Naughty Lap Bander??

I had surgery 11/13/08.  I have been able to eat just about anything I have tried without any difficulty.  I know I am eating way too much of the wrong things... and I feel total guilt when I read about others who have changed their eating habbits (great for them, don't get me wrong).  I get angry at times because I feel like I'm not going to succeed.  I had this surgery done because I cannot control my eating.  If I could do what it seems is expected (kill the carbs, fat, and all the things I love)... I would already be thin wouldn't I?  Why do we expect to become a new person after one night in the hospital?  I don't understand how a lot of you have been able to move into this "health nut" phase after years of failing in diets and exercise attempts.  I saw one girl on here trying to get feedback on her "meal plan" during her transition from mushy to more solid foods.  The response was very judgemental.  I thought her ideas were great, but people seemed to be bashing her for admitting she was addicted to carbs and wanted to put Melba Toast in her meal.  I thought her idea was a good way to keep her from craving bread and everyone else seemed to think she was committing the ultimate "Bandster" sin.  I'm just getting so upset and frustrated feeling like I am going to fail again because even after surgery and losing 30 lbs, I cannot say "No" to the breads and more fattening foods.  I honestly thought the idea of the Lap Band was to cut your portion size.  I thought that was how I would lose weight.  Have I wasted my time, energy, and sanity on nothing if all I'm counting on is portion control?  I really don't mean to still anyone's thunder on their success... I just want to know if everyone felt this way before their first fill I guess... Maybe someone will tell me they had the same experience right off... but after the fill it all changes???  Please??

Yes, yes, yes and yes!!  In my opinion you are totally normal.  I also had the same cravings as before surgery and after a week of so post op was famished.  Believe me, I also veered off the straight and narrow, but not to the extent that I would have before.  And yes, I still enjoy an occasional multigrain cracker, without feeling guilty.

I also feared that I would fail.  After my first fill I felt nothing, until the 3rd week when I finally felt some restriction.  I just had fill #2 last Friday and believe me, I couldn't overeat if I wanted to.  I definately feel restriction, probably not at the sweet spot yet, but I know that I will be successful.  I try to make the right food choices, which boils down to mostly protein only now because that is all I have the room for.  The weight is coming off - I am down at least 2 sizes (from a 22/24 to size 18 pants now) and have lost 30 pounds since 10/3.  Even during the first month ost op with no restriction I lost 8 pounds.  So hang in there honey.  You will not fail, you are normal and everybody's band journey is different.  Believe in yourself!!!

I had surgery the same day as you. I have lost 29 pounds. I have only had one fill and I am hungry!!  i have been trying to be good but I could eat just about anything right now. hubby and kids had pizza tonight and I had the toppings of about 4 slices. how much do you have in your band now?  mine is a 10cc band and I have 4.5cc in it.

Read back over  old posts and you will see on average one thread a day like this! Some days we seem to get three or four!

There is no reason why you should not be able to eat large amounts until you get enough saline in your band to cause restriction. When you do, then you will physically not be able to eat more than  a very limited amount. You may find that bread etc are things that make you feel discomfort and you may not be able to eat them. But if you can, what on earth does it matter if you do as long as you don't take in too many calories. If a piece of melba toast (very low cal) works for someone - eat it!

i don't believe in the "right" and "wrong" foods idea! If it does not phsyically harm your band (by making you PB) then eat it! If it is high in calories than you won't lose weight so you are sabotaging your weight loss and the surgery is a bit pointless! But a slice of bread, if that is what helps you deal with a craving, is not going to hurt!

Warning - some people need several fills before they get restriction.

Kate

Kate, I agree.  If I could give up everything unhealthy, I wouldn't be fat in the first place.  I'm a firm believer in moderation

Kelly

I like your take on things!!!

Shenurse, I started banded life believing that there were firm dietary rules which I had to follow. And I did. And I lost weight. But then I realised I did nothing but count calories (I would tot them up in my head ten times a day!) and  think about food.

But this is for life! Not just for a year or so. I don't want to live like that. So gradually (it took quite a lot of effort, in fact) I relaxed. I realised that being mostly healthy in my choices and allowing the band to limit quantities was all I needed to do. And there was no change in my rate of loss but life ceased to be all about what I had and hadn't eaten that day.

I became a"normal" person.

Kate

Everything you wrote is correct.  If it wasn't  for this surgery I would be a lot heavier.  It takes time, but eventually you will definitely have portion and hunger control.  That is what the band is all about.  I cheated all the time until I got good restriction. I still cheat.  I am not a good bandster.  I never follow all of the rules.  That is not who I am.  I don't exercise like a fiend.  I do everything I can to get away with as little as possible.  However this band had definitely worked for me.  Because I have portion and hunger control, I actually am more selective in what I eat.  I did however have at least half of a pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving.  I enjoyed every bite.  The band has made it possible for me  to have better control over my "eating problems."  It works for me.  This is my reality and my confession as I sit here in my size 4 pants. 

That makes me feel better!  I will never be a size 4... but a 14-16 is my goal... so if you can do it eating pumpkin pie... surely I will eventually get there!  Thank you for your honesty!

I never thought I would get this small.  I would have been happy at a size 14 also, but oh, damn, a size 4-6.  So don't set any limits on yourself.  I also want to tell you this has been the easiet "diet" I have ever been on. If someone says to me, "you took the easy way out."  I just smile at them and say, "yes I did and it is wonderful."  I have to pinch myself to realize that  my weight has stayed the same for over 2 years now.  Just take it one day at a time, you  will most likely plateau for several or more weeks.  It also takes time to learn to slow down, take smaller bites and chew well.  I actually can put  my fork down between bites now.  I too get tired of reading all about following rules.  If I could have followed rules I wouldn't have needed this surgery.  It is so amazing how fast people forget the struggle they went thru everday to do the right thing with their eating.  Good luck to you.