cbreeden28

Humming Bird, congrats on your awesome weight loss. I hope to be in your shoes someday. Loosing 100 pounds in a year has been my goal all along. I hope my band experience mirrors yours. I would love to be able to eat just enough to satisfy, but not be able to gorge myself until I'm miserable. My worst times are late in the evenings after dinner. It has become routine to snack while watching my shows. I have been doing good as of late and I try to avoid doing it, but my band is empty and so it's all on me right now. I just keep telling myself that at least I have not gained since surgery. I have lost 6 pounds since 10/10 which isn't a lot, but at least I didn't go up. I would like to start dropping about 10 pounds a month. Is that feasible once I get to restiriction? Also, how much exercise do you do? This is where I struggle also. I have a 2 year old and my husband works 2nd shift and getting to the gym is hard. I ordered some workout dvd's to do at home after little one is in bed. I got the Leslie Sansone videos with multiple workouts (1,2,3, and 4 mile walks)

Thanks so much for this post. I'm only 5 weeks post-op and it's very hard to stay focused and disciplined at this early stage. I'm eating right and exercising, but the scale isn't moving. It hasn't moved in weeks. My first fill is this Monday and hopefully it will start helping me. I'm so ready to see 100 pounds lost on my ticker!!! I was able to lose 30 pounds by exercising and dieting 3 months prior to surgery and I lost another 20 on the pre-op diet. However, it seems like my body has just quit loosing weight. I bounce between 272 and 274 every week. What I wouldn't give to see 270 pop up one day..... It is very hard for me to understand how this is going to work right now since I'm not seeing any progress, but your stories really inspire. Hopefully, in 6 months, I can come here and share my success with newbies. Thanks to all of you for your help and encouragement!!!

I buy the large 32oz. containers of Chobani Greek non-fat plain yogurt. The secret to low carb yogurt is the sugar content in flavored yogurts. Most fruit flavored yogurts will be high in sugar and carb. I get around it by buying plain greek yogurt and adding my own sugar free jam, splenda, or some other flavoring. Greek yogurt is going to be much higher in Protein than regular yogurt. The plain Chobani greek has 22g per 8oz serving and 6 carbs. I add splenda to mine and eat it, but lots of people add fresh fruit, granola, or sugar free jam. I like the large containers because it's more economical that way. The only place I can find them around my house is Martins. Not sure if you have those out that way. You can buy the 6oz individual containers of Chobani at food Lion and Kroger.

I wasn't a large baby or toddler, but I think by about the 2nd grade, I started to balloon up and it just kept getting worse. By middle school, I was officially the "fat kid". I haven't been under 200 since high school. In 2004, I started Curves and dieting. After about a year, I went from 261 to 235. It was the lowest I had been in my adult life. Then, I met my husband and with all the dating and going out to eat, I slowly gained every bit back and then some. I weighed 280 when we got married and 318 when I gave birth to my first child. When I started my journey in April of this year, I weighed 326. That is the highest I've every been. My surgeon made me lose 35 pounds before he would do the surgery (he only has clearance for a BMI of 50 or below). So, I was able to get down to 280 by the day of surgery and am currently at 272. I hope to never see these numbers again as I continue to go down. I'm still in the beginning though and it's all on me to make right choices and not overeat. I have no fills yet (first one next Monday!!!). My mini goal right now is to get to 235. That is my weight when I met my husband. I'm so excited!!!

But these are calcium carbonate. My PA told me calcium citrate is better absorbed and should be used instead...

I did see those Citracal petites and thought about getting them, but I didn't know if they would be small enough with the band. If I could just take a pill, that would be awesome!! Do you know if it's just 1 pill a day of the Citracal petities?

Doing my pre-op diet, I had been taking Viactiv calcium chews. They were wonderful and I loved taking my calcium. However, at my pre-op consultation, they inform me that I should be taking calcium citrate, not calcium carbonate. So, after exhausting myself in all the stores looking for chewable calcium citrate, I ordered some online from Opurity. They are awful!!! When I bit into them, I feel like I'm inhaling the powder or something. They are just so chalky and disgusting. And on top of that, I have to take 4 a day for my recommended allowance. What does everyone on here take for their calcium. I would love a pill I could swallow, but if not, something has to be better than these nasty chewables....

I buy 32oz. containers of Chobani 0% plain and add splenda and granola to it. It's very yummy and tons of Protein for few calories and carbs. I sometimes buy the Chobani 0% vanilla for a change, but the carb count is higher. The protein in greek yogurt is amazing though. I alternate my morning snack from cottage cheese to greek yogurt. It helps get me from bfast to lunch without starving too much. I'm only 5 weeks post-op and have no restriction so it's all a matter of will power right now.

Hey there HDQT!! I'm also 1 month post-op and my hunger is back in full force. I went into the surgery on 10/10 at 280. As of Friday, I'm at 272. I try not to focus on the numbers too much. I focus on how I feel. I eat when I'm hungry and only enough to satisfy. My calories have been around 1200-1400. At the beginning, my cals were around 900-1000 and I didn't loose anything. I think I was in starvation mode. I upped my calories and incorporated some more high-Protein Snacks and started loosing again. I think the carbs you are eating is fine. After all, low carb diets aren't good long-term. I still eat Pasta and potatoes, but I stay away from white bread and rice. I choose the 100% whole wheat bread if I want a sandwich or something. As for the pasta, if you make it yourself and add your own sauces and spices, it's not bad. I also go by myfitnesspal numbers and it has worked for me. Since April (when I started my journey), I have lost 54 pounds using MFP as a guide. My husband is a truck driver and it's also difficult for him to snack healthy and exercise. He also works nights. My suggestion would be some Atkins Protein Bars, Pure Protein bars, peanuts, almonds, cheese cubes, and Peanut Butter. These are my go-to foods when I'm really hungry, but it's not a meal time. You are doing great and hopefully, after a fill, you will see a difference. My first fill is scheduled for next Monday. Good luck.

I'm really trying to follow the rules my doctor gave me, but my stomach is always growling. I'm only 4 weeks post-op, so no fills yet. It has been a struggle to keep my calories under 1200 a day and sometimes I can't sleep at night for being hungry. I'm getting all my Protein and Water in, but it doesn't seem to help. I'm afraid the hunger is going to get to me eventually and I'm going to binge on something. Anyone else experience this and if so, what did you do? I wasn't really expecting to feel like this after surgery....

Sorry, but that doesn't sound right at all. I'm only 4 weeks post-op, but my dr. already told me that once I get in the green zone, it will be 3 small meals a day, 30 minutes to eat, nothing to drink 30 min before or after a meal, and 80-100g of Protein each day. It's possible that if you are only eating 60g a day, that's why you are hungry. The protein helps keep you full longer. My doc said I should be able to eat a meal (1/2 to 1 cup of food) and stay full for 4-5 hours. Any Snacks in between should be very small and protein rich (such as peanuts, Protein Bars, tuna, etc.) I would just try and find another doctor that will give you a fill. It doesn't sound like either of these doc's know how the lapband works or how to use it. Most people require 4 or 5 fills before reaching the green zone. I'm patiently waiting for my first fill in a couple weeks.

I have been banded 4 weeks now. I started my soft foods diet today. I have lost 5 pounds since surgery, but the last 2 weeks, I have been bouncing around the same 2 pounds. One week, I'm 273, the next, I'm 274. I don't get it. I just can't seem to get under 273. My appetite is back in full force and I'm finding it very difficult to stick with my eating plan. I have been craving all type of things. I eat one serving at dinner and I spend 30 minutes eating it. I wait 30 min after eating before drinking and before I go to bed, my stomach is growling so bad I can't fall asleep. I'm getting in all my Protein and my calories are around 1000 to 1200 a day, but I'm starving!! I don't get my first fill until Nov. 21. Did anyone get anxious and frustrated the first 6 weeks after surgery? I don't feel any different now than I did before the surgery. I can eat as much as I want (but I don't), and haven't had any problems with getting stuck. I really hope this gets better. I even upped my calories to 1300 to see if that helped boost my metabolism and it just made me gain a pound. Based on my weight and height, my BMR is around 2400, so eating more than a 1,000 calories under my BMR should equal weight loss, but it isn't. I just want to see results so badly. I would be happy with a routine 2 pound a week weight loss. I don't want to lose lots at one time, just steady weight loss. Not this back and forth stuff. I'm about ready to throw the scales out the back door.

The card also allows us to order half an entree from some places. At least that is what my PA told me. That is what I will choose most often. I don't want to have to box up my food each time I go out to eat. If I could just order half or 1/4 of the a regular meal, that would work better for me.

That's awesome. I hope to be able to do this also. I lost 31 pounds before surgery on my own and was down 50 pounds the day of surgery. So far, I have only lost 5 pounds since surgery 3 weeks ago, but I'm not too concerned because I'm still healing. But, I have stuck with my eating routine and my calorie intake is usually around 1200 calories a day and they are healthy calories, not junk. I drink tons of water and exercise 4 times a week. I really don't want to be so tight I can't enjoy any good food ever. I just want something to remind me that food is fuel and to only eat enough to satisfy. My first goal is to be down another 25 pounds by NYE. I'm at 273 now. That would put me at 248 which is my first mini-goal!! My final goal is 150. Seems like so far away.....

Fantastic!! The restaurants we go to regularly are on this list. Thanks a bunch!!!

I had heard about it from others and at my 2 week post-op appt, my surgeon gave me a LapBand ID card that can be used at some restaurants to order off the kids menu or order half an entree. Just curious about anyone who has used it and which restaurants recognize it. I guess I could just ask when I get there, but kind of wanted to know up front if it would be accepted. My husband and I go out to dinner maybe once or twice a month and it would be nice to order smaller portions. That way we keep our bill low and don't have to drag leftovers home everytime.

I am the same way. I don't care for pureed foods. I just started this stage on Monday and I usually stick with foods such as cottage cheese, greek yogurt, oatmeal, and peanut butter. However, for dinner, I have been eating grilled chicken and veggies, but I don't blend them. I just take tiny bites and I chew, chew, chew until it's like applesauce in my mouth before I swallow. This has worked fine for me. I have had no problems so far. My dietician also told me I could have tuna, egg salad, and other foods like that. So, just because it's a puree diet, doesn't mean everything has to be blended. I am looking forward to Nov. 7th when I start my soft foods diet and get to incorporate more variety of foods.

I was just banded on 10/10/11. I just started the mushies stage of food and am enjoying finally being able to eat real food (well....sort of) again. I was getting really tired of shakes and broth. I was on a 2 week pre-op and 2 week post-op liquid diet. So glad that's over. However, my weight loss has been at a stand still since surgery. I was losing about 3 pounds a week, but since surgery, I've only lost 4 pounds and it's been 3 weeks. My surgeon told me this would probably happen until my first fill (which is 11/21!!!). Sometimes, when I feel depressed about it, I come on here and see so many people who have lost 100+ pounds, it makes me feel so much better. I can't wait for my ticker to show "100 pounds lost". I have fought this weight forever and am happy to see it go. I just hate the "healing period". I'm ready to get started using this tool to help my change how I eat. So far, I don't feel any different in terms of eating. I've been trying to stick to 5 small meals a day like my dietician said, but I know I could eat more. It's so much of a mind game at this point. I'm trying to eat like I have had my fills, but since I have no restriction, it's very difficult. My calories have been between 1100 and 1300 a day and Protein is around 80-90g a day. I just started my exercise routine back up so maybe that will help jump start some more weight loss.

So, I guess this is what causes the stair-step appearance of weight loss. You will go down for a while and then it will steady out for a few weeks and then start loosing again once you start burning up those newly formed glycogen stores that came form your body fat. Makes sense. I will just keep doing what I'm doing and it should start to even out. Thanks for everyone's advice.

I drink water all day long and I've done everything my doctor has said. And even without exercising at all, if my calories are well below what I need to maintain my weight, I should be loosing weight. I do walk and am active though, so it should only be helping me. I think I'm just going to forget about the scales for a while and keep tracking my food and exercising. Sooner or later, it has to start dropping...

Before I was banded on 10/10, I was steadily loosing about 2 pounds a week. After surgery, I gained 6 pounds (from swelling and gas I assume), and then within 5 days, I was down those 6 pounds and had lost another 4. So, last Thursday, I weighed 276. I got on the scales today to weight myself and I'm still 276. How is that possible?? I'm eating between 1000 and 1200 calories a day. My maintenance calorie intake is like 2400. So, eating so few calories should equal lots of weight loss, but it's not. Why is this? Will I start loosing again soon? I'm eating very healthy--no sugary Snacks or junk food. Everything is high Protein, low carb. I'm also starting back to the gym slowly by doing 30 minutes of treadmill walking. I guess I'm just in a hurry to see the scales going down. What was everyone's else's experience with the weight loss. When did it really jump start for you. Just an FYI, I lost 16 pounds on the liquid diet, but now it's just stopped.

I will be taking a cruise to Bermuda with my hubby and begin trying for baby #2. I've decided I will not have another child until I get this weight off. I had complications with baby #1 and I want this time around to be better. I was banded Oct. 10, so I'm still in the healing stage, but I can't wait to get started on dropping this weight forever!!!!!

Thanks for posting this. My stomach was actually hurting from hunger at 7 days post op. I ate some cottage cheese and was afraid I was hurting myself, but I felt no pain and it stopped the hunger. I have also ate some chicken and veggies (chewed well) and felt no pain. I just could not handle on more protein shake or sugar free Jello. I'm currently 9 days post op and am still drinking my broths and soups at meals, but I do eat some cottage cheese, tuna, or chicken in the evenings when I'm truly hungry. My first post-op appt is Monday and I'l be happy to leave those shakes behind (for the most part). I don't mind them for Breakfast or Snacks, but they definitely don't work well as meals.

I'm on day 8 post-op and soooo tired of this liquid diet. I was on it 2 weeks pre-surgery and supposed to do 2 weeks post-surgery, but tonight I had some chicken and veggies. I couldn't take the hunger anymore. I just made sure to chew really well and time myself to 30 minutes to eat. So far, everything feels fine and I'm satisfied with 1 cup of food. I really don't understand the purpose of a 2 week liquid post-surgery diet. I have a follow up appt next Monday and well talk to my doctor about it. dinner is the only time I do this. The rest of the day, I stick to the liquid diet. Good luck to everyone on this journey.

I was just banded on Monday. The first day was the worst. I had a lot of nausua and dry heaving when trying to drink anything. The next day got better. I was able to drink full liquids and keep them down. Today, I'm doing even better. Still very sore and having problems getting up and down, but I feel more like myself. My first check up appt. is scheduled for Oct. 24. Good luck to everyone who is having surgery this week. The pain meds they gave me really helped and the prescription they sent me home with is helping. Just makes me sleepy.