trystelle

IMHO=This whole Lapband adventure is about taking care of ourselves in the best way we can. We have already burdened our bodies with years of excess weight and associated comorbidities. It is time to make a commitment to a healthy lifestyle. An important component of this is regular medical care and heeding your physician's advice. I know that I plan to do as much as I can to make my lapband journey the best it can be. It's not about self-denial, but about self love. :thumbup:

I started with 180 to lose and am down by 130+. Weight came off faster at first (2-4 lbs a week), now it has slowed to 1-2 pounds a week. I feel fabulous-I love wearing "normal" clothes and life seems so much easier. A year from now you will be writing this same note to a frightened newbie!:biggrin2:

Isn't it exciting! My size goal was a 14 and today I wore my first pair of 14 non-stretch pants! I never thought I would see the day! The last time I fit in a 14 was 1983. It is so nice that we get to Celebrate these milestones together!

Sue-

Don't worry about the GB surgery. It was about the same or a little easier than my band was. This poster tends to be a bit extreme, so I would not worry-you'll be fine!

I am getting a pug puppy when I reach goal. Pugs give me great joy!:bolt:

I know exactly how you feel-I have lost my pounds so fast my mind can't keep up with my body. I still have about 50 pounds to be in the healthy category, but it is hard to think about being thinner than I am now. It catches me by surprise a lot and it makes me cry! :bolt:

I eat between 1200 and 1600 calories a day, but am quite active.

When my emotions start to overrule my senses, I plan out my meals in advance. I am not sure why, but this helps. I choose 6 small high Protein meals and eat every 3 hours or so, it helps keep cravings at bay and I don't have to make quick decisions about what to eat under emotional pressure.

It's important to follow your Dr's post op instructions. But you don't have to assume Pasta, rice and noodles are off limits. I can eat all of them very slowly in small quantities. Different foods are hard for different people. Although I have good restriction-I haven't run into anything I can't eat. Your band and tolerances will be unique to you!

Yes it does work-I am at less than 200 pounds for the first time in 25 years. I have never lost this much wieght-I know the band makes a difference for me. It will for you also!!:bolt:

You can get an unflavored Protein powder called "Any Whey" at GNC. It is not perfectly clear but close.

Oh yeah-weren't those $2 bottles of wine the best????:bolt:

The saliva breaks down carbs in the mouth. This is the first step of digestion. Alcohol is one of the very few substances that is absorbed through the stomach wall. If not, then it would take hours to feel the effects of alcohol. The food mixes with enzymes and Hydrochloric acid in the stomach. This starts to break down the Proteins. The food then moves to the small intestine where bile from the liver and enzymes from the pancreas break down foods into simple building blocks. At this point the molecules are transported through the intestinal wall. Carbs start digesting in the mouth. Proteins start to digest in the stomach and most fat breakdown does not occur until it reaches the small intestine where it can mix with bile. Alcohol is absorbed first and the carbs, proteins and lipids are absorbed in the small intestine. Fiber (cellulose) is not able to be broken down by our digestive system and thus is not absorbed into the intestinal wall. Our digestive sytem is remarkably intricate. It is really a wonder isn't it?

If something has calories it must be a Protein carb or fat. I believe alcohol is considered a carb. It is not a protein or fat. I am not sure what you mean by the body processes alcohol first. Could you explain?

A100 calorie bag of popcorn fills me up and crunches too!

I have this strange side effect-My pants slip right off my body!

You go guy!!!!

I have a VG 10cc band a great doc and lots of determination!!! I don't know how much the type of band matters. I did not get the one I "wanted"!:shades_smile:

I am a strong advocate of the 6 meal a day plan. You are right, a lapband meal should last 3-4 hours. So say three and you are up 16-18 hours a day then that is 5-6 meals.

Calories are calories, but the combination of six small meals and regular exercise has made it easier to lose weight Even when I reach goal I plan to continue to eat this way.

Of course you should try both and see what works for you!

Cabbage is the Devil!!!!

If you have a dollar store near you they have little packages of tuna or chicken salad and 6 crackers. It is just right and inexpensive. I eat the baby bel light cheese a lot. I eat yogurt. A lot of times I pack a few things because I never know what I will be in the mood for or how my restriction will be.

I have found that depending on the brand of cat food-many have a lot of red coloring in them. I guess it is to make it look like meat! Maybe try a more natural cat food if you think this might be the problem. Perhaps you could make his food for a week or two and see if it helps.

OMG-I have been worried about the same thing, afraid my port had flipped or had somehow come loose. Thanks for the info!

I did it!!!!!! Goodbye 200's!!! Hello Healthy!!!

I have taken protonix for years because of reflux, I tried to go without after surgery, but still have symptoms. I continue to take it with no problems and no reflux. I wonder why your Mexican doc is opposed to your taking an Rx.

Good luck!