honk

My doctor has never told me to eat by volume. He said to eat 3 oz by weight of solid protein; and then low fat/cals veggies until full.

Some people keep their band so tight (on purpose) so they physically can't eat foods like bread, rice, paster. The band is not meant to stop you from eating anything. Some want the band to phsically prevent them from eating foods so they don't have to use will power. That is the wrong mentality. I think it's important to realize and embrase that this will be a will power diet for the most part until you get restriction. You have to choose to eat an apple for dessert instead of an apple pie. Even now at restriction I have to decide to eat healty foods and not junk food.

Keep in mind some of the weight is water gain since the food was probably high in salt. I went to my neices Crew races Sat and Mothers Day yesterday. My scale says I gained 4 pounds this weekend. On Sat I did a four mile walk and then at the races did probably another 2. So I have trouble believing I ate 12,000 calories excess that could go to fat.

I highly recommend buying a digital food scale. Measure out your protein (my doctor says 3 oz). Eat the protein first and then veggies (low fat/cal) until full. I find measuring to be very important as 3 oz is not a lot. You are almost guarenteed to eat more than 3 oz if you don't measure.

I had almost 8 months between my first consult and surgery. I did not practice chewing but I did significantly change my food habits. Even after restiction the band is 50% mental. For the first six months for me it was more like 80% will power. The band will never stop you from eating junk foods (candy, crackers, ice cream). Anything that liquifies in your mouth will go right through the band. As to the last supper mentality, stop. What foods do you think you won't eat again? I can eat any food I want; and I am at restriction. The only things I have problem with are cheap doughy white bread and raw carrots. My doctor does'nt want my band so tight I can't eat foods (the exception is you can be tighter in the morning than at night). I choose not to eat french fries/fried food/ice cream. If I'm at a party I can and will eat party food. The key is making it a treat and not a regular activity.

Well I think the original posters surgeon was negligent. My doctor NEVER in a million years would have done lap band surgery on someone who was Bulimic.

I would speak with the doctor's office near your school. Many doctors WILL NOT do fills for a band done by another doctor. They don't want to deal with problems from another doctor if they arise. If they won't do the fills you may want to have surgery done by a doctor closer to school; esp if you are a freshman and will be there for another 4 years.

I am at restriction. The only foods I have trouble with are cheap doughy bread and raw carrots. I can eat rice, pasta I just don't like them that much so I don't bother. I do eat baked chicken breast no problem (have it twice a day).

I'm sorry that you are having trouble. I'm not trying to be mean but it seems the only thing that could be considered band related is the gall bladder. It also seems like the ER doctor who did not think your pain could be gall bladder related dropped the ball. Did they even ask you if you've had recent weight loss? One description of people ripe for gall bladder problems is Female, Fertile, Fat, and Forty. After loosing over 100 lbs when I was 18, I was getting these random side back pains that were debilitating. When I told my mother (though I did not say how bad they were) she said it sounds like gall bladder pain "but you are too young". When a college friend saw me experiencing this pain she physically dragged me to the car to get to a hospital where I was diagnosed (though the doctor had never seen this in someone my age). I had my gall bladder out 3 months later.

I told my nephew they tasted liked chocolate milk. To which he replied "Aunty Honk I think you've forgotten what chocolate milk tastes like". Smartass

Get the nutritional info from doctors shakes( protein, Cal's, carbs) then shop for a product at Vitamin Shoppe ( cheapest I found), GNC etc that is similar . Whey Isolate is the type of protein my doctor wanted. In general you want at least 25 g protein for 200 Cal's.

Sure. Just treat it like any other calories. Also, I read a study that said people eat 35% more of something when they view it as "low cal".

Not the best title but wanted to leave this open ended. Anyone have watershed moments when you realized; you've changed your behaviors/outlook for good? Today at a job interview I was asked "So what do you do in your time off?" First thing that came to mind was the amount of time I spend at the gym/working out. I answered "To be truthful, I'm a bit of a gym rat". To which the interviewer said "Well that's a good thing right?" When exactly did this become a reality? Not exactly what I would said (not to mention believable) when I weighed close to 380 pounds. I thought this thread would be good for those in Pre Op or recently had surgery. Any happy thoughts out there?

Could the band be pinching a nerve?

My port is pretty deep (according to my Nurse Practitioner). So even after 65 pounds lost it still does'nt stick out. Is it the port or actual tubing?

I have to say the 1/2 cup thing in my opinion is crazy. My doctor wants me to eat 3 oz of solid Protein PLUS veggies and some fruit. That is never, ever going to fit in 1/2 cup. It just isn't. Band tightness can come and go. I had a fill day after Thanksgiving. I had restriction before but this moved me more into the green zone. I've noticed in the last month or so that I've gotten a little tighter. Not in a bad way at all. In fact it took me a looong time to get to restriction and my band is almost full. I can eat bread but not cheap dough white bread. My only concern would be if you can't eat 3 oz of solid protein and some veggies. This may not be connected to your weight training. The band is connected to living tissue; which can and will function differently for apparently no reason.

When I was unemployed I decided spending $2.50 on a soda wasn't worth it when eating out. I would however buy .99 drinks at Cumberland Farms. I went through Patches where I would buy 2 liters for home. I did drink soda right up to surgery. Post op I have not had soda since 8/11/10. The only time I had a really intense craving was one day in Walmart. I was waiting in line and someone opened the soda fridge. That sound just set me off. I wanted a Diet Pepsi sooooooo bad. I passed though.

Jealous! Is you band too tight? My doctor says if I can't eat 3 oz of solid protein I am too tight. If you can eat veggies it sounds like you can eat mushie foods (cooked veggies are kind of mushie). Taking out .1-.2 cc's will be better for you than keeping the band too tight and then not being able to eat protein which will keep you full longer.

Have you spoken to the doctor? Sounds like you need antibiotics either topical (cream) or pill form.

Ensure does not have enough Protein. Your shakes should have no less than 20 g of protein and be no more than 200 cals. For premade Premier brand is great 160 cals. for 30 g of protein (available costco and Sams). You can also look for premade shakes with low carbs at Vitamin Shoppe and even Walmart. I would not drink fruit juice. Your doctor has you on the preop diet to force your body to burn fat (esp. fat in your liver). If you drink fruit juice which is allll carbs you are going against that goal.

Are you at restriction? If not get a fill. Head hunger will always be there; you have to acknowledge it and refuse to eat.