Sojourner

I will be having surgery to remove my gallbladder under general anesthesia in a couple of weeks. I have already asked both my bariatric surgeon and the general surgeon who will do the procedure if I will need to have my band unfilled, and both surgeons said no... There are differing opinions between physicians on just about everything...this is apparently another example.

I am scheduled to have my gallbladder removed in 2 weeks, also as a result of my wight loss. I specifically asked both my bariatric surgeon and the general surgeon if I would need to have my band unfilled for the procedure, and they both said no. Just another difference in physicians... Best wishes...I hope the surgery will resolve your symptoms.

You've had quite a journey...and it's quite understandable for you to be feeling a sense of disconnect in life with your current situation. This is a time for both physical healing and emotional adjustment...no easy task. I hope that some of the lifestyle change which you learned during your time with your band will remain with you as you adjust to this phase of your life...

You have an excellent idea to create additional accountability for the lifestyle changes necessary for life with the band. There are many supportive and knowledgeable members on this forum who will look forward to being part of your "cyber" support system. Best wishes for your success...

As others have said...alcoholic beverages are empty calories. The other information which you need to be aware of is that less alcohol is needed now to feel the effects of it. I was also strongly advised by my surgeon to wait an entire year before having even a glass of wine. True confessions...when I was not quite 5 months out since surgery I attended a party and the hostess makes the best Jello shots. I could not resist, and ended up having 2...and was thankful that I did not have to drive. No harm done...

Do your best to stay properly hydrated...nausea is a sign of severe dehydration which I did not recognize for what it was. I ended up in the hospital because of it shortly after I was banded. Hope you feel better fast...every day should be better.

I've noticed a pattern in my thinking over the past few months...that my "head", and my perceptions of self have not kept pace with the reality of my weight loss. Though this is common treatment issue in dealing with individuals with eating disorders (i.e. anorexia nervosa, who believe that they are physically much larger in size than they really are), I never thought it would also be an issue with people in the process of going through significant weight loss. I've had some difficulties with my thoughts regarding my weight; my automatic thoughts have not always been up to date with the actual number...I've become aware of myself thinking about my weight, and reverting back to the pre op weight I was at. Instead of a "onederland" number, I catch myself thinking of a number which begins with a "2". I've had an extremely difficult time with purchasing clothing in smaller sizes...recently I needed to go shopping for some capri pants which were the correct size to fit me well, and I had shrunk out of everything which I owned. I was shopping with my sister...who encouraged me to look at misses sizes, and she humored me with allowing me to take in the identical capri's but in a plus size. The misses size was obviously a better fit and my correct size, and so that's the size I ended up purchasing...but it took every ounce of willpower for me to not also purchase the plus size also. The same debate with myself is ongoing as I shrink into a smaller sizes...as I automatically look for a larger size, and if I don't find it I resist choosing to try on a size smaller just to see if it will fit. I've been pleasantly surprised several times when the smaller size was actually the one to fit. I can "see" the evidence that physically I am smaller; I no longer have to adjust the seat in my car to get in, I fit comfortably into restaurant booths, my mobility has increased, and the size on the clothing tag is a smaller number. But I continue to be challenged with the automatic thinking which places me back at the beginning of my weight loss journey. Eventually I know my "head" will catch up with the rest of me...just another part of my journey.

I've noticed a pattern in my thinking over the past few months...that my "head", and my perceptions of self have not kept pace with the reality of my weight loss. Though this is common treatment issue in dealing with individuals with eating disorders (i.e. anorexia nervosa, who believe that they are physically much larger in size than they really are), I never thought it would also be an issue with people in the process of going through significant weight loss. I've had some difficulties with my thoughts regarding my weight; my automatic thoughts have not always been up to date with the actual number...I've become aware of myself thinking about my weight, and reverting back to the pre op weight I was at. Instead of a "onederland" number, I catch myself thinking of a number which begins with a "2". I've had an extremely difficult time with purchasing clothing in smaller sizes...recently I needed to go shopping for some capri pants which were the correct size to fit me well, and I had shrunk out of everything which I owned. I was shopping with my sister...who encouraged me to look at misses sizes, and she humored me with allowing me to take in the identical capri's but in a plus size. The misses size was obviously a better fit and my correct size, and so that's the size I ended up purchasing...but it took every ounce of willpower for me to not also purchase the plus size. The same debate with myself is ongoing as I shrink into a smaller sizes...as I automatically look for a larger size, and if I don't find it I resist choosing to try on a size smaller just to see if it will fit. I've been pleasantly surprised several times when the smaller size was actually the one to fit. I can "see" the evidence that physically I am smaller; I no longer have to adjust the seat in my car to get in, I fit comfortably into restaurant booths, my mobility has increased, and the size on the clothing tag is a smaller number. But I continue to be challenged with the automatic thinking which places me back at the beginning of my weight loss journey. Eventually I know my "head" will catch up with the rest of me...just another part of my journey.

Constipation is an ongoing problem for many with the band...and the only things I have found to help are increasing the amount of Fiber I can eat (lettuce, Benefiber), increasing my Fluid intake, and taking a stool softener. I will be fine, have a fill, then be on only liquids for 2 days, and my system gets totally messed up again. This is not a problem to ignore, as there can be additional medical complications if you ignore the issue. You should have been given some instructions from your surgeon about how to manage this issue...if following them does not help, get in touch with their office for additional instructions.

What you have written about is normal...you are going through many physical adjustments, and hormone levels are gyrating as well. Mood swings are normal during this time of initial healing...and I do remember me asking myself "what the h#%* did you do to yourself?? The required diets for the pre op and post op times were the worst time for me...and it does get better as the days go by. The new awareness of your eating patterns that you also wrote about will serve you well as you continue on your weight loss journey. Remember that your relationship with food does need to change; and awareness of the problematic eating behaviors which contributed to your weight gain is the first step to that process of change. This journey is a process and not an event...there will be some days that are better than others. Keep yourself focused on your goals, and take a day at a time. Best wishes...

The only time I notice a difference in tightness is when my stress level increases...usually while I am driving. Then it's difficult to even sip Water. I've read many posts from others about feeling tighter in the morning...and sipping a hot beverage seems to help resolve the problem.

I agree with Cazzy...however what you are describing is not normal for a newly placed band. I would immediately notify your surgeon, and let them advise you as to what you should do. It's very important to stay properly hydrated to avoid any additional medical complications.

I've enjoyed looking at smaller sizes before I began to get there, which served as positive motivation...but I've waited to purchase clothing until it fit or was a tiny bit too snug. I've always been able to find good sales when I've needed smaller sizes.

Congratulations and best wishes for success on your journey...

To my knowledge, no one has mentioned making juice. What type of juice are you wanting to make? My guess is that it would be alright to have vegetable juice, if all the nutritional value was not removed in the process...but my dietitian has advised that drinking fruit juice is the same as drinking sugar Water.

With the band, and limited size portions, it's important that every food choice deliver big on nutrition. Greek yogurt and whey Protein shakes deliver well on nutrition. These two choices could become "slider" foods if you allowed them to be. Most important is to not develop the habit of using them as sliders. Portion control is imperative for weight loss success. I use Protein shakes occasionally now if I have not met my daily protein goal, and for 2 days following a fill, never as a snack. As for soup, my surgeon said no to any and all soups; they fall way short on the level of nutrition that bariatric patients need. The amount of nutrition per serving size by volume is just not high enough.

Your surgeon's office or nutritionist/dietitian should have given you some guidelines for both your pre op and post op diets. It's important that you comply with those instructions. The Atkins diet is high lean protein and low carb diet. Rotisserie chicken would be allowed on the Atkins diet. It does not allow for unlimited portions; you were not specific as to what "alot of chicken" meant. If you have not been given any instructions for your diet regarding portion sizes and food choices which are permitted, contact your surgeon's office and request them. Each surgeon seems to have some slightly different guidelines...and their reasons for them.

I also will be having my gall bladder removed later this month...I don't have any gall stones, but with testing prompted by pancreatic inflammation it was discovered that mine has stopped working. I've had a mild case of pancreatitis, several episodes of sharp pains, and near constant nausea for 2 months. This is apparently the result of my weight loss...but who knew??? My band had nothing to do with it...I hope that my symptoms will resolve post op. Best wishes for a fast recovery!

Hypertension runs in my mother's family...so I grew up without salt being added to anything except scrambled eggs. Eggs are still the only thing I add salt to. Using even a bit of salt has the potential to cause you to retain fluids. I was served horrible, dry "institution scrambled eggs" every morning while hospitalized for over a week post car accident...and they only gave me Mrs. Dash for seasoning. It took me over a year before I could even look at a scrambled egg, much less eat one. I'm still working on the Mrs Dash...it's a good product, I just can't tolerate it yet...

You really do need to be careful with over cooked and/or too dry meats and poultry. Reheating any meat in the microwave makes it too dry for me to eat it. Especially be careful with skinless chicken...watch it constantly while cooking it so it does not get overdone. I've had some close calls with getting stuck with "BS chicken"...so I just stay with the dark meat for the time being.

Very happy to read your news...you are a major step closer to a healthier you!

I seems to me that if you are getting stuck, that would be a signal for you to stop eating...and if you listened to the subtle signals you band is likely giving you, it would assist with loosing the last pounds you would like to. I've only been able to loose weight by managing my hunger with using distraction, drinking Water and sheer will power and determination. I have empathy for the hunger you are experiencing...I'm still coping with it every day. Best wishes...

Admirable will power...I have also discovered that I no longer think potato chips are the "must haves" like they used to be for me. I guess I crave salt occasionally. Definitely a positive role model with some humor included...thanks for sharing!

A protein shake before bed is a definite winner...I know that I'm unable to fall asleep if I'm feeling hungry. I'm fine once asleep; I've never been woken up by hunger.

Wonderful news!!! Very happy for you and the progress you have made...keep up the great job!