jujuvee

Now I don't think it's cheating I mean is getting a pacemaker cheating! But it is somewhat of a crutch, For me since day one after surgery I feel like over 80% of my addiction is gone, I am very rarely hungry and I can eat one piece of pizza and be satisfied for hours where as my husband who is obese still has the botomless pit stomach and does not have anything to trigger fullness. So if it didn't give us the advantage we wouldn't have gotten it.

I am 3 months out and I still drink a protein drink about every morning and I stick with my favorite recipe which is vanilla protein powder 1 tbsp of peanut butter, 2 tsp of chocolate sugar free pudding mix, 1 cup of milk and crushed ice..... I actually really like it. But dairy products have a pretty good amount of protein and tuna is loaded. Some mornings I mix my powder in with my oatmeal and it blends in nicely.

All of the above answers,and if your surgeon did not pay for your surgery out of HIS pocket then why do you care what he's going to say. Just suck it up and go back in there get a fill and use this as a chance to start fresh, new eating plan, new exercise plan and create a new you!!!

Ok, this is a serious question and you're asking for answers from people not in the medical field, maybe there are some here that have medical degrees but this is a question for your Surgeon only. Don't get approval from someone on a internet forum in regards to something this serious, you will get many replies but none matter again this should be discussed with your band doc.

Thanks, yes I have been walking since surgery but I also have been taking that into a slow 1.5 mile jog. Never thought in a million years I would jog!

Hi everyone, sounds like everyone is doing great. I am at 29.62 miles so far. But on top of that I hit a major milestone, I had hid my scale for 3 weeks because I wanted to be out of the 300's so I finally got it out of the closet and my new weight is 293, so I lost 12 lbs in 3 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is a big deal to me. Keep on logging those miles group!

ok, so I brought the scale out from hiding in my closet for 3 weeks and I did it!!!!!! I got out of the 3's, my new weight is 293 so I lost 12 lbs in 3 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is major for me.............. The is new territory for me and my game is stronger now more then ever!!!! RENEK, did the scale still function properly after being in the deep freeze?

Hi, don't give up... For starters what are you eating, how many calories and what about exercise.

First of all take a deep breath, now relax. You lost weight quickly in the beginning because you were on liquids for the most part, now that you are eating more solid foods until you get to your "sweet spot" you will probably see small flucuations up or down. And everyone is different, some don't need a fill for a long time, some need one every 6-8 weeks restriction can't be compared. And it's not normally achieved with just one fill. It's important to remember that the band is just a tool, you have to work at making healthy choices and the 2 together will help you achieve weight loss. It's good that you stay away from junk food because foods like ice cream, chips and Cookies will slip right through the band. And by the way bread is not a forbidden food. So bottom line, join a support group, meet people on this site, and try to stay focused on the big picture.

Cream of wheat or oatmeal if you stop at a gas station and get hot water, grocery stores should have hummus in the deli. applesauce, jello, pudding, cottage cheese, yogurt, baby food if you can stand the taste of it, mashed potatoes if you go out to eat, I was able to eat scrambled eggs on my mushy phase and refried beans. Maybe this will help, I will try to think of more.

I use Body Fortress, it's a whey protein powder. It comes in a huge tub and Walmart sells it for 14.99. I buy vanilla because it's more versatile. My favorite recipe is 1 cup of milk, 1.5 scoops powder, 1tbsp peanut butter, 2 tsp of chocolate sugar free pudding mix and crushed ice. Like I said, with the vanilla powder you can come up with many recipes. I sometimes use lite O.J and make an orange julius.

Jdelaera actually we are close on weight loss, I lost 30 pre op. I haven't weighed in a couple weeks I wanted to break my addiction to the scale, it's so liberating. I am so close to getting out of the 3's that I can't wait to see a weight in the 2's. I love to cook send me your email in a private message and I will send you some recipes. Julie

BillO what is it about the coke in Mexico? I was there last November before being banded and I was offered a coke and couldn't stop drinking them throughout the trip. My husband and I both agreed that they tasted better in Mexico. Any ideas?

I too love my band and feel that for once in my life my brain and my stomach are working together. Before I was banded I would read stories about bandsters having to have their band taken out or replaced and I couldn't believe how upset they were I mean come on it's just a band... Well I get it now, band=life!!!

Hi taylorjania congrats on your approval. For me being banded has been the greatest dcision ever! During my post op healing time I told myself that it's now or never, I have been overweight forever and unable to do it on my own so if going to the extreme process of WLS does not help me then nothing will. Here it is 3 months later and for the first time in a long time I feel like I am living again. So if I have any words of wisdom it would to stress the importance of following your pre op and post op orders and stay focused!

Just wondering how all the March 24 bandsters are doing?

Pork really fills me up, seriously I can eat a pork chop and not need to eat again for 10 hours, also steamed veggies fill me up and keep me satisfied as well. For breakfast I try to have a protein drink or oatmeal with protein powder. Lunch this week was half a pita filled with a mix of feta, cucumber,red pepper,cilantro, lemon juice and chicken, and dinner was my almost fried chicken and almost fried green tomatoes made in the oven. I love to cook! The things you want to watch are ice cream, chips, crackers, chocolate, puddings and cookies, these will not keep you satisfied and you'll probably be able to eat an endless amount of them because they will not stay in the pouch.

Just remember that you did not gain this weight overnight, it's going to take you some time, maybe you reach goal the first year but maybe it's 2. There will many non scale victories along the way. It's not easy to turn around years of bad habits. All you can do is wake up everyday with a positive attitude and focus on healthy choices and exercise. Listen to your band and watch out when it comes to slider foods.

Ok, I hate to play bad cop but are you serious!!!!!! 30 lbs in your first month and you're not satisfied!! I'm afraid that if 30 lb loss in one month does not make you happy, then what would? On average most lose about 2 lbs a week, you are way above average so enjoy the ride, and expect that the scale may not move every week!

I have the iced tea and I would not buy it again, I too agree with the funky aftertaste.

It just takes some getting use to, at home I just never have it around me while eating, when we go out I will sip on it until the food comes and then my husband will put it on his side of the table. As far as stretching the pouch I heard the same thing too so I just don't take chances. Good luck

I swore I would never go this route and I myself admit that I would tell people that it was the easy way out...boy was I wrong, heck it would have been a lot easier to just stay fat. I have worked harder at this now then I ever worked on any diet/fitness plan, not sure if it's just a different mindset now or what. Also when I was fat no one ever would tell me that I needed to lose weight, start exercising or encourage me in any way, not even my doctor, but now I am totally in the spotlight and can't get away from the attention. I will say it loud and proud now, Lapband gave me my life back!

So how does this work?. Do you plan on wearing a pedomoter on you 24/7 or is it actual exercise time only that counts?

I'm in!!!! Walking and light jogging has been my exercise of choice since being banded 3 months ago and this is a great challenge!