Ricksgal_96

I make sure I have things easily ready.... I get in trouble if I don't have quick options.... I cook lean ground beef with taco mix and put it in measured amounts and then throw it in the freezer... when I'm ready, I throw it in the microwave, top with shredded cheese, shredded lettuce chopped tomatoes. Having things like that ready to go in minutes really helps me with variety when I am stuck feeling like I'm eating the same things, but don't really want to make the effort to cook all the time... Good luck!

Took measurements 1 week ago...from today. .on the calender in kitchen ...1 inch down this week from all over :-) ..woop woop go me !

I make sure I have things easily ready.... I get in trouble if I don't have quick options.... I cook lean ground beef with taco mix and put it in measured amounts and then throw it in the freezer... when I'm ready, I throw it in the microwave, top with shredded cheese, shredded lettuce chopped tomatoes. Having things like that ready to go in minutes really helps me with variety when I am stuck feeling like I'm eating the same things, but don't really want to make the effort to cook all the time... Good luck!

I make sure I have things easily ready.... I get in trouble if I don't have quick options.... I cook lean ground beef with taco mix and put it in measured amounts and then throw it in the freezer... when I'm ready, I throw it in the microwave, top with shredded cheese, shredded lettuce chopped tomatoes. Having things like that ready to go in minutes really helps me with variety when I am stuck feeling like I'm eating the same things, but don't really want to make the effort to cook all the time... Good luck!

There are very few things I cannot eat.. Skins on fruit or meat arent good for me... rice as much as I love it isnt a good choice for me but many others do well with it.... Tough meats are just too much effort but other than that.... I can eat anything. I just dont chose to fill up on breads and Pasta but I do have them on occasion.
You might try making a week's worth of menus which change up your selections. Its a good tool to plan your meals anyway so as to track your calories.

I cannot eat Pizza...it does not go well with my band, and is high risk to getting stuck...so I have dismissed it for years now.
Also, melted globs of cheese is on my "Don't not eat" list also....along with most doughy products....
It's not about nutrition, or calories, etc....it's all about texture....and whether it passes through the band easily or not....

I SO LOVE THAT IDEA!!!! I would love recipes!!!

Oh man, I hope that stuff knocks out that ear stuff! I've had to deal with that stuff before and it's no fun. Glad your fill was just the right amount. Good luck!

My life has changed so much in the last 2 months and I could not be more thankful. I am healthier than I have been in years and I am just beginning. I am active and actually to the point I am starting to crave it. I make better decisions than I have ever in regards to food. This tool hasn't changed my life, it has given me my life back. I have learned discipline and control and on the occasional slip, I refocus, not a week later but the next day. It actually makes me work harder. This is my journey and I am so lucky to have an amazing support system both within this community and by those in my life. I am so excited to see what the next year holds for all of us!

I have times of the month I just wanna eat and eat. And stress used to be trigger, but I have since found that exercise and the endorphins they release is a MUCH better manager of stress levels.
The only advice I have for you is to be prepared. I have cut up celery and carrots and I eat them dipped in hummus as a snack if I really feel like snacking. Or I have unroasted, unsalted nuts. You can't always get rid of the urge to snack, but you can stem some of the cravings with stuff that's still going to be good for you.

I havent been on here in a while because my life has been pretty hectic lately. My Wife and myself are expecting twins soon so we have been trying to plan a baby shower and working on their new room, PLUS!! we are in the process of building a new home so needless to say with all that going on plus my Wife's hormones being in a fit I havent had time to look up. LOL!! Anyways,, I was banded June 21st 2013 and since then I have had 4 fills totaling 6 1/2 cc's and as a result I have lost 43lbs. ( I will try and post Updated pics soon) I am very happy with my progress but I am still waiting to achieve the all mighty GREEN ZONE!! My question is... How long did it take for you to achieve the GREEN ZONE? I have a certain amount of restriction but the food keeps going through the band after just a few seconds. I keep asking myself when will the food stop at the top and stay there so I can achieve fulness quicker? My Dr. says once I hit that mark the weight will melt off me. Thanks in advance.

They have hired more staff so you shouldnt have any problems now, but check with them when you go for your post op.
Good luck, keep us posted

Please don't listen to what anyone here says about appropriate fills.
You have a surgeon whose job it is to know what the correct fill amount is FOR YOU!
None of us are experts so please, please, please...listen to your doctor.

Oh no! I'm sorry to hear that! BUT sounds like you're right on track now!! Doing awesome over here.. down 25lbs since surgery :-) I started out with a lower bmi so that equals going from a size 16 to a size 12 for me :-) went for my first fill last week and decided against it... I'm sure a time is coming when I'll be starving, but it's definitely not here lol... I struggle to get all my Protein and calories in now.... have another appointment September 30 to see where I am, but I don't see a change in appetite right now...it's encouraging to hear that when your struggling, there's something we can do about it... one of the main reasons I had the surgery in the first place enjoy your weekend!!

FLAT SODA??? I rather drink pool water! LoL

Fill #3 has put me in the green zone! I have 5cc's in my 10cc band and it did the trick! I'm staying full for a minimum of 4 hours, able to tolerate solids very well and the pounds are melting faster than ever now. I've lost 4lbs in just 3 days (without exercise) and I am so thrilled!!!! I hope you all experience the same results, it is an unbelievable feeling!!!

This surgery has made in my life is phenomenal. I don't often remember how unhealthy I was, a I don't remember ever allowing myself to get that unhealthy. It happens one bite, one day of not exercising at a time. It all adds up. It seem likes it happened overnight, when in reality it was a six year period of my life that drastically went further downhill each am every day.
My family doctor is not a big advocate of cholesterol-lowering drugs; however, when my surgeon's office requested I be put on them prior to surgery as my cholesterol was through the roof, he obliged. Very shortly after the surgery he took me off of the pills, telling me he wanted to see if I could lower it on my own. I received my blood work results today. I am officially back in the great zone! My cholesterol has dropped 52 points! My good cholesterol is great, my bad cholesterol is great!
I just have to take a moment and remind myself (and all of you) how worth it this surgery is! It has completely changed my life back to the better, back to the healthy lifestyle! I didn't have the will power to do it on my own, I needed a little help, and man, has it ever been the biggest help. I firmly believe it saved my life!

Wow that's great- I have been looking for an app like that... I'm going to try it! Thanks!

Wow that's great- I have been looking for an app like that... I'm going to try it! Thanks!

That so good to hear... I was starting to think I was nuts. My first appointment is on Thursday and I have NO desire to get a fill yet. I am not hungry.... it's a struggle to eat, not physically, but emotionally.. I am swallowing fine, eating great food, but you are the first I heard say don't get a fill if you don't need one. I'll tell my doc and see how that goes :-) thanks!

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So today is my 1 month Post op. I have decided to collage a few photos and weight ins. It's a work in progress. Monday I get a fill, & I can start working out. Hope all my July Banders are taking pics. I was surprised to even see the difference.
Sent from my SAMSUNG GALAXY S3 using LapBandTalk

So meet the teacher night was this past Monday. I had to dig deep into my closet and came up with this! I was told many times I looked "hot"! I'll take it!!
Today I wore jeans and a school shirt from last year. I was told I now need new clothes. Okay! So nice to hear!!

Hey all! I'm traveling so can't weigh in until I'm back home on the 12th but I wanted to share a story that I came to visit my parents and my mom had some old clothes from when I was in college in a drawer in my old room (I've been out of college for 10 years and that was the last time I for in those clothes) and I fit into them now! I also bought the smallest size (10) I've owned as an adult. It's a bit snug but it was on sale and I know I will fit into it!!!! I'm so excited. Lets keep the motivation alive!!!

I'm still pretty swollen and I'm 16 days out..... and fyi -I can easily feel my port and can see it if I lay down flat... my doc said I'm swollen more than most also...