alilbittyna

I love tilapia. It is a non fishy tasting fish. I ususally marinade it with a McCormick packet, let it marinade all day and bake it at 400 for about 30 min. Falls apart and is just amazing!!! Also Tuna, Salmon and Yellow tail sashimi (no rice).

I have gotten stuck a couple times now (I am 6 wks post). I was not paying attention to the way I was eating and ate too big of a bite. It feels like the food is stuck at the bottom of your esophogus and like you are going to immediately throw up. Dont drink something to try to get it to go down, that will just make you want to hurl more. Calm yourself down and if you can, get up and go to the bathroom. I read this on a post on this site, and have since used it both times I got stuck...dont laugh, but flap your left arm up and down like a chicken wing while standing up. Keep doing it for a few minutes. both times it took about 5 min and the feeling passed. I also read to keep papaya enzyme chewables handy at all times. It is a digestive aid that helps some bandsters. I just got them so I have not tried them while stuck, but the flapping works. I am totally serious. I dont know what the band slippage feels like and I hope never to find out. Good luck!

I am 6 weeks post op and had my first fill today. He gave me 1cc. I have to say that was more uncomfortable than I had imagined it would be. It seemed he was having trouble finding the port. It was way deeper than I thought it was. I am still sore! I sure am glad I didnt catch sight of that needle before he started poking around. I probably would have hit the floor. He put me on liquids for the remainder of the day so I can not tell if I feel any new restriction yet, but I was doing okay before the fill. All I can say is I am on my way!!!! 25 lbs down...65 to go!!! ; )

4 oz tilapia fillet brushed with teryaki marinade and baked.

I am at 6 weeks and getting my first fill on Tuesday. I have been doing okay and not really having too many hunger issues. I have been really strict with myself and have just put mind over matter. I am so happy and feel great thus far. I hurt my leg walking (probably doing too much too fast) so I had to take the week off from walking, but I am so proud of myself. I wish you the best of luck and look forward to hearnig how your fill went. Please be sure to post!

I have really thin hair to begin with so I was nervous having the band put in, but did some research and not only am I sure to get enough Protein, but I take Biotin, zinc and Omega 3 & 6 Fish oil. Here is a great site to help track your protein intake: FitDay Free Calorie Counter and Diet Journal:

I get the Isopure at the Vitamin Shoppe (but you should be able to get it at any nutrition store, i.e. GNC). ISOPURE I get it by the case at the Vitamin Shoppe. I get the EAS premade shakes at costco again, a case at a time. The yogurt does have a little bit of a different taste at first, just mix it good and now I like it better than any other yogurt I have ever eaten (and I ate a yogurt every day even before surgery). I started walking about 1.5 weeks after surgery (1.65 miles on my lunch half hour). I think I pushed too hard though and gave myself shin splints. So I have taken a week off, but I have really learned to like it. Gives me a break during the day and I get that extra exercise. Once the doc tells me I can I am going to switch to the elliptical machine. I have one in my house. Because of the arm motion they didnt want me doing it too early for fear it would hurt my surgery recovery. I will do that 3 days a week and still walk at lunch. I can really feel it this week that I have not walked. Let me know what you think of the websites.

You know, it's funny. When I went for my seminar I was the thinnest in my group. I have NEVER been able to say I was the thinnest in a room. I introduced myself to the surgeon holding the seminar and a day or so later I made my appointment. Upon first meeting he asked me if I had any underlying health problems. Other than slight sleep apnea I had none. He looked at me and said I am not so sure you will qualify for this surgery. I looked at him funny and thought how can you judge that by looking at me. Then he put me on the scale and I was 242 with a BMI of 38. He was surpised that my weight was that high, but we went through the motions with the insurance anyway. After a 10 month battle, I had the surgery 8/25 and I am doing great. My best friend, who has always been heavier than me, thought that it was crazy for me to have this surgery when she is heavier than me. I told her because I looked into it, my MD was on board and I worked hard to get the insurance company all they needed to approve it. She actually seemed upset with me because she felt she needed it more than me. I sent her all my information and told her to get cracking! Now I am losing weight at a good pace and she is acting a little jealous, but she will be right behind me I dont know what she is worried about. I also had a problem explaining it to my biological mother. She heard "through the grapevine" that I had it and just thought it was ridiculous that I would put myself through such a thing and that I should just try to diet. I was like...uhhhmmm I have for over 10 years just to take off 20 and put on 40! My answer to these people is F YOU!!!! I did this for me and I am already succeeding. If you cant handle it then go pound salt. Don't judge me for doing something about my weight when you were the same one saying shit about me being over weight to begin with. Sorry...a little Jersey attitude popped out there!! ; )

Precious, The Isopure is a 20 Oz bottle of 40g Protein juice, 160 cals, 0 sugar and 0 carbs. Stright up it is kind of hard to take, but I cut it in 1/2 w/ Crystal Light pink Lemonade and drink 2/day to get the 40g. I like it better than any of the choc and powder type shakes. To lower your cals and increase your protein, switch to the Chobani Greek yougurt (14 g protein) and a shake that concentrates on a higher protein punch like EAS Myoplex. Stay away from anything that replicates a bad habit. The Cookies that you share w/ your daughter. Switch that up to the Viactive Calcium chews. They really are good. You take 2 chews to meet your min day requirement and it hits the sweet spot perfectly. Here are a couple of sites to help you. The first is a food/exercise journal and you dont have to sign up for a paid membership, you can use the site w/out it with limitations: www.fitday.com . You can even add foods that it cant find, just by adding the nutrition info into the "create a food". I also get nutrition info here: Nutrition facts, calories in food, labels, nutritional information and analysis – NutritionData.com Both sites are really helpful. I am with you partner. Feel free to email me if you want to chat and need support: alilbittyna@yahoo.com Tyna

Today at lunch I was eating some chicken and working and not really paying attention (my bad) and I was not chewing properly and I got stuck. I had no idea what it would feel like, but WOW now I know. I almost threw up right on the spot at my desk, then tried to drink some Water which just made the feeling worse and I had to run to the bathroom where I thought I would be sick. Then I remembered reading on the forum that if you feel like you are stuck, then stand up and flap your left arm like a chicken for a bit and it should help it pass. Do you know...IT WORKED!!!! It only took a minute and it really did work. I guess it is a good thing that this happened to teach me a lesson. I will have my first adjustment next Tuesday and this made me realize how closely I MUST pay attention. Dont want that feeling again...ever!!! Whoever posted that little tidbit of information...THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!! :smile: Tyna

I was banded on 8/25 and I initially lost like 10 lbs and then seemed to level off. I got very upset and my husband put it in perspective for me. The inital 10 lbs was pretty much Water weight and I was on liquids only. Then on the 3rd week I went to softer foods (higher intake of cals, etc) so I hit plateau. Then I started walking 1.5 miles a day and stayed at like a 20lbs for the next 3 weeks. What you can see is the changes in my body. Although I may not be losing as fast as I want, I am changing rapidly, adding lean muscle which weighs more than fat and losing the cellulite. I have gone down two dress sizes. Now I am starting to lose 2 lbs per week and feeling a little more satisfied with the struggle. I have been very strict with my diet though. I only eat what is high in Protein and low fat/cals and sugar. I drink plenty of water and am now pretty committed to an exercise regiment. I dont even try to eat things I am not supposed to. I dont think it is worth it. The whole point of doing this surgery is to change your behavior as well as have the tool of the band to help with hunger and restrict your eating too much. For Breakfast I have two eggs or Greek yogurt, a sm cup of coffee about 30-45 min later, then Isopure juice which I sip on all day long. lunch I will have greek yogurt or left over protein (fish/chicken) 4/0z or less. then about 30-45 min later an EAS choc shake (takes me about 15-20 min to drink, then back to the isopure and water sipping all day long, then dinner is protein only 4 oz fish/chicken, etc. I use my Calcuim chews choc from Viactive as my deserrt because they really taste like little peices of fudge. My reward. I do not allow myself a cheat. I have my first adjustment next week and things are going to get more restricted and I dont want to be surprised. I wish you luck and dont be discouraged. I think what you and I went through is natural. We expected big numbers and they weren't, but now it is coming off more steadily. Give yourself and your body a chance to adjust and I would really start to concentrate on your diet and cal v. burn ratio. Tyna DOS: 8/25/2010 Highest Weight: 255 Goal Weight: 150 Current Weight: 230

Yeah, mine was going quick. I dont know how I was able to contain myself, but I managed. I was ready to grab the garbage can, but decided to run for the ladies room instead. I didnt want anyone to know if I did have to bring it up myself. I have been really good and I have not tried anything I am not supposed to in 5 weeks. I am pretty proud of myself, but now I really need to concentrate on my chewing. You are right though. I would rather this than be fat too. I am 4.5 weeks post op and have lost close to 25lbs! I already feel so much better.

It really was funny, but thank goodness I was in a closed ladies room stall. LOL. My husband said that it was a good thing I was eating chicken (flapping like a chicken) and not beef or I might have had to moo and stop my hoof!! LOL It worked this time, but I am going to do my damndest not to ever have that happen again! It was painful, scary and I really almost threw up all over my desk! I would have stood there and flapped like a chicken right away if I knew it would have worked right away!!! It was sort of like the last resort type of thing before having to do the finger down the throat thing.

I was banded on 8/25, I am three weeks out, down 20 lbs, walking 1.65 miles a day in 25 min and am feeling flipping fabulous!!! I have a lot of weight to drop, but I am on my way. This is exactly what I needed and I am happy I have done it.

I know exactly how you feel! I am only at the 3 week mark since my surgery and I have been walking a lot lately and noticed that the scale is not moving, then had to be reminded by my friend that I went from not moving to doing a great cardio work out and although taking in so few calories (which we think should make us drop weight like lead balloons) the body is just re-arranging itself. She said she can even see the difference already. So that makes me very happy. What I have decided is that I am not going to get on the scale every day and maybe not even every week because I dont want to be disappointed. I know I am doing everything right and I WILL reach all my goals. ; )

Reverie, I have to disagree. She did not say she was gaining weight but that she had not lost any. My best friend is a personal trainer and this is a common thing. Here is an article on it as well: Why Do Women Gain Weight When Exercising? | eHow.com What happens is that her body is going through a change. Eventually she will begin to lose again, but it is a normal thing to stop losing and maybe even gain a few when you begin exercising.

The other thing you need to consider with the fact that you are not losing any weight is that since you are exercising that you are gaining muscle, which weighs more than fat. You may actually gain some weight so sometimes when are are beginning an exercise regiment you should bypass the scale and look more at your measurements and how your clothes are fitting. I also agree that you need to increase your Protein and Water intake. Two meals a day is not enough. You may want to start to eat more often. Meaning, eat some protein every 2-3 hours, but dont eat more in the course of the day than you would have with the two meals. It will level out your blood sugar levels and keep your body fueled steadily. Eventually your body will realize it is beyond starvation mode and you will start to drop the lbs. Again, dont fret...keep the exercise going!

I had surgery 8/25 and am schedule for my first adjustment 10/5. Lately, I have been feeling hungry between my "meals". I am eating what has been recommended (greek yogurt, soft eggs, mashed potatos, Soup, sugar free Jello, etc). Between the meals I am just sipping my Isopure juice or Protein shake. My stomach actually starts to growl. Will that stop when I have my adjustment or will I always feel the hunger pains between meals? Any suggestions/advice is welcome! Tyna Surgery Date: 8/25/10 Weight at surgery: 250 Current weight: 235 Goal Weight: 150

That makes me feel so much better!!!! I was really scared that this hunger was going to be a forever thing. Dont get me wrong, when I have my "meals" and eat slowly like I am supposed to, I am full for a good amount of time, but before the next mealtime I start with the gnawing hunger. Thank you so much for your input!!! Two and a half weeks to go till fill. I can handle that!!! ; )

I am so sorry to hear about your issues with your friend and your spouse. As for the friend, sounds like she was once the center of your attention and now you are focusing on you and she is no longer the princess in the middle. Sometimes you just need to cut your losses. Maybe she just needs some time, but if she is hurting you, she doesnt deserve you as a friend. As for the spouse...I think I can relate. My husband is extremely jealous and I think he was the main contributor to my weight gain because I was thin my whole life until him. He didnt want me out of his sight and worried about me having any sort of life outside the house. So he fattens me up so I dont want to go out and I am only attractive to him. He was happy. When I scheduled my surgery he kept saying that now I was going to be thin and I was going to leave him and want to go out with my friends all the time. The day of my surgery, my anesthesiologist made a stupid comment of "well, watch out because once they lose the weight they all want to go out and party all the time". That was the LAST thing my husband needed to hear. He continues to make comments and say, "dont think that you are going to start going out all the time now". I dont know how to ease his jealousy. I am doing this for me and us so that I can be a better wife and mother, have confidence to make love to him and not just quickies because I dont want him to look at me because I dont feel sexy. I am a 40 year old Mom with a 7 and 9 year old. I work full time and have a mother with a terminal illness....when the heck do I have the time to go out and if I did have the time...I am going to catch up on cleaning and sleep!!! He just doesnt get it. This is the ONLY bad part of having had my surgery. Every day he makes some kind of comment. I hope it doesnt ever get to where you are, but when a guy is jealous it makes LIVING very hard. I wish you the very best of luck with everything!!!! Tyna

I am two weeks out (surg 8/25) and upon my one week post op my Dr. told me I was not taking in enough protein so instead of following the diet on the paper that recommended 4oz of (tea, protein shake, broth, etc) each hour on the hour, that I should be sipping on my protein shake or isopure juice all day with little sips at a time (as if you are drinking something really hot). I changed the way I was doing it and I feel more full during the day and a bit stronger since I am now getting closer to the recommended protein amount. I just started adding in Chobani yogurt (1/2 for lunch and 1/2 for dinner) and it fills me up nicely. First adjustment in another 5 weeks. Just hope the fullness continues as I graduate next week into the purree part. I just keep looking at the goal line and know that any suffering I may do will all be worth it in the end!!!

I had surgery on Aug 25th and had my first post op appointment. I have been on liquid only since 48 hrs before my surgery and not scheduled for my first fill till 6 weeks from now. I am starting to be a little more hungry, and this is most definitely not head hunger as my stomach actually growls. I just try to drink some Water or sip more Protein shake (getting a little tired of them, but the do satisfy me somewhat). I am having a hard time because every other commercial on the damn TV is about food which makes my stomach growl even more. I should be on puree foods in another week and a half and am looking forward to feeling a little more full. I have no regrets in doing this other than my sleep deprivation (which I cant figure out for the life of me) as of my first post op I was already down 10 and other than the sleep and slight tenderness in my belly I feel flipping fabulous!!! I am going to make this work and I am going to get healthy!!!!! So glad I joined this site for the support and ideas I have gotten! Thank you all for your posts! Tyna

I was just banded last Wednesday 8/25 and can not sleep! I was an insomniac prior to the surgery and take Trazadone and Ambien every night, but since the surgery my heart is racing and even the little I do sleep I dream about running or being chased because of my heart rate. Anyone have any ideas? I can't sleep and can't function! I have gone back to work already (surgery Wed went back Mon) and now I just feel like I am going to fall asleep at my desk! Let me know your thoughts! Tyna

Thank you all. I have broken the tablets down to a small size and they do taste terrible, but I am able to get them down. Trazadone is supposed to shut my mind off so I can sleep, so I never heard of it causing the opposite, but I will most definitely ask my Dr. I have my first post op tomorrow. I really miss sleeping and I reall can not function without at least 6-8 hours! I will try the melatonin, that is a great idea. Thanks. I dont drink any caffeine since the surgery so that is not it. I thought maybe my body was just burning the fat causing me to have that affect. I'll let everyone know what the doc says tomorrow! Again, thank you all for your input!