claraluz

Amberose, today I can really relate to what you've posted here. I was banded 2 months ago and even though I had my second fill two days ago, I still don't feel like I have enough restriction. I am eating the wrong foods, drinking with my meals, in short breaking all the rules and feeling somewhat disappointed in myself. But remember: If you don't have any restriction, then nothing has really changed for you since the surgery. So you shouldn't be surprised that you are eating just as you did before the surgery. Just try and get the fill as soon as you can. Also, Donali posted an exercise in this section which is designed to help us figure out why we eat. I'm going to do it. Working on our heads is an important part of this journey, I think. I started therapy the week after I was banded because I knew this was going to be a bumpy journey. Most of all, please don't be mad at yourself. That only feeds into our eating problems, I think. Be gentle with yourself and know that you will be successful, but there is a lot to learn along the way. Thanks for posting because in writing my reply to you, I've reminded myself of things I need to keep in mind. Nancy

Congratulations! 50 pounds is an important milestone!!:cool:

I'm not sure about the MMPI -2, but the MMPI is (or was) a True-False test of about 600 or so items that can give a psychologist an idea about whether you have depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, hypochondriasis, etc. It also can give them ideas about more subtle types of things.

Thank you so much for your reply. I knew when I started this that there would be a lot of head work that went along with this and I am willing to do it. Nancy

I think you might have more success going to a university library and doing searches of professional psychology or psychiatry journals. The librarian can probably help you. Nancy

I know that hurt at the time. There are so many things you could have said and I'm sure you've thought of them all by now. Since you know this woman is bound to make another comment in the future, it probably would be a good idea to consider how you will respond. Then you'll be prepared. Sometimes a "Thank you for your concern" as you take the cookie is all that is required. Sort of a polite way of saying "Go to hell." Nancy

Well, I had an appointment for a fill today and I really need one because the fairly tight restriction I had after my first fill has evolved into very little restriction. But I am a hospital social worker and 45 minutes before my appointment there was an emergency (a death) and I had to postpone my appointment until next week. I read Donali's post and I agree that dieting is not healthy, but it is going to be very difficult to maintain my weight without it (and I haven't been doing well at dieting anyway. . .hence, the band). I have already re-gained three pounds. I know they say not to worry until you get good restriction, but that's hard! Nancy

Hi, I read your post in Alexandra's thread and just wanted to ask you some questions. I want to thank you for your post because I think it speaks to the core issues here. I have tried in the past to apply the principles you describe (Only eat when you're hungry, etc. . .) but found it impossibly difficult. Maybe when I get proper restriction it will be easier. I'm in therapy and hope that I can afford it long enough for it to do some good. In the meantime, my question is how do you apply the principles you describe and also adhere to the "bandster rules" I learned about on the other board (Protein first, then veggies, etc.). Or do you not use those rules? My surgeon has given me no guidance on eating and I didn't even get a handout from Inamed that I hear is available. Thanks. Nancy

Well, I've heard of it, but that's about all I can tell you. It is one of the newer medications. I really wouldn't worry about it affecting the band at all. As Alexandra said, the only problem might come if the pill is too big. Even then, if the pharmacist says it's OK to split it in half, it's not a problem. Nancy

A very interesting post, Alexandra. I actually have been on Weight Watchers since getting banded, partly because I'm not yet at the "sweet spot" (I'm getting a fill tomorrow), but also because I'm not sure I know how to NOT be on a diet. I know about bingeing and I know about dieting. But I've still got a lot to learn about eating with the band. Nancy

Welcome! I'm sure you'll be happy with your decision. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. Nancy

Congrats on the excellent weight loss! And your exercise program puts me to shame, that's for sure! Keep up the excellent work! Nancy

Well, I hope everyone gets the fills they need. Barb, I would be looking for a new fill doc, too. I know you did not go through all this just to diet without the help of the band! Alexandra, I don't know why I thought you had already had a fill, but I did. Hope your first one does the trick! Nancy

I was banded August 27 and have lost 23 pounds so far. I have had one fill of one cc. I can't tell if I have enough restriction or not. Sometimes it seems I can eat as much as I want. Other times I can eat very little.

Wow, here's another NSV for me: I'm no longer morbidly obese!!! I have fallen - barely - into the obese category!

Well, since a lot of us are struggling with not having hit the "sweet spot" and having people harrass us about how much weight we have or haven't lost, I thought I'd switch the subject just a tad to "NSVs" or "Non-scale victories." I've been on the Weight Watchers boards for a couple of years now (with no success until post-band) and this is something they talk about a lot. Because often there are positive changes even when the scale does not move. So what are some of your NSVs? Mine are: My clothes fit better. I have much more energy. I'm exercising more. Climbing stairs isn't quite as hard as it was before. My outlook is more positive because I know this will work for me. Nancy

Well, the restriction that I felt from my Thursday fill isn't as tight as I thought at first. I can't eat as much as I could pre-fill, but I can eat more than I should be able to. Oh, well. I'm going to stick with this for a few weeks and see how it goes. I think I'll still lose weight because I'm into a pretty good groove with my diet. Nancy

Congratulations from a fellow Texan. It'll be over soon and you'll be on your way to the new you! Nancy

Glad everybody is doing well. At the beginning of my sixth week, I am down 20 pounds. Got my first fill yesterday (1cc) and now I can't eat much at all and that's the idea! Nancy

Me too, me too! I had my first fill yesterday (one cc). I felt very tight at first, but tonight I was able to eat almost a half cup of soft food. Let's hope we all get what we need from our first fills! Nancy

Congratulations, Megan! It's fantastic that it's all coming together for you so quickly! It'll be over before you know it and wow, you're a pioneer! Nancy

I had severe gastric reflux before surgery. My surgeon told me the banding would cure me and so far he's been right. I haven't taken any medicine for reflux since surgery and have had no reflux. I've been banded a little over 4 weeks. Nancy

I second both of the above comments. I was denied. It would have been better if I had been approved, of course. But I just told myself that the surgery is less expensive than an inexpensive car and my health is more important than a car. I know I wouldn't worry about a car payment, so why should I worry about a loan payment for surgery? - especially when I am planning to deduct it from my taxes? Nancy

I haven't noticed this myself, Bunkie, and I was banded on the same date, by the way. But I would ask how you have been feeling in general. Do you have any pain or discomfort? Have you been able to eat enough? Are you sleeping well? Also, have you been feeling depressed at all? Any of these things can affect your sex drive. Also, all of us have periods of lower libido for undetermined reasons. I would suggest just taking the best care of yourself that you can and giving it some time. Good luck. Nancy

Great thoughts here! Although I'm a new bandster, I'm not new to the weight-loss biz. I've lost all my weight before, the last time was 6 yrs. ago. It's funny how my life changes when I really get in the dieting groove (and I guess the band will be the same?). I get more organized. I accomplish more. I feel better. It's fun to watch the pounds drop off. So I'm not really scared. I do remember that it was a little freaky when I could no longer just shop in fat lady stores, of which there are 3 near me. Suddenly I could shop in any of 50 stores and I didn't know where to look. The only negative part of losing weight for me was that I looked older. My face looks best with about 20 extra pounds. Now that I really *am* older and will be 50 next summer which is already freaking me out, I'm not looking forward to looking older again. People tell me I look at least 15 years younger than I am, but that will change when I lose weight again. A small price to pay, I guess. Nancy