littlefroggy

I can eat maybe 5-6 bites of food. I think it's about 2-4 oz at a time or 1/4-1/2 a cup. Depending on the food, I could eat more. I almost always find the Protein fills me up and I don't have room for the veggies. I'm on my third fill and think I have good restriction now.

You need to go back to your doctor and have them look into what the problem might be. I am guessing there is a medical reason why it's not working...but the band is a TOOL and you need to work it like a tool. I hate to say it and be preachy, but don't eat the bread, Pasta and junky foods. Stick to the 1/2 cup portion size even if you CAN eat more. Or go back on liquids for two weeks to shrink the pouch. Don't drink and eat at the same time. You can't just go back to old habits and make the band work. The band won't work alone. You MUST follow the diet and exercise plan. I found that when I strayed I lost a lot less.. When I was back on track, I've done great. I was eating potato chips and pasta for awhile and went on what I called a plateau, but really I wasn't losing b/c I was eating JUNK!! also, if you haven't GAINED, consider that a success. I know I was continually gaining before surgery, so if you've managed to keep off that weight you are doing great and the band is doing something for you!

I've had days like that, especially in the beginning when I just started eating soft foods, or right after a fill. Sometimes I eat a spoonful of Peanut Butter, which is good, has Protein and carbs, which maybe you need more of. Cottage cheese is really filling too, as is ricotta. You can heat up low-fat ricotta w/ spices and marinara sauce, or w/ some spenda and apple sauce or something. I wouldn't worry unless you start to really get sick and woozy. Drink more Water. You will eventually find yourself at a place where your intake is more normal. I had days where I only had 200-400 calories in a day, but now I have anywhere from 800-1200 and am losing really well.

I have a lot, but here is one... by 2010, I should never have to shop at lane bryant again!! I'm already very close, so I just have to keep at it. I am so PROUD to say that today at Torrid I bought myself a size 16 pair of SKINNY JEANS!!! I also want to have a lot of SEX in 2009!!! (2008 was a bummer of a year in that department!)

I told almost everyone. I don't tell strangers so much, but I'm so happy that when I meet people who are struggling w/ their weight I tell them about what I've gone through. It's not a secret. the only people who don't know are the parents of the students in my class. All my co-workers, boss, etc. know as well as friends and family.

I puked today at lunch. I ate about 3 bites of chicken, and had a major "stuck" issue and threw up what I had eaten. I am out of town and have no shakes or anything w/ me. I am drinking a jamba juice because it was at the airport and what was available. I got the all fruit one (218 cal) because they were out of soy Protein and I don't drink whey. Anyway, does your doctor tell you no solids for 2 days after vomiting? I am VERY hungry- as it's 4:20 and all I ate today was an egg white and a bit of avocado. I only vomited one other time and that was before I even had any restriction.

I've noticed a huge change in my face... That was yesterday At my heaviest YAY YAY YAY

I was thinking back after a previous post about how much I have changed. I used to eat REALLY bad. I had basically given up. I would do Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Atkins, but it would last a month or a couple weeks and I would eat badly again. I've come a long way, baby! I used to eat this in a day: B - cheese bagel AND an apple fritter or fast food Breakfast L - Lean cuisine or pita bread w/ avocado and tomato, diet soda (if at work, since I wouldn't want people to know how bad I ate.) If it was the weekend, I would probably drive through somewhere, Jack in the Box was my favorite...I haven't even been there since being banded! D - McDonald's food, maybe a big mac meal, or some things off the dollar menu. When they had big macs (2 for $3) I actually would get 2 and eat them. It makes my stomach hurt to just think about it! S - Cookies, candy, or something like that, but exorbitant amounts! (Like I could eat a whole package of cookies in 2 days!!) Now, I had healthy phases, where I tried eating only organic (I still do that) or where I only ate brown rice, whole wheat, etc... but it never lasted long. I CRAVED junk food!!! There were days when I had fast food 3x in one day! The thought now makes me want to puke! ~~~~~~~~ Now on a bad day, I might make a plate of nachos (a dessert plate) w/ a serving of chips (6) and a serving of cheese (1 oz) on a bad day now, I might have 4 hershey kisses I might have an extra fudgsicle, or an extra helping of dinner, an hour later... but it's NOTHING like what it was before. That makes me happy!!!!!!!!! I'm losing weight (a little more slowly now) but I can also see the changes I've made!

I've lost a lot of weight- numbers say so... but I don't see the difference at all!!!! I'm posting these because I need help... DO you see the difference??? August 15 (3 days before surgery) Today Today August 15 I don't understand why I don't LOOK different!!!!

Thanks everyone... I am starting to see what you see. I'll focus on the clothing sizes, measurements (my doctor took them so I will have to ask if they can take them again for me) and just on my great progress... and I'm going to start saving for my tummy tuck and boob job!!

Everything I have tried to eat all day has been getting stuck!! I hope this doesn't happen tomorrow, as we have a big dinner planned. Only the CHOCOLATE I had today was ok. Are there some days when you are tighter than others? It's after 5 pm and I still can't really eat. I tried a deviled egg and some chicken. Both got stuck! The chicken was in some sauce and I eat it all the time. I don't know what's wrong today!!

I wonder if the weather is the reason! It's been very cold here.

It's a bit unpredicatable... for example, I make this great turkey salad and eat it all the time (for lunch several times a week) but last night it got stuck. I didn't PB but it was definitely a not great feeling. I have had that stuck feeling with a lot of different foods. I have only PB'd a few times, and DO avoid those foods or foods like them by all means (fried chicken, french fries, etc.)

I'm watching the marathon on Discovery Healthy.. a woman just had problems with the "Molina Band." It didn't seem like they said it wasn't the lap band. I wish they had, because it took me awhile to figure out that it wasn't the lap band and was something else.... they said it was "experimental." Anyone know about that kind of band? It had sunk into her stomach and she gained back all her weight.

I know it's a possibility AND my doctor has mentioned it. He even said they would take pictures and work with a PS and insurance to see that it's covered!! (if possible) Knowing my insurance, probably not, as I was self-pay for the whole procedure anyway! I'm actually hoping I get sores and skin problems so insurance will pay for it... I imagine I will as I have the apron (it's going away now) but I always have to care for that area a lot or I would get very sore rashes before the surgery. When I lose the weight, if the apron is still there, I will just do what I can to get the surgery. I would love a flat tummy, thin thighs and perky boobs!

I don't really eat breakfast foods because there isn't much I think I could eat... however, you could possibly eat crepes with some soft fruit in them (totally a calorie/carb filled choice!) Otherwise, maybe an omelette? I have a problem with eggs, but I think it's just me. Maybe oatmeal, but that sounds totally unappetizing! A fruit cup? Cold Cereal for sure... I think I could eat bacon, but haven't tried. I would pat the grease out very, very well if I were to try it. Breakfast is tricky!!! Sorry! If you're going to a place that serves all food all day (like Denny's) get a salad or grilled fish or something. I can't eat much in the a.m. but when I do, it's almost always dinner or lunch foods.

does anyone know what would make you super tight one day and not on other days?? It's almost 8 and I finally got down some pasta (no protein though) I'm going to drink some tea later.

I also was scared to try a lot of things, but once I discovered the sneaky snacky foods I COULD eat- major problem. Now I know if I buy them, I need to get rid of them ASAP! I bought Cookies, ate 2 small ones and brought them to work and gave them away. Last night I had a party and we had chocolates out. I gave everyone a baggy of chocolates as they left so there wouldn't be any more for me to eat. I learned I can have SOME of those things but I really need to watch myself and monitor what I'm doing! it's a process and we are all going through it. If you can resist, do it. if you really, really want something, see if you can buy a single serving size and split it with someone (a friend or kid or something.) Avoiding forever seems like a great plan, but for me it hasn't been. I do better learning from my experiences, which means sometimes breaking the rules but learning from my mistakes. I am doing very well now with avoiding the junky stuff, but it's taken practice!!

Between the liquid diet and my first fill I gained a few pounds. Some of it may be that your body was sick, healing and essentially starving! Everything you eat may sort of "stick." Don't worry though... we need to do the liquids, mushie, soft foods phases to heal the band. You'll start losing pretty soon, then you won't believe how great it feels. Don't get discouraged!!

I haven't done "extreme" roller coasters, but I did do some spinning rides that take you upside and in the air. Even the seat restraint was pushing right up against my port area. It was fine. I was more worried about my purse!! I think you should be fine, but don't eat or drink anything for a few hours before you plan to do the rides. My doctor said not to eat or drink before flying, so I imagine it's sort of the same thing!

I know some people said they can go back within a few days, but I needed all the time I could get! I had surgery on the 18th and was back at school the 28th. I had 10 days before I had to be at work, and I was on a sort of "light duty" in that it was just meetings and things (I'm a teacher) and school hadn't started. It was STILL hard for me and I could have used more time!! Turns out I had an infection and that was part of the problem- hopefully that won't happen to you!

I stuck to the diet and still gained weight.. Between my consult and my pre-op appt I lost about 19 lbs, but then on the day of surgery, they weighed me again and I had gained back 5 or so... it was an Atkin's type diet with lots of Protein. I was eating A LOT of hamburger w/ melted cheese and things like that. I was only required to liquids or fast I think the day before, but I can't really remember. I think it was fasting... I was still banded. I didn't actually cheat but I gained...

I'm already doing the swimming, so I will start to train for the running and biking at the gym until I can get the confidence to do it outside (cars, people, etc.!) I talked to a friend yesterday who runs triathlons and she said that she stays in a hotel and needs a day to recoup after the race... that scared me a bit. She said she can't drive herself home!! Is that true! (However, she also says she does them to place and wants to get 1st, 2nd or 3rd...)

I had such a fear of the gym, that I paid for my membership for 3 years and never went in the doors!!! (This was after I was a gym-junkie for awhile and lost 50 lbs and put it back on and more.) I have gone now, and it's not so bad. Just get yourself something you think is cute to wear (it helps with the frumpy feeling) and get on the machines. Seriously! Target has a good workout section for plus sizes. My buff brother is a personal trainer, and he says most people just think that it's awesome that you're doing something good for yourself. When I was in counseling about a year ago, one of the issues we talked about was my stupid gym membership and my fear of the gym.. yeah, it feels lame to say it now!! However, since being banded I do go in! YOU CAN DO IT!! If you and your husband both got memberships, have him go with you the first time.

That's normal. First thing in the a.m. when I get up (6:00 am) I drink 20 oz of Water (or crystal light) and then around 9:30 I have a small snack, but often it still makes me choke- it has to be VERY soft. I eat a real lunch at noon, but it's small. I consume probably 80% of my calories in the evening!! I feel like I'm pigging out, but I realize that every day I am still getting in around 1100 calories, so it's not bad.