MaineJackie

I have been trying to add fruit to my diet. By the time I get my Protein in, I don't usually have room for more. I had apple (no skin) yesterday and it was pretty good. I haven't tried watermelon yet. I have had cantaloupe without issues. I can't eat oranges any more though.

I have decided the flabby skin on my upper arms could be a lethal weapon. If I flap my arms hard enough, I can get them suckers moving enough to really harm someone!!!

I need to wear professional dress for work and I have just about "outgrown" my entire wardrobe. I spend the money on two pair of dress black pants that fit well.....for me, it is important that they fit well. I buy tops on close-out racks. I don't have the greatest selection right now so it is a struggle. The part that I am struggling with right now is that I don't fit into any of my "suits" or any of my jackets. It is too expensive to buy a jacket to only out grow it in a month or two. I think by fall, I will be close to the size I will end up at.......so I hope to go buy nice jackets for next fall and winter. It is a bit easier in the summer to pull off my professional level dress as I can wear a nice blouse or a light sweater. I have one pair of jeans....and they right now are getting too big! Since we are still in the midst of winter here in Maine, I wear a lot of hoodies right now, so those are okay being big (although I have downsized from a 2X to an XL) I missed the clothing exchange this fall at my bariatric center, but hope to catch the spring one! I unfortunately took all my outgrown clothes to Goodwill a few weeks ago though. I have a very small closet so I had to get it out of here..... Jackie

It isn't a plateau......You are still healing......the first month after surgery should focus on healing and not weight loss. It may take a few fills before you start consistently losing weight. Your body is healing and you are learning how your band works. Give it time. Follow what your doctor told you. We have all been in bandster "hell" and know how frustrating it can be. Good luck.

Pure coincidence. You are coming down with something! Hope you are feeling better!

I measure my portions (most of the time) and I stop eating when I have that satisfied feeling. The reason I measure, is so that if I don't get that satisfied sensation or if I am too distracted to notice it, I don't over eat. I stop when the food is gone!

Hi, I doubt you have a bowel obstruction because if you did you would be really sick, in pain---going to the ER kind of symptoms. I do know with this surgery and the change in eating habits, our bodies are going through a lot of adjustments. If you are concerned, call your surgeon's office. Trust me, they have heard it all so you won't skeeve them out.

@TKW....good job in only eating a few! I know what you mean about chocolate. I secretly wish I were allergic to it. I have done well since my band but I don't deprive myself. When I want it--I make sure it is good chocolate---and just have a taste. I don't keep any around---it is a purposeful event when I have it. @ravendays....i wiped the word "cheat" right from my vocabulary. It implies that I can start or stop my lap band lifestyle and I CAN"T. Having said that---for the first time in a very long time, I have control over food and not the other way around. It sounds like you learned a little bit more about your band too!

Well, I didn't get a fill today....it was rescheduled for 2 weeks from now. I did go into the office though because I was the first appointment of the day and it is hard to call in advance and cancel. I am down 9.5 lbs since my last fill a month ago---I know I will gain some back when I start really eating again....... Thanks for the advice everyone.......and wash your hands! This crud is horrible.

Bad news? I have been laid up with the respiratory flu for the past two days.......fever, chills, sore throat, headache........ The probably short lived good news? The scale was down 5 lbs today. I am sure it is because I have been on Clear liquids for 48 hours but hey---I will enjoy it while it is there!!! I am supposed to go for a fill first thing tomorrow morning. I am not sure if I should or if I should re-schedule.

I've done shrimp scampi or veal parmigiana. I choose not to eat pasta but I eat the meat,sauce and veggies.

Chicken can be tricky for some people. You are still learning!! It takes a while to learn your body signals for when you have had enough.

No barfing.....just the respiratory crud. I am going to see how I feel in the morning. I had a fever again today but it is gone now.......I really could use a slight fill.....

I used to love the avocado turkey burger at Ruby Tuesday's-----then I learned it was the highest calorie item on their menu!!! No wonder it tastes so good..... Jackie

It's not so much what I "can" eat......but a question of "why would I want to" eat certain foods. I for one have stopped eating all fast food. Could I? I don't know....probably. But I don't want to...... I do not eat bread, Pasta, potatoes....but that is my choice. I don't feel deprived....and I love the way I feel so much more than how good a burger and fries tastes.

My range is 900 to 1100 calories per day.

Whenever the do surgery, even laprascopic, superficial nerves in the skin get cut. You can have odd sensations as a result until the regenerate.

I keep the South Beach protein ones (cranberry almond) on hand "in case of emergency" like something that comes up at work and keeps me from eating the food I brought for lunch. But I typically get protein from real food.

I try so hard not to complain!! My feeling is if I don't like something---I change it. If I can't change it, I change the way I think about it. I am so excited to feel good and look good. I am going to kick it up because I want to be in onderland for my birthday on May 5th. I am 35 lbs away. Not sure I can make it but I am going to try!! I want to wear fashionable clothes to my daughter's high school graduation. I want to not be the fat mom!!

I think, losing weight, may help a person who is trying to conceive. Fat cells mess up hormones. A more healthy weight will help I am sure. That being said. my doc requires one year of stable weight before trying.

Elfie.....congrats on being so close to onederland! I cannot wait to join you! I think it is amazing how we lose weight. It sometimes seem like the scale isn't moving at all (or very little) and then *boom* I will drop several pounds. I have stopped wondering about it and just accept it now! As long as the scale keeps going down, I am happy! I have the patience to see this through to goal! I think posters bash things like Atkins because it doesn't or hasn't worked for them......kind of like all the different eating plans with the lapband.....they are all over the place when you really look at them and some people are very aligned with what they are used to and can't entertain the thought of something different. Some people are able be open minded and support posters regardless of what they believe.....others just can't do that. Jackie

My port pain was horrible..... In addition to the ice....ask you surgeon if you can use a heating pad. Mine recommended the heating pad and it helped tremendously. It does get better.... Jackie

Hi everyone! I have been lurking for the last week or two, not posting a whole lot. I am here every day and reading others posts.....just haven't had the time to post myself. I have my full time day job (where I am out of the house around 6 am and home around 6 pm---due to almost an hour commute each way). Plus, I am teaching three college courses at night. So Tuesday, and Wednesday nights I don't get home until 10pm. The other course I teach is an online course, and that takes a fair amount of my time in the evening. Mix in my teenager that I am chaufeuring all over town......I don't know if I am coming or going. Anyway....I am doing pretty good. I am still losing--slowly. But I am losing! Tonight I am getting myself remotivated and back to the gym which will help. One thing I have learned is that my band, gives me control to maintain when my life is crazy! Pre-band...i would have had fast food on the nights I teach...and Snacks from the vending machine during class. Not now! I hope everyone is doing well. We are expecting more snow again tonight and in a few days.....oh the joy of living in Maine. Jackie

I made slow cooker pot roast tonight and had some issues with it. It didn't get stuck, but I felt it for sure.......not pleasant but not unpleasant either. It was moist but......I may not try it for a while. Jackie

It may just be Fluid retention....you had a fair amount of sodium. 1 cup of cashews seems like a lot.......one serving of almonds is only 16 almonds..... And my own personal statement, no offense intended.......you can't cheat on life......we are not on a diet anymore...this is life. Just the way I see it. If I think I am cheating, then it implies I am doing something I can stop.....well...this is forever.....no cheating for me......if I want something, I make it work. Jackie