Dadkins8

Way to go, Gonnabefit! You have the right attitude. I can tell that you finally feel empowered and that is a beautiful feeling. Just know that we are out here cheering you on! It is a new beginning for you....and I wish you the very best!

Ryanthegirl, I think a lot of us would be better off if we were able to have counseloring weekly or monthly. I applaud you for taking that step to help you identify areas to work on. I know being an emotional eater myself that I have had to really focus on my mental well being. As another reader stated in her blog...I am worth it! I have taken her words and started to use them in my morning reflection before I begin my day. You need to remember that you are worth it. I know I run from sun up to sun down for my family. However, I now make sure to take time for me. Most of us who are overweight can attribute it to being an emotional eater or a stress eater. It does requires us to constantly work at our mental well being so that we can stay focused. Good luck with your journey!

Dolly, you have such a wonderful personality and outlook! That is going to really help you as you begin this journey. Great idea to find some videos to help you with exercises. Also, it is nice to include the hubby. Surrounding yourself with wonderful supportive people is key to success in any aspect of life. Good luck!

Way to go, lemonchick! I am also just a little past 4 months. I am to go into my doctor for a fill next week. However, I don't feel like I need one at the current time. I am down 50 pounds as of today. Yeah! I know my weight loss has really slowed down as well. I am okay with it. I know that I am doing what I need to do. Although, I do get hungry about every 4 hours. My last fill was a big adjustment and it took me several weeks to get to where I wasn't throwing up everyday. So, I do feel confident in staying where I am at currently. Keep up the great job!

Kelly111 I was just like you. I could eat anything until I got my second fill. I threw up for 2 weeks straight as I had to relearn everything ago. All of those tips from the doctor really came into play. Drink 30 minutes before eating, take super small bites, and take your time. I really don't do very well with bread or chicken. Both of these things I could still eat post band until my second fill. You will learn what works with your band and what doesn't. Good luck as you learn what works!

Gonnabefit keep your head held high. Please know that we all have those days. You are hitting a bump in the road of life. Many of us have been there. Know that "you" are worth it. Sometimes we let everything else take a precedent over all aspects of our lives. Take time for yourself and to refocus. Make it a point to see that you get the right foods for you and surround yourself with people who are going to support you. As far as the doctor...be your own advocate and tell her you want her to be aggressive with this fill. Stress how hungry you have been. Trust me when I say...it is possible for you to not be hungry on the band. My last fill...was like wow. I had a really hard time and for a while thought it might have been too much. However, after 3 weeks....I had figured out what worked and what didn't. I am wishing you much success on this fill for you! Again....remember...."YOU" are worth it!

I totally agree with Kelly111. I am working very hard to exercise and lose this weight....and I have loss 49 lbs in 4 months. I can't say that I will never have a bite of cheese cake again. However, I know that every once in a while, it will okay to have a bite or two. I have worked really hard to change my thinking with the lapband. To me a diet seems so restrictive. So, I tell myself that I am changing my eating habits for life...and it is okay to have a craving every now and again. So don't beat yourself up over this. Also, keep a journal and remind yourself that you are worth it. The one phrase that my doctor office gave me is HALT! I use this in the evenings which is the greatest challenge to me. H: Am I hungry? A: Am I angry? L: Am I lonely? T: Am I tired? I would also add a B: Am I bored? It helps if you can identify why? Good luck on your journey!

This is a journey. Sometimes it feels like being an alcoholic. Food is our alcohol and we fall off the wagon. However, your strength and determination will help you to refocus and move forward. I do use this website as my support from those who understand what I am going through. I am fortunate to have a supportive family, but it is nice to have the support of others who know what I am going through. You are refocusing and you can do this!

Sandradee, I am so glad that you are back. You feel like an old friend to me on this site. I was afraid that you didn't like the new format and you were not going to post. I wish you the absolute best on your interview. I am sure that anyone who meets you will love you. I do get the stress. I am an emotional eater who is learning not to use food as an emotional crutch. I actually loss weight over Thanksgiving as well. It was the first time in my life. Keep up the great job!

I was banded in July. I didn't have any food that I could not eat until my second fill. However, I did work hard to eat healthy since I want this to be successful. Now, I do have foods that do not go down as well. Also, I MUST eat a lot slower. I was able to eat anything even after my first feel. However, the second fill had me relearning a lot of stuff. I had to really slow down, take mini bites, and it takes me a long time to eat just a little bit of food. I did get sick a lot after the second fill. I do think that most of us felt hungry before the first fill, and I heard from my doctor that it is common for some people to actually gain a little weight during that six week recovery period. I now know that I don't need any more fill on my next visit here in December. I want to stay put for a while. You will find out what is right for you by working with your doctor as well.

I loved reading it! Thank you so much for sharing. I think that so many of us feel that once we "fall off the wagon" all is lost. This is truly a journey that we must work at for the rest of our lives. We are a work in progress and we know that there will be set backs. However, we must not look at it as a failure. We must pick ourselves up and move forward. Again, I thank you for sharing!

Yeah, my second fill took some getting use to. I threw up for about 2 weeks on and off until I figure out how to eat with my lapband. I am hopeful that you found your sweet spot. I know I will not be getting another fill on my next visit to the doctor. I have 4.5 and it is definately enough. Good luck!

I do sometimes take those when I am in a crunch for time. However, they are high in sodium and I don't do it unless I have no other choice. They are "my emergency" lunch. I make up things the night before that high in protein. I make solid white tuna salad, egg salad, bean with all white turkey franks (low fat and calories). Also, I look in cookbooks to get recipes to modify to meet my needs. Sometimes it is hard to plan ahead of time (4 children of my own). I would go ahead and use them as necessary. Good luck!

I was like both of ou lady and did not feel any restriction until after my second fill. Trust me when I say it took some getting use to. I was sick after every meal for 2 1/2 weeks. Part of this was due to the fact that I could eat any food up until that second restriction. I didn't understand what the doctor meant by take it slow as I left his office. However, it didn't take long for me to figure out what he meant. I use to eat some bread...not a lot as I was trying to cut out most carbs. I could eat chicken. Chicken is not so nice of a friend anymore. I had to eat so much slower, micro bites, and wait a long time to drink. I didn't need to do that before my second fill. Please know that you will hit platuea's along the way. I felt like I wasn't losing. However, when I went back to my journal I could see that weight was coming off. When I hit a plateau at the beginning, I started to really walk. It did help to get me jump started again. I had about a 2 week plateau and then this week, I have loss 3.8 lbs. Just keep working with the band and it will come off. Good luck with your second fill!

My doctor made me wait the full six weeks. I do know that I found myself in the same situation before my first fill. I could have eaten anything. However, I did not allow myself because I wanted to lose weight. If you doctor says no to the fill until your date in December, I suggest you plan and prepare ahead. This really helped me. I made sure my house was filled with lots of healthy choices and I did not consume more than 1100 calories a day with a high focus on protein. However, you are probably still on your liquid phase. I found it most difficult when I did plan and prepare. I still didn't have much of a restriction even after my first fill. I really had to have the will power. However, my second fill was different. I now KNOW restriction. I stay that so loudly because I had to adjust and adapt after my second fill. I was sick after almost every meal for 2 1/2 weeks until I ate slowly, chewed everything into micro bites and didn't try to drink so soon after eating. Good luck with these next couple of weeks. They were truly my hardest weeks. Please know that we have all been there. It will be over soon!

It is a big decision and it is up to you to decide on who you tell or don't tell. I didn't tell anyone right away because the first time I investigated gastric lapband I didn't like the bariactic group that I was associated with and backed out. However, I found another group that made me feel like they were truly there becaused they cared. It was not just a business for them. My insurance made me do 6 months of pre op stuff before I could get the surgery. I didn't even mention it to my husband the second time around (who is VERY supportive) until the 4th month. He didn't tell anyone. He said it was up to me. I only told 2 of my sisters until right before the surgery. Then, I told the rest of my family. They were all very supportive and encouraging. However, I did not tell anyone at work except my boss. She is an awesome lady who had mentioned getting it done herself prior to my surgery. I will be honest and wondered why in the world I got the lapband the first 2 weeks post surgery. However, I SO love it now. I feel so thankful and blessed to have it! Also....you will enjoy this website. It has been more helpful than the local support group in which I attend once a month. Actually, I didn't even attend it last month as I feel I get more from this site. Good luck as you begin your journey!

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!