MistyD65

You know, for me it's not so much taste I mourn as it is the feeling of having a large mouthful of food. Especially savory things like mac and cheese, potatoes, casseroles. That mouth-feel is often what I REALLY want. Is that weird, or what? When I realized that about myself, it shocked me. That has nothing to do with hunger. But I've come to the conclusion that most of my eating issues have NOTHING to do with true, physical hunger. It's all mental and emotional.

Just in the last week or so, I've noticed that I seem to be feeling my band around my stomach, something I've never noticed before. The only time I was ever aware of my band was if I ate too much. I'd get a sharp feeling, like a stitch in my side, and a sensation of pressure until the food passed through. I've never PBed, never vomited, have no trouble eating anything at all. I'll occasionally feel slightly stuck, usually with bread or too big a bite of something, but after a minute or two it passes and I can continue eating. This new feeling is pretty much constant. It's like I can actually feel the band squeezing my stomach. It's not painful, not even really uncomfortable, just.....different. I'm going to monitor it, because I'm thinking it may be connected to TOM. It hasn't affected my ability to eat - I don't feel more restricted than before, don't have any trouble with morning eating or anything like that. I'd like to get your thoughts on this. Thanks!

Last week: 242 This week: 239.6 Loss: 2.4 lbs So, I lost what I put on last week, plus another 0.2 lbs. Sheesh, I hate TOM. And I can tell I've had some hormonal changes with the weight loss. Not so much the actual "event", but my emotions and pre-TOM pains have changed. Part and parcel of the changes my body is going through, I suppose. I started thinking about making an appt for a 2nd fill after last week, but really, it's head hunger that I'm battling. I'll see what happens this coming week before I make a decision. Keep pressing on everyone!

The port doesn't really move;it is attached to your abdominal wall. It's the soft tissue, fat and skin that move. When I lie down, my port is just underneath my scar. Standing, it's above it. This freaked me out at first, but I figured that was what was happening, and my dr confirmed it. :cursing:

Last week 239.8 This week 242 Gain of 2.2 lbs. Well, this is the first gain I've had where I didn't really understand why. It's weird though - I've felt *heavy* all week. I'm going to blame it on TOM, although that's not supposed to start til next Friday. It may finally be time for a second fill, but I'm going to wait til next week and see what happens. I have been working out at Curves every day, usually burning around 500 calories at each workout. I guess I shouldn't complain, because it's only my 3rd gain since surgery in August, but still....... OK, pout over. Here's to next Friday.

That pain is something that most of us had post-surgery. People try different things for it, with varying results, with walking being the most recommended. Something that worked for me was getting down on my hands and knees then lowering my head and shoulders to the floor. This seemed to let the gas move from my shoulder area, at least for a while. And yes, I had the pains even into the 2nd week after my surgery. So just hang in there - this too will pass! :smile:

Good for you! The best thing we can do for ourselves is to make informed decisions regarding our care, and that's what you did! And don't worry, you'll be past the 20 pound mark in no time. :w00t:

Start: 243 Goal:223 Today: 239.8 Loss: 3.2 To Goal: 16.8 Had a great week! I really buckled down and got my snacking under control and it seems to have made the difference!

Wow, Irish. Only 600 calories a day? That seems extreme. My nutritionist said 1000-1200, or up to 1400 if I am exercising strenuously. But I guess your nut has her reasons. Last week: 243 Today: 239.8 3.2 lbs lost last week I've left the 240s!! I ate much more appropriately last week, and it made the difference. Hooray for getting back on track! :tt2:

I'm glad my post helped. :tt2: Discouragements will come, but just look! You've already lost half of your excess weight! You are doing awesome!

I'm sorry Oregon. I didn't mean to imply that I was trying to answer for Mac. But I saw in your question something that I had encountered myself, but haven't really seen addressed: the sadness or anger at not being able to eat a certain amount of food. Once I realized I was feeling that way, I actually told myself that I was being ridiculous. As long as the amount of food I am eating is satisfying my true, physical hunger and is meeting my nutritional needs, the desire for any more than that is "all in my head". That's not to negate the power that holds. That desire for volume has been instilled in me for a very long time. I sometimes long for big mouthfuls of something rich and savory, simply for the feel of having it there, then letting it slide down my throat. I think about going out to eat, knowing that I can't eat as much of some things as I would like. But I CAN still eat them - that's what I remind myself. It's a hard thing, training my head to be happy and satisfied with small, but appropriate-sized portions, but it is slowly getting better. These are all just my opinions, of course, based on my experiences and feelings, and I don't presume to speak for anyone else. But it's something I've been pondering for a while, and your question prompted me to put it in writing.

I would be willing to bet that yes, being back on bc could be triggering the munchies. Just like those TOM hormonal changes can do the same. Unfortunately, the munchies are almost always head hunger, which the band doesn't really help with, regardless of restriction. Get yourself away from food, do something to really distract yourself and take your attention elsewhere. The munchies will pass, but if you dwell on them, they'll get worse. (I'm speaking strictly from my own experience here:smile:) Some people do report that their head hunger is not so bad after surgery, but I still encounter it. What HAS changed is my ability to deal with it, and put it in it's place. Be patient with yourself, try not to get frustrated - you'll be the victor!

Oregon, I experienced that very early in the process, in the first couple of days after I moved to soft foods. I found myself almost *angry* that I couldn't eat as much as I wanted to. I remember standing with the fridge door open, taking out my chicken salad, and feeling that anger just below the surface...that I knew I should only eat 1/2 cup, but I WANTED more. And it shocked the hell out of me. That was a big turning point for me in my self-awareness about my eating habits. I now understand that the desire for large quantities is just that...a desire, a want...not a physical need. My physical hunger is satisfied by the smaller portions. But I still have to work hard to convince my head. I think only one thing can be said with certainty about the hows and whys of obesity and WLS, and that is: nothing is certain. There are as many reasons for obesity as there are obese people. The tendency for many, even among ourselves, is to lump us all together. But we all have different relationships with food, we all respond to hunger - be it head or physical - differently, our bodies respond to the band in ways that really can't be predicted. I do think that there needs to be more disclosure to prospective band patients about the down sides of banding, especially the fact that it just does not work for some, often due to factors that do not reveal themselves until after the fact. And access to fills and unfills should be easy and affordable, with no fear of being put down or shamed by doctors or nurses. I applaud those of you who are speaking honestly of your problems and dissatisfaction with the band. Knowledge is power, forewarned is forearmed. I am very happy with my band, it is working for me, and my every intention is for it to be the last thing I ever need in my Quest for a healthy weight. But I'm sure that was everyone's intention. I'm very grateful for this resource of LBT and all of the combined experience and knowledge that is available here.

AMEN to that, Wasa!

You should call back and INSIST on an unfill. If even water won't go down, you are too tight, for whatever reason. You must get some relief so you don't get even more dehydrated and cause even more problems.

Unfortunately no, that is not necessarily true. From what I've read, some people find that things they formerly had no trouble eating become problems after a fill. As far as that goes though, I've also read where, even without a fill, some people experience fluctuations in what they can eat. Some people's stomas are sensitive to stress, hormonal changes, etc. But I think if you proceed conservatively you will do all right. And I definitely would not get unfilled before a vacation. But I also would not get a fill for several weeks before hand either.

I'm in! I've been coasting for the past few months - losing, but not at the rate I could be. I'm going to be ambitious and set my goal at 20 pounds. Starting Weight: 243 Goal Weight: 223 Wow, the 220s. I haven't seen those numbers since 1990. And from there, ONEDERLAND is within reach! Woo hoo!!!! Thanks, Heartfire, for taking up the Challenge torch. And thanks Gilta for the last one.

Sorry, guess that IS important info I should have included! Protein Blitz drinks are Whey Protein Islolate.

Two words - Protein Blitz. These clear, fruit-flavored drinks are made by Designer Whey and they kick Isopure's butt all over the place in terms of taste. They come in Grape, Orange Mango and Punch, and taste like Kool-aid to me. They also don't leave you with that slightly chalky texture that Isopure has. They have 30 g of protein per 20 oz as opposed to 40 that the Isopure has, but if you can't stomach the Isopure it's kind of a moot point. lol Give them a try! They were a life saver for me.

Your experience sounds a bit like mine. After getting 0.6 ccs in a 4cc band with my first fill at 6 weeks, my doctor and I have decided against fills at the other two appointments I've had. I've been losing steadily, hunger hasn't been a huge issue and, like you, I like the fact that I can eat pretty much any food I want without worrying about PBing or getting stuck. I know that I can get a fill on down the line if I need one, but for now, I don't. I'd say, as long as you are able to make good decisions about what to eat and you are losing, put off a fill. Why mess with what is working?

I'm interested!

I know what you mean. Sometimes it gets discouraging to think that even though I have lost 60 pounds, I still have a little over 100 more to go. But I try not to think about that much. Celebrate the little things...leaving the 260's, leaving the 250's, etc. I was SO excited to finally be able to move the slider on the balance beam scale, first from 300 to 250, then from 250 to 200! The weight IS coming off, it will CONTINUE to come off, and it will STAY off!

Start: 249.4 End: 243 I didn't make it to my goal of 239.4, but I DID lose 6.4 pounds. I didn't work very hard during the last half of the challenge, so my new personal challenge is to get back on track and not have so many "off" days.

I do not feel the band around my stomach. There is no sensation of my stomach being squeezed. I have no awareness that it is there except for when I eat too much. And even then, it isn't the band I feel, but my stomach telling me I've had too much.