JuneAct2

I DO allow myself treats! Ice cream is the biggie for me, too. I like B&J's and Marble Slab. Fortunately, we don't have a MS close by, so my "deal" with myself is that when I go into the city, if I want ice cream, I have it. I get the smallest size they will sell, eat what I want of it, and throw out the rest. In 10 months, I've only really pigged out a couple of times. Just, be aware that you CAN eat ALOT of ice cream, even with the band. Don't keep it in the house, or you WILL eat it! Also, figure the ice cream into your daily calorie intake. Don't eat it in addition to your daily calories! This will help keep you on track! Good luck!

My pre-op diet was "up to 6 protein shakes per day" plus alot of water. I used Atkins Advantage Shakes, and spaced them out every 3 hours all day. I lost 11 lbs in the first 8 days. Good luck to you.

You've only been banded a couple of weeks! Take it easy on yourself. Yes, it IS a rollercoaster of emotions, but you will adjust before much longer. One thing you can do is look up WLS Centers in your area. Talk to them about attending the support group meetings close to you. I have the same problem. The closest support group is 1-1/2 hours away. So, I spend alot of time on lapbandtalk. This is my support group...and I love it! Be patient with yourself. It will all get better. I wish you all the best!

Erykah, When were you banded? How much have you lost so far?

It's perfectly normal to get cold feet. My goal was to lose (and keep off) 65-75 pounds. I had second thoughts, too, right up to the day AFTER I was banded. I knew I could lose the weight, but I also knew I couldn't keep it off without help. The band does more than just help you lose the weight. It helps you keep it OFF. I really haven't given up anything, except the HUGE amount of food I was eating that I didn't need! My life is so much better now. I feel good! I am more active! Also, I am much more sociable than before. I had reached a point where I didn't go ANYWHERE because of my weight. So far this Summer I have gotten back on the motorcycle with my husband; gone to Mexico on vacation in Mexico (with a younger group of people) and wore a swimsuit without feeling awkward! My self confidence is through the roof! I would not change a thing! If I feel this great now, I can only imagine how good I'll feel when I hit goal!! I feel SO normal now, and I LOVE IT!!! Don't second guess yourself just because you have "only 65 pounds to lose". You are taking steps to make the rest of your life better! I wish you all the best! :mad2:

I, too, am allergic to codeine and Darvocet is what I have to take for pain. I asked a compounding pharmacist in Dallas about having it made into an elixir. She said she could do it, but it would be cheaper to get the pills, crush them, and mix with chocolate syrup or honey. That works great for me. I don't worry about the calories in the syrup or honey. Those pills are HORRIBLY bitter, so you want to mix with something very sweet! Oh, and they should start working faster that way, too.

Debbie, You must be psychic! I was just thinking the same thing. I haven't even been on the website for almost 2 months. You are definitely on the right track! Good job! I have been kind of "coasting" for the past couple of months. Not really watching my food, and no exercise to speak of. For whatever reason, I was just tired of focusing on all of this. I have gained a few pounds (maybe 4), but not as much as I usually gain in Summer. Now it's time to get back on track. I joined a new gym yesterday. The membership comes with a free session with a trainer. So, I did that yesterday at 4pm. Now at 8am the next morning...I HATE THAT GUY!!!!! There is no part of my body that doesn't hurt!!! My plan now, is to do what he showed me for the next month. Then I'll sign up for another session with the torturer to incorporate something new. We'll see! Everyone have a great week!

Good luck to all of you being banded this week! Be patient with yourselves in the next few weeks. Remember, this isn't a diet, it's a lifestyle change. I wish you all the best!!!

The men who do this, do it because they believe they can get away with it. I think you would be perfectly within your rights to kick him in the balls. Next time...give in to the urge! It'll make you feel great! I hope this all turns out well.

Does it HAVE to be Carnation? Or any Protein shake? My clinic recommended Opti-fast, but I went with Atkins Advantage shakes. I liked them better than several I've tried, and I still drink one every morning for Breakfast. What worked for me was scheduling my shakes. I was getting up early, so I had my first one at 6 am. Then every 3 hours I had another one. 6-9-12-3-6-9. This way you know when you'll have your next one and it breaks the day down to manageable hurdles. Drink lots of Water. Stay BUSY! Clean house, work in the yard, ANYTHING that keeps you out of the kitchen and away from food temptations. When you have to cook meals, do it! Then while the family is eating, go take a walk or maybe take a bath. Do something positive for yourself. Go to the other end of the house and reflect on the good things that will happen in just a few more days. Okay, yeah...it stinks!!! But, it's not forever. It's a couple of weeks... You can do this!

I think it's more about how dry the steak is, and the size of bite, and how well you chew. I eat steak at least once a week, (banded 9 months) and have never gotten stuck on it. However, ground meat just won't go down. I think that's because they grind other tissue besides just meat into the ground meat. No matter how much a chew, it just doesn't chew up. And, I agree with OP about the little bites. It IS an adjustment...but you will adjust! Think of it like this...remember "back in the day" when we went on first dates and "ate like a bird"...that's us again now! Woohoo!

LB, I can't address all the things you mentioned, although it sounds alot like MY life. But, you're doing fine! You've already lost 10 lbs. in less than a month. That's 2-1/2 lbs per week. The doctors generally recommend 1-2 lbs per week. I won't give you the exercise speech because you already KNOW what you need to do. But, I will remind you that you'll lose inches faster if you're moving! And, the clothes will fit looser faster!!! Just be patient with your body. It needs time to heal. Just keep following your doctors instructions. Come in here anytime you need a boost, or just come in a visit. You can make some good friends here. I didn't keep my band a secret, but I don't have anyone close by that has been banded. I wish I did. When I go to lunch with my friends, I feel strange eating with them. I would suggest going to some of the support meetings and meeting others who are banded. That way you have someone to talk to, or go to lunch with, etc. that understands. Brighter days are ahead. You'll see when you go back next week for a fill. Good luck to you.

You're freaking out because you're about to have major surgery. And, because in the past you've ALWAYS FAILED at diets. This isn't a diet program. It's a lifestyle change. And, just like the rest of real life there will be good days and bad days. The best advice I can give you is to follow your doctor's orders. Follow the eating plan your doctor gives you. Don't eat ahead of the program. If doc says liquid, it means liquid! If he says mushies, he means mushies! If your doctor hasn't given you instructions, ask for them! You will do just fine! Relax! Best of luck to you.

I am tight in the mornings, so I usually have a protein shake when I first get up (6am), then 2-3 hours later I'll have cottage cheese or a piece of low fat cheddar/string cheese. That holds me until I can eat lunch at noon. I agree with the others. There's no reason, except personal preference, why you can't eat something other than breakfast foods. If you find a high fiber cereal that you like, and that you can tolerate, the cereal will absorb most of the milk and keep you full longer than regular cereals. Good luck.

I did! I had an old fashioned cake donut for breakfast this morning! I'm full and satisfied. And, I'm so excited again. I know, you're thinking...so what?! A year ago I would have eaten 2 donuts, a pig in a blanket, AND a dozen donut holes! And, I would have had a large cappuccino to wash it down!! So, for me, this is major! No, I won't be eating them every morning, but today it was exactly what I wanted. And, I'm not suggesting that others eat donuts for breakfast. I know the program and I follow it. But, my band isn't a diet program, it's a lifelong process of learning how to eat in moderation. The rest of today I will still be on program because I haven't cheated!!! I ate like a normal person! I love my band!!!! Thanks for the vent time! Have a great day!

OMG!!! I used to live in Myrtle Beach, and I LOVED the calabash shrimp! I had forgotten about it!!! I want some!!! Okay, got that out of my system...Two things you can do... Go with them, fix your plate, including a small serving of dessert, and don't go back! This means you have to be very picky about what you put on your plate, and ONLY pick the VERY BEST dessert on the buffet (and only ONE). Or, if you're burnt out on "Calabash", eat before you go, and just have a glass of tea while they eat. Your guests will understand that with lots of visitors in the Summer you may get tired of eating the same thing all the time. Good luck!

Pasta is a NO-NO for my band! :frown:I have tried SO hard to eat it, but it always sticks. And, the donut actually took a long time to eat, because I was kind of scared. I usually can only do a protein shake in the mornings. Maybe it was because I ate a late breakfast?! I have to stay away from anything ICE CREAM. That is my biggest weakness. Worse than that, I don't want cheap ice cream, only the best! So, it was an expensive habit! Somewhere down the road it will be just another occasional treat, but not now!!!

For those of you having chicken troubles. I have found that braising the chicken works best. The long, slow cooking tenderizes the chicken to the point it melts in your mouth. Have a great day everyone!

This is just my opinion, but if you explain the situation, and show the date on the bottle, you should be okay. A drug abuser doesn't take 2 years to finish off a bottle of hydrocodone. Hopefully, someone will come along with more information. Good luck on the new job!

Margaritas Martinis Vodka & Cranberry Gin and grapefruit juice I like margaritas, but I have found that I get full feeling and kind of queasy drinking them now. So, I switched to sipping martinis, either the real deal, or flavored ones. Sipping is the key because it is straight alcohol. I think the reason we seem to feel the effects of the alcohol more has nothing to do with the alcohol and ALOT to do with the absence of food when we're drinking. Before, along with the pitcher of margaritas, there would be cheese fries, or nachos, or a blooming onion, and most of us would devour the appetizer along with the drinks. Now, it's 4-5 chips w/salsa and probably the same amount of alcohol as before...and damn,who tilted the floor?! Remember that it IS empty calories, so you should plan ahead. Figure the calorie count into your total weekly intake. Yes, that means cutting out something else, but otherwise you'll start gaining weight again. And maybe, save the alcohol for special occasions, and take it slow. Like RM said, you don't want to throw up. I hope this helps.

First of all, I hate to hear you're having problems, but I can also say I've "been there, done that"! Stay positive! Attitude is everything right now. Don't worry until there is something to worry about, and then, only if worrying will change it!!! Ask your doctors' opinion on the unfill. For myself, I would have an unfill before surgery simply because I almost always have LOTS of nausea. I got seasick on a recent fishing trip, and could NOT throw up to save my life. It hurt so bad. But, if you're not prone to nausea after anesthesia, then you may not need the unfill. Again, talk to your doctors. I wish you all the best.

I am getting more water in, and eating right. I just haven't been to the gym in a while. I'm spending alot of time at my desk working, and I am having to change gyms. The one I was going to is closing this month. But I am getting back on track! I've lost 1-1/2 lbs since I got back from vacation 2 weeks ago, so I'm not complaining. I also revised my goal weight up by 10 lbs. I finally stood in front of the full length mirror and made an honest assessment of my body. This is NOT easy to do. I weighed 125 back before babies and life happened, and I looked good then. I just don't think I'll look good at that weight now.My body is shaped different and I think it will be hard to maintain that weight. Does that make sense? Everybody keep at it! Rest if you must, but never quit!!!

Oh Slim, you're not alone there. And, as usual, I have dozens of excuses!!! One of the gyms I go to is closing this month. The other has alot of broken equipment and they won't fix it. There are two other gyms in town and I plan to look into those on Monday. Both are 24 hr places, so I have to take off work during the day to check them out. It's WAYYY to hot to try to workout outside. I didn't mow the yard to almost 2 weeks because it's too hot to be out there! My DH cleaned it all up yesterday and now he's sick in the bed. Poor thing! Excuses or not, I WILL get back on track! Have a great week!

I'm not being a smarta$$ when I say this, but it may be that you're simply HUNGRY! I complained of the same thing to my doctor, and that was her answer!!! You don't mention the quantity of food, or the amount of exercise you are doing, so it's hard to know for sure. I was working out 4-5 days a week, and after tracking my calories I was only eating 900-1000 cal. per day. Not enough to sustain my body! Track your calorie intake on one of the online trackers. I use the daily plate on www.livestrong.com. It tracks nutrition, water, and exercise. I found that 1200-1400 calories per day works best for me, even if that means eating more frequently than every 4 hours on workout days. If evenings are the only time you're having trouble with it, have a small, high protein snack. And, I hope this takes care of the pangs. I know they're no fun!

One word of warning...take a bottle of Water on board with you. Stay hydrated. We just flew back from Mexico and our plane was diverted for bad weather. We spent an extra 2-1/2 hours on the plane and couldn't get off at the second terminal because it was an international flight. I was so dehydrated I was about sick when I finally hit the ground. Other than that, flying didn't affect my band at all. And, I have good restriction, so I wouldn't worry too much about that. Like the others said, the port can be a problem if your clothes are too tight. Dress for comfort, not style! Have a good trip!