Kime-lou

I love food, I mean really love food (which is why I hit 247). I have always been a foodie. While sweets were never a huge pull for me, I find myself wanting them more now, but I have managed to stay away from them except special occassions. I am and always have been a protein / carb girl. I am mildly adventurous, willing to try new foods and such. Since being banded I have found I like: Greek Yogurt, couscous, beans. I eat a lot more fish (talapia, salmon, mackeral). Being that I love to cook I am always researching new things and new ways of cooking. I still, however, do enjoy going out to eat. What I like best is having someone else clean the kitchen! Last night, Valentines, the hub wanted to go to the 1st resturant we ever went to. That resturant is On the Border, which serves southwest style food. I love southwest/mexi, but it is loaded with salt and calories. I downloaded the nutrition and was shocked the my southwest chicken taco's were 1200 calories- ouch. I found that the fajita mix was a better choice, I was able to order the chicken with grilled onion, pepper, zuchini, with no sides (beans, rice, tortillas). I ate just the meat and veggie and ask for sauce on the side (which I only used a bit of). Since I hadn't been there since surgery this really showed how my eating has changes. Before surgery I would eat the meat, veggies, rice, beans, tortillas and a dessert. Last night I wasn't even able to get down all of the meat and veggies. Wow, what a change. My husband said he was so proud of me. I went home feeling good and not over stuffed. Yes, this morning my weight was up by a pound, the salt really worked on me. So today I am drinking my water like a made woman and cutting the salt back. I guess this is what life should be like, not giving up the food we love, just cutting back on the amount and making adjustment for the bad stuff. What in the heck did I learn this years ago??

Have you had your thyroid tested? I have a friend who had gastric, had a baby, when she had gastric her tyroid was fine, after having the baby- she went on a roller coaster of ups and downs. She finally had her thyroid tested and it wasn't working at all. She will be having her thyroid removed next week. Now hers is the extreme, but your thyroid could be off and that can cause the issues you are having.

You will feel pain for a while. My mom just had her monster of a hiatal hernia repaired (over half of her stomach in her chest). She has had horrible pain since. But, take some relief in knowing these things are fixed, you are on the road to recovery, and things will get better! Prayers!!

Also, Slim Fast High Protein doesn't have a lot of carbs, but I know a lot of men (my hubs) will not be seen with a slim fast anything.

Try the Myoplex EAS carb smart. They really are good and they have less carbs than most shakes. I get them from BJ's in bulk. There is a drawer in my fridge full of them since the hub and I both drink 1 a day.

great job!

I had a fill 2 weeks ago. To start with I was really tight and considered going and having a slight unfill. I toughed it out though on liquid and mushy and I got back to normal. Yesterday, my mom had sugery so I was at the hospital all day. Breakfast and lunch I did fine, no issues. Once I got my mom home and was caring for her and trying to eat, I burped and my dinner came back up like reflux - not like PBing stuck. I didn't eat a cup yet. I didn't eat anymore. This morning I ate breakfast, it went down fine, lunch went down fine, but I have this lump in my throat feeling like I have indigestion or reflux. I do have a horrible sinus drainage. Has anyone else had this experience? I do have a call into the PA to find out what is going on and if I need to come in.

While I don't like Tofu that much I have friends who swear by it. It doesn't have as much saturated fat as other Proteins (beef, chicken). If I am going to eat it, I want the firm stuff and cut it up and cook it like chicken, that is the only way I can eat it. Soft white fish is another great Protein. I buy talipia fillets in the frozen section at wallyworld. They are individually sealed, so I take a couple out for me and hubs thaw in cold Water - thaws quick. I season with garlic and lemon and bake. Very yummy soft and full of protein. I was allowed this during the mushy faze.

You deserve compliments, you have done a wonderful job. You are a great spokesperson from Lapband. You success show everyone what commitment can do.

My NUT told me to wait 3 months before eating it, not sure why, but that was the directive. I eat it whenever I want now, which isn't to often, but it is a nice treat. Some say it's a slider for them, but I find that it keeps me satisfied for several hours, so that is good.

Awesome!! All 4 of my fur babies are rescues. Chloe the Greyhound was rescued from the track- she is such a sweetheart!! Molly our Bassett German Shepard was about to be put done in a shelter. Macy and Rocky the cats were also rescue from kill shelters. Whenever we want to adopt a new pet I just can't go get one from a breeder, I want to get a pet love who hasn't ever had it before. I love my precious babies!!

I used liquid multi's from GNC, this way I could mix it in water or my shake if the taste wasn't good. And due to my particularly low B counts I also take a liquid B vit that is from GNC.

While I did not have to do a pre-op diet I agree with the above each doc and Nut will have "their" way of advising patients. Mine talked more about making sure I got my Protein in and my Water in. When I went back after 6 month post op she looked at my record on myfitnesspal (where I count my calories) and looked at my percentages and told me I need to lower my carbs just a bit, but other than that it was fine. So it all depends on the person. Just make sure you have a good line of communication between you and your doc and you and your nut - they will prove to be valuable as you make you way on this journey.

It all comes down to what you can tolerate. If you have lactose issues avoid the cow milk and go for soy. For me I can do the 1%, but have always prefered the 2%. While I know that the 2% isn't the best for me I eat a rather low fat diet so I use my 3/4 cup of 2% a day. As long as you are taking the calories into account use what you like.

I do not believe that banding can cause this. Nor do I think size has to do with it. I have a good friend who was diagnosis with celiac after about 4 years of issues, she has never been over weight. She has always been skinny as a pencil. I have another friend who they are currently testing for it and she is not over weight and never had WLS. I think it has more to do with your body. Some believe it's kind of an allergy your GI system develops. Kind of like no one in the family has to have a peanut allergy, but your kid could pop up with it. I say this becasuse my cousin's son has a severe peanut allergy, yet no one in my cousin's or his wife's family have an allergy to peanuts. I know it sucks, but from what I understand from my friend a nutritionist can be your best friend.

Surgery totally throws things off. Mine came early 2 days post op lasted a week, when it normally only last 3 days (not heavy, but there). After that I haven't had a period since. I am taking my BC and have gone and had preg test done. Doc said it's normal so I am taking his word for it. He even did an ultrasound to make sure everything looked ok.

At the start of this journey in June 2012 I was excited and ready to go. I was determined that I was going to be a big looser. Next week I will be 8 months out and I have only lost 50 lbs. I really did think I would lose more in this time. Even though my doc seems happy enough I am still frustrated. When I went in for a fill last week my weight was up 1 lb from what it was at the prior visit- total bummer. Even though just days earlier I had seen the lowest weight ever on the scales (193) since that my weight in 2 days jumped to 197 then drop right back down to 194- had to be water weight right? Well for the last week and a half my weight has been bouncing from the 193's to the 195's each morning (I weight the same time of day in the same thing so it is constant). I am not over eating, I am not eating calorie loaded things, I have a calorie deficit each day. Right now I am not working out because I have felt like crap from having sinus issues. The hubs keeps telling me it's because I'm not working out. While I know I could find the time to fit it in, it is hard. I am tired, really tired by the time I finish all my have to's for the day. I am taking my C, D and B vitamins that my doctor perscribed. While I know plateaus are normal course, I hate that it happend so early in the game. I have told many people you don't fail until you stop trying. I am still trying, but it is so hard to stay positive. While I feel like I am in a green zone. 1 cup can totally hold me for 4-5 hours and even then I am not starved. My doc said not to miss meals so I have to set a timer on my phone to remind me it's time to eat. I am starting to feel like that is all I do. Breakfast at 6 (Oatmeal) Snack 10:00 (greek yogurt) Lunch 12-1 depends on what is going on at work What depends on what we had the night before. ~Snack - 4 ish depends on what I had for lunch- if I am really not hungry I just can't make myself eat Dinner- 5:30 to 6:30 depending on when the hubs gets home I am feeling like I am damed if I do and damed if I don't.