gotmyeyeontheprize

I burp a lot too. Sometimes, my burps are so long that I feel like they are coming from my toes! It just keeps going and going. Guess it is just one of the side effects of the band!

Today, I got to say goodbye to weighing in the 300s and said hello to 296!! I NEVER want to step on a scale again and see 300 lbs. When I started this journey the first part of November, I weighed in at 340 lbs. My goal was to be under 300 lbs. by New Years. Today, I reached my goal!

Now, I have lost an elephant's heart!

It is so nice to see someone else who is only allowed such a low amount of calories. I am allowed 600 per day with no more than 5 carbs per meal.

I only eat three times a day whether I am hungry or not. This is my surgeon's orders to ensure I get all of my protein in for the day.

I would say you are not getting enough protein in your diet. Are you required to drink protein drinks in the mushy phase? I was required to have a minimum of three protein drinks per day when in the liquid and mushy phase. Now that I am on solids, I am required a minimum of 60 grams of protein per day. Another concern is your blood pressure. Are you on bp meds? If so, how much weight have you lost including the pre-op diet and since surgery? I am on bp meds and have lost 38 lbs. When I stand up, I find myself getting dizzy. I think my bp is too low now with the weight loss and bp meds combined. I hope this helps and you feel better soon!

I almost drove myself insane trying to find recipes I could eat. Here are some recipes that I use and enjoy. I can usually make 4 meals from each. Probably more once I get my first fill in a week! Surprise chicken 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (I use frozen) 1 can Hunt's Basil, Garlic, Oregano Diced Tomatoes 1 packet Italian Seasoning Salt, pepper, seasoned salt, and garlic powder to taste Place chicken in crock pot. Season with salt, pepper, seasoned salt, and garlic powder. Pour tomatoes over chicken. Fil empty tomato can half way with Water. Add Italian seasoning packet to water and stir. Pour over chicken. Cook on low 6-7 hours. Turkey Meatloaf 1 lb. ground turkey 3/4 cup Italian bread crumbs 1 egg Ketchup Salt, pepper, garlic powder, seasoned salt to taste Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together ground turkey, Italian bread crumbs, and egg. Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, and seasoned salt to taste. Add about 2 tsp. of ketchup (more or less to taste). Mix together well. Place in loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for an hour. If desired, 15 minutes before finished cooking, add ketchup to top of meatloaf. Ro-Tel Chicken 4 Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breasts (I put them in frozen.) 1 can Original Ro-Tel 1 can Campbell's Fiesta Nacho cheese Soup 1 packet Old El Paso Original Taco Seasoning Place chicken in crock pot. Mix Taco Seasoning, Ro-Tel, and Soup. Poor over chicken. Cook on low for 6 hours. Top with shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, or whatever else you may like. Three Soup Chicken 4 Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breats (I use frozen) 1 can Campbell's Cream of Chicken Soup 1 can Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup 1 can Campbell's Cheese Soup Place chicken in crock pot and salt/pepper to taste. Cover with all three Soups. Cook on low for 6 hours. Italian Chicken 3-4 chicken breasts 1 bottle Robust Italian Dressing 1 can diced tomatoes 1 can cheese soup Place chicken in crock pot. Add remaining ingredients. Cook on low 6 hours. Taco Soup 1 pound ground turkey 1 can whole kernel corn 1 can kidney Beans 1 can pinto beans 1 pkg. Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix 1 pkg. taco seasoning 8 oz. lite or fat free sour cream 1 can Ro-Tel or diced tomatoes Brown ground turkey. Add all other ingredients. Simmer 45 minutes. Buffalo Chicken 1 can chicken drained Texas Pete Wing Sauce Ranch Dressing (liquid) 2% Shredded cheddar cheese Drain chicken. Add Wing Sauce and Ranch to taste. I use about a tablespoon of each. Cover with shredded cheese. Microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. Eat alone or as a dip with chips. I make this a lot for lunch.

I have needed a panniculectomy since my 13 year old was born! So, I would really like to get one after all of my weight is gone. I'm just scared of the pain involved!

It all depends on what you are comfortable, restriction from surgical swelling wise, eating. Mashed potatoes would be good. Also, I would say any type of Soup as long as you can chew any solid pieces into mush. You may consider some type of fish since it is flaky and can be mushed with your fork. I probably wouldn't attempt chicken unless it it very moist. Enjoy your outing and have a Happy New Year!

I have had three c-sections and being banded was a walk in the park. There is no comparison between the two as far as surgical pain. When I had my c-sections, trying to walk was terrible. You will walk fine after being banded.

I am only a month post-op and have lost 38 lbs. I have had to tighten my bra (around) as tight as it will go where it was as loose as it would go. I haven't noticed much difference in the cup area yet. My feelings are that my girls are going to go south!! I see a breast reduction in my future because I don't want to have the pick the girls up off the floor!!

I feel your pain! I am a month post-op and am starving! My first fill isn't until January 7th. My surgeon and nutritionist told me to bump up my protein intake from 3 ounces to 5 or 6 ounces per meal. I eat 6 ounces per meal (three times a day) and am still starving. I think this a true test of our will power as we are in the so called "bandster hell" right now! Hang in there. We can make it!!

So, with solids such as meats, the weight and the measurements would be the same? I ask this because I am not allowed much of anything except meats and veggies.

Thanks for sharing! I was banded on 11/22 and am scheduled for my first fill on 1/7. I have no restriction right now and feel as if I could the house!

I am a bit confused about the weight and measurement of food being different. I just opened a can of tuna and drained it. Then, I weighed it....4 ounces.....then measured it.....4 ounces. So, by my calculations, the weight and measurement are the same.

I've lost a mid-size microwave!

Congratulations on your surgery date! You are perfectly normal for having these doubts and overwhelming emotions. I was banded on 11/22 and will have my first fill on the day of your surgery. Being banded was the best thing I have ever done for myself. Like you, I blamed myself for being "fat" and felt ashamed that I did not have enough self control to prevent myself from being so overweight. In my opinion, the biggest step in this entire journey is admitting that you need the surgery. Now, just look towards the end result. I've lost 38 lbs. already and have so much more energy and feel much better about myself. You may also experience some anxiety after surgery. Two days after my surgery, I had a mini panic attack! I kept asking myself what had I done to my body? Why did I put some foreign object in my body? Then, I reminded myself that I would 6 feet under and leaving my two children and husband behind if I didn't get control of my weight related health problems. Be strong and know that you aren't alone in this journey. There are wonderful people on this forum that will guide you. Best of luck to you and your new life!

I had my last required 6 month visit in August. My PCP faxed all of the required paper work to my surgeon's office. Then, they immediately faxed it to my insurance company. I got a denial letter from my insurance company in September stating that they did not receive my PCP's letter of support. Actually, they had received it! My surgeon's office went back and forth with the insurance company until I got an approval the middle of October. Then, I saw my surgeon the day after my approval and was scheduled for surgery on 11/22. My surgeon could have done the surgery the first part of November, but I wanted to wait until I was off work (teacher) for Thanksgiving Break.

I am in the "bandters hell" right now. I was banded on 11/22 and won't have my first fill until 1/7. To be honest, I could eat a three course meal right now! The past two days I have eaten more than I should have and I feel extremely guilty. So, today I got back on track. This is a time when will power is all you've got! Hang in there.

I know what you mean! I was banded on 11/22 and will not have my first fill until January 7th. So, I have NO RESTRICTION!! Overall, I did better than what I could have, but I still ate more than I should. I will get back on track tomorrow when the buffet of food is no longer staring at me!

I was banded on November 22nd. Like you, I noticed that each person's surgeon has different guidelines to follow. My surgeon's facility is one of the strictest in the nation, only allowing 600 calories per day post-op. My advice is to follow your surgeon's guidelines for you.

Ever since I began my pre-op diet on November 8, I have been cooking like a mad woman! Before that, I hated to cook. I'm wondering if this is some therapeutic way of me dealing with not being able to eat like I once did. Today, I have baked about 6 dozen cookies. I have a turkey meatloaf in the oven and some chicken in the crock pot!! No one in this house will eat the meatloaf and chicken but me! See, cooking like a mad woman!! Has this happened to you?!?!?

Lazy lasagna sounds yummy! Please share the recipe.

Congratulations! The first step is admitting that you need the surgery. Now, it is pretty smooth sailing. In my opinion, the pre-op diet is the worst part of the entire process. If you can survive those 2 weeks, or however long your surgeon requires, you will do great! Best of luck to you and keep us all posted!!

Well, I have lost 37 lbs. since starting the pre-op diet on 11/8 and was banded on 11/22. Since then, my shirts no longer attach themselves to my stomach. My bra is now on the tightest hook. My inner thighs are gradually beginning to stop rubbing together. My husband can wrap his arms around me again. My Pandora bracelet slides right off of my wrist when it use to be so snug I could barely get one finger under it and it is the largest size. My panties are sagging. My pants legs are dragging the ground because the waist is getting too big. Most of all, I was able to control my eating at a Christmas party last night! I could actually see my plate for once without it being covered on every inch by food. I got one chicken tender and removed the breading, on teaspoon of a sour cream/salsa dip I make (with no chips), a teaspoon full of Ro-Tel dip (with no chips), one deviled egg, and 4 pieces of buffalo popcorn chicken (about the size of a nickel). Oh, and I grazed by the desert table and didn't put one thing on my plate!! So, to anyone who is watching this forum and wondering if Lap Band is right for you, I say go for it! It will be the best thing you have ever done for yourself. You deserve the best treat ever.....a new life!