CalicoskiesNC

I really believe in tracking calories or journaling. If I don't, I find I sneak in too much food. I also have identified foods I just can't stop eating and I never have them near me. I am happy that I have lost cravings for fast foods and most sweets. Now for a sweet tooth I enjoy applesauce loaded(I do mean loaded!) with cinnamon or a dessert flavor yogurt, a skinny cow treat or 100 cal cookie pack. I know what you mean about obsessing with food. I just try to put that to good use by meal planning healthy dinners and reading and understanding food labels/ingredients. I have a good snack with me at all times and I have learned to eat when I am hungry not wait for official meal time. This way I kick the obsessive food thoughts and keep from getting ravenous.

I am cheap and limited on space so I use Leslie Sansone DVDs. I get pretty sweaty after 3-4 miles. I also like my Wii Fit and other Wii fitness programs. I try to do 30-45 min of something everyday. If the weather is good, I walk outside. I don't think good fitness has to come from a gym membership.

Isn't your chiro one of your doctors? Why would you not want to disclose your complete med history to him/her? I am very proud of my decision. I have been open and upfront about it with my family, friends and coworkers. I very much need and appreciate their support too. I can't imagine going thru this and also having to fib or hide it, that would make me feel ashamed of my decision and I'm not. But especially you should let anyone responsible for your health management know about your lapband. When people don't want to tell about their lapband it makes me worry that they are afraid of failing and then few people will know what happened.

Hi girls. Nov 19 here. I am down 23lb but it's getting more difficult to control hunger. I try to surround myself with only good foods so even if I go over my 1200 cal limit, I've cheated with yogurt, milk or a cheese stick or some deli meat. I find it helpful that everyone around me knows about my lapband. I get so much support from family and friends. I won't have a fill till jan 25 at the earliest. Even then, if I am losing 1-2 lb a wk I won't get a fill. due to arthritis and Achilles tendinitis, I am having the biggest problem getting exercise done. I get depressed when I realize what a slow process this will be. But I am determined to get this weight off.

I use my iPhone. The app I use is MY FITNESS PAL. I have tried 4 apps and this one I love. The recipe builder is easy to use, I have yet to search for a food that's not in the data base. Even my Wii exercises are listed in the exercise database.

I just had my 4 wk post op. I have lost22 lbs and when I told dr I eat 3 small meals and 2 snacks he said that is fine. I told him when I am hungry I just eat a small protein heavy snack. I think we all have to figure out what works for us. I meet with my NUT next week.

I use Pure from bariatriceating.com too. I don't like it in hot foods or clear liquids. I use it in applesauce, yogurt and pudding. I try to eat 2 scoops a day. The rest of my protein I am able to get thru food.

You really should start keeping a food journal that tracks your calories and nutrients like Protein and Calcium and sodium. Then see a dietician or nutritionist that are specialized in bariatric patients. They can look at your foods and tell you what may be happening to cause you not to lose weight. Even if insurance doesn't cover this, I would definitely go at least 2-3 times to figure this all out. Shouldnt cost more than $50-100 per visit. A lot of hospitals will have dieticians on staff, if you have trouble finding one. If you are eating 1000-1200 cals daily, getting good protein and calcium and exercising like you do, I can't understand why you wouldn't be losing unless there is another underlying medical condition. You don't mention what you typically eat, just that you can "eat anything and as much as you want if you eat slowly." My band has no fill yet and already I have restriction. If I start to go past about 1.5cups of food at a meal, I get a feeling in my upper chest thats hard to describe, but it says "if you eat another bite you WILL NOT be as happy as you are right now." When I feel that I signal, even though my head wants to keep eating, I stop and leave the table and begin cleanup. After about 5min, the head hunger is gone and I'm very satisfied. The band doesn't do it all by itself, it only allows you to feel satisfied after smaller portions of food. You still have to feed yourself with good nutrition that helps with satiety, not the same bad foods that have gotten us all in this situation.

Have you added some exercise? If not I think this will help your body use some calories up. I know for me low cal alone won't get me to lose but throw in just 30 min of something aerobic and I lose. I am 4 wks postoperative and losing 1-2 lb without a fill. I turned down a fill on Tues. I either walk 30 min or do a Wii activity for 30-40 min. I also eat a few more cals daily, 1100-1200, but follow you dr orders.

Like Isa, my stitches were not seen, they were internal. I had the surgical glue that held my incision together. The glue lasted about 12-14days and then came off. I had my 4wk post op yesterday and it was my decision on a fill, I declined. I'm losing at 1-2lb a week, I feel restriction, I'm able to control my hunger and I'm eating less than 1200 cals a day. I have an appt Jan 25 and they will do floro then and I will probably get my first fill.

ITA counting cals is important for me too. I use MY FITNESS PAL and I like that I can see how my nutrients measure up for the day too.

There is no way she can be getting enuf protein eating so little. I commend you for being so supportive. Can you suggest that she start using a good nutrient tracker? I use MY FITNESS PAL for iPhone. Maybe if she can see how few nutrients including protein she eats in a day it will help her. Also, a good nutritionist that has knowledge of Bariatric patients would be of great benefit. She only has to go a few times a yr but their advice can be so helpful. I also use cocktail utensils. The small forks n spoons remind me to eat little bites and chew well. If she doesn't like drinking water, my NUT says that unsweetened iced tea or something with splenda but no caffiene will count toward her liquid for the day. I would stay away from too many fruit juices because of the natural sugars and calories. It sounds like her dr should order a blood panel to see how her health and nutrition are being managed. I hope she feels better soon while continuing to lose, but I don't think she is losing weight in a healthy way right now.

I have not had a fill yet so I have battle some hunger everyday. I rely on my calorie tracker to keep me honest and when I am hungry I eat! So far for 6 wks I have made good choices when hungry. I eat a protein snack like meat or cheese or dairy. Caramel corn rice cakes have become my new "sweet." a few cocoa roast almonds really help too. Try to find and keep on hand those things to eat that are food for you.

If someone is eating a balanced diet, do they really need a super vitamin that equals 6 Centrums? You can have too much of a good thing. My dr is fine with Flintstones. He did tell me to take 1.5 daily. I don't even take calc supps as I have seen with My Fitness Pal that I eat more than the calc I need.

There are chewable gummy omega3 at target and Costco. I take krill oil. They are half size of reg fish oil. My dr says they are ok for now but I have not had a fill. I tried vitafusions gummy omega3 and returned them, yuck.

I also use the one at My Fitness Pal. I love that entire program. I have yet to find a food item, grocery or restaurant, that is not in their database.

I am not anxious at all to get a fill. I think I'm losing correctly without one. Yes, I get hungry and then I eat. I am making good choices for food and have learned the things that fill me up and keep me satisfied. I track every bite I put in my mouth. I have so far been able to control portions, cravings and not had any PBs, but did have one sort of stuck episode, lasted about 10min. I do NOT want another one. I am consistently losing 1lb/week. I like that I do have to use some willpower not to eat a bunch of junk. I haven't had chocolate in like 6 wks, except for Viactiv and Carnation Instant!

You can get good quality chicken meatballs at Costco. That would lighten your dish. Hummus is also a good lowfat dip. I make ranch dip with equal parts plain no fat Greek yogurt and lite sour cream. I use the Hidden Valley Ranch mix. Here is my lowfat chili dip: 2cans Hormel veggie chili, 8oz lite or ff cream cheese, 1 can Rotel, 2cups lowfat cheddar, chili powder and hot sauce to taste. In a microwaveable casserole spread cream cheese. Sprinkle chili powder, pour on Rotel and chili. Top with cheddar and more chili powder. Micro high for 3-4 minutes or till hot. Serve with homemade tortilla chips or baked chips.

I like the Vitafusion fiber gummies too. Costcohas the giant tub for about $16. I also like the big fiber tabs that are fruit flavored chewables. I got those at Costco too. I take 2-4 fiber chews everyday.

I actually like Flinstones multi. I cut them in half and chew 3 halves thruout the day. I keep a little container in my purse with those, fiber chew tabs, and biotin chewables.

I have Wii Fit. I like it but as with anything it can get boring. I have EA SPORTS ACTIVE, SPORTS RESORT, WII FIT PLUS. I just ordered GOLDS GYM CARDIO and EA SPORTS MORE WORKOUTS but they are not here yet. I do Wii twice a week and walk the other days. I would suggest some hand weights. I have ones that are 2pounds and you wear them like gloves so you can still grip the controllers. I also use a yoga mat cuz socks on carpet can be slippery. I also have 3 WALKING AWAY THE POUNDS DVDs and they are fun too.

An electric heating pad will help tremendously. I had some gas pain just like this, upper back between shoulders. Mine was about a week, but it lessened each day. I walked 3 or 4 times daily, about 15min each.

String cheese really curbs my hunger. Also taking small bites and chewing well makes that snack take a long time! I can also drink half cup of milk and that curbs hunger. Not sure why it works but it does.

Becky, those calc sups do look yummy but they are 35 cals each. On my >1200 daily, that's 70cals I don't want to spend. Not to mention they are expensive.

Some things I enjoy: BallPark smoked turkey franks: fat free, 6g Protein and only 45 cals. I LOVE THESE THINGS. I cut it up small and stir into a cup of veggie chili. Or just eat the turkey dog bites dipped in mustard with a wedge of pickle cut up tiny. Turkey rollups with deli sliced turkey, slice of swiss cheese, wedge of Laughing Cow and a few spinach leaves. Bushs Great Northern canned Beans with some diced up ham and a little pepper and thyme. Also like Bushs Chili beans with a bit of cheddar, hot sauce, 8-10 oyster crackers and plain greek yogurt. Egg salad, on a slice of 35cal bread. Leftover chicken made into a salad. PB2 (reconstituted) and apple slices. Gortons frozen Salmon filets, 2 in a box...with either a dab of lowfat coleslaw or steamed broccoli.