incolorado

I did not gain weight switching to mushies, but I have stalled since the first week or so. It is hard. I am hungry (was banded 9/1). Here is what I eat on a good day: 1. Breakfast: 1 packet Weight Control oatmeal with berries and 1% milk (this oatmeal has more protein). (260 cals total) 2. Lunch: Lean Cuisine - something mushy and high Protein like meatloaf and mashed potatoes. (250 cals) 3. Snack: 1 or 2 low-fat string cheese (120 cals for 2) 4. Dinner: Boca burger, no bread, with salsa and tomatoes (160 cals); 1/2 cup low fat ricotta cheese with marinara sauce and a sprinkle of parmesan, microwaved. (about 140 cals). Total dinner: about 300 cals. 5. Another possible snack - Atkins Protein Bar, 150 cals. So this is about 1100-1200 calories, and nearly 80 grams of protein, believe it or not. I am also exercising every other day (running/hiking for 40-45 mins). This helps. But, on a bad day I add in stuff I don't need, like crackers. :tongue2: Can't wait for that first fill. Hang in there, we will lose this weight eventually!

Hi Myra, I am adding the link to your blog so we can all get to it (need to take out the www). As My World Turn My blog is in my signature, I posted it on the other thread. Stop by!

Mine is Sept. 30! Next week. Can't wait, I am hungry and not feeling as satisfied after meals. Plus I can eat WAY more than I need to! I live far from the surgeon's office, so I have to fly in. I really hope this gets me close to where I need to be!

You guys are lucky, I am HUNGRY! First fill next week for me too, can't wait. I figured out that I can eat a whole lot, which is not good. I have not lost any more but I have been exercising at least every other day, so feel good about that. I need more practice with the no drinking with meals, and I need to stay away from most carbs for now!

Yum! I love the ricotta thing. Its really not high calorie if you use low fat ricotta - 100 cals for 1/2 cup, and use a sprinkle of parmesan instead of mozz, the whole thing is like 150 calories and filling!

Hi Ladies, I wanted to jump in and give my two thumbs up to the Hanky Panky panties. :biggrin: I have a bunch of weight to lose still but I wear the boy short style - they cover the lower tummy flap for now and are comfy! Also, believe it or not, the Gap online has some great panties, much cheaper than the Hanky Panky brand and also comfy. I have only lost 17 lbs so far, but I have also had 4 babies, and my lower tummy is a mess. I will be following you all, hoping to get a TT some day myself! Thanks for sharing your experiences!

I started right where you are, weight wise, Mommy of 1. I too had some major Last Supper syndrome going on, but managed to stay the same weight until I started my preop diet. Since the diet and with surgery on 9/1 I have lost 17 lbs. The best feeling of all is knowing that it will not come back as long as I stick with the program. I do understand your profound pain. You will do well with the band, congratulations for taking this step!:biggrin:

Congratulations! Keep taking those pain meds!

Hi guys, my scale finally moved again, I am 16 pounds down now! :tt1: Started mushies and feeling much better. I still get hungry between meals but I feel full with much less - about a cup of food, like we are supposed to do. I also started exercising. I do a hike/run thing for 45 mins. Feels good to get back into it. How are the early bandsters doing with weight loss and exercise?

Dee congratulations!!! So sorry the pain meds aren't working. I could not have survived without the Vicodin! It totally worked for me. Walking helps for sure! :tt1:

Yeah! Welcome to BandLand! And congrats to other new bandsters!

I was NOT told to crush or split my pills, including pain pills. That resulted in a major PB just 3 days after surgery, very painful, with a giant Vicodin stuck in my throat and very close to vomiting. Split or crush until you know your swelling has gone down. Now, 2 weeks out, I am fine with the larger pills.

Hey Andy, seems like the link to your blog is not working? Let us know.

Just one of many reasons I chose to tell only a select few. I'll tell you what, the surgeon sure did agree that I needed it! :thumbup:

Yes, totally shameless and lame on my part. :tt1: I just want you to know that before I decided to get the band your blog was a really huge inspiration and actually helped me decide to go for it! So thank you! Congrats on your losses, you look awesome!!!!

Okay Catherine, do I have to beg you to visit my blog? LOL. Your blog was the first one I read and a great inspiration! I also started right about where you did and want to end at the same place. Oh, and I am a lawyer too. And a sort of runner like you! So, I would love to hear your insights, I know you have many fans already....But stop by when you get a minute!

I am following you now! Great job on your blog. You need to add the little thing that shows who your followers are - a good way to get more followers. My blog is in my sig, stop by soon!

True, but sometimes your own instinct and common sense may trump the "official" medical advice. Just one example: I was given a prescription for the giant Vicodin pills after surgery. Seemed weird, so I called the N.P. She said, go ahead and take em whole, most people have no problem with them. I did, and the pill promptly got stuck, and I had to do everything in my power to avoid vomiting since I was just 3 days post op. That was BAD advice. That could have caused a very bad result. So, my view is, if it is not a life or death situation, or a situation where your surgery could be cancelled, I think it is perfectly reasonable to question the Dr's view. Not to go on and on, but when I was pregnant with my first baby, I asked the OB/GYN about drinking coffee while pregnant. She said, "well, we tell our patients not to drink any coffee at all because we are afraid they will go overboard. But its really not going to hurt you to have a cup of coffee once in a while." In other words, some of these rules are put in place because the medical professionals do not think we can handle having options. We might "go overboard." You know, especially since we have proven our ability to go overboard: we are overweight! Of course, I drank coffee in all 4 of my pregnancies and delivered healthy babies. Imagine that, I was able to think for myself and limit my caffeine intake to a reasonable amount!

This is a case where Dr. does not always know best...He should have made it clear to her that it was only one week, not 2. I think that was pretty lame that she had to live through that.

Oops, I didn't see your last post! So it was only supposed to be 1 week. That makes more sense. Congratulations making it through and happy weight loss to you!

Okay, so you got 2 conflicting sets of instructions from your Dr's practice? You have done so well... but if it was me, I would follow the nutritionist's advice. That sounds like punishment - 2 weeks clear. I had 3 days clear liquids pre op and none post op, went straight to "straw diet" which included stuff like yogurt and cottage cheese. This just seems extreme, and why would the nutritionist tell you one thing and the surgeon another? Good for you staying on this so long. I would have snuck in a few Protein drinks by now.

What a horrible story. I had full-sized Vicodin after my surgery. My surgeon did not say anything about splitting the pills, but I did so anyway....Then, 2 days after surgery, I thought I would try taking a whole one. It got stuck. It was very painful but luckily did not last long and passed pretty quickly. Until it did I was panicking about having to throw up. When I called the PA at my surgeon's office, she said most people do not have a problem taking the whole pills (?) but for me to go ahead and split them. I was a little annoyed that I did not have the liquid Vicodin.

Congratulations! Take those pain meds! The W/H ratio thing is ridiculous. I just put in my numbers and it gave me .78, "healthy range." Yet, I have at least 75 lbs to lose at 219! Sorry you had this additional worry, really unfair. And welcome to the Banded Side!

Good luck all you soon to be bandsters! I will be 2 weeks post-op tomorrow, and ready for mushy food! I also started back exercising, did a 45 min. run/walk yesterday, felt great. Still holding on to my 15 lbs lost, but nothing more in the past 10 days or so. This Bandster Hell is hard! Getting my first fill 9/30, I really hope it is enough to give me back that no hunger feeling! Hope everyone is doing well. :thumbdown:

I like this explanation. It sounds right. So my water weight is coming back but my fat is leaving, right? Good enough for me! :tongue2: Hope you are feeling okay. Those first 4 days after surgery I lost 7 lbs...and then it stopped. But it was nice while it lasted!