Mandi1441

I was also told at least 60 grams of protein. She told me I could not take in enough protein the more protein the better the results. I do not have a problem with too much protein and I consume an average of 90 grams daily. It really helps with the hunger and cravings. I was told no more than 1200 cals, no more than 60 carbs, and at least 60 grams of protein daily. Good luck. I hope you find your balance. :-)

Congrats to you all!!! It sounds like we are all moving in the right direction. I was told not to lose too fast also. It is disappointing sometimes, but I am trying to follow the doctors instructions. After all, if my way was working I wouldn't be this big. I have a lap band consultant at my doctors office. When his patients visit him they also visit her. She helps with the lifestyle changes that go along with the lap band. She gives us tips on eating and cooking. She recommends no more than 1200 calories, 60 carbs, and 60 grams of Protein or more. The more protein you eat the better. With every meal I try for 20+ protein and as little carbs as I can. I do not eat anything unless their is protein included. If I eat a sugar free pudding I eat a piece of cheese also. I eat a lot of plain Greek yogurt. (I add Protein powder or vanilla splenda flavors to it) I eat a lot of fat free cottage cheese with no sugar added peaches that come in a snack size cup. Being on the go all the time is the hard part of dieting and eating right. I found the Atkins frozen meals that are delicious and low carb high in protein. After a long day and not wanting to cook pop one of those in the microwave. Easy breezy!! I also take one to work now and then for lunch when I forget to make my lunch the night before. I might eat out once a week. Usually when my husband comes home on the weekend and we go out to dinner. I used to eat out for lunch with the girls at the office and a lot of times at night on my way home I would grab something to take home. This is the biggest change that is helping me lose. I want us to give each other new ideas and tips. I by no means claim my ways are right or the best, and I am open for more suggestions. After all we will be doing this for a long time and you get burned out on the same things very fast. Keep up the great work ladies!!!

I just wanted to check in with my fellow May band buddies. It has been 2 months today for me. How are you guys doing? Any issues? Are things going how you expected? How in LOVE are you with your band? I am doing great. Some days it seems slower than others. I lost 10 lbs this last month. It wasn't as much as the first month so I got a little aggravated. Then I realized 10 lbs is great! 10 lbs a month would be amazing if it continued that way. By December that would be 50 more lbs!!! I know the more you lose the slower it starts coming off. I am all up for the challenge because I know it is not going to just bounce back on like all the other diets. Health wise I have stopped both my diabetic meds. I sugar is staying in the normal range. I still check it occasionally just to make sure. Also with the diet and exercise I have been able to stop my blood pressure meds. My immune system has improved tremendously. I have not been sick since January. This is a big deal for me. I swear my doctor and I were becoming best friends I was there so often. I hope you guys are having as much success as I am. The energy and feeling good just make me more of a positive person. I am happy and excited to be in the world of the living again. Best wishes to you all, Mandi

I can chose all the above, but the most amazing thing right now is the energy!!!!! I don't feel old. I want to get out and do things again. I feel like I am now able to live my life instead of being too tired to do anything. Before the band I was going to work in the morning and home right after. I did not want to do anything but go straight home. Then on the weekends I would be like i worked all week I want to stay home and rest. (cop-out) I am only 35 and I was living my life like I was older than old. I feel like I am on a natural high right now. It is soooo exciting!!!

Hello fellow bandsters, I was wondering if anyone has any tips to help elasticize your skin as you are losing weight. I have already started working out and toning. I am definitely not looking for a miracle, but something to go along with toning to help tighten the skin such as Vitamin creams that may have worked for you or someone you know. Maybe something added to your diet that helps with it. I am open for any suggestions. :-)

Thanks B-52 and dani-nyc! I am only a month out, but wanted to start out right. I am doing cardio 1 hour a day 4 days a week and 1 hour band work out the other three. Not quite able to run yet, but I sure want to. I hope before long I will be able.I have done quite a bit of damage to my ankles and feet carrying this weight for so long. I just have to walk outside for the sauna right now... but not real fond of cold showers. Brrrr! I just wanted to make sure I am doing all that I can. After two fertility surgeries and a total hysterectomy (being cut like a c-section) I have a really saggy stomach. I am hoping it will tighten up with exercise.

Several friends of mine have. I have heard it does wonders in fertility. I wished I would have found out about the band before I had my hysterectomy. Best wishes to you. :-)

My doc told me to crush and mix them in a spoon of unsweetened applesauce. I takes some of the bitterness out of it.

This has been one of the big one's for me. I have wanted to go to take my husband to Six Flags for years. He has never been and I used to love to go when I was younger. I remember when I was younger a young boy and his dad getting in the seat behind me and the dad fought with the bar trying to get it to latch but he was too big. The guys who check to see if your bar is latched helped by pushing on it and everything and they ended up having to get off the ride. I felt so bad for the both of them. When I started hitting my higher weight that memory came back to me so I avoided it all together. I can't wait to do fun things that I have totally avoided for 15 years due to my weight. Look out world here I come!!!

I love it!! I seem to stall at the 2's so when I get down into the next digit I feel like I went from the 200's to the 100's. It is always a great reason to celebrate! It also keeps me motivated to lose more.

Both hands raised!!! 4 weeks of liquids was totally awful. If I can make it you can too. Don't give up. You will feel like you can conquer anything after!

My doctor told me to take stool softeners every night from now on. It was very important two weeks before surgery and after. I was told the pain meds cause constipation. I found out they weren't exaggerating. I had been on liquids for weeks and still had problems. I still can't figure out how liquids make a solid. Oh well, I just make sure to take my stool softeners.

I slept in my bed. My stomach pulled a little, but once I got the pillows tucked around me I was good. Pain meds knocked me out, so if I wasn't... I didn't feel it. LOL

Fitting in a booth instead of having to ask for a table because you can't eat being wedged in a booth.

I got to visit with my coordinator at my first post op Dr. visit. I love the fact that they don't give you the lap band and send you on your way. Each visit we talk with the coordinator about eating, nutrition, and all the changes you are going to go through in your every day life. Guess what?!? I just found out how many carbs are in my yogurt. OMG!!! I was always lead to believe yogurt was healthy and good for you. She showed me an alternative way to eat it and it still tastes great and I can have it on my pureed food week. 6 oz plain greek yogurt 1 packet of splenda coffee flavoring french vanilla (in the coffee aisle) I know I didn't know they had that either! 1 packet of regular splenda Instead of the splenda flavoring you can mix it with flavored Protein powders and up the protein it has. She said Gold Standard casein in creamy vanilla tastes like cheese cake. I love cheese cake! :wub: I hope others will share some tips that got them through the pre and post diets, and just everyday since being banded.