Kime-lou

Thanks- I like the idea about the eggs and the oatmeal. I will be trying those this week. I wish I could take the Protein shakes, but the last couple of time I tried them they made me feel like crap. I am not to tight in the am, I guess I am up and down to much at night with the new puppy. A life style change work in progress

I try to burp and all I get is a mouth full of slime, which I spit out. I have only gotten it to come back up once. I have never had it last over 20 min- I keep trying to burp and it either goes on down and once came up. Of course this made my throat sore, I guess from the acid. Not really sure what the best thing to do is, but I will be asking the doctor when I return.

Maybe I am strange, but Protein shakes are a complete slider for me- they do not fill me in anyway- plus they give me indigestion. The PA told me that some people can't handle that much protein in liquid form at one time. Pistachios I can't do, make my throat sratchy. An aleragy I guess. I can eat peanuts and pecans, but no other nuts. Again I am an odd duck I've tried the cheese, but that doesn't seem to do much unless it's right after a fill. Normally the 1st week to 2 after a fill I am good with whatever, but after that I am back to being hungry. I go in every 4 weeks for a fill.

Since being banded I have noticed and realized a lot of things about food and myself..... .........some foods just don't taste as good as once I know the calorie count! I use to love pastries, now I look at them and think - you know that just isn't worth the 250-500 calories in them. And I don't want it. ........soft drinks just don't hold the appeal they use to. I use to down a couple of Dt Dews a day, now never touch it. Water is my friend and if I need flavor crystal light is great! ........food doesn't have the power over me it did at one time. At one point I had no self control, but I didn't want to have it- like many say want power is most important. At that time I didn't want to control my intake so I didn't. I just don't think about food like I use to, it's not tops on my mind. .......I no longer consider not eating certain things giving up on something. Since getting restriction thick breads are a problem. I use to LOVE breadsticks- and I mean I had an unhealthy love affair with them. Now they get stuck, and after getting stuck once on it, I have zero desire to have them again and I'm not really said about it. ......OMG- healthy foods taste good!!! Eating fresh veggies cooked in a natural way taste better. Food in it's natural state cooked healthy has tons of flavor and make me feel good. ...... I am happier. Now I don't know if this steams from weight loss (43 lbs in 4.5 months) or if it's from me eating better foods and not over eating. I truly believe there is truth in that if we fuel our body with the correct things it will make us feel better. Processed foods tend to make you tired and blah, but healthy fresh goods tend to give energy and a clear mind. .....I am healthy concious. Never ever thought I would start becoming a healthy nut, but slowly it is coming. I pay attention to what I eat and put thought in as to what I should choose based on nutrtion not on taste. It's about what is best for my body not my taste buds- ie I choose the healthy options at a resturant even if I am wanting that calorie loaded tasty dish. ........I am breathing better, I am moving better, my mind is clearer- it's like coming out of a fog. I call it walking out of the fat fog. I lived most of my life eating to much and gaining weight. My mind had become slow and foggy, my asthma was progressivly getting worse, my knees were just starting to hurt when I walked to much and my feet killed me. ......... I am becoming REAL! I am getting real with myself about my bad choices in the past and reviewing them to prevent me from back tracking. I am recognizing and calling myself on bad choices (it's ok to eat that cake, it's ok not to work out tonight-just one night off won't hurt--- no, that cake isn't going to do anything from me but make me feel like crap, I'm not hungry so no thanks - yes, I need to work out tonight, skipping one night will lead to two, three, ect, so get your butt up and DO IT) I am admitting that my cooking habits of the past were not as healthy as I had deluted myself into believing. Getting the band thus far has caused a lot of positive things to happen. I am so glad that I made the choice for me and that I committed to it, instead of doing it half assed (pardon the french). Every time I had tried to lose weight in the passed I never gave it my all, this time I jumped in with both feet and said ok it's time to do this. The band is my guide, my friend, my Gibb's slap (those of you who watch NCIS will get that reference), my band is my tool for making the weight loss and the life style change stick. I look forward the the rest of my life with the band and living a healthier more aware life.

I had surgery June 22nd, and had my period a few days later. Since that time I haven't really had a period. I am on birth control, but not one that is suppose to stop my period. I have had some cramping and a touch of spotting around the time it's suppose to come, but nothing you could call a period. I know I am not pregnant- no symptoms. I have been pregnant 3 times and each time I had tons of symptoms- unfortunatly I lost all 3 babies by the time I was 12 weeks. I ask my doc about it and they said no worries not uncommon. Has anyone else experinced this? It just bothers me that my body isn't doing what it's suppose to do.

Missy- THANK YOU!! I appreciate you posting your findings. Can you tell me what you ate on your low carb days? So many things have carbs in them that we don't realize, I would like to know what you do on those days. Thanks

We (me) lie to ourselves a lot. I stayed in deniel over my weight for way to long. Thinking, oh, I'm not really that big. I just avoided pictures and mirrors. If I do see it's not there, right? Due to my weight though I over compensated in a lot of areas. I was that annoying sibling who did everything my parents wanted. I made good grades, I worked, I was honest with my parents and I never got in trouble - honestly. This drove my brothers crazy. But, a lot of the reason for this was I wasn't popular. I didn't want to go to parties and stay out late because I had no self confidense. As an adult I am pretty much a stickler for the rules at work and every where else. My weight has been out of control so I wanted to control everything else in my life. Once I admitted, yes I am over weight, and yes I disgust myself with the rolls, I decided to do something about it. I was scared to begin with of not being successful. After all I got fat because I loved the taste of food- real food - not junk. I talked to my doctor and told him my fears, he ask if I really wanted to lose weight- I said yes. If anything were possible what would be the best way for you to loose- I thought well food not having calories would be nice- but realistically it was for me to eat less of what I was already eating. I already ate lots of veggies, healthy grains, fruit, and lean meats - I had already made that change years ago. I can't even tell you the last time I ate little debbie- never really liked them. He told me that he could help with that - the band would help me eat less. Now, truth be told, 4.5 months post op, 43 lbs gone, this has not been as hard as I expected. Do I have hard days, heck yeah, but looking over the entire 4 months, once I got past the first 2, it's been pretty great. I don't miss soda, I don't miss the large quantity of food. I do not miss the size 22's. I don't miss anypart of my old life- nothing. Rather than filling like a stuffed cow after a meal I feel good, comfortable. It doesn't take much for it to kick in now that I have had enough since I got restriction. Once that hits I honestly believe if I ate another bite I would be sick- I haven't pushed that, but I feel that way. I hit that point at a cup of food. Left overs abound at my house now and I realize just how much I was eating. We all say WLS is hard, it's not easy, it's not the easy way out and it's not. However, this is alot easier than continuing to live the way I was - fat and miserable! It's a lot easier to put down that fork now than it was before. It's a lot easier to say nope don't want that now that it was 5 months ago. 5 months ago I would go for any food at any time- now unless I'm hungry I don't want it. My daily craving is water - seriously- I drink 80-100 oz now, I am thirsty. Anyway- this is just my rant- how do you feel about your journey- has it been easy or has it been hell?

I would say sometimes you have to switch it up. You body gets use to the same old same old and gets board. Change up what you are eating. Stay with in your same calorie range, but change the foods up- like less carbs or more - less or more fiber, ect. See what that does.

Before surgery I feared starving hunger and missing out on things i loves and not being satisfied. However, other than the first two weeks I have not experienced any of those things. I guess mindset makes it easier or harder on a person and my mindset is this is easy. I am thankful that my experience has been good, but I was determined after being told my almost all my family (mom, brother, mother-in-law) how bad this would be and how I would be miserable and unable to eat- I wanted to prove them wrong, I wanted to prove that the band can work and I think I have. My M-I-L will be here in two weeks for the holidays- she saw before surgery and she can't believe I've lost almost 50 lbs and I'm not having problems. Can't want to show her!!

I am sorry this has not been a better experience. I think you are facing what many of us feared would happen to us. I don't have a wonderful fix for you, wish I did. I can say that I use to be a mindless eater and a gorger at times. I would just eat to be eating not because I was hungry or wanted it. What has helped me is counting those calories with myfitnesspal. That way I can see- holy crap- dinner was worth WHAT! It has made me more aware and helped me learn some things I thought were good aren't and something things I thought were bad aren't. I would highly recommened educating yourself on nutrition, if you can't afford nutrtionist or counseling. It's okay to vent- venting sometimes helps us see our issues more clearly so vent away!!

Ok, I will pick one up. However, I know my body pretty well and I would be on the floor shocked if it were positive. I have always known I was preg before I ever took the test due to just having the feeling and then wham the symptoms would hit around week 6. Plus my weight has steadily gone down. But I will check it out just to be safe. Honestly, I fear I will never carry one to term anyway, since I know for sure I was preg 3 times and miscarried and the doctor believes it was more than that due to scar tissue. They don't hold high hopes for me ever being able carry. Never had a prob getting preg, just keeping it is an issue.

I was sick and tired of being the fat girl!! Yes, part of me wanted to be healthy, but more than that I want to look and feel sexy. I want me husband to be proud to take me on his arm and show me off (not that he wasn't, but in my mind being smaller will increase this). I want to be his hot sexy wife because he deserves it and I deserve to feel that way. Plus now that I have droped 43 lbs shoping is an aweing moment. The first pair of jean I ever owed were size 22 W, now I wear a 16!! Plus picking up large sweaters instead of 2X and they fit and look good make me feel great!

My guess would be you are craving salt more than the fries. Some times our bodies will make us crave something not because we want that, but because we want something that is in it. Try some mashed potatos made using chicken broth rather than Water or milk- add a little cheese and salt. This may curb that craving. During the mushy stage when I got extremely hungry I would just eat a bit of yogurt or something and go to sleep- when I woke up the craving would have disapated.

Make a mental note of the that feeling and how bad it was - it will help you not repeat it.

We all have our own issues. If a person has a problem with you they have the problem of being and idiot! I have fought clinical depression and axiety disorders for years. Now, on meds that make life great and helps me deal with stress. However, the meds do carry a possiblity of weight gain. I have to be really careful, but thankful for the meds.

Some people get this from taking in to much Protein at one time. My tummy/ GI system doesn't like to much at one sitting (like a Protein shake with 20+ grams) I will have issues. If I drink a shake I must drink SLOWWWW, like over an hour or 1.5 hours to prevent this. Look at what you are eating around the times this occurs and see if a food or drink are having an effect. Talk to you doctor, when you start having upset stomach dehydration becomes a concern. Severe dehydration can cause severe nausea, pain in stomach, dizziness, and other problems- I have been there done that. I had to call 911 once to come get me because I couldn't stand without passing out, they ran 3 liters of saline in me before I ever peed. I was starting to get in a very bad place, my heart was already out of rhythem. Not waiting to sound dramatic, but just want you to becareful- this is something I do not want anyone to ever have to expereince.

1st great job on the weight loss- that is good for 4.5 weeks! 2nd- it is okay to weigh daily IF you do not let it stress you. So many people told me not to weigh daily, but I just couldn't stop. I talked to my doctor and I was told, if that is what you want, do it, just don't allow it to control you. So what I do is keep a chart. Each daily I write down my weight (I weigh as soon as I get up, after I pee, with only a little night shirt on). I look at my trends to see how I am doing rather than looking at the weight for the day. I also write down when my TOM is suppose to be, and if I exercised. After a month or two of this I was able to see patterns to help me make better choices. Just do not allow frequent weighs stress you because that can cause your body to retain the fat (stress horomones). Until you are on regular foods its about getting Protein in and eating nutrious foods. During that time I was told to eat between 800-1000, but now I eat between 1200 and 1300. Like I said before I chart everything, including my calories. If I keep my calorie intake in that range I loose if I drop it I plateau if I up it I either plateau or gain. It's tricky, but if you try you can figure out what works for you, each bandster is different and must find their own success pattern. A nutrionist can help with this.

Try and marinade to help with the tenderness. My mom uses Lawry's and lets it sit over night. Then before you grill or cook in the oven let it sit on the counter for about 15 min to warm, this way when the cold meat hits the hot air it won't seize and become tough. Also, coating the meat and this works with any meat, with olive oil before cooking helps to seal the natural juices in. I often coat chicken and steak in a little olive oil and place it on a broiler pan and bake it. This always helps it come out tender and juicy.

First off I am glad you are realizing what you are doing wrong, 1st step check! 2nd- find out if your band has slipped by seeing your doctor- that could be causing you to get stuck more often. 3rd- if everything is find, get back to the basics. If you find that you eat to much- fix your one cup and go to another room to eat or go ahead and put the left overs up so you won't tempted. Eat using a small plate or bowl and small utensil or chop sticks- this helps you eat slower. Putting your utensil down betweeen bites helps. 4- Remember to CHEW!!!! If you have to put a sign on the table where you eat that says CHEW!! It is up to you to do this and it's very important. You have the band, you want to loose weight, you know what to do, now take steps forward. You have already figured out what you are doing wrong, so that is wonderful, now start making the steps to correct those behaviors. If you have a bf or BFF or family memeber who you live with, ask them for support. My hubby each night when we sit to eat it grabs my hand and says I love CHEW!! It's cute, funny, and it reminds me to slow down and chew so I don't get stuck.

I was told no straws due to air intake. I do use them on occasission now, but not often.

Have you tried other companies? Maybe that company is hard a##. It burns me up that people don't realize that skinny people can be just as unheathly as a fat person. Granted being heavy is not good, but geez some companies and people act as if it's a scarlet letter.

Judgment sucks!! I think we all have felt we are always judged reguarding out weight. My issues started when my doctor as a kid was a health nut and was always telling me I was a fatty. I would go in with step throat and he would spend the entire time harping on my weight. Bottom line is - we feel judged at work, in stores and at resturants for out weight. Sometimes I think we are judged, but sometimes I think it's just our own negitive feelings toward ourselves. Today I was reading some blogs and post that talked about WLS. In some of them I felt judged because of how hard core people are. However, are they really talking to me or are they just talking about themselves? All of choose WLS for a particular reason and we are either being successful or not. Here is the kicker - success doesn't come the same for everyone!! Some people preach a certain way- no carb, low carb, certain exercises, calorie counting, weighing daily, not weighing at home at all, ect. I have found success in counting calories and doing cardio with light weight training. I still eat carbs and foods I love just less of them. I have lost 43 lbs in a little over 4 months. I think that is successful considering I started at 244. My percentage of weight loss is better, according to my doctor, than many at my same place. This is what has worked for me, will it work for you, I have no idea, maybe, maybe not. I refuse to judge people- whatever way you find success I say AWESOME- keep it up. Also, share what made you a success- some will find your way works for them, some will find my way works. We are all different and if we reap different success ideas from people we can build our own success plan. Also, if you are having a bad day and need to whine or b#@$#, or complain do it. I am willing to listen because unless you are lying to yourself or unless you are on drugs you occasionally have a bad day and need to vent to someone. While I am being successful there are days when I get down in the dumps and worry or stress and I NEED people to be understanding instead of saying shut the h@@@ up and either do what your suppose to or not. While yes, I need to stick to my success plan I also need compassion and not judgement. Now if you are complaining every day that the band is not working and you are downing milkshakes like water then you don't have anyone to blame, but yourself. And you need to be told that. This site has been both positive and negitive in my life- I have found support and also found judgement. Sometimes I seek advise or hope that some will comment to something I have said and I get nothing and yes I feel ignored when there are others out there with their band buddies who get lots of comments and support. However, is that just me feeling due to my self impression that people are excluding me. I must learn to be my judge and advocate and cheerleader. I need to look at myself realistically and kick myself in the butt when I need it and also give myself a pat on the back when I deserve it. Today I am choosing to not look to others for affirmation or pats on the back, but look to myself. I must learn to find joy in my success and find answers in my failures.