FLORIDAYS

I never gained weight. I was very strict with myself until I got to the green zone... And then after that as well because I liked the results. But there is no reason to gain weight if you eat what you are supposed to.... It just takes more self control. I Weighed my food, counted calories and dug deep on more then one occasion to make sure I made this work. We're you led to believe the band was some kind if miracle ? If so I am sorry you were not informed because it's not. It's a tool and it will get you 70% of the way there... You need to do the rest.

Just watch the sodium.... It will make you retain water and give you a false scale result. I did reduced sodium soups and broth and just didn't eat the noodles or meat et al.

well it sounds like you are doing everything right.... I would ask him what else it might be.... I found the dr to be such a valuable source of help during my journey. Hope you feel better! I have a 10cc band and my green zone is about 5.5 to 5.7 cc. Funny how everyone is so different .

. Good for you...that stuff is so high in calories!

Haven't had that trouble...I have a few questions. Are you in the green zone? Do you drink from a straw? Did you give up carbonation? Have you asked your dr?

My band does not like rice ... I have tried it prepared six ways from Sunday and it always gives me problems so I stay away. A small amount of wheat pasta is fine for me. I limit myself to 1/4 cup and don't have any trouble. If I eat more then that ... It usually comes back up. In addition to the calories I think you need to be careful because pasta slides easily... And we forget to chew it.

a typical meal for me is 3 to 4 ounces of Protein, half cup of vegetable and quarter cup of starch. During my losing stage ..the last 22 months I ate no more than 1000 calories every day. Now I am ten or so lbs from goal and I can to eat much more then that... However I am not counting calories but I am still making smart food choices. Keeping the weight off will be a life long battle... The band doesn't change that. The band does make it easier for you to control your portions so you won't gain it back... But there is a big difference in eating 3 oz or lean protein vs 3 oz of McDonalds hamburger....

I have not said anything on this forum to disclose my name , address, social security number or place of employment so I figure if anybody is looking for information about me personally they aren't going to get very far. We do talk about very personal topics on this forum but I cannot see how it hurts anything as long as the above mentioned info isnt disclosed,

I was a huge Diet Coke drinker.... I gave it up when I started the pre-op liquid Optifast ...my doctor did not allow caffeine on my pre-op diet so I suffered the caffeine withdrawals for several days on top of the hunger. It was awful but I did it. I miss Diet Coke but every day it gets easier to enjoy Water Good luck to you

I never questioned my decision ...I did my research... got the information that I needed and realized that if I did exactly what the doctor said my odds for having any of the problems associated with the lap band were very slim...... so far so good

That's one long list. Lol. Some look great but I see a lot of hidden calories.... And some band no nos...like carbonation and ice cream In some of these. Just remember that liquid calories do not fill you up like solid food does.

My dr cautioned me on my first visit that more patients then he could count who had a significant weight loss ended up divorced. Of course he doesn't know if it's because the spouse preferred chubbys and lost interest or if the person who lost the weight found the confidence to realize he or she didnt need to stay in an unhappy relationship which I happen to believe. Either way I went home and had a long discussion with my husband and told him I was going to do this for me and he could reap the benefits... Or not. He is still here. Lol. However I will tell you that we have noticed changes in our relationship and have had to make adjustments. So far so good. But for you it sound like you gave it a lot of thought and while I never want to see a marriage end it sounds like it was for the right reasons. Good luck to you.

I am the opposite. I love people asking how much I lost, what can I eat or not eat and other prying questions. It doesn't bother me in the least. Why should it? I think the band is The best thing since sliced bread and since I hardly eat that anymore the band moved up in line. Before my surgery I told some close friends and my husband told everyone else. LOL. It was great to have their support and not one person was doom and gloom or rude about it. At work I didn't tell anyone not because I was concerned about it but it's personal and I rarely mix my professional and personal life. I did end up telling my boss a few months after surgery... And I can't actually recall how or why. If it bothers you or you think it will then Don't say anything. If its too late and the Beans are spilled.... Say... My dr says the weight should come off gradually over a period of 2 1/2 yrs.. Or what ever your number is , that way people won't be expecting you to be thin tomorrow. Best of luck!

I lost my mother, grandmother and grandson in 2009. I turned 50 in 2010 and decided it was time. Having been overweight my entire adult life I just wanted to be thin and healthy.I have never lacked confidence and have a successful career and marriage even tho I was a fat girl... Actually I never felt being fat hampered me in any way. But looking back it may have. I think I overcompensated for the fat by being smarter, funnier, the best at work etc.... I would be lying if I said that shopping for clothes and having an endless selection of cute outfits to wear isn't fun... It's a lot more fun then stretchy clothes and over shirts purchased from catalogs! And fitting into any chair, airline seat or bathroom stall makes me feel great. The fuss everyone makes about my weight loss is incredibly flattering.... My BMI went from 55 to 25. I can walk without sweating. I can climb more than 5 stairs without stopping. My blood pressure is normal. I am now in a size 10 on the bottom and 6-8 on the top. I am still happy... But I really just did this because I wanted to know what life as a thin person felt like. So now I know and I can promise you I like it a lot better.

While interesting...I just looked at the site. What do you need from this? Having the lap band means you can eat anything in moderation. I lost weight by eating reduced portions of healthy food. I take over the counter vitamins and my dr prefers I get my protein-nutrition from foods not bars or shakes. I was just curious since the products a pricey and seem like diet type foods.

Most restaurants have chicken, fish , veggies and baked potatoes. Even if it's not on the menus ask your server. I do it all the time. When the meal comes I ask for a second plate and cut 3oz of my meat, half of a baked potato and remove it from my plate.... Then I enjoy my meal. I ate out once or twice a week during the past 2 years... It can be done but you need to stay away from the bread.good luck

I need a grandmother makeover....lol. I went to my dr yesterday and we discussed some medical assistance tightening up the tummy, thighs and giving the girls a lift.... My dr works with a local plastic surgeon and he gave me his card.... I haven't explored this at all other than online so I may go for a consult. It's a big step and seems superficial to me when I analyze it. But my dr said thats bs... Yep he really used that word. Lol. He said I have worked hard to get to where I am and he said there is nothing wrong with considering a little nip and tuck... So I may go and check it out... Good luck to you!

But look on the bright side... You are following the drs orders, preparing your liver for a successful surgery and you will lose weight. Congratulations

The green zone for me means I am satisfied with 3-4 oz protein, 1/2 c veggies and 1/4 c of startch for 4-5 hrs between 3 meals a day.

That may be a little soon to be testing out alcohol.. You are still in the healing mode. May be you should Celebrate without alcohol the month then in a few months have a party to celebrate your first drink and how much weight you will have lost. Enjoy"

Mr dr told me to wait 30 minutes.. For two reasons... One liquid will push up the food and it may come back up and or liquid can push the food down faster so you won't feel full as long. I have accidentally drank sooner than 30 minutes and sure enough... It usually comes up.

I have been very successfull but I haven't ever had an unfill. I just stuck to portion control and 1000 calories each and every day. Good luck to you.

I had no complications post op. that said the gas pain was horrible but i drank maalox for that which helped somewhat. I had surgery on a Thursday. On Saturday night I went to a birthday party ...we didn't stay long. I was hunched over and very uncomfortable. I wasnt cleared to drive until Tuesday at my post op dr visit so I worked from home Ion monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday I drove to work and by noon I was exausted so I went home. Each day got better but it was about 2 weeks until I felt as good as I did before surgery.

Boy I hate when life gets in the way so I come in late on a thread. *wink* I saw the pic Mis posted the other day and I immediately thought... Yeah that's about right. Ii was told from the beginning to eat like a baby..with teeth. And since I have a 15 month old granddaughter living with me I have a pretty good idea of what that is. I started off using a baby spoon to relearn to eat. I cut up everything in tiny pieces maybe a little bigger than a pea. I take at least 20 minutes to eat 3 oz of Protein, 1/2 c veggies and 1/4 c startch at every meal. My Snacks are usually fruit. A banana takes me 10 minutes to eat ...and that's fast. You see I am following my drs orders. And it sounds like several others have a like minded dr. If you don't then that's fine... But since I have been pretty successful over the past 22 months I think my dr knows what he is talking about. I followed his orders to a fault...but subsequently I had no problems and am very healthy now. If someone chooses to eat bigger pieces or fried foods or pizza..then that's their business but I seriously doubt they will have the same success of someone who sticks to 1000 calories a day. And that's ok too. But for me.. I needed to lose the weight so that I could get to the point of letting the band help me maintain it. The beauty of the band is that it allows you to make choices in your diet but it doesn't prevent you from making poor selections that will alter iit from working at maximum capacity. As my dr said..the band will do 70% of the work. You must do the other 30%.