Kime-lou

I would say sometimes you have to switch it up. You body gets use to the same old same old and gets board. Change up what you are eating. Stay with in your same calorie range, but change the foods up- like less carbs or more - less or more fiber, ect. See what that does.

Before surgery I feared starving hunger and missing out on things i loves and not being satisfied. However, other than the first two weeks I have not experienced any of those things. I guess mindset makes it easier or harder on a person and my mindset is this is easy. I am thankful that my experience has been good, but I was determined after being told my almost all my family (mom, brother, mother-in-law) how bad this would be and how I would be miserable and unable to eat- I wanted to prove them wrong, I wanted to prove that the band can work and I think I have. My M-I-L will be here in two weeks for the holidays- she saw before surgery and she can't believe I've lost almost 50 lbs and I'm not having problems. Can't want to show her!!

I am sorry this has not been a better experience. I think you are facing what many of us feared would happen to us. I don't have a wonderful fix for you, wish I did. I can say that I use to be a mindless eater and a gorger at times. I would just eat to be eating not because I was hungry or wanted it. What has helped me is counting those calories with myfitnesspal. That way I can see- holy crap- dinner was worth WHAT! It has made me more aware and helped me learn some things I thought were good aren't and something things I thought were bad aren't. I would highly recommened educating yourself on nutrition, if you can't afford nutrtionist or counseling. It's okay to vent- venting sometimes helps us see our issues more clearly so vent away!!

We (me) lie to ourselves a lot. I stayed in deniel over my weight for way to long. Thinking, oh, I'm not really that big. I just avoided pictures and mirrors. If I do see it's not there, right? Due to my weight though I over compensated in a lot of areas. I was that annoying sibling who did everything my parents wanted. I made good grades, I worked, I was honest with my parents and I never got in trouble - honestly. This drove my brothers crazy. But, a lot of the reason for this was I wasn't popular. I didn't want to go to parties and stay out late because I had no self confidense. As an adult I am pretty much a stickler for the rules at work and every where else. My weight has been out of control so I wanted to control everything else in my life. Once I admitted, yes I am over weight, and yes I disgust myself with the rolls, I decided to do something about it. I was scared to begin with of not being successful. After all I got fat because I loved the taste of food- real food - not junk. I talked to my doctor and told him my fears, he ask if I really wanted to lose weight- I said yes. If anything were possible what would be the best way for you to loose- I thought well food not having calories would be nice- but realistically it was for me to eat less of what I was already eating. I already ate lots of veggies, healthy grains, fruit, and lean meats - I had already made that change years ago. I can't even tell you the last time I ate little debbie- never really liked them. He told me that he could help with that - the band would help me eat less. Now, truth be told, 4.5 months post op, 43 lbs gone, this has not been as hard as I expected. Do I have hard days, heck yeah, but looking over the entire 4 months, once I got past the first 2, it's been pretty great. I don't miss soda, I don't miss the large quantity of food. I do not miss the size 22's. I don't miss anypart of my old life- nothing. Rather than filling like a stuffed cow after a meal I feel good, comfortable. It doesn't take much for it to kick in now that I have had enough since I got restriction. Once that hits I honestly believe if I ate another bite I would be sick- I haven't pushed that, but I feel that way. I hit that point at a cup of food. Left overs abound at my house now and I realize just how much I was eating. We all say WLS is hard, it's not easy, it's not the easy way out and it's not. However, this is alot easier than continuing to live the way I was - fat and miserable! It's a lot easier to put down that fork now than it was before. It's a lot easier to say nope don't want that now that it was 5 months ago. 5 months ago I would go for any food at any time- now unless I'm hungry I don't want it. My daily craving is water - seriously- I drink 80-100 oz now, I am thirsty. Anyway- this is just my rant- how do you feel about your journey- has it been easy or has it been hell?

Ok, I will pick one up. However, I know my body pretty well and I would be on the floor shocked if it were positive. I have always known I was preg before I ever took the test due to just having the feeling and then wham the symptoms would hit around week 6. Plus my weight has steadily gone down. But I will check it out just to be safe. Honestly, I fear I will never carry one to term anyway, since I know for sure I was preg 3 times and miscarried and the doctor believes it was more than that due to scar tissue. They don't hold high hopes for me ever being able carry. Never had a prob getting preg, just keeping it is an issue.

I was sick and tired of being the fat girl!! Yes, part of me wanted to be healthy, but more than that I want to look and feel sexy. I want me husband to be proud to take me on his arm and show me off (not that he wasn't, but in my mind being smaller will increase this). I want to be his hot sexy wife because he deserves it and I deserve to feel that way. Plus now that I have droped 43 lbs shoping is an aweing moment. The first pair of jean I ever owed were size 22 W, now I wear a 16!! Plus picking up large sweaters instead of 2X and they fit and look good make me feel great!

My guess would be you are craving salt more than the fries. Some times our bodies will make us crave something not because we want that, but because we want something that is in it. Try some mashed potatos made using chicken broth rather than Water or milk- add a little cheese and salt. This may curb that craving. During the mushy stage when I got extremely hungry I would just eat a bit of yogurt or something and go to sleep- when I woke up the craving would have disapated.

Make a mental note of the that feeling and how bad it was - it will help you not repeat it.

We all have our own issues. If a person has a problem with you they have the problem of being and idiot! I have fought clinical depression and axiety disorders for years. Now, on meds that make life great and helps me deal with stress. However, the meds do carry a possiblity of weight gain. I have to be really careful, but thankful for the meds.

I had surgery June 22nd, and had my period a few days later. Since that time I haven't really had a period. I am on birth control, but not one that is suppose to stop my period. I have had some cramping and a touch of spotting around the time it's suppose to come, but nothing you could call a period. I know I am not pregnant- no symptoms. I have been pregnant 3 times and each time I had tons of symptoms- unfortunatly I lost all 3 babies by the time I was 12 weeks. I ask my doc about it and they said no worries not uncommon. Has anyone else experinced this? It just bothers me that my body isn't doing what it's suppose to do.

Some people get this from taking in to much Protein at one time. My tummy/ GI system doesn't like to much at one sitting (like a Protein shake with 20+ grams) I will have issues. If I drink a shake I must drink SLOWWWW, like over an hour or 1.5 hours to prevent this. Look at what you are eating around the times this occurs and see if a food or drink are having an effect. Talk to you doctor, when you start having upset stomach dehydration becomes a concern. Severe dehydration can cause severe nausea, pain in stomach, dizziness, and other problems- I have been there done that. I had to call 911 once to come get me because I couldn't stand without passing out, they ran 3 liters of saline in me before I ever peed. I was starting to get in a very bad place, my heart was already out of rhythem. Not waiting to sound dramatic, but just want you to becareful- this is something I do not want anyone to ever have to expereince.

1st great job on the weight loss- that is good for 4.5 weeks! 2nd- it is okay to weigh daily IF you do not let it stress you. So many people told me not to weigh daily, but I just couldn't stop. I talked to my doctor and I was told, if that is what you want, do it, just don't allow it to control you. So what I do is keep a chart. Each daily I write down my weight (I weigh as soon as I get up, after I pee, with only a little night shirt on). I look at my trends to see how I am doing rather than looking at the weight for the day. I also write down when my TOM is suppose to be, and if I exercised. After a month or two of this I was able to see patterns to help me make better choices. Just do not allow frequent weighs stress you because that can cause your body to retain the fat (stress horomones). Until you are on regular foods its about getting Protein in and eating nutrious foods. During that time I was told to eat between 800-1000, but now I eat between 1200 and 1300. Like I said before I chart everything, including my calories. If I keep my calorie intake in that range I loose if I drop it I plateau if I up it I either plateau or gain. It's tricky, but if you try you can figure out what works for you, each bandster is different and must find their own success pattern. A nutrionist can help with this.

Try and marinade to help with the tenderness. My mom uses Lawry's and lets it sit over night. Then before you grill or cook in the oven let it sit on the counter for about 15 min to warm, this way when the cold meat hits the hot air it won't seize and become tough. Also, coating the meat and this works with any meat, with olive oil before cooking helps to seal the natural juices in. I often coat chicken and steak in a little olive oil and place it on a broiler pan and bake it. This always helps it come out tender and juicy.

First off I am glad you are realizing what you are doing wrong, 1st step check! 2nd- find out if your band has slipped by seeing your doctor- that could be causing you to get stuck more often. 3rd- if everything is find, get back to the basics. If you find that you eat to much- fix your one cup and go to another room to eat or go ahead and put the left overs up so you won't tempted. Eat using a small plate or bowl and small utensil or chop sticks- this helps you eat slower. Putting your utensil down betweeen bites helps. 4- Remember to CHEW!!!! If you have to put a sign on the table where you eat that says CHEW!! It is up to you to do this and it's very important. You have the band, you want to loose weight, you know what to do, now take steps forward. You have already figured out what you are doing wrong, so that is wonderful, now start making the steps to correct those behaviors. If you have a bf or BFF or family memeber who you live with, ask them for support. My hubby each night when we sit to eat it grabs my hand and says I love CHEW!! It's cute, funny, and it reminds me to slow down and chew so I don't get stuck.

I was told no straws due to air intake. I do use them on occasission now, but not often.

Have you tried other companies? Maybe that company is hard a##. It burns me up that people don't realize that skinny people can be just as unheathly as a fat person. Granted being heavy is not good, but geez some companies and people act as if it's a scarlet letter.

Honestly, I'd pretty scared to do that. My BFF is a nurse and my brother is a medic, but I wouldn't let either one do it. I get my fills with floro and I am more comfortable because of it. The only time I would ever consider allowing this is if I was in desperate need of an unfill and couldn't get to my doctor. Then as soon as I could get to my doctor I would go! However, that is just me. I am not judging anyones else decision.

Judgment sucks!! I think we all have felt we are always judged reguarding out weight. My issues started when my doctor as a kid was a health nut and was always telling me I was a fatty. I would go in with step throat and he would spend the entire time harping on my weight. Bottom line is - we feel judged at work, in stores and at resturants for out weight. Sometimes I think we are judged, but sometimes I think it's just our own negitive feelings toward ourselves. Today I was reading some blogs and post that talked about WLS. In some of them I felt judged because of how hard core people are. However, are they really talking to me or are they just talking about themselves? All of choose WLS for a particular reason and we are either being successful or not. Here is the kicker - success doesn't come the same for everyone!! Some people preach a certain way- no carb, low carb, certain exercises, calorie counting, weighing daily, not weighing at home at all, ect. I have found success in counting calories and doing cardio with light weight training. I still eat carbs and foods I love just less of them. I have lost 43 lbs in a little over 4 months. I think that is successful considering I started at 244. My percentage of weight loss is better, according to my doctor, than many at my same place. This is what has worked for me, will it work for you, I have no idea, maybe, maybe not. I refuse to judge people- whatever way you find success I say AWESOME- keep it up. Also, share what made you a success- some will find your way works for them, some will find my way works. We are all different and if we reap different success ideas from people we can build our own success plan. Also, if you are having a bad day and need to whine or b#@$#, or complain do it. I am willing to listen because unless you are lying to yourself or unless you are on drugs you occasionally have a bad day and need to vent to someone. While I am being successful there are days when I get down in the dumps and worry or stress and I NEED people to be understanding instead of saying shut the h@@@ up and either do what your suppose to or not. While yes, I need to stick to my success plan I also need compassion and not judgement. Now if you are complaining every day that the band is not working and you are downing milkshakes like water then you don't have anyone to blame, but yourself. And you need to be told that. This site has been both positive and negitive in my life- I have found support and also found judgement. Sometimes I seek advise or hope that some will comment to something I have said and I get nothing and yes I feel ignored when there are others out there with their band buddies who get lots of comments and support. However, is that just me feeling due to my self impression that people are excluding me. I must learn to be my judge and advocate and cheerleader. I need to look at myself realistically and kick myself in the butt when I need it and also give myself a pat on the back when I deserve it. Today I am choosing to not look to others for affirmation or pats on the back, but look to myself. I must learn to find joy in my success and find answers in my failures.

This is very common during weight loss. It has a lot to do with what you eat, like you said dairy. What helps is using SF hard candy or flavored water. I use crystal light or propel all the time to add flavor to my waters and keep bad taste down. When I head in somewhere like the mall or grocery I pop an altoid.

My husband loves doing that. I was really uncomfortable with it to begin with, but I try to let go and enjoy. The bottom line is if you enjoy it allow it, if not don't. Just tell him you don't really get anything out of it. I find that my man just like for me to tell him what really does it for me and when I do he loves that, so I try to direct him to what gets me and off of what doesn't. Once you loose weight you will be more comfortable with lots of things. I am just at 200 after being 244, and I already feel more free in that area.

Walking for the first 3 weeks, then any cardio until week 6. I was told NO abdominal exercise for 6 weeks. I made the mistake of trying at 4 and really hurt myself- muscle pulls. They didn't recommend jogging until at least week 3-4 depending on soreness. I think to a degree it is dependant on how large you are to begin with, you age, and your fitness level. You can be fat and still fairly fit or you can be fat with no muscle at all. I ask specifically about the total gym because I have one- I was told that I could work my legs starting at week 3, but to wait on anything else until week 6 due to pulling on ab muscles- of course this is after I had already torn one

I use to be addicted to the food shows. After surgery I wouldn't allow myself to watch it for at least a month, now I am watching again. It's amazing how I look at some of the recipes now verse how I would have before surgery. I am finally learning not to cook so much. I get sick of left overs at times.

I had a similar feeling. The doctor started me on softs earlier than most also, instead of eating much at the time, I only ate about a 1/4 of a cup at a time. Now I ate like every 2 hours, but it kept me from having pain. Depending on the thickness you may have to adjust it. When I ate apple sauce I could have a little more, but if I ate thick creamed potatos I ate less. Some times only 3 bites will hold you a long time.

Bottom line- I am a big fraidy cat! I didn't want bypass because of absorption issues while the idea of not aborbing calories is great the idea of not aborbing nutrients is not so great. Plus recovery is a lot longer. The sleeve was interesting, but I didn't want to be cut. My grandmother had to have something similar done when she was in her 50's due to a bleeding ulcer and from that point until she passed away she had horrible stomach issues. I am sure it's not the same thing and medicine has come a long way since then, but I still didn't want to risk it. My husband and I went to the seminar and after listening to the info on all WLS, I felt and he support me, that that going with the least dangerous was best. If I have problems with the band I can have it removed, if I don't then great. In 4 months I have lost 43 lbs and feel great. My doctor says I am doing just as well as many of the sleeve and gastric patients who had surgery around the same time. I am happy with the results, I am glad I did it.

I can to an extent. Sometimes though the out flow doesn't match with the in flow so I can get backed up, so I try not the really chug, but take bug swallows instead. The is especially true after a heavy workout.