SueBee01

I go out for soft shell chicken tacos all the time! I just scrape the guts out and throw the taco away. Add a little retried beans and guacamole and mix it all together. That way my husband and I both enjoy going out fir Mexican.

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Joy band, you will find that the hernia repair pain is worse and will last longer than the lap band pain. Go without a bra if you can and that will help the hernia incision heal faster. Give it a couple weeks and you will feel much better!

You shouldn't be PBing at all. If it doesn't settle down you need to get a slight unfil. The band is not about living with PBing at all. Please be careful. Regarding getting a third fill, if it is working don't change it. It is. Not about how fast you get "full" it's about being satisfied and not feeling hungry for 3-4 hours after you eat. Everyone's taste buds also react differently and/or body reacts to food differently. There are just certain foods I have chosen to live without now, like Pasta and pretty much salad as it is just a filler to me. I am eating other vegetables. Also, no raw veggies. Just me though. You will find out as you start eating again and experiment!

Don't worry so much about the amount in your band. Focus on how you are feeling. Everyone's body reacts different to the band and fills. I have only had one fill. May need another some day, but I focus on how I feel after eating a cup of food, not how many times or how much is in my band.

I agree, I took my total calorie intake and spread it out until I got my first fill. I was at 750-800 calories a day.

I don't know when you started exercising, but running could cause tight muscles in your back and so can swimming. If you are just beginning, could be from that. I go to a massage therapist once a week through my chiropractor to keep up on my muscle aches as I have had lots of problems. But, this way she works them out and I am able to work out every day. Try some ice and an anti-inflammatory if you can take them. I don't know how old you are either, but I have a little arthritis and the ice helps the inflammation. Don't work it too hard if it continues to hurt. Have it checked out so you don't get injured and have to stop exercising.

Congratulations Allison. I am 8 months out and hope to be at the same point at my 12-14 months! Great work.

You can get clear or unflavored protein drinks/powder. I mixed them with Propel Zero, Powerade Zero or Crystal light. The protein will make you feel fuller.

I agree, I am at one egg and a 1/2 to 1 piece of bacon. Small bites. I love eggs, but it gets cold before I can even finish it!

I agree, I am at one egg and a 1/2 to 1 piece of bacon. Small bites. I love eggs, but it gets cold before I can even finish it!

Haven't heard of back pain. What kind of exercising are you doing?

Deerobbins, that's great! Jenny bee, I love the Margarita chicken at Chili's. I always get it with broccoli and black beans! Skip the rice for me... I can eat it for three meals.

Congrats to all of you on eating slow. I still struggle with that. Don't forget to eat the bread/toast last. It swells and you may not have room. After I eat one egg, I can barely get half a piece of toast eaten (whole grain of course). Keep up the good work!

I agree with the pool for exercise. I had problems with right ankle and left hip. No weight bearing. My doctor sent me to aqua therapy and after that I did my own exercising in the pool 5 days a week building up to an our. As the weight came off, I could do more cardio work in the pool and I now exercise an hour a day either in the pool or out. If I am out, I use bands for strength training and a little set pd pedals that I can ride while sitting on the sofa surfing the web or chatting. Believe me, it works.i am down 111 pounds in 7 months. You can do it! Also, log your food so you really know how many calories you are eating. According to my doctor, my 500 calories a day is enough for now. Still eating up the excess fat stored in my body! Yippy!

Newbies, get up and walk as much as you can. Start out at 5 minutes every hour. That will help to get rid of the gas pain. Congratulations and good luck. Keep us informed o. How you are doing!

Don't worry about not eating enough. At first, I could only eat 1/2 c of mushies. When I was on liquids, I just made sure the Protein added up to 60-70 grams and drank Water the rest of the time. Sometimes it would take me an hour to drink my Protein Drink. That is ok. It is all liquid so no worries! I wouldn't be eating mashed potatoes just because there is no nutritional value, strictly carbs and calories. If you want something other than a protein drink, try tomato soup or any other soup in a blender and strained. You really EEC to stick to the liquids as long as you can to help your stomach heal. You will feel bloated for several weeks due to the gas and swelling. Ask questions any time. There are many people here that will help!

I have never had a stuck incident. I am paranoid about it so I chew, chew, chew. I don't eat Pasta, white bread, steak because I dont't want to worry about the stuck issue. Also, you will figure out to eat what counts for the good, (I.e. Protein and veggies). Eat what you enjoy, but make it worth it. I was really worried about having a foreign object in my body, but you do not know it is there other then not being able to eat as much as you used to and if I push on my port area, I can feel the port. You will need to find things to occupy your time instead of eating. It was a challenge for me, because I have no young children and I was a boredom eater! But, you will figure it out. I bought an iPad and now I chat all the time if I am not working, exercising, or on vacation! Life is great!

I am eating out tonight, again. Japanese tonight so probably Hibachi chicken or shrimp with grilled vegetables (kids portion). I typically eat all of the protein, 1/2 the veggies and a couple bites if the fried rice.

Congratulations to all of you! Yankee hick, did you have hernia repair? I had more pain in the chest area from that then the band, but it could be the gas too. Walk a lot.

Mycelia, be very happy! This is exactly what happened to me. You have to break yourself of old habit. I was not hungry after eating a cup of food from the get go and still am not. I eat two times a day now and am very rarely hungry. I usually eat around noon and 7 pm each day. Sometimes I have an egg for breakfast on the weekends when I play golf. If you are not hungry then don't worry about a fill. My doctor had me get only the first fill because he did not put anything in at the time of surgery and said that if you are losing at a good pace he wanted something in the band as your stomach will change as you lose weight. I am 7 months out now, down 111 pounds and have only had the one fill. I go 8 hours between meals during the day and nearly 16 at night. I do usually have a snack before bed, about 40-60 calories. So my total intake each day is around 500 calories. Congratulations! Keep it up.

Congratulations!

My biggest challenge continues to be the mind set of changing my eating routine. I am starting to get it, but growing up with 3 meals at a set time and always having desert there was a hard nut to crack. I am trying to stay focused to only eating when I am hungry and not watching the clock!

Try a different veggie. I very rarely eat lettuce anymore. I consider it a filler. It made me too full. How much chicken are you eating? I never eat an entire breast, typically 1/2 or 2/3 with a 1/4 c of a veggie. You need to experiment to see what works, but always remember what doesn't work. That is also why I log everything I eat.

Everyone reacts differently to different amounts of fill. You may need to have a little out or try what others have suggested and go on liquids for a day or two as you may have some inflammation.