AlysonRR

I use the Theraflu Cough/Cold strips. They have cough suppressant and decongesant and dissolve in your mouth. If my head aches I'll also take either chewable or liquid children's Tylenol or Motrin. I used to regularly take 600-800 mg Motrin and up to 1000 mg Tylenol when I took it - now that I have to use children's versions I tend to use 300-400 mg and I always wash it down with a lot of Water. HTH -

I couldn't be bothered for at least a month after surgery because of the port pain. But it didn't matter to me because it was December! The good news is that it's much easier now because I don't have as much fat to reach around or as much leg to shave

Yeah, I'm thinking of opening the waistband of a couple of my elastic waist pants and pulling the elastic tighter to try and stretch out (in!!!) my wardrobe a little longer. But I know I'll feel great when I go into a store and buy a pair of size 24 (or less?) pants. I don't think I'm there yet, but probably in another 20 pounds, when I imagine nothing I can do will keep my pants on me, lol. One of my NSVs would be to be able to buy from a regular catalog. I don't care if it's in the plus-size range, but I'd love to be able to order from Land's End or LL Bean instead of Making it Big and Junonia (though I really appreciate the latter two retailers for clothing me for the last 12 years).

MsHooper - My doctor's guidelines are to eat three meals a day, with 1-2 smaller Snacks if necessary. That usually translates to eating every 3-5 hours for me. When I'm well-restricted I have to remind myself to eat and only manage meals. When I'm looser I eat five times a day... My meals are usually 2-4oz Protein + 2 oz veg. My snacks are usually 1-2 oz protein + 1-2 oz veg or fruit. Your plan sounds good to me - good luck!

yesterday, still on mushies: B: 1/2 c grits and a barely cooked egg L: 1/2 c chive cottage cheese D: miso soup with tofu and a couple ounces of mushed up teriyaki salmon S: two SF fudgesicles today, still on mushies: B: 1/2 c chive cottage cheese S: 1/2 c chive cottage cheese L: 3 oz mushed up teriyaki salmon S: 2 SF fudgesicles D: 1/2 c chicken salad Craving veggies and fruit!!!

Still on mushies for another few days... B: cottage cheese with chives L: baked ricotta S: 2 pudding pops D: mashed potato and chicken

If you're still on liquids, realize it will be over soon. It's a little easier to get enough Protein on mushies - just make the highest protein choices. And once you're on solids it's very straightforward! My typical solids day would include an egg and a (veggie) sausage patty, a roll-up sandwich with 2-4 oz meat or fish, and a dinner meal with 2-4 oz solid vegetarian/meat/fish/shellfish entree. Hope that helps!

Oh, and the other thing that was recommended to me was that I only eat for 20-30 minutes, then stop. Generally I won't be hungry within half an hour of stopping, and if I am, I drink 2-3 cups of liquid then I don't feel hungry again :-) Hope that helps!

Your doctor really should have given you some more guidelines! My doctor's definition of mushy includes: Yogurt Cottage cheese Mashed canned salmon or tuna Mashed tofu Ricotta cheese Very soft cooked egg whites Nonfat refried Beans Hummus Mashed potatoes or yams sugar-free pudding pureed Soups Applesauce (add Protein if desired) Pureed fruit Cream of wheat type cereals (including oatmeal) Soggy dry Cereal (no nuts, seeds, dried fruit) I was advised to keep my portion sizes should be 4 oz or less, so 4 of your oz cups. I found it convenient to use those little Pyrex custard cups from the grocery store - the small ones hold 6 oz and the larger ones hold 10 oz, so I could judge my portion sizes easily. I know that I was up to 6 oz servings by the end of two weeks on mushies, but then I got to start solids and went back to smaller portions. It's hard to get enough protein (for me, 60 grams) when you're eating mushies, so I typically have a 20-30g Protein shake for a snack, also. To help with hunger, pay attention to the protein content of your mushy foods. There are yogurts with 3 g protein and yogurt with 20g protein - the latter (Fage, Oikos) will keep you feeling full longer. There are oatmeals with more protein, like Kashi. Mashed fish will have more protein than applesauce, etc. My favorite mushy is cottage cheese with chives - after days or weeks on Protein shakes I'm dying for something that's not sweet. My next favorite is baked ricotta - mix 1/4 cup (2 of your little cups) ricotta with an ounce each of eggbeaters and shredded mozzarella cheese, top with 1-2 oz of pasta/pizza sauce and sprinkle with a little parmesan. Microwave for 1-2 minutes. I hope that helps - best of luck with your journey!

I haven't started exercising. I have lots of excuses (we're building a house, I'm afraid of hurting my knees like I have numerous times during my progression to a non-athletic person, time, etc.) but I know that I'm just lazy. Lots of people manage to incorporate exercise into their lives regardless of stress or pain or perceived lack of time. I told myself when I got the band that I would start doing leg and core-strengthening exercises by date X, then kept changing the date. My most recent vow was that I'd start when I'd lost 75 pounds - I passed that level recently, so I need to either start or find another excuse. Lets see - when I hit 100? When the house is finished in late September? Those of you who are exercising really inspire me. I know I won't make it to a "normal" weight without exercise, and I know I'll have support when I finally break my exercise fast

The first time I tried sushi after having lapband surgery it just didn't seem right, somehow. I wasn't very restricted, but it didn't taste as good as it used to. It doesn't bother me at all! It's just like bread - I used to love it but now it just doesn't appeal at all. I can manage a bite or two of rice or bread, but that's it.

Oh, and just think about your last pre-band plateau. I know the last time I dieted and hit a plateau I was gaining pounds back within a week. By contrast, during my recent 6 week post-band plateau I lost and gained the same 3 pounds multiple times, but because of the restriction of the band I didn't lose hope and eat, eat, eat my way out of the plateau and into another weight gain. So yea, our bands are working the way they're supposed to - helping us lose and keeping our place when we're not losing :-)

If I drop below 60g of Protein per day, I stop losing. If I don't drink at least 100 oz Water per day, I stop losing. If I don't have one day a week that my calorie level is totally different than the other six days (200-300 cal higher or lower than my typical day, I stop losing. I've seen some people say they don't lose if they stay below 1000, 1200, or 1500. I know when I was on pre-lapband diets if I dropped my daily calories below 1800 I wouldn't lose - my body hung onto all it's fat, presumably thinking it was starvation time. You're already exercising - good for you! - but you could try to change up your exercise routine. Maybe add a little time with the barbells or swim some laps (one fast, two slow?) or do a higher level of intensity during your water aerobics. Hope that helps - good luck :-)