koolkel

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!

Take a bite and put your fork or spoon down until you feel the food clear your band. This takes a lot of practice and time to master. Also, make your first bite smaller than the rest of your bites. I always have to take a 'primer' bite. Don't drink with meals and try to learn how to eat using foods like refried Beans, cottage cheese, or chili. Those are good practice foods. Some people have to use smaller untensils or even count to thirty before the next bite. Just find out what works for you. Also, I don't eat Breakfast because I am usually tight in the morning. I just drink hot liquids all morning like Decaf coffee until my band opens up. Good luck!

Stuck on yogurt? Something is not right. Your band might be too tight, and that can cause some of the problems you're experiencing. You might ask your doctor about doing a fill under fluoroscopy; that will show the band restriction and give some idea on whether you really need another fill, or an unfill.

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.

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

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/08/tongue-patch-diet-hard-to-swallow_n_3404989.html?utm_hp_ref=weird-news
2,000 for 30 days, why not save yourself some money, for 1.000 you could simply hire someone to follow you around and punch you in the mouth every time you tried to eat.

got my band the same day have lost 40 pounds post op. I too feel there is no change, but people tell me there is and my clothes are getting larger so I cloths shop in my closet yesterday and got some pants a size smaller. Yippiiee. I wonder if it is my psychological that we can't see the change. My shirt size has gone from 17.5 to 16.5 and pants from 42 to 38 so I know something is working. Keep up the good work.

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?

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?

Well I can't wait to loose 40 lbs I also have the whole packages boobs & all it's this fatty patty waist that I want to see Gone!!!!

Well, I can officially say I'm 52 lbs down as of yesterday.now, that's what the scale says. I look in the full length mirror and I don't see any difference :-( I am still wearing the same clothes but some of the clothes do feel looser but I'm still seeing the same old me in the mirror. I hope I start to see a better image of me and recognize my weight loss.

When I look in the mirror, the only place I see the weight loss (42 pounds since 4/24) is in my face and neck. However, there are lots of places you lose weright that you don't notice until you start looking. I don't often wear a watch lately, but I put mine on last week. It spins around freely where it used to be snug. My clothes are fitting loosely now, to the point where I am starting to buy new pants and belts. I am getting close to having an outie after 40+ years of an innie. And yes, my shoes are not fitting any more :-)
Yet, when I look in the mirror I see the same gut and same old body. It is going to take some time to change the way I see myself.

Did you happen to take your measurements before surgery? I measured myself again the other night (5 months post-op) and I was amazed at the numbers. Even though the scale is slow moving, my measurements have changed drastically. That gave me a little boost because I don't yet see it in the mirror either. It does help to keep your before and after pictures handy for a gentle reminder of how far you've come. Keep up the great work pretty lady!

I understand I lost 40 pounds and I still don't see it. I think it a mental thing.

I looked at your before and after pics and I can tell a huge difference!
You look absolutely amazing!
Keep it up! Dont get discouraged! Remember you are beautiful inside and out, and this is helping your health!

Track you body measurements. Inches lost is weight lost. If you don't think 40 pounds is a loss pick up a big bag of dog food at the grocery store and carry it around for a while. It is HEAVY! Keep up the good work. Sometimes the brain takes a while to catch up since you see yourself every day. Trust in the scales and consider the body measurements. Good luck!

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.

I've lost 26 pounds, and I do see it in the mirror. I'm certainly not where I'm going to be, but I see a deflated, me. I was also able to wear a pair of pants yesterday, that I hadn't worn in over two years. Another confirmation!
Koolkel - do you have pictures from before surgery? I think it's a good idea to repeat pictures at different weight loss intervals, and compare them side by side to the starting pictures. Our eyes can play tricks on us when looking in a mirror, but the pictures don't lie.
Many years ago, when I was getting ready to start (yet another) diet, I had my sister come over and take a set of pictures of me in a two piece bathing suit; front, back and side views. Every 10 pounds she took another set. This was one of the greatest tools ever! After the first 10 pounds lost, I couldn't see anything in the mirror. But looking at the pictures, I could see bulges minimize, from where the bathing suit squeezed by skin. So - even though the mirror didn't reflect my progress, the pictures told me that things were happening.
Good luck!

When i look in the mirror i see the same as well... do you feel it in your clothes? They say a scale can be our worst friend.. i say our mirror is equally just as bad.. we get all in our head about it ... i use pictures, and the way the clothes feel and the joy of being able to pull a pair of work pants up and down without unbuttoning or unzipping... i also say go get yourself a nice summer dress.. one that's easy to be taken in through out your journey..What you see is what you make of it ..