2muchfun

FYI-You have to burn 3500 calories to lose 1 lb of fat. If you keep to a 1000 calorie a day intake, and you burn 1600 with daily activity plus another 400 via exercise, you will burn 1000 more than you consume. 1000 X 7 days= 7000/3500=2 lbs a week. That's a hefty schedule to keep up with as we all fall off the wagon on occasion and it's hard to work out 7 days a week. I was reading where one forum member, Catfish I think, was doing this so it can be done. Comparing yourself to others without knowledge of their weight, where they are in their journey and lifestyles won't do you any good. Compare yourself to you, one week or one month ago. You're doing so much better than most. tmf

Better lower your expectations. 2.5 is way above average and will most likely drop. I'm not sure what stories you've been reading but 28 lbs in 6 weeks is incredible.

It's your port . This is where they fill your band! Did you have your band removed? Did they forget to take out the port? You should give more info if you're going to ask questions?

Sounds like you need to hear from people in your own country? Here, the waiting time can be a week or 12 months depending on what insurance(and other factors) one has? There really is no average weight loss since we all start at a different weight. Someone who has 200 lbs to lose may lose 100+ lbs the first year and someone like me who only had 75 lbs to lose lost 50 lbs the first year. How much you lose is controlled by how committed you are to following the rules. There are at least 2 books from contributors to this forum that may be helpful. "Bandwagon" is one and "the big book on lapband" link is at the bottom of this page. Good luck. tmf

I like the way you think! We sometimes hang onto every fraction of an inch in height out of pure vanity. Why not be 1/2" shorter? Could make the diff between 34.5 and 35.5 BMI. I have one daughter who takes after my Mom and my daughter claims to be 5' 0" tall but I'll betcha she's 4' 11.5". Or, pig out and gain weight if you've already taken the height to it's extreme? tmf

Yes, of course. Unless you diet. Until there's restriction....It's just another diet....B52

What works for you may not work for someone else? Most of us try to find a happy medium where we don't feel deprived/starved. That could be 800 or 1200 calories. Guys need more it seems. This journey will be a daily math quiz for you. Burn more calories than you consume. Now, somedays that may be only 300 and others 1000 depending on how active you are. Burn 3500 more than you consume and you can lose about 1 lb of fat. Get to know your body and listen to it. Your body will tell you what's right for you. tmf

Time for a fluoroscopy fill? Did you ever get your TT?

Once you're cleared for solid foods why not? A small filet with some crabmeat on it isn't that bad once in a while. Knorr makes this great hollandaise mix that can be made using low fat milk. Sounds yummy!

You live in a beautiful part of the U.S. but also one of the most expensive. There are several docs here(Denver) that will do that surgery for $10K. But aftercare is as important as surgery so I'm not suggesting you fly out for surgery but if you can look for other docs nearby? Mabye Sacramento? Stockton? Cost of living is less outside the bay area and you might find a doc who is more reasonable? Regarding financing, do you have any assets at all? Car? House? Boat? Anything with a title? You can use those as collateral for a loan? Good luck to you. tmf

What are you eating?

I'd back out slowly? Maybe .5 CC at a time? For most of us, that would represent a big difference in how we eat. Taking 1/2 out could leave you with nearly a wide open stoma. And, it might compromise how much satiety you would get from eating right? tmf

I just saw that you're only 10 days post op? I wasn't allowed any kind of bread type product till I was 30 day post op? tmf

Corn tortillas go down OK with me but corn tortillas are very high on the glycemic index. Maybe one or two a day might be OK but it's similar to a flour tortilla in how fast it's absorbed into your system and can play havoc with your insulin levels. tmf

Nice try Ash, we all know that's your little sister

Cody, your post is like a new member of AA confessing to the support group that he/she's an alcoholic. You're preaching to the choir here. Nearly every one of us have some sort of eating disorder or food related conditon. All of us have tried various diets and failed numerous times. Many of us were nervous to have WLS. Many of us have co-morbidities and other ailments. If you feel like you've reached the end of your rope and no diet will ever work, if you feel like WLS could be the answer, then you're probably making the right decision. Just be prepared that you will have to make some life changing decisions by changing a lifetime of bad eating habits. The band is a tool and don't go into this thinking the band is going to monitor or regulate the amount of food you can eat. Only you can do that, but the band can make it so much easier and more comfortable. This site is dedicated to supporting patients of all sizes, ages, no matter how far along your journey you are. tmf

You should fill in your profile? We have no idea where you are in your journey and it makes it hard to advise you? But, no, it's not cheating to suck a chip, and we've all cheated and you'll cheat at some point in time. One cheat is one cheat and you just have to move on to eating healthy again.

Most of us can still eat several cups of food but are satisfied with just one for up to 4 hours.

Someone else posted this little sweet recipe. Sliced apples with cinammon nuked for a 15-20 seconds. I'll add a little sweetener to it after its nuked.

Some fruit skins like peaches, apples and sometimes grapes. I chew the pulp out and spit out the skins when they're too thick. Doughy breads can cause problems too.

I've always been a low carb loser. I was into Atkins for about 25 years and was quite successful with eating low/no carb. But when my knees went south and I could no longer run or play tennis my weight skyrocketed. My band has no problem with carbs unless it's real doughy french or sourdough bread in big bites. I'm fine with anything if I eat small enough but I just don't have the patience so I try to steer clear of carbs.

I'm not into crossfit as my joints no longer allow it. The wife and I have embraced the paleo diet idea within reason. We try to eat organic meats and veggies and stay away from processed foods as much as possible. We rarely eat refined sugar or flour. We don't follow the paleo life to a fault but we make an effort. Hard to give up Beans and rice. imo tmf

Use her negativity as a way to motivate yourself. Turn lemons into lemonade so to speak. tmf

Fruit. Anything sweet and low glycemic is better than high glycemic simple carbs. Cantaloupe, watermelon, apples, pears, blueberries, blackberries and I sometimes munch on Famous Dave's spicy pickle chips. I allow myself one Hershey's or Dove Bliss type dark chocolates in the evening. tmf

You should call your doctor today. Don't wait! tmf