LipGlossedDespot

Does anyone have experience with frozen meals? I have been limited to a couple of Lean Cuisines since most frozen meals get stuck. Does anyone have ideas on which ones work with the band and have a good amount of protein?

Hummm, so it's not just, there just aren't a lot of good options. The main one I stick with it the Lean Cuisine Turkey and green beans one (don't know the exact name), and the Lean Cuisine meatloaf and mash potatoes (add greek yogurt to the potatoes to add protein and it tastes like sour cream). Both under 300 calories, but I am starting to get sick of them. And I also avoid the rice and pasta based one. I am not a huge cook, so I usually grab one of these or some sort of stew/chili I make over the weekend. The hunt continues...thanks guys!

I was banded on July 18, 2011. I was eating between 1000 and 1200 calories per day and lost around 45 lbs without exercise. Well, my doctor was not happy with this. He thought my weight loss was a "little slow" and said I "have" to start exercising. So my boyfriend and I bought some tennis raquets and decided to make use of the tennis courts in my complex. Currently we are playing 2-3 times a week for about an hour (and I'm getting good ). Here's the big problem. I've been playing for about 3 weeks now, and I am absolutely STARVING all the time. But I mean, all the time. Seriously, it wakes me up; ALL THE TIME. I thought, "okay maybe I am buring about 200 calories, so I can comsume up to 200 more calories than usual and still lose weight". But 200 calories is nothing when you're starving ALL THE TIME. I'm already on low carb and high Protein foods, but it doesn't help. And snacking on carrot sticks isn't cutting it. It's almost like my sweet tooth has come back and my body is craving junk again. And so far I have not caved too badly to the sweet tooth, but I feel half crazy, and I don't think my willpower is going get me through this. Do I just need another fill? (I'm at 6cc in a 10cc band). So great, now that I am consistently excercising, I've gained 3.5 pounds. I'll admit, part of me wants to punch my doctor for the stupid advice. lol! Help!

PCOS here as well. I still have some drive, but I have to admit it isn't as much as it use to be. I was also thinking along with hormone changes, it could also be the pill I am on. My doctor put me on Apri/Reclipsen, and I have felt I have a lower drive and some dryness. I'm seeing my endocrinologist in March, so I think I am going to ask her about this.

Thanks guys! Ya know? Maybe it is muscle. I'm one of those bandsters that doesn't really see her weight loss even though everyone else is noticing it, so maybe I am not noticing muscle either. @honk - hey if you are enjoying your exercise and you are losing, then I say swim on! Maybe after you've hit your goal weight, if you're a beanpole, then maybe you should add muscle, but do something you enjoy. I say good job! @mrsclooney - first, love the screen name...ha ha - and thank you so much. We tend to play tennis after work and do not snack beforehand, so maybe this will help. I'm going to give it a shot. I definitely don't want to stop exercising, I do notice my skin tone being better and I sort of enjoy beating my boyfriend (mwuahahaha!). And if nothing else it's good for the heart, even if I do gain a few pounds. I just don't want to become a sugar junkie again. Okay off to take my measurements :) Thanks again everyone!

The best advice I have seen on this board said, “Hey, remember this is a lifestyle change. If the process of going-on-a-diet-failing-and-then-beating-yourself-up worked, none of us would have needed a lapband in the first place.” (I wish I could remember who posted it so I could give them credit) Anyway, this is a lifestyle, not a diet. The idea of being perfect everyday for the rest of your life is unreasonable. My fear when I see these types of post (or I see myself doing it) is that overly high expectations lead to self anger, self anger leads to hopelessness, hopelessness leads to sabotage, and sabotage leads to weight gain. Don’t go down that path. Breath. You’ve done awesome. It could be the PMS (definitely a factor). You know what you’re doing otherwise you wouldn’t have done so well this far. You know what you have to do, so do your best at it. Great job all around!

Got this from Allrecipes. Simple, natural igredients and the meat is so tender it goes through the band with no problem. Pot Roast Burgundy Ingredients: · 1 sirloin tip roast, about 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 pounds · 3 cups red wine · 2 tablespoons butter · 2 carrots · 2 ribs celery · 1 large onion · 1 clove garlic · 4 medium red potatoes, cut into 1” chunks · 3 tablespoons flour blended with 2 tablespoons butter · salt and pepper to taste Preparation: In a large bowl cover roast with red wine. Let soak for at least an hour or more, refrigerated. Cut carrots, celery, onion, and garlic in chunks and process in the food processor to a coarse-chopped consistency. Heat butter in a large skillet and add chopped vegetables. Sauté until lightly browned. Place roast in the Crock Pot. Cover with the sautéed vegetables. Add potatoes. Pour wine into the hot sauté pan and bring to a boil. Let boil for 5 mins. Pour over the beef and vegetables. Cover and cook on low 8 to 10 hours. 30 to 45 minutes before done, whisk flour-butter mixture in to thicken. Serves 4 to 6.

Ok, just had my second fill today. I am at 4.2 ccs in a 10cc band. I am down 4 pounds since Sept. 30th. Again, my doctor seems happy, but 4 pounds in six weeks is not where I want to be. Back to the drawing board.....

ha ha ha! I love this topic! I have the NOISIEST tummy. I mean, people accross the room can hear it. It almost sounds like I have a growling demon living behind my breastbone. Mine typically stars in the stomach, but it it sort of "rolls" up toward my throat. And it's not like a regular burp, it more like a growling/rumbling, almost whining sound. I'm just thankful that I am not a dental hygenist or something that would require me to be close to someone's face. ha ha!

Hey, I just wanted an update on the Julysters that are having trouble. Have you guys gotten any other tips or tried anything new? For me, the carrot, cumcumber and vinegar salads got old after about a week. The weightlifting seems to have helped a little. Let me know how you're doing!

Hey, I went to Hawaii 1 day after my first fill, and it wasn't bad at all. My surgeon advised me to drink liquids for 24 hours and then slowly work solid foods back in. Most physician will have you sit in the office and drink a cup of Water before they let you leave to make sure you are not too tight. If by chance they fill you too much (which is insanely rare on the first fill), you will definitely know within the first couple of days. From what I have read on these forums and from other bandees I've talked to, most people feel hardly any restriction after the first fill, most of the time it takes two or three before they really start feeling anything. I will share a horror story though. The next day on the plane I ate some of the trail mix the flight attendents offered and got a sliming episode in the middle of the plane. To make matters worse, the aisle was full of people waiting to use the bathroom, so I couldn't rush to the toilet. I had to sit in the seat, pull out my little packet of kleenex I always keep with me, and fill two barf bags full of slime. Nightmare! So just make sure you eat carefully for a couple of days after your fill, tell your doctor about your vacation and see what he/she says, and don't take the trail mix! lol! I think you'll be fine.

I know this sounds weird, but for me anything with mint in it helps. I usually grab something with dark chocolate and a really strong mint flavor. It's almost like your mouth can only handle so much menthol, so it kills the itch with a small amount. Try junior mints, Ghiradelli intense dark with mint flavor, things like that. I try to get 70%+ cocoa. However, I must note, this isn't the case for everyone. So try it with a small amount, if it doesn't work, move on...whatever you do, don't get addicted to junior mints. LOL! Popsicles also help. I have trouble with fake sugars, so I get the 40 calorie Firecrackers. And really, if all else fails, just accept the fact that you have to have a small amount everyday and factor it into your calorie count. I always need a pick me up for that 3pm lull, so I sort of plan my other meals/intakes around it. Having your meals planned and having a little something to look forward to helps. Oh yeah, and turn off the TV!!! Those swirly chocolate candy comercials kill me when I am having a craving. ha ha!

Here’s my diet/routine today, and I would say this is pretty typical for me. Hope it helps! Breakfast: 7:00am - 12oz of coffee with 2% milk 100 calories 8:30am - 2 eggs scrambled in microwave (no oil) 200 calories 1:00pm – Chobani Black Cherry Yougurt 150 calories 1:00pm - Tuna Packet w/ Black Pepper 80 calories 3:00pm – ¼ chocolate covered raisins 190 calories 7:00pm – 2 Tblsp of hummus 140 calories 7:00pm – carrots and cucumber 100 calories Total: 960 calories Sometimes if my band feels tight I will add a tablespoon of miracle whip to the tuna, and sometimes I will have a green tea with a teaspoon of honey in the afternoon if I need a pick me up. Generally, I am happy if I stay under 1200 calories. But also note that I am not a huge exerciser (working on that…) I have a desk job. At most, my boyfriend and I will casually walk for about a mile a couple of times a week and play Wii resort. If I exercised more, I would probably want more calories.

i guess we just need to be more patient:) lol! I just feel insecure because it seems like everyone who posts on this board is dropping faster. Somewhere on here there was "July 2011 Bandster" thread with about 300+ replies, and I swear that every single one of them was ahead of me. Even today there was someone who started a thread who was banded in August and had already lost 20+ pounds. It's just hard not to compare. Don't get me wrong, I am happy with the 20 lbs, but I have 100+ pounds to lose and 2.5 of the six months are already gone. Anyway, on a less whiney note (ha ha!), I have started to make salads with cucumbers, carrots, lettuce and red wine vinegar, and I already feel like I have done better this week. I am also planning on adding some moderate weight lifting to my walking routine.

Oh my goodness, we're triplets! I was banded on July 18th and I am only down about 22 pounds as well. Yea, the whole "you lose the most weight in the first six months" is getting to me to. And yes, my doctor seemed happy during my last appointment with my results, but I am ready to see more. I keep thinking it's my exercise routine because I am eating better than I have in my whole life. I think I just have to step it up a little. But I would also love some recipes.