prat72

I understand your apprehension. I have been banded since May 13, 2010. It has been a whirlwind of changes and learning. I was nervous about surgery too and ate a lot pre-surgery for the same reasons, what if I can't have... and am glad I did. Now I can't eat bread, Pasta, eggs, lettuce and fresh veggies. I miss salad most and okay pasta. I can eat one bite of pasta and rice but salad no way. Surgery is a big change and change is scary but I am here to say I am glad and grateful I did it. Not only do I feel good in my skin I have a better self esteem. My friends have even commented on how out of my shell I have gotten. I was a horrible snacker and just plain overate now that has changed it had to. IF you weren't nervous I would be more worried. IF you accept and are willing to make the changes you will be fine. My motto and feeling now is "Nothing taste as good as skinny feels." And it is true, I loved pasta and pizza but as good as they are feeling good about my appearance is better than those things. I am 38 yo, my pre-surgery weight was 235, my current weight is 163.5, I am 5'6. My weight loss has slowed and I am not at goal but I am glad I did it. I needed support and encouragement that it was an okay change and it would be worth it. I give that to you now, if you can accept and make permanent changes you will do great.

Since Easter I have been gaining and losing and have gone from 164 to 166-168 and cant seem to get back down. I am hungry a lot but when I try to eat it seems like everything is getting stuck. I basiclly live on Soups, chili, and chicken. It is getting old and I would like to spice up my choices. Any menu/recipe ideas would be greatly appreciated. Fish is some times and I cant seem to stay away from potato chips. I was thinking fill but with getting stuck so easily I am afraid that won't help. I was so proud when I was steady at 164 but now when I see a 170 I want to cry. I need to keep up with the Water sometimes I dont drink as much or anywhere near what I need. I also know that i am eating more than 1/2 cup of food at a sitting. Somethings I need to work on are will not eating between meals, drinking water, and recognizing the signs my body is sending when I am full. But I am weak in the will power department that is what brought me to need lapband to begin with. I am hoping with some new food choices I can get back on track. I just want to get to 150.

Since Easter I have been gaining and losing and have gone from 164 to 166-168 and cant seem to get back down. I am hungry a lot but when I try to eat it seems like everything is getting stuck. I basiclly live on Soups, chili, and chicken. It is getting old and I would like to spice up my choices. Any menu/recipe ideas would be greatly appreciated. Fish is some times and I cant seem to stay away from potato chips. I was thinking fill but with getting stuck so easily I am afraid that won't help. I was so proud when I was steady at 164 but now when I see a 170 I want to cry. I need to keep up with the Water sometimes I dont drink as much or anywhere near what I need. I also know that i am eating more than 1/2 cup of food at a sitting. Somethings I need to work on are will not eating between meals, drinking Water, and recognizing the signs my body is sending when I am full. But I am weak in the will power department that is what brought me to need lapband to begin with. I am hoping with some new food choices I can get back on track. I just want to get to 150.

I am your height and my starting weight before pre-op diet was 235. I was banded May 13, 2010 and could not be happier with my results. I now weigh between 167-170. I am a compulsive weigher at least 2X a day. But it keeps be on my toes. I hate to admit it but I haven't done any real exercise and I have the droopy arm thing. I believe if I had exercised I wouldn't have had them so badly. As for my stomach well there are a few stretch marks but considering you couldn't see them before I can live with them and if I would exercise I could probably tone up what I have and lose my last 20 pounds to goal. I am really enjoying my new body and wearing clothes that may be a bit young for me but I don't care. My recommendation is to EXERCISE. I blame having 2 kids and husband and thier after school activities and school work and I'm sure I can come up with some other reasons but the fact is I don't like it and was seeing results without it. Although, I am smart enough to know that with moderate exercise I may be able to pass my goal. I am planning on starting to ride bikes with the kids and play in the yard more and do some gardening this year and put that Wii to use. Good luck on your journey. Feel free to ask me anything you want to know I am an open book.

I am concerned that my band may have slipped. Starting a few days before Thanksgiving I have been struggling to eat. I have been able to eat chicken, ground turkey, sandwich meat, and could do some noodles. Now I am having trouble with meats and all Pasta. eggs have also become a problem which never has been since being banded in May. My last fill Oct. 15 and unfill a touch 27th. I am as full as I can be and have been doing well. I am wondering if this could be related to my time of the month or if it is an indication of something much worse that I should be worried about? Any advice or info about slipped band symptoms would be greatly appreciated.

I am at my max fill and was doing pretty good. But recently I have been struggling to get food down that has never been a problem. Such as chicken. I can get bad stuff down, pie, chips. Could this just be related to starting my period or could it be an indication of something worse that I should be concerned about?

I'm a bit confused. Following a fill or anytime really, should I only be consuming 4oz? Including my shake I have at Breakfast? I have been doing fluids since Fridays fill and I'm hungry every 2 hours and that is drinking more than 4 oz.

I just had a fill and have to be on fluids for 3 days. My Dr. Told me my pouch was slightly dialated and to be sure I am measuring. My question is while on liquids should I only be having 4 oz? I don't just drink 4 oz of Water at a time what is the difference? I'm doing egg drop Soup some as the milk in shakes starts causing problems if I drink to many. I don't want to overdo and risk further dialation but I'm hungry very quickly after having 4 oz of soup/shake.

Just had a fill done under x-ray and the Dr. said my pouch is a little dialated. Can this be reversed? I know I've been bad about measuring. I'm very disappointed in myself.

I am looking for shakes that don't need milk. Anyone know where I can get some?

Thanks for the great ideas, going to look for the Premier shakes because I enjoy drinking breakfast. But until then oatmeal and grits it is. Or I may be like the karate kid "week on, weak off".

:drool:

I need some Breakfast ideas that DO NOT include milk. I love my shakes but after 2 weeks my stomach hurts and I am so bloated I am uncomfortable. Today I said no shake and will eat, I tried a piece of chicken (very moist) but 2 bites in and I feel almost stuck. So now I haven't any idea what to do.

I have been drinking shakes everyday for about 2 weeks and today I have noticed being bloated. Is this common from the shakes? I dont use milk but buy the slim-fast or special K ones pre-made. I also have lost of gas regularly.

I was banded on May 13 and to date I have lost between 45-50 pounds depending on what day I weigh. I haven't had any problems to speak of, although after my third fill had to have some removed. It's been 8 weeks and I think I need another fill. Of course if you count the times I've had to re-lose some of the pounds I have lost much more. I just bought some new clothes (thank you Goodwill) and can't bring myself to wear any of the old way to big lose ones. I have gone from a 20-22 to a 16 mostly and large shirts. My closets are thin but my sister and sister-in-law (who was banded) have some really nice stuff now. Congratulations to all you losers, keep up the great work.

Since my 3rd fill I have had to cross several of my favorite foods off the list. My #1 food I miss is salad, I love salad and would eat it for Snacks but now the lettuce just gets stucks and comes back. I also love cabbage and broccoli but the gas is horrible. What do I eat, those are health foods and now I'm having trouble with those. I'm sick of yogurt!

my story isn't really about being embarrassed... it's about me realizing i wasn't as strong as i thought i would be.

i planned in advance to spend the night in the hospital even though i had the choice to go home the same day. i thought i was going to go thru the surgery with flying colors so i packed nice pajamas, a book, my cell phone, nice shower gel, blow dryer, curling Iron, make-up, etc. almost like i was staying over at a hotel!

needless to say, i never got out of my hospital gown. was too drugged up to read. used a wash cloth instead of showering. put my hair in a ponytail and wore the same clothes home as i did when i went in.

plus, every time i had to go to the bathroom, i had to ring a nurse because i wasn't able to get out of bed on my own.

I did the same thing. But I did manage to was my hair in the sink before I left and use my hairdryer but that was work.

I have been doing okay losing weight but have recently fallen into bad habits and been eating foods I shouldn't. I was 185.5 Friday and weighed in tonight at 190. I am usually only 1-2 pounds diff between am and pm. I need to get back on track. Is it ok to eat 4 meals or should I be 3 meals and a snack. I think I need to work on willpower, have been eating although not really hungry. I am so disappointed that I have done this tp myself and now have to re-lose these pounds when I could be working on my last 5 pounds to 50 lb loss now I'm back to ten away. So upset. Would like someone other than myself to blame. If you are interested in taking the blame let me know. Again dreading my measuring cupbut this is a terrible feeling. Wish me luck!

Sure.. it's very easy.

1 lb grnd turkey (try to use 90/10 or better. not all ground turkey is lean.. read the labels!)

1 bag Kroger frozen onions & peppers (or use fresh onions & bell peppers..The bag is 10oz, so I would guess 1/2 cup each of fresh)

2 cans Pinto Beans, drained & rinsed (approx 15 oz)

1 can black Beans, drained & rinsed (approx 15 oz)

2 cans rotel tomatoes (approx 10 oz) (aka tomatoes with green chilies)

1 cup frozen cut corn (OPTIONAL)

1 pkg taco seasoning

1 pkg ranch dressing mix

Water as needed.

Brown turkey and frozen onions/peppers together. Drain. Return to pot. Add remainder of ingredients. Simmer as long as you can stand it. You will need to add a little Water as it is very thick.

Serve as is or with a dollop of sour cream (for those w/o a weight issue) or non fat s. cream or non fat plain greek yogurt for those who are being careful of calories.

The corn does add some high glycemic carbs, but w/o it the Soup looses some color appeal. Original recipe called for a whole can of creamed corn.. I backed it down to healthier frozen corn and only 1 cup.

Very forgiving recipe.. you can make all kinds of adjustments according to your needs and it still seems to work.

When I first started cooking with turkey, I added beef bouillon.. now we don't as we have adjusted to the milder taste.

Enjoy!

Also BariatricEating.com has a recipe for a marvelous White chicken Chili. yum yum

I make this too but instead of adding water I don't drain the beans(except black beans) and I use canned corn and don't drain. I also vary my beans, kidney, pinto, chili whatever. And top with cheese and sour cream. Fat Free as necessary. It's a family favorite.

It's been a rough weekend. My last fill was early Aug. and now I'm having trouble eating foods I could eat 2 days ago. eggs stuck yesterday and chicken. Tonight potato salad, deviled eggs and baked Beans had trouble. Could something have happened. I'm hungry and unfortunately the stuff I shouldn't be eating is no problem.

Not only do I feel I have fallen off the wagon but been run over by it. I have lost 41 pounds in 4 months and I am excited but I can't seem to get the scale to move. Why? Oh, it's so my fault. I do good during the day but 1/2 cup at dinner who am I kidding. I have had 3 fills and feel restriction but not enough to stop me from eating. 3 Weeks ago I had a small unfill because I couldn't eat. So now I'm able to eat over 1/2 cup most of the time. I am eating 3 meals and a snack everyday. I am trying not to snack at night but not having much luck. I need to get back on track. Could you help by giving me some tasty quick meal ideas and grab Snacks. I have found salads are no longer my friend.

I was having all the same problems after my last fill. I went back to Dr. and had .4 removed and it made a world of difference. Good luck.

I went for my questioned fill and got a good one. It has only been 4 days and I think I am to tight. Everything is getting stuck, eggs, yogurt, fish, Beans, Water. I have been I slim and pb almost everytime I eat. It hurts and pbing is a pain. On the bright side the weight is coming off but I am so not getting in the Protein or water I need to be consuming. At first I thought maybe I needed to chew better but if water is getting stuck... How long should I wait to be certain I need an unfill?

:thumbup:

I have been doing a afternoon snack but am still starving by dinner. I am usually hungry every 3 hours. Weak willpower is what got me here. I am trying to remind myself, just because it's there and tastes good doesn't mean I have to eat it right now. I think I'm going to go and get 1/2 cc and maybe that will be the tweak I need. I am not looking forward to a liquid weekend. I starve on liquids. If I keep premade veggies at hand I do good with Snacks. My stuck and pb'ing is the result of not chewing. I can eat about a cup of food to fill me. (ie. can of tuna with mayo onion relish and crackers for lunch) Thanks for all the input it helps getting other points of view.

I am scheduled for my 3rd fill Friday and am starting to think I may not need one. I was at a weight standstill then I changed my Breakfast and added more veggies and the scale has started to move, 4 pounds in about a week. I have been careless and had 2 stuck episodes that sent me runningto the bathroom to get the violater up. I think they were the result of not chewing enough. I do okay during the day but when I get home from work it's Katie bar the door (or pantry as the case may be)I can eat bunches. So I'm wondering if I need a fill or just more self control. On the other hand maybe another .5 ccs would help with the added hunger. I have been fortunate that except for bread I can pretty much eat anything and kinda like knowing that I can still enjoy foods just less. Please give me some imput.

I figured out the Ticker and set my goal for 9 pounds.