CW_Lady

I use the protein water several times a week. It helps when I'm down a bit on my protein counts. Most of the time I take it on the nights I'm in school. Somedays, instead of water, I will take it to my aerobics class. I probably drink 3 or 4 a week.

I understand completely about not being able to eat anything in the morning. I started that problem when I got my last 1/2cc (for a total of 5cc). I never have a hard time eating dinner or my bedtime snack about 11 p.m. (necessary when my glucose is in the 90s to prevent an insulin reaction...I'm not completely off insulin yet). Like this morning I sipped on a 1/2 bottle of the Naked juice Protein shake (too lazy to make my own this morning) and a small can of V8 juice. That is a typical meal for me for Breakfast. lunch will usually be something soft like cottage cheese. I agree it's a strange restriction but not much I can do about it until I can convince the doctor to remove the previous 1/2cc. But he won't until I can increase my monthly weight loss. Off to exercise now so I can convince him I don't need the 1/2cc.

I'm at the 55 pound mark (I like my scale better than my doctors...there's a 2 pound difference). Still playing catch up with the weight loss since my foot surgery in June. I just joined a Jazzercise class as it's getting a bit cold to walk now here in Michigan. I'm hoping to make up for some lost time over the winter. I'm in the final sizes in my closet (size 16). Thankfully Christmas is coming up as I only have two pairs of jeans in a size 14. Still not liking my last fill from the summer (at 5cc). Doctor won't remove it. Just tells me to chew more times. If I can reach another 10 pound weight loss in December I might be able to convince him to take some out.

It's hard to believe the 6th month mark has come and gone. As of August 5th, I am down 35 pounds. My losses have been slow, pound here, pound there because of problems with my foot. I had that problem surgically taken care of in June. July 10th I had the stitches taken out. Since that day I've been trying to walk at least once a day if not twice. Typically I walk about 20 minutes in the morning and about 40 minutes at night. I know I'm getting a pretty good workout as I have to drag the dog the last few houses (he's even slimming down!). I'm looking to join some type of gym. I need to get some weight training in to strenghten my muscles. Since my last fill 7-31-08 I've had more problems getting food down. I don't dare eat anything for Breakfast so I make a soy Protein smoothie. I sip on that for an hour or an hour and a half as I work. Depending on how I feel, I'll have a 1/2 sandwich for lunch or some cottage cheese if I still feel tight. I chew the sandwich very slowly and take very small bites. It always helps for me to have something crunchy on it. That way when I hear no crunch I know I chewed well enough. I had my favorite Tai dish last week (a rice noodle dish with chicken and broccoli). I did very well with it. No problems with the noodles (amazing how slow you can eat when using chop sticks ) or the spices. I had left overs three times and now have three 4 oz. containers in the freezer for quick meals. I have my days when I slip up and can't seem to get full. But I know I'm making progress as my insulin useage has greatly decreased. I'm in clothes I haven't worn in four years. It's been a journey but one I have never regretted. I live my life as normal as possible (besides the smaller food quantities and getting more exercise). It will be interesting when I start classes again at the end of next month. Only one of my classmates knows I had the surgery (her sister had by-pass about 5 years ago).

I try to eat very normal. Some foods take more effort to chew (like asparagus that I had for the first time in 6 months this week). I found I don't have problems with some foods like bread or pasta that others have. I allow myself treats...just in limited quantities (my new rule is I don't get them unless I get all my exercise in). My feeling is that the band is only to force me to control my portions, not deny me normal eating. I do find that in the mornings it's hard for me to eat right away. I typically have a soy protein smoothie (which I get half of my protein in for the day) otherwise it's a good 3 hours before I can actually chew and swallow food.

I have 4 1/2 cc in a 10cc band. I may have another 1/2 cc put in at my appointment at the end of the month. My restriction is pretty good (except for high stress times like midterms and final exams...I can munch all day even though I'm not hungry at all...an issue I need to resolve). My weight loss has been slow because of mobility restrictions. Had surgery on my foot to take care of it. Since the stitches came out on July 10th, I've been walking once or twice a day. Also looking at a membership at the Y (I get bored with walking). So I'm hoping to make up for lost time with more exercise.

Tai Chi is great. I studied it for a few years and kinda fell out of it. I want to go back but with going to school at night, I can't seem to take the Tai Chi class. I always loved the workout and going at a pace that suits you. Maybe I'll have to find a video so I can get back into it (after my foot heals and I'm allowed to exercise again) until I'm done with my degree.

I've had two fills for a total of 4cc in a 10cc band. I opted not to get a fill today (weight loss in two weeks was three pounds). I go back in a month to see how I'm doing. I may at that time opt for a small fill depending on the weight loss. I have a wound on my foot that is not healing properly due to damage done to the foot a few years ago (basically the bone is causing a blister from the inside out). I told the doctor I was happy with the weight loss even if was small. I didn't want the fill because I really needed to make sure I got plenty of Protein in to heal the wound so I can have surgery in June to remove the bone causing me grief. I haven't been hungry (that was his concern) other than the hunger pangs in the head. My problem is getting in exercise without putting pressure on my foot (I'm currently wearing a boot that looks like something from RoboCop and I'm supposed to be on crutches - yearh right!). I'm hoping I can get enough in doing upper body workouts with handweights (at least my arms will be ready for the summer - lol). I purchased an exercise ball to sit on while at the computer doing client work (or homework). Hopefully that will tighten up the ab area.

I haven't tried soft breads, bagels, english muffins, etc. I do eat sandwhiches and use your grainier breads. I haven't had a problem with them. I can also handle pastas so far. I just got my second fill so I'll know in the next week how much has changed.

I had my first fill yesterday. After the nurse weighed me and took my new measurements (4" less in the stomach, 4" less in the hips, and 1" less in the neck...yeah me!), she asked if I really wanted a fill. Told her I think so. I have finals next week along with 2 major projects. I need something to keep me from eating. The doctor decided based on my weight loss and my finals fears to do a 2cc fill. I go back in 2 weeks to see where I'm at. Due to a foot injury I haven't been able to exercise. But I'll be able to start again on Monday. I want to maintain a 2 pound per week loss.

I just had my first visit after surgery with my primary care doctor. He's thrilled about my weight loss so far (and I don't have to wait until the 6th to have an official weigh in). We adjusted my medications and feel at the goals I set for myself, my next visit to him should have me off of all but one medication (can't do much about the under active thyroid....it's one of those hereditary things). As March 6th gets closer, I'm getting more nervous about my first fill. Other than that, I'm feeling great. I'm even handling the stress of finals and final projects coming up in the next two weeks without wanting to binge eat.

It was hard for me to get through the first week. I didn't like the Protein powders mixed in my foods. I pretty much lived on Boost and Carnation Instant Breakfast (like pre-op). I also found when I was not getting enough protein I couldn't control my hunger. After I got into thicker foods I found that I can get 30 grams of protein by making smoothies. I used yogurt (about 5 grams of protein), soy Protein powder (25 grams), crystal light (Sunrise), frozen fruit, and sometimes a little vanilla. I found I couldn't really taste the protein powder (even my mom could barely taste it and she's anti-soy anything!). I try to have one of those a day. Between everything else, I manage to get in my protein. I also take a couple of cans of refried Beans and put them in a blender with a can of enchilada sauce. I will usually add a little cheese sauce in it to boost the protein amount. Seeing I'm taking 3 classes right now, I switched my bottle Water to the Special K protein water. It helps me get that little bit extra. I still drink plain water when I'm at home and only save the protein water for school. My sister-in-law told me about Naked juice (Welcome to Naked Juice) having a Protein Drink that is 20 grams of protein in one serving (the bottle is almost 2 servings...your body won't process more than 30 grams at one time). There's no sugar added. You can find it in the organic area of your grocery store. I bought a bottle to try. I just gave it a taste, it really is pretty good.