bella71

Good Job!!

How about increasing your protein to 4oz at lunch and dinner?

During my mushies phase, I was lucky to have enough room for the proteins (which you need to eat first) and veggies to have room for rice and pasta. Plus, simple, refined carbs are not conducive to weight loss. Maybe whole wheat pasta or brown rice instead?

What's your diet right now? At three days post op you should be on protein shakes and clear liquids only. If you are mixing your protein powder with milk, then maybe it's a problem with lactose.

Wow!! Congratulations on your weight loss success! You are doing an amazing job! BTW, I like your style in weight loss tickers

Way to go!! Keep up the good work!

If you consulted with a nutritionist before your surgery, then it might be a good idea to give him/her a call and express your concerns. It is vital that you get enough lean Protein. And veggies too (I love swiss chard and kale, they pack the most nutrients per serving). Take your Vitamins and drink lots of Water. I find that measuring things gives me peace of mind regarding portion control. Once you get restriction, portion control should get much easier. Best of luck!

I think most people are afraid of change, especially in relationships. It seems like your spouse is a great guy, loves you for you. Put yourself in his shoes. When a significant other makes a major change, it can cause insecurity in the other person. It's only natural. He probably needs some reassurance that you are still going to be you. Just a leaner, healthier version of yourself.

I am six weeks out, and I lost some hair during the first three weeks, but it is growing back. I try to make sure that I get enough Protein and healthy fats (olive oil, nuts) in my diet, and I try to remember to take my Vitamins. The Vitamin part is a challenge because they are chewables and taste like chalk. After I'm done with this bottle I am switching brands. Don't worry. If you end up losing a little hair, it is a small price to pay to be leaner and healther!

The last thing I had on my mind was a cruise. Sea sickness and people stuffing themselves all around you when you are on liquids. Not fun. Also, if there is a complication, the ship's physician really is not qualified to handle it. You could just take a week off and tell the office you cannot be contacted. They less they know, the better it is anyway.

Having supportive doctors is crucial when you have a Lap Band. I felt so strongly about it that I switched primary doctors because I felt like my PCP was uninformed and definitely was not on board with my surgery. Doctors (like lawyers and accountants, etc.) are replaceable. If you feel tension between yourself and your surgeon, then by all means, change surgeons!

I came across an interesting term that is popular in Swedish culture. It is "Lagom", which roughly translated means "just enough". Not too much, not too little. It is a very 'Goldie Locks and The Three Bears' approach to life. Here's a link to the Wikipedia page: Lagom - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia It made me think of portion sizes for us banded people. So many threads talk about what "full" feels like. I think Lagom is a good term to describe it. Not too much food so that I feel heavy and bloated, but not too little food, so that I don't stay hungry all the time. If I eat until I feel a "full stop", then I don't feel well at all... By most accounts, a "Lagom" amount of food would be around 1 cup by volume, if properly restricted. For me, that seems to be the right amount. Any thoughts?

The weight does come off rather quickly while on liquids, especially if you have a lot to lose. Nice job on your weight loss success so far. I wouldn't worry unless you don't feel well. If that is the case, then definitely contact your doctor.

Awesome! Way to go!! Keep up the good work:thumbup:

Congratulations!!! Annalise is a beautiful name. :cursing:

You guys look amazing. You both are SO inspiring!!!

I think that "grounding" that inner rebellious teenager would be appropriate. LOL. Take away some privileges and send her to her room... Seriously, it is tough to get back on the wagon. I hear the 5 day pouch test is very helpful. Good luck!!

I was so bloated and swollen after my Lap Band surgery that I was afraid to weigh myself immediately afterward. I knew it would not be accurate. I was also menstruating for 5 days after my surgery, so I definitely was retaining Water. I would have needed a straight jacket if I had gotten on the scale then. :scared2: The first time I was weighed after I was banded was 9 days later in my doctor's office, and I had lost 12 lbs. Since then, I weigh myself daily, but I don't record my weight except for Mondays, which is my "official" weigh in date. I made it on Monday because it motivates me to be good over the weekend. I still refuse to weigh myself during a certain time of the month, though.

If you snack on candy and junk food during the day, then the Lap Band may not be for you. It seems like the people on this site who struggle the most are the ones who love to indulge in "slider" junk foods like Cookies and cake. They slide right through the band and you will always be hungry. But if portion control is your problem, then the Lap Band will most likely work for you, because it goes to the heart of the problem and minimizes your portions. So, which surgery to have is not strictly based on weight or BMI. There are so many people on this site who have lost 150+ lbs. I believe I will be one of those people, and you can do it, too!

I shared my decision to have the Lap Band with some people, and I withheld it from others. It depends on the type of relationship I have with them. I found that some people were judgmental and made ignorant comments. But, instead of debating the issue with them, I simply told them my reasons for having the surgery and left it at that. In order to have this procedure, you need to develop a thick skin. Everyone is going to have something to say about it, and it won't all be positive. You have to know that you are doing the right thing for yourself.:scared2:

Fullness for me means a feeling of having "just enough", where I could eat more if I really wanted to. But if I kept eating, I would get really uncomfortable, like a bloated heaviness. It's a very subtle line, and I have crossed it several times, but I am learning to listen to my body.

I am currently taking Celebrate Multi and Calcium chewables. They don't taste great, so I think I will switch to the gummies. Gotta stop by Trader Joe's...

I had originally planned to go back to work after 1 week, but I took a second week off. My abdomen was just too painful and swollen to put on suit pants or a skirt (I am an attorney). The port area was very tender, and the waistband on my clothes is right where the incision was! I was in too much pain to tie my own shoes for the first week. But perhaps that was just me. I see that most people were able to bounce back much faster. Anyhow, I wouldn't change a moment of it. I am very happy with my LAP-BAND®. It is the healthiest thing I have done for myself in a very long time.:scared2: