mrsto

I have an appointment with the nurse at my doctor's office this morning. I'm not sure if I should have her do a small fill, as I'm not clear about the "green zone", and what it's supposed to feel like. Right now, I'm able to take pretty normal size bites. Not snarfing size bites, but.....regular. I chew pretty well, and haven't had any problems. I may have had a tiny stuck sensation, but I'm not sure what that feels like, either. What I think MAY have been a little stuck, lasts for only a few seconds. I'll feel a little jab in my sternum, right above where the band is. Most of the time, I'm clear when it's time to stop eating, but sometimes I push it a bit. I don't get hungry for about 3-4 hours, which seems okay. Right now, I have 6.4 cc's in a 10cc band. I was thinking that I might ask her to bring it up to a full 7cc's and see how that goes. I'm just not sure about the all elusive "green zone", and if I may already be there?

PS: It will take significant others a bit to fully understand what's involved with their banded partner. As much as I kept telling my husband that I can't have this or that, he kept offering up suggestions "ooh, you're on soft food, you can have X-Y-Z". I had to KEEP telling him, no.....I can't. He was only trying to help, but it was annoying. We worked this out over the weeks since being banded, and now, if he sees me eating a little too fast, he'll mention that I should probably slow down.....he doesn't want me to get sick. It's an adjustment not only for us, but those we live with. It may take a little time, but if they truly have your best interest at heart, they'll catch on

I hate when I hear that husbands/boyfriends aren't supportive. To hear that some can't put it on hold for a (relatively) short period of time, seems really selfish and self indulgent. Maybe I'm just spoiled, being married to a man who holds my best interests at heart (as I do his). The reality is, restaurant eating is only an issue in the beginning. After you move to the soft food phase, you can pick things off the menus that work with your plan. My husband and I support each other fully, on all of our endeavors. But if I felt that we could NEVER eat out again, I myself wouldn't like it. Maybe your husband isn't clear that the eating out part is only temporary? Just a thought.....

The walking helped with the gas, but to me it seemed like it was going to leave when it was good and ready I was completely rid of it after about 2 1/2 weeks.

Good post..... There is SO much psychology wrapped up in a lifetime of obesity. After going around in circles with this my entire life, I still feel like "what will I do without my protective layer". Weight isn't JUST a manifestation of overeating. It serves another purpose.....and THAT is where a lot of the mental work comes in. You have to be ready to "let go" of the weight, and be prepared to deal with all the reasons for holding onto it.

Ja-Nai - if all you are on is liquids at this point, you should probably increase your protein shakes to 3 or 4. If that is your only source of protein, 2 is not enough (in my opinion).

You go girl!!! I love it

I got fat when I was 6 as well. I was a fat kid with all the hangs ups that go with it. When I was 9, my mother took me to a diet doctor. He put my on amphetamines and Water pills. Mind you, this was 1964, and they didn't know what they know now about amphetamines. I lost some weight, but didn't maintain it. It wasn't until high school that I dropped 50 pounds without drugs. I got all kinds of attention; wonderful, and confusing. I've taken diet pills on and off (what seems like) my entire life. The 90 pounds I lost 14 years ago was with drugs, and when I was 25, I lost a ton of weight with them as well. I actually got a bit too thin, but in the mirror, I still saw more weight to lose. It got to the point where the pills could no longer hold back the wild horse inside of me, and back came the weight. Up and down UP and down.......ya'll know the story. I've gone to those pills at so many different times, but like with anything else, many times I just ate right through them. I feel that this surgery is my last chance; one that I can live with for the rest of my days.

LOL - I totally relate! If you're still on liquids, drink a LOT of water & other allowed liquids, and make sure you have PLENTY of protein. Protein is key with the band, because it helps keep you satiated for longer periods.

What phase are you at with your diet progression? Are you on mushy food or still on liquids?

Yeah - Karen is right on the mark. After surgery, not only isn't your band filled to where it will end up, but once the swelling goes down from the actual surgery, you end up (what feels like) back to your old self; hungry and able to eat much more. This is what's known as "banded hell". It's the period between surgery and your first fill. Once everything from surgery settles down, you're right where you are today. I think everything is fine, and nothing is broken :-) I would call your doctor's office tomorrow & find out when you can have that first fill.

PS: Though I hope some people surface from SD, you will find a tremendous amount of support from people all over the country (and some out of the country)....on this site. I wanted to find some people in SoCal at first, but the reality is, no matter where any of us are located, we ALL share the same issue. There is a common thread that runs through all of us, and the sharing and support that I've found here is Great

Tomorrow will be 7 weeks for me. I got the band with further curvature gastric plication. I've lost 20 pounds so far, and I'm thrilled. I'm doing very well with the band; no band related issues of pain, getting stuck, throwing up, etc. But I can't say that it's been easy. I STILL want to eat more than I should, and I want to eat things that I shouldn't. It's hard work, but the band is the first thing I've done in years, that's actually helped me lose a chunk of weight. I still have a way to go, but I'm on my way (thank God). How are you feeling, now that you're 4 days from surgery? Are you on clear or full liquids?

Good luck on your journey.... I've been on this site for about 10 weeks, and haven't seen many Californians in the forums. There are some, but not a whole lot. I hope some surface for you from SD. I'm north of you, in Thousand Oaks :-)

BRAVO! I know how good you feel!! About 3 years ago I bought a couple pairs of jeans that were on sale. They were really tight, but I figured that I'd drop a few pounds and they'd be fine. Well, THAT never happened & I forgot that I even had them; gained more weight blah blah. Tomorrow will be 7 weeks out for me, and last week I saw those jeans hanging in the closet & decided to try them on. They fit perfectly, and they are ALSO as size 18 - yeah! Like you, I will continue to shop in my own closet, as I have everything from a size 22 down to a size 6. Although, it is not my goal to get back into a 6 anymore. I'll be perfectly happy at an 8-10. Good for you.... I LOVE reading these stories!

Wow - what a difference! Thank you so much for posting these. You look absolutely fabulous!

PS: I think having steak at home for the first time is a good idea. Enjoy every bite, and please let me know how it goes. I'm a long way off from it, but look forward to having it again.

Donna - good for you! You so SO well, and really stuck to your program. I know how difficult it is, but you came through with flying colors :-) I'm so sorry to hear about your brother, and I'm glad he was well enough to spend the time with family. It's horrible to go through (I went through it with my mother), and it's so important to cherish every minute you're able to spend together. Happy Mother's Day

I had some issues & went to a naturopath. He did some tests & told me that my body wasn't processing the calcium properly. He did some adjusting & the problem went away.

It was nothing..... A little pinch; that's it. Believe me when I tell you, that you went through a LOT more with the surgery

A-mazing! I need to call the cardiac care unit just THINKING about it

You look GREAT! And I KNOW fitting into that jersey FELT great

Maybe growing up in Los Angeles, land of the "beautiful", was in part why I couldn't (and still can't) accept myself, fat. I allowed it to hold me back from SO many aspects of life, and I never felt like I was "part of" anything; not in school, not socially, etc. Don't get me wrong, I had friends and didn't live in a cave. But I always felt more like an observer than a participant. When I lost 90 pounds 14 years ago, I really came into myself. Talk about a late bloomer!! I was 43 years old! I dated when I was in my 20s, but nothing serious. My 30s (as my weight was climbing) was a total wash; didn't date, period. I got so sick of my life as it was, and decided to do something about it. After I shed the weight (that time), I really broke out of myself. I felt SO good, I went skydiving! I met my husband, and have a wonderful life. All that being said, I allowed the weight to creep back up. I gained over 90 pounds in the last 9 years. So I find myself back in the place where no matter how great a life I have, I'm personally miserable; don't want to get dressed & go out, avoid social situations, etc. But I have to tell you, since being banded, my whole attitude has changed. I've still got quite a ways to go as far as pounds, but I feel in control of my life. I feel so much better already, and I'm hopeful. I know people who are very heavy, and they are the most social and successful people I know. Not everyone allows their obesity to get in the way of their life. But for me, that was, and still is, the way I have it wired. At 57 years old, I don't see that changing anytime soon. I envy you......I really really do.

Wow, Gizenhoffer........I never really believed that anyone on earth could really be happy, fat. That is, until I read your post. And I have to say that I absolutely LOVE that you are completely comfortable in your own skin. Your post rings SO loud for me, because I've been the polar opposite my entire life. And I ALWAYS blamed it on being fat. Since this will be your first trip down the road to thin, I would venture to say that you will have some adjusting to do. I've been very thin at different times in my life, but have always gained the "lost weight" back. Yes, it is a HUGE adjustment, and can be very confusing. The last time I was at a normal weight, it took a good 2 years for my head to catch up to my new body. People respond to you differently, and you just look and feel....different. Now, that's not to say that you aren't STILL, you. But getting your head to catch up to your new body takes some time. I'm at a place where I've been at such extreme ends of the spectrum, that my mind thinks that I'm fat AND thin. When I get there THIS time, I don't expect that I'll have the mental/emotional adjusting to do. Try & focus on your health, instead of being skinny and looking like a supermodel. The bottom line is, that your health is really the issue, and WAY more important than wearing a size 8 (or whatever size you end up being). Another thing that might surprise you, is when you stop eating the way you've been; eating in a way that has maintained that higher weight, a lot of emotional baggage may bubble up to the surface. Yes, a lot of people eat because they simply love eating. I think we ALL love eating. But MANY of us eat to deal with any type of emotional issue. Whether it be depressed, bored, happy, sad.....we eat simply because we "feel". It's a drug like any other, and when we stop using our "drug", all the reasons WHY we self medicate with food, come to the surface. You sound like a pretty balanced woman, which is a GOOD thing! But go in with your eyes open, and don't be surprised if you have some feelings that you've never; either felt, or dealt with before. Changing our body image is a HUGE head trip. And I have to tell you, from seeing your picture, you're going to be a knockout!

Oops......never mind....scratch my question about eating out with people you're comfortable with. Guess I should have paid better attention to your header, which CLEARLY says "your family".