donnab59

Thank-you...I needed this. I have forever wondered, "why me, it's not my fault, I am so tired of being on a diet and the sadness of feelings for being so out of control with my weight". Why am I fat? Maybe it is a virus that just got into my blood stream and has only 3 times in my 52 years of life EVER been in control. Or maybe it really has been all about volume of food, high-fat/high carb foods, no exersice, very little Water ever (but 8-10 diet cokes a day) and a stressful busy life. I just now am realizing the difference from feeling hungry and realizing that I am just thirsty. I have learned more about why I have always been fat in this past year than I ever had and I thought I knew it all before I was l banded....ha ;o) The Lord is so good and He has allowed me a second opportunity to have the desires of my heart . . to learn to eat more normal and get toward a normal size. I thank Him everyday for my band and His love to me.
Always,
Judy

Lisa, how great to start this thread. You are always thinking! Except for the family mental illness part our stories are quite similar. But then, mental illness didn't get diagnosed as much when I was a kid, so maybe............
I, too, don't care much about food until the night time. This is a habit that started when I was a child. I loved to have a little picnic all by myself, in the night. Maybe it's because I have always been a loner, maybe it's because I felt ashamed of my food thing and wanted to do it under the cover of darkness. Somehow I think it's a combination of things, the two I mentioned, plus physical tiredness, hunger from not eating all day, and I tend to replay all the events of the day in my head. I replay my stress tapes in my head and then I eat.
While I'm eating I feel nothing. Sometimes, feeling nothing can be bliss. I, too, think in large terms for food. Before banding I could eat a large pizza. Sure I'd feel full, but after a quart of ice cream it'd go away.
My real issue is Twofold: 1. I find it almost impossible to eat slowly. It takes an enormous effort of will and concentration to eat slowly. You'd think it'd be the other way around, but if I don't concentrate on my eating the food is gone in milliseconds.
2. I am compelled (liiterally compelled) to do everything in my power to finish it all. It doesn't matter how much there is, I can't even entertain the notion of putting away leftovers. I've saved a fortune in Saran Wrap over the years.
Now I think these two bugaboos stem from childhood physical, mental, and sexual abuse that involved food, and these two practices. I could explain in more detail, and if someone really wants to know I'll PM the whole story to them, but it wold be fairly offensive to post it here. TMI for some folks, I imagine. It certainly is that for me.
Is that why I'm fat? No. I'm fat because I chose this particular addiction (for whatever reason, it's my addiction, my problem) to deal with my issues. There. Now I'm doing my best to own my problem. I am why I'm fat. My choices, colored by compulsions.
"Hi, I'm Food, and what's eating me is Ryan."

Ok so 5 days out & just when I thought it was going so well....the pain really came back. As a reminder yesterday I decided to down grade from OxyContin to just tylonel. So yesterday around noon I started having pain all around my right side ribcage, rt shoulder & rt neck. It hurt so bad!! It hurt to breath hurt to lay down or stretch. It was so hard to breath!! I went for a walk that made me nauseas. Tried sitting w/ heating pad but it hurt to breath. So I called the dr. She felt I just slept wrong & took myself off pain killers too soon. Not very helpful. So at 8pm after last shake. I was ready to go to the ER but decided to check the forum. It was a life saver. So 1st went off pain killers too soon 2nd I was drinking to much causing a lot of gas so added more gas x, next added heating pad & slept sitting up (wish I had a recliner!!) & pain meds every 4 hrs (set alarm). So I think I was sooo obsessed about getting all the Water & Protein in I wasn't paying attention to my fullness. Which caused gas & pain. So it is almost 10am & the pain is gone except a little in the shoulder. I am going to start back like it is day 1. But this time I am listening to my body!!!

Hello January Bandsters!! I've been banded!! I went in @ 8:15 was in surgery by 10 and getting ready to go home by noon!! They gave me anti- nausea meds before surgery so I had no vomiting. As soon as I woke up I insisted on walking & kept walking & sipping Water & burping. The more you walk the sooner you go home to go to sleep. I later found out I had a hernia in my stomach muscles & they repaired that. So basically I set my alarm every 4 hrs take pain pill, sip Sobe life Water (on sale @ Target), walk around house for 5 min., put a Gas-X strip in my mouth and go back to sleep. That was been the schedule until today. Since this AM I added sipping Protein shakes. There is no way I am getting all Protein & water in put I will maybe tomorrow. As for the pain. I had the gas pain in my should but walking, burping, stretching & the lovely gas-x strips kept the pain to a 1-2 and is gone right now. My stomache aches (a 3) but I keep the pain meds every 4 hrs so it isn't bad tomorrow I will try just tylonel. Just finished my laps & pills r kicking in talk mor tomorrow!
Good Luck tomorrow Shelly!!

Congratulations on making this choice! We are bandster twins as my date is April 2 also! Good luck to you. How do you prepare? Well, here's what I have been doing and will do. However, if your doctor hasnt already given you a preparation before and after list, you should ask him as all docs are different....but here's a few things I would suggest:
1. On this site, join the Springters Group. it's a place for anyone who has a March, April or May surgery date.
2. Read this forum daily, taking or leaving what you want.
3. Find out from doctor what medication you will be required to take before and after surgery and purchase them.
4. Start a shopping list for the things you will need post surgery (protein drinks, chicken broth, Gas-X, etc)
5. Buy the book Bandwagon (amazon.com). It will be a great resource throughout your journey.
6. My doc has me on a high protein/no starch diet the month of March. This will shrink the liver and make it easier (hopefully) in surgery.
7. Exercise daily! Get in the habit now if you don't already.
8. Practice chewing 20+ times before swallowing. Practice taking smaller bites and
eating slower. This will be your life after WLS.
9. Attend support groups. I've been attending for 12 months now.
Again, just things I'm doing. Be sure to join our Springsters Group! We'd love to have you.

Nikita,
Congratulations on your decision to have the band. I had it done in Dec 2010. It's had it's ups and downs, and the reason is those darn bad habits! I would encourage you to not wait for your surgery to at least be mindful of what you are eating. Keep a diary or tracker if you can. There are a couple of reasons. Your surgery will go better if you can shrink your liver. I'm sure your doc will tell you this. A second is that your band restricts how much at a time but doesn't do anything for the quality or how often you are eating. Unfortunately, all the good stuff still goes right on down, once you are through post op, and the temptations to eat those things, like chocolate, or too many shakes, or just plain high calorie food in general are still there. A little at a time all the time is not a good thing if it's not the right food, and half or quarter cups still add up to a lot of food if you do it too often. You have to change habits. Getting that up front may help you when the bad ones try to bite you later.

i keep on track by following my own advice that i would give someone else asking me the same question
Do's
Make losing this weight the priority in your life.
Make the scales your friend not your enemy.
Be determined that you will not get sidetracked from getting to your goal.
Try to get as much Protein from fresh food as you can, fish, chicken and turkey are good, some vegetables are too like frozen peas, then milk products like 0 fat yoghurt, 0 fat cottage cheese and skimmed milk.
Become your own expert.
Learn from mistakes, like what food sticks and what food you can eat.
Do as much exercise as you can, find what works for you then stick to it, every day without fail, push yourself a little further each week.
Burn more calories than you eat.
Follow your nutritionist’s/dietician’s and surgeon's advice.
Use your own common sense, everything in moderation works well.
Make a sharp knife and a teaspoon your essential items.
Eat what your body needs not what your mind tells you
Dont's.
Eat as little processed food as possible.
Dont eat anything that is white ( bread, Pasta, rice etc) too high carbs and calories.
Dont test the band to see the limits of what you can and cant eat.
Dont buy food that will tempt you, if its not in the home u cant eat it .
Dont try to cheat, the only person who will pay for it is you.
Dont let yourself down.
Dont eat junk food as a treat, find another treat !
Dont get stressed or impatient, things may take longer than u want.
Dont make life difficult for yourself, have food in the freezer that you can eat, plan meals ahead of time.
Dont eat with your mind or eyes, eat what your body needs.
Good luck

Get your shopping done I bought gas x strips. Btl Water ,premier Protein Drinks 30 gram Protein at SAMs club only , special k protein mix. Greek yogurt/ cream Soups for later. broth, pop sickles auger free. I got my pain and nausea meds on way hm. I had hot pack and ice packs ready I used hp on left my port side laying on right side and ice prn on stomach Lots of pillows on bed to find comfortable place. Hope this helps. Good luck to all of you!

Oh My Thank you so much Guys!!! It is a wonderful ride and I am just excited for all us that have taken that plunge. If you haven't had surgery honestly it was the easiest surgery I have ever had. I wish I did it years ago. In the beginning in your mind there is alittle adjustments in your life, and that is where this site will help you. You no longer have that habit of reaching for food.< /p>
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I'm getting use to the idea of being done with rice, Pasta, bread for sure....I'm planning to be done with "whites" cause they're not good and I've known it for years. It's a new journey and I plan to make it as healthy as possible.

no questions is dumb sweetie....that's how you find ou what you need to know. t. I've noticed some people push the envelope so to speak, finding ways to eat some things they're not suppose to. So when I say that, and yes, easy for me to say since I haven't had surgery yet, following all the guidelines your doctor gives you of what to eat and what NOT to eat, and keep in the amounts they say too. Our whole goal is to lose the horrible habits we've had and lose all the excess wait we've been carrying around for so long so why even attempt to eat stuff we shouldn't.. Once you take the first "cheat" it's like opening up the flood gates, for me anyway, I've learned that from sooooo many diets. Once I make my mind up I know I will stick to it and lose the weight, my problem has always been keeping it off! With the band it will restrict how much I eat but I still have to put the right stuff in my mouth. Keep your eye on the prize and keep thinking about all the reasons you're doing this. Deb