als74

Questions like this are tricky do to everyone being different. Foods like chips and cookies are slider foods because when you chew them, they easily dissolve in your mouth, and slide right through. Like if you sucked on a chip, in a few, it would dissolve, as do sugery things. Foods already "liquidy" like pudding and soup are of course slider foods. That being said, meat and veggies are NOT slider foods, and should be eaten first, with sliders on the way back burner. Please stay away. Even the 100 cal snack packs are evil- watch out for them.

I also read through her previous posts, and they are posted in sections I don't typically read. The web site has changed, and now there are so many sub-categories, I really only go to three or four. I rarely go to pre or post surgery anymore, since I have been out 7 months now. And her titles were a bit obscure, so I doubt I would check them. Sorry her attitude and experience are negative, and I hope that does not deter other newbies:blush:

One of my favorites is venison- if you live in an area where you can get it. It is about as lean as you can get- when I cook up burger there is like three drops of grease that I can get out with paper towel, not even have to drain it is that lean. Steaks are great, and it goes down really well with the band.

I have seen ads for cream to rub on your skin that is supposed to tighten it, has anyone ever tried them?

I always get back pain when I overeat.

I wish I had your problem. I have been there before, though, and it was just a phase for me. Now I am back to being hungry all the time. I was just at the doc and because I lost 15 lbs from my last visit a month ago, she wouldn't give me a fill. I was ok with it then, but now that I am having trouble controlling my portions, I want a fill. I know the more you eat, the hungrier you get, and I am sure it is because I have been eating more lately. That being said, be careful. When I wasn't hungry (and you might not admit this to yourself) I was on a power trip. I loved not being hungry and didn't eat unless I was. After a while, I started to feel it not so good, and after bloodwork found I was deficient in vitD. I was loosing energy and just not right. Eventually I found a good place where I ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner, just didn't snack, and if I didn't want to or have time for a meal, I would eat a Meal Replacement bar or have a Protein shake. So if you aren't hungry, that is fine, but find a way to give your body what it needs. OK?

I remember bandster hell. I did lose some weight during that time as well, but it was because I was doing mostly liquids and soft solids, and was starving all the time. Just be patient for another fill or two, and don't be in a hurry. That leads to too tight a fill, and that is NOT fun.

I walk and I just started yoga. Taking yoga to improve agility. Weight loss is causing some tendon and nerve pain (due to fat leaving and them rubbing on each other) so stretching helps. That is it so far... No matter the Protein, unless I take adipex, I have little to no energy, and stuggle to work out or walk. I just want to make sure I lose fat and not muscle.

I am a little over 6 mo out and still struggle with brain hunger. Stomach hunger is the same old thing- pain, weakness, headache, etc. I am interested to know anyone who no longer struggles with head hunger...

I weighed in at 218.4 this am. It was a good week for me. That was about 3 lbs I think- I will have to check my chart again. I have already lost my 5 for the month, so I changed my monthly goal to 10 lbs. Here's hoping... I was pretty tight after my last fill, but it is much better now. I suffered for about 2 weeks, then it gradually got better. I am feeling looser now though, but afraid to get another fill. I hate being too tight. I would rather fight to control what I eat that PB all morning and hope the afternoon and night stuff goes down better. Great job everyone- keep it up!

I was told it is all about the protein, but my hair is everywhere. I have lost hair before due to hypothyroidism, but it does grow back. Not like before, but most of it. Cancer patients loose all their hair, and it grows back eventually. When you lose weight, your body gets rid of things taking up nutrients (like when schools get rid of the art programs when the money runs out). But when your weight loss slows down and you level out, it will grow back. Just take your vits and protein.

When people don't know I have had the surgery, and ask me things like that, I look them straight in the eye and tell them I am fat and don't need it. It makes them so uncomfortable they leave me alone. It is mean, I know, but it works. Sorry, I forget not everyone has a big mouth like I do. For those who aren't rude, tell them your aren't hungry or thirsty. Take a bottle of Water with you and sip on it very slowly. They will never know. I once put Protein water in a pop bottle. No one knew the difference:)

Personally, I told everyone. I don't care if they think it is cheating or not. Hip replacement, nose jobs, smokers patch, heart bi-pass, stints, high healed shoes- all tools- all "cheating." Anyone who criticizes you for cheating IS a TOOL. Why would they care HOW we got healthy, as long as we get there. What kind of people are they? I would NEVER wish someone to be unhealthy. You know these are the same people who talk about how much we eat and how fat we are behind our backs- so let them talk about how we "cheated" to lose weight on their cigg break. Do none of them take birth control as a tool to not get pregnant? What is a matter, can't they "control" themselved enough to not get pregnant? Meds for depression? Think of all the tools people use to replace things they can't or won't fix themselves. So what if it is "cheating" by their terms. Don't look at that term so negatively. When you are healthy and looking good, you won't care what other people think. Sorry, I just feel very strongly on this issue. Losing weight is hard work, no matter WHAT you do. Please don't let others opinion of how you did it affect you. Next thing you know they will say exercise is cheating for those who eat more cals then they would burn in a day naturally (lol)!

Don't feel bad, the same thing happened to me. I was too tight, went in for an unfill, they took too much out and 2 weeks later I went back in for a small fill. I am very happy where I am at now, but they told me about a side affect I didn't and still don't know a lot about. They told me about a woman who went 3 months too tight, and by the time she came in for an unfill, there was a problem with permanent dilation. Does anyone know what that means? I was afraid to ask, but it sounded bad.

Thanks for all the great advice, sounds like I just need to eat. The oatmeal was unusual for me and Breakfast, I can't really eat anything solid or it hurts too much. I usually have a Protein shake. I am not sure if I will continue the oatmeal or not. I am dealing with the hunger pain by eating something healthy now. The good news is I discovered that I don't have to hardly eat anything to get rid of the hunger pain. I bought some protein Meal Replacement bars from Atkins, and one or two bites fixes the problem. I am buying more fruit too, and using that- but it doesn't last as long. I also keep beef jerkey around, but I get addicted to it and keep eating it even after the hunger pain is gone. Once again, thanks for supporting me. I am glad I am not the only one who actually gets hungry. I read posts where people talk about not being hungry any more, and I makes me jealous...lol.

Hi everyone, Lately I have been having really bad hunger pains in the evening, only about 2 hours after eating. I have good restriction, and am not overeating, so what is the deal? I am not drinking too early after eating or anything either. I can't handle another fill, I have a hard enough time getting stuff down as it is sometimes.

Caffeine makes my stomach hurt now. Even one pop ripps me up.

So several weeks ago I was too tight, nothing was going through, and they took out fluid- too much- no restriction. I went back in for a partial fill, and although not tight like before, still having trouble. Not at first, but a week later, I noticed two things. One, the too much air, slime up everything on top of it to feel better. The second is new. The food goes down ok, but then I salivate and get sick. Not sliming like the first, but actual LOWER abdominal cramps bringing the food right back up. It feels different. I am worried. I am hungry but have lost my appitite (no hunger pains, but feel weak and jittery). I DONT want an unfil, just some ideas about what could be going on. Anyone else have these symptoms?

That's ok. Because everyone is so different, it really is hard for them to tell us what to expect. I learn better by experiencing anyway. I don't mind learning the hard way (lol).

I am not sure if it is the pills, but my weight loss did slow when I started back on my BC.

Your right, it could be what I am eating. I mean, like today, I had oatmeal for breakfast (which is more of a carb then a protein). I couldn't eat the whole package, but I ate most of it and was full (well, hiccups and tightness). Not 2 hours later I was hungry, so I ate a protein bar because I was on my way out to a pet appt. I used to not ever be hungry. Then I started taking Adipex for energy (it is also an appitite supressant) and that is when the hunger pains started. I think it may be related some how. When the meds wore off in the evening I really started getting hunger pains. I will try to get in more proteins and see if that makes a difference. Thanks for the tip.

The better my restriction, the harder it is to get down the chicken. The best way for me to eat it is shredded. I make chicken and homemade noodle Soup, and use chicken tenderloins. By the time the soup is done, the chicken is so tender it falls apart into little shredds and goes down great. Thanks for the other suggestion, I will try that one next.

I am finding more and more people that are similar. There should be a book called "The truth about the lab band, myths and realities." For example, I never really feel full. I have signs that tell me to stop, like hiccups, but I don't feel full. Not like I used to. But in the beginning, you remember what full feels like, so you have a hard time adjusting. I don't remember what that was like now, so it is easier to stop myself. They don't tell you you will be tighter around your MP or stress or morning time. Or to gradually incorporate solids into your day. Any why is there so many chicken- especiall white meat- dishes in my lap band cookbook? I don't think I have heard many people say white meat goes down great, have you?

I just had bloodwork done and found I was low in VitD Go to doc and tell him your fatigue and other issues. Ask for a full blood work-up of everything. They took about 11 vials of blood out of me (I wanted juice and cookie when they were done). Get checked.

Don't be too hard on yourself, but not too easy either. I have done the same on a couple of occations, and sometimes I continue the habit and stop loosing, and even gain 1 or 2 lbs. Then guilt kicks in, and I punish myself by drinking shakes and not eating hardly anything. WHICH IS BAD and messes with my band! So I try not to do that anymore. Also, do NOT get comfortable with what you can eat now, because once you get the fills, things change. Things I could eat in the beginning I can't eat now without pain. Some slider foods actually hurt more than solids. I went through the overeating phase, and I think I am past it now. I stopped eating to be full, and started eating a certain amount and stopping. Because I never really have that full feeling, just heartburn, hiccups, and ickyness. Good luck with this phase, and whenever you feel like "cheating," do something (physically). P.S. 100 cal snack packs are the enemy. I went through a phase where I thought if I bought low cal Snacks, it would satisfy. I ate through them so fast, it was ugly. Now I just stick to normal foods that are healthy, in a smaller portion size.