gkeyt

Rice does have protein--eaten with Beans you get all the amino acids of a so-called "complete protein". It also has a fair amount of carbohydrate, but carbs are essential nutrition as well. A serving of rice and beans is a pretty good source of Protein. To the OP, it's not hard at all to get protein within your current diet. Especially if you eat seafood, it's easy to just increase the seafood you eat each week. But also eggs (if you can tolerate them, some can't), tofu (I eat a lot of vegetarian patties, esp. the Quorn products and other "chicken" like patties that have high protein for relatively few calories), legumes, and some dairy products. I don't eat regular yogurt but Greek yogurt (fage) has a lot of protein in it because it's strained and condensed (and even the fat free is great). And if you eat chicken too, you shouldn't have any trouble with getting enough protein. I consider myself a "fishatarian"--I've been a vegetarian for about 20 years, and started eating fish again about 4 years ago. I have had no trouble getting enough protein in every day. Good luck!

It should be 0.8 gm/kg of LEAN BODY MASS. That means you have to do a body composition to figure out your lean body mass. Most of us start out with around 75 kg (165 lb) of lean body mass, which is why 60gm is a number you commonly see for daily Protein requirements for lap band patients. It makes sense that you don't need extra protein for your fat mass, right? We're trying to get rid of that! I had to go see a new surgeon, because I moved, and he puts all his patients on 1.5 gm/kg of protein. But those are actually RNY recommendations, because they don't absorb protein well. He wanted me taking in 75gm/day, which I can't do without a Protein shake and I don't want to take Protein shakes. Plus I currently have about 120 lb of lean body mass, and my prior surgeon recommended about 55gm per day of protein (the surgeon who did the surgery) so I have stuck with that. HTH.

LOL. You're right, I should do it. I already run/walk about 1 hr every other day. I think I need to find a buddy to run it with, or I'll chicken out. I wrote this long blog post about how P.E. class made me convinced that I can't do athletic things--I wasn't overweight when I was little, but always being pitted against the other kids made me convinced I was a terrible athlete, and I never thought I could do athletic things when I became an adult. I'm glad they at least HAD P.E. when I was in school--few schools do now, sadly--but I wish they had emphasized our individual abilities a little more, rather than always making us race each other and feel humiliated for being the slowest and the least coordinated. I'm sure I'm not alone in this around here! It's hard to convince myself that I really am good at some athletic things, and even the things I'm not "good" at I can still do and enjoy. So, yeah, I should find a 5K to run, and a buddy to run it with!

Great job TS and Shore for getting back on track! That's the great thing about the band--it's always there to work for us when we want to be serious about it, unlike most (all?) of the other surgeries that work best in the first year or so. I really like the analogy of a Porche sitting in your garage. It's easy to get used to it just being there and not really using it. I'm only 14 months out and while I'm close to goal, I can totally see how easy it would be to regain. It's hard to stay on track every day and chase down these last few lbs as it is. Kudos to you, TS, for coming to the board for support. That took a lot of courage, and belief in yourself. And your story helps those of us who don't have the benefit of your experience yet. Thanks for sharing it! And keep us posted on your progress.

Personally, I'm struggling with keeping it fresh and alive, by that I mean my relationship with my band. We've just kind of have gotten used to each other. LOL. Taking it out to a romantic dinner and dancing I don't believe is going to do the trick. What I am doing is heading to a new gym, getting a new trainer, and setting my eyes on my end goal of -50 by the end of 08. What goals are you all working on? Too funny! I think I've gotten used to my band too. The thrill is gone, LOL. I went for a fill a couple weeks ago--and when he took out what was in the band, it was exactly the same as the amount BEFORE my LAST fill. It's like deja vu--2cc in there, add .5cc, check a month later and there's just 2cc in there, add another .5cc. Who knows where the .5cc went? It's a mystery. If it was a leak, it would all be gone. But I'm doing okay, and I'd rather not go for another fill if I can help it. My goals right now are: Run every other day Get to goal by the end of the year (only 14-16 lbs to go, depending on the day) Pretty simple goals. I might try for a 5K or 10K this year--not sure yet. I'm not really competitive like that, but it might be a good goal to work for. But then again, I have a lot going on this year with my first year of anesthesia school. So, not sure about that. But I do hope to run Bloomsday next year. That's 12K. I didn't feel ready for it this year (it was a couple weeks ago). But I should be good to go next year. So, I guess that's another goal. They aren't kidding when they say the last 20 lbs are the hardest! I've been bouncing around this weight for 2 months now. It's kind of driving me a little bit crazy, but I try not to worry about it too much and take one day at a time.

Check out this thread for ideas: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f81/whats-your-playlist-49165/ Good luck! I love making workout playlists. :wink2:

I guess that depends on what you think you will actually use. Personally, I would get the treadmill because it's versatile--you can walk on it, run, do intervals. And the treadmill keeps you going at the pace you punch in--you can't gradually slow down as you get tired like you can on a bike or elliptical. But some people hate treadmills. And if you think you'd actually USE the bike more than the treadmill, that's what I'd get. How cool that you are going to have your own home gym! That is awesome. Between your cardio machine and the bowflex, you should be set for a while!

Good for you! Isn't it a great feeling? I just started running in February. At first just knowing that I COULD run was enough to make me want to do it--now I actually enjoy the running, too. You're doing this the healthy way--not waiting to lose weight before starting an exercise program. You might want to check out Jeff Galloway's book, Running: Getting Started. I found it helpful as a beginner. Way to go!

I know this thread has been inactive for a while, but I wanted to update, for anyone still looking for a good sports bra. I was back home in Portland this weekend where they have a Title Nine store and found a great bra for my size (34D): Title Nine - AC Underwire Bra It provides actual shape (not a big uniboob lump on my chest) AND prevents almost all movement when I run. And the double mesh construction keeps me cool. I LOVE it. And it was about $40 which isn't too bad. The sizes go to 40DD. And it's actually made by a company called Moving Comfort. (Title Nine offers the Enell too, but they rename all of their bras so that's their The Last Resort bra.) Hope this helps someone out there.

Wow, Juli, that's awesome! Sounds like it was fun!

Yep, busy getting outside! It's finally spring in Spokane, yee haw! Tammyj, you are almost at goal--it's gonna be a good summer for you! Juli, good luck with the century. That sounds like a lot of fun. WTG Gwen with the losing streak and the gym time. It pays off! I'm settling into a 3 days a week running schedule. I was doing more but I think it was counter productive. I still lift weights 2 days a week, and am swimming at least 1 day a week when I don't run. I'm trying to find a once a week yoga class that works in my weird school schedule, because I want to be doing SOMETHING 5 days a week, but still let my legs rest from running. So I'm still sorting that out, but weight loss is still happening, in fits and starts. I'm going for a fill today, hopefully that will help a bit too. Where's everyone else?

Well, it wasn't too bad! I really wasn't uncomfortable until post op day 4...there were no shenanigans then!

We waited until I got home from the hospital. :thumbup: That was the day after surgery. I was totally fine--no problem, had very little pain, just kept weight off my incisions. I went for a walk later that afternoon. I actually came home from the hospital with a LOT of energy for some reason, and that seemed like a good way to spend it. YMMV of course.

Interesting question. I didn't because my facility didn't do many bands, but mostly because I didn't want people I knew "in my business". I didn't advertise that I was having surgery (I didn't keep it a secret and talked about it a little with coworkers afterward) and I just wasn't comfortable with showing up on the OR schedule (the ICU charge nurses study the OR schedule for the next day to plan ahead for admits) and having everyone know exactly what I was doing. I went to a hospital across town that does most of the bands in Portland and had a great experience.

Thanks Kim! It's not an easy thing, but it's definitely possible--I just have to be patient with a little bit longer timeline for losing the last 15 lbs. I usually get to work out enough during the week, but there are weeks it just isn't possible with exams and projects and early morning OR, and I just have to let that go and do the best I can. Fortunately with the band, I don't really gain during those weeks, which I'm sure I would if I was doing this without the band. School kicks my butt for sure, but it was a great decision and I love it. Luckily I have very supportive husband who helps make it all possible too. I don't know how I would do it otherwise. To Turler, I'd definitely shadow a few CRNAs to help you make the decision which way you want to go. I'm sure you work with CRNAs but it would be very helpful to actually do a shadow experience with one, and also with one who doesn't work in your hospital to see if you like it. Most programs really look for applicants who have done this. In fact that was the main reason I didn't get in the first time I applied to school, because I hadn't shadowed a CRNA. It's also pretty common to apply more than once for school, so try not to worry about that either. I can talk to you more about it if you are interested, just PM me if you like.

I was instructed to eat Protein first (all of it) then veggies, then starch if you still have room. Usually you don't. 80gm protein is a very hgh protein requirement, we're supposed to only need 0.8gm/kg of lean body mass, which usually ends up around 60gm per day for most women. My new surgeon told me 75gm (I moved) which is much higher than the 52gm my original surgeon calculated for me. I think he tells his RNY patients that amount too, though. Anyway, my only point is that you probably can't get 80gm per day without a Protein shake, but if your recommendations aren't that high, we shouldn't be using Protein shakes once we are at a good restriction level because the liquid calories don't work with the band (except after fills or when we are on liquids, of course). It's sort of confusing, but we should be able to get our protein needs from solid foods, and that stays in our pouch and keeps us full longer so we don't eat so much. But like I said, when you're aiming for such a high protein amound (and I know a lot of surgeons do tell their patients to take in 80-100gm/day) it's pretty much impossible without a protein shake of some kind.

That is good progress, even if it feels slow. Losing any weight before a first fill is a bonus, so assuming your first fill was sometime in Feb or even March, you're doing great. I didn't start losing weight reliably until about 5 months after I was banded. Good point about the night shifts. I think working as a nurse in a hospital is a terrible eating environment, any shift. My last job was the worst--when I was on nights AND days. There was always some sweet treat, usually several, there all day. Patients bring it in to thank us, coworkers bring it in, it's always there. When I was first banded and in charge they would leave it RIGHT ON MY DESK so it was right under my nose. OMG. I had to move it to the kitchen every time. Plus on nights there is rarely healthy food available at the hospital. Just an extra challenge. Keep up the good work.

3 months. I went to the seminar in December 2006, knowing that WLS would become a covered benefit in my insurace plan the next month. I started the pre op appointments in January and was approved by the beginning of March. HTH.

Well, this is pretty cool. There are a lot of nurses on this site. I've been an RN for 11 years. Med surg for the first 1.5 and the rest critical care, mostly burns and trauma. I worked in Seattle for 5 years, then was a traveler for 3 years, spent the rest of the time in Portland until this January, when I started CRNA school at Gonzaga in Spokane. It was a great decision and I do not miss the bedside at all, although at one time I did love it. Nurse anesthesia is taking critical care to the next level, but without the code browns. :smile: I was banded in March 2007 in Portland. I've lost almost 60 lbs which is about 80% of my goal. The last 20 are proving stubborn, especially since starting school. But I am not worried about them taking a while, as long as I just keep moving closer to my goal. Life is much better at this weight than a year ago. I work out a lot, and love it. And it totally helps keep me sane during anesthesia school, which is a serious butt-kicker to say the least. Cool thread!

Glo, I second what OH Juli says. I'd just add that whatever is causing your sinus drainage--like allergies, or maybe some low grade upper respiratory infection--probably has an inflammatory process as part of it. This inflammation can affect your whole body including your stomach and might be part of why you are having heartburn--so even if your restriction was fine before, now your stomach is a little inflammed which causes your restriction to be too tight. We all know a little irritation or inflammation of the stomach can turn into a vicious cycle--eating makes it more inflammed, which makes it more swollen, then eating again makes it worse, etc. The good news about that is if it's inflammation making your restriction too tight, if you get a small unfill and let it rest while the inflammation resolves, you should be back in business pretty soon and able to get filled again. Whatever the cause, though, the first thing we should be thinking about when we have reflux problems is the band. The band is ALWAYS the cause until proven otherwise, and until it is definitively determined that the band ISN'T the reason for the reflux, you have to be thinking about reducing your fill unless you're interested in swelling, irritation and ultimately slippage or erosion. The last thing to do is take medication for reflux, otherwise you can just cover up the symptoms without addressing the cause. Now that we're banded, we should only be taking anti reflux meds after our band docs determine that the band isn't the cause and give us the green light. New reflux=see your band doc!

Initially my goal was about a size 10. But when I reached a size 10 I still had 25 lbs to go to my weight goal. Now I'm a size 8, and they are a little loose. I can fit into size 6 jeans but they are still a little too snug for comfort. (The sizes are DEFINITELY bigger than 15 years ago!) And I still have 16 lbs to go that I really do need to lose, not just because I have a certain goal in my head. So I guess I'd say the size goals change along the way. When I was starting out, I thought I'd be happy just to get into a 12 or a 10. Now I'm thinking I might be a 4 when I'm at goal. Goals can always be adjusted.

Low blood pressure is only a problem in healthy people if they are symptomatic. Obviously, Wombat is symptomatic :thumbup: but if you get to the point that you are feeling fine and the BP is still low, it's nothing to worry about. Until then, fluids, my dear. Lots of fluids. You can do it the easy way--drink it--or the hard way, which is wait until you pass out and buy a couple of bags of IV fluid in the ER. And do go back to your doc. Hugs, Gwen

Many people are able to get off their BP meds and CPAP after losing significant weight. You can do that either through gastric bypass or lap banding. The studies show that both are equally successful in reversing these conditions, the decision really is which procedure would be best for you? Most of us here chose the lap band because we liked that it was less disruptive to our bodies and less risky. I believe that gastric bypass is right for some people, and lap band is right for others--but at your weight many people are successful with lap band, so if that's what you and your doctor think is right for you I think there's no reason not to do it. For me, I had surgery not as much for losing weight as for maintaining that weight loss. I got tired of gaining and losing the same lbs over and over again. I didn't have high blood pressure but my sleep apnea resolved after I got my BMI below 35. My sleep apnea wasn't very severe, though. But most people who are able to get their BMI much closer to normal are able to stop using their CPAP and at least reduce their BP meds, often are able to get rid of them altogether. Hope this helps and good luck to you!

Hi Marchies, Sounds like we're all busy! Things are going okay here, school very busy of course. My scale finally started moving again--I had about a month long plateau which included 12 days straight of the scale not moving at all, not even 0.1 lb! It was sort of amazing, actually. Finally I dropped a couple of pounds. I stopped working out for a couple of days--I think maybe I've been overdoing it with the running. So I'm going to back off a little bit and see what happens. Scary! :rant: Anyone swim? I like swimming but I was always so slow and not cardiovascularly fit enough to sustain a good workout. Anyway, I got some of those short little swim fins and they work great--they are supposed to put more of the workout on your legs, but not overload them, so you can workout longer and work your legs more. I think they work pretty well. I was able to swim for 30 minutes today (with some pauses and huffing and puffing!) and my legs are going to be sore tomorrow! But in a good way. :hurt: I got Zoomers Z2's, but there are many kinds out there. Anyway, thought someone might be interested! I dig em. :redface: Have a great rest of the week everyone!

Acid reflux after banding is not a normal side effect. It is usually caused by one of 2 things, either a new hiatal hernia, or more commonly a too-tight band. It is up to us to go back to the band doc when we get reflux and have it evaluated. Reflux after banding is a sign of trouble that has to be fixed. The complications forum on LBT has a lot of people who had reflux that ignored it, and had bigger problems later. Usually reflux after banding is fixed by a small unfill of the band. It's a minor procedure, and it's something we all have to be prepared to do if it happens. It's not a big deal, but leaving the reflux untreated can be a big deal down the road. I wouldn't let worries about reflux stop you from being banded. Many people never have problems with reflux at all, and many others who do have their tiny unfill and go on with life without further trouble.