caligalles

Caribear - thank you so much for the reminder about the sodium. I just checked my food diary on myfitnesspal.com and I am averaging 4000 - 5000 mg of sodium a day!!! OUCH! Now, I need to figure out how to undo this. I LOVE salt, but obviously, it is NOT loving me! LOL. Thanks again!

Calories IN Calories OUT. You don't need to eat more in order to work out. I was a competitive athlete from childhood through college. You are probably toning or building muscle, which is good, but you won't see the scale move. In order to generate the fat lose, cardio is the key - getting your heart rate up to the optimum level and keeping it there to burn fat. Ask someone at the gym what your heart rate should be. Keep up the great work!

Sounds right! I eat 3 small meals and 2 snacks. Go to myfitnesspal.com - you can track your food and excercise for free and it will tell you exactly where you stand! It will probably tell you that you need more calories to lose weight so your body doens't hold onto it.

Ever seen Biggest Loser? You can lose weight quickly and not be flabby as long as you excercise to keep the elasticity in your skin.

Kristy - I hope you like the Gladiator! I love it since I can half 1/2 serving and still get 23 g protein and only 95 calories.

Thanks everyone for letting me vent and being encouraging. I guess I do expect alot, but I have always been that way about myself - school, career, athletics, etc.

That is so funny you mention the "food port". For the first month after my surgery, I too recognized how many food commercials are on tv and how much everyone is always eating in sitcoms! Food I never craved, never had, never had a desire to have, LOOKED GOOD! I wanted to taste everything.... I think it was because of the weeks of protein shakes and liquids. LOL!

It was very structed for the 1st 4 weeks and now into week 6, I am eating regular food that is somewhat portion-controlled. I don't have any restriction yet, so I am definitely eating over 4 oz of protein and veggies. I have basically 3 little meals and 2 snacks. Emphasis on only proteins and vegetables. I have had a little bit of rice (in soup) or steamed with chicken. My client advocate who had the surgery 7 years ago still has a protein shake a day - just for the protein and to push off the hunger - it has lots of vitamins too!

My typical day which equals : 1000 calories

Breakfast - I drink 1/2 serving of Smoothie King's Gladiator protein shake (23 g protein, 1 carb/95 calories) - on the way to work. Couple hours later, Egg beaters (no cholesterol and 1/2 the calories of regular eggs) with some diced ham and pico de gallo mixed in.

Snack - some type of soup - Campbell's Light, broth (I am a soup addict!)

Lunch - pre-seasoned packaged Tuna by Starkist and 1 cup of spinach

Snack - protein bar or applesauce or cottage cheese

Dinner - grilled chicken strips and broccoli with some parmesean cheese

Green tea and water.

Hope that helps! My diet is far from perfect, especially since I add in some wine or vodka drink occassionally!!! I also walk about 2 miles a day. I am looking forward to getting the restriction and then my portions will be much smaller and maybe I can cut out a snack.

Good luck! Leslie

MAGS2U - PLEASE< PLEASE<PLEASE be careful! You are not supposed to do any strenuous excercise or lifting for the first 6 weeks after surgery. The first 6 weeks are for HEALING. Please take care of yourself......

That's the reason you shouldn't weigh everyday - BUT I DO IT TOO!!! Your body fluctuates with regards to fluids. Next you'll see it come back down. Hang in there!

I use Smoothie King - Gladiator. 45 grams of protein, 190 calories, 1 carb and no sugar. I actually only have half now and that gives me 23 g and only 95 calories. I drink it on the way to work!

HI Shellyac! I guess my surgeon set that expectation, plus the logic of eating 2500-3000 calories a day down to 800-1000. He told me I would be at my goal weight around the middle of the summer as long as I kept up with my adjustments, stuck with the diet plan and excercise. I have (had) 175 lbs to lose. In 5 weeks, I am down a total of 36 (24 post op). I expect to feel the restriction I guess and not feel like I am on my own again.

I would have to say my shoulder pain was the worst as well! Right out of surgery, it was on FIRE! I was like, make it go away!!!!! Good luck on your road to recovery! YOu will feel great soon!

I don't think I would have signed on for this for 1-2 1bs weight loss a week! This cost me personally $12,000. I am just beyond frustrated. I have only 3cc's in my band right now.

Oh Kristy! I am feeling the same way! I just had my first fill last week and I feel NO difference. I am able to eat, drink, slow or fast, chew alot or not chew very much.... ugh. I paid for this out of pocket and I am pretty upset, so I emailed my patient advocate with my concerns. Waiting for her response. I might argue to come back asap instead of waiting 4 weeks to have an adjustment. If I could lose weight on my own with watching my food and excercise, I WOULDN"T BE HERE! I will let you know what my patient advocate says.... Hang in there! Let's don't give up yet.... we have invested too much for that.... our journey has just begun and this is a minor speed bump.

Congrats! Dr. Reilly is awesome and so is Rachel! Advil liqui-gels are a must. I went though my pain meds really fast. Jello, Dreyers fruit bars, chicken broth low sodium - those were my favs! Good luck and keep in touch! Leslie

That is awesome! Make sure you keep up your protein shakes. My advocate still has one a day and it's been 7 years for her. I found the lowest calorie, lowest carb, lowest sugar and highest protien in SMOOTHIE KING - GLADIATOR. I actually am having 1/2 a serving now and it's 23 grams of protein and 95 calories!

Keep up the good work! I am going in for my first fill today! YEAH!!

I had my surgery at True Results a month ago and if there is one thing I learned - DO NOT WAIT on them. Push them. Keep calling or emailing until you get a response. They are SUPER busy so you have to pester them! My advocate is Rachel, who is yours?

That's awesome! I have my first post op and fill on Wednesday! I too want to swim - let me know how you feel and how it goes!

You must get 80 grams of protein a day. I know it sounds strange, but you must get in the calories, protein and excercise and you will be amazed. I am still new at this, but this recommendation was given to me and I turned the corner. Good luck and take care!

Here's a good old saying: Worring is like a rocking chair, you can do it as much as you want, but it won't get you anywhere! Good luck and stay positive! YOU CAN DO IT!! I have just started my journey as well...the head games you play with yourself will always be there I think - it's just how you manage through them that counts.

Protein, protein, protein, water and excercise. The more protein and calories you have the more weight you lose. Makes no sense, but it works! Also, get in your water. Even though the surgeon and nurses say only three small meals and no snacking, I see it working best for alot of people on here to have more like 6 small meals keeping to 1000 -1200 calories and excercising. Good luck to you and stay positive!

I am at 3 1/2 weeks post-op and I am VERY EXCITED for my adjustment on 1/16. I really don't feel any constriction right now, unless I eat to fast and then I feel sick. Just keep up with the protien, it helps. I also found out the more calories and protein you can get down, the more weight you lose. I have lost 32lbs total. Keep your chin up, keep up the excercise - 15-20 minutes will do wonders and get in that protein! Good luck to you! Leslie

You know, my surgeon and staff told me the same thing. I have a chewable vitamin, but from day 3, I was able to swallow my meds and Advil liqui-gels. I agree with bandedehs - not necessary, but see how you feel. Everyone is different.

OMG, I am so happy to hear that! My surgery was at True Results in Houston too!!! My first fill is on Monday 1/16 and I can definitely say, I am feeling nervous about it. I am actually anxious because I need my restriction! I am ready to get this show on the road! Good luck to you! Leslie

Hi there! Don't worry about the pills! I had no problem taking small tablets the day after surgery. If you have discomfort you can use a pill cutter to size them down or just outright crush them. Congrats on taking the first steps. I wish you luck and we should stay in touch with our progress! Take care! Leslie