daisychains7

Thank you for your encouraging post. It's something we all need to hear. I was banded at 22 (I am 23 now). Best decision I could have made for my health. I did not want to suffer from diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity like so many in my family do. No regrets!

I remember those couple weeks before the first fill were absolute hell as far as hunger and cravings go. Drink lots of water and milk. It's hard to do the salt thing on liquids. Only thing I can think of is a teaspoon of crunchy peanut butter but please check with your nutritionist or doctor before you try it.

You will be fine. I was out of surgery in under an hour. The band is one of the safest procedures you can have. I'll be honest, it did hurt more than I thought it would... but then again, I have a low pain threshold. Take your pain meds on schedule -- they are a wonderful thing. Drink plenty of liquids and follow your doctors orders. Don't try to progress past the liquid diet too quickly or bend the rules. You will be able to lose weight, and enjoy food (in small quantities) again, but those first 4-6 weeks are for healing. You may have some frustrating moments those first few weeks but it is so worth it to be healthy. Once you are healed up, you'll be able to start incorporating exercise into your life and eating healthy meals. Its a learning process but you'll find your groove.

I'm lactose intolerant too, so I feel your pain. Did your surgeon give you a specific amount of weight you have to lose before your surgery? Otherwise, I would not worry about it. The purpose of the pre-op diet is to shrink your liver so they can see everything easier when they are performing your surgery. If your surgeon told you that lean Protein and veggies are alright on your pre-op, follow his instructions and you will be alright. But I would avoid the typical thanksgiving foods and pack yourself a small meal or a shake. You will definitely be able to enjoy a little bit of turkey, mashed potatoes, etc in the future but you have to be really strict at this point. Keep up the great work.

Trust me, all of us once felt the way that you do right now. And some days, we still do. WLS is a lifelong commitment, but if you think of "forever" it can be pretty overwhelming. I take it one meal at a time. Before I put anything in my mouth, I think about if I am really hungry and if I can make a better food choice. You don't have to be perfect but you do have work hard to reach your goal. Make yourself a priority... you are worth it!

I am so sorry you are going through this. You and your family are in my prayers. No doubt your father knew he was surrounded by love, and would be proud of you for taking control of your life and your future. My grandmother and my uncle suffer from diabetes and many other health issues due to their weight -- truth be told, they were part of the reason I decided to get banded. Life is precious and I did not want to repeat the cycle. Please take care of yourself emotionally. We are all here for you.

I imagine mashed potatoes would be okay (if you eat very slow) but please call your doctor to be sure. Now is not the time to push the envelope with your eating. I would hate to see you have a stuck episode or do damage to your band so soon after your surgery... especially when the doctors office will be closed for the holiday.

Hi Lose_It! Great to see you back here. Every day, the temptation to slip back into old habits is there. I feel it too and I know what you're going through. I am really proud of you for getting down those 5 lbs and I know the 7 remaining lbs will come as you continue to work at it. How's your exercise going? Thank you for your encouragement. I lost my job today. Wednesday will be official last day. I was a temp, but they kept me 2 extra months and told me I had the permanent job. Then they tell me they have decided to go with someone else. I feel blind sided, and depressed. All I can do is try to re-group over the next couple weeks and see the positive in it. More time to focus on my health and exercise. Breakfast - 6oz yogurt lunch - 1 lamb kabob, 1/2c mixed green salad with 1tbsp feta, 1tbsp tzatziki sauce snack - 1 Protein questbar dinner - arnolds sandwich thin with 2 tbsp reduced fat Peanut Butter, 1/2 banana sliced liquids - 8oz milk, 16oz hot tea, Water No exercise today.. back to it tomorrow, and going in for a possible fill.

Hope you are all doing well I gained 6lbs since a week as a half ago. WTF. I am pretty disappointed and also a bit confused since my calorie intake has not increased much. But I know my portions have creeped up and also the types of foods. Appt is on Wednesday so I may need another fill. For now, I am cutting out my daily snack and going leaner. Breakfast - 6oz yogurt, 8 almonds lunch - 1/2 Protein Bar, 1/2 banana sliced, 2tsp sliced almonds in 6oz yogurt dinner - 3oz grilled lamb (on skewer), 1/3c mixed green salad with feta and cucumber sauce, 3 pita chips with hummus Exercise - 30 min elliptical, 15 min weights

It sucks, doesn't it? Glad it's not just me. I will have it for a few days really bad, then the taste goes away for a couple weeks, then back again. So I wonder if certain foods make it worse. Not sure. Gum has been helping me, and drinking more water. Think ill have to start brushing at work though.

Wow! 3 miles is incredible. Keep up the great work - I promise it gets easier with every single lb. lost!

Had a nice trip but my eating wasn't exactly healthy. Stuck to good portions but I did have ice cream for dessert both nights. I exercised 2x... But am anxious to get back on track Monday.

In Ohio now. Breakfast - 6oz yogurt, 2tsp sliced almonds lunch - Arnold's sandwich with 2tbsp Peanut Butter and 1/2 banana, 5 raspberries snack - 1 strawberry cheesecake Protein Quest bar dinner - 1c chipotle chicken burrito bowl Exercise - 30 min elliptical, 15 min weights

My weight loss has definitely slowed down the closer I get to goal. I am losing about 1-2 lbs a week. My doctor did warn me this would happen so I am trying not to freak out or get fanatical. My Water and Protein intake has improved, but I do think I can do a better job of exercising 5 days a week. I am doing more like 4, and some days that is just out of sheer laziness or tiredness that I don't work out. I am going to talk to the temp agency close to the New Year to switch job assignments. I am working too many hours and my health is taking a back seat, which isn't acceptable. Leaving for Ohio tomorrow. I will be gone Thurs through Sun. Will post my food and exercise if I have wifi. I am exercising in the morning tomorrow before I go. My hotel has a fitness center so I will be bringing my work out clothes and heart rate monitor so I can continue Couch to 5K there. My goal is to exercise twice (Fri and Sat). I feel dumb posting here sometimes but even if no one will see this, it really does help me. Breakfast - 6oz blueberry yogurt, 6 almonds lunch - 3oz tortilla crusted tilapia, 2tbsp mango salsa, 5 steamed carrots snack - 3/4 Peanut Butter protein questbar dinner - 1 wheat arnolds sandwich thin with peanut butter and 1/2 banana sliced Liquids - tea, lots of water No exercise tonight.

Breakfast - 6oz yogurt, 6 almonds lunch - 3oz chicken breast, 2oz mashed potatoes/artichoke, 2 steamed carrots snack - 1/2 muscle milk lite Protein Bar, 1/4c raspberries dinner - 3oz crusted tilapia, 1 tbsp salsa, 1/4c salad Dessert - 1 skinny cow cone Liquids - 16 oz tea, lots of Water Exercise - 30 min jog (started Couch to 5k)

Feel like I'm lacking motivation. Migraine yet again... Tylenol has done nothing. I am going to take half a Vicodin and get some rest. Breakfast - 6oz vanilla yogurt, 2 almonds, 1 strawberry lunch - 1 Arnold's sandwich thin with reduced fat Peanut Butter, 1 strawberry snack - 2tsp sliced almonds, 6oz blueberry yogurt, 1 strawberry dinner - 4oz grilled chicken, 2oz veggies No exercise

Breakfast - 6oz mango yogurt, 5 almonds, 1 strawberry lunch - 3 Asian wings, 1/4c spinach salad dinner - 2/3 egg roll lean cuisine, 4oz berry yogurt with 8 blueberries Liquids - 8oz skim milk, Water Exercise - 30 min elliptical

Breakfast - 6oz yogurt lunch - small pita, 1/2 banana, 2tbsp PB dinner - 2 Asian wings, 3 tortilla chips with salsa, 1/4c salad Dessert - 1/4 piece chocolate cake Liquids - Water, 8oz milk No exercise

Another not that great day. Just running around nonstop! Breakfast - 6oz yogurt lunch - 1 small pita, 2tbsp reduced fat PB, 1/2 banana snack - 5oz yogurt, 8 almonds, a few mixed berries dinner - 1 ranchera beef lean cuisine (ate 1/2 earlier in evening, ran out of time and will eat other 1/2 now) Exercise -30 min elliptical Tomorrow is treat day.. Having a party. Making wings and a salad. Water only, and fruit salad/veggie tray and chex mix for Snacks.

Horrible constipation all day. Fortunately I was able to go... But it wasn't fun. Also, I think my head hunger has increased. It worries me because my portions have begun to creep up a little bit as a result. Guess I'm struggling to find the balance between eating healthy and eating in a way that I can maintain. Just feeling a bit discouraged today. I did weigh myself and I have lost 1 lb since last week, was hoping for more but I'm not surprised :-/ Breakfast - 5oz yogurt lunch - 1/3 Arnold's thin tuna sandwich, 4oz yogurt, 1/2 banana snack - 6oz yogurt, 1 strawberry, 8 almonds dinner - 3/4 Arnold's thin tuna sandwich, 3 carrot sticks with 1 tsp lite ranch Liquids - tea, 8oz milk, Water Exercise - 30 min wii fit, 5 min abs

Think I am a bit dehydrated. Had some issue with constipation tonight and have had dry mouth all day. Also been having a bad metallic taste in my mouth last few days. Doctor tells me this is normal with weight loss. Mints and gum are the only thing that helps. Breakfast - 5oz yogurt lunch - 1 small pita, 2tbsp Peanut Butter, 1/2 banana sliced snack - 5oz strawberry yogurt, 8 almonds dinner - 1/2 Arnold's sandwich thin with 3oz tuna salad (chopped apple, 1tbsp olive oil mayo), 1 strawberry Liquids - 8oz tea, 8oz milk, Water Exercise - 40 min wii free run

Well, my chest is continuing to shrink. ha! Started at 44F. I am now a 36DD. Down a cup size from 2 months ago.

I have lost over 100lbs now. I don't have any unhealthy or trigger foods in my home. Exercise, exercise, exercise. I work out 5 days a week, at least 30 minutes. Elliptical, weights, Wii fit or a fun class. I see a personal trainer 1-2x a week for an hour. I drink 1-2 glasses of skim milk a day. I do not go more than about 4 hours without eating. If I need a snack I have Greek yogurt with fruit or almonds. I try to be aware of the thoughts that lead me to overeat in the past. I share my successes with positive friends, and cut out the toxic BS. And of course, follow doctors orders and don't miss any appointments.

That's great!! Happy it worked and you can get back to full meals. I have only 1cc in my band too and I love it because I still get full at close to 1cup, but rarely get stuck. Yay for the green zone! Will post my food tonight.