Search the Community

shandy im so sorry that you are having a ruff time with this, but i must say you should be so proud of yourself for having the courage to come on here and share your experience with us. I really admire you for recognizing your problem and being proactive in fixing it. So many of us myself included have a tendency to hide the truth from our own selves but you put it out there for everyone to see and i can see why you are and will continue to be a sucess with the band. Bravo. Also for those who feel ashamed of gaining weight back , or eating more, or not exercising enuff etc etc .... We really need to be more forgiving of ourselves, becuz we are only human we are bound to slip and make mistakes, the only thing anyone should be ashamed of is not picking ourselves back up and trying again no matter how many time we fall down. One thing that has really really helped me is telling myself that no food is off limits everything is about PORTION CONTROL and EXERCISING DAILY. Again shandy and ev1 else thank you for putting yourself out there for us newbies its greatly appreciated. shireen:D

don't know what to suggest. BUT, my sweet son (who lost about 64 pounds himself) always offers me food, and quickly realizes that it is something that I can't eat----Mom, do you want, oh sorry, I love you mom Lol

I was sleeved 2 yrs ago and one of my best friends was bypassed 2 yrs too we have kept our weight offwe do work out 3times. A week. In my mind I have set a weight that I will nerver never go over an has worked for me I stay at 118 to 121 I haven't had any trouble she has been scoped twice. Well once I am taking her tomorrow to be be careful of junk food it goes down easier than some meats I try an stay away. I drink hot tea or coffee after meals seem to help. Hope this helps

Have you discussed this with your nutritionist or surgeon? It is critical that you address this right away as the lack of Protein alone can be devastating to your body. At 8 weeks out, based upon my plan, you would be transitioning to 3 oz of food per meal. Obviously you're not anywhere near that. Good luck and keep us posted!

I’m exactly one week post-op and pretty tired of being on a liquid diet, starting to hate the taste of yogurt lol. I feel pretty good and have had very little pain, nausea and I'm feeling like I can move on the pureed foods already. I been eating mashed potatoes but been craving pureed meats, but I’m afraid that I may need to stay on this liquid diet the doctor wants me on post-op for another week. I feel that I have recouped very well and possibly faster than others from surgery so far and feel my ability to start on the purred diet is possible even a week after surgery. I guess I want to get back to eating solids ASAP. So my question is can I or should I start experimenting with purred foods only one week after surgery or is this a no no?

Don't make yourself sick, vomiting will only cause more problems and can potentially cause a slip. Unfortunately you're going to just have to wait for the food to digest and pass. Just look at this as a learning experience. You've learned first hand why we often say "just because you can eat something doesn't mean you should". You ate too much and you now know why it's so important to stick to band sized portions. Hang in there.

At this point I can't ever imagine wanting to eat food again! I haven't dared to take my blood pressure meds. No way I can wash it down!

I was banded on 3/30/09. After 2 weeks, I was on soft foods, now normal foods. Seems like a long time to be on liquids. Ask your nutrionist would be able to determine if you were ready for soft/mushie foods. Good luck!

I spent one week at a stand still with my weight. It bounced back and forth between 224 and 226 for a week with me doing nothing different. While it was my TOM, it still worried me. Finally Saturday it started going down. I am back to dropping about a half pound a day. Such a motivation when that scale drops. This weekend I had two of my 16 year old nephews. They are awesome boys and they love to come stay with my husband and I. Of course with 2 growing boys I was always fixing food, but I stayed on track. We went out to dinner with them and I got the grilled chicken and broccoli - didn't eat all the broccoli, but the chicken was awesome and I didn't leave filling horrible and stuffed. One night I fixed burgers for the hubs and the kids, but instead of having the bun I put my burger (extra tender and lean) with low cal cheese, home made pickles on my plate and ate it with a fork. The kids looked at me like I was nuts, but it was good and saved 200 calories from what I would have normally eaten. This morning when I took them home I stopped at McDonalds to get them a biscuit from breakfast and I didn't get anything, I had eaten my half a cup of cherrios before leaving. Feeling proud of myself for making postive choices. While I do find myself missing some of the foods I use to love, I am really enjoying how I feel not eating them. I like feeling satisfied and not stuffed. Feeling this good and being proud of my self for making the good choices really is motivating me to make even better ones and continue this path. Thanks for all those who sent messages of encouragement while I was worried. It really helps to have others who understand supporting you. Banders Rule!!

Well Crap.. yes..I hadn't realized that its been well over a year since my last visit here.. and it seems that I should have been visiting a whole lot more often.. because not only did I fall off the wagon - but I rolled into a raveen that lead to a cliff - and here I am hanging by a mere branch.. with all 340lbs of me.. I can blame no one except myself for the weight gain.. I've gained a total of 43.3 lbs.. I've been completely out of control - and of course recently (within the last 2-3 weeks I've been trying to get back to basics.. I've forgotton how to eat, how to control my poritons, I've forgotten good food choices, and definitely "forgot" the importance of daily exercise/activity - so here I am - trying my best to un-do all that I've done within the last year or so.. Take care my friends.. Just me - Bea

I know, usually they have 2 comments, one good one bad and all they did was post that one from a guy that was bigger people should eat less and excercise more, I was definetly annoyed as well when I saw that mainly because I'm not your average big person I mean sure I eat out every one in a while but overall I prefer vegetables and salads for dinner - I always have, I've just grown up eating veges so I'm used to it now - usually my plate at the dinner table is filled with vegetables like zucchini, broccolli, cauliflower, squash, beans, carrots so much that I can't even get meat on the plate and we use bread and butter plates - so basically a sandwich fits on there and thats it. Then there are others that do eat fast food all the time, I was definetly annoyed with the mailbag - maybe they'll rectify the situation eventually or at least post some more pros

I have been out of town on a weekend trip to visit my family and 3 more days away for work. I am finally back home. What I notice is that every time I go away from home for a couple of days. I have a hard time with sticking to my eating schedule and food protocol. I got kind of stressed out with work and had to talk to myself , to convince myself, that Jo job is worth sabotaging my health journey. I could tell I was head hunger eating . I wanted food to calm me down, I was so aware what was going on, Which was good.. However... I could have done better with eating nutritional foods rather than carbs. I am going away for Easter weekend. Can you all please give me tips on how to handle away from home situations. I came back so exhausted from my trip . And when I am exhausted..I do not make good food decisions. I need to get back on board TODAY.

There are so many, I can't really recommend any one in particular. If you go to The Vitamin Shoppe or a health food store near where you live, they can show you the different ones. I've taken liquids in the past, but have been on Celebrate chewables for awhile.

I'm 2 months post-op. Do you think I can eat a green salad?

That's totally normal. You have very little restriction now, so your food is probably going through pretty fast. You'll need to go by your doctor's recommendations, but before I had my first fill, I was told to keep my meals under 1 cup and to add a 4th heavy protein snack rather than something low cal. For instance, 1/2 tuna, Greek yogurt w. added nuts & high fiber cereal. They call this period "bandster hell".

My weight has been the one thing I can't really control in life. I come from a long line of tall, big-boned giants in my family. (Seriously, my dad is a non-athlete and needed a knee replacement the size of a football player's.) I am 5'9 and have always had long legs and curves, even at my highest weight. I developed earlier than other girls when I was in my teens, and owned a size 12 (Between 165-185 lbs) until my sophomore year in college. I've always loved my body and felt that it was beautiful even if I was more voluptuous than other girls in school. During college I ate more. I discovered that beer and wine were good. (You know, before you realized they contained boat loads of empty calories?) My sleep patterns changed and the stress of tests, papers and social life added up-- and so did the pounds. By the time I graduated I was larger (Size 18-20, 240-260 lbs) but still had my curves. Dieting became more of a priority now, but the dieting almost made it worse. I would lose weight, regain. Cut carbs, try intuitive eating, then go to a doctor, go to the gym and try to get on a new plan, try the South Beach Diet, Eat Vegetarian... you get it? Right? I felt like my energy was sucked up with trying to lose the pounds and it was discouraging thinking about it. I worked hard at my career while still trying to work out and eat less carbs. I was supervised by a doctor, personal trainer and nutritionist-- but somehow I just couldn't stop the lose and regain cycle I had started. Every time I stepped on the scale, I was more than 20 lbs heavier than the last time. I wore nice clothes to the office, but as my weight creeped higher and higher-- my heels got lower and lower-- because my sitting and walking posture were losing strength. I felt my muscles weaken and it was weird for me. (By this time, I was about 300-320 lbs.) I added more time in the gym to help keep me active and to prevent myself from becoming completely glued to my office chair or in meetings. I gave up alcohol and only drank water.For a year and a half before my wedding, I worked out 4-5 days a week (cardio and strength). My diet was balanced, (whole grain, lean meats, vegetables, occasional treats) but between working out, going to work 40-55 hours a week-- I ate way more when I came home. Not out of stress, but because I felt HUNGRY. No fast foods, no crazy fried foods-- just balanced meals choices... but HUGE portions. I ended up losing 5 pounds in a year and a half for my wedding. Then gaining 15 while on my honeymoon-- my highest weight. (376 lbs.) So let's fast forward to today: I am a successful profession in marketing. I have some competitive skills and work well with others. I am able to look people in the eye with the same confidence I have always had. I love myself, and I love my life. I just want to be a winner of my own health, too. I am working out in the gym still, eating a balanced diet, now reducing my portions and I weighed in today at 358 lbs. I am currently at a size high 24 and low 26. I still wear heels to work, but low ones. I am at a point where I can walk up and down stairs, quickly through hallways and to my car with a bit of a heavy breath-- but still doable. My chair is snugger than I would like it to be, but it works. I pass on the endless parade of employee birthday cakes, but still participate in the celebrations. My struggle now is trying to control the urge to eat at night and keep my calories in check. It's hard. It's hard not to be tired after work. It's hard to be as focused on my duties, be a leader and ensure I take care of my body with the proper nutrients and exercise it needs. I have some aches that I didn't have before. My lower back gets tight and my joints crack more. This is a new development and one of the reasons I am moving forward with the VSG surgery. Working out IS HARDER at this weight, and it still feels like I am not getting anywhere. However, I am staying positive no matter what. I have decided that I am going to take control and apply this tool (the VSG, is a tool-- not a cure-all) to my gym routine and eat like my nutritionist instructs. Protein, small amounts, stay away from those starchy carbs. I only drink water and iced coffee with a little light cream in the morning. I am already learning to love my scale and thinking of it as a unit of measurement. (The same way I would measure success at work.) I can still be my big-boned, tall self at work-- I just need some help and taking these next steps will help me do that. Anyone else struggle with the weight and work? (In the office or at home?) I'd love to hear about it. I will continue to write more. The good, the bad and the UGLY It's here we can all share these experiences and learn from each other.

I forgot to mention that i came out of surgery with a numb hand. It was theorized it was caused by either the IV or perhaps a slight rotation in my shoulder when they laid me out on the operating table. Good news - all that numbness is gone. Today is Friday, and I feel like I have had a little setback. Honestly, it seems more to my grown son spending the morning here and bringing some emotional stuff to the table that I just couldn't deal with. He has a medical conditionn that he needs to deal with and is angry about it, so it came out in him being hostile and difficult to me. I kept my emotions in check, but I wanted to kick him out. I know that he will be back to normal and fine soon. I have sleep apnea and my surgeon and pulmonalogist scared the crud out of me to be sure i use my CPAP not just at night, but even when dozing. Well, i feel like the machine is on too high of a setting. I think that is because i am sitting more upright in the recliner. This afternoon I woke up with weird dreams and the feeling that my nasal passages are on fire. The weird dreams are likely from the pain meds, but i called the pulmonlogist about my hurting nasal cavity. They suggested turning up the temperature in the humidifyer, but cant consider turning down the lowest pressure setting without my coming down with the machine so they can read the results. Well, I can't drive yet since i am still taking pain meds so i guess I am stuck with it. I hope turning up the humidifyer helps - I have used this machine for over a year with no problems. Anyway, the amount in my drains is decreasing a bit, so hopefully all signs are good about my recovery. I am not sure why I am getting so hungry though..... and yes i take a PPI every morning. I have followed all the instructions, including eating ones perfectly. DH left out some trail mix and I ALMOST grabbed a few bits, without thinking. I think the idea of chewing solid food is calling out to me! It is okay, a little deprivation is worth it! I always have a good sense of smell but i know it is heightened. As various family members made Breakfast this morning, I could smell each ingredient, including cold cereal! I have a follow up with my surgeon next week and will hopefully find out if he thinks i am doing well. I feel very encouraged, no big worries, just still needing the pain meds and a bit low energy - but overall - feel like I am on the road to recovery. Pre surgery, I was so incredibly nervous and scared, and now a few days on the other side, I can say... yes, this is rough, but very do-able even if you are wimpy about medical things like i am.

I'm 3 weeks post-op and traveled this weekend with my mom, aunt and sister. I portioned some Protein powder into individual serving ziploc bags and chose yogurts for breakfast. At restaurants I often had egg beaters or Soup. One restaurant we chose had a crab cake entree that was only lightly breaded, and had very little bready filler. I just picked off the crusty edges. Basically, I tried to stick to soft foods that were good sources of protein. Of course, traveling with my own personal band of food nazis made it easier! I kept myself on track by logging every bite in my Calorie Counter app (fatsecret.com) that I installed on my mobile phone. ETA: Our post-op diet is 2 weeks Clear liquids, 2 weeks full liquids/pureed foods then 2-4 months of soft foods. My doc has been encouraging me to try more solid foods as tolerated, and the only thing I had any issues with was the pieces of beef in some minestrone soup I tried. The meat seemed soft and I chewed well, but it still seemed to "stick"

I concur with Ziggle Dog. I found out today that I have been approved. I was very gun hoe about doing this when I started the appointments etc. but the last few weeks I have began to have second thoughts. That is until I started to think about the things I cant and dont do b/c of my weight. I am going to do it now for a few reasons: my kids, my wife, my health and myself... those are reason enough for nme to take the trek into the unknown and do it. When I was in the 3rd grade my parents divorced and I sat around all summer trying to fill that empty void with food. I gained almost 80lbs, I am scared to not have my emotional crutch but my family means more.

Your diet looks ok! I've been reading some people's diet on here and they look tough. I think I will slowly cut back my food intake over the next couple of weeks. To make it a little easier for afterwards. I'm sort of wishing the date was here. I want it over and done with so I can stop thinking about it. I'm not scared or anything just impatient I think. Lol. Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

On my liquid phase I lost about 16 pounds. I'm on my 3rd week (mushy foods) and after going from the liquid stage to the mushy foods I went up about 4 pounds. On liquids I was on about 300 to 400 calories a day to now about 700 - 1,000 per day. Why the weight gain if the calories are still low (under 1200)? When does the weight start coming off at a normal rate of 1 to 2 pounds a week? Once I start regular food and go to maybe 1200 will I gain all my weight back? Please let me know if this is typical in the beginning? Thanks,

Ya you will be fine. I had 2 kids under 5 when we went not to long ago just sit down when u can. All the walking around will help with ur weight loss. Mall of america is fun. Liquids suck but at least taking protein powder or drinking the already mixed ones will be easy to carry with you just remember to drink water in between ur delicious protein drinks since u will be walking so much. Hehe i remember those days not to long ago i will never go back to pure liquids..

What's the biggest danger, if youre body is not making you hurl it up? Is it that you'll stretch the sleeve? Or that food will pass to quickly to digest? I have this same fear since I eat way too fast too.

Great post -- makes my day. And I had a good laugh over your location listing, "in a state of constant flux." Your ferocity is coming through loud and strong. I feel, it, too -- this new courage; I'm showing up in my life in a whole new way. It feels great! Yes the weight loss, the health and vitality, etc., but for me I think it's about the appetite monster finally being shut up. All that mental chatter about food was making me second-guess myself and the things in my life. Not anymore!

I can sympathize with you. In just a year I've gone from 250 to almost 300. I'm like 290'ish. I could get around pretty okay at 250, but this being almost 300, I hurt so bad. My fingers are so swelled up that my wedding ring is like digging into my finger and causing rashes... Just walking up the three flights of stairs I have to go up everyday kills me. The tendons in my knees snap and creek... then, what do I go and do??? This morning I stopped by Chic-fil-A and got a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit!! With a small sweet tea!! As I ate it I was telling myself "WHYYYY???".. but, I ate it with pleasure anyway. I think I'm eating even more because maybe I'm pre-mourning food that I won't be able to have later if I get the lap band. I say "if" because until I get approved, you never know what could happen.