bambam31

Are you kidding? Oatmeal is an excellent source of protein! Not to mention Fiber. My last fill also brought a reduction in food choices. I'm just trying to focus on Protein right now. I make omellettes, tuna fish salad, hard boiled eggs, deli meats, etc. And Oatmeal has too many possibilities to list... I still eat chicken - but it has to be cooked right. I've found that a lot of people OVER cook chicken. That makes it really dry and undesirable. Once the juices run clear - it's done. And like Jack I have to eat really slow and CHEW CHEW CHEW. Just experiment and be cautious as you go - you'll do fine! Brad

Boy something happened to me recently that I thought would never happen - A gym membership. :tt2: It all started when the scale stalled for a few weeks, combined with the fact I knew I wasn't pushing myself to exercise with enough intensity at home. My wife and I recently checked out a local gym and concluded that it was just too expensive. But after we toured the place they gave us a couple of free day passes to try things out. One day she decided we were going to use the day pass to attend a Spin class. That was all it took - I was hooked. I don't know if any of you have taken a Spin class before or not, but WOW - what a workout. I had not exercised that hard in a very long time - and I know I would never duplicate this effort on my own in the basement. So I had to ask the question.... Yes this membership is expensive - but what is my health worth? And with that we took the plunge.... I am now convinced that WLS and serious exercise was THE combination for me. One without the other left something lacking. I would never in a million years have imagined seeing myself in a gym working out around strangers - now I do it almost every day. Part of it, I'm certain was a self-conscious phobia. After all, many of us have avoided public display because we were embarrassed about our physique. But I quickly realized that the gym consisted of every fitness level imaginable - even many FAR worse off than me. But everyone there has the same goal - to better themselves. Once you stop comparing yourself to everyone else there, and just focus on your own fitness goals, it becomes very powerful. The sense of accomplishment I feel when I walk out the door after a good workout is unexplainable - and that feeling continues throughout the day. It has certainly done as much for me pyschologically as it has physically. I just wanted to share this in hopes of inspiring someone else to take that plunge - one I never thought I'd take! If you feel something is missing - this might just be it. Brad

Congrats Linda! Keep up the hard work and just imagine how much better you're going to feel next summer compared to this past one! :rolleyes2: Brad

hope4newlife.... we were banded the same day! I had a few weeks where I kept losing and gaining the same 2 pounds. I knew I wasn't exercising enough so the wife and I joined a gym. I've been going every day and the scale is on the move downward again. I'm hoping to be able to average 5 gym days a month. Good luck! Brad

Can't turn down a good challenge! I'll shoot for 10 pounds by 01-01-09.... CURRENT: 224 GOAL: 214 Brad

Nice job Gary!!! :tongue2: Keep up the effort. Brad

Roheryn, It took me until my 3rd fill to get any meaningful restriction. And even then my restriction fluctuates a lot. Some days I can only eat a cup or so of food and I'm full, other days I could eat at least triple that. Two days ago I had a Subway salad and after that was done had several chicken strips because I was still hungry. Yesterday I had the same kind of Subway salad and could only eat 1/3 of it and I was full. I think the most frustrating period is between 1 week post op and finding your "sweet spot." Brad

I'm 101 days post op and I also have an indentation with the port incision. It was tender early on, especially during the post-op healing period - but now rarely experience any discomfort. I only notice the indentation while seated - and most notably when I first wake up. I think that's when everything is most firm. Brad

Most surgeons "install" an empty band so as the surgery swelling/trauma decreases, the hunger increases. I found the most trying time to be between 1 week post op and my first fill. It' takes a lot of willpower during this period because you will likely be able to eat nearly just as much as pre-op. It took me three fills to finally get any decent restriction and now I'm looking forward to fill #4. Good luck and stay focused. Brad

The one thing I'm noticing is that I don't sweat nearly as easy as I used to. The more weight we lose, the less work our body is doing just to survive. Brad

I just realized I should get a metric scale! Saying you lost 2 pounds this week is ok - but saying 907 Grams! WHOA! Not to mention, most people around these parts wouldn't have a clue what value 907 grams was anyway! Nonetheless... I too am a daily scale addict. It just helps me stay focused. I'm much more likely to adhere to healthy food choices by "fearing" the scale will tell on me tomorrow. Brad

Yep! This is your time to heal. Any weight loss at this point is a bonus. However, I would closely keep track of what you're intaking and keep bad food choices (empty calories) to a minimum. It takes most people quite a few fills to get settled in. It's hard to keep from getting frustrated but it will get easier as you progress. Brad

I would start by asking how many fills you've had and at what level is your restriction. Brad

Jaime hit the nail on the head. Once the surgery restriction is gone - hold on. The hunger will be immense and you'll pretty much be able to eat anything. I had no restriction at all after first fill... A bit of restriction after 2nd fill... Decent restriction for several weeks after 3rd fill - and now looking forward to a 4th. Brad

I love my veges... raw... cooked... doesn't matter to me. Like Tess, I too like to occasionally go to Subway and get a salad. They'll turn any sub into a salad. Really love the Sweet Onion Terryaki! Brad

Keep up the good fight Jason! Don't lose sight of the fact that you've averaged better than 10lbs a month in your weight loss - that's awesome! Brad

For those of you feeling like you can't eat it's because of the surgery trauma causing the restriction. Somewhere between day 7 and 10 you'll all be feeling like "mom2two"... The surgery swelling will subside and the hunger will come screaming back full force - (remember the picture of the roaring lion on the lap band brochure?) - then it's will power time until you get several fills. Enjoy your temporary restriction while it lasts. Brad

I don't have to worry about Aunt Flo visiting, although my wife says I act like it anyway... But in all honesty, I think anything that makes you retain Water will in turn make your band tighter. I've noticed three things that make my band temporarily tighter. 1) stress 2) salt 3) not enough hydration. There have been times that I couldn't eat anything without a PB... Other times, I have just the right amount of restriction. It seems, and makes sense, whatever influences your stomach tissues also effects the band. In closing, thank GOD I don't have to worry about a TOM... I don't know how you women do it... Brad

I've had three fills and have decent restriction. I have been drinking beer again for about two months and have not experienced any problems at all. Just know it's empty calories and plan accordingly. Brad

Well being that this is about completely altering our relationship with food and is to be a lifelong commitment, I refuse to eat like I'm on a diet! I don't count, weigh, measure, etc. Before the band - Did that - done that - didn't work. I despise a strict daily calorie count. I make reasonably healthy food choices and don't overeat. Some days I eat more and other days less. After my third fill I have to be much more careful in my choices to keep from getting stuck or in pain (doughy type foods like most bread... etc. are certainly out!) but I still work in occasional chips, Cookies, ice cream, other snack foods, and alcohol, etc. If it will go down - it's not off limits - just consumed in strict moderation. Right now, I'm focusing on feeling when I'm full, exercise, sleep, hydration, and not getting into a rut of eating the same ol' boring stuff. That said, everyone is different and what works for me may not work for someone else. And if you're someone who honestly cannot be successfull with this type of approach, then don't rationalize doing it by pointing to the fact that someone else has been successful with it. I'm not at all advocating my approach - rather just sharing it. Congrats to everyone on their successes! Brad

Beginning of process to Surgery: 266 to 254 = 12 Pounds Surgery to now... 254 to 229 = 25 pounds Total loss: 37 Pounds

Thanks for sharing Beth! My experience has been very similar to yours. It took a full 2cc's to get any meaningful restriction. I too only have a problem when I forget to eat very small bites and chew very well. Brad

I had originally thought I could feel my port too - then realized after my first fill that it was actually scar tissue I was feeling. The port was actually just below the scar tissue and I can't feel it - except when the doc injects the needle! I got my third fill today. I asked and the doc said my band will only hold between 4 and 5cc's... Does anyone else have band this small? At any rate, on my first fill I got 1cc ; on the second fill .70cc and today another .30cc for a total of 2cc in my band. Brad

Hey Gary! Congrats to you and all the rest of our fellow August Bandsters! Your will power is enviable for certain. I had a bit of a plateau after my first fill, but the second fill got the ball rolling again nicely. Unfortunately, I havn't been as compliant as you have. Something about beer and campfires.... :tongue: I started exercising in earnest recently. Weight lifting and abdominal exercises feel good - no discomfort from the band. It's intriguing to see all of the different band sizes and fill ratios. My surgeon said my band will hold between 4 and 5cc's. My first fill was 1cc and the second .70cc... Good luck and continued success to all of you! Brad

Yikes... How are you supposed to have confidence in your doc if they send you out the door unsure whether or not the fill was successful? :tongue: I've had two fills so far (Post Op Week 3 and Week 7) The first didn't provide any fresh restriction, but the second did. I'm already looking forward to the next fill in 3 weeks. Good luck to you. I would certainly be calling the doc's office and on the next appt. they wouldn't be able to drag me out of there until I knew the fill was successful. Brad