msgabrii

First of all, don't ever say "only to lose 42 lbs."!! That's a LOT of weight. Go to the grocery store and try to hold 8 bags of potatoes (5# bags). You'll realize that is a LOT of weight. I've done it with 15 pounds. Be proud of how far you've come!!! Second, don't be afraid of food. I know that's easier said than done, it's part of the psychological programming we all have to learn to reprogram. You need food in order to lose weight. Food gives your body the energy to burn calories. And yes, EAT THE PROTEIN! Make sure you get your minimum of 60 grams. If you have to, use the protein shakes to get it. The protein helps your weight loss also. Try not to get discouraged. Keep moving forward with your stages of eating. I'm only 2 weeks post-op and I'm already eating regular foods. But I can tolerate it. I'm not sure how your tolerance level is. For right now, don't be concerned with calories. Just get in your protein while keeping the fat and sugar low. And if you are able to, get moving. Just walking will help you. Remember, this is a journey. It will not happen overnight. At your next meeting with your nutritionist, let him/her know what's going on. I'm sure you can get suggestions and help. Keep up the great work! I'm only down 15 lbs right now, so be proud of your 42 lost!!!!

I had my surgery on February 28th! So I'm just a little over 2 weeks post op. Still having some discomfort, mainly on the left side of my stomach and near my rib cage. Very excited that I can finally eat regular foods and am doing pretty well, just have to keep focusing on getting my fluids in. I know I need to get in a minimum of 60g of protein a day, but does anyone have guidelines regarding other nutrition? I was curious about sugar, fiber and carbs for the day. How is everyone else doing so far?

I'm 2 1/2 weeks post-op and trying to set up my daily nutritional goals. I know that I have to intake at least 60 grams of protein, but has anyone been given amounts for carbs, fiber, and sugar? I have an app that I can set up this information in, but don't have anything. Any help would be great!!!

@Bandista-Thank you for that!!! Another pick-me-up is just what I need! My whole family is fond of chili and we're Italian, so the gravy is a standard Pasta is the one thing I still have a REALLY hard time with.....I crave it constantly but know that if I eat it, I'll be puking. Having it over veggies is a brilliant idea! With my daughter and the treat situation, I grew up in a household where we always had a treat before bed. And the fact that I HAVE to pack her a snack for school is an issue. We did fruit cups for a while and then she gets bored of them. The only possible thing that I can think of for myself, to satisfy the sweets at night, is to use ricotta cheese w/ Splenda and cinnamon, or cottage cheese. This is one vice I can't give up. I don't have any other ideas for my daughters Snacks though. Regarding foods for myself, is variety! I have a major tendency to stick with foods that I know work, and then end up tiring of them. Then this is where I take a nose dive. I have yet to find any Protein bars that contain enough protein, yet aren't sickeningly sweet. It seems that EVERY Protein Bar is chocolate....and as much as I LOVE my chocolate, I can't take it with the bars. I do use Herbalife shakes, which I LOVE.....but even if they're thick, once they're in my stomach I'm hungry again. Also @@enjoythetime and Bandista, what is your daily time schedule for eating/drinking, etc? I'm curious to know. Thanks again for all of the great advice and positivety!

@@enjoythetime - Thank you so much for your response! It was something I needed to hear.....it's so easy to forget how motivated I was before and my life sort of revolved around making sure I did everything right for the band to work. I need to get there again. It's difficult when you are out of work, have a lot of time on your hands, but yet can't seem to do anything. I would greatly appreciate it if you could message me those recipes. I have two cookbooks for post op, but there are some things that I have trouble eating. And any meat from the night before, unless it's in a sauce, I can't eat the next day. They are too dry and they get stuck. Thanks again! Talk to you soon :-)

I am almost 1 1/2 post-op to the day. Over the entire time of having my band, especially the first year, was hell for me. I was one of those "exceptions" who woke up swollen every morning. If I took my meds as soon as I woke up, they would get stuck and cause a constant downward spiral. I went back and forth to the ER, getting the Fluid out, resting and hydrating, and then another fill. However, the fill would never be enough because my doctor was concerned due to all of the issues I kept having. Then some serious issues occurred.....I got into hard drinking and ended up going to AA meetings. Then in Feb., I was laid off from my job of 4 years. One month later I had to under-go major back surgery (rods, screws, etc) due to my degenerative disc disease I've been living with for about 17 years. The stress I was under caused me to go to food for comfort. Since December I was easily up 30 lbs. I'm still out of work and on disability but need to get back on track. I want to buy foods that will work for me, but I am extremely sensitive with what I can eat.....if anything is the slightest bit dry (meats, seafoods) they get stuck and I have to flush them out. Lack of money is a serious problem at this point, especially while raising my 8 yr old daughter.....my husband works, but it's still not enough. I need to keep Snacks in the house for my daughter (she has a very high tendency to eat healthy, but takes things like Cheez Its or Smart Food popcorn for her snack at school). There are always little ice cream treats for her in the fridge. I buy low fat, high Protein frozen yogurt bars for myself for a snack at night. So here I am, needing to get back on track and lose the wait that I put on. I need ideas.....for lunch, dinner.....breakfast I'm okay on. I will take any advice on anything that I posted. Thank you!!