Getting cold feet

[lil'bitty]

Hi, my name is Lil'bitty, and I am addicted to food:sad: ! I LOVE IT! But I have decided once and for all that me and food need to call it quits. I am 35 with 2 beautiful little girls, and 28 yr old HOTTIE hubbie, who is already calling me his Lil'Bit!! I had a consultation on 11/3 and at 260, I thought I was ready..............................HELP, I am getting nervous! Worried about chewing food enough, NO liquid with meals - HOW CAN I?? Eatting tiny portions - can I get some words of encouragement please?? I am starting ATKINS tomorrow (2 weeks prior) to surgery and I go for my pre-op blood work this week - I am supposed to schedule my surgery the week after THANKSGIVING!

[oneflew]

Hey Lilbitty. Just think about your kids and your husband and how you want to be there for them for the rest of your life. You can do this! Congrats on coming this far and hang in there. Chat with folks and I know that you'll get the reassurance you're looking for!
Welcome, Welcome, Welcome!

[Kathy]

Hello lil'bit! Read read read. Make sure you have a good grasp on banded life and how it will effect your daily life. Then, trust your journey. It will be yours. All the research in the world can't really prepare you for what it's like. Kind of like having a baby. Be as prepared as you can, then do your best.

I'm a year and a half out, and banded life isn't really very different for me now. It's just how I eat. Smaller portions, chewing well. And I do take a small sip while eating. So much of your ability to do that has to do with your restriction level. It's a good habit to break, though, but pick your battles. You can do this! Good luck, and keep us posted on your surgery date. We are here to cheer you on! Yay, you!

[AnnDe]

lil'bitty, You have came to the right spot for encouragement! B2G is the place to be. I found that chewing food was the easiest. I was like you with the "What nothing to drink with food!" But I just knew I was in for a life time journey an it all works well. You'll do great! Like oneflew said "think of your children" I wish I could of done this when my boys were young, they are now 27 & 21 and one of my best supporters. I started this journey last May. I am now 6 months post-op an am feeling 10 yrs younger. It will all come so natural for you when you start! Congratulation on making the decision to make a difference in your like. I tell everyone it "ALL ABOUT ME" right now, they agree! Before you know it, you will be on the banded side of life!

[kim_8]

lil'bitty -
It's not as bad as you think it will be. Chewing was a new concept to me --- because I chewed about 3 times and then swallowed prior to banding. It's kind of nice to chew now. Read up on this and just be prepared for what you're going to experience. Knowing what to expect is 1/2 the battle. You'll do great. I wouldn't trade my new size 12 body for anything... except for maybe a size 8 :-). This has made such a difference in my entire life. I feel tons better and can't tell you how much fun it is to go shop in regular stores. I'm still not over the fact that I can actually pull almost any size 12 anywhere off the rack and have it fit. It's cool. Take care of yourself and good luck on that pre-op diet. If you can make it through the pre and post op diets, you can do anything! :-)
Kim

[lil'bitty]

My name is lil'bitty and I am a food addict!

I am so overwhelmed with emotion to your responses. THANK YOU!! My biggest concern is that I understand that I need to change my lifestyle and the way I eat, but if I could have done that before the band, I wouldn't have needed it - what's going to be different mentally??? I know that if I eat what I shouldn't I won't lose, or worse will get sick, or cause my band to slip, but I am afraid I might want to take that risk............Is there a switch that gets turned on somewhere that will force me to face reality??

I have my wonderful, supportive family as motivation, but I am so angry with myslef for not making them my priority over food in the for place.

In anycase, I am considering my love affair with food, an addiction, and will always consider myself an addict. I also look at my banded day as my divorce. I will grieve for my loss, but will find the strength to move on! I thank you all for being my support group!

[PhotoNut]

Mornin' Lil'bitty.. my name is Susan and I'm a food addict too. I stood in your shoes one year ago, scared to death of having to give up my food. Scared of failing what might be my final hope of ever beating this addiction. Well, here I am.. one year later down from a size 26 to a size 14, 98 pounds gone and I'm still addicted to food. The difference is I now have a tool inside me that helps me control how much of that food I can eat.

There is a lot to learn about living life banded. There is a lot you'll forget when you're a year down the road. I did. I had to go without a fill for a while and during that time I was travelling and came home to company and cookouts and fun party times. I gained 7 pounds in about 3 weeks. I forgot all of the "bandster rules" about eating. The good news is, before being banded I would have "fallen off the wagon" and stayed off for another year, regaining all I'd lost and then some. Seven pounds was a wake-up call for me. I went in and got filled again to regain restriction, and in a month I'm back down 10 pounds.. three under my lowest banded weight. To me, this is a huge victory and a miracle! I've overcome an enormous stage in the game by utilizing my band.

So, even though mental issues aren't resolved by the band, it is an amazing tool that helps you along as you work on those issues. The journey isnt all about the band and losing pounds. It is about regaining control of your life and your health. In order to do that, you will need to address emotional issues, get exercise and follow the bandster rules. Can you do that? I think you can. Why do I think that? Because you are here, surrounded by a world wide community of people who have felt the same way you feel right now. People who are ready to take your hand and help you along with advice, support and sometimes just an ear to listen to the frustrations as you battle through the rough times. I think you can, because I can.. I have.. I still am.. I always will be.. battling the addiction but this time, with a huge smile of success on my face!

Just keep moving forward.. you're going to LOVE the ride!

[lil'bitty]

Thanks Susan. I am feeling so much better this morning than I was last night. I am so blessed to be married to the most wonderful man in the world. He loves me as I am, and is so excited for me as I started this journey. I started Atkins induction today so that my liver will shrink, and so did my husband. I am looking at this as a fork in the road during my journey with my addiction. I am chosing the banded road, and it will have it's bumps as well. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

[tattooedsuess]

Welcome to B2G. I'm excited for you because I remember being in your place. I was nervous, excited, and so unclear about what my future held.

I think that everyone here has given you some great words of wisdom and encourgement, I basically wanted to say ditto to what they said.

Keep your chin up and before you know it you'll be shrinking before your loving husband's eyes. He sounds like an awesome man, so you have a lot going for you there. You also have some beautiful children to work hard living for too, so you've got some great inspiration going already.

You will do wonderfully! If you need us at anytime for reassurance and or encouragement, just know that we're here for cheering you on.