Betsyjane

Hey! Thanks to you both! I think I'll stick with nonfood solutions since I think the problem is a food habit..... And I've been told we're never supposed to chew gum! Thanks for th dieas. I was also thinking every time I head to the refrigerator at a non meal time, I need to start dancing in front of the fridge....just to break the pattern!

Hey Lizrbit! Miss Galveston yet?

An open forum is open to people with opinions. You are still responsible for your own health and have to decide who and what you believe. Just like in conversations with people face to face. I suppose if one wanted to just hear from "experts" it would be better to read the research, or to just discount the word sof anyone who hasn't been banded. I hope she finds what she's looking for...... I found it here.

Can you eat a whole sandwich?

I seem to have to be constantly vigilant about grazing. It's definitely not that I need the extra calories or nutrition...My food intake at meals is right on target and I feel full. It's a head hunger issue that challenges me. I am likely to pick up an extra Protein shake as a snack, pouring unneeded liquid caloies into me, a bandster no-no. Anybody else have the same issue and have any success stories? What I know about my issue so far is that I eat when I'm bored, and I'm bored around 2PM, when I run out of my morning burst of energy and am less focused. I'd love to blam it on nutrition, but I think it's more about patterns. I have always hit a lull at 2PM in my lifeand habitually just slowed down and picked up food. I'm going to try going to the gym at 1:30 each day and see if that helps me install a new patterns..... Right now, my grazing is under control, but it is a struggle. Looking for other ideas....

I don't feel full with protein bars. Here's my usual day... Slim Fast low carb shake for breakfast (too restricted!) Lunch: 4-6 ounces of protein and some vege salad with a few berries sprinkled in Dinner: Same as lunch. If dinner out, I order anything hi protein and eat a small portion of it. It's my treat and my variety. If a carb touches my mouth, I stop losing! But I also didn't feel restricted enough until after my third fill.

Why risk it? I'm happy to have kicked my Diet Coke addiction when I got banded. I'm not switching to Crystal Light or other chemical drinks either. Might as well get as healthy as I can on this journey. So it's water with lemon and er, the occasional Starbucks 150 calorie frappacino light as a splurge.

I fell into the habit of getting liquid calories in between meals (shakes). I stopped losing wieght and stopped feeling full. I was only feeding my head hunger. I found that I had to learn that it was OK not to have something in my mouth all the time, and that when I get bored, there are better habits than grabbing a shake. The good part is that with the band, changing my behavior wasn't impossible! That's new for me. I guess the biggest thing for me with the band is that I'm always learning and modifying me. I get some glipses of being a mature bandster and having my act together, but often still I'm working through behavior patterns or eating choices and upgrading what I do, what I put in my body, or how I exercise. At first, I wanted the band to just release me from food issues and be THE answer. Now I'm actually enjoying the journey and the work.

I do the slim fast low carb, and it seems to keep my blood sugar stable so I don't crave food later.....and gives me 20g protein. I just wish they had more flavors!

Aw. That's very sweet. I don't want to breathe on you, though! I'm feeling to puny to go out, but not puny enough to stay in bed, so I'm slowly cleaning the house. That's my speed for the day.....

Good grief! And we're in the heat of summer most days already in Houston! Yeah, I can't see what the difference would be for us with lap bands. Seems like that article would apply. Lots of interesting ideas.....

Yes, I'm wondering how it might be different for lap band...but I doubt if it's much different. I may or may not be there Monday. I woke up this morning with stuffy nose, sore throat, fever. I'm keeping a good thought that it will pass quickly. Definitely not going to the gem/jewelry show today!

I thought this was an interesting article, especially about long term pouch volume, water loading techniques, etc. http://www.lighterforlife.com/PDF/dummies.pdf

I thought this article was interesting....especially about pouch volume over time and water loading techniques, etc. http://www.lighterforlife.com/PDF/dummies.pdf

Salt. That's an interesting theory. Will be interested in what you find out. I had a way bad day yesterday foodwise. I was a total pig! Ate food off and on all day...mostly high sugar stuff that went down with no problem. Cannot for the life of me figure out why! Just took a vacation from my new lifestyle. I guess the first indulgence triggeed a day's worth of bad behavior! Ah well...today is a new day.

I had it. I had a fill that was too much restriction, so the food and even liquids sat too long in the band before goijng through. I didn't know it, and went in for a fill because I was eating too much...because the pouch was then too big so I thought I wasn't restricted. 3 days of liquids only restored it. Many people also need at least a slight unfill, but the liquids for me gave me that little bit more weight loss that loosened the bqand enough that my restriction was fine. I guess the larger problem is if the dilation goes on for a really long time and becomes permanent.

My Dr. told me at the beginning that he doesn't give out recipes for bandsters becasue we should be eating normal food, but less. Then, or course, he gave me the sheets that said that I must eat Protein first, chew chew chew, not eat many carbs, etc. So his message was as complex as the bandster lifestyle. I think the answer for me is both! I eat a low carb, calorie counted diet at home, and when I'm out to eat, I order yummies and eat smaller portions.

I had little restriction until my 3rd fill and then it was wonderful. BUT I did dilate my pouch because I was too tight! food and even Water just sat too long before going through the band! I found out because I felt like I could eat anything all of a sudden so I thought I needed a fill. The fluoro showed I was restricted but my pouch was stretched. I was scared! 3 days of liquids only and it was back to normal. Sometimes they do 3 days of liquids and a bit of an unfill. LOTS of people have little to no restriction after the first and second fill....or even the 6th...and some people are restricted with no fill. It's amazingly individualized.

LilTweety! Look at your weight loss!!!!!! Have any good tips or words of wisdom?

Well, my weight loss has temporarily slowed down, so I needed a boost. I was shopping with a friend yesterday and I got one! I went into Coldwater Creek and tried on some things that were XL instead of plus sizes, and they fit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( I didn't buy any...trying to wait until I'm at my goal weight before investing, but when I got home, I went ahead and ordered a few pieces on line anyway.... )

I blew it yesterday....grazing AND ice cream! Breakfast...sipped a watered down Slim Fast Carb Control....Too restricted in the morning. Late morning: 100 calorie low carb Protein bar Noon: lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. Had the chopped salad. Ate about 6 bites. Full. So far so good. Mid afternoon: Hungry. Ate ice cream with chocolate sauce. (I think I had been just too restricted to get enough of a fullness so I ate easy calories?) Predinner: Had 1/2 dozen frozen blueberries blended in Water and ice. Dinner: Turkey patty and veges. Ate half. Then had 2 bites of fat free cream cheese.

Great! Eating everything, you probably shook up your system. Might help!

wow! What a difference to go from open to 2.2! Go slowly! My schedule says this coming Monday, tax day!

Gosh...nothing in the band and still having a tough time! I guess the Dr. has looked to see if there is slippage..... All I know is that in the old days, when I used to have trouble eating, hot liquid before a meal helped, and hot meals helped. Can you drink shakes and soups and eat mushies to get your calories in? I used to only be able to eat solids in th evening and had to drink breakfast and drink or mushy my lunch... Are you eating tiny bites and chewing alot, and resting between bites? If so, I'd talk with the Dr. again....

I didn't panic until I was actually coming out of anaesthetic after surgery. I had been so calm. My first thought was "What have I done??? I have to tell them to take it out now!!!!" Once I came to completely, I was rattled, but OK. My next panic was in the waiting room just before getting my first fill. I practically passed out! Then when it was done, I was amazed---It was nothing! Other than those 2 times, I have been so grateful for this band. Days that it is finicky or I am, I cuss it, but with a smile.