JOANNE M HOLL

If anyone mentions food I'm ready to eat anytime day or night. I stay away from sugar but crave things like taco salad, watermelon, brats. etc. (All in the summer season now.) I have denied myself for so long, I feel like I want to satisfy my longing by bingeing. I realize some of it is emotional eating, when my family came from a distance I cooked up a mountain of good food and then when they left I ate all the leftovers. I got off my regular routine and can't get my "zone" back.

Yes, it does indeed get better. And when you start to feel the "zone" you will cheer with success. (The "zone" is when your pouch silently signals "enough," and you quit eating and do not clean what you have put on your dinner plate!). . . . . a few people never reach this, but I did, and at that point I no longer had fills put in my port. I do hope you experience this time in your journey as the feeling makes all you have gone through really worthwhile, and you will love your band!

Yes, it does indeed get better. And when you start to feel the "zone" you will cheer with success. (The "zone" is when your pouch silently signals "enough," and you quit eating and do not clean what you have put on your dinner plate!). . . . . a few people never reach this, but I did, and at that point I no longer had fills put in my port. I do hope you experience this time in your journey as the feeling makes all you have gone through really worthwhile, and you will love your band! (I TRIED TO DELETE THIS DUPLICATE BUT IT KEEPS RETURNING!)

Welcome to our world of positive Bandsters! :wub: You are on the road to a happy healthy future! Keep your thoughts riding high and steer clear of all bumps that may pop up along the way! These Lapband Forums are of a great assistance on our journey.

Welcome to the world of the banded. You have taken the first step. Work with your bariatric people & listen to their people. We will cheer you on & try to inspire you & wish you a future of good health & happiness! :wub:

Welcome to the world of the banded! Keep up the walking. That helped me recover faster and not complain of the discomfort. I love my band and haven't wished it gone a minute since I was banded. Listen to your bariatric doctor & their staff when you have questions. We are here to cheer you on & wish you good health & happiness. :wub:

There should be a section in these forums for those doing well & those doing just so so & needing some inspiration & an occasional push. I am one who did well for a few years then got to a long time stretch where I stayed the same and thought "this is it, I feel great". Then after I had a mammogram things changed and my bariatric people thought I needed to have my restriction unfilled. Now I've gained 30 lbs! The oncology people have told me I am cancer free, so the next step is to visit the bariatric people to get my restriction back. Huh? I know this, but I don't seem to find the oomph to proceed. I've been trying to do this by myself, but am not succeeding. I should light a fire under my behind. Right? (I have seen my GP.) The Band really is the best thing I ever did for myself. . . . . so will I just sit and whine/cry??

Hi, You have made the first move in the right direction. I hope you contact a good bariatric clinic. By GOOD, I mean positive and helpful after the fact. Question them about follow-up as I am seeing many on our forums that are asking questions that their Clinics should have taken care of long ago. There is a lot more involved than just placing the Lap Band! After having my band placed I am no longer diabetic and my blood pressure greatly improved. I walk, walk and walk! It is not the lbs. lost so much as my daily vitality and good health. I love my Lap Band! :wub:

I think we are proud of you for sharing your story. Lean on us for a bit and do call your Bariatric Centre and request help. Your GP should also be aware of your high BP & etc. and follow your health including your depression. If you have kept a file or any records, please review what you went through after original banding. Read "The Big Book on the LAP BAND" as it is so inspirational. Find a local group and attend meetings. And now that summer is here walk, walk & walk. Get a buddy or Hubby to walk with you. I have a next door neighbor who has a bike & she & her 3 youngsters go biking together many evenings. Turn off the TV, get out of the kitchen and change your thoughts to a happy future. You can do it!

What is the 5 day pouch test? I haven't found it in my search & it is not in "The Big Book on the LAP-BAND"? Joanne

How can I help? Share a homemade latte with me: 1 1/2 C. cold coffee, 1 tsp. vanilla, 1 tbsp. Splenda, 1 tbsp. cocoa, 2 tbsp. powdered protein 4 ice cubes and a little skim milk to fill to the line in your blender. (Change the amounts to your own taste). I sip with a straw and it is really good. Under 100 calories and it kills all hunger. The next real meal I cut all portions in 1/2. (Also the next one.) I plan to do all my eating slowly & in daylight. No eating after dark. I find I don't have to change family meals this way and I lose without any fuss or mess. I do think of fresh seasonal fruits & vegetables and pass on salted foods when shopping. Also no sodas, regular or diet. (I don't crave them after a few days and the latte fills that criteria.) I have not tried sugar-free jello lattes (You could change flavors in this area.) but just want to keep the food cravings at a minimum. I can truthfully say my simple plan works and I don't say "dieting"! Wishing you good Sparking! :wub:

I think I would call my Nutritionist. One of the criteria my insurance company calls for is that we have a session with a certified nutritionist. She has been great. I think these busy doctors can't be bothered with our little pesky questions. They should all have a good bariatric staff including personnel in this specific area. After all you have gone through to have the band placed and following rules to lose as you have, maybe go the next step and secure (or hire) help to get you beyond the cravings. Love yourself and think of your future healthy life. Wishing you only the best!

I had reflux several weeks during the night last winter. I was up spitting and sitting up and finally thought about what I was really doing in the evening. Then I tried eating my calories earlier in the day and nothing during the 4 or 5 hours before bedtime. I concluded I had too much in my pouch when I was laying down and gravity was letting it level out. Anyway I got over the backing up of the contents. I didn't go to the Bariatric center as it was winter & I live many miles away. Maybe

You are so pretty in your post picture! WE OLD BANDERS ARE ROOTING FOR YOU! Follow your bariatric centers instructions and you will do well. Keep in touch with lapbandtalk.com and blog your lap band journey to happiness & good health. :wub:

Walk, walk & walk. Start a new craft or hobby. It is tough, but it will get better soon. Good life & health ahead!

This is a great post! Thank you, and wish you continued good health and happiness.

Walk, walk & walk. This is not an illness. Bands are saving our lives. . . try to forget food & get up & slowly move, move & move. You can do it!

The walking is the best you can do to feel better. If you were in the hospital that is what the nursing staff speaks of soon after surgery. I walked across the room & back maybe a dozen times the day after surgery and down the block half way the next day, increasing the distance the following day. Follow your bariatric center's instructions, but from experience I know this procedure is not because you are sick, but exercise gets things working towards healing. Good health to you!

What is plication?

At my age I simply want to be healthy. I have corrected the blood pressure, am no longer a borderline diabetic and now want to not gasp for oxygen when I am walking a distance. This is taking longer to improve. The summer's good garden produce tastes so good it is hard not to overeat! Life is good right now so I'm not watching the scale but trying to get outdoors and do some things! Pray for me.

Thank you! You sound so happy & healthy! Please keep[ up you inspiring messages. :wub:

I think for the first two months you body is asking for all that sugar & sodium we were so fond of. I know I found raw vegetables tasted weird and V-8 juice was putrid. But after I got the taste buds weaned from the high calorie, junk food & soda it all changed. Don't give up. Skip the potatoes, sweets, breads and fats for awhile and gradually add them back as you watch calories. If you find bread puts you on an eating spree, just cut it out for a week or so. You will know what your tastes cause you to do, listen to your body. I have had my band 6 years, and I know what & when my body speaks to me. I wish you the best of good health!

I do not discuss Lap Bands with anyone. Most friends my age don't know what they are for. I use my lapbandtalk.com and my sparkpeople.com to satisfy my questions and feelings. Thanks for your positive and healthy responses! You are all just so kind & considerate. . . . . . today is going to be a good day. :wub:

This to me is not really surgery. It is very a very little incision. I've had a toe operated on and a broken thumb that hurt more. I can have it removed at any point in the future, but would I? I love my lap band and my "in the zone "non-hunger- :wub: feeling when all my co-diners are shovelling the food in!

I know just how you feel! So happy for you. Keep in touch with your Bariatric Center and follow instructions for a happy healthy future. :wub: