starsinmyeyes

Thank you everyone for your words of encouragement! There is nothing like positive reinforcement to keep one going I have an update....I am now only 6 lbs from my goal weight! I'm at 146 lbs and going for 140. My doctor asked me at my last visit did I want to stick with 140 as a goal, since the normal weight for my height is 129 lbs. I told him I already can see my ribs and spine....I'm thinking 129 would be too skinny. Thinking back on that conversation makes me giggle....I never thought I would be concerned about being too skinny. It's such a shift in the way I think of myself. And I've had some of the most amazing experiences that make it all worth it...my 10 y/o son being able to clasp his hands together when he hugs me around my waist, being able to ride a roller coaster and not worry about the security latch not closing because of my weight (I actually caught air under my tush and lifted a little out of my seat on the roller coaster ride, lol), being able to sit in an office chair with arms, not having to shop in the plus size section and catching myself looking at clothes there realizing everything is too big for me, cleaning out my closet and donating clothes because they are too big rather than too small, having someone I haven't seen in a long time walk right past me and not recognize me when I said who I was, having one of my "skinny" friends being able to pick me up with my feet not touching the ground, walking far and climbing stairs without getting winded and dizzy, gosh I could go on forever. Well, I know what I am thankful for this Thanks Giving Holiday!

Unfortunately you will get stuck again....because from time to time the foods we are fine with one day, are our enemy the next. It changes with fills, with time of day, tenderness and moisture, texture, amount, etc...but you have the key...chew chew chew!

Your doctor will probably keep giving you fills until you are in the "green zone". That's what mine did and it really has been great staying there....not hungry all of the time, feeling restriction, losing weight, etc. You will know when you are "in the zone!"

Join the gym again...they are building a new one near my house, with a pool and exercise classes. I got tired of the exercise machines so I didnt renew my membership a few months ago. I walk alot (3+ miles, 5 days a week), go dancing when I can, and ride my mountain bike for my exercise currently.

I went back to work after 2 weeks post surgery. I just stuck with protein shakes, yogurt, soup, etc...Oh and sipped water all day. It was really hard, I was tired and achey, my tummy still felt tender, I couldn't hardly eat, etc...but my doctor said it was normal and I was still healing. I would definitely talk to your doctor, but for sure just give your self time to heal. Even though the band is less invasive, it is still major surgery....give your self the time...your journey has just begun.

I always feel tighter in the morning, and I can only sip liquids until I've been up for a few hours. If I am hungry then, I have a small morning snack,,,something with protein. I'm not sure about stress or travel...but that has happend to me when I was out of town...suddenly couldnt eat much at all. I have had the best success to eat food, but nursing liquids until I feel I can eat. I asked my doctor about this and he said all people's experiences are different and what I am doing is the right thing for me. I've lost alot of weight, and I am feeling great so I guess I have figured out how to "handle" my fickle band. lol

I had the same type of thing happen to me last year. I had a fill, but then 3 days later when i was back to solids, I couldnt keep it down. I went back to fluids and then started not being able to keep that down. I called the doctor but it was right before the weekend. I waited it out until monday, because it was almost a week since I was really able to eat anything. I went to the ER and met my doctor there. He was in surgery so I had to wait to be seen in between surgeries. He unfilled me 1 cc and it made all the difference. Next time, if there ever is one, I know to go in right away. I'm sorry to hear of the great distance you must go to see your doctor. I am sooo grateful my doctor is here in my town after hearing of your dilemnas. I am so glad to hear that you are feeling better. Sometimes we don't listen to our bodies...I know I didn't. Take care of yourself...I'm sending positive thoughts your way

I just re-read the post and realized you had a band slip....did they remove your band or put it back in place? are you filled or unfilled? Guess, getting a fill as I suggested may not work if you are having problems with the band. I can say that when I had that weight gain, I couldnt get immediately in to see my doctor, so for several weeks I counted cals/carbs and measured my food so that I could stop the weight gain and get control of my eating. Those tips the others have given are so awesome too....drink Water, herbal tea, broth, sugar free Jello or a popsicle, fruit n cheese....something light at night if you still feel hungry. Sometimes when you think you are hungry , you are really just thirsty and water should do the trick. Maybe also do an inventory of your feelings at the time you decide to snack...am I just bored? am I eating a snack out of habit? am I trying to make myself feel better/satisfied in someway? am I really "hungry"? It sounds like you did alot of work to lose all that weight and kept it off all that time...I'm sure once you put your mind and heart into it, you can lose the weight again. And just think, the weight you have gained is really nothing in comparison to what you have lost in total. Believe in your self!

I had hit a bump in the road a few months back...I had a possible slip, so my band was unfilled 2 cc's. Well, I ate more in a few weeks than I had in a long time.... and had gained 25 lbs to prove it (150 + 25=175). Turned out there was no slip, so asap I got filled again and I am happy to say I am back to my previous weight...actually lower (147lbs). Perhaps, you should see your doctor and consider getting a fill?

@ icestorm....I am no longer having my periods that frequently. The horomone therapy has helped. I just dont want to be on horomones any longer. And yes I have already been seeing my Gyno. I will most likely have the abulation next month if my insurance approves it.

I feel you sister! Sex has definitely improved and yes it is alot about how you feel about yourself!

I didn't start working out until a few months after my surgery. There is a normal "down feeling" or "blues" that comes from being under anesthesia. Honestly, I think I was really going through grief and loss issues regarding my loss of the relationship I once had with food. Me and food still had a thing, but it had changed and it just wasn't the same....not being able to do emotional eating because the "go to" foods I used to eat gave me dumping syndrome or I couldnt digest. I had no motivation either until I went to my first post-op fill appointment and sat in the waiting room talking to other WLS patients. It was motivating to hear about their successes. Oh and I also read success stories on here and watched videos that lap-banders posted on youtube. It helped to see others losing weight and I told myself that since I went through the surgery i was not going to make it be for nothing. I started out just taking 2 to 3 mile walks with my IPod, listening to music that really got me pumped up and then I started working out with a friend so that we could motivate eachother. Have faith that this lifestyle change is going to work if you work it. You will find your motivation somewhere inside of you....if you didn't want to ultimately lose the weight, you wouldnt have had the surgery. So, maybe you just need time or that certain something to click and ignite your motivation.