Unforgettable

Great idea! I did something similar as well, especially during my pre-op diet. I had pictures of different things/goals/clothes/places etc that I wanted when I reached goal posted all over my house, all over my fridge and food cabinets. Great motivation and reminds me of why I'm doing what I do.

Yea I was banded July 13 2009. It's been a great experience for me. It wasn't my first surgery at all, I've had 2 kidneys removed among other things so the surgery itself was a breeze in comparison. I think the toughest part of it all is that it's such a mental battle. I have good restriction now so the band is doing it's job, but I have to battle every day to make sure I do MY job and make the right food choices. Each day it gets easier though!

Hey! I wasn't banded in August, but thought I'd share this link with you - it's the link to the subforum on this site for August 2009 bandsters. August 2009 Forum

No problem! Tough love is hard to give but is often times what's needed. I only know because I've been there myself. P.S. 28 pounds lost already is awesome!

If you are concerned you should talk with your doctor asap. I didn't have the burning pain, but I will say that at first I could feel my port being pushed up if I slept on my side.

This is why I always recommend therapy for people that are struggling. The battle is so much more in our heads than it is in our stomach. Talking to someone has helped me identify triggers, feelings of failure, etc.

It's not an easy journey we are on. I was banded the same day as you. Not trying to offend, but you need to let go of the excuses. I too kept saying I couldn't exercise because of work, but really I could. Would I be tired after working, would it be hard to find time to exercise? Of course, but the truth of the matter is that there IS time. Exercising will really kick start your metabolism and move things along, so just try your hardest to find time for it. As far as carbs, if they are in a lot of the foods you have at home then you need to get rid of them. I'm not one of those no carbs at all people. I just go based of my doc's guidelines which is to keep it under 60gm/day. At first I thought this would be impossible considering I ate over 150gm a day typically, but once I started educating myself on simple carbs versus complex carbs, things that have carbs in them, etc it really wasn't too bad. Plus I don't focus on JUST carbs. The meal planning thing I can definitely relate to that. I'm a nurse and I work 12 hour shifts, and there are days where I'm running around the whole time and lucky if I get a break. Is it possible for you to keep at least snacks at work? This way you can get a good protein snack in, like a hardboiled egg, and it should hold you off until you're able to get to lunch. It's a rough ride, just try your hardest and make sure you're doing yourself justice and the band will start to do it's job. Plus once you get restriction you should start to lose, and once we start to lose I think we get more motivated to do right. Good luck!

There is NO preparing for the liquid diet. It sucks and there is no way getting around that lol just try your hardest not to cheat - keep reminding yourself that you are risking your surgery if you do that. Also, what helped me was keeping inspiration items around the house to remind me why I'm torturing myself - smaller sized jeans, pictures of the bahamas which is where I will go when I meet goal, etc. Good luck!

I've wondered this myself, Steph. I'm not at that point yet but have thought about how to approach it in the future. I'm a private person anyone, so I'm not one of those people telling everyone about the band. I think I decided I would tell a potential partner when I realize that we will probably get better. I think the earlier the better. I have lots of scars from other surgeries, so that's not a big deal to me. But I definitely think if there's potential to be a serious/intimate relationship, it needs to come out. It's tough though because like you said, there's a stigma attached to it. Maybe when I'm closer to goal I won't care as much. I'm sure they will notice before we reached that point anyway based on eating habits, so if it were ever brought up by that person I'd be upfront. My policy in general for telling is that I'm not going to offer up the information, but if someone asks me I'm not going to lie or lie by omission. Plus I figure if it really makes a difference to them, then they aren't worth my time.

You probably don't have any restriction right now. How much can you eat at a time? How long do you go in between meals? Are you making the right choices? Are you exercising? The band is a great tool but as many have said before, until you get good restriction it takes a lot of hard work on your end. Hopefully with your fill it will start to help. Just try to focus, make sure you're doing your job, and get to exercising to really kick start things. Good luck! You can do it

I googled it too and the thought of that being performed under sedation and not anesthesia freaks me out!

I'd recommend trying a therapist out. I've realized that this battle is so much more in my head than it ever was in my stomach. Talking to someone has helped me sort out my feelings of depression, failure, food triggers, etc. May work for you too. Even though exercising sucks, do it! It will make such a difference, will make you feel better afterwards, and I know for me mentally it makes me feel accomplished. Make sure you're picking the right food choices. It's normal to feel scared but don't let that stop you!! You can totally do this, just get back on track and get things going. Good luck

I buy the Fage brand, Total 0% Greek yogurt plain. It is the no-fat version - I think 5 oz has 90 calories, 0 fat, somewhere between 3-7gm carbs, and 15 Protein. You definitely need to make sure you're getting the low fat one. Also make sure you're getting the plain flavored - you may have been looking at some of the ones that are either vanilla flavored or have add ins like honey - this will definitely make it higher in carbs.

I would call your doctor then to get some sort of definition as to how long phase 3 should last before you try moving on to regular food, even if you're making smart choices. Padanelle - Isn't greek yogurt great? Have you tried mixing it with sweet stuff like fruit and some splenda? My favorite way to eat it right now is with either reduced fat Peanut Butter or the PB2 powder mixed in with it.

Congrats on making it to ONEderland!!!!! 6 more pounds and I'll be right there with you

I'm eating 3/4 cup of food at a time and have no problems getting my protein in without the liquid shakes. For Breakfast I typically do greek yogurt - 4 oz has 15gm protein. lunch is usually fish like tuna or salmon, both of which have high amount of protein. For dinner I have a boca burger sometimes which has around 15gm of protein. I try for each meal to get 15-20 gm of protein per meal. Then I usually have one snack at some point. A lot of times I have the greek yogurt as a snack as well. It's definitely doable. You just have to pick foods high in protein and eat those first. My doctor doesn't have a problem with drinking my protein - he wants me to get most of it in through solid food but if I need to supplement that's fine. If at the end of the day I don't think I got the amount of protein I should, I will do a shake every now and then. And like someone else mentioned, I also make sure to eat well-balanced meal with veggies, fruits, etc

How long is your phase 3 supposed to last?

What were your discharge instructions given to you by the doctor? Every doctor has a different schedule and it's really important you stick with the one your doctor recommends. When was your surgery?

That's great news! Just don't overdo it - right now you probably are still are feeling some subconscious effects of the anesthesia that's making you feel good. I felt amazing on Day 1, it was as if I didn't have surgery at all but just did a million situps. Day 2 hit me like a ton of breaks. I mean overall it still wasn't bad, but compared to day 1 it was a big difference.

Yea I do the Fage yogurt. Make sure you do a low-fat one. I do the Fage Total 0% which has no fat, but they also have a 2% one. Fage tends to be thicker than the other brands, but I like the consistency more.

Please make sure you are able to et in at least 64oz of fluid! I know we all want and at times are impatient for weight loss - I'm guilty of it too - but we need to be safe. If you don't get enough calories, your body might go into starvation mode and hang on to every last one which will actually make you not lose any weight. Also there are links between being too tight and band slippage.

Yes V8 and a lot of other juices, even "healthier" ones like Naked, etc have lots of sugar in them. Sugars themselves, however, aren't bad and I wouldn't agree that "sugars, in any form, are bad" and you shouldn't have them. It's when you overindulge that you run into the problem. I think everything is fine in moderation.

Agreed. Sometimes we get so focused on the band, that we think every symptom is related to it. If the surgeon, who is an expert with the band, doesn't think it's related to the band, then I would suggest going to your primary doctor and having it checked out. Getting blood work always helps too.

CantB2noty - I hope you didn't think my posts were chastising you for drinking soda, because that definitely wasn't my intention! I know a lot of docs that will allow it, heck mine will allow it. I was just saying that before the band I never craved pop, and now I do and I think it's because I know I'm not allowed to have it right now. And I still say it's pop lol

Plain had some great advice. And I think you've nailed it on the head, you know what you should and could do but you just don't do it. Throw away all the excuses, because let's be honest that's what they are. And who cares what your doctor thinks...I'm sure he'd much rather you came in for help than do what you're doing now. If you don't feel comfortable going to him then go to someone else. Do what you need to do to get back on track. Do you at least have good restriction to where you are eating smaller portions? I know college is hard as far as eating healthier, but just try starting off making the healthier choices. Don't go clothes shopping or party on the weekend and use that money to buy some healthier options. Like plain had suggested, chicken is a great option. Cook it ahead of time, package it into portioned sizes and grab it when you need it. I also know time is an issue to. I work full time and am in school for my masters degree, but I still make time to exercise. Because let's be honest, we say we don't have the time but usually we really do. Just try to remind yourself of your motivation to get the surgery in the first place. Remember your goals, the things you wanted to accomplish, and focus on those. Do your hardest and you'll see it pay off. Good luck!