als74

Well, I didn't reach my goal of 10, but I was almost there. It is my fault really- I know I over ate this week. I get a fill on Wednesday, so hopefully that will help...

Yes Leslie- go see a doc asap. I think black is old blood. I have never heard of puking up black as ok- it is NEVER a good thing. Please tell me you have called a doc!!

I was week for the first month, and sometimes I still get that way if I forget my Vitamins. I am 11 weeks post op, and the pain thing gradually went away by 8 weeks (unless you do something new exercise wise that changes it). It didn't matter what mushies or solids I was eating, I was still weak. It wasn't what, it was how many calories. If I eat under 1000- no matter what- I feel crappy. I try to have 1200-1300 a day- I still loose (about 1/4lb- 1/2 lb a day...) so that is ok for me.

Today I had yogurt and fruit for breakfast at 8:30. I had an instance of pain while eating the fruit, but it went away and I felt fine (no stuck feeling or anything). About 40 minutes later, I started feeling sick, mouth watering, etc. I dry heaved about 8 times before some of breakfast came up. I was ok afterwards and was able to keep down lunch. I thought maybe PB, but almost an hour later? What happened?

I HATE it when that happens- the "oh shit, that needed more chewing" swallow. I felt something weird today- first PB. Nothing like running out of your classroom to throw up unchewed pineapple...I made a note to myself- smaller bites, more chewing, and love the semi-soft foods.

I usually have the same breakfast every day. Cottage cheese and lite canned fruit, or yogurt and lite canned fruit. Why PB now? I am 11 weeks out. Is it common to PB so long after eating?

I have had sweet tooth lately also. I started around Valentines Day, watching all that chocolate...I bought some smart ones desserts and have one once in a while to get my "fix." Low fat peanut butter is also a close personal friend of mine:drool:

I think splurging in this instance what the right choice for you, because it showed you you can't eat as much as you used to. I had some pie at a social event (my first sweet 8 weeks after surgery) and had to cut myself off because I didn't get full (and this was AFTER dinner). It wasn't until later I realized banana cream pie is a slider food. I won't make THAT mistake again. Of course, dispite me telling my friends what I could eat, many things in large portions were thrust my way. It is REALLY hard to walk away from partially eaten food and let the rest go to waste. I have only had one fill and almost no restriction- can't wait to get to where you are...Of course, I make sure to only put a certain amount on my plate when I am in charge, and if I am not full when it is gone, I suffer through it. Suffering sucks, but my baby girl helps me remember why I am doing this in the first place:cool2:

I am sorry if you were upset at my advice. I am also sorry you are so hungry that you can eat that much and still want to eat more. I have been there many times, but cut myself off, even though I was still hungry, because I knew I needed to. What I was trying to say, is that until you do get that restriction, you have to try to restrict yourself. I know it is hard, and that is why we needed the band in the first place, but I have also read many people who have good band restriction but still eat carbs and sugars and not enough protein. My worry for you is that when you do get restriction you will still eat those comfort foods (who doesn't love Subway?). I say this out of concern- and sometimes it doesn't come out right. Sorry again. I will make sure when I mess up (cause I am sure it will happen) I let you know and you can rip on me about it. But hey- I actually want that- it keeps me in line:wink2: I don't post anything without hoping for a little tough love. I know not everyone is that way...

I am not sure where to put this question, but I was hoping for some suggestions on products that will help cooking be easier and healthier. I prefer products that can be used in the microwave or on the counter- not stove- and are easy to clean. I am looking for your opinion on steamers, George Forman products, things that travel well, anything that has made your life easier and more healthy. I am almost 7 weeks post op and doing well. I love my new healthy eating style (love steamed veggies and seafood) and want to keep going. Help a gal out? You know what would be great? To have a section on product suggestions and reviews that are band friendly.

Can you give me a break down of what you are eating daily and how many calories and exercise?

So far I have a couple of good ideas, but I am still looking for more. Anyone else with some good products? Or know a place I can get help in finding some? I have a crock pot, but limited counter space.

Eat more calories for a week (up to 1500 a day) then go down to 1000-1200 a day. Watch what happens!

I have had only 1cc put in (for a total of 4cc) in a 10cc band. I only noticed my fill for a couple days- then same old same old. I get full off 1-2 cups of food, depending on what it is. I want a fill, but hate how stuff gets stuck. That sucks.

OK, I drink when I eat. I drink all the time. However, I only sip, and slosh it around my mouth with the food, and usually only with meats or dryer food. I don't ever need it with my yogurt, cottage cheese, or other soft foods. I figure this is a good start. If I swallow after a glob of meat goes down, it hurts. If I use the liquid to separate the particles in my mouth before I swallow, it is very helpful. Especially earlier in the day. For Breakfast and lunch I am still on soft solids. I can get anything down by dinner time with very little trouble. I know what my doc says, and he is right. I get fuller faster if I drink when I eat, and am hungrier faster as well. As far as stretching out the stomach, yes you can stretch it and yes it will go back down, but not as much as they let on- it is more mental then physical. (I asked about the stomach stretching myth a long time ago the first time I dieted in high school). If you overeat for a period of time, then your stomach gets used to that extended feeling and you will get hungrier faster and more intensely. However you can retrain your brain (and stomach) by eating less for a while after that. We are trying to eat less though, so continually eating until you are stuffed is bad- no matter what.

I will say sorry now, but when I read about people eating a whole footlong sub, and then the statement- "trying so hard" I laugh. Not to be mean, but how hard what that? I battle every day not to eat fast food. I am a fast food addict. Oh I get broccoli Soup from McDonalds and Subway- but I woudn't even TRY a sub. I know someone will get offended with my post, but I really am trying to help you see that you still have to change your eating habits with the band. Why are you eating that much bread? If you have to go to subway, get double meat and cheese with veggies, roll it up and eat it. Bread is air and disappears quickly. Protein takes longer to digest and will keep you fuller longer. A lot of people think the band will work just because of portion control. That is NOT the case. I have learned it is a tool to help me diet (eat healthier). You have to change your state of mind about eating or the band will not work for you. Good luck!!!

I think we all understand the need to eat junk food. Isn't that what helped get us here in the first place? I was banded in Dec, and just started craving junk food again. Here is a list of replacement foods for me- maybe you could try them instead. I used to love chips- now I eat Old London's Melba toast (garlic is my favorite), Ritz low fat crackers, and flavored pita chips. I have a couple treats, Smart Ones chocolate Desserts and 100 cal snack packs. I don't keep more than one box in the house at a time, so I don't eat them every day. I have a spoon of Peanut Butter when I am craving sweets. I also will have some diet sprite or 7up for a sweet craving- but as someone else said- it keeps the sweet cravings going, so I try to stick to tea (not sweet). I am having a hard time craving meat with all the Protein I eat- because I eat protein in a different form. I eat cottage cheese every day, and could not live without it. I eat fat free refried Beans at least 4 times a week. I love weight watchers cheese, especially on steamed veggies. If you try to get in protein- and eat that first- and get "full" on it, there will be less room for your sweets. I crave food no matter if I am hungry or not. But I will tell you this. I don't eat when I am BUSY- but when I am relaxing at home. I love to relax though- so that is a problem. I am tired all the time- so staying busy and exercising is hard for me. Well, this is my advice. Now if you are like most people, you will wait until someone tells you what you want to hear and do that, and not try other peoples methods, but I strongly suggest you at least try to change your sweet eating habits. Now that you are banded and not eating as much, you are hurting your health MORE than before, because you body is not getting what it needs. Get a sponsor you can call before you eat something sweet and let them talk you out of it. As the saying goals, only a fool repeats the same actions thinking they will get a different result...

I am slow going, but the direction is down, so that is the point. One more pound and I will be down 40!!!! I was really bummed when I hit my first plateau, but ironically since I have increased my calories and started loosing again- only loosing less- I am happier. People keep asking me how much- when some days or weeks it is none. I loved it coming of fast in the beginning, but now I am ok with it slow. My body actually hurts from the changes, and I don't have a lot of clothes I didn't wear out on my way up, so there is not a lot on the way down either. It took years to get as big as I am, and if I only loose 5-10 lbs a month, I will be more than happy with that. I keep jolting my body. This week I ate more calories than I ususally do (wine calories mostly) but now I am ready to go back to my base diet that I like to eat. It throws my system off an makes weight loss easier. Has anyone else done that? The only draw back is you are really hungry the first couple days of the lower calorie week. For example, I ate about 12,000 calories last week, and this week I will have 8000 - 9000 calories. Everyone seems to be doing great!! Keep up the good work and remember- if you get it a rut, do something different.

I just discoved that making my own is SO much better, but the EAS Advantage carb control (pre-made) drinks are pretty thin- to me anyway. When I make my own, I am in more control of the consistancy. I use 8 oz skim milk, EAS vanilla Protein powder, and whatever flavoring (right now it is 1 tsp Peanut Butter, 1 tsp banana cream pudding mix, and 1/2 a banana- the more pudding mix, the thicker the shake...) I put it in my little one shot blender and it is sooooo much better than pre-made...

Anyone have a good microwave steamer?

B- homemade peanut butter banana creame protein shake (8oz skim milk, 1 scoop EAS Vanilla protein powder, 1 tsp peanut butter, 1 tsp sugar free banana cream pudding mix) L- liver sausage, cottage cheese, melba toast crackers D-2 eggs, 3oz smoked pork chop S- peanut butter and ritz crackers

When I got on the scale and it said 295, I knew I was in trouble. I am sure I touched 300 at some point, and since I never got on the scale much, I wouldn't know when. I am down to 258 since banded 12/23/08, and feeling great.

I have talked to some other people who had the bullet. They said they burn out quickly, but are so great they go buy another one right away. I don't have that kind of money. How did you bullet hold up?

If you set it up, let me know. I will shoot you any info I find along the way my journey. It would be great to start something like that for people banded like us. It is one thing to read product reviews by people, but to have it reviewed by banded people would add some credibility.

I hit a plateau for a few weeks, and was told to eat more. It didn't makes sense, but I increased from 1000 to 1200-1300. It got me off the plateau. And if you are working out, you are burning more cals- so your body is freaking out and storing up. Eventually you will start to loose- but muscle- not fat- if you are not eating at least 1200 cals. You body is just defending itself. It feels like all I do is eat- and this last week I lost 3.6 lbs. Try increasing cals for at least two weeks and let me know if that worked!! Oh- and make sure they are good cals (veggies, meat, dairy)- not empty cals. I heard a glass of low fat milk before bed was good.