December 2012 --- Band Buddies Unite!

[Pana'sNewStart 68]

Hi all my buddies!! I was banded 12/21 and Bandster Hell has got me good! To fight it, I eat several small meals through the day. I'll have my shake for Breakfast, a snack at 10:30 - string cheese, lunch at noonish, snack at 2:30, dinner, and snack before 8. I still keep my calories under 1000. I only eat about a cup of food at each meal Protein first and veggies, but it doesn't keep me full like it once did. Im done 18-20 pounds depending on what scale i get on, and im completely stalled! And Im sick! So no exercise for me lately. I know this plateau will pass.

My first fill is on 2/1 so less than 2 weeks. Everyone hang in there, we'll get through this!!

[Jewelsm1127 351]

Tango - you're right...we will get through this. Everyone loses at a different rate. I say we follow the rules and let the weight come off at its own rate. Some weeks I bet it will be more and others it will be less but over time it will come off. We just have to keep at it. Glad you are doing well!

[SkinnyCubanChick 150]

I was banded on 12/14 and have lost 38 pounds so far. I do get very hungry in the afternoons but I drink plenty of Water and keep busy. I also struggle with deciding how much to eat. I make sure I eat only 1/2 cup of food (although I know I could eat lots more!) 3 times a day. I don't get my first fill until 2/11 and keeping mind over hunger! It is sometimes a struggle but I will not let hunger take over again! I also walk a mile 5 times a week! I don't want to sag, I'm 55!

[DisplayName 10]

It is so good to know we are all at about the same stage. I was starting to feel like i was the only one with the hunger issues. Glad we have our December group!

[DidThis4Me 26]

Today is a very hungry day for me....Perhaps watching football with the hubby is subconsciously affecting me. Normally, I'd be munching on pizza, ribs, or carne asada nachos right about now. Instead, I'm drinking Water, halfway watching the game, and focusing on the big picture (what I need to do every minute of every day to reach my goal). I'm sure the hunger is mostly head hunger, but that doesn't make it any easier. Being connected to others who understand DOES help. :-)

[Shanna H 30]

Today is a very hungry day for me....Perhaps watching football with the hubby is subconsciously affecting me. Normally, I'd be munching on pizza, ribs, or carne asada nachos right about now. Instead, I'm drinking Water, halfway watching the game, and focusing on the big picture (what I need to do every minute of every day to reach my goal). I'm sure the hunger is mostly head hunger, but that doesn't make it any easier. Being connected to others who understand DOES help. :-)

I totally feel you Desert! I am watching the football game and wondering where my beer and chips are. But, we can do this. I am glad we hooked up on here and I am here for you if you need anything. Keep up the good work.

[dee1973 4]

i was banded on dec 26th. i had a dr visit on jan 14th. what sucks is that i have to wait until feb 18th for a fill. i wonder why so late? and i'm on mushies- which sometimes i am still hungry. but untill then, mushies and 64 ozs. i guess i shouldn't complain much. but really i'm not just hope not to gain. so far scale is the same.

[Instyle98 240]

Don't feel bad. I was banded on 12/31 and my first post op visit isn't until 1/31. I'm hoping to get a fill. Just trying to hang in there. I've just graduated to "regular" food today (well yesterday actually - I started a little early). I'm keeping a lot of sugar free Jello and no sugar added applesauce and stuff around to fight off the hungries. If I do eat, I'm trying to stick to healthy Protein, veggies, fruit and sugar free drinks. I've made 2 trips to Sam's Club since my surgery, but I have done well so far, only coming home with healthy stuff!

[Pana'sNewStart 68]

My first fill isnt until 2/1 nd I'm hoping that really helps with the hunger issues. I made some mini turkey meatloafs yesterday and I'm trying really hard to include veggies or fruit with every meal. I've never been a fruit/veggie person so this is a big challenge for me. I love having this support group. It seems like we're all doing really well!! Love you guys

[DidThis4Me 26]

i was banded on dec 26th. i had a dr visit on jan 14th. what sucks is that i have to wait until feb 18th for a fill. i wonder why so late? and i'm on mushies- which sometimes i am still hungry. but untill then, mushies and 64 ozs. i guess i shouldn't complain much. but really i'm not just hope not to gain. so far scale is the same.

Hang in there, Dee. Don't give up! Even without restriction, we can do this!!! We're all in this together to encourage and support each other.

Do you mind if I ask what your 64 ozs and mushies consist of??? Trust me, I am no expert, I'm learning every day just like everybody else, but what I do know is that I always get the best results when I increase my Protein and Water intake. I also take bariatric Multi Vitamins and make sure I get enough sleep.< /p>

[Instyle98 240]

What did you put in your meatloaf? Just curious - it sounds like a good idea (can you tell I'm hungry?!). I also found some containers on Amazon that are the perfect size for when I make Jello, pudding, tuna or chicken salad, etc. That way I can just grab one when I need it. One of the kinds I got can go in the freezer, refrigerator and microwave I think.

[dee1973 4]

Hang in there, Dee. Don't give up! Even without restriction, we can do this!!! We're all in this together to encourage and support each other.

Do you mind if I ask what your 64 ozs and mushies consist of??? Trust me, I am no expert, I'm learning every day just like everybody else, but what I do know is that I always get the best results when I increase my Protein and Water intake. I also take bariatric Multi Vitamins and make sure I get enough sleep.< /p>

hey thanks a heap. my mushies are skinless turkey or chicken 3 oz, cooked veggies except corn, peas or potatoes, canned fruit in light Syrup, boiled eggs (for me egg whites only ) small curd cottage cheese, lowfat shredded cheese, light yogurt w/out fruit chunks and 96% fat free cream soups.(pureed stuff) not much for choices. 50 to 58 grams of protein a day and 64 oz of fluids.

[DidThis4Me 26]

hey thanks a heap. my mushies are skinless turkey or chicken 3 oz, cooked veggies except corn, peas or potatoes, canned fruit in light Syrup, boiled eggs (for me egg whites only ) small curd cottage cheese, lowfat shredded cheese, light yogurt w/out fruit chunks and 96% fat free cream soups.(pureed stuff) not much for choices. 50 to 58 grams of Protein a day and 64 oz of fluids.

Thanks for your response. Again, I am no expert, but I would probably ditch the canned fruit in light syrup (since it's high fructose corn syrup) and the light yogurt which also has a lot of sugar. Also, some fat free foods have added sugar for extra taste. For me, sugar has been the enemy. I eat plain greek yogurt (which has tons of protein) with a dash of vanilla extract and a packet of (Truvia) stevia.

For fluids, I don't drink fruit juice or soda. I try to drink Water, and I sometimes sweeten it with Mio or those little 5 calorie packets. I try not to do that all day since there is so much controversy over artificial sweeteners. Try ditching the "light" yogurt and "light" canned fruit for a day or two. I will be very surprised if the scale doesn't move, or if it moves in the wrong direction. Good luck. :-)

[autumn_moon 9]

Hi Dee,

I was banded on the 26th too. Went to see the surgeon today for a fill and was told I need to wait 2 to 4 more weeks. I'm still on mushies and Protein Drinks so it's probably a good thing. I hate feeling like I'm starving and if I get a fill now when I can still feel a lot of restriction, it might make everything worse. The main thing I remind myself, is drink 64 oz of Water, which I'm not even close too and 70grams of Protein a day. I've been going for 2 hour bike rides every other day and strenous walks up in the mountains for 45 minutes. Even though I've only lost 10 pounds, my pulse today at the doctors was "45" so that tells me I'm doing something right. I take a lot of Vitamins so I don't crave anything sweet. Hang in there, thanks for posting. Autumn

[Maybeme 6]

Really fighting the emotional eating this week. Was banded 12/12, got my first fill on 1/7, think I will get another one at my next appointment. I am proud of myself for not eating the crap that has surrounded me this week, but the scale is not my friend, and its the stress. My dad is very ill and just got diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. All I can say is, this band is not a "quick fix" like so many assume. You can still choose to eat the wrong things and not exercise at all, and it will not work. You make the decision at every meal to put yourself first and put the right food in your mouth. We can all do this, half of the hunger is in our heads, I'm proud of myself and all of you December bandsters, you all are doing great, and I really love this group.