littlefroggy

I am having a very hard time getting in any exercise (except for trudging through snow.) I had been swimming 5 days a week, but for the last 2 weeks only went once. Not only did it seem too cold most days to get in the pool, but now I am on day 5 of being essentially snowed in. I only left the house in the car once, and going to the gym means driving DOWN and back UP the steepest hill in my city. Aside from going on very cold, chilly walks, what do you do? I haven't room for equipment in my tiny little apartment. (I saw a PSA on TV about getting exercise in the winter and it made me realize this is probably not just my problem!)

That is SO awesome! I plan on doing a 5k when I lose a little more weight... I think that's SO cool!

I gained 3 lbs between my post op visit and my first fill.... I was eating too much! But I haven't gained weight since then, so all will be resolved. Just get your fills and eat small amounts. Look at serving sizes, especially.

I was thinking back after a previous post about how much I have changed. I used to eat REALLY bad. I had basically given up. I would do Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Atkins, but it would last a month or a couple weeks and I would eat badly again. I've come a long way, baby! I used to eat this in a day: B - cheese bagel AND an apple fritter or fast food Breakfast L - Lean cuisine or pita bread w/ avocado and tomato, diet soda (if at work, since I wouldn't want people to know how bad I ate.) If it was the weekend, I would probably drive through somewhere, Jack in the Box was my favorite...I haven't even been there since being banded! D - McDonald's food, maybe a big mac meal, or some things off the dollar menu. When they had big macs (2 for $3) I actually would get 2 and eat them. It makes my stomach hurt to just think about it! S - Cookies, candy, or something like that, but exorbitant amounts! (Like I could eat a whole package of cookies in 2 days!!) Now, I had healthy phases, where I tried eating only organic (I still do that) or where I only ate brown rice, whole wheat, etc... but it never lasted long. I CRAVED junk food!!! There were days when I had fast food 3x in one day! The thought now makes me want to puke! ~~~~~~~~ Now on a bad day, I might make a plate of nachos (a dessert plate) w/ a serving of chips (6) and a serving of cheese (1 oz) on a bad day now, I might have 4 hershey kisses I might have an extra fudgsicle, or an extra helping of dinner, an hour later... but it's NOTHING like what it was before. That makes me happy!!!!!!!!! I'm losing weight (a little more slowly now) but I can also see the changes I've made!

• I'm more social now. I used to be very social, but at my heaviest was suffering from some social anxiety. I am feeling better and looking to start dating, meeting more people, etc! (This is making me happy!) • I feel better, have more energy and WANT to be moving! In fact, this week snowed in has been so BORING! I just want to get out and walk around, exercise, move... • My piggiest days are like my better days before the lab band. I still have days when I over eat, but not in one sitting- more like over eat over the course of the day. I'm still working on that, but it's better. • I look a little better in my clothes.

I use calorieking, but there is a subscription fee.

I don't eat bread much (can't really) and don't eat rice at all, but Pasta has been fine for me. I don't THINK it's expanding my pouch. The nutritionist said it's mostly that those foods don't provide as much nutrition. I eat what I want in smaller amounts. I'm in Seattle too. Who is your surgeon? I have Dr. McMahon. I'm also 31!

I'm working through this right now too. It's the hardest part so far. Now that I am properly filled, I am learning to stop. I don't need that "last" bite, because the last bite is often the one that does me in! I'm still working on this myself... it's very hard!

You should be able to eat "anything" in small amounts and still lose weight! Just keep the calories low (like 1200 or under) and you will be fine! I'm losing and I eat Pasta every day.

I baked some treats for my co-workers last night.. and I had a couple, but it;s not the end of the world. I will still lose weight (maybe not as much this week) and I will be fine. I am not going to stress about it!

I am well restricted now and becoming aware of the learning curve involved with being restricted. I seem to do this a lot.. I eat a bit and put my plate down... I think I'm fine, so I take one more bite (even though I am satisfied) and then I get stuck. It's a pain in the A. When will I learn? I seem to eat beyond my capacity at least 1-2 times a day. I stop once I am stuck, but I would rather not get stuck at all! Am I the only one?

We're not really supposed to drink calories on the band, except for when we're in the liquids phase. You won't be able to drink pop after your surgery, so start finding things you can drink! I like the flavored waters (non-carbonated) by Dannon or Aquafina, as well as Zero, by Powerade, which is a zero calorie drink like gatorade. I also drink propel but it has some calories in it. I also drink a lot of crystal light, since I am not fond of plain Water so much. I really like the pomegranate flavor right now, but got completely sick of the fruit punch flavor which was about all I drank for a couple months. I stopped drinking pop the minute my surgery was in the works, and it was hard because I used to drink several diet sodas a day. My doctor said juice is a no-no because you will get much better nutrition from actually eating the fruit rather than juice or a smoothie.

I am making this poll, because it's something I struggle with. Let me know how many calories you eat, and it may guide me! I have heard of people stating they eat anywhere from 600-1500 calories and lost weight, so I am thinking of doing 1200... what about you?

I was told that a fill could cause swelling. I am supposed to do liquids for 2 days, but usually only make it a day and a half!

My doctor told me if I vomit, I have to go on liquids for 2 days to let my stomach heal. It can cause stress to the band and it needs time to heal.

I try pretty hard to eat right and exercise. I am doing well on the band, but could be doing better. My weight is ALL OVER THE PLACE! I can gain like, 2-3 pounds overnight. I can also lose that much overnight. Often though my weight stays the same for several weeks and drops. I am now trying to keep to around 1000 calories a day (fewer some days, more others) and I am exercising 3-4 times a week. I am not watching carbs though, and do definitely eat some junk... however, I eat very little and should think I would lose anyway, especially with the low calorie intake. Do you know what the problem is? I don't understand! Calories are low, exercise is good, can it really be that bad? I have eaten 600 calories today, 45 grams of Protein and will probably eat again. I did eat a cookie and some hot cocoa. the issue I have is that this is supposed to be a life style change and a tool... why does my doctor want me eating 600-800 calories and only a bit of sugar once in awhile. She said maybe chocolate once a month. I understand that I have to make sacrifices, but it seems crazy to me the amount of calories and the kinds of foods I need to eat. I mean, if I did that pre-band, I probably would have the same results... Why is the diet so strict when you already can hardly eat any food? (I can maybe eat 3 oz at a time.)

I was told 800-1000 calories a day. If you work out A LOT you can increase the calorie intake. I use calorieking and the minimum they allow is 1000. So I set that as my goal and am happy if I get below that. Most days I get somewhere in the 800-1200 range. I am losing pretty well, so it's working fine!

I just looked at the website. I don't think anyone who HAS the lap band should eat those. It looks like they are made of puffed rice. My guess is that with the Water, the puffed rice expands in your stomach, making you full. I can see how this COULD work. But seriously, eating those bars twice a day, every day.... hmmm??? I don't regret the surgery. If I had done that I would just get sick of the bars and stop doing them. I can't quit the band!

I am FINALLY restricted properly and am able to keep to the 800 calories a day recommended by my doctor. However, my Protein has now dropped from 60-70 grams per day to 40-50. What's typical when you're well restricted? Today- 3 blackberries, bite of greek yogurt lunch - turkey salad, 2 small slices of cheese, w/ pita crisps Dinner- ham and macaroni and cheese (more ham than noodles) Snacks- mini veggie corn dog (at someone's house) 1/2 apple That was 45 grams today. I don't like the way I feel on a low carb diet so I want to avoid that.. but will I have to increase the protein to stay healthy?

The band isn't a fix-all... it is a tool. My doc told me that time and time again, but now I am starting to SEE that it's true. You still MUST follow the program and eat well. If you don't you won't lose. I realize that when I don't work out I don't lose. I can overeat with the band, but it's not like it used to be. I can eat maybe 1500 calories instead of 3000. I will lose, but not without trying. I have had weeks go by when the scale didn't budge. I had to really look at what I was doing. I was not working out enough, I was eating too many carbs and sweet things. So I know it won't work like magic. You have to work with the lap band. You have to follow the doctor's orders. I think people who think that by having WLS you should be "cured" and not have to diet will frown upon the band. It is only a tool, and you have to use it as such. If GBP is a surgery that just limits what you can eat and not do the work, maybe that is better for some. I didn't look into it because I have seen others fail with it and have negative health side effects. I had a great start, losing 40 pounds in the first couple months following my surgery with almost no effort. Now for about 2 months I have lost 12 pounds. I figure it's as good as I would do on weight watchers, Jenny Craig or any other program.... HOWEVER I can't eat like I could back then, so this TOOL keeps me on track. I could lose more if I did more working out, ate better, etc... it's a balancing act- like any lifestyle change.

B- slice of cheese, coffee L- teriyaki chicken (no rice) 1/2 of a fiber bar D- 2 potstickers S- 5 cheez-its, 1/2 banana

I tend to eat the same things over and over. Just about every day for lunch I have teriyaki chicken from Trader Joe's. (It's frozen and I let the chicken marinate, and nuke for like a minute.) I haven't had problems eating it at all. I also like having chicken or tuna salad w/ pita chips. I have just started to have coffee and some crystal light or something for breakfast (separately) and then I have a snack around 10:00, like, a piece of fruit. I eat lunch at 12:30 and it's fine. I have an hour though. Maybe you should have a smaller lunch and a breakfast w/ more Protein like cottage cheese. When I eat breakfast, I never eat a breakfast type food! I always have chicken or tuna salad, or sometimes turkey meatballs. It has to be soft. 30 minutes should be enough time to eat lunch, even if you chew, chew, chew. In fact, longer than that isn't good.

I know the conference is in NYC but when is it? I'd love a LGBT bandster cocktail party! I'm going to NYC next week, and want to go again for the conference!

Yuck! I have cramps and took 3 advil. Now my stomach is killing me!!! Am I not supposed to take advil? I am tighter than every before. this is going to suck, as I have to take advil due to severe menstrual cramps. What should I do instead? Do you have this problem? (I mean the stomach ache!)

I know someone who had the GB and the gas problem is almost unbearable! I would not be able to deal with that. Not only the gas, but when she uses a bathroom, it's a nightmare to go in after her. She won't use public toilets to BM because the smell is now so noxious. Aside from which, I like the idea of losing slower and being able to adjust the band as needed.