Sharpie

My surgeon and nutritionist recommends 1 cup of food 3 x a day and if needed a healthy snack .. I get plenty of protein with my eggbeaters and turkey sausage in the morning or yogurt and lunch I can get good protein by eating chicken, tuna or even beef.. 3 oz usually I try to stay under 1200 calories but my protein stays around 60-70 gms. I did every program, from weight watchers, jenny craig, nutrisystem, and hcg.. the only thing I did not try was sense cause I figured that was crap... lots of diet pills , injections, everything.. nothing has worked as well as my band.. so far so good..

I think it's unfortunate that some people have to drone on and on about their misfortune. I have found nothing but good advice and encouragement on this group... no one has purported themselves to be experts.. That being said I do find it easier to take information from successful people on here than people who have a hard time understanding the rules.. I don't think everyone who has had problems is at fault but I do think there is a fair percentage just like anything else that like to place blame on anyone but themselves. so, my advice to you is to go to another board where you can whine and gripe... we've all seen and heard enough negativity and frankly it's tiresome.. so if you are happy then act like it and move on..

Donna no pity here , admiration to you for overcoming everything .. being huge is a honest term.. I am only 5' and weighed 198.8 when I started and I felt huge... my mobility was also affected and now with 40 lbs lost I feel so much better no longer obese just overweight.. lol.. short people don't carry their weight so to speak.. I was as wide as I was tall...

Our family constantly celebrates... lol.. every event involves food.. however, since being banded, I just eat what we have in a very small amount or bring my own food.. my family has been so supportive and they try (bless their hearts) to make healthy food but they all still love bbq and lasagne and burritos, etc. so, I haven't stopped living I just make better choices where food is concerned.. I am very happy these days not worrying about my weight 24/7...

It should be the longest incision.. usually about 1-2 " ... I can't tell by your photo.. the gas will go away in a few days or so.. walk around the house and make sure you drink.. good luck

wow guy you have lost a whole other person... I am sure you feel so much better and you sure look great... thank you for posting your success.. We all need that positive reinforcement ...

6 weeks is the norm... but if you are in doubt ask your Doc...

Donna you have indeed come a long way.. just think at your age how much there is for you out there.. I wish I was 47 again... but as your weight decreases your confidence will increase.. Keep your eye on the prize and keep on working towards your happier , healthier new life... I will pray for your success.

yeah not a good idea...You would be surprised how many people think they can get thru it ... we had two days of driving rain and wind... hope you all don't get as much of Andrea as we did...

You are a beautiful girl.. it's amazing what weight loss can do... I am thankful that I had the opportunity to have the lapband surgery... my diabetes is under control.. my cholesterol is lower, my blood pressure is lower and I am starting to live life.. I can actually bend over and clean my bathrooms, I can tie my shoes and I can exercise.. I can ride my horse again.. clothes shopping is way more fun.. no longer have to look for the 1x or larger sizes.. after losing 40 lbs life is good, can't wait til I lose the rest (33 )... thank you for your positive message..

all great suggestions.. you will have some down days but you can get though it.. big important thing.. do not get constipated (tmi) but make sure you have milk of mag or something on hand for that.. sip , sip, sip. then move around the house as much as you can.. in between moving, rest... take pain meds if you need them... after about a week you will start to feel normal... take care and good luck...

yes making the choices especially in that type of restraunt is difficult.. I have not ventured into chinese or japanese food yet.. I loved it in the past and not sure I could make good choices.. portion size does matter though and like b52 I always bring food home no matter where we eat... sometimes I split my dinner with a friend or husband... he doesn't eat like I do and only likes fried foods and gravy.. so we don't eat the same...

My Dr. said 6 weeks before exercise.. walking was fine early on but anything more he wanted me to heal before I started anything more strenuous...I also use myfitnesspal to track protein, calories, etc.

you look amazing... I like the positive statement.. following the rules.. what a concept... lol very happy for you .

I think every penny you spend on your health is worth it... at your age you can reverse your comords.. I had diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and arthritis in my knees.. my life was so dormant.. couldn't hardly clean my own house.. I decided I had enough years left and wanted to be active and healthy for the rest of those years if possible. getting lapband was the best thing I have done.. by the way I had a personal trainer last year.. lost some weight, got some muscles and ended up with knee problems and back issues.. If I had all the money I have spent trying to lose weight , every system known to man, ww, nutrisystem, hcg, all and more I would be rich... do what you want to do and tell your husband he's gonna like it.. or not.. he can build a deck somewhere else...

I never had any restriction on caffeine.. just soda not coffee.. I know all Dr's are different but I drank coffee throughout my pre-op and post op diets.. I have my coffee In the morning with a little heavy cream... and truvia... Cuban coffee is really good... I told my Dr. that I didn't smoke, I don't drink and sex at my age ain't that great so I wasn't giving up my coffee... he laughed...

wonderful... I know it feels good to get to another milestone.. I finally made it to 158 and I can't believe it. keep up the good work.

so far I have donated a lot of larger size clothes.. I am planning to keep one pair of jeans or capri's to remind myself that I must keep my eye on the ball. I am looking forward to getting to goal . My daughter and I will go shopping for a new wardrobe as my reward...I have had to buy a few things at walmart to get me to the next phase.

That is good to know.. I am going to Colorado in Aug to a dude ranch and they have a hot tub and a pool.. I hadn't thought about the effect on my band.

Checked my BMI today.. I am very close to just being overweight and not Obese.. I hate that darn chart in the Dr.'s office and he tells me not to look at it but I can't help it.. can't wait til I go to him on the 17th and show him my new category... now I gotta get to normal weight.. 35 lbs to go... I went to the gym today and did 20 min on treadmill.. even took my hands off the handles and walked with my arms swinging.. woo hoo...

Happy Anniversary CG... You look like a totally different person.. Keep on your path and thank you for inspiring the rest of us...

Congratulations.. excellent accomplishment.. I hope I find that person inside of me too. after losing 40 lbs I have started doing things I hadn't done in years.. Best of Luck to you.

I would be happy with a training bra... tired of having my shoulders hurting from boobs lugging on the straps of my bra.. tired of wires , really just tired of heavy boobs... I know at my age they will look like two torpedoes but I will take it any day compared to having to buy special bras....

What if you lose the weight you want? what if you don't re-gain? What if you don't have any problems? I think we all have doubts and worry about disappointing other people.. But, it's your health and your happiness.. You will feel differently once you start eating healthier and realize you aren't going to starve to death... Good Luck

If you are at the regular food stage, there are tons of places to eat out... as long as you stay with fish, chicken or even beef in your small portion and stay away from pasta, rice and bread you will do fine. I have eaten at Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse, Ruby Tuesdays and Red Robins since being banded and I did fine... My husband can eat anything and everything , he never gains weight in fact his Dr wants him to gain so I just have to ignore what he eats and not worry about him.. You can do it...You may have to remind him that you are getting healthier and happier and I am sure he will be supportive.