Lessons From the Band

[kat]

Here's what I've learned from the band today: patience is a virtue I don't have.

Got my first fill yesterday (after 6 weeks of zero restriction) and I don't feel one bit different! I could still could eat a horse (Ok, we're vegetarians. Maybe a tofu-horse). I want to feel like I did right after surgery, when 3 spoonfuls of jello made me full!!

The good news is that I haven't gained anything since the initial 20+ pound surgery-honeymoon loss. Guess that's good. I'm doing it with sheer willpower, and we all know how successful that is in the long term. My next fill isn't for 5 weeks. I'm trying really hard to convince them to move it up, but no luck so far. Other than that, the fill was a piece of cake.

I (selfishly) thought it would be helpful to have a thread where we could write things we've learned by being banded. I love the little reminders and suggestions I see in so many of the threads. You know, stuff like - bread comes up, toast stays down. Weighing yourself once or twice or three times a day will make you crazy (I learned this one the hard way). Gas-X is just as necessary as a shower and make-up if you're going out.

The bigger, more important lessons too. How being banded has changed us. How we regard, and are regarded by people as the weight comes off. How we are discovering our real, true selves in this process.

One of the biggest lessons for me has been the knowledge of and appreciation for this wonderful, wise community of people who share many of the same struggles as I do and who are so generous with their love, wisdom and support. Honestly, if that was the only lesson from the band, I would still feel it was worth it.

So whatcha got? What are your lessons from the band?

[Mloukas143]

Very nice thread, can't wait to read what others' have to say =)

[newlifeat57]

Great idea!!! What have i learned from my band? hmmmm one thing that comes to mind is to never, and I mean NEVER anger the band. When my band decided to start tightening up on me (due to some severe stuck moments), i ignored the signs and kept trying to get around it. I ended up with an unfilled band, an irritated pouch, and a wide open pouch. I found that i could eat just about everything... BUT, after 2 days of eating everything that I had not been able to eat while having good restriction, i decided to go back to the bandster way of eating and stuck to measuring my breakfast and lunch in those 1 cup containers by glad (??). For dinner i allowed myself a little more than 1 cup but definitely no more than 2 cups. i ate according to the bandster rules, then If i was still hungry, I ate fruit or lean protein.

In 6 weeks I had only gained 7 pounds. I thought that i did pretty good for not having restriction.

My lesson, was that I could still enjoy food as long as i followed the bandster rules. my band is there, whether i feel it or not. If i treat it right, it treats me right. I have lost about 4 or 5 of those lbs that i gained. It hasn't been easy....considering that I went to the best Christmas party in Boise.... and I haven't really felt deprived, but I would really like to feel some restriction (soon--Dec. 23).

[kat]

Good advice. Never having had restriction, I've never experienced "stuck". That lovely experience awaits me - I hope!

[kat]

OK - today's lesson is I really haven't changed anything in my head. I'm more or less eating what I'm supposed to, but I could - and do - fall back into my old eating habits in a split second. Mindless, mindless hand to mouth. It's not sabotage, its unconscious. When I eat I'm in some kind of 'no thinking zone'.

*sigh*. I need therapy.

[Kitty]

Well at least you are not sabotaging yourself. I find that I HAVE been doing this unfortunately. Like....testing the band. Stupid, I know!

[KathyJ]

Lesson from my band, It's not nice to fool me, by grazing all afternoon and it showed me how angry it was with me by giving me my first bout of BP's YUK

[kat]

Hey Kath - You were banded just a week or so before me. 32 pounds!!! You're doing great! Got any tips?

[KathyJ]

Kat- The only tip that I seem to take to heart was that the dietician told me that I shouldn't eat anything if the word SUGAR (or a dirivitive(sp) of the word)was one of the first 3 words in ingrediants AND that on the nutrition label to try and not eat foods with more than 3 grams for fat for every 100 calories. I really try (and fail miserably) at drinking water - I consider it a very good day if I can drink 2 -20z bottles. Sorry I'm late replying to you, I still get confused with all of this stuff and can't find posts that I read, etc. I'm a Kathy too, and we are just about the same in our journey. I did so enjoy your post today about a new year/new start, I wanted to tell you again how much it meant to me. Thank you

[kat]

Good reminders. I've become pretty slack with the water too. Its one of those things that seems like it wouldn't make a big difference, but it does. That does it! Tomorrow I'm going to drink away!

[kristina]

i have learned that without restriction..its almost like u never got surgery. and it can and will take some time to get the restriction you need to lose weight. once u get restriction u have to relearn everything.

i have learned that every single doctor is different..and they all do this band thing very differently....and i think some do it alot better than others.

thats about it for today..i am sure i will be back! :)

great thread Kat!

[itsfinallytimeforme]

In a few days I will be one year out, I had lost one hundred and four lbs then have gained back thirteen lbs when my band was deflated two weeks ago..

I have learned that I am a food addict, that without this tool, I will be right back where i began one year ago.

What I have learned is, that sugar is my enemy, crackers, cookies and ice cream are the devil himself. or herself.

What I have learned is I am helpless around junk food, and that I cannot have it in myhouse, I cannot buy it, touch it or smell it.

What I have learned is that at least Im aware of my problem and can re affirm my decision to stop the garbage, and that I am responsible for what goes in my mouth.

The most important thing I have learned this year is, patience and that I am going to make it to the finish line, no matter how long it takes, cus I am so worth the journey!!!!

[kat]

Wow!! A hundred pounds is on beyond amazing. I'm with you on every single one of your lessons.

I have learned that I need to remind myself of all these lessons every single day.

Thanks for sharing, everybody. I love reading these.