illuminationlady

Tracy, I don't exercise much because I need knee replacement on both knees. I really watch what I eat and journaled and measured in the beginning. Now I know how much to eat. I probably eat around 1000 calories a day and that's it. I eat a looooot of protein and drink a loooooot of water all day. For breakfast I have eggbeaters with cheese. For lunch either a salad with meat or refried beans (small portions) and for dinner I split a chicken breast or fish or steak with hubby and have a half of a baked yam and veggies. My only "treats" are greek style yogurt (super high in protein and low in sugar) with a little honey dribbled on top and once and a while I might have a skinny iced latte at Starbucks. I hope this helps you. Just remember to be strong with your doctor and let him know that you intend to follow his directions. Take care! Dottie

Mirilax works great gut takes 12-24 hours to work. Would do another enema if it was me and take the Mirilax asap! Best wishes!!

Bloody Marys are my favorite but I've had a beer or two since being banded and had no problem. I think Coor's light is only 100 calories. But I could only drink one because of the carbonation. I felt really full after drinking it. But it didn't hurt me or anything. Cheers!

Yes, surgeons are a rare breed. My surgeon got nasty with me one time and I held my own also. After that there's been nothing but high fives and smiles. Once they know you won't back down they seem to gain respect some how. On a side note..getting banded was the smartest thing I ever did. I only wish I'd done it sooner! Best wishes on your journey.

Have your doctor prescribe Chantix. It really works. You are allowed to continue to smoke the first week and then cigs start to taste like charcoal. Then you really don't want to smoke any more. I even got my insurance to pay for it with a $20 copay. Check it out. No judging here! Best wishes!!

Anne--so sorry about the complications. I, personally, would never do bypass but many people do. It's permanently altering your body and I just wouldn't risk it. I will remember you in my prayers that you make the decision that is right for you. Bob-welcome back thinatheart-so sorry about your mom. That's a tough one and you, too, are in my prayers. Nothing new to report here. Just checking in and wanted to see how everyone is. Love, Dottie

Another thing about getting "stuck" is not to panic. Waiting out. It will pass. Getting panicked just makes the situation worse. Also, slimming may occur. Just stay in the bathroom until it passes. After that you may be swollen, depending on the severity of it all. If you are swollen you should stay on liquids for the next few meals. Hope this helps...it's really not so bad once you know what to expect and as previous posters said chew, chew, chew and take your time. Best wishes!!!

I started with an empty band and was hungry almost immediately. About one week out I started with creamed soups and Cream of Wheat (I added unflavored protein powder). Gradually introduced greek yogurt (dribble some honey on top), scrambled eggs, a baked yam. I had no problem with these things. Remember to keep your protein high and drink a lot of fluids. This helps with the hunger. Many will tell you to call your doctor but I just started really slowly with these things and was fine...best wishes!!!

Too funny!! I'm sitting here reading your post and laughing out loud...sorry...I know it was horrible but way toooo funny...lol

The food mentioned above is my main diet. I do eat salads with meat on top and I would also add Greek style yogurt with honey dribbled on top. But I've just succumbed to the fact that this is my diet. I do change up dinner with chicken, fish, steak, and always a baked yam. Best wishes!

I hope your joking about that fill because that's why you got banded; to get to the point where you can get fills and reach true restriction. Best wishes...

Feeling anxious is normal. You are about to have a major surgery. But that surgery is going to add years to your life, so hang in there...Best wishes to all of you. Let me just say that 5 months out I only wish I had done this sooner...no regrets.

You may be in for a waiting period. It varies from person to person. I, myself, had to just control and maintain. I controlled what I ate and what I put into my mouth. I maintained/lost a little of my weight. I just now am at the point where I'm not starving all of the time. I have had 5 or 6 fills and now have restriction and am losing. However my daughter was banded (by the same doctor) and she has had no hunger...lucky her. She found out later that she started with 4.5 ccs at the time of surgery. I started with an empty band. So you can see how this varies from person to person. My point is that you may be in for a wait and need to not let this get you discouraged. Keep reading on this forum or look to a local support group. Best wishes!

Creamed soups with unflavored protein powder (GNC) and Cream of Wheat are a great way to start with the eating process. I also had a baked yam about a week out. Greek style yogurt is very good also. Sprinkle a little honey on top. Very high in protein and low in sugar and calories. I also added fruit to my shakes and some people say to add peanut butter to them. Hope this helps...Best wishes!!! ps remember to drink a lot of water...that also helps.

I started with an empty band so I could eat right away. But I think it varies from person to person. Some can't eat for a couple of weeks. If you are weak and need nutrition try some creamed soups or Cream of Wheat. Both helped me greatly. I added unflavored protein powder to mine. Best wishes!

Stretching your pouch is myth. I thought I stretched mine out and I didn't. Now that I have true restriction I can only eat less than a cup of food at any one sitting. Don't worry about it...Best wishes...

Try some Greek style yogurt with honey sprinkled on top. Also, I had Cream of Wheat and added unflavored protein powder. My doctor wants me eating mainly protein and it seems to be working. I did cheat and had creamed soups but again added the protein powder. How about scrambled eggs with cheese too? Yummy...Best wishes.

My DH actually gets more food now! We split everything; chicken breasts, yams, fish, everything...and now that I eat less...he gets more. But he has always been skinny and never gains any weight. Bests wishes...

I think you all should be getting protein (at least some). It is not necessary to stay on clear liquids that long. I added non flavored protein powder to my creamed soups. Greek yogurt is wonderful too. Dribble a little honey on top. I also at Cream of Wheat and added the non flavored PP to that too. About a week out I also ate some of my husbands baked yam at dinner. Best wishes...

I agree, getting banded is anticlimatic. I was so excited and then after it's over it's a waiting game. Getting to that first fill is entirely anticlimatic also. I didn't get true restriction until after my 5th fill. I suffer from depression any way. Also, it's a whole new way of looking at food and being able to tell the difference between real hunger and head hunger. It was a long wait. That being said buck up little camper...you can do this. As a PP poster stated stay tuned into this site for support. I found it very comforting to read what others had been through. Read the success stories. Hang in there...you'll be fine!

I started with an empty band and therefore had hunger almost from the beginning. It was everything I could do to just maintain. I thought I would never get true restriction. Now that I do...it's heaven!!! I only eat less than a cup of food at any one sitting and I have little to no hunger...so be patient girls...your day will come. Just really watch what you put in your mouth. Eat a lot of high protein foods that are low in fat, drink that water (64 oz. or more a day) and measure your portions. Best wishes...

Lots of water, walking and a stool softener did the trick for me and then I, too, had the runs for about a week. Once you get going it's much better. Best wishes..(the water and walking really help move the bowels)

I agree, that you probably didn't do much damage and just tore a stitch. There's not much the doc can do for that and it will heal. Just be careful. I did not lift anything over 10lbs. for over a month. You could call him for the peace of mind as the PP stated. Best wishes!!

It is a personal decision because it's your body and many people are not informed as to the entire process. My husband has a big mouth and told everyone. Now I am forced to explain everything over and over. I can be upsetting sometimes. Thank God I'm now dropping the weight because some people ask me every time they see me, "How much weight have you lost?". In the beginning, when I wasn't losing it made me feel bad from time to time. Now it doesn't seems to bother me. People do seem to be slacking off on asking as time goes by...

Okay, I confess, I got lost in Farmville on FB. I have missed so much that it would be impossible to reply to everyone but really enjoyed reading your posts. I agree with Bobbie that this site is invaluable and each and everyone of you is too. HB 91 pounds is great and my husband tells me all the time how much smaller I look even though I haven't lost as much. I'm down almost 50 pounds, and I'll take it!!! My weight loss is slow because I exercise very little. I need complete knee replacement when I reach 200 lbs. on both knees (one at a time plz...). But last month I lost 8 lbs. with my weigh in with my doctor. He was pleased and did not do an adjustment. I can eat about one cup of food at a sitting and stay full for 4-5 hours at a time. Which is right on course for where I should be. I am very nervous about having my knees done but know that it is necessary. I've heard it is a lengthy recovery. My doctor said my knees will feel better with weight loss but not enough to not do the surgeries. Besides that I continue to farm with Bob and Bobbie and Leigha, garden, read and I love to do puzzles as of late. I just completed Noah's Ark and am now doing a map of OC by a local artist. Well, take care all...I miss you and continue my prayers for all of you (Anne...said a special little prayer for you to get your approval...glad to hear it's official). Love, Dottie