MistyD65

I was at 249.8 when I weighed-in on Friday, and my goal was 248, so I'm almost there. I'm going to go out on a limb here and re-set my goal to 244 - 60 pounds from my pre-band weight. I'll be happy to get to my original goal, but I'll be ECSTATIC to hit the new one! Hurrah for hitting your goal Carramia! And you are exactly right, it usually takes just a taste of things to satisfy the desire for goodies. Then comes the hard part of overcoming the want for MORE!!! I'm having more and more success with that, so that's a step in the right direction.

I'll chime in with Tracy and Jacole - change something. Up your workout intensity, try a different kind of exercise, make a change in your diet. Perhaps your body has gotten complacent and needs a kickstart.

I've lost 54.2 pounds since my surgery on August 4!! At the time of surgery, I had a goal of 40 pounds by Christmas, but hoped to reach 50 or 60 - so right now I'm hoping for 60 by New Year's Eve!! I've had one fill of 0.6 ccs in a 4 cc band, and when I went in for second fill, we decided that I really didn't need one. I go in again on January 5th. You all ROCK!!!!!:wink2:

Last week: 253.4 This week: 249.8 GOODBYE 250's!!!!!:wink2: Lost last week: 3.6 pounds for a total of 54.2:w00t: I've got to tell you, I lose more when I eat at the upper end of my "calorie scale". I've been working out at Curves M-F and burning 400 or so calories with each work-out, so I've been allowing myself between 1200-1400 calories a day. This week I've been closer to the 1400 zone and well...the numbers tell the story. Keep up the good work everyone and enjoy the holidays!

Apparently, drinking through a straw causes you to take in too much air. It has never been a problem for me though - I don't find that I burp more when using a straw than when I don't.

santhony, perhaps you should suggest to your surgeon that he and the nutritionist get on the same page regarding post-op diet instructions. That's unnecessary confusion for you, and for who knows how many other patients of his.

When you do finally move from liquids to mushies or soft foods, you might try what I did. I was given a sample soft foods diet with menus for a week that gave specific amounts to eat. I would sit down with that amount of food, eat it slowly (taking about 20 minutes) then I would ask myself "Am I still hungry?" Not "Am I satisfied" or "Am I full". Because, no, I was not satisfied or full, not in the way that I understood those terms from a lifetime of overeating. But I could truthfully answer that I was no longer physically hungry. That was a real epiphany for me. I still WANTED to eat more - that's the head hunger - but I knew I didn't need it. Also, I know that for me, if I eat more than a cup of food, I'll get a feeling like a stitch in my side where my band is. That's uncomfortable and can last a couple of hours, so I want to avoid that. I came to this conclusion, which is an overgeneralization, but it works for me: Skinny people eat until they are no longer hungry; fat people eat until they have had all they want, or until it is all gone. I'm having to re-train myself to want less. And it's getting there! You'll make it through this time and come out stronger on the other end. Really make use of these boards - you will learn a lot! Much success to you!

Even with the lap band you are still going to have to change your eating habits and start eating healthier. This 6-month diet could be a good indicator of whether or not you are prepared to make the changes that are required to be successful with the band.

Where in your body do you feel the squeezing sensation?

You know, fills and good after-care are such VITAL parts of being banded that they should be included in the price of everyone's surgery cost - as many or as few as are needed. Not that that is likely to happen, but it should. Having the right amount of restriction is the make-or-break factor in the success of most bandsters. I think the statistics on weight-loss with the band would go way up if everyone got the same standards of follow-up in the year after surgery. Having said that, RUN, don't walk, to make an appointment for a possible unfill. Take your paperwork that shows where you were told that fills are covered for a year. They may say that the $110 for "office visit" is something separate - if so, that information should have been upfront before surgery. Either way, this is your health. Be an advocate for yourself and get everything you are entitled to, and work with your surgeon to get that band working for YOU!

Huzzah!! :hurray:Thanks Alex

I don't get the Quick Links drop down menu when I click on it on the Home page. It works on the other pages, as far as I can tell. This has just started either today or yesterday.

Rice is one of those foods that seems to give a high percentage of banded people a problem. So it's not surprising that you had trouble with it getting stuck. If you try it again, take tiny bites and chew well, and if it STILL gets stuck, you may just have to write it out of your diet in the future. I eat no-fat, sugar-free yogurt for breakfast every morning and will sometimes have either an egg or a low-fat string cheese stick with it. Lunches are usually 1/2 cup chicken or tuna salad with crackers, and 1/2 cup of vegetables or fruit. Supper is usually my big meal with my husband. I'll have 3 oz of grilled chicken, grilled hamburger patties, baked fish or some other meat plus 1/2 cup of vegetables. I'm not a person who requires a lot of variety in my meals. Some things I try to keep on hand are low-fat cheese sticks, light yogurt, refried Beans, eggs, high-Fiber crackers, canned and frozen vegetables, bananas, apples, Peanut Butter, South Beach High Protein Cereal Bars, canned tuna and chicken in Water.

It is different for almost everyone. My doctor just wanted me on a high protein, low-carb, low-fat diet. Some require a diet of liquid protein shakes. The purpose is usually to try to reduce the size of your liver before surgery.

You've been banded less than two weeks. Most doctors would still have you on a liquid or mushy diet. This is a time for healing, for letting the band settle into it's place around your stomach and for the stitches placed around it to heal. Eating solid foods would not be the ideal thing for your band right now. I'd say you are uncomfortable when you eat because you really shouldn't be eating much yet. What are your surgeon's post-op diet requirements? As far as eating habits go, that is something that you are going to have to work on yourself. Have you always been one to eat very little during the day, then go wild at night? Or is it just a result of the discomfort you get when eating now?

What exactly are your "concerns about social situations?" That phrase intrigued me. I initially thought you were referring to having to eat so much less, until Restless Monkey mentioned the possibility of nerves causing more restriction. I'd like to know what your concerns are.

Last week: 254 This week: 253.4 0.6 loss for a total of 50.6. I was really afraid I would be up this week, so just over half a pound lost is fine with me! And that's even after having half a Cuban sandwich at Cheesecake Factory last night. Granted, I did have broccoli rather than fries, and I ate about 1/3 of the half of sandwich without bread, so I'm sure that helped. Slow and steady wins the race!:tongue2: Oh, I almost forgot - I was chosen as "Queen of Committment" at my Curves for December! I've been going faithfully Monday-Friday since I joined at the beginning of October, except for the almost 2 weeks I was out of town. And even then, I managed to get in 3 work-outs at a Curves there. I really enjoy my work-outs and they make a world of difference!

I agree. You are seriously going to be dragging after a few days on zero calories. I was only taking in 300 a day for the first week and I was very shakey and weak by the 5th day. My doctor only required clear liquids on Day 1. Then modified full liquids for 3 weeks, which was basically 2 oz of liquids (which included low-sodium broth as well as fruit juice mixed 50/50 with water) every 15 minutes. In addition, I was to drink 2 oz of a Protein drink every hour. Good luck sticking with your doctor's requirements. If it was me, I think I'd have to double or triple check to make sure I couldn't also have broth or something with a few calories in it. As it is, take it easy and don't be surprised to feel the effects. Take care!

Thank you for the update Diane. I'm so glad your daughter is doing well. I hope she will indeed be able to continue to have some of the positive effects of being banded, even without having one in place.

Yeah, most of the time "my band slipped" is inaccurate. It would more properly be said that "my stomach slipped". And it's shameful how many people are practically abandoned by their doctors after being banded. That's why I was determined to find a surgeon with a team approach and good aftercare. And even then, I found out much more about the day-to-day living with the band here on LBT than from my surgeon.

Joi, you have the right attitude to make this work.:scared2: A wonderful meal idea I picked up here is chicken and tuna salad made with Tostitos Spinach Dip. Just mix canned tuna or chicken with the dip. I use about 3 tablespoons of the dip with 1 big can or 2 regular sized cans, and add some Splenda-sweetened pickle relish. It has much less fat than making it with mayo. I usually have 1/2 cup of the salad with some high Fiber crackers, and some fruit. It is my lunch most days, and I find myself craving it! You could also probably eat it with some salad greens. If you will make it a point to eat Protein first, I think it will really help you. I went on a sandwich kick a couple of weeks ago, and even though I was using a high fiber/low calorie bread I could still feel the effects of the higher carb count. It made me want more, and I got hungry faster too. And smaller bites with lots of chewing are a MUST! You may find that there are some things that you just can't eat, no matter how much you chew them - eggs, bread, fibrous veggies seem to be common culprits. But for the most part, small bites and chewing well will allow you to eat many things. You can do it!!:cursing:

Diane, I was thinking along the same lines. Diane (the original poster) said that her daughter's band had slipped twice before, which made me wonder if she had been thowing up a lot - not just PBing - because that seems to be one of the primary causes of slippage.

Wow, her band has really done a number on her! I'll keep her in my prayers as she has surgery. Surely they will use a brand new band if it is decided to put one back in place. With the unexplained loss of fills in the one she has, it would seem to be called for.

Lisa, I think this is what you are looking for: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f30/anyone-jacksonville-20865/ It is in the Lap Band Support Groups Forum >Local Lap-Band Support Groups >USA Local Lap-Band Support>Florida Local Lap-Band Support Hope that helps!

Thank you!