Rachel412

I often remind myself that it's healthier to lose slow and try not to be annoyed by it. Good luck on lowering your carbs, and report back!

I've heard that from lots of people, especially people in my support group! One of them was suggesting chicken made in the crock pot because it stays moist, but others said it didn't matter how the chicken was made, they couldn't ever get it down. Seems like chicken and bread are the "worst" offenders for sticking and PBing.

Ideally I'd aim for 50g carbs a day, but realistically I fluctuate between 50-100. Seems to work for me, at least for now.

My exercise routine won't help you much, but you may want to see what I eat in a day... when I get up- 2 cups of hot chai with splenda, take my vitamins/fiber/calcium breakfast- 1 container of Greek yogurt (6. oz) with 1/4 cup of Kashi GoLean mixed in (high Protein, high fiber) lunch- 3 oz. can of chicken mixed with 1 tbsp. low-fat mayo, and celery salt, on a low carb, high protein wrap/tortilla, usually with either a cheese stick or a serving of almonds on the side "snack"- I drink more chai if I feel hungry or like I just want to put something in my mouth. If that doesn't help, a cheese stick does. dinner- tonight I had 4 ounces of bbq brisket with sauce, maybe 1/2 cup coleslaw, and a bite of my husband's cornbread. If I'm cooking at home it'll be 4 ounces of whatever meat I cook for the family, and a side of veggies or salad. dessert- I have Skinny Cow ice cream bars in my freezer that I tell myself I can have every night. Oddly enough, the fact that I can have them seems to keep me from eating them. I've only had 2 or 3 from the box in the past month. I hope that helps...

Soup is considered food. Anything you'd get served in a cup, or ask for a straw with, is a drink.

How much food do you eat before you feel satisfied?

Sounds like you did a GREAT job!

YES you are rushing it. I can't imagine anyone having much energy 4 days after surgery. It took me 2 weeks to feel "normal" again.

Alcohol? Yes, they're OK in moderation. Some (most?) surgeons advise you to avoid carbonated drinks though. And alcohol may hit you a lot harder/faster post-surgery.

You need a diet plan? Did your surgeon not provide you with one? I know a lot of us follow slightly different rules than each other but this post from the founder of this board lays it out pretty well: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/56083-continued-well-being-with-the-lap-band-system/ My surgeon says to eat 4 oz. lean Protein, then up to a cup of veggies, THEN up to a half cup of whole grain if you're still hungry. And yes, exercising five times a week is a great plan!

Hi Ashanti! I would call your doctor's office and ask his front desk staff if he allows you to go to a different support group instead, and if so, where and when. It's really going to depend on the doctor, he might be OK scheduling your surgery with just your promise that you WILL attend the two support group meetings. By the way... I learn a lot from those meetings at my surgeon's office. They seem like a drag but it's nice to meet real people who have had the surgery and know what you're feeling. Welcome to the board, I hope you stick around!

It's really going to depend on how swollen you are. The more swollen, the less you'll be able to drink. Ideally you should sip, sip, sip liquids all day long. It's easy to get dehydrated in that first week, especially if you're sleeping a lot. As the swelling goes down your sips will be able to turn into swallows and soon you'll be drinking like normal.

you tell 'em sister!

"Restriction" is a misnomer- when you're at a "sweet spot" you should be able to feel full with a cup of food, and stay full for 4-5 hours. You shouldn't be getting stuck or having to resort to liquids or mushy foods for every meal. Hope this helps, it helped me: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

My current goal weight, which is what my ticker counts down to, is 199. I have NO CLUE what I'll look or feel like at that weight... so my plan is to re-assess from there when I get there. In general I think BMI is a load of hooey, and I think it's a good general guideline but I know that if I was at 159 my BMI would be 24.9, "normal", but I have such a hard time believing that would be a healthy weight on my frame. Here's a BMI calculator: http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

Call your doctor. Your port should NOT move, you shouldn't have constant heartburn.

You CAN do it! Remind yourself that many, many people have to do the liquid diet for TWO WEEKS. I challenge you to do your diet for 5 days with no cheating. Beyond all the reasons your surgeon told you, here's my biggest motivator- because if you do it you will be so proud of yourself. And that pride will help when you're post-surgery and trying to learn your new eating habits. i.e. "if I could stay on a liquid diet for five days before the band, I know I can say no to that bag of chips/caramel macchiato/tub of Ben & Jerry's/fried chicken!"

I'm a little worried for you. If you don't know what you're doing, do you like to read? I'd suggest the book Bandwagon. It's a big book and it's worth every penny. You have to let your stomach heal because 1) you probably have stitched around your band that encase it with your stomach- sort of like making a sleeve in your stomach for the band to sit in. This helps the band stay in place. 2) The band is new to your stomach and needs to settle in to where it's supposed to be. If you're eating normal good again, you could "knock" the band out of place (for lack of a better term). You need to control your eating now because this is the hardest part of being banded, but it's not going to get easier for you any time soon. Most people don't feel the band working (which means you're not hungry for 4-5 hours after a small meal) until they've had 3 or 4 fills, which will probably be at least a couple of months away for you. THIS IS THE HARD PART. We all have to go through it. If you eat normally now, you're going to have it much, much harder once you start getting fills. Did your surgeon give you any aftercare directions beyond what you should eat? Do you have a post-op appointment?

It's only 5 days, well 4 now... remind yourself plenty of people have to do it for TWO WEEKS. If they can do it so can you.

Well, it's "normal" just like a band slip, or erosion is normal... it's happened before, but it's not a good thing and it's not supposed to happen.

Yep, sounds like you're too tight.

Yes, it still happens even when the band is stitched into place. It's another good reason to keep your band from getting too tight- too tight leads to vomiting, leads to slipping.

That is NOT good. It should be stitched or hooked in place and not moving. Call your surgeon!

Sounds like you're doing fine! Remember your hunger probably WILL come back as you get closer to your first fill. If you get used to eating the small portions now, you'll do so much better with your band. Keep on rocking that band!

How long will your doctor be out of the country for? Seems like most surgeons require 2 weeks in between fills. YES, people do get a fill that doesn't seem to "kick in" for 12, 13 days.