puddin

BeeJay Yes, sometimes we need a kick in the pants, but usually by someone who's really been tracking what's been going on and not casually observing a few posts and coming to a hasty conclusion without really knowing what it's like living with the band. I don't think the snacks are out of control at all. It seems to me that we're all doing pretty good right now. Anyhow, yes, we can start over, BeeJay. But no more hasty, generalized comments, please. It seems like you may need to start from square 1 with this thing. A good place to start is at http://www.lapband.com/. It gives some good detail about the surgery, what it's like living with the band, and you can even watch a surgery if that kind of thing floats your boat. Other people on this board might have other good suggestions for websites as well. Teresa You are the woman! Your meals have been looking friggin awesome lately! I'm so glad for the suggestion, too. That's the end of PB's for me! LSasha What's your restriction at now? You've always been a stellar eater on this board. 4/7/06 B: Metagenics protein shake L: Business lunch (uck!) but I only ate the cold-cut turkey, some sliced tomatoes, and a tiny bit of pasta salad S: A handful of popcorn at the movies D: Chili Relleno (that's a SPICY sucker!)

Teresa, it works! I ate 3/4 cup and then waited 10 minutes. I was TOTALLY full, so I didn't eat the rest of my meal. If I had I think would have PB'd. Gosh, this whole time I've been thinking I needed another fill. I think when I go in for my next appointment, for the first time I won't want a fill!

Good thread! I did an hour of body sculpting with my iPodFitness trainer Jeanette Jenkins. She trains Queen Latifah and lots of other Hollywood stars and now she trains me on my iPod! Very fun.

No, this surgery is totally different from RNY. Sugar makes RNY patients sick. It does nothing to band patients except go down REAL easy. Our intestines haven't been re-routed so everything is exactly the same as before - only now we have a band around our stomachs so we can't fit as much through. When people say they can't digest broccoli, they didn't mean the word "digest". They meant they can't swallow broccoli without it getting "stuck" in their esophagus as a result of having the band - maybe because broccoli is fibrous and hard to chew to bits. food needs to be small enough to fit through that little opening where the band is. Rice gets sticky and expands so when you swallow it maybe it sticks together so it doesn't go through the band or perhaps it swells up so it's too big to go through. It all eventually goes through or it comes back up. When it comes back up we call that a PB (Productive Burp). As far as the junk food goes, when I look through these posts I see periods of time when people haven't done so well, but I also see times when people do REALLY well. We're still human after we get the band. If you can't control yourself with sweets before the band it's not going to be that different afterwards. I chose the band because of a few reasons but one of them was so I could feel more of this weight loss as being "mine". That was important to me. But I think the RNY has done a lot for people and the band isn't for everyone. Feel free to ask questions. I don't want to hinder anyone from asking questions or making comments. I just felt a little judged based off a narrow view of what our lives are like.

Whoa, well that is a quick way to get on our bad sides. Ecspecially when we've been working so hard at eating well. What you have to realize is that veryone has their vices. I wouldn't put everyone in the junk food category. We tend to go in "trends" around here. I wouldn't call what I eat not nutritious or junk food. But there have been one or two days where I may have eaten something sweet or junky. We all try and yes, it is very important to eat the right foods after you get banded. But that doesn't mean we're all on Weight Watchers or Atkins. Personally, I'm on a low GI diet, eating my Protein first. Everyone's got their strategy. The point of this board, for me at least, is to keep myself in check because I know I'll have to post it. I usually keep between 1,200-1,300 calories a day and cut out most sweets. But I know myself. I know that if I say "no more sugar" then it's going to bite me back later. I have to allow myself that half cookie, but still get my nutrition in for the day. I probably sound defensive because I am. I work hard at this! Damn hard! And you will have to as well. But the band requires a lifestyle change and I doubt anyone can maintain a perfect diet for the rest of their lives. But we work with it and do the best we can.

Teresa, you may be right. But I have also been PBing on band friendly food. But always at the end of the meal. Does overfilling make you PB? I don't FEEL stuffed, but maybe I am??? I've heard people talk about the warning signs of fullness, but I seriously get none of them. No burp, no hiccup, no pressure. I only feel full 10-20 minutes after I've finished eating. Maybe that's the modification I have to make. Perhaps I should eat 3/4 C food and then wait 10 minutes to see if I'm still hungry. I'm such an impatient person - this will be tough! 4/6/06 B: Metagenics Protein shake L: Taco meatloaf and veggies D: Lo-carb chicken spaghetti

Linda I was EXACTLY the same way. I didn't feel any pain from eating too fast until fill #3. Before being filled I could probably eat as much as before the band. I was just too scared to so I ate about 3/4 of what I'd eaten before the band. I had the same concerns. I'm sure you'll be okay! And Susie, girl I feel your pain. It's taken me a ton of fills to feel real restriction. Once I got it, though, the weight loss really started to take off. I had probably only lost 35 pounds in 5.5 months, and then the next month I lost like 10 pounds and then month later I lost another 10. I've lost about 55 pounds in almost 7 months. Yes, that's not as fast as some, but it's also taken me longer to get the same restriction as others. I bet you turn out to be the same way. If you continue exercising and eating good foods I think you'll do just fine!

Here's the thing: I always PB at the END of a meal. Maybe my "full" sensor doesn't work. Could it be that I'm eating past what I should and it's making me throw up? If that's the case, I need to start measuring my food again. Any thoughts?

Amen sista! The low carb revolution gave people a new lease on low-glycemic eating, but with the launch of so many low-carb substitutions (Splenda included) we haven't learned how to eat differently - we just substitute it for engineered, low-carb alternatives. I just can't imagine we're not paying a dear price for this. Our bodies just don't recognize the content of some of these chemical bonds and the result is free radicals roaming around your body, resulting in aging, weight gain, loss of energy, and in some cases cancer. I'm an organic gal, myself. I figured I'd change it ALL when I got banded and began to eat organic, non-processed foods. You can't imagine how quickly the craving for sugar dissipates. Your eyes are brighter, your skin looks better, you have a lot more energy! But it's definitely a lifestyle alteration; one that's not easy to convert to (ecspecially if you have a family).

4/5/06 Another friggin PB today! I even ate slow. I know I'm not overfilled - It was that darn piece of bread! It's embarassing to do this in front of your friends. B: Metagenics protein shake (200 calories) L: A big 'ol PB on 1/2 turkey sandwich on wheat (guessing 400 calories) S: 1/2 coconut oatmeal bar (guessing 400 calories, but I have no idea) S: 1/2 C Unjury (after workout) (45 calories) D: Lo-carb chicken spaghetti (abt 350 calories) Totals: 1,395 calories

I've tried Stevia. It's in a lot of my protein drinks. I think it's great. Lots of people use it in their coffee. It's difficult as a substitute for sugar in recipes calling for it, however, unless you're an expert at matching consistency in recipes. But if you want a little sugary taste in your cerial, Stevia is great! Stevia also doesn't affect blood sugar.

I don't know if we should pull it if it's dangerous, but at least put a big warning label on it. Cigarettes are harmful but they're still available. Can't say I'm a big Splenda eater, though. I either have to stop eating it or eat the real thing. Eating Splenda causes me to crave sugar WAY more than eating actual sugar does. I read that article about Splenda not being dangerous, but I've read other articles that seem to have evidence to the contrary. I just can't imagine that it's good for you, though. Seems like an awful lot of these engineered foods have something seriously wrong with them. But I know how we come to rely on these products.

Teresa How much total fill do you have now? Sometimes I wonder what good restriction is supposed to be. I can eat about a cup but I'm getting somewhat stuck (not really a PB) every other day. Makes me think my pouch is stretched :ban: Yesterday (4/3/06) B: Metagenics shake L: Chicken enchilada S: SF Yogurt D: Grandma's dinner of biscuits, 1 pc fried chicken, 1/2 c clam chowder S: Donut! Today (4/4/06) B: Metagenics shake - 25g protein, 200 calories L: WW Turkey & Green Beans, 18g protein, 200 calories S: 1/2 oatmeal cookie - guessing 200 calories, 1g protein D: Taco meatloaf and veggies - abt 22g protein, 328 calories Water: 8 cups Content: 66g protein, 928 calories

3/31/06 B: Metagenics shake with 1/2 scoop unjury L: Swiss steak, cottage cheese, green Beans S: 1 bite-sized chocolate bar D: chicken enchilada with FF creme cheese S: 1/2 Peanut Buster Parfait with the fam

3/30/06 B: Metagenics shake with 1/2 scoop unjury L: chicken Enchilada S: Activa Yogurt S: Handful of Almonds D: Chicken marinara with spaghetti squash S: Healthy choice fudge bar

Meals: B: Metagenics chocolate shake with 1/2 scoop choco unjury L: Cranberry chicken & 1/2 sweet potato S: Strawberry Activa yogurt D: 1.5 chicken enchiladas (with FF creme cheese and low carb tortillas) About 8.5 cups water ================================================== = Workout: Podfitness.com weight training workout for 50 minutes & stretching (kicked my butt, again!). Wasn't able to do the one-legged pilates ball roll, but I did the two-legged one. ================================================== = Energy: Stomach ache from chili rellano is gone. Feeling pretty good, actually, because I got a raise today! ================================================== = Weight: Scale at gym said 258 (which means 255 and the doctor's office)

Meals: B: Metagenics chocolate shake with 1/2 scoop choco unjury L: Cranberry chicken & 1/2 sweet potato S: Strawberry Activa yogurt D: 1.5 chicken enchiladas (with FF creme cheese and low carb tortillas) About 8.5 cups water ================================================== = Workout: Podfitness.com weight training workout for 50 minutes & stretching (kicked my butt, again!). Wasn't able to do the one-legged pilates ball roll, but I did the two-legged one. ================================================== = Energy: Stomach ache from chili rellano is gone. Feeling pretty good, actually, because I got a raise today! ================================================== = Weight: Scale at gym said 258 (which means 255 and the doctor's office)

3/29/06 B: Metagenics meal replacement shake w/ 1/2 scoop chocolate unjury L: Cranberry chicken & 1/2 sweet potato S: Activa strawberry yogurt D: 1.5 chicken enchiladas (with FF creme cheese and low-carb tortillas - it aint too bad!)

I'm out six months and I still don't have the right restriction. My doc likes to go VERY slow with the fills and his appointment book fills up so fast you can't get an appointment more than once a month! I think the next fill might do it, though.

Meals: B: Chocolate banana peanut butter protein shake (2 scoops metagenics, 1/2 scoop chocolate unjury) L: Cranberry chicken & italian veggies S: SF Strawberry yogurt D: Frozen Lean Cuisine Turkey Dinner S: Healthy Choice fudgesickle About 8 cups water =================================================== Workout: Podfitness.com treadmill workout for 30 minutes & stretching (kicked my butt!) =================================================== Energy: Sort of sick today. I think it was the chili rellano I had last night. A bit too spicy for my system! I'm thinking of trying that Activa yogurt. =================================================== Weight: Scale at gym said 258.75 (which means it's mroe like 255.75)

Meals: B: Chocolate banana peanut butter protein shake (2 scoops metagenics, 1/2 scoop chocolate unjury) L: Cranberry chicken & italian veggies S: SF Strawberry yogurt D: Frozen Lean Cuisine Turkey Dinner S: Healthy Choice fudgesickle About 8 cups water =================================================== Workout: Podfitness.com treadmill workout for 30 minutes & stretching (kicked my butt!) =================================================== Energy: Sort of sick today. I think it was the chili rellano I had last night. A bit too spicy for my system! I'm thinking of trying that Activa yogurt. =================================================== Weight: Scale at gym said 258.75 (which means it's mroe like 255.75)

Woowee! I had the workout of a lifetime today. I downloaded this thing from podfitness.com that mixes your iTunes songs with this custom workout thing. Kind of like a personal trainer. Boy, does it give you a workout! 3/28/06 B: Chocolate/Banana/Peanut Butter protein shake L: Cranberry chicken w/ italian veggies S: SF Strawberry yogurt D: Frozen Lean Cuisine Turkey Dinner S: Healthy Choice fudgesickle

Hey, are you on your period? That'll kill my motivation in a heartbeat! When I have willpower probelms it almost always is a seratonin issue. So I do things like go tanning, take a little 5-HTP (an amino acid), and head to the gym. Of course when your willpower is low going to the gym seems like a real chore. But isn't that how life goes? We don't want to do something when we need it the most!

Low fat butters can get dodgy. I'm an organic sort of gal so if I were looking for a low-fat butter I'd make sure it didn't have any hydrogenated or trans fats in them. Trans fats can cause all kinds of damage. Of course, I'm sure you're not going to be slathering it on everything so I'm not really sure about the kind of damage a small amount can do. I believe Benecol and Take Control butters are low in both saturated and trans fats. I can't vouch for their taste, though (I've never tried either).

Whoa, Gunn! Guess you learned from that episode! I think we all think that at some point or another we can just revert to our old ways and do whatever we want. The band is willpower safe! 3/26/06 B: 1 turkey caccitori meatball L: Turkey (difficult to eat!), yams, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, salad (about two bites of each, except the turkey) S: mom's homemade peach cobbler (at about 6:30) D: 1 turkey caccitori meatball S: Healthy choice fudge bar (at about midnight!) 3/27/06 L: 2 turkey caccitori meatballs and some veggies S: SF Peach yogurt S: Abt 10 semisweet chocolate chips w/ 1tsp Peanut Butter D: Cranberry chicken w/ sweet potato