Sojourner

I agree that shame and guilt can be major players with our sense of self perception. Not every stray from our diet should be considered a full relapse. Minor lapses can and will happen. To believe they won't is to place a need for perfection in compliance can place an impossible standard of perfection as the only acceptable level of compliance. None of is is perfect. That's reality. That less than perfect belief can set some people up for failure. It is a double edge sword, because a lapse can become the proverbial slippery slope towards a return to full addictive behaviors. Forgiving yourself for less than perfect behaviors seems a healthier approach towards addiction recovery than a demand to oneself for perfect compliance.

I believe that the concept of learning to eat so called "trigger foods" more responsibly is a positive goal for those who feel that they genuinely want to revise their relationship with food, and understand that their maladaptive eating habits and beliefs about the role of eating and food in their lives were core issues to the development and maintenance of obesity. There are many people who are unable or unwilling to make the effort to create the necessary change to overcome their entrenched behaviors and/or beliefs. They will offer little or no resistance to the cravings resulting from carbs. In my own experience, while I do not believe that I am genuinely addictided to carbs, I have noticed the irrefutable pattern of the connection of eating unhealthy carbs leading to craving more unhealthy carbs. I find it much easier for me to simply avoid the unhealthy carbs than coping with resultant cravings. Other "trigger foods" for me, such as Peanut Butter, are not a problem for me to manage.

Diane, this is the best blog post ever! That list has relevancy to all of us who are on this journey. You are an inspiration and a treasured friend. Even through the difficult days you manage to see the silver lining in the challenges found in each day. Thank you for sharing your wisdom! <3

A great topic Cheryl...so many on the forum seem to have forgotten the rules for the forum, and common courtesy in interpersonal communication. I can agree to disagree with the best of us, and sometimes the need to be right for others makes the forum too devisive to be an effective tool for sharing best practices and information. If members feel the need to rant, it is a better choice to type their frustrations out to externalize their feelings, and then delete their message before posting. You still have the therapeutic benefits without all of the resulting turbulence. A nebulous caste system does not exist on an open forum...J/S

Thank you for addressing the "white elephant" in the room on our forum. There is nothing wrong with sharing best practices and first hand experiences which have led to learning and understanding with regards to band related issues. I cringe when I read medical advice being given by individuals who do not hold the professional credentials to be dispensing medical advice. This forum is not a replacement for consulting with your surgeon or their medical team.

Thank you Cheryl, for pointing out what should be obvious to all, yet does not seem to be. We are paying our money to our surgeon for their expertise in the field of Bariatric surgery. We should follow the instructions each of us were given for our pre and post op diets. Get your best value for your healthcare dollars...follow your instructions!

Yes, his bio does read that he has excellent qualifications for his specialty in bariatric surgery. But the importance of his professional record eclipses that of his education. What I mean by that is that your state of residence should have a website to provide prospective patients with not only education and residency/fellowship information, but also to know if this particular surgeon has had any legal judgements leveled against them and also if they have been disciplined by the state medical board who governs ethics and professional history. I was in need of abdominal surgery, and my PCP gave me the name of the physician who he felt was best qualified for the surgery. When I looked up his record, I discovered that he had 2 lawsuits over the past 10 years, and the site also disclosed the amount of money his suing patients were awarded. Needless to say, I contacted my PCP for the name of his second choice surgical specialist, and was very pleased with the entire experience, if you can be happy with major surgery. But doing my research allowed me to move forward with an anxiety provoking surgery with much more peace of mind.

Wow...more sweeping broad generalizations again...please provide a link to validated research to compare/contrast the incidence of patient infection post surgery in hospital facilities vs those of reputable surgery centers. Inquiring minds...want to know.

The choice of facility for your surgery IMO should be driven by where the best level of medical care will be given. And equally important is where the best level of medical after care will be available to you. IMO, one's important health decisions should not be driven by my convenience. I have seen the difference first hand between a bariatric practice recognized as a Center of Excellence, versus a general surgeon who does not specialize in bariatric surgery. There is no comparison. The aftercare provided through the Center of Excellence provides the level of care post op with the methods they use to do fills and monitor your general health state along with how you are adjusting to your band. I was fortunate to be referred to a surgeon who is the head of bariatric surgery at a Center of Excellence. I felt no hesitation with proceeding with my band due to the level of both pre op and post op care available.

Awesome progress Jim! I enjoyed reading your blog, and I agree, as far as our mobility goes, we should never take anything for granted. Going for a brisk walk is something I enjoyed for years, and after my car accident, the road back made me realize that it is often the simple things which mean the most. One thought which struck me as I was reading was perhaps starting out with a more reasonable exercise goal could help. I am determined to get in 5-6 hours of cardio per week. That's just about the max of what my joints can manage. I'm retired now, but if I were still working, 10 hours of cardio would be impossible for me. If you adjusted your goal, you might not admonish yourself if you did not reach your weekly goal. That mindset is so important to keep us focused and motivated to continue with meeting our exercise goal. Also, reassigning exercise to a habit instead of a task does take away some of the interpretation that exercise is just another form of work. Looking forward to exercise because it helps you achieve your weight loss goals is a healthier approach IMO. Keep up your great progress!

An excellent blog...thank you for sharing so much relevant information with us. You look amazing, and I am happy that you are able to enjoy your well earned success with your journey! Hugs to you!

I can relate, and feel the same way. It sometimes feels that I am reliving the years when our sons were adolescents, and they refused to consider that someone else may have some wisdom forged from living through the experiences. I particularly become concerned when there are posts which give medical advice to others, and the poster possess no professional credentials to do so. Some things will never change. And like you, I ignore most of the posts which ask for medical advice and the responses of those forum members who are unqualified to render them. I rarely post anything on the main forum any longer for those reasons. Thank you for sharing these most valuable insights with others.

That sounds refreshing...I will have to try that. At present, my favorite is red grapefruit infused water...also refreshing on a hot summer day.

Good information Cheryl. Thank you for sharing it...and for effectively outlining the processes of what risks over eating creates. As stated so often, "Listen to your band!"

Great post AJ! I chose not to give up my 1 glass of morning iced coffee...my surgeon knows, and does not approve. If I changed everything in my life I would have been feeling resentful. Coffee helps me stay dedicated and focused with the rest of my meals. I allow for it in my plan. End of story! Enjoy your wine!