MandaMom23

You can do this! Just keep reminding yourself why you wanted to have the surgery in the first place, and also remember this is only temporary. Before you know it you'll have your band, and you'll be so happy you fought through! You've got this! Wishing you all the best!

Done!

I can relate to everything you've said. I honestly wasn't prepared at all for this part. For so long I wanted to be that person that lost weight, and hoped people would notice. To be totally honest, I never thought I'd get here. I had no clue how this could bring so many mixed emotions. I love it that people notice, yet hate it when they bring it up...if that makes sense. I never know what to say, or how to respond. Sometimes just a simple 'thank you', doesn't make them stop. it's overwhelming at times. I'm a very shy, quiet person in general. I have never ever enjoyed being the center of attention. This is all new for me. Lately I've been getting hurtful comments...basically, backhanded compliments. Things like, "you're losing too much weight", "you need to eat something", "you're getting way too skinny". I can't help but wonder why when I was 300lbs no one bothered to tell me I was 'too fat', or to 'stop eating so much', or 'you're getting too fat'? It's no less hurtful now than it would have been 148lbs ago. I know they don't mean to hurt me, but it does. Again, I don't know how to respond to those things either.

After my fills, I'm supposed to stay on liquids for 2 days, then mushies, then back to solids. Not sure what your dr's rules are with eating after a fill, but maybe you tried too soon? That being said, chicken is a problem food for me in general. Unless it's canned chicken that I can mush up, it typically doesn't go down. I can eat other solids just fine (including steak), but my band just doesn't like chicken!! I'd suggest just taking it slow, and really focus on small bites, and chewing your food like crazy! If you still find yourself struggling to get other solids down, you may have to go back in for a small unfill. Good luck!

I've never heard of the BRAT diet, but wanted to say, I hope you're feeling better very soon!

I still struggle with head hunger. I was a mindless eater for over 20 years (give or take, when I wasn't on some kind of crazy diet...), breaking that habit is a tough one! Before my band, I had no idea just how many times a day I was mindlessly wandering into the kitchen, and grabbing something to eat! I try to really pay attention to my body now. I've found that many times, I'm actually thirsty so simply a bottle of Water or some tea will satisfy my 'hunger'. If that doesn't work, I'll have a healthy snack...a few almonds, greek yogurt, string cheese, etc. There are times that doesn't even work...that's when I tell myself it's time to find something else to do, like housework! UGH! haha

I've been wondering about this as well! I've set, and gone beyond a 'goal' weight 3 times now! First 175, then 160, then 152....now, I've decided to just keep doing what I'm doing, and let my body decide when it's at a happy weight. The weightloss will have to stop eventually, and if I keep up what I'm doing now, I shouldn't (hopefully...) have to do too much extra thinking to keep the weight off! The thought of maintenance scares me, the thought of gaining all my weight back terrifies me even more!

I'm glad you called your doctor! Hopefully, a little bit of an unfill is all you need. Keep us updated!

No! Honestly, before the surgery I swore up and down I'd be totally fine with the extra skin, and would simply view it as a reminder of how far I've come. Now, having my body look like melted candle wax, I'd give anything to afford to have it removed.

If I were you I'd probably skip getting another fill (for now), and see your dietician!

I'll be honest and say I struggle with willpower nearly everyday...somedays more than others. The one thing that has really helped me is recording my food, and keeping myself accountable. Following the Protein first rule helps a TON as well! During meals, it's always protein first!! Protein will keep you feeling satisfied. Also, always having healthy Snacks on hand is a must for me!! I keep lots of cheese, little turkey links, almonds, greek yogurt, sugar free pudding for chocolate cravings, etc. Just to give you some ideas. Wishing you the best of luck! Congrats on the 27lbs loss! You're not weak, you're much stronger than you realize! You just have to believe in yourself, and you can accomplish anything! You CAN do this!!

I can totally relate. I'm trying to make this transition as well, as I'm only a pound away from my goal weight. I'm not opposed to losing more weight, but I, for the first time in my life, feel happy with where I am! I'm just beginning to set my new goals, to keep me living a healthy lifestyle forever. I want to (and feel the need to) break myself of being so obsessive with both daily weighing, and recording my every bite. So, my goals as of right now is to do a weekly weigh in, instead of a daily. Also, only to record the foods I'm don't have first hand nutrition info for (ie. dinner at a restaurant). I have been terrible with exercise, as my main focus has been my nutrition. Now I feel more than ready to fit in regular exercise. The idea of maintenance scares me. I feel like the weightloss was the 'easy' part, and the 'hard' part's yet to come. I just have to remember I have the band for a reason, and it does it's job beautifully! I need to trust it, and have faith in myself! Thank you for posting this, as it's good to know there are others who can relate to how I'm feeling! Wishing you the best of luck...wishing us ALL the best! We can do this!

uh oh, no more triscuits for you! Being stuck is no fun, that's for sure!! I usually eat apples to get extra fiber. I peel one, slice into small pieces, put a dash of cinnamon and microwave in a bowl until they're soft. It's so good! Just an idea!

Ahhhhhhhhh-MAAAAZING!!!! You're a superstar, and absolutely GORGEOUS!!

You look amazing! Great job, and CONGRATS!

YAY!! Congrats and welcome to ONEderland!

As others have said, it sounds like you're doing great to me!! You've lost 23lbs in just 2 months...that's pretty amazing! Don't let the scale dictate you! One thing that I had to do very early on was tell myself if I was going to weigh regularly, I couldn't be upset when the scale didn't say what I wanted it to! That's also when I decided to take it one pound at a time...meaning when the scale read 245, my next goal was to see 244, then 243, and so on... It made it so much easier to celebrate and be proud of each pound (and even ounces) I lost! Enjoy your vacation! You've got this!

Welcome, and congrats! Wishing you the best of luck on your journey!

I do get some discomfort (I wouldn't call it pain) on my left side, occasionally. It almost feels like something is rubbing. It doesn't happen all the time, though, and it never lasts long. My doc also says it's normal.

What you're feeling is totally normal. You've gotten some great responses here! The night before my surgery, I didn't sleep a wink wondering what the hell I was doing!! When I got to the hospital, I even told my husband I changed my mind. I just didn't have any faith in myself that I could actually make this work! I've failed how many times before, why would this be any different?? Well, here I am just a few days from being one year out, and I'm down a total of 136lbs! I reached my '2 year' goal in just 9 months. It sounds unreal to even say that! The band has really, truly changed my life. Unlike other 'diet's, the band is with us forever, constantly reminding us of our destination. We can't just take it off, or cancel our membership...it's here to stay! I guess if there's one piece of advice to give you, it's to just believe in yourself. Tell yourself you can, and you will do this!! You know it's not going to be easy, it's going to take effort, and you can't expect to come out of surgery and magically be thin (darn, that would be nice, though! haha)! Just take the journey one day at a time. Be proud of every ounce you lose, and Celebrate every non scale victory, no mater how small it may seem! In the words of Jillian Michaels... "Fear will go away, but regret is forever". You can do this!!

That's great!! CONGRATS!

You NEED to see your doc! Please!

Sounds like you're doing everything you need to! Just keep it up, and the weight will come off. I personally don't consider no loss in a week and a half a plateau. If the scale is bringing you down, it's time to put it away. Put your focus on all the things the scale can't show you! Keep up the great work! You can do this!

I think people think of restriction as the band physically stopping them from eating. It just doesn't work that way. As said above, it's about feeling satisfied on a smaller amount of food. It's not going to (and shouldn't) stop you from eating Cookies, and ice cream...but just because you can eat them all day long, doesn't mean you should!

I'm so sorry you're having to go through all this. My thoughts are with you, and I wish you all the best with everything. Take care!!!