Disappointed....a little long....sorry.

Hey everyone!  I am sorry to get on here and whine.  Maybe I should post this on R/R board?  So, since the beginning I have NOT felt much restriction in my pouch.  I talked with Dr. C and she said that some of us just don't.  I had a scope early on to make sure everything was okay and she said it was.  I also have more of an appetite than most.  NOTHING like someone with a normal tummy but more than I would like.....so the two of them put together is a BAD combo.  I am REALLY struggling with my portions b/c when I am finished with my 1/2c. I don't feel full.  I have been very succesful and hate to complain but it feels like a diet to me.  I have to REALLY watch myself.  I guess I am just disappointed.  I know it is a tool.  But it is suppose to HELP me along, ya know?  Now, I am living the same diet life I have for YEARS. 

Everytime I eat a little too much I freak out thinking I am stretching my pouch....
I have talked about going to the Doc and having another scope but I don't know what they can do if my pouch is stretched out???  Is it like our old tummy?  If it is stretched and I restrict my intake for a few days does it shrink up some?  I dunno, I'm just having a hard time right now.
Thanks for reading....

I was having the same issue that you are, not much restriction and an appitite.....ugh.   One day I was reading something on the internet doing a lil research and came across something that really hit home for me, it was exacatlly what I was missing in my journey.  My diet consisted of healthy foods but always in a form that was easy on the pouch, soups, stews, casseroles and such.  I wasn't eating the solid proteins that laid heavy in my pouch and that was part of the reason I wasn't feeling the restriction.  Maybe you can switch the biggest part of you protein intake to be in a solid form and not shredded diced crumbled or whatever to make it go down easier.  This really has worked for me and I am full now when I am suppose to be.  Just thought I would share that with you.


Jeannie

Jen, I hope you find the answers you are looking for.  I know what you are going thru.  I kinda feel that way at times.  It's kind of scary for me when I do have a day when I am hungry alot and find that I eat more than I think I should.   Take it one day at a time... even one meal at a time.   Just make sure the choices you are making are healthy choices and keep doing your best.  When you stop to realize, you will find that you are not eating at all like you used to and not nearly as much.  Don't beat yourself up over this either.  You will let it consume you and it will only cause you to feel more regret and spiral down.  Focus on what you have achieved so far!  You are doing amazing! 

Keep up the good work and try to focus on the positives!

Huge hugs,
Tracy

Hi Sweety,
 Just wanted tyou to know you aren't alone. Although I didn't have lapband, I do know what it is like to feel like you can eat "normal". Don't let it freak you out, discourage you, or get you down. Sometimes, it is a cry for us to switch things up- like get more solid protiens in. I found if I don't ,and just depend on soft foods, they
seem to go thru fast,then I am "hungary" again pretty soon. I do eat protein first then veggies- if you still feel "empty" try munching on carrots & celery, they fill me up! Just don't feel bad, keep track of what you are eating, and get your fluids in. Try "Sparkpeople.com" they are a great place for keeping track & getting  motovation.I am rooting for you !!! You are doing great- keep on keeping on, girl!!!

Rant all you would like!  That is what everyone is here for.  I can offer two thougths of advice...

1) I am going through a similar stage, but I have figured out that someof it is head hunger and the other is that I need to redefine by definition of full.  Before my surgery I would eat a meal then feel uncomfortable, that was full.  Now I dont feel full like that, its a new feeling and its takes some getting use to.  The second half of the not feeling full I think is head hunger, just getting use to our new little tummies, hw they work and how to live a healthy life style.  You mentioned it felt like a diet, and my frame of mind is that is a diet and will be for the rest of my life.  The way I use to eat was wrong from top to bottom, and difference from that is a diet.

Second, each time I think I am still hungry I think about how far I have come. It hink about how much I love my new size 6 jeans and how I never want to go back to plus size clothes, I think about how good my feet feel now and how I love my knee high boots.  They I step back from the snack or dinner table, shake my little butt at myself and walk away, maybe even still feeling a little hungry.  ( I know I got my protein in so I am good).

You have come so far and you are doing so well, think of all the good things on those days when it feels hard and think about how great you will feel when you reach your final goal!  Hang in there its a learing curve and we are all still learning everyday!

Hugs,

Kim

We all get a little paranoid thinking we're gonna fail, don't we? For me, I failed so many times trying to lose weight that I was a little scared I'd be the first person in the world not to lose weight with the RNY. I'm actually glad you're feeling this way, because it's gonna make you really careful about what you eat and how much. It sure does me. I've slowed down a bit in the last month because I have been eating more sweets than I should. I'm still losing, but I know I can lose faster and that's what I'm working on right now. You all read about my Red Hots saga! The only thing I can do is keep stuff like that out of the house.

I do have the restriction...last night I tried to eat some chicken and that just fills me up so fast. I think the suggestions here for you to eat  solid protein like chicken, beef, etc. are good. I know I can eat a lot more soup, chili, etc. than I can chicken or hamburger.  I've also found that chewing sugar free bubble gum keeps me from snacking. And, of course, I keep water with me at all times.

Hang in there, Candy, you're gonna make it!

Jenny

   Thanks guys!  Sometimes I just wish that I felt restricted like I hear other people talk about, dangit!  I have been really sick and have been eating a lot of the soupy foods...like veg. soup and stuff.  I have to admit, I eat more than 1/2cup and then I feel terrible.  I can eat solids and not feel much restriction either but I do agree that the more solid it is the more it helps.  I have found that oatmeal stays with me a LONG time.  I KNOW that some of this is head hunger.  Some of it is just habit....b/c I will think, "I should be hungry.  I should eat now."  
   I have environmental issues also.  My grandmother lives with us and she LOVES sweets.  So, she has to have our cupboard full of cookies, candy, ice cream, pies.  She cannot have a meal without dessert.  Then she will sit there and talk about how good the stuff is.....over and over....and then ask us if we are going to eat it.  I have told her about a million times I can't have it.  She is old.  She has put on about 5 bls in the last couple of years and is freaking out about it.  She tells the nurse at the Docs office that I am "trying to make her fat like me."  UH?  My husband got mad at her for blaming us and told her if she would stop "stuffing all those cookies and candies in her pie hole she might not gain weight."  Obviously, she has went from 155 to 160 in the last 30 years so I think it will be okay.  She is 86, if she wants pie, I say let her eat it.....but maybe not in my house!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    
  I think I was just sick and eating a lot of soup and fluids and felt gross.  I will continue to fight.  I feel good about most of my food choices.  I feel like I have embraced the life change.  As all you know....somedays I just wi**** were easier.  You guys helped a lot. 

Hi Candy.  We all can relate to what you are dealing with.  You mentioned that your grandmother lives with you and always eats desserts and some of the comments that she makes at the table.  If she asks if you are going to eat it, does that mean that you are still sitting at the table with her?  Why don't you try eating your small portion of food and then excusing yourself from the table before everyone else is done eating.  Let someone else put the dessert on the table after you are gone and serve it.  If they are supporting you and want what is best for you, they should be willing to do this for you.  It is a small sacrifice.

Can grandma keep some of her cookies and sweets in her bedroom.  I know this is not a permanent solution for her to take things to her room.  Our goal IS to discipline ourselves to say no to these things even when they are in our house.  But we all need time to develop the skills and discipline to say no over time.  The more weight that we lose, the more self confidence we have in ourselves that we can make the right choices and we can say NO because we are happy and healthy now and we want to stay that way. But in the meantime, when you feel weak, I would get up from the table and walk away from temptation.  Be as consistent as you can be.  Everyone will notice that you are serious about your program.

But it is a journey and we are vulnerable when we are around people that say and do things to trip us up when we are trying so hard.  I am over 8 years post op. Always remember that you have given yourself the most wonderful gift you could ever give yourself.  You, and God, can, and will do this together.  When we step up and do what is best for ourselves, all of our loved one's will also benefit from it in the long run.  We will live a long, happy, healthy life with them because we put ourselves first NOW.

You have got good advice here.  Eat protein first. Don't eat until you're full.  It takes 20 minutes after you are done to feel full.  I often get the hiccups when I am full.  Don't drink water w/ meals (maybe that's not true for lap band)  I eat fish several times a week. Things I never liked when I was MO, I now eat all the time.  Fattening things I use to eat all the time MO, I don't want to eat now.  Oatmeal has fiber in it and will make you feel full.  Trust me, little changes that you make everyday WILL become lifelong healthy habits. It  doesn't seem like you are making any progress but believe me, you are.  Take a good look in the mirror.  And don't compare yourself to everybody else.  Be the best you that you can be.

Hugs and Blessings,

Kathy
-215#
Highest Weight/ Surgery Weight/ Current Weight
      350#                 325#                 135#
 

Jenn
See you arent alone
I know im almost a year out and sometimes i get amazed at how much i can eat,well how much i thought it was.
We measured the other day and im not eating alot it just looks that way im eating about 6 ounces at a time.
With the yogurt or meats i cant eat 6 ounces maybe 4.
Your body sometimes gives you signs your full.
As gross as this sounds when i have had enough my nose will run..
I f i keep eating the pains are horrible.
So watch and see if your body is trying to help you.
And sweetie realize you are trying and  come and ask because most of us have been where you are.
good luck sweetie

Okay, just for the recoord I am not a Lap band patient, I had RNY.  I noticed a couple people thought I was a lap band patient. 

  Thank you again for all your responses.  I feel like I am back on track.  I don't think I was ever off track but I was eating a lot of soup and things that just made me feel unsatisfied (I had been sick).  
 
  We don't all eat together.  That would be a nightmare.  We also don't eat at a table...we eat in the living room.  I know we are bad!  My grandmother does eat at the table in the kitchen sometimes but she always has her dessert later in the evening in the living room.  I DON"T eat her junk food.  But sometimes I would just like her to NOT tell me about it.  We are also really packed in our little house.  (3 of us in 950sq.ft.)  There is no way to get away from her.  I think my comments about her were just a testament to the overalll frustration that she causes my husband and I......sorry for letting that cloud my post.

  A few months ago we got a seperate little pantry for me.  I keep all my goodies in that cabinet.  This way I feel like I have a lot of choices and my own space.  I don't have to dig through ding dongs to get to the carrots.  :)

  I went this weekend and got some shrimp and some new snacks to try.  I have been lax about my water intake for the last couple of weeks.  I am really going to hit that this week.  I know I will make it....but it helps to know YOU guys KNOW I will make it TOO!