lanie527

I think you owe it to yourself to end this. It is NEVER appropriate to ask someone this question. You don't need any extra pressure; we all put enough on ourselves. I would tell each person (not at a time when you feel frustrated with them) "I realize you are trying to be supportive, but when you ask me how much I have lost it distracts from my goal of getting healthy. This is about more than just pounds lost." Or some other idea that expresses how you fell about this journey. If they persist you could jokingly say, you first, how much did you lose? Since it is highkly likely that some of these people need to lose weight, this might put a different spin on their RUDE question.

Hope this worked.

Hello fellow fab-forties - I am having my first fill on Thursday and I am excited/hopeful. I had a really nice drop the first two weeks and then got stuck at 273.6 for almost two weeks. My nutritionist thought that maybe I was eating too little....man I have never heard that before. I was around 800 cals per day. Over the weekend I bumped up to 1100 per day and went up two pounds. Any body else have this experience? How will things change after my fill? What is your typical daily intake? I do at least 35 minutes of aerobic exercise per day: swim, walk, weigh lift, elliptical. Thoughts please… Lanie

I am right there with you. I was banded on 12/21/08 and the first two weeks lost 24#s and then January I went back and forth between 274 and 273. After some fills and one unfill, I am in a comfortable place. I have made a few mistakes, like cake goes through the band and sometimes chicken doesn't BLAH. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> Now I am focusing on paying attention to when I am full and working out ever day. I understand the dynamics better than just from reading about them. I did low-carb for three years, so it is great to be able to have carbs once a day.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Keep up the good work.<o:p></o:p> Lanie<o:p></o:p>

I agree that the perfect fill is personal. I prefer a little tighter than some might. I can eat solid foods, but I have to eat slowly and chew-chew-chew. The time of day also controls what things I can eat. The best lesson I learned is to not worry about throwing away food. It is better to toss something that is sticking at the moment than to try adn eat it and irritate your stoma. I have also found that sometimes a particular food went down fine after I cooked it, but reheating it made it tougher and it sticks, so again out it goes. It is better to waste food in the garbage than to waste food in my body. Keep moving forward, Lanie

Hello All - I need some good suggestions for what to order when eating out with good restriction. I am traveling next week and I was trying to think of foods that will cause the least potential for drama. I look forward to all your helpful input. Thanks, Lanie

I can handle tuna salad and scambled eggs, but I am stuck as far as what other "soft foods" I could order. Jack - Restaurants actually did that for you, pureed food?

HarleyGirl - I did just fine solo, once someone drove me home. I prepared by having everything I might need at counter height so no bending down. There is a great list on the board about items to buy before surgery. The first day I napped and watched movies, I took pain meds and slept through the night. The next day I was walking around and sitting up chatting with visitors and napping. By day the second full day after surgery I was out of the house for a little bit. You will be fine if you plan ahead. Lanie

I measure as I cook and then use an online calculator like Sparkpeople.com to calculate the total cals/protein in the whole dish then divide by the number of portions. I will make a chicken dish and put it is 8 glad ware containers; then during the week I know that when I eat what is in that container I have eaten 220 cals/22 grams of protein.

Today was unusual, I bought my breakfast from ur cafe, a little box of Cheerios, a little carton of n/f milk and a large V8. 220 cals/14 grams of protein. Pre-band I did low carb for years so I am enjoying having a little variety. Most days I have egg-beaters with a pinch of 2% cheddar and veggies or cottage cheese with fruit.

I think the problem is doctors doing fills. At my center the nurse does it and she has a band, so she knows what to look for. She did exactly what someone above described, filled until water stopped and then backed off. Now I think I am at a good restriction starting place...but I have a lot to adjust to. Two days in a row I have taken a pill that is just too big; ouch, getting stuck is no fun. I am back to little sips of water and tomorrow I will grind up the pill. I am in healing mode and have learned a valuable lesson. Keep moving forward! Lanie

Thank you both, this helped. I had no problem with my fill, but also have no restriction. Maybe next time.

Jennie1976 – <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> This is a common theme on this message board. I never feel self conscious about what and how much I eat, whether it is before and I ate a huge meal or now and I eat 5 ounces. <o:p></o:p> People are so self-involved they rarely notice things like this. Test it out. Wear the same thing to work two days in a row, no one will notice. Just as you spend a great deal of your day thinking about yourself and your issues, needs, worries, to-do list, family, job, friends, car, pets and what you are eating for dinner, others are doing the same thing. <o:p></o:p> Try not to impose what you think they are thinking on your co-workers, they probably are so busy stuffing their faces with value meals, your half-taco is the last thing on their minds. <o:p></o:p> Your health is more important than worrying about thoughts that other are probably not having. Keep moving forward. Lanie

Hello All, I am Lanie - I am so pleased to see this age specific forum. I was banded 12/21/07 and every time I read about someone losing 50 pounds in the first three weeks (I am exaggerating), I immediately look at their age. I successfully lost 130 pounds on my own when I was 37, but had to have both my hips replaced and gain a about 90 back. After three years of trying to lose it again after 40, I decided I needed this tool to help me, so here I am. I am eager to see more stats and experiences from women in their prime. Keep moving forward! Lanie

thanks TracyinKS, the protein slam sound perfect for a quick hit when I'm not hungry.

I am not a fan of the protein shakes and stil on liquids. I found special K makes a protein water drink mix-in that is 30 cals and 5 grs of protein and 5 gr fiber. I prefer it with double the recommended amount of water. It is like crystal light with protein. It was on sale for around $4.00 for seven packets. No grit, not milky, it is fantastic.

Hello - I also had my surgery of 12/21 adn so far I feel okay. Similar problems to what I had read, port pain, gas, and some problmes sleeping. I am excited. I am down 8.2 punds in five days, but wonder about some others progress. I saw one post from a woman who was banded on 12/16 who had lost 28 pounds. That is only 10 days. Lanie