want2beme

:help:I am almost 6 weeks post op and I have very little restriction. Sometimes I can eat only 2/3 cup and sometimes I can eat 2+cups of food. Because I can eat so much, I am wondering what I should do to help myself fill up. I have been trying to stick with a normal bandster diet, but when I am hungry between meals, I tend to try to eat veggies. Is this OK? I'm trying the Protein shakes and low-calorie, low-carbohydrate foods. Any suggestions on how to get through this stage while I am waiting for my fill appointment?

I MADE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS MORNING I WEIGHED MYSELF: 199.8! AND I EVEN STARTED MY PERIOD! I'M HOPING BY THE END OF THE WEEK I'LL HAVE LOST ANOTHER 3 POUNDS. YEAH! I CAN'T BELIEVE I DID IT.

Thanks a bunch. I just wasn't sure what to do. It seems weird to go from a bandster diet to, like, South Beach and then back and forth, and so on. but, I think I'lm getting it now. Thanks a lot! D

Name............Chall. Start Wt........Current......Chall. Goal.............To Go alwayscurious........245......................245. ............212.................33 Amelia40...............270.................... 270................240................30 areellady...............232....................226 .5 ...............212.................14.5 argon..................162...................160.2 ...............142...............18.2 Ariel....................207.................... 199 ..............182..................17 aussie_jode...........212......................212 .............190..................22 BabygotBack..........164.....................164. ............145..................19 Babygrl1234...........215......................205 ............190.................15 Becky42................253.....................250 ...............220...............30 bekafina.................225.....................2 25.............199................26 Cherrybomb...........311....................306 ..............291................15 chickatee..............203.....................198 ..............175................23 chocolate_snaps......344....................342... ...........299................43 cQQlgirl..................225....................2 25................185..............40 Chris_NJ................284....................265 .................250..............15 cindyluhu...............194....................194 ...............180.............14 dacer123...............243....................243. ..............223................20 Denise...................170....................17 0...............155...............15 Denise..................244.....................24 4...............220................24 Desertbunnee.........232....................207. .............180................27 DonnaD................185.....................185. .............170................15 eclipse..................215.....................2 12..............199................16 faithmd................303.....................303 ............ 283...............16.7 glindab................ 277.....................269...............250..... .. .......19 gonnabfree............231....................231.. ..............205................26 Guinessgirl77.........241...................241 ..................210..............31 gweniper..............253.....................240. ...............223...............30 hf2havefun...........240......................240. ..............210................30 ihadenuf................216....................216 ................190................26 itsjustducky...........317....................317. .................297...............20 james2539............235.4.................235.4 ................220.............15.4 jfran……………………….212………………………204……………………..196………………8 jglong54...............206....................206. .................195.............11 jadrad7.................224....................224 .................200..............24 jazzystouch...........246......................246 ...............220...............26 Jeni 85.................237....................230 ..................207..............23 joisey....................307....................3 07................290...............17 josiebies...............188......................1 77................165...............12 JulieNYC................155.....................14 9.................136..............13 Kaelin's G-Ma.........272....................272............. ......220.............52 KarenG................. 240.....................232...................225. ...........7 katalin.e................230.....................1 79.................150..............29 Kellymovingon........207......................207 .................187............20 Kimmie.................296.....................290 ..................270.............20 ladydi............. .....233.....................228.................2 08...............20 legster..................261....................25 1................235...............16 LeslieLee...............216.....................21 6................186...............30 lisa_in_toronto.......180......................180 ................160...............20 losingjusme...........273.....................269. ...............238................31 luvinke..................225.................. ..223..................195..............28 maddog.................230.....................230 ................205..............25 marcar35...............277.....................268 ................250............. 18 mcgreen...............236......................224 .................210..............14 METALBAND...........187.....................182... ..... .......167..............15 momlambert..........207...................204.5... .............185..............20.5 mpalen.................229.....................229 ................200................29 Peache8887...........330.....................306.. ...............275..............31 pmmegm..............248.....................248... ...............228..............20 Rainer..................298................... 280..................258................22 robgoblin87............279...................279.. ................250...............29 SC2VA..................233.....................233 ..................200..............33 sdakotaRN.............254.....................254. ................225..............29 Short C................. 166....................166.................146.. ............20 Soniacan...............198.5..................198. 5.............175.............23.5 Stacy73.................259.....................24 1 ...............230...............11 Sunny112..............215.....................165. ...............140...............25 Suzzzie. ...............349....................337......... .......320................17 sweethot143..........197....................190... .............175.................15 tanderson..............231.....................231 ...............199................32 teacher.................236.....................23 6...............200................36 ToniaPatt …..........286……….....……......283………......... 243.… ........…40 UK-Lady...............255.....................223.... ...........210.................13 Wannabthin...........231......................222. .............211................20 want2beme...........225.....................199.8.. ............195................30 wen.....................288......................2 84..............255................29 Whosyadaddy.........388.....................369... ...........335................43 LifeLover..............289.....................275 ..............259................16

I agree. Just start the diet plan now. Go to a weight watcher's meeting so you can 'officially' have your current weight recorded and go from there. Keep track of everything. Good Luck to you.

Name............Chall. Start Wt........Current......Chall. Goal.............To Go alwayscurious........245......................245. ............212.................33 Amelia40...............270.................... 270................240................30 areellady...............232....................228 ...............212.................16 argon..................162...................155.6 ...............142...............13.6 Ariel....................207.................... 199 ..............182..................17 aussie_jode...........212......................212 .............190..................22 BabygotBack..........164.....................164. ............145..................19 Babygrl1234...........215......................205 ............190.................15 Becky42................253.....................251 .5...........220...............31.5 bekafina.................225.....................2 25.............199................26 Cherrybomb...........311....................306 ..............291................15 chickatee..............203.....................198 ..............175................23 chocolate_snaps......344....................342... ............299................43 cQQlgirl..................225....................2 25................185..............40 Chris_NJ................284....................268 ................250..............18 cindyluhu...............194....................194 ...............180.............14 dacer123...............243....................243. ..............223................20 Denise...................170....................17 0...............155...............15 Denise..................244.....................24 4...............220................24 Desertbunnee.........232....................207. .............180................27 DonnaD................185.....................185. .............170................15 eclipse..................215.....................2 12..............199................16 faithmd................303.....................303 ............ 283...............16.7 glindab................ 277.....................269...............250..... .. .......19 gonnabfree............231....................231.. ..............205................26 Guinessgirl77.........241...................241 ..................210..............31 gweniper..............253.....................240. ...............223...............30 hf2havefun...........240......................240. ..............210................30 ihadenuf................216....................216 ................190................26 itsjustducky...........317....................317. .................297...............20 james2539............235.4.................231.2 ................220.............11.2 jfran……………………….212………………………212……………………..196………………1 6 jglong54...............206....................206. .................195.............11 jadrad7.................224....................224 .................200..............24 jazzystouch...........246......................246 ...............220...............26 Jeni 85.................237....................231 ..................207..............24 joisey....................307....................3 07................290...............17 josiebies...............188......................1 80................165...............15 JulieNYC................155.....................14 9.................136..............13 Kaelin's G-Ma.........272....................272............. ......220.............52 KarenG................. 240.....................234...................225. ...........9 katalin.e................230.....................1 79.................150..............29 Kellymovingon........207......................198 .................187............11 Kimmie.................296.....................290 ..................270.............20 ladydi............. .....233.....................228.................2 08...............20 legster..................261....................25 1................235...............16 LeslieLee...............216.....................21 6................186...............30 lisa_in_toronto.......180......................180 ................160...............20 losingjusme...........273.....................269. ...............238................31 luvinke..................225.................. ..223..................195..............28 maddog.................230.....................230 ................205..............25 marcar35...............277.....................273 ................250............. 23 mcgreen...............236......................227 .................210..............17 METALBAND...........187.....................184... ..... .......167..............17 momlambert..........207...................204.5... .............185..............20.5 mpalen.................229.....................229 ................200................29 Peache8887...........330.....................306.. ...............275..............31 pmmegm..............248.....................248... ...............228..............20 Rainer..................298................... 281..................258................23 robgoblin87............279...................279.. ................250...............29 SC2VA..................233.....................233 ..................200..............33 sdakotaRN.............254.....................254. ................225..............29 Short C................. 166....................166.................146.. ............20 Soniacan...............198.5..................198. 5.............175.............23.5 Stacy73.................259.....................24 2 ...............230...............12 Sunny112..............215.....................165. ...............140...............25 Suzzzie. ...............349....................337......... .......320................17 sweethot143..........197....................190... .............175.................15 tanderson..............231.....................231 ...............199................32 teacher.................236.....................23 6...............200................36 ToniaPatt …..........286……….....……......283………......... 243.… .......……40 UK-Lady...............255.....................223.... ...........210.................13 Wannabthin...........231......................222. .............211................20 want2beme...........225.....................208.. ............195................13 wen.....................288......................2 84..............255................29 Whosyadaddy.........388.....................369... ...........335................43 LifeLover..............289.....................277 ..............259................18 __________________

My port is sore again! What the heck? I still have to be careful. I am 6 weeks post op. Hmmm....

I have lost almost 30 pounds in 6 weeks. I don't know how, but I did! I stuck with the post op diet to the 'T'. Now that I am on solid, normal food, this is what my meal day looks like: Breakfast: coffee with Flavored Creamer, Jenny-O Turkey Sausage and one egg. Lunch: Usually Protein and veg, like Turkey meat heated in the microwave (2 oz.), with 1/4 avocado and 1 tsp cheese. 1/2 cup snap peas. Dinner: 3-4 oz of salmon and 1/2 cup steamed zuccini. I'll also, when I remember, have a high Protein shake (abot 250 calories), just to make sure I am meeting the minimum 50 grams per day. Also, when I am craving veggies and don't want to eat protein, I will cheat and have a protein shake first, then I'll eat a cup of carrots and snap peas with veggie dip. That's how I FINALLY figured out how to get my veggies back. I drink a lot of crystal light, Starbucks non-fat drinks, Water, tea, coffee.... I know caffine isn't good, but I do it anyway. I haven't really cheated at all. In the past 6 weeks I have eaten maybe 2 fried items, one being a mini corn dog and the other an egg roll. I haven't had any chips, Cookies, cakes, ice cream, refined sugar, etc. I was able to eat a chicken soft taco from taco bell. I could eat the whole thing.... I heard some bandsters can only eat 1/2 taco. I think I am due for a fill though. I know I am satisfied with eating only 2/3 to 1 cup of food, so I do not need the extra that I am able to eat right now. Because I have barely any restriction, I try to fill up on raw veggies before I go into my meal. It works, but I want to get a fill b/c that's why I got the band. I LOVE THE BAND...!!!!!!!!!! My co-workers say, "You've only lost 30? Looks more like 50!" D~

I have about 8 more #s to go and I'll be there too! Congrats! U DID IT!

Hello all of my fellow 27th-ers! My weight loss has leveled off as well. I have very little restriction and some hunger. Tonight I was able to eat 3 chicken legs. Probably about 2/3 of a cup of meat. Also a cup of snap peas. That's a lot. I am trying to keep the calories to a minimum as much as possible. I am sure I am well under 900 calories, probably around 6 or 700. I am getting a fill this month sometime and I can't wait! How is everybody doing?! Miss yall!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am from Sacramento and looking for a good fill doctor. Is this guy/gal good??? Does he/she use flouro for fills?

Just know that you aren't alone. We all love food, but know the risks we take when we consume certain types. You have done SO GREAT and you know you can do it. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. Distract yourself. OK, RIGHT NOW I WANT YOU TO TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER AND TAKE A NICE BATH! READ A MAGAZINE AND JUST RELAX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep, I had the same thing under boobs. Itched like hell I tell ya. But it's gone now.

You are about the same as me, 100 pounds to lose. It's hard to say with no knowing your height... I know that my doctor said that the ultimate goal weight 'rule of thumb' is something like this: 5'0" is 100 #s, 5'1" is 105 #s, 5'2" is 110 pounds, etc... add 5 pounds for each inch after 5'0". But you are asking a hard question, how much could you expect to lose in 6 weeks... hmmm... Everybody is different. I lost 22 pounds the first 2 weeks. I'm at 30 pounds and it's just a little over a month. Some only lose 3-5 pounds the first month. I say the first 6 weeks you should focus on recovery and taking care of your band. From what I hear, the regular weight loss comes after a good fill. But, what do I know? Good luck and congratulations. Good job on trying to set goals too... That rocks!

Oh! You give me hope! You look soooo good! And I bet you feel great...

[Hello all- I have one more appt. with my nutritionist--then my psych. consult. what can I expect from this?] If your doctor required you to keep a food journal, bring that. My eval was pretty smooth. She asked me about my eating habits, my weight (loss) history, family history, lots of 'why' questions, lifestyle changes, etc. It was nice to hear somebody professional reassure me that I was doing the right thing. [Also, I am a full time working teacher, mom of 3- biggest concern- time! Will I have the time to chew all my food to applesauce consistency??] Hopefully! Ah! I am a single mom of just one and I find it hard to take the time to do what I am suppose to do. I ask for help when I can. I hide if I have to. My doc said each meal would take 30-45 minutes to chew everything... really, it only takes me 10-20 and I'm fine. [Also, no drinking w/ meals? Isn't that hard?] No. It's not hard. The 30 minutes goes by really fast. (some require 1 hr.) ~ Try to limit the spicy foods that make you want to sip water. Just think, the longer that food sits in your new pouch, the fuller your brain will feel. [Camn I drink water (alot) when exercising?] Of course! Drink up!

I'm so glad things went well for you. Sorry you had to go through that.

I have a hard time finding veggies that fit into my diet. Does anybody have any suggestions? This is what I do now: Vegetable Soup Steamed Zuccini and Squash Steamed Peas HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you so much! I didn't think about the stir-fry option. I think I'll try that. Now I am getting to the point where I can eat anything, nothing really gets stuck. So, I start with my Protein as the doctor recommended, but I am missing veggies so much. Can I ask y'all another question... ? What does your daily meal plan look like? Do you eat 3 or 4 meals a day? Snacks? liquids? I'm just trying to get a good picture. I wake up at 6:30 am with the baby and I work till 11pm at night. It's hard for me to limit myself to only 3 meals. Any suggestions? [sorry, I thought I could post any poll. I didn't realize it had to be the same subject.] D~

I do understand that some pts are not required to have a psychiatric evaluation. It depends on your doctor and most of all your insurance. Maybe I should have said this... In my opinion, it is a great idea to have a psychiatric evaluation. My best friend and I are on this road together. Although we've eaten our way across the country, we still view food in two totally different ways. We couldn't help eachother with the mental blocks. We each had to seek help from a professional to put things into perspective. I don't know about some of you, but I was sure scared that somebody was going to take my best friend away from me... FOOD! I just really think its a good idea. Most of us are over-weight due to mental and emotional stress in our lives. I had to fix my outlook first before I could take that step into bandhood. And, I'm glad I did because mentally, I am doing great with the band and have had no problems so far. Thanks for listening...

WORD VanCouver Girl: I felt smarter than the average bear before I was banded too. When you live it, you may find that it's a bit more complex, no matter how much you've studied it. Some of the changes you feel or that are needed are subtle ones, like with the OP needing a slight unfill. Please know that we're on this journey together, and the academic learning is different from the experiential, so it takes awhile to get the hang of it!</p></p>

Dear Doctor Deb: Let me please respond to your post: But one more thing, want2beme, how sad is it when you actually encourage animosity on a place like this??? Me thinks someone other than me needs the psych couch??? First of all, this thread is rediculous and so are all of your responses with the bickering back and forth. This is what I posted: Screw TIVO! This is my new entertainment! This thread is AWESOME! It's like a freakin' soap opera! I LOVE IT! This was an attempt to make some of you realize how stupid you sound. Maybe if somebody put an antagonistic spin on things, they'd get the hint: Shut the hell up idiots, you sound so stupid! Next, you wrote: You acutally replied to one of my posts that I should and I quote " have your band removed and get the gastric bypass since it seems to fit your lifestyle better" Huh?? I haven't even been banded yet. You were complaining about the band as if you had one. You seemed confused about the differences between surgeries. You don't have to listen to anything I say, or anybody else on this website. Do your own research and come up with your own solution. I have taken note of your sign-in name and will not respond to anymore of your posts, if that makes you feel better. Lastly, I want to thank you for making this site such an unpleasant place to visit. There are a hand full of you who need to get a life. I hope you all find what you are looking for, but I am not on this site to be ridiculed by non-professionals. I am here to gain advise and opinion in a secure way. Thanks for ruining that for me... Have a great life.

Pre-baby, I was at the gym all the time. And I could afford it! Now, no way. Can't afford it and I'm stuck! I am almost 4 weeks post op and I haven't started execising. I am stuck at 22 #s, so I know I need to get my butt movin'! I have a jogging stroller and live in the foothills, so it's great exercise, but I get tired so fast because of all the hills. It's no fun! Any suggestions? My son loves the stroller, so I have to take him no matter what... AND, any tips on self-motivation?

The protein shakes help so much with hunger. Plus, they are good for you. Just force yourself to drink one a day like the doc says to and you're hungery will subside.

What does PB mean?