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Throw it in a Magic Bullet or blender to puree the egg whites so you don't loose too much protein from straining. I lived off the stuff for a week, so good! Be careful though, the first time trying it after clear liquids it gave me quite an upset stomach so sip just a little at a time.

My doctor says I'm in the green zone, maybe so but I feel I need a fill. I can go at least 4 hrs between meals, good I know but at mealtime I feel like I could eat more than a cup worth and sometimes do, not very often but today at lunch I went overboard and knew it. Also for some strange reason, keep in mind I'm a little over a yr post op June 13th '12 and all of the sudden I can tolerate bread, rice, toast, eggs, chicken, just about anything whereas before, I'd say 6 months ago I would get stuck on those things. I don't eat these things in excess i.e. bread, rice, toast with the exception of tonight I had a half of a sandwich for dinner and a little snack cup of apple sauce. I just don't understand why I can all of the sudden tolerate these foods and before I couldn't. I don't see him again until July 11th at which time I am to discuss a colonoscopy with him to have done within the next few weeks, I know you're saying I'm not 50 yet but my brother has colon cancer and the kind he has is hereditary and I am to be checked every 3 yrs and this is my year, ugh! I'm hoping for a small tee tiny fill because I really don't feel restriction, the only thing I feel is my soft stop which is a hiccup, is this the same as restriction? Or is restriction considered not eating more than a cup worth of food or eating less than. The scales hasn't moved in 8 weeks and I've teetered between 228 and 226 and finally got back down to 226 this morning, thank you Jesus! I've tried exercising but it is very hard on me on the treadmill due to a bad knee and 2 knee surgeries, it gives me heck. Even riding a stationary bike hurts my knee at the gym. The trainer there doesn't seem to get it about my knee. I feel silly going in and working my arms, abs and thighs for 20 mins and leaving, that is literally all I can handle physically. My arms are so big and heavy on me now that any exercising of them physically drains me, I have no strength in them. It wears me out just to dry my hair because of the loose skin. I seemed to have hit a plateau I guess. Thanks for listening.

Well I had to get an unfill yesturday, and I just lost 22 pounds in about 9 weeks, very strange, I should have to get a fill, not an unfill, has this ever happened to anyone out there? I became very tight after losing the weight, so I have a appt for an upper GI on Tuesday to see if anything is ging on in there with the band?

Hello everyone! I am new on this site. I am 21 days post op and have noticed i have very bad upper back pain mainly on my left side near my shoulder blade. has anyone else experienced this? i know its not gas pain because I had a lot of that in my first week. any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!!

I think I saw this originally posted on the forum here somewhere, but for anyone who missed it.. it just came back around to me in e-mail and it made me laugh all over again :smile: >>A WOMAN'S WEEK AT THE GYM This is dedicated to everyone who ever >>attempted to >>get into a regular workout routine. >> >>Dear Diary, For my birthday this year, my daughter (the dear) >>purchased a week of personal training at the local >>health club for me. Although I am still in great >>shape since being a high school football cheerleader >>43 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to >>go ahead and give it a try. I called the club and >>made my reservations with a personal trainer named >>Belinda, who identified herself as a 26-year-old >>aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing >>and swim wear. >> >>My daughter seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get >>started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to >>chart my progress. >> >>MONDAY: Started my day at 6:00 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, >>but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the >>health club to find Belinda waiting for me. She is >>something of a Greek goddess - with blond >>hair,dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile. Woo >>Hoo!! Belinda gave me a tour and showed me the >>machines. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in >>which she conducted her aerobics class after my >>workout today. Very inspiring! Belinda was >>encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was >>already aching from holding it in the whole time she >>was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week-!! >> >>TUESDAY: I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it >>out the door. Belinda made me lie on my back and >>push a heavy iron bar into the air then she put >>weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the >>treadmill, but I made the full mile. Belinda's >>rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel >>GREAT-!! It's a whole new life for me. >> >>WEDNESDAY: The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the >>toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over >>it. >>I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving >>was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I >>parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot. >>Belinda was impatient with me, insisting that my >>screams bothered other club members. Her voice is a >>little too perky for early in the morning and when >>she scolds, she gets this nasally whine that is VERY >>annoying. My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, >>so Belinda put me on the stair monster. Why the heck >>would anyone invent a machine to simulate an >>activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Belinda >>told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy >>life. She said some other crap too. >> >>THURSDAY : Belinda was waiting for me with her vampire-like >>teeth exposed as her thin, cruel lips were pulled >>back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half >>an hour late, it took me that long to tie my shoes. Belinda took >>me to work out with dumbbells. When >>she was not looking, I ran and hid in the restroom. >>She sent another skinny witch to find me. Then, as >>punishment, she put me on the rowing machine -- >>which I sank. >> >>FRIDAY : I hate that witch Belinda more than any human being >>has ever hated any other human being in the history >>of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic, anorexic >>little cheerleader. If there was a part of my body I >>could move without unbearable pain, I would beat her >>with it. Belinda wanted me to work on my triceps. >>I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want >>dents in the floor, don't hand me the barbells or >>anything that weighs more than a sandwich. The >>treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and >>nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been >>someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir >>director? >> >>SATURDAY : Belinda left a message on my answering machine in >>her grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not >>show up today. Just hearing her made me want to >>smash the machine with my planner. However, I lacked >>the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up >>catching eleven straight hours of the Weather >>Channel. >> >>SUNDAY : I'm having the Church van pick me up for services >>today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is >>over. I will also pray that next year my daughter >>will choose a gift for me that is fun -- like a root >>canal or a hysterectomy. I still say if God had >>wanted me to bend over, he would have sprinkled the >>floor with diamonds!!!

I track my sugar for everything!!! I eat nothing with over 5 grams, but really like to keep it 3 grams or less. It is my belief that sugar is a HUGE factor in weight loss. My pre-op diet was the Sugar Busters diet and I lost 18lbs in 3 weeks. Now I am not saying that once in a while I eat a cookie or something, but I do have my general rule that I like to follow and it has really helped me. I have lost 63 lbs since Sept. 10.

I'm not a big drinker, but the last couple weeks have been "party season" for me. Grad parties, fathers day, BOTH of my parents birthdays (June 20th - moms 49th, June 21st - dads 50th) and everyone keeps offering me drinks! I've haven't had one yet but was curious about when it would be okay to have a margarita! My dad makes the best frozen ones!! I want to ask my doctor but feel weird since I'm still underage lol. My parents know I'm not a big partier or binge drinker or anything so they don't care if I have a drink or two at parties and such, but everyones different.

I just turned 21 6 months ago and I'm about 6 weeks post op. I was wondering if anyone had tried drinking so soon after surgery? I know your not supposed to drink at least 6 months after surgery, but it seems to be really hard because all of my friends want to go out! Now I'm not talking about anything crazy because I know how alcohol is like pure calories but I was thinking maybe half a glass of wine or something. What are your thoughts?

Hi mom. Wow - you are doing great!!! Keep up the good work. My first fill was Oct. 24, second Nov. 20, and third Dec 18. They were just about a month apart. The "Post Adjustment" paperwork from my surgeon states, "You need ample time to adjust to your new fluid level. Please understand that we cannot add fluid for the next 2 weeks." Each time I have gone, they have told me to come back in a month. I do have to fly from Albuquerque NM to Houston TX for each fill, so I really couldn't go more than once a month... $$$$ Becky

I think I can have it next week, but I used to use pretzels or celery to dip. Any suggestions of what I could use to dip it?

Thank you I'll keep that in mind. I think it's been bothering me because today has been one of those days that things just don't go down. And the fact that I am stupid and as good as I look now (15 lbs. away from goal) I feel sorry for myself. Part of it may be because I am going on a cruise in 2 weeks and already feel deprived. I know I AM STUPID!!! Thanks for listening, Mary

Wow so if stress messes with the band I am surprised we all arent walking around too tight, I'm pretty sure everyone has stress going on in their life. This band is a hard one to figure out but I definitely notice right before that time of the month things are really tight then the next week back to normal Kind of hard to know when we hit that perfect restriction isn't it??? So much to learn

Just got my 4th fill yesterday which took me to 6.5cc in a 10cc Lapband. And, it was about three hours after 'lunch' (broth and a Protein shot), that I realized something had definitely changed w/this fill... I was NOT HUNGRY! And, I have remained NOT HUNGRY ever since. Even though I'm only allowed liquids for 72 hours after a fill, I was NOT HUNGRY when I went to bed and NOT HUNGRY when I woke up. This is frickin amazing!!! Yeah, yeah, I know this is one of the main reasons I got the band. My mom has the band and said that she is just not thinking of food or looking for food much anymore. And, the people who are at goal in my support group say the same thing. One lady has to set an alarm to remember to eat. And, I've been longing for this NOT HUNGRY feeling ever since I got the band on 12/17/09. Until now, I had not felt this yet... not even right after surgery or after any of my other fills so I was worried it would never happen for me. But, now that I've experienced it, I'm happy to say it has exceeded my expectations because its not just that I'm not hungry, but I don't even feel empty (even though I haven't eaten). I feel like you feel an hour after you ate a good meal, but all the time. Well, at least for the last day. I'm hoping this restriction sticks w/me. I'm the type who actually gets tighter a couple weeks AFTER a fill so I'm also hoping I don't end up too tight. And, I haven't eaten yet, so I have absolutely no idea how this level of restriction is gonna work w/food. I can drink about 4 oz of Water at once, though, and it does go down fairly quickly, so I'm really really hoping, this is it! (or close to it) :frown: Anyway, no matter how it works out, I now know that this NOT HUNGRY thing is possible w/me. And, I am thrilled!!! (oh gosh, should've posted this to my blog - I will cut-and-paste there)

I was on a liquid diet for three weeks after surgery. By the time I got back onto soft foods, everything tasted weird. I was a serious coffee drinker before surgery (I live near Seattle, and it's the LAW... ) but suddenly coffee tasted awful to me. Over the next several weeks I needed to retrain my taste buds to what I liked and what I didn't. I think it was somehow connected to breaking the sugar cycle. Even now, nine months after surgery, if i eat a sugary food, it seems terribly sweet to me, and even a small amount of sugar goes a long way. Not a bad thing, but definitely different than I was used to. (I rewarded myself with a fresh-made milkshake in a restaurant the other day while having dinner out with friends, and I ended up giving away more than half of it. I just couldn't handle all the sweetness.) You're perfectly normal. Hang in there - things WILL come back to normal, just adjusted for your new bandster palate. It's all part of the journey. Dave

Hi, I had a lot of heartburn yesterday, I am okay today. I drunk my Protein this morning. Will drink another 23 grams today. I want to lose weight, that is why i had the surgery, but my weight is coming off fast. I had the lap band before, and revised to the sleeve. My goodness, I am 5'9", and I weighed 220 before surgery, lost 10 pre-op (230), I am nearing 200 pounds. I have not been heavy all my life, I know how I will look at 160, and 170m, I had the surgery done to maintain my weight. I have HBP, High Cholestorol, and a knee injury that hurts if I gain over 200lbs. Sure, befoere I could gain 80 and lose 80, and gain most of it back in no time, once the knee goes out from running on it. My goal is 170, I look great at that weight and not mal-nutrition, 160 is pushing it, I look frail. I am in a size 10 at 170, and that is great for me. I am figuring that once i reach goal. I will up my calories. My question is will my capacity increase at 6months, so I can increase my caloric intake? I am a gym rat, always have been, just mainting weight was an issue. 165 would be my max loss.

I'm 2 weeks out of surgery and I feel great. Except a sharp pain in my lower chest. I had a sleeve procedure. Has anybody else experienced this?

Well, I feel the same way that you do... I called my doctors office last week and told them that I am hungry. I have my first follow up appt this week and I was told that if the swelling has gone down around my port, that I could get a fill. I hope so, because I told my sister that I think my band has disappeared. How strange.....I am ready to feel like I did the first week.. I understand so much more now!!!!!!!

I'm 2 months out of surgery and 60lbs down only 50 more to go.....i had developed a stricture after 3 weeks and had to go back into surgery I'm doing well now...

Any suggestions on a jump start or way to kind of "cleanse"? I've been bad for 2 weeks and ready to get back at it! I've come too far!

Good for you! And who knows, in a few weeks you may be doing so well with your weight loss and new eating plan, you might not even want the cookies.

Everyone's experience is different but I got a good 8 weeks post op where I just wasnt that interested in food. I really had no trouble sticking to the routine and lost huge amounts of weight.

OMG, I sure hope it's easier! I'm on day 8 of pre-op diet...it is so hard! When is your surgery? I have to stay on clear liquids for 24 hours after surgery, then go to full liquids for 2 weeks. That's sounding good right now. I would rather have slmfast and homemade smoothies than all this packaged stuff I have to stay on now!!!!

I'm 19 and 5'3 Highest weight: 340 Surgery weight: 287 Today:262 I've stalled twice but that just goes along with it everyone says its my body catching up with itself.. Honestly I'm shocked by the size difference.. I'm beyond ready for the onederland tho.. 122 pounds til goal! Possible to get that off by July 2014? The left is me today and the right is a day before surgery [ATTACH]17436[/ATTACH]

I agree. The food you are eating is filling you up without providing much nutrition. I am 5 weeks out yesterday, here is a sample of what I eat in a day...I am not perfect, just throwing out ideas. Breakfast: premier Protein shake (30 G protein) or Dannon light n fit greek yogurt (12 G protein). On occasion I've had 1/3 serving of malt o meal with a dab of yogurt and teaspoon of truvia mixed in. Doesn't provide much, but if I'm sick of the other two this is what I've had. Morning snack: if I've had a shake for breakfast I'll have a Greek yogurt and vice versa Lunch: 1 oz albacore tuna mixed with a little mayo or plain Greek yogurt, sometimes sprinkle a little ranch powder for a diff flavor, sometimes with 2 crackers or few bites of soft fruit. Pm snack: cheese stick, 1/4 c cottage cheese or chike protein iced coffee Dinner: little bit of whatever I cooked. Last night, 1 oz salmon and 1 piece steamed cauliflower. Salmon was a little too dry for my tummy so I added a spoon of Greek yogurt on top and sprinkled with Parmesan Snack (if needed): sugar free Popsicle, Greek yogurt or cottage cheese I am slowly incorporating more real foods and trying for less shakes and soft foods, but obviously that's a slow process. My main goal is to hit 75 G protein a day which I almost always do. I log every thing I eat because I'm not great at estimating intake. I'm currently hitting 600-700 calories a day which my nut thinks is good but she'd really like me tone at least to 800 with a long term goal of 1100-1300. Hope this helps.

I was sleeved last Monday 2/1/10 and went for my one week post op yesterday and had lost 22lbs.:biggrin0: Im a little concerned because I dont want to lose too fast and I am only on full liquids this week. DOes the weight loss slow down? and when?:001_unsure: Also today I am extremely nausous and wnat to know if anyone has any suggestions for improving that?? THanks, Lou:001_smile: