Melissannde

My main meals are 3oz of Protein and 1/2 cup of veggies. I've been banded 2 years. I do eat more frequently than 3x a day come to think of it, but strive to stay around 1200 calories. I don't sweat it if I go over for a day or two or even 3, but start cracking down on myself after 3 days of indulgence. I know it seems like a tiny amount at the beginning, but as you go on, it really does become enough food.

Make sure your PS specializes in working with bariatric patients. I think the type of TT that Insurance will usually cover is called a Panniculectomy (removal of the "pannus" or "apron" of skin). It's not really a TT, but sometimes they can do a little tightening at the same time. I could be way off base though on the types of surgeries. No authority at all. Do get the rashes documented with your PCP or Gyn. That will help.

They work about the same. I don't personally know, as my doc only does the Lap-band, but I've heard that it requires a bit more fluid to reach the "green-zone" with the realize band. Other than that, seems to be a coin toss.

Oh.. the bodybugg is a good idea. Also consider a Polar Heart Rate Monitor or a Fitbit or BodyMedia. All good options to help you more accurately determine what you're burning.

Along with journaling your food intake, I'd suggest getting a food scale. I have one that's really meant for weighing packages, but I can put a plate on it, turn it on and it will zero out (tarn) and then whatever Protein I put on the plate, I know the weight. My doctor suggests 3oz of protein and 1/2 cup of veggies. 1/2 cup of veggies can weigh anywhere from 3 to 5oz, depending on it's density. If you don't want to use a scale.. 3oz of protein is about the size of a deck of cards (all 3 dimensions) or the palm of your hand. 1/2 cup of veggies is about the size of a tennis ball or a large serving spoonful (not restaurant size, but home). If Zumba isn't your thing, try walking, swimming, bike riding. Even hanging clothes on a clothesline is exercise. leave the clothes in a basket at one end and make yourself go back for each piece. Can't hang out clothes? Take things from the dryer one at a time and put away. Live where you use a Laundramat? Ok.. get the stuff to the apartment, leave the basket in the Living room and carry things one item at a time to the bedroom. I've been known to do lunges across my kitchen to put away silverware. Do squats or heel raises while on hold on the phone. Fidget. ANY movement will burn more calories. Or go back to Zumba and find an AquaZumba class.. or Zumba Gold (lower impact). Yoga is good, so is Pilates. It can take a while to find what works for you. I understand, I got overly enthusiastic a year ago and did too many bootcamps in a row and hurt my knee. Took a while for it to get better enough for me to do one again. You might benefit from finding a trainer who specializes in bariatric patients. Those people do exist. Here's one in San Antonio, TX (yes, I know you're not in TX) http://www.jk-fit.com/ Maybe they could help you find someone like that in your area. Hang in there.. it really should get better.

No one can give you a fill (or adjust your band) without you agreeing to it. If they do, it would be considered an assault!! If you're doing well, going 3 to 4 (or more) hours without being hungry.. you're in the green zone and don't need any adjusting.

It is very individual what foods are tolerated. I can eat some bread, but I mainly choose not to because 1) it's usually high glycemic and will spike my blood sugar and make me hungrier sooner when my blood sugar drops again. 2) I'd rather save the room for other foods 3) Unless it's toasted or a very "grainy" type bread, it's likely to get stuck. I can eat just about anything. I choose not to eat white carbs (the aforementioned bread), potatoes, rice, Pasta and corn. Have you tried steak and it doesn't work for you or is this something someone told you? I can eat steak without difficulty. But not dry, tough steak... nice moist tender cuts. Yummy.

I don't think pain is EVER normal with a band (well, once past the immediate post-op period.). If anyone is having pain with eating, and are doing small meals, small bites, chewing well, etc. they need to go in and get evaluated.

This was recently posted over on OH..... By Molly Baker Counting your calories? Cooking healthier meals? Mapping out your next daily run? There are apps for that. Journal Report In fact, of the more than 400,000 software applications out there for smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices, at least 10,000 aim to help with diet and exercise. We tested dozens of the most popular apps under the general heading of health and fitness. If you're trying to get in shape, or stay that way, here are some of the best. Article continues at link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703961104576148732585957902.html?mod=dist_smartbrief

Livestrong.com is good for recording food intake, but on calorie expenditure it is very inaccurate. I did use it for about a year though, before I got my HRM.. so if it's working for you.. great. But as you get closer to goal, you may need more accurate info.

Please don't be embarrassed, we're discussing a medical problem/condition and should be able to talk about things freely. Once you're cleared for such activity by your doc, the port shouldn't be an issue at all. If he's all that worried, tell him you will take the lead and if anything at all feels uncomfy, you will let him know. There will be a period of time that the area over the port will be more tender.. but that won't be forever. I do situps, lift weights, do yoga & pilates, have sex, do housework.. sometimes I WISH my port kept me from some of these activities.. LOL

I was never required to crush or open pills.. even immediately post-op. My post-op pain meds were pretty big pills. I now take my Vitamins every morning with a cup of coffee. If you don't like coffee, hot tea or hot Water with lemon even will work.

If Aleve is OK with your bariatric surgeon.. that's fine. However, it is a NSAID and many bariatric docs prohibit or severely limit the use of NSAIDs. They are thought to contribute to the possibility of erosion. Just wanted you to be aware of this if you weren't already.

I never counted carbs. I avoided white carbs.. rice, potatoes, bread, pasta and corn (the things higher on the glycemic index), but didn't cut them out completely.. just ate them rarely. I got my carbs from veggies and didn't worry about the numbers. Like VLP, I lost 100lbs in my first 7 months.

I know Oh Yeah Protein Bars are very tasty. I only get the snack size cuz the large ones are too many calories for me.. but it makes sense that their Liquid Protein would be tasty too. One question.. is it whey Isolate? and how much protein in a serving? We're told to try to use Whey Isolate and no more than 20 to 25 grams of protein per serving (our bodies can't process more than that and it stresses the kidneys). Also what is the carb, sugar and other nutritional info? Hmmm maybe I should just go check the website.

tortillas, unless I use them as a pizza base and bake them till crunchy. doughy bread. crisp bread is ok. pork rinds (too dry) any really dry meat... except Jerky. Jerky goes down fine.

That is strange. So are you scheduled for surgery to have the band rebuckled?

I think I'd go for an unfill. I had to get an unfill May 2010 and they only took out .2cc's and it did the trick. In the meantime, try drinking something hot before your meals. I know it's usually no drinking 30 min (or 20 or 60.. whatever) before meals, but when you're too tight, this is an exception to the rule. When I was too tight, I drank hot tea before my meals. Or if I was eating out, I had a cup of Soup before the main entree. The heat tends to loosen the band just a tad. Not unusual for a fill to take a while to make itself known. My last fill took 10 days to say hello. Delayed reaction to fills is one reason my surgeon won't do fills more often than once a month. Hope you feel better soon.

Interesting. I think I've had mine about a year or so and the instructions in mine say to wash weekly in the machine. I wonder what she means by "newer". I've always scrubbed the contact pads with my fingers when I rinsed it off, that's not enough for my strap. Glad the handwashing is working for you.

I found that using just Water to moisten the contacts on the chest strap isn't enough. I now use a water based lubricant to saturate the contact pads.. and I'm getting much more reliable HR's. Before, using just water, sometimes it would quit picking up during the middle of exercise!! Disconcerting to be pedaling away or doing mountain climbers and look down and see 00 as your HR!! LOL

oh.. I have a lb of chicken breast in the fridge that I was wondering what to do with.. .but darn.. I only have the choc. PB2.. phooey.

I don't buy the fruited greek yogurts.. have you looked at the amount of sugars in those?? Wow.. undoing all the good by eating those. I get the plain greek yogurt. Chobani & Fage aren't available here.. I get the Dannon and sometimes the Yoplait (yeah I know some don't like, but I really can't tell the difference). I add fresh or frozen fruit to my plain yogurt and some splenda/equal/truvia (depends on what I have on hand). I also use the plain as a substitute for sour cream. I made chicken florentine last night and used the plain greek yogurt in it too. Was wonderful.

While I understand hating to give up the 200.00 in free fills.. if you're not getting them or have to argue to get what you need.. what's the point?? If you want to give this guy one more try, I'd take in a weeks worth of my food diary to show him. Maybe that would help. On the other hand, it might give him more ammunition to say "you're not doing this right". I dunno. I don't have an adversarial or parental relationship with my surgeon, so I can't imagine. I never see my surgeon unless it's to pass him in the hallway.. nurses do all my fills/followup. And I've only had to press for my first fill.. and the nurse wasn't gung-ho on doing it cause I was loosing well.. but I insisted that I was too hungry and she gave in and gave me 1cc. I'm not sure if either of these two docs are in your part of Houston, (or even if either of them are the idiot you're currently dealing with) but I recently met two at the TABS conference in Dallas.. and they were personable and good to talk to in a non patient-doctor relationship. Dr. Davis (he's involved with the Big Medicine TV show.. which I've never seen) and Dr. Duc Vuong (calls himself "the support surgeon"). I took an art therapy session with Dr. Vuong.. he's a character. I do know he won't do fills on patients who don't attend support group... or at least he states that on one of his sites. I think I'd be looking for a new doc too. Best of luck to you.

I agree you really need to stick with your surgeon's plan. However, if you're having difficulty, call the doc's office and ask to speak with one of the nurses or the dietician or nutritionist and see if they can approve a modification. Try very hard not to modify on your own (as you're doing). Don't panic, very few (if any) of us are perfect on the post-op stages.. just call and get permission. Best of luck to you.

Last year I could not run on the treadmill.. I was afraid of falling off. Now I can, not for very long, but I can. I was starting the c25k for the treadmill.. when I fell off a step during bootcamp on 3/4, and strained/sprained my ankle. I had already registered for 2 races, one on 3/19 and another on 3/26. I'll just run what I can of them and walk the rest. Probably wear an acewrap on that ankle too. (I know it's not broken..had an xray & it doesn't hurt THAT bad). btw: I'm 53, been obese for many years and my cholesterol is wonderful. My doc's say my levels are to be envied.