sheryl

I agree with the shakes. My doctor doesn't want us to use them after we heal. Having said that, I have one every morning! It fills me up, it satisfies my chocolate sweet-tooth, and I am still losing weight. Plus, I am very restricted in the mornings, so that is about all I can handle that is high in Protein. I save my fruit for a snack in the afternoon. I can eat 1/2 of an apple and it fills me until dinner. Other than that, your portions sound good. How many calories are you getting? You may be stuck if you are eating too little calories...

Live and learn!

I have heard that the average is about 60%. And I agree with the above. I know a couple of people who did not follow the program (thought the band would just melt the pounds off without getting fills), and they went on to have the bypass, or just had the band removed. And I know many more people that lost all their weight. But the majority of bandsters that I have met have lost the majority of the weight, perhaps needing to lose another 20 lbs or so. For me, I started at 362 lbs. According to the doctor's chart, I should be at the heaviest at 159 lbs (I am tall).... So that is 203 lbs to lose to get to 100%. Personally, I want to see me at 200 lbs (well 199, just to see the hundreds!). That would put me in a size 10-12. And don't forget about my tummy tuck!... If I lost 60%, that would put me at 241 lbs (a 121 lb loss). Not bad, probably a size 14-16. I would consider that to be successful. But I know that I can do a bit better....

I think that you are moving into a new level of awareness of your relationship with food. For some people, they get the band and they can make the necessary changes needed to become successful. Many of us have to struggle to find new ways to cope or to relieve boredom, when it used to be food. For some (myself included), therapy is a good way to get you on the right path to a healthier lifestyle. For me, boredom is not my problem. With young children, a demanding job, etc, life is hardly boring. My problem is finding ways to cope with the stress of life without using food. Exercise really helps. So does getting online for support. You have to find what is a healthy alternative that will work for you... You are not alone! Most of us struggle with this!

Way to go, Jamie!!! I am down 4 more pounds this week! Yeah! I was pretty sick, but STILL got most of my exercise in!

I personally would try to order a glass of water between drinks. You still get to enjoy, but you can cut the calories in half by doing it that way. And this is just while you are trying to lose weight. When you are down and just maintaining, then you can go back to what you are doing.

I had the same fears, but honestly, you ARE going to eat once this is over. The liquid phase is just that, a phase. I STILL enjoy sushi (I don't eat much rice). You are going to be able to eat just about everything once you are banded, but you will learn to eat just a small amount. I can't eat soft breads and much pasta and rice, but I can have a small bit of crusty bread on occasion and I can handle a small bite of the other and I am totally satisfied. You will learn to love what you can eat because you won't fight it. Go with the goal that you set awhile ago. Don't listen to that evil voice that ALWAYS tries to scare us. You WILL get to eat again, and really enjoy every bite!!! There is still pleasure in eating!!!

I can't remember what my surgeon says (it has been awhile since my last fill), but I just take it easy for the first day or so and listen to what my body is saying. I will keep to semi-soft for a few days, just in case. But both times I got my fills, I didn't get the restriction until a week after my fill. That can happen. Listen to what your doctor says, and really listen to your body. You will know what to do... Good luck! It should be a breeze, especially if you are having it done with someone who does all the fills there!

When I read Dr F and 800 calories, I thought about Dr C. Then I noticed that you are in San Francisco and Dr C and Dr F are together! I was considering Dr C when I got mine, but he was still inexperienced. I read about his support group and saw where he wants people on 800 calories/day and I thought that was rather low. I talked to Dr Ortiz about it and he agreed, though he and Dr C are friends. Don't worry about what he thinks. You ARE doing a FAB job!!! If you continue what you are doing, you will be down to where you want to go in 13 or so months. That is AWESOME!!!

What abour fat-free refried beans? I did them (with some hot sauce) and it was so filling and satisfying. Cottage cheese with fruit or cheese. Applesauce Can't think of anything else now. But don't be too hard on yourself. 1500 calories/day is not bad for this phase. You are in the healing stage. You can reduce the calories when you get your fill.

I can understand his point (is he a skinny guy like my dh?)... Many people have ways to unwind. Some, it is with the PC, others with the TV or reading. All of those ways are pretty physically inactive (except when I read while on my exercise bike!) And they can be bad for you if you spend too much time a day doing them. But unlike TV watching, being part of a support group can be very healthy. Personally, I am on my PC all day for my job. I get a few minutes here and there to post and read messages. Once I leave work, I rarely turn my PC on. So total, I probably spend 15-20 minutes a day online...

Yes, you have a little restrictions with the band, but with no fill, it really isn't working like it should. When do you go in for a fill? Once you are properly filled, you will probably be limited to certain foods. For me, I can't eat breads, rice, Pasta, etc. I can eat most meats and fish, but not anything dry, and only a small amount. Mary, once you get your fill, just go slowly. It may take weeks to determine what you can eat with your fill. Things change when you are restricted, so you may not be able to eat the same foods that you are eating now...

Down 3 pounds this week. Forgot to take measurements, but will try tomorrow.

I found V8 and tomato juice to really help with the hungries. You HAVE to heal first, before even think about losing weight. Protein shakes help. Put some Soup in a blender and get out all the chucks and drink it all, if you have to. I also did refried Beans in a blender, watered down and chunks removed. You won't fail if you follow the rules! Don't do the cheese and turkey yet! You will have PLENTY of time to eat that. But HEAL first! You don't want to go in for another surgery to remove the band...

Hugs to you, my friend...

I didn't get my first fill for the few 3-4 months because I was restricted just from the band alone. It was nice! You are lucky because you are using the band as your tool in the early stages. Also, if you need extra protein/calories, add more protein powder into your milk, if you are doing shakes...

Yes, my doctor used glue as well. No dressing or bandaids.

Yeah!!! I have noticed that when my scale is stalling, my clothes seem to get bigger. Whats with that? I don't think that they are related. And I much rather get smaller than see some dumb arm on the same dumb number for days on end.

What was your doctor thinking when he said that it would just melt off? That is so wrong! The band is just a tool to help you lose the weight. But we have to do a lot of the work ourselves. It is up to us to eat correctly. Also, if you aren't restricted enough, then the band is not working the way it needs to work. Get another fill, if needed. You know, I learned the hard way that it won't just melt off. I was off the bandwagon for 2 years and gained 55 pounds. I just feel so grateful that now that I am making the right choices and I have a great fill, my band is working exactly like it should. But it took me a long time to come around and understand that it takes me to make the right choices and then the band is there to do it's part. Just a tool. I know, I read that a hundred times, but for some reason I thought I was different and that it would be magical. Okay, sometimes I have a screw loose, but honestly, once I got back to making the right choices, it all came together and I am losing again. Yes, 40 pounds is A LOT of weight to lose. At 2 pounds a week average, you are doing great. It will take 1-2 years to lose the weight in a healthy way. I have about the same to lose, and sometimes it seems like so MUCH. But 40 pounds now, 40 pounds in the next 6 months, you will feel like a new person. Hang in there!!!

I would tend to want to do what your doctor suggests. I would hate for an unfill, unless you really need it. I you can get protein shakes and liquids down, I would do that for a week or two to let things rest, and to see what is happening to your band. As you lose more weight, it should loosen up. But of course, get an unfill if you need it... I also get more tight after about a week of a fill. I also get tighter when my AF is coming. Do you notice a difference with your cycle?

After years of shoveling it in like there was no tomorrow, it took time to learn to eat slowly and to find the small clues that you need to stop. But for me, I finally learned. I eat really slowly now. I usually put the fork down between bites. I don't have to think about it anymore. And I can usually recognize the small signals my body gives when I am done (before full), or if I can proceed to eat one more bite. Keep practicing! It will happen, but it takes time...

For me, my restrictions differ depending on my monthly cycle (sorry guys!) The closer to AF, the more restricted I become. Also, there are ways to eat around the band. For me, eating chips is easy. Eating dense Protein is hard. When I was eating incorrectly (crunchy carbs), I gained weight. Once I stuck to what I am suppose to eat (and not drink with my meals), my band's restriction works better. But yes, it can be fickle!!!

Doing great! I did the fast thing before my surgery and my post-op liquid phase was pretty easy. I knew some that had a tough time because they were going through the withdrawls of eating. I did lose some weight and my doctor said that even 5 pounds makes a HUGE difference when he operates. Worth every hunger pain. And just realize that you WILL get to eat again real soon!

Down 4 pounds! Yeah! Our family had 2 big dinner parties this weekend. I ate whatever I wanted, but just a tiny bit. And I didn't feel deprived at all!

I actually found myself on my stomach 2 days after my surgery. I know that I started out on my side, but old habits die hard! I slept on my stomach from then on. I was just careful when I layed down and got up, and I didn't move while asleep...