Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!
$99 Yearly Supply Alert! 🌈 "1 per Day!" Bariatric Multivitamins
  • entries
    429
  • comments
    760
  • views
    3,104

About this blog

:thumbup:My journey with the band - On my way to the 2nd part of my life!

Entries in this blog

 

5/1/08 - 59 more days!

59 more days until my cruise - yippeee.   Last month, I made a goal to really focus on my exercises, and I did. I feel like I've accomplished that. I'm making it to the gym at least 5 days per week. And I'm also doing something while at work, taking breaks and jumping on the elliptical machine in our gym at work.   I planned on doing a lot of strength training last night, but was not able to - but did do 35 min on the elliptical. Managed to burn about 450 calories yesterday between the exercise I did at work, and the elliptical I did last night.   Since its the beginning of the month - here are some things I want to focuss on -   1) my late night eating! I barely eat anything for dinner, if I even eat, but at about 11:00 pm - I'm starving! So, we will need to work on that!   2) Continue to focuss on exercise - need to really up my strength training.   3) Work on my cruise challenge (60 day challenge goals)   Wt - 178.9 - I know I said I wasn't going to weigh, but by golly, I just can't help it. Its like the scale has a magnet on it drawing me to it every morning. I was pleased to see it went down a little. I'm hoping it continues!:crying:   Menu -   Bfast 1 egg scrambler with meat & veggies topped with salsa   snack handful of asion nuts   Lunch leftover from lunch yesterday - smoked turkey and green beans   snack freshstrawberries (3 small, and about 10 grapes)   Dinner talapia - 2 oz, grilled, topped with homemade salsa and cilantro (new recipe I'm trying) and fresh steamed spinach, plan on making brown rice as well, might have a spoonful of that!   Exercise   10:00 am - just got back from 16 min on elliptical (burned 145 calories)   3:00 pm - plan on doing another 15 min of elliptical   Evening at the gym - 6:15-6:25 attending the abs, abs, abs class at the gym   6:30 - 7:00 - elliptical   9:30 - upper/lower body workout.   Are we having fun yet?
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

My fill history

Band type 4cc band 10cm Surgery date 1/18/07   Fill #1 - 3/6/07 - 2.2cc's Fill #2 - 4/17/07 - 3.0cc's Fill #3 - 7/6/07 - 3.5 cc's (I think it was only 2.5cc's because when I went back for fill #4, he could only w/draw 1.8 cc's) Fill #4 - 7/20/07 - filled me back to 3.0 ccs - He should have filled me more! Fill #5 - 8/17/07 - 3.4cc's Fill #6 - 10/08/07 - filled me to 3.8cc's - the restriction I've ever had,but still could eat big bites of food, so I figured I needed to be tighter. Fill #7 - 11/21/07 filled to 4.0 cc's. By the evening could not hold anything down, not even my saliva. PBing all night - horrilble experieince 11/23/07 - Unfill - Got unfill and because of the swelling and all the PBing, doc took my fill down to 3.0cc's. NO RESTRICTION AGAIN Fill #8 - Scheduled for 1/18/07 - and man do I need it! So hungry and no restriction. Fighting hard to eat right and make good choices.
tonya66

tonya66

3
 

WL goals

Okay, I know I am trying NOT to focus on the scales as much as focussing on eating better and exercising. Matter of fact, I've avoided the scales I think for 5 days or more now. No desire to touch the scales at this point. However, lets face it, we are all having WLS to lose weight and get a better health.   I think I should weigh around 220 when I go into my surgery. With that being said, I am aiming for 140 to be my goal weight. I will be happy with 150, but 140 is my ultimate goal. From what I have been reading, the average weight loss is 50 to 70 % of your excess body weight. So my excess body weight would be 80 lbs right?   Anyhow, this paper I read stated that the average amount of weight loss is as follows:   6 weeks - 20% (that would be 16 lbs for me) 3 months - 33% (that would be 26 lbs for me) and 1 year out - 67% (that would be 53 lbs for me)   I am really not planning on losing much my first 6 weeks, I hear a lot of people dont.   So, for me, I'm focussing on the 6 months out and 1 year out. My goal is to lose 35% the first six months and 55% the first year - so at my 6 months anniversary (July 18th, 2007) I want to weigh - 188 lbs. My 1 year anniversary (1/18/08) I want to weigh 175 lbs. I will then have an additional 35 lbs to go. I will work on that in 2008.   Are these goals doable for me? I think they are. I will do everything in power to reach these goals this year! If I can exceed the goals I've set for myself the first year, I will be a happy little girl. If I don't meet them and I know I did everything in my power. Then I will know that I am "below" average. Thats okay too. I know I'm a slow loser, so I will take that.   Okay, just had to write some of my thoughts down before I forget them.
tonya66

tonya66

0
 

It hurts, but it has to be done!

Yes, it hurts, but it has to be done, I'm talking about taking my measurements. Since I start my pre-op tomorrow, I had my daughter take a before pic and I took my measurements. Man, they are BAD. I'm as big as a Dallas Cowboy linebacker! I decided that the pre-op is ever bit a part of the lap band, so I am counting every pound I lose, and every inch I lose from this point on.   I also probably will count the 20 pounds I already lost, I have worked for those, and I believe I deserve them. lol.   Okay, here goes my measurements:   Waist - 41 1/2" Hips - 51" ( ) Left Thigh - 28" (this is what the waist is suppose to be) calves - 17" left arm - 15 1/2" breast - 43" under breast - 37"   OMG, I can't believe I am this fat! My before pics makes me look prego. My belly is huge! But all this is going to change!
tonya66

tonya66

4
 

Fill History - Fill #13

Fill #1 - 3/6/07 - 2.2cc's   Fill #2 - 4/17/07 - 3.0cc's   Fill #3 - 7/6/07 - 3.5 cc's (I think it was only 2.5cc's because when I went back for fill #4, he could only w/draw 1.8 cc's)   Fill #4 - 7/20/07 - filled me back to 3.0 ccs - He should have filled me more!   Fill #5 - 8/17/07 - 3.4cc's   Fill #6 - 10/08/07 - filled me to 3.8cc's - the best restriction I've ever had,but still could eat big bites of food, so I figured I needed to be tighter.   Fill #7 - 11/21/07 filled to 4.0 cc's. By the evening could not hold anything down, not even my saliva. PBing all night - horrilble experieince   UNFILL #1 - 11/23/07 - unfilled to somewhere between 2.5 to 3.0 cc's - NO RESTRICTIONS AGAIN :cry_smile:   Fill #8 - 1/18/08 Went in and the doc filled me back up to just right under 4.0, according to Flouro, it was perfect. Well, by next morning, could not hold down saliva again, ended up back in hospital   UNFILL #2 - 1/19/08 - Doctor had to unfill me to 3.0 again because of the swelling from all the PBing for being too tight. Again, NO RESTRICTION - :thumbup:   Fill #9 - 2/12/08 - 3.5 cc's - was tight for about a week, now feel lose again. grrrr, still have "some" restriction, just not quite enough! Next fill scheduled for 4/7/08 - I hate that it takes sooooooo long to get in to see the fill doc.   FILL #10 - 4/7/08 The doc just added .4cc's, making me at 3.9cc's. I think this might be the one!   FILL #11 - Was scheduled on 6/25/08 - but the doc did not fill me up, I was leaving for a cruise on 6/27 so he didn't want to risk me being too tight, so did not get a fill.   FILL #11 - 8/5/08 Went for a fill, this time the doc took all my fill out and all he could get out was 2.4 cc's. Filled me up to 4.0 cc's, I left, had to go right back because I could not drink, he took out a little over .2 cc's, he said I'm somewhere between 3.5 to 3.7 cc's. - I had great restriction for 2 weeks, but It has now loosened some. I feel I might need a tad more. I'm worried I have a very slow leak.   UNFILL #3 - 8/5/08 - Took a little over .2 cc's out, had pretty good restriction, but still a tad too lose.   FILL #12 - 9/17/08 - Added just 1/10th of a cc - I think I'm somewhere between 3.8 to 3.9 cc in a 4cc band. I am hoping and praying this is the fill that I stop with! I do not have another appointment for another fill, will wait this one out and see. Fill #13 - 10/06/08 - Doc added about 2/10's of a cc. He took everything out and put it all back in and said I was about 3.7 to 3.8cc's. - which is where he said I was last time.
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

3/15/07

Breakfast - SF yogurt with granola mixed in   Lunch - 1/2 of hamburger patty, 5 or 6 french fries   Snack - string cheese about 6 almonds   Dinner - Cleansing tea   Exercise - 25 min on treadmill (178 calories, 1.28 miles, 4.0 incline, varried from 3.1 to 3.2 mph. Then, did a 30 min salsa aerobic class (FUN!) Not sure how many calories, but I was sweaten'!
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

Keeping my promise

Wt today 184.6 - down .1 of a freaken pound.   Tom came yesterday which explains my headache, bloat, fatigue, and cranky attitude.   Did pretty good until last night, ate the rest of the choco chip cookies (3 of them) and now no more is allowed into the house. I threatened my family once, but slowly the junk food has crept back into our house.   Focussin on me and only me for the next 3 months.
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

4/16/07

Menu today - Doing Master Cleanse before I start the BFL diet/exercise challenge next week.   Exercise - 5 am - 34 min on treadmill, 3% incline, 3.3 mph, 238 calories, 1.76 distance.   Notes - i have my 2nd fill tomorrow, a little nervous about it. I have no problems right now, no PBing, no sliming, I can eat pretty much anything and everything, but don't eat more than 1 cup of food.   Wt this morning read 196.6:phanvan TOM is here, so I'm sure that is why. Not really too worried about it. Wednesday is my 3 mos banding anniversary, I will take my measurements, take a progression photo. I will also take a photo for my "before" pic for the 12 week BFL challenge that I am going to begin on Monday 4/23/07.
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

My inspiration

Have you ever wore an outfit that just made you feel good? Something that you wear and you know you just look good in it, you feel good in it? Well, I was cleaning my closet out and ran accross a skirt I wore in college. Its just a simple blue jean skirt, very Pencil like skirt, its long, past my knees with a very tiny waist.   Anyhow, I pulled it out and looked at the size, it was a size 12 - well, I'm wearing a size 10/12 now so I decided to try it on. OMG, way too tight, could not even zip it. I decided this skirt is my goal, once I can fit into this skirt, I know I will have made it. I thought back to wearing this skirt and how good I felt, I want that back!   Its amazing how the sizes has changed. This skirt is about 23 years old, its in great shape, looks new. But, my point is 23 years ago, a size 12 is now a size 8. I was looking at how tiny the waist was, how slim it was made compared to my size 12 now - big difference!   So, I took the skirt out, hung it on my bedroom door so I can look at it every morning before I leave. Its a reminder to me to be good, exercise and make good choices. Doing this will help me fit into that skirt!   I have a long way to go before I can fit into it, I couldn't even zip it, barely got it over my thighs, but I know I will get there.   I went down to the gym at work and tried the elliptical machine - lots of pain in my knees, only was able to do it for 5 min. I think this afternoon I will get on the bike and do it for 15 to 20 min. Every bit of exercise will help! I just wish this knee would heal - I hate it!   52 days until my 1 year band Anniversary and I have 16.1 lbs to lose in order to reach my docs goal weight of 155. I really wanted to reach this by my 1 year, not sure if I will, but I'm going to aim for it! So, according to fitday, I have to lose 2.17 lbs per week in order to reach this.
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

9/29/09 - You've come a long way Baby!

Well, eating has been going good, my restriction level seems to be good. I do have to slow down a bit, and I just don't eat as much.   I've trying to make good choices on my eating, making sure I eat my protein first and that does make a big difference. I grilled some chicken last night on my george Foreman grill, and I had 1 1/2 tenders and I was done! That was about 2 oz of meat, I had a sliver of cantelope with it as well.   My acid reflux is gone, no more waking up in the middle of the night coughing, so things seem to be good with this fill. I don't get too excited because this has happened to me before, then all of a sudden the restriction leaves, but we'll see how this one goes.   Exercise - well I need to be more consistant. I have been sick all weekend, but feeling a little better today. I'm going to go to the gym today and get some cardio in! For me, its all or nothing, and lately if I can't do it all, I do nothing. I'm trying to change my mindset, one of the suggestions that Dr. Vuong's book made was to take some baby steps, just incorporate some type of exercise in each day, whether its taking the stairs, or parking further away at the store. I am going to have that attitude instead of "I blew it today, didn't make it to gym".   Weight - I go thru spurts, most of the time I'm a total scale whore, I have to weigh every day, every evening, and sometimes in between. I'm going thru a phase where I just don't want to see the number. I am just not interested in that damn scale controlling my mood today, so I've stayed off it. I am just focussing on eating right and hoping when I do weigh, I will be pleasantly surprised and happy.   I did wear a size 8 dress this weekend to my assembly and did I get a lot compliments, made me feel good. The dress was a little tight, but it wasn't too tight that I couldn't wear it.   So maybe the scales are bouncing up and down, or maybe I haven't made it to the gym on a consistant basis lately - but what I can say is my size 8 dress is long way from my size 18 dress I used to wear. I've made a lot of changes in my life since getting the band, and a lot has changed on the inside of me. I still feel like a fat cow, and have a hard time thinking "I'm skinny", but then sometimes when I slip into a dress that I can look at and think "there is no way I'm fitting into that", and I do, wow.....it makes me realize how far I've come.   I seem to focus on that ending number, that goal weight but today I'm going to pat myself on the back and say, Good Job Tonya, you've come a long way baby! No negative talk today....
tonya66

tonya66

4
 

2 days until banding!

I can't believe I only have 2 more days until banding! 48 hours to go!   This liquid stuff is about to kill me. I'm always hungry and I want to eat damn it! I am ready for surgery so I won't be hungry any more. My DH made fried catfish last night (he makes the best in the whole world!). Gosh, I went into the kitchn and there set a huge plate of it, so I ended up taking a piece. Yes, I cheated - AGAIN.   I've got to stick to liquids today, no cheating!:help:
tonya66

tonya66

2
 

5/8/08

Todays plans   Menu Bfast - I had 2 slices of bacon 1/2 sausage patte - full - couldn't eat my egg   Lunch hmmm - lunch time right now, not even hungry, but will try and drink a protein shake   Dinner fish, talapia - yum   Workout Circuit training - upper body and cardio mixed. Planned on doing it last night, but didn't make it.   wt - 178.1   Tommorow is another big weight in day for me, I weighed last Friday 178.7, so hoping to at least be in the 177 area. I've been averaging 1 freaken pound a week. But hey, I will take it I guess....what choice do I have anyhow. lol.
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

12/19/07

Updating my journal - I seem to be in a total fog these days and just not caring. I do care on one hand, the other I don't, because I keep eating chocolate - sugar!   Last night, I went home, I did good all day, I wasn't even hungry, and ended up eating 2 smores. grrrrrr. Then I set down and watched the Biggest Loser - I have got to get control of this sugar addiction of mine.   Okay - tomorrow - I'm starting the Atkins induction plan - this will help me with my cravings. Yes, I am going to do it. I've got to get my zeal and determination back! I'm so close to goal, but yet so far!
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

5/6/07

Eating - I started off the day eating good clean food, for breakfast I had about 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of brocolli salad (made with broc, light mayo, splenda, grapes, sunflower seeds, cheese, red onion, delish)   Lunch - more of the brocolli salad (I think I will add some diced chicken to it and take it for lunch tomorrow - it is really good)   Dinner - had dinner at some friends house - here is where it gets BAD. I think I might even need another fill, I can't believe I was able to eat all this:   3 slices of FRIED fish 1 heaping TBSP of coleslaw 1 heaping TBSP of potatoe salad   Then, here come desert - 1 fairly decent piece of itallion cream cheesecake from cheesecake factory - baaaaad   Notes - I know I did bad, but according to the BFL plan, I can have a day that I eat whatever I want. But I felt too guilty about all this food, plus I was miserably full - I sure hope I didn't stretch my pouch:cry - I felt so bad, I came home and went to the gym   Exercise - 45 min on treadmill, 3% incline, 3.2 speed, 304 calories, 2.30 distance
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

Tuesday, June 5th

Well, I went to Nashville, had a great time! The trip down there was HELL - first our rental car was screwed up so we ended up taking our car.   We are cruisng along and finally after we hit Little Rock, Arkansas, we come to a 15 mile backed up trafic at a complete stop! We are there for about an hour and haven't moved, we turn around and get off at another exit and "try" and get on another highway, again, 10 miles backed up and a complete stop, after an hour of waiting, we turn around again and trying to find a way past the trafic. We stop at a little store and there was two EMSA drivers there, evidently there was horrible wreck involving two Semi's and a mini van, the wreck left all three in the van dead, so sad. They told us the roads were now closed and would be for about another 6 to 8 hours because the trucks spilled stuff all over the road and they had to haul sand in. But they were nice enough to take us through some back roads and get us past the mess. It took about 3 hours, but we finally made it thru little Rock. Our 9 hour trip took 13 hours!   Once we got to Nashville, we had a great time! We attended the benefit concert on Friday and they raised lots of money for Perry Braggs who is in need of a kydney transplant. Then we had another on Saturday night which was so great. As we are coming back to the motel Saturday night, my DH notices the car is hot, turns out, our water pump went out. So now, we are in Nashville on a Saturday night and no way to get home. On Sunday we call every mechanic and none were available (we both are supposed to be back at work on Monday). Well, my DH gets ride (from a very nice employee of the hotel) to the local parts store, he buys the water pump, and lots of tools. He and a good friend worked on the car with a limited amount of tools and finally completed it around 6:30 on Saturday night.   We went and had dinner and saw our friend off on his 9:30 flight back to Georgia.   We headed back to Tulsa, a 9 hour drive around 10 pm. We made it until 3:40 am and then got a motel in Little Rock. I had to call my boss and let her know there was no way we would make it back to Tulsa by monday morning (it was already 3:40 am). So, we finally made it home around 5 pm on Monday.   I started a local support group in Tulsa, and Monday was to be the first meeting, I was worried I wasn't going to make it. But I had just enough time to freshen up and get to the meeting by 6:00 pm.   There were 4 people who turned up, but I think it will grow over time. I told them all about this forum and how much it has helped me.   Now, as far as exercise goes, I ended up missing 2 workout sessions, so I will have to make them up in the next two weeks by working out on Sundays as well, so the next two weeks - I will be 7 days a week. I refuse to miss a workout! I refuse to do it! I will finish this challenge, I will!   I'm excited, I'm now 1/2 way to the finish line! The scale is move so darn slow, It showed 183.6 this morning, I'm sure the wine I drank in Nashville, plus all the eating out didn't help. So I'm not too worried about it. I hope tomorrow the scale will start going downward.   Well, thats whats been going on with me....................
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

12 days post op

Today is my 12th day post op. I am feeling really good now. There was one point I was thinking "what have I done to myself". I was not prepared for so much pain because everyone says how easy it was. Well, I guess everyone is different.   I made it to the gym last night, I didn't do much, but I did do a little exercise. I got on the treadmill for 20 min at 2.4 MPH and did .78 mile. I am starting it slow per my doctors instructions. I plan on doing 20 min all this week and hopefully next week I can move up to 30 min. I won't be able to do any weights for awhile, however, I plan on kicking some butt with cardio during the next 6 weeks.   I'm still eating very little, if any. I am having a hard time getting protein in and I am hoping once I get to regular foods it will be better. I ordered a cup of french onion soup from Paneras yesterday and that lasted me 3 meals. I just sipped on the broth and not the onions. It was a nice change from BROTH. yuck.   1 more day until I can have refried beans!!!!!!:clap2:   Well, I'm off to the gym..........
tonya66

tonya66

2
 

2/26/07

Menu   Bfast - Just ate a few almonds   Lunch - 1/2 container of Taco Bueno refried beans   Dinner - 4 oz baked chicken breast with about 2 TBLP of peas   Exercise - 1.63 miles, 3.0 mph, 3.0 incline, 33 min   Notes - I was sick on Thursday and Friday, finally recovered, I had some horrible stomach bug and was in the bathroom pretty much the entire day on Thursday.   Life is a little hectic these days, work is so busy and lots going on. Trying to eat healthy, but I can tell my appetite is coming back and I'm ready for my first fill. I go to the doctor on 3/1 and I'm hoping he will okay a fill!
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

11/24/08

I did pretty good this weekend with my eating, plan on going to check out a new gym tonight. I got a 1 week free membership and I hear they have an awesome, surround sound cardio room with a huge plasma tv.   I went out to eat on Friday night and stuck to my plan, except ended up having a margarrita. yum yum it was good.   Didn't weigh on Saturday or Sunday. Just focussed on eating clean.   Wt 169.0 - I think I'm holding a little water, TOM is due.   Now, my goal for the week is GET TO THE GYM and do 5 hours of exercise this week!
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

Anniversary Weigh In - 20 months

1 mo post op (Feb 18)- 206.8 2 mo post op (March 18) - 198 3 mo post op (April 18th)- 193 4 mo post op (May 18th)- 184.2 5 mo post op (June 18th(- 178 6 mo post op (July 18th)– 174 7 mo post op (Aug 18th)- 178 - went on vacation and ate big (7 day cruise) 8 mo post op (Sept 18th)- 174 9 mo post op (Oct 18th)- 170 10 mo post op (Nov 18th) - 167 11 mo post op (Dec 18th) - 170 - haven’t even been trying 12 mo post op (Jan 18th 2008)- 174 - again, not trying. But finally refocused - exactly where I was at 6 mos post op – so basically no weight loss in the past 6 mos 13 mo post op (Feb 18th) - 183 - Ouch! started taking steroids and made my weight go up, along with not eating right and no exercise! 14 mo post op (March 18th)- 185 - grrrrr 15 mo post op (April 18th)- 180 - weight is finally going down, but inches are actually coming off faster since I've been exercising a lot. 16 mo post op (May 18th)- 178 17 mo post op (June 18th)- 175 18 mo post op (July 18th)- 179- still not focussed:sad: 19 mo post op -(Aug 18th) - 178 - focussed again - This time I am committed to getting to goal and will not stray! I do not ever want to see the 180's again! 20 mo post op (Sept. 18) - 171 - :rolleyes2:  
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

5/2/08 - 58 more days!

58 more days until my cruise and 18 pounds to go! I am a little frustrated this morning - I have been tracking my calories burned at the gym, I'm burning anywhere from 350 to 600 calories - and still the scale is not moving very much at all! I think it hates me, I really do.   Last night had a great workout - did about 35 min on elliptical (burned around 300 calories, also did 15 min earlier in the day yesterday, which I burned 145 calories - then did about 40 min of strength training - another 150 calories = 595 calories) I ate about 1100 calories -   I'm hoping something gives real soon, I can't take the scale not moving much longer! :cursing:Please scale, give me a 2 pound loss - I would love 3 next week. Won't you please?   wt - 178.3 (last friday it was 179 - .70 loss):crying:   Menu -   Bfast 1/4 of a colorado omlet from Ihop   Lunch 1/2 hamburger (no bread)   Dinner not sure yet?   Exercise - will try and make it to the elliptical for 20 - 30 min today. However, leaving to go out of town this afternoon to see Kenny Chesney with my daughter :thumbup:   PS - I think TOM might come pretty soon, so hopefully thats the reason for the scale being so mean to me:cool:
tonya66

tonya66

2
 

3/6/07 update

I haven't posted my menu lately, just too busy to even get online. My husband is doing a cleanse, so I decided I would do it with him. So I started it yesterday, is completely liquids, no food.   I have my first fill today, I'm so excited. My doctor requires liquids for 5 days after a fill, so I thought it would be a good time to do my cleanse. I'm hoping to lose a little weight with the cleanse too!   I will post later about my fill experience.   I did make it to the gym 5 times last week! I am happy with that. Still working on getting up in the AM and so far, just can't do it.
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

Reminders for me to remenber - Rules of the Road

What you need to know about living with the band By Robin McCoy When you begin the decision-making process to have Weight Loss Surgery (WLS), and specifically Lap Band® Surgery, it is vital that you fully understand the changes you must make in your lifestyle. WLS is not a magic pill. Weight loss is something that you must work at to be successful. There are several rules and circumstances that someone who has undergone Lap Band® Surgery, a “Bandster,” must follow and understand to see success and have a high quality banded life. Drinking Before and After Meals Not drinking during meals is, by far, one of the most important things to learn and is vital to your weight loss success. It is also one of the most challenging. Stop drinking all liquids at least 30 minutes before your meal. This allows all that is in your pouch to drain through to the lower stomach. Therefore your pouch is empty when you eat allowing the food to fill you up properly. Forgo all beverages during your meals. Drinking during a meal flushes the food through your band and the band is unable to function properly. Most people will have 2, 3 or even 4 glasses of liquid with meals. Servers in restaurants, trained to keep customers happy, will keep beverage glasses full throughout the meal. This is unhealthy for bandsters and sabotages their success. State firmly and clearly that you do not want a beverage. From personal experience, I know the often bewildered looks that follow the statement: “nothing to drink for me,” but diligence is the key. Like most changes required after the Lap Band® procedure, not drinking with meals gets much easier with time. Having now lost over 100 pounds, I no longer have difficulty asking my server not to bring me a beverage! Do not drink for an hour after a meal.The main reason is the same as drinking during your meal. Liquids wash the food through the band defeating its purpose. Another reason not to drink after a meal is if your pouch is full the beverage might not have anywhere to go…except backwards resulting in a spit-up. Suffice it to say that food and liquids making a return visit is not satisfying. By starting this practice immediately, at the next meal, you will be well on your way to a successful banding experience. Smaller Bites. More Chewing. Slower Eating. Begin to recognize and understand what a Bandster Bite is. At your next meal look at your bite size. Look at the amount of food on your fork and remember it. Now, cut that bite in half. This is the Bandster bite size after surgery. Now, cut that bite in half. This is the size of a Bandster bite after the first fill or adjustment. After each fill the bite size will get smaller until the bandster is eating toddler-sized bites. The reason for this is so the bite can be chewed completely to a liquid before swallowing.
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

Rules of the Road pt 2

The next point is chewing. It is very important that food is completely chewed. Before swallowing ensure the food is a liquid. As the weight loss progresses the opening from the pouch to the lower stomach will be getting smaller. Therefore the food needs to be chewed more thoroughly. If a piece of food is too big to go through the stoma, or opening, it will get "stuck". This can be very painful. Slower eating becomes inevitable. Eating too fast encourages bigger bites. The bigger bite means the food isn’t chewed properly and it can get stuck. As a Bandster with over 18 months in, I still find myself falling into this trap. I get excited, chatting with friends and just forget to pay attention. A Bandster’s Eating Order Lap Band patients have a specific order in which to eat their food. It is important that there is enough protein in the diet to keep the bodies moving properly. Therefore, the protein should be eaten first. WLS patients need 40-60 grams of protein every day. This can come in a variety of ways. Protein shakes, cheese, fish, beef, chicken, soy. The challenge comes when only certain foods can be tolerated. Also, it is important that the protein is a “hard” protein (chicken, beef, and fish) if possible. It shouldn’t all come from protein shakes and cheese. The vegetables should be eaten second, and carbohydrates/starches last (if there is room). Proteins last longer in the pouch and take longer to process through the band allowing you to feel full sooner and maintain satiety longer. Hard proteins are the most difficult for a Bandster to consume. The hard proteins need to be more moist, more tender and chewed more completely than any other type of food. Generally speaking, proteins are the foods that get “stuck” most often and cause spit ups. This happens because the bite isn’t small enough and/or, because the protein hasn’t been chewed sufficiently before swallowing. For the record, beef is generally the most difficult food for Bandsters to eat. Beef is one of the most difficult foods for humans to digest. It can take several days for a piece of steak to actually work its way through the digestive track. And that’s on an un-banded person! So, if you eat a piece of steak and it isn’t chewed it up completely, it can sit in the pouch for an extended amount of time. Further, the stomach acids that help an un-banded person process beef are not present in the pouch and therefore are not there to help the body break the beef down. Remember each and every person is different so you will have to test your own waters. Some Bandsters have no trouble with beef whatsoever; others won’t go near it. From personal experience I know that each Bandster will figure out what he or she can or cannot tolerate through trial and error. Trust me when I say that tolerances change; one day ground beef is fine and the next you realize it isn’t any longer. You must be willing and able to adapt to sudden changes in your body’s ability to process certain foods.
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

9/29/08

Well, I'm mad at myself. I blew it at the fair, I blew it Friday night (just a little), I blew it Saturday and I blew it Sunday!   My weight showed it too!   I've got to stay focussed all week and have ZERO cheat days!   Wt - 173.3 - this is up 1 1/2 pounds!   I did get up and exercise this morning! Yay!
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

9/30/09

Well, i'm back at work today and recovering from my sickness. Busy busy busy.....   Still, did not make it to they gym! Nor did I get up this morning, will try and make it tonight! I have to do some grocery shopping and a big purchase at Sams tonight for a wedding I'm catering on Saturday, so working out is on my list, but not sure I will get to it. I know, I know, I need to make it a priority.   On a good note, this fill sure is feeling good! Eating a lot less, and getting full a lot quicker. I am having to slow down while eating, which is a good thing for me. So far, I think this might be the sweet spot I've been trying for over 2 years to get to. I think I might have finally found it! I sure hope it doesn't leave me. I think this could get me to goal if it stays this tight.   Menu today:   Bfast protein shake made with soy milk   lunch WW meal - ate about 1/2 of it, and threw the rest out. Couldn't finish it all   snack string cheese   dinner: grilled chicken tender spinach salad
tonya66

tonya66

1

PatchAid Vitamin Patches

Bariatric Forums

For Patients

Health Professionals

Search Surgeons

Bariatric Surgeons: Want to research a weight loss surgery surgeon? Enter their last name below to start!

×