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I've been aiming to consume a minimum of 60 grams of protein per day. I try to do this by eating solid proteins because it is my understanding that they stay in your pouch longer and help you feel full longer. For those of you that use protein drinks, is it because your restriction doesn't allow you enough solid protein? Does the liquid protein keep your hunger at bay for 3 hours? Just wondering if I should be adding protein drinks to my daily intake.

Hi Fellow February Bandsters, I haven't been on this thread too much but I would like to join the July exercise challenge. I haven't lost any weight in the last 2 weeks. This is partly due to some poor food choices on my part. I am hoping to have my 3rd fill at the end of July. Right now I can eat way more than 1/2 to 1 cup of food but I'm trying to limit myself. I am going to the gym 4 days per week and doing 30 min of cardio and 30 min of weights. Everyone's weight loss looks great. I've definitely got to step things up. How many of you had to do a liquid diet preop? I was so happy that I didn't but I'm envious of those that went into surgery with pounds already lost.

I was told 'no liquids for 30 minutes before and 60 minutes after meals'. Limiting before is so that you won't feel too full and then not get a proper meal in that will keep you full. After the meal, as mentioned earlier, is to keep the food in your pouch longer. Presurgery I always drank tons during my meals so I was a bit worried, but I've managed to stick to the rule pretty well. I find that if I've kept up with my fluid intake throughout the day then I'm well hydrated and not too thirsty. At first it was hard getting into the routine but now I don't have to think about it too much. Like Mischevious1 said, if I'm eating something that makes me thirsty I will have a small sip to rinse my mouth. Once, I did drink too much with a meal and it was very uncomfortable. It does seem to be different for everyone so do what works for you.

I had a lot of acid reflux before surgery but have not experienced it at all since surgery. It's wonderful! :whoo:

You're absolutely right Doddie. I hadn't looked at it that way. Susan, hang in there. We can persevere together. Hope everyone has a great long weekend.

Thanks Susan. I've felt a bit discouraged lately because it seems others are losing much faster than me. I keep trying to remind myself that this is an individual journey and as long as I continue to make positive changes I will be successful. I'm so used to my own negative selftalk though that sometimes it's hard.

Congratulations on starting on the treadmill Doddie. :clap2: I joined a gym several months ago. Many of the women from my wls support group go. The trainer has set up a cardio and weight routine for me. He assesses my fitness level every 6 weeks or so and then adds/changes things as I progress. I've also signed up for a 'Learn to Run' clinic through the Running Room. It starts in July. For the first time in my life I am actually enjoying exercise.:eek: I always hated people when they said that! One day I was feeling particularly frustrated with my husband and 3 teenagers. Normally I would have tried to eat my frustration away, but this time my first inclination was that I needed a walk so I called a girlfriend and we did 7k. I am working on my food issues and have made some positive changes but I think it will always be an issue for me. I have never pb'd but I have experienced pain if I eat too fast or don't chew well enough. For most meals I limit myself to 1 cup of food (3 ounces of Protein and veggies) but I am either still hungry or become hungry again in less that 3 hours. I called my surgeon today to see about getting another fill. He will be on vacation til the end of July so I have some time to assess things. He will do my next fill under fluro. (My first fill was under fluro, the second one not). I really appreciate the advice and support from this Board. Thanks!

I've lost 2 lbs since my fill. I'm due to weigh myself in 2 more days. (I was getting obsessed with the scale so have limited myself to weighing once a week). I go to the gym and do cardio/weights 3 to 5 times per week. Erin

Hi All, I would really appreciate your advice. I had my 2nd fill 3 weeks ago. Sometimes I notice more restriction but it's not consistent. I can still gulp Water and tonight I was able to eat 2 large pieces of whole wheat toast with no problems. I have 4cc in a 9cc midband. Should I go for a 3rd fill or am I worrying too much about trying to find that elusive sweet spot?

I had my 2nd fill 3 weeks ago. I now have 4ccs in a 9cc midband. I have more restriction but I can still eat more than 3 ounces of protein and 1/2 cup of veggies at a meal. I can also still eat bread if I want, but I'm avoiding it. Any advice?

Yes, that makes sense. It's always good to get advice from more experienced and successful bandsters, like yourself. Thanks and I hope your fill went well. Erin

I asked my surgeon about the delayed effect for fills and he said it happens but nobody really knows why. I was hoping to hear something more definitive, but it seems to be some weird phenomenon.:guess

I try to eat at least 20 grams of protein per meal. Here's a sample work day: Breakfast: Extreme Protein 32 Bar (I'm always rushed in the morning so this is the easiest option) Lunch: Ocean's Light Tuna salad with some carrot sticks and l/f yogurt. Snack: Apple with 1 tablespoon of Peanut Butter. (I find an afternoon snack helps tide me over til dinner, especially if I'm going to the gym after work). Dinner: 3 oz of chicken, fish etc. and some veggies. I try not to drink 30 mins before meals and 60 mins after meals. Sometimes it's tricky to get in enough Water if I don't pay attention. This is what I eat on my 'best behaviour' days. Believe me, I have plenty of days where I don't make wise choices and then I find I am more hungry. I also make cottage cheese pancakes quite a bit. (sautee some chopped onion, mix 1 egg slightly beaten, 1/2 c l/f cottage cheese, 2 tbl flour, salt/pepper and add to onion. Cook mixture the way you'd make a pancake) They are quite filling, have lots of protein and low carbs/fat. Hope this helps. I'd welcome any input from more experienced bandsters.

I guess it depends on your surgeon. After my fill I only had to have mushies/soft food for the rest of the day then I was back to my regular diet.

Hang in there. It does get better. I'm only a little over 2 months out and the memory of bandster hell is already starting to fade. Try to eat lots of protein and keep busy. For me, the hardest part has been learning to be 'no longer hungry' vs. 'full' and it's an ongoing process.

Hi--I had my first fill on April 13th and while I don't think I have as much restriction as I should, I can notice a difference if I eat slowly and eat my protein first. Fluids will not stay in your pouch and if you are drinking the majority of your protein that may be why you are more hungry. Is there a reason why you are not eating solid protein?

Dr. Amson did my surgery in February. Total cost was $15443.00 and all fills are included. Once he put me on the surgery list I only waited 2 months but I had to wait 7 months for my initial consult. He will not do the surgery unless you can prove to him that you are committed to changing your lifestyle, ie. diet and exercise. Perhaps if your gp said on the referral that you wanted lapband it might speed things up as the majority of his patients are waiting for rny. You could call his secretary and ask. Her name is Sheri. He is an excellent surgeon and I have no complaints. In a way, the long wait was good for me because it gave me time to prepare emotionally/mentally. Good Luck!

Congratulations! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

I attend a local support group for wls people and those that choose gastric bypass are always curious why some people with a higher bmi would opt for banding over bypass. I have told them that many people with a higher bmi have been very successful with the band but I would appreciate any other info that I could pass along to them. Many thanks.

Thanks for the quick responses. I assumed that most people choosing the band did so for the same reasons as I did and it looks like I'm correct. I agree with you Wheetsin. Many of the rny people do have an unhealthy look to them and are sick on a regular basis. Each time I hear of somebody with complications it makes me feel that much better about my choice! I must admit though that sometimes it's discouraging when my fellow support group members who have chosen rny are losing weight so much quicker than I am, but I just remind myself that slower is better/more healthy.

Hi! I was just advised to take a multivitamin, but I think calcium tabs are a good idea, especially if you don't have much dairy. I have 2ccs in a 9cc band.

Hi, I would love to join this thread. I was banded on Feb 23rd and had my first fill on April 13th. I was hoping I'd have more restriction, but if I eat slowly and eat my protein first I do notice some difference. My 2nd fill is scheduled for June 14th.

[quote name=Jack;454134 I'm looking for one the size and consistency of a macadamia nut' date=' tastes like steak, costs about a quarter, has 25g Protein, no carbs, no fat, no sugar, and the day's Vitamin and mineral needs....[/quote] If you ever find them, I want to order a few thousand cases! Thanks for the laugh Jack! :biggrin1:

No charge. My inital fee of $15443.00 included all fills.

My first fill was 2ccs in a 9cc band. I have a bit of restriction but not much.