Spaness2012

Thank you for this! You have been a great mentor and support. Lately, I have woken up everyday and say in the mirror. "Look at how far you have come! Be happy about that today."

Incredible!! Nice job.....

I love this idea too!

I agree with the above. I have made conscious changes as well as natural changes due to my band. I too no longer run to McDonalds for breakfast. I was doing that at least 3-4 times a week before. The thought of doing this is no longer appealing to me and the choice becomes so much easier. I plan my meals much more consciously now. I no longer eat dessert every day after dinner (this is what I did all the time). Dessert now is an every now and then occasion and even then I am super picky with what it is (are the calories worth it? is it that good?, etc.). I still cook for my family and eat, for the most part, what they eat. Just in much smaller quantities.

"I tell myself, "it's hard." Then I tell myself, "Stop making excuses. You are a pig. You have no self control, no will power, no motivation. You're lazy." Basically I feel like I've tried another fad diet and failed."
I am very NEW in my banded life so I don't have much to offer in terms of what works...yet. But here is what I have changed: I no longer allow myself to speak to "myself" this way. I try and be much kinder to myself and more forgiving. I try and love who I am even if I have a bad day, make a poor choice, or not exercise for a day or 2. I wouldn't talk to a stranger this way....I certainly shouldn't and won't speak to myself like this either.
Forgive your short comings, be kind to yourself, and take it one day at a time...one rule at a time. Start by seeing your surgeon and be honest with where your head is.
Good luck!

I would walk into an ER and demand they see you. At the very least...they have to address the infection with heavy duty antibiotics.
Good luck!

Dearest Mark..........I cannot add much more to what the others are saying but it's all true. As bad and miserable as you feel right now, things do get better, I promise. If I could reach out and hug you...I would. Be kind to yourself during these rough weeks and have some patience. Come here often as it does help! xoxox

Bandster Hell is very real and proper restriction will help. You may consider incorporating some food addiction therapy or other therapy to help you weed through the obstacles you had in the past.

When people are in pain, confused, unsure of themselves they seek answers When Their doing "fine" they are content. I find it refreshing to read all experiences, because no matter what the experience is and no matter Who experiences it were all Human and things happen.
Can I ask why you don't have any Fluid in your band?

Reading the struggles and complications others are having just energizes me to follow the rules. It fuels my Quest for success. I learn from others what is working and what isn't. It also forces me to be grateful for my process, proud of my achievements, and less harsh with myself. Being 251 was a ticking time bomb. I don't look at my band installation as a slew of potential problems. I view it as the tool that avoided potential problems. It's all in our perception.

I just blogged about this as well. But you know what I learn everyday? We are changing physically, emotionally, and psychologically. It's part of the process......but "others" don't change. Keep your eye on the prize.....and that guy wasn't it when you were fat...and won't be when your thin.

I love this! Thanks for sharing. Congrats on all your hard work!!

Thank you for reminding us that the process can be a slow one....but with mindfulness and keeping our eye on the prize...it can be done! I love this post and I too have been in "Onderland" for several weeks now. It's almost unbelievable for me....but I plan on staying there.....not creeping back again! Congrats!!

"Bandster Hell" is very real. Like the post said above......until you get several fills to get some restriction....it's all YOU and want power. I would stress that following the rules and eating smaller meals during this time will help you immensely when you do feel restriction. It's a process...a journey.

All these feelings are normal. I had them too. The emotional rollercoaster will continue after surgery. I agree with the above...the actual surgery was the easy part. Good luck...congrats!

"Bandster Hell" is very real. Like the post said above......until you get several fills to get some restriction....it's all YOU and want power. I would stress that following the rules and eating smaller meals during this time will help you immensely when you do feel restriction. It's a process...a journey.

Relax everyone. What you describe is very normal. It can take many fills before you feel satisfied with less food. The stoma(hole between pouch and stomach) is usually wide open in the beginning while you are healing. food of all kinds can pass through with ease, unless, you have additional edema from the surgery.
You will be in "Bandster Hell" till you receive a fill that suppresses your appetite with less food. It's nearly impossible to have a slip or pouch dilation at this stage unless you insist on eating pot roast, pizza or dry chicken to the extreme. Convulsive vomiting can cause a band slip too. But these are extreme examples and it sounds to me like you're just having a normal journey as most of us have experienced.
tmf

Thank you for reminding us that the process can be a slow one....but with mindfulness and keeping our eye on the prize...it can be done! I love this post and I too have been in "Onderland" for several weeks now. It's almost unbelievable for me....but I plan on staying there.....not creeping back again! Congrats!!

Thank you for reminding us that the process can be a slow one....but with mindfulness and keeping our eye on the prize...it can be done! I love this post and I too have been in "Onderland" for several weeks now. It's almost unbelievable for me....but I plan on staying there.....not creeping back again! Congrats!!

It is normal to mourn the lifestyle you had around food. I too had similar feelings. But only 4 1/2 months post op....I have gained more appreciation for family time, being in control of myself, and NOT letting food dictate a good or bad time! I am so much more present and aware with family and friends than I have ever been before. It is an amazing transformation....and it's not all physical! Hang in there......you will come to have a different appreciation of the good food you are eating (even in small quantities).

It is normal to mourn the lifestyle you had around food. I too had similar feelings. But only 4 1/2 months post op....I have gained more appreciation for family time, being in control of myself, and NOT letting food dictate a good or bad time! I am so much more present and aware with family and friends than I have ever been before. It is an amazing transformation....and it's not all physical! Hang in there......you will come to have a different appreciation of the good food you are eating (even in small quantities).

It is normal to mourn the lifestyle you had around food. I too had similar feelings. But only 4 1/2 months post op....I have gained more appreciation for family time, being in control of myself, and NOT letting food dictate a good or bad time! I am so much more present and aware with family and friends than I have ever been before. It is an amazing transformation....and it's not all physical! Hang in there......you will come to have a different appreciation of the good food you are eating (even in small quantities).

It takes out minds a little longer to catch up as well. I am still wearing clothes that I think still fit. And then someone says...that shirt is too big for you are swimming in those pants. I have to recheck it...put a smaller size on and WOW ...the smaller size really does fit. Don't be so hard on yourself......it's a process....physically and mentally.

It is normal to mourn the lifestyle you had around food. I too had similar feelings. But only 4 1/2 months post op....I have gained more appreciation for family time, being in control of myself, and NOT letting food dictate a good or bad time! I am so much more present and aware with family and friends than I have ever been before. It is an amazing transformation....and it's not all physical! Hang in there......you will come to have a different appreciation of the good food you are eating (even in small quantities).

Thank you for reminding us that the process can be a slow one....but with mindfulness and keeping our eye on the prize...it can be done! I love this post and I too have been in "Onderland" for several weeks now. It's almost unbelievable for me....but I plan on staying there.....not creeping back again! Congrats!!