tinksmom

I am post-op and have just started using Benefiber in my food and drinks. Seems to make me feel less bloated.

I am in Texas and did a program with Internet Medical Clinics. At the time it was approximately $250 for 4 mos plus $18 a week for B-12 shots. They did a lot of lab work, prescribed Armour thyroid as well as the regular, phentermine, a very mild diuretic, for the first few weeks, vitamins and gave a reommended diet. I lost really well for 6 months (phentermine apparently works less well after) and even kept weight off. I think the B-12 helped tremendously and wish any of my dotors would offer it. But it was expensive. Still, I am now at a plateau and am considering going back for everything but phentermine.

The Smart-Balance fat-free milk is 110 calories and has 10g of Protein. A few more calories BUT it tastes like 2% so is good in recipes, tea, coffee and smoothies. I am also using Research Power Designer Whey powder... tasteless (really, I don't notice it) that has 100 calories and 19g protein. I add it to smoothies and Greek yogurt. Whih brings me to that which has (thank heavens) replaced my protein drinks. I like the Brown Cow, Oikos, Chobani, Fage, and now Dannon has joined the club. I do not like the Yoplait which is sour...more like traditional Greek yogurt. The ones I like are more like regular yogurts but with almost twice the protein. The first two come in smaller portions of 100 calories so if you add the whey powder it is 29g of protein for 200 calories. Good deal. When I have calories to burn I make a smoothie with the yogurt and powder plus fruit and a half cup milk. If you keep an online food diary you will probably be surprised at how much protein can be had from your foods. Then a few brand substitutions as you start to really read food labels and protein isn't the overwhelming problem it once seemed. (Whey powder can go into stews, sauces etc)

(groan) I have hit that same plateau. Our stats are similar but I have been banded 6 mos and haven't lost for the past 2. The difference is that I usually eat between 1100 and 1300 calories so "should" be losing. I have been careful to get protein and do feel a lot better. It seems to me that in the past when on successful diets that reached this point I got "stuck" here for some time..which was one of the reasons I got discouraged and gave up. I am hoping another fill will help me feel less hungry so I can add more veggies instead of foods that are fast and less healthy. My doc is not noted for long talks about fills and what is going on but I think I will insist this time.

I took Lyrica for RA pain and promptly gained 4 lbs. I told my dotor that I couldn't deal with that so switched to Cymbalta.It takes a while for Cymbalta to kick in but it is working well finally. It has one unfortunate side effect...it tends to curb the appetite. Guess I'll just have to live with that.

I have been indulging in 100 calorie packs and found that my favorite is Smart Food popcorn with white cheddar. I eat it slowly and it goes down just fine. It also seems to keep me full for a few hours...long enough to resist the temptation of eating something with more calories. And by having the pre-packed bags I don't sneak back for just one more handful...no maybe two...oh...a few more.

Cravings get easier. I am always surprised at how little I crave chocolate or potato chips. On the other hand, if I have a craving I tend to indulge them in a small way and I have found that reassuring. Having my old favorites in a new way and amount calms my anxiety at the prospect of being forever deprived. When on diets where foods were forbidden for one reason or another I'd get on the carousel of wanting one thing but deciding to be good, which made me feels deprived so I'd reward myself with several other things that were, in the end, worse than a small amount of the original food. So I just give in in very small ways.

I relied heavily on protein shakes for the first few weeks, but have lately changed to Greek yogurt. The same level of protein but fruity and doesn't taste so much like chemicals (to me shakes just taste artificial). They come in 1/2 cup portions...and you could thin them with a tablespoon of skim milk if you wanted. You can also get shakes that have more calories AND more protein. My choice is usually Atkins Dark Choc Royale...about the best one I have found. A friend likes Muscle Milk. BUT I agree that you will have trouble losing weight on such a low calorie regime. You can't get your metabolism out of park with that. I didn't really lose weight after the band operation until I started eating 1200 calories a day. Then I lost 2-3 lbs a week. Lately it has slowed and I think I have to lower it a bit or settle for a smaller loss or 1-2. As you lose weight you need fewer calories to maintain.

I don't think I'd have a problem with flying per se but I avoided fills before vacation just because you never know how you will react. Each fill I have felt a lot tighter and had a few sticking issues two or three days later, Nothing major but nothing I'd want to deal with on a vacation either.

I try to factor in the amount of protein I need in a pre-planned daily menu. This is pretty loose...but even thinking about it for a few minutes helps keep me on track. Then, I factor in veggies, fruit, and try to leave "room" for snacks and treats. I've stopped the protein drinks in favor of Greek yogurt...fruit on the bottom...that is easy to swallow in the morning and has the protein and calcium I need. When I eat something as a meal I mix...but make sure that I put the required amount of protein right on the plate and just bear in mind that even if I mix I have to make sure to eat that. I'm almost 5 months out and now I'm finding that I really want to eat the protein first as I have learned that it's more satisfying and comfortable that way, but this was part of a natural process. My eating habits are modifying without me forcing the issue.

My ultra fit, dancer coed niece loves Zumba, I'm glad to see that others here are so positive about it since I also saw the TV ads and almost wanted to dance with it for just the brief time it was on. I currently have a frozen shoulder but my ortho says that with treatment and PT I should be able to do it at home in a few weeks and take classes by October. I am an awkward dancer, and hate regular exercise but Zumba looks like fun.

Are you getting all your protein and other nutrients in? I find that if I skimp on any one type of food I start to get hungry no matter how often I eat. If I make sure to take vitamins and supplements and keep vegetables and calcium in my diet I can last the three or more hours between meals.

I have lost over 40 and have only gone down one full size...maybe almost another. I am small busted and short waisted so it takes longer to show. My clothes fit a lot differently now, though. Pant and capri legs are loose and tops skim nicely instead of hugging every lump.

Why would you not wait to hear from your insurance? I know I went to a seminar given by a doctor who really pushed self-pay and encouraged payment while waiting for insurance approval. They get a much higher amount through self-pay and I felt really hustled. Insurance payees were given a list of things to do and told to get back to him in six months. I went to another practice which walked me through the entire process...I just showed up for appointments. The self-pay price as $14000; my insurance paid approx. $9000 which included the hernia repair. Actually about $8000 was for the hernia and the rest for the band. No wonder some doctors like self pay. With insurance payment any complications later are also covered. I have read stories here that some needing even minor port adjustments have to pay for the entire operation cost and if they need removal or if they get an erosion it can be a very steep price. It may not be a problem for everyone but I am not able to cover those kinds of costs without jeopardizing my ability to cover other bills. If I had to self pay I would but waiting a couple months seems much more prudent. If you get a negative reaction from the doctor, run...do not walk... to another practice. If he is so focussed on his fees do you trust him to do what is best for you? You won't lose but a couple months and the time to attend a free seminar or cinsultation!

I had port pain for over a month. I had post op depression. I don't think I even moved for the first week and I slept in my chair...I can't take pain meds and was miserable. I was hungry and unable to eat...hell, I could barely stand at the stove to make tea. Then, I could finally eat...and eat. The needle on the scale didn't move more than 3 lbs. I wasn't 18 and size 6 like the part of my brain that still believes in fairytales thought I should be. My kids were still the same. My husband was still the same. The dogs were noisy and made messes I couldn't clean up. Grumble grumble grumble. It went away. But it took a few months until I felt normal MOST of the time. My life is still the same life but the pain is gone. I have found new ways to eat and not feel deprived. I like my scale. I tell everyone my weight....like it is something wonderful (it isn't). I still have to make an effort to get out and move but I did before as well. Sometimes I snivel...so I put a time limit on it. 2 hours of snivel time in my room with a book and cup of tea. I try not to drive my family and friends crazy. Sometimes I try harder than others. The one true statement for all of life's problems is : "This too shall pass." You'll be fine.

If you suspect nerve pain you should check with your GP. I have nerve pain in low low back. I asked rheumatologist for Lyrica or Cymabalta and got samples first of Lyrica...worked well but common side effect is weight gain - 5 lbs the first week!...then Cymbalta...common side effect is loss of appetite but I think I will muddle through. It made a HUGE difference...still some pain but far less. As far as doctors are concerned you might see if the hospitals nearby have bariatric programs. I am near Houston and you can't spit without hitting a doctor who does banding. I can't believe there is no doctor there who won't take a transfer, especially if you might need a removal which would be more pennies in their pockets.

I found that Brown Cow Greek yogurt is wonderful stuff. It doesn't have the "bite" that other Greek yogurst sometimes do (I had to force myself to eat the yoplait Greek yogurt) and comes in 2 sizes...the regular one with 130 calories and 13 grams of protein and a smaller on 100c/10g. It has fruit on the bottom which gives it a lot of sweetness and is easy to swallow...you could add a little water to thin it even more to be drinkable. I am using it as a substitute for my protein drink and to satisfy my craving for something sweet. It also has no over sweet taste from artificial sweeteners which makes me gag so a picky person can get protein/calcium. If I want to eat emotionally...and this urge is fading fast...I have a stash of "safe foods" like the yogurt and a variety of 100 calorie packs to get me through it. As my nutrition improves I have far fewer cravings. Maybe some emotional eating is triggered by stress demanding certain nutrients we are normally low on? Makes a certain sense to me.

Most insurance and Medicaid go by BMI so go to a seminar to find if you would qualify. The lapband isn't trouble-free but I wish I had done it years ago to have more energy wfor my family. I've had it since April and can see a big difference in how I feel even now.

Godiva chocolate cheesecake. Chinese food the night before. Rocks in your pockets...ok small heavy things. Heavy shoes. Indulge for a week and you'd be surprised how easy it is to gain 8 lbs of water weight.

If all is OK hot liquids can relax the band in the mornings but after you get stuck and it swells hot liquids will increase the swelling. Try sipping ice water...but wait a while so there will be room in the pouch and the water itself doesn't make it balloon a bit.

That fat girl in my head got me to my largest size...I just kept gaining until I looked just like her. I always thought like a size 20...even as a size 9 in my teens. I've only lost 45 pounds (if anyone else said "only" I'd tell them to think again) and really see no difference although family and friends see a lot and I'm almost ready to toss a bunch of fat clothes. I hope time and a lot of self-talk will help.

I would think that if you want a little popcorn it is probably one of the healthiest snack foods you could choose. As long as you aren't within 48 hours of your surgery a little popcorn shouldn't do much damage. Unless you bathe it in melted butter...and who does that anymore?

I think you will find that the food you love is still available...but just in much smaller portions. Try not to think of anything as forbidden. There are things you will find that you won't be able to eat comfortably with a band...and the discomfort you get from them will make them far less desirable. I've started to realize...I knew this before but just in my head...that food is a fuel and I crave that which my body needs. So keep an eye on your nutrients and protein and if you need to feed your soul there will be room in the pouch. Right now you have a lot of adjusting to do and your body needs to heal. Almost everyone I talk to has gone through the blues...and for other operations as well.

Oh ...that last bite is the very devil!

I am learning that there are some things...and meats are high on the list...of which that one last bite can be disastrous. I was told that my pouch can hold everything in a half cup scoop...but find that with meat I have to cut it down further. Pulled pork can be kinda stringy even when tender so you might have had a problem with that. All pork can be stringy... and we don't notice because it never was a problem pre-band. Another thing wqith pork...according to the nutritionist...is that even the best cuts can trigger inflammation so it you are sensitive to it the little bit of inflammation could cause sudden restriction. The pork people deny this of course and I'm not going to stop eating it but I am more careful since I was told that with RA I should limit it.