vlp1968

Getting proffessional help is a huge step! Congratulations on that! Don't beat yourself up about a past you can't change, just look at what you can do in the future. Every day- every meal actually- is a chance to make healthy choices.

You have a great goal! Fitting into smaller clothes is just the best feeling- I think it's as good as, if not better than, seeing the scale move. I can't wait to see that pic. of you in the dress. You can do it!

I have always snacked. They are planned healthy snacks. Usually 1/4c nuts and 2 cheese sticks. Nuts are pretty dense in calories and fat so I always measure then out. I think everyone needs to find what works for them. Good luck!

I agree with the above posts about getting a fill. I also want to put a plug in for excerise. If your not, start. If you are, up what your doing. Working out has so many benefits, just one being weight loss. Start out slow and gradually increase your duration/intensity. I started out walking slowly for 20 minutes on the treadmill. I now jog for 30 or walk briskly on an incline for 45. I lost 107 pounds in about 10 months. You can do it!

Chicken may give you trouble, especially if it's dry. I was told to start with fish. If you eat it, I would go for that first. A lot of times people don't even feel a first fill. Although, I think you might, you got a large fill. Keep us posted. Oh- and I stay away from the frozen meals, too much sodium and carbs. I also just don't like them.

I like the treadmill at the gym. I walk on an incline briskly for 45 min. or jog for 30. I started out real slow and have greadually increased my duration/intensity. When I jog I go fast for 4 then slow down for 1 minute, then fast again... It's suppossed to burn more fat that way. I second the Jane Fonda videos. I used to use them. There is a step routine that is awsome. You can get it on Ebay, it's from the 80's. Whaterever you do will be beneficial- the main thing is to get moving.

i am a diehard stomach sleeper. I slept on my stomach right away- didn't hurt but I have a pretty high pain tolerance. If your comfortable on your side, I would do it. I don't think it will hurt anything. Congrats on your surgery.

I am so sorry you lost your job. Excerise really will help with the stress- and your weight. There is something about working out that helps with food choices. The silver lining of not working is that you will have time to workout- although I know you'll be spending time looking for a new job. Use this time to get into a routine. Hope things get better!

Hot tea is a great idea. I've been told hot liquids loosen up the band, don't know if it's true for postop swelling but it can't hurt. Make it decaff and it will count towards your fluids. Just keep doing your best, as your doing. You will feel much better in a few days. Congrats on your surgery!

You are doing just fine. It is time for healing. It is known as bandster hell, the time inbetween surgery and when the fills finally give you restriction. It took me 3 fills to feel any restriciton. That seems to be a pretty common number on this board. Hang in there and know restriction will come.

My Doc. uses a local before he accesses the port. I don't feel the long needle going into the port at all. The local barely stings. I don't know what it would be like to do it without the local, never wanted to try it out.

3 pounds a week- that's a great pace. It's so fun when it comes off fast in the beggining. Keep up the good work!

Had my first fill 6 weeks after surgery. Not sure about excersise, I would guess about 2 weeks. Took me a while to hit the gym so I never even asked.

I think your fine. I am a diehard stomach sleeper. I slept on my stomach from day one. Felt the incisions but not really pain- I have a very high pain tolerance. Congrats on your surgery!

I am having a similar battle with maintainance. I am really "good" for maybe a week, then take a day and "pig out" on all the things I have been craving. It's been a cycle I can't seem to get myself out of. I am battleing to loose 5 pounds I've gained (well it's about 10 I gained but I'll be happy if I loose 5 of it). I keep telling myself once I loose the damn 5 pounds, I will eat a balanced diet more consistently. Any advice would be great!

You don't say if your excersising or how your eatings been. I have found excersise to be key. If your not, START. I also found a lowcarb/lowfat/high protien diet to work wonders. I eat eggs, lean meat, veggies, berries, nuts, cheese sticks. Hope this helps a little.

I totally understand your excitment. Fitting into smaller clothes is just the best. I think it's as good as, if not better, than seeing the scale move. Keep up the good work!

I don't know about insurance coverage. As far as eating, you should be able to find band friendly foods like fish and veggies. As far as having trouble while your there, I wouldn't get a fill within a week or so of your trip. If you haven't had a fill in a while you should be fine. If you are getting sick, even occassionally, you might want an unfill before your trip. I just got one yesterday because I"m going to Europe for 11 days. Enjoy your trip!

You go girl! Congrats and keep it up!

I agree with all above posts- get help as soon as possible. There are counselors who specialize in eating disorders. You have not gained control over food, you only think you have. The way it's controling you has just changed, at least that's my layman opinion. You are not alone in this at all. When one stops food, but hasn't really dealt with the emotional/psychological reasons for the overeating, another addiction is bound to surface. Years ago, I quit smoking pot (well for a time) and almost immediatley began gambling. They call it addiction transfer. I had lots of therapy before being banded and after. I am happy to say I am clean 2 years now. You can do this! Don't wait- seek help now!

Fills are a very easy procedure. The surgeon- or nurse pa will give you a local, then insert a long needle (but you won't feel much of anything) she will draw out what's in there and then add the appropriate amount. I never felt my band tighten. Took me 3 fills to get restriction. Some lucky ones get it on the first shot. You'll do great!

That's fantastic your in therapy. Glad it seems to be helping so far. Are you excersising? Please start if your not. Start out slow and gradually increase the intensity/duration of what your doing. As others have said, go see your surgeon. I understand it will be difficult because you've gained. It won't be the first time your doc. has seen this. You've got the tool, get fills until it's working for you. I wish you the best! You are way way way to young to feel like life is passing you by. Please keep us updated on how your doing.

I know some doc's say no snacks but I believe in healthy, planned snacks. I eat 1/4 nuts, lowfat cheese sticks, beef jerky for snacks. It keeps me from getting too hungry inbetween meals. I lost 107 pounds in about 10 months. Keep up the excersise for sure! It may take a few fills to get you to a good place- try to be patient, I know it's hard. Best wishes.

I was very happy when the smaller blood pressure cup fit, so I know where your coming from. Keep up the good work!

I came up as strong indications of a food addict. I wasn't sure how to answer a lot of the questions. My story is I am pretty much maintaining a 100 pound loss. However, my eating is irratic. I restrict myself very much on some days, go overboard on eating other days. I am currently a little above the range I want to stay in.