Just Banded

Mcanns Irish Oatmeal is whole grain steel cut and instant. Sometimes I add flax meal to it for extra fibre and some splenda. Also raspberries add extra fibre and very delicious.

p.s. I thought we weren't suuposed to eat and drink at the same time- how is anyone eating cereal unless its dry???????

Should I be concerned?

1st fill was 1 week ago exactly. These sensations are new. During eating, have the feeling like I have to burp and usually takes me a few minutes for it to come out. Sometimes I will ask someone to pat my back to help it come out. Is that being stuck? Because there is no pain at all. It certainly isn't a pb, because there is no saliva.

:confused2:

I would be very interested in attending and helping with this event. I am also in Houston. I love all the ideas everyone mentioned. Motivational speakers are great, photographers to take new photos, maybe a make over fashion show, cooking demonstrations...

You look fantastic! Wow, what a great feeling and it only gets better and better! You should be so proud! I always look at my double chin in the side mirrors when driving. In fact today while I was getting a hair cut I was fixated on my chin...fantasizing on getting my hair done in a few months and getting the hair cut I want because my face will be slimmer! You are such a good motivator for us to keep going! Thankx for posting

It is too late at this point, my social circle is very gossipy. Hey, that's how I decided to get it done in the first place. Someone told me about someone else who had it done. So I am sure that people I didn't tell know and are watching me like a science experiment.

The "big secret" is out. I'm out of the pantry(closet) ha!

The only good that has come out of it that it keeps me accountable for the most part. Which is also annoying because people ask "can you have this" and I'm like "I don't know yet until I try it and if it gets stuck, then I can't" (So Back OFF or I'll PB of you!!!)

I was looking for one of those Idiots Guide to Lap Band surgery before I had it done, and they only make one on WLS with a little info on Lap Band, but I really wish they would devote one just for LB.

What am I supposed to do? Wear a sign letting everyone know I have a band? Make an announcement at the table?

First, it was eating too much.

Now, it's not eating enough.

Why can't people mind their own business?

Now, when I go into social situations I can see people whispering about me thinking I have an eating disorder.

Has anyone else delt with this and if so, what did you do?

It's like I need a shirt with a flashing arrow pointing to my stomach saying

"lapband" and then I need to hand out information on it because then it monopolizes the entire conversation.

No one understands unless they too have the band. How are you supposed to explain that you just had weight loss surgery while eating mashed potatoes? :biggrin: That is such a taboo food in the diet-glycemic-nutrition world! What do you say to people? "I am only eating this now because it is soft because my stomach is swelling, but then I won't be allowed to eat them at all" Whatever the case- until I am thin I will always have social anxiety eating in front of other people. I feel like I shouldn't be entitled to eat something other than a salad- because people would come right back in my face and say "see this is why you are fat- you don't make healthy choices" I seriously think that is why I had binge issues before surgery. All that deprivation and pretending in front of other people while I was secretly stuffing my face alone. I know some people would say "who cares what others think and tell them to shove it" but in my world- it's like everyone is always watching me like a hawk. Even this beotch at work- I was huffing and puffing after walking up a flight of stairs and she says " you better do something about that" and she is always asking me where I go to eat and what I like. She is in a position of authority so I cannot tell her to go f herself, unfortunately!

Just fill up your plate and throw some food under the table when no one is looking! Just kidding. There are a million things you could do in this situation.

1.you can say you had a late lunch

2.you can fake being sick and not eat or as much

3.you can say you saw this report on the news that buffet food is germ laden food that causes food poisioning and you decided you never want to go again

4.you can say you are on a diet because you need to fit into this dress

5.you can not go:blink:

I don't know if this is T or F, but I think that people, especially who gain weight easily- may have issues with burning the carbs effectively. Genetics- some people sweat more, some people hold on to fat more. My doctor gave me this "burning theory of carbs" paper that says that certain carbs get used up quickly and some sit in your body like logs. It might also be influenced by your activity level. Like for me, I used to eat like I was running in a marathon, every day, except all I was doing was running to the fridge from the couch. Some people HAVE to excercise every day. They feel incomplete if they don't excersise. I unfortunately have no clue what that is like. I would much rather sit in front of my computer all day and read Lap Band Talk than go for a walk. See- this is the arm wrestling I am talking about! I need a pep talk to get my tush our the door. In fact, I need Anthony Robbins himself to come yank me out. I need my nike sneakers to come to life and kick me while screaming JUST DO IT!

unless... I move my fridge a mile away from my house! j/k

Lise- I am so shocked to hear this! I thought you were feeling restricted after your first fill! I would ask that restaurant if they made the sauce with sugar or msg-or perhaps its hormones? I always get ravenous around my TOM. Or the stress of worrying can make you hungry. It's emotional. One last thought- for me eating in public is so different than eating alone. I cannot fully concentrate on my meal when people are around. I am sitting there on my first bite chewing chewing chewing, and they are alreday done. I feel pressured. I feel like people are watching me and wondering how much I am going to eat. I get very nervous and all that craziness distracts my brain from feeling relaxed and full. I could make a psychologist a millionaire one day-ha. We are a week apart from being banded and as much as it feels like an eternity- it's only been a short time. We need to give it a chance. Examine what we are eating throughout the day. Nourish our bodies with food that has nutritional value. It is very hard. These are new changes. It is like we have to arm wrestle from old habits. I am so desperate to be thin, but being hungry trumps that desire sometimes. Damn stomach! or damn head! Whichever it is! It's uncomfortable and it sucks! Do as best you can to distract yourself from feeling that hunger. I am a person that wanted to be in a coma so I wouldn't eat and get fatter! So please know that I am in your boat and understand everything you are going through.

Those cravings are set off by having something with sugar in it. I can always count on craving more and more after an encounter with sugar in food. I know it's hard to say no to sugar- but on those days we are compelled to have some - I just try to watch what else I am eating that day to make sure I am not overdoing it. To me, sugar foods don't always make me feel full, they go through me and make me constantly hungry. I think the best advice I ever got was to taper off slowly. Like don't go cold turkey on something, just have less and less each day.

I think it's smart just in case you might get sick and not be near a Dr. But knowing me, subconsciously I would think I could have a free for all. This is very hard eating in public with people who don't know we've been banded. Last night I was out for dinner and someone I knew came over and for a minute it was so awkward because I was in the middle of chewing and so concentrating on that- I couldn't even open my mouth to say hi- I just had to nod. lol I am in the same boat! What I am worried about is going for dinner at someone's home and them thinking I don't like their cooking! If anyone ever accuses me of taking the easy way out I wanna smack them! I had an idea for you- not the most tempting but if you can, take some food with you that you can eat- like powder pudding mix or oatmeal. Medifast makes some. It's not that bad, but at least you know you can have something to eat if you get in a place where you aren't sure what they will have.

Pacific Foods makes an incredible creamy Soup flavor Butternut Squash and it's only 2g.fat per serving. I have been enjoying those! In my opinion, I think what they want you to stay away from are heavy creamed Soups with cream in them like clam chowder or potato chowder. Some soups can have a hig fat content in them that are also very thick. Double check with someone else- but these have been good for me!

Hey Celtic,

I was on that crazy diet consistently for 5 months...until I started binge eating! Then I was on and off it for another 3! I was able to drop 50 lbs. Everytime I cheated I gained 5-10 and then would be caught in a vicious cycle on it which eventually ALL plus some returned! This is a big reason I got the band! My plan was a little more "flexible" ha. I was able to have 3 servings of certain vegetables with no oil or anything. I was mentally insane on that diet! I would be so afraid to even try a diet soda I had to ask someone else to taste it "just in case" the restaurant messed up. NUTS! Long story short- it is the hardest thing to do for even one day! Bottom line is DIETS DON"T WORK. THEY DEPRIVE. Through all my counseling, I am trying to not make food so important which is SO hard to do! To get you through the night- try sugar free flavor ice.:smile:

I am talking about the ones covering the insicions

Most posts I read said things like "wait till they fall off"

Mine were half on and half off and getting caught on my shirts.

My doctors office said I could take them off in the shower.

I did this morning verrrrry slowly...

when did you remove yours?

If you really want cheese, try the lowfat kind- it really is good! Jarelsberg makes lite swiss cheese (4.5 g.fat) and there are those little tiny wrapped cheeses (I have to look up the name) but they are only 2 g.fat. Not so bad. I don't believe in deprivation! If there is something I really want I allow myself to have it in small quantities. I don't make excuses and buy extra just because it's "on sale". (unless it's calorie free). If I notice I have a problem with it- then I really have to stay away from it for my own good. The mystery I am trying to figure out is: do I wan't more of it because I have been deprived of it? OR is it some chemical in my brain that makes me crave and want it more?

I had a smoothie the other day with a Protein boost (28g.) thinking oh this is fine, and it has protein. WRONG! Too much sugar for me! I could definately feel the sugar cravings the next day that I had to fight off like a cage fighter! No one said this was gonna be easy!

olives, mushrooms (not raw) and whole mozzerella cheese

all soft- but allowed in the mushie stage?

:thumbup:

Ok thanks for the powder Peanut Butter tip!

I was just reading the yes or no peanut butter post which got 3 pages of replies and it is very interesting how everyone varies in what they can and cannot have!

Anyone have anything to say about all natural creamy Peanut Butter? The ingredients are just ground peanuts. I put a teaspoon in the micro for a few seconds so its not clumpy and added some to my Protein shake for some extra Protein. (and extra taste,hehe) It is 16 g.fat for 2 tablespoons, and I suppose I am only having 1/4 of that, so 4g.for my whole day.

I am in my mushies stage and pretty much live on ff yogurt, broiled fish and Isopure Protein shakes with ff lactaid milk.

I know what you mean, sizzling seven. I look at myself and say who are you??? It might be shock! The crazy thing is, when I was always on a diet and counting the minutes and seconds to the next time I could eat to space out my meals and calories I would drink Water to try and fill myself up. (never worked of course! ) Now, I wait and look forward until the next time I can drink Water, because I count the minutes and seconds from after I eat till when I can take a sip!! Go figure!

I also burp constantly (I posted about that somewhere else and didn't get too many replies)

I have been burping A LOT. Is this normal? For instance, drinking Water...sipping...slowly...and I burp every 2 minutes.

What is going on with me? :wub:

Isopure from GNC comes in a powder form for shakes and a juice type drink. Low carb, no sugar and 40-50 grams of Protein per serving.

I tried the fruit punch flavor drink the other day and it's o-k-a-y (only if really cold) but I really have to be in the mood to tolerate it.

This morning I tried the chocolate flavor powder (1 scoop=25 g.pro with 8 oz. lactaid ff milk 8g.pro)

Wasn't bad at all! I was quite impressed!

About an hour later I got really sick (the tushie way). Not sure why. I will try it again tomorrow and see if I get the same result. This sucks cuz I really need to be getting Protein in-I am terrified about losing hair!!!

ha, sorry to be so graphic. I think its just the consistency of what I am eating right now. I had some salmon last night. The portion size should be eqivalent to a deck of playing cards, but I was only able to eat one card. I have no idea why I have alreday gone twice this morning.

Hi everyone,

I was banded 3/12 in Houston, TX. The decision to have lap band surgery was something I never imagined... in my wildest dreams. I have struggled with food and weight my entire life. I am not sure if I got an unfortunate slow metabolism naturally or through being forced to diet endlessly or its food addiction. Perhaps a, b and c? All I know is that I have never had a "normal" realtionship with food. A lifetime of deprivation always made me want more. Diet mentality haunts me like a wicked ghost. Good carbs vs. bad carbs, doesn't matter I like them all. Nothing but this band could stop me from wanting more. OA wasn't for me- that was just more deprivation. I want to know if it is possible to eat to live and not live to eat. Thus,my journey begins. Hoping to be able to walk into the GAP and not be told my sizes aren't carried in the store and I have to order online. Hoping to improve my health. Hoping to be the person I have only imagined... in my wildest dreams.

Hi SouthernGirlTx,

I saw your post and thought we share similiar experiences. I am new to this site and am figuring out how it all works, but I would like to keep in touch with you because I think we can help each other.