stateofzen

Canned chicken is way moister (though it does smell like canned tuna, which is ewwww!). I got Tyson brand all-white chunk.
I made a pretty good crustless quiche by combining egg with cheese and a small scoop of artichoke dip, baked in a ramekin dish at 350 until it puffed up (I honestly can't remember how long). Chili was one of my faves (blended of course), but you said no Beans so that probably won't work for you.
I bet there are "savory souffle" recipes out there that would work.

Amen. If you claimed to be perfect, I'd be suspicious

Claudia, you should not be embarrassed. We all suffer from this "over-eating" disease. You are among friends.

Did you want to be puking? Puking is so unhealthy for you and for your band, I can't imagine that puking would mean the band is working properly for you.
It's hard to restrict yourself but you have to do it. I haven't had any fill and have lost 75 pounds. I've eaten properly EVERY SINGLE DAY since surgery and am at the gym everyday. If I can do this - you can do this - I swear. I never imagined I would be able to do it but instead of looking at the band as something to make me lose the weight, I am looking at it as the thing that is going to keep the weight off. So this time, I have hope whereas before the band I was done trying.
I think you perhaps were hoping the band would work differently. Now that you know how it works for you - use it to your advantage. Get on track, track all your food and exercise. If you do that - a month from now, you WILL have lost weight. I promise.
Best wishes to you!

I think this forum is a micro version of any group of like-minded people you'd find anywhere. If you walk into a room full of people, you'll find some who are nothing but positive, some who are nothing but negative, and most who "go with the flow." The personality types who are strongest will lead the conversation, and try to convince others in the room to think the way they do. It's human nature.
For me, the LBT forum has been a great resource, not necessarily because of just the good posts, but because of ALL the posts. Even those who are all doom and gloom, who SCREAM EVERYTHING IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS WITH SIXTEEN EXCLAMATION POINTS AFTER EVERY SENTENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It isn't because I agree with everything being said, but because I can take that post and step back, comparing it to how my own journey is going. I'm not going to experience the same things everyone else does. My band is my own, and my body's response to my band is also my own. I can learn from the experience of others, and not have to experience that problem to learn from it. I consider the general aspect of the post, whatever its topic is, and compare it to how my own journey is going. I may or may not reply to the post, if I think I have anything to contribute that may help talk that person down off the ledge a bit, or help to allay the fears of a newbie who is not sure just what the heck is going on. Time and experience brings perspective, and sometimes all people need to hear is a few calm words, so they can relax a bit.
My experience with the band is often that what I was told pre-banding is a bit (or a lot) different than what has materialized post-banding. The people I talked to pre-banding at my surgeon's office are medical staff, but none are band patients. They have theoretical experience, but no real-world experience. I immediately realized their comments have to be considered in that light. I made some friends here at LBT that I communicate with offline, whose experience I can compare notes with, but who are having their own journey with this. I found my own experience is very personal, so I turned the mirror inward, and I focus on what is working for me, and how to avoid the pitfalls I see others fall into. Things have worked out well for me, because I've been able to understand what is happening inside my own body, and I've been able to respond to my own situation.
I'm a generally positive person by nature, and I find I'm someone a lot of people come to for advice. (Not just about banding, but about a lot of things in life.) I try to be helpful, but usually turn the freaked-out person around to step out of their crisis of the moment, to step back, and think of things with a clearer head. Most of the time, people find their own answers, and they're appreciative that they had someone to consult.
In that room full of people I first mentioned, when I hear the totally negative person trying to recruit kindred spirits, I'll tend to keep my mouth shut, or I may offer a pointed comment to give others something else to consider. If someone asks my opinion I'll share it. But throughout I'll consider the source, and cut the negative person some slack. I've learned some people try to make themselves feel better by gathering a crowd who'll stand with them and cheer them on. The advantage I have is being able to set aside such comments, because I know the person is only being emotional about the topic because they're highly invested in the situation (especially as a bandster), and things are not going as they expected it would. Those same people tend to come back later much more relaxed, once the crisis has passed.
So for me, it's all about listening to my own experience and common sense, taking things I read here with a grain of salt, and considering the source. If someone is repeatedly negative just for the sake of being negative, I just stop reading their posts. Life is too short to try and educate those who won't learn. And when absolute push comes to shove, I try and follow the sign I saw on the wall above the desk of a former boss, who was a shoot-from-the-hip, damn-the-torpedoes, seriously contrary person of the highest degree. The sign said:
"When they're running you out of town, try to get in front of the crowd and make it look like a parade."
Dave

I don't believe there is a whole lot we can do for the skin. I believe it is mainly genetics, age, and amount of weight lost. The muscle tone underneath helps a little bit, as does hydration, but overall...you either have the elasticity to snap back or you don't. So sad.
I have a beautiful pair of bat wings myself...ugh. I use them to threaten my husband if he misbehaves! Whip! The wave that keeps on waving!

I take it slow for 48-hours after a fill, because I'm usually swollen, but once that goes down I can drink Water just like normal. That doesn't mean my fill didn't work-- my fills have been great (I lost all of my weight but for the last 5 lbs on 2 fills), but what they give me is a feeling of "that's enough" after a smallish meal of solid Protein and veggies. There is no physical restriction at all. My band doesn't prevent me from eating anything-- it just gets me satiated on smaller amounts of whatever I do eat.

If you had truly done A LOT of research on the band as you claim, you wouldn't be writing this right now. All of your excuses aren't going to melt the fat from your body. You don't need encouragement, you need a good swift kick in the ass. You might as well get used to being the fat person in the room because that's what you're going to be unless you decide to put in the necessary effort.

You just had surgery 5 months ago and lost 40 pounds. I'd say you were off to a good start. So you hit a plateau...SO WHAT? We all hit 'em. You just have to stay on the horse and keep riding. Did you think you were going to lose 150 pounds the first week and then maintain it the rest of your life with no effort involved in the process? You need to grow up and be accountable for yourself. Nobody is going to build the house for you.
Sorry if this isn't the response you were hoping for but I too am outspoken and as you said we are allowed to say what we want.

I'm so glad that you could vent and that it's making you feel better. I suspect that what I've put below is already "in your radar", but I'm certainly trying to offer support and perhaps a way out of this place of frustration.
It is human nature to want maximum gains for minimum output. I get it. And I know you're not alone because there are lots of people who have said the same words "if I wanted to count calories and exercise, I wouldn't have gotten surgery!" or "If I had any willpower, I wouldn't have gotten surgery!" This is not uncommon and probably has a lot to do with a lack of real education on what it is actually like to be banded. Even when you ask questions and try to educate yourself, if you don't know what questions TO ask, you're probably going to miss out on a lot of important information. I'll bet you can be a real voice of education for pre-op bandsters-- let them know your misconceptions so that they can be better informed.
You're in a position now where what's done is done, and you have three real choices that I can see: you could decide that you're going to revise your expectations of the band and start working with what you've got, even though it means diet and calorie counting; you could decide that you're going to pay to have it revised to something that's more in line with meeting your expectations; or you could do neither and instead stay stuck where you are feeling disappointed and betrayed and frustrated.
You've done really well so far with a 40-lb loss-- that's right on track with where you could expect to be and it's a good sign that you'll continue to lose at the expected rate if you don't give up hope and maybe take a look at doing some of the things you stubbornly don't want to try now (and I know all about stubbornly not wanting to do stuff too-- I pretty regularly refuse to exercise myself). You can do it! You just need to have a little adjustment in your outlook.
But of course, you may decide it's more comfortable to stay where you are right now, and that's an option too. The only options that are NOT available to you are to change the past and never have the surgery, or to wave a magic wand that makes the weight melt away with no effort in 6 months. Believe me, I want that freaking magic wand sister

Hi there! I have a high BMI and am getting banded tomorrow morning. I didn't have a liquid diet, I had a goal. I was told to lose 20 lbs. They would THEN schedule surgery. I did this with a high Protein, low carb diet. It's very possible to do and I am a picky eater and did NOT want to live on salad. I ended up losing 23 lbs and was able to get my date. Guess what, I did VERY little exercise so adding that will speed up the process. Here's some foods I ate and some ideas:


cheese sliced from a chunk (This is usually lower in fat than the string cheese but the string cheese was an alternative to convenience)
* String Cheese
* Cottage cheese (I would add garlic salt and some pepper, you can add fruit but keep in mind that fruit can have a high sugar content, especially if it's not fresh and has been sitting in Syrup or juice
* Cream Cheese (I would smear some on a piece of lunch meat and wrap it up. Make lettuce wraps with lunch meat and cheese!) You can even have sour cream!

*eggs, I usually made an omelet with ham and cheese or had them scrambled.

Meat- for dinner if I wasn't into a salad I would do the following:

* Bake or BBQ chicken breast. My favorite was adding just a little virgin oil or spraying some Pam in a skillet and adding the breast with some Mrs. Dash. If your feeling crazy, I would mix a little mayo with some hot sauce and lightly spread that on, it was AWESOME! Stay away from BBQ sauce! Even ketchup was something I avoided all together.
* Bacon, Not the leanest but it was a treat and I enjoyed it with my eggs on occasion!
* Beef, I would make a roast in my crock pot and add carrots, onion, garlic and celery. It's great by itself.
* Ground beef, I would throw some in a skillet with garlic and drain the grease. You can also make a meatloaf and add veggies to it.
* Ground Turkey, Bariatriceating.com has an amazing recipe for turkey strognoff meatballs. I made them on Easter and they were a hit! You can also just throw this in a skillet and get creative as well. Make a lettuce taco, add Tomato, sour cream, onion!

drinks
*Crystal light became my best friend! You can even freeze some and make Popsicles. Refrain from using juice because of the carbs and sugar content. These come out more like ice cubes and are hard to bite BUT it keep the hand to mouth going and lasted longer so I felt like I had more going into my body.

*Protein Drinks were a big help and my Breakfast on the go! I use Hydro whey from GNC in chocolate. It's 30 grams of Protein, 2 carbs and no sugar. It tastes REALLY good in milk. I would even add some instant coffee crystals and it would taste just like a cold mocha! Let it sit in the fridge for a couple minutes to let the coffee crystals dissolve. You can buy some through GNC and if you don't like it, take it back for a FULL refund. Can't beat that!



Work

I work in an office with no break room or kitchen so the fridge and microwave was my friend. I also cut up summer sausage and would eat that with my cheese slices or my lunch meat wraps. An extra Protein Drink is essential for when you get a hunger kick. I always keep a variety of Crystal Light flavors in my desk. Raw Almonds or nuts would help with a crunch as well as Pork rinds. Yep, pork rinds! I didn't want to kill everything I had been doing because I wanted chips, I wanted the crunch! They sell plain, BBQ, spicy and a variety of other flavors! No carbs in pork rinds and they have protein. Not something that will fill you up but will satisfy your need for a crunch!


I DID NOT eat any of the Fiber bars, Protein Bars or anything like that. I was VERY strict with my carb intake and kept it a minimum! A lot of those still have a nice chunk of carbs. My Mom thought she was doing well with watching her intake until I pointed out the 20 something carbs per bar she was eating. I was having less than 20 carbs a day, let alone in one bar!

Everyone is different and it's all a matter of getting creative! If you throw in some exercise, you will be in GREAT shape. Don't get frustrated with the scale. I would hit a plateau and get so upset, only to drop a couple pounds more the next week. You can do it!
P.S. I was NEVER hungry and always allowed myself something to eat if I was. You do not have to starve. I am in fact glad things were done this way and I didn't have to deal with the liquid diet before. I will be on enough liquids after and since I'm working, even today, day before banding, I was afraid of being weak. Not the case and am glad things worked out the way they did!

This is something I recently posted to someone researching.
I would say that there are three regularly occurring post-op posts that you should be aware of as you prepare. Being aware will help you deal with the psychological aspect of the band in the weeks and months following surgery.
1. Be aware: You may experience a lot of discomfort after surgery that is pain related. People vary so much on this and of course everyone hopes to be one of the "bounce right back" folks, but be prepared to be in a lot of discomfort for up to a week or even more. It is NORMAL to be depressed and/or regret having the surgery immediately post-op.
2. Be aware: It is very likely that your weight loss will stall or even reverse (meaning actual gains) during the first weeks to month after surgery. This is counter-intuitive to people, because they just had weight loss surgery AND they are on a liquid diet and not eating. But it is NORMAL to plateau or even gain Water weight while your body is recovering from the stress of surgery. Try not to despair. If you keep at it, you will begin to lose weight soon enough.
3. Be aware: A lot of people feel very hungry and ready to eat eat eat almost immediately after surgery. For a lot of people, the band alone doesn't do anything for weeks to month until it is filled. This is what people refer to as Bandster Hell. A smaller subset of people do feel a reduction in hunger right away-- but if you don't go in automatically expecting you'll be a lucky one, then you won't be as baffled and disappointed if you aren't. It is NORMAL to feel hungry and frustrated until you reach the appropriate fill for your body, and that may take weeks to months.
Knowing these things and expecting them will help tremendously with your emotional reaction to the band. If any of these things happen to you, you are in good and prolific company. Don't despair! Figure out before your surgery how you might cope with them when they come up and odds are, they won't be a problem for you. Knowledge is the key.
I would add the following to that list:
1. The average loss at 2 years with the band is 60% of excess weight, according to band literature. So if you need to lose 100 lbs to be in a "healthy BMI", then the average person will have lost 60lbs by the end of year 2. This is the average, which means that there are going to be a few people who lose 0 lbs in 2 years and an equally few people who lose 100+ lbs in 2 years. Most people are going to be right around that 60% mark (I wish I knew what the standard deviation is, that would be even more helpful).
2. Weight loss is not constant and linear for most people, even if they are very very consistent with their eating behavior and activity level. It seems like it should be-- calories in/calories out-- but there are a lot of people that tend to lose in cycles and you may be one of them. For me, I lose weight in chunks, then I "plateau" for a few weeks, then I drop another bunch of pounds within three days, then "plateau" again. You may also be one of those people-- don't let it worry you.
3. Exercise may temporarily stall your weight loss or even make you gain, especially if you are starting or intensifying your program. I have been working out consistently for the past two weeks after about 10 years of nothing. I have GAINED weight even though my eating hasn't changed and I'm burning more calories. That's normal. I know if I keep at it, I will drop that plus some more and have a healthier heart and more stamina to boot.
4. This is hard work, even though the band DOES make it easier if you let it. I get full on small amounts of food-- not "stuffed" full like I was used to, but "ok, I've had enough and my body doesn't need more" full. This is REALLY hard to get used to. Full is never again going to feel like full has felt in the past. But, I can still eat past the point where my band says "eh, you've fed your body as much as it needs" and very very often my brain says "do it, you know you want to, mmmmm it tastes so good, just one more bite!". It is a real struggle sometimes to listen to my band and not my head hunger. I actually have a little mantra when I'm eating and being mindful. I say "if I'm not going to listen to the band when it says stop, then why did I bother with this surgery in the first place?" That tends to turn down the volume of the head hunger.
I think people naturally go into this surgery very optimistically. They go to the seminar and the surgeon and the carefully selected successful patients of that surgeon talk about how amazing it is. They come on this board and look at the success story forum, and the "I lost 100 lbs" forum, and the "before and after" picture gallery. They see people's tickers (like mine) who have lost huge amounts in months, not years and they expect only the best , most luckiest results, and ignore the fact that the average expected loss in 60% of excess weight at two years. I understand this because I did it too, and I fully believe that I have been incredibly LUCKY so far and that it's "easy" for me to say this but I do think that bandsters who are really in touch with reality and not overly optimistic are going to be able to emotionally adjust to banded life better.
Do not get the band if you expect it to work like bypass. If you want super fast results, and you want malabsorption, then get the bypass. With the "plusses" of the band, including its adjustability and its reversibility, come some costs and one cost is that it requires adjustment which is unpredictable in some ways, and it's associated with a slower rate of loss.

Okay, so my hubby has a super active social life thanks to this club he belongs to. I avoided going to a few events since my surgery (pig roast/pinic, conecert/BBQ etc.) Well Sunday I am going to a big Irish Festival at a racetrack. There will be plenty of BBQ and drinks. I have no restriction but I have been pretty good with the diet (except I had a little more than just mushies-but nothing bad). I am thinking of having 2 beers and some BBQ food. I know there will come a day were I will get stuck or need a PB -but those days are nowhere in sight for a while. Would it be really sucky of me to enjoy the day with a beer and BBQ...yeah I know I can enjoy people's company and the festivities, blah, blah, blah...but really! Any thoughts? Did anyone else indulge a little more than they should have? Oh how I wish I had some restriction!!

I agree with part of your post.....but you have to remember not everyone here has the same motivation for losing weight. My original goal was to lose enough to get pregnant. Now that I have lost 96 pounds I like looking good. What does it matter what reason someone has for losing weight, as long as they lose weight.
Btw I am VAIN!!!!! Lol I cat call myself when I pass by a mirror! Lmao So what!
You know what else I like? I like that I can play with my 6 year old for more than 10 minutes! I like that I wear a size 12 instead of a 22! I like that I can bend over and paint my toenails! Don't have to shop at Lane Bryant! No longer the biggest girl at our military Christmas party! Oh and I love the scale now!
My point is we all have different reasons for losing weight and you cant fit us all in the same box.

I do believe that there are people who follow their surgeon's instructions and still do not lose, because there are surgeons out there who give horrible aftercare directions. Just yesterday I saw someone (and I don't remember if it was here or on a different support site) whose doctor told her after surgery, all she was ever allowed to eat again was meat. I've seen other people who have the surgery and were told that the band alone would make them lose weight- they were given no diet to follow, and weren't educated about fills and follow-up care. So yes, I do think there are instances where someone is doing what they were told, and they're not losing weight.
Do I believe that's always the case? Heck no But I do know I was lucky to have a great surgeon with an amazing team who taught me so much- and I am lucky for that. Of course there are plenty of people who claim they're following the rules, but it turns out they're not, they're just fooling themselves. But until we ask questions and try to help that person, we won't know what's really going on.
Again, everything you're saying is correct. We just look at it a different way, it's probably since you're coming from a male Marine background and I'm coming from a female Mom background You tell it how it is and how it should be, I like to help people get to the root of the problem.
But again, I have no criticism of anything you've said. I'm just pointing out why people who are complaining or "whining" get extra help when they come here.

I'd just like to know how miss high and mighty Petunia knows just what to say to lose friends and make enemies! Does she practice? Is she searching these boards just so she can fire off cruel responses? Oh, and the next time you do let loose Petunia check your grammar so as to not underscore your lack of knowledge in all areas!!!

You "don't know" your doctor's policy on fills after the surgery. It could be several fills before you find the band working best for you. I would ask how much it costs and/or what insurance covers if this could be a factor. Some people have claimed their doctors won't give fills when needed...try to pry and find out if the doctor will hold fills hostage if you're "not losing" or something....
I would also ask if the hospital itself is experienced with bariatric surgery. ie, will they give you meds before surgery for nausea? Some people are very sick afterwards.....

Sounds like you need some tough love in your life...I have not been banded yet, I am in the process for getting approval so you can write what I have to say off as I just don't know but here goes...
No matter what the tool you use to loose weight, you have to follow the regimen. You had a serious surgery, that required anesthesia, people don't always wake up from anesthesia!!!! So you risked your life and had a lap band placed to HELP you loose weight. The band is not going to do the work for you.
Now several years later you are still struggling with the weight you want to loose. You need to take a long hard look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself you DESERVE to be happy, to feel happy, to be healthy, to feel healthy and to succeed. Take a walk and talk to yourself (in your head so folks don't think you need help) and really ask yourself what it is that you are trying to suppress with food. Clearly you have emotional issues that you refuse to face and instead choose to eat your feelings. We all do sister, you are not alone in this battle. Face the problems of your past and then let them go. THere is no sense in carrying around all this extra baggage.
Stop saying "why me" and making excuses for the last two years. Take control of your life, use the tools you have been given to become successful.
What is it that you want to do once your at your goal weight? How do you think you will feel once your at your goal weight? Have you thought about what is going to to happen once your at your goal weight?
Life is a journey, reaching a goal weight doesn't mean life is over or that you can finally start living your life. It means you have achieved a goal and now you can set another one.
I get it just as much as the rest of the people on this board get it, loosing weight is hard. If it were easy we wouldn't be here on this forum!
Put your big girl panties on and move forward. Live the life you want to live TODAY. Wether you are 500 pounds or 150 lbs you can choose to feel good about yourself.

Will it hurt you? Eh, probably not. Could it slow down your healing process? Surely could. Does it show that you're already unable to be compliant? Yes.
It's one thing to mess up; it's a whole other thing to plan to "cheat" again. Choice is yours, though I'd say no. Stick to your diet; you were given it for a reason.

I would say I average a cup of food per meal. Well, maybe not Breakfast (I have a Protein bar) but definitely lunch and usually dinner.
I can't stand this 1/2 cup and no snacking nonsense from docs. It's no wonder so many people over-fill to the point of constant PB'ing and reflux when they're trying to stay satisfied for 4-5 hours on a 1/2 cup of food.< /p>
I'm not knocking what works for other people, but I tell you what, I have lost over 100 lbs in 8 months eating well over 1/2 cup of food, with no real exercise. I've also never vomited, PB'ed or slimed.

I don't think that it's highly improbable for you to lose even more than 3 pounds in some weeks, especially the first few. I have lost more than 3 pounds some weeks (although some of it was likely Water and possibly even muscle, unfortunately), but my usual weight-loss is 2 pounds (in the first 6 months, it was only about 1-1.5 pounds). Remember that, for many people, restriction doesn't occur until 3 or 4 months in. Some people pick up the slack and go through bandster hell in the interim, while others, like me, eat more than 1 cup in the first few months and lose slower until restriction. As others mentioned, you might be disappointed when you fail to reach your goal or you might end up eating far too little at the expense of your health (malnutrition and muscle loss) and your metabolism.
To byrdmen, your progress is really great (congratulations on losing 149 pounds!), but you can't quite compare your experience to Deidre. Aside from the fact that a person's weight-loss is dependent on their metabolism and other factors, there are two factors that make it easy for you to lose 3 pounds a week consistently over a year; you are male and you have 341 pounds to lose, according to your ticker. On average, most males lose weight much more rapidly than females, partly on account of higher muscle mass and the fact that females have evolved to retain fat more easily for reproductive function.
Most importantly, people lose weight quicker if they have more weight to lose and they're farther from their ideal body weight. That's why you see people who weigh 800 pounds sometimes losing 25 pounds/week. That would be an impossible or highly unhealthy feat for someone who weighs 259 pounds and whose ideal weight might be about 110 pounds away.
You could easily create a 2200 caloric deficit and lose 3-5 pounds/week, while still staying above the 1600 calorie a day guideline for males. If Deidre were to create a 2200 caloric deficit, she might be severely malnourished. If she weren't malnourished (if she was previously consuming 3000 calories and exercising), she'd still be eating a very strict diet in comparison (much lower than the 1200 calorie guideline for women), so it would not be an easy weight-loss. I eat about 900-1100 calories a day and I cannot lose 3 pounds a week consistently over a whole year. For people with less to lose, weight-loss slows down over the year since many are getting very near their ideal weight by one year.

I am taking part of this free weight loss surgery give-away competition and every few days I remind people on my FB to vote for me. I have repeatedly told people to let me know if they do not want to receive messages from me. Pretty much everybody in my FB is a personal friend or a family member anyway. I only had this one friend (a female who used to be a police officer with me) that used a name of her gym as her username. Nonetheless, I did not know that anybody else had access to her FB account but it turns out her boyfriend, who apparently co-owns the gym with my former co-worker, did... I have never met the guy and he knows absolutely nothing about me! Yet, he sent me the below message as a response to my group reminder asking my friends to vote for me (I took out their names, just in case):
"TAKE US OFF YOUR LIST FOR THIS!!! THANK YOU WE DONT BELIEVE IN EASY WAY OUTS SURGERY!! THAT END UP BEING UNHEALTHEIR FOR YOU IN THE END! BOTTOM LINE JUST QUIT BEING LAZY AND DIET AND EXERCISE MAKE IT A LIFESTYLE NOT A JOB!!!!!! HOPE THIS GET'S THRU TO YOU!! THIS IS R NOT C!!! JUST DO IT!!
...And below is my reply to him... Deserved?
"Dear R,
Thank you for letting me know that you would not like to be on the list anymore. I had no idea that somebody else but C, who is my former co-worker from the police department, reads this account. If you had just asked me to take you off the list, I would have respectfully done so without any further reply except "done, thanks". However, since you decided to offer your "expert" opinion on weight loss, I felt inclined to respond to you...
Clearly you have not read my other e-mails or you would know that I very much believe in making diet and exercise a lifestyle. That is the very reason I want this surgery. It is not an easy way out as one has to commit to a rigorous pre-op and post-op diet lasting multiple weeks and then permanently change one's eating habits. Otherwise there is a serious risk of complications. It is simply a life-changing way to help (or force, if you like) people like me to make those permanent changes in eating habits. And as far as exercising... I love it and have no problems in that area. I have not always been obese and there are multiple reasons why I have become one during the recent years. One of them, without a question, is probably emotional eating. You, as a gym owner who gives out weight loss challenges that claim to be wholistic in their approach, should probably educate yourself on the complex nature of obesity if you truly want to help your clients. It is not as simple as "quit being lazy" (and there is NOTHING lazy about me by the way- what a stereotypical approach to someone with a weight problem) but you clearly are clueless about this.
Rendy, do all of us a favor and take some time to educate yourself about the topic you claim to be an expert on! My best to you & C! Henriikka"

Know that I'm saying this from a kind place even if it sounds mean, because I don't know if you need to hear it: knock it off! Don't eat seconds, don't snack, don't graze, just DON'T. Yes I know how hard that is because I am almost 5 weeks post op, no fill yet, hungry a lot. BUT. You need to train your brain to accept a smaller portion as "enough". You need to eat small portions and stop when you're done, and when you've done it for a while your brain will start to see a small plate of food as normal and a large plate of food as excess, a gross amount of food even.
You're not doing yourself any favors by still eating larger portions and snacking a lot. Remember, the band will help you feel satisfied sooner, but it WON'T stop you from overeating. If you don't get used to the smaller portions now, you'll regret it once you get to a good fill spot because you still won't be getting the results you want.

If you aren't seeing a counselor, now seems like a good time to start! If you're dealing with some self-esteem and self-doubt issues that are leading you to binge, then a therapist might be able to help you process these feelings and come to terms with them without having to resort to slider foods.
It is my firm belief that everyone in this world could benefit from seeing a therapist once in awhile. You certainly don't need to be seriously mentally ill for it to be helpful

If you test to your band to see what you can get away with, you're going to find yourself "winning" a lot But in the end, that's not a game you want to win, right?
It sounds like once you're healed and can eat solid food again that your band may be working-- giving you a feeling of satiation after only a little food. But for a lot of us (me included) the band did never and will never stop you from eating anything.
Your job= choosing what to eat and listening to the band
Band's job= giving you a sense of "not hungry" after a relatively small amount of food
That's it.
Good luck to you! I know it's hard to figure out with every other person, and every other doctor, saying something different.