steelergirl

Your very welcome!

How important small pieces and eating slowly REALLY IS! I should have practiced in the months before surgery

That is the absolute key in success with ANY recovery. People (we) use our substance of choice because we get some type of reward from it whether it be emotional, physoical or otherwise. It makes our brains believe that is one of the only things that give us pleasure anymore. You and I both know thats not true but that is what we have been telling our brains for many many yrs. I would suggest starting simple....a walk on a nice day, shooting basketball with smaller kids, volunteering, reading, exercising, etc. It will be different for everyone. Dig down deep.....there were things that you used to love to do before yourr love affair with Food began. Go back to the beginning. The other really important part is realizing that you absolutely deserve to treat yourself WELL! Put yourself first no matter how hard it is. Yes, even in front of your children and SO. You matter and you must make yourself happy. Takes time...but it's possible. If you are struggling...send me a message. I will do what ever I can to help:smile2:

I am a Certified Addictions Counselor and in my career, pre-banded, I have seen and assessed many, many people who become "addicted" to drugs/alcohol after Weight Loss Surgery. While talking with these individuals entering treatment they believe that their addiction started after surgery and they had no problems prior. I know as well as most people on this site that we all have suffered from Food Addiction. It is very real and very profound in controling your life and causing the same crisis as it would in an alcoholic/drug environment. "Cross addiction" as it is called happens often. Please be careful with this. It is very real and will cause much harm in your life.

It's funny for me because I wasn't much of a sweet eater prior to banding but LOVED hearty food. I have found that if I eat a miniature candy bar or a bite of my daughters kit kat, it tastes so darn good and I am satisfied. This helps around TOM when all I wanted pre-band was chocolate 24/7.

It absolutely WILL come off. You have to make wise food choices. Think basic stuff. remember back in school, the food groups. Limit processed foods,( I eliminated them) added sugar and starchy foods. I cook most of my food on Sundays and make things I can throw in tupperware for lunches and snacks. I have only had 1 fill and I still have to be careful but my body is telling me that it likes the healthy stuff. I sleep better, I feel better and I have energy! You have the power to do this. It is not all the band.....Your doing the work! I weigh my food and limit potatoes. (my fav) I still have but only twice a week and half of what I am use to eating. Keep a positive outlook! This is about learning along the way as well.

CONGRATS on making it under 200!!!!:smile2::thumbup::thumbdown::thumbup: I know you must be so proud of yourself. I have dreamed about getting under that 200 mark. Soon I will be following you.......

Good luck! Listen to your body....it will let you know if you need to "switch up" your normal food or activity. Keep it mostly natural and healthy and you will do great! FYI: I tend to stay about 1000-1200. I also do not deprive myself of a piece of chocolate or a spoonful of ice cream every once in a while.

I will also be considered overweight for the rest of my life! haha!!! I am large boned and 5ft 8.5inch tall. and I was 185lbs my senior year in high school and I was very thin. Of course that was many many yrs ago but I have been down to about 220 and I am wearing a size 14. Im ok with being "overweight". I have been morbidly obese for most of my adult years and overweight is OK. Actually looking forward 2 it!! LOL

It sounds as if we had similar issues. I was unable to get much liquid down muself for the first week. i finally went into the surgeons office 7 days after surgery and there was an air bubble in my band. It was causing nothing or very little to get through. I was told that as soon as I couldn't get down at least a liter a day, I should have called. I ended up being dehydrated and after he removed the air bubble, I got immediate relief. Please don't wait....call the office. You do not have to suffer through this. Good luck and let us know how you are.:blushing:

It sounds like you answered your own question.....I wish you well

I get between 75-85 protein daily. I thought head hunger was "all in my head?" I was physically hungry....growling, pain in my shoulder etc. I am about 10 days pre TOM. Maybe this was it. Just feels strange it would be 1 day and not again today.

This made me giggle. Very funny!

I have been doing well since first fill. Surgery on 11/12 and first fill 12/23. I have been pleasantly surprised with the restriction I am getting. Well...I experienced my first bottomless pit day yesterday! I woke up starving! I ate healthy allday. My stomach was growling all day in between my "every 2 hour meals." I woke up today and I am back to normal! Is this normal? Is this pre-period hormonal stuff? Can I expect this on a regular basis? I thought about fastfood and pizza soooo many times yesterday, but didn't eat them. I had to eat every 2 hours in order to not be starving and im OK with that if it wouldn't have been such a surprise!

I remember that wonderful day like it was yesterday...I had bent at the waist to reach for something sitting on the floor and it was like the Burp from heaven!!! It had been almost 2 full weeks and so much pressure and gas. I learned that if I stretched up towards the ceiling with my hands and bend over while reaching out all in one motion it made me start burping. BEWARE....once you start, it's hard to stop. Be careful what you wish for. LOL

I am very happy you have talked with someone. I hope you find the joy you are searching for whether that is at home or elsewhere. Keep moving forward in a positive way:smile:

Sounds frightening Timmmers! I have experienced the same thing. i tend to "overdo" things when I get into a good workout routine. The sports drinks...I stay away from. You actually only need the electrolytes that are in them, there are little packets of powder additives you can buy (like: Crystal light) that are like sports drinks. I think they are called G4 or something like that. They are low in calories and you add them right to your water. I always try to eat a little something before a workout. Usually like a chunk of chicken breast or tuna salad that I made from home. Even a piece of fruit or something low sugar helps. I hope you can find those little tubes of powder pre-mix that you add to water. Good Luck!

I had lost 15 pounds the week following surgery due to dehydration, however...once I got straight i gain almost all that back and never lost it. I went back to Surgeon for first fill last Wednesday, i weighed myself this morning and I have lost 16 lbs. Obviously I have not lost 16 TRUE pounds in 6 days but I think my body just needed to adjust. The doctor was not concerned when I saw him and said it is perfectly normal. Good Luck and give yourself a chance!

I also can take my pills. 1 is about the size of an aspirin and the other is oblong and large. I split that one and take separate. I have no problems as of yet. You must be informed about what will be done during and after surgery or it will be very frustating for you. I highly suggestgoing through these threads and reading as much as you can. PLEASE REM>>>> All of us have different Surgeons and they different ways of doing things. Just read and be informed and ASK questions when you see your doctor BEFORE surgery! Good luck and we will be here!

Had same thing. I was dehydrated. Drink as much as you can, it will get better! Hang in there.

BigPapa- Nice 2 see you! I am really glad you decided to come back to join us. "Ortho" issues can cause all kinds of headgames to start working on us. Stay in touch and get the much needed support from this board. You can friend me if you want...... BEST OF LUCK!!!! You can do this!

Now that makes sense to me. I have been able to eat much smaller portions which consist of 3oz of protein and veggies. I hope this stays this way....I feel comfortable but not "sweet spot" yet. Doc and nutritionist want 4 hours no hunger with 1/2 cp.I am losing well where I am though. I shall see what the next 3 weeks will bring..

I was abnded 11/12. Had a rough couple of weeks but presently I just received first fill on 12/23. I feel restriction, eat under a cup of food at meals but they are only lasting 3 hours instead of 4hours. Anyway...how can many people report that they have no restriction BUT they get stuck, PB, and slime? Some even state they vomit. How could this be happening if they don't have restriction? I have not had any of the above (yet) and just want to prepare myself. I have had what I describe as a hard swallow in the last few days, but everything stayed down.

Devin- I had very similar experience. I was very hungry all the time after about 3 weeks post-op. I was banded on 11/12 and first fill on 12/23. I felt a difference with my first fill but most posters on here state it takes several before you feel good restriction.I guess it depends on what your personal "restriction" feels like. I am confortable with my first fill but can see that the next one will be better. You will get relief when you go in for your fill. Make sure you talk to the doctor and explain how hungry you have been. Best of Luck. No worries! Your doing great!

I got my first fill on 12/23. I was really not expecting much restriction at all, but WOW....I have fallen in love with my band! I want to be able to eat out and eat a meal with my family but smaller portions. This is exactly what I have at the moment. I am currently sustained for 3 hours with between 1/2 cup and 3/4 cup of high protein foods. My Nut. wants me sustained for 4 hours and we are working towards that. I hope me and my band stay in this happy place! (I have 5cc in a 14cc band.)