rocketray

What is it? Before I spend 50 bucks I'd like an idea.

Sorry to hear that...do they know why that happened?? How does one prevent it?

I'm eating pretty much everything I was before but much less. I like steaming up a bunch of cauliflower--chopping it up and adding some veg. broth and cheese. Veg. baked Beans are a great source of Protein and taste good. Every once in awhile something just won't go down and I know right away. I can even eat a half of a subway veggie delite sub with a bag of baked chips. Weird. But I can't eat pita bread at all. I had some problems at work and had to go to the bathroom and throw up a few times, that was kind of a drag so for lunch I take only things I know for sure are good with going down like greek yogurt, cottage cheese. But then I can eat a bunch of watermelon also. One thing I have to remember esp. when I go out to eat is just not to order so much. I can't eat a dinner salad and then my meal. I ask for a to go box right away because I just can't eat that much anymore. I went to lunch today with my brother who had lap band about a year ago. We both got our food and started eating, then we both stopped and just sat there--to slow down and wait. It was kind of funny. I pictured a bunch of lap banders going to dinner, there wouldn't be much action at that table.

One of my favorite things was boiling a potato and then adding veg. broth to thin it out and then cheese for protein. You can do it with cauliflower also or both together. I still make it on the day I get a fill. I was and still am in love with the cook and serve choc. pudding--fat free/sugar free if you can find it. Most markets have the instant but the cook and serve tastes great with some lite cool whip. I would have half a cup a day. It's about 80 calories and then you have the protein from the milk. Of course cottage cheese/greek yogurt are really good sources of protein. Poached eggs are easy to eat also. Slip in a protein shake everyday for added measure. Good Luck!

You really need to stay to your doctor's orders. Your stomach is healing. I did liquids for two weeks before I went to soft food. I have found that there are some things I can eat and I'm surprised and others I can't. No rhyme or reason, everyone is different. I can eat a piece of toast but I can't eat pita bread. I can eat pizza and I do but I don't eat as much as I did before the band. Be careful and let yourself heal before you start experimenting!:thumbup:

It sounds like you could use more protein. What about slipping a protein shake in there somewhere or actually eating cereal with milk instead of the bar. OR put some peanut butter on your bar. I think a man needs a bit more calories/protein than what you're eating. My concern is that you'll get bored eating the same thing all the time. Why two baked potatoes? Why not one and some other protein with it? Beans are a great source of protein and if you get the Heinz Veg. Beans there is less fat/calories than the others. But I think it's great that you have some structure, that always helps for sure. Good Luck!!

Could be that you aren't getting enough protein. Good soft protein foods are greek yogurt, cottage cheese, mashed beans, tuna or egg salad. Try sneaking a protein shake in there. Or boil a potato--add some broth and cheese--like a thick potato soup. Even some fat free/sugar free pudding made with non fat milk. Try to concentrate on getting your protein and you shouldn't be so hungry. Good luck!

If I go out to breakfast, I'll have two poached eggs and one slice of dry whole wheat toast and I'm satisfied. If I'm home, I'll do two egg whites and one egg with a little milk. Eat slowly though!!

someone mentioned they think their pouch is stretched. My doctor said it takes a long time to stretch your pouch and you will know because you have no restriction at all. What I find interesting about this whole thing is that there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to what I can eat one day and what I can't the next. One day I can eat rice, the next I can't. I got banded on May 14th and have had two fills, the first fill was two cc's and then another two six weeks later. My weight loss has been nonexistent for awhile. I started at 186 at the doctor's office the first time I saw him, lost about 8 before surgery and am at 161 now but I've been stuck here for at least six weeks or so. My cravings are less than before, I can eat only about a third of what I used to eat. I'm still glad I did the band even though I haven't lost all that much. I realize I don't have as much to lose as others might. I've become expert at throwing up the stuck food. It's weird, I can eat pizza no problem but a tortilla,no. The only thing I can conclude is that we all react differently to having the band. My brother had it done a year ago and has never had a fill and has lost 60 pounds. You may have "fixed your stomach" but you still have to work on your head.

Well, now that they know the only thing you can do is have a pat answer that you keep repeating (be a broken record) when they start in on you. Something like: "I appreciate your concern but I really don't want to discuss it with you." You'll have to draw a line as to what's okay for them to say because they have no boundaries.

Here are my tips: 1. Get a heating pad, it's very comforting. 2. Get some life savers--they taste great and in some weird way they made me feel better. I had one about an hour after surgery! 3. Don't be a hero and decide you're not going to take your pain meds. Stay ahead of your pain, don't wait till you're miserable. The pain meds help you heal, they take the edge off. 4. sleep as much as possible, it's while you sleep that you heal. 5. Let others take care of you--allow yourself to be taken care of. 6. Soupy cream of wheat tasted so good! Good Luck!

I made this "soup" that I ate a lot of when I was in the puree stage and I made it again yesterday after I got my second fill. It's very filling and tastes great and you can get about 10 grams of Protein. Steam a head of cauliflower and one potato until their soft. Mash them well, add about 1/2 cup of veg. broth (I'm a vegetarian, you could use chicken broth) and an ounce of shredded cheese. Put it back on the stove till the cheese melts and it's hot. You can add more broth, depends how soupy you like it. This will make enough for 3 meals. Good Luck!

There really weren't any surprises for me since my brother had it done a year ago so he kind of paved the way for me. That said, there are two things that I can't get used to (yet) and they are not being able to drink during a meal and eating slowly. It's so hard for me to slow down. Otherwise I'd say this forum does a good job of preparing you for the best and worst to come.

You said you stay full a lot longer--but you're eating the same amount? So are you eating when you're not hungry? I find that sometimes when I'm not hungry I still think about what I can eat. That's your "head hunger", you have to learn to listen to it and quiet it!! The band may have physically fixed our stomach but it didn't touch our heads. That's what I'm dealing with everyday although with the band in place, it's much easier to shut it up! When I do eat and I'm not hungry, my choices are much better. I've had one fill, about five weeks ago, getting my second next week. I've lost 13 pounds since my surgery (5/21) and 20 pounds total. I thought I'd lose more weight by now but I haven't but I'm not too disappointed because I know it'll eventually happen. Good luck and hang in there!

My first fill I had 3cc's and didn't really feel much of anything. My ins. only covers a fill every six weeks so I have to wait. Going next week for the second fill and hoping that makes a difference. I know you are not supposed to get that pain after two or three bites though, sounds like you are overfilled. Sometimes I don't think I have any restriction and then I eat something and I do--it depends on what I'm eating. You should definitely call your doctor though. Good luck

This is a no brainer, keep your kids away from her dog. It's her dog and she can keep it if she wants, it's her choice unless you feel you need to report her to animal control. Then you risk the relationship forever. The simplest solution is to have her babysit at your house and if she can't do that, find someone else to babysit. It's really not your decision.

I only told one person at work who I am really close to but I didn't tell anyone else, even the people I eat lunch with everyday. I said I was having some personal minor surgery, if they really pressed me, I said I was having a cyst removed. As far as my eating, I told them I was trying a new diet. It's whatever you're comfortable with. I work at a school and it's like a small town, everyone tells everyone everything--I did not want to be the topic of their conversations. In my personal life, my husband and son know and some close friends. I don't think you have to tell, only if you want to.

I kind of exp. the same thing--it's been 8 weeks and I've had one fill, two weeks ago. My band was empty when my doctor put it in. My fill was 4cc's but after a couple of days, it was like before. I feel like I don't have much restriction but actually I do. I have to pay attention more. If I eat too fast or too much, I feel like someone stuck a knife in my back, it doesn't happen to often. I have never thrown up which I heard was common. I've lost about 18 pounds total, some of it came off before surgery, since surgery day, I've lost 13. All that said, I do feel more in control with the band. I'm eating healthier than I ever had, I've cut out a lot of bad habits like my night eating. I realize that what I did was fairly drastic and I don't want to blow it. So the band just giving me that is a lot. I figure the rest will happen, if it takes longer than I expect, that's okay also. I know I'm on the right road. My ins. only covers a fill every six weeks but I think that'll be okay. So I guess you just need to have patience and do the best you can, that's usually enough.

May 21st so 8 weeks yesterday. I eat very healthy, I'm a vegetarian also. I average about 1100 calories a day (about 50 grams of protein a day). I've lost 19 pounds total, only 13 since surgery. Have had one fill that didn't do much. All that said, I started with a lower bmi (35). I walk everyday for 30 to 40 minutes. I am very glad I had the surgery.

I have been banded about 7 weeks, had my first fill almost two weeks ago and it seemed like it lasted just under a week. Now I feel like I never got a fill at all. I got 3cc's, not sure how much my band holds total. From everything I've read, it's a lot of trial and error with the fills. They never get it right at first and it will take several until you feel restriction. I am not supposed to go back for another month. So I sympathize with you. I've only lost 12 pounds since surgery day and 18 total. But I am trying to be patient and continue to do the right things, I know it'll work out. Just keep doing your best, that's usually enough.

I like Heritage brand cereal--cold, flakes, a serving (3/4 cup) is 110 calories and 4 grams of fiber. If you put a half cup of milk in it, it's about 9 grams total, not bad for breakfast. And you actually get to chew!

Need some advice/input from those who are more experienced: Had surgery in May. After six weeks, got my first fill (3cc's) which lasted not even a week. Now it feels like it did before the fill--like I have no restriction. I feel like I can eat as much as I want--although I'm not--I'm measuring my food and avg. about 1100 cals a day, 60 grams protein. So food wise I'm doing okay but I'm going on sheer will power at this pt. About four or five hours after I eat, I start to feel hungry and will have a yogurt or cottage, something healthy. I just thought it would be easier at this pt. that I wouldn't even feel like eating. I have another doctor's appt. in four weeks and I'm just wondering if I should wait and be on my own or try to see him before. What's your exp. been. If you've read any of my other posts, I've mentioned how my brother had this surgery almost a year ago and has never had a fill and he's lost 60 pounds! He still has restriction, much more than I've ever had, we have the same band. So I guess everyone is different. I'd appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

If it's within reason you should have it. Just watch your portion control. I bought some frozen Krusteaz blueberry pancakes the other day, they have protein and with sugar free syrup it's a decent breakfast for a change. Reality is that all kinds of food will always be in your life. Sometimes if you deny, deny then it becomes an obsession. Thin people eat what they want but in moderation. Think thin!

I liked the EAS whey protein shakes but I also ate soup--if you check the labels you can find some that are quite high in protein. There's also the liquid yogurt drinks, they have about 9 grams of protein if you don't want to eat yogurt. Cottage cheese, I agree is great, low cal and lots of protein. I made a potato/cheese soup with veg. broth, I thinned it out quite a bit and that was very good. Carrot juice or even Tomato Juice has a few grams of protein and is good for a change of pace. Good Luck!

My band was empty when he put it in and my fill was 3 cc's. My brother had his band done 10 months ago and has never had a fill! He's lost 60 pounds. My doctor said some people never get a fill--although that's very rare. He had a patient that lost 80 pounds without a fill. So I guess everyone is different.