So, the Lap-Band Update

Well, since I last wrote anything of substance about it, I have had two fills. And boy, have they finally made a difference. I know I’ve said it before, but I really truly finally feel restriction.

How do I know this time is “the real deal”?

• FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, I have thrown up for eating too much (not just eating too fast, or not chewing enough). It was last weekend at a soccer party for my son. The avocado dip another mom made was Just. Too. Good. And I had a couple chip-fuls too many. Thankfully I could feel the trouble brewing and was able to make it to the bathroom (and thankfully it was empty except for me).
• I am finally feeling “full”. As in, when I obey the rules and adhere to “mealtimes” (snacking will kill you with the Band), I am not hungry. No more watching the clock and debating with myself – I’m truly Not Hungry. This is amazing.
• In a combination of the above two items, I am finally experiencing what Bandsters refer to as the “soft stop”. I believe a “hard stop” is what happened to me at the soccer party (easting too much and then having to PB/throw some up). The soft stop for me feels like a constricting of my stoma. I feel like I’m getting signals to not eat any more. If I disobey, I get the hard stop (PB). This is all new since my last fill on October 24th, so I’m still learning.
• I am learning to take small bites and chew chew chew. I know this is what we are supposed to do, but until the above happened, it was easy to forget. Now it is essential.

The scale numbers haven’t gone down much, but I’ve finally gone down a whole size or two: instead of being a 26/28, I’m most definitely a 24/2x. I was able to dig out some old favorite clothes and get rid of my 3x’es. I also had to get new bras.

I’m currently at 272, but my period is due any minute. I always thought that meant I was heavier and would lose after my period started, but a friend of mine always loses weight just before hers starts. I have no idea any more. But since I’m doing this NaBloPoMo thing to get back into the care and feeding of this blog, you’ll hear more numbers from me soon.