happy2lose

I take the Viactiv chewable, it tastes yummy! I also take vitamin D, Biotin, B1 (because I am deficient), calcium and potassium (because I take a diuretic). Check with your doctor to see what you should be taking.

Each doctor seems to have his own version of post-op diet. If I were you I would call his/her office and ask what you should eat.

Papaya enzymes work really well. I carry them in my purse so they are always nearby.

Call your surgeon. This doesn't sound right to me.

I have several times fallen off the wagon so to speak. The difference is........I now get right back on! You can do it. Everyday is a new day and every moment a new moment. Just start anew. Donna

I love bread and rice and potatoes. I can't eat them though. They always get stuck. I find I no longer crave these things though so I just don't eat them. Donna

LollyMoe, You are awesome! Thank you! Donna

crzytchr, I wondered about this myself. I advise everybody I respond to to journal everything but I don't take my own advice lol. Thanks!

Good point! I get measured again at the gym in 2 weeks. Hopefully I will see some results. Funny when I read threads like this the answers come so easy but when I myself get frustrated its hard to see clearly if you know what I mean. Thank you! Donna

Cathy, Thank you for your response. I have a great deal of respect for your input. The chicken I am eating is breaded and fried and the sauces are not low fat. I thought I was doing enough to work off the extra calories from the breading and frying though. I guess I'm gonna have to try something different for lunch. I have a really hard time eating meat and other means of Protein don't seem to satisfy me for more then an hour or so (such as cottage cheese or protein drink). I'm pretty restricted now but thinking I may get a small fill to help get me through the time span between lunch and dinner. I am happy with my weight loss when looking at the entire 75 pounds but I'm frustrated with the last couple of months and how slowly I am losing. The average over the past 4 1/2 months has only been 1 pound per week and I see people who don't exercise lose this with very little effort. Thank you for your help. Have a great day!

I do realize what you are saying and it actually sounds like advice I would give. I think my frustration derives because I have really been working out hard and see very little and sometimes no results for how hard I am working. I realize I am on track with the 1-2 pounds loss but most of this weight loss came in the first 2 months.

I will starting weighing just once a week because I totally agree with what you are saying. Thank you so much. Donna

No, it isn't any worse. It's about equally as torturous. Hang in there though cause it does get easier once you reach good restriction. Until this happens it takes quite a lot of will power. Donna

Yes, I have noticed this. I try not to add salt to my food because it makes my feet and ankles swell, but food just seems so bland lately.

Thank you, I appreciate what you have said. I'm frustrated because I'll lose 2 or 3 pounds and a few days later I am up 4 or 5 pounds and I just don't understand why this is happening when I'm working so hard. I was hoping some of the more experienced bandsters would be able to shed some light on possibly why this is happening.

Help! Somebody has to have some advice.

I'm impressed that you were able to lose 2 pounds while on a cruise. I love margaritas and I do indulge from time to time. However, it seems all I have to do is look at a margarita and I gain weight. Please Cathy, tell me your secret:drool:

I suggest that you make some small changes in your routines to help you with quitting smoking. Both my parents were chain smokers and smoked during the same routines for their entire adult lives. Here is what I recommend. 1. Instead of your morning cigarette with your morning beverage, get dressed and go for a walk. 2. Anytime you feel the need for the oral stimulation, get up and do something else such as jumping jacks or jogging in place. 3. When you talk on the phone, watch TV or generally light up, get up and find 5 other things you can do around the house. 4. After dinner, don't sit at the dinner table too long. Eat your food and immediately find something else to do to occupy your mind. I always suggest taking a walk. Smoking is your first battle and likely eating will be your second battle. You must change your routines and your focus to be successful at either battle. I sincerely hope you can whoop this, Donna

It sure sounds like you have good restriction. It is VERY hard to modify lifetime behaviors such as eating too fast and taking big bites but you know this is what you have to do. I'm sure this is why it sometimes hurts when you swallow your food. Slow down, set your fork down between bites and take smaller bites and see if things improve. Donna

Congratulations! Donna

I am struggling and need some input from my experienced fellow bandsters.............................. It took me 2 months to lose my first 50 pounds and another 4 months to lose my next 25 pounds. It is so frustrating! I try to stick to just eating my 3 small meals each day but lately I have added popcorn as an evening snack. Not because I am physically hungry, but because I want to eat. I don't know if the popcorn is my problem but, I just can't seem to lose steadily. My weight is all over the place. I've up'd my exercise to 7 days a week. I go to Curves 5 days and work out for 45 minutes and bicycle approx. 6 hours per week plus I do weight training 3 to 4 times each week for about 15-20 mins. My meals are as follows: Breakfast: 3/4 cup of Greek yogurt with 2-3 tablespoons granola. lunch: 3 chicken tenders dipped in buffalo and ranch dinner: Small chicken breast and 1/2 cup of veggies evening snack: 100 calories of popcorn I drink at least 64 oz of water everyday and 1 cup of coffee in the morning. I drink nothing else but water. Why am I not losing??? Any help or guidance is greatly appreciated. :wink2: __________________

Hang in there! This is just a speed bump in the road. Don't let these difficulties derail you from losing weight. You may just need to practice much more self control during this time until your doctor gets this figured out. Best of luck to you and know that people care. Donna

I found that sticking to the post-op diet was much easier for me then sticking to it pre-op. Why???? Because after the surgery I was committed to the band rules. Consider whether or not having the band will then make you have to (in your own mind) stick to it. If you think you can then do it. The band helped me mentally every bit as much as physically to stick to the required diet. It may help you too, especially if you yourself have to pay for the surgery. Best of luck to you, Donna

My doctor does my fills while I stand in front of the xray machine. I also have to drink barium while he fills me. First he gives me a shot for pain near my port then he sticks the fill needle in. I've never experienced pain. I'm sorry it was so painful for you. Hopefully it will be easier next time.