PrettyThick1

You need to get some Protein shots - they are Clear liquids, not full liquids like Protein shakes. If they are still too thick for you, then add them to Water to make it like a juice. You just had surgery, you're going to feel like crap that was run over by a Mack truck. It get's better and you'll love your band as much as I love my Miss Pearlie...she's helped me lose very well in the last 3 months we've been together. Chin up...this is the toughest part of the journey, look for the light at the end of the tunnel...it's really close now.

On an average day: 7:30am 4 oz. glass of warm Water with lemon juice Cup of coffee with equal and half & half 10:00am (takes 30 - 45 minutes to finish) oatmeal or Cream of wheat with 1 scoop Protein powder - or - CarbWise (Kroger brand) Yogurt with 1 scoop unflavored protein - or - 1 pc. bacon and a little scrambled egg (eaten verrrrry slowly) - or - chicken spread - or - Cottage cheese concoction (fruit juice or spices) with 1 scoop unflavored Protein Powder 1:30pm (lunch has to be late now...I'm full so long) 1/2 container of Lean Cuisine or Atkins meal (avoid most of the carbs) - or - 1 chicken thigh, baked, fried or bbq (sometimes I eat the skin) - or - Small salad with: chopped chicken, 1/4 tomato, 2-3 slivers of bell pepper, small sliver of avocado, bacon pieces, 3 - 4 cucumber slices, shredded cheese, 3 - 4 green olives and creamy italian dressing - or - Home made Soup, chili or seafood gumbo - or - Beans, salsa and pico de gallo with a few tortilla chips - or - Cut fruit and a protein shot 3:30'ish (sometimes I'm still full from lunch so I just have a coffee) If I haven't had a protein shot yet or if I'm low on protein for the day I'll have a shot. 1/2 bag of SmartPop popcorn - or - A handful of nuts with water or juice to sip at the same time (too dry) - or - A couple of pieces of beef Jerky with water or juice to sip at the same time. 7:00pm (still not hungry, but if I don't eat now...I'm going to snack really late) Small piece of baked fish and broccoli or spinach - or - Chicken Thigh and a veggie - or - Home made soup, chili or gumbo - or - 1/2 - 3/4 can of tuna - or - The toppings from 2 slices of pizza (no crust) - or - I find small snack items - peanuts, beef jerky, chicken spread and nibble until I'm full. I am strongly in favor of home made Soups - you can put everything we need in them, they freeze well and you make enough to last for several days. I eat pretty much whatever I want to, but I no longer crave too many things that aren't good for me. I'm sure it's psychological, but I'm happy about it nonetheless. Many foods are a challenge for me: ground beef, eggs (any style), Pasta and breads so I just naturally avoid them. I use to really miss hamburgers, french fries and a coca-cola, but I'm over it now - thank God!

Whoa...I don't think I've read anyone post something so flippant before. Are you trying to hurt yourself? Why on earth would you eat solid foods right after surgery? You're going to end up being one of those people complaining that the band failed them...I see it coming, train wreck waiting to happen. I don't wish anything bad on anyone, but you're asking for trouble.

I weigh first thing in the morning and sometimes my scale does me like that - I'll get three different numbers. But it's the cheapest digital scale WalMart had, so I'll probably look in to buying one thats a little more reliable. LOL

Good job!!! Keep up the good work!

Today marks 3 months with Miss Pearlie and I have to say that I'm so glad to have her in my life. Since she's been with me: I've lost 46 pounds I've lost 40.5 inches My blood pressure is normal - 120/80 My blood sugar is 94 (no longer in diabetic range) My severe obstructive sleep apnea is gone I don't snore loudly I feel good I look younger I have several NSV's, but these are the things that matter the most to me and many other bandsters. Needless to say, I am thrilled at my progress and it has truly exceeded my expectations. Good luck everyone!

Welcome Its-time! You've found the right forum...there are a couple out there, but none as supportive and positive as this one. I am still a newbie - I've only had my band for 3 months today (yay me!) but in that time I've lost 46lbs, 40 inches, my type II diabetes is gone, my blood pressure is a textbook120/80 and {{{{drumroll}}}} my severe obstructive sleep apnea is a thing of the past! You'll be such a happy, healthy and fun dad! This is one of the best things you could do for yourself and your family. My daughter and her friends are certainly much happier with the new me - I cut up with them even more now, chase them around the house and have more energy than they do...go figure! Ask plenty of questions, you'll learn more here than you will in seminars or from medical professionals, trust me. Welcome and good luck to you!

A gym rat friend of mine makes a point of working out when he feels a cold coming on. He seems to think it thwarts it and I believe he's right. As long as you don't have a fever or feel light headed, go ahead and work up a sweat to get those toxins out.

There are no stupid questions when it comes to the band. This was a good one and although it's all liquid, right now is good practice for when you move on to solids. Keep up the good work.

That was beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

If you have a strenuous job, you should take a couple of weeks if you can. I sit at a desk all day and I have to be honest, a week off was still a couple of days too short for me.

Oh yeah... Green beans Corn Steamed carrots Steamed broccoli

At your stage I ate: Oatmeal with protein powder (blueberry, strawberry, banana or a combination of those). Cottage cheese with fruit juice and unflavored protein powder mixed in Yogurt with extra protein powder Mashed potatoes Tuna Scrambled eggs Chicken Spread Baked white fish Cake Batter Muscle Milk - same consistency of cake batter, eaten as a snack Home made soups Chili Seafood Gumbo without rice

It took me 2 weeks to lose 20lbs, I've lost a total of 45lbs and 39 inches in 3 months.

That's what happens when you need a fill or you're getting close to that time. It happens to everyone.

I'm so sorry. Never say never, you could be the lucky winner of Powerball tonight and get whatever you want done. I know the odds, but you have to keep positive thoughts. Good things happen when you least expect them to. This could also be a blessing in diguise, you just never know.

This stuff is D E L I C I O U S! I try to plan my meals in advance, but sometimes I don't want what I've brought for lunch and today was one of those days. I was at Walmart anyway and decided to check out the frozen food section for new things to have at work. It's really hard finding frozen meals that aren't loaded with carbs - they all seem to have rice, Pasta or potatoes in them, argh! However, I thought since this was Atkins, I'd suck it up and have the small amount of pasta in the meal. I'm so happy I did. This tastes almost home-made and it's very filling. I think this could easilly be 3 meals for me, it's plenty of food. Here are the nutrition facts: 360 calories per serving (for bandsters the package is 2 or 3 meals - 120 or 240 calories) 33g Protein (11 or 22g) 7g net carbs (avoid the pasta and erase that) Anyway, I give this product two thumbs up...I can't wait to try their other varieties soon.

I broke a plateau by boosting my protein by 20g a day, after the third day the scale started moving again.

I think you'll feel more comfortable in your own home, definitely if you're staying overnight at the hospital. I didn't feel like being bothered by anybody, didn't want to talk on the phone, I just wanted quiet. So I think you'll be better off if you were at home, just put everything you need close to your bed - or in my case the sofa because I didn't feel like going upstairs to my bedroom for the first couple of days. I could have, I just didn't feel like it.

No girl, the second photo wasn't too much...are you kidding? You've got it now, so by all means flaunt it! You are definitely an inspiration - you have done an incredible job and I hope I can get where you are!!! I'll private message you for advice on a few things...since you put the invitation out there.

I got to green on my 4th fill - it brought me to a total of 5.5 in a 10cc band.

I'm soooooo glad you're feeling better Lisa!!! This is a great forum, full of positive people that truly want to help each other. There is no other like this and I'm so glad to be a part of it. {{{Big Hugs}}} right back to you honey!!! Keep up the good work.

Wow...you posted again while I was posting the last message. I'm going to say a prayer for you tonight before I go to bed. I really will...I just made a reminder on my phone so I wouldn't forget. Those are a lot of things to be concerned about. Since you are a nurse, you know the importance of positive thoughts and surrounding yourself with positive people. Don't allow anyone around that's going to feel sorry for you, only those who believe in your strength to overcome. I don't know you, but I'm sending those vibes your way now. You can overcome anything that comes against you, there is a power within that makes it possible. Find it, use it.

Congrats on your success with the band and I hope your health issues are resolved quickly. Try drinking protein shots instead - they are only about 2.5 oz but are packed with 26g, you can make up a lot of ground with those even on the days you can't stand the thought of eating or drinking anything. They also come in 42g / 3.5 oz bottles. Either of those is great to fill in the blanks, I rely on them heavilly...and now the same for Unjury Unflavored Protein. I mix that in everything...for instance: today my lunch was a 1/3c. cottage cheese with a spalsh of peach punch for flavor and one scoop of unflavored protein - it was awesome, I managed 80 calories, 36g protein and I stayed full for 3.5 hours.

It's normal, you aren't supposed to eat bread, rice, Pasta or anything like that because it gets gummy. I am able to eat them on occasion, but I have to be VERY careful, take tiny bites and chew well - I also take a sip of something while it's in my mouth before I swallow it. I can't eat chicken breast, it's too dry. If you want white meat, you have to add some kind of sauce to it. I usually just opt for a skinless thigh instead. Every time you get a fill, something will change and it will be the trial and error process all over again. That's the case for me anyway.