reverie

Restriction =/= weight loss. Yes, it does help, but just because you've reached restriction doesn't automatically mean the scale is going down. If you aren't tracking what you eat, start. See how many calories you're getting a day. You may not be eating enough, or you may be eating too much. Are you exercising? Exercise is really a must, and just walking really won't cut it. Try to up your exercise; do something a little bit more intense. It all comes down to calories in calories out. I learned the hard way with that but when you burn more calories than you eat, you lose weight.

Best of luck with your surgery! You seem to have everything covered. I'd also keep a heating pad handy just in case you have gas pain, etc.

When I used to eat eggs I'd have 2 of them. Since then I've stopped eating them just because the cholesterol in them is insane. I use Egg Beaters now or just plain egg whites; usually 1/4-1/2 cup.

That's plenty normal! It will get better. Try using a warm compress on your shoulder; it really does help.

Yes you! What an awesome Christmas present that would be. You can do it. :thumbup: But yes, I would choose the normal MM over the light, both are doable though.

I second the Muscle Milk comment. Though I don't drink them much anymore, the Muscle Milk RTD Chocolate is awesome. I did the Muscle Milk Light RTD Chocolate as well; both are good and an easy way to get some protein in. PS. Your new avatar shows the difference in your face, you look awesome! Congrats.

Definitely go to your doctor! Hope things turn out okay for you. My surgeon puts all of his patients on gallbladder medication (Ursodiol) to prevent gallstones. They're common when you lose a lot of weight quickly. Sadly I had an allergic reaction to it so I've been off of it for about 2 weeks; hopefully he can prescribe something new.

Since you're so newly banded, I'd say, step on the scale, then stay off for a week. Weighing yourself once a week is enough, especially if you're seeing changes elsewhere. I did the 10x on the scale thing and it really just ruins your mood. I only get on the scale on Sunday mornings, other than that I stay off (except yesterday when I snacked on Labor Day food :thumbup: and weighed this morning) Since you're seeing/feeling your clothes fitting different, take pictures. Measure yourself, write your measurements down, and compare in a month or so, you'll really be shocked at the difference. I can't tell you how many times the scale has said one thing and my measurements another. Bodies are crazy! Just don't let the scale get you down; it's not worth it and it's not our only measure of success.

Plenty normal. Your port incision will hurt for a few more weeks. Try to not bend as much and use a hot compress on it when you need some relief.

Yeah; bandster hell, however, during this time you have to find ways to control what you're eating. Through the stress of a divorce (which I can imagine is hard, I've only experienced it as a child), you've got to find a method to controlling what you eat. Losing 10lbs in a month and 1/2 really isn't too bad, but you can be sure that because of the foods you're eating, you're not gonna lose very easily and your loss will be slower. I've been eating a cup of food ever since I got to solids. While I do eat bread sometimes, pizza and a breadstick is not a healthy food choice. The band is all about finding out what foods you can eat that allow you to lose weight. Sure you can treat yourself to a slice of pizza once in awhile, but if you're eating nothing more than unhealthy foods in large portions, then you're really not using your band at all. Per the protein, I've gotten in up to 120g in a day. I'd say you need to go back to eating more protein, as it keeps you full for longer. All I can say is is to go back to the bandster rules. Eat a cup of food, 3-4oz of dense protein, vegetables, and a grain if you're still hungry. Even though you may hate counting your calories, carbs, etc. sometime it is a necessary evil. It helps to see what you're eating and how much of it each day. If you decide to start, try fitday.com or myfitnesspal.com, both are great. Best of luck.

The 16lbs you have lost is a great loss! Remember, you can't compare your loss to anyone else's on here; all of our bodies are so different that not one person is going to lose like the next. This is your own personal journey and while others may be losing quickly, you're losing as well, and you'll get to your goal, maybe just not as quickly. Just remember that the scale is going down, not up. Keep your eye on the prize; you'll get there.

Almost 4 months post-op, 67lbs.

My calories range from 850-950, sometimes more. Protein is always 90g or more. Fat stays around 30-40g. Carbs stay under 50g. I've been losing 2-3lbs a week doing P90. Hope this helps!

Congrats! Nothing like seeing a 1 as the first number on the scale. I know how excited you are! Good luck on reaching your next goal!

Most I'm giving away. I'm keeping a few (jeans/shirt) to compare once I get to goal. The others are history!

You may want to check out the California forum!

Woo hoooo! Congrats. Your weight loss is great; 10lbs a month! You'll be at goal in no time.

I walked a lot until about 5 weeks then added a little bit of jogging, though not much at all. I was told no weight lifting/lifting anything heavy for 6 weeks. Maybe you can start small but I would be careful. When 6 weeks came I exercised like no other!

I'll take a stab at some of these. 1. The first couple of weeks many surgeons put you on a liquid diet, then a mushie stage, then a soft food, then solids. I'm assuming you mean post-op. This is really to just allow the stomach to heal and to adjust properly to the band. If you mean pre-op, then yes, doing a liquid diet pre-op does help to flush the sugars out of your body, but it is mainly used to shrink the liver. I don't believe it curbs the cravings, but once you haven't had certain foods for awhile, in my experience, I don't want them anymore, so I guess it sort of does. 2. I'm not maintaining yet so I can't say too much here. 3. Again, I don't think the cravings just go away. The band isn't some magical thing that re-wires your brain and makes you not think about junk food. It will help curb your appetite and you'll eat less but if you choose to eat the unhealthy foods, then that's all on you. Per your SIL gaining her weight back, she didn't make the needed lifestyle change. WLS involves changing what you eat, how much of it, and the amount of exercise you do. You can eat around bypass and you can surely eat around the band. It's up to you to train yourself to know what food is proper to eat and what isn't. The band won't do that for you. If you're ready to make that change and minimize the amount of sweets you eat, then being banded could be a great option for you.

40g of protein is fine. Your body will use what it needs. I have up to 120g protein a day, it doesn't hurt to go a little over.

I eat Quest Protein Bars. They only sell them online but I've found that a lot of other protein bars are full of too many carbs to fit my wants/needs nutritionally. These have 4 net carbs, 230 calories, and 20g of protein. I love the vanilla almond kind. I'm glad I found them as I HATE protein shakes.

Congrats on being banded. The pain does get better each day. Take your pain pills if you need them; they really do help as does walking.

It was offered a fill at 6 weeks post-op; I declined but I think 6-weeks is usually around the time doctors believe the stomach is healed/settled to have fluid put in the band.

Congrats on quitting!! You most definitely have the will power then. I've heard smoking is one of the hardest thing to quit.

Well first; congrats on being banded and another congrats on getting to onderland!! I was so excited when I saw a 1 on the scale instead of a 2. Per your questions.. 1. Protein is important as it helps your body heal after surgery. Though you wont be getting the amount you should, your body has a storage of it so it's not a huge deal, though when you get to the next post-op stage you may want to find a way to get more in during the day. Maybe you could look into protein shots? They are fruit flavored (usually fruit punch, grape, etc) and most people mix them into water. They sell them at Walmart and online. I too hated protein drinks but I did hold my nose and drink when I was early post-op. Today I can't stand to look at or even smell one; yuck. 2. I was 'sore' for a week or so. I wasn't feeling completely back to normal until about the end of week 1 though I was off my pain meds by day 4. My port incision hurt for a few weeks but is perfectly fine now. The gas pains went away at about day 5 I believe. Swelling is common; just be sure to take it easy and rest when you can. Hope this helps.