derbygirl

Eating out occasionally isn't going to hurt you. Arby's is a good choice, in my opinion. Jack in the Box has a chicken fajita pita with only 9 grams of fat (even a little less if you don't eat the actual pita bread). But most of the time, you need to make time for yourself and pack something to take with you. I am a commuter, so I totally understand how it's easier to eat on the go. Here are some things that work for me: First, watch SuperSize Me (again if you've already seen it). It's disgusting and will turn you off to eating fast food. If you're having cravings for fast food, you need to cut your carbs and add more Protein to your diet. I used to eat FF 5X a week or more. It's a hard habit to kick. But protein does the trick. Like someone else said, I have to make myself go to the grocery store on the weekend. No excuses allowed. I make a homemade cocoa for the road every morning. You can buy coffee-to-go cups at the grocery store for a couple of bucks. They're disposable and have sippy lids (like Starbucks). You can fit almost a cup and a half of milk in one of those cups. Add a little unsweetened cocoa and enough Sweet and Low to make it good. I use 4 packets. This, depending on your brand of milk, has anywhere between 12-16 grams of protein. Generally this fills me up for a couple of hours. I get up at 6, but I never eat Breakfast until about 10 because of the cocoa. Someone on another thread mentioned some scrambled egg patties they sell in the frozen section. You could try those for breakfast with a little cheese if you have access to a microwave. If not, just pack some lunch meat, cheese and a whole-grain WASA cracker. TAKE THE TIME to bag it up the night before so you just grab-and-go in the morning. Preparation is the key here. Someone above mentioned salmon cups and wheat thins, which is also a great option. They sell tuna cups as well. Lots of times, I make divide dinner leftovers up into small containers to take to work with me. Take the time to roast a turkey breast on a Sunday...add about a tablesppon of stuffing and a little cranberry...and wah-lah...you've got a better lunch than almost anyone else in your office. Those rotissaire chickens at the deli are yummy, too, if you don't want to roast a turkey. Try substituting lunch with a protein-packed smoothie from Smoothie King. I think TCBY makes some, too, if you ask. The bottom line is that where there is a will, there is a way. You have to decide for yourself how successful you're going to be in this venture. If you want maximum results, make the changes you need to make. You just have to put yourself FIRST.

I picked up a Weight Watchers magazine a couple of weeks ago, and there was a small blurb about weight loss surgery. I felt it was a little slanted. Then today, I was reading healthyweightforum.org. The headline reads: Weight Loss Surgery. Is it right for you?" And, of course, the overall tone of the article is, "No, it's not for you." They go on to say that weight loss surgery can increase other health issues and that it is "not effective long term and viewed as a ‘quick fix’." As opposed to what? All of the "diets" I have tried were "not effective long term". Anyway, I'm irritated. I know this procedure isn't without flaws, but it seems as though the weight-loss companies are starting to panic a little. My little sister just told me that Weight Watchers increased their points allowed, even though they did not change how the points are calculated. Why is that? The longer they keep people fat, the more $$$$ for them.

Hi...I'm not sure who you're directing your post to, but I am banded. I think the other posters are as well. I agree that almost any route will get you there, but the statistics on "diet" failure vs. lapband were impressive enough for me to go this route. And I'm happy I did.

Don't worry. If you've read this site, you're prepared. I had everything I could possibly need thanks to this board! I didn't want to eat at all for about a week. I forced myself to eat in the beginning. After a week and a half or so, I was hungry again....but it's very different. I'm a compulsive eater/head hunger person, too. You'll be fine.

Hi...you're right...it's probably not cancer. I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It's harder for people with PCOS to lose weight. Google it. There's a lot of information out there. Just because you have one cyst doesn't mean you have the syndrome, but you might and going on metformin or glucophage could help you lose weight if you do have it.

My doc says oatmeal can expand the pouch.

I drank these daily for a couple of months. I think they're much easier to get through than most protein drinks. Only takes a minute or so to get 25 g. They don't taste great, but not many protein drinks do, in my opinion. The raspberry is better than the fruit punch, I think.

I looked for chili sauce....couldn't find it. Is that with the condiments or with the green chilies and tomato sauces?

Josy, I understand. Go for it. It's not vanity in your situation. Vanity is having your eyes lifted 1/20th of a centimeter or something ridiculous like that.

This week I've been taking Tylenol Cold Multi-symptom...it's a liquid. But it makes me sick at my stomach. Any suggestions? I've tried on empty and non-empty stomach. Pre-surgery I always took Nyquil, but I heard it no longer has a decongestant (and they removed the "stuffy-head" part out of their slogan so I guess it's true).

Maybe your goals aren't realistic. And have you visited a cosmetic surgeon who said you needed to lose more? Or is this just you saying you need to get to a certain weight? Because I think if you pay them the money, they will probably give you whatever you want. If you don't start eating more, there will be consequences.

There's also the people who always comment and you're not sure if they're just being nice. I want one of those talking mirrors like the witch in Snow White. "Mirror, mirror on the wall...do I look any skinnier today?"

It finally happened today. A girl at work asked me if I was losing weight! :clap2:

Tricia, I didn't see your post before when I was on this thread. I am so sorry about your cousin. This really hits home because a couple of my family members are thinking about having the surgery because of me. I know you feel somewhat responsible, but I'm sure your cousin knew the risks going into the surgery and overcame her fears as we all did. It's certainly normal to mourn, but don't beat yourself up over this. And, again, I'm really sorry for your loss.

Did you try drinking hot liquids beforehand? Try that...it clears the mucus out and opens the band up.

Well, I've lost 58 pounds in 2 months. I've never done that dieting before. I don't know anyone who has. There are a lot of amazing transformations here. With the lapband, you get what you put into it. In my local support group, there are some folks who haven't done that well. But I listen to what they're doing...and they're not following the rules. Of course, it's hard to follow the rules all the time, but my point is...whatever you decide, you're going to have to make an effort. Also...I have a friend who had gastric bypass. She hasn't lost very much. She's 2 years out and I've almost caught up with her in 2 months. But, once again, she doesn't follow the rules. One more thing...lapband hasn't been around as long, and I think a lot of surgeons who have severely obese patients are pushing them into bypass rather than lapband. And the severly obese patients are the ones with amazing before and after pictures because they don't even resemble the same person they were.

I just had another NSV. Okay, actually it was a scale victory, but not average. I was too heavy to weigh on my old set of scales until...TODAY! Woohoo!

That's awesome! Keep up the great work!!!

This sounds intriguing. Thanks for the tip.

I always wish that I could bottle what I feel like before I lose weight and let myself get a taste it again when I lose my willpower. I tried to journal all of my negative thoughts before the surgery so I could read over them in the future if necessary. But I know it's hard. What do you tell yourself when you overindulge? Do you say, "I deserve it." ?? That's what I did....and that's how I gained 140 pounds that I lost on Jenny Craig. Good luck to you. The holidays will be hard for all of us, likely. Maybe the new year will get you rejuvenated. Maybe you could find a friend to start a new exercise routine in January?

I can't believe you couldn't drink anything for two days!!!! Am I reading that right? You poor thing!! THAT'S probably why your throat hurts.

I found some recipes to make turkey breast in a crockpot, but I want to slow roast it. Most of the recipes say 3-4 hours on high. Do you think it's safe to cook it on high a couple of hours and then on low for 6 hours or so? I do that with other meats, but turkey always intimidates me. Also, I'm thinking about not thawing it first since there's no gizzards or anything. What do you think?

1. The Young and the Restless on SOAPNet in the evening. 2. My sister who sets aside three kids, a husband and a remodeling project to listen to me carry on about nothing in particular. :huggie: 3. coffee :tea: 4. 90s Alternative Rock :drum: 5. Lapbandtalk.com :grouphug:

I know it's probably a dumb question, but I've been chewing so much that it's practically a liquid before I swallow. I'm wondering if this could make me feel hungrier sooner since it might pass through the band quicker? :rolleyes

One of the symptoms of PCOS is being overweight. Unless you've gained weight because of insulin-related issues, it's not going to help you. Your friend will probably not lose much more. My doc said 10%-15% is average, if I remember right. But some people lose nothing, even with PCOS. And after staying on glucophage for a while, the nasty side effects that others mention will go away. They did for me anyway. It took a few weeks though.