LessLee

Thank you all. I am on the way home now. Surgery went smoothly. I am having some discomfort but not severe. When I get home, it will be much better.

Happy Birthday and good luck!

Best wishes!

I sympathize with your dilemma.....it's just that whenever I read anything, from anybody, and they tell other people definitive statements such as "The sweet Spot Doest not even exist" or "It is not even a tool"...I cannot sit idly by...because I, and other people DO experience those things.
If you, and other people say "For Me, the sweet spot does not exist"...that is understandable.....
Because "For Me'..I have been happily and blissfully in the "Sweet Spot" for 2 years now....so it does exist..perhaps just not for everybody.
It's not you, people do it here all the time, telling other people things that are simply not true....may be true for them based on their experience, but to tell other people...well that's just wrong.
Again, sorry for your troubles....does not mean everyone has, or will have, the same experience...that's all.
Even though the band has been nothing but "perfect" for me...I still tell people considering this surgery that "It is not for everybody" and it is NOT for everybody....

I went vegan for a bit pre-band. I felt great and my skin was soft and clear. I also did not consume a lot of soy. I still do only drink almond milk, but I eat cheese again - the only thing I missed being vegan cause vegan cheese sucks...
It may be something I will look into again after I get used to life banded. I love animals, but I didn't do it for moral reasons, although I do buy cruelty free beauty products.

Thanks Ladies. All good advic. I hav always been a slow loser which is a healthy thing but so frustrating when I am eating so much less then I used to et. Believe me I am not going to give up! Not even close. I haven't measured myself but that's a great idea! My surgery was on June 25th. I get my first fill this coming Wednesday the 17th. Thanks for the help.

Oh, I long for the day when food is such an afterthought...even a "no" thought :wub: ! Maybe one day soon....when im FINALLY banded!!!!!!!

Thanks! I forgot all about that and just used it. Time saver!

I am sorry. My husband is not the most sensitive or supportive person in the world and has said similar things. 2 weeks ago I told him I had lost 14 lbs and he turned around and said he lost 9 and didn't pay to do it.
So my point is I know how you feel. I really do think it's their own insecurities talking. Fear of us losing the weight and dropping them.
Congrats on your loss!!

I am sorry. My husband is not the most sensitive or supportive person in the world and has said similar things. 2 weeks ago I told him I had lost 14 lbs and he turned around and said he lost 9 and didn't pay to do it.
So my point is I know how you feel. I really do think it's their own insecurities talking. Fear of us losing the weight and dropping them.
Congrats on your loss!!

When was your surgery? I felt the same way the first week and then my energy came back and the soreness went away. I'm 2 weeks post-op and feel great! You will too!

Ditto! I start solids later this week and I have been so nervous about it! Thanks.

Congrats. It's positive posts like these that help curb my anxiety.

Thank You all so much! I'm serious! Thanks to each and every one of you. There was at least one gem of help in each post, which is exactly what I was looking for. I feel so encouraged now. I will read about the Pouch test and try it. I will figure out what my absolutes are. I will remember that I am not the Only one who has not lost much weight in the first six months. And I will keep coming back here and keep working on this weight loss journey for as long as it takes. You guys are awesome!

Ditto! I start solids later this week and I have been so nervous about it! Thanks.

You guys are truly saving me right now....Im still finishing testing and after the number of "bad" news posts lately I have been doubting my decision to be banded. I was seeing more bad than good and letting it get the best of me....
I know everyone is different and from your experiences you are working the band the way it is meant to be but sometimes there is so much "negative" stuff around here that as a wanna-be and workin' to be bandster it gets really scary to read it all.
So for you that posted above THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

Thanks everyone! I ended up telling my two friends tonight that my sister was making me dinner and I would come meet them afterwards. I got there when they were done eating, I ordered a virgin, frozen, strawberry margarita and only had 1 or 2 sips. I really ordered it so they wouldn't think something was up and I told them I wasn't drinking alcohol tonight because I still wasn't feeling great (I had told people I was sick with a GI bug/flu during surgery and recovery). I hate all the lies, but I don't think it is really anyone's business either. They, of course, had chips and guac at the table and kept asking me if I wanted any. It was surprisingly easy to say no. When I got home I had some sugar free jell-o

Oh my gosh SO TRUE!!!!
If one more person tells me "You should stop eating carbs" I may lose it. I've lost over 200 pounds while eating carbs so I *think* I know what I'm doing. It drives me positively insane!
I've heard the "don't get too skinny!" comment a lot lately too. Hellllooo, I still have another 40-50 pounds to lose! I am no risk of looking like an anorexic, trust me people.
Band specific ones:
-People expecting me to drop 200 pounds in 6 months. Are you freak'n kidding me?
- People who think this is the easy way. There is nothing easy about changing my entire lifestyle, counting every single calorie that goes into my mouth, and pushing my body to do exercises it hasn't done since I was a teenager. I've worked my butt off (literally!) for every ounce I've lost and it's not "easy".

As I pay more attention to making better choices, it amazes me how many calories I really used to consume. Took my nieces and nephew to lunch today at Mimi's Cafe (one of my favorite restaurants). Was very proud of myself - ordered egg white omelette made with turkey sausage, mozzarella cheese, broccoli, and tomatoes. I then only ate half. Previously I would have ordered corn chowder, chicken pot pie (1200 calories), and eaten most of the bread basket! Easily a 2500 calorie visit.
Since I only ate half my meal I thought I'd be ok to eat half of the carrot raisin muffin that came with it. Glad I only ate half because later when I was logging it I discovered the muffin was 700 calories!!
In this battle, KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!

6 months and 3 weeks ago. I was a huffing, puffing, size 24 wearing, 286 lb weighing miserable woman...today I weighed in at 186.2!!, 100 lbs gone and so much more, gone are the size 24's replaced with 12's (I have a lot of muscle!), I don't huff and puff anymore, I can run!, food does not consume my days or my thoughts anymore and I'm happy!! not miserable....If you are struggling or just starting out...I'm just a normal person, my band isn't magic, I follow the rules and respect my band, you can too

I was scared about missing food too, but I was surprised to see that I don't miss it. I still eat, I still get the satisfaction of eating, but it is not a mindless, fill up my emotions and soul eating anymore. You will be surprised with how much you emotionally DON'T need food. I used food as a crutch for when I was lonely, bored, sad, happy etc. etc. Now I actually interact with people instead and deal with my emotions head on. Best of luck to you. Anything new and uncertain is scary, but you will never know how wonderful life can be without taking a chance

Yep - I'm with B52 on this... If we could do it without the band, we would have done it. And many of us HAVE done it.......over and over and OVER again! It's a vicious cycle; big losses, even bigger gains. For so many of us, the band is a way to stop the madness.
For me, in the beginning, when I was back on mushy/solid foods, I was frustrated that I couldn't eat more. Though clearly I was "done" on a very small amount, my head yearned for more. But I'm very happy to say, that 3.5 months out, that feeling has subsided. Now, when I go out to eat and a huge plate of food is put in front of me, it somewhat grosses me out. I order what I want, and pick through, eating what I can, and then either leave the rest, or box it up to take home. But the restaurant portions now look so inflated. I'm used to smaller portions, and I enjoy every single bite; SO much more than before the band.
Head hunger is our biggest obstacle with the band….or any WLS. I go for a few days where I'm fine, and then I'll have a day where I just want to EAT! On those days I have to be more strategic with my daily calories. Maybe I'll allow myself 1,200 instead of the 1,000 I'm trying to stick to. And I'll plan little Snacks in order to satisfy that need to "hand to mouth" it. I'm at a stage in life where I've accepted that I will not break certain habits, and I’m totally okay with it. I've made SO many changes since surgery, and I continually reap the rewards for doing so.
Your concerns and fears are completely normal. I went through SO many emotions prior to surgery, and when I finally settled on the band over other WLS choices, I was completely ready. But it was quite a roller coaster ride getting here, and I haven't regretted it for one single minute. I love my band, and finally feel that my life is coming back. That would not have happened on another f-ing diet.

I don't like the groups navigation either. It's a bit confusing.
Doing pretty good, 14 days out and on soft foods. How are you Rebecca?
Hi Desert Cactus, I also had a hernia repair. How are you feeling?