debbiepolk

There's a lot of good, high Protein drinks on the market. But keep in mind drinking your calories is a slippery slope. It won't keep you full for long at all. As a result you're hungry sooner and eating more. I really wouldn't recommend it if you can at all avoid it, especially since you're already struggling.
There's also a lot of quick easy meal ideas. Starkist makes a tuna and crackers packet and the tuna is pre-mixed. Lunchables even makes a healthy variety with things like whole wheat flat bread turkey and apple slices. Of course, you could always make something at home the night before and bring it with you. There's a lot of options out there, you just need to look around and figure out what will work for you.

Actually, if you're expecting the band to physically stop you from eating, you're expecting it to do things it's not meant to do. Some people do have certain foods they can't eat, and some simply can't eat large amounts without discomfort, but that's not the case for everyone. In fact, most people can over-eat if they really want to. We call it "eating around the band". This is why it's so important to keep your portions to a cup or less per meal so you don't accidentally over-eat.
What the band is supposed do is keep you satisfied on less food for longer periods of time. Have a look at this link: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html
As far as calories, it all really boils down to simple math. If you burn more calories than you consume, you will lose weight. Being as you're struggling, I would strongly recommend counting calories for at least a little while. This way you can see exactly what you're eating and where you need to make changes.
I'd also strongly suggest a visit to your nutritionist to help you establish food guidelines specific to you and your lifestyle.
Best wishes.

Good job that's awesome. And you look great keep up the hard work!!

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Surgury date June 18th 2012, as of 1/11/13 I was officially at 80 pounds lost. Yesterday I took pictures because I was having trouble seeing any difference in myself lately, and taking those pictures completely made my week. I went into them thinking there wouldn't be much of a difference between my 50 pound pictures and these, but I was shocked at how wrong I was. It really put the confidence back in me and it makes me want to work even harder!
     

Don't Quit



When you've eaten too much and you can't write it down,
And you feel like the biggest failure in town.
When you want to give up just because you gave in,
and forget all about being healthy and thin.
So What! You went over your points a bit,
It's your next move that counts...So don't you quit!
It's a moment of truth, it's an attitude change.
It's learning the skills to get back in your range.
It's telling yourself, "You've done great up till now.
You can take on this challenge and beat it somehow."
It's part of your journey toward reaching your goal.
You're still gonna make it, just stay in control.
To stumble and fall is not a disgrace,
If you summon the will to get back in the race.
But, often the struggler's, when loosing their grip,
Just throw in the towel and continue to slip.
And learn too late when the damage is done,
that the race wasn't over...they still could have won.
Lifestyle change can be awkward and slow,
but facing each challenge will help you grow.
Success is failure turned inside out,
the silver tint in a cloud of doubt.
When you're pushing to the brink, just refuse to submit,
If you bite it, you write it....But don't you quit!
~ Author Unknown ~

Hahahahaha!! I'm using it as an excuse not to lol. It's the last thing on my mind haha but good luck getting back in the saddle :0)

!
Yes that is why i ordered it because i got the book in the mail. The Snacks are pretty good cause of the crunching. I did not like the foods but...... the pancakes was kind of OK.lol... but hey give it a try if you are curious and see for yourself you might be surprised. I too do not like protein bars. Let me know what you......... think if you order some

Hello and i have tried it and child no it is not good! Well, i did not like it. You might like it. Lol. Everything is not for everybody..... i still have some in my cabinets to throw out. I am post op Dec 18, 2012. But you might like it. If you want to just....... try it then maybe order 1 or 2 things and try for yourself..... i asked my dr about it and he told me not to eat it.

I think it is beneficial for all of us to be open and supportive of everyone, no matter where they are into the process or what they have had done. There are many people here that have different stories to tell.

Deleted by poster... Rude and uncalled for!

great post and great success
but for anyone new reading this, if you get the band, you can have success also...whether its the sleeve, the ds, bypass , band or plication, you have to change what you eat, exercise if you can and get a great yes i can attitude...help the procedure and watch what happens.

I am two years banded this December. One word of advice...it's okay to take it slow and in stride. For me it was the best way to get used to the band as the restriction became more evident. I don't tolerate bread but occasionally u can eat 1/4 of a French dip...crazy! I can't eat corn or rice but I can have popcorn if I'm careful. I eat filet mignon but fish and dark meat chicken go down better than dry white meat. I will not drink carbonated beverages but I have had a frozen coke on a tablespoon just to try it. Wasn't that great. I have had some stuck episodes but they are not that scarry, you just have to learn what works. I do not regret my band, I went from a size 24 to now almost a size 10...I am thrilled. I feel healthy and better about myself. I will admit, I love to shop in normal size clothing stores ( but thrift stores work beat while you are dropping). Carefully listen to your body as you begin to get fills. You will know if you might need one or are too restricted. Follow those golden rules because they become so much more important as you get fills. I love my decision it was right for me. I am a quantity eater and that was soon curtailed!!!!! I still have things I enjoy including sweets but so much less amount. You will go through plateaus and you will learn so much as you live with your band. I am getting close to goal and happy.

Many good points and tips have been provided to you. But remember, YOU are the only one in control of your body and what you do with it. You probably will lose a great deal of weight by watching what you eat and being banded. In the past, we all over ate and probably did not exercise or very little. This did not work! Now, you gone through the ordeal of a weight loss surgery with time off from work and YOU don't want to exercise at all. Sounds like you are going backwards in one of the bad patterns when you were heavier.
Just moving or parking the car a bit farther at work or when shopping for an item or two, park farther away. Walk your local Home Depot or Walmart from beginning to end. Do something to be worthy of the Band.
Best Wishes

I got a lapband and took up running. I now also do spinning and strength training. I lost over 100 lbs and have stayed at a bmi of 21, I did not just lose wight, I am truly thin and fit. People marvel that I was ever big.
My hubby got a band and did not exercise. He lost 50 lb and has put 25 back on. He is still "obese". Five years later.
You don't have to be as hard core as I am. Just walk. But it really helps and it's even more important for maintenance.

Morning have you tried Walmart. I buy them all the time it comes in lemon and seasoned in italian. Just the right portion size.

hi hel
i try not to (eat/use) any sodium (as much as i possibly can anyhow). since i eat fresh veggies (i can control the salt levels) and also on meats that we use....i know when i eat sodium (in my past with processed items, my feet/ankles would swell and def feel sluggish..but by reading labels, you can find variations with low sodium and sodium free items..but from i know, boxed items and fast food have alot..since i stopped eating those things from june, i noticed a huge difference.

Thanks everyone! It went great. There was no meet to be nervous at all. He didn't numb it and it was over in seconds. Monday I will be 6wks post op and down 28lbs. He gave me 1 1/2cc to get started.

I like my band "Tight".....after my last fill it took me 3-4 weeks for ME to adjust to the band....
I feel the band can be put on a scale of 1 to 10....1 being no band at all....and 10 being ridiculous!
People who are always complaining about being hungry, overeating, not loosing any weight, etc, are down around 2-4 on the scale, mostly newbies just starting out. No restriction at all other than post-op irritation, etc.
The majority of people on this forum are in the 4-6 range, 50% band, 50% self control, discipline....these are the people who say it is hard work, the band is only a "Tool", takes discipline, need to follow the rules, measure food, count calories, etc.....I also feel it would be just as easy for people to fail, as well as succeed in this category because much of their efforts is based upon themselves, as well as the band....
These people are still "Dieting" and use the band as a deterrent....
And then, there are people like me (not many here) that would be in the 8-9 range on the scale....
I CANNOT overeat...it is physically impossible without pain and spitting it all up.....
I have NEVER felt full as has been mentioned, it is something different.....
No matter what you put in front of me.....I will only be able to eat 2-4 swallows and I am finished....
I do not diet.....I do not worry about calorie counting......I have NO CONTROL over what the band is doing to me....what I needed to do is learn to live with it...change my lifestyle..."LISTEN" to the band.....
Since my food intake is very, very limited...it is important that whatever I do eat it is Good Food Choices....there are foods I simply cannot eat anymore, not that I care....red meat, rice, flour products, deep fried breaded foods....ALL of which is not good for me in the first place.....
Get all my daily Protein, even if liquid, daily Water requirements, Vitamins, supplements and exercise.......all essential....Food takes a back seat...
It would NEVER be my place to tell other people what they should or should not do.....but over the years I have witnessed many people who, after a few fills, panic the first time they get stuck and run and get a un-fill....then 2 -3 weeks later these same people are complaining they are not loosing weight....
If people are not willing to let the band do what it was designed to do, and if people are not willing to change...then these people will never be successful....unless of course they have good self discipline and fall into that middle category.....good dieters! ( I have never been good at dieting)
I have not gotten stuck in over a year now....but in the adjustment phase I got stuck quite often until I learned my lessons.....
I cannot imagine how on earth I can ever fail at this....short of getting a un-fill, or some medical emergency I have no control over....
I cringe every time I read "The Band Does Not Work"...but it is not my pace to tell othr people they are right or wrong....I can just state what is true for me......
And lastly...there is a entire different population of people on this website when I first joined....they have all moved on, completing their journey and being successful....they have no reason to come around here anymore so you don't hear from them.....
I can understand why...this forum is made up of "newbies" with the same problems over and over again....it is very hard to hear the same thing everyday........ I stayed away for a while, and will probably need to take a break again...but I do belong to other groups where the people have been banded for a while, and we support each other on a different level......
Ok, so much for venting on a Monday Morning.....

But the band isn't supposed to make you feel full, in fact if you're eating until you're full you're likely over eating. The band isn't supposed to physically stop you from eating anything, either. It sound like you are expecting the band to do things it simply wasn't meant to do. Here's a link that may help you a bit: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html
If you're vomiting and can't eat healthy foods because of the band, it sounds to me like it's likely too tight. You may want to talk to your surgeon.
Best wishes

Wow, I am glad I did not talk to you or your wife before my surgery. You would have scared me to not have either surgery and I probably would have been a full blown diabetic by now. I believe you did not have the mindset for the surgery to work and I am sorry you are so against it, but if not for the lap band I would be 85 pounds heavier and with all my medications not on a very good road. I am 4 years with the lap band and believe it has saved my life and will give me more years to enjoy. This surgery is not for everyone and whoever does get the surgery needs to go into it with eyes wide open and make up their mind to work it by the rules. I have adjusted my lifestyle by what makes me comfortable. I never had any fills and do just fine with the band. Good luck on whatever you decide to do, this WLS is not for everyone.