mariecarmen

Jack is 100% correct. Instead of thinking FULL, try thinking, am I still hungry? Two very different feelings in my experience. Since being banded I can go from, Hmmm, I'm really not hungry anymore to OUCH in one bite. Nowhere in there is a full feeling for me, not like I used to have. Measure out your food and walk away from the food source. Sit calmly and take very small bites. Chew a lot. Swallow. Still hungry? Another bite. Not hungry anymore? (here's the tough part) Put the fork down--you're done. Walk away. Sounds simple on paper, very tough to get your mind around when you're looking at food on your plate. Good luck, a lot of us have been where you are and we 'get it.'

During my pre-op diet, I went to my natural food store, to Walmart, GNC, everywhere (including the internet) and bought individual packets of all the Protein suplements I could get my hands on. My doc made it very clear I'd be drinking these for a very long time. I wanted to get something I could live with. I ended up choosing GNC NitroTech powder. I also have some Isopure in the fridge for those times I want something different or I don't have time to mix a shake. Do some research and do what works for you.

Oh, man, this is probably the one thing I wish someone had warned me about before I had the surgery. After about 2 weeks and before my first fill I was ravenous and eating all kinds of things I knew I shouldn't. And I was so upset because if I'd had any willpower in the beginning, I wouldn't have needed surgery. I was disgusted and thought, "if this is the way it's going to be, I'm not going to make it." Bad cycle. Then someone here posted about the same feeling and a more experience bandster responded that it was perfectly normal. It got better after my first fill. But, wow, that was an awful time for me. DH kept looking at me sideways wondering, I'm sure, what good the surgery had done me. Deep breath, it passes and you'll get through.

I drink 2 NitroTech shakes a day, one for breakfast and one for lunch. 110 calories with 20 grams of Protein in each. This was what my surgeon recommended for my pre-op diet and once I was off clear fluids, it's been my habit since. Occasionally, to reach my 60 grams of protein a day, I'll add some Deb El Just Whites powder to up the protein count. They taste like melted ice cream to me and satisfy me (with my current restriction) for between 3-4 hours. Try experimenting with the vanilla flavor by adding a little sugar-free Jello or pudding powder--orange makes it taste like a Creamsickle, white chocolate makes it thicker and creamier. For the clear Fluid phase I was allowed Water, 50% diluted unsweetened applejuice, tea and low salt broth.

I went to the support group at my surgeon's office this week and saw a woman there I recognized as having had her surgery the same day as me. What struck me most was our conversation after the surgery. All she talked about was how she was going to be thin and hot and make some guy at her job crazy (she's married) over her new body. At the time, my goal was to ease up the surgical gas pain so I wasn't fully participating in this conversation. So, here we meet up again in the support group 6 months later. I don't think she's lost even 10 lbs. She's quiet during group, didn't appear to remember me at all. I feel so badly for her. She's a big woman, close to 300 lbs. I said a few things to her to try and start a neutral conversation and she was polite, but distant. I have to wonder what happened that's taken the wind from her sails. I hope she gets on track after going through all the work of getting the band.

Today's a new day--just like the day you woke up from having the lapband procedure. Starting today you will commit to drinking your fluids. Commit to having a Protein shake for Breakfast and another for lunch. Commit to 3 oz of chicken/turkey/fish and 3 oz vegetables for dinner. Commit to MOVING for 30 straight minutes. Commit to remembering the size you were 2 years ago, remembering how little energy you had, how discouraged you were with failed diet attempts. Commit to congratulating yourself on being 70 lbs, SEVENTY POUNDS! lighter each time you mindlessly reach for a snack. Get a fill anyway you can. Deep breath. Re-commit. Move. You've done it before and starting today, You can do it again!

I find a book or music works to suspend time on the treadmill. Someone here suggested Leslie Sansone's Walking Away the Pounds video. It's a 3 mile walk, mostly cardio with some small weights thrown in toward the end. I like that better because of her directions. Any opinions on the benefits of Curves?

Funny this subject came up. I'm pretty close to my surgeon's goal BMI. He doesn't go by weight, it's all the BMI in his world. I always thought his goal was on the high side and personally set my goal about 20 lbs less. Now, at 175 I feel pretty good and people I haven't seen in awhile gasp at my changed appearance. I think I need some current photos to help me visualize what I truly look like. Looking in the mirror just doesn't work for my inner vision. I'll keep trying to lose, but I don't really feel pushed to do it quickly. I feel I look more like a normal, 50 year old grandmother now. I'll work on toning up the soft tissue and skin now.

I wish I had fought my own planning nature before the surgery. I'm a natural organizer and 'do-er' so I spent a lot of time preparing for the next stage of food intake. I made a lot of Soups from the Eating Well after Weight Loss cookbook and freezing them in lots of 1/2 cup containers. What I didn't realize was that my surgeon had me go from clear fluids to mushies and skipped the liquid stage. By the time he gave me the go-ahead on mushies I was craving solids so badly there was just no way I was using my prime pouch real estate on Soup. Eventually I did use up those tiny soup portions, but it was really a waste of time preparing them. Other than that, this board and my surgeon's staff had me very well prepared for the procedure.

I seem to have the same situation as Jachut. Good restriction for 2-3 weeks, then things seem to ease up. Maybe the weight loss has altered the restriction. Yesterday I was considering making an appointment for a small fill because I was getting hungry only 2 hours after breakfast. I figured I wouldn't wait till I was eating the wrong things to get adjusted. I had experimented with adding unflavored Protein powder to my regular shake in an attempt to increase my protein intake. Unfortunately, that made the shake inedible and I had to go to the facility cafe for lunch. The only appropriate food was asparagus Soup. By 5 pm I was ready to eat my own arm. I had a 15 minute drive home and was rushing to get ready for my second visit to Curves. My friend was picking me up at 5:30. I grabbed the remainder of a meatball I had eaten the night before for dinner, took too large a bite, too fast and BAM!--stuck, sliming, runny nose, golfball pain. My friend arrived and I had to explain to her what happened. After 20 minutes things hadn't eased up and I begged off for the night. So much for another fill. And so much for forgetting the Golden Rule: eat small, eat slowly.

I have pretty personal reasons for choosing lapband over GP. Two friends died shortly after GP from complications. I work in a rehab facility (physical, not drugs). Our first GP patient suffered a stroke shortly after the surgery and came to us for PT. She coded several weeks after admission and died. She was in her 50s. Our second GP patient came to us suffering from such severe dehydration and malnutrition that the muscles in her legs no longer support her. The Vitamin and mineral supplements she has to take every few hours upset her stomach and we struggle to convince her to drink and choose Protein foods over sweets. Also in her 50s. She often says the surgery was the worst thing she ever did. When I started researching bariatric surgery I went in with an open mind but knowing I did not want GP. My own opinion, worth price charged. MC

I've been unenthusiastically exercising for about 2 months, all cardiovascular. Now, after 60 lbs, I'm noticing enough loose skin to concern me--especially my abdomen and underarms. Last night I did a trial of Curves to tone up. I'm sure it will help but at 50 years old, no matter how much exercise I do I may still have to resort to plastic surgery at goal to "clean things up." Paying for the sins of my past, MC

I've never worn a bikini in my life, although the idea intrigues me now that it's becoming a possibility (after A LOT of surgery). I am looking forward to going into Victoria's Secret and buying some sexy underware soon. Even if my audience isn't a beach full of hunks, my hunk will appreciate the view.

I had a few friends drop in yesterday for coffee. I offered them sugar cookies, Fig Newtons and Ginger Snaps. I had a handful of gingersnaps while sipping my coffee (I know, I shouldn't have, but I did) and chatting. About 1/2 hour after they left I suddenly felt incredibly tired, sat on the couch and BAM, the next thing I know, it was 2 hours later and I woke up with dried drool on my face. I'm guessing carbs and I are no longer on such friendly terms. Lesson learned.

When you mentioned camera and bed & breakfast, my imagination was going in a whole different direction. Sorry things got so complicated for you. But, wow, what an awesome way to react--pounding the pavement instead of throwing ice cream down your throat. NSV extraordinairre!

Funny, one day at my desk it occurred to me that I didn't feel my belly resting on the top of my thighs. Then it suddenly became easier to cross my legs. The other day I tried on some jeans and--gasp--saw light between my thighs when I stood in front of the mirror. What's next--no shadow of my belly fat apron on profile? This journey is intoxicating!!!!!

I don't have Asperger's or ADHD or any spacial problems but I have similar difficulties with comparisons. At my heaviest and feeling glaringly obese, I would ask my husband how I looked. Not a vague, "Does this make me look fat?" But walking in public and seeing a heavy woman I would ask, "Are my legs that large?," or, "Is my belly that big?" Just to get an idea of how I looked from a distance and not 4 feet from my bedroom mirror. I'd always got a nice, but useless in this situation, answer, "You're beautiful, I love you just the way you are." Okay, thanks for your honesty. Better person to ask was a sister or really close friend. That's the only way I could get a feel of how my body size related to others of "normal" size. I went to that visual model site referenced above. Wow, that's a great help. I put in my heaviest, pre-surgical weight and my current weight. What an eye-opener! MC

Sure, it sounds like a good idea. Till your surgeon sees you sitting across the restaurant with a heaping plate of Pasta in front of you. Out comes the remote and WHAM, No Pasta For You! My NP and I were laughing about this scenario on my last visit. She was telling me about the studies being conducted in Australia.

The port is implanted under your skin. Mine is next to my belly button and under the 1 1/2 inch surgical scar. I can feel it when I press there, but it isn't visible when I look in the mirror.

I recently had my 5th fill and so far it hasn't worn off. The previous fills were effective for a week or two, then the restriction eased up and I was eating too much and thinking about food too much. This one (fingers crossed) seems to have done the trick. Time will tell and everyone's different. There are those here who have never needed a fill, or reached their spot on the first one. Good luck on your journey.

Well, halle-freaking-luia, I finally lost some weight. I'm very restricted right now with 2.25 cc. Can only get about 2 oz of chicken down at a sitting so I'm eating a little bit more frequently. I'll start back with the Walking off the Pounds tape in the morning. Went to a St. Patrick's party last night and got lots of compliments on looking good; very nice feeling.

A few weekends ago a friend of DH's came by early in the morning. We were expecting him and were dressed. He knocked on the door, slowly opened it and yelled in, can I come in? A little later he casually remarked he didn't want to come in without warning in case I was in a negligee in my new sexy body. First of all, ewwww. I've known this man over 30 years. Second of all, what's he doing imagining my body in a negligee, or my body period? Third of all, now it occurs to me I'm not invisible anymore and people, including men, are looking at me differently. I guess when I was heavier I was protected and felt gender neutral. Am I now going through what 12 year olds do when their breasts start to develop and they get unwanted male attention? Let's discuss this.

I'm still the same, for what seems like a very long time. Think it's time to go back to the beginning and review the basics. 64 oz water 2 shakes 3 oz chicken or fish and 3 oz vegetable meal 30 mins exercise vitamin and calcium supplement Anyone else in weight loss limbo lately?

I adjusted my home scale to match the one at my surgeon's office, 4 lb difference. Like others here, I too weigh less at home (first thing in the morning in a nightgown) than at the doctor's (end of day, fully clothed but barefoot).

An odd, but interesting NSV for me-- GYN appointments, as we ladies know, involve a lot of pressing and probing by the doctor. This year's visit, with my 52 lb loss, went faster and easier than I ever recall. My doctor said my half-filled/deflated breasts and tummy make his job of feeling for lumps and bumps much easier. Wonder how the annual mammogram will go.