TracyNYC

I was done on 10/5.

Wow! I can't believe how much negativity you got about the band. My surgeon almost does NO GBP anymore and said that long term results are about the same. Though w/ GBP you lose faster. I know someone who had GBP 5 years ago and eats whatever she wants. However she started at 500 lbs. and never "worked her program". At first she suffered from dumping, due to the sweets and fats, but now never has an issue. That being said, she has lost less than 100 pounds in 5years. They told her no soda (Just like bandees) and she drank it the day she got home. She re-introduced EVERYTHING and tolerates it all. You will be hard-pressed on this site to find people against the band. I am only 1 month out, but am pleased overall. I would see a few surgeons. I think that the surgeon has a right to be concerned about other health issues, but I had tons of tests before he would operate.' Good Luck!

Ok, first fill last Thursday, 1 cc in my 12cc band bringing me to 3.5 total. Yes, I have restriction, I feel every bute as it goes down and certain things that were going down, now won't or are very rough. I emailed nutritionist and asked what should my calories look like for a day. I also fessed up to some high Protein snacking because while I feel full quickly, It does not last more than 2 hours. I am on early stages of solid food. I can not get chicken down too well, though it was great in mush early on. I can't even get mush down. Anyway.... the Nutritionist replied that I must stop snacking regardless of calories. (That was not my question) She said I must "learn to deal with my head hunger." She also said I should follow 5% rule on carbs and fat. Unclear about that. I know in email is tough to 'hear' someone's tone, but I felt very chastised. The PA did not judge me like that when I fessed up about a mini Kit Kat. I am hungry between meals and have NO IDEA how much I should be eating. I am really struggling lately.....

I too need "on the go" breakfasts. I DO NOT eat yogurt. I have tried every brand, flavor and concoction out there and do not like it. So that is a problem. I am so jealous that you guys eat bread like things. I have not tried and am afraid that if it goes down ok, I will have a whole other issue to deal with. eggs don't pack well, not cleared for cereal. I was having 2 laughing cow (light) wedges on melba toast, but that does not have enough Protein or substance, though I like that a lot. Any suggestions will be welcomed! Thanks Hale for letting me tag on your post.

Thank you all. I find that late afternoon and evening are my bad times. For a while I was eating my first meal at 1pm and then could eat 2 meals later on. I am tight in the morning and have my tea/protein then and can barely get that down some mornings. I have trouble when I eat at 7am, 1pm and at 6. I need more later in the day. I knew going in that it was 3 meals period, but knowing and the reality are 2 different things. The nutritionist said there is no calorie count. I think this is to avoid the Snacks if your meals leave you calories. I read an article that talked about how the 3 meals goes against everything lifelong obese people are told when dieting and that is why it is so hard to change. I am trying and have been Ok today except for my fudge pop (40 cal) earlier. I am floundering as to WHAT to eat now. Getting sick of mushy and should be slowly adding solids, but WHAT? :biggrin:

I agree Karen. That is why the head work is soo important for us to. We can stop eating and work out forever, but the head needs to be on straight too. My friend had GBP 5 years ago. She started at 500 lbs. and is only down about 60. She REFUSES to see the connection. She STILL says, "I just like to eat." Look, we all have issues but she grew up in an alcoholic environment and her mother still berates her daily, evan at 38. She has mocked me for seeing someone to talk to and taking meds, but I went into this with realistic expectations. So, Karen, a miserable fat person will be a miserable skinny one too.

I am only down 25 lbs. and see no difference. I am upset b/c the goal they gave me at 5 ft 6 in is 160 lbs. That is over 100 pounds to lose and at 160 I STILL had to shop in Lane Bryant and Macy Woman. I want to shop in the normal dept. and LOVE the clothes from NY and CO. At 160 I was an 16 or 18. Very annoying to think all this and I will still be a fatty at the end wearing sacks from LB. I started at 289.

Thanks so much. Of course nutritionist is NOT covered. I am supposed to see her at 3 months out, 6 mos. and 9 mos. I will try about 1000 - 1200 per day. I need to make a food diary that tracks Protein and calories. Thanks again, just feel a bit lost....

Thanks KC. I don't think I have too much fill, I think I just need to slow down and mush up a little more. I just don't know WHAT/HOW MUCH of it I should be eating. Hoping some of the Veterans will pop in my thread. Maybe it's time to dig out the WLS cookbooks and see what's what.

AAANNDDDD, like most of us my day starts early: at 5:30 am and ends somewhere around 11 pm. How the heck are three 1/2 cup meals supposed to last spread out over 17 1/2 hours.

That is so awesome. I want to workout and even have a former student who is a personal trainer. But I feel so self conscious. Good for you.

I believe I have had an AH Ha moment. Much of my over eating occurred out of boredom. I quit smoking in July and was banded in OCT. I ate and smoked about 1/2 the time from boredom. I need positive things to occupy my time now. reading? check! computer?check! I know, I know, I need exercise now ! Any other suggestions?

Good idea Gator,I do need to get a few more credits in order to hit the next pay scale at my school. Instead of an on line course, maybe will get off my duff and go!

I am so surprised by the differences in the way surgeons fill bands. I started with 2.5 cc and had just 1 cc added this week. I see here that some people get 5 or 6 ccs in the first fill. I realizes every doc and patient is different, but that is a BIG difference. I feel very little restriction and I have NO will power. (Wouldn't have been 289 if I did.) I hope my second fill puts the restriction and loss into gear. I am down almost 25 in a month though. My band is 12ccs. The PA said i will never be that full, that they only fill patients who are banded over bypass, b/c they need the extra reminder. UGH!

My upfront attitude may be a problem because of the food police issue. I find that by engaging in constant conversations with the food police all I do is talk about the band. I fear becoming a bore with it. I am going to a cocktail party Friday night with close friends, so I know a lot of questions will be asked. There will be the concerned friend, the nosey friend and the negative friend. In addition: their husbands. Which is something I don't have and it adds an interesting element to our mix since I will be getting attention through the questions while they may be pushed to the side. Usually all eyes and ears are on them with the latest vacation, home remodel, new car or brilliant accomplishment by their child. It already has created a shift in the dynamic. Some are not happy and I will decide how to handle this as time plays out and weight falls off. If cutting someone out helps me heal and get healthy, tough, I will do it. As I re-read some of this it looks like I am jealous with what they have. That is not the case, but being single so long in a field of married people, you come to see (and rightfully so) that family life is the center of their worlds, not the way careers, books or other interests (my band) are for me. I wish I had not told quite so many people.

I am addicted to Hormel Fat Free Turkey Chili. i throw a little FF cheddar on and I am hooked. Of course I could eat the whoe can...LOL

My GP was a doll and "back-logged" all the forms for me. I had my first consult on July 9th and was banded by Oct. 5th. It is not like she and I had never discussed my obesity or we did anything wrong. I was grateful for that, and it cut back the timeline.

I too have been honest and open. Surprisingly, the support came from unexpected places and some of those who you think would have been on board were not! I think lying, intentionally or by omission, adds to the shame of being overweight and the thought some have of "it's cheating" and not "the natural way" to lose weight. That is just how I feel, and everyone has to make their own decision about how to handle it.

Thanks. I suspect jealousy has a lot to do with it. Though it sounds self centered to think someone is jealous of me. Glad your brother will be home soon. Enjoy!

It is like when AA or NA suggest you limit your socialization to those from "group". My BFF is the one said the thing about killing myself, I think she is having to look at herself b/c of my surgery. Her doc has already told her she has to lose. She is heavier than me too. I hope she stops using her insecurity/problem on me!

I did and do miss food and the full mouth and belly feeling. However, it has gotten better. I am a month out and have been very cranky. I think I am de-toxing from all the crap. Other than Melba Toast, i have not had a bread like substance since October 4th. I have had 1 fill and have some restriction, but i could keep eating more than my 1/2 cup. There is a mourning period. Friends already have stopped inviting me over and out b/c "I have food issues". I feel like saying, "I am working on my food issues,(and others) not you!". One friend said she would never kill herself like I ma to be thin. I said but I didn't want to kill myself being fat either. I always keep it about me when I shoot back, so as not to be preachy. But I digress........It gets better as we work through our sick relationship with food. My therapist has helped a lot with this. Hang in there.

happy Birthday and you are blessed! My coworkers would knock me down and rip out the band if they thought it would help them!LOL

Fill was great, She added 1 cc. I already had 2.5 in there.:smile2: Not even a pinch. AND I am down another 4.5 since Oct. 15.:thumbup: For a grand total of 24.5! Don't know how to adjust my ticker thingy though.:smile::frown:

I am getting my first fill at 3:30 today. My stomach has been feeling a little 'tender', like after you have a stomach bug. It almost seems sore to the touch from the inside, if that makes any sense.LOL Forgive my bluntness, but I have been have in hard time pooping. Not constipated, but very hard to go. I am taking stool softeners and after I go everything inside seems sore. Nervous about what happens during and after fill. Anyone else with a sore tummy?

I see a lot of complaints about the shakes being yucky. I did not like the vanilla and chocolate shakes either. I started putting my vanilla packet in my de caff tea. I use it like coffee mate. It is good. I also bought, at my surgeons, the protein mixes that are berry, orange and lemon flavored. The berry is the best and what I do is throw them in my 20oz drink shaker thing with crystal lite. I guess a shake is thicker and may add to satisfaction, but if you can't stand it.....Hope this Helps.