Diamondgirl81

I still have a Protein shake for breakfast everyday. I tend to be tighter in the mornings, so it works out perfectly. To avoid them being too high calorie, I make them myself w. skim milk, a piece of frozen unsweetened fruit and whey powder. Besides my shakes, I live of of fish, chicken, or veggie burgers. These are all packed full of protein. All in all, I tend to get 90+ grams a day. Best, Lauren

It's normal and will slow down as you progress. I lost 20 lbs in the first week and a half. Believe me, that rate of loss does not last. A good average is about 1-2 lbs per week w/ the band but definitely prepare yourself for those frustrating weeks of no loss. They happen to us all. Just stay focused on getting healthier and stay positive. Best, Lauren

The way I see it, why would I have surgery if I wasn't serious about following the rules. Personally, I follow the "band rules" to avoid complications. Sometimes complications are unavoidable but we should do everything in our power to control what we can. Like another poster mentioned, please don't blame the band down the road for any of your shortcomings, if the real problem is your commitment level. Regarding "sheep mentality" I don't think that has anything to do with it. To me it's common sense. If you want to avoid getting burned, then don't play with fire. Be kind to your band, take care of it and yourself. Best, Lauren

Hi, There's a thread here for PCOS suffers that you should check out. I suffer from PCOS and Endometreosis. Since I've lost some weight with the band, my period has regulated itself and is no longer gut-wrenchingly painful. Actually, before I had surgery I had my cycle for over 6 months straight and nothing really regulated it, not even 2 d&cs last year. So to me, this has been a blessing. Follow the path below to find the section on PCOS. Best, Lauren Navigation »LAP-BAND Surgery and LAP-BAND Discussion Forum > Lap-band Support Groups > Special Interest Lap-Band Support Groups (NEW!) » PCOS Bandsters

Last week, my doctor prescribed me a diuretic because of my propensity to retain Water. A great plus to the pills is that I dropped 3 lbs this week, but I'm concerned with what happens after I stop taking them. I've read that long term usage can be harmful. I'm only taking them around the time of my cycle (7 days) which tends to be the hardest time for me to drop any weight. On average, I'm doing well since my lap band surgery but I have noticed that I generally lose the bulk of my weight after my cycle is over. Should I be concerned about taking these? By the way, my lap band surgeon didn't prescribe them, it was my pcp. Best, Lauren

Thanks so much Patsal. I just started on Thursday, so we'll see how it goes. I do have an issue getting in all my fluids. I'll definitely need to up my intake. Best, Lauren

As someone else posted, I avoid breads and other carbs like them because they spike my hunger. However, when I wasn't feeling well a few weeks ago, I did have half of a toasted english muffin and it went down well. Like w/ everything else, take it slow and chew. I like the idea of introducing new things at the end of the day as well. For me, that's when my band is most forgiving. Best, Lauren

Good to know... my boyfriend was actually talking about trying out for it before I had surgery and wanted to do it w/ me. Best, Lauren

To me, it's only cheating if you fail to disclose it. I definitely believe that all weightloss surgeries are designed to give you an advantage or an edge over losing weight the "traditional" way. I wonder if someone would be eligible to join the actual biggest loser show after having a wls. I'll have to google that one. Best, Lauren

When I start to lose perspective, I look at old pictures of myself. I think it's really helpful to see where you've been and where you don't want to return. As for limiting my exposure to foods, that's a tough one. I cook, I love watching the food network, and I live in one of the restaurant capitals of the world Best, Lauren

Adjua....................347...............337...........240......... ....97 Amy.....................289................245.7...........160........ .. 85.7 Angie64.................270...............270...........210....... ......60 Astrasmom............254...............254...........170............. .84 Babe....................265...............265...........199.... ..........66 Band_Groupie........172.5.............157.5..........0-148........0-9.5 BetsyB.................226.6.............206.8.........109...... ......97.8 BigMomma............209.................209...........135...........74 Bklynike...............258.................258...........150.......... .108 BobbieND..............224................207...........150..... .......57 Bree99.................259................234...........155..... .......83 Brigette................198...............198............150.... ........48 Bristlecone............157...............157............130....... .....27 crzytchr................217...............217............180..... ... ...37 Dana36.................233...............229............160....... .....69 daqui26.................274...............274............200....... .....74 DDGALARZ..............185...............185............150............ .35 destined4thinness..215.5.............215.5..........150............65 5 Diamondgirl81........317...............281.............225............ 56 ericanda1973.........198.5............198.5..........130......... ..68.5 Fourme.................189...............172............145........... ..27 Healthy-me-in-Az...242................183.6.........139...........44.6 HummingBird..........204...............169............150............. .19 jenibeni.................224...............208............165........ ....43 Jennih...................232...............232.............130.... ......102 Jeni 85..................185..............185..............150........35 KDEE....................240................240.............150...... .....90 kyleegirl01.............245................198.............160...... .....38 Lady LAP...............217................217.............125...... .....95 Lisa65...................174.5............165..............145..... ......20! Liz........................193.4............174..............155...... ......19! MaggieGT..............238...............236..............208.......... 30 newdicarlo.............187...............174..............135...... . ...39 Northernmist..........289...............265..............175.......... ..90 ol55andahalf..........184...............184..............144...... ......40 Peggy1.................308...............308..............225......... ..83 RandaPanda...........194...............173..............150........ ....23 RAYNE913.............234...............225..............160....... ....65 RobinAnn.............232.4...............210.4..............160...... ....50.4 scoutmama...........270...............270..............180........ ....90 shadst8................333...............291.2..............233....... . ....58.2 skinny31................261...............240..............182..... .......58 SNDYCNRD.............207...............194.5............150.......... 44.5 sueinne.................220................212.............180.... ........32 Tabithan................244...............234..............190....... .....44 TARASGIRL.............305...............271..............225....... ......46 tdtucker................256...............256...............160...... . ....96 Teacher2010..........192...............183...............150...... . ....33 Tealeaves..............305...............289...............150...... . ...139 TeriLu....................215...............212...............150.. .... ....62 TIGGER71G............224...............224................130....... .....94 unshackled............277...............277................180....... .....97 Valerie.................190................190................150... . .......40 wonderwoman2009 175...............175................160..........15 __________________

I'm about 5 months post-op and I still make my shakes. Like someone else mentioned, the morning's can be a bit tight & difficult, so Protein shakes are my best bet. However, I do use lactose free skim plus milk. If you're sensitive to lactose, skim plus is a good option, plus it has more protein than regular skim milk. Best, Lauren

I agree with Leigha. As long as you are balancing your meals with exercise and activity, a treat is not going to kill you. Balance is key. I eat ice cream a couple times a month and I don't feel guilty at all. However, I'm active, keep my calories in check and I allow myself to have a relationship with food that's not based on fear and abstinence. I'm still a fairly new bandster, 5 months out and 67 lbs down so far, but I truly believe that finding a balance with the lap band and not fearing food is key. Anyhow, on a tastier note, over the weekend I found a yummy fat free, whey Protein based ice cream by Arctic Zero. It is only 128 calories a pint and has a total of 16 grams of protein. Now that's a compromise :confused: Best, Lauren

I was banded on December 17th and have lost 67 lbs so far. I am a lot more active and try to workout 3-4 times a week. I wish I was more diligent about my workout routine though. My food's under control but the gym is still a chore I've had a number of fills.. my doc does them in small increments about every 4 weeks or so. I'm currently at 5.25 ccs and feel great. All the best to everyone. Lauren

TMI moment coming... I suffer from Endometreosis and PCOS. Before I had my surgery, I had my period for 4 months straight and the time before that about 3 months!!! Since I had this surgery and lost a few pounds, i'm actually on a normal, monthly cycle. It likes a miracle every month :smile2: Best, Lauren

I had a fill last week and afterwards, I couldn't get yogurt or even a shake down without pain or gurgling for four days. I too didn't want to give up my "restriction" but there's a fine line between restriction and overfill. I ended up going in for a slight unfill and instantly felt better. My doctor told me to never let that feeling linger because overtime that causes issues w/ the band. Also, he mentioned that if you're too tight, you're not getting the proper nutrients you need to lose either. So to me, restrictions means eating comfortably w/o pain and feeling satisfied for about 4 hours or so. Best, Lauren

I had the same thing happen to me. I had a fill on Thursday and had trouble ever since. For the first time ever, I threw up and had troubles w. yogurt and shakes. I gave it four days to let the swelling go down and it was just getting worse. I went in today for a slight unfill (.4ccs removed) and I feel tremendously better. My doctor told me that I did the right thing. Four days of being that tight is enough. More often than not, band issues start with people being too tight for too long. Ultimately, mistaking tightness and pain w/ restriction. Be careful and listen to your body. Best, Lauren

I now do 4 days of cardio and 2 days of toning exercises. Mainly I use the elliptical for all of my cardio work. It's easy on the knees and an all over workout. Best, Lauren

Since being banded back in December, about 80 percent of my weight loss thus far has been without real restriction. It makes it that much more important to make smart food choices and increase activity levels until you find good restriction. I've copied the link to a nice website that offers great meal ideas for various post-op stages. BariatricEating.com Health & Nutrition - Bariatric recipes But now that you are so newly banded, take it easy and focus on healing. The battle for restriction takes many different forms w/everyone. I had a fill on Thursday and asked for a little extra juice and now I regret it. As frustrating as it is to be too loose, too tight can be down right painful. Best, Lauren

Adjua....................347...............337...........240......... ....97 Amy.....................289................252.7...........160........ .. 92.7 Angie64.................270...............270...........210....... ......60 Astrasmom............254...............254...........170............. .84 Babe....................265...............265...........199.... ..........66 Band_Groupie........172.5.............157.5..........0-148........0-9.5 BetsyB.................226.6.............206.8.........109...... ......97.8 BigMomma............209.................209...........135...........74 Bklynike...............258.................258...........150.......... .108 BobbieND..............224................207...........150..... .......57 Bree99.................259................234...........155..... .......83 Brigette................198...............198............150.... ........48 Bristlecone............157...............157............130....... .....27 crzytchr................217...............217............180..... ... ...37 Dana36.................233...............229............160....... .....69 daqui26.................274...............274............200....... .....74 DDGALARZ..............185...............185............150............ .35 destined4thinness..215.5.............215.5..........150............65 5 Diamondgirl81........317...............284.............225............ 59 ericanda1973.........198.5............198.5..........130......... ..68.5 Fourme.................189...............172............145........... ..27 HummingBird..........204...............176............150............. .26 jenibeni.................224...............208............165........ ....43 Jennih...................232...............232.............130.... ......102 Jeni 85..................185..............185..............150........35 KDEE....................240................240.............150...... .....90 kyleegirl01.............245................198.............160...... .....38 Lady LAP...............217................217.............125...... .....95 Lisa65...................174.5............165..............145..... ......20! Liz........................193.4............174..............155...... ......19! lotzasunshine.........259...............259..............199........ ...60 MaggieGT..............238...............236..............208.......... 30 newdicarlo.............187...............174..............135...... . ...39 Northernmist..........289...............265..............175.......... ..90 ol55andahalf..........184...............184..............144...... ......40 Peggy1.................308...............308..............225......... ..83 RandaPanda...........194...............173..............150........ ....23 RAYNE913.............234...............225..............160....... ....65 RobinAnn.............232.4...............210.4..............160...... ....50.4 scoutmama...........270...............270..............180........ ....90 shadst8................333...............303..............217........ ....86 skinny31................261...............240..............182..... .......58 SNDYCNRD.............207...............194.5............150.......... 44.5 sueinne.................220................212.............180.... ........32 Tabithan................244...............234..............190....... .....44 TARASGIRL.............305...............282..............225....... ......57 tdtucker................256...............256...............160...... . ....96 Teacher2010..........192...............183...............150...... . ....33 Tealeaves..............305...............289...............150...... . ...139 TeriLu....................215...............212...............150.. .... ....62 TIGGER71G............224...............224................130....... .....94 unshackled............277...............277................180....... .....97 Valerie.................190................190................150... . .......40 __________________

Congrats to you!

I told people close to me and co-workers that I directly sit around. I figured, let those that I have daily interaction with know, in case I get really sick or even if they notice I'm eating a third of what I use to eat. Every now and again, I still get the, "are you sure that lunch is enough to fill you up" :thumbup: That's a really refreshing statement to hear, instead of last year's, " hey do you want another slice of pizza or do you want to go to Crumbs for cupcakes?" I also find that as other people notice my weight loss, I'm honest with them. I tell the truth; I'm eating healthier, I'm making better choices, I'm more active, and yeah I had lap-band. Regardless of whether they hear everything I said or just the surgery, I make it more about what I'm doing and less about what the band is doing. Thanks, Lauren

Hi Keara, I agree w/ Astrasmom, find a local support group and lean on this forum if you need to. Especially, if you're not getting support at home. It is completely normal to have reservations or feel moody after you've had surgery. Your body and your mind has gone through a trauma. It's a shock to the system that will get better. The first few weeks are for healing and learning about this tool you've armed yourself with. Regarding your husband or any naysayer spouses, I'll be frank. Relationships come and go but the one you with yourself is for life. Make this work for YOU and stay positive. Best, Lauren

I find that since I've been banded, when I'm stressed, I feel tighter and can barely eat anything. This is hilarious to me, considering before surgery, I was a total stress eater. However, regarding your recent fill, be careful with being too tight. If you're too tight and having issues w/ even beverages, your calorie intake will definitely go below what your body needs to thrive and to lose. Staying that tight can also cause band issues as well. When I'm too tight, I switch back to Protein shakes for a bit, just so that I'm getting in nutrients and enough calories. For me, if my calories are too low or if I'm not working out appropriately, I plateau for a week or two. So perhaps try tweaking your calorie intake or work-out frequency. Best, Lauren