Jocelynsherk

I have a similar addiction to fast food and eating in general. So I understand. For me food is my stress relief so I've had to basically abstain from all my trigger foods and eat at home, and try to do mindfulness meditation and exercise to control my stress level. If my stress is dealt with in a healthy way I don't want to eat as much. Also getting adjusted to the right point and getting into the green zone will help you regain control. I lost 40 then gained back 5 and have felt out of control, I just had my first fill last week, I hadn't needed one before that. I think it's just an up and down process till you reach your goal. Even if you stumble a bit it doesn't mean there is no hope. I try to remind myself of that so I'm less hard on myself. But I really understand how you feel.

I had my lap band at smart shape in Vancouver. I had surgery in June and was able to lose 35lbs pretty quickly without a fill, I just had my first fill last week. I have found the aftercare to be good. There are seminars online to help, there are nurses and a dietician you can email at any time. The slightly annoying part is that everything has to go through the center in Ontario before you can make an appointment for fills. Also the online classes are in eastern time so some of them are at 6 or 7 am our time. I know we are covered for all fills for 5 years. If something goes wrong with the band and it needs to come out I know that MSP covers that. But I never really asked out if I need a revision if they fix it. I guess I assume if anything happens within 5 years they will fix it.

We had surgery 1 week apart, I had mine in Vancouver. Just starting to get the hang of eating healthy foods slowly and get out exercising daily. I'm at 25 lbs down, but I only check at the doctors office. If you ever need some local encouragement or to grab a coffee let me know

I started freaking out with panic attacks and anxiety the moment I started the pre op diet. Now it's been 5 weeks and things are starting to feel more normal, but a new normal, where I'm not ruled by food and I'm more active and have more energy. Just hang in there. I stayed with my parents for a week during this time, reach out to those near you. They love you and support you.

Deep breathing, and mindfulness meditation and prayer have helped me deal with the overwhelming emotions and stresses. I'm learning new skills in counselling on how to cope without food. Ask your counsellor for some practical solutions

So good. Thanks for posting

I thought that I would need the carbs to stay full, but every time I think about food I try to figure out if it's head hunger, or real hunger. And I've been resisting all carbs and eating high protein and vegetables. So I only eat if it's real hunger. I've been in counselling to help with the emotional side of eating after surgery and doing mindfulness meditation (sound weird but it's not) and that has helped me so much. I've lost 20 lbs in the last month and I threw my scale out. So I can only weigh myself once a week when I go to my moms. I'm trying to focus on the other good parts of life like walking on a trail in the sunshine, and listening to my son laugh. But it has not been all fun, it has been the hardest thing I have ever done, but I know it will be worth it eventually. I think you probably understand how it's been cause we are in the same boat. I'm choosing to cut out bread and pasta and rice not just cause it could get stuck in the band but because I get so addicted to those substances and I really am striving to be free of those issues. I think you know yourself the best and know what you need to do to be healthy and not starving all the time. So give yourself a pat on the back, you are already different and stronger than you were before.

I've been sticking to the recommended diet from the nutritionist. High protein, low carb, and no more than 1/2 to 1 cup meal portions and its kickstarted my weight loss without having a fill yet. Surgery was June 17, I lost 10 pounds pre op and 8 pounds post op. I just keep trucking along hoping it will all pay off.

My port area hurts too, I think it's pretty normal. I'm glad your feeling better. This surgery really effects your body physically and mentally more than I thought it would. Hang in there

I have this eat slowly app, which helps me know when I can take the next bite and how far through my meal I should be

AJ cowgirl what about liquid vitamins? To help with nausea?

Vancouver BC Canada

How are you doing today? What are you eating at this stage?

Thank you for your supportive words. The anxiety is less now post op, still working through it. It is truly a big change and I'm trying to give myself grace to adapt to that. I am post op day 5 and still in pain and healing but I am so glad I did it.

Are you feeling any better yet?