~amy~

I would seriously suggest you talk to your doc!!! Good grief, nothing but water for 2 days?? That can't be good! Hope you get some relief soon!!

Oh - just reread your question and I misunderstood what you were asking. I bought a book at Books-a-Million that breaks down all the calories, fat, carbs and proteins for me. So I don't have to worry if my label doesn't have it, which btw is rare.

The way my dietician explained this to me was that for every 2 grams of carbs you have, you MUST have at least 1 gram of protein to break it down. So if you choose a Protein Bar that has 20 carbs, you need to have AT LEAST 10 grams of protein. Of course, that's the minimum....my dietician really urged me to try for more Proteins if I could. I use the Atkins Protein Bars and that seems to work out great for me. :thumbup: Hope this helps. :scared2:

Pickles...here's the link! Good job with the weight loss!! Our group is doing so well!! :thumbup: Congrats! Easter Challenge Spreadsheet You may want to put it in you faves on your toolbar, so you don't have to keep searching for it. :thumbup:

I'm toasting my Protein Shake with you now!!! :thumbup: To all of us!! CHEERS!!!

I almost ruined my laptop when I blew milk out of my nose just now. Toooo funny! To the OP: my hubs hasn't had any nightmares yet, but he sure seems more insecure about things now. He keeps saying how afraid he is that I'll leave him for some 20-something year old guy once I lose my weight. I'm like, "Excuse me, but I've invested too much time and energy training YOU - why on EARTH would I want to start over with a younger one who hasn't even learned how to pick up his own socks yet?!" LOL...well, at least it makes him laugh! :thumbup: :thumbup:

I was told between 50 and 60. :thumbup: I never realized how hard that would be until I started trying to get that much! I'm doing 2 Atkins Protein Shakes a day, and 1 Muscle Milk after my nightly work out. I also have a scrambled egg for breakfast, so that helps.

Holy Cow!! Now I'm ssssscared!!! I hope I never get stuck. I hope I never get stuck! I HOPE I never get stuck!!! Geez!!!

I'm down to 226 from 231!!! Woot woot!!! I went for my 1st post-op follow up appt. last week, and my doc released me for walking. WAHOOOOO!!!! I never thought I'd be so excited about that!! :thumbup: They also told me to increase my calorie intake to at least 800. I was only getting 300-400 a day (if I was lucky), and while it wasn't intentional, it was stalling my weight loss. Plus, I've actually found a Protein shake that doesn't make me gag. So... protein + increased calories + more weight loss even before 1st fill + ability to exercise = 1 happy camper!!!!!

I did it - no cheating whatsoever!~~ AND lost 25 lbs pre-op. If I can do it, YOU can definitely do it!! If you're anything at all like me, your inner fat person may start to try to sabotage your efforts! It will lie to you - it will try to justify cheating by telling you that you're dying....you're not dying. You will survive!! Think of it as WAR! Do not let it win!!! You can beat this, and you will be happier with yourself for it later!! I promise!!

PS...you're feeling the exact same way I did when I started the pre-op diet. The first 3 days on straight liquids are HELL. But if you can survive it, the 4th day is soooo much better! :biggrin: Hang in there!! :laugh:

I'd call your doc tomorrow morning. My doc had me on 3 slim fasts a day (the Walmart brand tastes the same and is cheaper), plus one Barriatric Advantage shake per day. If I wanted, I was allowed to substitute a small garden salad for one of the slim fasts - but he said NO cheese, bacon, etc. on top. Just grown-from-the-ground veggies and FF dressing. I know every doc is different, and allow different things. But mine was very strict about NO solid foods of any kind. He warned that he would be able to tell if I had stuck to my diet and that if my liver hadn't shrunk enough, I would probably wake up in recovery without the band. Don't wanna scare ya - but you may want to try a different type of shake instead of meats and cheeses. :biggrin:

You're my hero!!! This is awesome! I can't wait to actually be able to run without my butt hurting worse than my feet!! LOL...

Ok, so I'm not as far ahead as some of you - but I just lost my first post-op 5 lbs! That makes 32 lbs from pre-op to present. Woo hoo!! I can't wait until I'm posting about running my 1st mile without dying! :eek: Thanks for this thread - btw - awesome idea!!

My reponse to folks that bring up the "looking old" thing.... "Well, at least I'll have the opportunity to look old now - which probably wouldn't have been possible if I hadn't decided to lose the weight. I'd rather look old, than look dead." That usually shuts them up - either they're so confused by what I've said, or they become uncomfortable with the subject of death. I don't know...they usually change the subject, though. :mad2:

Building on this....I used to be a Domestic Violence Investigator at our PD before I quit to homeschool our special needs son in 08. I know that in our town, the Battered Women's Shelter operates a "Resale Shop," which is open to the public. All of their profits go straight back to the shelther for operating expenses, etc. Of course, the shelter occupants receive free vouchers for clothing, etc., but many people don't realize that these types of shops are often open to the public as well. I think that's also a great way to help support your local shelter, AND get some nice clothes on the cheap!! :eek: You may check with your local shelter and see if they offer this in your area! :mad2:

I also had my first post op appt. yesterday. Since he trimmed some of the stitches up so they are no longer poking at me or rubbing my clothing - no more pain!! Woo hoo!! I'm with you - liquids aren't doing much for me! I can start yogurt and puddings, etc. now. But I, too, have noticed the scale not moving anymore! They told me it's because I've only been getting 300 - 400 calories a day. My dietician said I MUST increase my calories to at least 800, preferably 1200 a day. She was actually surprised that I had lost as much as I had - which, BTW was less than what my home scale...err. Good luck to you! I have a feeling we're both gonna need it in the weeks to come! :eek:

I don't know about your area, but our local Lap-band support group hosts a clothing exchange at our monthly meetings. You may look into that, or perhaps consider starting one! :eek:

Amen Sister!! I've been letting go of a lot of poisonous relationships, too. I just don't have the time or energy to entertain their negativity! It just drains the life out of me! This is my time, my life, and nobody's going to rain on my parade! :mad2: Woot woot!! :eek:

First of all..... **HUGS** Secondly, you are NOT a failure because at least you recognized that there is a problem, and you are taking actions to fix that problem. Nobody said this journey would be easy, so cut yourself some slack!! :smile2: We're all bound to fall at some point (unless there's a superwoman out there that I'm not aware of), but the important thing is that we pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and get back on the horse again. Ok, corny, but I'm from Texas so I'm allowed! lol.... Prayers going up for you, girl....

O....M....G....I think the first thing I'd do, is go find some new friends!!! Good grief - you're absolutely right! With friends like that, who really needs enemies?? Errr....people like that make me sooo mad! They do not even deserve your friendship! Sorry - I'm the resident bully-hater. It just amazes me what comes out of people's mouths!

Are gummies okay for a person so freshly banded?? I'd love to start something different than the funky Vitamins they gave me. :smile2:

Dragonfly.... Just curious - have you had your thyroid checked since the surgery (or ever)?? Personally, I have always had a harder time than most losing weight (even on meds, etc.) because I have hypothyroidism. It's a fine line that I have to walk with my meds, too. My levels fluctuate quite a bit, so I'm always getting checked and rechecked. I have no fewer than 7 different dosages for my medication because it's always changing! And if by chance you are already on meds for a thyroid issue, FYI: My pharmacist (not my surgeon) told me that this surgery will affect the absorption of the meds, and so I may need to start checking even more often than usual. Just a thought... :smile2: Good luck!! Stay strong!!

OMG, Jennifer - there just are no words. I can't begin to imagine how that made you feel!! I knew the haters were out there, but I would have never guessed that a person could be so cruel to their own flesh and blood (or anyone for that matter!). I know that you're a stronger person for having survived that, but if it were me, Grannie would be on the floor!!

I got it via email, but Dr. H also posted it on the blog...very scary stuff. I've already sent my fussy email to Ralph Hall. Hopefully, they'll do the right thing, but my confidence in our politicians these days has all but vanished. :wink: