TracieR

Wow you're doing awesome!!! I still feel hunger from time to time but I've heard that's somewhat normal. I didn't start feeling hunger until these last few days. It's nothing like before surgery though. I don't think I can do purée yet, but I'm going to call and find out for sure because I really want to move on to purée. I've been feeling hungry as well. I also seem to have no problems drinking Water or protein shakes. I'm a little worried about this. I hope this works for me! Good Luck!!

Got home yesterday at about 4:30pm. Slept the rest of The day. Today has been up and down. Been experiencing pretty bad heartburn this evening so far. I ate a little cream of wheat and a small protein shake. I've also been sipping water all day. Other than the heartburn I feel ok just sore. Hopefully tomorrow I feel better. Hope everyone is doing well!

I found these at my grocery store.

I am going to start the Whole30 program on Monday. My husband and I are going to do it together - he is not banded. I was just wondering if anyone on here has done the program before? Here is an excerpt from the website: What is the Whole30®? Certain food groups (like sugar, grains, dairy and legumes) could be having a negative impact on your health and fitness without you even realizing it. Are your energy levels inconsistent or non-existent? Do you have aches and pains that can’t be explained by over-use or injury? Are you having a hard time losing weight no matter how hard you try? Do you have some sort of condition (like skin issues, digestive ailments, seasonal allergies or fertility issues) that medication hasn’t helped? These symptoms may be directly related to the foods you eat – even the “healthy” stuff. So how do you know if (and how) these foods are affecting you? Strip them from your diet completely. Cut out all the psychologically unhealthy, hormone-unbalancing, gut-disrupting, inflammatory food groups for a full 30 days. Let your body heal and recover from whatever effects those foods may be causing. Push the “reset” button with your metabolism, systemic inflammation, and the downstream effects of the food choices you’ve been making. Learn once and for all how the foods you’ve been eating are actually affecting your day to day life, and your long term health. The most important reason to keep reading? This will change your life. We cannot possibly put enough emphasis on this simple fact – the next 30 days will change your life. It will change the way you think about food, it will change your tastes, it will change your habits and your cravings. It could, quite possibly, change the emotional relationship you have with food, and with your body. It has the potential to change the way you eat for the rest of your life. We know this because we did it, and tens of thousands of people have done it since, and it changed our lives (and their lives) in a very permanent fashion. (Need convincing? Just read some of our stunning testimonials.)

Interesting thought! I've been thinking about doing that as well as cutting dairy to see if it helps with my infertility. I guess this could go hand and hand! Thanks for taking the time to respond!

I used a heating pad to help with the pain. You can also try gas x. For me staying on top of the pain meds was what helped the most the first week post op. Good Luck!

It really depends on you and your band. I am really tight in the mornings so my breakfast is usually a protein shake or a yogurt. I could never tolerate eggs in the morning. I am 2 years out and even when I didn't have a lot of restriction I am still unable to eat red meat. So it really is a matter of trial and error. As the last poster said take small bites and chew, chew, chew. Some people have success using smaller forks and spoons to help with bite sizes. Good Luck to you!!

Banded 2 years ago. Lost 125lbs in first year. Put back 30 of it in last 6 months. I have no excuses just let bad habits creep in and stopped working out. Today I went and got a fill the first time in a long while. Today is a new beginning...

You are right, I need to take ownership of what I eat. I am going to check out my fitness pal. Thanks so much!

Crunchy carbs (chips, cookies, popcorn) are all sliders for me. Almost 2 years out I can't eat chicken breast only thighs and never breaded no matter how small my bites are.

I just need to vent this morning. Usually I am pretty positive about things, but this morning I can't help my pathetic pity party. Beware! I started this whole journey to get healthy and to give my son a sibling. I lost a lot of weight still losing...Everyone kept telling me be careful while you are losing you could get pregnant right away. Well, not the case for me. We still can't get pregnant. It is so frustrating. i'm eating healthy, taking Vitamins, exercising. I know i need to give it more time but I am just so tired of everything being difficult. I feel like I have to fight and struggle for everything in my life. It is just not fair and I am tired of it!!! We went to see a fertility doctor this week. Tomorrow I go for an HSG test to see if my tubes are clear. I am so worried about this. I am just an emotional wreck and needed to vent and complain this morning. Please, please don't comment "at least you have one". I know I am incredibly lucky to have my son but it does not diminish the feelings I have. Anyone ever have the HSG test done before? How long after you lost the bulk of your excess weight did you get pregnant?

Hi - Yes my husband has been tested! All looks good!!

I buy underwear and suck me in thingys (technical terms) at Walmart. I am a size 18 now and able to buy XXL. My store has a pretty good selection. I wear those "underwear up to your bra" everyday. For me it is necessary everyday because of my hanging stomach. I am used to it now and they are pretty comfortable.

I am almost a year and a half out and I still weigh myself everyday. I only record it once a week on Thursday's. I figure avoiding the scale is what got me to almost 400lbs. It works for me. You are doing awesome - 13lbs in 9 days is amazing. Good luck to you!

Walking to break it up, a heating pad and pain meds were the only thing that helped me get through it! Good luck!

I lost 16 my first week. I agree that the more you have to lose the more you lose in the beginning. My doctor thought it was fine and it definitely slowed way down after that. Definitely check with your Dr. to make sure but otherwise keep it up!

I have been banded one year and still want to lose 70~lbs. but I am so happy with where I am. I am now able to get down and up off the floor to play with my son without having to brace myself. I flew in February and fit comfortably in the seat and the seatbelt - my husband actually got to use his arm rest!! I don't have to worry about the booths anymore, I fit in them with room to spare. I actually have displayed a few photographs of myself with my family around and I don't mind looking at them!! I look forward to getting dressed up for things not dreading how uncomfortable I will feel. Last night I wore a size 14 nightgown - down from a 26 merely a year ago. My period has been regular for months which means maybe we can have another baby soon without all the complications I had with my son due to my weight! Thanks for the post! I hope all of your NSV's happen for you!!

Restriction is not feeling like you are going to throw up. When you have good restriction, it will limit the amount of food you can eat, making you feel satisified after a small portion for a longer period of time. With restriction you will have to eat slower and chew really well. Otherwise you will get stuck which will make you feel like you have to throw up to get rid of the food stuck from passing through your band. I hope that helps you understand the difference between restriction and being stuck.

Your swelling is subsiding. So you don't have as much restriction as you did from the surgery. Once you start getting fills it will help getting some restriction back. I got restriction with my first fill, for others it can take multiple fills. This is where your willpower has to kick in. Follow your doctors rules and take it one day at a time. You can do it!!

I had my surgery last year on 3/8 and within 5 days I had my period really bad! Horrible cramping and all that comes along with it. My surgeon said that it was relatively normal after surgery. I would call the doctor if you are concerned though because as you know everyone's experience is completely different! Good Luck to you!!

Hi Everyone! I am looking for new ideas to get my Protein in during the day. I am always struggling to get enough. What are your "go to" sources of protein? Any favorite recipes to share? Thanks so much!!

YAY! I'm so happy for you! sounds like a lot of things have changed in a short time for you!! It is an amazing journey! Thanks for posting this it helps me stay motivated reading things like this. Congratulations!!!

Ask your doctor! I've done the Insanity dvds but waited until my doctor gave me clearance which was like 6 weeks after but all doctors are different. On the other hand, those insanity dvds really kick my but and make me sweat like nothing else. Good luck!

I don't feel like a fraud because while my band helps with portion size it does not restrict the type of food I choose. That is all me. I am working harder than I have ever worked in my life and I am going to take all the accolades that come with it! I also tell everyone that asks about my weight loss about my built in willpower (my band) It helps me be more accountable and I try to educate them on wls. You are doing awesome! Enjoy it because YOU earned it!