lisacaron

So I don't know why but this post had me thinking about this book I read way back when called American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Long story short when it came to the "food" aspect of it. That most Americans though we have an abundance of food and we are among the fattest of people in the world are actually the most malnourished people out there. We are overweight, obese, morbidly obese and we are malnourished. So when these "nutritionists" talk to me about food I want to know if I am feeding my body what it needs. I don't just want to hear about how I need to lose weight or eat less. I can do all that and still be malnourished. I want to eat food that makes me feel good mind body and soul. I want to eat what my body needs to function and excel at all things I chose to do in a day a week a month a year a lifetime. If you can't tell me that then what good are you...? Many of us that have dealt with diets and weight control issues probably know more then the average bear out there. We didn't go to school and hear what the books had to say we learned it the good old fashion way hands on!! I think the next thing I shall focus my mind toward will be the study of nutrition because I am getting pretty darn sick and tired of those that have no idea what it is to walk in my shoes making these random comments. Stick it in your ear, say I look DAM good and that's enough! How or why I look the way I do....is because I'm simply AWESOME and that's enough of an answer

Ahhhh so true, eventually it does get better because you get used to it, and so does everyone else

Oh yes totally ok. We did that also. I loved the Chobani Greek yogurt 0% fat. Peach was my favorite. When we were doing the preop those were the lowest sugar and calories and the highest protein content. I think Dannon Greek might be now.

Thanks will do!!

What's the tip??? Share share

You know what...you had an OB Dr. right, you can ask him to sign off on the weights for you. A Dr. is a Dr. even if they "specialize" in one thing or another. See if that will work. They just want the paper work dot the i cross the t. My Dr. went back through my records for ever time I was in her office to record the weights and signed off I didn't go in for another 6 months. Some places will make you do it, my doc didn't and it won't hurt to ask your doc the worst they can say is no.

Well that was the only thing I ate for 2 days

Yes you need a fill dear, when you see your Dr. or PA make sure you tell them exactly what you are saying here. Also to help yourself during this time make sure that the foods you are choose are solid foods. Steer clear of the slider and softer foods even though those are the ones we think are the best to eat they are also the easiest to pass through the band and make us hungry again sooner. So go for the Protein as people have stated. chicken, beef, fish whole bits of them chew well and then when you can get that fill. This too shall pass.

You know oddly I have never heard of this before but there have been a few days when I think I just did that on my own for some reason. I was having a very lazy day and just didn't want to prepare anything so I was having nuts most of the day, and some cheese. I was thinking oh no I am going to gain weight..and I lost weight! Crazy...but maybe that was why?!

There is nothing to say. Everyone has a different way of eating. You could be obvious about it or you can be nonchalant about it. Order appetizers and insist you aren't hungrier then that...or order your meal eat what you wish and bag up the rest as you are full. drinks are usually served before the meal, so enjoy your beverage while you chat and then eat your meal and stop drinking. The eating drinking thing is not such a big deal after being banded for a bit and if you feel the need to have a sip or so after you eat your meal you can, and you can even have a coffee or tea after instead of dessert as well.

You look amazing!!!!

You are doing your part friend. You are here you are reaching out and it's not easy to give 100% to one thing all day everyday. I'm sure you have a job and you have a son and all those things add up to that 100% at the end of the day. Your right though a fill won't fix your head or your heart those are things you have to work on, but it looks to me like your well on your way

Happy Happy...I try to be happy every day!!

@@SecretBander I tend to agree with @@Mississippi Girl your name implies it all sista. SecretBander be that until you know where your going with this guy. If he "asks" what's up with scars etc if you get that far you can be honest and just take it as it goes. Until then just enjoy life, and go with the flow these things have a way of working themselves out. I'm happy for you!!

Honey if I could like this twice for you I would!!!

That is wonderful! I agree the weather can have an affect on me too. Not neceisarrily with my head hunger issues but it does affect my moods and the way I feel physically and that has a lot to do with what I feel like eating and not eating.

I know how you feel but that is what they are there for, we can help with support and give you some ideas of what might be going on but we are not the doctors It's always best to check with the pro's. That said I know how your feeling and we like to call it bandster hell. Until you hit that green zone, your going to be hungry...but just try to work with your hunger make good choices and care for yourself your mission right now is to heal weight loss will come later. Especially if you have an infection your body needs the TLC right now. That does not mean eat your face off my friend...but eat what your doctor recommends move to mushy when your allowed, and then to soft and let your body heal. That is the best way to have long term success without complications. Make a list and take it with you to the doctors office. When I need to I go in there with a clip board and I have medical background!!

Give the doctor's office a call and get their per-surgical packet and/or call your insurance company directly and ask them what they require. Often times what you see on the web sites is not what they want. It can be more or less. Also some doctors offices want you to have all the paper work filled out regardless, they have it for their records if they need it. Sometimes it can happen that insurance requirements change mid-stream. It's a simple thing, I know it seems overwhelming at first but trust me it's all doable.

@@wonderpooh2u my best advice in addition to what @@☠carolinagirl☠ said above is to be prepared. Do your due diligence, find out all you can about your surgery talk to others who have had the surgery and listen to their experiences but don't judge your journey based on theirs. Have everything in place for your pre-op diet if you need to be on one. Take the time to find out what shakes you like and don't like, find out what kind of foods you can eat and find the ones you like to have and stock up on them so you don't have to run out. If you have medical paper work to be done schedule your appointments and keep track of your paper work as you go so that your insurance company, Dr. and hospital have everything they need and there are no surprises. Take time off work/school, get any projects your working on wrapped up and basically get ready for a whole new life style!! Take it slow and steady and before you know it you'll be on the other side working it! Keep in touch and let us know how your doing. This is a great board for lost of support and to ask questions but remember your going to get many perspectives so take what you can use and discard the rest. Best of luck to you!

@@lorena verdugo as several people have already stated don't compare your journey to another. The key here is to lose at your pace what ever that is, and to keep it off. If you need an "expected" amount set a goal for a weekly or monthly loss and work toward that. Don't beat yourself up as you go every person is individual and will lose weight differently there is no real expectation. Doctors and surgeons can give you averages from studies of groups of people but if you were not part of the study that may not apply to you. No matter what your WLS you are walking this path and no one else even if they are walking the path beside you they are on their own journey. Be happy for the loss you have had and continue to work toward your individual goals. All the best!

It's not uncommon to not feel your port, and it is common for that area to take the longest to heal and feel a bit sore longer. However I don't like how you say that it is red around your incision. Is it also hot to the touch? If so you could have a possible infection, the doctor will let you know and I'm glad you are going in tomorrow so they can check it out for you. Don't panic, even if you do have an infection at the site. They will drain it and advise you on how to care for it. One of my incisions became infected and healed up just fine though it took a bit longer then the others so don't worry and it could be nothing. As for getting a fill, my doctor did not fill until 3 months post op. To ensure that all the surgical sites were healed and fixed, meaning the band had settled into place and the port site had healed as the port is usually sewn into the muscle. Every doctor has their own procedure and protocol though so always check with your doctor and don't be afraid to ask them questions! My advice is to make a list of things you want to ask them and bring that with you to your appointment so you don't forget to ask when you are there. Best of luck and welcome to bandland!

@@HalloweenBaby24 most of the time what they need is a list of things you have tried at but have not lost weight with. Things like diet pills, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig etc. You would just make up a list and put the years, and if you lost weight how much if you gained it back etc. When you go to the doctor they usually give you a packet with a sheet to fill out that will "document" those attempts. Some insurance companies will ask that you have a 6 month doctor supervised diet program. Basically you will see your primary Dr. and have them weigh you once a month for 6 months and see if you are losing any weight or not. Then submit the forms to the surgeon and to the insurance company before scheduling the surgery. Check with the surgeons office that you are thinking of using and ask them for the medical packet they will check with your insurance company and let you know what the requirements are. Best of luck to you!

@@Karen Pelt Great news! Happy to have you on the board! You are sure to find loads of support here!!! As @@HealthyNewMe said, that is the beauty of being banded, we have the flexibility to be able to make it work with our life style.

@@Gardnergirl2 I have to weigh in here with my 2 cents, mostly because while all the puffing up is awesome it's not going to help you do what you really need to do and that is to get real with yourself! Break ups are never easy and we all too easily fall back onto our old habits when we are faced with emotional turmoil, we look for something soft to fall back on and when we are beat up and hurting who wouldn't want something soft?! Why are you so beat up...? That's the question you need to start asking yourself! You are beat up because you are kicking your own ass! Stop it! NOW today put the stones and the Cookies down! This person whoever he/she may be has hurt you they probably hit you where it hurt and so you turned around and poured salt in the wound and you won't let it heal. It's familiar to you and if you let it heal that might mean you have to let go of it, let go of them...or worse if it scars..you might have to be reminded of it..but you will also be reminded that you are now tougher where once you were vulnerable. As for you going to see your doctor...now this is what really bothered me about your post!!! If you need to go to your doctor for a fill to help you get yourself going why they heck would you not go until you lose some weight?! That is just BS. I don't care if your doctor is not "happy" with you or your loss. Is he living in your body? Paying your bills? Suffering your ailments? Or feeling your emotional pain? If not then (pardon me) but to hell with him and what he is "happy" with. He is there for YOU. He works for YOU. If you need him you go and see him and you tell him how you feel and what you think you need from him. If you need his tough love then OK great, but if you need medical assistance to make that band work for you, honey that's why you had this surgery. Not all of us are lucky enough to have satiation without a fill. Some of us need more fill volume then others, and that is no reflection on you or your success, it does not make you failure. As CG said you are only a failure when you give up. So get your butt to the doc when and if you need to. Kick the loser who made you feel bad to the curb and when you feel like beating something up leave yourself alone and go after the person who made you feel bad, focus that energy take it to the gym and literally kick their butt and make it a win win for you!

Name, real or screen~ LIsa Caron Goal weight for May 31st~ 199 Weight on May 1st~215 Age~43 City/State~ Long Island NY Dietary goal for May~ Eat more Fruit/Vegies Exercise goal for May~30 min. 4x a week Date banded~5/6/13 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~54 Personal goal for May~ To schedule the time to take care of myself along with everything else. Favorite Flower?Lily of the Valley