ducker2010

I was banded in January and I've gotten a lot of help here. I've been able to talk to people and learn a lot. But lately I feel really confused. I see post after post after post of people flat out saying they're "breaking the rules" or doing wrong and they don't care. And then I'll see tons of people encourage them to break the rules. I wonder if there's any correlation between these posts and all the posts that say HELP! I'm not losing any weight! My point here is that I figured this board would be more of a You really shouldn't do that. It's not a good idea. Rather than, Do whatever you want and live your life. Kind of thing. I guess I'm kind of disappointed. I feel like it's a privlege to have the band. Not a right I can trample all over every time I want something I'm not supposed to have. Last night I even saw where someone said Don't listen to your doctor. They just tell you stuff to make your life miserable. Um, I'm an RN. I've NEVER told a patient something JUST to make their life miserable. And I've never heard of a doctor doing that either. There's generally a reason for what they tell you. If it doesn't make sense, ASK! It's YOUR body. Sorry, maybe this is just a vent from having a bad day or something...

Alcohol isn't supposed to BE your liquid diet. And four glasses of alcohol contains about a days worth of calories.

Alcohol is empty calories...

Oh, I still limit my portions. But I don't think I'm where I should be yet. But I'm relatively new and working to find my sweet spot.

I definitely don't think I'm at my sweet spot because I can eat a LOT more than that.

I don't know how you can keep your calories at 800 a day. That's what my doctor wants too but there's no way. My two protein shakes a day total up to 500 calories. I don't eat a lot but I do eat about 1200 calories a day. That's what my doctor wants for her mainenance patients. I could easily keep my calories at 800-900/day if I didn't have to drink the shakes.

Sorry to sound dumb but what is the fitness pal?

On the average day I get in well over 100 grams of protein. I eat greek yogurt and put kashi in it. That's a lot of protein there too. Just read labels. You'll be surprised how fast it adds up.

Mine is the same way. I've just learned not to tell her stuff. I'm following my book and the doctor says I'm doing great and my food choices are great too. I told her that I sometimes put a scoop of Peanut Butter in my shakes to make them taste better. She griped about the fat in it. I told her I had to switch to lactaid and she griped about the sugars in that. I told her that I snack on hummus (great food choice) with four saltines. She griped about the carbs. I've just learned that she's not going to like anything I do. And she's the one with the Dr. Pepper sitting on her desk and telling me where to buy sugar free marshmellow dip. Really? Geesh.

I was told no alcohol the first six weeks. You might want to check with your doctor.

I am eight weeks and two fills in. The first fill didn't make a difference. I'm feeling restriction with the second one but just got it. So we'll see. I've lost 28 pounds. My doctor says no more than a pound or two a week is good.

Unjury makes several awesome products. They have a soup, a strawberry, and some cheese sauce that are all whey protein. I like their chocolae and vanilla but unjury products are expensive. I buy my chocolate and vanilla at target. They're half the price. I don't like muscle milk. I'm actually tired of all the shakes but I've learned how to dress them up to make them taste great. Or at least palatable.

That's what my doctor says.

I have yet to hear of a doctor who doesn't say to be on liquids for 24 after a fill.

Mom, don't fret. I doubt I got that much down the first three days If I drank more than a couple ounces I felt like I was going to throw up. Everyone is different. I didn't feel hungry for a good six weeks. In fact, in the beginning I was taking in so little I actually got too weak to get out of bed.

You should stay on liquids for 24 hours. Seriously. The fill can make your stomach swell. It's only 24 hours and you'll be back to normal...

My doctor said there are no restriction on sex. As soon as you feel up to it. For me, my husband had to leave on a business trip three days after surgery. I wanted to say "good bye"... We just found an alternate position.

I had some summer clothes I had way outgrown. I couldn't even get the zipper up. I tried them on the other day and they not only zipped but they buttoned. Sure, they were tight but Im well on my way to making them comfortable to wear!

lol No tammy, cream of wheat and oatmeal are considered liquid as long as you don't make them too thick! And remember, NO sugar. Splenda is my favorite sugar substitute but again, everyone has to find the one that works for them. Those two things will probably fill you up and keep you full a little longer than say broth. Personally, I didn't even WANT anything to eat for the first two weeks. I couldn't imagine eating. But I hear that this is a bit more unusual than most people. I guess I had a lot of swelling because I didn't get my first fill right away either. However, I'm still doing really well and have now had two fills.

You were smart elcee!

Yes elcee! Just puree them before you drink them to get out the chunks! Voila!

Thanks lalaj. I found a recipe for "candy" balls using the chocolate Protein shake. I haven't tried it yet but I plan to. There's really a lot you can do if you get creative. When they told me I'd have to do Protein shakes for at least two years I realized I couldn't drink plain chocolate shakes for that long. If you're worried about calories and fat there's a product called PB2 which is dried Peanut Butter. They basically dry it and suck out most of the fat and calories. This is what I use for my shakes. You can google it and find a store near you or order it online. I'm also a big supporter of unjury products. www.unjury.com I don't work for them but think they have some really great tasting products. They ARE a bit pricey but this is something you are going to have to have for a long long time. I buy the Target brand chocolate and vanilla because it's about half price. But the rest of my products I order from unjury. And there's a flat rate shipping of six dollars so if you order a bunch it's a deal. I just think you have to find something that works for you and really get the mind set that this is what you need to do. The band will only help us as much as we help ourselves.

You really want to follow the post op liquid diet. You have stitches in your stomach. My doc explained it like this. Liquids just pass through without your stomach having to contract to digest them. Solid foods make your stomach contract and thus put you at risk for tearing a stitch. I know it's really hard to do the liquids. But it's so your stomach can heal. Not to be mean to you. Before long you'll be able to eat. And you have got to remember that the band is not going to do all the work for you. Even once you are able to eat you can't just eat anything you want. You need to make good food choices. My doctor said it's so much easier if you start making the right choices early on. You can get really creative with liquids. Try some thin cream of wheat or oatmeal. They are considered liquids as long as they are "soupy" Oatmeal is filling. And some Soups are good too. I liked potato. Before long you'll be on mushies and be complaining about how it's driving you crazy to not be able to chew something! We have to go through each stage. Set your good habits now for later on.

I don't know how you drink your protein shakes but I have learned to vary them up. It makes it so much easier. A scoop of peanut butter in the chocolate. I take vanilla and add orange kool aid (unsweetened) for an orange dreamsicle flavor. I also use vanila and put instant coffee and sugar free caramel syrup (for coffee) in it and make like a mocha. I do strawberry with crystal light lemonade for a strawberry lemonade drink. Also unjury has a chicken soup protein drink that's awesome. It doesn't taste like broth but like soup without the noodles. They make a cheese sauce that rocks too. Truthfully, this is just a really hard part of the diet. But stick with it. You'll be great. If you can do it without cheating you'll feel better physically and also mentally that you had the willpower to do it. Just try varying things and remember that this is not forever even though it seems that way!

I still suffer from this problem. First, don't wait too long or you'll need a laxative instead of a stool softner. I take Benefiber. I mix a tablespoon in my first shake in the morning and then in my water at night. It seems to be helping.