TracieR

I am in West Islip! Where are you?

I love my nutribullet! I have really gotten into the green smoothies to get my veggie intake up. I even got my husband hooked (non banded) and he replaced the smoothie with his morning coffee!

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!!

What is your other option? At least by taking the steps to have the surgery you are giving your self the opportunity to be successful. If you don't have the surgery what is your plan to be successful? For me it was a risk worth taking... and it paid off. 100 lbs down. Some slips and falls along the way and a long way to go to my goal but I am slowly getting there with a lot of hard work. Be ready to work hard and you will be successful. If you think the band will do all the work then you will fail. Follow your surgeons advice and move your body. Good Luck!!

I still get it 2 years out when I overeat. It is definitely my "tell" when I overdid it. You eat too much your stomach (or something) irritates the phrenic(or vagus) nerve in your diaphragm and refers to your shoulder. Weird, I know but totally normal part of being banded. Moving and time is the only thing that works for me! Good Luck!!

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...

Do you have stairs? I started out going up and down my stairs. It is a pretty tough workout. Also, I use a lot of the free workout shows on my cable tv when I can't make it to the gym. They have all different ones even yoga. Good Luck!

Thanks for the feedback. My nutritionist is aware. I agree with the fact that our body needs all those things but in a natural way. So I will be getting sugars, carbs and all that my body needs from natural unprocessed sources ie. fruits, vegetables. My band has helped with my hunger and portion size. Now I am trying to be healthy. Losing weight and cutting portions do not necessarily mean you are eating the best for your body. I am down over 120lbs and am working on eating to be healthy and strong not just to lose weight.

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.)

I agree. I remember reading a post when I first got banded that said "I am still able to eat 3 pieces of pizza, why?". Why on earth would you try to eat pizza? I can't imagine that being part of your post op diet. I had success at the beginning because I followed the instructions and now am gaining weight because I am not. Easy (or hard) as that!.

Try miralax...it helped me tremendously after surgery. Walk, walk, walk. The more you move the quicker you will get rid of all that gas inside of you, which sounds like is the cause of your discomfort. Gas x didn't work for me...but does work for some so worth a try. Best wishes as you start your new life!!

My port is a little to the right, below my chest bone. I never really feel it and i sleep on my stomach. I have never felt my band before...I forget about it mostly unless I eat too fast!

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

They put me in two gowns, one forward, one backward. I avoided bringing much with me and didn't need anything anyway. Good luck!

Totally normal! If you have done your research and gotten this far you have made your decision. Just cold feet. It is definitely the hardest thing I have ever done. I have worked harder the last two years than I ever had. I wouldn't change a thing though, it also one of the best things I have done for myself! You can do it! Follow your doctors rules and get moving! Best wishes to you!

Well first off, Congrats on the weight loss! So exciting! Could you be dehydrated? I get headaches when I am dehydrated. If your are too tight then maybe you are not getting enough fluids. I always say if you are not sure why not call your doctor and ask. Good luck!

Did your surgeon give you clearance to exercise? My doctor gave me the ok to exercise with no restrictions at 8 weeks post op. Ask your doctor!

I haven't been on here in a while. I guess it is because I know if I check in here I will be faced with what I am doing wrong. I have gained 30lbs. OMG! I am embarrassed to even write that. But it is what it is. It all started with bad habits creeping back in but I was still working out so my weight stayed at a plateau. Then I had a small procedure on my leg and I couldn't work out for 4 weeks. Well that was it . Stopped working out and 4 weeks turned into 8. Then I had every excuse in the world, It is the holidays, I have to work late, the sky is blue. You know how it goes. So here I sit more than 4 months later. I started back at the gym last week. My legs were so sore. Worse than when I first started at 372lbs. I work out with a trainer 3 mornings a week. I was in so much pain I almost didn't go back. Well I went back this morning and talked to him about it and we focused on arms and cardio. I will be in pain but it is worth it. I will get back 3 mornings this week. I'm also going to focus on the positive. I went to the gym this morning. I'm drinking a protein drink. I drank a lot of water. I started. Today I will vow to eat well. I am starting off my Monday healthy. I'm proud of myself in general but I am also proud of myself because we are going on a cruise next Sunday. In my mind I was thinking, oh just start when you get back. But I didn't I started. I am back and I will be proud of the little things. I one step at a time. This is not a diet! This is my life! I'll be back....Have a great week!

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.

2-3 days for me in NY. I love unjury - only the chocolate splendor. I think it tastes almost like chocolate milk. I believe you can only get it online. I have a glass of it mixed with skim milk every night! I also like Click Espresso Protein Drink in Mocha. I have one every morning in place of my coffee. It is good hot or cold (almost like a frappucino). I add some sugar free caramel syrup to sweeten it up. I guess you can tell I have a sweet tooth!! HAHA!!

First off - the band is the best thing I have ever done for myself! I waited until I was 35 to have it done and I wish I would have done it years earlier. It is a lot of hard work but if you know that going in you will do great! I told myself you are putting your life at risk by having surgery - you can not fail at this! That kept me going, I made up my mind that I would not fail. My success has come from good food choices and most of all from EXERCISE! I started at 371lbs and worked out 4 days a week from the moment I got clearance from my doctor. I still have a ways to go but after a year and a half I am no longer always the fattest girl in the room, I can get down and up off the floor without a struggle and I can walk into the gym and not feel embarrassed!! (I am even a regular at the 5:45am spin class!! If you told my fat self that fact -she would have called you delusional!) As for your friend, if she truly is only playing devil's advocate then just be frank with her. Tell her that you have researched this thoroughly and you are going to do this and you really need her support to be successful. If that doesn't do it then I would move on. If she is truly a great friend she will support you when you tell her your mind is made up! Best wishes to you! It truly is an amazing journey that you are about to begin!

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

Hi Everyone - just wanted to update! All my tests have come back "normal". Hormones, tubes, ovulating normally. But no baby, so I took some time off. Enjoyed the time with my family and I am back. Just started a round of clomid and will do an IUI this month. I am keeping my fingers crossed! Hope all of you are doing well!

I would give it another day on liquids or soft foods and then see. But if you are unsure or uncomfortable call your doctor!! Good Luck!

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.