Melinco

This morning I had to take my last horse pill - I mean antibiotic - for my ear infection. I just got my first fill on Tuesday afternoon, so since then, I had been crushing them and mixing them with apple sauce. I forgot to pack some apple sauce this morning so I cut it up into tiny pieces then swallowed it with Water. Gross! Then the last little pieces I swished with some water before taking it and I thought I was going to PUKE! Those are the nastiest tasting things ever! Thanks goodness I had my flavored coffee with me to wash out the taste. I'm so glad I'm done with those! Next time I'm going to ask for a liquid antibiotic.

Like the PP said, take one, break it in half, so it looks like you're eating it, then toss a half, then a few minutes later, toss the other half. Be sure to give him a big smile and say thank you. OR, you can say, Thank you Mr. Cute Sales Rep for the donuts. I'm (we are) starting to watch what I (we) eat so perhaps next time you can bring in some fruit or bagels? Give him a big smile. When we told our sales reps (I work at an insurance agency) we were trying to become healthier, they were all really cooperative and brought healthier items. We still get the occasional pastry, but not near as much as we did before.

I've been mulling this question over in my head ever since last week when I was able to buy size 20 jeans. I had been wearing my size 26s with a belt to hold them up. I think what I will do is wash everything, then box them up in a rubbermaid box, then put them in our storage room. After a year, I will then donate them to Goodwill or give them to another bandster or maybe even take them to a consignment shop (like my nicer work clothes). Some things (like cheap t-shirts) I may just toss. I will definitely get rid of my saggy baggy butt granny underwear!

My scales are right in front of my bathroom door. I will weigh each morning if I have time, BUT I only count my weight on Monday mornings as my progress weight (which you see in the tickers below). There will be times if I have to go #2 that my morbid and weird curiosity will have me stepping on the scale before or after, but I am not consumed or obsessed by my weight. Just as the others have said, your weight throughout the day will fluctuate, based on what you've eaten or drank, whether you're retaining fluids, that time of the month, etc. So I say go ahead and step on those scales, but only be concerned with what your "official" weight is once a week.

You are averaging about 1.65 pounds lost per week. That's actually a pretty good rate of weight loss. However, if you really want to get into the nitty gritty, I'd recommend finding out what your BMR is and calculating what your caloric needs should be based off that number. You can use this website BMR Calculator to determine your Base Metabolic Rate. This is the number of calories you need to consume per day just to maintain your current weight. Then, if you want to lose 2 pounds per week, you'd take your BMR x 7 days - 7,000 calories / 7 days to get your new daily calorie limit. Be sure to recalculate your BMR after every 10 pounds lost so that you aren't eating too much. Also remember that when you exercise, you need to add those calories back in so you don't go so low that your body thinks it's in starvation mode. Good luck!

I just got my first fill yesterday, so haven't had any Chinese yet, but prior to being filled, I have had Chinese several times. Didn't really have any problems with anything. I have learned though with any meats to keep a napkin handy so in case I'm chewing a piece of meat and it just won't break down (due to grissle or fat or whatever), I spit it into the napkin. I figure if my teeth can't break it down, then my tummy sure as heck won't! I did eat a tiny bit of cheesy broccoli rice last night and didn't have any problems, but I ate more broccoli than rice.

A 3 pound loss in one week is FANTASTIC! Great job! That is actually on the high end of weight loss rate. I think most doctors would advise a 1-2 pounds per week loss. Think about it, if you average 2 pounds lost per week, in a year, you'd lose 104 pounds! That's a lot of weight! Remember that as bandsters, we're not going to lose as fast as a bypasser. One thing you may want to do is add in a bit more calories each day since you are exercising so much. Your body still needs a minimum amount of calories per day just to function (you know, the important stuff like making our brains function or our hearts beat or our intestines to do their job), so you don't want to go too low on what your daily calories are (don't forget that when you exercise, you are depleting those calories). I took a great class that was offered by our local health department a few years ago that went into how to calculate your daily caloric needs, and it calculated in your exercise too. Basically, when we exercise, we can actually eat more in calories than if we don't exercise. You're off to a great start!

Your Base Metabolic Rate is the number of calories you need to consume per day just to maintain your current weight. It is based off your height, weight, gender and age. Based off that number, you can then determine what your caloric needs are for your weekly weight loss goal. As an example, I'll use me. 38 yo female, 5'5", current weight 251. My BMR is 1874 calories per day to maintain my current weight. (I used BMR Calculator to figure my BMR). If I want to lose 2 pounds per week, with each pound equaling 3500 calories, I need to cut from my caloric intake per week 7000 calories. So I'd take my BMR of 1874 x 7 days = 13,118 calories - 7,000 calories = 6,118 calores / 7 days = 874 calories per day. That would be my caloric intake per day to lose 2 pounds per week. Now that is kind of low plus I know I'm exercising about 3 times a week. If I know I'm going to burn 300 calories each time I exercise, I need to add back in to my caloric intake each day around 129 calories (300 calories x 3 days = 900 calories / 7 days = 129 calories). You really never want to go so low in your caloric intake that your body thinks it is in starvation mode, because then it will quit losing weight. As you get closer to your goal weight, you will actually need to adjust how much weight you lose each week, as 2 pounds is probably too aggressive. You'd want to cut it back to 1/2 to 1 pound lost per week. Then you'd refigure your BMR based on what your current weight is at that time. As we lose weight, our BMR will get lower, thus the reason for the recalculation. I'd recommend recalculating your BMR at least once per month, depending on how much you're losing each month. I hope this makes sense. If not, next time you speak with your doctor or nutritionist, you can ask them about it.

I got my first fill yesterday. He put in 5 ccs. He determines how much to put in by the ability to drink water. He first filled it all the way, had me drink a bit so I could feel it at the base of my throat. Then he took some back out until I felt the water go down. We went back and forth until I could feel the water go down quickly. I go back Monday for another fill. He doesn't believe in doing liquids after a fill, so he said just be sure to eat tiny bites and chew thoroughly. Last night I only at about 1.5 oz pork chop with home made golden mushroom sauce, and a few tiny bites of broccoli cheese rice (more broccoli than rice). Then I had a few spoonfuls of apple sauce with my crushed up antibiotic. That was nasty. Only 2 more of those to go before I'm done with them, thank God! This morning I had about 3/4 of a scrambled egg mixed with a stick of string cheese and a tablespoon or so of salsa. I've got lunch today with some company reps for work so we're going to Black Eyed Pea where I'll probably have some meatloaf which I know is very tender. I've got to work on drinking more water. And the doc wants me to pay attention to my hunger in the mornings when I eat yogurt. He said it's considered a slider food and will just slip through the band. I didn't eat any this morning only because I'm out and need to get to the grocery store. lol

Viv, how any calories are you getting in each day? Perhaps you're taking in too few calories? That can actually stall weight loss. Have you tried determining what your BMR is so you know how many calories you should be taking in each day in order to lose your goal weekly weight? If you're not sure how to do this, let me know. Good luck!

This is the reason that people should ask their potential surgeons what their philosophy is for fills. If the surgeon has set time frames that they'll do fills regardless of your hunger level, I'd shy away from that surgeon. Once you are past the healing stage, you should get your fills based on your level of hunger, not some arbitrary time frame or weight loss schedule. To me, that's just asking for trouble and inviting feelings of failure and depression. I may be talking out my butt as I go in for my first fill tomorrow, but one of the things I really liked about my surgeon was the fact that he says he listens to what his patients are saying, and if they are feeling hungry, then it's time for a fill. Good luck with yours! I hope that once you get some additional cc's in your band, you'll be feeling it!

Last Wednesday, I went to our local Dress Barn to buy a couple of pairs of new jeans, as all my old jeans are just hanging on me. I wore my size 26s in there with a belt holding them up, as my size 24s weren't dry (I was doing laundry that morning). I went in expecting to get a size 22, but I was able to fit into a size 20! I was so excited! Also, last summer, I bought a bunch of new underwear before I started this journey. I had to buy a larger size, which was 12. Wednesday I went to Target and was able to buy size 9 underwear! My butt looks so cute now, rather than all saggy baggy. I need to go buy some more underwear as I only bought 3 pair. I need at least one week's worth as I don't like doing laundry more often than that. It won't be too much longer before I buy new work clothes. All my slacks are baggy butts, and my skirts are hanging low on my hips. I'll wait a bit longer before I buy new tops as I'm still pretty busty, even though they are getting smaller.

Hi, I was banded on 12/17/09. I've been doing pretty good with steady losses each week. I go in for my first fill tomorrow afternoon. There are lots of us December Delights that you can connect with here: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f22466/december-delights-2009-a-106299/ I've lost about 14 pounds since the surgery six and a half weeks ago, which averages about 2 pounds per week. I'll take that! You figure, at 2 pounds a week, in one year (if it remains at that rate), I'd lose 104 pounds! I'd be darn near goal!

I've met and exceeded my goal! My goal was to lose 12 pounds to get down to 254. I'm 253.6 as of this morning! Tomorrow I get my first fill so it'll be very interesting to see how much I weigh by Valentine's Day!

NSV Alert: I went from size 24 jeans to size 20! I went shopping yesterday for some jeans and new underwear. I was actually wearing my old 26s that were literally falling off me as my 24s were still in the dryer (they didn't get dried in time before leaving). I went to Dress Barn, pulled a size 22, thinking that that is what I'd fit into. They were too big! So I had my friend get me a size 20 and they fit! I'm so stoked! I bought two pair, as I just couldn't pass up the ones with the rhinestones down the outside seams and on the back pockets. I posted a picture of them on my blog.

I bought some greek yogurt this weekend to try. Holy cow it's expensive! $1.99 for a serving. Now this was at my local Kroger's grocery store. Is it less expensive at say a Vitamin Cottage? We don't have Trader Joe's here where I live (maybe in next city over but I refuse to drive to another town to do my grocery shopping). I'm hoping it's tasty as it is my lunch today, along with some black berries and baked tostito chips and fresh salsa. I know, weird combination, but that's what I packed last night! lol So where do you buy your greek yogurt and how much do you pay?

Last time we went to our local chinese buffet restaurant, and they asked me what I wanted to drink and I said nothing, our waiter did a double take and squawked out "NOTHING???" It was so funny. Then, when we went to a Captain D's restaurant (for my hubby) and I said I didn't want anything to drink, they gave me a small Water anyway. For me, it's easier to not drink anything at home or when I eat Breakfast or lunch at work, because my meals aren't salty. However, when going out, the meals are usually pretty salty so I end up taking tiny sips. I bet the amount I drink when I do go out is less than one tablespoon. I like the tips above, but sometimes I think it's just a matter of conditioning ourselves to not do it any longer. I liken it to my not stopping the consumption of diet pepsi until the very last moment (night before the surgery). Once banded, I knew I just couldn't do it any more, so I didn't. (BTW, it still sucks not having my diet pepsis!) Good luck finding what works for you Kstate, and let us know how you're doing!

I don't often shop at WalMart for groceries, however, one time I did go and buy their frozen tilapia and I must say, it was horrible. It's the fishiest I've ever tasted tilapia. It was a product of China. Now I've since heard not to buy fish products from China, so that may have been it. I've had really good luck with tilapia from King Soopers (our Kroger's store) and Albertson's (especially their fresh tilapia - yummmm). Not tried it from Safeway, our other grocery store chain. Let us know which of the recipes you try is your favorite!

I don't think I had a catheter, but for the first few days after the surgery, I had to force myself to pee. Normally, when I use the restroom, once I sit down, the urine comes out without any prodding, but after I had the surgery, I had to push. After about 5 days, I no longer had that issue. I kind of figured it was due to the anesthesia as well as decreased fluid intake.

Ok, so I tried it. The verdict? It was OK. I mixed it with some honey to sweeten it, as well as some black berries. The berries were way too tart, so that didn't help. Once I ate those, I then added the peaches and bananas I had, and that was better. I did taste it first before adding anything and it does taste like sour cream, which may come in useful for recipes in the future. I may have to try it in different flavor combinations. I may just stick to my CARBMaster yogurt, 12 g Protein, 80 calories, and 4 grams carbs for $0.50. The Fage 0% fat yogurt had only 15 g of protein, so not sure that it's worth the extra $1.50.

I found the Wii Fit Plus (with the board as I didn't have it before) at Sam's Club in November for only $10 more than the regular Wii Fit (with board). The Plus has all the same stuff that the Wii Fit has, plus more (thus the plus!). So I'd recommend going ahead and spending the extra $10 and buy the Plus to begin with. If you try to buy it later (without the board) you'll spend at least $20 for just the game. Good luck and have fun!

Here is a thread with lots of Tilapia recipes. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f82/need-talipia-recipe-32004/ I find tilapia to be really good. I'm not a fan of salmon or other "fishy" fishes. The milder the better for me! lol If I recall correctly, I posted in this thread a recipe for fish tacos that is oh so yummy and nutritious too.

I did get the Fage at Kroger's. I brought some honey to put on it and the black berries to mix with it. I'll have to keep an eye out for sales if I like it. I'll let you know in a couple of hours. Thanks!

I'm going to propose something a bit different. You have until March 12 to lose the 15 pounds which gives you 6.5 weeks to do it. Make a top 5 list of the "last meals" you'd like to have. Limit it to 5. Over the next 3 to 5 days, have your top 5 meals for lunch and/or dinner. Once you have finished your last 5 meals, start your pre-op diet. Now, has your dietician or surgeon told you what type of diet to follow, such as liquid or solid Protein? If not, then I'd recommend doing a solid protein diet, such as Atkins Phase I. It gives you plenty of solid protein, like chicken, steak, turkey, pork, etc., very limited carbs (my dietician wanted 30 grams or less of carbs per day), and based on what my BMR (base metabolic rate) was at the time I started my pre-op diet, I limited my calories to 1500 a day (which based on MY weight would give me a 2 pound loss per week). Now if you add in exercise to this equation, burning another 300 calories per day and you work out 6 days a week, you'll end up losing about 2.5 pounds per week (when you combine food calories plus the exercise calories). That would get you to about 13 pounds lost during that time. You can cut your calories down to 1200 per day, which would up your weight loss to about 3 pounds a week when combined with exercise, which would take you to 15 pounds lost. Many free websites (I used www.my-calorie-counter.com) will help you track your food intake as well as determine what your BMR is. It is very important to use this calculation as it will tell you based on your current weight, height, gender, and level of activity, how many calories you need to take in per day just to maintain your weight. Depending on how much weight you want to lose per week, you then need to subtract 3500 calories per pound per week from your total. For example, if your BMR indicates 2200 calories a day to maintain your weight, and you want to lose 2 pounds per week, you'd take 2,200 cals x 7 days = 15,400 cals/week - 7,000 calories = 8,400 cals / 7 days = 1,200 calories per day. This does not include the calories you burn exercising. If you start working out, those calories burned will help with the weight loss. So, all of this to say that I hope this helps you get in your last meals, but also lose the required 15 pounds by March 12. Don't forget to drink your Water as that definitely helps too! Good luck! I know you can do it!

Why would you think that there is a high chance of having future issues that would result in additional surgeries? Yes, there is a chance, but it isn't high. Unless you know you are bad about following instructions and don't think you can follow the recommended way of eating (and cutting out the things your doctor says to, like mine did with carbonated beverages). Double check with your insurance company. While many won't cover the surgery itself, they often cover complications from it. I am self pay and I decided that if something does happen, I will deal with it then. But for now, I'm taking control of my weight and the $15k I spent is a worthwhile investment in myself. Good luck with your decisions.