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The BEST bars I have come across are Quest protein bars. You can typically only get them online (they are sold in very few stores) but in my opinion are SO worth the money. Once you find a free shipping code, they balance out to be about $2/bar. They are made of real ingredients. Some bars are made with sucralose (splenda) and there is a new "all natural" line that is made with stevia and erythritol. They are SO SO yummy!!!!

I am looking for any suggestions for what to eat for breakfast besides shakes and eggs! Eggs have started to give me problems and I'm bummed bc it's such an easy source of protein, but I pb every time now. Any ideas? Thanks!!

I like plain greek yogurt. I sweeten it up with a few drops of liquid stevia, then add some fresh fruit and sometimes a pinch of cereal. It's great! I do love the fage 0% ones with the mix in, but I only get those once in a while because of the sugar.

PB stands for Productive Burp and sliming is not short for anything, it's just sliming. When something gets stuck while you're eating, you start sliming. It's a mucousy "slime" that's the result of an influx of the enzyme used to break down your food because it's trying to get rid of it. Sometimes the slime helps get it down, but sometimes it comes back up, which brings us to the PB. If the sliming doesn't get the food down, then it will come back up, which is what people are referring to as a productive burp. It's not quite like vomiting, but it is a regurgitation of the food, and the slime will come up with the food. <when sliming happens, I wouldn't really say that you can feel it happening, but you do feel a thick mucous in the back of your throat> Hopefully whatever was stuck will become dislodged and then you will fee MUCH better. When you are stuck it is a very uncomfortable feeling and it's like someone is sitting on you/you're having a heart attack. I didn't experience being stuck stuck until my third fill (6 cc's in a 10 cc band). I just have to make sure I chew my meat up before swallowing. The old habit of inhaling food or starting off eating fast because of being super hungry CAN NOT happen anymore. I have had to consciously think about slowing down my eating and chewing more.

I'm am struggling with the same thing right now! I am trying so hard to stick to three protein filled meals, but sometimes I over eat or graze! It's a problem!! lol The other part of my problem is that right now I'm staying at someone else's house for the week and they keep LOTS of food here! In my home, I only keep exactly what I'm eating for the week (for the most part) and no snack food. It keeps me from going crazy with eating and eliminates my snacking. So maybe remove temptation?

hmm I would say I'm about 40-50 pounds away from goal...doesn't feel that close! lol 190 isn't doing it for me!

I feel like I've been stuck around 190 since my fill almost 2 weeks ago!!! This is out of the norm for me. I usually lose 1-2 pounds/wk, but am at a stand still! Any suggestions?

I feel like I've been stuck around 190 since my fill almost 2 weeks ago!!! This is out of the norm for me. I usually lose 1-2 pounds/wk, but am at a stand still! Any suggestions?

If you make food or certain foods "bad" you will eventually binge on them. It's cake. Everything in MODERATION. It looks like you're doing great. Take a deep breath and realize you're okay. You're not going to gain all of your weight back from 2 pieces of cake. The all or nothing mindset will kill you in the long run.

It sounds like you might be a little too tight if you are unable to tolerate "good for you" foods. You should be able to eat solid proteins. Maybe a slight unfil? I would talk with your doctor

I was in the water shortly after my surgery because I am a swim instructor. I used the waterproof bandaids and they worked great

Sometimes (and this will sound crazy) you need to up your calories to get the scale to move. Play around for a few days and try adding 50-100 calories to see if that helps you. The body needs fuel or else it starts to break down your lean muscle mass.

you must read www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.com !!!! She has so many awesome protein recipes for COFFEE protein shakes! The protein powder is called Click!

not to brag but I'm at 202 as of this morning and very excited!! Keep up the good work guys!

Sometimes once you get the band (self-pay), the insurance won't cover anything having to do with it sadly even for removal. you'd have to call...

I was told they wanted me to lose 5% of my weight before surgery. They feel that those who lose weight before surgery have better overall success losing weight after. 10% might feel like a lot, but let's say you're 250lbs, that's only 25lbs. A lot of surgeons require a 2 week (or 1) liquid protein shake diet before surgery to reduce the liver. So many people drop weight like hotcakes when they do this. I started at 230 and lost 9lbs in my 2wk liquid diet. If you have one year to do this, I think you can do it without being drastic. OR if you wanted to do it fast, I'd suggest the liquid diet. The only other thing is that most surgeons don't want to see a weight gain before surgery, so you'd kind of have to plan that out...or if it's just for insurance approval, go liquid.

I personally love any of the EAS (makers of myoplex) shakes. They come pre-made and you can get a 4 pack at Target for $4.99. It sounds expensive, but that's the cheapest I've been able to find them. The EAS CardAdvantage shakes are 110 calories with 17g's of protein for the perfect small meal or snack. The Myoplex Light Shakes are good too, but are 170 cals with 20g's of protein, 2g fat, and 20g carbs. I love the strawberry the best. It's like drinking strawberry milk! I'm not a big chocolate person, so I've never tried it, but the vanilla is good too! I personally hate muscle milk light (sorry sweetbaker! lol). In my opinion they have an awful syrup-y taste that I can NOT get past.

Why did you get the lapband if you didn't want to do the work? In all seriousness (not even saying it to be rude) but didn't you know that it would take an effort on your part? It's like saying you want to get all A's just for showing up to school...not going to happen right? You have to do the work to earn your grade. Yes, we would all love for the weight to just fall off, but for 9 out of 10 it takes time. My advice is start simple. If you want Mcdonalds, then budget it into your calories for the day. Counting calories isn't very hard, but it will take a little effort on your part. Once you begin to do it, it will become a habit and you'll have things memorized. And as far as working out goes, why not start with walking? Do something that your body can handle and something that you can build upon. You could start off by walking for 15 minutes then just add a minute or a few every week or so.

I just want to say this...don't be discouraged if it starts off S-L-O-W. You haven't done anything wrong, you're not failing, but it sucks. It's just the time between surgery and your first fill where you will drop slowly. But be encouraged! It will get better!!! After my first fill I've been losing abt 2-3 lbs/wk

just ate some delicious pancakes! They are super easy and yummy!! I used 4 egg whites and 1/4c of oatmeal. Blend these together (I did it in magic bullet) and added some frozen mixed berries and a dash of cinnamon. You could add 1 packet of splenda or truvia to sweeten it up a little. They are thin and cook up fast, but are so good! I sprayed with some I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spray and 2 tbsp of sugarfree syrup.

It's only been three days....give your body time to adjust to working out!

Chewable Gas-X should give you a little bit of relief, but the best thing you can do is WALK WALK WALK! Be sure to get the chewable, not the strips bc the chewable have more simethicone which will give you more relief.

The best thing you can do it walk. I walked all night after my surgery because I couldn't sleep due to the gas pain. If you are going to buy Gas-X, buy the chewables, NOT the strips. The strips only have like 62g of simethicone while the chewables have abt 125g. You're def going to want the higher dose!

It will get better even though it feels like you're never going to make it! My surgery is Tuesday and now I wake up not hungry and have to force myself to have a shake. I promise it will get easier!! You could have chicken broth or sf jello in between. The shakes that I had to drink are called Bariatric Fusion and I have to drink 4/day (I mix with 8oz milk). It helps when you mix a shake with ice to give it more volume. Also if you have not tried PB2, I highly suggest it!! It's powdered peanut butter (they remove all the oil so all the bad stuff is gone). You can change your plain chocolate shake into peanut butter chocolate deliciousness! Use 1tbsp and your liquid diet will be forever changed. You can order it online from bellplantation.com

You guys are so lucky!!! I'm doing 2 weeks of only protein shakes! I'm not allowed anything else besides chicken broth, crystal light, and sugar free jello. I have to drink 4 shakes/day and it's getting old fast!