BandedBrunette481

i hate feeling full.i can't wait to find out what done feels like. surgery on may20th.

I've been banded about 2 months now, I have 3cc's in my band, and I've been working at listening to the signals my band is sending. I think it's hard for us newly banded people to always tell what level of restriction we're at. I honestly don't know if I'm in the green zone or not, but I had an epiphany the other day about being full. It went like this:
Last night, after a home cooked meal with friends, everyone was sitting around talking about how full they were and rubbing their stomachs. I sat there thinking am I full too?
I wanted to ask them all how they knew they were full. Did they feel it in their stomachs, physically? Because that’s what my definition of full was before I was banded. I was full when I physically felt as though I couldn’t eat another bite. If I felt like I could still eat more, I wasn’t full.
Epiphany: I was still expecting that feeling after being banded, just that it would happen with less food, and that is all sorts of wrong!
That’s not how full is supposed to feel for anyone, banded or not. That’s what overeating feels like. Maybe full is the wrong word to use in general because, to me, it means “no more room.” My doctor often uses the term ‘satisfied’ in place of full but that doesn’t work for me either because I’m a food addict, I’m never quite “satisfied” with any amount of food. That’s how I got up to 235 pounds, ya know what I mean?
I prefer the word done, as in “I am done eating.” I don’t have to be full or satisfied to be done eating. It just means I have to stop, whatever the reason. Plus, it sounds very final and that helps me stop my head hunger.
So, was I done eating at that dinner with friends? Absolutely. I could tell that I had eaten in the sense that I felt the food in my stomach, but I wasn’t hurting or feeling uncomfortable like so many of my companions. I was just done.
It’s wonderful to realize that I don’t have to strive for full or even satisfied. I just have to eat enough of the right things to fuel my body and then be done. (This is an excerpt from my original blog post. Click here if you want to read the whole thing)
I wanted to share this on the forum because I hope it can inspire others who are struggling.
So who's with me on making "done" the new term for full?

You've got it right - take it one day at a time! It's a lot harder than it seems, but it is well worth it. I honestly attribute the pre-op diet to most of my success post-op. That 2 weeks of liquids changed my whole outlook on food. By the time I had surgery I could have cared less about fast food and sweets. I would have been happy with a salad! And since you get to gradually add new foods post-op, it's like rediscovering everything. My tastes have changed and healthy foods I never thought I would eat, I actually enjoy.
Great job resisting temptation as well! That's something you're going to encounter a lot on this journey, so it's good to start building that habit now. I find that doing other things and staying buys helps keep your mind off the food cravings.
Just try and remember that it does serve a purpose and in the end, it is going to be SO worth it!

I've been banded about 2 months now, I have 3cc's in my band, and I've been working at listening to the signals my band is sending. I think it's hard for us newly banded people to always tell what level of restriction we're at. I honestly don't know if I'm in the green zone or not, but I had an epiphany the other day about being full. It went like this:
Last night, after a home cooked meal with friends, everyone was sitting around talking about how full they were and rubbing their stomachs. I sat there thinking am I full too?
I wanted to ask them all how they knew they were full. Did they feel it in their stomachs, physically? Because that’s what my definition of full was before I was banded. I was full when I physically felt as though I couldn’t eat another bite. If I felt like I could still eat more, I wasn’t full.
Epiphany: I was still expecting that feeling after being banded, just that it would happen with less food, and that is all sorts of wrong!
That’s not how full is supposed to feel for anyone, banded or not. That’s what overeating feels like. Maybe full is the wrong word to use in general because, to me, it means “no more room.” My doctor often uses the term ‘satisfied’ in place of full but that doesn’t work for me either because I’m a food addict, I’m never quite “satisfied” with any amount of food. That’s how I got up to 235 pounds, ya know what I mean?
I prefer the word done, as in “I am done eating.” I don’t have to be full or satisfied to be done eating. It just means I have to stop, whatever the reason. Plus, it sounds very final and that helps me stop my head hunger.
So, was I done eating at that dinner with friends? Absolutely. I could tell that I had eaten in the sense that I felt the food in my stomach, but I wasn’t hurting or feeling uncomfortable like so many of my companions. I was just done.
It’s wonderful to realize that I don’t have to strive for full or even satisfied. I just have to eat enough of the right things to fuel my body and then be done. (This is an excerpt from my original blog post. Click here if you want to read the whole thing)
I wanted to share this on the forum because I hope it can inspire others who are struggling.
So who's with me on making "done" the new term for full?

I've only had one fill so far but it was a big one. They put 3cc's in my 10cc band and I could feel it going in and then I got this weird feeling of pressure in my throat. But the liquids and mushy foods I ate the first few days after went down just fine. I was hungrier than I had ever been, in fact. It took me about a week to feel like I had gotten a fill. I still don't feel as though there is much restriction, since anything gets through, but I did get that not hungry feeling you mentioned! I like that part

I've been banded about 2 months now, I have 3cc's in my band, and I've been working at listening to the signals my band is sending. I think it's hard for us newly banded people to always tell what level of restriction we're at. I honestly don't know if I'm in the green zone or not, but I had an epiphany the other day about being full. It went like this:
Last night, after a home cooked meal with friends, everyone was sitting around talking about how full they were and rubbing their stomachs. I sat there thinking am I full too?
I wanted to ask them all how they knew they were full. Did they feel it in their stomachs, physically? Because that’s what my definition of full was before I was banded. I was full when I physically felt as though I couldn’t eat another bite. If I felt like I could still eat more, I wasn’t full.
Epiphany: I was still expecting that feeling after being banded, just that it would happen with less food, and that is all sorts of wrong!
That’s not how full is supposed to feel for anyone, banded or not. That’s what overeating feels like. Maybe full is the wrong word to use in general because, to me, it means “no more room.” My doctor often uses the term ‘satisfied’ in place of full but that doesn’t work for me either because I’m a food addict, I’m never quite “satisfied” with any amount of food. That’s how I got up to 235 pounds, ya know what I mean?
I prefer the word done, as in “I am done eating.” I don’t have to be full or satisfied to be done eating. It just means I have to stop, whatever the reason. Plus, it sounds very final and that helps me stop my head hunger.
So, was I done eating at that dinner with friends? Absolutely. I could tell that I had eaten in the sense that I felt the food in my stomach, but I wasn’t hurting or feeling uncomfortable like so many of my companions. I was just done.
It’s wonderful to realize that I don’t have to strive for full or even satisfied. I just have to eat enough of the right things to fuel my body and then be done. (This is an excerpt from my original blog post. Click here if you want to read the whole thing)
I wanted to share this on the forum because I hope it can inspire others who are struggling.
So who's with me on making "done" the new term for full?

I've been banded about 2 months now, I have 3cc's in my band, and I've been working at listening to the signals my band is sending. I think it's hard for us newly banded people to always tell what level of restriction we're at. I honestly don't know if I'm in the green zone or not, but I had an epiphany the other day about being full. It went like this:
Last night, after a home cooked meal with friends, everyone was sitting around talking about how full they were and rubbing their stomachs. I sat there thinking am I full too?
I wanted to ask them all how they knew they were full. Did they feel it in their stomachs, physically? Because that’s what my definition of full was before I was banded. I was full when I physically felt as though I couldn’t eat another bite. If I felt like I could still eat more, I wasn’t full.
Epiphany: I was still expecting that feeling after being banded, just that it would happen with less food, and that is all sorts of wrong!
That’s not how full is supposed to feel for anyone, banded or not. That’s what overeating feels like. Maybe full is the wrong word to use in general because, to me, it means “no more room.” My doctor often uses the term ‘satisfied’ in place of full but that doesn’t work for me either because I’m a food addict, I’m never quite “satisfied” with any amount of food. That’s how I got up to 235 pounds, ya know what I mean?
I prefer the word done, as in “I am done eating.” I don’t have to be full or satisfied to be done eating. It just means I have to stop, whatever the reason. Plus, it sounds very final and that helps me stop my head hunger.
So, was I done eating at that dinner with friends? Absolutely. I could tell that I had eaten in the sense that I felt the food in my stomach, but I wasn’t hurting or feeling uncomfortable like so many of my companions. I was just done.
It’s wonderful to realize that I don’t have to strive for full or even satisfied. I just have to eat enough of the right things to fuel my body and then be done. (This is an excerpt from my original blog post. Click here if you want to read the whole thing)
I wanted to share this on the forum because I hope it can inspire others who are struggling.
So who's with me on making "done" the new term for full?

Thank you!!! I'm glad it's resonating with so many people

My birthday is May 5th

I've been banded about 2 months now, I have 3cc's in my band, and I've been working at listening to the signals my band is sending. I think it's hard for us newly banded people to always tell what level of restriction we're at. I honestly don't know if I'm in the green zone or not, but I had an epiphany the other day about being full. It went like this:
Last night, after a home cooked meal with friends, everyone was sitting around talking about how full they were and rubbing their stomachs. I sat there thinking am I full too?
I wanted to ask them all how they knew they were full. Did they feel it in their stomachs, physically? Because that’s what my definition of full was before I was banded. I was full when I physically felt as though I couldn’t eat another bite. If I felt like I could still eat more, I wasn’t full.
Epiphany: I was still expecting that feeling after being banded, just that it would happen with less food, and that is all sorts of wrong!
That’s not how full is supposed to feel for anyone, banded or not. That’s what overeating feels like. Maybe full is the wrong word to use in general because, to me, it means “no more room.” My doctor often uses the term ‘satisfied’ in place of full but that doesn’t work for me either because I’m a food addict, I’m never quite “satisfied” with any amount of food. That’s how I got up to 235 pounds, ya know what I mean?
I prefer the word done, as in “I am done eating.” I don’t have to be full or satisfied to be done eating. It just means I have to stop, whatever the reason. Plus, it sounds very final and that helps me stop my head hunger.
So, was I done eating at that dinner with friends? Absolutely. I could tell that I had eaten in the sense that I felt the food in my stomach, but I wasn’t hurting or feeling uncomfortable like so many of my companions. I was just done.
It’s wonderful to realize that I don’t have to strive for full or even satisfied. I just have to eat enough of the right things to fuel my body and then be done. (This is an excerpt from my original blog post. Click here if you want to read the whole thing)
I wanted to share this on the forum because I hope it can inspire others who are struggling.
So who's with me on making "done" the new term for full?

You've got it right - take it one day at a time! It's a lot harder than it seems, but it is well worth it. I honestly attribute the pre-op diet to most of my success post-op. That 2 weeks of liquids changed my whole outlook on food. By the time I had surgery I could have cared less about fast food and sweets. I would have been happy with a salad! And since you get to gradually add new foods post-op, it's like rediscovering everything. My tastes have changed and healthy foods I never thought I would eat, I actually enjoy.
Great job resisting temptation as well! That's something you're going to encounter a lot on this journey, so it's good to start building that habit now. I find that doing other things and staying buys helps keep your mind off the food cravings.
Just try and remember that it does serve a purpose and in the end, it is going to be SO worth it!

If you're looking for some help with other weight loss surgery related terms, I made a glossary of terms on my blog! Check it out if you're looking for other definitions
http://blissfullybanded.wordpress.com/2014/01/29/weight-loss-surgery-glossary/

You've got it right - take it one day at a time! It's a lot harder than it seems, but it is well worth it. I honestly attribute the pre-op diet to most of my success post-op. That 2 weeks of liquids changed my whole outlook on food. By the time I had surgery I could have cared less about fast food and sweets. I would have been happy with a salad! And since you get to gradually add new foods post-op, it's like rediscovering everything. My tastes have changed and healthy foods I never thought I would eat, I actually enjoy.
Great job resisting temptation as well! That's something you're going to encounter a lot on this journey, so it's good to start building that habit now. I find that doing other things and staying buys helps keep your mind off the food cravings.
Just try and remember that it does serve a purpose and in the end, it is going to be SO worth it!

All the other commenters are right, pizza is not a good choice. But! I will say this. I ate pizza within a month of being banded too. I limited my portion size to one small slice and I enjoyed every bite of it!
However, I don't make a habit out of eating pizza or anything else that is unhealthy. I'm not one of those super strict dieters who only eat Protein and veggies. I just make smart choices, limit my carb intake, and limit my portion sizes. I also developed a lot of self control. It takes a lot of hard work on my part and it's something I had to work on, it didn't happen overnight.
You asked what you should be eating in the first month. My surgeon's instructions had me back on regular food on the 4th week after surgery. But that doesn't mean go crazy and eat whatever you want. You still want to take it slow and keep it healthy. You should be eating mostly Protein. Remember, you're trying to build good habits that will last the rest of your life.
You're going to make mistakes. Everyone does. But you have to get back on track and think about why you're doing this. Keep your eye on the prize! It's a tough journey, but it's worth it

All the other commenters are right, pizza is not a good choice. But! I will say this. I ate pizza within a month of being banded too. I limited my portion size to one small slice and I enjoyed every bite of it!
However, I don't make a habit out of eating pizza or anything else that is unhealthy. I'm not one of those super strict dieters who only eat Protein and veggies. I just make smart choices, limit my carb intake, and limit my portion sizes. I also developed a lot of self control. It takes a lot of hard work on my part and it's something I had to work on, it didn't happen overnight.
You asked what you should be eating in the first month. My surgeon's instructions had me back on regular food on the 4th week after surgery. But that doesn't mean go crazy and eat whatever you want. You still want to take it slow and keep it healthy. You should be eating mostly Protein. Remember, you're trying to build good habits that will last the rest of your life.
You're going to make mistakes. Everyone does. But you have to get back on track and think about why you're doing this. Keep your eye on the prize! It's a tough journey, but it's worth it

Congrats on your upcoming surgery! It is worth it all in the end
And welcome to the forums! It's a great place to find help and support. I'm only about 2 months out, but I have a blog you can check out that details my progress if you're interested. I have a recipes page you might find useful since you're going to be starting the LapBand post-op diet before you know it. The link is in my signature below!

I take 7 or 8 coconut covered almonds, 7 or 8 dark cocoa dusted almonds and eat one of each at a time. Just like having a Almond Joy, but no carbs!

It's not on your list, but I drank and still drink Premier Protein shakes. They are comparable to all the supplements on your list though with 30 grams of Protein per shake, 3g fat, 1g of sugar, and 160 calories. They are sold at many stores like Walmart, Meijer, costco, and Sam's Club. They only come in the basic flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry and are pre-mixed but they are my favorite so far. Even at 7 weeks post-op I still like them, which is saying something haha.
Best of luck to you

I've only had one fill so far but it was a big one. They put 3cc's in my 10cc band and I could feel it going in and then I got this weird feeling of pressure in my throat. But the liquids and mushy foods I ate the first few days after went down just fine. I was hungrier than I had ever been, in fact. It took me about a week to feel like I had gotten a fill. I still don't feel as though there is much restriction, since anything gets through, but I did get that not hungry feeling you mentioned! I like that part

All the other commenters are right, pizza is not a good choice. But! I will say this. I ate pizza within a month of being banded too. I limited my portion size to one small slice and I enjoyed every bite of it!
However, I don't make a habit out of eating pizza or anything else that is unhealthy. I'm not one of those super strict dieters who only eat Protein and veggies. I just make smart choices, limit my carb intake, and limit my portion sizes. I also developed a lot of self control. It takes a lot of hard work on my part and it's something I had to work on, it didn't happen overnight.
You asked what you should be eating in the first month. My surgeon's instructions had me back on regular food on the 4th week after surgery. But that doesn't mean go crazy and eat whatever you want. You still want to take it slow and keep it healthy. You should be eating mostly Protein. Remember, you're trying to build good habits that will last the rest of your life.
You're going to make mistakes. Everyone does. But you have to get back on track and think about why you're doing this. Keep your eye on the prize! It's a tough journey, but it's worth it

Sounds good!!! I like to eat the dark chocolate dusted almonds that Blue Diamond makes when I'm craving something sweet. They aren't covered in chocolate like you would expect, it's more of a powder, but they're soooo good! A small handful is enough to satisfy my sweet tooth

I'm 2 months post-op and I hate to say it, but every holiday/special occasion you experience for the first time after surgery is a test of willpower! There's always some food or candy associated with each one that I get a little bummed I can't have, Like the delicious waste of calories that are Reese's Peanut Butter eggs! Haha! You'll make it through though
Congrats on your surgery date!! It's all so worth it!

Sounds good!!! I like to eat the dark chocolate dusted almonds that Blue Diamond makes when I'm craving something sweet. They aren't covered in chocolate like you would expect, it's more of a powder, but they're soooo good! A small handful is enough to satisfy my sweet tooth

I had my first fill on April 9th and I also don't feel much restriction. I can eat anything, I just don't. Like kll724 said, it's basically just dieting right now. My next fill appointment isn't until May as my doctor will only do them every 6 weeks.
It's hard work and it's easy to get discouraged, but you just have to keep working hard. It can take several fills before you feel anything and maybe even more until you get just the right amount of restriction. Don't give up! Keep track of what you eat, stay hydrated, and get moving, even if it's only walking. Find a hobby even! Staying busy helps take your mind off the food.
You can do this

All the other commenters are right, pizza is not a good choice. But! I will say this. I ate pizza within a month of being banded too. I limited my portion size to one small slice and I enjoyed every bite of it!
However, I don't make a habit out of eating pizza or anything else that is unhealthy. I'm not one of those super strict dieters who only eat Protein and veggies. I just make smart choices, limit my carb intake, and limit my portion sizes. I also developed a lot of self control. It takes a lot of hard work on my part and it's something I had to work on, it didn't happen overnight.
You asked what you should be eating in the first month. My surgeon's instructions had me back on regular food on the 4th week after surgery. But that doesn't mean go crazy and eat whatever you want. You still want to take it slow and keep it healthy. You should be eating mostly Protein. Remember, you're trying to build good habits that will last the rest of your life.
You're going to make mistakes. Everyone does. But you have to get back on track and think about why you're doing this. Keep your eye on the prize! It's a tough journey, but it's worth it