caligalles

Caribear - thank you so much for the reminder about the sodium. I just checked my food diary on myfitnesspal.com and I am averaging 4000 - 5000 mg of sodium a day!!! OUCH! Now, I need to figure out how to undo this. I LOVE salt, but obviously, it is NOT loving me! LOL. Thanks again!

I am so very disappointed in myself. I was so excited to start this journey when I had my surgery back in December. Once I got past the "scared" zone of thinking anything I ate off of the meal plan would make me explode and ruin my surgery, I find I am slipping back into bad patterns. I am certainly not eating as much and I started off with such great intentions....they actually stuck for awhile. I have gone from absolutely no carbs to having small amounts of pasta, Subway sandwiches, rice crackers, Chipotle burrito bowls, Panda Express and high carb soups. I just keep moving in the wrong direction! What is wrong with me? My weight is on a rollar coaster and at the end of the month, I am LUCKY to have lost 5-6 lbs for the month. I know our weight fluctuates, but how can a person weigh 9 more pounds on Monday than they did on Friday? I was around 1500 calories a day and walked 3 miles a day both Saturday and Sunday, so what is wrong with this picture? I am so very disappointed in myself for now trying to cheat the band. All I am doing is cheating myself. How can I do this? How can I fall back into the same bad eating and drinking patterns that put me here? I am 291 - wait that was Friday.... Today I am 296 and have a very long journey ahead of me and I am already failing. This is just like my "old" life.... I know what I am supposed to do, to eat, to think.... but I just don't do it. I also have 5.5 cc's in a 10 cc band and do not feel the restriction much. I know I am eating too much, but I haven't felt the uncomfortable feeling of fullness or any vomiting. My next fill appointment is 3/22, maybe the additional fluid will help me??? I need help. I really need to help myself. What can't I do that?

This journey is different for everyone and we all have our individual struggles as well as our individual triumphs. My main reason for lapbanding was basically to lose weight in a healthy, but fairly quick environment. On my own, I quickly lost motivation and patience when the scale didn't move, or didn't move enough and then quickly resorted back into the comfort of food/drink. There has been alot of discussion lately on what is an acceptable or average weight loss per week/per month. I just have to say that 1 lb a week is UNACCEPTABLE to me. My surgeon practices at one of the country's best hospitals and assures me I can do 20-30 lbs a month if I stick to his rules, so I am! I am averaging 5-8 lbs now a week. Since my surgery December 15th, I have lost 27 lbs. Overall loss is 38 lbs. I could have done 1 lb a week without having surgery and spending a small fortune. I know this is a TOOL, but it needs to do its job when I do mine - the perfect partnership. I feel absolutely no restriction right now, so it is pure will-power - something I have never had, but I am not going to risk hurting my lapband by overeating or eating the wrong things. I know in time I will feel the restriction and it will provide some support to my own will power and I can rely on the band a little more each day and not feel I am alone. Please remember, this is a different journey for all of us, but the desired result is the same - a healthier, happier YOU! God Bless and stay the course! Leslie

Calories IN Calories OUT. You don't need to eat more in order to work out. I was a competitive athlete from childhood through college. You are probably toning or building muscle, which is good, but you won't see the scale move. In order to generate the fat lose, cardio is the key - getting your heart rate up to the optimum level and keeping it there to burn fat. Ask someone at the gym what your heart rate should be. Keep up the great work!

Sounds right! I eat 3 small meals and 2 snacks. Go to myfitnesspal.com - you can track your food and excercise for free and it will tell you exactly where you stand! It will probably tell you that you need more calories to lose weight so your body doens't hold onto it.

Ever seen Biggest Loser? You can lose weight quickly and not be flabby as long as you excercise to keep the elasticity in your skin. Kristy - I hope you like the Gladiator! I love it since I can half 1/2 serving and still get 23 g protein and only 95 calories. Thanks everyone for letting me vent and being encouraging. I guess I do expect alot, but I have always been that way about myself - school, career, athletics, etc.

That is so funny you mention the "food port". For the first month after my surgery, I too recognized how many food commercials are on tv and how much everyone is always eating in sitcoms! Food I never craved, never had, never had a desire to have, LOOKED GOOD! I wanted to taste everything.... I think it was because of the weeks of protein shakes and liquids. LOL!

It was very structed for the 1st 4 weeks and now into week 6, I am eating regular food that is somewhat portion-controlled. I don't have any restriction yet, so I am definitely eating over 4 oz of protein and veggies. I have basically 3 little meals and 2 snacks. Emphasis on only proteins and vegetables. I have had a little bit of rice (in soup) or steamed with chicken. My client advocate who had the surgery 7 years ago still has a protein shake a day - just for the protein and to push off the hunger - it has lots of vitamins too! My typical day which equals : 1000 calories Breakfast - I drink 1/2 serving of Smoothie King's Gladiator protein shake (23 g protein, 1 carb/95 calories) - on the way to work. Couple hours later, Egg beaters (no cholesterol and 1/2 the calories of regular eggs) with some diced ham and pico de gallo mixed in. Snack - some type of soup - Campbell's Light, broth (I am a soup addict!) Lunch - pre-seasoned packaged Tuna by Starkist and 1 cup of spinach Snack - protein bar or applesauce or cottage cheese Dinner - grilled chicken strips and broccoli with some parmesean cheese Green tea and water. Hope that helps! My diet is far from perfect, especially since I add in some wine or vodka drink occassionally!!! I also walk about 2 miles a day. I am looking forward to getting the restriction and then my portions will be much smaller and maybe I can cut out a snack. Good luck! Leslie

MAGS2U - PLEASE< PLEASE<PLEASE be careful! You are not supposed to do any strenuous excercise or lifting for the first 6 weeks after surgery. The first 6 weeks are for HEALING. Please take care of yourself......

That's the reason you shouldn't weigh everyday - BUT I DO IT TOO!!! Your body fluctuates with regards to fluids. Next you'll see it come back down. Hang in there!

I use Smoothie King - Gladiator. 45 grams of protein, 190 calories, 1 carb and no sugar. I actually only have half now and that gives me 23 g and only 95 calories. I drink it on the way to work!

After a week of anxiety and wanting to eat everything I could find (good thing I didn't find anything!), I had my first fill yesterday. So excited to report that my total weight loss is 34 lbs - weight loss from date of operation 22 lbs! I am excited, but I have to make a confession. I haven't given up my wine or bloody mary's - even though I have been drinking SO much less, I haven't cut it completely out. My nurse didn't seem upset about it, but reminded me of the calories in alcohol and to add what I drink to my total calories for the day. I haven't seen anyone on this site ever talk about alcohol.... Well, here I am. I can do without the chocolate, anything sweet, but don't take my wine! LOL I have found a life-saver in food tracking and excercise tracking - MYFITNESSPAL.com There are even apps for every type of phone. I found it very enlightening (however, not surprising) that I was under-counting my calories, so when the tracker showed me the actual calories, carbs, protein and sodium, I made immediate adjustments. The best recommendation on protein shakes I have is make sure you have some everyday! Now that I can eat more, I have cut my protein shake serving down to 8 ounces - which is 23 g protein, 1 carb, no sugar and 95 calories! Doesn't get better than that! It is SMOOTHIE KING'S GLADIATOR chocolate protein powder. Mix it with water. I feel hopeful, excited, nervous and grateful for my new journey with my new best friend, her name is Lapsa. Take care all and I look foward to keeping up on the site - it is most encouraging and educational! Leslie

I have hit below 300 for the first time in a year and half! Just wanted to share my milestone!

HI Shellyac! I guess my surgeon set that expectation, plus the logic of eating 2500-3000 calories a day down to 800-1000. He told me I would be at my goal weight around the middle of the summer as long as I kept up with my adjustments, stuck with the diet plan and excercise. I have (had) 175 lbs to lose. In 5 weeks, I am down a total of 36 (24 post op). I expect to feel the restriction I guess and not feel like I am on my own again.

I would have to say my shoulder pain was the worst as well! Right out of surgery, it was on FIRE! I was like, make it go away!!!!! Good luck on your road to recovery! YOu will feel great soon!

I don't think I would have signed on for this for 1-2 1bs weight loss a week! This cost me personally $12,000. I am just beyond frustrated. I have only 3cc's in my band right now.

Oh Kristy! I am feeling the same way! I just had my first fill last week and I feel NO difference. I am able to eat, drink, slow or fast, chew alot or not chew very much.... ugh. I paid for this out of pocket and I am pretty upset, so I emailed my patient advocate with my concerns. Waiting for her response. I might argue to come back asap instead of waiting 4 weeks to have an adjustment. If I could lose weight on my own with watching my food and excercise, I WOULDN"T BE HERE! I will let you know what my patient advocate says.... Hang in there! Let's don't give up yet.... we have invested too much for that.... our journey has just begun and this is a minor speed bump.

Congrats! Dr. Reilly is awesome and so is Rachel! Advil liqui-gels are a must. I went though my pain meds really fast. Jello, Dreyers fruit bars, chicken broth low sodium - those were my favs! Good luck and keep in touch! Leslie

After a week of anxiety and wanting to eat everything I could find (good thing I didn't find anything!), I had my first fill yesterday. So excited to report that my total weight loss is 34 lbs - weight loss from date of operation 22 lbs! I am excited, but I have to make a confession. I haven't given up my wine or bloody mary's - even though I have been drinking SO much less, I haven't cut it completely out. My nurse didn't seem upset about it, but reminded me of the calories in alcohol and to add what I drink to my total calories for the day. I haven't seen anyone on this site ever talk about alcohol.... Well, here I am. I can do without the chocolate, anything sweet, but don't take my wine! LOL I have found a life-saver in food tracking and excercise tracking - MYFITNESSPAL.com There are even apps for every type of phone. I found it very enlightening (however, not surprising) that I was under-counting my calories, so when the tracker showed me the actual calories, carbs, protein and sodium, I made immediate adjustments. The best recommendation on protein shakes I have is make sure you have some everyday! Now that I can eat more, I have cut my protein shake serving down to 8 ounces - which is 23 g protein, 1 carb, no sugar and 95 calories! Doesn't get better than that! It is SMOOTHIE KING'S GLADIATOR chocolate protein powder. Mix it with water. I feel hopeful, excited, nervous and grateful for my new journey with my new best friend, her name is Lapsa. Take care all and I look foward to keeping up on the site - it is most encouraging and educational! Leslie

That is awesome! Make sure you keep up your protein shakes. My advocate still has one a day and it's been 7 years for her. I found the lowest calorie, lowest carb, lowest sugar and highest protien in SMOOTHIE KING - GLADIATOR. I actually am having 1/2 a serving now and it's 23 grams of protein and 95 calories! Keep up the good work! I am going in for my first fill today! YEAH!!

I had my surgery at True Results a month ago and if there is one thing I learned - DO NOT WAIT on them. Push them. Keep calling or emailing until you get a response. They are SUPER busy so you have to pester them! My advocate is Rachel, who is yours?

That's awesome! I have my first post op and fill on Wednesday! I too want to swim - let me know how you feel and how it goes!

You must get 80 grams of protein a day. I know it sounds strange, but you must get in the calories, protein and excercise and you will be amazed. I am still new at this, but this recommendation was given to me and I turned the corner. Good luck and take care!