For the first couple weeks I was depressed, at day five post op I started craving food real bad. I would cry and be depressed I didn't want to get out of bed. I felt like I lost my best friend. When things got stressful at home I didn't have my food to run too. So when the time came that I could eat gain I was so excited! But almost everything I ate didn't taste that great. I was expecting that euphoria that I used to get from indulging, but it was gone. Like the passion in a love affair the light had gone out. I was utterly disappointed. But day father day my dependency for food started to diminish. But now month out I hate my protein shakes, and barely eat at all. I'm maybe getting 500 calories a day and I'm rarely drinking a shake. I'm sorta sad I not enjoy food anymore but I'm happy not to be addicted. Has anyone else experience?

Hi

Try not to depend on Protein shakes... you need regular protein to keep your metabolism going.

Are you planning your meals? and including Snacks during the day?

I've posted this before here but its worth repeating.

I’ve been banded just over 6 years and have talked about this here a couple of time but I think it’s worth repeating for new bandsters.

Try and take it one day at a time. Don’t compare yourself to others. Don’t go into this journey saying “I’ll never be able to eat this or that ever again.” I can eat ANYTHING except rice and apple skins and no carbonated beverages. Follow the guidelines given to you by your doctor. Remember… take tiny bites (the size of your pinky fingernail) and remember to finish what you have in your mouth before you take your next bite.

When I was losing weight I checked in every month with my family doctor to get weighed and measured. (I don’t own scales) I also attended two coffee groups for people that were banded. These things really kept me motivated and on track. I still check in every month with my family doctor to get weighed-in and I host two coffee groups. For me support from fellow bandsters plays a big part in this journey.

Back when I was banded my doctor suggested something called the “Egg Timer Distraction”. It’s kind of difficult to explain here but I’d be happy to email you the .pdf document. It REALLY helped me with “head hunger. I can’t tell you the number of people in my lapband coffee groups over the years that have said how helpful this “trick” has been in dealing with their head hunger.

Also, I’m not really a “diet” book type person but I recommend you pick up two books.

Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat: How to Break Your Eat-Repent-Repeat Cycle – by Dr. Michelle May

I had the pleasure of hearing Dr. May speak at a conference when she came to Toronto and her book and guidelines really work well with the lapband journey.

The second book is:

The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite – by David L. Kessler

Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions and also if you would like a copy of the “Egg Timer Distraction Document”.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

tomander@bell.net

Certain things im craving..like frozen pizza..no idea why..and tuna pasta salad..once I get a taste im good..my wt loss has stalled..cant wait for a fill to get me back on track. I was losing half lb to one lb a day before mushies..i wish I never ate mashed potatos..and made better mushy food choices. But food isnt as exciting as it used to be.. I get alot of head hunger..