bamakaren

I take 2 benefibers in the morning and 2 in the evening. I'm now nice and regular. It took me a couple weeks to get a good balance.

Had the same exact thing happen to me. First off - make sure you're giving your body time to heal. Secondly - i started watching my calories at week 3. Before that I was only getting 700-800 calories a day - that's when i was gaining. I've now found that if i stay at appr 1100 calories a day i'm having a steady loss of 2-3 pounds per week. Also start walking - i starting walking at week 3, it helps you feel better and keeps the weight coming off too. Give you self a break - you're doing great. Keep it up.

Benefiber tablets baby. I chew 3 a day, they taste great and keep me regular. I was miserable before someone turned me onto them.

Agree for sure. I'm 3 weeks post banding. Was so frustrated the first couple weeks because I lost initially then gained a couple back when i started mushies but now i'm back on track. I wasn't exercising and my calories were always below 900. Now i keep my calories around 1100 and exercise. The key is definitely the exercising. And it doesn't have to be much - a 30 minute walk everyday has me losing. It's awesome. I'm down 14 pounds now and feel like there is no stopping me. My doctor also cleared me for the stationary bike and treadmill but no weights until 8 weeks out.

Anybody who has a name about chocolate is a ok in my book. Thanks for all the insight you provided. It's a little overwhelming to think that your life has changed FOREVER because of this band. It's great to hear how you're maintaining "normal" eating habits. Glad to know I should be able to do this with portion control and smart choices. My husband is very supportive and would like to loose a little too, so we're talking about going the share dinner route. I figure if i eat 1/4 off of his meal when we go out that should be more than enough for me and him. We all know how those restaurant portions are made for 4 people. I'm so excited to be on this journey and it's great to hear from the pros. Thanks for sharing. Every little bit of encouragement just makes me that much stronger.

I was banded on 2/7/11. Lost 11 pounds in the first 6 days - woohoo - that was great. Started on mushies 2/12. Have been checking calories and protein since starting mushies. Sunday ate 700 calories of food, yesterday had 765 calories. Well this morning I gained a pound. What the heck!! Talk about major depressing. Any ideas what in the world is going on? I just want to sit down and cry !!!

Thanks for the info. I do need to start exercising and haven't yet. I will do that tonight and hopefully it will get better. I never thought about the starvation mode but i'm sure you're right. Going from 2500> calories a day down to under 1000 must feel ridiculous to my body. I wish i could keep off the scale everyday and just get on once a week but i just cant. I think i'll just track my weight on a graph or something once a week - maybe that will show more of a steady decline. I'll get on the exercise tonight. I haven't been snacking but i do have a Protein shake mid morning and mid afternoon. It not i would never be able to get that protein in. I'm only eating about 4-5 ozs of food a meal so it's hard right now. I'm supposed to be at 3/4 cup (6 ozs) but i'm afraid of getting that too full feeling of pain. I haven't quite got the gest of this "full" feeling and knowing when to stop eating yet. I think next week i get to move up to 1 cup/8 oz so maybe that will help cut out the Protein shakes too. I make sure that i don't have anything to eat after dinner which is so not like me . I appreciate the help - this is hard to figure out and being able to come on hear and get feedback from people who've been there sure does help. Thanks so much

Hey ladies. I just came over from the Over 50 board and was wondering if i could join y'all. I was just banded on 2/7/11 and need some moral support. I've lost 11 pounds and started back to work today. Having trouble with the eating - i'm trying to keep my meals at 1/2 cup because i don't want to get too full and stretch my pouch but i'm not really having a feeling of "being full". So don't know whether i need to increase to 3/4 cup meals or stick to what i'm doing. I stay full for about 3-4 hours after eating but not sure i'm doing the right thing. I keep hearing about knowing when you're full and i haven't felt that. I'm eating soft foods now, making sure i eat the Protein first and having at least 1 Protein shake a day to ensure that i get adequate protein. Haven't really started a big exercise program or anything. Hubby and i are trying to walk some everyday but my port site is still pretty sore. Anyway i hope i can join in here and if you have any advice on the eating thing i would greatly appreciate it. Karen

I was banded on 2/7/11. First day back at work today but i came prepared - all kinds of yogurts, Protein, carnation Breakfast drink etc etc. Hubby is amazingly supportive - he wants to loose a few pounds also. So glad i found the Feb Bandsters - it's great to have such amazing support. 1/28/11-Smokey2112 2/02/11-ManningFan 2/02/11-TylerAshton567 2/02/11-Shawnypoo 2/04/11-blondeej (Trisha) 2/05/11-Korilynn 2/07/11-ruthiesmg. 2/07/11-KOKIE 2/07/11-soon2besexynslim 2/07/11 - bamakaren 2/09/11-Mrs.Mustang 2/09/11-Bunnykins 2/09/11-Loozer2B 2/10/11-JMH80 (Jackie) 2/10/11-Elle23 2/10/11-Trns4md 2/10/11-TexasNurseMom 2/10/11-bigtom1948 2/11/11-Justplaintired 2/11/11-KeeKee99 2/11/11-Care2teach 2/14/11-Alikitty 2/14/11-sdjenk 2/16/11-TexasMama 2/16/11-ThisMumRocks 2/16/11-aocon0630 2/17/11-Newbranden in Tampa, Florida by Dr. Aguila 2/17/11-wantinghealth 2/18/11-daisy_0729 2/21/11-hoagy 2/22/11-Elle23 2/23/11-Angel2001 2/25/11-Sophinator 2/28/11-Post Modern Retro Pretty

Hi my name is Karen and i live in northeast Alabama. i started my lap journey in November and finally got all the testing and approvals done after what seemed like an eternity. My surgery was scheduled for 7 Feb and i'm happy to say that i went wonderfully. Dr. K. Todd Foreman was my surgeon and he was wonderful. He was very matter of fact, answered all mine and my husbands questions and made sure we were always comfortable. Surgery went great and i went home that afternoon. I'm doing fine keeping all my clear liquids down but have absolutely zero energey. I'm supposed to stay on clear liquids until Feb 14th but i don't think i can take another cup of broth or i'll puke. I have been hungry and this is the biggest challange for me. i guess i'll keep eating the popsicles and jello until Monday when i can actually have some creamed soup woohoo. Can't wait. i loved getting on the scale this morning though. Dr. Foreman said i would lose between 15 - 20 pounds the first two weeks and i'm already down 7 pounds. That sure makes it worth it to me. Does anyone have any other suggestions for my clear liquid diet - this just is not fun ha ha.

I too was banded on Monday. I'm not having too much pain at the port site, i'm just feeling a lot of hungry. I'm very sick of broth and jello that's for sure. But i did get on the scale today and must say it sure made the hunger a little better seeing that i had already lost 7 pounds. I'm just very tired and am supposed to go back to work next Monday. i might have to start the full liquids early like this weekend so i'll have some energy. At least some soy milk and protein powder if nothing else. I didn't know what to expect when i started this journey and i don't think anybody can prepare you for it. i never dreamed i would be hungry the day after surgery. But i will get through it because i'm going to make this work. Good Luck Mel!!!