kabeerah

Subhanallah (Glory be to God),I don't know where to start! I guess i'll start with the bad news, masha'Allah (it is what God has decreed). First, I did not get any excercise in for a week and just started back two days ago. Second, I think I have irratated my esophagus. I do not have a fill, have never pb'd or slimed but I have been feeling swollen, tight, and have a sore ichy throat. Last week we were out of town all day and I had a granola bar....SUSPECT #1! Then the next day I tried some Musli Mix High Fiber Cereal...SUSPECT #2! I supose a grain could have got stuck. I recall having the popcorn kernal feeling, and trying to cough it out slightly. Third, and this really isn't so bad but it leads up to my good news, I 'only' lost one pound in my 9th week out. The one pound wasn't so bad considering that I had not excercised all that week, ate three pieces of KFC, and that I played taste tester for my friend's new Bakery Home Business. I promised her before the band and she said she felt bad asking me but I told her that I would do it because I wasn't really dieting anyway. I really didn't eat much. She gave me itty bitty pieces of several things....NONE OF THEM SET OFF CRAVINGS!!!! I was shocked. If that were me on Atkins it would have set off either a one week binge or I would have quit all together. The Good News! I started back walking two days ago! I have been on liquids for two days in hope that it will relieve my irratated esophagus. My weigh in day is on wedsnesdays, so I had no intention of weighing in today (well not officially). Here goes TMI, but last night all the liquids that went in one end came out the other...it seemed non-stop. I thought that had to account for something! I was hoping it was the three pounds I wanted to lose last week to make it a nice 50lbs lost in two months. I was 230 the last time I checked. When I got on the scale this morning before my morning walk, before eating or drinking anything, and after relieving myself...I was pleasantly surprised to see that I was weighing in at 218!!!! I couldn't believe my eyes. I checked to make sure the scale was properly balanced, I woke my daughter up to put her on it to make sure it was working (lent it to my neighbors last night, who have a track record of BREAKING EVERYTHING they borrow!), I got on and off to make sure I was seeing it correctly..it kept saying the samething...218!!! 218!!! 218!!! Allahu Akbar (God is The Greatest)!!!That makes me down 59 lbs in a little over 2 months!!! I like totally skipped the 220's!!! Masha'Allah. It is so amazing because last night I planned to updated my profile today, after I had weighed my 4 year old and realised that not only had I lost the weight of my 30lb one year old son, but that I also lost the weight of my 40lbs 4 year old. I was going to set a mini goal to lose the weight of my 55lbs 6 year old and then this morning I realised that I had!!! Almost two years ago I started Atkins at 247lbs. In three months I was down to 217lbs. I am one pound away from that. I bought clothes then that were really nice but gave them all away to charity a few months ago because I could not foresee being that size again and it was taking up unneccesary space. Now all I have in my closet are my 'moo moo's'. I don't plan on doing any shopping any time son because I am still not a size that I want to actually wear nice clothes in yet. I will stick with my comfortable moo moo's for the time being. We go on vacation in August, insha'Allah (God Willing). Perhaps by then I will be a size that I will feel more comfortable buying new clothes in. I thank Allah for making this all possible. I thank the rulers of this country for having free to minimum cost medical care. I thank my surgeon and his wonderful surgical team for giving me excellant care. I thank my husband for supporting me and paying for this surgury and I thank all my fellow bandsters on these forums for being there for me and other people who had or are considering wls. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Click on the link in my signature for my positive story!

Habizi? No, I haven't heard of it. what does it look like? What is it used for? What is it in English?

Put a fake/temp tatoo over it.

It doesn't bother me as long as there are no problems and I pray this will not be the cause of any problems.

I like the scale. I just bought one right before sugury. I didn't have one before because I did not want to go nuts. Now I gewt on whenever I want, but it doesn't 'count' until my official weekly weigh in day. That is only for the first 20 weeks and then I will only have official monthly weigh ins (My Swedish Band patient Handbook that I record this in is designed that way). If the scale fluncuates (which it will) then I don't sweat it unless it's like that on my weigh in day (and I only weigh in first thing in the morning before eating and drinking and after relieving myself) and thank God that has not happened.

See this is why I like not having anything in my band. I am pleased with the amounts and types of foods I eat. Honestly, I don't want to be full after just a few bites. I fear if that happened to me I wouldn't want to bother cooking and I would go for quick fixes. I hope I never NEED a fill.

2oz! That's nuts. This is the first I heasrd. My doctor never told me how much to eat, but when I went in after 4 weeks and was still on liquids and had lost 36 lbs he was like continue to eat like that (under 600 calories and stay on liquids). I told him I was moving on. So I moved on to mushies for 2 more weeks and just started eating solid Proteins a week ago. Still no fill and the solids made all the difference! Before I would have a cup of salad with 4oz of canned chicken or a cup of salad and a cup of chilli or something like that tyically. The first time I had real solid chicken I filled up so much faster with so much less and didn't eat again for another 5 hours and could have gone longer. I had a cup of salad (boston lettuce, red leaf luttuce, one egg, ranch dressing) and 40z of lemoin prepper chicken (boneless, skinless chicken breast strips). I figured it was the same serving size that I had been eating when eating the soft canned chicken breast. I was SURPRISED! I could have stopped half way thru, and been totally satisfied but I didn't because I was enjoying it so much! Now that I know this I will put less on my plate next time because by rule I do not go back for seconds, but I still feel the need to clean my plate so next time I will not put as much. If I were you I would not have my fill until I have seen how I feel after eating 3-4oz of Protein first, then 1/2 cup of veggies, and if there is room left a 1/2 cup of a good carb source or as I do another 1/2 cup of veggies. If this fills you up then there is no need for a fill and hopefully you will start losing. Of course check it out with your doctor but if he insist on 2 oz meals then I would see a nutrientionist. 2 oz just not does cut it.

9 weeks out. No fill. -47

Is it possible somebody can create a poll to see what portion size everyone is eating and how much they are losing? I have two inquiries: 1. My dr. was not specificic about portion sizes, just told me to keep doing whatever I'm doing (at the time I was on liquids and he encouraged me to continue after my 4 weeks since I was doing well) and to keep my calories low (too low like 500-600). Portions seems to be a hot debate, some saying 1/2 cup a meal others saying a cup. HELP! What is the ideal bandster portion? 2. I am 6 weeks post-op and have yet to be filled. I currently eat about 1 cup - 1 1/2 cup per meal (3x a day). I do the 3-4oz of Protein first (which fits into my 4oz containers) and then I eat anywhere from a cup to a cup and a half of salad (no lettuce, I have diced up parsley, cilantro, tomatoes, and cucumbers). My weight has slowed down the last two weeks (-1lb 5th wk -2lb 6th wk) but that could be due to many reasons (just introduced solids after 4 weeks of liquids and have been walking 2-3 miles a day for a week now), or it could be my portions (or possibly the spoonfuls of Peanut Butter I snack on ). What is the recommended portions a person with no fill should eat? Should they aim for the same amount as a filled person? My current portions leave me satisfied (I could probably eat more but I only eat what I measured out and stop. I also get 'soft stops' but not the 'hard' ones) and I am losing (just not much but within bandster norms). So I guess I would like to know, what are good portions before and after adjustments? Thank you

Thanks everyone for your wonderful Responses. Elisabeth, I learned something new. I often wondered what was a appropriate snack size. I think the worse thinmg I have eaten is Peanut Butter. It has become my new addition. I think I will stop buyig it so not to tempt myself, because I can never stop at just one T spoon of it!

Daa. i'm 2 months out and in the same boat as you. I have not had a fill and at this point see no reason too. As a matter of fact yesterday and today I had to go back to liquids for a few meals because I feeling a strange restiction (water going down hard and feeling it like I am a funnel). It appears that I can eat basicaly any foods. I make good food choices. I'm wondering if I should give up my musli mix high Fiber Cereal, which I started eating a few days ago. I cherw it well but can't help to think that I may have irrated something because that is when the strange rstiction/swelling started. Keep up the good work!

I personally thing you are doing great. As long as you are not drinking a bunch of crap, I don't see the problem. I was on liquids for 4 weeks and I was taking in more than 1/2 cups.

Hello Everyone, I really need some ideas on what I can do with some cottage cheese I bought. I have never eaten it before and thought it looked gross, all of my life, but I bought it a few days ago in preparation for my mushie stage (I live in Saudi it is hard to find so when I saw it I bought it). Only thing is I am on a 4 weeks post op liquid diet and still have over 2 weeks to go! I'm afriad it will go bad. i don't want to waste it. Any ideas?

I just read a similar thread on here, but everyone who chimed in simply noted that they are hungry and in need of a fill. I am looking for what your docs have recommended and/or what is working for you.

Do you really think we are going to let you off that easy?! No way girlfriend, spill the beans! Tell us how you worked that band! 70lbs in 6 months...on a light weight...come on...tell us...we family

Not in Dubai but close! I was banded in Saudi. No support groups but my doc would like me to start one. He just banded another American a few weeks after me and I am referring 3 other Americans to him.

Today I am 4 weeks post-op and have lost a total of 36 lbs! I am so happy. I must say that this has been easier than I thought. The recovery and the 4 week liquid diet was nothing to it! I am so thankful that I was guided to discovering the band. We go on vacation in August and I am looking forward to it. To meeting new people and visiting old friends. To not being uncomfortable. I don't have much else to report.

Hello everyone. To day is my last day of a 4 week liquid diet. My doctor suggested that since I have done so well on liquids that I stay on them as long as possible. If I decide otherwise, he did not mention a mushy stage, just to proceed with caution. I will probably do a combo of liquids and mushies. Maybe two Protein shakes a day and a mushie meal. Some of the things I have that are like dips or spreads, I need suggestions on what to eat with it. Like liverwarst, hummus, and baba ganouge (mixed eggplant and tahini). Do you guys just eat it with a spoon or do you use crackers or what? Thanks in advance!

Just say NO!

The weirdest thing happened to me today. I am exactly 3 weeks post-op and still have no fill (of course) and am still on liquids for another week. This morning I was making Creame of Wheat for the kids. I was testing it (by eating from their little baby spoons) to see if it were too hot. One itty bitty lick/taste from my son's bowl and another from my daughter's. Put it in the freezer to cool off and added some milk to mine to make it really soupy. Had already drank about 2 large tumblers of Water before and while preparing (was told the no drinking with meals does not apply on liquids even though I do not drink AFTER I have a Protein drink or Soup because I notice I get hungry sooner). Took Cream of Wheat out of the freezer, and tested again from both bowls. I WAS STUFFED! I fed the kids and then sat down to have mine, even though I was stuffed because I really need the calories because I am nursing my son who is wearing me out (just one more year...lol). I eat from a baby spoon and took about two sips of mine and decided I better stop for fear of making myself sick. I then went to take a nap (hey when the baby wants to nurse and sleep...I follow his lead). Four hours later I drank two large tumblers of water (anything less I will still have a white and pasty tongue...it seems as though the more I drink the more my son takes and I am constantly trying to replenish) and again was full. I needed some calories so I drank a Slim-Fast Optima. I feared week 3 because I have read that this is usually when the hunger from hell kicks in. My case has been just the opposite. I am not complaining, I actually appreciate it. My concern is if it is okay to eat (remember I am on liquids) even if I am full, to make sure I am getting suffient calories (I am not even close to the 1500-1800 I am suppose to have as a nursing mom...I am forcing about 700 if that). Thanks

Has anybody read this book? It was an Oprah Book Club selection in '97 but I am just now reading it. It is written by the perspective of a fat woman. She is an emotional eater. Most of the reviews talk about how halarious the book is, but I find it depressing. I also found myself not liking the main character, the fat woman. I myself am a volume eater and sometimes eat when board. I often read this board and others who complain about being emotional eaters or people who get banded and from day one made no attempt to change their ways and to be honest I get annoyed. This bbok gave me the same feelings. However, with Delores (the fat girl) it was her attitude period that drove me nuts. Has anyone read this book? Could you relate or were you as shocked and appalled as I were. If you haven't read it, then you can by it used on amazon for less than a dollar.

Good Lord that book was depressing! I finished it a few days ago. I was like what are they tal;king about, this book being hilarious?! It was not funny at all. If they meant Delrois's disrespectful and rude behavior as funny, I disagree. I thought she had the worse personality of any character I have ever read. Once she lost weight she was a much more likable character. Has anybody found thisd true of themself? When you were fat and miserable were you mean? Then once you lost weight you were more pleasant? The part of the book that aggravated me the most was when she laid up in her dorm room all fat and nasty farting all over the place and left food around. So when her new roommate showed up, she left a horrible first impression.

'EAT AND DRINK BUT NOT TO EXCESS'. (Noble Quran S.7: V.31) In order to maintain a healthy body, Islam offers a diet that still is used and recognized by today's standards as very sufficient. The Prophet’s guidance with regard to food is perfect guidance. The Best of Teachers and the Mercy of the Worlds is reported to have clarified the meaning and limit of moderation in a tradition in which he is reported to have said that one’s worst weakness is one’s belly. He taught his ummah something to protect them from diseases caused by eating and drinking. He said: “The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat a few mouthfuls, to keep him going. If he must do that (fill his stomach), then let him fill one third with food, one third with drink and one third with air.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (1381), Ibn Maajah (3349); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah (2265). In another narration, the reason for moderation has been clearly stated. The Prophet is reported to have said: “The stomach is the tank of the body and the veins go down to it. When the stomach is healthy the veins come back in a healthy condition, but when it is in a bad condition, they return diseased.” In short, believers are advised to always take care of their stomachs and refrain from foods and practices that might pollute the stomach with various diseases. In order to do so the Prophet is reported to have advised believers to always stop eating before their stomachs are completely full i.e. stop eating when the urge to eat more is still present. Because, when the stomach is saturated with food, it will not be able to take in Water, and when food and water exceed their recommended level, one may suffer from pulmonary difficulties, resulting in stress and exhaustion from lungs being unable to easily deliver oxygenated blood to the left atrium of the heart. One will also feel heaviness in his body, his heart and spirit will experience languor and drowiness and his limbs will fail to obey him in performing his basic religious duties. Hence a filled stomach is damaging to one's body, heart and spirit. Moderation is the path of good health and the body benefits from moderate and nutritious meals. There remains much work to be done in publicising the dietary rules according to the Sunnah (traditions of Prophet Muhammad) in the prevention of disease, including the posture of eating, i.e. that one should not lean against the wall whilst eating, or in a recumbent position, that one should drink water in sips, etc. Refinement in eating was brought about by the noble Prophet, since before Islam, the custom was to gulp food and overeat. Allow me to summarise this, if you are still with me. It is important to eat only when you are hungry. When you do eat, you should not eat in excess. As advised by the Prophet, one should divide his / her stomach into 3 parts - a third each for food, Fluid, and respiration. Apart from adhering to other Islamic injunctions regarding nutrition such as moderation, eating etiquette, Halaal (permissable foods), etc. Islam also enjoins the importance of a balanced diet. Analyses of various verses from the Qur’an clearly show that the foods recommended in it, will fulfil one's daily Protein, carbohydrate, fat and Vitamin requirements. Quranic verses speak about the importance of among other things meat (6;118) dates (6;141), milk (16;66), olives (95;1), pomegranates (6;141), figs (95;1), seafood (5;99), fish (16;14), etc. Other than Quranic verses, we have the authentic Sunnah of The Messenger of God, Muhammad (PBUH) also testifying to the importance of a balanced diet. Many examples can be cited here as well. Suffice it to say that extremes in diet were not the practice of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and are not recommended in Islam. Islam itself is a balanced way of life that is pure from all sorts of excesses in any form. This is why a balanced diet fits beautifully into the balanced teaching of Islam. Islam is a natural lifestyle suited to the temperament of mankind at large. It is against the naturalness of Islam that extremes be pursued in physical as well as spiritual matters. Islam always promotes the middle path and this Community has been declared in the Noble Quran as being the nation of the middle path. As long as Muslims adhere to this general principle of Islam in every matter of their lives, they can look forward to not only good physical health but also an excellent mental, psychological and spiritual state of well being by the will of Allah Ta'ala.

Are your soups protein based? It appears that you may not be getting enough protein in.