Woodford4

Yes so true...Although I have very strong will power food seems to be my down fall.

I received 4cc on my first fill. Although it sounds like you are more lukey than me. I don't feel that restriction hardley at all. Good Luck!! I go back on the last Tuesday of this month and he will probably give me a fill that day. I may go back sooner than that don't know??

do not deny yourself...cuz it could backfire.

When i snack i look more at the Calories and protein. I try to eat food with protein.

I am a "crunchy carb" junky!! and that has been the harderst part for me and unfortunally those food are slidders ;-(

I eat a lot of cottage cheese (high in protein) for snack. it fills me up.

I keep a clse watch on calories...they add up quick!

good luck

Thank You and I do treat myself every now and again. I learned that the hard way. I appreciate your advise.

If you must snack' date=' make good choices.

Keep reading the labels and make sure you understand the relationship and effect of what you are reading. Carbs are only one of components: protein, fat and sodium are just as important to regulate and monitor. String cheese is great to boost your protein but it is also pretty high in fat. A single slice of low sodium bacon can also give you a protein boost but like string cheese it is high in fat. I am still searching for a good tasting non-fat cheese. A hard boiled egg is another good choice.

My surgeon is big on protein, so he encourages us to have a protein shake between meals. Better to have too much protein and quell the hunger pangs than pushing a (fill in the blank with your most decadent snack food here) into your pie hole.

Charting what you are eating including snacks gives you a sense of control, especially if you are logging everything and I do mean everything. Establish some goals like no more than 20 grams of fat a day and see how you can achieve that goal. Find out what is a good calorie range for you and the same is true for protein, fat, sugar, sodium, and carbs.

If you have been banded for six months or more, celery and carrot sticks will provide fiber and give you a sense of chewing that also helps to curb your appetite.

There are some conflicting opinions but some (like the trainers on The Biggest Loser show) advocate chewing Extra sugarfree gum. A couple of sticks each day will do an amazing job of quelling the hunger monster.

More than anything else, eat your meals at the same time each day. Make that a priority and stick to it. The snacks become less important if you can really stick to a tight schedule.

Best of luck and if you get some "good" snack suggestions, let all of us know. We are all running down the same path.

WB

Don't deny yourself. But use moderation. If you want to have a taste of something you know is absolutely terrible for you to eat in quantities, don't deny yourself, just check yourself and savor the bite for all it is worth, and as you are doing that start thinking about a better choice.

Here's my confession: I love bread and I love peanut butter. If I am feeling like I haven't been topped off I will toast a slice and then spread a thin layer of pb and take my knife and scrape off almost all of the pb leaving enough so I still get my jones from the taste. I cut the slice in half and share the other half with my dog. I eat my half slowly and really savor it. By the time I finish it I am full. I haven't denied myself and I made a smart choice and a friend, too. And if you haven't a dog to share this with, a small child or spouse or significant other may enjoy the treat and worse case tossing it outside for the birds is a good choice, too.[/quote']

Thank You I really appreciate all the helpful advise.

You can use GasX to get rid of some of the gas pain.

Congrats on your fill and results! I am nervous about my first one coming up, although I dont think I need one yet. My Dr. told me it was a snug fit and I think he was right, I cant eat even 1/2 yogurt without feel to full. I had surgey 10 days ago and have already lost 10 lbs, total of 20 since starting the preop diet. Im missing a few thousand calories! I hope I cont. to be successfull

I started out like that only being able to eat half a jello cup, but as my swelling went down and my stomach healed i found myself eating more. I hope for you it don't change. I wish you all the luck and sucess in the future.

how soon were you able to get a fill after surgery i am also feeling like i can eat alot!!

They can do one at 4 weeks post-op, but mine was at 6 weeks.

Congrats on your decision! I was banded in March and it was the best decision I think I have ever made! You will do great!

I had some of the same fears. I was banded on 3/25 and what I have found is if you have chosen a good dr and bariactric program then you will do fine. They are the best support I have other than my family. All of my questions are answered and I feel confident, but that is only because of the system I chose to use. I am also learning that the band will work if you will let it. It is not a miracle cure, but a tool and if you listen to it you will suceed. You will do fine. If you are determined to get the weight off then the band will work with you! I also made a list of all the questions and I all my concerned address before I had the procedure and so I felt confident when I went in for my surgery! Good Luck and with determination you will do great!

I went to the doctor yesterday and had lost 3 pounds in 2 weeks. After I told him I could put away a whole cheeseburger he decided I needed a fill:rolleyes:. My fill was 4cc's and I can definately tell a big difference with the restriction. I ate 4 chicken nuggets and was stuffed! Woke up this morning and wasn't really hungery, but my tummy was grawling so I fed it a little (very little) and was full. I will lose more in the next two weeks definately! So EXCITED to be see results now.

I was banded on 1/27 and I have had my share of impatient moments. But if you just keep thinking positively and make good choices when you can (we ALL make bad choices...just can't let them derail you), it will happen. Keep up the good work!

Thank you for your kind words and I think I am back on track mentally and physically. I went through the depression phase really bad for several days, but back on top of the game. I feel much better. I love the protien concentrates (grape, tropical punch, & orange) I'm pratically living on these things LOVE THEM!

I had my surgery on 3-25. The healing process was nothing like I expected. I was really sore and hurting for 2 days, but after that it wasn't so bad. As for restriction when you feel full you are full that part is more like normal feelings. I think you will know when you need a fill by how much you can eat and when you start to stop losing. I am down 18 pounds and think I need a fill because my weight lose has slowed down and it seems I can eat a little more than I had been eating. I go back in 2 weeks and get my first fill depending on how much weight I have lost and how I feel. So I'll see...You will do great try not to worry just take it very easy for your first 3 to 4 days! Good Luck!!

KEEP POSITIVE THOUGHTS - TRY NOT TO LET DISAPPOINTMENT ENTER INTO YOUR MIND. YOU WILL SUCCEED, YOU WILL LOSE YOUR WEIGHT- BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF, FOLLOW YOUR DIET, AND KEEP WORKING OUT - EVERYTHING WILL FALL INTO PLACE! GOOD LUCK- BEST WISHES!

Thank you for your encouraging words. I am trying now to be patient and to understand my body as well as my band. It is definately not what was expected. Thank You again.

My last post stated I went to the Dr on Friday and had only lost 5 pounds since surgery which was very disappointed. Although I was very fustrated I am now feeling better. :biggrin: I have only lost 5 pounds since surgery I have lost a total of 18 pound over the last 2 1/1 months. That is a big accomplishment considering I have not weighed this much in 13 years. I have begun my strenght training and I am very sore today. I have re-set my expectations to more achievable goals. So hopefully now I will continue to lose the wieght even if it is small amounts and will be satified with every pound.:confused: I expected to much to begin with. My new goal...To set realistic goals and to expect realistic results:redface:.

Went for my 1 month follow-up. Only lost 5 pounds since surgery, but I didn't get a fill today. I go back in 2 weeks for another follow-up and probably a fill that day! :biggrin: I was a little discouraged with the wieght loss amount, but my doctor has encouraged me and says I'm doing well. Can anyone advise on their monthly wieght loss amounts. :confused:

Don't know what is happening today, but feeling very weak. Wanting to eat all the time. Trying to stay faithful, but it is getting hard. My oldest son is with my brother, my youngest son is at a friends house, and my husband is gone fishing. I think the problem is I am home alone and bored! :thumbup:

Congratulations!! I would be excited too if my process had gone that quickly. Mine took about 2 months and I have been banded now for 1 1/2 weeks. It has definately been a experience. Be patient with yourself!

So...I have been banded for 11 days now. Not so bad. I am having very few urges to cheat, but I am feeling pretty satified most of the time. Drinking protein shakes, as well as using liquid protien concentrate mixed in water, and plain ole water (yummy)!! Hanging in...:w00t:

Like most people who post I am constantly thinking of what the future will bring only I want it to come much faster than it is. Trying not to let myself get to discouraged! I don't want to set unrealistic goals, but I think this is what is happening! Trying to remain positive!:tongue:

I am trying to stay focused on lots and lots of PROTIEN. It sometimes seems hard when you look around the cafe at lunch time and see all the good food and worse when you can smell it before you reach your lunch time. I am trying to stay faithful and steadfast to myself and my dream, but I sometimes feel pretty weak.

Thank You to all the Bandsters who post on this site that keep me encouraged and motivated.:eek:

6 Days Post-Op and doing great! No pain at all anymore and feeling GOOD!!

Hey I'm two days post op too. Hope u r doing well. I've been having issues with gas too. I'm taking gasX now but it's not working like I wish it would. My major problem is breathing. I feel like I have shortness of breath for some reason. I hope it goes away soon because it's really unconfortable.

I used gasx as well, but it seemed to help more to stand straight and to sit straight. I hurt more but seemed to move the gas. I at this point have no gas pain, but I know what you are talking about. It can be painful. If you are having a lot of shortness of breathe you may want to contact your doctor. That was never actually something they warned me about. I am going tomorrow to be checked for infection. Two of the incisions are getting red and looking a little irriated to me. So well see. The redness could be from were I worked today and my shirt rubbed, but I don't know. Other than that I feel 100% better. I am now 4 days post-op going on 5 and I feel like a different person. You will not believe how quickly you will recover. Hope it all goes well for you. Keep in touch!

I'm on day 3 post op today. I felt like I was 14 months pregnant' date=' until I finally passed some gas. I didn't think that could have been the issue as the I figured it was the gas/air they put in the abdomin for the surgery, which I think it was. But passing gas the 'usual' way helped A LOT!!!! I did take a chewable gas ex yesterday with my lunch time broth so by end of day I was feeling really good and even better today. Now I just have basic soreness/aches. But yeah, I felt totally full and last thing I wanted was to eat or drink anything else to make my belly stretch even more. But I did keep drinking & actually felt better after eating my broth.

I was freaking yesterday b/c I kept feeling a tightness in my throat and wasn't sure if it was the gas floating up there, a need to burp, or a need to throw up. I want to avoid vomiting at allll costs!! Now I'm pretty sure it was the air/gas floating up. I only felt it when I was standing or walking.

Anyway, I'm right there with you, 1 day ahead. Keep in touch and good luck :wub:[/quote']

I have had very little feelings of nasua. I still feel a little bloated. I figured it is from the swelling. Maybe I will try some gasX too. I hope it relieves what feels like pressure in my stomah. I am also going to get me some soup today and begin my protidiet protien concentrates. which are not to bad they are very tollerable. Thanks for your advise.

Lets just say I have had a SMILE on my face since my band date of JUNE 29,2009. I tried to follow all the LB rules. I walk a lot and get my protein in first and foremost. I think getting enough sleep has helped me. I would alway say "I going to bed to lose weight!" I lost all my weight while I was sleeping. Everyday I get up happy and ready to face the day of a new me. My new ME has lost 97 pounds in 9 months and I still have a smile on my face;-) Blogging has helped to me keep my paws out of the cookie jar. I set small but accomplishable goals. Best wishes on your journey imaluckydog

Thank You and you have provided me with some encourgement. I guess because I am so sore and can't eat or drink anything without feeling stuffed I am discourgaged. Although I know in a week or so I will be happy too!

Had my surgery on Thursday...Feeling much better today than yesterday! Still sore, but off the pain meds which is good. Trying to stay hydrated, but seems like I can't drink enough. I feel full all the time!

Any Advice??

Congratulations! Just had my surgery 4 days ago! Make sure you have you puddings and stuff made!

I am very new at this and just actually learned how to find the comments people are leaving. Thanks for the advice and I have been trying to think of what I will need the first week or so. Can you advise of anything else beside pudding? I think I am going to need a lot of support during this process I appreciate your comment...

Thank You,

You must be super excited. As far as advice is concerned all I have to offer is the basics... That is make sure you know what your post-op diet will be and have those things on hand, be sure you have someone home with you for the first few days as everyone's healing experience is different and you may need help getting up at the very beginning, be patient with yourself as this is a learning experience and it takes time to adjust and finally when you are only having liquids you still should be having BM at least every other day or so so pay attention (sorry if the last bit of advice is more than you wanted to know, but it is important). Good luck to you.

Thanks for the advice and I wasn't aware of the BM....I really hadn't thought about and haven't been told about it yet either. I am a very impatient person and I guess the hardest thing will be learning my limitations. Again thanks for the advice I appreciate it.