luv2ride

You don't say when you were banded. I am going to assume very recently. That be the case the first 6 weeks is NOT about losing weight, it is about healing. Yes you need to follow the liquid, mushy guidlines so as not to cause band slipage or any other complications. You have plenty of time to worry about how much you are eating after you get healed up. Cottage cheese, applesauce, yogurt, protein shakes, mashed potato, mashed sweet potato, eggs. These are just a few things you could eat. I drink crystal light to help get my liquid intake in. I can't stress enough that you need to drink a lot. If you were just banded more than likely you do not have anything in your band because it is a time for healing. After you get your first fill then you will need to watch closer what you are eating and the amount. You are starting on an incredible journey. It is worth it. Good luck and if you need any more advice this is the place to get it. There are a lot of wonderful people here who are or have been in the stage you are in. Keep posting and asking questions.

I told three people at work because I would be gone and I felt they needed to know why. Unfortunatly one of them thought it was such a wonderful idea that I was getting it done she proceeded to tell almost everyone she came in contact with so when I got back and was on weight and bending restriction everyone knew. When someone asked me about it if they seemed genuinely concerned or caring I didn't hesitate to tell them what I had done and the reason I did it. Most of them had never heard of it and wondered how it worked. I work in a public school so there is food around all the time but I don't feel I am getting policed because I have explained it to them. It doesn't stop you from eating but now instead of eating two cinnamon rolls I cut off 1/4 leave the area and I choose the time to eat it. The cook has been very helpful by letting me know there is extra turkey or protein if I need it. When someone comes in and offers a cupcake or cookie they go ahead and offer it to me and I have the choice to say no thank you but thanks for asking or maybe just a half of one. I feel that because I have explained what is going on with me they have taken great care to make me NOT feel different. Of course you will always have that certain few who do not have a clue that they are sticking their foot in their mouths but you will have that wherever you go. Maybe you need to run off some information for them so they can be more informed. I find people are not intentionally rude they just don't know they come off that way. Most of them have never had a weight problem to begin with and have no idea that what they say hurts. Good Luck and keep you chin up. You have a lot of support here.

Hi Everyone stumbled on to your post and have been having a good laugh this morning. You are all great. My question is if you have a breast lift do they still have to remove your nipple? Do you lose sensation in it if they do? I don't think I would have implants but sure would like them at attention again instead of laying down on the job. I was a 42 DDD but am down to a 38DD. I commend you for your response at Victorias Secret. Those little twits don't have a clue. Bath and Body have better smelling lotion anyway.

Just wanted to welcome everyone and let you know this is a great place for getting answers to your questions, plus a lot of support. Not everyone experiences the same things but there is usually someone here that can help. Don't be afraid to ask questions and participate. Good Luck on your journey. We were all new here once too.

Hi Mary, Welcome, I am not in Ireland but know about being able to eat everything. I don't have any problems getting stuff down. I know I have to really think whether or not I am really hungry. I have found the little packets of premixed crytal light and things like that you mix with a bottle of water have been really great at warding off my sweet cravings. It also helps get my liquid in during the day. Also the little creamsavers candies you can suck on help. I know they have calories in them but compared to that hot fudge sundae that I really want I think it is a better trade off. Do you exercise at all. If not you might want to try getting out 3x a week. If you do, mix it up a little bit cause you body gets used to the same thing over and over. Stay positive and look how far you have come. :thumbup: :thumbup:It all starts with that first step and we just have to keep going. No one ever said it was going to be easy but it is worth it. I feel so much better and have more energy than I did before, Good luck and let me know how you are getting along. There is also a chat room here and it might help when you talk to others.

Hey Becky, Just wondering how you were doing today. Did you get your fill? I know the last time I went in for my fill I had gained 8/10 of a pound. That is even worse I think than not losing. So she pulled out what she could to see how much I had and only got 7 an a half. After we had been counting we had it to 9.1cc but in reality I didn't have near that much. I don't feel any major restriction unless I over eat. My problem is I don't know when to stop. Let me rephrase that. I do know when to stop but am still in the mind set that you need to finish what you have on your plate or just a few more bites. I can still eat anything out there even bread which is supposed to ball up and be hard to get down, me no problem right on down. I have been craving ice cream so badly and that has been really hard. Hope things are going better for you today. Hang in there and let me kmow how you are doing.

I was banded October 9, 2007 and have lost 55 lbs. I was just wondering how big your band is, and on a typical day what do you eat. I am at 9cc in a 10cc and and still haven't found my sweet spot. Do find you crave one certain thing more than others? Thanks for your help:rolleyes:

Hi Ghost, I was just wondering who your Dr. was. I was banded in Overland Park October 9, 2007. So far I have lost 55lbs. I have slowed down and didn't lose anything for 6 weeks. Went for a fill last week and think i am doing a little better. I go to Wichita for my fills cause it is closer. My starting weight was 245 and my goal weight is 145. Not sure I will reach it tho cause it is just a number. I will know it when I get there.

beckymein1021 Good luck with your fill. I have been having trouble finding my "sweet spot" it is really hard in the afternoons and evening. Morning I am fine. I find if I want something sweet to munch on the caramel rice cakes are really good and only 50 calories. Hope some of the suggestions help. Let me know if you want more. Have a good day.:thumbup:

First of all not everything works for everybody. That said here are some suggestions I got from my Dr. 1. Are you eating 60-100gm of Protein a day? 2. Are you eating 25gm of Fiber a day? 3. Are you avoiding all liquid calories? a. Soup can be sign of "soft calorie syndrome" b. Alcohol contains a lot of calories-7 cal per gram 1) it's also a stomach irritant c. fruit juice is just sugar Water. 4. Are you making healthy food choices from a wide variety of foods? a. Are you avoiding soft foods? b. You can't just eat what's easy, (foods that are liquid, very soft or crumble through the band easily) c. cheese is glorified fat. Limit your quantitiy to 1-2 oz. per day 5. Are you drinking, 6-8, 8oz glasses of water a day between meals? 6. Are you eating too much junk food? a. chips, chocolate, nuts, ice cream, Cookies and other highly processed junk foods are claorically dense to be regular parts of your healthy diet. But don't avoid them completely to the point where you feel deprived. b. Stay out of fast food places. 7. Are you getting in two servings of Calcium daily? 8. Do you always eat the protein first? 9. Then do you eat vegetables or fruits? a. Five servings a day b. Potatoes are NOT a vegetable. 10. Is you portion size, appropriate? a. meat or fish 1) 3 ounces-the size of a deck of cards. b. Vegetables 1) 1/2 cup-the size of your fist. c. Starch 1) If you eat the protein and the vegetables first you don't need much 2) Avoid: rice, potatoes, Pasta 11. You might try avoiding artificial sweeteners. a. Some people think that artificial sweeteners stimulate the appetite. b. They are HUNDREDS of times sweeter than sugar. c. They teach you to like things too sweet. d. There is no evidence that people who use them are any thinner than people who don't. 12. Avoid most diet foods. a. Real food usually tastes better. b. Real food is more satisfying than low calorie substitues c. When you're only eating a tiny bit the caloric savings is not that great 1) Use a teaspoon of real butter instead of a tablespoon of diet margarine. 2) The body has no way to break down artificial fats. a. They may go into permanent storage b. Some people think liposuction is the onlyway to remove hydrolyzed fats from the body. If you look at the slim-fast Protein Bars yes they have protein in them but also about as many calories as your average candy bar. Not really such a good trade off. Also the shakes are liquid and flow right through the band therefore leaving you feeling hungry before too long. I know this sounds weird but EAT your protein, you will be satisfied longer. I find the deli turkey is very easy to eat on the run (if you have to) These are just the first 12 questions you need to ask yourself. In my experience when you go on a "diet" most people drastically reduce their intake (which is what you would think to do) this puts you body in starvation mode thinking it is not going to get anymore therefore it hangs on to what it has. The lapband is a tool not a magic solution. It is to be used to help you make healthier choices. If you look at what you were eating before surgery, hamburgers, french fries, cake, cola, etc. more than likely well over 1200 calories a day. If you were to get a food guide pyramid and measure your portions, eat your recommended daily allowance of food (protein, fruits, vegetables, etc) and limit to around 1200 calories your body would be getting its nutrients and not feel as if it was starving. You on the other hand would not feel tired, drug out, listless etc. Better choices-not easy choices. O.K. I will get off my soap box now. I'm sorry if this sounds harsh but sometimes we need a dose of reality. I know I did and after doing more research I have found there are some good points here. It is a tough road we are on. Keep looking towards the destination and good luck. We are here if you need us.

O.K. I am a little confused. I was banded in October 2007 and have lost 55 lbs so far. How do I word this? Doesn't the liquid just go through the band. Does the protein shakes stay with you to help you feel fuller longer? I am having a terrible time feeling satisfied. I was told to eat protein first before eating vegetables or fruit. Absolutely do not drink with your meals. Why are the shakes O.K.? Please help me understand. I am at a plateau and was thought to have 9.1cc in my band. She drew it all out and had 7 1/2, of course there was still some left in there so she put in all that was in there plus another 1/2 so really not sure how much is in there probably around 9cc in a 10cc band. I can still eat everything, I don't feel full until I have eaten too much. Just seem to be having trouble. Thanks for you help.

I don't know what to do. I haven't been losing like I thought I would. :sad:I try and watch what I eat but then something happens and I eat. I don't feel full until I have eaten too much. What exactly does restriction feel like? I haven't found anything I absolutely can not eat. I am at about 9.1cc's in a 10cc band. I would think by now I would be able to eat only my 1/2 cup but no I can eat a lot more. I work in a school and take my lunch and try to focus only on eating during my lunch break. It gets hard to be around the food that is brought in and sometimes I have some and then feel guilty. I am very proud of what I have accomplished but at the same time I just don't feel it is enough. What do you eat for lunch and dinner? Do you eat cereal for breakfast? Sometimes I would just like to have a sandwich but feel the bread is empty calories and just eat turkey or something. Just looking for some kind of answers. :confused:I see others with 4-6cc in their bands losing 20-30lbs at a time. The most I have lost in a month is 8lbs. and I was at 8.5cc had a fill of about .3cc and lost 1 lbs that month. I go for my checks every 4 weeks and they put in what they think I should have. I am about and 1 and 1/2 hours away from my clinic so I don't want to overfill and be miserable. Any advice or help would be really appreciated.

I was banded in October also. I stopped losing after about 43 lbs. Went back for another fill and started watching everything I ate. I had been drinking gatorade and juice, not even thinking about the calories, had been drinking slimfast and eating protein bars which was basically a candy bar. I thought I was following directions. Nope! Stopped doing that and began writing down what I ate and counting calories. Finally started losing again. Now I am down 49lbs. wish it would go faster but I think when the weather warms up and I can get out of the house and move around it will start to come off again a little better. Hang in there we didn't put it on overnight so I guess it won't come off overnight.:tt1:

Wow Rosie that's great. Keep up the good work.

Maybe this will come through.:confused2:

Yup looks something just like that. Have been trying to get a picture to come up but can't, will keep trying. What state to you live in MyKdsDad? I am in Kansas

Hang in there you can do it. I don't know what your doctor told you but this is basically what I lived on, chicken boullion or beef, apple juice, hot apple cider, hot tea (green tea for me)I even made Jello and drank it warm and then when it was set I could eat tiny bites. We are with you, it won't be long now till you can have creamed Soup. It is worth it and you can do it.:huh2: Banded 10-9-2007 Weight Loss Surgical Center Dr. Lee Nigro 49lbs lost

I know what you are talking about. I tried all the diets and pills and sure I would lose weight for awhile but it always came back. My sister was banded in December of 2006 and she has lost 150 lbs. She was my inspiration and with the encouragement of my family I started researching doctors and visiting with several clinics. I was to have back surgery last summer and the little voice told me not to. Instead I decided on lap band and was banded October 9 2007. Yes you have little worries, know it is not a quick fix but a tool to help you make some lifestyle changes you can live with. When you accept that then you will know you are ready. Only you can decide when that is. For me it was the best thing I have done and I did it for me and my health. Not my husband cause he loves me no matter what I weigh and not for my children or friends but for me. I can't begin to tell you how much better I feel. I can get a good nights sleep and wake up rested which in turn lets me have more energy to live my life. Living takes on a whole new meaning and you have a better outlook on life. My blood pressure is down, less depression, no sleep apnea and less pain in my back (which will lessen the more I lose) No one can tell you to do it we can all be here for you when and if you decide this is what you want to do. All I can say is it was the right choice for me. I wish you the best of luck and if you decide you are ready you have a good support group here. Banded 10-9-2007 Weight Loss Surgical Center Dr. Lee Nigro 49 lbs. lost

Love to go to Lindsborg everyone has a great time. It is a big event around here. Where do you come from? Thank goodness for technology, I don't feel so alone.:biggrin:

We have two 1998 Harley Davidson Anniversary Specials. The first is a Road Glide Ultra Classic, the second is a Road King. Love to ride behind my husband on the Road Glide cause usually when we go in the car I drive. This way I can sit back and enjoy the ride.:biggrin:

I live around Salina and was just wondering if there are any bandsters in the area. I don't think there is a support group around here but was wondering what others in the area are doing?:biggrin:

I was banded October 9, 2007 and wasn't given a fill for 6 weeks. I have a 10cc band, and hadn't really felt any restriction till my last fill and that put me at 9cc in the band. I am still able to eat anything but have to make the choice not to eat the breads and sweets because I want to lose weight more. You must eat your protein first and then your vegetables and then your fruit if you have room. You didn't say if you have to pay for each fill you get or not. Talk to your Dr. and let him/her know how you are feeling, most Drs. want you to have good results. I was told the first 6 weeks is healing time for the band and not really meant as "weight loss" time. You didn't put this weight on overnight and it is not going to come off overnight. You are retraining you body and it may seem like it is taking a long time but it is worth it. It is a long journey so hang in there. Good Luck :biggrin:

Hi Everyone, I am new to the site, I am from Kansas and was banded October 2007 in Overland Park. :biggrin: So far I have lost 49 lbs.