Amy Carter

I used EAS recovery protein from walmart and boost calorie smart. The EAS has 20 grams and it really tastes horrible mixed with water, but I have now started mixing it in my yogurt shake each morning and it is good. The boost calorie smart has 16 grams and is pretty good as long as it is cold. Both are chocolate. I have not tried either in other flavors. The prices are reasonable also.

I have had my second fill for almost a week now and I am loving it. I went from being able to eat almost as much as I used to to eating about 6 bites and filling satisfied. I have lost the weight I gained during the holiday plus almost 2 more pounds. My goal was to be out of the 190's by the end of the month and I am already at 192.8. I love my doctor for allowing me to control how much fill I have in my band. He will add until I can fill it and I can watch it go through my band. I forgot to ask how much I have in my band right now. I just know that I had 1.5 before my fill so I am hoping I am at least at a 3. I have taken up jumping rope for my cardio along with walking and I also have a 5 pound weight I have been using for a little strength training. I am almost ready to go up in either reps or weight. I'm so excited. My arms are not as flabby as they were. I have also been able to increase my time on the eliptical at the gym. I am now able to do eight minutes with a 30-45 second break after each minute- minute and a half. Before I was lucky if I could do 2 minutes.

Debbie I start my day out with a Boost Calorie Smart protein drink. Then I exercise. After about an hour I make a shake for breakfast. I use a cup Non-Fat yogurt Plain with some fruit and a cup of 1% milk. I blend until it is really creamy. All together my morning has 35 grams of protein and only 400 calories.Plus the calories in the fruit. I am good for about 4 to 5 hours after that.

I had my first fill Friday. I had nothing in my band and he added 1.5 and I do not notice any restriction yet. Hopefully after my next fill I will notice it. I was able to eat a taco salad from Taco Bell for dinner tonight. I really only eat the Beans, meat, cheese, and sour cream, but still I ate all of that plus a little of the shell before I was satisified. Granted when I eat I do not get hungry for about 6 hours. I only ate Breakfast and dinner tonight. I have also taken up jumping rope. I was pretty good at it when I was a child, but now OMG it is exhausting. I am working on being able to jump continously for 10 minutes at a moderate speed, but I can only do it for about a minute or so at a time then I have to take a break for about a minute.

Congrats on getting banded. For the next few days become best friends with a heating pad. Between that and walking you will start feeling better. I have had my band for a little over month now, but I still remember the pain after surgery. I hope you have a speedy recovery.

I do focus on protein. I have a Protein shake first thing in the morning then later I have a waffle for the Fiber and I usually put Peanut Butter on it for added protein. I can't eat much bread, but when I do I make sure that it is wheat and not white like my dr told me. There are still a few things that I have to have bread/buns for, but I am learning to eat less breads with them. Thanks for caring Debbie. I don't know what I would do without everyone here.

I get my fill Thursday also Justin. What time do you get yours? I have to be there at 11 for mine. If you get yours first let me know how it went. I'll try to do the same, but I have an appt with the dietician right after my fill. I can't wait to actually get something in my band.

I hope your pain is better now. I used a heating pad to help with the pain. There were a few nights after surgery that I wanted 2 heating pads. I slept in a recliner for a couple of weeks because if I tried to lay flat I had sharp pains at my port. Heat really helped me and I hope it is helping you.

With the slim fast shakes I always had to have them very cold. I used a shake that was not very good so I made sure that it was very cold and then I would stand over the sink and pretty much chug it down without stopping or breathing. Then I would swish water around in my mouth to get rid of the taste. Hope this helps you. Keep up with the diet it will be over soon. Take it one day at a time and reward yourself with a movie or a fun activity. You can do this.

I love the boost calorie smart shakes. They are premixed for easy on the go protein. I have only tried the chocolate since I am a chocoholic and its the healthiest way for me to get my chocolate each day.

I like the boost calorie smart shakes (chocolate only). It has less calories and more protein than the boost high protein shakes.

Well I have lost the pound I gained last week. I did a modified liquid diet for a couple of days. Now I just have to find the time to exercise more with all my homework. I am glad that I am nearing the end of my schooling, but I think I made a huge mistake taking 2 psychology classes at once. Tons of work and reading in them. I have discovered that I love multi-grain Eggo waffles and wheat buns. I've been eating wheat bread for many years now, but had never tried other wheat products. I have become addicted to spiced cinnamon chai tea lattes. They have replaced my Diet Cherry Dr. Pepper addiction. 3 more days until my first fill. Hope that helps me keep losing without having to wait for a second fill.

I am supposed to be eating 1/2 to 3/4 cup right now, but I need about 4 meals a day to stay satisfied on that amount. I am thinking that my problem is that I am not getting enough protein and that i might have to add another shake each day. I get my first fill on Nov. 7th and I wish it was already time. I am now at 198, but I have gained and lost 2 lbs this past week since I have not been able to get to the gym or go walking. Though now I know that if you do 40 loads of laundry and deep clean a couple rooms its a good workout. My friend thinks I am awesome since I did all this for her while she was on vacation this past week. Hopefully she can have the garage sale before her children and dogs mess the clothes up again.

I am eating real food most of the time. Tonight i tried eating a tortilla and so far that has been the only food i can't eat. No more tortillas for me for awhile.

I know what you mean. I had a tiny bite of my son's mexican pizza shell at taco bell last night and though I could barely taste it and I chewed it like 10 times it was still the best tasting food I've had in weeks. I really miss having some crunch in my food. I am counting down the days I have left until I can have wheat crackers and it is only 8 more. I am going to enjoy a few crackers with a bit of turkey and cheese on them when I get there.

I am craving popcorn. I just want it with a little salt. I am so close to just fixing some even though I have only been banded since the 30th.

Congrats on the fill date. I go Nov. 7th for my first fill. I have been having the chocolate cravings also and when that happens I eat some chocolate sugar free pudding. It has been helping me with the cravings. Hope that it will help you also.

Mine does the same thing. I just try drinking more when that happens if it is not time to eat again.

Congrats on the swift approval.

Vitamins. Make sure you have a supply of chewable or gummy vitamins with iron and calcium chews also. Start taking them during your liquid diet or even before. The healthier you are before the easier it is after.