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Hi Kermit, Delighted to hear you're at your sweet spot. As you have found out its not all fun and games in the beginning,:thumbup: but it is just another learning curve with the band, the most important thing to remember is to stick with it, don't go for band friendly foods, ie. mushies/soft foods. You will lose more weight if you learn to live with your band and that is simply eating normal foods (though bread is a gonner) and chew and chew and chew some more. Wait till the first spoonfull goes right down, not just down your neck, before you take the next spoonfull, this will avoid PB's and sliming, I'm a vegetarian though I do eat fish sometimes, but I have heard that eating meat and chicken can be difficult when you reach your sweet spot. Mincing your meat can help but avoid putting caloire laden sauces to ease the passage of meat. By all means use a sauce but just check the calories first. My band is also much tighter in the mornings, and to be truthful sometimes its all I can do to get a latte or tea down me. For a healthier breakfast, try some Innocent Smoothies (currently on offer in Tesco/Dunnes 33% off vg value:biggrin2:) which you can mix with some natural yogurt. That way you're getting your fruit and dairy into you at one meal, and its easy to sip away at while you're getting ready for the day. For a take to work lunch ryvita crackers with a filling of maybe tuna/egg mayonnaise but finely chop up some tomato and spring onions and add to the mayo, you could also have a mug of soup to start your lunch this is a really warming and fill you up lunch which is low carb and should keep your sugar levels even till dinner. Don't underestimate how filling a cup of milky coffee (low fat milk) can be when you are very hungry and need some time to prepare something, its been the saving grace for me on many a day. Good luck and continued success to you.:eek:

I was also banded in October 07 and have flown six times without any problems. I asked for either low fat or vegetarian meals on the plane. I also packed a few Protein shakes to take with me in case I had problems eating while I was away but I didn't have any problems at all. Enjoy your holiday and congratulations on your weight loss so far...you are doing great.

This purile behaviour is so sad :thumbup: I am sorry you have to be contact with these saddo's on a daily basis. I have only suffered this in the early days when I became a vegetarian, my reasons are ethical ones. I eventually became so tired of these cretins that gradually I attended less and less functions, and didn't bother eating in the work lunchroom anymore. Recently it became easier, as life and people move on, but I won't put myself in that situation now. It is a bit the same with my band, only my husband and I know, and I don't regret this decision. I feel so bad for bandsters who have shared their joy and hopeful expectations with, family or more particularly work colleagues, only to be really suffering mental anguish down the track. I really hope you can deal with this harrassment, Hugs

HI...I was very happy when i read what you had written because I wanted to say the same things. I have been changing my mind on an hourly basis and this is all i have been thinking about. I am 31, 5'4, 230 lbs and BNI 39. I don't have any health issues from my weight YET either. I hate being out of breath too and NOT being able to shop in regular stores like my friends. I hate hate hate being fat. I have the same fear of how this will change my life...I don't feel i over eat all the time...i just love to eat the wrong things and constantly. I hate throwing up with a passion so i am afraid that i might have that problem. My husband and I eat out like 4 to 6 times a week and mostly dinner. I don't cook much except for my son...my husband is vegetarian and i am not so I always end up eating junk because I don't feel like cooking meat or chicken just for me. I have been practicing chewing my food until mush...kind of hard but i think i can do it. But i always drink diet coke with every meal...even Breakfast and drink lots of Water with food. I wouldn't mind eating less...i would love it actually. I am just sooooooo scared...i want to live a normal life. Can i have a snack here and there? some junk food...i am not saying all the time, but sometimes? is there really some foods i can never have? I would appreciate any answers thanks

I'm vegetarian pretty much because my urologist said to be in order to stop kidney stones from forming, but it's not necessary, I'm just hoping that this will all fit together. My doc today said she thinks my insurance will deny me because I am so small and on the very light end of things... but we shall see.

Being a vegetarian while banded is entirely possible, we have several vegetarians. Many surgeons don't share the emphasis on protein. Several of our non-US bandsters have had no emphasis put in protein. Protein is good and all, IMO mostly because proteins keep most ppl fuller longer (banded or not)... and for the obviuos dietary reasons, but food groups are equally important. Many bandsters don't follow a specififed diet lifestyle (me included) -- it's living a regular life, just eating less quantity.

Thanks for the responses. It's nice to have a network like this to rely on for real answers. I'm just afraid of a lot right now, and dying young is one of them... but mostly being denied for my insurance to pay and for my heart not to be able to hold up for surgery. Calorie reduction kind of sucks for me when it comes to losing, I think if I have an okay from the insurance, I'll get on the bandwagon or whatever to get the weight off... for good, but I don't want to yo-y anymore. I've lost a lot of hair, sleep, and respect for myself for not being able to stick to a lifestyle. I did the South Beach diet and did okay, now that I'm a vegetarian and have been for 4 months, it's getting hard to try to tell myself to eat meat again, but I realize I will have to to keep the lifestyle plan with the lap band. *sigh* What a long road, glad to know I don't walk alone....

food divides into 3 categories and 3 only. Protien, Fat, Carbs. If it aint a fat or a carb its Protein. Doesn't matter what source it comes from, soy, animal or other plant. All protein is protein. There was a lot of confusion for vegetarians a few years back with people being advised to combine Proteins. Basically, theres about 14 animo acids we can't make ourselves so we have to get them from food. One of the easiest ways is from another animal, as all the ones we need are there. But you don't have to have animal flesh in order to be getting everything you need. And you don't have to combine plant-based proteins in order to get them all either. The body is an amazing thing. It will work with what you give it and then when you eat something else it will take what it needs from that. As long as you eat a variety of foods, you will get what you need. With regard to doomsaying. Simply ask yourself one question, what does this person get out of saying that? There are numerous warnings about soy, but who are making these warnings? I've only heard anti-soy comments from pro-meat advocates. Asian cultures, especially Japan and China, have lived on soy for centuries. I do not think they have a substantially higher rate of Alzheimers.

It's been kind of quiet here. Hope everyone's been doing fine and everything is okay at home and in your life. Still at a reasonable restriction but anxious for Wednesday to get here. I get my next fill which I hope puts me at that "sweet spot". WooWee. And Wednesday, is Ash Wednesday. What are you giving up for Lent, if you observe Lent. I'm giving up meat and eating fish/seafood 3-4 times a week, the other days vegetarian eating. Should lose more weight in addition to my being more restricted. Well, that's to be seen. Hope to read good news...

I made the mistake of getting a steak at Applebee's last night. I tried two bites, but I had to spit them both out on my plate because they wouldn't turn to mush in my mouth. I guess I'll be feeding that steak to my dog since my husband's a vegetarian...

I really think exercise is key, and you will see great results if you are not doing it right now. I notice I drop weight more consistantly when I exercise than when I don't. I usually change up my diet somehow. I will do Atkins for a few weeks and drop 10 pounds, or I will count my calories and drop some weight. Most recently I have been on a vegetarian kick (almost vegan) and I have lost 16 pounds since the end of December. Mind you I have lost this eating anything I want that does not have meat in it. I actually feel a lot better than I have in a long time. I know it goes against the protien first concept but it is working out fine for me.

Thanks, Laura. Yes, the feeling is in between my breasts. It starts hurting and I feel a big pressure in my chest. It always precedes a PB/slime. My real concern is that since I am having this problem so often I wonder whether I should get another fill. Feeling like I am only eating about 25% less than one I ate pre-surgery is a bummer...yet the PBing has prevented me from getting another fill up until this point. I am wondering if I should just get another fill and completely give up on the foods that give me problems all together. I have the most problems with poultry, meat, and pork - all Proteins. If I eliminate those items I feel like I would be sustaining myself on fish and Pasta (two things that don't seem to give me problems.) I did not expect to have to become a vegetarian from having the band! UGGG! :tt1: I put a call into the person who coordinates my fills and she said that a lot of people have issues with certain types of foods but "thinks it is unfortunate that I seem to be having problems with so many of them." Considering I have only lost 30 pounds and was a self pay I am pretty upset at this point - that equates to $317 a pound!

I certainly have some major issues with this discussion. For one I don't think it takes into account that weight loss is slower for women than it is for men, it's also slower as you age, and if you haven't changed the habits that caused you to be obese in the first place, your results will most likely be less than someone who has. To me, African American refers to a cultural group, and like Lawanda mentioned Africans and many other black people around the world do not have an obesity issue. I think the obesity issue for African Americans is because we live in a culture that promotes excess. And when you take into account the socio-economic element of it all - African American's tend to be in the lower end. So what it boils down to if you have 5 dollars for lunch it might make more sense to get fast food or soul food then spending it on a high priced vegetarian option. And lastly, if you live in an urban environment it makes it even more difficult for to you exercise. My point is one that has been expressed thoughout this thread, I'm not being judgemental, but the band is a tool, one that needs to accompany exercise, healthy eating choices, and a strong support network. The idea that my band has failed because I'm black doesn't sit well with me at all. Kin

A vegetarian friend of mine Turned me on to quinoa (keenwa). It is a whole grain that has been seaten in South America for centuries. It has a Pasta like taste to me and goes down well compared to pasta or rice. I made some in my crock pot with sweet italian sausage and tomato sauce and it is great! Quinoa, uncooked amount 0.25 cup calories158 protein5.57 g carbohydrates 29.28 g 2.51g dietary Fiber

I still do wonder. But I am trying to take it slowly - my usual bull at a gate, lose by yesterday has never worked, so I am trying to take this "normal". I doing: Using Small plates/bowls Eating regular food - we're vegetarian Banning the baddies from the house : chocolate, chips, Cookies, fatty foods, pre-packaged cakes etc Slowing down Chew, chew chewing - I still forget sometimes :cursing: Not drinking with meals I think because I've been overweight since I was 11, that its not going to happen overnight, so if I take it gently and let the band help me, I'll make it this time.

I love Morningstar Farms products and the Hungry Girl web site as well. Hungry Girl has an excellent recipe for a low cal margarita - unfortunately I haven't had it since I was banded because the main ingredient is diet sierra mist (carbonated). But I love her sassy site! As for Morningstar Farms, I'm a vegetarian and I love many of their foods. Their "chicken" nuggets dipped in barbecue sauce are heavenly. So are their breakfast "sausage" patties and "bacon". Great recommendations, Candle!

I still wear it but I do not log my food. I like to see how many steps I take and how many calories i burn. I am probably going to use it through the summer since I am interested in knowing how many calories I burn during my running and cycling trips. My skin is very loose and it blows. I will definitely need a tummy puck and would prefer a lower body lift. My arms suck too. Food wise I am having problems with staying full. I will eat maybe 1/2 cup max and be very satisfied yet I will be hungry 2 hours later. I can't have another fill because I have enough restriction and I still want to be able to eat. I think it boils down to the vegetarian thing and not eating like solid protien such as meat. I jsut ahve to learn to deal with it and add healthy Snacks just as i have been.

Vegan is no animals or animal products (milk, eggs, etc) I draw the line at honey because I think bees are assholes. Many vegans will not wear fur, leather, use anything with beeswax, yada, yada, yada. Vegetarians will still eat dairy and eggs but do not eat anything that used to have a face. I started out with the no meat thing because of reading the book Skinny Bitch. I had also stopped eating refined sugar since I was having huge problems with sugar addiction and I just figured what the hell. After a few weeks with the no meat thing I decided to remove the dairy from my diet because cheese is really fattening and I was eating a lot of it. It has been more of an experiement than anything else and it seems to be going well. The scales are moving in the right direction and I am eating pretty much anything I want whenever I want. I wish I could say I am doig it for a more valiant reason, like the suffering of animals, but no it is purely for health reasons. I feel better than I have in a long time. I am not tired in the morning, I have not needed any coffee, I am not exhausted all day long. I feel pretty effing great.

I have actually gone vegetarian and then vegan in the last month. I eat pretty much anything I want that does not have animal in it. Today I had a bowl of high fiber cereal with soy milk for breaky, a vegan waffle and banana for snack, a veggie sub 1/2 of a 6 inch from subway) and a little salad for lunch, peanut butter on toast and chocolate soy milk for snack, and dinner will be a veggie burger with salad. I pretty much feel like I am eating all day but the weight is coming off again.

I love this website!! If you aren't already a member, sign up. They send you a daily email with product reviews & information, along with diet & exercise tips, and recipes. A few products I love that I discovered because of that site: Weight Watchers English Toffee Crunch Ice Cream Bars: 1 bar = 110 calories, 6 grams fat, 13 carbs, 2 Fiber, 1 Protein The only thing I don't like about them, there are 12 in a box and I want to eat them all!!!! Morning Star Farms Parmesan Crusted Chicken* Patty: 1 patty = 170 calories, 7 grams of fat, 17 carbs, 2 fiber, 10 protein * Morning Star Farms are vegetarian products. If you have really good restriction, use caution. I really like the Black Bean Burgers too but they have rice and corn in them so again, use caution depending on your restriction level. Discovered any new products you want to share with us?

You know, that would be grand if she does. Zoe needs someone to show her the way to regular little girlness. We have cousins but they are boys or much older. Her little friends are either clueless like her or non-traditional vegetarian political 9 year olds. No kidding.

I have been vegetarian for 10 years and vegan for 3. It is soooo easy to be both! Also much healthier and better for the environment. Vegans can eat anything that did not come from an animal or processed without using animal products. Tofu scramble is awesome by the way. Also annabanana vegans can eat all the fruit they want AS LONG as it does not have ADDED sugar, the natural sugars in fruit are fine. Also skinny bitch is awesome and some recommendations for other books are THE COMPASSIONATE COOK, VIVE LE VEGAN, VEGAN WITH A VENGEANCE, VEGAN CUPCAKES TAKE OVER THE WORLD, HOW IT ALL VEGAN, and finally ANYTHING BY COOKBOOK AUTHOR CHRISTINA PIRELLO!!!!! She rocks! Also google her and read her amazing story! If you want any great recipes hit me up and I will mos def email you some great easy recipes!!!

I am vegan and doing fine! If you drink soymilk and tofu along with you vitamins you are going to be fine!!! One thing to be careful of is alot of vegetarians eat a lot of breads and rice which after banding was very difficult for me personally. I actually pretty much gave up on bread. The key is to eat slow. Chew a lot. I have a ton of great recipes if you ever want them. If you send me your email I would be more than happy to send them to you. All are high in protien do to the fact that my daughter who is 3 is also vegetarian so I am always making sure she gets enough protein. Hope this helps!!

I was banded 15/1/08: Juices, teas and even coffee are allowed by my Dr. I'm a vegetarian so Baxter's assorted soups watered down and liquidfied have worked and baby hot cereal(no added sugars) are yummy. I haven't been hungry though, but I know I need to eat.

Hi girls~~ Been cleaning house, actually Rick did the LR, and I did the kitchen! We met in the bedroom, made the bed...each grabbed a bathroom--and got it done QUICK!!! Youngest DD, Abbey and her DH (the OCD germaphobic one) are coming over to watch the game, and have a late lunch. Her DH does not eat anything I make 99%....nope a full 100% of the time! So she said to buy him a frozen cheese pizza. We just got back from the store, with lots of frozen pizza. I will fix his cheese, but I also got 2 other kinds for the rest of us, and got things to put some hot wings on....and that is going to be lunch, combined with a big salad. Abbey, used to be a vegetarian---I finally quit trying to cook for them! But she has gradually been adding meat back in...not sure what prompted it, but I just let it be!!! Salad looks soooooo good, I almost had some, but then would be unable to eat when they get here!! Our son left to go back to ND for 2 weeks. He missed the party yesterday, which was too bad, my grandson, loved the water!!!! It is such a neat pool area!!! HUGE! A fair sized lazy river, where the current carries you around the outside of the other pool areas, and weaved in and around. It moves pretty quick actually! Then there are 2 big tube slides, all twisty, and a kids play area, full of Water about 12"-18" deep is all, and all kinds of things to turn to make water shoot out, bikes you pedal that pump water, and the shooting fountains, that pop up randomly, as well as steady fountains to play in. A hot tub area, with 3 tubs of varying temps, and one where no children are allowed---usually full of old men reading newspapers!!! An olympic size competition pool, laned off, with 4 diving boards, and a lap pool separate from the big one. In the same center is a full size gym---from exercise equipment, to track(in a loop on the top floor looking down on the place---way cool), to raquet ball courts, and tennis courts. A climbing wall, and game room with electronic games, and foosball, and air hockey tables. It is a really nice place Durango has built! Sits between the high school, and the senior citizens center--so it is frequented by all ages. We had a good time, wish I had had a suit! Instead Becky and I walked and talked! Tracy, glad to hear Macy is showing signs of improvement! Jen, hope your little one is not coming down with anything!! Well I am going to go see what else is in my email, and do some things before the kids show up---don't know if the other kids will show or not, they come and go like normal, with Abbey and Rhett, it requires planning and an invite, he is VERY formal....ay yi yi.....sometimes I wonder what my DD was thinking!!! I did not say that!! Hugs~~ Kat