Struggling and discouraged

Hi everyone. I'm sorry I haven't written soon than this but I have been very disgusted with myself and the whole process. I had my first fill and then saw the doctor 2 weeks later which was about a week and a half a go for a second fill. I have noticed no difference from either of them and I'm eating quite a bit of food. I guess I had something in my head telling me when I did this is was going to be really easy and its not by any means. I am still struggling with my food addiction and my compulsive eating. I have to continue to determine when I think I'm hungry if its mental or physical and so far the mental is winning. I'm also still having a problem not drinking while I'm having my meals. I'm not eating the way I was eating before the surgery, my body couldnt' hold that much food I don't think at this point but Dr. Bass and Tiffany told me not to get discouraged, that its normal until they get me in the "green zone" which is eating a small portion of food for a meal and getting satisfied and not being hungry in between my meals. I'm really looking forward to that time. I'm down 13 pounds but its been 2 months today since surgery and I think it could be at least double that.
Would I do the surgery if I had it to do over again with what I know at this very moment, ABSOLUTELY!!! If I hadn't had the surgery I would probaby be 13 pounds heavier so its working, I just can't expect miracles overnight. It took a long time to put the weight on and it will take a while to get it back off.
Please hang in there with me and keep watching the posts. I see the doctor again this Thursday for a 3rd fill and I hope that will make at least a small difference from the last 2.
Have a great week and see you in the posts soon, DeAnna

I want to introduce you to my doctor, Thomas Bass

Taken from the website for Dr. Thomas Bass in Hollywood, FL.
Dr. Thomas Bass, MD, FACS is a board-certified general surgeon specializing in bariatric surgery. Dr. Bass received his MD from the Medical College of Virginia and completed his surgical residency training at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center at Pennsylvania State University. In addition, he completed fellowships in both Minimally Invasive Surgery and Surgical Critical Care and holds additional board certification in Surgical Critical Care. His interest in weight loss surgery began during his minimally invasive surgery fellowship, where he witnessed first-hand the life-changing effects that weight loss surgery can have. Dr. Bass is also a proctor for the Lap-Band System, and is responsible for training other surgeons in Florida that are interested in performing the procedure.

EDUCATlON & TRAINING
M.D., Medical College of Virginia
Fellowship, Minimally Invasive Surgery, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Fellowship, Surgical Critical Care, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Residency, Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Internship, Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Cerifications and Licensure
Board Certified, American Board of Surgery, General Surgery
Board Certified, American Board of Surgery, Surgical Critical Care
Medical License, State of Florida

Memberships
Member, American Society of Bariatric Surgeons
Member, Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons
Fellow, American College of Surgeons

For more information about Dr. Bass, please click on his name above and it will take you to the Hollywood Bariatrics website.

First check up and first weigh in

Yesterday was my first check up appointment with Dr. Bass and my first weigh in since surgery. I am very happy to report that I lost 10 pounds. I'm down to 329 pounds and I dont' mind posting my weight since I'll be losing every month when I go back for check ups. In 4 weeks, i will go back and probably get my first fill. Dr. Bass said it might take 3 or 4 times to get the band right. I'm enjoying my little meals and feel satisfied but not full when I have them. Its just so nice to have some regular food and to be able to chew again. I asked about gum but they dont' want me chewing gum because it triggers the brain to think your eating and could make me more hungry when I'm really not. Now the part I really have to work hard at is determining whether I'm having physical or mental hunger and with an eating disorder and compulsive overeating and binging and also being a food addict, this will be the hardest part of my journey. The lapband is just a tool, i still have to do all the hard work and not try to cheat around the band in order to be a success and I'm going to be a success for sure. I'm going to be going to some support groups through the doctors office and also thinking of finding an overeaters anonymous group I can attend at least once a week too. I am a horrible food addict, I think of food every minute of everyday unless I'm asleep and I have to learn to control that in order to make the band work for me. I"m looking forward to the journey and I know its not going to be easy in any way, the hard work is still up to me like Dr. Bass said and I want to be a success for not only myself but to my family and friends and to Dr. Bass and Tiffany too.
Keep checking my blog for future updates and journaling.