking tradition because of me. When I look back now, they really couldn't win regardless of what they did. I realized that while they were along for the ride, it was my decision to have the surgery done. I have to figure out a way to make it work for all of us. I serve healthier food but have to remember to eat what I know is right and walk away from the other stuff. Sometimes it isn't easy. I wish you luck in your journey. Remember that as big as the changes are for you, they are huge for the non-bandsters of your life as well.

Congratulations. And best of luck in the new year.

It took me a little while to feel better. I was expecting a much quicker turn around. I emailed the doctors office on day 7 saying I wasn't feeling well. His nurse responded quickly, that I needed to increase my fluids. She felt, based on my description (much the same as yours) that I was getting dehydrated. I took her advise and was amazed at how quickly things turned around. I was pushing too hard to get back to exercising and 'normal' life. I also have a five year old who didn't quite understand that Mom couldn't play like normal. Let me tell you, when I finally started feeling physically better at two weeks, the first thing I did was some controlled rough-housing with my little one. He loved having Mom back and I needed to do something normal again. Increasing my fluids definitely helped me get over the "Icky" stage. As I was told by numerous people in the chat room, you have to give yourself time to heal from the inside. It doesn't help to push yourself too hard and have recovery become even longer. Take things one day at a time, increase your fluids and you will be moving around pain free in no time.