Hel...Please

birdee · September 9, 2003

hmmmm!! Where to start. Well I was banded in July. So far I feel like I have made the BEST decision. I am really struggling and I am really afraid to admit what I have been doing/feeling. I really would like someone to be honest with me and let me know if you have struggled like I am and what did you do to fix it.

I have had 2 fills so far....at first I thought they were good fills and I promise myself that I won't eat when I am not hungry, that I will drink more Water, that I will measure out my food....well by the time dinner is done I have thrown that notion out of the window.

Sometimes I feel like I am not "bandworthy" I still drink while I eat washing the food threw my pouch so that I can eat more. Before I go on, I know this is bad, please don't bash me.....I just really feel like I have a problem. I can't say no to food. My questions is this....will it get better once I am properly restricted? Is it too late, have I stretched my pouch. Well I get better? I know my last question is up to me. I read success stories with the band all of the time. I know I can do this I am just not motivated.

I struggle with Water. My lips are so chapped. I am really puzzled with myself though. Before the band I did everything right for a while at least, now it seems like I just can't get it going......

Please help. I really need wisdom and insight to get me threw this. I want to be successful! I want to loose!!

Thanks for listening!!!!

B:think :think :think

leo · September 9, 2003

hey, don't be to hard on yourself, I bet you have been eaten a lot less then you did before you where banded. Some people say it takes 5 or more fills to reach the "sweet spot". And thats especially true when you are getting filled in the usa. The fills are like .5 or 1 cc at a time. So have patience and just try to do the best you can.

As for Water, you really have to drink enough Water, read the below article and you will understand why that is. btw on my site in the links section there are some wonderfull documents that I have found on the web and posted have a look there.

"The Benefits of H20"

By Donald S. Robertson, M.D., M. Sc.

Water suppresses the appetite naturally and helps the body

metabolize stored fat. Studies have shown that a decrease in water

intake will cause fat deposits to increase, while an increase in

water intake can actually reduce fat deposits. Here's why: The

kidneys can't function properly without enough water. When they

don't work to capacity, some of their workload is dumped onto the

liver.

One of the liver's primary functions is to metabolize stored fat

into usable energy for the body. But, if the liver has to do some of

the kidney's work, it can't operate at full throttle. As a result,

it metabolizes less fat, more fat remains stored in the body and

weight loss stops.

Drinking enough water is the best treatment for Fluid

retention. When the body gets less water, it perceives this as a

threat to survival and begins to hold on to every drop. Water is

stored in extra cellular spaces (outside of the cells). This shows

up as swollen feet, legs, and hands.

Diuretics offer a temporary solution at best. They force out

stored water along with some essential nutrients. Again, the body

perceives a threat and will replace the lost water at the first

opportunity. Thus, the condition quickly returns. The best way to

over come the problem of water retention is to give your body what it

needs---plenty of water. Only then will stored water be released.

If you have a constant problem with water retention, excess

salt may be to blame. Your body will tolerate sodium only in a

certain concentration. The more salt you eat, the more water you

system retains to dilute it. But getting rid of un-needed salt is

easy---just drink more water. As it's forced through the kidneys, it

takes away excess sodium.

The overweight person needs more water then the thin one.

Larger people have larger metabolic loads. Since we know that water

is the key to fat metabolism, it follows that the overweight person

needs more water.

Water helps maintain proper muscle tone by giving muscles

their natural contract and by preventing dehydration. It also helps

to prevent the sagging skin that usually follows weight loss---

shrinking cells are buoyed by water, which plumps the skin and leaves

it clear and resilient.

Water helps rid the body of waste. During weight loss, the

body has a lot more waste to get rid of---all the metabolized fat

must be shed. Again, adequate water helps flush out the waste.

Water can help relieve Constipation. When the body gets too

little water, it siphons what it needs from internal sources. The

colon is one primary source. Result? Constipation. But, when a

person drinks enough water, normal bowel function usually returns.

So far, we've discovered some remarkable truths about water

and weight loss:

- The body will not function properly without enough water

and can't metabolize stored fat efficiently.

- Retained water shows up as excess weight.

- To get rid of excess water you must drink more water.

- Drinking water is essential to weight loss.

How much water is enough? On the average, a person should

drink eight 8-ounce glasses every day. That's about 2 quarts.

However, the overweight person needs one additional glass for every

25 pounds of excess weight. The amount you drink also should be

increased if you exercise briskly or if the weather is hot and dry.

Water should preferably be cold. It's absorbed into the system

more quickly than warm water. And some evidence suggests that

drinking cold water can actually help burn calories.

When the body gets the water it needs to function optimally,

it's fluids are perfectly balanced. When this happens, you have

reached the "breakthrough point." What does this mean?

- Endocrine-gland function improves.

- Fluid retention is alleviated, as stored water is lost.

- More fat is used as fuel because the liver is free to

metabolize stored fat.

- Natural thirst returns.

- There is a loss of hunger almost overnight.

If you stop drinking enough water, your body fluids will be

thrown out of balance again, and you may experience fluid retention,

unexplained weight gain, and loss of natural thirst. To remedy the

situation you'll have to go back and force another "breakthrough."

Lulu · September 9, 2003

Leo -

Thank you soooooooooo much for your post on why it's important to drink Water. I finally get it!!!!

bjkgriffith · September 9, 2003

Leo, I wonder if that information has a lot to do with not drinking alcohol too. Besides erosion of the band, I wonder why they say that you can't have any addictions to get this band...Aren't we all addicted to food anyways?

Barb

leo · September 9, 2003

Originally posted by bjkgriffith
Leo, I wonder if that information has a lot to do with not drinking alcohol too. Besides erosion of the band, I wonder why they say that you can't have any addictions to get this band...Aren't we all addicted to food anyways?

Barb

Yes hahaha, we are all addicted to food. I don't drink alcohol or smoke so I guess I am safe in that respect. Actually it's not the band that erodes but the lining of the stomach, kinda scary thought. But I don't think something like that happens to often.

leo · September 9, 2003

Fear of loosing the Weight Loss Battle

You wont lose the battle if you are willing to work with the band and do

Your part:) But I can almost guarantee:

·You will have plateaus when you first switch to solids until your body gets used to being fed instead of starved (most likely 1-2 weeks but could be 3 like mine was)

·During many plateaus you will loose inches not lbs and finally a larger loss.

·Your loss in the first 30-40 days is a never to be repeated experience so enjoy it Then you begin the long slow journey downward (not upward)

·You will learn the fine art of PB's and what causes them for you is it swallowing air when you eat. Eating too fast.. Not chewing well or too big a bite.. Eating the wrong food for you...and not recognizing the no longer hungry after 1/2 cup (satiation) versus an I want to eat more cause I can or it tastes good or I crave (head hunger).

·You will watch your body shrink and will walk a bit taller literally and figuratively... Start slipping into booths in restaurants. Sit in chairs with arms .. Stop worrying about how strong the chairs are...Not having to ask for an extender belt on airlines.. Finding it is easier to and you have more energy to walk / go up stairs/ Clean house and do a million other day to day activities ... Slip in and out of bath tubs where the Water goes all the way around you instead of damming up and it doesn’t kill you to stand up from sitting on the floor ...Wipe yourself easily in the bathroom.. Watch the years fall off your face and drivers license picture .. Go to a restaurant and order an appetizer and still end up with leftovers to take home..

·Go through doubts and several fills/defills until you hit the sweet spot fill level for you.

·Will have to stop several times along the way to reassess your eating habits (I could eat certain foods and get away with some cheating a bit quantity wise at 359 and still lose .. That had to go at 250)

·I have also found that I have to keep reminding myself 1/2 cup of solids 3 times a day only and drink my Water (1 hour after meals until the next meal but not with meals)

·Eat Protein first ..Fruit and veggies second and non-complex carbs last. (Keep the fats, sugars and non-complex carbs low ..Still have them but keep em low).

And believe it or not a plateau that indicates that you need a fill is

1.No weight loss for 4 weeks.

2.You are following all the band rules (8 times out of 10 we want to be able to break the rules and still lose.figuring if we get a fill it will miraculously start us losing without us having to do our part).

3.You are eating foods that are hard and stick in your band for the 3-4 hours not drinking your calories- You are hungry an hour after eating (really hungry not cravings) and the 1/2 cup doesn't stay in the band for 2 1/2 to 4 hours.

4.You are drinking your 60+ Fl oz water a day and not drinking with your meal or for at least an hour after.

5.Once you move from mushies to solids.. As much as possible get your nourishment from food that is solid. If you have problems with it sticking in your stoma.try it again chewing it well..Cutting it up finer or chewing it with other foods to keep it from recombining in your pouch and forming a plug (e.g. potatoes)..

6.Try to avoid Soups and or Protein drinks if possible (if you are able to eat your Protein you will be full longer - some people have tight bands in the morning and cant eat so have a protein drink)

7.Whenever you hit a plateau.. Keep a food diary and log everything, including water, which goes in and measure the 1/2-cup of solids. Mine grew twice from 1/2 to almost a cup without my noticing lol.

8.Try weighing in once a week to begin with not daily. Later move to once every 2 weeks or once a month. When you are losing slowly weight fluctuates daily with hydration levels etc. At least this way you normally will see a loss and not a fluctuate on or gain. Yes the loses are smaller but they are down not up.

9.Measure yourself monthly ..Often you lose inches before you lose lbs.

10.Don’t compare yourself to others.. We all lose at different rates based on age/metabolism/food choices/ activity level.. But we can all lose

Hope that helps

MeganA · September 9, 2003

It breaks my heart to read you post...I'm still pre-band, and your situation is what I fear most for myself. You're not alone!

I started seeing a counselor last week...I know that I have bad habits and a relationship with food that is years long...and one little peice of silicone in my body isn't going to change that. Have you thought about seeing someone?

In the mean time...I would recommend that you make smaller goals for yourself- the drinking enough Water during the day should maybe be your first- and do that for a week so you have some success. Then don't drink with your meals, and after a week of that, buy yourself something nice, or get a magazine subscription, or get your nails done.

It just seems like it's all too much and you're really being hard on yourself (who isn't!!). Well, you're not alone. And you're here talking about it, which is a HUGE success for you!

Best of luck,

Megan

SeattleCindy · September 24, 2003

I felt the same way you were. I was drinking with meals and eating more than i should . But after this my 2nd fill. I have found I can't do that anymore. Once you get a good fill that is right for you . Once you try to drink with your meals it will make you want to pb so you learn not to do it so you can have a little bit of food and keep it. If you know what i mean. I was pbing a lot cause i was eating way too fast which is a hard habit to break. I did a lot of it and then would get frustrated because i couldn't eat Protein so i'd have a blizzard instead for dinner. But now that I have a good fill. You learn that when your hungry you make better food choice and you can get a real sense before you even take a bite of something on whether or not it is going to work. Everyday is still different, but you learn to look for food that will stay in your tummy and keep you full and you will know not to drink with it because when you do... There comes that feeling and pain in your chest.. Just my opinion since that is what i have experienced..

Good luck:D

donali · September 24, 2003

Hi Birdee -

Your symptoms are the classic response to impending deprivation. Some how you have it in your mind that if you let the band restrict the amount that you WANT to eat, that somehow you will be hungry and deprived.

This is NOT a diet! You can trust yourself and your band - honest. You should not be going hungry - if you are, then you are going to increase this psychological response. Don't worry about how much food you think you are supposed to be able to eat - eat until you feel full. If you never feel full, then you need another fill.

Be sure you are not waiting too long before meals. Many people do better on six small meals a day than 3 bigger ones.

I agree completely with Megan - BABYSTEPS! Don't try to fix everything at one time (remember, you are for all intents and purposes banded for LIFE - not just the next year). The most important thing is to get in all your Water. I need a schedule to do this. My goal is a gallon a day, 4 quarts at a time. One quart on the way in to work, 1 quart between Breakfast and lunch, one quart after lunch and before I go home, and one quart after dinner.

Once you start getting in your Water, hopefully your lips won't be so chapped, and you won't feel so tempted to drink with meals.

Let go of the diet mentality - the band will help you to be full on smaller portions naturally - you won't feel deprived, you'll just be full. Plus, as soon as you're hungry again, you can eat again.

A therapist specializing in food addictions and complusive eating disorders could probably help you immensely.

Hang in there!!

mezazea · September 24, 2003

We all fight certain battles while adjusting to life with the band. As the others have said, tackle one habit at a time and don't go on to the next challenge until you have conquered the first. It is too overwhelming to try to chew more, eat less, drink more, move more, eat slower etc. all at once. Yes! Go for the Water first. Start with one litre, sorry, quart a day and build up. Buy fancy bottled water if that will help - and just sip sip sip all day long. Keep bottles ready to go in the fridge and every time you leave the house, throw a bottle in your bag or car.

I was banded late July and have had one fill to 1.5cc and I am still working out what I can and cannot eat (had a nasty experience with a peach the other day...)

Learning how to use the tool (band) takes time. Don't worry - you will succeed!