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Here's a link to that thread http://www.verticals...good-fast-food/ I don't think McD's got addressed but there are many other good ideas. The biggest issue with most of the fast food places is that the food is completely molested, just chock full of chemicals to make it irresistible and give it a 300 yr shelf life. You eat grilled chicken at home, it's got one ingredient chicken (ok two because I like to put pepper on them) Here's the ingredients for the grilled chicken wrap: GRILLED CHICKEN FILLET: Chicken Breast Fillet with Rib meat, Water, Seasoning (Rice Starch, Salt, Sugar, Yeast Extract, Canola Oil, Onion powder, Maltodextrin, Chicken Skin, Paprika, Flavor, Sunflower Oil, Chicken, Garlic Powder, Chicken Fat, Spices), Sodium Phosphates. Prepared with liquid Margarine: Liquid Soybean Oil and Hydrogenated Cottonseed and Soybean Oils, Water, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Salt, Soy Lecithin, Mono-and Diglycerides, Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate (Preservatives), Artificial Flavor, Citric Acid, Vitamin A Palmitate, Beta Carotene (Color) FLOUR TORTILLA: Enriched Flour (Bleached Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Shortening (Interesterified Soybean Oil and/or Hydrogenated Soybean Oil and/or Soybean Oil and/or Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil), Contains 2% or Less of: Sugar, Leavening (May Contain One or More of: Baking Soda, Sodium Aluminum Sulfate, Corn Starch, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Calcium Sulfate, Monocalcium Phosphate), Salt, Wheat Gluten, Dough Conditioners (Sodium Metabisulfite [Contains Sulfites], Distilled Monoglycerides) SHREDDED CHEDDAR/JACK CHEESE: Cheddar cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes, Annatto ), Monterey Jack Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes), Potato Starch and Corn Starch and Powdered Cellulose (Prevent Caking), Dextrose, Enzymes, Natamycin (Natural Mold Inhibitor) BUTTERMILK RANCH SAUCE: Soybean Oil, Cultured Buttermilk, Water, Sour Cream (Milk, Cream, Modified Food Starch, Guar Gum, Sodium Phosphates, Carob Bean Gum, Sodium Citrate, Calcium Sulfate, Carrageenan, Dextrose, Potassium Sorbate, Enzymes, Citric Acid, Gelatin, Mono- and Diglycerides), Egg Yolks, Contains 2% or Less: Distilled Vinegar, Maltodextrin, Salt, Dextrose, Modified Food Starch, Soy Sauce (Soybeans, Wheat, Salt), Dried Onion, Garlic Powder, Lactic Acid, Natural Flavor (Vegetable Source) and Artificial Flavor, Shallots, Preservatives (Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Calcium Disodium EDTA), Xanthan Gum, Spice, Phosphoric Acid, Sodium Acid Sulfate, Propylene Glycol Alginate, Autolyzed Yeast Extract

One piece of advice I have for you, stay away from ice cream, that is liquid fat right there. You need to go get some boost and slim fast shakes and get in to see your lap band doc.

One thing to consider with a band and no insurance is after-care. With a band, you have to have fills or the band does you no good. Many surgeons offer fills for a period of time in their fees, but after that, you are on your own. Fills can cost a few hundred dollars per. My surgeon wants me to have an Upper GI each year. That would be another cost. Bands are not a set-it and forget-it procedure like bypass is. Should you have a complication down the road and need the band removed, such as erosion, it is another full surgery. If your band should slip, treatment starts conservatively, but can end up back in the operating room. If all goes well, banding is cheaper than bypass. I've seen amounts around 10K in the states for a band, I don't know what after is included in that price. Bypass would be substantially more as the procedure takes quite a bit more time to complete. There are many self-pay people here who are extremely happy with their choice. But be sure you can afford the aftercare. If you cannot have fills, then it isn't worth it. And empty band is like an empty gas tank...it just sits there going nowhere fast.

Wow, so I talked to my doctor's office today and my surgery is scheduled for June 17th. (I'm a teacher and finish June 13th.) I'm scared, excited, nervous, anxious. I'm a self pay patient and hadn't even considered this surgery until the middle of April, so this has all been REALLY fast. I have nutrition class on Monday and my physical on Tuesday...then it will be on the high Protein diet. I'm at the point where I just really don't know what to feel...it's too many emotions at one time. I've enjoyed reading all of your stories, they are very inspiring. Does anyone know where I can find a good list of foods to have in the house for after surgery (or do you think they will give me one). Thanks so much! :scared2: Jennifer

Well ladies! This is so helpful. I think it is important for us to all tell our "stories" since so many seem easy, not hungry, and losing fast. I think each of our bodies are different, but it is important for me to feel "normal". What some of you have described as the empty feeling and not being able to put a finger on it really describes my feeling. I think the comment on obesity help about nerve endings could have some real truth to it so i am ready for the day I feel satisfied again. Also, lauramomof3, I have soreness in my lower right hand side, not upper left, but that is where my largest incision is and the surgeon said this was normal. Is your left side the longest incision, I know it takes longer to heal where our stomachs were actually removed from. Thanks to everyone for posting, keep them coming, just knowing everyone else is as sick of the Protein shakes as I am makes me laugh a little, we are really in the same boat. I get to start mushies in another week or so, and am looking forward to some different tastes! It has been Protein Shakes, strained 98% fat free soups, broths and Water only for me (crystal lite). And I can have popsicles and sf Jello, but got tired of those on my pre-op so I only have my 2-3 items a day. Good luck to everyone. The good news is: I am still losing! We can do this, congrats to everyone on their sleeve! Stay in touch! Rachel

Curious if anyone has experience with this... The last few weeks about every few days or so I get sick to my stomach.. like not puking (feels like it tho!) and not necessarily the other end kinda sick.. just realllllly icky feeling. Tonight it was about 4-5 hours after I ate like normal all of a sudden I got chills and literally felt like i was going to die. I sat on the bathroom floor for almost 30 mins thinking I was going to throw up. My whole body was freezing, but I was sweating at the same time. Any other time I feel fine, just every few days about 4-5 hours after dinner its like BAM. I can drink Water and it goes down just fine unless its mid-sick feeling then it just makes me feel worse. Its not like im not chewing or eating to fast and its been happening a lot lately. I usually will take a gas-x chewable thingie but last few times it hasnt done anything for it. My whole body hurts from my stomach to my shoulders my lower back throbs.. its very odd to me. For those of you who are gonna ask, no I'm not pregnant I had a sudden feeling that was possible so i ran out and got a stick and it was negitive. sooooooooooooooooo anyone experience this? =/

Hi all, I haven’t been around here in a while but I’m working on a reset and wanted to check in. I’ll be 4 years out in a few weeks. I had RNY gastric bypass. I initially lost 125lbs and have slowly gained back around 20lb, it fluctuates a little. Some of that is definitely fat, I’m not always vigilant about my diet but I also weight train a few days a week and have added on some muscle mass. I had a bike wreck last summer which resulted in a broken hand, dislocated knuckles, and pretty severe scrapes and bruises. It could have been much worse, but it did put me on my butt for a few months. I get most of my exercise in the summer by riding. I put put on about 15 pounds and it was winter by the time I finished physical therapy. For the last 4 months I’ve been really committed to my gym routine. I’ve been watching my diet more closely, cutting back on my drinking which, was never a problem or excessive but it is empty calories. I’ve lost most of the 15lbs and put on a little muscle. Sorry for the book, just want to give you the full picture. 3 months ago I woke up in the middle of the night to let my dog out and suddenly had what felt like severe hypoglycemia. I was pouring sweat, shaking, dizzy ect. I got some juice in me, laid back down, and felt ok soon after. I don’t have a meter so I couldn’t test. I had a drink earlier in the evening after dinner, which I normally don’t do, so I thought that might have been the cause and made a mental note to not do that again. But this incident was also many many hours after that, much longer than a normal reactive hypoglycemia episode or dumping. 3 weeks ago, I had a fairly normal dinner, a couple of pieces of thin crust pizza with vegetables, fell asleep so on the couch, and woke up again the same state. I hadn’t had anything to drink that night. This time I was slurring my words and stumbling around. I got some juice and felt ok. 2 weeks ago, same story. Except this time I didn’t have juice, I rubbed some honey on the inside of my cheek and ate a tea spoon of it. I was home alone and the next thing I know I’m waking up on the kitchen floor with no idea what happened. I went to my doctor, she told me to go on a hypoglycemia diet, which is pretty similar to an RNY diet and she ordered a glucose tolerance test. Let me tell you, that was not fun. Considering I avoid sugary drinks and items, trying shove 75grams of it into my pouch was awful, it’s amazing I didn’t throw up. My test results came back yesterday and they were interesting. Fasting glucose was 82, 1 hour was 77, 2 hours was 67, and 3 hours was 78. They actually did a finger stick at hour 3 and said it was 58, i know the meters aren’t as accurate but I was surprised at the difference. Does anyone know if those are expected results from an RNY patient? I was surprised to see my blood sugar never really went up. I’m not sure what my doctor will have to say about it yet. It figures when I’m watching my diet and focusing more on exercise than I have I start having these issues. But I’m determined to keep going. I’ve been keeping a juice box and glucose tabs next to my bed. I’ve also been splitting my dinner up and eating a little later, so far i haven’t had another incident. I really hope that’s the end of it. I have a good friend that’s in the process of having the sleeve so I’ve been talking to her a lot lately and going to support group and it’s been such a great motivator. It’s funny people thing this surgery is an easy way out, at 4 years I’m working even harder on it now than I was at 4 months.

I had surgery in Jan and I lost a TON of weight at first and now I can ea like crazy... It is normal to eat more until you get more fills... Since I lost weight so fast I am 'behind' on my fills and feel that I can eat quite a bit. Also I have been told if your band slips you WILL know it. You should be ok until you see your doctor. If it makes you feel better it never hurts to call someone at the dr.s and ask

Well I don't know about the "Belly Beasts" ( That would explain a lot) But I too have the same experience. After a fill I lose fast then it evens out.

Don't have guilt for the method you're choosing to get healthy! Be proud of yourself for getting healthy and breaking the cycles that WERE bringing you down. I never regretted my surgery, I'm 5 months post op and never looked back. I have so much more energy for my kids, I feel stronger, and I haven't had this confidence ever in my life! I started @ 238 and I'm currently 185. I love my new life and I'm for the first time in a very long time loving myself which has improved everything else. You deserve this, this is your journey and no one else's. Best of luck and try and enjoy the process. When You look back you'll be surprised how fast things get better!!

I am three months pst op and nauseated. I had an endoscope and had sores in esophogus. I am now on Prilosec it has helped and cleared up the sores. I have discovered through time that eggs and cheese make me sick so I avoid them and I feel better. Skim milk soothes my stomach, I put in those little strawberry milk shots and they go down just fine. I have always eaten fast and I still struggle with it. If I eat to fast I get real sick.

In TJ....had surgery with Dr. Rod this morning. Let me start off by saying that my decision to go through BeLiteWeight was one of the best I've ever made. JoAnne was here all day popping in between Heather (fern) and I and making sure we were feeling alright...and this was pre-op! Such a good lady! Surgery itself was a bit rough for me. I have terrible veins, and they couldn't seem to get a stick, so I was rolled into the OR without even having anything to calm my nerves which we RIDICULOUSLY our of control. I cried all the way into the OR and the last thing I remember telling them was "Please just don't let me die, ok? I'm a newlywed." Hahaha....looking back it sounds so ridiculous that I would say that to them. Fast forward immediately after surgery....I'm sore, nauseated, and generally crabby. They brought me back to my room, where my mom was waiting. All I had to do was say the words pain and nausea and somebody was in here injecting myself and my IV full of fun liquids to make me feel better, which actually put me out for a few hours. I wake up a few hours later. My mom is pushing that stupid spirometer contraption onto me and telling me to "suck". I swear that thing was a childrens toy gone wrong, and that the nursing community gets off on torturing surgery patients with it. I suck on the damn thing and get the little balls up 5 or 6 times, and then it's time to walk. At this point I argue with whomever will listen that I will NOT be trudging the hallways in the hospital gown with my ass hanging out. Granted, my ass is tan, but I don't think the whole world needs to see it. Finally we reach a compromise and I'm allowed to wear my black stretchy pj capris under it. Works for me. The next few hours are again in and out of consciousness. Works for me....the gas pains are sucking like no other, and I'm not even allowed ice chips until tomorrow. By this time it's 10:30 Nebraska time (8:30 TJ) and I'm sleepy. I'm thinking I might conk out soon, so my mom sneaks off for a smoke and some food. Still waiting on my pain med stick to come, but once it's here I imagine I'll pas back out.

I found day 2 the worst as I was pretty much out of it on day 1. I wish I had went to Sea World or the San Diego Zoo. I guess I will have to do that another time. Heres to feeling better fast!

And that's 10 lbs since surgery! Its awesome that I've hit my first 10lb milestone but is this too fast? Should I be losing this quickly?

Great points! I like the fact that you have more options at home Nerdy! Everyone's advice helped curve that fast food hunger. Does anyone have any suggestions on which Full Liquid foods? Which ones are better tasting to help that crazy craving !?

Couple of weeks ago i made some de-------licious chili. I took maybe 3 or 4 regular bites, didn't chew correctly, and i think i even ate too fast, then said OMG, what have i done i just couldn't believe it. I actually wasn't even thinking about my sleeve. People have been shot for less than this Luckily i returned to my normal eating quickly kathy

Could you all give me some examples of what you eat (size) and how long it takes you to eat it. Also, how long does it take you to drink, lets say a cup of water. Can you drink like before you were banded ? THANK YOU !!!

I have a year's prescription for phenergren cream in case of real nausea...and orders to have flu shots each year (haven't had flu in 28years), and to call my lapband doctor imediately if I have real nausea. But the spitting up...PB-ing...that occurs more commonly when I eat too fast, or a too large bite gets stuck - only twice so far, and my carelessness both times...is more like baby spitup. It comes from the pouch NOT from the larger stomach like it would with illness. it seems to be part of a learning curve...makes you think "well, I'll NEVER do that again". Not anything to be terrified of.

Yes, and as you go along, you'll find that this is not the ONLY place. In fact, most decent information about actually LIVING with a band comes from experience and commiseration. There seems to be many aspects of day to day banded life that docs are sometimes oblivious to. They read books and read studies, but to live with the band on a daily basis is not an exact science. Each case is very individual, but there are many things that simply have to be lived with. IE, menstrual/hormonal restriction, morning restriction, fills delayed reaction, fills intermittent changes - from morning to night, from day to day, stress related restriction, altitude changing restriction. I think our bodies are just very individual and what causes my esophagus to thicken up for a day may not be something any doctor can put his finger on or predict with any certainty. Maybe we didn't get enough Water in one day, so our band is less restricted? Who knows? Either way, these scenarios are actually rather common if you read very many personal accounts. The band has been known to be called 'the fickle bitch' more than once. lol. I got my last fill last Tuesday and it seems with each passing day I can definitely tell that this fill is going to be a good one. I'm so happy to report that as I have 43 or so more lbs I'd like to lose and at the rate of 3 bites of chicken breast and sweet potatoe (small small bites), that is most certainly bound to happen. Come ON 170's!!!!

You guys are actually losing quite well! I started at 250 at the beginning of my Options class orientation in the Summer of 2009, then was 242 at my pre-op and after my pre-op diet was 234.5 the morning of surgery. This morning I was at 197.5 and I was sleeved a month before you both :-) So personally, I think you are losing really quite well! Wish i were losing that fast!

I'm almost exactly where you are and also feel like I'm in the "slow loser" category. My surgery was 10/26 and I weighed in at 232. Today I'm at 198. As nice as it would be to be a "fast loser", I'm counting my blessings that my skin is given every possible opportunity to tighten up as I lose. At least we are in the 100's!

Hey crew!!! I am supposed to intake 73 grams of protein a day and I am failing miserably!!! I'm a little over 4 weeks out and the premier protein shakes are way too sweet now. I try to get all my water in but I get full soooooo fast. I don't know how I'm supposed to get that much protein when I can barely eat. Please tell me this will end soon.

Thanks guys. I know that I am not being patient. I had my first fill on 7/13 and I have an appt on 8/4 for another fill. I have limited my caloric intake and my best friend had the bypass and she has lost 70 pnds in 3 mths so I guess thats why its frustrating me a little. I chose the band because I can control my weight loss more than with the bypass and I know it won't come off as fast. I will have patience.

I have always been a fast eater and post op that is causing me a decent bit of discomfort. I know the tricks but mentally that’s one thing I have yet to get over. When I eat slow I have little to no discomfort my question is will this continue for life if I eat too fast?

This is the second time I'm trying to write a journal entry. The first one was deleted when I clicked on spellcheck. No more spellcheck for me. Today, my husband told me that he was going to eat out after work, close to his work. That left me to fend for myself. As soon as he told me that, I decided to find a fast food place close to the house and buy something there. I ended up at Long John Silver's. I ordered two fish and its fixings: soda, fries, fritters, and lobster. When I got home, I could only eat half of one piece of the fish. I wonder why I eat fast food as a last resort. I could have come home and cooked for myslef, as I did all week long. Breakfast: one slice bacon, hot chocolate Lunch: two center slices sausage pizza, two school-size chocalate milk Snack: Venti Java Chip decaf Frapaccino I need to think about why I resort to fast food, instead of healthy choices. This is a sign I ned a fill. Also I need to think about why I let the band do my thinking for me instead of thinking for the band. If I can't eat it, I don't eat it. But if it'll go down, then I eat it. This is not healthy. I've lost weight because I can't eat much food, not because I've made healthier choices about my food. This is serious and something I need to pray and think about. Also, I keep saying that I'm going to start exercising at home. I've been doing physical therapy on my back and considering that my exercising. Now that my PT is on hold until after my heart procedures, I don't even do any exercise at all.