BabyGotBack

You are losing 1-2 pounds per week. If you are not losing 1-2 pounds per week: You may need an eating adjustment<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>1. Are you eating 60 grams of protein a day 2. Are you eating 25 grams of fiber 3. Are you avoiding all liquid calories a. Soup can be sign of “soft calorie syndrome” b. Alcohol contains a lot of calories – 7 calories per gram (1) It’s also a stomach irritant c. Fruit juice is just sugar water 4. Are you making healthy food choices from a wide variety of foods? a. Are you avoiding soft foods b. You can’t just eat what’s easy c. Cheese is glorified fat 5. Are you drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day between meals 6. Are you eating too much junk a. Chips, chocolate, nuts, ice cream, cookies and other highly processed junk foods are too calorically dense to be regular parts of a healthy diet. But don’t avoid them completely to the point where you feel deprived. b. Stay out of fast food places 7. Are you getting in two servings of calcium daily 8. Do you always eat the protein first 9. Then the vegetables or fruits a. Five servings a day b. Potatoes are NOT a vegetable 10. Is your portion size appropriate? a. Meat or fish (1) 3 ounces – the size of a deck of cards b. Vegetables (1) ½ cup – the size of your fist c. Starch (1) If you eat the protein and the vegetables first you don’t need much (2) Avoid: rice, potatoes, pasta 11. You might try avoiding artificial sweeteners a. Some people think that artificial sweeteners stimulate the appetite b. They are HUNDREDS of times sweeter than sugar c. They teach you to like things too sweet d. There is no evidence that people who use them are any thinner than people who don’t 12. Avoid most diet foods a. Real food usually tastes better b. Real food is more satisfying than low calorie substitutes c. When you are only eating a tiny bit the caloric savings is not that great (1) Use a teaspoon of real butter instead of a tablespoon of diet margarine (2) The body has no way to break down artificial fats a. They may go into permanent storage b. Some people think liposuction is the only way to remove hydrolyzed fats from the body You may need a behavior adjustment<o:p></o:p>1. Are you eating only when you are hungry?<o:p></o:p> a. If you’re not sure drink 8 ounces of water and wait. 2. Are you eating three meals a day? a. With maybe 1 or 2 small snacks 3. Are you sitting down to eat? 4. Are you eating consciously? a. No distractions, turn off the TV, put the book or newspaper away, pay attention to your food and your companions 5. Are you eating slowly? a. Put the fork down between bites b. Take 20 to 30 minutes to finish a meal c. Taking longer might cause the pouch to begin emptying 6. Are you taking small bites? a. Tiny spoon, chopsticks, cocktail fork 7. Are you chewing well? 8. Are you drinking with your meals or too soon after your meals? a. Practice water loading between meals b. You won’t be thirsty if you are well hydrated before the meal 9. Are you stopping at the first sign of fullness? a. Sometimes it’s a whisper: not hungry, had enough b. Hard stop versus soft stop 10. Do not eat between meals. Stop grazing. 11. Do not eat when you are not hungry C. You may need an activity adjustment<o:p></o:p> 1. Are you getting in 30 minutes of physical activity at least 3 times a week? a. Over and above what you would do in the usual course of your day b. Could you make it 4 or 5 times a week? c. Could you make it 45 or 60 minutes? 2. Are you taking advantage of opportunities to increase your physical activity? a. Taking the stairs instead of the elevators or escalators b. Walking on the escalators instead of riding c. Parking your car further away from the entrance d. Getting out of the car instead of using the drive through e. Getting off the bus one stop before your destination f. Washing you car by hand instead of the car wash g. Playing with your kids D. You may need an attitude adjustment<o:p></o:p> 1. Are you committed to your weight loss journey? 2. Are you totally honest with yourself about how much you are eating and exercising? a. Log your food and activity on ww.fitday.com for 3 days 3. Are you using food inappropriately to deal with emotional issues? a. Have you identified what the emotions are that drive your eating? b. Can you think of more appropriate ways to deal with those emotions? c. Are you willing to seek help from a qualified counselor? 4. Are you attending and participating in support group meetings? 5. Have you drummed up some support from your family and friends? 6. Have you dealt with saboteurs realistically? 7. Do you have realistic expectations about the weight loss journey? 8. Are you still obsessing about food, weight, dieting, eating? a. Obsessive – compulsive thoughts (1) Obsess about something else b. Perfectionism (1) All or none, black and white thinking c. Patience with the pace of healthy weight loss 9. Are you acknowledging your successes with non-food rewards? 10. Have you learned how to take a compliment? 11. Are you giving up diet mentality? a. Stop weighing yourself several times a day or every day b. Stop dieting c. Stop depriving yourself d. Stop defining food as “good” and “bad” e. Stop rewarding and punishing yourself with food 12. How do you feel about all the changes taking place? E. You may need a band adjustment<o:p></o:p> 1. You feel like you are making healthy food choices in appropriate portion sizes but getting hungry between meals? 2. You can still eat white bread, fibrous vegetables and large portions. 3. You are having to struggle to lose 4. You are gaining weight in spite of eating right, exercising and having a good mind set. F. You may need your band loosened<o:p></o:p> 1. There are times when you can’t get fluids down 2. You are vomiting too much a. How much is too much? 3. Do you have frequent reflux or heartburn at night? a. Do not lie flat or bend over soon after eating b. Do not eat late at night or just before bedtime c. Rinse your pouch with a glass or water an hour before bedtime d. Certain foods or drinks are more likely to cause reflux: (1) Rich, spicy, fatty and fried foods (2) Chocolate (3) Caffeine (4) Alcohol (5) Some fruits and vegetables a. <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City><st1:place>Oranges</st1:place></st1:City>, lemons, tomatoes, peppers (6) Peppermint a. Baking soda toothpaste (7) Carbonated drinks e. Eat slowly and do not eat big meals f. If you smoke, quit smoking g. Reduce stress h. Exercise promotes digestion i. Raise the head of your bed j. Wear loose fitting clothing around your waist k. Stress increases reflux l. Take estrogen containing medications in the morning m. Avoid aspirin, Aleve and ibuprofen at bedtime (1) Tylenol is OK n. Take an antacid (Pepcid complete) before retiring o. Try other over-the-counter heartburn medications p. See your health care provider 4. See your health care provider immediately (or call 911) if a. You have a squeezing, tightness or heaviness in your chest, especially if the discomfort spreads to your shoulder, arm or jaw or is accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, irregular or fast heartbeat or nausea. These could be symptoms of a heart attack. b. If your symptoms are triggered by exercise. c. If your pain localizes to your right side, especially if you also have nausea or fever d. If you throw up vomit that looks like black sand or coffee grounds. Or if your stool is black, deep red or looks like it has tar in it. These are symptoms of bleeding and need immediate attention. (Note: Pepto-Bismol or other medications with bismuth will turn your stool black. Iron supplements can also make the stool tarry.) e. If your pain is severe <o:p> </o:p>

Dr. Fox's Plateau-Busting Plan as submitted by Blu on 5/8/00 This is the plan that Dr. Fox gives to his RNY and AGB patients in order to get through a plateau in weight loss. We put this up here as a reference material -- but many people find it useful. (Emphasis by editor.) #1 Do for 10 days to break plateau #2 Drink 2 quarts of water a day #3 You must have 45 grams of protein supplement and all your vitamin & mineral supplements each day. #4 You may consume up to 3 oz. of the following high-protein foods, 5 times a day: beef, pork, chicken, turkey, lamb, fish, eggs, low-fat cheese, cottage cheese, plain yogurt (or artificially sweetened), peanut butter, beans/legumes. #5 You may also have: sugar-free popsicles (avoid juice popsicles), tea or coffee, sugar-free sodas, sugar-free Jello, broths & bouillons, Crystal Lite drinks. #6 IF IT IS NOT ON THE LIST YOU MAY NOT HAVE IT! #7 Keep a food diary and try to get 30 minutes of exercise daily. Thought this was good! Audree

Protein is a very important nutrient. It is necessary for your body to build new tissue following surgery and to maintain muscle mass while you are rapidly losing weight. The goal is to lose fat tissue, not muscle. It may be difficult to get in enough protein, especially in the early weeks after surgery. At mealtimes, start with you protein-rich foods first and then eat your vegetables. One of the questions I'm asked most often is how to get enough proetin without guzzling protein shakes. If you are trying to get 50-70 grams of protein per day I would suggest choosing high protein foods in lieu of other 'filler foods' -- ie. have beef jerky for a snack, yogurt rather than Jello, eggs rather than pancakes, etc. This is not a diet; it is simply a list of high protein foods to help you gt what you need. Serving size Protein grams Kelloggs Protein Water 5 (my new favorite) barley, uncooked (1 cup) 16.5 baked beans (1/2 cup) 8.1 Kidney beans (1/2 cup) 7.2 Lima beans (1/2 cup) 5.4 bean soup (1 cup) 7.6 corned beef (3oz) 22.9 hamburger (3oz) 21.8 roast beef (3oz) 23.3 cottage cheese (1/2 cup) 13.6 fried chicken (1/2 breast) 24.7 chicken drumstick 12.5 chicken, dark (3.5oz) 29.3 chicken, white (3.5oz) 32.3 chicken salad (1/2 cup) 17.4 cocoa from mix (1 cup) 7.0 corn bread (1 square) 5.0 cream soups (1 cup) 7.0 custard (1/2 cup) 7.2 egg, boiled 6.3 egg, fried 6.7 egg, scrambled 7.1 baked flounder (3oz) 30.2 frankfurter 7.2 haddock (1 filet) 16.6 red snapper (3oz) 39.0 scallops (5-6 medium) 39.5 shrimp (5 large) 15.5 shrimp, canned (3oz) 20.8 baked ham (3oz) 26.3 boiled ham (2oz) 14.5 lamb chop, broiled (4oz) 20.2 beef liver, fried (3oz) 13.2 calf liver, fried (3oz) 15.1 lobster (1 cup) 19.5 minestrone (1 cup) 5.0 onion soup (1 cup) 8.1 oyster stew (1 cup) 15.8 pea soup (1 cup) 13.3 perch (3oz) 22.5 pork chop (3.5oz) 21.4 bkes sole (3.5oz) 30.0 spareribs (6 average) 14.9 broiled trout (3oz) 20.3 water packed tuna (1/2 cup) 36.4 turkey, dark (3.5oz) 30.0 turkey, white (3.5oz) 32.9 yogurt (1/2 cup) 4.4 I got this from my bandsters group to make sure you get your protein intake. Hope this helps! Audree:hungry:

I thought this thread was worth resurrecting!! Audree

Hi Edieday! Welcome to the group!! Audree

Thanks for the advice DeckedOut! I actually have not gotten that info from Dr. Ortiz. Are they pills? Audree

Good Morning!!! Today is my first day of pre op!!!! YYYYYYIIIIIIIPPPPPPPEEEEEE I wanted to ask how you put the link on the bottom of your signature for the link to your journal and our jan thead? Thanks and I hope you are having a great day!!!

Here I am on day 1 of pre op. I gained 5 pounds since my first pre op!! OOPPSS on the Un-Diet. I am glad to be on a more controlled program. Breakfast: Protein Shake , 250 calories Lunch: Lean Cuisine, Jumbo Rigatoni with Meatballs, 8 g fat, 390 calories Dinner: Lean cuisine, shrimp scampi 240 calories and mushrooms, 150 cal. I took a Green T appetite suppresant because I was starving. I just made my lunch and the appetite suppresant is kicking in. I also have been drinking my water. Exercise: dancing with my man!!! I feel so hungry it is ridiculous! I am going to definitely go to Dr. Kim's tomorrow and get some Quick Slim 30. I just hope he has some!!

Here I am on day 1 of pre op. I gained 5 pounds since my first pre op!! OOPPSS on the Un-Diet. I am glad to be on a more controlled program. Breakfast: Protein Shake , 250 calories Lunch: Lean Cuisine, Jumbo Rigatoni with Meatballs, 8 g fat, 390 calories Dinner: Lean cuisine, shrimp scampi 240 calories and mushrooms, 150 cal. I took a Green T appetite suppresant because I was starving. I just made my lunch and the appetite suppresant is kicking in. I also have been drinking my water. Exercise: dancing with my man!!! I feel so hungry it is ridiculous! I am going to definitely go to Dr. Kim's tomorrow and get some Quick Slim 30. I just hope he has some!!

What is a NSV?? I always see it but don't know what it is.:help: Thanks,Audree

I am sooooooooooooooooo hungry!!!!! I can't stand it. I took a Green T appetite suppresant. It just barely curbs the appetite and I am waiting for it to kick in and for lunch time!!!! I bought a bunch of really yummy Lean Cuisines. I am also drinking my water. I am going to get my elyptical inside and do that. So, please keep me accountable!!!! HUNGRY!:hungry: :faint:

I was just wondering if anyone who is banded had been advised to weat a medical compression garment or advised against such a garment. I had a tummy tuck 2 years ago and you have to wear one for 6 weeks to hold the incision and reduce swelling. I wore it 24 hours for 2 weeks and then for 4 weeks took it off to sleep. It made me feel so much better to wear it and if I took it off, I couldn't wait to put it back on. Here is a link to a website I found http://www.makemeheal.com/mmh/product/tummytuck/index.vm?procid=11 I was just wondering if I should pull mine out. I will also be asking my doctor. Thanks,Audree

Thanks Randi! There are not many people's doctors who gave them such a compression garment. I remember it made a huge difference in my comfort and swelling, it made me feel more secure. I think I will ask my doctor for one!! Thanks,Audree

"I want to get to know my new January Band friends, so everyone chime in and give a little bio on yourself. I'll start - I am 43 years old and live in College Station Texas. I have been battling my weight for all of my life losing and gaining myself up to a high of 310. I have 3 children who are 16, 14, and 8 and I married one of the sweetest men in the world in April of 2005 after being a Single Mom for 6 years. I have a lot of energy in my head and heart and want my body to be able to keep up! I can't wait to share the journey with everyone as we take this big step to healthier lives. Can't wait to learn about everyone else - " Welcome Amy!!! I am also starting my pre op diet today! My surgery is on Jan.5 and I only require 1 week of preop. My name is Audree (BabyGotBack). I am 33 years old and live in Rancho Cucamonga,CA. I am a stay at home mom, hoping to go back to school and finish my BA in psychology. Goal is to get my MA in Licensed Clinical Social Work. I am married to one of the sweetest men in the world too! We have been married for almost 12 years. He has loved me and thought I was the most beautiful woman through all my weight struggles topping at 240 a couple of times. He does not have a weight problem. He is one of those very thin people who had to try to gain weight. He is now very muscular and filled out! We have two little girls, 5 and 7. I have also raised my two step daughters ages 15 and 19. I have struggled with yo yo dieting since I was 12 years old. My weight problems began with my step dad teasing me about being fat when I started to develop. That is when my dieting began. I can lose weight but have never been able to maintain it for longer than a few weeks. I love big portions of food. I don't really eat out of emotional issues. I just love food!!! Audree

My grandma used to call this "petho position"!!! :nervous

I was out doing some shopping!!!! Today is day one of my pre op diet. (for the second time since my surery was rescheduled. I have been on the un-diet since the holidays and have gained 5 pounds. So, I am definitely getting some serious calories in!!!HEHEHEEEEE My pre op diet, given to me by my dietician, is a proten shake for breakfast, and a lean cuisine for lunch and dinner. I went to Allbertsons' this morning and was impressed with the selection they had for things I will need for post op recovery. They had a really nice heating pad for $12, lots of different types of clear boullion (Better than Boullion, Kitchen Basics in little juice box sizes, low sodium), no sodium chicken broth powder, Wolfgang Pucks gourmet boullion ( a little higher in sodium, 620gms), Gas X strips, liquid Tylenol PM to help me sleep ( I have to look for the liquid tylenol regular, heard they have it at Wal Mart?), Kellogs protien water (5 grms of protien), crystalized lemon to add to water warm and cold ( it is a natural diretic, helps with water retention), sugar free jello and juice pops. I also stocked up on some frozen stuff for my family so they can grap a quick meal in case I am not able to cook right away. How is everyone else doing???:clap2:

I GAINED 5 POUNDS ON THE UN DIET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That puts me at 190! So the pre op will just put me back at 185 so it will look like I didnt lose anything, since my paperwork shows me at 185 starting weight. I am excited to start my pre op. It makes me feel more in control. Audree

I also found this on my Bandsters yahoo group: "I had to wear one of the abdomen wraps like you describe. I continued to wear it as long as I had port pain. Eventually I would only wear it at night because I had trouble with my port scar hurting when I rolled over in my sleep. I don't think I needed it after 2 weeks. Hope this helps." I wonder why some get one and some don't. I think it is definitely worth looking in to.

I was reading the posts of another board and they had two good tips. 1. In your morning coffee (since some people have trouble eating breakfast due to the band being tight) put in a scoop of chocolate protein powder. 2.At Wal Mart they have a creme called Scar Zone that helps with the scars, but also works very well with the redness and itchiness. She said it worked better with the itch than hydrocortizone, etc. I just wanted to pass this on!!! Audree

I belong to another group and found this post. Is sounds like she is wearing something like I wore after my 2 c-sections. "Besides my insides feeling a little topsy turvey I'm "awiiiight". I'm wearing one of those bands over clean white towels (removed the bandages) but the little sticky tape remains over the cuts. How long do anyone reccommend wearing this thing that feels like a waist girdle? When I take it off, feels like I been trhough a bad stomach workout routine, when it's on everythng seems to stay in order. Can I go a few hours without wearing it? I know it has a purpose, but......." Audree

Thanks,it worked!!!

I wanted to put something onto my signature using glittermaker. I copied and pasted what was in the 1st box, saying for websites, my space It was a really long code and it said it was too long. Which part can be put on, is it all of it? Thanks,Audree

Thanks Bandiva!!! I will have to remeber to ask for a room overlooking the pool. I am very sensitive to noise and a noisy street would drive me nuts!!! Was the spinach at the Lucerna? I love a good spinach salad! I heard that if you eat light and don't have a crazy last supper, you won't have bad gas pains. So, I want to eat as light as possible. Did you only eat the spinach salad before the banding? Are you experiencing gas pain? I am just wondering if it is true about eating light from the pre op to a light last supper and the gas pains correlation. I can't wait to have my awesome experience!!!! Audree

Let's make sure we keep each other accountable!!! I walked 2 hours at Ikea with my kids. I am tired. I also need to get my elyptical in from the garage!!!! What does everyone think about having a daily posting of our exercise and eating, etc??? Audree

Hey Guys! Jules: I love the idea of posting what we exercise and keeping each other to it! I took my kids to Ikea and walked around and chased my lil one for 2 hours. I hope that counts, it's more than I've done in a while. Ddee: Keep up the good work. You will heal soon! Do you where a compression garment? When I had my tummy tuck, it really helped me to where a compression garment (like a girdle) to hold my incision. It felt a lot better. I actually have my old one. Does anyone know if they advise us to wear one with this surgery? When I wore it, it helped with my discomfort and swelling, it felt like it held everything in and kept the incision in. When I took it off, I felt like crap. I had to wear it for 6 weeks, even slept with it for 2 weeks and then took it off at night. Maybe you can get one since you have a bigger incision. Even if mine is supposed to be laprascopic, I am going to ask my doctor about using it. They cost like $80 because they are medical compression garments. They are from the bottom of your bust to above your knees. It zips up the sides. Lab Rat: Thanks for the advice and encouragement. I am really enjoying meeting so many new people and look forward to getting to know you all! I start my pre op tomorrow!!!!!:clap2: Finally!!! Audree