TKW

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I'm no expert and have many struggles too but I find that tracking every single thing that goes in my mouth keeps me very VERY aware of what I'm eating. I think that would be a very good place for you to start. Good Luck to you, sort of sounds like you could use a fill too!

Well, I started adding fiber supplements because I am having a hard time going to the bathroom. When I was reading about fiber it did mention that it also helps keep you full. I haven't specifically noticed that tho.

I have been doing so good and now for the past 6 weeks I am starving. I can tell I need a fill, have not had one in 5 months, but I think I've lost enough weight that it has loosened up. I can eat pretty much anything, bread, pasta, pizza... and I was unable to eat these things since my surgery. No problem now (if I'm careful) But, I am enjoying it so much that my weight loss has pretty much stopped. I haven't gained either but it is still discouraging. It is hard and then with all the emotional stuff on top of it all (your husband leaving) that makes it even harder. Wish I had a magic answer for you... Just keep doing your best and think about the end result! Best of luck to you!

No.. I have not had metabolic testing done. I know that that is not accurate because I do not lose the 5 pounds it works out to be. I got that number off a web site when I entered my info. I average around 2 pounds a week, but it was a starting point for me (i did weigh over 400 lbs) and it helps me stay on track to see what i eat and burn in a day. Good Luck to you, I know sometimes the weight moves slowly but as long as it is moving we must be doing something right!

my brother was very sick with the stomach flu. It hurt like hell but no damage to the placement of the band

I can't believe that is all the support you got from your surgeon and his staff. They should have been bending over backwards to help solve you dilema. Good Luck to you!

Good for you. It goes by quickly. I totally understand the "not wanting to lose any weight until it actually counts" It's hard enough, you want it to count! Good Luck to you!

I did not have a pre-op diet either. They wanted me to try and lose weight prior to surgery because it helps shrink your liver and that is the organ that in nearest where they place the lap band, but I did not have to do any special diet. I also was on liquids just 2 or 3 days and then could start mushies. Everything went very well for me. Good Luck!

The food is too big or too thick to go thru the opening in your band. It can be very uncomfortable. I used to get stuck a lot and I was convinced I could no longer eat bread, Pasta, pizza, then I learned (for me) it is not so much what I eat as how fast or how big of a bite i take. Even if my bite is not so big, I try to only swallow a bit of it at a time. It seems if the food in my mouth goes down in one swallow I get that stuck feeling. It's gotten so I dont' even have to think about it anymore, It has gotten to be old habbit. Also, if I am really hungry and eat the first few bites fast (even if they are small) I get stuck. Some times it will work it's way thru the band, sometimes burping helps and some times it just has to come back up. I am tighter than I have ever been and have not been stuck in weeks. You'll catch on... believe me! Good Luck!

How many calories do you eat in a day and how many do you burn? To me it is all calories in/calories out. I think the keys to my weight loss (aside from the band) exercise and water. I think they both play a huge roll in my progress. If I don't exercise, I don't lose. Also, when I was hungry between meals but did not want a fill my Dr told me to up my water. I upped it to 100 oz. my weight loss kicked into high gear for a while. Good Luck!

I drank Carnation Instant breakfast, mixed with milk. I drank for 1 week and have never touched another protien shake since. I have no trouble getting my protien in.

When I started losing my hair I seriously thought I was going to be bald. It started 4 months after surgery and lasted a good 6 weeks. I wouldn't say it came out in clumps but I lost a LOT of hair. Nobody noticed but me (I have a really thick hair). It quit falling out and it all grew back. Actually, I talked to my Dr. about it and she said it is not actually falling out, it is breaking off.

Don't worry about your protien the first few days after surgery. It is nearly impossible to get it all in. Do the best you can. It will get easier in a couple of days... no harm done. Hard to get 64 oz of water too.

I didn't have to do a liquid diet. That would have been soooooo hard. Good Work!

When I first started my journey, I thought I would be thrilled with 50% - 60%, now... not so much. I WANT IT ALL

Well, to start with... get the negative people to shut up about it. Their bitching isn't helping anything. You may very well not have restriction yet, I had some restriction from the moment after surgery and have never "not" had restriction although many people experience what you have. Can you honestly eat the same amount as you were before? Or can you just eat more then the recommended lap band amount? In my opinion this is what has to happen to loose weight. Keep a food journal. I have noticed most people eat between 1000 - 1200 calories, more than that, weight loss may be slower, less than that you may go into "starvation" mode. Counting calories really makes me aware of what I am eating in a day. Make sure you are getting the 60g of protien. Protien fills you up... stays with you longer, helps make you less hungery. Exercise - it makes a world of difference. Water - drink at least 64oz a day (I drink 100oz) Lose the negativity, don't listen to it... put an end to it! If you think you are a failure I'm going to say it is a pretty good chance you will be. You have to believe in it, in yourself and be proud of every single pound. 1 pound motivates me like you wouldn't believe. Bottom line to me it is all about calories in vs. calories out. It takes 3200 calories to gain or lose a pound. Here are my stats. I sit at a desk 9 hours a day. Just existing at my weight I burn 3000 calories a day. I work out everyday and burn 500 - 600 calories. I eat about 1400 calories a day daily existance 3200 exercise 500 Total Cal. burned 3700 Cal eaten 1400 Daily calorie burn 2300 2300 cal a day x 7 = 16100 cal divided by 3200(1 pound) = 5 pounds At that rate I should lose 5 pounds a week. I don't, why... some days I eat more some days I exercise less or not at all, and your matabolism comes into play. But I just keep doing the same thing. I have consistantly averaged 10 pounds a month since my surgery. Burn more than you eat.... eventually you have to lose! It takes time to get to the proper restriction, don't sabotage yourself in the meantime. Eat healthy, follow the lap-band rules, eat protien, drink your water, exercise etc. Your band is (in my opinion) is 1/3 of the equation... the rest is up to you. It's hard, but you can do it... I've said it many many times, If I can, anybody can. I wish you the very best of luck! Teresa

That's just CrAzY...

Hi! I started the process several times myself, just took me a while to commit. Kick my self now because I could be 4 years out instead of 9 months! Sooooo glad I finally did it! Good Luck!

I met my niece for lunch the other day and I could not get my eye off this burger they had on the menu. 4 cheese bacon burger. I had it with no bun, all the fixin's only got 3 - 4 bites down but it was delish! Anyway, a chef friend of mine told me to soak bread crumbs in milk and add them to the ground beef and it would keep your burger moist and juicy. I don't know the quantities but you should just be able to eye ball it.

Good for you... exercise really is a key factor! Keep up the good work!

Well... I'd say you are either too tight or your band has slipped. You should be able to eat solid protiens. I think you should see a dr. weather your insurance pays for it or not. You've had great weight loss, congrats! But you should be eating healthier just for your overall health. Good Luck!

The other day at work I was starving in the afternoon. I kept thinking about going and getting a bag of Cookies out of the vending machine. This went on for about 1 - 1 1/2 hours. Finally I decided, heck, I haven't bought anything out of the vending machine since my surgery 9 months ago and gave myself the go ahead to buy the cookies. Then I thought "oh, i have a babybell cheese and an yogurt in the fridge" and I realized neither one of them sounded even the least bit apealing to me. That's when I realized I wasn't really hungry at all (and I thought I was starving) !!?? I'm happy to say I didn't buy the cookies or eat the cheese or yogurt! It is really difficult to distinguish between the two sometimes. Good Luck!

You should probably sip, being you are just one day out, although liquids go right through your band I would take it easy for several days. Good Luck on your Journey!