ReneBean

Maybe your best bet would be to choose a different eating plan.... If low carb is truly that difficult for you - you may want to go with a more balanced plan. Go get some Tuna & Whole Wheat Crackers - and step away from the donuts! Good Luck!! **Oh - and as for gaining the 2 lbs - I would assume for the moment that you are retaining Water. lunch meats are notoriously full of salt. Been eating ham? That would do it. Unless you have eaten 7000 calories MORE than you need to keep breathing during the last two days - you haven't gained two pounds. Maybe weighing yourself every day isn't recommended for you, either... Hugs!

Um, yeah. OK. Sure. Truthfully? Immediately after surgery - for the first several days to a week - you won't give a damn about food at all. You will barely want to drink your liquids. After that - you will start to want food - and until the time that you start getting fills - you will still be pretty darned hungry. Even after you start getting fills - it will take more than one to get good restriction... so, maybe the tennis ball will fill you up, maybe it won't. Now - AFTER you get good restriction - a tennis ball is probably about right. You will be perfectly satisfied with 3 tennis balls a day. The trick is to pick healthy tennis ball sized portions instead of Taco Bell Nachos... (Me? eat nachos instead of chicken breasts? How can you imply such a thing?? LOL!) So - don't worry about the portion sizes. The battle will be choosing the correct foods to eat - at least it is for me. And that crap about trying the diet beforehand? Uh, yeah. Sure. Whatever. You won't be able to do it and it will only depress you. Trust us - you will be able to manage just fine once you get some restriction. It's much easier to show self discipline when you no longer have that clawing beast in your belly demanding food 24 hours a day. While my food choices yesterday were lacking - my portion sizes were more than adequate. I had a Protein Shake, two orders of Nachos (1 for lunch - 1 for dinner) and a no sugar added fudgecycle. That was my food FOR THE DAY - and I wasn't hungry or even the least bit deprived. Should I have eaten better foods? YEP. Should I have eaten LESS food? Nope. So - there it is. I think you might want to find a nutritionist that works with Bandsters. It sounds a little bit like yours does lots of ByPass people. Good Luck!

Centrum makes a perfectly acceptable chewable Vitamin - but really two of any children's chewable will do the trick. Sorry, Hon! I can't help laughing, though... Pobrecito!

Evening, All. The phantom signal is functioning tonight - so I thought I would stop by and say Howdy. Today was my second Aftercare visit - pretty much the same as the last one - but I have lost 4.5 pounds this month. Ooooo - an average month. A whole pound over my avg loss since surgery. That fill must be working - cause I surely haven't been doing anything right! Will no refridgerator, I have been bringing dinner home every night. Fast food is the devil. And I just haven't had the motivation to care about much, courtesy of my current job issues. So, 4.5 pounds is a testament to the efficacy of the band with good restriction. So, anyway, I have decided to schedule aftercare for only every other month - and my surgeon the months in between. One appt a month is really all I can spare - especially since I have actually used all but 3 hours of sick time for the year! I have NEVER before used all my sick time. This is the first time, ever, in my entire work history. I feel like a total flake. It's not even APRIL. I have practically been off more than at work so far this year. Sheesh. Of course, if they close the office - using up my sick time will be a good thing. But, if I end up riding out the wave, I will have to work a lot of late nights to cover my doc's apptmts. bummer... I spent my morning at work listening to Spanish Classic Rock and working on my flashcards... Not a darned thing else is going on right now. The repairman comes to check out the fridge tomorrow. My DH is much better - he has even been outside to mow the weeds. And Saturday is the informational session for Teacher Certification. I think this is the opening weekend for the Scarborough Faire, too - but I don't know if DH is up to strolling around in the wet quite yet.... Cindy & Betty - I have 4 free tickets - if either or both of you want to go... just e-mail me and we will work out a hand-off of the passes. Pat - funny! Cheers! Kat - I am actually surprised by how much is coming back to me. I think that once I go thru all NINE segments of the on-line course that I am using, and practice with the flash cards for a bit, I will be a lot closer to where I was in 1989... Mandy - I am glad to hear that Abi is doing well at regular school. Hopefully, this will continue. Hugs! Cindy - I am disgusted by the world that we live in. I can't believe that this nut job is suing you. I totally believe that some slimy lawyer put her up to it. Hugs!! If you want to go to Scarborough Faire to get your mind off of it - send me an e-mail. Mary - You might try Boost for Chalio, too. I haven't tried Ensure - but I know that the Boost drinks are pretty good. It's always good to have additional options. Chrispy - how are you doing? Hope things are looking up for you. Well, it's pumpkin time for me. Tomorrow is another exotic and exciting day of studying Spanish. Good Night! Hugs & Love to All.

Just enjoy that "not wanting to eat" sensation. I had that when I first came out of surgery for a few days. Once everything started to heal up, that went away pretty fast. Drink your Water - but don't worry... you can't possibly starve to death in a few days. :]

You will probably feel some pain tomorrow - when all the anesthesia is worn off. That's how it was for me. Hopefully it won't be too bad. Congrats!

Hey Denise! Great work! You broke the 300 barrier lots faster that me! Keep up the good work!

What's the LDS position on toys? Is it sin to use a toy? Cause girl, if you want to control your own urges in the presence of the male of the species - using toys at home will do the trick. Good luck!

I have averaged a bit over 3 lbs per month since surgery. Not burning up the world or anything... But yes - when I exercise, I lose much faster. Just remember - slow is good. There is no shock to your system if you go slowly - your body doesn't fight as hard to get back to where you were before. Your hair doesn't fall out. Your skin has time to adjust as much as it can. Slow is good... really. :]

I could have worked on day 4 - but it was impossible for me to sleep lying in my bed for the first 3 nights - so I was exausted until then. If you have a recliner - you might get better sleep for the first couple of days - and you might be able to make it. If at all possible, I would suggest that you take a couple additional days off - but I have heard of people who leapt up off the table and went shopping - so maybe you will be one of those. Good Luck!

Congrats, Rocko! Hope that Big Tony feeling goes away, soon. :] Welcome to BandLand!

Well, I wouldn't eat the powders by the spoonful... LOL! But certainly the powders work just great if you mix them according to the directions and don't make them TOO thick. :]

Yep - I think it's more about attitude than attributes. I am nowhere close to goal - but I walk with a spring in my step and look people in the eye - so yeah, they pay more attention.

Welcome, Eva! We are thinking good thoughts for an easy surgery and a speedy recovery!

The powders might work better for you than the pre-mixed Protein shakes. At least then you have the option to mask the flavor with whatever your favorite ingredients are... I use Six Star powder - or Carb Solutions. Both are available at Walmart. One of my favorite recipes is a Protein Latte. 1 scoop Six Star 1/2c milk - or Half & Half to taste. 2 c brewed strong coffee (your favorite blend) dash of cinnamon artificial sweetener ** (or sugar are stevia if you prefer) Blend to a smooth caffeinated goodness. The coffee flavor is strong - and the milk makes it creamy and good. For pre-mix shakes, I use Atkins or EAS - chocolate. Good Luck. You can do anything for a few weeks - and after the first week or so, you get to move up to real foods in blended liquidy form. It will be ok. We all survived, and you will too. Hugs!

Hola, Chicas! Como estan? Ok - I am starting to get some of it back. Another couple of weeks of this - and I will actually be able to speak, again! WaHoo! And that is pretty much all I have to do, anyway... LOL. I spent yesterday putting together some flashcard templates in Word. I figure I can use them for myself - and if I get certified to teach Spanish, I can use them for my students, later on. Ever the practical pig.... I will keep working on them, today. It keeps me out of trouble, anyway - and it makes me look busy. Maybe soon I will be able to sound important in TWO languages... Chrispy - sorry about Tattoo Boy's GP. That has to be hard. Sometimes those sensitive tough guys need to curl up into the foetal position for a while. I guess you have to just let him know you are there if he needs you - but give him some space & time. Hugs! Kat - I am excited, too. I just love getting to meet as many of our little group as possible - and there just much excuse not to visit with you since you are going to be so close. :] Betty - I know exactly what you mean. That "coffee with a book" thing gets me nearly every day! And chatting with my DH is MUCH more enjoyable that the thought of a 40 minute drive to the office... *sigh* I have my lottery tickets. How 'bout you? :bounce: Deb - I used to have the most fabulous yellow rosebush in Oregon. It is one of the few things I miss... every Spring, I got long-stemmed mostly thornless yellow roses. I haven't planted any new roses here in TX - cause I have been planning on re-doing the yard since I got here. I guess I should just plant one in a pot or something. Hugs for you and your youngest! Well, I have lots of verbs to conjugate and many flashcards to make. Love & Hugs!

My husband's cooking is one of the joys of my life... now that I am not eating as much- the quality and flavor of the food is even more important. Soon, you too will be a food snob. Only the best will do. Don't worry - you will be able to eat most anything that you can now - just not in huge quantities. On Friday, we'll be thinking good thoughts for an easy surgery and a speedy recovery!

Even in the beginning, the band made me slow down when eating. This alone helped me lose weight. Then, the better my restriction got, the less I would eat, and the easier it would be to move away from the table after a small portion. Now, I have pretty good restriction - and I find that while the band does not FORCE me to step away - it makes it a lot easier for my rational mind to overcome my instinctive urge to stuff myself. I find that if I have a firm control over my mind and my will, I CAN be happy with that half a cup of food - and I am really not hungry five minutes later. I still CAN eat more - but I am no longer COMPELLED to eat more. Basically, the lap band gives me control over my body's urges to eat. My mind - well, that's the part I still have to work on - but each time I push the plate away with food still on it is a little victory for me. I really LOVE my band - because it gives me the freedom to do the head-work without that gnawing, driving, burning hunger that I used to feel. I love the HOPE that I have, now. I hadn't had hope in a very long time. Now, I don't just dream of being smaller... I know - KNOW - that I can do it with time and lots of head-work. Good luck in your decision.

I did the same thing when I was unemployed. You dream of having the time to do all sorts of things - but once you get it, you are too stressed about money and depressed about being terminated that you just can't seem to do it. Hugs! If you can treat it like a vacation - something with an end coming soon, then maybe you can do something worthwhile - or at least have some fun. Good Luck!

Sorry you are having a rough day. Don't fret about the cookie. Trust me, better a couple of Cookies than half a pie or something. Hugs!

I so want one of those. I don't have bumper stickers either - cause round these parts you never know when some good ol' boy is going to get offended and ram you with their 4x4... but I can't see that broom sticker making anybody mad... Truth in advertising and all... LOL!

Ok - let's try this again... and remember - copy early, copy often. Mandy - I sent the story last night. I hope Abi likes it. Try googling Shade Plants... I have been away from my shady yard in Oregon for way to long to remember which ones were the best... sorry! Kat - Abilene is only a 3 hour drive from the metroplex... maybe we can work something out... Maybe we could meet up in Mingus or Gordon or something? When are you going to be there? How Long? I surely would love to meet you. Cindy - what about it? Up to a carpool to meet miss Kat? I think it would be a scream. Luv2blab - Hugs! It's not a race, darlin'. Remember - slow loss is good because: 1) you have less loose skin. 2) you have less hair loss. 3) There is less shock to your system with gradual loss. Patience is a virtue... :nervous Betty - you ready for a drive? I think an LBT road trip might be in order... Pat - one of these days I am going to show up on your doorstep with an overnight bag... I guess I will just have to make a special trip. It seems that VA is not going to be on my flight path... no offices there. No relatives... Heck - if we have a great road trip to see Kat - maybe we will make another one to VA. Eileenie - OK - I am standing in for Stacy & Clinton from What Not to Wear. I know they would tell you, if they were here.... Fitted clothes are always more attractive than sacks and tents. ANY shape is better than none. Emphasise the narrowest part of your body by fitting your clothes to that. These days, I wear shirts with darts that are fitted to my chest with the smallest part right underneath the girls. It shows off the fact that I am no longer one giant mass of woman... and of course, the girls are pretty impressive in their own right. :biggrin1: If your hips are narrow - wear a blouse that is poofy but has a belt around the hips... if you have a waist - show it off... and a deep V neckline is always our friend... if you've got it, flaunt it. I know you got something going on under those casual tents. Bring it out to play. Hugs! Well - I am off to study some Spanish. Hugs!

Hi Torn! Welcome to LBT! I am NOT from Jersey - but I visit once in a while... 24 pounds from goal? That is fantastic! Congrats and keep up the great work!

I got Venus Stasis - but not full on lymphedema. So far - there is little change to the swelling unless I drink lots and lots of Water and exercise 4 times a week, it pretty much stays the same. I haven't lost nearly all the weight, yet - so it will be interesting to see. I had always been under the impression that weight loss wouldn't affect that - but my new PCP indicates that it will get better when I get thinner. I will keep you posted...

I love it when they bash on the pop stars... Rod Stewart - "Pooped my pants" And there was one where a giant Barbara Streisand was terrorizing the town. I just love those guys. They are absolutely nuts.