Kathybad

Hi everyone, I got back from Baltimore last night. Family was happy to see me!! It was so nice to sleep in my own bed. To my surprise, I weighed myself this morning expecting to be up a bit, but instead was down 2 lbs. Yeah!! I know I was a little careful, but not overly. I certainly couldn't eat too much, about 1/2 of what I would pre-banding. It is a really nice feeling to know this band is my safety net. I do notice that I have the most difficulty in the morning. Each time I've PB'd has been on breakfast. Either I forget to chew because I'm not a morning person. LOL. Or I am much tighter in the morning. All other meals go down fine. Just a little tightness in my chest in the morning.

I was told that it might. But I just flew on two flights on Wed and had to pass through security 3 times. Mine didn't set it off. However, I was given a card that indicated what my band is. I was told to show this at security checks if the band set it off.

Anna, thanks for the kind words. I'm a marketing manager and my team and I manage all product packaging, public relations, consumer affairs, promotions, website, research and recipe development. I'm in Baltimore now on business... missing my family. I don't travel very often, so do enjoy the time by myself and dinner out. But miss the family. Tonight we went to a nice restaurant and I had fish and broccoli. Tomorrow we are going downtown to a crab house for a crab feast... yummy!!! Chim, were in Maryland are you? My dad used to live in Gaithersburg and Damascus. I have to agree... I love Maryland for crab.

Thanks everyone for the congrats on my daughter. I'm glad you all liked the pics... I'm kind of biased, but I think I have a pretty cute family too!! Today I had a stressful day, so am glad that I didn't totally lose it on the food front. I ate fairly well all day except I had a small McDonalds ice cream sundae. I don't consider this a cheat. I like what Indio said "its not a cheat... we can eat this now, just in small amounts" I have to admit, it did the trick and I was really full. In the past, it would have been a large McFlurry, not a small sundae. I'm off to Baltimore tomorrow for 3 days, so will be busy with work. I plan to go have a crab feast though, while I'm there. I love crab!!! When I get back I'm going to start my exercise plan. I haven't really done anything major yet... so I think it's time. Brandy, I read your PB & travel incident and have to admit, it worries me that it might happen to me. I've PB'd a couple of times, so don't want it to happen while I'm at a lunch or dinner meeting. Thankfully my co-worker travelling with me this week knows about my lapband (she is one of two at work who do). Take care,

Hi Peaches, Let me know when the next bandster's lunch is. Is this from TLBC or from canadianlapbanders.com??? As for what I typically eat... this is my average menu since my first fill. It's been keeping me satisfied and I think it's pretty good nutrition wise: Breakfast: Coffee with cream (I know my only thing I can't give up!!) I drink before I eat my food... 1 poached egg on 1 whole wheat toast Snack around 10:30 am 1 yogurt cup (I buy "Source" brand... tastes good without the aftertaste) Lunch around 12:30 pm Usually leftovers from dinner: 2-3oz of protein 1/2 cup of veggies (cooked) 1 Babybel light cheese snack Snack around 3pm 1 pkg of All Bran Bites Dinner around 6:30pm 4oz of protein 1/2 cup of veggies 1/4 cup of starch (rice or potato) Snack around 8:30 pm 1 fruit (banana/apple or orange) This typically runs about 1100 - 1300 calories and keeps my blood sugar happy. In the morning I will either have an egg and toast or 1/2 - 1 cup of cereal. My cereal choice is either Kashi or "Good For You". Hope this helps!

Hi everyone, I've been MIA for awhile, and too many pages to catch up on. Hope everyone is well. I got my first fill and am doing really well on it. I can comfortably eat about 1 cup of food per meal, and do have a decent amount of restriction without being too tight. I have had 3 PB's, but they haven't been too icky. 2 times in the morning and 1 time in the evening. Each time I didn't chew enough, and it came up really easily with no aweful feeling. Every day I've been having 3 meals with 3 snacks. This has helped me not feel too hungry, and has kept my blood sugar under control. I'm diabetic and my readings have been really good!!! We had our court date on Sept 14th so now Sarah is officially our daughter!!! It was really amazing. My whole family came to the court to share in the moment and then we had a party in the evening to celebrate. It was really wonderful. Family and friend, plus our social workers who managed the adoption all came, and we had it catered. They did an amazing job, excellent food & drink. With them doing all the work, we could enjoy ourselves. I've attached a couple of pictures of our special day. I did end up eating a bit more than I "should" have, but really not an issue, and still right on track. I haven't weighted myself yet, but know I'm losing!!!! I love my band!!! I was supposed to go for my second fill on Sept 27, but am going to Palm Springs in early October and don't want to be too restricted while I'm away, so will get it when I return.

It's amazing how we tend to take on the protector role for our family. My DH will spend his way through stress and will panic or worry himself into a panic attack. I'm always the one to manage the doctors, specialists, school, meds, etc. Try not to worry too much about your other kids. They are often able to handle much more than we ever give them credit for. Also, when they are exposed to issues with their family members, it broadens their abilities as they grow up. Take care, I'll talk again tomorrow!

Anna, stop beating yourself up and start looking for other things to occupy your mind instead of food. You know I've been there too! Take a big glass of water, and while you drink it let it be what fills you up and washes away your earlier eating. Then get out of the kitchen and go talk to your DH or call a friend or your kids. Don't give in to the binge and also don't beat yourself up tomorrow!!! BTW, your band will need a few fills before you're at that sweet spot, so it won't stop a full on binge yet. Take care!!!

Jeanie, If you're still here, so am I...

I had a mini slime a few minutes ago... on a sip of Water!!! I took the sip and could feel it in my upper throat area, just sitting there. I felt like I had to burp, so tried and a bit of slime came up. Kind of weird, but not too bad.. afterall, it was only water! LOL I was so proud of my control yesterday and what I ate, etc. Today, well not so good. I started the day with a good multigrain muslie style cereal and had 1 cup. Then after eating it, realized the "serving" measurement for the nutrition chart was 1/3 cup. So instead of having 200 cals for breakfast, I had 600 cals. !!! Then as a tradition, after church we always go to Starbucks (my son calls it the "coffee store"). I had a pumpkin spiced latte and a fruit and nut bar. I knew the latte was too much, but never dreamed how high both were. I went online this afternoon and found out they are both 380 cals each!!! We then had some errands to run, and wanted the kids to get some exercise, so went to McDonalds for lunch (playland, and its raining today). I had a fajita, which was really good, and the right size, and good in cals too (200). But as the kids were playing, I decided to have an ice cream cone!!! So now, before we've even had dinner, I've consumed 1800 cals. Opps!!! Oh well, in the past it would have been 3000 or more. BTW, when I was at the doctors on Friday, their body composition reader said my body burns 2000 cals per day at rest. So I guess today will be a neutral day! Yesterday I had 1100 cals. I don't intend to count cals all the time, just for now until I get the hang of things.

Jackie, thank you for sharing. I knew by how hard you were working that it had to be more than wanting to look good. We all want that, but your motivation, so beautifully written, is certainly the stuff that gets the job done!!! It's why I'm doing this too. I've always been overweight, and managed really well. I'm very strong, physically able to do most things well, fairly attractive, etc. But my health is not as good as it should be and I have type 2 diabetes. I'm 41 and didn't marry until I was 31. I want to be here when my daughter gets married and has kids. She's only 3! So unless I want to encourage her to marry young... I've got to get healthier!!

Wow, what a great difference a fill makes. I did extremely well today. I planned everything, and ate 3 mealts and 3 snacks, drank 8 glasses of water (not with my meal), and exercised. I ate about 1 cup per meal and felt nice and satisfied. No problems getting anything down yet. YEAH... it's going to work!!! Night all.

Too cool. See it is a small world!!!

Holly, no problem!!! I'll keep you in my thoughts. School is a long way behind me (17 years since I graduated), but I still remember the time committment!

Chris... 299 and under could be called "Tooterville", but I think it would make me laugh so hard, I'd pop something!!!! In Canada, we have the $1 coin that we call the "Loonie" because it has a picture of a Loone on it, and the $2 coin we call the "Twoonie" because it sounds good with Loonie!!! So we could call it "Twoonieland". :bounce: Auntie Phyl, Ok, I'm with you. I'm Canadian and I don't get the Tim Horton's thing. The coffee isn't very good in my opinion. In fact, how about I come visit you since I'm hooked on Starbucks!!! I do like Tim Horton's food though. It's fresh, tastes good, some is healthy, and not too expensive. I don't do the donut thing... never have. I'm so glad you are getting your fill on Monday. If I had been cancelled and moved off by 4-5 weeks, I think I'd have gone nuts on them. Got to go to bed now!!! Night all.

Jackie, no, we will still get to go on our trip to Palm Springs!!! I can't wait. My DH found out today that the position won't start until Oct. 26th, and our trip is in early Oct.

Ok, how easy was that!!! I had my first fill and didn't even feel the needle. Seriously, no prick or anything. I did feel my band tighten a bit, which was really weird. She found my port with no problem, I didn't even have to lift my legs or anything. She said it was in an excellent position for her to fill. I met with the dietician first and then the Fill Nurse. I know everyone else has heard from their doctors on nutrition and eating tips, but I have really enjoyed hearing the different ideas, so will share what I learned today that I haven't seen on the thread. First Bite Syndrome: Sometimes when you start with Protein and eat your first bite, swallow and then go to the second bite and swallow, by the time you're on your third bite, the first one might be getting stuck, which means you have to PB all of it. Although they recommend to "eat your protein first" they mean you should "finish" your protein first. You should try moister foods for your first bites and mix up your bites at first to make sure all the dryer protein isn't stuck all together. Overfilling: If you fill beyond the sweet spot thinking that more restriction will equal faster weight loss, they strongly suggest otherwise. If only liquid is getting through, then you generally consume Protein drinks which are high calorie, juice, etc and liquid doesn't keep you full, so you tend to drink more and more, which can then cause you to gain. Alternatively, if you really can't eat solid food and you cut back on your calories, you go into starvation mode which will stall your weight loss. Their guideline is if you CAN eat white bread or fiberous veggies easily (not chewing excessivly to make it pass, but just eating it normally), then you probably need a fill. Quantity: General guideline is 3/4 to 1 cup of solid food per meal. This will vary by the type of food, but is a guideline. Their rule is to finish eating by 15 - 20 minutes of starting. If you still eat beyond this time, you are just refilling your pouch. By 15 min. the first food you ate is now passing through the band, so anything after that time is now refilling the band. Walk away!!! Do not eat close to bed time because it can cause reflux. Give yourself permission for a special treat once a week. Sort of like "date night", plan a cheat once a week. This will allow you to have the treat without derailing your diet psychologically. Trust that the band will help you restrict the size of your treat. I like this suggestion!! Those were the best tips that I got out of my appt. BTW, as I expected, I have not lost any weight since surgery (didn't gain any either!!). After my fill, I had to drive back to London from Toronto (2-1/2 hours), so I stopped on the way at Tim Hortons and got some Soup. I ate about 1/2cup and it filled me right up. When I got home, I ate the rest. I can really feel the restriction :clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2:

Holly, sorry you're having such a difficult time with your band. Have you been keeping a food journal with portions and times? This might help you identify any eating issues or triggers. Good luck on your second fill.

Jackie... amazing success. What is your motivation? In fact, that's a really good "Question of the Day" What is motivating everyone to lose weight? In the past I would mostly be motivated by appearance, but now its health reasons. I want to live to a ripe old age, but to do so healthily. I want to be there for my kids when they grow up. I want to live many years with my husband, and I want to enjoy life without aches and pains and poor health. Ok, I'm all set. Tomorrow I get my first fill. I'm so excited. Then this weekend I'm going to completely tear apart my pantry and freezer to make sure all of the not so good stuff is gone. I'll keep a bit of yummy stuff around for the family, but they really don't need it either. I know psychologically I haven't started my diet because I haven't had any restriction. So I was content not dieting or really trying. Now that will change and the big push is on. I had good news today. My husband just landed a full time job at the hospital. He has been working there for 5+ years as a part time porter. It takes forever to go full time, and many people never get there. He would average about 6-8 shifts per two weeks, but was always on call and we never knew from one pay period to the next what he would be working. He found out today he was successful in getting a full time position starting in Oct. The only downfall is the shift is 3-11. Since I work 9-5, it means we really won't see much of each other during the week and I will have the kids by myself every evening. However, his boss told him that he will likely get to switch to days within a few months (lets hope). Take care everyone.

Denise, I've had a very similar experience. I didn't meet my surgeon at the consultation, just his nurse. Then I met him very briefly before the surgery, but since my contact lens were out, I couldn't even see him very well. So I spoke to him for 2 minutes tops, and will never see him again unless I have a problem. The centre has other staff to handle fills, dietary questions, etc. Take the money and run far and fast!!! BTW, he drives a mercedes convertable!!

What triggers my eating... hmmm, aside from the fact that I LOVE food, all types. I think the main thing is stress. It's what soothes me when my day is stressful. It usually happens at the end of the day as I get home and in the evening, but also all weekend long. My life has been stressful from a very young age, and I think I've learned this as a coping mechanism. Unfortunately, my excessive stress in the last few years has also brought on diabetes at an early age and heart problems (PVC's), not to mention way too much grey hair!!!! I'm only 41 and totally grey if I don't dye it.:violin:

Hi Everyone, sorry I've been MIA for awhile, but was busy with work and getting ready for school, etc. Also, since I was kind of in a holding pattern, I didn't really have anything much to say other than... still hungry, no restriction, etc. Well, good news... I was able to change my 1st fill date from next Mon to this Friday!!! Hey, when you have to wait 6 weeks post-op, 3 days is a huge bonus. :bounce:It also works much better with my schedule since I am now in Toronto until Friday for work, and this way I don't have to take the day off on Monday to drive back here. At first the centre didn't want to do it because they have this mandatory seminar I'm supposed to attend. But I explained I just couldn't make it back in that day. So they were able to accomodate me. Peaches, maybe you can let me know what I missed in the seminar. Email me if you get a chance. Thanks. So as I mentioned before, we have the official adoption date for our daughter... its set for Sept 14th. I'm so excited. We are also going to have a party in the evening to Celebrate, with our family, some close friends. Today I also invited my boss and my VP (her boss). They both were really supportive during the full adoption process, letting me take Fridays off (paid, but not vacation), allowing me all the time I needed for extra appointments, etc. I could tell my VP was really touched to be considered and invited, and my boss teared up at being included. Now all I have to do is pull off the party. Going to be hard to do since I'm now out of town until Sat, and my DH is working all weekend. Oh well... no stress! I'm now sitting in a hotel room, enjoying the peace and quiet without kids or the DH needing me. I like these little breaks even though I love my family... its me time! Since I've been out of touch... is there a question floating around?

Hi Lisa, we are band buddies. I was done on the same day. Congrats on your success so far. 40 lbs is amazing, with your fill just a few days ago. I don't get my first fill until Sept 10, and am currently in what we are calling Bandster Hell (aka, no restriction, still very hungry). I lost most of my weight so far on the pre-op diet, not much since banding. I don't really expect to until my fill, but then again, I haven't really been trying too much yet. Welcome to the Lucky 7s

Marcy, I'm not worried about what your Mom might have read about me. I think its interesting that she read it. Its kind of like reading your diary. Maybe she just wanted some insight or perspective on what you are feeling or going through. It might help her understand you better. I agree though, I would be a little horrified if a family member read my stuff. My DH is ok, he knows me very well. But I think it would freak me out if my sister or dad read this stuff.

Thanks, Chimboree... don't worry, you're still very young. I didn't meet my DH until my 31st birthday. Now 10 years later we have an amazing little family.