cateringqueen

I have been banded now 10 weeks. I received my frist fill about 1 month ago. I have had quite a bit of a learning curve. Have PBed many times. I am still losing very well, but I am having a hard time determining if I am full or if I have not chewed well or if I have eaten to fast. I can;t tell 1 feeling from the other. Actually I really never feel hungry anymore,but I am eating very little. I mean I can not eat much at all. Can some of you explain the differnce between being full, eating to fast and not chewing well. I feel the burning sensation in my chest a lot.

power bar brand called Pria 2 impact carbs and10 grams of protein. 170 calories. These taste great and I buy them by the box. they carry them at Sam's and Costco.

My moment-- I have always been a basically happy person. I got married about 8 years ago and up until that point I could always keep my weight under control. When I got married I started gaining weight, and it seemed no matter what I did I could not control my weight. In 8 years I went from 140 lbs to 225. I was so misreble. My whole personality had changed. I was not myself at all. My family noticed it, but my husband who does not have a weight problem was always supportive of me. Well my whole life I wanted to have children and be a mother but I could never get pregnant. I don,t know if this was related to my weight my mental state or what. Then 21/2 years ago God blessed us with the most amazing miracle. We traveled almost 8000 miles to the country of Ukraine. In an orphange in a small town near the border of Romania a nurse brought a tiny baby to me and placed her in my arms. I suddenly realized why I had never become pregnant, Iwas suppose to be the mother of this child. this was the child that God had chosen for me to love and care for and to raise. At that moment I knew what my reason to live for was. Analisa Viktorya is now 3 years old and truly the Joy of our lives. My mother calls her the bonus she never expected. When I reflected back on what a wonderful gift I have been given my moment came. I have to stay healthy to raise Analisa. I was baned the week after I found out about the band. Self paid and worth evey penny. In 3 months I am down 32lbs. (194 today) I feel like a new person, I have my life back an amazing daughter a wonderful husband. I feel so blessed, and I want to thank all of you on this board for the continued support and fellowship

there tons of books out that give you info on all foods, carbs, fiber. protein, Cal, fat etc. Look at any book store.

I agree with all of you. If I eat with distraction the phone ringing baby crying door bell ringing etc I am in big trouble. I will take everyone's advise and try to chew chew chew, take very small bites and spend more time. One thing that is really werid that happens to me is this really loud and I mean loud gurrling sound that comes up from my throat. Also is it possible for my fill that is about 4 weeks old to be becoming more restrictive? How long does the fill take to kick in for most of you? Some days I can eat almost normal and then some days I can hardly get anything down.

I have a question for all of you long time bannisters. Before band-land I use to love going out with my husband for Sushi, this was one of our favorite foods. I really loved the rolls much more than just the fish. I have not tried to eat a grain of rice since I was banded on 8/5/04 I am afarid to even try Sushi since I am quite restricted. Has anyone been out for Sushi or had any luck eating it. I also am concerned with the seaweed wrapper as it can be sort of chewey. I would love to surprise my husband on our 7th anniversary by taking him to a Sushi bar, but I don't want to gag through dinner(so romantic). I am doing really great so far started at 225 and in 10 weeks I amdown to 196.

Vera, I to am a big blue cheese lover, Sometimes I mix my fresh blue cheese with the balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olice oil or some times I mix it with some lo-fat mayo and buttermilk. I mix the dry ranch the same way.

Penni, I think we are on the same page. Wow what a difference a day makes

Hello all, well I just got back from my cruise where I gained 3 lbs not to bad I have now lost that back and I am down about 15lbs since my surgery 8/5/04. Here is my question I went 2 days ago for my frist fill. I got 1.5cc The doc told me Clear liquids the frist day and then liquids for 1 week. Is this normal? I was really hungrey yesterday all day. I had some yogurt some watery mashed potato's and protien shake, I never felt full. I am of course wondweing if I got enough of a fill. I thought that 2 bites of anything would probably fill me up. I guess I am wondering what to expect over the next couple of days, and how I will know if I am filled enough. Any advise would be great.

Just wondering if any of you have experienced this. I have been banned for 3 weeks now. It seems every afternoon around 5:00p.m. I began to get this severe headache it last until I go to sleep at night. I have never suffered from headaches inthe past. I called my Doctores office and spoke to one of the girls in the office,(she has also been banded) she seems to think it is caused from food withdrawl I know I am eating way way way less but I can hardly beleive that I would be getting headaches like this. I also usually use to drink 2 diet cokes in the afternoon, and now I am off those for 1 month, but I do drink ice tea. I am just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. I have been taking tylenol, It does not help that much. Please let me know if anyone has advise.

I took my 3 year old daughter to school for the frist time today. She looked so cute with her little back pack and lunch box. It just broke my heart. She is my reason for getting banded. I don't want to be a fat mother that she will be embarrassed by at school. I remember when I was little my mother was always beautiful, (she has never had a weight problem) when she would come and get us she always looked better than a lot of kids moms. I want my daughter to be proud of me. I am already old, 45 and I don,t want to be fat too. I also want to be thin so I will stay healthy for her. I want to be able to play with her and do trips and ride bikes. It is so awful to be fat and not be able or feel like living life. Having her so late in life makes me realize that I don't want to waste one day. I really believe everything happens for a reason and God has a plan for all of us. I look for the signs, and I know that I was led to do the band surgery. I am so happy that I did it, I feel like for the frist time in many years I can reach my goals now. I have now been banned for 21/2 weeks and with post surgery I am down from 220 to 207. I am 5'5 I feel beeter thanI have in years. I also lost 10lbs before I decided to have the surgery. That took me 5 months. So all together I am down 23 lbs. I might actually be able to buckle my shoes soon. This site is terrific by the way, and I have really enjoyed reading it over the past few weeks.

I would love to know from some of you who have been really successful what you eat on an average day. Do you try to stick to a routine or do you mix it up? I think I would get really bored with a routine. I am wondering though what has worked best for you

I was just banded yesterday so I am sort of planning ahead, my question is how did you do with spice and things like tabasco. I love mexican and other really spicy foods I am just wondering if any of you had any problems eating these once banded? also my doctor said I could have a smoothie did any of you use yogurt or fruit in smoothie the first few days after surgery?

You look so awesome. I am so happy for you. How about your over all health. I bet you feel so much better.

Hello All, Just wanted to update everyone on my progress. I was banded 2 weeks ago tomorrow. I am just so happy those 2 weeks are over. I went to see my Doc. today I have lost 11 lbs. I was thrilled. I have also graduated to soft foods, oh I am so glad. I think the 3 weeks of liquids was worse than the surgery. Tonight I went out and celebrated with my husband. We went out for mexican and I ate about 1/2 cup of refried Beans and about 1 cup of salsa and I was thanksgiving day full. I couldn't beleive it. In the past I would have eaten a full basket of chips salsa and a full meal, then gone for ice cream. Not tonight, I just can't beleive how this band is working. I get my first fill on Sept 15th so I am looking forward to that. Any way I am only70lbs away from my goal. I haven't been this happy in a long time.

Shelly. Wow you look so great. You must feel so empowered. I am so happy for you.

Betty, I had to pay the 15k all up front. I will tell you though if you are self paying there is no problem getting the surgery done right away.

I noticed you are from the Dallas area, I wanted to let you know that I will be banded 1 week tomorrow and I was a self pay. I used Doctor Jaysaleen it was 15k. That includes 1st year fills and doctor visits.

I just wanted to let everyone know about a protein drink I have been using. My personal trainer who is totally into all of this told me he thought this one taste better than most he has tried. It is the one they use at the smoothie factory for the base of the protein smoothie's and you can buy packets there. I think you can also get it at GNC or order online. It is called Lean Body for her it contains 30g of protein 1g of fat and only 10g of carbs. The flavor I have is Vanilla ice cream. It also comes in Chocolate, but I like the Vanilla because I can mix all kinds of fruit or other flavors. The brand is LaBrada. I usually mix in frozen fruit a couple of splenda's ice cubes and some juice or water. To be honest I can't drink a whole shake right now since I am newly banded so I use only 1/2 of the package. Anyway I thought you might like the tip. I know some of those drinks are like drinking paste.

Hi Courtney, I just had my Surgery on Friday of last week. I am feeling really good today. I took it easy over the week-end and yesterday, but I could have easily gone to work today. I had my surgery at the Richardson Surgery center. where will you have yours? My Doctor was Dr. Jayaseelan everything went so smooth my husband checked me in at around 9:45A.M. and by 10:30 I was already to go in. I don't remember anything after that. He picked me up at about 1:30 and I was home in my Bed by 3:00P.M. the frist night was pretty tough, I had some pain medicine but I never used it. I hate that groggy feeling so I just took advil that worked fine. The worst part for me was I had some conjestion and I had to cough that really hurt, today is so much better. I also didn't take a shower until Monday( I know that Sounds terrible) but I didn't want to remove my bandages until they had started to heal. I removed all the Bandages yesterday and I am really glad I waited because I can see that the incisions are healing and now I am not worried about breaking open the cuts. As far as eating goes I was on a liquid diet 7 days before I had my Surgery, that was terrible. I was so starved all the time. This week however has been much much easier after the band.

I own a catering business so I am so happy to hear about your success even though you are like me around food all the time. I am also the chef so there is just no getting away from food. Sounds like you have the same sort of lifestyle. I will also be going on a cruise on9/5 and was a little scared of facing all those buffets,I don't know if my Doc. will fill me before I go, what do you think? Should I ask him for the fill it will be 4 weeks after my surgery. I sure hope and pray I do as well as you have, I need to lose about 75 lbs. I started this process at220 and I am down 5lbs so far with all the liquids. so I would like to be at 145 by next year. Thanks for all the info at this liquid stage reading all this is so helpful

Wow. I can't wait to get to that stage. this is day three of liquids post surgery, and day 9 of liquids total. I have been on liquids 1 week before having the surgery and am suppose to stay on liquids for 10 more days, I don't know if I can stand it. I can't wait for soft foods.

I am getting banned in 2 days. I am very excited, but I am having a hard time. My Doctor has me on all clear liquids I have been on these for 5 days now ..I am so hungry I am worried how I will stay on liquids after the surgery. Did others stay on liquids before the surgery?

I guess you are right. That is not like a full breakfast if you go to like an Ihop. I have just never been a breakfast eater. Probably one of the reason's I am so hungry by lunch. I am going to have to work hard at breaking that habit.

That sounds like a lot of food. have you had a fill and been able to eat that much?