mrsto

Courtney - this cracked me up. I have to tell you, most all of us took the emotional roller coaster prior to surgery. Completely normal! I was getting ready to change my name to Sybil - LOL!

I didn't do the last supper thing. I was already so fooded out, there wasn't one single thing I felt that I would miss. I was disgusted with food and eating all together, and I've had so MANY "last suppers", this time around, I just didn't care. Now, that's not to say that I don't totally get it

Geez......where do you work? LOL... Just make sure that you bring enough of what YOU need, so you're not tempted to dive into whatever they bring in. It's going to take a lot of strength on your part. Just stay focused and remember why you had the surgery. Then visualize yourself walking away from the office kitchen, toward a healthier thinner....you.

I was overwhelmed in the beginning, too. Once I learned to trust the band signals, the fear went away. Although, one day we went into a Korean BBQ place, and didn't realize that it was a set price for all you can eat. They started bringing plates of various marinated raw meats, chicken, pork, shrimp....all to be cooked at the table. In addition, they give a bunch of side dishes. Because I eat so slow, and my husband kept throwing the meats on the grill, I got really annoyed with the whole thing. I told him to STOP cooking so fast, because by the time I was done chewing my first little piece, the next piece was was ice cold. Never going back to the restaurant again. I felt waaay too out of control with the whole setup.

I love crusty french bread dunked in olive oil & cheese.... There is a restaurant we go to that puts out olive oil with garlic. I take the crust from one piece of bread & have at it. I'm salivating just thinking about it

Since surgery, I've learned to keep a cooler in the car for leftovers. We don't always go straight home after eating, so this way I don't have to waste good food.

Good job! That's a nice chunk of weight

I order what looks good, but that has changed dramatically since surgery. If I order any type of burger, I leave the bun behind, and take home whatever meat I can't finish. I don't restrict carbs, but find that the bread takes up too much room in my already limited stomach capacity. Sometimes, if there is a salad on the menu that I love, I'll order it as is (my favorite is Sheila's Cashew Chicken Salad at the Cheesecake Factory), but get the dressing on the side. Overall, as long as I listen closely for the band signal, and abide by it, I can eat just about anything.

Where is the little "hands clapping" emoticon?

Or as we say here in Los Angeles... "Don't ya just love those Dodgers"!

A lot of people in this country are still drinking the Kool-Aid.

HAHAHAHA.......thanks CG - I needed that!!

Hahaha......LOVE that you left everything on the counter. I hate that store, and haven't filled a prescription there in over two years. They are total idiots, and they made more mistakes than not. Sounds like it doesn't matter what state you live in......they suck, period. I'm with Sharpie.... I now have all prescriptions filled at Vons Market where I buy groceries, and I kill two birds with one stone. The pharmacy is small; they know me, they get the prescriptions right, and they are nice. I also get my annual flu shot there.

That's good to know....about Body Fortress. I was using nectar, and it was disgusting.

Does the Protein Powder dissolve, or does it clump? I tired putting unflavored protein powder in Soup, and it was a total mess.....had to throw it out.

I saw those for the first time when we were there a couple of weeks ago. I had the bag in my hand, but then thought...what am I going to do with ALL these eggs...they'll go bad. I didn't realize that they last that long. Okay.....on my list

Year ago Nioxin saved me! I forgot about it, but now that you mention it, I'm going to get some. Thanks for the reminder!

There are some great Protein bars that are good on the go. I found one (Quest Bar) that has 21 grams of protein, 17 grams of Fiber, and only 5 net carbs. But I'm with Sharpie.....the only thing that really holds me, is eggs and turkey sausage, or eggs with an ounce of melted cheese. When I say "eggs", for me, it's really only one egg. Another suggestion is making a bowl of egg salad. In a pinch, it's quick and easy to scoop some out into a to-go cup, and be on your way.

Atkins also has frozen Entrees that are decent, and though they're lower carb, they tend to be higher in fat. Although, it doesn't sound like that's what you'll be counting. Tuna is good on the go, and lean turkey or hamburger patties with veggies is great for dinner. With carb counting, just focus on lean Proteins and veggies, and you should be fine. Since you're really busy, you can make egg salad and tuna salad, and have it in the fridge ready to go for 2-3 days. Tuna stuffed on celery stalks is pretty good.

My stomach starts grumbling the minute food starts to enter it. No pain....just noisy!

What is your post-op diet at the 3 week mark? That sounds pretty hefty for three weeks, but I'm basing that on what my post-op diet was. My first reaction is that the food was too heavy, and too dry.

Carole - love the tag line

I'm really glad that my first fill was sizable. I came out of surgery with about 3cc's, and was given another 3 with the first fill. After that, about 1cc, then .25cc. I'm good now. I hear of people waiting months to feel restriction, with these teeny tiny fills. If I had to wait that long to feel the presence of my band, I would have been totally depressed. I understand the slow theory, but I think some docs take it a bit too far.

It's been just over 6 months since my surgery, and I've gotten to the point where I don't think much about eating in between meals. I do have a snack in the evening, but during the day......rarely. I can also say that I'm not cured of the obsession to eat. But what I've learned from trial & error since being banded, is that if I push it, I'll be uncomfortable. I had plication done with the band, and I really think that acts as a secondary stop mechanism. There have been times when I've certainly put it to the test, but there is no way on earth I could ever eat the way I did before. And putting it to the test isn't a binge; more like a few extra bites, or an extra snack at night. Weekends are the time I usually have a few extra calories. We go out to eat for almost every meal, and though I follow the eating rules, I may allow myself some popcorn at the movies, or a few bites of a dessert my husband might order in a restaurant. My actual meals are so small, that I haven't experienced any weight gain since surgery. There are days when I feel like it was a "bad day", but when I calculate it, I've had only 1400 calories. Maybe not good for loss, but certainly, not enough to gain. So now, "bad" has a whole new meaning. Mis is so right on about working on the psychological issues surrounding compulsive overeating. I've dealt with this affliction since the age of 6 (52 years!!), and I can honestly say, though we can choose differently in any given moment, and the addiction may feel dormant, it never really leaves. That is why we need to be diligent to our program on a daily basis. Doesn't mean we'll always be perfect, but if we're good 85% of the time, we will have life long success.

Exactly what my doctor told me..... At one point, after he did a TNE, said that I could take ONE Advil, once in awhile....if I absolutely needed it. I asked him about liquid, and he said there is no difference when it comes to the band. He ALSO said that if I'm going to take an Advil, to take Pepcid or Prilosec as well.