downsdc

Something to eat to keep your protein up. Hormel Chili Turkey with Beans (98% fat free). A 15oz can is (2) 1 cup servings (21O calories/3g fat/6g fiber/17g protein). I don't normally like canned chili, but this is pretty good (maybe because there is not much fat, or maybe because I've been craving chili). It costs a dollar a can at WalMart. I've been crushing up some boiled eggs in my albacore tuna with some fat-free mayo - delicious and a lot of protein also. I have found that I can eat cornbread muffins (Cracker Barrel) and oatmeal bread toast if I eat it slowly. Macaroni & Cheese is fine. I haven't tried rice or yeast rolls yet. We are going to eat Chinese tomorrow nite so I'll try some fried rice and see (not brave enough to try sticky rice yet). I lost the pound today that I had gained over the weekend. Still not exercising enough, though. Craig

After gaining a pound over last weekend I've hit a plateu and I'm staying at the same weight. It is entirely my fault however, since my band hasn't been tightened yet. I haven't been exercising and I've been eating more (I tend to be a grazer, which is bad news for bandsters). Going to get on the treadmill today (I promise) and I'm going to limit what I eat a bit. I've been eating about 1800 calories a day. I'm going to get back down to about 1500 calories a day. The good news is that my doctor said I would probably gain weight when I went to soft foods. Only a pound has come back so far. Hang in there, everybody. Craig

My first adjustment is on Tuesday 2/24 at 1:30PM. I don't know who is doing the adjustment. It is also my one month follow-up after surgery. I finally start solid foods Saturday (Valentines Day), so my wife and I are going to The Chop House and split some Filet Medallions. I'm not feeling much restriction right now, so hopefully it won't be a problem. Craig

I actually ate a tuna fish sandwich (on toasted whole wheat bread) today, but I ate small bites and didn't have any problem getting it down. By now our swelling from surgery is probably pretty much gone and we won't have much if any restriction until our first fill. My first adjustment is two weeks from tomorrow (Tuesday). My doctor warned me that I might gain some weight back before the first fill and to not worry about it. I did gain a pound back over the weekend, but we mostly ate out and I didn't track my calories Saturday or Sunday. What I'm doing is trying to make healthier choices (no fried foods, etc) when we eat in a restaurant. During the work week I'm on more of a routine and I eat most meals at home, so tracking calories isn't a problem ( I actually kind of enjoy doing it - it's a challenge to stay under goal). It would be too hard though without thedailyplate.com. Pretty much everything I eat is already in their database. I was told not to snack, but if I start getting hungry I eat a few almonds or some sugar-free Jello. I don't want to be starving and cause my body to shut down my metabolism. So far, so good. I had a friend bring my weight bench up from the basement this afternoon, so I'm going to do some light weight training (8lb dumbells) tonite. What I'm not doing yet is walking everyday on my treadmill. Gotta get in that habit. We did walk some over the weekend (it was almost 70 degrees here in Chattanooga) and it was nice to get out in the fresh air.

Christy, you probably aren't getting enough calories and you body is fighting back by slowing down your metabolism. I was trying to keep my calories under 1100, but when I increased them to about 1500 calories I started losing consistently (21 pounds so far since pre-op). You also need to keep you protein intake up (about 50-60 grams per day). The protein should be easier at this point, but up til now I've been supplementing with a protein shot in my water. I had the chest pain also this morning. We went out to eat for breakfast and I ordered a cheese omlet. When the omlet came it also came with a side of toast. After I had eaten about half of the omlet, I mindlessly picked up a piece of toast and ate it without consciously trying to chew it into small pieces. OH MY GOD. Fortunately all I got from it was a bad case of hiccups. The good news is that I ate less than I normally would have, since I had to immediately stop eating (and I know for sure the band is working, even without an adjustment). This is the band telling you that you are eating too fast or too much. I used to have this problem years ago due to esphogeal spasms, and you just have try to relax and let the food that is "stuck" go down. Worst case, you have to PB (productive burp), which means you regurgitate the food back up, but you don't get any stomach acid with it (since it has never reached your stomach). If you start feeling pressure in your chest, STOP EATING. Usually water will just make things worse.

The Gastric Band Institute support meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 5:30PM. GBI is located in the Memorial Atrium on Gunbarrel (behind StarBucks).

I did a better job on eating yesterday. As of this morning I have lost 20 pounds since I started my pre-op diet on January 12th.

This week of cream soups and pudding has made remember that I really can't handle carbs well. Once I start eating carbs I just crave more. I'm going to start my soft foods a couple of days early (Saturday instead of Monday) so I can move to more proteins and less carbs. I've gained back about a pound, but not bad considering. I will start solid foods on Valentines Day, so my wife and I can go out to eat and I can get a nice piece of fish!

The new Realize Band-C (which is replacing the old one) holds 11cc.

Hi Kara - glad to have you. Welcome the the 1/26/09 thread! Craig

For lunch today I'm mixing a half cup of Bob Evans Garlic Mashed Potatoes with a can of Campbells Cream of Chicken Soup (two servings per can). Yummy. And not alot of calories or fat. Craig

Hi Julie, Hi Julie, In the U.K. they measure weight in "stones" (14 pounds = 1 stone). So if you weigh 280 pounds, you only weigh 20 stone. Sounds much better, doesn't it? If you look thru the previous posts in this thread you will see the discussion.

Hope, your band is higher up (close to your heart at the top of the stomach). The soreness near your navel is maybe from your port? Can everyone see/feel your port? I can feel mine (below my port incision) but I can't really see it sticking up.

Welcome Jewel (Julie) to our forum. Everybody, unbelievably I still lost a pound yesterday after pigging out and eating 2300 calories. The best thing I ate was the Overloaded Baked Potato soup at O'Charlies (minus the bacon bits). I must have been eating massive amounts of calories before my pre-op diet. Since starting pre-op three weeks ago, I have lost 19 pounds and two inches of my waist (I see new slacks and belts coming soon). Next goal - TWO STONES (28 pounds). I think I like this stones thing. :-) I also bought a couple of 8 pound dumbells yesterday, so I'm going to add a some light weight training to my walking today. Not supposed to go over 15 pounds but I think 16 will be OK. Craig

I was banded with the new version of the Realize Band (Band-C 11cc version) 1/26/09. I had to chose between the two bands and what made the difference for me was that the Realize Band has a low-profile port that wouldn't stick up as much when I lose weight (the Lap-Band has an optional low-profile port but my surgeon doesn't use it). Also the Realize Band uses a special staple tool to attach the port instead of suturing the port to the muscle beneath the skin. I believe this contributed to me having virtually no incision pain after surgery. My doctor says there is no difference between the two as far as losing weight is concerned.

I went a little crazy today and ate about 2300 calories. Too many available carbs after three weeks of broth and Jello. I'm going to do better tomorrow. Craig

Hi Everybody, I had my one week follow-up at GBI yesterday and they say I'm doing file. My incisions are healing really well and as of this morning I've lost 18 pounds since I started my pre-op diet. This is my lowest weight for at least 15 years. They tell me I can now do light weight training (no more than 15 pounds) and I'm supposed to start walking 10 minutes a day (20 minutes next week). Looking forward to next week when I can go to a restaurant and order something besides soup. :-) Craig

Where are you from, Summertime?

Welcome Summertime! My stomach is not growling as much now, but it has been growling a lot for the last week (more like gurgling). I'm actually going to eat thin oatmeal this morning (yum). Lost another pound yesterday, but my doc warned me that I might gain a little of my weight back as I move toward solid foods. I ate about 1400 calories yesterday, but still I estimate it is less than half what I was eating before my pre-surgery diet. Craig

I really don't care who knows about my surgery. If someone asks I'll tell them. My family and a couple of people at work know so far.

I had my follow-up today with the doctor today. They said I was doing great. I'm now allowed to do some light weight training (no more that 15 pounds at a time) and I'm supposed to walk 10 minutes a day. I'm starting to get a bigger appetite as well, but I'm drinking my Protein fortified Water and that helps. Cream Soups, pudding, yougurt and applesauce this week. More fat and calories, so I will have to be careful. My first adjustment is scheduled for February 24th.

I forgot to say that I'm using the 42g version of New-Whey now.

To keep my protein up, I'm adding IDS 3 oz New-Whey protein shots (fruit punch flavor) to a 20oz bottle of water/Crystal lite per day. Just got banded last Monday, but when I get to where I can eat solid foods, I'll probably switch to the 25g version. After two weeks of Glucerna, I don't think I'll ever drink another one. :-) Craig

Your right Christy - I only weigh a little over 18 1/2 stones! Going to my doctor for my one week follow-up tomorrow. Did any of your doctors say when you could start some light weight training? I know I can walk and that I can't swim for 4 weeks. Craig

Christy, broccoli causes gas. :-) Jacquie, I drove to work Friday and Saturday and I did fine. But I've just been taking liquid tylenol instead of the liquid loritab I was prescribed. If you are still taking strong pain meds you need to be careful driving. I also at out with my wife and some friends last night at a local steakhouse. I had some potato soup which tasted wonderful. I resisted the wonderful yeast rolls that they serve there (227 calories each!). Craig