angelshere

No, after discussing it with my doctor, I don't believe I am too tight! It is not a problem for me that there are some foods I cannot eat.....there are days when I can eat very tender, lean steak, or very tender chicken, but I never know when that will be. My band, like many others, is fickle and I am still getting to know it so that we can peacefully live together! I feel fortunate that my doctor is very involved in follow-up and aftercare for all his band patients. There's a lot of security in knowing that any questions or concerns are quickly resolved by a phone call or a visit to his office. Recently, I found a great low carb cheesecake recipe that is delicious and very low carb (I make it without crust). It is satisfying and fairly healthy, and is even good for breakfast! Nancy

I think low carb is the way to go, too. However, I often get stuck with solid protein, no matter how small the bites or how well I chew. So, I have to be very careful of what I eat. Luckily I live alone, and if I can't have it, it's not in my house. Since I'm a teacher, I get lots of goodies (that I always give away) from my dear students. My treats are nuts, sf goodies, and tea, lots of tea! Are the rest of you able to eat deli meat, steak, ground beef and chicken? I can only handle fish, seafood, cheese and eggs, primarily. Good luck to us all, especially during the holidays, with all its temptations. Nancy

Hi Kiki, As the queen of plateaus, I can tell you to keep doing the right thing and you WILL lose. Plateaus are just part of your body adjusting to the weight loss. You have done great so far: 49 pounds lost since your band was put in on May 22. As my dear doctor tells me when I lament how slow the weight loss is going: 1 or 2 pounds a week, average, is what is to be expected from the band. Anything more is a bonus and anything less is just the differences in our bodies and we have to stay with the doctor prescribed program. In my case, that is low carb, exercise and lots of water. You can do this! Nancy

Thanks, RenewedHope. Actually, I am not really new, I post occasionally (rarely) and have been reading a few threads (including this one) for several months now. I don't know if I am in ketosis (I don't bother with the strips anymore), but I do try to limit my carbs to the bare minimum...... However, I have a low-sugar oatmeal for breakfast, an Activia yogurt, or cottage cheese for lunch, and chicken or fish with a bit of a green veggie for dinner. Whenever I vary that routine, I always go with protein (eggs, turkey, etc.). I know it's not 100% low carb, but it seems to be what this fat old body needs! And I do agree, the activity is sooo necessary. Nancy

Yes, I would like to see this thread revived, too. I am low-carbing it, banded in June and losing slowly, but happily. Oh, and walking a lot, every day....:crying: Nancy

Anne, I cannot tell you how much better I feel! Yes, the arthritis doesn't really disappear....however, it is soooo much better. I walk (sometimes run) all over school, with very little pain now and wish I had gotten a band years ago. I used to think you had to lose all the weight before any benefit.....wrong! And I still have a LOT to lose, but I don't really care how long it takes. As my doctor says, it will come off exactly the way it is supposed to, as long as you follow the plan carefully. Good luck! You will be so happy in a few short weeks! Nancy

My doctor has told me not to eat celery and to eat primarily protein. I do focus on protein, but I also eat salads and celery every chance I get! Each day, I try to eat either an Activia yogurt, a Liv-Active cottage cheese, celery or a salad, along with protein. I know it's not 100% protein, as my dear doctor would prefer, but it's necessary for me, at my "advanced" age to remain regular and healthy and feeling good, and still losing weight! Nancy

Thank you, Tigerlili. For myself, I have found it easier to keep everything out of my house that I cannot have....since I live alone, that works for me. If something comes up (a gift, for example) that is not on my low carb plan, I just thank the lovely giver and discreetly give it to another friend, who understands my struggle to stay with it. I go out with friends a lot. Usually, fish, steak or grilled shrimp are good choices for me. Leftovers make great snacks, or even another meal. I do love the low carb, as it works so easily into my busy life. Nancy

I agree with you all. If I even think of something carby and sinful, the scale seems to know and it goes up! Right now, I'm happy and loving my band. At least, I will continue to love it if it keeps working for me LOL! Nancy

Hi Denise, I always try to eat either a yogurt or a cottage cheese with culture and that helps keep me regular on a low carb diet. Activia is great and makes a good lunch or Breakfast. There are several brands of cottage cheese that have live culture (acidopholus???) in it and they do the same thing. A small amount of spinach or brussels sprouts can also help, and they are fairly low carb. Good luck, Nancy

My surgery was June 10. I stayed in the hospital overnight (my doctor always requires an overnight stay), was up at 4:30 am and walking and have not needed pain medication at all. Before surgery, I had high BP, major arthritis and mobility issues. Now I am off all meds (except for claritin) and am walking great, with normal (110/70) bp. If you do what your doctor tells you to do, you will be fine, in no time at all! Nancy

Congratulations Justjan! But I have to tell you, I have many "skinny" teacher friends who are totally exhausted at the end of the day! I think it is a far more strenuous occupation than most people believe---those little darlings keep us busy, don't they? Summer school just started for me today, and with the air conditioning out, I was grateful to have just gotten a short hair cut and to have the lost the weight I have so far---even so, it was miserably hot! Hahaha! Nancy

Somebody asked earlier about what people are eating now. I was banded on June 10 and am feeling wonderful! My planned eating today (according to Fitday.com---wonderful for tracking calories, Protein, etc.) is: 1 pkt instant cream of wheat, made very thin and add in 1 c. 1% milk, heated and splenda; tea, unsweetened, lots; 1 c. chicken better-than-bouillon; 1 slimfast chocolate shake; 1 Campbell's Soup at hand, creamy tomato; 1/2 sf jello; 1 sf popsicle. According to Fitday, this is 590 calories, and I'm comfortable with that. It sounds like a lot of food, huh? But I seem to always be drinking something...water, tea....:ohmy: Tomorrow, I might try adding a beaten egg to a cup of bouillon to make egg drop soup. I think if I beat it up well and it is just slivers, that would work for full liquids...if not, I can use my immersion blender to make it work! Since I have been tracking what I eat, my calories have always been well under 600. If I have Protein shakes, the kind you blend, it ups the protein a lot! Is this pretty much what others are eating on full liquids? Thanks, Nancy

Congratulations to everyone recently banded! I agree with susanm, in that I admire those of you going back to work so soon. I was banded on the 10th and am still very weak and lethargic. Work starts up on the 23rd, and I plan to add protein shakes to my clear liquids on that date, or I would not get through the day!

I was banded on the 10th and it went beautifully! I have already lost 8 pounds since the surgery---and it's only been 4 days! I'm not hungry on the clear liquid diet, and my incisions are healing well (a few are almost not noticeable already!), and I am thrilled with the weight loss, but I absolutely have no energy... I can't wait until I can have a Protein shake or something to perk me up! This band is the best thing I've ever done for myself....I only wish I'd done it 20 years ago! Nancy