SunnyRachel

**hugs** You're welcome! You can do this! I didn't think I could, but I am doing it...and you will do it too. You will amaze yourself when you see how strong you really are when put to the test.

Oh, it's such an individual thing! I felt restriction right away after surgery with only 3cc in the band. I went up to 4.5 and really felt it...then I still thought I could eat too much, but when adding just .5 cc, I was way too tight and was having lots of bad "stuck" moments to the point of vomiting. I had a little bit taken back out. I think slow is the way to go...it's hard to be patient, but it sure doesn't feel good when you get that little bit that puts you over the edge. Blech! You are doing great! Congratulations!

Mostly you want to avoid tough skins like those on apples, and the part of the orange that is really stringy. Congrats on your progress!!!

Congratulations, Tammy!!! Your attitude is so great, and I believe you can do anything too!! I wish you all the best and look forward to following your progress. Take care!

Hi! Congratulations on all your hard work and your scheduled surgery date!! Your doubts will continue, and it's only natural. I will tell you that you will probably also have moments after the surgery when you question yourself again and your decision. That's the human thing to do, right? What's really the hardest part is not being able to see into the future. When you are standing here right now, you want results now. We are all driven by the "now". It is much too hard to look beyond that and see the bigger picture. We somehow think there is a finish line and that it has to be soon -- around the corner...just in reach. What helped me is this: 1. I had to abandon the idea of a finish line. I had to tell myself that any amount of weight that I no longer had to carry around on my body would be a welcomed help. So the statistics said I should have lost 150 pounds, but I knew that taking any extra burden off of my heart and my bones would be so much better for me. Even if it was just ten pounds that I never put back on... what a difference! I wanted to not gain weight anymore. I was watching it climb. I needed to stop the gaining, but the more I tried to lose weight, the more I gained. 2. I had to look back and admit the truth. Since I couldn't see the future, I looked back at my past -- I keep journals... and I found myself writing the same entry over and over again... it started out with, "My goal is to lose 10 lbs. a month! I can do this! I will be healthy this time next year!" Next year always came for me, and I was either in the same place, or worse off. So I had to get real with myself. I looked in the mirror and said, "Yeah, I know I feel like a failure because this feels like the last resort, but face it, I can't do this alone!" If I could do it just with my own willpower and determination, I would have already. An orthopedic surgeon looked at me and basically said, "Yeah, I know your herniated disk is killing your sciatic nerve. I know you can't sit. I know you are miserable. I can't operate on you though and give you relief because you are too fat and will just herniate the disk again anyway." I was so mad! But that's also when I knew I had to stop this from getting worse. I had to look at my past and decide that a year is going to pass anyway... am I going to let it pass full of pain and broken promises...or am I going to admit that it's okay to ask for help? I am the kind of person that needed this help. My own common sense was not strong enough to stop my hand from putting a fork full of food into my mouth when I didn't need it...but the band IS strong enough to stop me now. So people say it's not a quick fix... I disagree. Yeah, you are not going to just melt away into your ideal BMI in a blink of an eye. BUT.... I HAVE quickly been fixed in terms of my relationship with food. I see food differently. I don't feel out of control just at the thought of eating something good. I am more conscious about what kind of food I'm going to eat so as to get the most out of the little space I have for it to fit in. I am carrying less weight today. I feel so much better. I am a work in progress. Getting the band did not take the pounds off... getting the band taught me how to forget seeing food left on my plate as a bad thing...and actually listen to my body for a change. Personally, I needed that. I can see the big picture now... time is passing still, but I actually am changing. My point is this: Sometimes we need to approach things from outside of ourselves. Throw away preconceived notions from past weight-loss attempts. The band is not just a treadmill that you got excited about in the beginning but just ended up collecting laundry in the corner. It's not just a Weight Watcher's membership that you started off great with but then stopped going to the meetings or counting your points. Those things are tools that you can walk away from -- sure, you feel a tug of guilt, but what's really going to happen to you if you miss meetings or don't hop on that equipment? Who is going to come to hurt you or punish you? The band does not let you walk away from it. It is there 24/7 in your body reminding you to make healthy choices every day. Yes, it's scary. It's hard. It's a life change. It's a commitment. It's a tool. It's a meanie if you treat it badly...but it won't let you turn your back on it. It won't let you give up. It won't let you try again on Monday. It's every moment...not "Oh well, after the holidays!" It will kick your butt until your brain learns what to do and you no longer say the word "diet" in that way again. You are just living in your new normal and not having to put much thought into it. Can you fail? Yes. Will it be easy to fail this time? No. This time you really have to intentionally fail. This time it's not just you had no time or got distracted or there was always a good family BBQ -- this time you had to ignore and blatantly go against all you have tried to accomplish. To me, it is really hard to intend to fail. So the real question to really ask yourself is: Is this what I NEED? You already know the answer... but now just listen to it and believe in the answer. You can do anything, with or without the band...and I wish you the best! One thing is for sure...you have lots of friends here to be by your side!

I've actually found that chewing slower has turned me off to many of my old favorites. Things I used to eat quickly and in quantity don't taste very good after you've been chewing it for quite some time. I realized that I never really experienced the food I was eating before the band. I think Dr. V's post touches a little on a point that I do not see much discussion on here. There is a switch in practice when a newly banded person moves out of the post-op phase, and psychologically, that switch can be very confusing. At first you are guarding against damaging your newly-formed pouch and irritating your traumatized stomach.... then there's that moment when you have to eat the chunkier foods and let your pouch get full for a little while. I doubt that I was alone in feeling torn in two during this time. Occasionally, I still feel conflicted about it. It is so hard to balance on that fine line between full/satisfied and uncomfortably ill. Then if you do get sick from a meal...you panic and baby the pouch again until you seem to be tolerating things again. Sometimes you never try that food again, and you are missing out. It just isn't something that you can learn from a manual or post-op instructions. Anyway, I appreciate the post for pointing out that chewing to liquid is not reasonable and quite difficult to obtain. It would be helpful though if more-experienced bandsters and/or physicians/psychologists could share some advice or tips with newer bandsters on how to get over this mental hurdle -- this fear of damaging the pouch while you try different foods again after the post-op phase. It's discouraging when discomfort sets in and your first thoughts are, "Oh no, I broke it, stretched it too much, or slipped my band! What now?" How do you also get over the fear of trying a food again once it's caused you pain the first time? It's so hard to tell whether you've chewed something enough. I think the biggest challenge though is all in the mind. Any ideas?

Be prepared that it might mildly show up in the future too. Sometimes when I drink Water too fast it returns for a little bit. Happy healing!!! Congrats on your surgery!

You made me cry with your story! The last time I flew, I had to ask for a seat belt extender. Your post has reminded me to stop and enjoy the little NSVs that come along. They are truly a joy...and they are great victories!!! You are very inspiring, and I wish you so much more success! Thanks!

Congratulations!!!! You came to a good place for support. I wish you all the best!!

**sigh** This is such a good debate...but no matter what anybody says, you will be fat tomorrow. You will be fat next week. Don't wait anymore and expect to just wake up thin. Give it another chance now while you are trying to figure it out for yourself. There's no harm in that...don't wait until you've decided which way to go to start making changes. A good head start is never a bad thing. You will have to make changes anyway...so keep looking for your answers, but start right now to make better choices. Now, personally for me, I had the same problem... lack of discipline and fear of failure...also unrealistic portion consumption. I love sweets too. So here's what the band has done for me so far: 1. I'm not hungry. 2. If I get bored or want to avoid doing something and start to feel the refrigerator calling me, I actually can tell it NO for a change. 3. I still go out to eat with my family. I occasionally get fast food. But now my dollar goes further! That plate of ribs and baked potato from my favorite steakhouse now lasts me for two more meals. 4. I don't feel deprived. 5. I can't eat too much, so I don't feel like a loser an hour lately, nor do I beat myself up if I can't get back on the wagon tomorrow...because now there is no wagon that I'm worried about falling off of. 6. I easily choose better foods without thinking. I was really surprised by this one...but yes, it just happens now... I naturally grab the better choices. 7. I have control to put the fork down. That extra bite is not worth the pain it could bring. 8. My idea of the ideal weight has changed. If I stopped losing weight right now and just stayed here at 245, I would be happy with that. When I was 300, I thought I'd only be happy at 150...but let me tell you...when you go from not walking and feeling like crap to being able to exercise and fit on a roller coaster again, and you look good in your clothing...who cares about a number? I feel 100% better already! Even better....I'm not going to be 300 pounds ever again. That was my problem...I would lose it, and get cocky about it, and be fatter than before within no time. I hope you will quickly find the decision within yourself. Only you know what is best for you...but don't sell yourself short... you can do anything if you just decide to do it. So I wish you the best in figuring this all out...but please, please...don't just sit there...do something already so that next year at this time you are not like I used to be...sitting there wondering how a year passed but you lost no weight. Good luck!!! You can do it!!!

For me it is not very frequent, and I notice that it's when I'm really hungry or have eaten too fast.

You're doing great! Congratulations!!

Thanks for your post! It's great to hear your point of view on the rate of loss, and it sure helps to put things into perspective. Congratulations to you!!! You're very inspiring!

I think Cathy made a good point. You are now at that spot where the stomach is healing and not as swollen as before, so true hunger is coming on again. Ask your doctor, but the practice I go to had advised me it was okay to eat again when I was hungry...still take it slow, still eat the soft foods, still do your best to wait after having liquids. Right now is not about calories...so if you are really hungry, don't punish yourself...sometimes it will feel worse if you eat when you have been really, really hungry for a while. I always ended up kind of nauseated when I did finally eat again.

Oh, and I also like using Nestle Quick or flavored coffee creamer in my protein shakes.

Have you tried mixing your Protein powder into a packet of instant pudding? I used to mix unflavored with pistachio, you can't really tell it is there. I like the ice too. Have you tried adding a banana into the blender? The Fluid suggestion on the Protein Powder is just a suggestion. You can use as little or as much as you like to get the taste you want. Here is another option. Designer whey has flavored packs that are fruity. You can mix with Water as they suggest, or you can add more water and mix in Crystal Light too. I know in the beginning though you are not able to get much down though. The K20 line from Special K is pretty tasty protein too! You can also mix unflavored protein powder in a Soup that is not chunky... like cream of chicken or cream of potato if you strain out the potato chunks. I wish you lots of quick healing...and before you know it, you'll be on to the mushy food and solids again! Take care! Congrats on your surgery!

I know the feeling...I've been having a lot of sick moments lately. Have you tried the mini oranges in the kids pack aisle? They may have a lot less membrane to them and might be easier to deal with. Feel better soon!

Welcome, Kate!!! I look forward to getting to know you better!!

That's fantastic!!!! Congratulations!!!!!!

Hi, Barbie Girl! What I love about this forum is the great amount of sharing that goes on. What I don't like though is the natural internal reaction we have to compare ourselves to everyone. Forty-two pounds is awesome!!!!! But I can see why seeing no actual scale movement since January is frustrating. I was banded on November 4th too. I am still not fully adjusted to my band yet! I feel like I'm still learning and getting acquainted with it. I have had two fills so far. I'm at my personal capacity, I think. Since the second fill, which was so very little, less than 1cc, I have had lots of stuck moments. I keep going back to my doctor's advice though, and that's not to turn to slider foods to avoid the pain of solid foods. I thought I was taking small bites, but I realize I need to take micro bites now. I'm still learning. You and I are still new at this, and we'll get it figured out. I think others have already given you good advice... look at the positive signs of the change in your life. You say you haven't had fried foods -- well, there's one big great accomplishment!!! Right? Someone else mentioned getting good foods prepared in advance that is healthier than the quick bites. There's a great idea! I've started going into supermarkets and buying their hot chicken and stuff like that instead of as many trips through the drive-through windows. If it's not old-lady-coupon day, you can get in and out of there pretty quickly! I have also made up larger batches of chicken or tuna salad so that I can just plop them into a plastic container with maybe six Ritz crackers and shove it in a lunch box. I'm still working on vegetables...but little steps at a time, right? What's hard for me is getting the right amount of calories. I think I don't get enough, but I'm working on it. I feel really good. I try not to look at other people's lost weight as a challenge to me...but as encouragement that I can do this too. I get happy about my pants falling down, and I'm excited when an old shirt or sweater comes back into use that I couldn't wear before.. Can you make a list for yourself? Can you write down all the good things that you have gained so far and all the good changes you have made? You are not supposed to feel like you are on a diet. I believe you are supposed to feel like you are back in control. If you are fighting yourself, then I think you can simply step outside of it for a moment and really look at the big picture. The answers will come to you clearly, and a little experimentation, you know, hands-on learning with a different approach, will surely get you and your band to be good friends for life. I wish you all the best!!!

It's better not to stress your pouch out the rest of the day. I was advised to stick with soft foods after a bad vomit. Since my most recent fill, I have had lots of stuck moments, with just two actual vomiting episodes. In all the cases, I knew it was my fault -- I thought I took small bites, but didn't. I thought I had this all down, but being even tighter now I see that I really still have a lot of training to do to eat smaller bites at a much slower pace. I know it's the worst in the morning, so that's when I'll do my Protein shake as my Breakfast. Sometimes though, it's just a surprise when you are careful and get that feeling anyway. Blech! I hope you feel better! It really is the most horrible feeling, but with a little adjustment to your routine, I'm sure you will get control over it. Take care!

You are on fire!!! Congratulations!!!!! What an inspiration you are!

I am a court reporter. I take a deposition, then bring it home to edit. I would say the majority of the time I am working at home. I find that on days when I'm out of the house, It's obviously much easier to have a structured three-meal day. At home, the challenge for me is keeping to a routine. (Not just for eating, but for the whole day.) Perhaps if you add more structure to your meals for the day, you can get past this grazing behavior. Would packing yourself a lunch in the morning give you motivation to stay on track? I try to pick a set time for when I'm going to eat lunch. I set an alarm for it. Instead of not really being sure of when I'm going to eat or what I'm going to eat, I know that at 1:00 I'm going to eat my packed lunch. I'm looking forward to eating outside once the weather really warms up here again. What kind of foods are you grazing on? Are you having things that could fill you up if you ate just a little more, or are you snacking on slider foods like pretzels or other crunchy items? If you think you need a snack after lunch before dinner, maybe you can also pack a snack ahead of time. How about a little chicken salad with a few crackers? It can be handy and fill you up just enough --and being planned could keep you from reaching for whatever is quick. I know when I have a deadline to meet, I don't like to lose a lot of time away from the computer... in those moments, I find myself upstairs in the kitchen looking around for just anything quick, rather than take the time to fix something healthy. When I have it prepared ahead of time, I can just grab and go without searching for what sounds good to me. I hope I've helped you a little bit. Working at home is a big challenge. I struggle with many distractions. Sometimes I do better when I take my work to the library. I don't know if your work is that mobile, but for me, it gets me away from my Internet distractions and the kitchen. Take care! I now you can figure out a way to get the weight moving again.

Hello!! Everybody is doing great!! Please update me to 246.5 today! YAY! Thanks so much!

Oh, that was my experience with Designer Whey's strawberry too. It has a very odd, strong strawberry taste, but not a sweet strawberry taste... I still use it though with a banana and a spoon or two of strawberry Quick.