nfl1

I am surprised how stress can throw me out of whack, my body revvs up, and I have to totally force it to slow down. I've been much tighter for longer in the day when I am under a lot of stress, and try relaxation techniques, but they don't always help. I've just kept more protein shakes on hand...but wondered if everyone has this? (I had to fly to FL to be with my dad, who was in ICU for more than a week, then flying back my big program deadline is hitting today...so it's hard to take care of onesself even with swimming and exercising.) I am just trying to breathe, in...out...in...

My doc always has us on full liquids for 24 hours after a fill, and mushies for a day after that (sometimes your esoph. can get irritated or swollen after a fill)

My doc did not allow cottage cheese or low/no fat ricotta until the soft/mushy stage post-op, definitely not liquid pre-op.

I have the same problem too - so I just plan to have a Protein shake every morning, and the time I start loosening up varies by the day, sometimes 11:30 am sometimes not till 1:00 pm, but I try to get something (eggs, or chicken salad or some kind of protein) during these times. Sometimes a few bits, sometimes more. Occasionally I'll feel stuck for a few minutes, and if I wait 5-10 minutes, I can start eating lunch again. In the evening if I don't eat too fast and chew well, I can usually eat whatever I want.

I had gas from both ends for months, and while it's lessening a little I still have it (esp. after I eat and at night).

I try really hard to follow them all, though the drinking before meals is really hard (since I put drinks away during meals it's still such a habit I reach for it - luckily it's not there till after the 30 min. post). But I often forget to drink all day, so esp. if eating out I do drink Water before the meal. I also eat "real" items rather than all no-fat low fat things (like cheese, etc.).

I can never eat much in the morning or even sometimes the mid-day. So I also do the protein drink in the morning, and often soup with a little solid (veggies or soft protein) for lunch, then a regular supper - though after my last fill it's a perfect small supper. Sometimes only protein with a little bit of veggie. Hope the vitamins give me the other stuff I need each day.

Falafel's don't like me any more :-( I just had lunch with some friends from out of town, and I should have gone with my first instinct, grilled chicken and pasta with feta cheese, but ordered just an appetiser knowing I'd never make a dent in the pasta dish, but I could only get down 1.5 falafel's - they were just too dry eventhough I dipped them. I thought I'd be able to chew them enough... BUT I'm so happy that the band is working like it should and I didn't actually get STUCK in front of them!

Congrats! I finally feel really great restriction, but it's taken 6 mo. and about 7 fills (my doc is pretty conservative)... after only losing a few pounds in the past 2 months, I have lost 5 in a week and it feels so great to feel full now. Finally I know what the "bread issues" feel like...before this fill I could eat anything.

Very true they don't stay in very long, but when one is tight in the early afternoon, home made soup with lots of chunky veggies, and even some meat (very moist when in the soups) does work. Our doc and nutritionist encourages yogurt and cottage cheese always. I have trouble with some "real" foods, and having a variety of things in a soup/stew helps to get balance and does stay with me for several hours.

Soup and yoghurt are slider foods? These are foods that give good nutrition, and yogurt - protein... the ice cream yes, but my NUT and surgeon don't consider the other 2 sliders...

I have to fly down the week surrounding Labor Day (visit my dad who's in the hospital), and wondered if anyone has ideas for places I can walk, or a pool I might swim in? Are there good restaurants for bandsters in the area?? I also have to try to plan what I can take on the plane...anyone with advice? I am assuming Protein drinks are a no-no because of the 3 oz thing?? Thank you! Nancy

Thank you so much, great suggestions!

PEANUT BUTTER, chili dogs, ice cream and thai food...So I bought some of the PB2, powdered peanut butter, which I could add to soups, but the two real food items I got during the mushy stage and pureed them so I could have the taste! You could plan that with the wonton? Ice cream I did take a taste or two, but not full fledge bowl or whatever (maybe I'm kidding myself).

I am finally feeling it! My 7th fill, got another .5 cc (up to 6.5 in a 14 cc band), and finally I can hardly eat bread...I work at a University and they gave us lunch today for the big orientation event, and after a bite or two, I had to take the ham & cheese (and tomato) off the bread, roll it up and eat it only, and slowly! I tried a few bites of a yummy looking brownie, and could only do 2 bites - YAY! Liquids are just fine, and Soups with soft veggies and other wet meats are great (I did a day of liquid and another of mushy). Congratuations to everyone! I hope this jump starts my losing because I've been on a huge stall despite making pretty good food choices, getting enough Protein, etc.

Hi everyone, I was banded January 20th, and am down 48 pounds, though most of that was in the first 2-3 months, and very little since then, but I'm really happy, and just got my 7th fill, and am to 6.5 cc (14 cc band), and finally really feel some restriction...so I'm hoping this is the sweet spot.

I've burped a lot since banding, and my last fill I burp more, but not excessively...love the restriction finally at 6.5 cc (in 14 band)!

I had the same thing happen to me yesterday, the first time I had the assistant in my appointment and not the surgeon. I thought I was around 5 cc in a 14 cc band, and he said it was 5.9? first fill 2.5 2nd fill 1.0 3rd .5 4th .5 5th .2 6th .2 When he drew it out it was about 6 (he couldn't get all out but it was close), and put in another .5, whew. My surgeon was going at .2 intervals. I can definitely feel more restriction this morning - finally can only sip that Protein shake rather than drink it...so here's hoping that the restriction continues!

My support group does this too - usually we meet on Mondays, 2 weeks for RNY and 2 weeks for lap band folks (I go to all of them), and whenever there is a 5th Monday in a month we do something special, clothing exchange, protein drink tastings, in a combined meeting. I've been happy to give my clothes and take others, it's so fun - try a different style that you might not usually try, and amazingly, I've seen things cycle a few times already in the last 6 mnths (usually from the RNY folks who lose faster).

I also have not restricted the tastes that I want if eating out. I do try to do the grilled seafood Red Lobster, Carrabas, or build your own meals, and only eat a small portion. For example, I really wanted to make my own nachos - black beans, grilled chicken, cheese, guacamole, salsa, tomatos...and just use the chips to scoop, and eat the other items too...so I feel like I'm getting a treat, but the ingredients are not bad. I've also done some chinese from the local supermaket (pay by the ounce), so I can get one spoon of several tastes, and not have more than 1/2 cup plus a little rice, but feel like I've had many different entrees.

I drink dark chocolate Atkins every day, sometimes twice a day...for variety I also like the Atkins strawberry.

What a great idea!!

My partner and I drove to FL two weeks ago, and found so much was breaded, but I did have some meatloaf and hashbrown casserole, and another time had eggs. We like Waffle House alot when travelling south, I was wondering if I could do the waffle, and with little tiny bites it worked ok putting eggs over easy on top and letting the yolk run. They have the thinnest, crispy bacon. Their cheese omlette is also wonderful.

My doc told me to go to bed early when I told him that I was having trouble at 9pm... I couldn't, sometimes I get home from coaching a softball game at 9pm, and try just to do a protein drink rather than other stuff at night. He also said to do the treadmill if I had to stay up - yea, THAT's what I want to do at 9pm after standing for 2 hours... but the point - I agree with trying to get your mind off the old draws from boredom...

I was banded Jan 20, and believe me I wanted to cheat, but didn't until the last day or two of the 2 week liquids (I had 2 croutons and dipped them then chewed and obliterated them)...and I loved the mushies stage, and still have some of the things now after a fill (1 day liquid, 1 day mushies). I recommend you make a list of all the foods you are dreaming of/tv commercials that are driving you crazy, then you can make these foods or get them and blend them during the mushy stage. No, they aren't pretty, but they taste like heaven after 4 weeks of liquids!! I made a lot of soups and blended them during the liquid stage, then you get full flavors (not just broth) with spices like cumin, coriander, and others and feel more like you are eating real food. The strained cream of chicken soup made with skim milk was also really thick and dreamy in the later part of week 1. Good luck!! Stick to it, it's worth it!!