vlp1968

I don't think you have a slipped band. It is very typical not to be able to tolerate pasta and potatoes. I swear by a low carb diet so if I were you I wouldn't eat them. If you don't want to go low carb. you may consider an unfill so you can tolerate the foods you want to eat.

I would start off slow and gradually increase your duration/intensity. Even just 20 minutes of cardio 4 or so days a week is enough to get started. That's what I did, started with a slow walk for 20 min. on the treadmill. Now I jog for 30 or walk on an incline for 45. If you want to do weights right away that would be great. I highly reccomend a personal trainer if you can afford it. It not only keeps you accountable but a trainer will make sure your doing the right form and knows when to bump up the weight. I love mine. Good luck and keep us posted on how the workouts go.

I swear by a low carb diet. I lost 107 pounds in about 10 months on a lowcarb/low fat/ low calorie diet. I ate eggs or had a protien shake for breakfast. Lunch and dinner were a lean meat and veggie and I snacked on 1/4c nuts and 2 low fat cheese sticks. Very mundane but it worked for me. As stated, it doesn't work if you cheat. The idea is your body goes into a state of "ketosis" where it burns fat for energy. Even one high carb item will end the state of ketosis. That being said, I don't think a low carb diet if for everyone. Some people feel very slugish on it, wasn't the case for me. Some people just aren't willing to give up carbs almost completely. They can still loose weight. The real bottom line is calories in and calories out. Burn more calories than you take in and your body will burn fat. Excersise is important so muscle isn't also burned.

Hey guys, For us bandsters banded in Nov. its been a year-or two or three... Just wondering how everyone is doing. I am 2 years post op. Can't believe it's been that long. I am STILL working on striking a balance. I eat great some days, and terrible others. Overall I am about 10 pounds heavier than my goal weight. I have been doing great for the last week or so. I really want to loose the 10 before Thanksgiving. That's where I'm at, where are you?

1-Due to underactive o varies I don't get a period. not sure what you crave. If it's chocolate you might want to try sugar free candy. Just be careful because they still have significant calories and the sugar alchohols can cause stomach problems. If it's salty, you might wantto try those 100 calorie snack packs. Yes your weight will flucuate due to Water retention. You may want to simply stay off the scale during TOM. 2-249 seems really high for sure. My nut. says around 100. When I was loosing, I kept my carbs very low- probably around 20-30. It was carbs from veggies and nuts. I had a shake for Breakfast, or eggs would work. Lean meat (chicken, fish, porkloin) and veggie for lunch and dinner. One snack of 1/4 cup nuts and 2 cheese sticks. Not a lot of variety, but it worked for me. Some would say so low carb isn't healthy but Ifelt great. Some say they have no energy if they don't eat carbs, wasn't the case for me. 3-I like the treadmill, with my ipod. I walk on an incline for 45 minutes or jog for 30. I switch it up a little to use different muscles. I started out with a slow walk for 20 and gradually increased my duration/intensity. 4- I would due nuts or protien bars. Atkins makes some snack bars that are lowcarb and reasonable calories. 5-I would get a fill when your not full from your meal/snack for 3-4 hours. That's assuming you have one snack as I mentioned above. If your loosing weight but experienceing a lot of hunger it's time for a fill. 6-I think sunflower seends are pretty dense it fat and calories, but not positive. You may want to snack on those instead of the nuts I suggest if you like them a lot. You can probably find out the nutrition info on line. Just google nutrition sunflower seeds. When your not in your truck the ones in shells would be great. Lots of work to get at the seeds will slow you down. 7-Your caloreis and protien are perfect. As I said, I ate a very lowcarb diet- but that doesn't work for everyone. Infact the 100 you are doing is just what my nut. suggests. I just chose not to head that advice while I was loosing. For maintaince I probably do about 100. You asked excellent questions, and hope my answers help. I was banded 2 years ago and lost the 100 pounds I needed in about 10 months. Good luck and keep us posted on how your doing. If you want to send me a personal message I would be happy to keep in touch. Veronica

I think you need to seek some help before it gets out of hand. It is known as addiction transfer. You are simply substituting your food addiction with gambling. I would seek out a counselor who specializes in eating disorders, or addiction, whichever you think will be more beneficial. I wish you the best, I think it's great you see the way the tide is turning, so to speak. Good luck!

I rode in the car for a few hours a few days after surgery. I found it a little painful, I think it was the jiggling of the car. I ended up stopping to take a percecet and then I was fine. 11 hours is a long drive. You don't say exactly when you will travel. I would say about a week out you should be alright.

Walking is ok for now- infact it's great. However, you should get clearance from your surgeon before doing anything more strenuous. I didn't start working out until like the 4th month so I don't know how long my doc. would have wanted me to wait.

Well, my thought is that the band just doens't seem to be working for you. My inclination would be to have it removed. I am curious as to how much more weight you have to loose. Do you think you could do it, and keep it off, without the assistance of the band or other surgery? Good luck in your decision, it's not an easy one and is very important. Keep us posted on what you decide to do.

I didn't realize you were still on mushies. I didn't worry about carbs or calories until I got to solid food. When I was on mushies I ate thigs like cottage cheese and apple sauce and mashed potatoes. Things not low in carbs at all. When I got to solids I ate very little carb- probably only around 30 a day. I would have eggs for breakfast, or a protien shake. Lean meat (chicken, fish, porkloin, turkey) and a non starchy veggie for lunch and dinner. For a snack I'd have a 1/4c nuts and 2 cheese sticks. Some days I would have an additonal 1/4c nuts. Be carefull with nuts- they are healthy but very dense in calories and have significant fat. I do find them very satisfying. Hope this helps.

Yes- I believe strongly that a very lowcarb diet will work. It's all about keeping your blood sugar stable. When you eat carbs, basically insulin turns the sugar into fat. I also want to put in a plug for excersise. The benefits are numerous, just one being weight loss. If your already working out, changing it up may help you get past this stall. Good luck!

My advice is to focus on what your eating- the portion control will come with restriction. I reccomend a lowcarb/lowfat/high protien diet. Also, once your cleared, excersise would be great. Hope this helps and hang in there!

I have been having a hard time lately. I lost 107 pounds- weighed 110 at my lowest, today I was at 127. I just got back from a 2 week trip to Europe and can't seem to get back on track. I start off ok- then hunger and cravings set in. As far as my band, it was never the tool I hoped it would be. I would be very hungry, get a small fill then be gettting sick. There were weeks here and there I was in a good place, but overall restriction was elusive. So... I don't want to get a fill- just doesn't seem worth it, they didn't work before. I was doing great with excersise but that has slacked since I've been back too. I even blew off my trainer twice- which I never do since I pay for it anyway. I guess what I need is a swift yet caring kick in the ass! Thanks for listening.

It's not silly at all- that's a great NSV- your shrinking! I haven't had an nsv for a while- went on vacation for 2 weeks and am having trouble getting back on track, both with eating right and excersise. Today, so far so good, so hopefully this is the start. I will hit the gym in the morning.

You are dong great! Just think, the idea is to get smaller, not neccessarily lighter. Noone sees that number on the scale but you. Your shrinking, that's awsome.

I do pretty much what the above post says. I counted calories and protien, and kept the diet very low in fat but didn't count. the only significant fat was in a 1/4 c nuts I'd have for a snack. Also, excersise is so important, always want to put in a plug for that.

I ate alot of cottage cheese and apple sauce. Mashed potatoes would be fine too, although to many carbs for once your all healed and on solid food. Yougurt would be good. Refried beans are another idea. Hope this helps.

I have a personal trainer and love it. She's great! Really keeps me motivated and accountable. I haven't learned to love the workouts but I love the results. I do weights with her 4 days a week for 1/2 hr and cardio on my own about 5 days. It is well worth the investment!

You sound ready to get healthy, following your nutritionist guidelines. Have you thought about therapy to work on your eating disorder? I think that would be a key component on your journey toward a healthy life and a healthy relationship with food. Good luck.

Lots of great advice! I would add to start out slow and gradually build up your duration/intensity. I started out with a slow walk for 20 minutes on the treadmill. Now I jog for 30 or walk briskly on an incline for 45. I haven't learned to love it, but it's become part of my routine. I agree with the poster who said get a trainer if you can, I have one and love it. She really keeps me motivated. We do weights 4 days a week. You can do it! You might not love doing it, but you'll love the results!

You've gotten some good adive so far. I like the idea of beef jerky, lots of chewing and it's full of protien. Dr. Phil reccomends brushing and flossing your teeth. It may be a signal to stop eating. I know I don't like the feeling of eating right after I brush my teeth. Might be worth a try. Good luck!

I go to a support group at the hospital I had my surgery. The psychologist I worked with runs it. She's great. I haven't been able to go for the past few months and miss it. Will go next month for sure.

Not a small NSV at all. Kinda reminds me of when I realized I didn't need the extra large blood pressure cup. Congrats!

I did weight watchers off and on for a while, didn't work for me. I just wasn't ready. I do believe it is a very healthy program and the meetings are almost a form of therapy. I suggest you try it, while tweeking the diet to be band friendly. Keep us posted on how it goes. Oh, one more thing. You may not want to metion you are banded, I have heard WW is pretty against it.

I don't think 300-400 calories over your goal is anything to worry about. You still only ate about 1200 cals, that's within a range that should result in weight loss. I am sure you didn't do any damage to your band, so no worries.