Monthly Tears Update

Hi folks,

I haven't given you an update and I decided it's time. I am down 45 pounds so far, which is great and I've had my first fill on the 14th of sept.

I can't really say the fill has been helpful in the way I would have liked, however it has added more things to the list of things I can't eat. Eating now has become uncomfortable, which I think was the point of the band. Things I can't eat are as follows:

Potato skins
Vegetables with skin (corn as an example)
Bread (which has been since the beginning)
Pasta/rice (I avoid those anyway because they have no substance and don't keep you fill up long enough)

I have no problems with meat. I still eat chicken, bacon, and beef. I eat salads, carrots, mash potatos, cheese, almonds (but i have to chew chew chew), granola bars, and of course the bad stuff cake, cookies, chips, chocolate bars, ice cream, anything crunchy.

Overall I love my band. I've lost 5 pounds since my fill. I do have to work for it. I count my calories each and every day. If I have a bad day, I get myself right back up again and start over.  My bad days are usually on weekends, where I don't have a routine.

I haven't had a stuck episode yet, but i've been close. Yesterday was saturday, which is the only day of the week I don't calorie count, and I tried a timbit. It hurt so much going down, and I had a hard time breathing...not fun. It didn't come back up but I can now add timbits to the do not eat list. haha

My next fill is in mid october...I already can't wait!!  I'm really glad I did this because it helps me stay in line. Looking at those scars on my tummy reminds me of what i've been through and that I can't mess up.It's just too easy to mess up really, you almost need a reminder each and every day.

I'm happy with the results and I think everyone has been doing great. One thing for sure is that everyone has a different experience with the band so it's hard to compare.

I have a question for you guys, do you bandsters feel like your dieting? I feel like i'm dieting all the time. I'm constantly finding routine, eating the same things, calorie counting, etc.

Tears

Thanks Mon for the good report. I am happy that you like your band ...you soon will have 50 lbs off ....imagine !!!    Its good that we have to work for the results or it would be just to easy . Was your fill non - eventful ?  Did they find the port easy ?  Your next fill is right around the corner.
You must feel so much better .....
Keep up the good work !! 

Dr. S could NOT find my port. He stuck me with the needle a few times and then concluded that I would need to get the fill in fluro, after that he had no problems. I am very stomach heavy so until I lose more weight, he could have problems finding it!

It dosen't hurt though!!! 

Thank you Tears for the update.

Did the clinic call you to set up your 6 weeks/first fill?  I'm wondering if I should call them or wait?

 

Hi Rach,

They call you and they are really good at setting your appoint on the six week! 

Thank you Tears!

I feel it is a Diet,But knowing you have to do it is better then before I had it done.
I can eat any thing right now and it all goes down good,But I will see on monday that may change as I go for my first fill.O there was one thing I could not eat was a apple and the skin was off it.It the little bite I tock did not go down good so I stop there.
Way to go on the 45bls that is very good 5 more for the big 50.I can't wait to get there too.I hope at Christmas I will be there Iam down 23bls.

GREAT JOB Tears - you have done SO great. And will continue to do so. I'm not a bandster - I'm an RNY'er. And I am mindful of everything I eat. So - in some ways I DO feel like I'm on a diet. But - I also have the tool of my smaller tummy to help me out. It's a big head game for me now I find. Having always been overweight for all of my 48 yrs - my old eating habits aren't easy to get rid of - and they do try to creep back in all the time. It's work - but the payoff is wonderful. Congrats to you

Monica

Well first off - Congrats on your loss - you are doing great!

As you know I had RNY but even after 15 months and almost at goal - its only a tool and I have to work damn hard still each and every day - and yes I do feel like I watch everything I eat - a diet kinda - but its my new way of eating - if I stray - I have to figure out why - was it real hunger - what did I think the "carby" or "sugar" or "fatty" choice I made over all the tons of options I have would do for me - what was I really hungry for ?

My journey has really turned to the old saying - its really what is eating you not what you are eating!

For me at this point its not wanting to return to old habits - for the first 6 months I lost the most weight and I could not eat anything without puking - at one year out my appetite returned - I suddenly had cravings and my pouch was a lot larger then what it was when I started out. I found it really challenging and wondered what do I do now - I am hungry!

Each and every day I have to work on the "head hunger" vs real hunger ? This pouch of mine is a tool - only a tool - I know that there are people who lose and gain weight back after weight loss surgery and I am gonna fight damn hard to not have to walk that path.

Monica I think as you experiment with more food and find foods that agree with you - you wont find it so strict- I know everytime I try something different and it works - it makes me excited to know another item to add to my menu- this may sound silly but I can now tolerate tuna salad- never thought I would get excited about tuna salad! lol

I have to go really slow as it is so dense but finally I handle it and if I have to grab something on the go without the crackers in one of those lil pkgs thats 20 grams of protein and its yummy - I cant get through it all in one sitting -almost but not quite. So its one more thing I could add to a selection on a menu - just eating the inside of a sandwich- still cant do eggs but tuna salad on a tomatoe slice - yum a new lunch idea!

Hang in there it does get easier and you are doing great!

deb