Leepers

I agree with Terry. Protein shakes aren't doing you any good. My surgeon specifically said to stop them and eat solid foods. Yogurt is even a slider too. Eat slower, chew your bites. It will take you longer to eat and you will become satisfied. You don't want to have a feeling of being full. Just the feeling of not hungry. Do a protein bar in place of the shake but watch the calories too. Best wishes!

Hi Tracy! I came over for a little visit from the Lapband Forums. But we all want the same thing, right? I'd like to suggest the MyFitnessPal app. You can download it on your phone. You can search every food or even snap a pic of the bar code and it will all show up. Just choose your portion and it puts it all on there for you. I love it. It really helps me watch my calories. I know the lap band should keep me from eating as much, but if what I'm eating is crap, then I'm not gonna lose weight. Best wishes to you! Keep at it, you still have a very impressive weight loss.

I have a theory (completely NOT backed by scientific evidence) that when that band goes in, it changes the whole pressure system of your esophagus and stomach. I theorize that the smaller opening does not allow gas to go up and escape as a burp. (I never burp since surgery unless it's while I'm eating and even then they're small). So the gas stays in your stomach and the only way out is through the intestines. Now, I have always been a "gassier" person. And now, I am just a lean, mean, tootin' machine. But, since I've been eating healthier, they seem to stink less. So my husband is over in his chair breathing in huge amounts of methane and he's none for the wiser. And also, the reintroduction of real food after the cleansing of a liquid diet probably helps create more gas too. Watch out after surgery too. liquids in means liquids out and sometimes what you may think is a toot.....well, you can imagine. Was this whole response TMI? lol.

Oh, FOR SURE! I look at the items in people's carts too. And it's weird. I just feel so bad for them. I want to go up and say, "You don't need that stuff! Free yourself! Get WLS! Any kind of WLS!" I guess ever since I got the band and the hubby and I did a complete overaul of the way we eat, I even seem to notice overweight people more. I wonder what their story is. How they got the way they are. And really I just want to help them. But haha, I can't. Can you imagine a stranger walking up to you and wanting to discuss your weight? I also notice when people have Protein shakes and I want to ask them if they're having/had WLS. I'm a nut. One time, I went to the Kroger I always go to and there's this one cashier who's always a little annoyingly chatty. Well, I emptied my cart onto the belt. You can imagine, Frozen pizzas, chips, ice cream, sodas. She said, "You must have a teenager at home!" O..M..G..I didn't know if I wanted to die in shame or give her a good mind-your-own-dang-business tongue lashing.

Last week I was losing weight like crazy. This week the weight loss slowed to a crawl and hit a speed bump. I did keep up with my exercise. And I faithfully, brutally honestly, kept up with entries in My Fitness Pal. I am eating soooo much better than I used to. No fast food, no sodas. Lots of healthy food. This week though, I ate out 3 times and went to gatherings at a friend's house twice this weekend. Wednesday I went to lunch at Chuy's (a mexican restaurant). I felt I made a really good choice with my meal. Lot's of protein, not much carbs. Didn't even finish it. Only ate about 5 chips from the basket of never ending chips. Later that night the hubby and I went to dinner with his parents at Texas Roadhouse. The thought of it mortified me.That place seems so unhealthy. I looked at the menu online before I went so I would already know what I wanted. I had Grilled Shrimp with rice and broccoli. I only ate about 1/4 cup of the rice and all 10 shrimp. I had 10 peanuts so that I would stay away from the bread but I did pinch off a small piece of the bread and dip it in that delicious cinnamon butter. Thursday I worked my butt off at work and picked up Chinese for dinner. I've really been trying to stay away from the carbs but I'll allow myself some rice every now and then. I ate leftovers for lunch the next day on Friday. Friday I had a long exhausting day at work. Some friends had invited us over to see their new house. We had appetizers and I drank an entire bottle of wine! Oh boy! 615 calories worth of wine down the hatch! Plus appetizers. I didn't go crazy over them, but it was hard not too. I had about 8 meatballs and a couple of spring rolls. And it was the first time I have gone over my daily calorie limit on My Fitness Pal. The next day I was up a pound. Of course. I am a daily weigher. I know some people think you shouldn't but I'm a rational person. I know weight goes up and down. I like though, that that one pound makes me say, hey! don't eat so much today. That night, Saturday night, we unexpectedly went over to a friend's house for her birthday. And again. Appetizers and wine. This time I didn't drink a whole bottle, but I had a few glasses. My Fitness Pal almost reached out and slapped me in the face. And...I was up another 1/2 pound. I really haven't eaten out since I had my surgery, then all of a sudden it was like everyday. It made me feel a little out of control. Though I can guesstimate calories on My Fitness Pal, you don't really know how that food is being prepared behind the scenes. Bobby the cook could be a little heavy handed with the butter. Oh and the wine. Whine whine. I love my wine. I don't drink all the time. Maybe an average of two to three times a month, but when I do, I like to catch a good buzz. But the calories!!! I guess I will really have to watch my meals a lot better on those days. I'm looking forward to my first fill this Tuesday to help with the between meals hunger. And this week all meals will be made at home. No wine for a while. No whine for a while.

Yay T-Bear! You posted your before pic! I love it. I was looking at myself in the mirror in my workout clothes today. From the front I look OK,, but then I turned to the side and I thought, I look like a giant potato with stick arms and legs. I almost took a pic to post. I should have. Maybe next time. Oh- and I meant to tell you that I do the same thing about the "pre-diabetes." I just refuse to acknowledge that it IS DIABETIC. And I'm a nurse. I should be ashamed. The things we do make ourselves feel better. lol.

The Ensure High Protein I found at Walgreens. They have them on sale every now and then.

Meijers has a good selection. They sell the EAS at Kroger also. Target's selection wasn't very good.

I loved the Ensure high protein. If you like a lighter texture, the EAS Advantage are good. I liked the strawberry especially.

I like the Strawberry EAS Advantage. Tastes just like Strawberry Quick to me. I also like the Ensure High Protien shakes. They are bigger than others. 14oz. Made me feel more full, plus more protein. They are definitely expensive so watch for sales if you want to try them.

Fat fills out your wrinkles for sure. The lines in my face get deeper with every pound I lose. lol. But I do agree that you are able to dress more stylishly and usually after a big weight loss, take more interest in your appearance. That would make one look younger.

Please be careful about removing the capsules from your meds. If it says XR or ER or anything about extended release after the name, you could be dosing yourself too much. If they said you were allowed to take them, then I'm sure you will be just fine with the capsules on. You may already know all this, just the nurse in me had to say something. Best wishes for your surgery!

Yeah, one time the week after, I thought I was just gonna toot and well....you know. They were liquidy for a while. Then like the second week I couldn't go at all. I recommend adding benefiber to your food or drinks (you can't even tell its there). Or take a chewable laxative. Best wishes!

Probably just a check up for your incisions. I was supposed to get my first fill at four weeks, which was last week, but my doc was out of town. So Tuesday is the day. Can't wait!

My doc says he usually only puts the 14cc band in larger size men.

Thanks for sharing your story. Post your pic. I know how you feel. I've missed out on so many pictures in the past due to self consciousness. This is the place you can be open. We are all in the same boat. Best wishes to you on your journey.

I agree with Bandista. That is not a usual complaint. Check with your doc.

I don't know if I could be so patient with the tiny fills. At least you didn't gain! My hubby joined us up to a gym down the road. I went for a tour for the first time earlier this week. I don't think I'll be going back. It's the kind of place that just makes me feel bad about myself. I was by far the fattest person there and everyone was really....bouncy. I think I'm gonna stick to the treadmill and the park. Lol.

Is there any way to have your husband be responsible for the meals? It would be hard to cook when you can't have it. I found after three days, I stopped being quite as hungry. You can do it! Best wishes!

Do you think that this is because the narrower opening doesn't allow the gas to rise and escape as a burp, so it all gets pushed through and comes out as toots? I was always a gassy person anyway, now it's just ridiculous.

Tuna salad with 8 Melba Snack crackers. I eat this almost every day. My tuna salad is one can tuna, 1 hard boiled egg, 3 tbs light mayo and dill weed for flavor.

I've been reading a bunch of lapband blogs and I get such a giggle out of people naming their bands. One chick named her band Donnie Wahlberg. Hilarious!! I have named mine Brunhilde. Anyone else have a name for their band?

Hi B52. I was wondering, how long after you got your band did it take you to reach your goal? Also, with as little as you eat, are you still losing or are you maintaining?

I think it was Cybil. But Sible will do!

I have a very physical job and always turn into a hot sweaty mess. It's so embarrassing. Already, I can feel the difference. I don't seem to be sweating as much. I can't wait to be freezing!