HeatherinCA

Track your calories, it may surprise you! That is the only reason I can think that you wouldn't be losing weight. But yea if you are really eating like nothing.. then I'd maybe up your food a little bit.

I'm not sure.. but I don't think it's realistic to expect to lose 200 pounds with the lapband. Sure, some people do, but 50-100 or so is more realistic. The weight loss isn't fast enough with the band for someone that large.

That sucks not having Protein shakes! I was aloud them immediately. Hang in there you'll be fine!! just distract yourself.

I eat all those things.. it depends on your body, and how tight your band is. Some stuff I gave up because of the caloric content. I seem to not want it if it's REALLY bad for me. I lose my appetite for it.

If you aren't hungry, then don't get it . I had one fill, it was large, but I'm never hungry now, I can't imagine I'll need another one (at least not till I lose enough weight)

Yea, start counting calories, and measuring your food. That is the only logical reason you aren't losing weight! 900-1200 calories a day.

Yea i would sip chicken broth too.

Ohh I forgot about that!

I was never forced to eat any veggies.. probably why I like so few now, and probably why i'm over weight. My parents would never say no.. I think it's ok to force it upon them. Well gently.. but they should be introduced to a healthy diet at a young age.

I don't have the same insurance, but the surgery was $2500 out of pocket, then I had to pay co-pays on all the other pre-surgery stuff.

I'd keep your appointment like Joan said. You just have to take responsibility for yourself! I know it's hard. I make excuses for myself all the time. But you can do it!!!

Exactly. I need to lose about 120. I think I can manage that, I think if I had to lose double that, I don't think the band would do it for me.

If you made fried chicken, make grilled chicken, whole wheat spaghetti instead of regular... little changes.

It's not that weird... for Breakfast I had 2 eggs scrambled with tomatoes, and 2 slices of bacon. lunch I'll have some chicken salad and crackers, dinner 4 meatballs with marinara & cheese. It's really not that little of food... It's not really a matter of you can only eat that much, you are just full after eating less. It's really not like eating rabbit food aha. When I eat out I get an entree. I usually eat about half of it or a little more. You just can't eat the extra bread, the extra salad, the extra soup, dessert, sugary drinks... like you were pre-band because you have to watch your calories, and only so much fits in your stomach you will be full. For me, I eat bread and stuff.. the problem is, it doesn't have a lot of nutrients, and it takes up a lot of space. Generally Protein is a good chunk of your meal to keep you full. I can eat about a half of a big sandwich. But everyone is different!

I think insurance or payment is step 1 after your surgeon approves you.. they wanna make sure you would be covered. Then the surgeon calls or writes for approval, this didn't take long for me, a day or two. Then after I scheduled the surgery I did all the tests and evaluations.

It's all gross, but I liked Myoplex Lite premixed. the best all flavors. The premixed ones are far less disgusting than the powders. Don't worry too much about calories and carbs during the liquid phase.. since that's all you are having. If you keep them when you get back on solids, then pay attention.

A lot of it just comes down to portion control. Whatever you ate before, eat half or a 1/3 of it. We were eating enough for 3 or 4 people. I just make sure my meals are mostly Protein, and I try my best to stay around 1200 calories a day. But honestly I don't worry about it too much

I used to read stuff about "eroding the band" but it's on the outside of your stomach... I don't see why any food should be a problem with the band, unless it gets stuck

At that weight, I would say bypass... I don't know that the weight loss is fast enough with the band for someone that needs to lose 250lbs. You are supposed to lose most of your weight in the first year. I think you might need more help than the band can provide. For me, essentially, I eat a little bit less, and I'm never hungry, but I have to do the rest of the work. I think the amount of problems with the band and the bypass are probably the same. But the bypass problems are more severe. I also chose the band because I can take it out if I have to for some reason, I'm 25 years old, I had no desire to have my intestines chopped up and my stomach removed. Also the fact that it can be adjusted.

I felt a lot better when I was on mushies don't cheat! follow the plan, it'll come soon enough

Do it for your kids!! You want to be a healthy mom you want to be able to play with them, and not have to sit on the sidelines because you are overweight. Also just kick yourself in the butt! It's hard but you want to be healthy. You said you are busy, distract yourself from food and the classic line "no food tastes as good as skinny feels" haha

Yea it does! I mean I was 298 when I started. I would say I carried my weight fairly well. I'm bottom heavy, so it's not all in my face and breasts. I can't wait to not shop there. For YEARS, it's been going through the ups and downs and changes of Lane Bryant LOL (like now, how the jeans have sucked for the past 2 or 3 years). And you have to like their style, some years, it's just not cute... or I was complaining on my blog that it's all skinny jeans and tank top right now! It's annoying. Also just the sheer cost of clothes. Skinny clothes are cheaper! I want to buy some disposable clothing at Forever 21 haha.

Oh of course! I was scared I'd only eat like 3 bites of food... but that isn't true, I think the life after banding is much different than it is portrayed. My life is pretty normal. Yes, I eat less, and I have to watch my calories, but I still eat a pretty normal meal. none of this 3 bites of food business. The first month just sucks. No better way to put it, but it gets easier... I went on vacation about 2 weeks after surgery to Vegas, we go every year and it was always just a big food fest, eating at all the amazing restaurants.. I did have a moment of panic at one of the dinners when my parents were eating something fantastic and I had something mushy and boring. But, I handled it, and I was strong! After I got on solid foods I was ok and that feeling went away. Now I feel totally normal. It's kind of weird to have to take note of what you are eating... but that is important! We were eating crazy calories before. It feels good to be responsible.

My general rule of thumb during that time was thinking about how hard any food would be to digest... veggies are hard, don't chew up well, I can imagine it would be harder to digest ya know? Same with things like steak or any tough meat.