beckn

Isn't it amazing how great everything tastes. I am really loving my cottage cheese. It is high in protein and you can mix it in to many things for different flavors. This week ,now that I am all healed I am planning to bump up my exercise. The weather is very nice right now so I am going to start riding my bike to the stores and hopefully to work. I will need to get a basket so I can carry my groceries. With the gas prices the way they are, it is even more incentive to ride my bike. I do have a Prius which gets 50 mpg but the bike is even better plus I can get my exercise out of the way. When the weather heats up a little more I am going to start doing water aerobics. I love that exercise because it doesn't feel like exercise, more like play. Have a great weekend and keep up the good work May banders! Becky

Hi Donna, I know the feeling now! I am having my first fill on 6/11 too. I am thinking that I better get this eating slowly and small bites down well before that happens. It is not easy breaking old habits. I don't know when I started being such a fast eater but I think it happened from having only 30min lunch breaks at work. By the time you use the bathroom, heat up or prepare your lunch you have about 15-20 mins to eat. I am trying to slow way down by using small plates and utensils and putting the fork down between bites. I know it will take some time to master this but I hope I don't have to experience that discomfort again anytime soon. Becky

Hey Congrats to all the new banders!!! I am so happy to hear that you have all come through with flying colors! High five and best wishes to you all on the beginning of your new lives. Becky

Talk about old eating habits. I went out to lunch today and my employer was paying. We went to an Asian resturant and I was at a large table of my peers. Everyone was eating and talking and I was joining right in and then before I knew it I had to excuse myself and go to the bathroom. Half of my food came right back up! I forgot to take small bites and I ate some things that I am not supposed to eat at 3 weeks post op. I had a couple of bites of rice and a couple of bites of cashew chicken and 1/2 egg roll and that was that for me. We were given specific menus to choose from and I thought that was probably the best choice but maybe I should have had the broccolli beef and no rice and eaten way slower. Oh well, live and learn I guess. Becky

I think you've got something there! LOL Becky

Sadie, Thanks for the fantastic sharing of your experience and reflections on living with the band. We have to always remember that this is a tool and that it works only when we work with it. I am going to save your post and put it on my refrigerator as a reminder to keep focused on good eating and exercise behaviors. Life has been made a little easier for me now that I have some control over my portions but I should never forget that I have to do my part. Thanks again for your very thoughtful words of advise. Becky

Hi Cathy, good to hear that you are doing so well. I'll tell you, if I wouldn't have found this site while waiting for surgery I would have gone crazy. I was on it several times a day asking questions and looking for tips and advise. I feel that 90% of the advise is credible and very helpful. Now as I move through the early days of post op I have gotten so much great advise on meals, receipes, and remedies for the little things that come up. Just stay tuned and excited because it will be the greatest adventure of your life. Becky

Hastings, thanks for sharing the article on protein. I have only been able to get in about 40-50 gms per day with food and wondered if I should try to get in a 20 gm protein shake. I am 5-4 and weigh about 208. Becky

Hi Lynn, That sounds yummy, I'll try it. I have been getting the best food ideas from this site. Someone told me to puree low fat cottage cheese and mix into tomato soup. It was great and so rich. It also came to almost 20 gms of protein and very filling. Keep the ideas coming. I like variety. Becky

Sounds good too! I'll tell you what, after drinking liquid protein for a couple of weeks EVERYTHING tastes great. I find that I am not using the salt shaker as much because everything tastes so wonderful! Becky

Thanks Luscious, I am trying to do all thoes things. The main thing is that I am feeling so great. I feel 10 years younger....no aches or pains. I feel that this eating correctly and getting in more fluids has released inflamation in my body. I feel more limber and flexable that I have a new lease on life and this is just the beginning!!! WOO HOO! Becky

Hey bux....glad to hear you are doing well....just keep walking away that gas! It really feel great when you can pass that gas! Becky

Hey Penny.....quit calling yourself a little old lady....heck, I am 2 years older than you and I don't feel like a little old lady.....We're fabulous fifties! Becky

WOW Penny......you go girl!! Thanks for the pep talk....I needed it today. I am heading out for my walk in the park with my doggie, Lola. Becky

Hello Penny, thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. You really touched a cord in me and I feel uplifted. Best wishes to you. Becky

Laura, that is exactly what I do. I tell myself just walk in and do a little something and pretty soon I am doing a complete workout.That is the same thing about walking. If I just put on my walking shoes my dog knows we are going to the park and then she just goes nuts and I can't disappoint her. I always play little games on myself like if I don't want to clean house I just tell myself that I am getting unexpected company and I better just tidy up a bit. The next thing I know I have the rock and roll blarring and I am running the vacume. Hey, whatever it takes. Becky

Hi Bux, I was banded on May 12 and doing very well. How goes it for you? Becky

WOW Shelli.....that is fantastic!!!! Any tips you care to share with us new bandsters? Becky

Wow...double Yum...thanks for sharing! Becky

Wow greg, you are already on your way to a great start.....good work and best wishes to you on your big LB day. Keep us posted. Becky

Hi Yvonne, I was banded on May 12th and down 19 lbs and feeling great. I am not sure when I get my first fill as I haven't had my post op visit yet. I see my surgeon next Thurs. I have been doing just about the same as you and I say thank goodness I love cottage cheese too. I put a littl salsa in it to spice it up or a little humus. Are you on a regular exercise program? My sister and I are joining a gym this week, other than that I am trying to walk for about 20-30 min most days. High five to you on your great weight loss. You inspire me. Becky

Hi MsTrina, Thanks for the reply and great advise. I know I am addicted to the scale and tend to weigh more than once a day...old habits die hard ya know! You sound like you have a good knowledge base and some experience to back it up. I will follow your lead on this. thanks again so much....have a great holiday weekend! Becky

Hi GDF18......Yum! I love soup!! Thanks for the receipe

I think I am ready for a fill because I am now starting to want to snack again, or is this just old behavior patterns popping up. The only time I feel like snacking is in the evening when my hubby and I are watching tv and he heads for the ice cream. I am 13 days post op and have lost about 19 lbs although the weight loss has now stopped since I started eating soft foods. I have had no real problems except the other day when I forgot myself and ate some crackers.........got my first experience of pbing!! Becky

Hi Mstrina, I am 13 days post op. I did 10 days of preop protein shakes prior to surgery. I started at 227 and then on the day of surgery they weighed me at 215. By 10 days post op I weighed 208 and now today I weigh 210. I started adding soft foods this past week and at first could only get in about 500cals and that is with the protein shakes. I made it up to 800cal yesterday but it was a challenge. I am starting to exercise more but not daily. My sister and I are joining a gym this week and will be work out buddies. Now I am afraid that my weight loss has stopped. Should I work up to 1000 cals per day? I have also been having trouble getting in all my water. Any advise? Becky