Betsyjane

I had cravings all my life! And I went on diets, lost, and regained more than I lost. I pretty much couldn't see myself ever being a success with my weight. Now, if I screw up, my weight stays the same. If I do right, I lose. What a difference! And doing right is possible...and used to be impossible. The first time you are able to push away from a plate with only 1/4 of the food gone and really say "I'm full"! You'll know life just got really different!

I do a lot of Thai cooking and haven't had a problem. Lentils god down fine for me. Do you have any tips for me on breaking free from the last of my meat eating habits? I can go for a few days, but then I CRAVE meat!

I'm an aspiring vegetarian. I get a heavy hit of protein from my morning shake. EAS Carb Control only has 100 or so calories for around 20 grams of protein, so if I have a very low protein day, I can always have a second shake to round it out. I also eat beans, tofu, etc. without a problem. Had a problem once with cooked spinach, but not since. It's all about getting to be friends with YOUR band. There were things I couldn't eat at first. Now I know how to eat anything, but some foods just aren't worth the trouble, so your tastes and desires change a bit. I struggle with shrimp so I just don't bother with them anymore...but I eat crab without a problem. I eat raw salads every day. After awhile, you just get used to your band and how much each food needs to be chewed. And you do little weird things to adapt. I made cooked cherry tomatoes last night...popped one in my mouth and realized they had a really thick tough skin. So I chewed, took out the skin, and swallowed the rest, rather than risk it. You get good at doing that stuff so no one sees, and it becomes second nature. You may stuggle at first but you'll be fine.

Artificial sweeteners give me gas and raise my blood sugar. A dash of real fruit juice in water is my pick.

That's a great suggestion. I once got past a plateau by keeping a log of my food for 3 days. I was shocked how much I'd let bad stuff sneak in!

Call me if you need a ride to dinner!

Be usre not to try to get your protien in one sitting or your body won't be able to use it. Split it into at least 3 servings. I've also found that sometimes I think of breakfast as just another meal, and eat for Breakfast what I would normally eat for lunch. I do a morning EAS Carb Control protein shake sometimes in the morning...only around 100 calories for around 20 protein grams. That way, if by late afternoon, it looks like I'm not going to get all my proteins in, I can have another hsake to supplement without eating many calories. You may also find that your food preferences change with the band. I used to love shrimp but I don't eat them now because they reak havok with my band, so it's not worth the effort....but I can still eat crab, so go figure.....

Hey, Lourdes. Drop in anytime!

I have 2 long term effects to share....I ano longer take diabetic meds, and my osteoporosis has reversed itself!

Hi Lourdes! Are you responding to something on this thread?

Fun, ain't it?

Not sure what you mean..... I hope the long term effect is a known one...weight loss and maintenance. The band hasn't been around for lots of decades, so the long long term effect isn't known, but the band is supposed to last you a lifetime.

I asked Dr. Spivak before I was banded, and he said there'd beno problem riding. My port is in the front too. No problems....

Hector's for dinner Monday Oct. 1?

LOL! Wanting to break his heart is not showing unconditional love....It's revenge! No doubt you have every emotion in the book in the wake of a break up. But concentrating either love or revenge on him is focusing on him. You and the baby deserve your energy instead. They say that people connect based on having the same level of emotional maturity. So the more you focus on your own well being, the more likely you are to attract a guy who is more mature. Who knows. Right now he just doesn't deserve your focus in any way...other than perhaps paying half the baby bills.......

I wasn't required to have a psych exam, and the other self pay people I know were also not required. My sense is that it is more an insurance company requirement. Bullying breeds bullying. Hostility breeds hostility. Let's just stop. Or move the thread to Rants and Raves. Just whne this thread starts to settle down, someone new finds it and wants to stir it up again. Let's just stop. It's time for this thread to fade away. Bye.

I hadn't read about artificial sweeteners. I just was thinking about it, and I only started using them after I was banded...shakes, popsicles, etc., so I tried eliminating them. I also stopped having gas when I did! Hi Tricia! I won't be on the walk...lupus flare up....but I'd love to see you. Or we're meetingup here around Humble for dinner Oct 1st if you can duck out of your busy life....

I've been away, just returning to this thread. If the OP is still out there, I am so happy for you. You've gone from miserable to successful with a slight unfill, and that's great. Very cool correction. VanCouver Girl: I felt smarter than the average bear before I was banded too. When you live it, you may find that it's a bit more complex, no matter how much you've studied it. Some of the changes you feel or that are needed are subtle ones, like with the OP needing a slight unfill. Please know that we're on this journey together, and the academic learning is different from the experiential, so it takes awhile to get the hang of it!

Yep. I called the office and told them about the meds that were supposed to cure it within 2 months. They said if it still doesn't work, have an upper GI. The meds weren't working after 3 weeks, but then I fund the sweetener thing and no more reflux or meds. The reason to call the lap band Dr is that reflux after surgery is often caused by too tight a band (or eating too late or too much). At the moment, I'm not doing any of those things, but I sure wouldn't have waited long to get the upper GI if nothing worked. Wouldn't want to risk erosion...although I've heard that it does and that it doesn't contribute..... I'll get a good once over at my one year band anniversary too, so I feel like I've got enough doctor folks involved... Glad you mentioned it though...Thanks for looking out for me.

I love Spivak. Congrats on choosing him! I bought Better Than Boullion Soup base. When I was on liquids, it tasted sooo hearty! Let's see.... Spivak's handout has just about everything on it. Ummm. Oh, if you get the pain in your right shoulder for a few days after surgery, from gas.....I was told to try GasX but it did nothing for me. Walking helped some and so did a heating pad, but I figured there was just no reason to deal with it so I also didn't hesitate with the liquid tylenol and any other pain killer I was allowed to have. Front closing athletic bra from Walmart. Cotton socks for the hospital (blends will cause static shocks!) A pillow between my tummy and the seat belt on the way home. One thing I really missed...I was so fat for so long that I avoided the camera. I wish I had a really clear "before" shot to compare with now. Bite the bullet and take some pictures this week. close up front an dside of the face, full body front and side. As much as you may not want to, it will sure be amazing later..... Proein drinks....At first you'll need the calories, but as soon as you can eat real food, you'll want your Protein shakes to be low cal. After a lot of trial and error, I settled on EAS CArb Control. Only around 100 calories or around 20 grams of protein. If you're not a big meat eater, you might have trouble getting in all the protein you need in a day. On days tha tI don't think I've gotten close to enough, I'll hae a second shake so I don't have to worry about it. Welcome to the journey!

Take a deeeep breath. I know several people with slow leaks, and all they did was use Omnipak instead for the fills. Worked great. Onmipak is thicker than saline so it doesn't leak out. Be sure to ask for it if they suspect a leak. One gal I know has had Omnipak for the last 4 years and has had absolutely no problems with it.

Hey! You have the same history most of us have! Welcome to the journey. And congrats on your weight loss!

I was self pay, but I've known people who financed theirs through the place Dr. Spivak offers......

Had a sugar free popsicle last night and immediately after, tasted bile.....

I just started having acid reflux about a month ago. Pills didn't help and neither did going on the diet...no results by changing the pills that I take. BUT......I stopped using artificial sweeteners and it has gone away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!