PackersFan

I agree with all of these other posters. I'm at a fairly good restriction at this point but my husband and I (empty-nesters) eat out all of the time. Depending on the menu, sometimes I'll just order an appetizer, sometimes maybe a side dish and steal a couple of bites of my husband's entree, or if there is an entree selection that I think will make good leftovers, I'll go ahead and order a meal. (I do have a terrible time with warmed up chicken or fish though). I've had dinners that easily lasted me for three separate meals. I don't eat any bread and haven't really since surgery. If I'm at a dinner and everyone is just raving about the bread in the basket on the table, I've peeled off a little bit of the crust to suck on so I can get a little taste of the flavor, and I basically let it dissolve in my mouth. I know this sounds lame - but it seems to help me feel like I'm not totally left out of the "amazing" bread. With each fill, it took me a good week or so to figure out what kind of restriction I would have. But at this point I can eat almost anything... especially at dinner time - my loosest time of the day!

Oh man... I know what you're saying about those stupid scales. Even though I try to limit myself to once a day in the mornings, sometimes I'll get on and off my scale several times in a row - and it can fluctuate as much as 7 pounds within 10 seconds. It's a digital scale and although I can't be sure, I think it may be posessed. I found out that our HR department has one of those old fashioned doctor's scales with the sliding medal number thingies. So I weigh there a few times a week to find out my "real" weight. Of course - I could never afford one of those kinds of scales for my own home, unless I luck out at a yard sale! Good luck finding a good one!

Sassy Boots! My husband thinks these are sexy - the leather looking boots that zip up the side and you can wear with jeans or a skirt. But my calves have always been so massive that I couldn't zip them. I haven't tried any on recently... but I might be getting close. I also look forward to wearing more high heels again.

FFK, For me, there has been such a psychological component to this whole process. It seems that each time I was getting ready to hit a new milestone, I'd freak out a little and start cheating. It was such a ridiculous and obvious fear of success. Luckily I was able to get back on track each time and get back with the program. But in my total humble opinion - those that sabotage themselves by eating around the band just need the confidence to be happy with success. As badly as we all want this, there's such an odd feeling for many of us when we actually start doing well. When we should be thrilled to death, we look at ways to impede our progress. I know... it's hard to understand unless you've had this feeling. Please don't think I'm judging anyone... because I get it - I know how it feels.

Hi Mom, I'm no expert but I think that when people say how much they have in their band - they are referring to how much has been put in (regardless of how much might be in the tubing). So you would be at 3CCs.

Yard sales all the way! I hate spending money on clothes that might only fit for a month or so. When I hit goal... then I'm going shopping for real!!

Lucky Lady, Welcome and good luck. I understand the nervousness... but it is so worth it all.

I've struggled with this problem for years. I find that if I eat a banana a day it makes a huge difference for me. I think it's the potassium. But it most definitely works.

I found that I could get away with too-big shirts much easier than the baggy pants. Someone at work told me I have a "poop sack" in my pants. I also had some smaller sized clothes stored away... but the pants were way out of style and I can't use them. I've lost 50 pounds and I'm going to have to break down and buy a couple of pairs of pants just to get by. Great problem to have!

O.K. Quick update - I had my surgery on Sept 2, 2010. I had my latest fill five days ago and now I'm at 8.4 in an 11cc band. I think I'm finally at my sweet spot. Which makes me happy. I feel restriction pretty much all day. But all of a sudden, I can't eat anything I used to be able to eat. What I'm wondering is - will those of you with good restriction share what you eat to get in your proteins and vegetables? I'd rather not resort to protein shakes. But I'm having difficulty with almost every kind of chicken, fish and most vegetables. I'm taking my time and chewing well, but after about three bites I start getting that uncomfortable feeling. I don't think I'm too tight, I just wondered if you all could let me know what you eat. Thanks!

I hope your seminars are informative and help you make the decisions that are right for each of you. Before my surgery in September I had: diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease and sleep apnea. I was taking 8 pills a day for all of my stupid illnesses and I'm only 46. My dad died of a massive heart attack at 46 and I was so scared that I would follow his footsteps. Now, six months later - I'm off all of my medicine. This surgery literally saved my life and I haven't regretted it for even a second!

I had my surgery on a Thursday and returned to work on Tuesday. I got a little tired towards the end of that first day back, but I attribute that to still being on Clear liquids. (I only have a desk job though.) My doctor said no lifting for a certain period of time - I thought it was a couple of weeks. Good luck to you.

Hi Pretty, I had a recent fill, and was worried that I was too tight. But I took a step back and looked at what I was eating, and how it was prepared. I believe with my new restriction - I just have to be much more aware of what I'm eating. Now that being said... I know that all of my paperwork says that acid reflux is one of those telltale signs that you're too tight. I've not had that, but if you are struggling with that problem, I wouldn't wait too long to talk to your doctor's office. (Just my humble opinion.) Good luck!

Thank you all for your advice - but I actually think I'm OK. I figured out what was going on. While I am definitely more restricted... the problem wasn't the Proteins themselves, but how they were prepared, or what I was eating with them. For example, I had some grilled chicken, but ate it with some steamed veggies, including cabbage and broccoli. I also had a quesadilla a day or two later. I think the problems were with the cabbage, and perhaps the tortilla. Same goes for the fish - It was cod, but it was breaded. I had to rethink how I was preparing my proteins, and what I was eating with them, and now I'm doing just fine. It was kind of one of those "duh" moments. Now it seems obvious, but I was beginning to think that maybe I was too tight. Live and learn.

Patience - to wait for your band to have the right amount of fill. And hard work to follow the surgeon's guidelines including exercise. But having the band can definitely change your life... it did mine.

Sorry - don't know what sustagen is?

Hi Michelle, First off - let me say that I'm no expert... For me the gas improved the more I walked. It just seems to help it work its way out. I'm almost 6 months out and really only had problems with gas the first week or two. As far as the energy goes, Vitamins should help. My surgeon didn't want me to start vitamins until one week out. Good luck in your journey.

It seems that there are many of us mid 40s folks. Maybe it took us this long to get the courage... or I know for me it took a 3 year old grandson to make me realize that I wanted to be healthier and live longer. Good luck to those of you in the decision and pre-surgery processes. I had my surgery last September and haven't regretted it for even a moment. But just know that while the band was a blessing and life-saver (literally), I still have to make the right food choices and exercise... every single day.

Hi Courtney, When I first started researching weight loss surgical procedures, my husband wasn't really on board. He was just so worried that he would lose me. I told him "If I don''t do something drastic, you're going to lose me anyway." So he attended a seminar with me and gained a much better understanding and decided that he would support my decision. Now that I've lost 50 pounds, I'm off all of my medicines (I was taking 8 pills a day) and my husband sees every day how much better I feel. Even my cardiologist is sold!

If you can find it - my all-time favorite greek yogurt is the Oiko brand, caramel flavor. Oh man, it'll change your life!

Your symptoms sound like something that you shouldn't mess around with. I hope you did seek medical help. Let us know how you're doing.

I'd recommend the loaded baked potato instant mashed potato packets. I think the brand might be Idahoan. They have a lot of really great flavor.

Hi Angie, You and I were banded around the same time. My weight loss had come to a screeching halt a couple of weeks ago, and then I just decided to really focus on the exercise. I know it's hard to find the time... but when I make the effort, that's when I see the scale moving again. It looks like you're eating very sensibly - so I'd just try to increase your exercise... and make sure you're drinking a lot of water.

JBLady, Congratulations on making this life-changing decision. A few must haves I would recommend: Bean with bacon Soup. (Blended) I think it might be Campbells. It's really good. Gas-X dissolve strips - Helps a lot with the after surgery gas pains. sugar free popsicles and fudgesicles (for different stages) Greek yogurt - It's low fat and very high Protein. Oiko brand has a caramel version that's hard to find, but tastes amazing. These are some of the things that helped me. Good luck!

B-52, Congrats! Doesn't it feel good to ....uh feel good? Hopefully the rest of your journey will go well. Good luck to you.