BetsyB

I think it's perfectly natural to want to return to the things that we've used as coping tools in the past. Emotional eating is something that has comforted you before---so of course your mind takes you there when you're stressed. I also think that there are more adaptive ways to cope with stress---and that using them will probably go a long way toward helping you feel better. Eating will not. Not in the long run, at least. It carries such an emotional and physical cost. When you're stressed, your body needs for you to feed it WELL. It needs adequate Fluid. It needs a good balance of exercise and rest. (Being overtired REALLY plays in to the disinhibition that feeds emotional eating.) If given these things--even when they're tricky to fit in because of a hectic schedule---you'll find that the urge to emotionally overeat diminishes. You'll also find that you're better equipped to cope with the stressors. Good luck! You will get past these big events intact---it is overwhelming now, but it will all pass. Be kind to yourself in the meantime.

I'm 5'2" and wore size 8 at 115-120. I wore size 12 up to around 155 pounds. Now I'm in 18s at 190-ish. It's not just that bodies are different, it's that sizes vary tremendously from manufacturer to manufacturer.

I wonder if your developing baby/growing uterus are placing pressure on the port region from within. There are lots and lots of weird pains associated with pregnancy, and they seem to peak at the time when fetal growth becomes evident---right about where you are. When you've got a tiny, tiny little embryo, there aren't all that many changes. But as you grow, the stretching muscles and pressure against structures/organs do hurt sometimes. I think it probably would be a good idea to check with your surgeon to see if this sounds like something he's heard about from other patients who've gone on to become pregnant. I'd be willing to be that you're in good company. Good luck--what an exciting time for you!

Not to seem overly blunt, but you don't have a choice. The temptation will always be there---you need to develop strategies to cope with it. Getting a fill will go a long way toward helping with the hunger--but it's not going to do away with the head hunger,or the sense that you 'deserve' chocolate after a bad day, etc. You are going to have to tackle those issues. (I bet that chocolate mini eggs go down pretty easily, even with appropriate restriction. Evil things.) I'm reading a really good book addressing emotional eating. It's called Shrink Yourself by Roger Gould, MD. In reading it, I've sort of confirmed that I'm not much of an emotional eater---but it still has useful tactics for me. And it is REALLY geared toward nipping emotional eating in the bud. Our relationships with food are so tricky!

Wait, wait, wait! Cherita, you were banded over a month after me, have lost 38 pounds, and are unhappy with your loss? Holy moly! I agree, time to reframe! Your loss is terrific!

Anne, it's lower on the glycemic index, and is more nutritious than white--so if you're incorporating grains, it's okay, nutrition-wise. But some people still have trouble with its stickiness, it seems.

My doctor doesn't have a mushy rule post-fill---and for the first two fills I was grateful for this. HOWEVER, he does caution us to listen carefully to our bodies---and let's just say that my body didn't start talking, after Fill #3, until I already was in pain. The recommendation is made because filling the band exerts pressure on the stomach, and can result in swelling that causes the stoma to become smaller than it will eventually be, once the swelling calms down. As you approach restriction, this swelling can make it much more likely that you'll have a stuck episode. I empathize with the hunger--I had no noticeable difference after my first two fills, and would have been tempted to gnaw the legs off my kitchen chairs if I had ot stick to liquids! (But now, after fills, that is all I want!)

Hi, Gang! I hope everyone's doing well. I will do a catch-up in the morning. Just wanted to share that I passed the 40 pound post-band mark---I guess I jumped off my plateau harder than I thought! I also thought I'd share what's for dinner tonight--it seems good and band-friendly. I found it in Rachael Ray's magazine when I was waiting for Preston at the dentist's office. Moo Shu Pork Kebabs 2 T hoisin sauce 2 T soy sauce 1 tsp. rice wine vinegar 1 T sugar (I will use Splenda) 1 tsp corn starch 12 oz boneless pork chops, cut into 16 1-inch cubes (I am leaving/serving them as whole chops because, well---I'm lazy) 16 white mushrooms (I'm using crimini, 'cause I have 'em--and I'll julienne them to be like the 'shrooms in moo shu) 1.5 T vegetable oil 3 c. shredded cole slaw mix Preheat broiler. In a bowl, combine hoisin, soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar. Pour half into another bowl and add cornstarch. Thread pork and mushrooms onto 8 skewers. Rub with 1 T oil and place on baking sheet. (I plan to saute both, together.) Cook, turning once, for 5 minutes. Brush with the hoisin mixture that doesn't have cornstarch. Cook, turning once for 4 more minutes. In a skillet, heat the remaining 1.5 tsp oil over medium-high heat. Add coleslaw mix and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in hoisin-cornstarch mix and cook for 1 more minute. I'm serving this with (for the family) peanut noodles; I'll just have 3-4 oz. of pork and veggies. Have a great evening, everyone!

Yes, it's normal to feel it. And depending on your surgeon's placement, it really may be just under the incision. The upper edge of mine aligns with the incision.

My doctor does one of two thing: 11 cc Realize band or 14 cc Lap-band. He makes the decision based on stomach size.

I think along 80/20 lines, too, Missy--it ties in with the Japanese "hara hachibun," which means, "eight-tenths full." It can be applied both to an 80/20 distribution of food over time, or aiming to stop, when eating, just short of being "full." I think it's a really sensible way to approach lots of things in life---food, but also things like exercise, and so on. There's room for indulgence if you are cautious most of the time :thumbup:

I'm with Jacqui. Soy---and particularly soy Protein isolate from genetically modified sources---is hugely allergenic to many. (And this allergy can be difficult to diagnose because it's very difficult to remove soy from the diet without moving to a whole foods diet.) If you're lucky enough to be spared allergy, soy appears to be connected with several serious health conditions. Its phytoestrogens (plant estrogens), in tiny amounts, may be helpful to perimenopausal women (though the jury's still out). In people without dwindling estrogen--or who eat larger larger amounts (or use concentrated sources such as soy protein isolate supplements), the phytoestrogens may contribute to the development of breast and other cancers. Further, soy can suppress thyroid function and may affect cognitive function in the elderly. But I suspect your concern is primarily in the quality of the protein---and for that, it's just not as bioavailable (easily used by the body for cell growth, maintenance, and repair) as whey protein isolate. I personally would NOT rely on soy protein isolate as a regular part of my diet---for safety reasons. From the Harvard school of public health: (italics mine, bolding theirs) This sentiment is repeated often in the medical literature.

I understand that your doctor's goal is to get you to "normal" as quickly as possible. BUT, it's perfectly normal, after a fill (though it's usually not marked with the first), to experience swelling---and 'babying' the band for a few days can be a very good idea. My doctor doesn't have us go to liquids or mushies after a fill, either. And it wasn't until my THIRD fill that this caused me any problem. I got stuck right away---and rather than tell myself, "Well, time to take it easy," I proceeded to try "normal" food for the next several meals. I ended up VASTLY prolonging the time before I could return to "normal". Most of us have really, really excellent surgeons. But most of them do not have bands---and do not therefore really viscerally (no pun intended) understand our limitations all the time. I'm not suggesting you discount what your doctor tells you---but rather reassuring you that, if you have difficulty, it's okay to listen to your band, and take your cues from your very own body. Certainly, you don't want to subsist long-term on liquids or mushies; but if you require a day or two to let swelling go down, there's no need to feel as though you're defying doctor's orders. You're not; you're doing what YOU need to do in order to feel well.

Yes, the sugar-free ones are okay. Your subject line refers to no-sugar-added popsicles, though---and they often are NOT okay for the preop diet. So do what you've done, and continue to read labels :thumbup:

Flagyl. If you take the antibiotic Flagyl (you can say it's for a urinary tract infection) with alcohol, it causes a VIOLENT reaction. Ha! Cathy beat me to it :thumbup:

I haven't yet reintroduced grains; my doctor recommends holding off until 75 percent of excess weight is lost. So far, I haven't missed them--but do look forward to being in touch enough with my band (and low enough in weight) to enjoy them again. I don't think I'll probably even attempt rice; I wasn't using white, except in sushi, preop. Brown? Maybe, but I'd rather go for more substantial grains with a bit more to offer, protein- and nutrient-wise. As far as things like faro and wheatberries, I don't foresee problems. The fact that they're chewy make them, for me, a safer-appearing choice. They don't tend to get clumpy, which is, I think, the real problem with rice. (It gets sticky and obstructs the stoma.) Now I want a nice wheatberry salad! Yum. I don't think you'll have to heavily rely on Protein supplements. I keep an eye on my intake and use them when necessary---but they needn't be a mainstay. (If you don't have a type you like, the Inspire whey protein supplements from bariatriceating.com are really good.) You haven't mentioned (but I know you're aware of...) Beans. To me, beans are the ideal post-band food. They've gone down easily since the very beginning, are satisfying, are gentle on the stomach----I love 'em. When combined with those good grains, I don't think you'll have to worry about protein much at all. (I forgot to mention I order the C. Booth lotion from either Amazon or drugstore.com. I've found it, on occasion, at Walgreens.)

Kookaburra, I am very sorry. My intention was NOT to make you feel weak and incapable of following through with the preop diet. Quite the contrary, I meant to empower you---to tell you that you CAN do this! ALL of us flounder---but not all of us give up. It's hard--VERY hard. No one disputes that. Lots of us cheat. But in the end, we all have to muster up every thing we've got to do this right. I understand, if you're not ready now. No one can decide that but you. If postponement is best for you, Anne's suggestion re: coaching/counseling is a really good one. If you decide to pursue banding again, you'll be facing the same difficult preop diet, and you'll need all the internal resources you can muster. It's not really a setback that you're holding off---in the long run, it will give you great odds of success. And THAT is what we all want for you.

I've eaten a primarily whole food diet for several years--ever since I developed a soy allergy. (Soy is in everything.) I do use whey Protein supplements--but other than that, I really have steered clear of prepared foods for a long, long time. As with anything, there are exceptions. We're not perfect---but I do cook from scratch with good ingredients, so the occasional meal out or ordered takeout doesn't throw things off too much. We're not fanatical--just aim to eat cleanly mos of the time. I spent many years eating whole foods and NOT losing---but I suppose that when I reach goal, I will be able to say I did it all with whole foods. Unless you frown upon protein supplementation, which I still require. As for skin, the best we can do is nourish ourselves well, and hope our good genes prevail and the gods smile on us. Skin elasticity is governed by age, genetics, how long we've been overweight, how much we've stuffed into our wrappers, how many times we've gone up and down, how many pregnancies we've had, and so on. It has very little do to with how fast we lose or what we apply to our skin. Still, I really like C. Booth 4-in-1 Multi-Action Body Lotion. I like the lemon sugar scent. It's mild and nice. The lotion exfoliates, nicely lubricates, and also temporarily tightens skin. At this point, I'll settle for temporary! (I'm still researching plastic surgeons, though, for something more permanent!) It comes in a HUGE bottle, and is very reasonably priced. Oh--and for supplements--I take a good bariatric multi, then supplement additionally based on what my nutrient intake looks like. (I track on Fitday.) One thing I do take daily is Co Q-10. My surgeon required it pre and postop, and recommends its use for life. (It's a powerful antioxidant, and is showing up in lots of skin preparations these days.)

What a frustrating situation for you! I realize that willpower is the name of the game at the beginning. I was also banded in January, so I definitely relate to the difficulties of drawing on willpower. But for me, restriction is very, very close---and my doctor is very, very willing to do fills as needed. Having that light at the end of the tunnel makes it so much easier to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I hate that you don't seem to have that light! What criteria does your doctor use to determine whether you need a fill? Ideally, the decision should be based not only on their objective measurements (weight loss, etc), but also on how YOU feel. And if you're white-knuckling it and gaining weight, then that's a pretty good sign you need the help the band is designed to provide. I think it's unconscionable that the doctor's agenda does not align with the intended use of the device--and I'd want him to explain why. It's well within your rights as a patient to question the rationale of a doctor who will not work with you. Blanket policies that ignore the needs of individual patients do not meet standards of care, and I would really want a very explicit explanation for why they are resisting appropriate use of the band they willingly installed. You are upholding YOUR end of the bargain---they need to be accountable for their part. In fact, they may have a plan that involves stepping things up now that you're a little further postop. But unless you ask--and really express that you're having difficulty---you won't know. You don't have to blindly accept that "this is how they do it." Sometimes, squeaky wheels get the oil. In the meantime, do the best you can. What kind of eating plan was recommended to you? Can you convince yourself that sticking to it is purely non-optional? I ask, because I find it really kind of relieves me from having to draw on my inner resources if I tell myself that I simply CANNOT deviate. Somehow, keeping that door slammed shut and locked is freeing.

I wouldn't jump to the conclusion of a band slip! You had a stuck incident, which very likely caused swelling, and added the irritation from ibuprofen to the mix. Toss in hunger/hypoglycemia/stress from the upcoming wedding, and that's a recipe for feeling cruddy. I think you've got the right approach--baby your band for a few days. (Be sure you meet your nutrient needs, though.) Chances are, you'll find that the irritation/swelling abates, and you're back on track. If it persists, yes---then see your doctor.

The band really isn't geared for fast loss. Aside from a month-long plateau, I've lost 1-3 pounds a week, on average. That's without restriction (for most of the time), but following a pretty stringent diet.

Hopefully, by the time you read this, the swelling will have calmed down a little bit and you'll be feeling like, "Oh, yeah---this is better!" If not, and you can't keep liquids down, call the doc sooner rather than later!

They're made with soy Protein, which is not as readily absorbed as whey protein. (It also, for some, can be thyroid suppressive.) A better bet would be a good whey protein isolate. You can find them lots of places--GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, costco, etc. My favorite are the Inspire whey Protein shakes from bariatriceating.com.

The symptoms you described don't sound as though they're related to the band. You say she'd never experienced this problem before---but our bodies do continually change. And our vestibular systems (organs involved with equilibrium) change with age, and with a variety of other things. Even congestion from allergies, this time of year, can cause temporary vestibular changes. Ear infection can, as well. I may be wrong, but I can't see an anatomical or physiological reason why this sort of sensation might be tied to a band, except very peripherally. For example, if she is on BP meds she no longer needs due to weight loss, or if she was avoiding park food and was hypoglycemic, then she might experience the symptoms you've described. I hope she's feeling fine by now. In her shoes, I'd probably chalk it up to "one of those things." A coaster can affect you differently at different times. But if she's still worried about it, giving her doctor a call won't hurt.

Oh, and now that I've had my little rant (!), yes---I find it impossible to lose without exercise--and impossible to maintain, too. I've never found my appetite increased due to exercise. It seems, really, to be a deterrent to eating. If I've worked out, I don't want to undo my effort. OTOH, it does buy me leeway, in the calorie department. My body is more forgiving of the occasional indulgence, for sure.