illuminationlady

I know the following is lengthy and most of these things we already do but I thought it was very helpful to be reminded. Plus Gloria asked me for them. Here is a list of behavior modifications that I got at support group last Monday. It is from a book called The Emotional First Aid Kit: The Practical Guide to Life after Bariatric Surgery. 1. Eat only as advised by your bariatric doctor. Usually this will be three meals per day. Try not to allow yourself to snack between recommended meals while making this transition. If you must, make it a bariatric-friendly snack. 2. Eat very slowly and place you eating utensil on the plate between bites. As a bariatric patient you will be advised to chew your food at least 25 times, so this in itself will slow you down. 3. Do no engage in other activity except eating at mealtime. Concentrate only on eating. Avoid reading, watching television, or too much conversation. This time is about eating only. 4. It is most important to eat in a specific place. Choose a room where you will do all of your eating, and promise yourself not to eat anywhere else. If possible, eat in the same chair. Do not eat while driving or doing other activities as you will quickly lose track of the amount you have consumed. It is important not to establish a connection between driving and eating. 5. Stay out of the kitchen except when absolutely necessary. Keep the kitchen light off so the room is not so inviting, and try to take alternate routes that don’t lead you past it if possible. Make sure food is stored only in your kitchen. 6. Use small plates, bowls, and utensils. 7. Do not keep leftovers on the table to invite additional nibbling after you finish. Instead, get up from the table immediately and do something else. It may be helpful to store leftovers in the refrigerator before your meal so you will not be tempted to eat more later. 8. Keep food out of sight as much as possible. Dot not keep it on the counter or in see-through containers. Keep your healthier choices in see-through containers so you learn to choose those before the others. 9. Do not leave bowls of small snacking food son the counter or table. We will eat “one or two” every time we pass. 10. Use these principles at work too. Take all Snacks out of your drawers and off of your desk including candy dishes for “clients or coworkers”. 11. Bring healthy snacks and meals with you to work so you will not be at the mercy of the cafeteria, fast food, or vending machines. 12. Do not eat lunch at your desk. Go to the lunchroom or a picnic table outside, but break the psychological connection between your desk and eating. 13. At break time, avoid the break room where others may be eating or where vending machines are located. Instead, take a stroll outside or inside your building. Make phone calls, do some stretching, or balance your check book. 14. Learn to change your routine. If you go to the refrigerator first thing after work, learn to go directly to another room so you will eventually break that connection. 15. Learn to read labels on grocery store items. Shop only when you are not hungry and bring a prepared list. Avoid certain aisles that might be tempting for you, like the crackers and Cookies aisles, for example. There will be little or no food appropriate for a new bariatric patient in that aisle. 16. Play soothing music while eating. It tends to slow us down. 17. Try not to nibble while preparing foods. This is a common trap. We may not eat much at dinner but we do not count all those bites taken during preparation. Plan ahead so you are not hungry while preparing meals, and try strategies such as brushing your teeth or keeping sugar-free hard candy around if you need something. 18. If munching while you cook is a problem for you, try to prepare several meals at once to decrease the amount of time you will be vulnerable. 19. Keep healthy snacking alternatives available, such as sugar-free hard candies, sugar-free popsicles, or sugar-free flavored Gelatin. 20. Always keep a bottle of Water with you. It will keep you feeling fuller between meals and is very healthy. 21. Always have an escape route. Do not put yourself in a situation where you feel unable to control your eating. If you find yourself overwhelmed at any time, have a plan for how you will allow yourself to leave. 22. Monitor your progress. Assess your BMI on a weekly or monthly basis. Weigh yourself weekly. Keep track of your workouts. Many people have difficulty when they stop monitoring themselves. We tend to feel more responsible for eating and exercise when we have to be held accountable. 23. Be aware of visual cues for eating. Let’s say someone puts donuts on a desk nearby you at work or there is a community candy bowl you pass by several time a day. A little snack here and there may feel like nothing, but it all adds up. Break the connection between eating and the cue. Move the donuts to another part of the office. Get rid of the candy dish. If you find your cue is being with a particular friend, then attempt to alter the connection by going to a movie instead of dinner. 24. When you have a craving, try waiting 10 min. before you eat anything. When you do not immediately respond to cravings, they tend to decrease in intensity. If you do this over time, the craved food will lose its strength and power over you. Have a great day!

Welcome to our newcomers! The advice given thus far is true. Being banded and losing weight is hard work. If you don’t work for your band, it will not work for you! Bottom line! It is not a magic wand and the weight doesn’t come off without hard work. The only thing the band does do is help with hunger and portion control. I got my glasses back and they are strong. Having a hard time adjusting to them but I can see again. Thank God! As you know I got my fourth fill on Monday. I have been extra careful and not gotten stuck once. I had fish last night for dinner and ate 2 oz. without getting stuck. So proud of myself. I think I’m getting the hang of it all. All is well in my household. We had a windstorm yesterday and Brewski doesn’t like the wind. So, he cried a lot yesterday. He’s just too big and hairy to let in the house and is used to being outside any way. If we let him in he just cries to go back out. Go figure. I’m going to my PCP today for the first time since being banded. His scale always makes me 5 pounds heavier for some reason. So I don’t like weighing in on that one….lol. Got a birthday coming up on Monday. Gonna be 51! My goodness, time flies. Going to walk Hunntington Beach pier on Sunday with my friend and she’s taking me to lunch. Gonna have soup just to not ruin my trip out with a stuck episode. But it should be fun and I’ll get some exercise that way. It’s supposed to be 70 and sunny. Have a great day everyone!!

Don't give up. You are down to a size 18. That's amazing!!! You didn't say how many ccs your band holds. You may just need a bit more of a fill. Talk to your doctor and tell him/her that you don't have restriction. I'm so sorry that you don't have it yet but you will. Don't give in to this. Fight for your band to work for you. Best wishes!! And Hang in there!

Restriction ROCKS!!! I'm right there with ya!!!

You are too funny...lol...and in quite a prediciment. I understand because I too put off my first fill until after a small trip. And I was hungry too. VERY!!! I just did the best I could and made healthy food choices. I too could have eaten a whole steak but didn't. Portion control helps and eating healthy snacks so you're not starving. I love Greek yogart, string cheese (low fat), cottage cheese, hummus with a few crackers. I maintained during this period and was glad to have done that. Hope some of this helps. Best wishes!

I struggle with this...out of habit. I get stuck a lot but am new to all of this and learning. They say no bigger than an eraser on the tip on a pencil. I tend to take about double that. Sometimes I make it through a meal and sometimes I'm stopped dead in my tracks....stuck...and then my meal is over. As I said I'm learning and need to tell myself before I even sit down that I am banded with restriction and need to eat slowly, take small bites and chew, chew, chew. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Bob, You have such a good attitude you're sure to be a success with the band. And no, I won't trade the pukey cat for Brewski...lol Got my fourth fill today. Got another .5 ccs for a total of 6.5 ccs in a 10 band. Lost 3 more pounds in 2 weeks. Slow but sure. Like Bob, I'm in no hurry. Just as long as the scale is going down is all that matters. It's really great reading everyone's posts, seeing pictures, and learning where you all live. It's really wonderful!!!

Eggbeaters with cheese for breakfast. Salad with protein for lunch. Chicken, fish, or some solid protein for dinner with veggies and a little bit of a yam or sweet potato. I snack on Greek yogart or hummus when needed. I can't seem to get down steak or pork at this point in time. I avoid bread, rice, and pasta for the most part. And lots and lots of water inbetween but not with meals or for thirty min. after. Hope this helps! Best wishes!!!

To answer the original question of "after being banded", I lost about 10 pounds.

Good Morning everyone! Well I didn't get stuck yesterday at all. I go to the doctor today to see if I need an adjustment. After reading about Elfie's fill maybe I do. I've been getting stuck here and there, well more here than there, and maybe this isn't true restriction. I will let the doctor decide. Still don't have my glasses back. Maybe today, for sure tomorrow. Successfully uploaded Brewski's picture. He's in trouble right now. He's decided, at night, to eat my flowers in the garden. I don't know what's gotten into him! Maybe he's lonely. He's an outside dog though. Always has been, always will be. Everyone have a really great day today. Sunny and warm here in SoCal!!! Elfie...glad you're back...you scared us.

I'm trying to upload a picture of Brewski. I don't know if it worked correctly. This is a test...only a test...

I'm with everyone else on this one. I eat every three to four hours even if it's a small healthy snack. I get hungry and I believe I'm pretty close to my sweet spot. Best wishes!

I have Fibromyalgia and tried the shots regularly for a while. It didn't help me. Sorry.

Love the pics of Butters. I have a Golden named Brewski! Can you believe it. I really like your advice and am going to impliment it tonight with dinner. But we're having chicken which I don't seem to have a problem with. And the funny thing is that with lunch I don't have to worry at all about getting stuck. It's like my band tightens at the end of the day. Really weird! Anyway, thanks for the post and pictures. You are very blessed!

Good Morning Everyone!! Well I got stuck on steak last night. I keep getting stuck but it's my own fault. I know I ate too fast. But as soon as I felt that little sensation I stopped eating and that was it dinner was over. DH has been very understanding. Dinner seems to be a problem for me almost every night! Getting tired of making it to only sit there most nights. Oh well! Gloria, Happy Anniversary! Oh my... bubbly wine! Sounds like fun. Haven't had bubbles since I was banded. Bob, I am a teacher (on disability) and in my classroom I have a big banner that says, "Attitude is the minds paintbrush; it can color any situation." Every year I would hang that up in the front and always remind the children throughout the year. I really believe your good attitude has made you the success you are today!!! Besty, Glad things are moving along. I continue my prayers for you and hubby. Denise, We are so close to one another. Amazing! I don't go to San Diego often though. What kind of dog is Butters? I love the name too. So glad he got to go to the high class mall. Isn't it funny how pets are allowed so many places here? My daughter works at Home Depot and pets are allowed there to...even in the shopping carts. 2GoodDogs, Welcome! We are glad to have you! Liz, "Outed" at work! Oh no!!...lol You always make me chuckle girl. Sorry about the lay offs. I know there will be teachers laid off this year. I might go back to work this next school year because Im high up in the seniority book but that would mean bumping someone else. Leigha, So glad you're dusting off that motorcycle. Have a ride for me. Fun! Fun! Christie, So glad your blood pressure is back to normal. Isn't it nice to get off some of your meds? I'm down from 11 to 6 prescription meds. Hummingbird, I used to bowl all the time when I lived in Indiana. I was even on a league for years, but haven't bowled in years. Glad you got out and had some fun! Where oh where has ElfiePoo gone to? I PM her yesterday and haven’t gotten a response. Have a great day my friends!

I live in Costa Mesa, south Orange County. Very cool we're so close!!!

What a wonderful feeling!!! Congrats!!! You give me hope!

My nose runs too... and sometimes a hiccup. Never heard of it described as a "soft sign" though. Thanks for putting a name to it.

Well it's Saturday here in SoCal. Gonna rain. I love the story of the gal who gave up food for Lent. That's hysterical. That's why I don't give anything up. You just end up breaking your promise and that makes you feel bad. Greek Yogart...the best!!! Love, love, love it! Fage is the best with a little honey sprinkled over it. That's my snack. Oh my! Cocoa, That's exactly what happened to me...too funny...lol Has anyone heard from Elfie? She hasn't been around lately. Just wondering. Have a good day everyone!!

Hummingbird, Where you live is God's country. Really enjoyed the pictures. Thanks. Okay, this is weird. I can eat a white, baked chicken breast no problem. Slow but sure. Yet, on soft, white fish I get stuck. Every time! I thought it was supposed to be easy to eat fish. I'm not over cooking it and it's moist. Maybe I'm taking to big a bite each time. Maybe, I was less careful. But it's happened twice now. Making me fear fish a bit...lol

Good Morning everyone! I still can't friggin' see!! It's driving me nuts! Bob, Glad you're feeling better this morning. You'll be back to normal before ya know it. Betsy, Glad to hear Mark is home. I continue to keep him and you in my prayers. I am Catholic and have a little Blessed Mother Statue with a candle. I keep it lit for certain prayer intentions and Mark in now included. Liz, Yes, teenagers can be really bad about there phones. My 23 year old is always texting, surfing the net, etc. when she's with me. I told her it's rude and she states, "It's part of my culture. Don't put my culture down Mom." Can you believe that? I made it through all of yesterday without getting stuck. I ate slowly and did not overeat at any one sitting. I think I'm getting the hang of it finally. Eating too fast is a hard habit to break. I think the band will break it for me cause everytime I eat too fast I get stuck. Behavior modification!!!

Yes, it has happened to me several times. But I've had episodes with sliming too. But just being stuck hurts like the dickens!!!

Welcome Back!!!

adagray said it well. But I will say from reading this forum since Sept. of 09 that most banded people slime or PB. I have been banded since Dec. and am at my sweet spot. And yes, I've slimed and PB'd. I've also had stuck episodes. The thing that worried me about your post is that you said you've had panic attacks. This is not a good thing to do when it's happening. I just want you to be well informed in your decision. But the best thing to do when it happens is to stay clam, possibly try and PB and wait it out. Best wishes!!!

I agree with Teacher07. You need a fill and do not have true restriction. I could never eat several cups of food. I have not had restriction long but now I know the difference. Call your doctor and get that fill!!!