Rachel412

So far I've just used measuring cups to figure out my food. I know that 4 ounces of meat is about the size of a deck of cards, so when I cook I make up plates in the kitchen and carry them to the table for everyone. That way the food isn't sitting on the table to tempt me I just put different amounts of stuff on my plate. For example Wednesday night I made baked chicken, brown rice, and salad. I used the chicken tender size breast pieces so they're smaller and easier for me to portion out for myself. I put one on my plate and 2 on my kids' plates, 3 on my DH's plate. I got a small spoonful of rice, they all got closer to 1/2 cup. I got a lot more salad than the girls did The funny thing about feeding your family with a AGB is that I always forget to put out glasses for everyone else It doesn't even occur to me to do it anymore!

I usually eat between 800 and 1000 per day, but I have my online tracker set to 1200 calories a day so it's no biggie if I have more. So far it's worked for me, though I have heard plenty of people saying they don't lose unless they take in at least 1200 per day. I like tracking it so I can look and see if I need to tweak things.

I have some good news about breaking up with bread. For me, the fewer carbs I eat, the less I WANT carbs. Really! I'm not just saying it. It's hard the first few days, but after a week of reducing your carbs you really will feel better- less in a fog, less likely to just jam something in your mouth because your body is screaming for more and more carbs. I also know now that if I have a day where I eat more carbs again, it immediately starts the cravings snowballing and I also feel gross by the end of the day. Eating more carbs makes me feel yucky and grumpy, and that feeling makes me want to eat carbs, and on and on. So it's nice to be able to say "oh wait, this is not THE WORST DAY EVER, my whole problem is I ate xyz this morning."

I know that a lot of recently banded people post freaking out because they haven't lost weight since surgery, or have even gained some. I thought maybe a poll of all of would show them that all sorts of different results are normal in that first month, so they don't feel as discouraged and alone!

I know it's heartbreaking, but I promise you, it's very common! Just don't give up. This period is the hardest for most band patients. It WILL come off, your body just had to get used to what you're doing. I'd also try to make sure you're taking in at least 60 grams of protein per day-- I'm not sure how much is in SlimFast shakes, and there's probably very little in the soups you're having.

I didn't have a pre-op diet but my nutritionist says coffee is a no-no so I quit drinking it a day or two before surgery. I had the withdrawal headache along with the dehydration headache when I went into surgery re: decaf, my nutritionist said they don't recommend it either because the issue isn't the caffeine so much as the acids in coffee.

Welcome back to the real world!

You can get Centrum Complete chewables at most drugstores. I've looked for prices online and they don't look any cheaper there. I've been doing a lot of searching online for economical vitamins, but I really haven't come across much other than Centrums or just Flinstone vitamins, which I use now.

no catheter here!

I had to pay 20% too. It's rough, I'm sorry. We saved for a year. Once you hit your $3,500 OOP you shouldn't have to pay any more. I actually ended up paying less than I expected to, but I could never get anyone at the hospital or surgeon's office to give me a price to expect the surgery to cost. As for the financing... no help with that here, I'm afraid. I also had to do the 6 month wait... wonder if we've got the same insurance? Mine's BCBS of PA.

It's different for everyone. My first fill was today, 5 weeks post op, but I was told after this they do fills every 2 weeks- and in 1 week, if I need another, I can ask for it because "you've waited so long since surgery that we allow patients only one week wait after their very first fill." I was thrilled to hear it!

It depends on your doctor... I didn't have any fill in mine, got filled today (5 weeks post-op). I think it's very, very common to feel no restriction in the period between surgery and your first "good" fill. Remember that you're in control of this!

Do you know how much you have total now? I can't believe you had to get poked so much

People don't know the difference between a band and bypass. You say you've had surgery, people expect the weight to fall of f of you, and for us Bandsters that doesn't usually happen. I've worked in places where people were very open about their bands, and when they'd walk away you'd hear "I saw her drink a milkshake yesterday" or "she doesn't look any different" or "my cousin had that and gained it all back". MOST non-banded people don't understand how it works- heck, a lot of banded people don't, either. I have lost 23 pounds in the past 5 weeks by controlling what *I* put in my mouth. No matter what the band does for me, *I* am still the one making my food choices. I think it's wonderful that people are secure telling others! *I* am not.

My first fill is today too! I'll be thinking of you

Oh gosh, I'm so sorry Are you in contact with your surgeon's office at all? I know my office made a big deal of telling me to never be ashamed to come back in and ask for help if I need it- they said sometimes people will start to gain and not want to show their face in the office. Seems like they could help you right now.

The more you lose with a liquid diet pre-surgery, the less you're likely to lose with your post-surgery liquid diet. I say eat while you still can

I'm curious about your personal reasons against the Realize band. Congratulations!

She'll probably be ok. Sore, tired, mind wandering... but if all she needs to do is sit, ok.

I think it's normal because you know what's coming

I've been wondering about you- that's great news! I'm so glad you get to have your body to yourself again. You mentioned being worried about having your ileostomy closed. I just wanted to pipe up and say that my father, due to undiagnosed Crohn's disease that caused his lower intestine to rupture, has had an ostomy bag for 8 years now and he'll have it the rest of his life. He hates it, and I'm sure he'd love the opportunity to go back to "normal" and I'm sure that once you get all of your kinks worked out, you'll be glad too!

I know... which is why I wrote out for you what my typical meals look like... maybe you saw the post before it was finished?

Heck, I can do anything for two weeks. I'm 5 weeks post-op and in "bandster hell" but still following the plan. I've lost 22 in that 5 weeks. I have the willpower to do it all by myself but ONLY because I know those fills are coming and I'll get to a point where I feel satisfied after these small meals. I have NEVER lost more than 30 pounds on any diet.

Was it this one? http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

For creams, I use athlete's foot when I get that type of soreness/rash under my boobs. It kills the yeasties. Also, please don't feel bad about asking for help. It's not gross, it's a fact of life for so many of us-- and you're working to fix it. Good for you!