What I've learned in 16 Months of Lap Band
This is a very individual journey, so I'm going to tell you what I've learned about MY experience with lap band and following "the rules".
- I CANNOT handle carbonation. What happens when I try it? I get this sensation that I cannot breathe for about 15 seconds. It is painful and scary.
- I like my band TIGHT. I do best when I'm so tight that I have to REALLY pay attention to what I eat and how I eat it.
- CHEW CHEW CHEW. Until my food is a liquid state.
- My bites better not be larger than the size of a dime, regardless of how much I chew, or I'm going to PB or get stuck.
- Drinking something warm/hot in the morning helps the rest of the day go by easier.
- My band doesn't like drinks that are overly cold. If I drink something frozen (hello Margarita) I better drink it slowly.
- Speaking of Margaritas, alcohol makes my band lazy and loose.
- Stress makes my band TIGHT! I have even been prescribed Ativan for days that I'm stressed to the point that water doesn't go down. I have only taken it a few times, but it helps.
- Claritin (or any allergy meds) helps relax my band a little too.
- Unfortunately, exercise makes my band damn near close shut. I cannot run in the morning, because if I do, I can't eat for at least 8 hours.
- Water! Water is an essential part of this weight loss journey, just not while I'm eating.
- I used to drink 5-6 glasses of water with a meal, but this is truly one of those "NO NO" rules. I thought it would be a difficult change, but a few times of forgetting and taking a sip during dinner, only to quickly PB made sure I wouldn't forget anymore.
- My band does NOT prevent me from eating shit I shouldn't. Cookies? Yes please. Ice cream? I'll take a truck load. Cheesecake? Yep, just shove it right down my throat.
- Previous rule does not apply to bread. I CANNOT eat bread. It just doesn't work. Pasta either.
- And for some reason, my band does not like dinner food pork. Barbeque. Ham. Pork Chops. But I can eat bacon and sausage? Makes no sense.
This band has lots of rules to follow, and it's worth it. I just need to remember all of them, follow them, and get back to tracking my food. I'm going to make it a goal to track my food every day and post my day's tracking at least once a week. I just need to decide what day I'll do that, but I think this is a good 2014 blog resolution.
- I CANNOT handle carbonation. What happens when I try it? I get this sensation that I cannot breathe for about 15 seconds. It is painful and scary.
- I like my band TIGHT. I do best when I'm so tight that I have to REALLY pay attention to what I eat and how I eat it.
- CHEW CHEW CHEW. Until my food is a liquid state.
- My bites better not be larger than the size of a dime, regardless of how much I chew, or I'm going to PB or get stuck.
- Drinking something warm/hot in the morning helps the rest of the day go by easier.
- My band doesn't like drinks that are overly cold. If I drink something frozen (hello Margarita) I better drink it slowly.
- Speaking of Margaritas, alcohol makes my band lazy and loose.
- Stress makes my band TIGHT! I have even been prescribed Ativan for days that I'm stressed to the point that water doesn't go down. I have only taken it a few times, but it helps.
- Claritin (or any allergy meds) helps relax my band a little too.
- Unfortunately, exercise makes my band damn near close shut. I cannot run in the morning, because if I do, I can't eat for at least 8 hours.
- Water! Water is an essential part of this weight loss journey, just not while I'm eating.
- I used to drink 5-6 glasses of water with a meal, but this is truly one of those "NO NO" rules. I thought it would be a difficult change, but a few times of forgetting and taking a sip during dinner, only to quickly PB made sure I wouldn't forget anymore.
- My band does NOT prevent me from eating shit I shouldn't. Cookies? Yes please. Ice cream? I'll take a truck load. Cheesecake? Yep, just shove it right down my throat.
- Previous rule does not apply to bread. I CANNOT eat bread. It just doesn't work. Pasta either.
- And for some reason, my band does not like dinner food pork. Barbeque. Ham. Pork Chops. But I can eat bacon and sausage? Makes no sense.
This band has lots of rules to follow, and it's worth it. I just need to remember all of them, follow them, and get back to tracking my food. I'm going to make it a goal to track my food every day and post my day's tracking at least once a week. I just need to decide what day I'll do that, but I think this is a good 2014 blog resolution.
We are very similar! I can't eat pork...not much bread, shuts up tight at the same things, etc. it's interesting to see the similarities....
ReplyDeleteI love bacon as long as I chew it. I can't eat sausage or ham. Regular pork trends to get stuck... Same with beef. I can eat bread but not a lot and I have to be careful if I do. I avoid pasta and rice which I used to love. Can eat some hella cookies.... And I love the occasional soda now... As long as it's little Sips and no food.
ReplyDeleteBtw LOVE your new profile picture... You are gorgeous... But you look so serious! Next one post a smile BC I think you are happier than you look here!
Great post! I have issues with certain foods and not others too. It's perplexing. Meant to tell you earlier, you look wonderful!
ReplyDelete