Stroganoff

My doctor told me to lay off of the protein shakes for breakfast and lunch. They are not filling so I would not feel full and then make bad food choices. Find things that stick with you longer. For breakfast try eggs and turkey sausage. Don't be ashamed. You did something to better yourself how can that be wrong? Try to change the eating habits and make the band work for you. You are not alone. Many of us are fumbling through our first year trying to find out what works. I wish you the best.

I am in the same boat as you. I have actually had two fills and it seems the my hunger is actually increasing. I have lost and gained the same 4 pounds over and over. I know that it takes a while for the band to get to the "sweet spot" but I would love to see some weight come off. It is all just so frustrating. I think it feels better just to say this SUCKS! I know noone can fix it for me and I really know all of the advice I would give someone in my position. Sometimes we don't need someone to fix it but really just to understand or let us vent. So I am venting. THIS REALLY FREAKING SUCKS!!!!!!! I JUST WANNA LOSE WEIGHT AND FEEL AMAZING IN MY OWN SKIN BUT INSTEAD THIS PROCESS IS KILLING ME ! LOL try it maybe it will help. It is even more effective if you scream it!

I am also from the Houston area (Kingwood) and I was just recently banded August 4th. Although I do like the website I have to admit I get a bit frustrated with it. There are so many people I don't feel like I have a connection with anyone yet. I do have one friend who has had lap band and I go to her for everything but I am starting to feel bad for bugging her all of the time. My family is supportive but I don't feel like anyone understands because they are all skinny. I would love to get involved with a closer group of bandsters. I do not have the time to meet up in person but would love some online support. P.S. Does anyone know if salad is considered ok during the mushy food stage?

Thank the little baby Jesus! I had my surgery on August 4th and lost 9 pounds the first week and a half. Then absolutely nothing. I was really beginning to freak out because I didn't realize that this is normal. I am so glad to know that I am normal and I didn't do anything wrong. Sometimes this website is filled with wonderful information and support and then other times people scare the heck out of you with everything you can screw up if you don't do everything perfect. My friend who has had the procedure done told me that it is normal and the weight will start coming off again once I get my fills but I was really convincing myself that I had screwed something up bad. I actually like weighing myself everyday because it helps to keep me on track. When I am presented with not so good food choices I always think about the scale I will step on in the morning........and I walk away. Thank you so much for starting this thread you have made my weekend! So relieved.........

Unfortunately teenagers do suck that bad. Thanks for the congrats and words of encouragement. I have been kinda down the last few days because I went from losing a pound a day to nothing. When I switched over to mushy foods is when the weight loss stalled. I have evaluated the mushy foods I have been eating and realized that it is because I have introduced some carbs back into my diet and not as much protein. I guess I figured that until I could eat regular foods again I would still be losing weight eating the refriend beans and mashed potatos because the amount was so small. Well today I have decided that aparently that is not what works for my body so time to find healthier options. I have gone back to drinking at least one protein shake a day and avoiding carbs. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the weight starts moving again. I don't expect to see a pound a day but a few pounds a week would make me so so happy!

I am by no means experienced but I am obsessed with reading posts and I paid attention to what the dr said about dieting. A little bit of chocolate every now and then will not hurt but it does matter where you calories come from. Protein is what everything in your body is made up of. If you do not get you all of your protein everyday then your run the risk of starting to lose your hair and such. If you eat the protein in your meals first then move to vegetables and then to fats and carbs you will find it is much easier to stay on the low carb high protein diet because you will get full before you make it to the bad stuff. Your weight will drop off without even trying really. I will say that a girl has got to have her chocolate from time to time though. I hope this sounded more helpful than judgemental because I promise I understand how you feel.

Gp to www.tickerfactory.com and create one. It will give you the codes afterwards use the one for BB. Copy and paste it into your settings under my signature.

I had a BMI of 40 to start with but I can still relate to people telling me that I didn't need it. This was the first thing I have done in my life that was for me and strictly for me. I tell anyone I want and don't care what they think. I have learned that those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter. I am surrounded by people who only want the best for me and what makes me happy. Even the few stubborn ones who think diet and exercise is the answer caught on. Diet and exercise is the answer but some of us need help in the appetite department. Stand up for yourself and be strong in your decision and you will find that people will back down. We are all making an effort to make our lives better and others can't understand that then we don't need em. Do what you have to do to love yourself and then worry about the rest of the world (maybe). Where were these people with all of their wisdom and encouragement while we were getting fat?

My screen name really has nothing to do with food. My bestfriend's autocorrect would always try to replace my name with stroganoff when she typed it in so it is just a joke that I now use it.

I just wanted to drop in and introduce myself. My name is Stephenie and I am 32, married, and have 3 kids who are 11, 13, and 15. Let me just say that teenagers suck! Anyway, I am 5'4" and started out at 236 pounds with a BMI of 40. I had my lap band surgery a week ago today and my current weight is 219. Let me just tell you I am ecstatic. I actually started looking into lap band about 2 years ago but my insurance at the time wanted to make me jump through hoops to qualify. I am quite sure once I jumped through those hoops they would have still tried to deny me because they were that kind of insurance company. In February my husband's company switched to BCBS of New Jersey so I decided to submit my insurance info and see what they had to say. I believe my first visit was at the very first week of June. On that day Cindy Canino from True Results became one of my favorite people in the world. She told me there were no more hoops and that all I needed was blood work, a psych evaluation, and to see a nutritionist. Not much in this world can make me cry because I am very strong get it done kind of woman but let me tell you I cried like a little girl and didn't care who saw me. I had all of my requirements done a week later and then the psych dr had to submit a report but they were able to submit my info a few weeks later. I was still rather skeptical that I would get my approval because that is how things work for me. I did set up a surgery date for August 4th just in case and had my fingers crossed so hard Iost feeling in my hand. On June 22, 2011 that same beautiful woman called me to tell that my approval came back from the insurance company. WHAT? No appeals or hoops or rejections? Finally my day had come. The one thing in life I have done that was for me and me alone was actually going to be a reality.!!!! Again I cried like a little girl standing at the front door of my office building where I work. Everyone walking by thought someone had died. I calmed down enough to really just laugh. Free at last free at last thank God O mighty I was free at last. Yes I am a little dramatic and long winded but basically my story has brought me here. I am an active participant in the lap band community and I can't wait to see what life has to offer. I was a blessed person before with amazing family and friends but I had one huge hurdle that made me feel like crap and want to hide away sometimes......my weight. Well now I have the same amazing friends and family and nothing to stop me from anything I want to do. Damn it I am crying again! It is a pleasure to introduce myself, please feel free to say hi or become my friend.......I am not shy in the least! Steph

Hello and welcome. I too am a newbie. Let me first say Kudos on not smoking for 14 days that is huge!!!! I was banded August 4th which was a Thursday and I returned to a desk job yesterday Wednesday the 10th. I probably could have returned a day earlier but when I started getting ready to come into work I got tired. Once the soreness subsides then fatigue is the worst part. Of course I over do things and worked 10 hours not counting the 3 hours of drive time to and from work. I then took my daughter shopping for school supplies. Lets just say I am a glutton for punishment. Start out and slow and easy and a week should be fine. I hope that helps and I hope the rest of your presurgery time flies by.

Hello Lorraine, My name is Stephenie and I had my lap band surgery on the same day as you. I have actually praised God for the invention of sugar free popsicles. I love the way they taste and it feels like I am eating real food.....actually chewing and everything. I was told to stay on the liquid diet for two weeks so you are so lucky. I have stopped drinking the broth because I too got burned out quickly. I had to buy pizza, chicken wings, cake, and icecream for the family because today is my son's birthday. I have to say that sucked. I cooked tacos for them yesterday and that sucked too. I just sat by and opened a popsicle. I wasn't hungry afterwards and my scales says I lost 3 pounds since surgery. This is going to be amazing, we just have to stay focused.........and eat lots of popsicles lol. Is your incision still bleeding or did it bleed just a little? Steph