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Jacqui, you're right moderation is key. Froggy, you are also right -- we can't get away from anything in the world today ... plenty of poisons in our foods ... I guess our bodies will adjust ... as it has before. Elfie, no one posting said anything about being "scared". But knowledge is good so that we know what we are dealing with and can act accordingly. We're not scared Thanks to all for your thoughts and opinions. I was just wondering if anyone had heard about this and if they had additional information. I, for one, will continue to have a Protein drink for breakfast -- moderation in all things is key.

... and the lead and arsenic found in them? A friend shared with me information she received from her nutrition class about Protein drinks/powders, so I looked it up online (see link below). I am unable to eat solid food for Breakfast so I have Muscle Milk for breakfast made with soy milk. It seems from the article that the problem stems from drinking protein 3 times a day. Is anyone aware of this problem with Protein drinks? What are your thoughts? Protein Drinks: What our tests found, Consumer Reports

I concur with the previous posters. But I have a question for you: You say you love the food more than you love yourself, but will you love gaining another 20, 30, 40 or 50 lbs? Is it worth it to you? I soooo understand your love affair with food, many of us on this forum do. But I think that with the band we have found ways to cope with life differently. You will too -- should you decide that the band is for you. There's a lot of support on this forum ... keep reading. All the best to you.

I have spinal stenosis and sometimes it gets pretty bad. When it's not bothering me I walk. Lately, I've been able to walk every morning. I think it's the warmer weather. That said, please share the website or book or wherever I can information on exercises that I can do sitting down that will increase my heart rate, please. I could really use them when my back won't allow me to walk. Thanks. ~F

Yes, I still crave cake ... but I "usually" don't answer the call. I positively NEVER buy/bake and entire cake. If I can't get the craving to subside, I buy a slice of cake and let that suffice. It happens maybe once every two months. Now the one thing I thought I could not live without is cheese. I loved cheese sooooo much! And while cheese is a Protein, it is virtually all fat. Well, a funny thing happened on my way to getting healthy ... I don't much like cheese anymore. Strangest thing in the world ... I don't really like cheese anymore. I can't tell you how much I loved it before being banded. So, I guess my answer is yes and no. Because I still love cake, but I can hardly stomach cheese. Who knew? Good luck on your journey.

Thanks for the info about the carrots! I didn't know they could cause blockage. I don't eat a lot of it in my salad, but it's good information to have.

I agree with the poster that asked about lactose intolerance. I am lactose intolerant (especially milk) so I use soy milk. I am unable to eat food in the morning so I use half soy milk, half Water with my scoop of chocolate Muscle Milk. I love it! And I use the lactose free Protein powder so-- no lactose problems. My doctor wants me to eat solid foods for the most part, but doesn't give me grief about having a Protein Drink for Breakfast. All the best to you on your journey. ~F

Thin Ali, you are NOT alone! That night eating thing is truly my nemesis! A lot of the time for those of us carrying extra pounds it is about emotions. I know this is certainly true in my case. Eight months before I had my surgery I started seeing an therapist - an obesity specialist - and I continue to see her to this day (although not as frequently as before). She has been invaluable in giving me tools to cope with eating compulsively (i.e., over a feeling, emotion). Now I "think" before I eat something that is not conducive to aiding in my weight loss. Am I always able to stop myself from eating the wrong thing? NO. But, I no longer beat myself up or get depressed over what I've done (and find myself in a cycle of eating more because I am sad/depressed/angry). For a while I did, and my therapist told me to write about it. So, I did. It helped. In essence, I recommend that you see a therapist for a short while. I know that some people don't believe in therapy, but for me it's about getting tools for living my life in a different way. It's about learning how to use tools that I never would have thought of on my own. In the beginning it was even about learning how to "pick up" the tools that I needed to change my life. Think about it, maybe it could help you get on track and stay there. All the best to you! ~F

Well, I'm a year into the band life and I've never had a problem with salad. I didn't eat salads for maybe the first 2 months but after that I had no problem. I get my Protein from the chicken and egg in my salad. I was told to push protein AND veggies, and salad is my fav form of veggie. I TRULY love my carbs but regret the effects of breads and pastas every time I eat them. So I "try" to avoid them (along with sweets -- really, really hard to do :Dancing_biggrin:). Thanks for your input. ~F

Seems I am able to get salad down much easier than other solid foods. I frequently have a small salad for dinner. My salads usually included: lettuce tomatoe carrots (shredded) avocado red cabbage beets boiled egg scallions boneless, skinless chicken low calorie salad dressing I rarely have a problem eating a salad. So, I was wondering if others feel that salad is a "slider" food. Thanks. ~F

Thanks everyone! I have an appointment to see my doc on Wednesday morning. I'll tell him what's going on with me and see if a fill is in my future. Fickle, fickle band. I do think that the losing fat around the band idea is quite plausible. We shall see. Thanks again to all! ~F

Sounds like you knew just what to say to her! YAY Tracy!! I had back surgery in 2004 and I can no longer run or do strenuous exercise -- but I walk and walk and walk. And with the weight loss I am able to do so much more than before. And my back doesn't hurt. The band is a GREAT tool and you will be successful! I just know it! I've heard a lot of people say that their acid reflux went away after the surgery. Tune this negative surgeon out and keep on truckin'! All the best to you on your journey! ~F

Diabetes meds CPAP inability to walk for exercise one of my BP meds the need to lie down every 10 mins when at home Tina, I LOVED your post. All the best to you.

I started seeing a therapist 8 months before my surgery and continue to see her to this day. I started seeing her when I decided I wanted to get the surgery. I wanted to understand better the reasons for my eating and how weight loss surgery could change my body, but I would have to change my mind. I found an obesity specialist through my insurance. I love going to therapy. It has helped me so much. My life is changing with the weight loss and sometimes I get a little anxious and want to eat over it. Going to therapy and using the tools I have learned there help me to change my behaviors. Therapy has been invaluable to me! All the best to you on your journey. ~F

@kdee: YOU are the one that should be givine ME advice! LOL My weight loss has been slow but steady. I have some health issues that hinder a more vigorous exercise plan, but I am sure that I could do more than I am doing. My doc seems to think that the band loosens after a while and you need a fill, particularly after a lot of weight loss. I don't know what to think. I only know that I don't want to go backwards. @kdee: I live close to LAX. PM me if you like. Would love to hear how you lost so much so fast. ~F

Thanks for the input. Yes, this band is truly fickle. Iwill be debating throughout the weekend whether or not to get a fill when I see the doc on Tuesday. If I do get one it will be miniscule, I'm sure. Thanks again and all the best to you on your journey. ~F

I will be banded a year on June 15th. I have good restriction and have not had a fill since March. Lately, I have noticed that I can eat more. I am pretty good with Breakfast and lunch but mostly have problems eating too much at dinner or snacking at night. BUT yesterday I forgot to bring my lunch (and I was starving) so I bought tacos from Cilantro Restaurant downstairs from my job. It comes with 3 tacos, I chose the crispy kind. I didn't think I could but I ATE ALL THREE!! And I wasn't stuffed like I usually am when I over eat. I have noticed lately that I am getting hungry in shorter intervals. I immediately called my doc and made an appointment. Yes, I have increased my exercise regime -- not sure if that matters. Anyway, today I brought a Lean Cuisine for lunch - noodles, shrimp, and veggies. I COULD NOT GET IT DOWN!! 2 bites and I felt like my throat had closed up! It hadn't of course, but I just couldn't take another bite. What is THAT about. Admittedly, I am very stressed and anxious today -- I have a lot going on at work and at home. Maybe that's why, maybe not. Please, please add your 2 cent or 10 -- I just don't understand what is going on. I feel like an idiot because I have been "with band" for almost a year and still I don't "get it". Helppppp, plzzz! Oh, the battery on my scale died a couple of months ago so I have no idea what I actually weigh, but by clothes feel little more roomy. ~F

I think journaling could be beneficial to me. I haven't weighed myself in a couple of months; and although I feel some weight loss in my clothing, it is still very slow. Perhaps journaling could jump start a faster weight loss. Is there a particular method for journaling or several different methods and you choose the one that works for you? Thanks. ~F

Yes. I was eating Lean Cuisine's for lunch everyday during the work week for about 5 months following surgery. It was qucik, easy and I could keep up with my calories. Not so much lately because I am using Protein drinks because I have not been feeling well. But I really liked the Lean Cuisines. Good luck.

While it is noble that you are willing to "roll with the punches", 25 needle sticks had to be very hard to go through. Once, my doc stuck me 8 times + 3 doses of the numbing agent. I was so traumatized that I was shaking as I walked to my car and, I couldn't bring myself to go back for another fill for 6 weeks! (I had been going every 2 weeks). I am sorry that you had to experience this, but I am glad that you have new strength and are looking to your future success. You will probably be a more assertive patient with any doc you see now. You turned this experience around, congratulations! All the best to you on your journey.

It's good to think about NSVs ... I am so with you galiardi, I feel young again too!! It's great! I went to the doc yesterday and this is the first time in years that my bp has been in the normal range! I was so excited! I am wearing hand me down clothing that were too too small when they were given to me and now they are getting too big ... I was a size 26 when I started this journey and now I am wearing 18s that are getting too big! I put on a pair of pants this morning to wear to work and said "these pants weren't too long the last time I put them on" ... my hips are SHRINKING! It's amazing watching my pants get longer ... wow! I was wearing a 46DDD bra when I started this journey and now my 42DDs are getting too big! Even my feet are getting smaller! I park my car farther from the store entrance ON PURPOSE, so I can get more exercise. I ran into a friend that is taking night classes at the same college I am and we were walking to our cars one night. She said "I'm parked right here", I said I park up the stairs so I can get more exercise". She looked at me like I was crazy and we both laughed! We have known each other a long time so she KNOWS that is totally out of character for me. She was very happy for me though. NSVs are great. Thanks for starting this thread. I have more to be thankful for than just numbers on a scale.

Hang in there Tamra, you are NOT alone. My weight loss has been very slow and sometimes I don't want to work anymore. Because I know myself so well I don't beat myself up -- that has never worked for me. Usually, what I do is pick myself up, dust myself off and start all over again. Eventually I will get tired of "sitting down" ... I'm not falling, I'm sitting. LOL I am a "night eater" and I struggle with this so much that I often lose heart. But, I'm not giving up because this is MY life and I am the one that can make a difference for me -- I AM THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN CHANGE MY LIFE. So, I just keep getting up. There are a lot of people on this forum that will have some very good suggestions for you on exactly how to get back on track. Pick the one that suits you and get back in the game. WE CAN DO THIS! All the best to you on your journey.

Thanks for the advice Jensmall. Before I was sitting at my desk through lunch (and being interrupted more often than not), but now I take a walk at lunch. I am hoping that taking a walk will relieve some of the stress and getting extra exercise is a bonus. I do believe that things will slow down at the desk and I will become more comfortable working with this group. Once I am more comfortable I believe I will be able to eat. I plan to buy some tuna this weekend and bring it for lunch on Monday, see how it goes. Thanks much.

... drinking Protein drinks for Breakfast AND lunch. About a month ago my job responsibilities increased and I went from stress free and happy every morning to stressful and knowing there would be a "fire" when I reached the office. I am working for a new group, one of whom is very powerful and holds my job in his hands ... but, to his credit he is ALWAYS polite and courteous. Anyway, I stay so stressed that I can't get my lunch down so I have resorted to drinking a Protein Drink. In between I eat a low calorie snack when I feel the urge (or if I have the time). My doctors instructions are that I should eat solid food every meal, but that is near impossible these days. I don't think this will be forever, but this can't be good for me ... or is it? I feel like when I get home in the evening and have relaxed from my stressful day, that I may be eating a little more for dinner than I should (or at least I try to, but sometimes I just can't because my band is tight). So, too much liquid, not enough solids? All opinions/information, suggestions welcome.

I soooo understand. I am like a "food vampire". All day long I am sooooo good, but at night I act like a woman possessed! :thumbdown: You should have seen me last night. I was searching my kitchen for something to snack on. I wasn't hungry anywhere but in my head! I was sleepy but so wanted to eat something before I closed my eyes. It was crazy! I am hoping that eventually I will get a handle on myself, but it's been 10 months and food still has a hold on me. I won't give up though. Good luck to us all!