JustWatchMe

People use phone apps to time their bites. For me I just try to really focus on fully swallowing one bite before putting my fork into the next one. For me this is really hard to do. I was a fast eater. Also I find it really beneficial to interrupt my meal by physically getting up and walking. Like a bathroom break. About halfway into the meal. It helps my appestat recognize I've eaten something and that I'm not ravenous anymore. That five minutes helps me feel a satiety signal. I don't always do these tricks, but when I do I eat less and feel better afterward. Good luck!

Please post a link if you change topics. I hesitated to jump in but I need accountability too. Today I'm going to get through a hugely emotional day saying goodbye to my daughter who's studying abroad, and keep my calories under 1800.

Breathe. You've made a lifesaving choice. You've been through so much and you're still healing and OMG the liquids are hard. I was on liquids for six weeks. You can do this. Please cut yourself a break and be gentle with yourself. This is a healing process. But I guarantee that once it settles down and the weight starts coming off and you are able to move better and be more active, you will be so happy with your decision. We are here for support. My life has returned after walking around dead for decades. Congratulations. You've chosen life.

Today I will put my youngest on a plane for her semester in Madrid. I won't see her in person until mid-May. This will be a test for both of us. She's off to have the adventure of a lifetime with several good friends. She will grow up a lot. Momma here has a different test. Let it go. Let her go. Let go of worry. Let go of control. Trust in God. Trust in her. I'm so sad for me and so happy for her at the same time. My challenge is to not medicate these feelings with food. Oh, that wouldn't happen today or even tomorrow when I put my eldest back on her plane for St. Louis. My danger zone will be next week. Next week, when the stress is "behind" me. When both have safely landed and are settling in. When I can "relax". That's when the food and drink will call my name. It is always that way. I get through the stress, or the crisis, or the happy exciting event just fine. Holding it all together. Maybe even lose my appetite completely for awhile. No urge to binge. I've got too much to do. But afterward. In the vacuum of relief, or of restlessness, or of no feeling at all. Then I want to eat. And eat. And eat. Not this time. I'll be checking in here. I need all of you. I need my 12-step meetings too. I've been in this head space before, and it's a dangerous place without a plan and without a support system. Thankfully, today I have both. Thanks for being here and reminding me I am not alone and that I can do this.

Duplicate

You sound too tight. Our bands don't stay at the same restriction level forever, because we're losing weight. I'd go for an adjustment and I wouldn't wait any longer. Throwing up often is a sure way to invite a band slip. So I've heard. I'm not an expert but that's what I was told. Good luck.

Dan, I would just like to say I'm glad you are better and I'm so glad you posted. It probably feels like you're starting all over, but you had great success with your band before, and you will again. My guess is that you would really benefit from a sit down session with the nutritionist. You'll walk away with notes and numbers and a solid plan. So much of this battle is fought between our ears. Don't ever ever give up on yourself. You beat cancer !! You can do this!!! Keep posting.

Congratulations and welcome to the banded life!! Keep posting and take good care of yourself while you heal. We're all here for you!

Please heal and be kind to yourself. You've been through a tremendous ordeal. Stay connected here and stay off the scale. Heal, heal, heal. Hugs to you.

Congratulations !!!

great idea!

I've never been thin with long hair. I grew it out over the last few years. I'm in Onederland now, and unfortunately have thinned out hair due to surgery. I'm not happy with the way it's looking lately (gets stringy and droopy by end of the day) and I'm debating getting a blunt cut, maybe chin length. I'm having another very minor surgery (not WLS related) in January and I'm scared that the anesthesia will cause another round of hair loss. I'm wondering if shorter hair is more forgiving. Thoughts on a dramatic hair cut?

!!!Applause!!!! I LOVE this post !!!! Thank you for all of the affirming wisdom you share with me and all of us on this board. This is what it's all about. Self respect and "being seen". Being seen, indeed. You are truly an inspiration.

Perfect and what I needed to read today. "I believe that it's the day-to-day challenges after the weight stops falling off that really makes or breaks this experience." Yep.

Welcome to Bandland!

This made me laugh out loud. It made me remember all of the puréeing I did in those first few weeks. You're right. It all looked like crap, but it was delicious.

Hi Bandsters, Just checking in and freezing here in Chicagoland. I've got my boots on and a fleece jacket over my clothes at work. Sitting in my ice cubicle. It's been a wild week for me emotionally, but I'm happy to say the food has been pretty level. I'm glad for that. I'm sure my 12-step meetings have a lot to do with that. My girls leave for college this weekend. One off to Spain. Missing them already. I surprised myself at lunch when I stopped eating meatloaf after a soft stop signal and without getting stuck. Sounds simple, but after the Christmas holidays food-for-all, it's a practice I thought I forgot how to do. Anyway, I love my band and my Bandsters. How's everyone doing?

Give yourself time to heal. Don't ever give up on yourself. I'm sorry this happened to you. Be kind to yourself and stay on top of your doctors to find out your next steps. Good luck.

Congratulations, stay on plan, don't binge, and relax. You're on your way!

Welcome and good luck. LapBand has saved my life. My advice is pre surgery clean your house and get all caught up on laundry. You won't want to lift baskets or a vacuum cleaner for awhile. Move as much as you can every day. Stay off the scale. Really. Almost all of us have a gain post op and it is not indicative of success or failure. It's your body healing. Also write down all your questions after they discharge you because if the nurse calls to see how you're doing at home, you'll have a handy list to grab. Welcome to the forum !

Excellent reminders. My task is to create and strive for goals that are action based instead of outcome based. Walk the stairs at work five times a day instead of lose ten pounds a month. Also goals that are "do" instead of "don't". For example, do eat solid Protein first at every meal instead of don't eat Pasta. It's great to have milestone weight goals and I do. Sort of. But day to day and hour by hour I can only control what I do, not what I weigh.

197.4 01/03/2015 Lol my finger hit the zero instead of the nine and I almost gave myself a heart attack seeing my typed weight. I haven't weighed 107 since .... Ever?

I started at 302. My boss knew about my LapBand and at 60 pounds down said I looked great and must have lost twenty pounds! Lol I smiled and said yeah.

I hope you get some relief. My last fill put me a hair away from red. When I eat correctly I'm fine. Chew too fast and I'm stuck.

Wow, that is incredible!!! I'm so inspired by you!!! Congratulations !