honk

Since I started going to the gym I've lost about 150 pounds (lost some before that but did not have a scale). I've had people ask me what I've done BESIDES go to the gym 7 days a week for almost 3 years to loose that much weight. I tell them I lost 80 pounds from diet and exercise and then had lap band surgery. I've explained the pre op process and post op food habits. I would never however speak with someone unsolicited. And yes, I do see people that I think would be helped by the band. There are many ads on TV.

Sounds like you need to exercise. I am a very slow looser despite doing at least an hour of moderate cardio 7 days a week. I'd say the people who can loose with out exercising are the minority.

First week of mushies I could have cottage/ricotta cheese. Made with smooth spagetti sauce is an extra treat. I could also have Greek yogurt (fruit minced with hand blander). Second week mushies canned tuna or chicken. Mix with low fat laughing cow .

I swim/do water aerobic every day in a pool that is on the cold side. Never had a problem. In fact I am always hungry after a work out.

Hi. Banded at Lahey but live in Southern NH.

Great advice so far. I was on clear liquids PLUS protein shakes for 7 days, full liquids plus protein shakes week 2, Week 3 smooth mushies like cottage/ricotta cheese, Week 4 fuller mushies- canned tuna/chicken. For veggies I ate smooth tomato/sweet red pepper soup. I could have sugar/fat free pudding (not sure what it's called in Australia. Like custard but no eggs.) starting week 3.

I would speak with your doctor regarding not just cals but carb/protein/fat levels. My doctor put me on HMR 500 (just liquids). I lasted 6 days lost no weight and was having an allergic reaction so I stopped.

Speak with your doctor. I could have sugar/fat free pudding week 3 which was smooth mushies (low fat cottage/ricotta cheese).

My doctor wanted me to be walking around the day after surgery. I was back to the gym on day 4. Started out 45 mins gradually moved to an hour at increasing speeds. At two weeks returned to swimming moderately a hour a day. Disclaimer I was doing an hour of swimming preop so I was'nt going from 0-60.

Have you had your iron levels checked? Personally disagree that you should'nt exercise at this point. My doctor wanted me to be walking the day after surgery; and in general wants 30 mins. 7 days a week minimum.

EatSmart Precision Digital Bathroom Scale w/ Extra Large Backlit 3.5" Display and "Step-On" Technology is a very accurate scale. I know others have also purchased this scale. My scale is smack dab between my PCP and WLS; admittedly only one pound. 10 pounds is a big difference.

I got a rash from the tape used during surgery. I used a topical over the counter cream to help that.

I think the FDA ensures that suppliments don't contain anything that might kill you. They don't go through the same approval of a perscription drug. The FDA will pull something from the shelves if it is shown to be dangerous ie certain weight loss pills. The FDA will crack down on a company that makes medical claims (saying there is a cause and effect from taking a suppliment) that can not be proven. I'm guessing the Bariatric Advantage site talks about how their product will help you loose weight and since that can't really be proven to be true; they have to say the FDA has not approved those claims.

I did loose hair the first 6 months. Not sure if it was from the surgery itself, weight loss, etc. It did stop after I started taking 5000 mg Biotin.

As long as it's suger free you are fine. So will say the fake suger will lead you to crave more suger. I find that having something in my mouth to chew makes me less likely to eat food with calories.

For me the only reason to go to D & D (It's worth the trip. Ohh showing my age!) is to get a black coffee or a egg white sandwich. Everything else is just not for me anymore. Check out their nut. section on their website; even the low fat muffins are super high in fat.

I think you know you won't control this on your own long term. Of the people who loose significant weight, 100 pounds, only 5 % will maintain their weight loss. That's not great odds. Three times in my life I lost significant weight (12 yes 12, 18, 30); and the weight came back. I have to be sooooo strick to loose weight (yes and exercise) that after a year or so I am so mentally exhausted I start to let things slide and I eventually I am back to where I started.

I know how you feel. If you are single and live alone you don't have anyone to share your meals with. I find I eat out a lot less now if I know I won't be going straight home to refrigerate the left overs. I also find myself not eating the leftovers once they are home since they tend to be higher in fat/cals than I would prefer. You could try the senior/kids menu (though some restaurants will give you a hassle about that). You might ask if they could make you a half portion.

I weight out 3 oz of protien on the scale. I am at restriction and eat low fat/cal veggies and fruit until full. Esp. early on in the journey I think you should weight the protein as you WILL serve yourself more if you don't. 3 oz is not a lot of food and will look insignificant even on a sandwich plate.

I can eat them but choose not to. I would rather spend that 100 calories on something I like more.

No carbination. Also energy drinks are not great for you. People can OD on them because they have so much caffein. Caffein IS considered a drug by the FDA. My Nut. said one cup of coffee in the morning and then switch to decaf so I would guess she would NOT approve of energy drinks.

My doctor had degrees of mushies. First week of mushies I could have greek yogurt (used hand blender to mince the fruit), low fat cottage/ricotta cheese (can add smooth spagetti sauce to make a nice Italian bake). Second week mushies I could have canned chicken and or tuna. I mixed that with low fat laughing cow cheese (tastes much better than may and has a lot less fat and calories). Even with mushies my doctor wanted me to weigh out 3 oz of protein. So I would have brought a food scale with me. Remember mushies protein will still be pretty heavy even though it does'nt look like a lot on your plate.

My first question is how many days of exercise, how intense and for how long? Most doctors want at least 30 min of cardio 7 days a week. I am at a plateau even though I try to stay below 1200 cals and do 1-2 hours of moderate cardio 7 days a week. Even counting calories how are your food choices? Some have luck eating less of all foods (including fried and or high calorie foods like: cheese, ice cream, chips, etc); while others have to "diet". I am the latter. If I would be embarrased to buy/eat something in front of my doctor I don't buy/eat it.

I've read .3 x your weight. So 56g depending on your weight may be too low. I've seen doctors recommend 60-90 g.

I am at restriction and can eat any food so it boils down to making healthy/ier choices and eating smaller portions. Since I live alone I don't eat out for dinner often. If I do I plan on eating half the food and bring the rest home. Half the time I end of up not eating the left overs because they are higher in cals/fat/salt than I normally eat. If I am eating at a nicer place I do have the bread as a treat. I don't normally eat bread and I certainly don't keep it in my house. I love bread! Esp. a nice high grain toasted with butter.