Barbee

Being retired, we eat out a lot. I just say I have a swallowing problem. My biggest problem is foods that are hard to chew and break down in your mouth like limp bacon. When we go out for breakfast, I have to specify CRISP bacon... and sometimes I actually get it. If I don't I send it back. I tell the waitress I have a swallowing problem. Sometimes waitresses think there must have been something wrong with the food, but usually, if I eat slow I can eat half of whatever and they don't seem to question that.

How lucky you are. They didn't tell me what size band I have or how much they filled it but if I eat too fast... I get a sharp pain in my neck that makes it impossible to chew anymore. But I'm still hungry. So I wait until it goes away and then I eat more. The doctor wants to see me on the other side of 200 when I see him in Feb and I'm stuck at 207 - 205. I've been walking a mile or more a day.... it's just so hard! I thought once I had the surgery I'd be in a size 8 by now. Being 66 is rather a hindrance because I'm limited to what exercise, etc. I am able to do. But I'm hungry, hungry and hungry.

Question.... I was banded in June 2010 and so far have only lost 33 lbs. Is that normal? Even after my fills I can eat too much. I think it takes still too much food to fill me up.

Low carb is the best diet in the world because you don't have to go hungry. Breakfast... 2 or 3 eggs w/cheese.... I chose scrambled because you can't have toast... bacon, ham, or sausage. No measuring but too much fat isn't good. A breakfast like that should last you until supper time...but if it doesn't, a snack of any cheese is good. I love cheese so it was not hard to do. The cheese will tighten those bowels too. If you should get hungry you can have tuna or chicken with onion, celery and mayo... eat with a fork (no bread.) very filling. Supper.... easy as pie. Whatever I made for my family minus the potato and bread. Also no peas, carrots or high carb veggies. You can have brussel sprouts, cauliflower, spinach, cabbage and asparagus. Snacks... I still make these. Make your own whippped cream with heavy cream, vanilla and Splenda. Mix cottage cheese, or ricotta cheese with whipped cream. A delicious pudding snack. I went from 228 to 209 in no time at all.... then I stopped. :thumbup: Problem for me is I'm 66 and it's really tough to get off after menapause. You will lose easy. EATING OUT is easy too.... I would order Souvaki, or steak and salad...or just a big salad. We went out for chicken wings once a week. (Probably too much fat, but no carbs.)

So far the only tasty pureed meal I've had was the acorn squash pureed with salt and pepper. Oh the Campbells pea Soup was good too, but perhaps too many carbs???? Anyone have any good ones?

I'd go with South Beach if I were you. I went on Atkins twice... once for a year and once for 9 months... both times it ended with me passing a stone. I think there is too much fat on Atkins for your liver, etc.

What were some of the pureed proteins??? I am on pureed foods and could only come up with egg salad mushed.

I'm 66 and I've told everyone on my Facebook, and in the real world... I think of it differently. My outlook is ok, you have a problem. Everyone has some problem, but you are going the full limit to solve yours, which in my eyes makes you the best person. Most people respond in awe that you could be so strong a person to make such a move to make yourself a better person. However, there is nothing wrong with those of you who chose to keep it secret... that's just part of who you are and you know you are making yourself the best that you can be. Perhaps age has something to do with my attitude. I've noticed myself becoming more and more bold each day. I love it.

WOW! I walk but not that far.... still hurts when I walk as the belly shakes Today is the first day I feel like doing something. I had opposite of constipation all day yesterday so stayed close to the commode. :drool:

Now that the surgery is past, I can answer my own questions... Coffee? Yuck... I decided everything that goes into my body will have nutritional value. Hubby went to appt. alone and did very well. I was not up for it. I stayed overnight... you have to so they can do the xray the next day and... there was no way I could have gone home. They give you some very strong meds during/after and I could just about make it to the bathroom... you also need the IV fluids to combat dehydration. Well worth the $425. I tried to save. PS... I posted a pic and stuff under the edit profile but nothing is showing up??? Help!

You are doing great, Carol!!! Congrats. (Still trying to get my signature to work!)

Wow... looked gross at first but turned out great! However, I don't think I could put myself through that unless I was very young or had to look good to make a living.

LOL... I love this place. :tt1:

You look fantastic. I'm so glad for this thread because I was getting worried with diarrhea like Water... I couldn't even take my walk today. I'll have to get Depends...LOL. Nice to know it's "ok".

Anxious to hear hummingbird's answer, but mine is NO MORE SURGERIES. LOL I've had tonsilectomy, hysterectomy, gallbladder, breast reduction, and now this.... I hate how I feel after surgery... I hate the drugs. Everytime I had surgery, they tried to get me up the first day and I passed out... happens everytime. I think it's more the drugs then the surgery but I'll let the skin hang also. But I will try the body suit because gravity does have a tendency to pull so we'll try it. Can't hurt.

I love the attitudes and I'm going to remember them so I'll feel the same way. Thanks. :tt1:

Someone suggested spandex body suits while you lose the weight... or more exercise. I'm 66 so a bit afraid of my skin condition. I only have about 80 to lose, but I dread the excess skin and do not want anymore surgery... ugh!

After I lose a lot of my weight, I want to finally look good in clothes. How can I keep my skin from sagging and my face from looking haggard? I started the program at 238, was 226 day of surgery (June 28, 2010) and after 5 days 221. :tt1:

They want me to walk... our house is small but I couldn't bent to get my sneakers on to go outside... belly is very sore. My port is right on the waist line and pants are uncomfortable so I just wear this huge mu mu type housecoat. I must have gas lodged because I have a tightness in my chest that feels like heartburn and it goes into my back... I just feel very yukky today and lack energy. I'm 66 so maybe it will just take me longer. I only spent one day in hospital, I tolerate the liquids well. Sipping liquid Tylenol as we speak. It helps with the belly soreness. Hubby made himself supper and it smelled so good I decided to have some onion soup broth and it hit the spot.

Do you still go for fills, etc.?

What happens when you reach your goal weight and don't want to lose more?

Who did you guys tell? Everyone... I'm not a secretive person. What are you regrets about not telling? What are your regrets about telling? None at all. Even my many Facebook friends know about it and I have lots of people praying and sending me good thoughts. What's the purpose of telling? Support mainly. My son is also obese and is doing nothing about it. I"m hoping to be a positive influence on him so maybe someday he'll decide to do it too, esp. after seeing my good results. Should I wait for results then tell? No... people will wonder if you are sick or something if you lose a lot of weight that fast without telling... in my opinion. Are you able to eat in front of people without having to explain your eating habits? What do you say to explain them? Was just banded Monday so haven't gotten to that problem yet. I'm not a secretive person so I doubt it will bother me to tell anyone. Last edited by losethemess; 06-28-2010 at 11:38 AM.

Banded June 28th... Monday. Very sore. My doctor wants me to drink from these 1 oz. cups...like the kind you get with cough medicine... every 15 min.! How important is it to drink that much that often. I'm not thirsty or hungry at all. Tonight I heard the first stomach sounds... is that good or bad?

Where are they? Can't find them.

Also was banded June 28. I am still very sore. At 66 it will probably take me longer to get back into the swing. I'm having problems drinking 1 oz. of liq every 15 min... I feel full. They fixed a hiatal hernia too and I have a lot of gas so my neck and shoulders still hurt.