B-52

I believe you just had surgery? And have yet to get the band adjusted? When I was at that point, the band WAS NOT WORKING...Not yet anyway....I found it extremely frustrating...4 weeks after surgery, I started to gain the weight I lost during the 2 weeks pre surgery and the post op diet....because at 4 weeks I was allowed to stop the diet and start back up on solid, regular foods.... What has changed today from before you had the surgery? (trick Question) It's like someone buying you a new car and now you're upset because you should be at the mall or picking up friends by now....but you have to learn how to drive first! And before you can drive the car, the Dr. needs to put some gas in it first to get it started....THEN you can start taking driving lessons...and in my case, 6 months later everything was running just fine, and has been ever since.... When do you go back to the Dr.? Above is just a analogy...everyone DOES have different experiences, as yours will be also....

I don't measure....but as an example, I do not think I can get through a can of tuna...I'll take a can, mix it up with chopped celery, onion, etc.....maybe get through 1/2 of it, along with a few crackers or cucumber slices.... And it's not me...the pouch simply will not let me over eat....I suppose I could force myself, but that would result in pain, probably from stretch out the pouch or similar....so I know to stop.... But it does not bother me because I do not have any hunger either.... Last night we went for diner....I started with a cup of clam chowder, had 1/2 of it (maybe)...then had shrimp with lobster sauce, plus mashed potatoes....had 3 ( medium) shrimp, and maybe 2-3 small swallows of mashed potatoes....that was it, finished...could not possible eat any more....plus I could not drink any Water, or after dinner coffee until we got home....

My Dr., would refer to this poster he has hanging on the wall, and ask me EXACTLY where I felt I was...not one of three, but on a sliding scale from left to right.... Then after a few more questions, he would also consider my weight loss since the last visit (if any) then give me a fill or not, and how much.... My Final fill, I was borderline Green-Red, in and out, then finally settled down in the Green....

You have not been able to get solids down, FOR WEEKS???? That is not normal.... My last fill, which was the worst, was very problematic for about 2 weeks, but at least I was able to eat SOMETHING...just very carefully....then it did get better... It was not because the band was too tight, it was because I had some hard lessons to learn.... But if you have not been able to eat for weeks....

My Dr. did not care what I ate. or what diet I followed.... He simply said "You will loose X # of lbs by such and such a date, or no surgery" My surgery was a Monday early morning, had my final weight in on the Friday before.... Having said that, if one wants to loose the most amount of weight in the least amount of time, then it would be the straight full liquid (shakes) routine....and the nut gave me all the resources as to where to buy the product, etc......which I did because it made the most sense...but if I strayed, I don't think I would have been struck down by lightning....just so I lost the needed weight, or else! But...Bottom Line...follow your Dr.'s instructions whatever they may be....don't want to blow it now....

Forget CIGNA...we elected to have surgery because we cannot control our weight...so until we actually have the surgery, and for those with the lap band..get it adjusted, how are we going to control our weight? has anything changed? I gained weight after surgery, after my first fill....it took me a few fills untill the band actually started to do anything....

When things get weird for me, I'll go all liquids for a few days....soups, shakes, and very, very soft mushy foods...... But I do have restriction, I do understand my band and the little signals I get....I can tell when my pouch enlarges a bit.....also, I am unable to eat rice....like you said, if I get weak for something like that, I will pay dearly.... I do not think you have a band slip....

Interesting.....many people who tell other people about their surgery, also face those who have a negative view.... As far as your topic question, since no one knew about my surgery, other than 2-3 close family members, I gave always been on my own with no support.....other than my Dr and his staff....

Thing about a Hibachi is you don't have to eat much...they put a little of each thing in front of you, one at a time, and you only have to nibble at it... Eat what you normally eat....don't know if you're counting calories or not... Me...I would eat a little of everything...(except red meat and rice, maybe noodles)...that is how I live my life now...moderation, and a lot less than what I used to...

Outstanding...anyone who can loose 100lbs + and then run 10K's are right up at the top of my list...that's for sure... Keep up the new you.... Keep "Using It" or you'll start "Loosing It"

I told no one...took vacation time for my surgery.... When I was loosing weight everyone was complimenting me, asking how I was doing it... I simply said I was eating a lot less, have high protein smoothies everyday for breakfast, go to the gym everyday, no longer eat red meat, and what foods I do eat, I make the best choices I can....all of which is 100% true That was over 2 years ago....today, I am at my "optimal" weight with very low body fat, no more left to loose....people have come to accept me the way I am now, loosing weight is old news and not a topic of discussion....and new people I meet don't know me when I was a fat unhealthy slob....

I cannot stand any of the pre-mixes, flavors.... I do make my own, from scratch, every morning starting with 100%whey for 35gm of protein, adding different combinations of fresh fruit, mixed berries, peanut butter, chocolate, pineapple, banana...you name it! Anything your imagination...and taste desires..... Mixed all in the blender... Been doing that every morning for breakfast for the last 3 years....

I have had homemade shakes for 3 years...always coming up with different recipes... But to answer your question, since you eat eggs and dairy products, how about Quiche? All different varieties....

I don't get it with people's attitudes.... My PCP referred me for the surgery...every other Dr. I encountered looked at me and said "YOU? Why don't you just diet and exercise like everyone else!!" My Cardiologist said it...my Endocrinologist said it...my Dermatologist said it... When I was going for the pre-testing, the Pulmonary Dr. said it...even the lady who drew my blood!! It was like "Oh NO! NOT SURGERY!" Now, my Cardiologist cannot stop raving about me as if it was his idea.......I do not need to see my Endo anymore, she could not be happier to discharge me......I have no more skin issues (infections) so I do not need to see a dermatologist every 4 months either.... Go Figure!!!

I have no problem with water going down, just not at the same time as food... With me, food is passing through the band slowly...adding water only increases the volume of whats there in the band, causing it to all come up and out....I never experienced it washing food down as many here have expressed... I can drink right up to when I start to eat...then I have to wait anywhere from 20-45 minutes afterwards to be able to drink...I can take small sips and tell when it is Ok.... When I used to get stuck, sipping warm water was a sure way for me to get un-stuck....not pleasant, but it was a sure fire way to get it over with quickly. I have heard many people say drinking washes food down quickly....

I'm a little different than most, in that I have no hunger, no interest in food...and my tastes have changed also.... Having said that, I had no control over head hunger, and would succumb to just about everything...but then one bite and I realized I really did not want/need it....eventually as this went on, it got to be less of a habit...until the point when I get a craving, I dismiss it just as fast.... That's not to say I don't like to snack...sure I do...like chips and salsa, popcorn, veggies and dip. hummus, etc....I just don't crave things I absolutely have to have....for no good reason. Example....every morning I stop at Starbucks on my way to work....ordering my coffee I see all those delicious looking pastries, etc in the glass case....just have to have some, right? So I'll buy a piece of lemon cake or something...one bite and I realize I really did not want it, don't really feel I need it...I'm really not hungry and have no room for it(?)....besides, cake is not band friendly to me...so I throw the whole thing away....now when I go to Starbucks, I see the same treats but I dismiss them as soon as I look at them... And that's a SMALL example...I have prepared and thrown out entire meals!!! But I eventually learned.... I should say, for he newly banded people...I have been banded for 3 years, and in the Green for 2...so it was not overnight that this mental change happened...it developed as my band became more prevalent.

Impossible to comment without knowing how many/much fills...were you ever in green zone, did you need to count calories and measure portions? Also, speaking for myself...it's not that I should not drink with meals...it is because my band is adjusted to the point it is IMPOSSIBLE to drink with meals....the band forces me to break bad habits...not the other way around.... The fact that you drink excessively with your meals gives me an idea as to where in the ballpark you are with your band....

You're newly banded...all you can do is measure your food for yourself....as I got restriction, the band began to do that for me, and today I cannot eat more than I should...I don't measure, but it is not much, and I am unable to overeat, the band just won't allow it. If I did, it would cause severe pain, indicating stretching the pouch. So I stop when the band says stop........and then I have no hunger or desire to eat after that, so I am not tempted to come back and eat more later....matter of fact I have to remind myself to eat or I will go without and not even realize it.... It' all about loosing weight....if you are loosing weight, whether it is you or the band, then that is all the matters....when you're weighed in at your Dr.'s visit, if you made good progress with the weight loss, then why get a fill? Me...I gained weight after surgery, and complained about the hunger and how i was struggling, had no disipline to measure portion sizes, same as if I were on a traditional diet......so I needed the fills... others do not and are doing just fine....we're all different...and it's all about loosing weight...no matter how you do it...

I drink beer...but not often...at a ball game or a backyard barbecue, or if a friend offers me one.... I may have as many as 3 beers at an event....(but NEVER when eating) I am a Vodka or gin fan....Love my Bloody Mary's and will order one everywhere I go....if not then a gin and tonic....occasionally a martini on Ice. If you're newly banded, you will not feel the effects of the carbonation and that will give you a false sense it is Ok...then as you get restriction that sense of security will turn to disaster unless you are a veteran and can feel and understand what is happening, and gauge it as you drink it... There are a lot of things people with no restriction can do...and yet your Dr. still may prohibit it...that is because of what is yet to come....so understand the lessons early or you will become one of those who always have complaints later on... Trust me...I've been there...

I'll have it with crackers sometimes...like to put a tablespoon in some of my smoothies...goes good with banana and/or chocolate. As far as things going down......that is something different for everyone and something everyone has to find out for them selves... I read here all the time what people are eating, like sushi(rice), and for myself could never eat it...opposite is true. I drink carbonated drinks, many here cannot.... It's often hard to go by what others can and cannot do....but everyone is a good example....

1. Realizing I do not have to eat as much as I thought I needed to., and if I miss a meal...so what... 2. No longer subject to hunger, food addiction, crazy food cravings, and the torture of head hunger.. 3. Not constantly worrying about calories, carbs, etc etc....everything in moderation now, if I even want to. 3. Knowing I now live a normal life with normal weight and excellent health, and never have to worry about diets and trying to loose weight again, and I have no fear of ever gaining any weight back like I did with diets... All That has been DEFEATED once and for all from my life !!! It just doesn't get any better than this......

First of all...congratulations...keep it up...anything you can do is great and it just get's better.... As far as running out of steam....I wear earbuds (noise cancelling) with my I-pod...have my favorite music loaded....after the first 5-10 minutes, I get completely lost in the music...I forget where I'm at, my mind is not even thinking about running....I'm thinking about vacations, relationships, work...all sorts of things, but not running.... On the treadmills, they have TV Screens which along with TV shows, it also shows your speed, pace, time, calories, etc etc...I Turn all this off...I do not want to see it...I do not want to constantly be distracted by thinking "15 more minutes" or "1 more mile to go" Worse yet...I might look at it and say "Sh**! All that and I only went 1 mile? It's only been 15 minutes? Feels like 45!!!" It's just me and my music....I run and do not stop till my chosen playlist is over....I now know which playlists equal what kind of distance or time so I have to mix them up.... And let's be honest...there will be days you just don't have it....not very often, but it does happen...I have gotten on the treadmill and after 10-15 minutes I simply say "Not today" Then I'll just do weights.. The PA at my Dr.'s office tells me she listens to "Lectures" or "Spoken Novels"...BLAH!...how boring for a workout..save that stuff for the car......I need rock and roll !!! The louder the better...

This has been going around for a few weeks now..... \ \

I have not had solid food for breakfast for three years....feel sorry for my wife though, she likes to go out for a big breakfast...or when we travel....I will go with her and just have coffee and juice... I've tried eggs, whatever, just waste them by throwing it away....my morning shake has to go down real slow also... But I can swallow all my morning pills without crushing them...and 4 of them are large fish oil caps.......go figure.

Envy, spite, pride, envy....people do not like to see others succeed at something, or have something they do not.... Even happens hire on this forum, unfortunately....inherent deadly sins...