Freetofly

I tried to take off just a couple of days - surgery on a Monday, aiming to be back to work on Wednesday. I have a desk job, nothing strenuous, thought it seemed de-able. The thing that got me the most was 1) the post-op lethargy and 2) the pain in my shoulders from the air that got into my abdominal cavity during the surgery. OUCH! I ended up taking one week off. Also, my doctor fitted me with a morphine drip directly into my belly that I had to carry around in a little bag everywhere. It finally ran out after 6 days, so I didn't have to wear it to work. I had my surgery one year ago - I was 46 then. Please don't push yourself too fast - even though it's minimally invasive, it's still surgery. Hugs! Donna

Lani, my doctor warned me about chicken. Chicken is so easy to overcook because it has to be cooked thoroughly! I have found, however, that if I grill it to the point of doneness (when the juices run clear) and don't overgrill it, the breasts come out very juicy and tender. I can also eat chicken in Soups, or in chicken n' dumplings, because it's very tender there, too. Roasted chicken, like you can pick up in the grocery store, I've found has very tender breast meat, too. One thing is certain - chew, chew, chew! Chicken is one of those foods that I can get to my satiety point easily. I guess because I really chew it well, and I wait until each bite "hits bottom" before taking another bite. Shrimp cocktail does that for me, too. Everybody is different! Gosh, I can eat ice cream until the tub is empty, whereas others just can't do ice cream at all. Maybe chicken is just one of those things you can't do, who knows? Hugs! Donna

I haven't found a restaurant yet that I cannot find something on the menu. Soup is always a good one, easy on the band. Baked or grilled fish. Filet mignon I find is tender enough, although I can never eat it all. My friends and family joke that they can get all the way through desert before I'm done with my dinner! Fast food takes a little research. Wendy's has a chili, McDonal's has a fruit and yogurt parfait (although I much prefer their vanilla cones!), Taco Bell has a side order of pintos and cheese that is a perfect size all by itself. When I go to a Chinese-type fast food, I can usually get a sample of their offerings, and then I can find something that's tender and just get the entree - no rice or noodles. My lap band keeps me in check. I don't have to worry about overeating anything. I just chew slowly and leave my fork on the plate a lot. Lucky me - there's not a way in the world I can eat a french fry any more More for eveyone else! Or I just substitute mashed potatoes. Hugs! Donna

Boost Glucose Control. Comes in chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. 190 calories, 16 grams of Protein. I grab one and a straw on my way to work every morning. I'm not much of a big breakfast person anyway, I really just want to get to work and pour myself some coffee, but I need the protein boost for several reasons: gotta get the protein in: need some GOOD calories in the morning to get my metabolism up and running: protein helps keep the hungries at bay: I'm diabetic to boot and I have to watch my blood sugar levels closely, protein helps a lot. You can get these drinks in a six-pack in the diet/diabetes section of most grocery stores. Hugs! Donna

Absolutely! I now have phrases in my vocabulary like: "No thanks, that's not a good choice for me" "I can't do bread" "I'm good, I've had my four bites - would you like the rest of my steak?" "I'll just order Soup and pick off your plate!" Cost of lap band? Several grand. Cost of phrases like these? PRICELESS!!! Hugs! Donna

:biggrin2: Hello! I'm Donna, and I was banded in April 2007 by Dr. Veninga in Carrollton, Texas (suburb of Dallas). I started at 312, and now I'm 235 looking to ultimately get to 160. I'm 5'10", 47 years young, and a single mom of 3 fantastic teenagers, including 16-yr-old twins. I'm loving my lapband! So many failed "diets", so many dreams come and gone. Now it's time to fly! :coolgleamA: