Raven5683

:hungry:I had a question - I wanted to see what types of foods bother all the different people out there...Please send a quick reply and let me know what foods bother you. I think this will help others in preventing the same experiences. Thanks in advance! The one thing I've had a problem with is Burger. I had it in Chili. I didn't PB I just had indigestion. I eat lost of chicken and fish...and I won't even go near any type of bread out of fear! I have experienced the "golf ball" sensation in my throat a few times, but stop eating at that point and usually walk.

I've told Everyone!!! And happy that I have. Everyone has been very supportive! I have people come up to me quite frequently knowing I have the Lapband, because I've attended the graduate meeting a couple times and then went to the Pre surgery meeting and spoke to the audience as a graduate of lapband surgery. So I'm known all over the state. I meet people all over that recognize me, from curves, grocery store, even at work! I'm not shy and I'll answer anyones questions. I felt like telling the surgeon today when I went for my fill, that I should start getting a cut because I've been sending a lot of people his way!!!

Hi there, I'm an LPN. I work at an assisted living facility for spinal and brain injury patients. It's tough work but I find it rewarding! I was banded back in March and worked at a pediatricians office. Everyone new what I was doing and was Incredibly supportive!!! I still go back and visit to show off my progress!!!

:help:I need some ideas for lunch at work. I have access to a kitchen so anything goes. I've been taking the bumble bee's 2.9oz cups of tuna mixed with ff mayo and some crackers BUT my family is concerned with how much tuna I've been taking in...The mercury thing. I could eat tuna every day (well I practically have been since banded :faint:). I need light high protein ideas. :eek:Note I tried canned chicken in a chicken salad YUCK! The more variety the better. Thank you!

Thanks so much for your ideas...Keep them coming! Today I tried something new...I made a little salad with baby lettuce and some other veggies and topped it with 3 slices of Healthy Choice ham & turkey and a serving size of 75% fat free sharp cheddar cheese. The meat & cheese protein = 19g I used the New Salad Spritzers (not bad) for 10 calories per 10 sprays 1g fat. I also bought the meatless burger scramble. I'm going to attempt a veggie chili with fake meat. That would make good left overs for lunch. A serving of the meatless burger is 2 oz and it's 7g protein and the beans are 8g protein. That's not bad and could add a little low fat cheese on top. We're talking 15-20g protein for a serving of chili.

I do the egg beaters... 1/4 cup Egg Beaters 1 Whole Egg Calories 30 75 Total Fat 0g 5g Cholesterol 0mg 210mg Carbohydrates 1g 1g Protein 6g 6g I get the garden veggie egg beaters and do an omlet or scrample and add in a pinch of low fat or fat free shredded cheese. I also top my eggs with Salsa sometimes for a kick. Also Special K Protein Plus Cereal has 10g protein per serving cereal. That is Great for a cereal and the carbs aren't too bad at 14g and the Fiber is 5g. Not a bad choice. On the go I grab a Luna Bar 10g of protein and Lots of flavors. Hope this helps! :hungry:

At none of the meetings or doctors/nurses visits or Nutrionist visits has anyone talked about a Goal Weight...I was just wondering if people could tell me how they are picking their goal weight. Is it comfort? Where the band takes you? Nutritionist? PCP? BMI? I don't know where to start. The goal on my ticker is the high end of the healthy BMI for my height. But 125 lbs I feel like I would look anorexic at that weight. I haven't been that weight since maybe junior high. I want to be healthy but I want to be able to have some meat on my bones. I use to be hot all the time now I'm ALWAYS freezing! I can't imagine being 125 lbs I'd have no insulation! Any suggestions would be great! Thanks!

Thank you everyone for your replies! It's been very helpful. I think maybe I will shoot for a clothing size too...that seems more obtainable that way and not so fixed on the weight! :clap2: Thanks again!

I'm having a hard time loosing my tummy!!! My butt and bust were the first to go. Since my Surgery in March I've lost: Bust: 5 1/2" Waist: 7" Abdomen: 4" Hips: 6 1/2 " Thighs: 5 1/2" each Arms: Biceps 1" each My waist and hips and bust have lost the most :clap2: The abdomen and Bat Wings aren't budging!!! UGH:mad:

The pre meetings I went to mentioned loans or home equity loans? Is this possible? your payments may be lower than $250 depending on the length of the loan...Just a thought.

It is completely normal to be worried you're going to miss foods. I think most of us went through it ourselves. You even go through a mourning phase of missing food. I agree with Was a Bubble butt...You are NOT thinking like a bander! You can not honestly understand as a pre-banded the feeling of not caring about food like you do now. Now to answer your question, Yes there are people that can still eat the above listed foods BUT these are the types for foods you want to avoid...they are the reason behind us getting the lapband. You want to eat healthier. There are people that come on here and complain they are Not loosing weight and if you ask them what they are eating...chances are they will reluctantly tell you about the junk they are still eating like a pre-bander. You have a Much smaller stomach - it is Important you take in your healthy Protein (shrimp, chicken, fish High Proteins...I occasionaly enjoy a small trim piece of steak) and once you have your protein then add a healthy veggie type carb. And on occasion I've had some rice or even a little bit of wheat Pasta...but it's a "Treat" now, not every night with my meals like before! This is a new way of eating/living. You will understand and feel it once you are banded. Like I said it is hard to fathem at this point but you will! Check out my numbers...I'm loosing quite well for 4 1/2 months out. I avoid white carbs but I don't deny myself. If my family is having Doritos I'll have one or two and that satisfies my urges. I'm able to have a bite or two of something and feel like I had some but lets not get out of hand. And I don't do it everyday!!! Good luck...

My starting BMI was 53.3 at 273 lbs I'm only 5'0"! I'm currently down to 174 with a BMI of 34.0 -->this makes me OBESE no longer extreme or morbidly obese etc...:clap2: I'm still confused as to what to pick for a final weight goal. I choose 125 (49 lbs to go) as it's on the high end of good BMI for my height. That's how I picked but don't know if this is realistic. Who should I ask about picking a goal weight? At the moment I've just been enjoying the ride down hill. But eventually feel I should have a realistic goal. Thanks!

I'm just over four and a half months out! I feel Wonderful! Really things with your friends and family don't change except they may pick up on your better eating habbits and that's a good thing! My doc gave me a brochure with different foods that don't work well for banders and I avoid them. I have never PB'd or slimed! I go out to eat (I even ate out two weeks after surger we went to TGI Fridays and I had the French Onion soup and guess what I asked if they could blend it up for me and they did it for me!). It was so worth it being able to go out to eat with my family. When we go to friends for dinner we usually bring food with us and this ensure I can eat and eat healthy. Everyone around me is excited for me, even if they don't understand my diet restrictions, they are willing to work with me. And I'm excited for me because I feel Wonderful!!! 54 lbs since surgery (3/29/07) and 99 lbs since heaviest weight last year! I feel like a new person! It is soooo worth it! It's a new way of living: healthier food choices, exercise these are "Normal"! The way I ate and lived pre banded that was NOT normal! Best wishes...you will make the right decision! :clap2:

I had a really bad time with my first fill! I almost past out. The pain was rediculus! and I have a high pain tolerance. I was so nervous about getting another fill I waited an extra 3 weeks. I wasn't loosing and had to force myself to eat correctly waiting to get the fill. I went in for the second fill on Valium and asked for the lidocaine this time (and even put a towel over my head so I couldn't watch). I don't have a problem with needles...but I'm totally with you the whole needle in the abdomen freaks me out! In anycase the second time went much smoother. I think I could even do it again this time without the Valium. I will however be getting the lidocaine to numb the area and HIGHLY recommend this. As well as DON'T LOOK!!! Good luck it's not that bad. I can say that now!

Breakfast: 3/8 c garden egg beaters with salsa 9 g Protein half hour later: Protein shake (GNC Soy) 25 g protein snack: luna bar 10g protein Lunch: 2.9oz cup of tuna w/ fat free Mayo and a 1/4 of an avacado - 18 g protein 9 All Bran Herb crackers snack: lite cheese stick Dinner: chicken, fish or shrimp with a veggie. Protein = 18-36g I avoid carbs as much as possible. I get a lot of my recipes from: Healthy Recipes Center - MayoClinic.com

I had my second fill...I've been putting it off for a bit. I hit a plateau for 2 1/2 - 3 weeks of staying at the same weight so I knew I needed another fill. But after my first one I was not in a hurry to go back! Well I went back on this past Wednesday 7/25/07 and I'm glad I did. I took a low dose valium to calm me down before going (yes I asked my doc first, my PCP gave me the med). I had him use the Lidocaine this time and WOW that made the difference! I also threw a towel over my head so I couldn't watch! I felt some pressure like he was feeling around for the port but NO pain this time and I was able to get up and leave right away this time No passing out! On the way out though my husband (who watched) said he stuck me like 6 times! He kept sticking me and digging around to find the right spot. I thought last time was bad, he had to stick me twice but SIX times...I'm glad I was numb! I had a bruise later and it was sore when the numbness wore off. But Hey I didn't pass out!

Ok so I'm surprised No one has posted on here exactly how uncomfortable recieving a fill really is! I received my first fill today and nearly past out. At first I felt flush all over. The doctor was going and looking at me asking if I was alright because I was turning red. Then I got all clamy and proceded to loose color. I looked at the doctor and said I've never vasal vagaled before but I think I'm about to. I never actually went out and he manage to finish up after that but I felt pretty bad. Now here's the kicker...I was this surgeons second lapband patient. My self and two other patients had the surgery done on March 29. The bonus since we were the first three he had to have another doctor protor him so we had a doc from New York watch over the surgery. What I didn't think about was my surgeon was going to be practicing on me for fills as well!:phanvan So he poked me once (feeling method only) and missed...he moved around a bit in there (NOT FUN) and ended up pulling out. Then went in a second time it was a bit painful but he managed to find it and I got the fill...NOW talk about erring on the side of caution... First of all I had my surgery on 3/29. I had my first follow up at 8 weeks, and he was on the fence about giving me the fill (as well as the other two patients) and had us all return 2 weeks later. Well lucky me my appt. was bumped due to emergency surgery so here I am today 11 weeks getting my first fill and on top of everything he gave me HALF a CC. that is .5cc and mentioned that in the future I might want to have a shield and numbing. And that I should think this over for when I come back in TWO weeks at which point I may need another adjustment!!!!!!!!!!! UGHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO WAY!!!!!!!!!! I am not doing that again in only two weeks...I will suffer the hungry horrors first! Ok so that is great adventure with my first fill... Thank God my husband was with me today! (as he has been for all my appts)!!!

The lapband will not Ruin your life...it will change your life for the Better...It forces you to eat healthier foods, better portion control, and exercise. I feel great, I have more energy and better health (proven by labs). Research all your options, but the Lapband is less invasive a choice. If you've been like most of us on here and have done diet after diet and yo-yo'd down and up and up and up this is just the change you are looking for. Everyone was very supportive of me doing this until the last days before I was scheduled to have it done...At which point my mom (and others) were asking me all sorts of questions including asking if I was sure I wanted to do this. They were just nervous, anytime someone has surgery it's nerve wracking to the people around them. As well as they didn't have all the information I did. I researched this thoroughly and had all my questions answered...but the people around me didn't research it like I did. And on top of that, they go but what they hear on the TV. and news. Do what's right for you!

I've had salad...We were eating out and I was looking for something I could eat. I had it with Tuna on top (for protein). It was Yummy! And I had No problems. I had a fill a week ago and feel restriction so I haven't tried salad again since the fill.

A bruise is merely blood collected under the skin...You figure the large needle they use it's bound to cause bleeding. Unfortunately the doc does not have x-ray vision, you can never tell when you are hitting a capilary which can cause a tiny amount of bleeding which will leave you bruised. It's nothing to worry about and will go away.

I'm sorry to hear about your bad experience as well...I understand completely about what you are talking about the whole felt like he was "digging around". I didn't even have the fluoro. He said he was going to numb it next time...Sounds like that doesn't help. I'm actually going to ask my PCP for Valium for my next fill. I've got myself so worked up over the last experience that I will need something to help me relax for this!!! The GOOD NEWS...the mere 1/2 cc he gave me seems to be working. I'm back to loosing about a pound a day, feeling some restriction and feeling full after eating again. Sooooo...I'm hoping I can put off getting another fill for a little while. Because he's rechecking me in TWO weeks from the last one with the thoughts I will need more. PS try Clear liquids for a day, to give your body a rest then slowly go up to full liquids then mushies and so on. But if after a day or so you aren't able to hold down soup...I'd be calling your doc!!!

Just as a note...The Liver is located under the ribs on the right hand side of the body. I was also diagnosed with a fatty liver...It didn't cause any problems with the surgery that I am aware of. I had to do a Two week liquid diet prior to the surgery. I was told this was to assist in shrinking the liver some. The liver is in the way regardless if it's fatty or not. The end of it right across the top of the stomach right where the surgeon is going to be working. Basically are bodies store fat "Everywhere" including the organs.

My experience happened recently...I've lost a fair amount of wt in this whole process, and I'm Very excited with how I look now! Of course I'm only 5'0" and still need to loose more! But it's obvious that I've lost wt. Ok so I took my mother and grandmother out for Mother's Day. This was the first time they have seen me since the surgery. My mom turned to my kids and asked them "Isn't Mommy pretty now" - What was I before? I guess I know how she really felt huh? Then when we met up with my grandmother she told me how pretty I was now! HUH?!? I've been very bothered by both of these statements...I know they were trying to compliment but it still hurt.

This is such a Yummy Treat!!!!!!!!! If you like pineapple and ice cream you'll LOVE THIS...:hungry: From The Low-Carb Bible Cookbook Speedy Pineapple-Lime Sorbet 1 Ripe Pineapple, cut into cubes (about 4 cups) 1/3 frozen Limeade concentrate, thawed 1-2 tablespoons Fresh Lime juice 1 teaspoon grated Lime Peel 1. Arrange pineapple in a single layer on large baking sheet; freeze at least 1 houror until very firm. Use metal spatula to transfer Pineapple to resealable plastic freezer food storage bags; Can be frozen up to 1 month 2. Combine frozen pineapple, limeade, lime juice and lime peel in a food processor; process until smooth and fluffy. If pineapple doesn't become smooth and fluffy, let stand 30 minutes to soften slightly; then repeat processing. Serve immediately. Note: This dessert is best if served immediately; but may be made ahead, stored in the freezer, then softened several minutes before being served. (I have the DeVinci flavored Syrups - the Fat Free ones have Zero everything, calories, fat, carbs, etc... The FF coconut syrup in this really adds a nice tropical flavor to this sorbet!) Nutrients per serving: 1/2 cup sorbet Calories: 56 Carbohydrates: 15g Calories from Fat: 5% Total Fat: <1g Saturated Fat: <1g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 1mg Dietary Fiber: 1g Protein: <1g

Meal sample: 6a.m. B: 1/4c scrambled Garden Veggie Egg Beaters 1/2 slice toast spritz of I can't believe it's not butter 10a.m. M Snack: Luna Bar (10g Protein + other helpful nutrients for females) Noon L: Tuna (2.9oz cup) FF Mayo and some avacado chunks (my potassium was low) 9 (1/2 serving) All bran Herb Crackers 3-4 p.m. Snack: low fat cheese stick OR 1/4c cottage cheese with a few crackers 7p.m. D: 3oz fish, chicken or shrimp 3 asparagus or a small serving of another veggie 8:30.m. (Occasionally an evening snack - if I haven't done both mid day snacks) Take a hole pineapple and cut it up into small chunks and freeze it solid then put the chunks in a food processor and blend them up until fluffy. Then add in 1/3 c Limeade (thawed) -found with the frozen juices optional add a couple teaspoons of finely shredded Lime zest 1/2c is 50 calories (I found this in my LOW CARB BIBLE cookbook) It's delicious and reminds me of Ice Cream has a similar texture Put the rest in the freezer in a covered container and you have your own "ice cream" for a while 1/2 c servings makes this yummy treat last a while. (I bought some of the DaVinci flavored syrups sugar free from when I was on liquid diet and add a couple squirts of the Coconut flavor into this - YUMMY) It has zero everything - calories, carbs, fat! Yummy flavor (good for coffees to)