barepooh71

Does anyone else have issues with the thought of eating sometimes sounding gross? Or after you've eaten, even thinking about it makes you want to get sick? I'm having appetite issues, taste issues, food not sounding good...or if something starts out sounding good as soon as I take a few bites it's no longer good to me and the idea of trying to continue to eat makes me want to throw up.

fast food doesnt make me sick..i just dont care anymore....i am enjoying wearing smaller clothes and being more mobile and love having my hub having trouble keeping his hands off me that those little things help keep my mental attitude on straight..

No carbonation is the hardest one for me although I haven't cheated on this one...but it's soooo tempting sometimes

This is all great advice. I have my first fill next week, so I am going to make sure I use these tips. I just hope that I will not be filled too much, especially on my first visit.

You will do fine. Just try to go on an empty stomach or dont eat a few hours before. Yes make sure you can drink Water before you leave. Stay for at least 30 minutes to an hour after your fill. If you can't then let them take some back out. Best of luck to you.

The first fill can be really unnerving because it's a new experience.
The best advice I can offer is to take a big drink of Water before you leave the surgeon's office. This way, if you are too tight, the Water will likely gurgle back and you can immediately get a little taken back out. I actually had to have some removed immediately after my first two fills, I took a big drink and I had water literally gurgling back up my throat. But...I was thankful. Because I drank the water right there on the exam table, it was rectified immediately so it was no big deal.
You'll do great, just try to relax

Hi there! I understand your worry. I got banded 12/11/11. Since then, I had only one fill that was too tight, and I had to go back in a couple days later to get some taken out. Your doctor won't add that much to begin with (at least mine didn't). Just make sure if your doctor as you drink Water afterwards you are HONEST with him or her if it feels too tight when swallowing. Good luck! I'm sure everything will go smoothly!

I, am also a food addict. I have learned in 4 years of being banded that I will always have to struggle to fight this head hunger. I try to choose something like popcorn that does not have to much fat or calories if I do have to binge to get it out of my system. I try to trick myself by saying you can have anything you want but you DO NOT Want all that fattening Cookies all the time like you used to. I am not a 3 bite person of a piece of pie. If I cheat I will have a piece of pie and then I am good for months on end. You need to learn what sets you off on these binges and what will stop it for months. I will always be a food addict and have done this yo yo dieting my whole life. I tell myself I am not on a diet, just changed my eating habits. Everybody is so different and each one of us need to do what we are comfortable with. I read all these responses where you all have lost so much weight and should be so proud of yourself and this addiction is real and never going away. We just learn how to outsmart it and go on with life. Good luck.

Guess I've had an easier time so far. I haven't driven or been inside a fast food place since before June18 when I started my diet and thinking about lapband. I lost 34 pounds prior to my band date on Aug 6. Yes I crave certain things that I really wanted but at my age I've been doing this for many years. So for me, I just stay away and try and eat very healthy food types. If I think I ate too much in one day, I get back the next day on breakfast/lunch 1 Protein shake each meal, then a small dinner salad with vingar/oil and a broiled chicken breast. At night if I have to snack, SF popsicles or SF Jello.
But you went back on track and a new healthy you will be there in the near future.
Best wishes and Keep the Faith

I don't ever tell myself that I CANNOT have something because I want it even more. The 3 bite rule is good but sometimes I need a whole piece (small) of pie to get it out of my system and then I am good for months on end. My sister was only 100 pounds and I remember as a child that she would only eat one meatball for dinner and walk away and when she worked and they had donuts, she would bring carrot and celery sticks for lunch to make up for having a donut. It is all about checks and balances. I used to beat myself up and feel so bad that I would binge for the rest of the day and feel awful. Not anymore, get the culprit out of your system and move on. This is a lifetime journey and one messed up day is not going to matter, trust me this is the key to keeping this weight off. You need to find out what your triggers are and normally try to stay away from them, but like myself, I sometimes cannot get the wishing for a cookie out of my system. I have kept this weight off for 4 years and yes I might go up and down 3 pounds but this works for me. You need to figure out what works for you and good luck on your journey.

I'm actually in therapy for my food addiction. My therapist and I talked a lot before the band about how I was going to deal with the emotional part of being banded and I told him that I really didn't know what to expect, that I would find out soon enough and boy have I. I've been smacked in the face with it for sure.
I appreciate everyone's support. I knew I needed to post on here because I needed the feedback.

Hey we have the same doc!

Keep the faith. If we can do it, you can too!

I'm actually in therapy for my food addiction. My therapist and I talked a lot before the band about how I was going to deal with the emotional part of being banded and I told him that I really didn't know what to expect, that I would find out soon enough and boy have I. I've been smacked in the face with it for sure.
I appreciate everyone's support. I knew I needed to post on here because I needed the feedback.

I use the three bite rule a lot! I stayed away from the wrong things for several months and found I didn't need some of them anymore, but there are some times I really want other things. My NUT really says you have to eat what you like and also feel satisfied. So when I go for Mexican, I have three chips with salsa, then I eat my chicken taco (minus the shell). I have finally gotten to a point where I can have one bite of something and move on. Don't beat yourself up. Recognize what you need to change and move on. You will get there! We all go through it.

I completely agree with Sojourner.
Don't beat yourself; the great thing about a new day is we have a new opportunity to make good choices. And I love the "3 bite" rule. I find that if I'm having a craving I'll eat around it...instead of having a few salty, crunch chips, I'll find something healthier with the salt or crunch...then something else because I'm still not satisfied, and so on. It's okay to give in every now and then, but the big thing is moderation.
Admitting you have a food addiction is a big step, and overcoming it is an even bigger obstacle. I was never one to promote therapy, but seriously, I'm seeing a lady now who is helping me accept my changing self, and it's been an amazing support. There is no shame in needing help.

Actually, the Chick Fil 'A 4 piece kid's meal is an acceptable bandster meal as long as you have the fresh fruit side and have the grilled chicken nuggets.
The chips and queso...well you already know...
I would encourage you to seek counseling from a qualified professional who treats patients with behavioral issues for behavior modification strategies. That will assist you to get beyond your distorted thinking as it relates to food.
Awareness of the need to change in this area is essential for your weight loss journey, and from your post you do have awareness of your need to change.
Much of what makes the difference between success and failure with the weight loss journey is related to our patterns of thinking and beliefs as they relate to food.
Best wishes for your success...

The good part is that you are back on track. The band is a tool and only you can control what you eat. We all fall off sometimes and it's okay. During your post op, it is important to follow the diet so that you can properly heal. As long as you are mindful of what you eat and maintain Portion Control, you will be fine. Good luck.

Please don't beat yourself up. We ALL have eaten something less than a stellar choice since being banded. And you probably will again, the important thing is you satisfied the craving & got back on track the next day and I am proud of you for that.
My support group recommends the "3 bite" theory when cravings it.
Bite 1 because it looks so good & you really really want it
Bite 2 because you need to confirm it really is good
Bite 3 because this is the last bite and we all know things come in 3's
You might try that the next craving you get.
PS: next time at chick fil A , try the grilled chicken sandwich and toss at least 1 part of the bun if not all of it. If you think it looks weird, you can eat the chicken by nibbling it while "pulling" it out of the bun. You are holding the whole sandwich but only eating the chicken - sneaky works for Mcdonald burgers too.

First, love your quote. Second, reread it. That just may give you the inspiration you need to have a better day tomorrow. Good luck.

another good choice is Greek Yogurt. I HATE the fruit on the bottom ones, and before surgery had never eaten yogurt... not even once.
Try Oikos Key Lime, it is scrumptious, so is the raspberry the fruit is blended in with the yogurt. Lots of protien - make sure it's Greek.
Just a suggestion...! Keep up the good work!

I was banded on Oct. 4th too. I'm having a lot of problems with hunger too - but just suck it up. I get to mushy foods on Friday. My coworkers and I are going to a cafeteria nearby for lunch that day, that I call the blue-haired's hangout...heee...so I can get a scoop of mashed potatoes! They have the best dinner rolls - but I'll be sliding my tray right on by...and make them soggy with my tears...hahaha - j/k.

I was banded on Oct. 4th too. I'm having a lot of problems with hunger too - but just suck it up. I get to mushy foods on Friday. My coworkers and I are going to a cafeteria nearby for lunch that day, that I call the blue-haired's hangout...heee...so I can get a scoop of mashed potatoes! They have the best dinner rolls - but I'll be sliding my tray right on by...and make them soggy with my tears...hahaha - j/k.

food addiction is VERY real. In my opinion, it's the hardest addiction there is to break too. For instance, I am an ex smoker. I smoked for almost 20 years. When I quit smoking 18 months ago, I knew I couldn't have a single puff again or I'd be smoking a pack a day again. Cigarettes were 100% off limits forever. It wasn't easy, but I quit. However, I am also a food addict. I need food to live so I can't just walk away from it. So here I am, a recovering food addict staring down the face of my addiction multiple times every day of my life. Really, think about it!! Do people take an alcoholic and say "you must drink 3 beers a day, but no more! No don't cheat! Where's your willpower?" NO!! Yet, that is EXACTLY what they expect of us food addicts. It is just brutal.
As far as the band, it is amazing tool, but sadly it won't fix our brains. That addiction is still there. I've lost a lot of weight in a relatively short amount of time and I still battle against my own brain daily. That desire to binge, to graze, to seek comfort food... is still very much there. Learning to tame my food addiction can only come from me. The band can't and won't help you with that.
The best advice I can give you is to seek counseling for your food addiction along with the Lap Band. I really think it will make the journey a lot more manageable for you and give you a much higher chance of success with the band.
Best wishes to you! Remember, you're definitely not alone.

Reading your post was like reading my own story. Thank you for sharing/venting and just know that you are not alone! A lot of us feel the same way.
I am just beginning my journey; my first consultation is on 10/30/12. I know that the lap band won't make me eat better, but it will be a tool to help me eat less, and give me the drive and determination to make the right choices when it comes to food and to exercise.
Good luck to you