readytogoforit

exercise usually comes at 4 to 6 weeks. walking is so good for you!

I hope you can go to your wives doc appts. you can talk to a nutritionist and get some ideas. A lot of us try to stay clean, no processed foods, mostly fresh or frozen veggies/fruits. no artificial colors, sweeteners etc. I don't eat frozen dinners (too many carbs),no casseroles, pasta, rice,potatoes, no drive thru restaurants anymore (too many empty calories). Boy, I do miss Taco Bell!! I hope that doesn't sound to severe. I guess what I mostly do is keep it simple. I concentrate on protein and veggies/ fruit. There are websites with recipe ideas for gastric band patients. This has been a big change for my household. I often make so old favorites for the family and something different for myself. I really don't mind.

sad but true, but I am sure they are that way in all respects of their life!

Bob Harper (Biggest Loser coach) says to have half of your body weight in grams. for me that about 80 grams, I can usually do that. He talks about how well the protein fills and keeps you satisfied longer. My Doc has always told me to lead with protein, lean as possible, then veggies or fruit. I love fish and feel it satisfies so many nutritional needs. I try to eat fish at least twice a week, I love salmon!!

GOOD FOR YOU!!!!! you look so good, keep going!

I use myfitnesspal each day. when I don't I tend to over eat, not bad food, just more than I should. it helps me to be accountable to me! It is so easy to have a little of this or that and not realize how much they "cost"!

How come MaryAlice never responded to all of this talk????? Does anyone know her?

I have lost a good amount of weight, it has been slow (1 to 2 lbs. weekly). I agree, as long as it keeps going in the down direction I am happy!! I have had plateaus, very frustrating!! I just keep going, there is NO turning back to the old life!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

love her articles! I have subscribed to her weekly emails. we need all the help we can get, she great!

the biggest thing to know is that the band is not a miracle worker, it is a tool that helps by letting you know when you've eaten enough. It is work and takes commitment. the rewards are great!

You are still soooo new to this new life! Give yourself a break, do the best you can. log your food, drink lots of Water and exercise! Soon you will see results and start relaxing and trusting yourself! If I can keep in mind that each day is a NEW day, I feel much better. I do not want to look at this as a diet with lots of rules and regulations, those are the things I used to do when I failed again & again! I will only have success if I look at this as a new life. I now eat to live instead of live to eat. I still have some cravings, sometimes I give in to them. I don't feel like a failure anymore, I just try again. I really enjoy the connection I have built on this forum. Even though we don't really know each other, I feel somewhat accountable to the group!?? I have always been a food addict so that's how I have to look at it. I still have the choice to eat correctly. I have almost 30 years of sobriety so I try to keep ONE DAY AT A TIME in mind. We have all beat ourselves up so much over the years. It is time to love and forgive ourselves for the weight. God did not create junk and when we take care of our bodies we show that we agree! s

I try to stay under 68 carbs, that's the number she gave me. I feel very differently about veggies and the carbs from them. I love my salads and eat lots of them. I go easier on the fruits because of the sugars. I usually eat plain greek yogurt for breakfast with some granola & fruit. so good and keeps me full for several hours. I started adding flax seed to the yogurt now too, Dr Oz addition! My main food is protein, doc said concentrate on protein first then add veggies and fruit. stay away from white bread, pasta, rice. that has been surprisingly easy for me! thank God. Good luck with your journey!

I hate to say it but "If it sounds to good to be true, it isn't " For me, I do not want to diet. I want to learn to respect food, look good and be healthy. Thus far, the band has helped me do just that.

so sorry this happened to you ( you didn't tell us alot, do you log your food? do you drink lots of water everyday? do you limit your carb intake, especially after lunch? do you exercise?

YOU GO GIRL!!

thank goodness you felt comfortable enough to come back! I like to believe that this journey is not a race but a continual one. I would obviously like to lose all my weight by Oct. but, if I don't, I will keep on going. Congrats with the weight you have lost, you can do this & we will be hear to help! That's why this forum works so well, we like to help each other!

I agree with Cazzy, unfortunately in the beginning you have to be the power that restricts food eating. It should work, especially when you see the lbs, drop off. I measure and weigh my food all the time, maybe that would help. I do not eat 'til I am full. I try to eat 4 oz. of Protein, some veggies and maybe fruit with each meal. I do not eat bread ( very rarely anyway), I don't eat Pasta or rice. I concentrate on protein.(near 100 grams daily) I have to admit, it was hard in the beginning. I did feel like I was "dieting", I do not want to diet!!!!! But it worked because I started to lose weight, now it is habit. I have learned so much about food and that has helped me to enjoy food in a different way. YOU can do this, don't give up.

I have never heard anyone else say that, YES it hurt like crazy! Doc said it was one of the largest hernias he had ever operated on! I had lots of trouble turning in bed, getting up and standing. I hardly ate for days, made myself eat and drink & walk. I had such bad gerd that it was worth all of the pain. no more daily drugs or burning in my throat!

the decision has to be yours but I agree with the rest, don't waste anymore time being overweight! this is a big change, it will change everything. I have never been a person who exercised, now I wouldn't miss it. I have always loved all the information about nutrition but never applied it to my life, now I do! I do have to say, this forum has helped me a whole lot! it really helps to hear the good, bad and ugly on the days when you don't want to talk to people who don't know how this feels. I also love that we display our weight & usually discuss what we are eating. it all helps me to be more accountable, not only to myself but to the friends on this site!! Good luck, keep us informed and read, read, read some more from people on this forum. make the rest of your life a healthy one!

Yahoo for you!

isn't this funny!! only we could understand how cool it feels to be in onederland!! happy for you and the fab journey you are taking!!

Patience, if you lose faith already you've wasted your time having surgery! follow the docs suggestions, get a fill and start moving (walk, exercise, bike, dance!) you will be gorgeous !

my insurance people made a recommendation of who to call. I was glad, what do I know? I went to the U of Minnesota and couldn't be happier with the care & guidance. It is really important to get someone who has lots of experience. I think we have seen a report on this forum about the one you first picked. Scary people, get 'em in, get 'em out.... all about the money not trying to help. Don't give up, talk to someone. Best of luck to you!

Congrats, we all love a success story!