charlygirl08

Stina,

Thanks so much for sharing!! It's very enlightening to know that what I'm saying makes sense!! Thanks so much!!

Hi,

I'm Charly from St. Louis, Missouri USA. I was banded on Dec. 10, 2007 and have lost 30lbs. I LOVE MY BAND!!! This is a great board. Thanks to whoever started this.

And since I'm already posting this, I thought I'd add something else, because I think it applies to our age group.

Okay, this may seem crazy for some of ya'll who have hectic lives, but I'm in the VERY SMALL percentage that has a LOT of free time--A LOT!! I praise God that he has blessed me with a wonderful Monday-Friday 9-5 job (no overtime required unless voluntary, and then I am paid time n' half). I have no kids (but, 2 dogs) and no hobbies. I come home and fix a homemade meal EVERY NIGHT and I still have 4-5 hours with nothing to do but watch TV. I wanted to explain myself before I go on. So, I'm starting to eat little things here and there because I'm so bored. I exercise during my lunch hour at the gym in my building because I like the way it makes me feel for the later part of my day. I've been applying for part time jobs to keep me busy and help out with bills. I think I'm going insane with all this free time! I just needed to "vent" about this. If anyone has any suggestions, please share!!

Hi TangerineDreams,

That's a great idea, but I may do something at home? or close to home? I work in downtown St. Louis and I don't like to be here after hours.

Hi,

I'm Charly from St. Louis, Missouri USA. I was banded on Dec. 10, 2007 and have lost 30lbs. I LOVE MY BAND!!! This is a great board. Thanks to whoever started this.

And since I'm already posting this, I thought I'd add something else, because I think it applies to our age group.

Okay, this may seem like a crazy for some of ya'll who have hectic lives, but I'm in the VERY SMALL percentage that has a LOT of free time--A LOT!! I praise God that he has blessed me with a wonderful Monday-Friday 9-5 job (no overtime required unless voluntary, and then I am paid time n' half). I have no kids (but, 2 dogs) and no hobbies. I come home and fix a homemade meal EVERY NIGHT and I still have 4-5 hours with nothing to do but watch TV. I wanted to explain myself before I go on. So, I'm starting to eat little things here and there because I'm so bored. I exercise during my lunch hour at the gym in my building because I like the way it makes me feel for the later part of my day. I've been applying for part time jobs to keep me busy and help out with bills. I think I'm going insane with all this free time! I just needed to "vent" about this. If anyone has any suggestions, please share!!

Hi,

Okay, this may seem crazy for some of ya'll who have hectic lives, but I'm in the VERY SMALL percentage that has a LOT of free time--A LOT!! :rolleyes2::redface::redface: I praise God that he has blessed me with a wonderful Monday-Friday 9-5 job (no overtime required unless voluntary, and then I am paid time n' half). I have no kids (but 2 dogs) and no hobbies. I come home and fix a homemade meal EVERY NIGHT (to have something to do) and I still have 4-5 hours with nothing to do but watch TV. I wanted to explain myself before I go on. So, I'm starting to eat little things here and there because I'm so bored. I work out on my lunch hour because I like the way it makes me feel for the later part of my day. I've been applying for part time jobs to keep me busy and help out with bills. I think I'm going insane with all this free time! I just needed to "vent" about this. If anyone has any suggestions, please share!!

Hi all!

I have been consuming between 600-900 calories per day. I had plataued after surgery for about 3 weeks, but last week I started consuming between 600-900 calories per day, and I'm still stuck. I've been exercising 5 times a week for 25-30 minutes since a week after surgery, so it's not like I'm not getting in exercise. I have a desk job, and I don't move around a lot, so that's why I exercise 5 times a week.

Anyone else consuming around this many calories? I've heard from many people that I'm putting my body into starvation mode, but how can this be, when an average lap-bandster can only eat so much before getting full, thus lowering the calorie intake. SOME ADVISE PLEASE!

Hi,

I was thinking about joining my husband who takes Tae Kwon Do classes. :rambo :boxing:I've been using the ellipticals and the treadmills at the gym everyday at work (5 days/week), but I thought it would be nice to get in some extra workout in the evenings or on the weekends. Just curious if any bandsters are taking Tae Kwon Do classes and if it has helped out with toning and such. I haven't used any free weights yet, so I was wondering if this would help in that way.

Any advice is great! Thanks!

I joined the gym in the building where I work. It's $15/month :eyebrows::heh:(discounted) and it's so convenient for me. I found that I sat around for the last 30 minutes of my lunch and that those 30 minutes could be better well spent in the gym. When I get home, I'm just not motivated and I have no room for equipment. I prefer to go to a gym because of the variety. :biggrin1::bounce:

WOW! Really? I hold on for a little bit, and then swing my arms, but that's because I'm so out of shape. I guess I just want to move my legs more to get more movement. Thanks for the tip!!

I would stay away from fast food burger and fries. They are LOADED WITH CALORIES!!! Fries alone at McD's are over 500 calories, and most cheeseburgers are over 600 calories. Subway or Quiznos? I would avoid beefy things at fast food places-always extra fatty for more flavor. Most fast food places have grilled chicken sandwhiches (not breaded-extra calories and carbs). Salads are definitely good.

But, you will save yourself many calories if you take some time every evening to pack a lunch. You'd be surprised how many calories are in fast food salads. All it takes is 10-15 minutes to prepare a hearty, low calorie lunch. Especially if you are in the weight loss stage, you will find it harder to lose the weight eating out for lunch all the time. I know from personal experience. Every tried Lean Cuisine or Weight Watches? They are very good and almost always on sale! Highly recommended! Good luck with your food choices. Remember, they don't choose you--you choose them!

Charly

Hi,

I just finished up my mushy stage on Week 3, and wanted some advice on what to eat for Week 4. It's such an odd ball week. It seems like a continuation of Week 3. I can't have seafood until Week 5, no toast till Week 6, no fruits till week 7, no red meat or breads until Week 8. What to eat? :confused: On my mushies week, I ate refried beans---I'm mexicaned out!! :faint: I hate cottage cheese:speechles, and I don't want to intake too much potatoes. I thought about meatloaf. I try to get in a lot of Protein to stay fuller longer, but I need some recipe/food ideas for this week. What did you eat at this stage? :help:

Thanks for your help!

Charly

MERRY LOSERS

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Thanks for the responses. I have an additional question--when they say "blended" do I have to actually put it in a blender? or can I mash it up with a fork? I want to follow the diet, don't get me wrong, but I don't want to have to put everything in a blender before I can eat it.

I have a question about the pureed (mushy) foods. I know they say that they need to be blended, but if I make meatloaf (which is usually mushy), do I really have to blend it? Why can't I "blend" it as I am chewing it? I'm eating full liquids right now, but I'm not blending my vegetable Soup or my chicken noodle soup. I haven't had a fill yet, and I recovered from the surgery VERY quickly, so I wonder if that is why I can handle unblended foods. I chew them really well though. Some advice please! Thanks!

I have a question about the pureed (mushy) foods. I know they say that they need to be blended, but if I make meatloaf (which is usually mushy), do I really have to blend it? Why can't I "blend" it up in my mouth? I'm eating full liquids right now, but I'm not blending my vegetable Soup or my chicken noodle soup. I haven't had a fill yet, and I recovered from the surgery VERY quickly, so I wonder if that is why I can handle unblended foods. I chew them really well though. Some advice please! Thanks!

Thanks for all your comments. I will admit that I did have the sandwhich. I went in for Surgery on Dec. 10th and the surgery was a success. I'm down 23 lbs since I started the liquid diet on Dec. 3rd. (13 since Dec. 10th). Now I know I cannot cheat because of the health risk involved. I'm on full liquids now and it's wonderful. Good luck to you all!

Hi Tyme,

No the pre op testing is not painful. They have you do an EKG test, which they use to monitor your heart (no running or walking involved). They teach you how to breath thru this device for after surgery. You will have blood drawn and have an X-Ray done. Nothing painful. Very pleasant!

Hi,

I have been on a clear liquid diet now for 5 days. My surgery is Dec. 10th (2 more days). I have stuck to the diet most of the time, but the last couple nights I've had to have some Protein, so I've had a can of tuna with mayo. How bad is that?! Tonight I'm working some overtime and they pay for my dinner. I'm so craving a ribeye sandwhich. :hungry: How screwed would I be if I had one? Is my doctor going to notice? I've been able to pass up food and avoid it all week, but this sandwhich is my weakness. Did anyone else cheat on their liquid diet? :help:

Charly

When I went in for my first consultation, one of the other patients (recently banded) in the waiting room told me to practice chewing as much as possible. Very nice of her!

I'm still working up to meals without Water, though.:think

There is so much to prepare for, it's crazy, isn't it. Just remember that after the surgery, when you start eating semi-solid foods, you will only be able to consume about 6 SMALL bites. So, it's really not all that hard not to drink during your "snack size" meal. It's hard now because we consume so much at one time. Good luck!

Hi Michelle! Congrats on your surgery date! I too will be having my surgery on that day too. At first I didn't want to tell anyone but family about the surgery, but after a while I could hardly keep the excitement in. When I started to come out about the surgery, I got a couple wild eyes from a few friends who thought "You don't need drastic surgery..you're not that fat." When I told a few good friends in private how much I weighed, they were shocked. They couldn't believe I weighed that much. But, I feel good that I told my friends, because I need their support and they need to know that things will be changing for me shortly. The first person at work to know about the surgery was my boss in HR. I wasn't about to beat around the bush with her for the sake of keeping my job and not screwing myself over. She was very supportive.

Back in September I had a partial hysterectomy due to Ovarian Cancer on my right ovary. I dealt with the pain very well and surprised everyone how quickly I recovered from it. My mom, who had gastric bypass done a few years back, said that if I can handle a partial hysterectomy, that the lap band surgery will be a piece of cake.

Good luck!

Charly

About a month ago, I started working on not drinking during my meals. :hungry: Then I added for nothing before hand, and then a week ago I worked on nothing after. It's not as bad as you think it's going to be. It starts to become a normal thing. It's the key to making the band work. If you sip during your meals, it will flush all the food right thru, and the band becomes pointless. Also, when you chew the food more and eat slowly, you will eat considerably less and thus lose weight. :whoo:These doctors know what they are talking about. Just stick to their rules and you will succeed!! Good Luck!

Charly

My doc requires a 7 day liquid diet before my surgery date. I'm on day 2 and my surgery is Dec. 10th. It surprised me that so many of you on here don't have to go on a liquid diet. You're so lucky! For those of you who are on 2 weeks, I feel for you. I hear people cheat all the time and they still perform surgery. I'm giving it about 90% effort. Last night I had a small salad, but that's all the "real" food I had. It does suck, but I try to think of the end results.

Good luck to everyone!