Dulci

My doctor suggested that I stop thinking of meals and snacks. It's fine to eat every 3 to 4 hours, but I should spread my planned daily food over 5 or 6 portions rather than 3. I try to aim for 1000 calories per day so I try keep that in mind when planning my daily menu.

My husband has been amazing since I've been banded. When I was in the post-op liquid diet stage, he was very considerate about eating/cooking. He ate a lot of sandwiches so I wouldn't have to smell his wonderful food. As soon I was able to start walking, he joined me. As I started losing weight, he started following my doctor's recommended high protein/lower carb recommendations. He eats the same things I do, but in larger portions. He has lost weight and his diabetes is better controlled. Good luck to both of you!

Pack some lip balm in your hospital stuff. I wasn't able to have anything by mouth from midnight the night before surgery until after they did a barium swallow the morning after surgery. My lips were so dry and cracked.

I have a Realize band.

It does get better. You will definately be able to Soups and most other foods. As far as bread goes, every bandster is different - some have no problem with bread, others need bread to be toasted, and some can't tolerate bread at all. I don't know if I can eat bread because I haven't tried; I haven't wanted to. Rest, heal, and follow your doctor's dietary recommendations. You will be fine. Since I have been banded, I survived (and enjoyed!) Thanksgiving and Christmas. I have eaten at restaurants. I have had pizza and Chinese delivery. I have been to Disney and eaten there. Last night, I had 2 cups of air popped popcorn with a tablespoon of real butter. Life didn't stop because I have a band; life did stop being about food. My food choices have become more about what my body needs because giving my body the quality it needs makes me feel better. Because I am eating slower, I take the time to savor my food. Good luck on your journey to good health. I hope you enjoy life as a bandster as much as I do.

Call your health insurance company, give them your ID number and ask if you would be covered for the procedure. Some employers opt out of WLS coverage to reduce insurance rates, so ask if it would be covered for you, not just if they cover it. My employers policy covered WLS, but does not cover diet programs like WW or Jenny Craig, even if it is a medically supervised program.

Regardless of whether you are eating low carb, are you eating your Protein first, followed by veggies and finally any starches? Are you getting 60 to 90 grams of protein per day? Are you eating slowly to allow your brain to recognize that your pouch is full? Are you getting 64 oz of liquids per day? Are you waiting 30 minutes after a meal before resuming drinking liquids? Following the above rules/suggestions will help you to feel satisfied.

Don't waste your time or money. This one of the pre-band gimmicks I tried. The only weight I lost was in my wallet.

I was on liquids for two weeks before surgery. I had a bad food bucket list that I completed before I began the liquid diet. I started on the liquids and didn't look back. If you do decide to splurge, I would stick to lean Protein and veggies. Good luck with your surgery.

I love my band. Losing weight has finally "clicked" for me. It's not a struggle every day to monitor what I eat and to make good choices. I can deviate from my meal plan, enjoy a small amount of an indulgence and move on without another thought. (In the past, a deviation would be the beginning of quitting/failing again.) I have increased my activity because I feel better. I have not started a strenous exercise program but I am losing weight steadily. Can I eat bread, pasta, or rice? I don't know because I haven't tried. My doctor's program (like most) recommendes eating proteins first, then veggies, and carbs/starches last. So far, I haven't had a meal where I had a desire for more food after eating my protein and veggies. I can have thin crust pizza with no problems but I am satisfied with one slice. (I also usually make some chicken tenderloins with Italian spices to have with pizza so I can be sure that I am getting some good, low fat protein too.) I am a happy bandster.

Happy Anniversary! Thank you for sharing your joy and wisdom.

One of the reasons I gained my weight was because I was suffering from a major depression. I was working in a small office which consisted of only 3 people: one very fit and thin, and two of us obese. When my other obese co-worker began to get fit and lose the weight, I ignored her change. It took me many years to realize that, in addition to being jealous, I felt threatened by her example. In retrospect, I now know that I was self-medicating my depression with food. I was relying on the comfort of food (and probably the seratonin boost) to get through the day. Your friend may be experiencing similar issues. However, she needs to deal with her issues when she is ready. Don't allow to hold you back or to feel badly about yourself. If she isn't able (or willing) to support you, just accept that fact. You have made amazing progress!

My condolences on your loss. *hug*

I had BCBS Fed when I had my surgery. I was required to have 3 months of supervised dieting. I submitted my former PCP's office notes from when I was on phentermine two years before and they accepted them. I also had to have a psych consult. My surgeon submitted my paperwork to BCBS and I was approved three business days later.

If you have increased your exercise, as you are burning fat, you may be gaining muscle. Muscle weighs more than fat, therefore you stall on the scale. Make sure you are getting your Water in every day and keep going. You will push through the stall. Great job at sticking with it and with hitting the gym.

Try a different brand of protein shake. Some of them literally go right through me. Vitamin Shoppe sells several brands of shakes in single serving sizes so you try them. I had good luck with Jay Robb protein.

Popcorn is a slider food for me, as long as the kernels are fully popped. I still eat nuts as well on days when I need to add calories.

You can't compare yourself with your friends. It's not a competition. Every one loses at a different pace. Keep on doing what you are supposed to and you will succeed.

My doctor requests that his patient's choose. I told him that I researched his qualifications, his partner's qualifications and the practice track record; therefore, I trusted him to choose the brand of band. He told me that he prefers the Realize band because it is low pressure.

Mine stayed off.

Congrats! It's a great feeling.

I am a relative band newbie, I was banded on 10/27/11 and I had my first fill five days ago. So far, being banded has not been hard. Like you, I am eating what I am allowed as per my doctor's instructions and not having the rest. I have eaten meals at restaurants with friends and family, gone to Disney and survived the holidays. Knowing that my band is here to help me, I find it much easier to good choices and not feel deprived. When I dieted in the past, I felt like I was missing something if I chose not to have the fries or dessert. I have had episodes where I have eaten too fast and I felt some pressure in my chest/esophogas. I have learned that a soft hiccup is my band's way to tell me that my meal over. My doctor also said that a meal should be no longer than 20 minutes. I love Lap Band Talk. This is a very supportive and a very honest community. This time, it really IS different for me.

I am Dulcislim on Myfitnesspal. I'd love to friend some other bandsters for support and menu ideas.

I was given the same choice and I simply refused to make it. I told my surgeon that I researched him and his practice and I trusted him to make the choice. I received a Realize band.

I went to Disney approximately 4 weeks after surgery and I didn't have any problems at all.