bandedmama

Daily fluctuations in hormones, activity and Water intake can all affect our band and how much we can eat. The type of food you're eating, stress levels, and who knows what else can affect it, too. If you are losing 1-2 lbs per week by following a protein/veggie/then carbs plan, not drinking with meals, exercising and drinking water, then I would say you are fine. However - if you are doing all of that and not losing, then you might need a fill. One of the hardest parts of banded life is putting into place the "just because I "CAN" eat it, doesn't mean I should" mentality---I follow a 20 minute meal rule. I stop at 20 minutes and leave my plate -- if I am still hungry 30 minutes later, then I know I need a fill. Remember -- as we lose weight, often times our band losens as we lose fat around our internal stomach -- it could be that you do need a fill for that alone...? Good luck!

Thanks Leatha_g! Great tips - when I think 64 oz I think "pitcher" not container -- because its sounds like so much! I'll have to look and see what I can find (always need an excuse to go for my daily Walmart run...lol) thanks!

Thank you Betty, Marys and GeezerSue (oops - I missed your response yesterday - sorry!) Its time to say "enough is enough" and "I'm worth making the changes for" - I know that much. Its so so frustrating to know you've made the decision to have surgery and then feel like you've made the changes towards being healthy -- BTW I SERIOUSLY thought that I had changed my habits - but without the band there to help, I have been completely lost. Its been eye-opening to say the very least. It will be a battle for sure all the way for me -- and GeezerSue -- lord help the person who tells me that they need to take this thing back in 3 years!! LOL After this unfill experience, I will be kicking and screaming to be unfilled again let alone have it removed!!! I'm glad you had an alternative option thats working for you -- wishing you continued success.

Cashley-great idea to start a post like this! I don't dare bring Doritos in the house, because they'd all be gone! But why not just buy the little bags of them, like for kids lunches? I think (for me) it would feel like I was eating more - because its like "OOOH! I opened the bag and got to finish it!" Mind games, I guess! but just a thought!

I do the same though for a lot of Snacks - peanuts, almonds, mini rice cakes, soy crisps -- anything "snack food-y" that I have to have Portion Control in place for. I keep a couple in my car and a basket in my pantry - so I can grab that instead of something else.

I also grill chicken, let it cool overnight, slice it up & freeze it in say, a 3-serving size quantity. It defrosts really easily, and so I can have grilled chicken on hand to throw in salads, make a stir fry - or just grab to eat, at any time.

I would love to hear help on getting the Water in - I used to track it by Water bottles, but its almost like you really need to schedule it in - and drink XX amount by XX time, throughout the day. Anyone have secrets to getting it in? Thanks!

Vanhos - I can understand your dissappointment in comparing yourself to others who are losing faster - but you really should be proud of yourself for your loss!!!

A friend of mine was recently diagnosed with GERD based on a scope test. She is now on medication and the gas pains, nausea, and difficulty eating are gone. These were issues that made banded life miserable for her, but with one test and only a few days on medication, her life completely turned around. I would definately speak with your doctor - I am not trying to scare you or diagnose you, but your issue could be something that can be easily identified and treated.

No, the band is not for everyone, and I am sorry that you are dissappointed in its results. But your choices are to (1) have it removed (and possibly have another WLS?) (2) Do nothing or (3) Make the most of what you've been given. You've already experienced success - have faith that you can continue that! No matter what you choose, please be sure to continue seeking medical assistance to alleviate your pain. I wish you the best of luck and continued success!

I've gained nearly 30 pounds back (out of 80 lost) in 3 months due to an unfill - I do have faith that once I am filled again and have that "control" in place that I will adapt back to the band rules, so I am slowly becoming "OK" with the gain. Its scary though to know it is possible for me to get out of control again, like pre-band surgery. It makes me appreciate the band more - I didn't realize how much it helped me until it wasn't helping me anymore! 5 days until my fill!!! **does a little dance**

You're so right about the "other side of the coin" -- and I do know what needs to be done and I was doing it (so I know I CAN do it) -- its just that being away from all the rules for what feels like so long, I just hope I still have it in me to do the right thing. **fingers crossed** Thanks though - I appreciate all of the insight and support so much!

Thank you so much Kristin! I know I have HUGE head hunger issues to tackle - and it is scary to admit that. I did step on the scale today, because I had been avoiding it, and found that I've gained back 28 pounds! Ugh. I am now asking myself why I'm eating when I do, its just knowing its not for hunger and then finding the strength to say "Well then drop it woman!!!" LOL I appreciate your comments though - thank you!

Thank you Emily -- I know what you mean about always being judged. I just feel like I've turned that judgement onto myself, and don't like it. I am getting closer to my fill date and am holding so much faith in it - when what I really need is to find self control. Thank you for the welcome! I really appreciate it!!

I can't believe how much my band helped with head hunger. It's driving me crazy. I think about food all the time. When I'm eating lunch I think about what I'm going to have for dinner. I had forgotten how much food ruled my life.

I have not one ounce of restriction. What I have learned is that even with three years of struggle to learn new habits, without my band I am a raging food terrorist. I shovel it in. I take huge bites... I never feel full unless I feel sick.

I'm lucky...I still have my band. I feel just terrified about what would happen without it. I am so sorry for those of you who have lost it.

Megan

Megan - I am so glad that someone pointed me in the direction of this post - and that you replied to mine! I know EXACTLY how you feel!!! Its terrible and I feel helpless -- I have one more week to go before my fill ( I have been unfilled for 3 months/1 week) and I think I have officially reached my breaking point - I stepped on the scale today to find that I have gained 30 pounds in that time. And it is all because I have been eating constantly, and food, BAD food, is all I think about. I started sneaking food again, and all of the bad habits I had pre-band surgery have returned. I think it started as a "band vacation" which was cool for a bit - the "ooh- I can eat THAT again!" and then it took nothing to sink back into those bad habits. I also am grateful that I still have the band - that hoepfully this can be corrected (the gain) once I get filled again...but it is also a HUGE eye opener for me - I had really fooled myself into thinking that I had control over my eating. I miss the days when head hunger didn't plague me because I didn't feel any physical hunger. I want that back!! Until then - I am taking it day by day - but even as I graze and go from one thing to the next, knowingly shoveling it in my mouth and asking myself why I am doing it to myself, I am just holding onto faith that the fill will help me. In reality, I need to regain control over my choices first -- I *was* there at one point, I just need to find my way back. I hope your unfill won't last too long and that you can regain control more quickly than I have been able to!! Good luck!

Wow – thank you everyone! I am so grateful for your responses. I didn’t mean to come off harshly about “no sunshine and roses” but with every “just do it!” type statement I just read, it brought a bigger smile to my face – I know what I need is a good kick in the butt!!! So for that – thank you!!! And thank you everyone for the welcome!

Kim - you are BEAUTIFUL! Congratulations on being so close to your goal - and for lowering it! It must feel wonderful - I wish you well in reaching your goal!!! :clap2:

Hi everyone - I'm new here, and am hesitating to post this, because its my first post here and I don't want people to think that I am a raving witch! I just don't know where else to go. I need a place to vent...so please don't judge.

I am almost 2 years out - lost 85, had an unfill and have regained nearly 30 in 3 months. Am I pissed off? Umm...YES! And I don't mean to come off as a wretch, but I don't want sunshine and sweetness & anyone to tell me that everything will be fine once I can be re-filled. Its my fault I regained & I am an idiot for it. I regained by eating LOTS of crap food, not because I ate too much broccoli. I regained because even though I *thought* I had learned something with this band, that *maybe* I had actually been losing weight because of the great choices I was making and blah blah blah, really it was the band that made me lose the weight, and without it I feel completely vulnerable. I hate that I feel that, too, because I am a strong hear-me-roar-kind of person usually. Before, I felt legitimately happy for people as I saw them lose tons of weight each month - and now I am turning jealous and bitter. Before, I admired people who said they could eat like birds and never cheated, and now (new cynic in me) says "NO ONE can eat like that - they're lying! Everyone cheats, right?" I really am a nice person - I swear! I hate that this is all changing who I am.

So please don't flame me for being honest. I just really hate being fat and hate that my band isn't helping me, and hate that I haven't been able to help myself.. (except to seconds and thirds LOL...)