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@@Terry Lincoln - I'm not a veteran so take this with a grain of salt. I am a long time MFP user. (Milaxx) MFP is not set up for baritraic diets and probably will never have that type of setting. However I don't worry about % as much as I look at types of foods and when those food are eaten. I am a vegetarian and since most of my protein is plant based my carbs tend to be a lot higher than a lot of people would be comfortable with. I also vary my calories consumed based on how active of a day I have. Complex carbs don't slow my weight loss and neither does natural sugar. Too much sodium and processed foods do. So what I did was manual set thing for how my body works. As long as I meet my protein goal, keep my calories low and manage to stay under the other macro nutrients I am fine.

my surgeon put me on 800 per day - i've stuck to that most days - but really your dr./nutritionist should be setting your calories- according to most on here 800 is on the low side - most seem to do 1000 per day - with 60+ g of protein.

I’m six months out from banding. I’ve got good restriction, I don’t want it to be any tighter but I still eat a good 1400 calories a day. Sometimes more. I exercise, but I’ve exercised more in last few months. I’m not cooking much and eating what I find, cans of soup and chili. Burgers with out buns; even the occasional cookie gets consumed. I’m feeling a little tired of journaling and I’m focused on other things in my life such as my schooling, my work, my daughter’s newly developing medical needs and family. I’ve pushed a lot of this aside for months and it’s creeping back in and taking space in my otherwise focused mind. I can exhale in a few weeks but I don’t want to get off track in that time and feel it slipping that way. So I know the goal is to dig a little deeper. Can anyone give me some encouraging words? Like tell me that it’s normal to need to regroup after so many months? Give me tips on refocusing my efforts? This is the first time in this journey that I’ve felt like I wasn’t gung-ho about the process. I’m struggling. Thanks so much.

For lunch most days I have a whole wheat sandwich thin with a laughing cow wedge and deli turkey or roast or tuna- less than 200 calories usually. I eat a lot of chicken for supper and a sandwich thin w peanut butter and a banana for breakfast or an egg. Really into these sandwich thins can you tell? Super good and only 40 calories for 1/2 of one. Also do wheat tortillas as wraps sometimes or tacos.

At three weeks my hunger came back, but I counted every calorie and upped my walking, each week my calories were increasing slightly, I hung in there for another two weeks until I got my first fill. It was hard but if I can do it anyone can. Good Luck.

Way to go!! I am at 1 month now, and 2 days....and I feel the same way you do Kathy...lovin my sleeve. I did not loose last week, (week 4), but I have increased my fat with hopes it will allow me to get my 600 calories in.... You're doing great...keep it up!

My post op diet has been less than it should be. I have had bad reflux which has made it hard to eat and drink. I am taking prilosec and that has helped ALOT in the last 2 weeks. Basically for 5 days I was clears only, then 6 days full liquid, mostly protien shakes (muscle milk lite, 8oz 15 gr protein) then 11days out I started soft stuff. But misty stayed liquids. At 21 days I started fish and pureed tuna salad. And slowly adding whatever in. My day looks like this Breakfast 4 oz Greek yogurt 10gr protein and then I sip a protein shake on my way to work 15gr Lunch 4 shrimp for almost 20 gram protein Dinner hard to eat much but I have been doing 3 oz bake salmon or chicken. 12-15 gr protein. I have a low calorie Gatorade with me all day and am finally getting about 60 oz liquid in. So that's been it. I have tried, taco meat, cheeses, fish, hamburger patty, etc. Mostly I eat meat, I have a hard time getting food in so I have focused on protein mostly. I am doing a chewable multi vitamin, prilosec and that's been it.

Hi, I am two weeks 5 days post op. I am in the soft food phase - fish, well-cooked vege, egges, fat free cheese, sugar free pudding and tofu are allowed. My typical three meals are like the following: Breaksfast: 1 hard boiled egg; 1/4 cup of fat free cottage cheese with pineapple Two hours later I would feel hungry again. Snack: Edyy's no sugar added popsicle (30 cal, 1g sugar each) Lunch: 3 to 4.5 OZ of flat fish (half to 1 fillet); half cup (4OZ) tofu; 2-3 OZ of vege Snack: Edyy's no sugar added popsicle (30 cal, 1g sugar each) Snack2: 1 sugar free popsicle (10 cal each) Dinner: to 4.5 OZ of flat fish (half to 1 fillet); half cup (4OZ) tofu; 2-3 OZ of vege Snack: Edyy's no sugar added popsicle (30 cal, 1g sugar each) Three or fours hours after lunch or dinner, I feel hungry again. All the meals and snacks combine to about 860 calories per day. Do I seem to eat too much? I read that a lot of people are only eating 1 cup of food? Exactly how much is that? Are we talking about stuff the soft or solid food into a cup sized cup to measure? Yesterday morning, I suddenly gained 3 lbs. I did a post about it here and a lot of responses were it was probably water retention and it will go away eventually. I think that it is probably most water retention; however, am I also eating too much to contribute to the 3 lbs gain?

I figured it was probably due to concerns I would be getting in more calories than I needed to, but quite honestly, I think I am eating more when I don't have one, then when I do. My upcoming appt is next week, and its with the NP, so maybe I'll bring that up to her again as well. I am also not having much restriction unless I eat too fast or don't chew enough (have 6 cc's in my 11cc band), so I may need another fill as well.

It would definitely be worth using a progam like fitday or dailyplate - at least for awhile - to see where you're at nutritionally. Too few calories - and/or the wrong source of calories - could easily have stalled you out. As for exercise... I'm strong headed on this... Walking - in the long term - most likely isn't going to cut it - but I understand you have other medical issues standing in your way. IMO...It takes a calorie deficit created from both diet and exercise to be successful. Good luck! Brad

Basically, I think what people need to realize is yes, there is a chance you may pop right up and be okay and go to the mall Christmas shopping the best day. Ha. Maybe a few people. But think about it. I have seven incisions an inch long in my abdomen. One was in my diaphragm ouch. And have you ever done a low calorie diet or juice fast? This is more akin to a Water fast. No food. Basically a few ounces of food. Getting used to that is enough to want to be at home. Put those two together, with driving restrictions if your in pain mess, and sheer exhaustion from having major surgery. Definitely take a week, two if you can swing in. I'm on day 8 and just have enough energy to put around the house.

Today had some super yummy foods and a snack that I have since had taken out of my challenge plan. We weren't up for another free meal and had a dinner date with some friends, so we loaded up our little meals in a cooler and headed over. I find it funny that as picky as I am I'm still going strong on this challenge and my husband isn't. He was the one that wanted to do this challenge and he is struggling big time. I had to talk him out of stopping at Wendy's on the way home for a frosty. I find it so funny. Breakfast - Cran Apple Oats :wub: Still yummy. It's almost like a comfort food for me. Snack 1 - Hummus Bowl I still don't like this and have had it removed from my meal plan. Lunch - Char-grilled Crazy Chicken This was just ok. It kind of had a strange aftertaste and I'm not sure how much I actually like it. It had 120 cal, 3g fat, 13.5 carbs, and 10.5g protein for half of a small. Snack 2 - Dark Chocolate Peanut Bar :wub: This is another flavor of the oatmega bars and it was just as yummy as all the others. It had 190 cal, 6g fat, 23 carbs, and 14g protein. Dinner - Fit Nation Nuggets :wub: I wasn't sure what to expect. They give you some mustard dip stuff and I didn't know how that would go but it was awesome. The mustard gave a tang to the sweetness of the breading around the chicken, almost like you dipped it in honey mustard. Definitely a meal I'd eat again. Half a small has 125 cal, 4.5g fat, 10.5 carbs, and 9.5g protein. I had a protein shake after dinner because I was starting to get a headache which is sometimes normal when I haven't had enough protein. I did struggle with getting in all my water which is why I lost so little I'm sure. Daily Totals: Calories - 925 Fat - 27.5 Carbs - 87.5 Protein - 76.5 Water - 60 oz Weight Lost to date - 11.6 lbs

I had a couple glasses of wine about 6 weeks out. I've had a couple more in the last 7 months. I try to avoid it because of the empty calories and it always causes me to stall.

Here is my August Exercise Challenge -- I wanted to be more specific with my goals and this is way too long to put in a signature line! Wish me luck! Monday - Upper body + abs 2 of 4 (missed 1*) Wednesday - cardio (cycle & elliptical) 4 of 5 (Missed 1**) Thursday - Lower body + abs + cardio 3 of 5 Saturday - Full Body (no cardio, no abs) 3 of 4 Sunday - Swimming + Sauna 2 of 4 (missed 1) Tracking pool laps: 8/12 - 12 laps total, 6 at one time. 8/13 - 15 laps total, 10 at one time 8/16 - 22 laps total (begin HIIT: can only do 1.5 laps at HI; takes 4 easy laps to recover) *Quit smoking this day, quads are killing me from lunges and fighting an ear infection....just too tired and cranky...need rest) **Quads still hurting bad (wish I could take Advil!!) and huge attitude problem since quitting smoking. Not worried. I'll get back soon. Just need a rest. 8/29 Well, exercise has been almost a total loss this month because of quitting smoking which ruined my attitude, then a back injury from a bad masseuse. I'm trying real hard not to get too down on myself and friends here at LBT are helping so much. I guess I'll start over in September! What else can I do?! Here's a link to 4 month progress pictures: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f91/shrinking-violets-april-07-bandsters-29472/index274.html#post533397 QUIT smoking on August 19th. Lord help me to not gain weight!!! :pray: Major Revelation: Just because you CAN put away 1 to 1.5 cups of food, doesn't mean you SHOULD!! Let me clarify: I had gotten a SB frozen meal for lunch yesterday. I generally HATE any kind of frozen dinner but I was in a crunch. I nuked it when I got back to the office then ended up eating only about 1/2 of it....it was disgusting....and I injested about 150 calories worth of chicken and broccoli. I remained satisfied until 5:00! Ok, so what was my lesson here? 1) I don't need to feel the food backing up into my esophagus before I consider myself 'done eating'.[/color] 2) My instrux are to eat 1/2-3/4 cup of food at one sitting (regardless of if I feel 'full' or not) and that is what I need to do!!! (It's a RULE, dammit) Now, of course, this is totally contrary to the way I've trained myself to eat for the last 49 years and it will take a conscious effort to stop waiting for that full feeling and just follow the rule of 1/2 - 3/4 c of food. I simply need to stop overserving myself. If I am in a restaurant, I need to ask for the to-go box FIRST and load up the extra before I even begin my meal. 4th Fill on Aug. 22 - to 2.8cc's -- 8/29 - UNfill to 2.4cc Weight loss for August was about 2.5#. Bleh.

I hate diets! And yet it seems like I've dieted for my entire life. My entire 29 years of life! At my heaviest I was 220lbs. I'm only 5'4 so I was quite a butter ball! I went on the prescription Phentermine in 2008 while at my very biggest. I lost 47lbs. in about 6 months taking me down to 173lbs. And then I had to quit taking the prescription, partly because I got the flu and also because it's unrealistic to think after six months the drug will have the same affect it did on day one. It doesn't. Not to mention the awful side effects! Jitters, cotton mouth, extreme irritability, constipation, sleep apnea...just to name a few. But what I loved about that drug was that for the first time in my life, I was losing weight without dieting! I ate whatever I wanted but very small portions. It was so great to be able to eat what everyone else was eating and never feel deprived and never feel the need to rebel! It also gave me a huge amount of energy, so I was working out almost every day. But when I stopped taking the Phentermine, the weight slowly but surely crept back on...like it always does...I mean, did! I had looked into the Lap Band surgery years before Phentermine but never really had the nerve or the pounds to get it done. Years ago you had to be at least 100 pounds over weight. Today you only have to be at least 50 pounds over weight. As the weight started to creep back on, I knew I had to do something! I felt like I needed something like Phentermine but better and that was for life! And that's exactly what Lap Band has been for me...my no dieting weight loss plan! This hasn't been a cake walk, but it has been relatively effortless so far! Notice I said "so far". On my surgery day, 7/8/2011, I was 208lbs.Today, 12/13/2011, I am 177lbs so in 5 months, I'm down 31lbs. So I'm still over weight, but I sure look a lot better! I've had 3 fills in all and I think I will stay with only three. I feel good where it's at. I'm pretty tight, but not too tight. It's been a slow process. And I realize if I worked out it would be quicker but I've actually not worked out for a reason...not that I would recommend it. I also DO NOT diet!!! If I have fast food, I might have a couple chicken fingers or part of a cheeseburger. Sometimes I have a grilled chicken salad. I eat whatever I'm in the mood for, but I eat small portions. Now I realize that I may not be able to keep this up. My goal weight is around 125-135. And fried chicken and burgers probably won't take me to my goal. So when I begin to plateu from just calorie restriction alone, my plan is to start the exercise. Please don't get me wrong, I do eat very decent. And have also found that veggies actually are easier for me to eat than any other foods. But I am by no means on a strict diet plan or ANY diet plan for that matter! The month before my surgery I went crazy eating, as though I would never be able to eat any "bad" food after my surgery and that is not the case at all! I have everything and anything I want. The band had just taken my "want" away. I explained it to my mom and sister like this, "Before the Band, my stomach was a bottomless pit,my appetite was huge! With the Band my stomach is a very shallow pit and my appetite is tiny." So life really is pretty good! I'm finally seeing progress, getting compliments from others, feeling so much more confident in myself and also realizing that success is actually within my reach! I'm actually going to achieve my goals this time! I asked my doctor, "About how much weight can a person like me,who wants to lose 80 pounds, lose with the band?" He said, " The band will give you about 40 pounds, the rest is up to you." That's fair. I can meet my band half way. So far it's given me an easy 31lbs. It's about to be my turn to take myself the rest of the way!

Be careful of slider foods such as the creamed soups and ice cream. They go down easy but don't have much protein and are high in calories!

Gcravener, I have to say that if you're having reflux and PBing all the time you probably are too tight. It's accepted wisdom that being too tight can lead to weight gain just as easily as weight loss, because the patient stays away from the healthier (harder to eat) foods and gravitates toward softer foods. Finding the right spot with the band is not necessarily an easy thing. You've only been banded for three months and many, many people don't get to the "sweet spot" right off the bat. I'd suggest an unfill immediately and that you then take a careful look at what you are eating. Fitday.com is a great tool to help you track your actual calories in and out, which might be enlightening all by itself. Being too tight is NOT the way to banding success. Please consider having an unfill and getting a fresh start. Banding can't possibly work if you're fighting with it all the time, and you may even do yourself some damage along the way. You may want to start a new thread with your experience and see what other bandsters have to offer. I'm sure there are other people in your shoes who can benefit from a discussion about it. Welcome to LBT!!

Mystery of all mysteries... I just ran a report for the last week of my recorded data from my Link. Calculating my calorie deficits for the last week, I should have lost 3.53 pounds over the last 7 days, and you know, my measured loss was 3.6 pounds. I love it when my body does what I tell it to! And I particularly love it when my gadgets are accurate! (This has not been a paid presentation for the Bodymedia Fit Link... I promise!)

Hey there Jenn, I am 4 months post-op and I totally understand what you are going through. The most important thing is to breath and be patient. It is really easy to freak out early on. Your body is going through some major changes and your "lizard brain" (the instinctual part of yourself) is under the impression you are injured and starving to death. Just remember that your conscious part is in control and its good to acknowledge the feelings of frustration and everything, but to just breathe and try to be zen about everything. I had extreme sensitivity to smells, tastes etc. I craved Soups and flavors I never did before, and couldn't stand other smells that I normally loved. You just need to go slow, sip your fluids. Go for some sugar-free flavor packs from the grocery store, and sugar-free jello. The ASS (Ahhh . . .So Sweet) effect wears off some after a couple months, but is still there for me to a certain extent. Think of it as a weight-loss aid, keeping you away from empty calories. The important thing is to keep hydrated, and to take small sips as often as you can stand them. My best advice is to make sure you walk. I walked twice a day during recovery, in the morning and evening. Bring a friend at first till you know your strength, as you can tire quickly. Walking helps your body process all of the toxins in your system and you will recover faster from that than anything. Also, remember that rapid weight loss flushes all the fat-soluble toxins out of your system, so it can be hard on your kidneys. Walk, water and waiting, that's what the first 2 weeks are all about. I hope that helped!

This is good to read. I am 10 weeks out and sometimes a reminder is good to read through. I have kept to most of the basics since my surgery with the exception of going on a cruise a few weeks ago. I did make some mistakes on my cruise by drinking some alcohol and eating a few spoonfuls of desert. Since I am home again I have been back on my regular schedule and am back to my "new normal" eating." New normal" is getting in all my Protein, having enough Water, no snacking and taking my supplements. I am feel so much better since losing almost 40 lbs. 1st Mistake: Not Taking Vitamins, Supplements, or Minerals Every WLS patient has specific nutritional needs depending on the type of surgery you have had. Not only is it a good idea to ask your surgeon for guidelines, but also consult with an experienced WLS nutritionist. Understand there is not a standard practice that all surgeons and nutritionists follow in guiding WLS patients. So, it is important to do your own research, get your lab tests done regularly, and learn how to read the results. Some conditions and symptoms that can occur when you are deficient in vitamins, supplements, or minerals include: Osteoporosis; pernicious anemia; muscle spasms; high blood pressure; burning tongue; fatigue; loss of appetite; weakness; constipation and diarrhea; numbness and tingling in the hands and feet; being tired, lethargic, or dizzy; forgetfulness, and lowered immune functioning. Keep in mind, too, that some conditions caused by not taking your vitamins, supplements, or minerals are irreversible. 2nd Mistake: Assuming You Have Been Cured of Your Obesity A "pink cloud" or honeymoon experience is common following WLS. When you are feeling better than you have in years, and the weight is coming off easily, it's hard to imagine you will ever struggle again. But unfortunately, it is very common for WLS patients to not lose to their goal weight or to regain some of their weight back. A small weight regain may be normal, but huge gains usually can be avoided with support, education, effort, and careful attention to living a healthy WLS lifestyle. For most WLSers, if you don't change what you've always done, you're going to keep getting what you've always gotten -- even after weight loss surgery. 3rd Mistake: Drinking with Meals Yes, it's hard for some people to avoid drinking with meals, but the tool of not drinking with meals is a critical key to long-term success. If you drink while you eat, your food washes out of your stomach much more quickly, you can eat more, you get hungry sooner, and you are at more risk for snacking. Being too hungry is much more likely to lead to poor food choices and/or overeating. 4th Mistake: Not Eating Right Of course everyone should eat right, but in this society eating right is a challenge. You have to make it as easy on yourself as possible. Eat all your meals--don't skip. Don't keep unhealthy food in sight where it will call to you all the time. Try to feed yourself at regular intervals so that you aren't as tempted to make a poor choice. And consider having a couple of absolutes: for example, avoid fried foods completely, avoid sugary foods, always use low-fat options, or only eat in a restaurant once a week. Choose your "absolutes" based on your trigger foods and your self knowledge about what foods and/or situations are problematic for you. 5th Mistake: Not Drinking Enough Water Most WLS patients are at risk for dehydration. Drinking a minimum of 64 oz. of water per day will help you avoid this risk. Adequate water intake will also help you flush out your system as you lose weight and avoid kidney stones. Drinking enough water helps with your weight loss, too. 6th Mistake: Grazing Many people who have had WLS regret that they ever started grazing, which is nibbling small amounts here and there over the course of the day. It's one thing to eat the three to five small meals you and your doctor agree you need. It's something else altogether when you start to graze, eating any number of unplanned Snacks. Grazing can easily make your weight creep up. Eating enough at meal time, and eating planned snacks when necessary, will help you resist grazing. Make a plan for what you will do when you crave food, but are not truly hungry. For example, take up a hobby to keep your hands busy or call on someone in your support group for encouragement. 7th Mistake: Not Exercising Regularly Exercise is one of the best weapons a WLS patient has to fight weight regain. Not only does exercise boost your spirits, it is a great way to keep your metabolism running strong. When you exercise, you build muscle. The more muscle you have, the more calories your body will burn, even at rest! 8th Mistake: Eating the Wrong Carbs (or Eating Too Much) Let's face it, refined carbohydrates are addictive. If you eat refined carbohydrates they will make you crave more refined carbohydrates. There are plenty of complex carbohydrates to choose from, which have beneficial vitamins. For example, if you can handle pastas, try whole grain Kamut pasta--in moderation, of course. (Kamut Pasta doesn't have the flavor some people find unpleasant in the whole wheat pastas.) Try using your complex carbohydrates as "condiments," rather than as the center point of your meal. Try sprinkling a tablespoon of brown rice on your stir-fried meat and veggies. 9th Mistake: Going Back to Drinking Soda Drinking soda is controversial in WLS circles. Some people claim soda stretches your stomach or pouch. What we know it does is keep you from getting the hydration your body requires after WLS--because when you're drinking soda, you're not drinking water! In addition, diet soda has been connected to weight gain in the general population. The best thing you can do is find other, healthier drinks to fall in love with. They are out there. 10th Mistake: Drinking Alcohol If you drank alcohol before surgery, you are likely to want to resume drinking alcohol following surgery. Most surgeons recommend waiting one year after surgery. And it is in your best interest to understand the consequences of drinking alcohol before you do it. Alcohol is connected with weight regain, because alcohol has 7 calories per gram, while protein and vegetables have 4 calories per gram. Also, some people develop an addiction to alcohol after WLS, so be very cautious. Depending on your type of WLS, you may get drunker, quicker after surgery, which can cause health problems and put you in dangerous situations. If you think you have a drinking problem, get help right away. Putting off stopping drinking doesn't make it any easier, and could make you a lot sicker[/b]

I was talking to my surgeon about stalling or Plateauing and he said, during those times it is very important to really exercise and get your resting heart rate up to burn more calories and jump start your metabolism to start kicking the weight off. Try not to get discouraged and do your best to stay active and maintain your diet. Best of luck!

First, quit eating at fast food places. You need to change mentality, eat lean meats (turkey, chicken, fish). Swap fruits and vegetables for high calorie items. And agree with other poster, don't drink and eat a lot at same time, just enough if you have to wash it down. Remember you can eat your way out of the surgery, you stomach is still tissue and can expand. Control the food don't let it control you. Track your calories, that will help you know how much you are eating and will make you more alert to what you are doing to yourself.

Chances are at this stage your solid foods will be mushy - apple sauce, mashed potatoes, anything blended (my dietician said one person put a bacon cheeseburger into a blender), things that can be mashed with a fork like peas, yogurt, cottage cheese. Be careful transitioning - you really should avoid fried/battered food like LJS - the battering is just hollow calories and you get less Protein when you eat stuff like that because it fills your limited stomach space.

I have been reading this site for a long time. I am still pre op but feel comfortable answering you. Some people have written that they can not eat some foods for months after surgery, chicken being one of them. Sometimes it is red meat or turkey ect.. but they can usually eat it again after a while. Take your time and eat the things you can for now. As far as the weight loss stopping- every body is different and everyone stops losing at some point while their body catches up. It is a shock to lose weight fast. When your body stabilizes it will resume losing. Sometimes it is because you are not eating enough and have to boost good calories. If you feel like you are eating enough it is your body playing catch up. If you feel you are not eating enough then up those good calories. I wish you the very best

Dont panic too much but DO unfill in small increments. I've only had one unfill when I was a bit concerned that 1000 calories a day or so (which was all I could eat) really wasnt sufficient nutrition for me personally. .2 ml made SO much difference, I actually gained about 4 or 5 lb and ended up having the fill put back in over time. Now I maintain on about 1800 to 2000 a day and THAT's my rough mental calculations - so its probably more. If you're tall, healthy and active, you CAN eat rather a lot. 1200 calories a day - its more for little women of average activity to lose, not for us glamazons to maintain, lol.