mrsto

The pea Protein is pretty good....I used to drink it. There is also egg white Protein Powder, which is also another good alternative. Here is a link to the website, but you can pick it up in most any health food store. http://www.jayrobb.com/protein/egg-white-protein-vanilla.asp

I usually ALWAYS need something at night; hungry or not. My doctor discourages it, but it's something I'm not willing to give up. I told him that I'm like a baby who needs a bottle in order to sleep

Thanks for the info......I may give them a try. Stool softeners never did anything for me, so I don't bother with them.

Yep - NO carbonation. Not worth the potential havoc it can wreak with the band.

I've had fat free before, and hate it. It doesn't give the creaminess of the regular or low fat. I ended up throwing it out. BUT, that's not to say that you won't like it. Maybe pick up the smallest jar and see what you think

I use Best Foods (Hellman's) Light Mayo. LOVE it! It's 35 calories per tablespoon, and works great in everything I've used it for. I think the answer to your question is, if you use full fat mayo, just be sure to count the calories. I avoid it now, because I don't get enough bang for my buck (so to speak).

Where do you buy the gummy probiotics?

I have the same issue, but I can't say that it's only since surgery. I've dealt with it for a long time. MiraLax is the best, and causes no gastric upset; cramps, etc. You can drink it every day without issue. My gastro told me that Milk of Mag on a daily basis is dangerous. It's okay to use to get things moving, but not a good choice for maintenance.

YES - ditto here, too!!

I'm a night snacker as well. I've always said that if there wasn't life after dinner, I'd be thin Since being banded (on 3/25/13), I still allow myself (if I really want it) ONE snack after dinner. It could be some Greek yogurt, or an Atkins bar. But the key is, I eat only one......and I count the calories. If I start obsessing on eating more (as we all can), I'll go take a hot bath & soak for awhile. Usually, when I'm done, the feeling has passed, and it's closer to bedtime. sleep is a great escape! Loprah - I don't think that eating 5 Rice Krispie treats falls under the band rules. Can you allow yourself one and be done? Is the Lean Cuisine not satisfying enough without the extra olive oil and meat? If not, maybe try something different, so you don't feel the need to add fat & calories. Are you tracking your calories and staying in the range recommended by your doctor? Just because you are losing, doesn't mean that you are incorporating new lifestyle changes. Along with the band, goes learning new behaviors and eating habits. Easier said than done, I know! But you took a huge step in having this surgery. The time will come when the weight will slow to near nothing, if you continue to exercise old habits. Honestly, I struggle with this as well. As they say, old habits die hard! My concern for you is that you are pushing the envelope with what you are eating. I think it would be a good idea to make an appointment with the nutritionist at your doctor's office. They can help guide you on better choices going forward. Remember, you (we) are working to build a better way of eating, to achieve life long success. It is difficult, but many things worth having in life don't necessarily come easy. Good luck - and CONGRATS on the 23 pounds

ROFL!

I've been angry with my father for (what seems like) all my life. Yes, he can be a total ass to the inth degree, and I've had my emotional healing to do because of it. But there was a point when I realized that he is also a product of where HE came from, and what dysfunctional crap went down in the house where he grew up. Unfortunately, he did not have the clarity of mind to step back & take an honest look at the reactions he got from his children. That being said, at now 94 years old, he admits to his foibles, and gives me more support than I've ever known from him. Albeit, a bit late in life, but HEY - it still feels okay!! I'm not making excuses for your dad. When I initially read your post, I was furious He's got his own "pathology", but please try and keep it all in perspective. I know how hard it is.... I spent so many years of my life having a love/hate relationship with my father.....BECAUSE of his lack of respect for anyone else. All I can say is, stay strong, Omf, and keep your eye on the big picture (and your lab results!!)

YES - don't EVER forget from where you came. My friend's husband lost a ton of weight, and now works out every day, runs marathons, etc. And it's ALL he talks about! He's got the "do it the right way.....do it my way" attitude. I'm sad to say that its put a wedge between us.

I'm not one who responds to a heavy hand. I can take constructive advice, but if it comes at me with a sharp self righteous attitude, I hear nothing but "the tone". There have been several posts on this site where my initial response is "WTF?". My knee jerk reaction is to slap them silly, because their ignorance is astounding. But in those cases, I don't post. If I'm feeling snarky, and can't give constructive advice WITHOUT a holier than thou attitude, I walk away. That's just not what I'm here for, no matter how I want to tell someone how idiotic they sound. It's difficult sometimes, because some of the posts sound like they're not even in the same lap band game as most of the rest. Again.....I choose to walk away, and participate where there is "health".

I HATE those bike seats! And I'm with ya! I don't get how riders ride for long periods on those things. When I did ride (when I was thin for a minute), even a gel cover didn't help. What ever happened to the seats on the bikes when we were kids? Weren't those big, or is it just that we were small?

OY!

Hysterical!

I was told the same...no straws, no gum. I never stopped using a straw; I drink water best that way. I have zero issues with it. GUM on the other hand, I chewed once shortly after surgery, and definitely had some gastric upset. I may try it again now that I'm many weeks past surgery, but now I keep TicTacs in my purse, for when I feel the need to "freshen up".

PS: Sometimes blowing a diet isn't a mis-take, it's a choice. But then we can "choose" to get right back on track. Life can be sloppy sometimes.....certainly not pristine and perfect. I guess the whole "perfect" thing presses a huge button for me

Stephanie - I spent years in therapy to move past the perfectionist mentality. NOT easy! It comes from a critical parent. My father always prided himself on being a perfectionist, but in reality, he was (and still is) a very neurotic man. Don't get me wrong....I love him to death, but being raised by him really messed me (and my sisters) up. Long past the time that our parents "parent" us, their critical voice becomes our own. We beat ourselves to a pulp for not being perfect; doing everything exactly right ALL the time. But lets face it......life isn't perfect, and neither are we. That is what makes us human. When dealing with this in therapy some years ago, the shrink du jour made an analogy to shooting a movie. When they're filming, they have "take 1, take 2, take 3"......take God knows how many times, until it's right. In life, a mistake is a mis-take

Yes - you are doing great! Life is up and down; never a straight path. For most of us, the scale reflects the way we deal with those ups & downs. 12 pounds is not a lot of weight, considering where you came from. You took the bull by the horns, got a fill, and you're now back on track. THAT is what it's all about! My doctor told me that over time, with the band, people sometimes feel that they are doing the work & don't really need to lean on the band anymore. He said that most all of them start to gain weight if they unfill it. We get so used to it, that it seems "normal". Something else that stuck with me through the years.... A diet doctor told me that weight loss success isn't about being a perfect dieter. It's about being able to get right back on track after a bad food day...or a few days, etc. That really stuck with me, because so many of us have that horrible feeling when "we blow it". Again, that is life. I don't believe for one minute that anyone here....or anywhere else, doesn't veer off path; either at one meal, one day or a week. Thanks for your post......and sharing your struggles and strength.

Hey - I've biked through France. Does riding a stationery bike while watching Rick Steve's Europe on high def TV count?

LOL! Yup, it's different for everyone

We look forward to hearing it

MinMi - your post really resonates with me; all of it, except being smaller than my husband....not quite there yet :-) My wedding rings are spinning around my finger, when before I thought that I'd have to cut them off. That whole shaky blood sugar thing - WOW, that's a huge one! And now that you mention it, I've had only one bout of it since surgery. Getting healthy feels GREAT!!!