Lapbandster

Thank you So how do we then know which foods need to be measured and which need to be weighed? Until now I have been weighing my foods, which worked great because it was so easy

What I don't understand is how do we measure a cup? Weigh 8 ounces on a scale? Or whatever food we can stuff into an 8oz cup? I'm confused at these different ways of measuring

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Do you have morning tightness? Because if not, then Morningstar breakfast patties are awesome. Loaded with Protein and low carb. Otherwise like some others have said, cottage cheese with fruits is good. Or an energy bar. Fiber One makes some healthy god tasting flavors. Avoid eating Cereal with milk, as it is a slider food, but once in a while if you do eat it, then make sure it's a healthy cereal like raisin bran (which is loaded with fiber)

As for the pasta, tmf's answer is right on! The reason i think that some surgeons advise strongly against spicy good is because eating spicy foods makes us more likely to drink, which washes food through the band making it a MUCH less effective tool

To those who have written that they have struggled with the band because either they were too loose or too tight: When you re-try using this this tool, please tell your doctor that you want to start getting fills SLOWLY! And then every subsequent fill only get .5 cc's put in (or less) It's annoying and tedious, I know, but this way you can be sure that you will not "miss" your sweetspot by being too aggressively filled. I find that many doctors do not give such tiny fills, but be honest with him/her and really speak up about this

Two things help me 1) Keeping myself busy. A) This helps take my mind off the stress that often makes me crave awful foods B ) keeps me busy enough to not think about food all day 2) DO NOT BUY AND CRAP FOODS! Out of site=out of mind If there is nothing bad sitting around teasing you, you will be less agonized. It is torture to be miserable and depressed and have to avoid the junk food in your house at 2 AM

Basically it's a 9 week program that trains you to run 5k (about 3 miles) You follow their instructions and work on the treadmill 3x a week. The actually training is tough. It's intervals of high speed and low speed. It's not easy, but challenging and rewarding. Ha, did day two today and i'm really exhausted from it! we're in this together, girl!

There is so far nothing that I cannot eat when I eat it in small portions and small bites. Some foods are tough for me when eaten too fast, like tough fresh deli (cold hard turkey, corned beef etc.) and hard bagels. But this is only if I'm starving and eat like a pig

Did day 1 of week two today- man its hard! But I reall love that I can run for 90 seconds multiple times. Still boggles my mind that the treadmill takes SO much more energy than the elliptical but burns much less calories...

I totally understand the discouraging feeling! Its so hard to keep chugging on when the weight loss is SO slowwww Ugh I've been plateuing for a few weeks now and its miserable ugh

Chezonel: I don't think Ms. Maui's (now known as leavemealoneplz) statement is "outright wrong" or "ill informed". It happens to match a lot of what my doctor said. He told me that they cut off some of the blood supply which can cause necrosis. If using the word "necrosis" scares people then they shouldn't be doing the procedure (or weigh the benefits against the risks). No need to sugar coat things on these forums- if something causes necrosis, then by all means, use the "scary word". You say: "if you don't approve of the band, try saying nothing" Why shouldn't she speak up if she has had negative experiences with the band? I think its very important for people to get all opinions/hear all experiences (good AND bad) before doing surgery. Not sure why your being so militant? All this being said, I do wish I could have done plication with my band, but my insurance wouldn't cover it. Oh well

Today was my 6 month bandiversary, and i'm down about 50 lbs. But just because us posters are losing weight doesn't mean it's a GIVEN that everyone with a lapband loses weight. In fact, im working my butt off counting calories/measuring food/ working out 5x a week. That said, the lapband can be a useful tool when used correctly Good luck in your decision

As everyone else has stated, I chose the band because it was the least scary to me. My mom had gastric bypass and lost 100 lbs. She had no serious problems but now at 54 years old she is severely anemic and cannot take certain meds- all because of her absorbtion issues. So while i'm happy for her, and she doesn't really complain, that was just not something I was willing to do. OF COURSE i'm terribly scared that i'll have band issues later on, but the band issues that people have don't even touch a candle to the severity of the issues the other WLS's pose. I have been banded for 6 months and have lost 50 lbs but I actually work my @ss off to lose the weight.... Don't be fooled, the band is not magic

Yah! I usually try SO hard to eat properly when dining with friends so that I don't get stuck, but once (about a month ago) I ate too much, and we walked home about a mile. Let me tell ya, that was the WORST walk of my life. I was in agony! I was sliming and pb'ing the whole time. The people who I was with were SO worried and agitated Boy, that sure taught me!

Whoa... I can't believe that insurance won't cover a slipped band procedure. I never really inquired about this before my surgery, but reading about it is really scaring me

By my surgery I had it on a friday morning early and was home by noon. I felt awesome right away and didn't even need the prescription painkillers. I was up and outside by monday and could have gone to work if my job was sitting at a desk or something non strenous/stressful. People with comorbidities or other complications have to usually stay in hospital overnight

I agree wholeheartedly with TMF Your doctor might be ok with your weight because he's used to seeing morbidly obese patients on a daily basis, so to him you're skinny. But if you don't feel too great and you're able to lose a few pounds without being underweight, then you need to have a chat with him That being said, congrats on your weight loss and being in a place that your doc doesnt want you losing any more weight! yay for you!

nope, i do not feel my lap band. if i eat too much then i feel sick and sometimes even pb. but thats all i feel i can feel my port and am starting to see a bump because im losing weight chez- you have lost 90 lbs and your port is still unnoticeable??

I still eat carbs, but 1) not nearly as often or as much as i used to 2) It's all whole wheat or whole grain etc. Maybe that's not good, but to be honest NO carbs whatsoever will make me nuts!

Jen, I'm so sorry to hear that you're not getting support from some of the people who you have told. That must be so hurtful and irritating! That was exactly what I was so afraid of.... My whole life I got no support from some of the people who should have really been supporting me. They chastised me about my weight since I was a little kid and now I have decided that I am NOT gonna deal with the negativity ANY longer, because quite frankly, it makes me way too miserable. Unfortunately MOST people do not understand how the band works and that 1) the weight comes off (very) slowly 2) it requires a TREMENDOUS AMOUNT of effort (and as I read these forums I see that even some fellow bandsters do not realize this) Because of this, I was afraid of being called "lazy" or "cheating" or "taking the easy way out". Believe me, this is NOT the easy way out. I count every calorie that goes into my mouth, workout 5x a week and REALLY cut down on my portions (even though i'm not at restriction yet)

Whoaaa!!! You are so brave!

Ahh Sorry to hear that- so annoying! GUess you'll just have to celebrate Valentine's day in 2 weeks!

This is great!

Welcome to bandster hell! It may take you a few more fills and a few more weeks to feel proper restriction I have been banded for nearly 6 months and do not have proper restriction. But I have still managed to lose 50 lbs So just keep at it, and try to be patient