als74

It really depends on the person. I can do breads, but in the afternoon. pineapple is the only thing that has come back up, and it was in the am. I still have to eat mushies in the am. I like that though. But by night- I COULD eat anything. I don't though. I avoid stuff that is bad for me.

The fewer cals I eat, the slower my loss. I have to force myself to get in 1200 cals a day, and I am not exercising. Escpecially because you are working out, you should stay between 1200-1500 calories a day- and then you should start loosing again. You will probably plateua again, the body has this natural reaction. When this happens, go down to 1000-1200 calories, etc. Keep your body guessing by changing things up. I know more cals sound counter productive, but as long as they are Proteins and veggies- the more fuel, the more burn. Do NOT go below 1000 cals or the body goes in to starvation mode...

I was at a plateua for a while then increased my calories to 1200-1300 cals and started loosing again. The only way I could get in that many calories, was to eat 4 meals a day, and lots of Protein. I started eating 1 cup of low fat cottage cheese for Breakfast instead of 1/2 cup, and added fruit to my diet. My only worry now is that I am allowed veggies (cold/raw), and am back on salads. I love salads, but am struggling to eat the chicken or other protein before I eat the veggies, and my calories dropped again. Thank goodness for full calorie dressing. There are benefits eating less but needed more calories:).

I hate to think of it this way, but it tooks years of endulgance to get me to 295, it will take years of "suffering" to get back down to 150. It is hard for me because when I was in high school I went from 205 to 145 in 6 months, with a dietrician, my mother cooking, and my vollyball coach running my ass off.

I guess I expected that I am so fat now that the weight will just melt off. And it did at first. I went from 295 at the start of my two week liquid pre-op diet to 265 one month post op. I thought it would stay like that. Ha! It has slowed way down- and I am trying to adjust. It is hard. I didn't even loose a whole pound this week. It gets slower and slower...It is scary.

Well, I didn't reach my goal of 10, but I was almost there. It is my fault really- I know I over ate this week. I get a fill on Wednesday, so hopefully that will help...

Yes Leslie- go see a doc asap. I think black is old blood. I have never heard of puking up black as ok- it is NEVER a good thing. Please tell me you have called a doc!!

I was week for the first month, and sometimes I still get that way if I forget my Vitamins. I am 11 weeks post op, and the pain thing gradually went away by 8 weeks (unless you do something new exercise wise that changes it).

It didn't matter what mushies or solids I was eating, I was still weak. It wasn't what, it was how many calories. If I eat under 1000- no matter what- I feel crappy. I try to have 1200-1300 a day- I still loose (about 1/4lb- 1/2 lb a day...) so that is ok for me.

I HATE it when that happens- the "oh shit, that needed more chewing" swallow. I felt something weird today- first PB. Nothing like running out of your classroom to throw up unchewed pineapple...I made a note to myself- smaller bites, more chewing, and love the semi-soft foods.

I usually have the same breakfast every day. Cottage cheese and lite canned fruit, or yogurt and lite canned fruit. Why PB now? I am 11 weeks out. Is it common to PB so long after eating?

Today I had yogurt and fruit for Breakfast at 8:30. I had an instance of pain while eating the fruit, but it went away and I felt fine (no stuck feeling or anything). About 40 minutes later, I started feeling sick, mouth watering, etc. I dry heaved about 8 times before some of breakfast came up. I was ok afterwards and was able to keep down lunch. I thought maybe PB, but almost an hour later? What happened?

I have had sweet tooth lately also. I started around Valentines Day, watching all that chocolate...I bought some smart ones Desserts and have one once in a while to get my "fix." Low fat Peanut Butter is also a close personal friend of mine:drool:

I'm sure your band isn't "too large" for you; surely you trust your surgeon to place what fits! I have 5.5 ccs in my 14 cc band and just since the last fill on 1/30 have I finally discovered that if I eat too much I get "stuck" etc. For me, making those dratted healthy choices and controlling what I eat is getting much easier because I am not hungry all the time. I have been so marvelously successful on diet after diet...losing up to as much as 45 pounds and then gaining back 65 over and over. Diets don't work for me; they don't work for many of us. SO I look at the band as a lifestyle change and try to choose healthy but don't feel like doggy poo when I choose something more "outside the range". A week ago I got a Whataburger Patty Melt (here for a limited time! LOL) and could only eat 1/4 of it. I was ecstatic! And I was full for 5 hours. I haven't had, nor even wanted, another patty melt, but I'm glad I got the one I did, and I'm glad it made me full for so long. THAT is restriction, for me.

So I think yes you probably need another fill; everyone is different. No a foot long subway isn't a great choice; neither was my patty melt. But this is life and as long as we choose the right way more often than not, i think we'll be fine! Restriction makes it WAY easier to choose the right way, until you get too much...then you turn to sliders. Good luck; talk to your doc, and hang in there!

I think splurging in this instance what the right choice for you, because it showed you you can't eat as much as you used to. I had some pie at a social event (my first sweet 8 weeks after surgery) and had to cut myself off because I didn't get full (and this was AFTER dinner). It wasn't until later I realized banana cream pie is a slider food. I won't make THAT mistake again. Of course, dispite me telling my friends what I could eat, many things in large portions were thrust my way. It is REALLY hard to walk away from partially eaten food and let the rest go to waste. I have only had one fill and almost no restriction- can't wait to get to where you are...Of course, I make sure to only put a certain amount on my plate when I am in charge, and if I am not full when it is gone, I suffer through it. Suffering sucks, but my baby girl helps me remember why I am doing this in the first place:cool2:

I am sorry if you were upset at my advice. I am also sorry you are so hungry that you can eat that much and still want to eat more. I have been there many times, but cut myself off, even though I was still hungry, because I knew I needed to. What I was trying to say, is that until you do get that restriction, you have to try to restrict yourself. I know it is hard, and that is why we needed the band in the first place, but I have also read many people who have good band restriction but still eat carbs and sugars and not enough Protein. My worry for you is that when you do get restriction you will still eat those comfort foods (who doesn't love Subway?). I say this out of concern- and sometimes it doesn't come out right. Sorry again. I will make sure when I mess up (cause I am sure it will happen) I let you know and you can rip on me about it. But hey- I actually want that- it keeps me in line:wink2: I don't post anything without hoping for a little tough love. I know not everyone is that way...

Can you give me a break down of what you are eating daily and how many calories and exercise?

So far I have a couple of good ideas, but I am still looking for more. Anyone else with some good products? Or know a place I can get help in finding some?

I have a crock pot, but limited counter space.

I was banded on december 10th of 2008. i had my first fill of 3 cc one week ago. in total i have lost 28lbs (8 from the presurgery diet).

i seem to be at a small plateau and i dont know what i should do to try to get over this plateau....anyone experience this and have good advice on how to kick my body back into gear??

Eat more calories for a week (up to 1500 a day) then go down to 1000-1200 a day. Watch what happens!

I have had only 1cc put in (for a total of 4cc) in a 10cc band. I only noticed my fill for a couple days- then same old same old. I get full off 1-2 cups of food, depending on what it is. I want a fill, but hate how stuff gets stuck. That sucks.

OK, I drink when I eat. I drink all the time. However, I only sip, and slosh it around my mouth with the food, and usually only with meats or dryer food. I don't ever need it with my yogurt, cottage cheese, or other soft foods. I figure this is a good start. If I swallow after a glob of meat goes down, it hurts. If I use the liquid to separate the particles in my mouth before I swallow, it is very helpful. Especially earlier in the day. For Breakfast and lunch I am still on soft solids. I can get anything down by dinner time with very little trouble.

I know what my doc says, and he is right. I get fuller faster if I drink when I eat, and am hungrier faster as well. As far as stretching out the stomach, yes you can stretch it and yes it will go back down, but not as much as they let on- it is more mental then physical. (I asked about the stomach stretching myth a long time ago the first time I dieted in high school). If you overeat for a period of time, then your stomach gets used to that extended feeling and you will get hungrier faster and more intensely. However you can retrain your brain (and stomach) by eating less for a while after that. We are trying to eat less though, so continually eating until you are stuffed is bad- no matter what.

I will say sorry now, but when I read about people eating a whole footlong sub, and then the statement- "trying so hard" I laugh. Not to be mean, but how hard what that? I battle every day not to eat fast food. I am a fast food addict. Oh I get broccoli Soup from McDonalds and Subway- but I woudn't even TRY a sub.

I know someone will get offended with my post, but I really am trying to help you see that you still have to change your eating habits with the band. Why are you eating that much bread? If you have to go to subway, get double meat and cheese with veggies, roll it up and eat it. Bread is air and disappears quickly. Protein takes longer to digest and will keep you fuller longer.

A lot of people think the band will work just because of Portion Control. That is NOT the case. I have learned it is a tool to help me diet (eat healthier). You have to change your state of mind about eating or the band will not work for you.

Good luck!!!

I think we all understand the need to eat junk food. Isn't that what helped get us here in the first place? I was banded in Dec, and just started craving junk food again. Here is a list of replacement foods for me- maybe you could try them instead.

I used to love chips- now I eat Old London's Melba toast (garlic is my favorite), Ritz low fat crackers, and flavored pita chips.

I have a couple treats, Smart Ones chocolate Desserts and 100 cal snack packs. I don't keep more than one box in the house at a time, so I don't eat them every day.

I have a spoon of Peanut Butter when I am craving sweets. I also will have some diet sprite or 7up for a sweet craving- but as someone else said- it keeps the sweet cravings going, so I try to stick to tea (not sweet).

I am having a hard time craving meat with all the Protein I eat- because I eat Protein in a different form. I eat cottage cheese every day, and could not live without it. I eat fat free refried Beans at least 4 times a week. I love weight watchers cheese, especially on steamed veggies. If you try to get in protein- and eat that first- and get "full" on it, there will be less room for your sweets.

I crave food no matter if I am hungry or not. But I will tell you this. I don't eat when I am BUSY- but when I am relaxing at home. I love to relax though- so that is a problem. I am tired all the time- so staying busy and exercising is hard for me.

Well, this is my advice. Now if you are like most people, you will wait until someone tells you what you want to hear and do that, and not try other peoples methods, but I strongly suggest you at least try to change your sweet eating habits. Now that you are banded and not eating as much, you are hurting your health MORE than before, because you body is not getting what it needs. Get a sponsor you can call before you eat something sweet and let them talk you out of it.

As the saying goals, only a fool repeats the same actions thinking they will get a different result...

I am slow going, but the direction is down, so that is the point. One more pound and I will be down 40!!!! I was really bummed when I hit my first plateau, but ironically since I have increased my calories and started loosing again- only loosing less- I am happier. People keep asking me how much- when some days or weeks it is none.

I loved it coming of fast in the beginning, but now I am ok with it slow. My body actually hurts from the changes, and I don't have a lot of clothes I didn't wear out on my way up, so there is not a lot on the way down either. It took years to get as big as I am, and if I only loose 5-10 lbs a month, I will be more than happy with that.

I keep jolting my body. This week I ate more calories than I ususally do (wine calories mostly) but now I am ready to go back to my base diet that I like to eat. It throws my system off an makes weight loss easier. Has anyone else done that? The only draw back is you are really hungry the first couple days of the lower calorie week. For example, I ate about 12,000 calories last week, and this week I will have 8000 - 9000 calories.

Everyone seems to be doing great!! Keep up the good work and remember- if you get it a rut, do something different.

I just discoved that making my own is SO much better, but the EAS Advantage carb control (pre-made) drinks are pretty thin- to me anyway.

When I make my own, I am in more control of the consistancy. I use 8 oz skim milk, EAS vanilla Protein powder, and whatever flavoring (right now it is 1 tsp Peanut Butter, 1 tsp banana cream pudding mix, and 1/2 a banana- the more pudding mix, the thicker the shake...) I put it in my little one shot blender and it is sooooo much better than pre-made...

Anyone have a good microwave steamer?

B- homemade Peanut Butter banana creame Protein Shake (8oz skim milk, 1 scoop EAS Vanilla Protein Powder, 1 tsp peanut butter, 1 tsp sugar free banana cream pudding mix)

L- liver sausage, cottage cheese, melba toast crackers

D-2 eggs, 3oz smoked pork chop

S- peanut butter and ritz crackers

When I got on the scale and it said 295, I knew I was in trouble. I am sure I touched 300 at some point, and since I never got on the scale much, I wouldn't know when. I am down to 258 since banded 12/23/08, and feeling great.