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.