koolkel

I think my biggest battle right now is STOPPING! I eat and enjoy the food and its hard to stop eating. It makes perfect sense that when I take in more than my band can handle, it backs up and forces itself out. This is a huge mental fight for me, especially when eating out or in a social setting. Everyone is still eating and I'm just sitting there, so i will try another small bite. One bite over capacity and I'm heading to the ladies room. My son now hands me napkins and says he can see it on my face. At home I will remove all food from the table but in restaurants or at friends homes, it more difficult. I'm still chalking this up to my behavior and considering it a learning curve. The aversion of choking on food is going to teach me my limits( I hope!!)

I wasn't losing for the last few weeks but this morning I was down 2lbs and felt lighter. I'm going to focus on my behavior and see if that helps. If I keep getting stuck, I'll consider a tiny unfill. I may be hungry due to my thyroid med dosage( I'm guessing it needs to decrease because of my weight loss.) when I'm hyperthyroid, I experience unending hunger!

So-- I had my third fill and refused a fourth because I keep getting stuck. Several times a week, I have to "spit" out food stuck above my band. I feel this is self-induced( though time of day influences it as well.) I'm actually scared of another fill. I am afraid I will actually choke or vomit. I'm hungry. Some days I feel like i can eat and eat and eat( bottomless pit!) I'm hungry every few hours. I'm guessing I am not in green zone but I'm afraid of more fill! Any advice? I'm modifying my bites and chews, but I've even been stuck on yogurt!

I chose band for a number of reasons: It's less invasive It's reversible I remain in control And most importantly, because the weight loss is slower. I form hypertrophic scars. I was afraid of losing too fast, having excess skin, and not being able to have corrective surgery. My surgeon suggested sleeve a few times. I will admit, the idea of rapid weight loss tempted me. I just think its healthier in the long-term for us to lose slowly and to work at it. I had my band placed in Feb 2013 and I've lost 40lbs. I've fought for each pound! This isn't easy and you absolutely have to burn more calories than you eat every single day. I know people who have experienced complications from each of the bariatric procedures. I will say, the band complications are easier to fix!

Bread was my downfall before surgery, now I don't even think about it! However, my biggest craving these days is PIZZA! Thin crust, cheesy pizza that I never cared much about before.

I've been having PBs quite a bit since my third fill. Lettuce will cause it for me as well as eating on the go and not concentrating. I haven't had extreme pain but I feel like I'm gagging. My mouth gets watery and slimy. I sort of burp up what's stuck. The other night I drank water without thinking and it was a BIG mistake! Everything flew out of my mouth, right in a restaurant. Sometimes it's only one expulsion and other times it "spit up" several times. I have had no lasting pain after these episodes and I can eat again shortly after. It's definitely a learning period for me--- it's like aversion therapy. I have become super aware of what and how I'm eating. It now takes me 20 minutes to eat a container of yogurt, especially in the morning.

That's awesome!!! I'm experiencing the same. Seems that seeing results is the best possible reinforcement. Cheers to you!! I'll swim some extra laps in your honor! Lol

I can only have very small bites of crusty( toasted) breads. Even wraps will get me stuck. I have been avoiding most bread since my third fill

My doctor calls that "The Last Supper" syndrome! Lol I gained 13lbs in the month before my surgery( but I also quit smoking...) I found myself eating things that I thought I wouldn't ever eat again. It happens. Now that I'm on the other side though, I can't help but think how much further along I'd be if I hadn't gain that weight. Weight loss with the band is hard work. It's slow going. It takes monumental effort and self-control. I knew that but I guess I didn't really KNOW it, if you know what I mean. Think about this: every pound you gain before surgery is a pound you will fight to lose after. Why not start the fight now so that you can be rewarded by a transformation sooner?

Go get'em!! Good Luck!!

I guess that the weight, while falling away from bodies, remains in our heads. I went into this with a realistic expectation ( I think,) but now realize that my vision of weight loss was skewed. I thought that I would be wearing normal sized clothes, I thought my boobs would be smaller, I thought I would be able to run a marathon( lol!) I'm still overweight. I still need major toning. Today I will focus on the good stuff instead of what is stuck in my head. I finally have cheekbones, my double chin has disappeared, I no longer need wide width shoes, I can swim as fast and as far as I did when I swam competitively, I can walk up several flights of stairs, I have a bit of a waist.... And I bought myself a waterproof iPod and headphones for my birthday--- now I will be able to swim laps for HOURS!! I appreciate each of you who responded. It helps to know that I'm not the only one stuck in my 263lb body image.

See, I always RAN from cameras!! Lol! I just added a pic of me right before my surgery and one of me from last month. My scale says I've lost, but photos really show the same me! Maybe my feet shrunk? Lol I am done one size comfortably. I can wriggle into clothes that are 2 sizes smaller but I crave comfort. I'm going to look for old pictures and see what they say. Thank you everyone! It's nice to know I'm not the only one. I joke that I have reverse body dysmorphic syndrome. I don't think I ever saw myself as as fat as I really was.