mrsto

I have to disagree with you. All you have to do to get fat is eat more than you need, it can be done as easily on healthy food as unhealthy food. What a lot of people don't relaise though is how much their little treats add up, so although their diet is 90% healthy they forget that the cookies etc they eat in between all add up. Plus things like cheese are healthy but only in moderation. Then there are all the foods that we have been fooled into thinking they are healthy e.g low fat foods not realising that they are actually high calorie and full of sugar.
Being a short (153cm) person who is now at a healthy BMI I can see how easy it is to inadvertently eat too much and gain weight. My BMR is ridiculously low and the older and slimmer you get the lower your BMR gets. So effectively if you eat the same at 50 as you did at 30 you will gain weight. Sometimes all it takes is 1 extra cookie each day......................

I think there is some real truth in here that when we hold up a mirror to ourselves, if we're getting WLS we make poor food choices. I agree with Cassandra tho, organic food and healthful options (vegetarians, vegans, etc) can still lead people to being overweight if portions are out of control. Maybe you're including that within the poor choices - because chronic overeating is for sure a poor choice - but I don't think it's absolutely always the case that McDonald's is at the root of the problem - portion control can be the root issue as well.
(all that said, i don't mean to misrepresent myself. i love fries. i've just decided i love me and the idea of being around for a long time a lot more.)

EXCELLENT! It takes a long time to deal with those issues. I was in an in-patient eating disorders program 26 years ago. It certainly didn't cure me, but it altered the destructive path I was on. But it continued to rear its ugly face at various times since then. It's a curse; one that we're never really cured of. We can only do the continuous work to keep it in check.
Beanie - I'm glad you're in therapy dealing with this. It will go a long way toward your success; not only with the band, but in your life as well. As I'm sure you're learning, the problem isn't compulsive eating/binging. It's all of the underlying emotional issues that fuel the behavior. Bravo to you for taking care of YOU!

Sounds like you're off to a good start. I've been banded since 3/25/13, and it is difficult at times. Unfortunately (you've probably read this several times), the band goes around our stomach, not our brain. Food addiction is something we'll have to deal with our entire life; band or no band.
The most important thing my doctor and his staff drummed into our brains (and continue to do so), is that the band is a tool, NOT a cure. Your desire to binge will not go away. Just be prepared, and lean on the support at your doctor's office, and on this site. There is a lot of help to be had here; you came to the right place!
The very best of luck to you!!

Yup! I told them at my first appointment. They just said I needed to be cleared by psych and I was.

Thanks for your comment Mrsinto! I didn't mention in my op that I've been doing some binge eating/eating disorders therapy for about 4 months. I'm in a really good place now! I'm excited for what the future holds!

I love this!!!!

I love this!!!!

you are a very sweet man. Lucky wife and husband, works both ways.

Steph, I am a geek. I have all the dates, first kiss, proposal, etc. recorded in my calendar.

i bet if you asked or told your dr, they could offer you better advice than you'd get here

Stephanie - you are in the most difficult part of the journey. The only way I can describe that part (for me), was a roller coaster ride, unlike any other. But I have to tell you.....now 11 weeks out, and back to most foods, it totally changes. No, the weight doesn't fall off (yeah, I wish it would, too), but it's coming off consistently, and now I look back on the last 11 weeks, and I'm 26 pounds lighter. Would this have happened without the band? NO - it wouldn't have!
When the negative ego rears its ugly face, try & remove yourself from it; listen to its unreasonable voice, but stay neutral. You can't really stop it from talking to you.....it's been with you forEVER. The "real you" knows what's best for Stephanie, and that is the voice that needs to intervene between all "head conversations". I refer to these as "the committee". The real you is the one in control.
I love the analogy of the baseball game! Hold on to that..... THAT Stephanie is the captain of the ship. You can and you WILL do this!! It was a good decision, and I believe that you will know that clearly in the weeks to come :-)

Stephanie - you are in the most difficult part of the journey. The only way I can describe that part (for me), was a roller coaster ride, unlike any other. But I have to tell you.....now 11 weeks out, and back to most foods, it totally changes. No, the weight doesn't fall off (yeah, I wish it would, too), but it's coming off consistently, and now I look back on the last 11 weeks, and I'm 26 pounds lighter. Would this have happened without the band? NO - it wouldn't have!
When the negative ego rears its ugly face, try & remove yourself from it; listen to its unreasonable voice, but stay neutral. You can't really stop it from talking to you.....it's been with you forEVER. The "real you" knows what's best for Stephanie, and that is the voice that needs to intervene between all "head conversations". I refer to these as "the committee". The real you is the one in control.
I love the analogy of the baseball game! Hold on to that..... THAT Stephanie is the captain of the ship. You can and you WILL do this!! It was a good decision, and I believe that you will know that clearly in the weeks to come :-)

These are the tough days, but you can and will be successful. We will be here with you! TH9ink positive!

Thanks for that, I can use all the positive feedback I can get to fight this.
~~~Stephanie

Stephanie - you are in the most difficult part of the journey. The only way I can describe that part (for me), was a roller coaster ride, unlike any other. But I have to tell you.....now 11 weeks out, and back to most foods, it totally changes. No, the weight doesn't fall off (yeah, I wish it would, too), but it's coming off consistently, and now I look back on the last 11 weeks, and I'm 26 pounds lighter. Would this have happened without the band? NO - it wouldn't have!
When the negative ego rears its ugly face, try & remove yourself from it; listen to its unreasonable voice, but stay neutral. You can't really stop it from talking to you.....it's been with you forEVER. The "real you" knows what's best for Stephanie, and that is the voice that needs to intervene between all "head conversations". I refer to these as "the committee". The real you is the one in control.
I love the analogy of the baseball game! Hold on to that..... THAT Stephanie is the captain of the ship. You can and you WILL do this!! It was a good decision, and I believe that you will know that clearly in the weeks to come :-)

Don't be too hard on yourself. The key here is, that you're right back on track today. This is how it's going to be through the rest of your life; allowing yourself a little something off plan on occasion, but then hopping right back on track.
I was banded on 3/25/13, and decided that the Memorial Day BBQ I went to, would be the day I allowed myself some wine. I hadn't had anything to drink three months prior, and thought one glass would be all I could tolerate. Not! I think that I drank damn near an entire bottle! I tolerated it fine, but didn't feel very well for a couple of days. Not sick; just off a shade or two. I'd like to say "lesson learned", but I'm sure I'll have a day like that again. Felt NO pain & had a great time!!

Don't be too hard on yourself. The key here is, that you're right back on track today. This is how it's going to be through the rest of your life; allowing yourself a little something off plan on occasion, but then hopping right back on track.
I was banded on 3/25/13, and decided that the Memorial Day BBQ I went to, would be the day I allowed myself some wine. I hadn't had anything to drink three months prior, and thought one glass would be all I could tolerate. Not! I think that I drank damn near an entire bottle! I tolerated it fine, but didn't feel very well for a couple of days. Not sick; just off a shade or two. I'd like to say "lesson learned", but I'm sure I'll have a day like that again. Felt NO pain & had a great time!!

That's why I'm here on this site. In the 7 years of having the band, I've never participated in any sort of support group or even electronic forum. This is such an intensely personal issue for me, that I have a hard time letting my poker face slip. But that's all part of the problem for me, so I decided to get and give support so that it's not all about me for once.

You are recognizing recent eating behaivor's not conducive to your new lifestyle.....success! You are in "Onderland"...success (I am still having trouble getting there and I am 1 pound away)! You have lost 56 pounds in 11 months.....success! Stop thinking about your progress as slow or failing and think about all the successes in your life...including the small NSV's. Our attitude's play a huge part in this. I find 2 things everyday that I pat myself on the back for. This could be taking a walk (yay me) or logging my food for the day (whatever the calories are...I have logged it). These are all successes for me!

We didn't gain these habits or weight overnight, and it is hard to change what have been mostly life-long habits. The fact is, you haven't given up so you are not a failure.
As for Chick-Fil-A, I go there from time to time for lunch. However, I order the grilled chicken nugget kids meal, with fruit as the side and diet lemonade. It's low cal, good nutrition and I felt like I was still able to "eat out". Maybe if you find yourself there you could opt for something like that ... just a suggestion. I know it's not easy.

Kimme - it's always a struggle, and we're not perfect people. That is what makes us, human.
As you know from your own experience, sometimes this process flows pretty easily; we're highly motivated, feeling good, looking forward in a positive way.... Then, life happens & knocks us off of our foundation. This by NO means makes you a failure. It makes you, human.
I've gotten a lot from your posts, and I feel confident that you will get back on track. Life is all about ebbs & flows, and I believe that a momentary setback will not stop you from moving forward on the path you charted for yourself.
And please please PLEASE stop beating yourself up and driving yourself crazy with the "I should'a done this, that or the other thing". That will only keep you in a negative state. Accept where you are.....and move forward. NOT easy, I know! You've come so far, and you can continue on.
A doctor once told me that success isn't being a perfect dieter. It's being someone who gets right back on track after blowing it. We all have to accept, that is the way it will always be. Life is not black & white. It's many shades of gray.

Kimme - it's always a struggle, and we're not perfect people. That is what makes us, human.
As you know from your own experience, sometimes this process flows pretty easily; we're highly motivated, feeling good, looking forward in a positive way.... Then, life happens & knocks us off of our foundation. This by NO means makes you a failure. It makes you, human.
I've gotten a lot from your posts, and I feel confident that you will get back on track. Life is all about ebbs & flows, and I believe that a momentary setback will not stop you from moving forward on the path you charted for yourself.
And please please PLEASE stop beating yourself up and driving yourself crazy with the "I should'a done this, that or the other thing". That will only keep you in a negative state. Accept where you are.....and move forward. NOT easy, I know! You've come so far, and you can continue on.
A doctor once told me that success isn't being a perfect dieter. It's being someone who gets right back on track after blowing it. We all have to accept, that is the way it will always be. Life is not black & white. It's many shades of gray.

Kimme - it's always a struggle, and we're not perfect people. That is what makes us, human.
As you know from your own experience, sometimes this process flows pretty easily; we're highly motivated, feeling good, looking forward in a positive way.... Then, life happens & knocks us off of our foundation. This by NO means makes you a failure. It makes you, human.
I've gotten a lot from your posts, and I feel confident that you will get back on track. Life is all about ebbs & flows, and I believe that a momentary setback will not stop you from moving forward on the path you charted for yourself.
And please please PLEASE stop beating yourself up and driving yourself crazy with the "I should'a done this, that or the other thing". That will only keep you in a negative state. Accept where you are.....and move forward. NOT easy, I know! You've come so far, and you can continue on.
A doctor once told me that success isn't being a perfect dieter. It's being someone who gets right back on track after blowing it. We all have to accept, that is the way it will always be. Life is not black & white. It's many shades of gray.

Kimme - it's always a struggle, and we're not perfect people. That is what makes us, human.
As you know from your own experience, sometimes this process flows pretty easily; we're highly motivated, feeling good, looking forward in a positive way.... Then, life happens & knocks us off of our foundation. This by NO means makes you a failure. It makes you, human.
I've gotten a lot from your posts, and I feel confident that you will get back on track. Life is all about ebbs & flows, and I believe that a momentary setback will not stop you from moving forward on the path you charted for yourself.
And please please PLEASE stop beating yourself up and driving yourself crazy with the "I should'a done this, that or the other thing". That will only keep you in a negative state. Accept where you are.....and move forward. NOT easy, I know! You've come so far, and you can continue on.
A doctor once told me that success isn't being a perfect dieter. It's being someone who gets right back on track after blowing it. We all have to accept, that is the way it will always be. Life is not black & white. It's many shades of gray.