Cindy2013

I just purchased the Kirkland brand at costco. The one I chose is Performance Multi Energy Formula. It seems to have all the required Vitamins, except I also take a Calcium and Vitamin D supplement. I was told to take 1,500mg of Calcium daily and this only has 165mg.
This particular Vitamin contains Panax Ginseng Extract, which is supposed to be good for inflammation, weight loss, and energy. I have been taking it for a few days and I feel much improved. It does make my urine very yellow though.
I was told that any Multi-Vitamin is okay, so I don't buy the expensive stuff. My previous multi was from Walgreens, and I ran out a few weeks ago. I got real sluggish and just felt crappy, so I'm excited to see that this one is helping me now. My advice, try it before buying the bariatric ones. Save your money for a new wardrobe!

I would say unless you're making a cake or baking something that calls for only egg whites, eat the whole egg. If it calls for egg substitute just use the real deal instead. They're likely just using that to cut down on the cholesterol.
Glad to see you're back on track and working hard. You will get there! Never give up on yourself!

Me too. I just don't want to mess up a recipe. I'm not worried about the added fat from the whole egg. It has a lot of Protein which is what we banded people need.
I was banded in 2013, but did not follow the program at all and consequently lost a little at first but gained most of it back. I've been hard at this again for about 3 weeks, and I'm not quitting this time. Just want to do it all correctly, so I'm a little stressed out about finding the right foods to eat.

Me too. I just don't want to mess up a recipe. I'm not worried about the added fat from the whole egg. It has a lot of Protein which is what we banded people need.
I was banded in 2013, but did not follow the program at all and consequently lost a little at first but gained most of it back. I've been hard at this again for about 3 weeks, and I'm not quitting this time. Just want to do it all correctly, so I'm a little stressed out about finding the right foods to eat.

As one who struggles with getting enough Water, I understand! My nutritionist just this week told me about MiO drops. You add them to the Water, and it works much like Crystal Light. I am not a fan of Crystal Light, but the MiO Orchard Apple is delicious. The berry Pomegranate is good too. She did tell me not to use the MiO Energy drops.
http://www.makeitmio.com/~/media/Makeitmio/com/Images/Carousel/hero_home_Energy.jpg
My goal is to drink 32 ounces of plain water and 32 ounces of flavored. Hoping that breaking it enough with variety will help.

Why not see if you can find similar recipes online and compare the ratios. For instance look for a regular version of your lightened up version and see where they made adjustments. Or, you could just experiment!

I LOVE eggs. Unless you are making a merengue, eat the whole egg. ????
I make a frittata every Sunday night, cut it up and have my Breakfast ready for the work week!
Boiled eggs are perfect Snacks. Just the right amount of Protein.

As one who struggles with getting enough Water, I understand! My nutritionist just this week told me about MiO drops. You add them to the Water, and it works much like Crystal Light. I am not a fan of Crystal Light, but the MiO Orchard Apple is delicious. The berry Pomegranate is good too. She did tell me not to use the MiO Energy drops.
http://www.makeitmio.com/~/media/Makeitmio/com/Images/Carousel/hero_home_Energy.jpg
My goal is to drink 32 ounces of plain water and 32 ounces of flavored. Hoping that breaking it enough with variety will help.

As one who struggles with getting enough Water, I understand! My nutritionist just this week told me about MiO drops. You add them to the Water, and it works much like Crystal Light. I am not a fan of Crystal Light, but the MiO Orchard Apple is delicious. The berry Pomegranate is good too. She did tell me not to use the MiO Energy drops.
http://www.makeitmio.com/~/media/Makeitmio/com/Images/Carousel/hero_home_Energy.jpg
My goal is to drink 32 ounces of plain water and 32 ounces of flavored. Hoping that breaking it enough with variety will help.

At 2 weeks out I was ravenous and it didn't make sense why we couldn't have food.< /p>
My assumption was that the reason we couldn't eat solids was that food would get stuck and it would hurt. The two times I cheated, that didn't happen so I was thinking maybe I would be okay if I skipped the blended foods and went right to soft foods. So me being new around here and not educated enough, I asked the question of why we couldn't eat solids. I was shocked that I had made it all the way through surgery without being told the why.
Apparently the band is stitched to our stomach. Everything we put into our stomach, causes the stomach to move. Clear Liquids are easier, full liquids requires a little more work from the stomach, and with each stage the stomach has to work harder to process that food. When the stomach works, it moves, and that can cause the stitches to fail. So at one week, when the band has not scarred in at all, we can only have clear liquids. The band gradually scars in more and more, which is why we gradually eat different textures. By 5 weeks out, it should be secured in place well enough that it won't slip when we introduce regular foods.
Well, the light bulb went on for me! In my mind, I could handle a little discomfort or pain from eating the wrong foods, but I certainly didn't want to damage my band.
I agree with the ideas the others gave you, other than the Greek Yogurt--nasty! Yuck! But give me other yogurts and I like them. We each have our own tastes. I enjoyed puddings (some sugar free, some not). When I didn't know what to eat, I would rely on a Protein Shake until coming up with something more nutritional. Blended Soups were good during the third week. I enjoyed blended raviolis even. That first 4 weeks post op were difficult to come up with things to eat. I've only lost a total of 25 pounds since I began this journey, but I go weigh again next week. I've struggled with just not feeling well, no energy, and so I'm not getting much exercise in. It is difficult to lose when I'm laying in bed all the time. Gotta get on top of that. I'm afraid that your June goal may be a bit unrealistic, but by that time you should be able to go down a couple of sizes and buy a fabulous outfit for your birthday. Just not a bikini yet.

I have a wonderful husband whom I adore. I love to hold his hand, or lay my head on his shoulder, or have him give me a backrub. But the moment he wants to take it further, I just can't do it. I feel so ugly and sex is the last thing I want to do when my big belly gets in the way. I was joking around with my husband earlier today that he better watch out when I lose 100 pounds. He liked that statement. I fully plan to deliver on my promise, and if I don't have a sex drive at that point, I will get some hormones. I'm too young to only have sex 5-6 times a year. That is not good for a marriage. It is a good thing I have a wonderful husband whom I know will never look elsewhere. Jenny, I honestly do think that when we feel attractive again, things will get better. So tell your husband you are committed to making that happen too. He'll be happy.

I had my first fill last week (4/2) and I'm so excited with the results thus far.
I thought I'd share the experience so that others who have no idea what happens in a fill will not be so worried.
My doctor had me lay on the table. He looked at my incisions, talked to me for a minute about what he was going to do, then got right to work. He first felt where the port is supposed to be. Mine tended to move around a bit the first few weeks, and that created a bit of a problem for him hitting it (took him 4 sticks). He prepped my skin with a cleanser and offered to use Lidocaine, but I declined. The needle is attached to a syringe holding the saline. I wasn't really worried about the needle, so I didn't notice how long it was.
He had me raise my legs while laying on my back. Apparently that does something with the abdomen that allows him to feel the port better.
Once he got in with the needle, he had me sit up. He put in like 9 ccs at first so that I would know what it feels like to be "stuck." Not a pleasant feeling, but he then took some of that saline out to relieve the pressure. It didn't really hurt, just pressure that made me feel like burping and I felt it in my chest and back a bit. So once I understood what it feels like to be stuck, he then took some of the saline out, and experimented with the correct amount to put in at this point. I ended up with 6.5cc for my FIRST fill. I am excited that I have more than 1-2 as I have read from some of you.. He had me drink a bottle of Water and tell him how I felt with each adjustment of the saline. When I felt like I could feel the pressure but it wasn't painful to drink, he stopped and said we'll make another adjustment in 5 weeks.
At this point it is definitely working to keep me from eating a bunch of food. I had to go on a 4 day post-fill diet, which wasn't real hard because it is basically what we did post-op, just one day at each phase. Now I am able to eat all textures and types of food (as long as they are healthy). I can only eat a few bites at this point, but the swelling will go down and that will change. I do get hungry within 2 hours of eating, but I've been drinking lots of water and that helps.
So, that basically tells the story of my first fill. I am so excited that I have this tool. It was a bit frustrating to have had the surgery and wait for 7 weeks before getting any help from the tool. Right now though, I'm a happy woman! 6.5ccs in the first fill and it is working to keep me from eating much at a time.

I had my first fill last week (4/2) and I'm so excited with the results thus far.
I thought I'd share the experience so that others who have no idea what happens in a fill will not be so worried.
My doctor had me lay on the table. He looked at my incisions, talked to me for a minute about what he was going to do, then got right to work. He first felt where the port is supposed to be. Mine tended to move around a bit the first few weeks, and that created a bit of a problem for him hitting it (took him 4 sticks). He prepped my skin with a cleanser and offered to use Lidocaine, but I declined. The needle is attached to a syringe holding the saline. I wasn't really worried about the needle, so I didn't notice how long it was.
He had me raise my legs while laying on my back. Apparently that does something with the abdomen that allows him to feel the port better.
Once he got in with the needle, he had me sit up. He put in like 9 ccs at first so that I would know what it feels like to be "stuck." Not a pleasant feeling, but he then took some of that saline out to relieve the pressure. It didn't really hurt, just pressure that made me feel like burping and I felt it in my chest and back a bit. So once I understood what it feels like to be stuck, he then took some of the saline out, and experimented with the correct amount to put in at this point. I ended up with 6.5cc for my FIRST fill. I am excited that I have more than 1-2 as I have read from some of you.. He had me drink a bottle of Water and tell him how I felt with each adjustment of the saline. When I felt like I could feel the pressure but it wasn't painful to drink, he stopped and said we'll make another adjustment in 5 weeks.
At this point it is definitely working to keep me from eating a bunch of food. I had to go on a 4 day post-fill diet, which wasn't real hard because it is basically what we did post-op, just one day at each phase. Now I am able to eat all textures and types of food (as long as they are healthy). I can only eat a few bites at this point, but the swelling will go down and that will change. I do get hungry within 2 hours of eating, but I've been drinking lots of water and that helps.
So, that basically tells the story of my first fill. I am so excited that I have this tool. It was a bit frustrating to have had the surgery and wait for 7 weeks before getting any help from the tool. Right now though, I'm a happy woman! 6.5ccs in the first fill and it is working to keep me from eating much at a time.

I had my first fill last week (4/2) and I'm so excited with the results thus far.
I thought I'd share the experience so that others who have no idea what happens in a fill will not be so worried.
My doctor had me lay on the table. He looked at my incisions, talked to me for a minute about what he was going to do, then got right to work. He first felt where the port is supposed to be. Mine tended to move around a bit the first few weeks, and that created a bit of a problem for him hitting it (took him 4 sticks). He prepped my skin with a cleanser and offered to use Lidocaine, but I declined. The needle is attached to a syringe holding the saline. I wasn't really worried about the needle, so I didn't notice how long it was.
He had me raise my legs while laying on my back. Apparently that does something with the abdomen that allows him to feel the port better.
Once he got in with the needle, he had me sit up. He put in like 9 ccs at first so that I would know what it feels like to be "stuck." Not a pleasant feeling, but he then took some of that saline out to relieve the pressure. It didn't really hurt, just pressure that made me feel like burping and I felt it in my chest and back a bit. So once I understood what it feels like to be stuck, he then took some of the saline out, and experimented with the correct amount to put in at this point. I ended up with 6.5cc for my FIRST fill. I am excited that I have more than 1-2 as I have read from some of you.. He had me drink a bottle of Water and tell him how I felt with each adjustment of the saline. When I felt like I could feel the pressure but it wasn't painful to drink, he stopped and said we'll make another adjustment in 5 weeks.
At this point it is definitely working to keep me from eating a bunch of food. I had to go on a 4 day post-fill diet, which wasn't real hard because it is basically what we did post-op, just one day at each phase. Now I am able to eat all textures and types of food (as long as they are healthy). I can only eat a few bites at this point, but the swelling will go down and that will change. I do get hungry within 2 hours of eating, but I've been drinking lots of water and that helps.
So, that basically tells the story of my first fill. I am so excited that I have this tool. It was a bit frustrating to have had the surgery and wait for 7 weeks before getting any help from the tool. Right now though, I'm a happy woman! 6.5ccs in the first fill and it is working to keep me from eating much at a time.

Day 6 so I assume you are still on Clear Liquids. Once you move on to full liquids, it does get a bit easier. I purchased a bunch of different flavored teas, but honestly I didn't like the taste of tea, so it didn't matter what flavor, they still have that subtle tea taste, so they are all still sitting in my cabinet. You can crunch on ice if you feel the need to eat something. Also, drinking lots and lots of Water is helpful to avoid the hunger pains.
Good luck! You can do this.

Duh. {Palm to forehead} It's been 12 years since my hysterectomy--can you tell I don't think that way anymore?

Hi there! It could be Water retention. What types of foods are you eating? Are they high in sodium? I know when I eat too much sodium I gain water weight. Don't be discouraged, hang in there. Each person's body is different.

The good news is you are sticking with the prescribed "diet". Its not uncommon for newly banded people who are progressing to a different phase/level of foods to experience ups and downs for a few days or even a couple of weeks. You say you haven't went over 1000 calories in weeks, so no doubt you WILL see the losses starting back real soon. Simple math says that it must! Give yourself credit for the loss you have already. Before you know it, you'll be able to walk more and will see some scale movement. Hang in there! You sound like youre doing everything correct to me. CONGRATS!

In my opinion, weight lost pre-op and post op is not real weight loss.....at least not in terms of WLS......anyone going through major surgery and having restricted intake will experience this.....now that you are healing. Your body is returning to normal.......
NOW your regular Dr. Visits and the lap band process schedule will begin in earnest.....and the real life changing weight loss can begin, as you also begin to use your band......
It took me months before I found that "Groove" and things began to roll along effortlessly......
But, hat's my opinion......

Weighing at night isn't the best time to weight. But, if you do choose to weigh daily (I do) do the same time each day wearing the same thing (or in the nude). I do this and I log it. My weight bounces. For instance yesterday I was at 191.7 today I was 194.8. There is no way I gained that much in a day- no way. So I know it has more to do with my TOM and Water retention, so I don't let it get to me.
If you do choose to weight daily or multiple times a week, just make sure that you don't allow it to dictate you mood and feelings. As long as you are following your plan from the Doc/NUT you are fine.

I gotta say, steping on the scales could be, in my opinion, the worst thing we do to oueselves. I had an eating disorder when I was younger. Weighed my self no LESS than twenty times a day. It was terrible. I'd be at a friends house and would go into their bathroom and would strip down and jump on a scale. I'm serious. How messed up is that? LOL. And the second the scale would go up a quarter pond i'd be in the gym sweating like a nut. Eating a half a bagel a day. That was around twenty years ago, and thank God I got over that or I'd be dead by now. So when I decided to go for this surgery one of my fears was that I would fall back into that very very bad routine. Thankfully, I haven't.
Think of the other things that are going on. How well your clothes are fitting. Focus on the positives. How nice it will be to buy new clothes because you must. And my personal favorite, getting rid of old clothes cause they will NEVER fit again, God willing and my trying =) .
The weight gain is probably all Water. I explained to my wife once, a professional hockey goalie will lose about ten pounds during the course of one game. A pro athlete. All water weight. So if you think about it, five pounds of water weight is nothing for us.
Stick with it. Dont give up hope. You are doing great!!!!!!

could be TOM, too much sodium intake (as a comment was) or who knows...keep drinking alot..and it sounds as if you are doing well with your food etc.so i truly wouldnt worry (unless you are overeating the wrong foods as you would only know and i bet you are doing GREAT ).....go by how loose your clothes are..to me, losing inches means more to me then what a finicky scale says as it varies so often...encouragement, believe in yourself and know without a doubt that you are helping the band. because if you truly are, it will help you (even if the scale is up).....doesnt mean it is...hang in there okay.

Hey there, I was banded a few days after you (Feb 21st) and almost fell over when I stepped on the scale this morning and saw that I have gained 5 pounds as well!!
I had read many times that when you switch from fluids to food, this can happen. Plus I think that we might have put out bodies into starvation mode with the pre-op and Fluid post-op stage, so although we are eating a small amount of calories, out bodies are hanging onto every last bite in case we won't be giving them anymore!!
This can be very discouraging, I know, but we are on the right track, and I am sure if we don't falter, this time next week, those five pounds (and hopefully more) will have disappeared!!

Hello everyone. I am a bit frustrated and need some encouragement.
My lapband surgery date was 2-18. I lost a total of 18 pounds during the pre-op and first 2 weeks post op. That feels really good. But...
My concern is that I stepped on the scale last night and I am up 5 pounds. How can that be? I've still been watching my food intake very closely. In fact, I am just now moving to the soft foods phase. Yay! But how can I have gained 5 pounds on such a low amouint of food?
I guess I just need some words of wisdom from you experienced folk. I am frustrated. It will be a few weeks before I can do much for exercise, even walking is limited. I know my activity level is way down, but how can I gain weight when the food intake is so low. I haven't gone over 1,000 calories for weeks, and it just seems strange to have gained back 5 of the pounds already lost.
Any encouragement. I'm really struggling with motivataion this morning.

Yes, Mandamom, it felt great. I hope to have many more of those moments.
Had a good one today. The 2nd week post op has been hard, and I've drank lots of stuff just trying to get through it, even sugared drinks. I was worried that I had gained back some of the previously lost weight. I feel bloated and had avoided the scale. BUT I just weighed myself and I'm the same as last week. Whew! I thought for sure I had gained. They tell me that this post op period is not for losing weight, but I certainly don't want to gain any back that I lost so suddenly pre-op. I began phase 3 of the post op diet today. It was so good to have some real food, even though it is pureed or fork mashable. I even felt satisfied after lunch!