LB4Me

If you cannot follow your doctor's instructions 2 days after surgery, you are going to have a hard time with the band. Even though diffferent surgeons have different rules, there are rules for a reason. The first being proper healing.

If you cannot follow your doctor's instructions 2 days after surgery, you are going to have a hard time with the band. Even though diffferent surgeons have different rules, there are rules for a reason. The first being proper healing.

Grandma - my first stuck episode was also mindlessly popping a deviled egg into my mouth. Never again. I still sometimes eat to fast, but then my band does something to remind me. Unfortunately, i do not think I will ever be one of those that eats really slow. But I am very careful to take small bites and chew, chew, chew.

Hang in there guys, it will get easier! I honestly can't believe how fast the first year went for me.

Try low fat refried Beans with some pureed salsa mixed in to make them looser. You can add a bit of low fat sour cream as well. I also made a mock lasagna by microwaving jarred Pasta Sauce with some low fat riccota cheese and some mozzerella. Very good. You can eat yogurt as long as it is smooth, no fruit chunks. Cook cauliflower florets in chicken broth until very soft. Mash with a little low fat sour cream and parm.

There is a big misconception that you're not supposed to be able to eat breads, or throw up when you eat too much, or that not being able to eat hardly anything is normal. It's not normal, and it's not how it's supposed to be with the band. The problem is, many people assume just because liquids stay down they're not too tight. You can be too tight and still able to swallow liquids.
The band is meant to be a tool not deprive you and starve you. Yes some do have issues and aren't too tight, but the majority ARE too tight and just don't realize it because they incorrectly think it's the norm.
I have lost 62 pounds in 3 months since being banded. I can eat anything I want, I've never thrown up, and I'm very satisfied with a cup of food or less. I have had 3 fills and am definitely in the Green Zone. If I got another fill and suddenly couldn't eat bread anymore, or starting throwing up, or found I could only eat a 1/4 cup of food I'd consider myself over-filled and have some removed.

The thing is, youre not really correct in expecting weight loss you couldnt achieve reasonably on your own. It wont usually be any faster or more spe tacular. Youre averaging the expected 2lb per week. Where the band really helps is keeping that loss going ALL the way down to goal and keeping it off, rather than losing that 24lb, running out of steam and putting on 30! Tha band does not alter your body, cause malabsorption or make weight loss miraculous, it simply makes ordinary weight loss easier to achieve.

Wow! Great job.

I HATE Whiners....I can't stand people who cry and say "I can't do this" I can see right through people who "Make excuses"
I did not have this surgery so I could go on another diet. The Dr. told me if I have this surgery, it will "Change My Life" forever, and take away many,
if no all, the medical problems I have.
I expect nothing short of this!!! And have acheived it!
People whine saying what do you mean, I'll never be able to eat this or that again??? What do you want...being skinny or your comfort food.
If my Dr. told me, in order to have 100% success, I would have to eat bread and Water for 6 months, I still would have asked "Where do I get in line?"
It took me 13 months to reach my goal. There are many foods I will never, and really don't want to eat anymore. No more family barbecue "Pig Outs"
No more "All you can eat Buffets"
I didn't cry and whimper when I got stuck. I took it as CHANGE and learned to live with and around it....changing ME not the band.
I can now walk in public, wear a bathing suit, do yard work shirtless, buy normal clothes in a regular store and look good.
I read here on LBT everyday from people, and they talk as though they have come to a cross roads in their lap band journey, have to make a decision,
and they BACK DOWN instead of sucking it up and moving forward.
It's a free world, everyone chooses how to run their own life. Just don't come back here a year from now and say the "Band does not work".

LB4me, I'm not a vegetarian but those sound yummy and am going to try them.

Is my husband living in your house?

OK Jen, please tell us, if you are not going to eat animal Protein, fat or starches what are you going to eat?
For the record animal Protein is healthy and is one of the things most band Dr's advise you to eat first when you have a band. Fat is an essential part of a healthy diet and helps to control hunger. The important thing is to choose the right type of fat. Nuts, avo's ,fish etc all contain healthy fats. Foods with lots of fats added such as croissants or donuts are obviously not healthy. Starches are fine, they help to give bulk and are still the bodies best source of energy. Again you should choose wholemeal, grainy starches over white extremely processed ones.
I assume that you do not have your band yet. You may find that once you do your opinion on what is/isn't healthy may change.
A good example is that a diet preband would probably contain a nice grilled chicken breast with lots of salad. After you are banded you will probably find either a) you cannot eat the chicken breast because it is too dry or you can eat a small amount but it makes you too uncomfortable or c) find that it gets stuck. You will probably go for option d) still eat chicken but choose thigh over breast and instead of grilling it you may cook it in the crock pot and serve it moist with some kind of sauce.
If I am wrong and you are banded already then please share some of your favourite meals with us. The title of the thread was
Can You Tell Me Your Favorite Meals!!!
not
What are the healthiest foods to eat that I should be eating once I have a band.

You're a winner at being a loser!

Hi everyone 8 months for me and I love BBQ'd chicken(boneless skinless) , no more steaks for me to much chewing it gets kinda flavorless, chili, lots of hearty vegi Soups, whole wheat bread & pastas, if your going Mexican food anything crunchy no flour tortillas just eat it with tortilla chips , ISO-pure Protein Powder 40 grams per scoop hope its helpful

I agree with Shirlee and Elcee. First, until you are banded and at restriction, you do not know what you can eat or tolerate. It is different for everyone. Protein s/ always be first, and most can no longer tolerate white meat - chicken, pork, etc. Chicken thighs, really high quality steak, etc are the best. While traditional "gravy" may not seem like a smart diet choice, most of us know that any sauce or moistening agent, makes the protein easier to consume. Once you are at or near restriction, it is more about moderation, than dieting. If dieting worked, than we wouldn't need the band now, would we?

Larry -
I hope I'm not too late. I'm missed last month's challenge.
Name, real or screen~ LB4Me (Joyce)
Goal weight for Febuary 29th~ 270
Weight on Febuary 1st~ Today's weight is: 279
Age~ 52
Dietary goal for Febuary~ Water, Water, water
Exercise goal for Febuary~ Take a walk every day this month.
Personal goal for Febuary~ Send out resumes.
Date banded~ 10/21/11
Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 45 lbs.
Do you have any Valentines day plans (How do you plan to handle Valentines dinner)~
I get a fill on VD. So I'll drink my Protein shake in a stemmed glass!

There are some people, like Michelle, whose body does not tolerate the band. I've had my band for a little over 3 months now. I love it. But do not go into this if you are not willing to work at it. The band is not a miracle cure as some diet doctors will have you believe. It is constant work. But if you follow your doctor's instructions closely, listen to your own body, and like Holly did, make your own mistakes, you will be successful. It just gets easier and easier.

As long as your port has not fliupped, it is easy peasy.

I award myself with Pandora charms. When I had the surgery, my husband bought me the Bracelet. And my mom bought me the first charm. Now I add a charm whenever I lose 20 lbs. When i wear it, I feel a sense of accomplishment.

There are some people, like Michelle, whose body does not tolerate the band. I've had my band for a little over 3 months now. I love it. But do not go into this if you are not willing to work at it. The band is not a miracle cure as some diet doctors will have you believe. It is constant work. But if you follow your doctor's instructions closely, listen to your own body, and like Holly did, make your own mistakes, you will be successful. It just gets easier and easier.

I am so glad that you are now on the other side and with very little side effects. I really believe for some of us, the anticipation of the surgery is much worse than the surgery itself. Take your time healing and then the real fun begins! With your optimistic outlook, the future should hold nothing but successes.

I had a great NSV this week. My PCP lowered my blood pressure meds. Then today i went for a fill, and the nurse there took my blood pressure and said, it is probably time to see your PCP about lowering your blood pressure meds. I told her I already did that this week, and she was amazed that my blood pressure was perfect.

Welcome to the other side.

I'm happy to say that I lost weight over the holidays, but I did not deny myself. I had some chocolate and dessert every night!
But I am still 4 lbs from my New Years goal. So I need to step it up. Thanks for the added push.

First, who says you need to be "full"? How about just satisfied. You need to start separating the head hunger from the real hunger. It is not easy to do. But whenever you feel you need to eat something, ask yourself, is my tummy grumbly hungry or is it my head trying to trick me? If it is your head, drink a bottle of Water and then see if you still are hungry. Works for me "most" times. Not always.
And for gosh sake, throw out the junk food.