Longhorn

I won't know for sure until tomorrow. But some people confuse lap-band surgery with gastric bypass surgery, where they do lose much more quickly. I was told 1-2 pounds a week is not only expected but also considered the healthiest rate. You have the right outlook. That adds up to a lot of weight in a year! Congratulations!

On Thursday, I get to add soft foods to my diet. Frankly, I've already had a few here and there but it will nice to be legit. At the store yesterday, I bought some Wolf Brand turkey chili, canned chicken, Egg Beaters, and some Weight Watchers Smart Ones dinners that feature softer foods. I also got some Special K Protein Water powders! You add it to your bottle of water and get both Fluid and 5 grams of protein. It tastes pretty good, too. I got iced tea, lemonade, and kiwi-strawberry flavors. I ordered two stainless steel water bottles because I'm trying to cut down on buying and using plastic bottles. For now, I'm just shaking it up in a shaker and pouring it into a glass. I know of y'all have been on soft foods already. How's it going and what are some of your favorites?

That's amazing! Congratulations and good for you! :clap2:

No, I don't get it either! Before the band, I wasn't a binge eater and I didn't really stuff myself but I could eat a little at a time all day long! I'm not used to going several hours without even thinking about food. And while it tastes good, there are times when I'm not that interested in it. This is very strange and it's also proof that our attitudes about food are neither a character strength or flaw. You and I are not doing anything special to be this way and those who are in Bandster Hell are not doing anything wrong. So often we blame ourselves for our "lack of self-control." Someone examining obesity issues in a book wrote recently that saying that it takes self-control not to eat is like claiming that one can use self-control to stay awake all night. Sure, we could do it for awhile but eventually we have to sleep and our bodies will force the issue. The same is true for trying not to eat!

Same here! Yes, I've been hungry at meal time but as soon as I eat my small, slow meal, I'm fine and can go for hours. We're very lucky, I know, and I hope our luck continues!

I got some of the Laughing Cow light wedges. They come in a round, flat box that kind of looks like it's made out of wood. Inside are around eight individually wrapped wedges of soft cheese that you can eat alone or spread on a cracker. I found them at HEB in the deli cheese section. I bought two flavors -- garlic and French onion, I think. Yes, my doctor is pretty conservative but he believes it cuts down on getting stuck and other problems. I haven't had any difficulties yet and still hope I can avoid them. I don't understand the folks who post on this board that they can't wait until they PB or get stuck so they know they have restriction! I understand the impatience to lose weight but that's too high a price for me, especially since doing that too much can cause you to have to unfill completely. I haven't set any goals other than staying on my program. The weight will come off when it comes off. All that said, I wouldn't argue with anyone's surgeon's plan. I feel comfortable with mine but that doesn't mean everyone else is wrong.

The blue check mark means that you're subscribed to a thread. The stars are based on ratings a thread has received. When you reply to a thread, at the bottom of the reply form is a place where you can rate a thread. I don't know if there are other ways to do it without replying.

I do the same thing. I have two pill caddies, one for morning vitamins and one for evening vitamins. I like having them all meted out weekly so that I don't have to open half a dozen bottles every time I need to take them. My chewables are so big that I can't fit them into one caddy, even the XXL size! I keep both caddies next to my bathroom sink and I take my vitamins when I get up in the morning and before I go to bed at night. I still can't seem to remember to take my Iron pill in the middle of the day but it isn't really a requirement. It has been a real trial to get my husband in the habit of taking his vitamins -- a Multivitamin and glucosamine. I had to remind him every day! But I think he's finally getting into the habit -- he's only missed a day or two in the last two weeks. If he can get into the habit, anyone can! Make it as easy on yourself as possible. Maybe set a reminder on your cellphone or a calendar? Think about something you do every morning (and evening, if necessary) that you can tie your vitamins to. I don't think it's a matter of not wanting to take care of yourself, just a matter of getting into the habit. Good luck!

Well, speak of the devil! You're the new member I was talking about! Welcome and thanks for your advice! We appreciate you taking the time to share with us. :clap2:

Lizzie: We have a new member who is a lap band doctor. Check out his post on another thread: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f84/3-weeks-after-surgery-46780/#post649397 We are in the healing phase and not the weight-loss phase. Yes, it's tough to see others lose but this isn't a competition. I've read stories here about some who have gone through what you're going through who ended up losing quickly once they got restriction. It's hard to be patient but there's nothing to be ashamed about. You've received some good advice on this thread and by sharing your feelings, you've probably helped countless others who are going through the same thing. This is a support board -- try to take advantage of the support you've received and keep trying! :hug:

I got some small cans of pineapple juice for the frig and a box of chewable papaya enzyme tablets to carry in my purse. I read about both here and thought the tablets would be more portable. I haven't had occasion to try them, though.

I read an excerpt online and was very impressed so I ordered it but didn't read it until I was recovering from my surgery. However, it was very helpful. I've lent it to a friend but I need to get it back because if my sister ever heads in the direction of a lap band, I'd like to lend her the book.

Congratulations! If you keep reading the board, you'll learn everything you need to know, and some things you wish you didn't! If you haven't already, check out the board for the month you're having surgery. You'll chat with folks who are going through everything at about the same time you are. Good luck!

From what I understand from this board and other readings, we may not be restricted after the first fill, either. It can take several fills. I've been fortunate that I haven't been hungry between meals -- nothing like what I used to be. I don't know if it's restriction or the high protein diet but I'm glad!

It's not always easy to search for that topic on this board because everyone spells it differently! My doctor typically doesn't use fluoroscopy because he said that he doesn't need it to find the port and he doesn't think it's that great of a predictor for when someone is overfilled. He said just because someone can swallow barium doesn't mean he or she can swallow food. He's pretty conservative about fills and doesn't add much at one time. All of my after-care is included in the price I paid and I'll go in for monthly appointments. We'll decide together each time I go in if I'm ready for another fill. Anyway, he said he's only had to do about two or three unfills in all the years he's been doing band surgery. I know there are strong opinions on this topic, usually a reflection of each person's surgeon's practices. I have no reason to doubt my surgeon but there are others who wouldn't get a fill without fluoroscopy. But what else is new? Our doctors have different views on out-patient vs. in-patient, pre-op and post-op diets, and fill schedules so why not differ on this as well?

I'm almost six weeks out from surgery and, like Kristin, I'm only hungry if I go too long before I eat again. Even then, it's not that ravenous hunger I used to get. As soon as I eat, it goes away and I'm not hungry again for hours. Today I had scrambled Egg Beaters and a piece of toast for Breakfast at around 10 a.m. and then turkey chili, crackers, and applesauce for dinner around 6:30. I used to be a constant snacker so this is amazing to me! I haven't even had a fill yet!

Thanks, Kristin! My doctor doesn't really have a "mushies" stage -- at least, not by what he calls it. His plan is two weeks Clear Liquids, four weeks full liquids/pureed foods (what I assumed are mushies) and until five months after surgery, soft foods. That's what I'm headed to this week, though I've already been adding some soft foods or foods that become soft when you eat them, such as crackers. I think the biggest difference is that I no longer need to puree foods. So now I'm wondering what hard foods are!

I'm a little torn over this question. Even though exercise and portion control are important to the our success with the band, we also know if that's all there was to it, we would have been successful at this years ago. And even if we could just eat less and exercise more in order to lose, that doesn't seem to guarantee keeping it off. I'm proof of that, especially the last time four years ago when I lost 70 pounds and fought the regain of every pound. But I guarantee that many people who have never had a weight problem -- many of whom do absolutely nothing to stay thin -- think smugly that it's just a matter of eating less and exercising more and if that's all we tell people, we help perpetuate that myth. On the other hand, I'm a private person and I don't believe it's anyone's obligation to become an evangelical for weight loss surgery. We all have a right to privacy. I also believe that a lot depends on who it is and where the conversation is happening. Some people are just being polite when they ask and others are genuinely interested. If I think I could help someone but it's not the right time for an involved conversation, I might just say that I'm working hard but I have a secret weapon and if they're interested, call me later. I haven't lost enough weight to get comments from anyone and I don't think it's the same to tell people what the results SHOULD be rather than what the results ARE. I applaud those who choose to tell and I respect those who choose not to. How's that for straddling the fence?

I prefer the low-carb SlimFast shakes, which have two net carbs (4 total) and 20 grams of Protein per shake. I also like using the unjury unflavored protein added to pudding, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, gravy, etc. I'll be starting the soft foods stage Thursday so I imagine I'll be using the Unjury even more when I rely a little less on shakes.

I live just outside of Austin and work in Austin. San Antonio is one of our favorite cities and we're big Spurs fans. Have you been to San Antonio before?

I had heard of Lap Band surgery but didn't think I qualified because I wasn't 100 pounds overweight and my BMI wasn't greater than 40. Then when one of those ads popped up online, I checked again to see if I qualified and I did! From the time I voiced my desire to have it to my husband and daughters until the date of my surgery was six weeks. From the time I met with my surgeon until I had the surgery was only 13 days. Sometimes I look back and marvel at what I've gone through since September 21! I think everyone is different but how long one considers something is not necessarily correlated with whether it's a good decision. Once I learned everything I could about it, I knew it would be good for me. It's early yet but I have no regrets. Good luck!

I went back on the fifth day. I'm a college teacher and tutor. On the days I tutor, I go from table to table to work with students, so I'm up and down a lot. On the days I teach, I have 75-minute classes with two-hour breaks in between. I felt a little weak and sore and I used that time in between classes to rest. However, there is no place to lie down and bending over to put my head down on a desk (in a private office) was impossible due to my port pain. So I never really could get comfortable enough to nap. I thought about bringing an exercise mat and laying down on the floor but each day, I felt better. I was very tired that first week back and went to bed as soon as I got home. But by the end of the first weekend after I returned, I felt almost completely back to normal. There are many people who didn't know I had surgery. If you told people that you getting over a cold or something, they'll accept it. Just give yourself permission to take it easy and rest when you can. Have a good week!

It's always great to read your posts, bandpal! Congratulations on your progress! I can't give an update yet as I, too, am only weighing at the doctor's office and I don't see him again until Friday. This is also my favorite board! Yes, there are posts all over the main board that relate to what we're going through but when I'm in the mood to share, I much prefer to share with those who are going through this with me at the same time -- even to the point where I find myself resenting it when people who weren't banded in November decide to post here! Silly, I know. I don't think I've mentioned to you before that I have a son-in-law who is from Tel Aviv. His family moved here when he was a teenager. I have another son-in-law who is first generation Chinese-American and a former son-in-law, still a close friend, who is from Lebanon so we've been blessed with many cultures in our family! All of them love to cook, too. Have another great week!

The AP band comes with fluid in it. The surgeon may choose to remove that fluid if the fit is too tight. I suspect I have fluid in my band but I forgot to ask my doctor. I'm sure I'll find out at my appointment next Friday.

I didn't like it in Propel but I have added it to instant pudding, oatmeal, and mashed potatoes and couldn't taste it at all, plus it didn't change the texture of the food at all. So if you have some left that you want to use up, try it in mushies and soft foods when you're allowed to have them and see if you like it better.