NJGirl32

A lot of people on this forum mention eating Greek Yogurt and I was curious as to how it's different than reguar yogurt> My friend has a fittness instructor who recommends it and I am watching the Nate Berkus show and they are saying it makes the skin better. I checked it out in the supermarket and it is not that low in calories (compared to Dannon light), So what's the deal with GY anyway? How does it taste? Should I try it?

You will still enjoy food, but it no longer will be the center of your life.

Welcome to the land of the Bandsters!! You did it!! Wishing you a speedy recovery with no gas!!

I can't imagine passing on a fill!! I am almost looking forward to food getting stuck or PBing so I can know that the band is actually working!! lol I'm sick I know!

Hope some of you can give a Bandster Hell gal some hope! I won't have my first fill for another 3 weeks. I read that it can take several fills to feel something. Did anyone get good restriction with their first fil? Did it help with your appetite at all? How many weeks did you have to wait until your 2nd fill?

Okay, I'll play! I still have a lonnng road to go, but here are some things I wish I knew: I wihs I knew the for at least the first 2 months I would be dieting on my own without restriction. (it can take several fills) I thought I had my BIG last supper before surgery-but I could eat the same amount of food now without a probem I aso wish I had tried Totally Lean GNC Swiss Choc protein shake before I spent money on all those crappy tasting shakes I wish I could be better with mushies but they simply don't fill me enough-I add a little more then mushies to my diet (still being good though) I wish I knew that I would barey see my surgeon at al! HE is SO busy and the visits go so quick! I wish I knew the weight was going to come off A LOT slower than I thought! With al that being said I canhonestly say that I am looking forward to this journey. I can't wait to lose weight!!

My stitches are still there-a least part of them and I am 2 weeks post surgery! They are suppose to dissove or falout on their own. My doc said he woud take them out if they are stil there next week. I can't complain too much thogh because my incisions look pretty good

Oh I am SO glad to hear that! I am hoping I can feel a difference after my first fill!!! I was worried that it might not make a difference at all. Do you get filled with a lot less? Right now I can eat ANYTHING!

I toitally understand-but you have lost a lot so far! I feel the same way-if I am eating so much less then before surgery why am I not losing more? I have been stuck at the same weight lost ! It is frustrating and I would get a fill for 3 weeks! I know, I know, it's all about healing-but come on! Then to read that for some people it takes several fills to feel that "just right" feeling is frustrating. I can't wait unitl the fills start happening!

LOL!!! I think I'd faint if my DH ever cleaned the floor! That was a good day for you in more ways than one!

Ask how they manage pain after surgery just so you know. I also asked for my note to be out of work so I didn't forget (yes, I need a note to be out). You might want to ask how long you'll have to wait for a fill. maybe what to do for gas pains? I asked what time should I expect to be discharged. Don't be nervous it will be fine!! Don't forget you ipod-I couldn't read after surgey and I got sleepy watching TV. Good luck!!!!

I totally agree with SPOT's comment...I mean really who says sh*t like that? I think the dieting might be making her cranky. And we ARE doing it the old fashion way-dieting, drinking water, and excercising. Getting skinny is the BEST revenge!! lol

I am almost 2 weeks and still have some swelling, but it's going down. I think by week 3 I'll be fine!

I had a bowl of Italian Wedding Soup -added a few dollops of LF ricotta cheese for extra protein. It was delicious!

They say it can take a few fills-hang in there!!! It sucks really bad when you don't lose but a plateau can be overcome!!

I am the same way-if I didn't lose I don't want to get on that scale!! The secret is to keep refocusing and having dialogues with yourself! You'll have days you feel fat and days you feel like your losing weight-the trick is to make the losing days more often then the gaining days

Wow!! That's awesome- I can only hope that I will be able to report the same in 2 months time! How many fills did you need to feel control over your eating?

Great job!!!! That gives me hope!

I am hoping this icreases my sex drive if anything!

Yes, the pain pump is for the hospital-they aren't goingto let you walk out of there attached to a morphine drip! lol And it goes into your IV. No drains of any sort on this surgery!

Your pouch is fine-don't worry! I am in the same boat. I feel like I never even had surgery (appetite-wise). I pretty much resigned myself to the fact that I will be dieting 'On my own" for the first 2 months unless my first fill magically does the trick. It seems it could take a couple of fills to get it right. It is a difficult period of time "Bandster Hell" indeed. I'll tell you what works for me. I have set times I eat and I can't eat unless it's that time. I eat at 8am (before work). 1pm-lunch, 6pm dinner, and then I have a big snack at 9. You could program snacks like jello or yogurt if you want. Having set times really helped me. Let us know how your first fill goes-I will be VERY curious to know if it helped with your hunger. Don't forget you might be on shakes for 1 day after. Good luck to you!

On week two I could eat Peanut Butter, have ricotta cheese (LF) in my soup, and here are some other options (keep in mind you won't be able to have all these yet-but most! : Fish Most fish fillets or steaks are about 22 grams of Protein for 3 ½ oz (100 grams) of cooked fish, or 6 grams per ounce Tuna, 6 oz can - 40 grams of protein (use 3oz fo 20 grams) eggs and Dairy Egg, large - 6 grams protein Milk, 1 cup - 8 grams Cottage cheese, ½ cup - 15 grams Yogurt, 1 cup – usually 8-12 grams, check label Soft cheeses (Mozzarella, Brie, Camembert) – 6 grams per oz Medium cheeses (Cheddar, Swiss) – 7 or 8 grams per oz Hard cheeses (Parmesan) – 10 grams per oz Beans (including soy) Tofu, ½ cup 20 grams protein Tofu, 1 oz, 2.3 grams Soy milk, 1 cup - 6 -10 grams Most beans (black, pinto, lentils, etc) about 7-10 grams protein per half cup of cooked beans Soy beans, ½ cup cooked – 14 grams protein Split peas, ½ cup cooked – 8 grams Nuts and Seeds Peanut butter, 2 Tablespoons - 8 grams protein Almonds, ¼ cup – 8 grams Peanuts, ¼ cup – 9 grams Cashews, ¼ cup – 5 grams Pecans, ¼ cup – 2.5 grams Sunflower seeds, ¼ cup – 6 grams pumpkin seeds, ¼ cup – 8 grams Flax seeds – ¼ cup – 8 grams

You don't have to tell your employers what kind of surgery it is -just say it's personal. You need proper time to heal. My doc said no driving for 5 days and no heavy lifting. Everyone recovers differently, but you will be sore for at least a week. You'll have stiches too-so you don't wantto lift things and risk popping them open. I am almost 2 weeks past surgery and some of my stitches are still in. Plus you don't have a surgery date yet-you are assuming that it will be right away and that's not always the case. Some people have to wait 6 months for insurance reasons and your doctor may not have an opening any time soon. I am wondering if it would be better to have it done when you are goingto school, since you won't be working. If school means sitting in a classroom-you could do that much sooner and then you won't have to worry about lifting-plus school might be more understanding about you just having surgery (just a thought). Good luck!

If you are just starting out I would advise you to do a lot of research. Definitely go to the seminar. Get the book "Bandwagon" which is pretty informative. It's time to put yourself first. If you keep giving and giving without replenishing yourself you just get very drained and burn yourself out. It's nver too late to turn your life completely around and take the wheel and steer it in a new direction. You owe this to yourself and you CAN do this! Best of luck on your journey!

Okay-so I guess I REALLy do have an empty band! Oh, yes I have read about those blessed people who nevered needed a fill and how I really hoped I would be one of the chosen few-butthe monster reared it's ugly head this weekend. I had control-but it wasn't easy. My meals aren't keeping me full. I look at it this way-I am dieting on my own for now, but it won't be forever! One day at a time and one week at a time! I guess this is what the call Bandster Hell. I can get through it though...I know I can!