MelAnne

Hey!!!! What side of Houston are you on?? I am in The Woodlands - spin with me!!!! It will be good!!! Spinning is NOT about speed. It's about the ride, and the tension you set your bike at. OR - do the treadmill with me!!! My poor 13 yr old son is being dragged up there with me (well, he has been wanting to join the Gym for a year now, b/c he wants to work out on the weights - poor kid has to work out with his fat mamma) -Melanie

Hi, and thank you. My Doctor was ok with 400 calorie intake. The majority of his patients are RNY's. He told me to just eat a well balanced diet. At this point, I have 1cc, and it is NOTHING. So I am dieting on my own, and working out. So I am so glad I had to fight ins. for two years, and then went thru everything to have the surgery, and then the surgery it'self to learn how to diet and exercise. Ok, I am little sarcastic about the band still. Wonder if I can cheat on my doctor and have another doctor give me a fill? hehehehe I work on getting as close to 1000 calories a day. Some day's I go over, some I do not. The days I go over, I beat myself up mentally for being so bad. If you want to see my food log - log onto http://bluecarott.com/DietTracker/Logon.aspx User ID: Melanie Pswrd: Jinkins -Melanie

I was trying to log my food journal on FitDay, as I have been using my nurtisionist's website, that has a daily food journal. Fitday does not let you choose prepackaged foods like StarKist lunchable thingies, at least I could not find it - mainly Bumble Bee Tuna Kit Grilled chicken breast is a major food item for me, and it was not listed. Just boiled, fried, etc.... Am I using the website wrong?

I am a cronic ice eater. I had a partial hysterectomy to assist with the anemia. I still ate ice, as it was my only source of Fluid intake. I could eat a 5 pound bag in one evening. I would carry a 10 pound bag to work with me, and have it gone in two days. I had a crazy woman, a nutrionist honestly yell at me screaming the pica stuff. My attitude is this: It is your body craving somthing. Mainly Water. I am not a soda drinker, coffee or tea drinker. I took fluid in by eating ice. Everyone's body is different. Now to get my water in, I buy 16 fld oz bottles and freeze them. I obviously like my water/fluid very cold. But the ice eating is down to zero - unless I am at a resturant and can not stand to sip on tea any longer, and dump it into my husband's glass - then I chew the ice in mine. I have yet to drink any (tea) more then almost a quarter of a glass of somthing, then dump it out. So I am sticking to my water bottles until I tire of them, then I will more then likely go back to my ice eating ways. But I am weird, so I may not should have posted to your thread.

argon - I am definately asking my doctor for more of a fill June 8th. I asked him when I had my fill last week, and was disappointed then too, but he said we would find my spot. I am miserable that he only put in 1cc, as there is no restriction, and I still feel like I am doing this on my own. And struggling without restriction. Sign me, Melanie the whiner.

Come'on April Bandters!!! (and others too!!) I am working hard to be committed to this - and it requires the following: Did you get in your: Exercise today? Yes! 20 mins Your Protien? Yes - 80 plus grams Your Water? Almost! Need two more 16 oz bottles and the day ain't over!

TellyMelly - how did you over do your Protein? Today I hit 117g - that is way too much, but I figure more protein and less carbs/sugar is a good thing? -Melanie

Hello, and thank you all. I have been working hard to up my calories. I get in my 60 grams MINIMUM of Protein. I shoot and sometimes reach 1000 calories a day. I walk a mile 3 days a week minimum. I have been sitting at 231 for days, then dropped to 229 (I was 228 my first Dr's appt post op, 1 week out) So I have done pretty good at maintaining. Honestly, I saw the drop when I took another bandster's advice... Indulge in a little bowl of ice cream. Ok, the wonders of ice cream..... I do not need to tell ANYONE about THOSE!!! I swear the seratonin shot straight to the tip top of my head and brain. Then as it melted down, it took over my thoughts and guilt started setting in. I got up, rinsed the bowl and said dammit, it's going to be ok. You weren't loosing, and tomorrow you can start over. Again. I do see the more calories is helpful, as your matabolism is like an old steam engine train. You gotta feed the fire to keep the fire burning. BUT they use good coal, and the fire burns hot, throughly, evenly, and well - producing optimum steam. (it's about food choices - which I was making good ones, just not enough food) It is still VERY hard. I still avoid eating. I am working on getting my mind around 6 small meals, rather then my lunch and dinner meals only. (which are mainly chicken) Here's the question part: tomorrow I meet with my doctor, and hopefully a needle full of saline. What do I do to get an optimum fill? I have read drink warm tea, eat, don't eat... You guys haven't lead me wrong so far.... looking to you for guidance again. Thank you! Melanie

YES! I can not believe my husband has me watching this show!!! It is the last show we watch b4 turning in on Sunday's and I find I can not turn my mind off after watching it. I don't think of anything in particular, but I get this weird feeling, and its not a feeling I like. It's all very strange. I think it's the kids being involved that bothers me? Do you watch Weeds too? It's on Showtime. And we were addicted to Six Feet Under too!!!! (of course the Soprano's as well!!)

I am sorry if this is hyjacking this thread!!!!!!!! I was just thinking, when I do eat something to fast, I get the golf ball. No PB'ing - but it's not from trying, as I make myself burb !!!! Its a tight feeling in the center of my chest, and I feel it in the back of my throat that somthing is stuck. So far this only happens if I eat something and do not chew it up well, or it was too big? I know this is supposed to happen when you are restricted right? -Melanie

OMG! Meee toooo!!!! I have grossed myself out big time with my not chewing! I don't take large bites, but I don't chew either. How gross and rude is that?!?!!? To help I use a knife and fork no matter what and cut my food into smaller bites. Each bite seperately. My typical meal these days is a chicken breast. I cut a small bite (size of a dime) and eat it. Then once done, I cut another.... I take my time. It seems to help. Carring small utensils like she suggested is a great idea! -melanie

Yep, thats right. I do. I know this is a board of support, and all, but I think people looking into this must get both sides of this procedure. It is NOT for everyone. Not everyone will loose weight. It takes work is an understatement. There is a fine line between starving yourself and feeding yourself and you get to tap dance on it. Mentally I am a wreak. Physically, I am either hungry or down right sick with myself and refuse to allow myself to eat as I will gain. Yes, I ate. I gained 3 pounds. Focusing on Protein, low fat and low carbs. And I still gained. I have drank more Water then I ever thought I could get into my body. I have to take medications (over the counter) to have a BM. I have had two since surgery, and never felt constipatated. No, I am not 'restricted' yet. But I am already on to that game. This could takes months to happen, and happen right. Then what? I eat on the level I have been, and due to the restriction I eat less, and loose weight? I am already in starvation mode. Starvation mode - let's talk about this. What diet are you NOT in starvation mode? In order to get the protein in, and low carbs, low sugar and low fat... what exactly do you eat and fill up on?! This is that tap dance I was talking about. I can not get this. I am failing, and I let myself down yet again. This is insanity and I fought tooth and nail for this for two years. I was just stupid and settled. Think long an hard if you are considering this. This is not easy. And there is not all that much help out there. This board can be helpful. I found a good bit of information here. Some nice people too. When the scale moves up rather then down. Who wouldn't feel the way I am feeling!? Do I regret this? Yes. In order to make it work I am considering taking diet pills with this. I don't know what else will make this fat go away. I have kept a daily diary of my intake. I see nothing that I can improve upon. My nutrionist says I need to eat more. How the hell do you loose weight eating MORE!? especially when you have been told you are putting a band around your stomach to STOP you from eating more/too much!!!! I am full of regrets. This procedure does not work on everyone. No matter how hard you try, or how by the rules you play it.

http://store.bariatriceating.com/conewwhlipr.html 25 grams of protein, in two gulps. Tastes and has the consistancy of jello that has not set yet.

Amen, say it again!!! I am here - in the petri cup next to you!!! Up 3 pounds, and it SUCKS! Hang in there, and don't eat as they are all correct when they say - this is the time when you were dieting that you would give in and cave, or cheat, then fail. I am sticking with this. I get restricted next Thursday, and Lord help me, I hope I feel it like a rubberband around my wrist! LOL Stop the Insanity by that crazy woman, Susan powders - is what keeps going through my head. -Melanie

Thank you everyone for your posts and opinions. I agree I am not eating enough. I have no idea how to eat more and yet avoid carbs and fats and sugars. So I focus on Protein, make sure I get it, and stop. I am meeting my doctor on the 18th, next Thursday, and I requested that we go at the restriction aggresively, as I am not interested in playing this out for months to get proper restriction. (all the posts about how hard it is to get the VG band filled to a 'sweet' spot has really got me worked up on top of it all) Could I use some mental releif/help? Probably. I am a member of two support groups. Too bad they are RNY groups, and therefore are full of information about RNY and they all try to compare and advise accordingly. One of the groups is my doctor's. The other is a lisc. therapist. My expectations were very realistic. I want to loose 60 to 75 pounds. Not a hundred, not two hundred. I expected to have restriction and eat less, and smarter. I expected to exercise and watch the weight drop off at least 2 pounds a week. I am eating less, I am eating smarter. I am drinking Water (which I NEVER did b4) I avoid sugar, and exercise. I have a protein Jello shot in the AM, drink water, and eat a smart lunch. (tuna or chicken) and do the same for dinner. So, again. I eat high protein, low sugar, low carb and low fat. Now, how do you eat and avoid those things while loosing weight, eating enough? {EDIT} I have a food journal/diary - it is on my nutrionist site - http://www.bluecarott.com/ she has stated I do not appear to be eating enough and am in this starvation mode. She wants to meet with me again. She has this idea that dieting will solve all of this, and that the surgery was not nessecary. So I am leary and confused of her advise as she has not been through this, and does not have other gastric patients for clients. The other nutrionist I met with was an honest to goodness freak on heels. (she lost her watch in the middle of our meeting and stopped talking and started looking for it, then went on talking and then stopped again and stated she lost her watch, but wasn't sure if she wore it today or not.... that is ONE example in a one hour session, and there was MORE!!!) -Melanie

Hi Leatha, I am sorry. I just am not buying into this. I have been eating right. No carbs, no sugar, water water water and more water. I am focusing on Protein, and can't stand the thought of more chicken or tuna. I have been doing everything I am supposed to be doing. I can not do this another three months or MORE - until the restriction is figured out. Mentally I am not strong enough. Eating is such a chore, and mental battle within myself, it is just not worth it all. I am going out of my mind. When do I find some peace, and will I ever be normal again?

Thank you Stitchy, I appreciate your words of advise and wisdom. I am on foods. My doctor started me on foods after one week. I am doubting this whole procedure, and have been being the best bandster I can be. Following the 'diet' and have still managed to GAIN weight, even though I know I am eating less then I did prior to surgery.

Good Morning Bandsters! I am posting for two purposes: 1) I went to dinner yesterday and like normal, I shared a platter of fajitas with my kids. I ate nothing but the chicken, and of course 4 tortilla chips with Slasa - then I ate about 4 teaspoons (it was the only spoon on the table!) of salsa. I could drink salsa, as I Love It! For lunch yesterday, I had a chicken breast, and ate about half of it, it was thin, and I do not like the rib meat area, so it was cut off and discarded. SO - I got in eighty something protiens yesterday!! Still under 400 calories, but 80 protiens. I am drinking at least two bottles of Water a day, and that is a huge thing for me too. 2) My husband has completed his meeting with the nutrionist, and the psych eval. He meets with the doctor May 9th, and completed the 2nd part of his sleep study last nite, as he has very severe sleep apnea. Like me, he wants/needs to loose about 60 to 70 pounds. We expect he will have his surgery by mid June. (my ins with my company believes in this surgery and approves you within 24 hours) ((it was the two year battle with Cigna and Aetna prior to getting on UHC with my company that brings back painful memories!!!)) So, I will have someone to go through this with, and I am not saying he does not support nor understand at this point. He has been my biggest fan and ratted me out to our nutrionist about my eating issues I am having right now. He will be a better bandster then I am. Dirtydog. Hanging in there, and trying to remember this is slow, and a pound up and down is part of the journey and nothing more then a annoying pothole in my road.

Carrie!!!! I am so happy for you!!!!

:help: :help: I am crazy. I am in need of professional help. But what I want to hear [read] is that if I eat protien as if I was following the Atkins diet, I will loose weight. I was down 19 pounds, and now I am up a pound. :faint: :faint: I feel like I have a little restriction, as when I eat something a little too fast, I get the pain in my chest and want to throw up. I seem to be able to graze a good bit. The items I am grazing on are things like (3) naturally sweet string peas and (4) pimento stuffed olives. Then I had a piece of jalapeno monterey cheese with salsalito turkey breast rolled up in it. (I ate the turkey and cheese too fast and did not chew) I bought things like tuna, and pork rinds, and chicken breasts (already cooked and fllavored) etc.. to take to work for my lunch. I have Boca chili, and Boca burgers, and Gordons frozen grilled fish. Trouble is, I don't want to eat it, as I do not want to gain weight. I was able to wear two pair of capri pants this weekend I have not been able to get into in a year, and now I worry I will not be able to get into them for a couple of months again, as I gain weight waiting on my restriction to get into place. Someone tell me I am on the right or wrong track. I want to loose about 50 to 60 pounds. I see others on here that have dropped that in less then a year. I want to do that too. I have whined here before I know. I am honestly at my wits end and know if I do not reach out and find the support and understanding I need, I will not find the courage and faith I need in myself. As always, thank you to anyone who reads and provides their honest opinions and thoughts on my craziness.

I am two week post-op today. Aside from the first week of anything I drank (broth, Water etc...) passing thru me in the same manner .. liquids; I have not had anything else happen.

I FINNALLY had it happen!! It took a day and a half, but at least things happened. I watch Survivor, and just knew I was going to be like that guy that was taken outta the game !!!!! ROFLOL It took with it, my pound weight gain!!!!! (ok, so I know it didn't - but the pound dissappeared and thats all that mattered!!!)

I am so moved and touched. Thank you for your replies and sticking beside me through this very tough time. My husband loves me, and therefore I do not believe him when he tells me anything. I mean he loves a fat woman?!!? come'on!!! I can do this. I can succeed. And I am going to have to eat to do it. Thank you all again.

What are the tell-tell signs you are full? What does this "sweet" restrictin feel like? I have read a few things here and there about it, but I am a little confused.

I am serious, I am outta control. I am not eating, and now I am not loosing. Why the heck did I do this?!?!!? I am going to be a bad bandster, and I am ashamed.