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Anyone still around? I'm struggling. How are you doing?



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I went to the doctor yesterday to see if I could get a little more filling. It turns out that my esophagus has stretched and that is why I can eat so much and not feel satisfied. She drained my band and put me on a liquid diet for a month. Bummer. She said that the esophagus should go back to normal. I guess I needed a wake-up call, because I was binging so badly. Even though it was small amounts, I was eating all day and night. I am so hooked on sweets. I feel like I'm constantly trying to adjust my body with food. I want something sweet, then I want something like crackers, bread, or nuts - then something sweet, then on and on and on - the circle never ends. Sometimes I scream at myself in my head, "Stop eating !!!!!" I always say that I can't. But I think I have been using negative self-talk in that area. I'm good at positive self-talk in other areas of my life, and it truly works. I'm going to practice positive self-talk with regulating my food intake now. I realize that everything you say or do is a choice, and saying "I can't" is choosing "not to." I have been so disappointed that my band did not seem to make any difference for me. If I had the will-power to do everything that is expected of me with my band, I would not have been fat in the first place. I guess the band has helped some, because I've lost 40 pounds over 4 years. That's 40 less than I have to lose now. That's positive. I did good today; I have had only my 30g Protein Drinks. I can have Jello or yogurt tonight. Thanksgiving will be hard, so I'm going to enjoy it at home alone this time and enjoy some movies. I'd like to know how some of y'all are doing now. Success stories ......... problems .......????

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Coming up on 5 years banded....

I will go all liquids for a few days every 5-7 weeks or so....

The band keeps my portion sizes under control. also I cannot eat thing like cheeseburgers, hoagies, etc....so that is not a problem with me...

However, as you described, when I notice it is becoming easier to eat certain foods, and my portions are getting larger....(I can't believe i finished all of it) then I know it's time to go all liquids...

THIS is the only maintenance I can think of being banded....

Having you band drained as you had done, accomplishes the same thing...gives the band a rest...

I stay away from solid foods, giving the band a rest.

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Thanks, B-52. Sounds like a good idea - preventative. I'll do that from now on.

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Good Evening,

I understand Carol TX. I'm going on my 5th yr. I have to say I'm very disappointed with my band. If I knew I had to work harder than I did pre-band, I would not have had it done. I feel like I have to totally rethink things as far as how, what and when to eat and drink which is totally opposite of how I did before. Before the band,I would lose 30 lbs when I really tried but then could lose no more. With the band, I slowly lost 40 lbs but with a lot of effort on my part. I have since gained 10lbs back. I still have 70lbs to go. I struggle with my band being too tight as evidenced by vomiting and that aweful stuck sensation and then having to getting the band unfilled. I think I've gotten more unfills than fills because even when I get unfill I still get those isolated episodes of being stuck. I can eat plenty of unhealthy foods such as chips, dip,cookies,crackers,cake,etc and it goes down fine but if I eat healthy-tuna, chicken breast, fruits and vegs these do me in. I just don't know how to do well with this device. I just want to be healthy and fit.

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    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

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      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

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      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
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      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
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      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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