cbreeden28

I have found the same to be true. I was eating 1000-1200 a day per my nutritionist, but I was constantly starving. I upped it to around 1400 and I started losing more steadily and wasn't so hungry. Each person is different and you have to experiment with calories to see what you can consume and still lose. I figure there is no reason to make myself miserable just to lose weight. I also fluxate my daily calories everyday to keep my body guessing. Some days, I will do only 1100 calories and the next, I will do 1500. I think this keeps the metabolism hopping because it doesn't know what's coming next. I also allow myself cheat days about once a month. This involves some food that is on my "naughty" list. Such as ice cream, Cookies, chocolate, chips, french fries, etc. Just having one of these foods once a month has not sabotaged my weight loss, but it does keep cravings at bay and helps me to avoid binging due to stict restrictions against them on a daily basis.

I'm from the Harrisonburg area. I was banded in Oct 2011. I have a very sensitive band and stomach and was not able to tolerate my PA's initial fill of 3cc's. She ended up taking 1cc out before I left the office because Water got stuck. At this point, she only gives me fills in small increments (.2-.5cc's). Some days, I have a hard time sticking to the plan, but overall, I have remained on the bandwagon and feel like I have succeeded in this journey. I'm currently in the green zone and 1 cup of food keeps me full for 3-4 hours. I focus on Protein meals/snacks. My biggest points are avoiding caloric bevarages, sweets, potatoes, and fried foods. My staple foods are chicken, lean beef and pork, cheese, cottage cheese, greek yogurt, Protein Bars, eggs, nuts, and milk. I wish everyone the best of luck and remember that it's a marathon, not a sprint. Like others, I've dealt with small gains here and there, but as long as my overall number is a downward trend, I don't let it worry me.

I just got my 9th fill and I'm in the green zone now. However, you will sometimes go in and out of the green zone. I have. My stomach is also very sensitive fills and I have gotten multiple small fills rather than inital large ones. Everyone is unique and different with number of fills to green zone.

1) Take part in more water sports at the lake (we have a motorboat), like skiing or kneeboarding. I can't right now because I'm too heavy. 2) Buy regular size jeans in the regular ladies section 3) Cross my legs 4) Be healthy and a good role model to my 2 year old 5) Enjoy the way I look and have fun on vacation without worrying about my weight all the time. 6) Having a real "baby bump" with my next pregnancy. WIth my son, you couldn't even tell I was preggers. I just looked more fat.

I agree with you Bama that fat does equal energy. However, our bodies aren't going to automatically burn that fat to use as energy when it isn't getting enough from food. It will target our muscles because it's easier to burn than the fat. Plus, it will slow your metabolism down to a crawl. If our bodies would burn the fat when we don't eat enough to maintain our bodily functions, than starvation diets would work. If we wouldn't eat anything, our bodies would just burn the fat for energy, but it doesn't. That is why I'm a huge advocate for maintaining at least a 1200 cal/day diet. That should be enough to keep your muscles maintained and your metabolism up so that it can burn the fat for the extra energy you may need.

I don't buy into the "having energy and being happy on less than 1000 cals a day" theory. Myself, when I eat less than 1000 calories, I'm grumpy, hungry, miserable, and irritable. I refuse to live life that way. For me, I'm comfortable with 1200 a day, I'm still loosing, and I'm not strict on what foods I eat, I just watch portion size. I do workout, but nothing vigorous. Usually, just a 30 minute walk is what I do. However, if you do plan on being very active and doing a lot of endurance exercise, I would say you probably should add a few low cal, high Protein Snacks to your diet in order to have energy and maintain muscle. If you are eating under 1000 calories (I couldn't imagine eating only 500 a day!!) and exercising heavily, your body will begin burning muscle for fuel. You don't want that. So, make sure you eat enough protein and cals for your exercise needs. I still go by MFP numbers and I'm loosing about 6-7 pounds a month. The band is just a tool to help me with portion size. That's all I needed it to do. I refuse to live my life constantly analyzing my food and worrying about what I'm eating. For me, that's no different than pre-band when I thought about food all the time and ate everything in site. My theory is, eat what you want, just watch portions (which the band helps with) and you will lose. But, make sure you are taking in enough calories to nurish and maintain your muscle. I would say absolutely no less than 1000 cals a day.

I have gottens stuck more than I care to admit. The worst for me is the first week after a fill. You have to re-adjust your eating habits each time. Small bites, chew really well, and pause between bites. Getting stuck is like something heavy sitting deep in your chest and it can be painful. For me, my mouth begins to salivate really badly, I start to have air pockets come up my throat, and I get the hiccups. It's all my body's way to try and dislodge the food. In the beginning, I didn't recognize the early signs of being stuck and would continue eating until I was stuck so bad that I had to vomit it back up. Now, I can tell when something isn't going down right and I immediately stop eating and get up to walk around. It has helped a lot. I still sometimes end up having to force it back up, but for the most part, I can get it to go down. The one thing you never want to do is drink something. That will definitely come right back up so be near a toilet if you do it....

According to the Atkins protein bars, sugar alcohols are subtracted from total carb count because they minimally impact blood sugar. I always deduct them from the carb count on anything I eat that contains it. I have had no digestive problems or stomach pain from it.

My PA said that I should be eating 1000-1200 calories a day at restricition. Which I have been doing for the past month. However, over on MFP, so many people talk about that being too few calories and you won't lose weight. My BMR is 1828. By eating around 1200 a day, that's 628 cals below maintenance for me. When I exercise (3-5 days/wk), I usually burn around 400 calories. So, if I eat 1200 calories and burn 400, that leaves me with 800 net calories. Is that healthy or should I eat back those exercise calories to keep my metabolism up. My weight loss has slowed the last few weeks and I'm trying to figure out why. There are people on MFP who are the same body size as me and they are loosing while eating 1500-1700 a day. Should I try to increase my calories a little on workout days (i.e. something with Protein and around 100 calories)? I don't want to sabotage my weight loss, but I'm trying to figure out how banded patients can continue to lose while eating so few calories. I would think that it slows your metabolism to a crawl and you wouldn't lose anything. Any advice?? My stats: 5'4" 233 large frame BMR--1828 TDEE--2514

I take 2 Flintstone complete chewables a day and 4 calcium citrate petites twice a day. I space them out though. Morning: 1 Flintstone chewable Lunch: 2 calcium citrate's PM snack: 2 calcium citrate's Dinner: 1 Flintstone chewable My doctor use to recommend the chocolate calcium chewable, but something about it being calcium carbonate, she had me switch to calcium citrate. Something about it absorbs better into the body. Also be sure not to take the calcium and MV together. The iron interferes with the calcium absorption. Always make sure they are at least 2 hours apart. Also, the body cannot absorb more than 500mg of calcium at one time so be sure to spread those out too.

I too have always been heavy. I was normal weight up to about 2nd or 3rd grade. That's when I started noticing that I was the chubby kid in class. From then on, it just escalated and got worse each year. In HS, I was 180. I felt horrible and got teased constantly. I tried numerous diets but they only worked in the short term. When I was 22, I weighed 267 and decided to join Curves and try dieting. I had never went on a date, never had a boyfriend, and never had my first kiss. I was fed up and wanted a boyfriend. I was able to lose 35 pounds and felt awesome. Then, a year and a half later, I met my future husband. We started dating (i.e. going out to eat and lounging around watching movies and eating ice cream). I quickly regained everything plus some. I got pregnant in 2009 and at my first pre-natal appt. I weighed 297!!! I was floored. They really preached to me about only gaining 20 pounds with my pregnancy because of my obesity. I didn't really get to enjoy my pregnancy because you couldn't tell I was pregnant. I never really had a round belly. My Water broke early at 33w +4. I was kept in the hospital on bedrest for 10 days and induced at 35 weeks. Though the doc denies it, I blame it on my obesity. When I delievered, I weighed 318. I did well with only gaining 21 pounds. However, it continued getting worse after delivery and before I knew it, I was at an all time high of 326. I was so disgusted with myself. I looked into Lapband and decided it was right for me. I had to do a Dr. supervised diet for my insurance for 3 months and my surgeon required me to lose 30 pounds before he would do the surgery. I had my doubts, but I got started. In 3 months, I lost 28 pounds!!! I was so happy. I got approved and booked my surgery right away. I was banded on Oct. 2011 and after my 2 week liquid diet, I weighed 280 the day of surgery. Since then, I have lost another 47 pounds and have started getting compliments on my weight loss. It feels awesome. I'm starting into unchartered territory with my weight. As an adult, I've never weighed less than 235. Today, I weigh 233. So, everything will be new from here on out and I can't wait!!!

This is great news!! 100 pounds is such an accomplishment!! I'm almost there and it has been a battle. Loosing weight has never come easy for me and I'm a slow loser, even with the band. My ticker shows weight loss from when I began my supervised diet in April 2011. So, it has taken me over a year to lose 93 pounds. As I get closer to goal, the weight loss is slowing even more. To all the newbies, persistance and routine are the keys. You will have some weeks where the scales don't budge or you gain. I know I do, but just keep doing what you are doing and it will pay off eventually. I keep telling myself that I didn't gain overnight, I won't lose overnight. I have been banded 8 months now and am finally in the green zone. However, I still only lose between 5-7 pounds a month. My doctor is ecstatic with that, but I was a little disppointed. I was expecting 10 pounds per month with the band, but he explained that everyone is different and some people just lose slower. I'm hoping that by losing slowly, it will enable my skin to re-adjust and I won't need extensive skin removal. That's my biggest fear now.

1) Not being self-conscious when going to town 2) Ride amusement rides with no worries about fitting into the seat 3) Take part in more boating activities (skiing, kneeboarding) 4) Go into any clothing shop and find something that will fit me. 5) Weighing less than my hubby 6) No more weight lectures from my primary doctors 7) Go on my next cruise and take part in the activities and possibly wear a bikini (this will depend on how my skin does after the weight loss)

Mine was just constant knee, feet, and ankle pain going up and down stairs. I'm only 30 years old and I knew it wasn't normal to have that kind of pain. My mother's family also has a history of heart disease and diabetes. At that time, my son was 6 months old and I could barely get down on the floor to play with him. I knew it was time for a change. I had my first consult in June 2010 and was told I would have to lose 30 pounds before they would do the surgery. I got depressed and gave up. I put on an addtional 14 pounds in a year and the surgeon's office called me in April 2011 to find out what I had decided about surgery. I met with her again and she convinced me to try and lose the needed 30 pounds (my hospital has a max BMI of 50 for Lapband). I started an exercise routine and diet in May 2011. I lost 28 pounds in 3 months. She got me approved and scheduled my surgery in Oct 2011. Since then, I have lost 47 pounds for a total loss of 93 pounds (I lost 18 pounds on the 2 week liquid diet). Weight loss has slowed somewhat, but my knee and foot pain are gone!! I fit in a size 20 jean comfortably (can't wait to move lower!!) and I have so much more energy to play with my son. I love my life!!

Woo-hoo!! I just recently got down to the same size I was when I met my husband 7 years ago. I can now wear those clothes I use to wear on our dates. It feels great!!! I was still obese when we met, so I have a way to go, but it still feels huge to have come this far. I also have a son and ballooned up to 318 while pregnant. That was 2 1/2 years ago. It took me a while to get motivated to lose the weight, but I'm so happy I did. The wakeup call for me was when I could barely walk up and down the stairs to put him to bed because my knees hurt so bad. I started out in a size 26 jeans; I'm currently in an 18. I hope to be in a size 10/12 in another year. Again, congrats to you on this huge accomplishment!!

I was on the pain medicine for about 2 days. They kept me overnight in the hospital and administered it through my IV. The next day, I went home and continued a liquid form for the day. Within 5-10 minutes of taking it, I was out. The next day, I felt less pain and more just soreness. I didn't take anything that 3rd day and was fine by day 4. I still have a huge bottle of it at home. Being such a strong narcotic, I was surprised they dispensed so much for this surgery. I've always been very leary of relying to heavily on pain medicine. The kind they had me on is very addictive. I didn't take it anymore than I had to (it was Hydrocodone).

You could be too tight, or you stomach is irritated and swollen. When we have to vomit, it causes swelling around the band which makes it feel tighter. This happened to me Tuesday after my fill. I got sick eating my lunch and the rest of the day was horrible. My rule of thumb, if I get sick during the day, I switch to liquids for the rest of the day to allow the irritation to subside. Give it overnight and see how you feel the next day on liquids only. For me, the next morning, I still couldn't get my Protein shake down and ended up going in for a slight unfill. But sometimes, I'm fine the next day even after a day of constant pain and vomitting. But I always take it easy and eat soft or liquid foods the next day. But, if you are still uncomfortable, be sure to get there for an unfll right away. You can dehydrate very quickly from not being able to keep anything down. I say, after 24 hours, if you are still feeling too tight, go ahead and get an unfill.

I, too, was able to learn from her post. I received a fill on Tuesday that resulted in the gurgling and pain of being stuck that whole day and the next morning when just consuming liquids. I knew something was wrong and called the doctor right away. She had me come in and took out 1/2 of what was put in. I immediately felt better and was able to get liquid Protein down. I have a very small fill in my band, but am very close to the green zone. It's very important for people to understand that those feelings aren't normal and you have to get back to the doctor ASAP for an unfill if they are experienced. I refuse to live my life in pain everytime I eat because of an overfilled band. Gayla, I hope you can turn things around and make the band work for you again. I never perceived the band as a miracle cure for my obesity. I just wanted a tool to help me limit my portions. As of today, I've lost 27% of my starting weight. However, I started dieting on my own in April 2011, so it's taken me a little over a year to do that and 6 months of it were on my own with no band in place. I'm happy with my progress and I would like to lose another 80+ pounds in the next year. Good luck to you!!

I didn't have any fill at surgery. My first fill would have been 3cc's, but I vomitted up water afterward, so she took out 1cc. That left 2cc's. The next fill was .5 and each one thereafter has been very, very small. My PA said my band and stomach are very senstive to fills. This last fill, she put in a bit more than normal and I had to go back the next day and get some taken out because I couldn't get my protein shake down. I'm currently at 3.4 cc's in a 10cc band. I don't think I will be able to tolerate much more. Plus, I feel very close to the green zone.

My son was 22 months old when I had surgery. He stayed with my mom for 3-4 days until I could care for him on my own. My husband works nights, so I would have been alone with him at bedtime and such. He can walk, but I still lift him at bedtime and such. There is no way I could have lifted him right after surgery. I could barely stand and sit on my own. I say stay there with your parents until you feel comfortable on your own again. Plus, in my case, the pain medication would knock me out for 3-4 hour stretches, so there is no way I could take care of him on my own post-op. But recovery is quick. I had surgery on a Tuesday morning and by Friday, I was caring for him on my own again.

I use to eat after a fill with no problem even though they order 2 days liquids, 2 days mushies. However, I got a fill yesterday morning and the whole day, I couldn't even get milk down after trying to eat a bit of chilli for lunch. I just thought I was irritated and swollen. So, I gave it overnight, and this morning, I vomitted my protein shake up. I immediately called her office to get some taken out. She did this morning and now has me on clear liquids for today, full liquids for 2 days, and mushies for 2 days. She said some people are more sensitive to fills than others. If that was the red zone, I never want to see it again. It was like torture. I was starving, but couldn't get anything down. The fact that your stomach is irritated and too tight doesn't make the hunger pains go away unfortunately. As I type this, I'm super hungry, but can't have anything but clear liquids for the rest of the day.

Same here need2lose2!! So many bandsters preach about eating protein first, then veggies, then carbs. But, I like variety with my meals. I don't want to just eat all the protein at once. I like to mix my bites up. I will usually just put the protein and veggies on my plate and mix the bites up. If I get all of that down, I may have a little bit of carbs if I want them. But, I can't just sit down and eat 3-4 ozs. of protein by itself with nothing mixed in between.

I usually have a few cocktails in the summer when we go to the lake for vacation. It's maybe 4 times a year. I don't think it's bad as long as it's not an everyday thing.

I was banded Oct 10, 2011. Since then, I have only lost 40 pounds. It's very discouraging, but I think I'm just a slow loser. I eat the right foods and exercise 4-5 days a week, but I always seem to weigh the same. My problem is, even eating my protein at each meal, I'm hungry within 2-3 hours of eating. It seems my stomach is ALWAYS growling. As long as it doesn't go up though, I guess it will have to work eventually since I'm eating so far under maintenance for my body size.

I love salads!!! It's my go-to meal if the family is eating something that isn't "band friendly". I always make sure to add cheese and grilled chicken for Protein. I also add a few croutons for crunch. I also use low fat hidden valley ranch dressing. Yummy!!! I usually do iceburg lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, shredded cheese, grilled chicken, bacon bits, croutons, and dressing. Great meal that's low carb and calorie and keeps me full for hours. If I have them, I also cut up a hard-boiled egg. This adds more protein.