honk

About four weeks.

Walking is great exercise. Are you doing any other exercise? If not it may be just that your body needs greater inducement to let go of some of the weight.

As to TOM mine has been messed up for a year. Most of that time I was on a blood thinner which means all bets are off. Surgery was 6 months ago and I have been off BT for about 2 + months. My periods are still way off it comes several days early with little warning. This month I had a normal period, two weeks, and then another normal period. At my last fill I ask the nurse and she said that since my weight loss has been slow (1 pound a week) that she did not think it was surgery related. I'm not so sure about that.

I do an hour of lap swimming daily. If there is a swim meet etc I do an hour on the eliptical.

Manda 87 amen to that. Couple years ago my office was moved from one end of the building to the other. And by building I mean 3 enormous factories that were connected to make one collosal building. I sat as far away from the cafe as you could get. After that move I started buying a breakfast sandwich at Dunkin Donuts every day; which was also pretty expensive. I started buying low fat breakfast sandiches by weight watchers and lost probably 10 pounds from that alone.

You might want to go to a GNC or Vitamin Shoppe or similar store to check out their refrigurated section. This way you could buy one bottle to see if you like something rather than a 4 pack. Also occationally I've seen single bottles for sale at some grocery or quicki marts.

FYI lean cuisine also makes a couple flavors in a larger size. You might actually be able to get enough protein from them as there is just more food in there. And you can just throw away extra pasta or rice.

I so hear you. While I was loosing weight on my own diet; when I asked my surgeon if I would be going on a liquid diet presurgery he said "Sure if you want to go on a liquid diet to loose more weight. Let's start today." First that's not what I meant and this was was MONTHS before my surgery. He had me buy HMR 500 a medically supervised shake diet that is guess what 500 cal a day period, not even any veggies. NIGHTMARE. I did it for like 5 days lost 0 pounds and was exercising everyday for an hour (which I had been doing previously.) I became OBSESSED with eating. Five minutes after eating one shake I was counting the minutes until the next one. I was also getting this numb feeling at the back of my throat. Which is a classic symptom of food allergy (my brother has life threatening food allergies). I went to the nurse and she said if you are loosing weight on your own diet and this shake is causing you discomfort stop. So I did. NOT that I'm saying you should do that. Are you spacing out your veggies during the day. So 2 cups could be 8, 1/4 cup snacks. I know if will be hard to stop at 1/4 cup but just think how you can have another snack later. Soooo shake at 8, snack at 9:30, 10:30 shake at 12:00 etc which would leave you to have extra veggies at night.

I believe greek yoghurt is gluten free.

I take the Kirkland Children's vitamin a whole one is adult strength (children take half of one). I also take chewable Caltratte 600+ D which has zinc that's not in the multi. I have been loosing hair so I'v added Bioten. I also take 2 Fiber gummies. Flavor does'nt bother me; but I did'nt get this fat being a picky eater.

During week 3 I made an Italian bake low fat chive cottage cheese and low fat ricotta, egg white, Romano cheese, smooth spagetti sauce bake in the oven. Week 4 I mixed canned chicken with low fat laughing cow (they have lots of flavors!). Even better if you microwave to heat it up. For Breakfast I used a stick blender to mix up Chobani Greek yoghurt with fruit (I add spendra because the fat free version is pretty sour), add fat free milk if you think it is to thick.

I agree some people make banded life sound like as much fun as failing into a Weight Watchers reality TV show that never ends. Food is pleasurable. I don't want to take all enjoyment of food out of my life. One of my craving fighting activities? After lunch on a Saturday I go to Cosco and see if they are sampling anything that I can't keep in my house because I would binge on it. I don't think having one inch square of brownie (once a week) is going to sink me. But it definatly is enjoyable. I stand to the side and slowly savor that minuscule piece of dessert. Some people would say this is bad; but it means I can withstand the urge to BUY dessert for my house. Oh and Greek yoghurt without Splendra tastes like sour cream; so yeah I eat artifical sweetners.

I second that they are'nt that great protein wise. If you are looking for 60-90 grams protein you need 20+ g per meal. I once read on the Lean Cuisine website that they consider them part of a balance meal. So basically they expect you to have a veggie or fruit on the side to make them meet nutrional standards. Do I think they are okay in the event of a emergency sure.

By suppliment I wonder if they mean Vitamins. I take chewables, most of them are going to have some calories but between my multi and Calcium it's probably 30 cal. a day. Think of the time before surgery as a time to modify your food habits and over all food philosophy. If you have to start slowly. When you go out most full service restaurants let you make substitutions. If you order a hamburger get a baked potato instead off french fries; or get grilled chicken with a low fat sauce (BBQ etc) on the side. More than half of this journey is mental. I don't think enough doctors stress that. Luckily mine did. I think reading the book is a great start. While thin people make bad food choices too; most of the time they eat healthy and smaller portions than you or I. If you have a friend that eats correctly follow their lead. It can be hard to come up with ideas on your own. Start an exercise program now. Is it hard to go to the gym when you are over weight? Ah Yes. I highly recommend swimming. When you are overweight it HURTS to exercise. Swimming is low impact and you can do it no matter what you weigh. I prefer lap swimming with help of a Water proof MP3 player. But you might like water aerobics.

I was not allowed tuna or shredded chicken at week 3 that had to wait until week 4. For mushie stage try low fat/fat free cottage cheese or ricotta.

Hey Everybody, In my weekly journey to Costco I discovered a new Ready to Drink Protein. They now carry both Vanilla and Chocolate Premier Protein Shakes. The Vanilla tasted pretty good, better than I expected. 160 Cal with 30 g protein.

Also check out http://www.bellplantation.com/ for PB2; sounds like it's simular to what you described. I like the chocolate one in protein shakes. My sister uses it to make sandwiches (I have'nt done that yet).

During mushie stage I ate low/fat free cottage cheese (chive, or pineapple), low/fat free ricotta, egg whites (some people have trouble with them). I would make egg beaters and at the very end add 1/4 cottage cheese with chives sooooo yummy the cheese gets melty. I also don't worry to much about fruit since I don't eat that much of it. I am not a banana fan. You could try other fruits that would provide more intense flavor. I use to put 1/3 cup of frozen cherries in chocolate Protein shakes (mixed in blender.)

For breakfast I have Chobani Greek yoghurt (fat free with fruit), half a scoop of vanilla whey isolate powder, spendra to taste, 10 g of kashi go lean high protein for some crunch. This is about 25 g of protein for about 220 calories. I would consider keeping a Ready to Drink Protein in your car for emergencies it will save you money and let you have a lower calorie high protein option when you're busy.

As I was loosing weight on my own my doctor let me do my own diet. I did a shake for breakfast and dinner and a sensible meal for lunch. If you are using protein powder (my doctor requires Whey Isolate) here's what I recommend. Make "milk cubes" with fat free milk. Sample recipe: two milk cubes, couple ice cubes, 2/3 cup fat free milk, tablespoon or more sugar/fat free pudding powder, Splendra (artificial sweetener) mix in blender. Comes out with a think milk shake texture. Depending on your protein powder your shake could be 200 cal with 35 g protein.

I am NOT a patient waiter. Due to preexisting health issue I had to wait 8.5 months for the surgery. This 6 month period is a great time for you to learn new eating habits. Even with exercise the band can not help you if you make bad food choices. Now is the time to create a new reality. When you go out for breakfast order an egg beater omlet, veggies, no cheese instead of fried eggs with buttered toast. You know what it's not that bad. Also check out different exercise classes, cardio machines, or swimming. Find exercise that you are willing to do 5 days a week. Personally I shoot for 7 and really push my self to go. Lately we've had horrible weather and I've had to do snow removal instead of going to the gym. Am I still getting exercise? You better believe it! But I realllly miss not swimming. Another thing is you'd be amazed how much money you save not eating out. Admittedly the food I buy can be expensive; but it's no were near what I used to spend eating out. You will read on here time and time again the band is a tool not a magic wand. SO TRUE. Plan on the band just being another aspect of a new healthier life. I'm not saying you can never have a cookie or piece off birthday cake again; they will just not be center pieces to your eating plan.

I grew up near the beach and have seen many suits in my day. To be truthful I don't think anyone over 25 should wear a bikini. Even if you have the body it makes older women just look desperate. I think the Tankini look is just so much nicer. For those who have trouble finding suits to fit at regular stores Womanwithin.com has plus size suits.

In 9/08 I started to exercise daily and progressively improved my food choices. From then through presurgery and after I have lost 109 pounds; with 27 since surgery in 8/10. Personally I think those shows on TV that have someone with huge pieces of extra skin are questionable. MOST people don't end up like that; which is why people that do go on TV. Is sensational. Okay off my soap box. I don't have excess skin at all. Admittedly I need to lose another 100 so my ideal could be a bit off. Everyone loses weight at different speeds. I don't want to discourage anyone but some people like myself are slow loosers. I follow my doctors orders (measure out 3 oz of protein per meal), eat healthy foods, AND exercise every day for an hour. I have lost an average of 1 pound per week. Today was my 6th fill now at 10 CC's in 11 CC band; and really really really hope this will brings restriction. I don't think doctors really emphasize enough that it can take a while for you to see significant loss; probably until you reach restriction. I think I have been slower because I was already dieting and exercising before surgery so my body was not shocked by a huge change in eating habits.

If you belong to Costco they have a nice Ready to Drink Protein, Premier Brand choc and vanilla 160 cal 30 g protein.

Spouce, I also wanted to tell you that my doctor never said not to talk at meal times! In my opinion that's dumb. If you are part of a conversation it slows you down because you chew swallow then talk. My oldest sister is the thinest in my family and the slowest eater ever! She does'nt say everyone be quiet so I can mindfully eat my brussel sprouts!