sld21

well there was a serious heat wave and we were walking from kingdom come. Also we could have been really tired from driving and sometimes only ate once a day or had a snack. Usually I am extremely tight the first meal or first bite then I can loosen up. I just know I got stuck really easy and slimed more than normal. But my stuck episodes don't last forever, once the offender is gone. I eat small enough bites but sometimes even mashed up food in my mouth goes down slow and the painful need to burp never goes away. But I'm fine now that I am home, no sticks, I had some steel cut oats for Breakfast with a bit of Protein powder tossed in it and the topping off of pizza for lunch and I have nibbled this afternoon after the YMCA(I am usually hungry in the evenings) but nothing to humongous.

I should mention that my lasagna was made with low carb noodles that were soft, fat free cottage cheese and a combination of ground turkey and italian sausage, so it was pretty healthy. It is what he wanted for his birthday. Plus I have lost almost 60lbs in six months post-op.

I don't work well with the soft burrito wrappers because once it breaks down it becomes a doughy glob that is bound to stick as it doesn't take that much. I order a pintos and cheese and a chicken ranchero soft taco off the drive thru diet. I empty the contents of the chicken ranchero into my beans/cheese and its way less than a cup of food. Holds me for hours. Great lunch.

I am also an EAS low carb pre-made junkie. I like the vanilla and the chocolate. They taste nothing like nasty protein shakes. Though this week I have been making my own to see if it would save money and it has. I got a whole container of the Jillian Michaels vanilla whey protein powder and I mix one scoop with 1 cup of vanila soy milk and its amazing flavor. I usually throw a banana in there for extra flavor but I didn't need it, it was great on its own. I prefer soy over regular milk (less lactose issues). I won't ever drink a glass of soy milk (yuck) but love it mixed in something or when I used to be able to eat cereal. It also lasts for months compared to a week or two with regular milk.

You'll also notice that as you lose the size changes may not come as fast as you think. I have lost 50lbs and have only went down 3 almost 4 sizes. A lot of the items(pants, jeans) a belt becomes your best friend. I have lost more in the top(2-3x down to 1x-xl). But I still haven't traded in my bras or draws;) I am a teacher and need to dress decent as well. I just know how to catch a clearance rack and I try on the size below my current. If its a little tight, I wait to wear it or if its pants, I put a shirt over the tightness. They will eventually loosen up. I have only recently gotten a few dresses (I had a lot of in between clothes) for the summer that are adjustable in the straps. They also can be worn a bit blousier.

I also had an extremely painful period within five days after surgery. Heating pads, painkillers, heavy flow, the works.

They are like $36 at Lane Bryant and I am the cheapest person I know but my Spanx have been my BEST investment. I look so much more smooth in outfits and not so lumpy and rolls all over the place. I love them and they last forever. I have like 2 pairs and they are genius inventions. They are much better than a panty girdle because they go up to almost under the breasts on me and down to my knees(the one I get) They stay up and don't roll down(God send)

I'm floating at 210-209 this morning. I've lost 50lbs. I NEED to be 199, so I understand the anxiousness. This is for me. Though my goal is maybe a size 10 or 12(I figure that might be 160ish(I'm 5'6)

are you taking metformin or bc pills to help with the PCOS? I have PCOS. Metformin is Glucophage which is to help with type 2 diabetes which is onset by PCOS or if you are taking bc pills to help control the hormones it could have done something as well. I wouldn't be too worried as long as you are not doing it every day. I would also be sure to eat prior to taking the pill to cushion its fall.

I get stuck occasionally especially since this last fill to bring me to the sweet spot. I am losing 1-2 lbs steadily every week and can get down most things but meat(my most favorite thing) is a hit or miss. I usually have to cook it very tender (I would anyways) and slice it thin or baby size. chicken and eggs are rough but I force myself to eat them anyways. My stucks though don't ever seem major but they feel like a knife is stabbing me under my breasts and I have to take a deep breath like and I actually sound like it is taking my breath away, which usually just ends up slimy, and once I spit it up, the rest of the offender comes with it, making a little room. We were out to dinner Saturday(or late lunch), I had a Protein shake that morning but was famished by 3 ish. I had a piece of grilled citrus chicken and a sweet potato from Longhorn Steakhouse, perfectly reasonable. I stared at the brown bread loaf on the table(though I don't usually tempt it) and ate a small crusty corner with some butter on it. That is what did it for me. I went to the restroom, slimed it out quickly and returned and finished. I was able to eat the sweet potato(of course) and 3/4 of the chicken (which usually kills me) and was so satisfied, no dinner was necessary. Safe to say, I see no bread in my future. For example Breakfast this morning; husband got eggs and sausage and toast, I got a Protein Shake and 2 strawberries(though I would have liked the eggs, I didn't feel like working hard for them) I get a little looser in the evening. I mean I can eat them but it takes me forever. Eggs are not good cold and heating them up makes them tougher.

The band is a moderation tool. True, ice cream slides right down, so you shouldn't eat it everyday but I didn't get banded so I would never eat this or that. Try everything and don't eat what I get stuck with unless I really want it or work at it. I didn't want to feel like I'm dieting. No ice cream=dieting. This is a lifestyle of moderation not a zero of this or that. I just needed the tool to help me feel full on good choices to increase the satiety so I wouldn't overeat. Five months now and 50lbs off. I guess its working.

If I chew well and eat a couple bites..I'm okay. Dreamfields pasta can be bought at any grocer or Walmart. It's low carb.

I second the EAS low carb shakes. They are the best tasting next to unjury. www.unjury.com you can purchase samples for a couple of dollars and they come fast. I can also deal with the protein shots if watered down and poured into a bottle of Water with a koolaid packet to boost the flavor.

Pills don't get stuck. I have never heard a lap band doctor complain about not being able to take pills no matter how tight you are. I am really restricted (9cc in an 11cc band) but I take a huge, non-chewable Multivitamin everyday, no problems)

plus you're not restricted, in the least. Once you hit restriction, you will laugh at two chicken breasts and a half a cup of potatoes. I can barely eat chicken breast unless it is shaved thin and moist or chew the heck of it. Thigh meat is a bit more tender. Chicken breast often gets stuck because it is dryer. 3cc is probably nothing in that size of a band. I have an 11cc Realize band and have 9cc in it and have very tight restriction. And I am just now at that restriction five months out.

I think the Protein shots are too sweet and syrupy so I mix only half of the shot in a bottle of Water and make it into a kool-aid and I usually mix in whatever sugar free packet drink mix that will compliment it like fruit punch with the fruit punch, grape with the grape, it is so much better. You put the other half in the fridge until your ready for it. I pretty much leave mine there.

The lapband lady that I just spoke to at 1-800 Lap Band was a bit ignorant but she ordered me one anyways (even though I told her I have a Realize band) but whatever works to get me a smaller, cheaper portion. I am barely able to get more than a half cup in at a time with 9cc in my 11cc band. I went to Golden Corral one time after surgery and just told the girl at the register and she charged me the kids price and I still could get what I wanted. She trusted me.

I agree with everyone. Some of my hunger before was perhaps emotional or a "craving". But overall, I ate a lot of the right food just a lot of it because I was never satiated. My blood sugar was raging and when I would have it under control, I was starving most of the time and living on twigs and berries. I have had this band now for 5 months and have lost about 10lbs per month (which I am happy with). My blood sugar, cholesterol are now normal and off of some of the meds. The other difference is that I don't have that growling ache and emptiness of food. Before the band, I dwelled, salivated, thought of it often, now the cravings are low (besides wanting a diet soda) and I am satisfied with very little; for example: Before band: Breakfast(yogurt with granola) snack (Nuts or cheese) lunch (Leftovers or sandwich and chips) Because lunch is so early I would be starving at 3:00 so I might stop and get something from fast food liike 10 nuggets) dinner, the entire plate until I was stuffed Post band: Nothing has changed except Portion Control Breakfast: Probably the same or a Protein Shake, not 2 burritos from McDonald's. Snack: The same but maybe 10 almonds not almost the whole can. Lunch: Lefovers but maybe a half cup or if I'm hungry, or Protein and green. I usually force myself to eat something small to keep my sugar normal or so I don't want to overeat later(I can eat more at night) Dinner: meat and green but maybe a spoon of each and two or 3 bites of meat. That is the biggest difference for me, portion. Choices were always okay though I had my weaknesses but portion was my killer. Now that I can't eat very much my choices are even better because I figure that it should be healthy stuff if I can't eat a lot of stuff. Today's menu: Breakfast: A Soy Joy fruit bar(being Sunday, I would have had a country style breakfast(the works) Lunch: 1/2 cup of Wendy's chili(I used to eat the large and some chicken nuggets) over a side salad(like the taco salad) Dinner: One salmon croquet, a spoon of green Beans and a spoon of blackeyed peas(all on a saucer)(I would have ha a regular place with 2 croquets and more sides) Dining out has been interesting though, more appetizers or Soup and salad because the dinner is a waste of money. We went to a Rooster last night(chicken wings). I ordered a 10 piece(which before I could have easily put down) I was able to eat 3 drummetes and a bite of my husband's potato skin. He finished my wings for his Breakfast this morning. Long I know, sorry. This is all of the stuff I would have ate before just a lot more of it.

I teach high school special ed but I figure the students don't notice because their all boys and emotionally and behaviorally disturbed. The staff and my assistant has definitely noticed. It's hard to not notice even if its only 45lbs.

I know stupid, right? It went from "extremely obese" at 260lbs with a 42 BMI to now just "obese" at 219lbs with a 35 BMI. It might not be a lot, but I am stoked at 41lbs in the past 4 months. I have steadily lost about 10lbs a month but I have ate pretty clean, allowing mistakes, and using the YMCA to it's fullest advantage, that and walking the crazy dog. Onward to the "overweight" range. Obsese is such an ugly word, although I was and still am stinking cute:) Side note: The first pic is New Year's Eve, 8 days before surgery. The 2nd pic is my husband and I on May 8, 2010 at the prom for the school that I teach at. We are at the Derby Museum.

Thank you all for your replies. Every pound is a victory for me regaining my health and my control over food. This LAP-BAND® really hasn't been that hard. I 've really not noticed it that much, except when I order out and waste my money. I am starting to figure it out though more. Appetizers and stuff I could care less about saving.

plus I try to get to the YMCA 2-3 days a week.

15 slices, 2 cheese sticks and 3/4 cup a yogurt(in one sitting) I couldn't do it. I think I have 8 cc in my Realize Band. Some days I can barely eat anything, other days I am ravenous. Since my fill on 04/19/10 I've lost 12lbs for a total of 42 (1/8/10 surgery date) Today: B: Egg whites on a sandwich thin S: A few almonds(less than 10 and less than a handful) L: A serving of lunch meat turkey and a string cheese, a fit and active 100 calorie pack of cheezits(which were barely enough to sneeze at) Who can tell me if this sounds restricted?

I live in Louisville, not too far from Cincy. I love the YMCA. It has chilcare and all kinds of support and will do your membership based on your income if you are 50K or under. Otherwise it is under $70 a month for a couple with unlimited access and depending how old the kids are, activities for them to do, with no additional costs.

My dr does them monthly until you reach restriction adn he feels your weight loss is steady. He does recommend liquids after a fill due to swelling and not wanting to get stuck but I usually test it out. Supposedly the band is placed on the upper portion of the stomach around the stoma which has a nerve called the vagus nerve that when you are restricting and get full quicker that nerve turns down your hunger. While the food is slowly empting into your lower part of your stomach that nerve gets less stimulation, hence your next meal.