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stephaniel71

LAP-BAND Patients
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Blog Entries posted by stephaniel71

  1. stephaniel71
    So I went to my first support group at my doctors office. I was excited to actually talk with other people (in person) that have the band.
     
    I explained at group that this journey has been a lot harder at times then I thought it was going to be. I feel like there is lot more willpower involved than I anticipated (as I am getting hungry every 2-3 hours). I did learn a valuable lesson...they assured me it does get easier. I guess the golden "sweet spot" is truly the key. The point where the band works more for you rather than you for it??? The hunger I guess does go away...thank God. Can't wait!! I did get a big boost to my ego as everyone said I was doing great (38 pounds in 12 weeks). The counselor said that most of what I am doing is dieting. Yes the band is helping, but I needed to give myself a lot more credit. Most lapband patients lose most of there weight further down the road when they reach that 'sweet spot' rather than at the begining. So that part was great. However...
     
    The counselor that ran the group has had the band for 8 years. She is a 5 ft woman who has lost over 150 pounds and is at goal and maintaining. However the way she maintains is rediculous. She eats yogurt, protein shakes and cottage cheese 85% of the time. She is perfectly content with this life. She says she doesn't miss the food. Do I have to do this? Is this what my future holds? I realize because I don't have a lot of restriction right now, I can eat more then a cup of food. I know this will change, but will have to live like that?
     
    All of you out there that have reached goal and are maintaining, please give me some hope for the future. I can't see my life like this woman chooses to live. I am happy it works for her, but COME ON!!
  2. stephaniel71
    So for the past 2 1/2 weeks I was stalled and had been fighting with 2 pounds. I would lose it, then the next day it would be right back and I would have to lose it again. So frustrating. Then I noticed this horrifying thing...my eyebrows were thinning and falling out. WTF!!!
     
    So I started thinking what I was doing before that I wasn't doing now. The answer was being deligent about my protein. I was naive in thinking I could get my protein through food without drinking my daily shake. I would drink it maybe every other day or every 3rd day. It was because I didn't want to use up the calories. Wanted to save them for food. So I re-read my nutritionist info and reminded myself I need to be getting about 75 grams of protein. That task is impossible unless all you eat is protein all day. So for the past week, I have skipped my regular breakfast and instead I do a 12 ounce protein shake (about 50 grams protein & 260 calories) in the morning. I eat normally the rest of the day. This way I can easily get the remaining 25 grams and even exceed my quota. I have been doing this for about a week now and weighed this morning...to my delight I am down 3 pounds!!!
     
    All I can say is don't fight the process. We need our shakes. If you just start the day right, you don't have to worry the rest of the day. Your body NEEDS protein. So if your stalled, this might work for you too.
  3. stephaniel71
    Well I had M&Ms last night for the first time since surgery. I know it was all mental. I have been struggling with some things at work and feeling a little overwhelmed. I couldn't get the thought of CHOCOLATE out of my head. I caved! A bit disappointed in myself, but life goes on. When will the mental hunger go away. I thought I had it under control, but i guess I don't quite yet. Don't know if that will ever go away. But needless to say, my stomach didn't like it much so I regretted it physically and mentally. Will be staying away again for awhile!
     
    The last 2 weeks I have been struggling with the same 2 pounds. I take it off, it comes back...ugh. I guess stress really has a lot to do with weight loss.
     
    Hope everyone is doing well into the New Year.
  4. stephaniel71
    So tonight has been a night I dreaded for many years. Where will I go, will I go, what will I wear? The pressure was rediculous. Of course all the skinny woman are dressed to kill on this special night. Well I don't feel intimidated anymore! Yes, I am still very overweight, but I feel better than I have felt in years. I feel confident and optimistic. I am going get all gussied up and I am going to a real New Years party tonight. No convincing myself it is ok to stay home, then cry over my 1/2 gallon of ice cream watching the ball drop. Those days are DEAD!
     
    I wish you all the confidence and determination to find your joy in this coming New Years. Don't let your weight control your actions for 1 more day!
     
    Happy New Years!:biggrin:
  5. stephaniel71
    My fiance and I went away for a 4 day trip to a casino...yeah you know the places. The ones with the endless buffets, endless cocktails....UGH! So after going to 2 Christmas parties in that week, we went away for 4 days. So mind you this was my bands worst nightmare.
     
    So did I go to the buffets, yes. Did I probably eat more than I should, yes. Did I eat things I shouldn't have, yes. Did I drink with my meals, yes. The only rule I kept to was no bread (out of fear alone). I will give myself credit that I didn't eat A LOT! I ate a little of everything I wanted to try. I didn't over do it to the point of being sick. I did try to listen to my body. But ohhhhhh the food was soooooo good. Why is eating bad food, so good. It's like why are we attracted to the bad boys.
     
    So I came home and thought let's get on the scale...to my suprise I was down 1 pound for the week. Mind you I have been losing about 2 1/2 - 3 pounds per week, but I was thrilled!!! I thought I really F*&KED up. But as i thought back over the week, I did have some restraint thanks to my band. I was a little disappointed with myself, but I hadn't broken a rule in 9 weeks...NOT ONE! I am sure if I didn't have this lovely band to remind me not to eat like a pig, I would have gained 3 pounds that week. Instead, I lost 1 pound. I am so happy I did this for myself. Now back to strict rules!!! I decided every 8 or 9 weeks, I can go a little nuts. I said a "LITTLE" nuts. I have to keep the demons at bay or this will all be for nothing.
     
    I am going to New Orleans in February...OH GOD HELP ME!!!:tt2:
  6. stephaniel71
    Well tonight is my first party of the season and a little nervous about the whole drinking thing. But I will drink some tonight. Today I celebrate 8 weeks post op. Down 31 pounds today (all post op weight). My doctor said to wait about 8 weeks, well today is it :tt1:
     
    So my question is, does anyone have some low calorie beverage choices. I used to drink captain morgan spiced rum with diet coke...mmmmm. But obviously that is out . So what shall I do. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
     
    Happy holidays!
  7. stephaniel71
    Its been awhile since I have been on. Things have been going pretty great. I am averaging about 2 pounds a week. Can't complain at all!! Especially when I am really not exercising like the way I should. I was finally getting along with the band quite nicely. Hadn't had too much gas (bottom or top), I have never (knock on wood) experienced a PB or blockage.
     
    So I guess I was getting a little too confident and the day before my 7 week anniversary, I decide, let's order Chinese. What was I thinking. In my mind I convinced myself I was still being good. I order Singapore Mai Fun. It has very thin noodles, curried chicken, shrimp and pork. I scooped out my 6 ounces making sure to take mostly protein. I was amazed how much was left in the container. It was like I hadn't taken out anything. I remember before the band eating the entire container plus an eggroll and 2 diet cokes...wow. So I ate it...slow, chewing every bit. Thought wow, I can eat this kind of stuff just small portions...yay! Well about an hour later, I had gas pains like I had on day 2. Crippling!!! Kept me up most of the night. I was finally feeling better in the morning. Decided to have 1 scrambled egg for breakfast. I was scheduled for a fill in the afternoon and didn't want to go all day hungry. Drank some water about an hour later and it started again. :tongue2:
     
    I was worried my doctor wouldn't fill me, but that is why I love my doctor...he did. I was getting hungry every 2 1/2 hours and if I didn't get the fill that day I was going to have to wait until the New Year. I couldn't go through Bandster HELL through the holidays. He said that the gas will subside and tighting the band will not make me any more uncomfortable. So if I was ok with it, he was. YAY!!!
     
    Well the moral of my story is don't under estimate your band. I was getting along with my band because I was doing the right things. If you stop doing that, hell will be paid. I am still paying 2 days later, but getting a little better each day. Chinese is off my list for a LONG LONG time.
     
    Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season!
  8. stephaniel71
    I know this is my second blog today, but I haven't been on in a bit, so got to catch up.
     
    Anyway, Thursday night, after my first fill and only able to eat mushies, my office had a small party and was having a meatball contest. Well as you know, can't quite eat beef yet. And of course a lot of alcohol was being served.
     
    I have to report, it wasn't as hard as i thought it was going to be. I got roped into serving the judges with one of my colleagues. That meant cutting up 10 different meatballs and plating them for 5 different judges! And you know what, I wasn't tempted at all! Yeah they looked good, but I didn't want to go cry in the corner because I couldn't have them. The harder part was not drinking. I told myself at the begining of the night I can have 1 glass of wine despite my doctor saying 6 weeks....but I didn't! I didn't need to!
     
    The most difficult thing about the night was everyone was asking me to try their meatballs. LOL. (you can imagine all the jokes) So people were asking why I wasn't eating or drinking etc. Only a couple of people at the office know the truth.
     
    It was a strange night to say the least. It was challenging in some ways and easier than I thought in others. I am proud of myself for not giving in to temptation. And I actually had a nice night. If I can do, we all can!
  9. stephaniel71
    So 1 month banded as of Thursday and down 22 pounds. Very pleased!!
     
    I went for my first fill. They put 3cc in my 10 cc band. It wasn't painful at all. I am bruised where they put that long a$$ needle in my stomach. It was just very strange feeling afterwards. Hard to explain, but definetly felt a change. I will be on soft foods until the end of the day and then my surgeon has released me to solids!!!! YAY!!!!! It certainly helped my restriction. I was getting hungry about 2 to 2 1/2 hours after I ate before. Now it is anywhere from 3 -4 hours. I am sure when I am on solids, that will be even longer
     
    I have posted before I had some issues with my throat. Feeling like I had a lump in it. Well my surgeon referred me to an ENT (ear, nose & throat) to figure out what was going wrong. So my wonderful ENT went through my nose and down my throat with this lovely device (soooo much fun). And turns out it is acid reflux. I haven't really had heart burn or soar throat, but just the lump in the throat. He said that can happen. Some people just have that symptom, so it is hard to diagnose unless they go down there and take a look. But he assures me in 3-4 weeks with some meds, I should feel much better. So if you have that feeling, you might want to mention it to your doctor.
     
    So on with my journey. I return for another fill in 4 weeks. I hope to be down another 10 pounds or more by then. Wish me luck. And HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
  10. stephaniel71
    I am 16 days post op, feeling pretty good. On pureed foods. I have my first fill appointment set for November 19th, so far down 17.5 pounds. But this evening I found myself questioning my decision....

    My fiancé and I decided to go to the mall and pick up a few things and catch a movie. I thought this was a great idea. Since the surgery, I really hadn't done much for fun. I think this was not the best choice for me. This is something we do a lot. We usually make a day of it and have a lot of fun. But I forgot our day usually included eating at either Chevy's tex mex or Cheesecake factory, popcorn and soda with the movie or sneaking in an Auntie Ann's pretzel and top off the night with a Love it size Founder favorite Cold Stone Creamery Ice cream. Well I am pleased to report, I did not do any of the aforementioned. BUT IT WAS NOT EASY!!!

    I came home feeling anxious, ravenous, and depressed. I was sitting there not knowing why I was feeling this way, when it finally dawned on me. My old life, the one that revolved around food, was dead.

    I do question if I made the right decision. Again, I know this is my addictions talking. I need to know that these feelings pass. I know when I look at the scale and I put on my lose pants, I have made the right decision, it is just the silly little mind that plays tricks on me.

    Anyone else feel the same? Any advice?
  11. stephaniel71
    So my band taught me my first lesson today. I have been eating pureed/chopped foods now for a week. I was running late for work, so I thought I will just grap a banana and have that for lunch. I was thinking it isn't the protein I need, but it will tide me over.
     
    So lunch came around. Wasn't terribly hungry, but thought I better eat my banana. Well I did. All of it. What the hell was I thinking. About 3/4 threw it, I felt a little pain in my stomach. Well I have so many unexplained pains and growns and gurgles I don't know what is what. Well I should have listened to this one. My band WAS NOT HAPPY with that banana. I continued to finish it. I thought, well this is all I am eating for lunch, so come on, give me a break. I am going to eat all the damn banana. It weighed less than 6 1/2 oz with skin!
     
    15 minutes later, I am in real pain. Burping pretty nastily (nothing coming up thank God). although that might have given me some relief. I couldn't even sit in my chair. I had to go walk around.
     
    Bottom line, 10 hours later, my stomach is still punishing me, but getting through it. I learned my lesson. Listen to my body. The problem is, when you don't know what your body is saying, it is hard to listen
     
    I don't think I will be having a banana for awhile and I will slow down and pack a lunch.:confused:
  12. stephaniel71
    Well 12 days post op here. Doing well. On soups, scrambled eggs and yuckie protein shakes. Had a rough night last night. Was feeling anxious about life in general. I think I made about 10 trips to the frig last night. I miss my dear friend...food. I had to actually work through what I was feeling last night instead of bury it with food. That is a hard task to do. I am hopeful this will get easier.
     
    I have to remember, food is not my friend, it never was. It kept me from doing the things I loved to do...
     
    going to social events, going to the beach, horse back riding, going out dancing and oh so much more!!!
     
    to our new lives...
  13. stephaniel71
    My insurance denied coverage because they say I did not show 5 years obesity. I have had a bmi of 43 or greater for the last 10 years. After long consideration, I finally made what I thought was a great decision, just to be disappointed. I have only been with my primary doctor for 3 years. Before that, I did not have health insurance. I did not go to medical doctors during that time...maybe once or twice if I absolutley had to, but they did not weigh me. Does anyone know what else the insurance company will accept for proof of obesity for 5 years?
     
    Who the heck goes to the doctor and says, "oh you better weigh me because in 5 years, I might have surgery!"
     
    Devestated in New York!:thumbup:
  15. stephaniel71
    Well I am 9 days post op and doing quite well. On full liquids, so very happy to at least have some good tasting soups. Started my protein shakes 2 days ago, so my energy level is up...thank God!
     
    Great things...

    I am down 16 pounds (I hope I don't gain back once on regular food)
    Strangly enough I stopped snoring. My fiance mostly benefited from that one.
    I wake up in the morning alive...not like a zombie before. It used to take me 2 hours to get myself into the swing of the day.
    My gas pain is about 75% gone (that was the worst, but I recommend walk, walk, walk and gas X)
    My cravings are in high swing. Rough day yesterday. I cried over a diet soda...ugh. Doesn't help I am in PMS mode. I know the addictions will pass, but this is quite a challenge.
     
    Overall I am doing great. I question my decision now and then, but I know that is my addiction talking. Any encouragement from the long term successful bandsters, would love to hear some encourage.
     
    Thanks all! Good luck!

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