minimeme

Patience is the key right now. You are just beginning. You have a long road ahead. 20-22 lbs is a fantastic amount of weight to loose in about 2 weeks. If you really, really want to do some trouble shooting to find out what is going on, log your food. It is a lot of work, but invaluable for those who need a realistic review of what they are doing right and what they are wrong.

If it is what I was enrolled it, it is a 10 week series of emails. Everyday you get a new email discussing a different topic. They are helpful and I enjoyed them. But, I wouldnt pay for it if it werent free.

Do you find that you no longer like the taste of certain foods? And are there other foods you find you like better? Just curious, I will post some of my thoughts later.

I am so happy to see you post this. I always dated. If anything, the extra weight just kept the insincere and egomaniacs away. It is much harder to ascertain who is sincere when you are thinner, for me anyways.

Next time you make some scallops, try chewing 30 times per bite. Wasnt a good thing for me.

I officially lost 100 lbs as of today! In the past, one of the things I was doing wrong trying to loose weight is first thing, I would run out and buy things. I would decide to try to loose weight so I would go out and buy some exercise equipment, some clothing or shoes, a gym membership, you name it and I would buy it. Unfortunately what it did was set me up for failure. I felt I was "accomplishing" something by making the purchase and inevitably I wouldn't follow through. So this time, one of the commitments I made to myself was to not run out and buy anything. Rather, I was going to use my purchases as rewards for reaching goals, instead of a means to reach a goal. My 100 lb goal reward is a new bicycle. I had mine stole a couple of years back. I really miss it. I had an Electra Black Betty. It was a cool retro cruiser; black with pink flames and rims. So I went to the shop I originally purchased my Betty from and they no longer stock the bikes, but will still order one for you. They handed me a 2010 brochure and I went to McAllisters Deli so I could get a glass of tea and enjoy picking my reward. (If you have never had McAllisters Ice Tea, it is wonderful, delicious) I start flipping through the brochure, loving each new bike on each page flip. Until, that is, I come across a huge picture of a Mammy doll. And the heading on the page is "Inspiration". Jesus, it's 2010! So anyways, now I sorta lost my excitement. :thumbup:

I had a steak for the first time yesterday. OMG, it really tasted good. Now, mind you, it WAS a good steak. It came with 4 scallops. I couldnt eat them. By the time I had chewed my first bite enough to swallow, I didnt want any more.

I officially lost 100 lbs as of today! In the past, one of the things I was doing wrong trying to loose weight is first thing, I would run out and buy things. I would decide to try to loose weight so I would go out and buy some exercise equipment, some clothing or shoes, a gym membership, you name it and I would buy it. Unfortunately what it did was set me up for failure. I felt I was "accomplishing" something by making the purchase and inevitably I wouldn't follow through. So this time, one of the commitments I made to myself was to not run out and buy anything. Rather, I was going to use my purchases as rewards for reaching goals, instead of a means to reach a goal. My 100 lb goal reward is a new bicycle. I had mine stole a couple of years back. I really miss it. I had an Electra Black Betty. It was a cool retro cruiser; black with pink flames and rims. So I went to the shop I originally purchased my Betty from and they no longer stock the bikes, but will still order one for you. They handed me a 2010 brochure and I went to McAllisters Deli so I could get a glass of tea and enjoy picking my reward. (If you have never had McAllisters Ice Tea, it is wonderful, delicious) I start flipping through the brochure, loving each new bike on each page flip. Until, that is, I come across a huge picture of a Mammy doll. And the heading on the page is "Inspiration". :ohmy: Jesus, it's 2010! So anyways, now I sorta lost my excitement.

Counting my blessings on this one......

Never mind, just realied your account was suspended.

Not knowing all the details, I say get the band. It will give you something to focus on other than your husbands betrayal and the implosion of your marriage.:w00t:

The worst part for me was the hunger after the band. I wasnt expecting to be so physically hungry. I have read a lot of people talking about head hunger and I have no idea what they are talking about. My hunger was physical. My stomach rumbled and rolled and made all sorts of noises. It was embarassing.

Yes, I love love love Bento! I will upload some pics later when I have the time/inclination. Bento is a fun, healthful way to balance your food intake since it has several areas for different foods. Have you been to flickr to view others bento creations? There are some really artistic people out there. I also think a restraunt specializing in healthy bento lunches to go would be a money maker.

I carry the chewables in my purse and eat one 2-3x a day. I havent had a problem with regularity at all since banding.

Tilapia Rustique at La Madeleine Cafe. It is tilapia sauted in chardonnay wine with finely chopped bell peppers and garlic. It normally comes with a side of rice pilaf, but I asked to substitute some steamed broccolli. It tastes wonderful and is very easy on my banded stomach. Under 300 calories and big enough to eat at least twice.

This is just one bunch of claims for the surgery, there are more. But I guess this thread has turned into how wrong I am. I know what I am talking about, hell I lived it. I refuse to have people tell me I am wrong about my own life so I wont answer any more accusations about how negative I am or how wrong I am or anything of the kind. The OP wanted to know what each of us wish we would have known prior to banding. I answered. The end.

I am a fan of the Starbucks Vivanno, love the banana chocolate. El Pollo Campero has Beans they call Campero beans. They taste so much better than most refriend beans. But in a pinch I have ordered some refriend black beans along with a side of guacamole without chips. When I eat chinese, I usually get a side of steamed veggies instead of rice. Panda Express has a childs dish with one entre and you can have veggies instead of rice. Yesterday I ate PF Changs lunch. I ordered their salmon lunch, hold the rice and a side of steamed spinach. It came with a bowl of egg drop Soup so I boxed the lunch for dinner.

I disagree with the poster who told you that you would not be sore after surgery. I hurt. Not just a little, it was very painful for me. As I said in another post, I WISH someone would have told me that there MIGHT me a chance that I would hurt so badly. I could have prepared for it mentally. It took me by surprise.

I am really curious and am waiting for a bandster to try them. Wont be me though because I am afraid after the issue I had with greenbeans. Fibrous food can be difficult for some banded people.

LOL @ Apples! Well, I checked my posts and I am guilty of answering a question in the teens section about eating out. Oh the horrors. But in my defense, I usually just hit the "new posts" like hummingbird. I promise to be more mindful and respectful in the future.

I found this recipe on a blog and thought of this thread.... theworldaccordingtoeggface: Turtle Dip & Some Lovin' Shelly's Turtle Protein Dip 3 oz. Fage Greek Yogurt (I use 2%) 2 Tablespoons sugar free Caramel Sauce Topping (Smucker's) 1 scoop chocolate Protein powder 1-2 Tablespoons Pecans, chopped Mix together till thoroughly combined. Serve with banana slices, strawberries, apple slices, protein cake cubes for dipping. If you are early on... skip the pecans.

1 spinach baked egg 1 optifast strawberry shake 1/2 cup of unflavored yogurt with 1/2 a clementine and a few pomegranate seeds and frozen blueberries 3 oz of grilled salmon with 2 bites of spinach orzo I think I am done for the day. If I have to have something else, will think about a starbucks vivanno.

I can only answer for me, but being 200 is much better than being 350 with my health issues. During lupus episodes, I was walking with a cane. I couldnt get off a puclic toilet by myself if it wasnt one of the higher handicapped ones. So, for me, being able to get around during my worst spells is my goal. I dont care if I loose all of my extra weight or just some of it as long as I can get around unassisted. Hope this helps you to understand why someone might still have surgery even if they dont make it to a size 6.

This thread is specific. What you wish people would have told you before you were banded. I am saying from my very own opinion what I WISH someone would have told me. The amount of pain shocked me. Yes, pain is relative and everyone is different. But no one, but no one, told me it might be as painful as it was. I wish someone would have told me it might be. The amount paid by my insurance shocked me. I do not know of any complications during surgery. The huge extras were not doctors fees, they were hospital incidentals. How in the world I used over $140K in incidentals when I was only in there a couple of hours is beyond belief. And I did chew, chew, chew, chew, chew my 2 green beans as was evident when they came up. They are still very fibrous and may cause trouble, as I learned the hard way. So before you accuse me of being negative and not being able to see the positive, please understand why I am answering specificly to what was asked. If someone started a thread of all the good things you band has done, I would have listed the things I love, but that isnt want the poster asked for.

Sweetie, celery and peas are very hard for someone with a band if they are already having issues. They are both very fibrous. Carrot sticks and broccoli tips would be easier for you. From the lapband site: Common Problem Foods Some foods have difficulty passing through the stomach opening created by the LAP-BAND^® System and may cause blockage. These include: dry meat shrimp untoasted or doughy bread rice Peanut Butter fibrous vegetables like corn, asparagus, and celery nuts greasy or fried food membrane of citrus fruits