Dadkins8

Congrats on sticking to it! It is a journey. I am so excited as I have now lost 49 lbs (my four month post surgery mark was yesterday). I am ahead of my goals of 50 in 6 months. However, I have had days that were challenging just like your moment yesterday. Fortunately, I was able to refocus and get my mind back on track. It is a challenge especially when an individual is an emotional eater like myself. I am continuously a work in progress. Enjoy that small success. It will be the first of many. I do feel that a lot of us who have struggled with our weight use food as an emotional need. It is harder for some to overcome that...however hopefully with support from the rest of us on this site, they will be able to experience success. Good luck as you continue on this wonderful weight loss journey!

Chooky, before your band you probably would have handled all of this stress by eating. You did great by getting on this site and venting. It does feel good to get it out of your system. We all have days/weeks that can be pretty crappy. Take some time for yourself. I find when I do that...it makes it better for everyone. As for the family members, there will always be a few. Just keep moving forward and don't let their negativity bring you down. If they want to be miserable and negative let them. I hope the beginning of this week gets better for you!

Good luck with your surgery! I was like you and did not have to do a pre op. My only advice is to have all of your allowable items ready at home. I had my mother in law make me some of her chicken broth and beef broth for the first few days of the liquid diet. I wish you the best as you begin your new journey!

Hi, Sdart! I felt the exact same way when I was 10 days post op. Honestly, I thought if I could do that liquid diet, why couldn't I do it on my own. However, I also realized that I was not getting enough protein. It was hard when you are so sick of liquids and the protein powder made all of my food taste so gross that I didn't feel like eating. However, the further out I got from the surgery, the better I felt. It really improved when I started to eat regular food and walk. I do believe it is very normal to feel that way with so many changes going on. I was such an emotional eater, I had to deal with those issue as well. It is all a learning process and journey. Please know that it does get better!

It sounds like you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! As our family held hands and stated what we are thankful for this year....I had to say health and energy. I finally am getting the energy back to do the things I want to do. Like you....I looked at my plate and than at those around me. Last year my plate would have looked liked everyone elses...piles high with food enough to last for 2 days. However, I focused on getting my proteins first. It just feels so wonderful to be on this journey and losing weight! I wish you great success as you continue on your journey!

Kelly111 I was where you are when I first started this journey. I could eat anything I wanted. However, like you....I didn't because I wanted to lose weight. However, once I had my second fill....I knew I had it. It took me a while to get use to it. I really did have to slow down, eat smaller bites, and could only eat about 1/4 of a cup at a time. I threw up a lot for the first 2 1/2 weeks because I was not use to eating that way for the first 10 weeks after the band. However, I am learning to slow down and really listen to my body. You sound like you do not have enough of a fill just yet. There is no way that I could eat what I want now. I am thankful for that. I would call the doctor and tell him that you are still not noticing a different. As a stated to another member...be your own advocate until you get the fullness that you need to make the band work for you. Good luck on your journey!

Gonnabefit you are going through so much in your personal life. Please just remember to take time to focus on you. Also, the best revenge on a soon to be ex is to look even better than when you met (lol). Just a little motivation....(smile) Seriously though....the lapband by itself is not the lone answer. I have found that I do need to make the right choices. I write in a journal to stay focused on my journey. I am an emotional eater and I have had to learn to deal with those issues in ways other than food. That is VERY challenging. However, I am just so sick of feeling "sick and tired" all of the time. I am committed to doing what I need to do. It is very easy to eat more than you should when you do not feel a full restriction. I would call the doctor and see if you can get your second fill date moved up and ask her to be more aggressive with it. Be you own advocate. Why wait? After a tragic situation with that cost my mother her life...I have learned to speak up and speak out about what I expect and need from my doctors. That is just part of taking care of me. I am wishing you much success and onward and upward to a better life for you and your daughter! Look at it as the beginning of a new journey on many new fronts in your life!

I know some people get a lot of pain above their port. I have never experienced the pain you are talking about. I would call and talk with the nurse or doctor so they can determine what your next step should be...especially since you are only one month out. Good luck!

The size change will come. We all lose our weight in areas that are unique to our body. I tend to lose on top first. My "hips" and "thighs" tend to lose the weight last. Therefore, it take me a while to change my pant size. I am just about 4 months out and have lost 46 lbs. Just give it time and keep reminding yourself that this is a journey and it will take time. I tell myself that daily. I did not get heavy overnight. I can't expect to get thin overnight! Good luck in getting your infections taken care of....that can be scary. You are already doing a great job and losing weight. Keep up the great job!

Please know that it is your choice to tell others or not. However, there will always be those who like to talk. Just keep doing what you are doing and hold your head high. As we bandsters all know....this is not easy. We still must all work to get our weight off. It was great that you planned ahead for your meal today. It makes it alot easier to share in the family gathering. I ate what everyone else had. However, I could barely have a spoon full of each. However, I was able to get a taste. Good luck!

Good luck as you embark on your journey. They just changed the site. I am getting use to it myself. You are doing great as you have already figured out how to post to your blog!

I have been there myself. However, I really took my time eating today. I know it hurts so bad when you don't chew something correctly. Good luck as you continue on your journey!

You have done a wonderful job! Congrats! I hope I am there at one year. Keep working hard!

That is wonderful! Keep up the great job! I am glad that everything is going well for you! Best of luck over the holidays!

Wow, my experience was totally different. I had a my second fill. I have a total of 4.5 in my band. I have had a difficult time eating anything for the first week. It all came back up. However, I learned how to adjust to make it work. I know everyone is different. You may just need more in your band. Trust me when I say you will know when you had enough. I often wondered how would I know. Well with this second fill...I know. Good luck!

That is wonderful! These stories are so inspiring it helps those of us who still have a few more miles to travel in our journey. Thanks for sharing!

I am sorry but I have no idea about that. However, remember the first 6 weeks were for healing. I know how hungry I felt. I even went to bed hungry quite a few nights. I was thankful to get a fill. It was really simple for me and I really didn't feel much of anything. Also, are you exercising. When I hit a plateau, I started to really exercise. The weight started to move. I also made sure to get around 1,000 or a little more calories a day to keep my body from going in starvation mode. Good luck!

I didn't lose much at the beginning. It did pick up when I added exercise. However, I think you need to give your body a little time to heal and adjust. I know when I was about 5 to 6 weeks out, it really picked up. However, I still hit plateaus. Then, boom...I'm off again. I am just about 4 months out and have loss 43 lbs. However, I felt just like you at the beginning. I thought I should have loss 20 lbs that first week. LOL

Yes, and it was usually due to not getting enough water or protein. Make sure that you are getting the nutrients that your body needs. Since having my second fill, I have had to go back to drinking a protein shot a day. To ensure that I am getting my protein. Also, you might try journaling so you can see what you are eating and when you feel tired. Good luck and I hope you get some energy back soon!

You are off to a wonderful start. I think it is wonderful that you are thinking about the tools that you will need. That is so important. I have found that when I was post op and had a bad day, it was because I was not prepared or did not have my tools...in the form of planning out my day as far as protein and water. I am wishing you the best on your journey. This site is also a wonderful resource to add to your tools!

I am still working through my second fill. However, I now know that feeling of when to stop. It hurts like $#@@. I must chew, chew, and chew. I am still debating getting a little removed. I know at least once a day I feel like I could get sick. It might just be too much.

Good luck as you get ready to embark on your journey. You are already off to a great start being so persistent when you had other obsacles thrown your way. That will really help you on your journey. I know you will do great!

My doctor told me to walk for the first six weeks as I healed. He encouraged me to walk as much as I felt able to do. He did not want me to lift more than 10 pounds until I was out pass my 6 week mark. I would definately call and find out from the doctor when you can begin those things. Good luck!