julie.ann

That is great! That really is when I have the biggest desire to eat something I shouldn't. Thanks!

That is awesome! You are a great inspiration! I can only hope I have the great success you have had so far. I know you can reach your goal.

I am newly banded, but I will try to help. 1. No one has noticed a thing for me and I have kept my banding a secret. 2. Don't plan to work out in the first month other than walking and some epliptial or bike. You need to heal. With that being said I would expect 10 lbs and hope for more. It will depend on your post-op diet and how well you eat. Some are on liquids for weeks. I didn't have to do that. Some have restriction even after swelling goes down...so don't see a big change in what they can eat until several fills. I am two weeks out and have lost 15 lbs so far. I consider myself lucky. 3. You can balance your weight loss. It is a matter of calorie intake versus what you burn. Just keep track of what you eat and up your calorie intake to stay even. 4. I'm going with when the clothes look too big and sloppy I'll give them away. I'm already wearing clothes that I haven't for 2 months. 5. Ask your surgeon. 6. I'm 2 weeks aout and they look great and almost are starting to look old. They don't hurt. Never a stupid question. I just hoped I helped at least a little. I'm a newbie, but I'm learning.

That is great! It's nice it isn't set 6 weeks away or more. Keep us posted!

11-14-08 I have come to the point where eating is not fun. I made this great epiphany during my pre-op diet. Remember how this goes…. Eating is for survival. It is to get enough nutrition to live. That is its main focus. It is not a reward. It does not console us. It doesn't take away boredom It doesn't listen to our problems. It is a fair weather friend....actually not even a friend at all. It is that bi*chy girl in jr. high that we thought liked us, but only pretends to until she can stab us in the back. I eat my protein and start on the rest and I find that to finish the 2-3oz of meat really loses the luster. Part of it may be that I’m not changing things up. (First a bite of one thing and then another.) Don’t get me wrong the protein I’m eating is very tasty. I’m getting used to not drinking with meals, but I think that is part of it too. I never realized just how much fun and fulfillment (no pun intended) I got out of eating before. I need to find some activity to take its place. I know that behavior is learned. I used to enjoy eating and tolerate physical activity. I need to learn to tolerate eating and enjoy physical activity. I guess I already have the first part down.

11-14-08 I have come to the point where eating is not fun. I made this great epiphany during my pre-op diet. Remember how this goes…. Eating is for survival. It is to get enough nutrition to live. That is its main focus. It is not a reward. It does not console us. It doesn't take away boredom It doesn't listen to our problems. It is a fair weather friend....actually not even a friend at all. It is that bi*chy girl in jr. high that we thought liked us, but only pretends to until she can stab us in the back. I eat my protein and start on the rest and I find that to finish the 2-3oz of meat really loses the luster. Part of it may be that I’m not changing things up. (First a bite of one thing and then another.) Don’t get me wrong the protein I’m eating is very tasty. I’m getting used to not drinking with meals, but I think that is part of it too. I never realized just how much fun and fulfillment (no pun intended) I got out of eating before. I need to find some activity to take its place. I know that behavior is learned. I used to enjoy eating and tolerate physical activity. I need to learn to tolerate eating and enjoy physical activity. I guess I already have the first part down.

I'm too nervous to do anything wit weights until after I've done my first fill.

That's awesome Pete! Good luck!

Welcome Sara! October 29th bandsters rock!

It doesn't seem ignorant. When you are on a low calorie diet you want you body to burn fat, right? Of course, but if you don't get enough protien your body can start breaking down muscle and you don't want that. Protein is food for the muscles. Protein also helps with hunger. That is what I have been told and what I have noticed.

11/14/08 I thought I would put down the guidelines I have gotten from other bandsters that have been successful. I have to remember these. I have been told over and over you don’t have to follow all of the guidelines all of the time, but most of them most of the time. So far so good. Here are the guidelines: Guidelines: • No liquid calories [except 2 servings of non fat milk (2 x 8 oz = 16 oz/day)] (16 grams of protein) • No soft foods • Two 3-4 ounce servings of protein/day (2 X 21-28 = 42-56 grams of protein) I have been getting about 80-120 a day. • Always eat the protein first, then the vegetables • Avoid bread, pasta, rice, potatoes and other starchy foods • 20-25 grams of fiber a day (Examples: bran cereal, fruits, vegetables, beans) • Eat only three small meals a day with maybe one small planned snack • Eat slowly and chew thoroughly • Stop eating as soon as you feel full • Do not drink while you are eating (This is the hardest for me.) • Do not eat between meals except for a planned snack • Eat only good quality foods • Avoid tough stringy foods • Drink plenty of liquids during the day (48-64 ounces) between meals • Drink only low calorie liquids • Exercise at least 30 minutes per day (I have to still work on how to fit this into my full time mom/wife, full time work, full time student day.) Your surgeon may have different guidelines

11/13/08 I’m really tired today. I only got about 2 ½ hours of sleep last night. I am ready for bed but I thought I would stop by and put some things down. I am so tired I couldn’t even jump up and down. I am down. The scale….or at least the Wii Fit tells me I have lost almost 30lbs. That has been since my pre-op diet. I have to admit I am kind of let down that no one at work has noticed my 30 pound weight loss. I keep telling myself that one day I will be able to say I lost 70 lbs. That’s almost half of my goal. My family lives half way across the country. I haven’t said anything to them. Not even that I have lost any weight. I figure when it really becomes noticeable ( probably after 40 or 50 lbs) it will be hard to keep it from them unless I ask my other family to keep it a secret from them for a surprise. I thought if I could keep it from them until I am in onederland I would celebrate and reward myself with a surprise weekend trip to see them. So I am now trying to concentrate on eating like a bandster. I have to eat my protein first and then my filler of veggies and such. I say I don’t have restriction but I know when I eat too much and I can get full on 3 oz of protein and 1 – 1½ cup of a side dish. My problem has become being bored with what I am eating. I have been eating Jennie-O turkey breast. I just found some Hormel Beef Roast au jus. It is really good and has about 3 servings per package. It is really easy to heat in the microwave. I am going to have to really work on adding variety to my diet so I don’t get bored and stray. My first fill is less than two weeks away. I can’t wait. It would be nice to have this be a least a little easier. Well I better get to sleep. Good night. I wish well to all of my fellow bandsters.

Congrats to a fellow October 29th bandster! Good luck!

I'm the same way. I had a hysterectomy a few years ago and just this morning I thought I really want to eat everything in sight...I wonder if it is that time of the month. I would love to think I am retaining water for that reason.

Oh no. I wouldn't worry about calling your doctor. He is just trying to shrink your liver. Although that is very important having some soup a week before surgery is not enough to stress out about. I would however half the ambien tonight.

It sounds like Atkins. You could read up on that. Find out what is allowed and stock your kitchen full!

I keep wondering about all of the Smashing Pumkins that we don't see here. I hope they are all doing well. I love lapbandtalk. I don't know where I would get all my support withou all of you! I hope they are all getting the support they need.

I agree. PROTEIN PROTEIN PROTEIN Southwestern Eggbeater turkey and chicken is the best. I buy a frozen seasoned turkey breast and bake it. That way it only takes me about 2 2 1/2 hours and all the meat is great. No trimming.

Welcome to the Smashing Pumpkins watermum.

11/9/08 I’ve already begun to pull clothes out of my closet I haven’t worn in years. And that started just a week post-op and continues. I can’t believe it. I am already ….um…..more comfortable with my husband. Okay that was kind of weird putting that down. I’ve moved to weighing myself on the Wii Fit. It says that I’ve lost a total of 27 lbs and I’ve got from a BMI of 49 to 44.11. That is amazing! I was embarrassed of my BMI even on the boards, but I feel more “normal” for a new bandster now. I’ve upped my calories to 1000-1200 per day. I think that is where I need to be to keep the weight moving and I plan to start back to the gym this week. I haven’t gone to the gym regularly since about May. I hope that will jump start my weight loss even more. I still worry about my port and band and I can’t wait until my first fill. Not just for the fill but to be reassured that everything is ok with my port and band. I don’t know what I will do if I need a revision. Self pay means I definitely have to worry about that stuff!

Oh you poor thing. That is so unfair. The things woman have to go through. You did a great job on your blog. It was a great read...I would tell you it made me laugh but I don't know if that would be rude. :mad2: Keep your chin up! You'll get there.

A Whoo Hoo! is definately called for here! I'm so happy for you. That's awesome!

Good for you and welcome back. I am about 2 months behind you. It is so exciting to start the new path and a little scarey. I wish you all the luck in the world!