Hello.

I'm Karla and I am 19 years old. I had my LapBand surgery on December 16th. If anyone has any suggestions or thoughts on how to reach my goal weight that would be great:)

Congrats!! Take it one day at a time. keep coming here for advice and most of all don't compare urself to others. Just because some have great losses, doesn't mean that our little one don't mean a thing. Every lbs, 1/2 lb even an ounce is a victory!!! Listen to your band, trust me it will tell you when enough is enough. and most of all eat your Protein! (plus ur vitamin)

I agree with kdee, honestly I get po'd about people saying how much they've lost especially when they where done the same month as me but in reality they aren't like you at all so it shouldn't matter.

As for getting to your goal weight? Take it a day at a time, don't do shakes for extra protein because honestly they just go straight thru - there liquids and they won't keep you full. Stick to high protein foods and lay off carbs, it sounds horrible but it definetly works.

Good luck Karla =)

Karla, I was banded on July 29, 2009. I am just new to all this experience myself, but studied this Band for three years. I will tell you this, in the first few months. It IS IMPORTANT to drink some liquid whey protein fortified with vitamins and nutrients that will be absorbed in the stomach and distributed to other parts of your body. Hair loss is one of the worries we face when we don't get enough protein. To ensure that we do, drink at least one if not two a day with skim milk, they are delicious and satisfying to me. I feel full afterwards too. It has been five months post op and more of my hair is shedding now than ever before, and I am doing everything I know how to do to keep it from happening. I also teach the LapBand Support at our Local Hospital so If I can every help you just ask.

My typical breakfast, is a protein shake on the way to work (after I have eaten) I eat one egg over light with two to three strips of bacon.

For lunch a salad with two tablespoons of Ranch Dressing, and five or six crackers with Ham Spread or maybe a can of Vienna Sausage and a l ounce slice of Cheese.

For dinner 4 to six ounces of Talapia (fish) broiled or baked with real butter. And a salad and some green beans or brussel sprouts. Then I may have a snack of 1 oz peanuts while watching TV.

I feel satisfied! Contented. I log everything down on LapBand.com and keep up with my carbs and proteins. Women need at least 60 grams of Protein everyday and can have more!!!! But no more than 50 grams of carbs to lose weight! You can have 100 grams of carbs after you reach goal weight to maintain!

Purchase low-carb recipe books for ideas for appealing meals. I cook them and my husband loves them too, he just has more than I do.

Best wishes! I will be looking forward to seeing your progress.

All of this info is all true and all info is from experience. It is up to you to make the best choices for you and your band journey. I am always trying to get all the protein I can get in me. I have had hair loss but not that much. Even if I drink a glass of milk before I go to bed it helps.

I wake up with a smile and go to bed with a smile on my face. I am working the best I can with my band. I try to Stay positive and blogging is more fun than I ever though it would be. I do not snack at my computer so I keep my paws out of the cookie jar when I am blogging. Best wishes to you on your journey. imaluckydog

Can you send me all of the information that you know about lap band? Please. I am trying to do it now. I have done the seminar and I have a doctors appt on the 15th of Jan. I want to have it done feb-april but I do not know if I can get it that soon.

I want to know about what foods to eat before and after. I want recipes. I want to know what it is like before and after. I want to know can I loose weight. I mean anything you can think of. How do I keep track of food on here? How do I read labels for me afterwards? I cannot eat fish,peanuts, or cocanuts.

rush-n001@mymail.mssu.edu