koolkel

I use EAS vanilla whey protein powder. I haven't tried anything else...Target has the best price for it.

I'm pretty new to band( 2/19) but my proud moment came two days ago. I had been "stuck" at 236lbs and was waiting anxiously to see 235--- that number just became really important to me. So I got on the scale in the morning HOPING to see 235----- and it said 233!!!!( well, 233.8 but STILL!! Lol) It went back up to 235 today but I don't care because it once said 233!!! That means I can do this!

Congrats and welcome to your new life!!

CONSTIPATION!!! So I've NEVER experienced constipation until my band and now I know how horrible it is. Can anyone suggest ways to avoid this? I had to take a laxative and that "cleared up" the problem but also gave me two days of the OPPOSITE problem. Thanks in advance, wise folk!

Great question!! I never considered it and now I have to call! I'm assuming my surgeon has no requirement or they would have said something. My fill is at 2:30 and I'm going right from work so I hope I can at least drink Water before...

Hi everyone! I have my first fill on the 11th and while I'm not worried about the needle pain( as I expect it to be minor and over quickly,) I am concerned about general port pain after. My port often hurts badly. It feels like it's trying to push out of my skin sometimes. Will a fill exacerbate this? I might still be swollen from the surgery ( 2/19,) but it seems that my port is just in an awkward place. Well, maybe my pain is more at the incision( which still feels like it wants to burst open! It is more uncomfortable with each day. ( I form an abundance of scar tissue, hypotrophic scars)

I think most of us question everything during this period. We wonder if we will fail, if we will feel torturously hungry forever....I think we just have to ride it out and keep following the rules. I notice that working out increases my hunger( metabolism related, I am sure!) I find that if I eat anything with sugar, even if eaten after lots of protein, increases my hunger also. I keep backing up and reminding myself why I did this. I notice more discomfort at my port lately too--- I actually don't have a lot of stomach fat so my port feels like its trying to push out of me. I can't do most gym exercises because of it so I'm swimming. I keep telling myself that if I can get through this period on my "want power" then I will surely have success in the green zone!! Stay strong, friends! We CAN DO THIS!

I'm just about 6 weeks post-op and I am STARVING! Lol! Seems my hunger woke up blazing mad at some point last week and I can feel my resolve slipping away. I'm hungry all of the time. I can eat fast and eat tons( I don't though!) My biggest lesson in this is that it is HARD! Don't let anyone make you think it is easy. I await my first fill and every consecutive fill. I am living the hell that others spoke of... this is the part where we wonder of we made a huge mistake because nothing is different except now I have pain in my belly from the port stabbing me! I've read enough to know that this too shall pass--- but DAMN!! I really had no idea...

I buy it at Target( it's cheapest there) but my local Stop and Shop has it too.

Especially be careful with the carbs! I couldn't have them until this week and I'm still avoiding them( my weakness!) When making tuna, use use fat free plain Greek yogurt in place of mayo to increase protein. You can purée that!

I was on liquids only for 3 weeks and purée for week 4. My surgeon explained that the stitches inside are still healing and he didn't want my stomach to work too hard and move to digest tougher foods--- because the stitches could rip out and the band could slip. I know it's hard-- it's the toughest thing I think I ever had to do--- but you HAVE to get your head in the game. I'm 5 weeks out and it's a struggle every day. The biggest thing I've learned is that if I can't follow the rules--- I will not succeed. I'm on regular foods now and I have to constantly check myself and walk away from food. Please focus and know that the ultimate success for your weight is completely and totally up to YOU! Good Luck!

Good Luck! I've lost almost 30lbs ( and I couldn't lose a thing on my own!) The band is the best thing I ever did, but I realize now that I was slightly delusional about what "it" would do and what "I had to do." Anyone who thinks this is a cop out or taking the easy way has NO CLUE!! We are health warriors!

I had my band placed on 2/19/13. For the first three weeks I was on liquid only. I struggled the first three days with food obsession, but then things were just great! Not hungry, loved my shakes. Now I'm on a regular diet. I am exercising. And I am HUNGRY! Almost all of the time. I don't get my first fill until 4/11 and I am aware that it may make no difference. I'm happy that I did the surgery and I know that this hard work will pay off BUT I really had no idea just how difficult it would be. To anyone who is considering the band or newly banded: it is NOT magic and it takes 100% focus. Use a calorie counting app and buy smaller plates and utensils. Get up from the table immediately after eating your portion and LEAVE the kitchen for a while. Ugh! I'm SO looking forward to feeling full longer!!

I was in the same boat( had my band on 2/19.) 5'8" and weighed 263. I had no weight loss requirement pre-op and no pre-op diet. Since banding I'm down almost 30lbs BUT it's a struggle EVERY day. I haven't had a fill yet so it's all "want power." I can eat exactly as I did before but I have to work hard not to do so. Follow what your doctor says and you will be fine!

I use the EAS protein powder( 26grams of protein) I mix two scoops of vanilla with 8oz of n sweetened coconut almond milk( blue diamond brand) I grate a little fresh nutmeg in and add sugar-free cheesecake pudding powder. I have one every morning--- because I'm just not hungry in the am. I bought one of those blender bottles so its quick and easy, and mobile! Good Luck!

This just happened to me! I tool Milk of Magnesium and I cleared in about two hours. Good luck! It's horrible to feel that way!

I started puréed food this week and I'm struggling to get my proteins in. I have a shake for breakfast. A cheese stick for snack. Lunch is generally 1/2 cup chicken salad and 1/4 black beans. I plan to have a smaller protein drink in the afternoon and then dinner. The problem is, once I have the cheese stick, I am full and don't want lunch. Then I eat my lunch a bit later in the afternoon. I skip the second protein drink or I skip dinner because I'm just not hungry. Should I be eating/drinking even though I'm not hungry?

Same thing here! My boyfriend saw nothing wrong with my weight. He was not very supportive when I was still in the deciding stage but once I made up my mind, I clearly told him what I needed from him( to be positive, and that when I am whining about being sore or hungry, I needed him to say "Keep going-- you're almost there! And not "why the hell did you do this to yourself and I told you so!") Spelling it out for him helped AND he has lost 40lbs since the end of November. He says he wants to be in shape too! I am sure that your husband loves you, the person. Men sometimes have fears that their wife/GF will suddenly change and start to wander once they lose weight. Pay mucho attention to him so he knows that you are still attracted to him and keep getting healthy!!

I just sold five Silpada rings on EBay! Lol! I'm thinking I will need all new ones by May!

Does anyone know of a non-milk based/non soy protein powder? I heard of a goat's milk one but it doesn't really have much protein. I have a friend who is trying to lose weight. She is 25 and very afraid of being banded so young. She has a pretty big milk protein allergy and a thyroid issue which prevents her from having soy products. Any suggestions are welcomed! Thanks!

As a newly banded person, I can relate. I didn't have a pre-op diet but was on only liquids for three weeks after. I was overly focused on food for the first three or four days. I made lists of what I was going to eat as soon as I could eat again. I pored over recipes and everything on television made me hungry.... It went away, that craving for food. Soon my body wasn't hungry and my mind was more focused on the weight I was losing. That scale is a huge reinforcer! Now that I can eat again, I have no desire for most things on my list. I can't wait to eat a salad, but BBQ wings and French fries and mashed potatoes and such don't turn me on. Hang in there and focus hard on your goals. Be proud of how far you have come and remember that this is temporary. In a few months, you will be able to eat( taste?) just about anything. Your body will change, your appetite will change, and your mind set will change as well.