Marimaru

I went through a period semi-similar to what you describe. I realized that I was trying to eat too fast, not chewing enough, etc, and I just had to sit down, one meal at a time and decide that I was going to do it right. Tiny bites, lots of chewing, and a decent amount of time in between bites. Also, take care that you are eating things that are bandster friendly. Dry chicken will almost never work, etc. If that doesn't work, see your doc about getting a small unfill, but definately don't let it go on too long! *hugs*

People all approach this in a few different ways. There's the folks who get the band and diet, and there's the folks who get the band and don't diet at all, but just eat less, and there's the folks who don't 'diet' but try to make a point to eat healthier things. I think you get the impression of a low carb diet from the idea that alot of people have trouble with bread and Pasta, and sometimes potatoes. Those, and other foods sometimes just don't want to pass through the band, so many of us can't eat them. There's a thread going on now in the food Forum where someone asked about a big list of foods and whether people could eat them, you might check that one out. As for products, shortly after surgery, I had carnation instant Breakfast almost every day for breakfast. I still do sometimes when I'm tight in the morning. Other than that, I don't really keep alot of specific things around.

How much have you lost since your surgery? Your complaint of feeling hungry is pretty common, but with another fill or so (average rate of fills needed to have proper restriction is between 3 and 5) and then you shouldn't feel so hungry. Another thing to battle hunger is to make sure you are eating a good amount protien. :confused:

I agree that people need to take into account factors and body type when figuring out goal a reasonable goal. When I first started, I wanted to be 140, at which point I would have lost 140 also. I don't really think that's a possible goal given my current body size, so I've modified that to 140~160 lbs wise. For calculations, like where my halfpoint is, I've left it at 140 (like I will be halfway to goal if I ever get to 210), but I know that I may wiegh a bit more than that and be satisfied. Of course, on the other side of the coin is body dysmorphia, and I may get to a size 10 and look great, but still not see it and keep wanting to lose weight... which isn't good either, you know?

I slime more than anything, which I consider a little less than an actual PB... if it's only slime but the food stays down (sorry, graphic). I've probably only actually PB'd less than a dozen times since being banded, but I slime decently often. Altogether though it's a few times a month... every now and then a month without :confused:

Those bunnies are SO KYOOOOOOOOT!!!!!!!!!!

Pasta with sauce? Have done, sometimes gives me trouble, but usually I kind of know how the day is going and know whether or not to even try. Extra sauce please. Lasagna? Same as above. Mac n cheese? Same as above. This was my first 'soft food' after mushies. I over cooked the noodles a bit, made it nice n' saucy. Yummy. Grits? Haven't tried. Oatmeal? Works well. I make it more moist, usually with milk. Cucumbers? Yummy! Bananas? Kinda 'sticky'. Half a nanner will last me a good long time. Especially with peanut butter! Grilled cheese sandwich? Sammiches are tough. Gooey cheese can be tough. On the right day if the planets are in proper alignment, I could eat a grilled cheese sammich. Oysters as in fresh? Haven't tried. Sushi? Oh yes. I love getting "sushi bowls" where the fish n' stuff is on top of a bowl of rice, instead of in the nigiri pieces. I can do some rolls, but usually take the seaweed off. I've been told you can ask them to make the rolls with rice paper, which disolves on your tongue, but I haven't tried this. Rice? Sometimes. Shrimp as in cocktail? Shrimps are iffy. Usually fresh shrimp is not a problem, but frozen shrimps are a bit tougher, and can cause issues. Celery? Haven't had any that wasn't in soup or something. French fries? French fries will ruin my meal if I have them. Sometimes after I've eaten my meal, I can eat a couple fries without a problem, but trying to have anything after eating them is dangerous. Fake crab meat? Nummy. Corn on the cob? I think I've had this once since banding, and I did not have a problem. Chili with Beans? All the time. Enchilada? I have had a couple. Tortilla's slip me up alot, so I don't have them often, but every now and then (again, planets in proper alignment) I don't have an issue. The enchiladas cooked in the sauce seem to be fine though. Have you ever slipped up and had champagne? What happened? What could happen? I was not told to not drink carbonation. I drink diet soda at times, and yes, have had carbonated alcoholic beverages. Carbonation does sometimes bother me if my tummy is tight, but I know if it's gonna be a problem within the first couple of sips, and if I stop there, I don't have a problem. The only thing you need to remember about alcohol is empty cals. But the occassional 'slip up' shouldn't be a problem. None of my advice is to be taken in the place of a medical professional's advice (unless you decide to, but then that's on you )

Kryssa, I have the same issue you do with the spasms. When I go out to eat anymore, I almost always order some type of thin Soup, and nibble off of my friends/family's plates. Of course, this really only works if you'd told folks about your surgery, lol. After it passes (in my case, I sit for an hour stuck on my first or second bite of food), do you open up, and are able to eat? That seems to be the case with me. Anyway, I haven't even calculated my average lately.. I know it's better than some, but I'd rather not look.

I've never heard of Herbal Life (unless it's the herbalife from out here?), but the protien shakes for 'bulking up' could work if you just make sure to count the protien. The 'average' body can't really use more than 30g of protien at a time, so if, for example, the protien for 'bulking up' is 60g of protien (just throwing numbers out here), just use half the powder to make your shake. Are there any kind of supliment shakes out there? Ensure, Boost, etc? It doesn't have to be a diet shake like slimfast or atkins.

I've been engaged for about 7 months and will have been with my fiancee for 4 years altogether next month. I'm hoping to wed on 5/25/07.

9 1/2 to 10 (preferably wide, but could squeeze into some regulars) before, I'm down 55~60 lbs, and I can wear most 8 1/2's. I still get some wides, but many aren't. The shoes that I wore for my sister's wedding a week ago were 8 regs.

My size goal is basically a ten. I would LOVE to be an 8, but that will definately take surgery at the end to get the last bit of fat and skin out of the way, and I haven't decided if I want to have my tummy done. Of course, problem B is that even if I am "skinny enough" to wear a bikini, will *I* ever feel like I look it??

I was told to wait 2 weeks for 'strenuous activity'. I took that to mean sex as well. Right at the 2 week mark, my fiancee was all over me, but I warned him that if anything hurt we would have to stop and he'd just have to deal with it. Everything was fine at that point (not that we did anything too crazy :Banane04: ).

What are you eating? When? How much? Those will help us answer your questions better :Banane04:. But general guidelines are to fill up on protien, because it will help keep hunger away longer. Carbs seem to attack almost all of us in a bad way (eat carbs, crave carbs, be hungry all day).

Hehe, I always love to see people counting things in sleeps. We used to do that when I was a kid :Banane04:. The straw thing kind of depends on the person. For some people, they take in more air when they use a straw, so it is not advised, but for others (like me) they take in less air with a straw. I guess you just gotta see? But see what your doctor says also..

Congrats Kryssa! I started taking Welbutrin about 3 weeks ago, and I seem to have lost 4 lbs. It got to 6, but bounced back up 2. We'll see if it's 'real'. I've lost down to 220 3 or 4 times now only to have it go back to 225 again.

Yikes, I hope you feel better!! I have heard of band doctors who'll remove a bad gall bladder and install a band 6 weeks later (some doctors just do both at the same time). I imagine that if you have healed well, and have no further complications related to your appendix, that you shouldn't have a problem (I am in no way any kind of medical professional, it's just an educated guess).

Hey all. This isn't related to plastic surgery after banding, but I thought someone might have an idea. My mom is looking for a surgeon in Southern California to do kind of a mini face lift, and some work around her eyes. There is someone she found in Orange County who does what she wants, but he's not a "board certified plastic surgeon" and she's a bit sceptic of that. An info would be great, thanks!

I've never had trouble with it, and it wasn't on any of my nono lists.

I was just told 24 hours of liquids, then back to normal.

If you are on solids for dinner, why are you drinking shakes for breakfast and lunch?? The band doesn't work on liquids... ANYWAY... the shakes I like best are the atkins premade ones. I like the chocolate one best. Premade shakes to me are alot better than anything I've found in a powder. People also like the unflavored unjury in crystal lite, but I haven't tried it. I've added it to carnation instant breakfast, without any bad taste added though.

I should think that if you let them sit there for a minute, you'd be fine. Or, maybe sprinkle some finely grated cheddar on there? Sounds yummy

I've only been told that once, and my response is "So what, at least it's a way out!". The fact that I have something in my body stopping me from binging PHYSICALLY rather than having to MENTALLY do it, probably does make it "easier", but I refuse to let anyone make me feel guilty for taking the easy way.

wannab, I imagine that the low profile port that the folks with inamed bands can get, is made by inamed. If Johnson and Johnson doesn't make a low profile port, that's probably why you can't have one.. Maybe your doctor can relocate your port to a more subtle place? Or deeper in the tissue?

I started in a 22/24 (very tight 22s). I'm currently a 16/18 (but I don't buy 18's, ) I would love to be an 8. I think that would be ideal for me. My sister has a similar frame to me and looks a little too thin in a 6.