Thats All Folks

I personally did Atkins many years ago and lost about 40 pounds. The problem I ran into was a raging kidney infection from a build up of Protein. Here's my take on Atkins or any so-called diet: You do what works for YOU. Everyone's metabolism is different and just because something works for one person doesn't mean it will work for everyone. Likewise, just because I didn't do well on Atkins doesn't mean you won't do beautifully on it. The only way we learn how our body and metabolism work most efficiently is by experimenting with it. Don't be afraid to try something new! I say give Atkins a try for a couple weeks, if you hate it, you can always go back to the way you were eating before.

Mine was pretty similar. Stick between 1000-1200 calories a day, at least 60g of protein, and all meals should be 1 cup or less total.

Yes, let's face it, you're not sustaining on very much right now. I remember when I was on liquids post op and I had a lot of dizziness, headaches, crankiness, and fatigue. I know you're sick of the Protein shakes but right now you really need them. They're your best source of protein and protein really helps keep your strength up. One you're onto real foods again you never have to have another protein shake again, but right now, you do need them. Hang in there, you're doing great and it'll get a lot easier.

When someone's very first line in their post is "I beleive it is truly an evil contraption and I expect to see it pulled from the market in a few years. I think the number of patients with problems from it is higher than the 40 something %, base on the forums on the web where people talk about it."...no, I have no compassion. Anyone spouting that much pure ignorance is a waste of my time. That opening line screams "I'm an attention seeking troll" and I don't make it a habit of feeding trolls. No one said all the complications are patient caused. They're not, especially when you speak of the older model 4cc bands. There are a lot of problems with them and we're seeing more and more daily. But the sad truth is, only 8-12% of band complications (excluding the 4cc band) are by no fault of the patient. Heck even when the complication is patient caused they have my compassion so long as they're not ignorant about it. I've met many who admit to chronically over-eating or not following up with their surgeons who ultimately had slips. I've met many who had slips due to walking around with their bands way too tight for months and even years. I feel for these people and I always offer my support- so long as they don't come in here blaming everyone else for their mistakes and spewing nothing but completely false information for the single purpose of scaring others and causing drama.

When someone comes in here out of nowhere just to bash the band and spew completely false information, yes, we immediately think troll. It happens on all message boards and forums, not just ones for WLS. Like or not, it's the society we live in. Had this person been an active member here that we all knew, perhaps the response would be different. There's plenty of people on here who started off wonderfully with their band and we've seen their complications gradually arise over time through their journey. We are nothing but supportive and encouraging of them. But a total stranger wanders in spouting complete rubbish? Sorry but it's most likely someone just trying to stir the pot and cause drama. As for OH and failed Lap Band Facebook pages, again, not surprising. There's a scary amount of people walking around with the band that are completely ignorant to what the band is supposed to do, let alone what they should (and shouldn't) be doing. To make things worse, there's also a scary amount of surgeons pushing patients through surgery without an ounce of education- or worse yet giving them bad information. The bottom line is, we are responsible for our own bodies and what goes into it. If you're going to get something like WLS, it is YOUR responsible to fully educate yourself ahead of time. Not your doctor's, not your friends, and not some forum. Too many people just sit back in ignorant bliss taking no responsibility for their choices- until that ignorance isn't so blissful because of self caused complications. So, if people want a place to all collectively whine about their problems like OH, let them. But just because there's many of them doesn't mean it's a good thing or even correct thing. It means misery loves company, even if it is self induced.

I couldn't agree with you more! Another thing I'm realizing is the massive quantities I used to eat, not because of hunger, but simply because it was there to eat. I still battle with "my eyes are bigger than my stomach". In fact, my kids will laugh at me because I'll measure out a cup of food but it's something filling and bulky. I'll sit down and my daughter will say "there's no way you can eat all that". Sure enough, she's right. But in my warped mind, I go "well I want a whole cup! that's what I get per meal!" when the reality is- I don't even need that much sometimes and often aren't actually hungry enough to eat it all.

That's not a small victory, I think that's a HUGE victory!! Congratulations!!!

Weight loss isn't instantaneous it takes time. But you also must remember fills have absolutely nothing to do with losing weight. The fills add Fluid to your band to control your appetite and suppress hunger. It has nothing to do with your metabolism. The only way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you consume- and that isn't a quick process. Best wishes.

It definitely could be. It's really important you get in all your protein because otherwise you're risking burning muscle instead of fat. Plus, protein also keeps you full a lot longer.

I think you have a really good grasp of it all overall, you're doing very well, especially for someone not banded yet! Nice! I'm not sure if I'd go as small as a pinky nail, maybe more like an index fingernail. And I'm not sure anyone waits a full a minute between bites, if they did, as you pointed out you'd never get more than an 1/8 of a cup per meal. What my nutritionist told me, and I still do even after a year of being banded, is I put my fork or spoon down between bites. So, I take a bite, put the fork down and my hand off it, chew thoroughly, and not reach for my fork again until I've completely swallowed the bite. This way I'm not accidentally shoveling food in mindlessly and not piling food into the pouch. As for time, I was told 20-30 minutes max. After a half hour, you're done regardless of how much food you have left. I hope that helps. Best wishes to you!

It takes most people multiple fills before they have adequate Fluid in their band to control hunger. Being as you've only had one, it's not surprising you're still very hungry. It's rough, a lot of us refer to it as "bandster hell" because you don't even feel like you have a band yet. The best advice I can give you is too stick to a cup or less of food and track your calories. It's important you stick to band sized portions anyway, but counting calories is how you can make sure you're not consuming more calories than you burn. It will get easier once you have had a couple fills, but it is definitely possible to lose weight even before you're in the Green Zone. Be patient. It will come.

You're doing beautifully!!! Be ready because your feet may shrink even more! I know it sounds nuts, but I actually went from a size 10W shoe to a 8 1/2M. I didn't think it was possible! I fully expected to have to replace all my clothes but I couldn't believe I also had to replace all my shoes lol!

If I wasn't doing well with just the information I learned from my nutritionist, I'd definitely be on Weight Watchers too. Like you, I can't feel deprived and be successful. I love Pasta, bread, and potatoes and I refuse to live the rest of my life without them. Thankfully my nutritionist also agrees it's unrealistic to give them up so she actually encourages healthy carbs. So far I'm doing very well as I am, however if that ever changes or I find myself struggling, I'll definitely be turning towards Weight Watchers.

No, not even remotely. Call your surgeon.

Do your homework. Be it the Sleeve, Lap Band, or Gastric Bypass, none work for everyone and none guarantee weight loss. Weight loss surgery is just a tool and requires changing your eating habits to healthy ones for life. Regardless of which you choose, the best thing you can do is go into it well informed and knowing what you'll need to do to be successful. As far as the band, how much you lose is completely up to you. As far as not losing fast, I guess that's not always true either. I've lost over 175 pounds in a year and I'm still losing. Granted I have worked hard to get where I am, but I'm also living proof it can be done. Just remember, at the end of the day, you have to do what is best for you. Best wishes on whatever you choose to do.

Yes, if I get stressed out I pretty much can't eat.

You did great! I'm going to be honest, I'm not so sure I would've been able to resist lol! You should be very proud

Cooking with it is fine because there's no carbonation in the finished product. Enjoy!

Hi Shanae! Welcome! First, don't let all the band horror stories scare you. Unfortunately the majority of so-called studies out there stating high band failure rate should actually be called high patient failure. What I mean by that is, the majority of complications and slips are caused by the patient not following the rules. They chronically over eat, walk around with a band too tight for months, eating around their bands, drinking carbonation, or even simply don't get the proper after care. The truth is, it's a very small percentage of Lap Band patients that have serious complications by no fault of their own. I actually started off close to your size- I weighed over 400 pounds the day of my surgery. I heard a lot of people try to talk me out of the band and into something more drastic like the Sleeve or Gastric Bypass. I can't tell you how glad I am I didn't listen to them. I've lost over 175 pounds since I was banded a year ago. My life has changed so drastically it's hard to even put into words. I still have weight to lose but I know I'll get there. Honestly, I am happier and healthier than I've ever been in my adult life. Getting the Lap Band was the best decision I've ever made for myself. Best wishes to you!

That sounds VERY good!!

I actually did that! I mixed cream soups all the time. One of my favorites was mixing cream of chicken with cream of onion. It was really really good!

When I was on that phase, I really loved the V8 soups. There's no chunks in them and they're a creamier soup. They have flavors like Tomato Garden, Butternut Squash, and Potato Basil. They're so good and very good for you- low fat and a full serving of veggies.

There is no way we can guess that. Have you been banded? You should really fill out your profile so we can better help.

It's been a year since I was in your situation, but I remember it well. I was on liquids for 4 weeks and it was pure hell. It was pretty bad when the highlight of my day was taking my chewable Vitamin because it was the only thing I actually "ate" lol. Hang in there, you can totally this and you'll be so glad you did

Can you be more specific? What type of trouble?