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You didn't say what you've been eating. Are you sure you are getting enough protein and calories? You're post-op diet should include plenty of protein shakes and fruit juices, broth, etc. You need to make sure you get enough so that you don't get low in blood sugar. That's all I can think of. Do contact your doctor tomorrow and possibly the nutritionist. God Bless.

They eat what I eat, or I eat what they eat. I don't "deprive" them if anything - spaghetti for instance. Bolognaise made with hugh quality minced beef, lots of tomatoes, veggies, a low salt base, wholewheat Pasta,what is wrong with that? We eat lots if lean meats off the BBQ, with salads, curries with brown rice, homemade Soups, same a what we always ate. I may or may not partake in a takeaway meal though, I loathe pizza for example and really wouldn't waste the calories on Chinese food either although we never get that. But the occasional Thai meal or fish and chips mmmmm. Very tiny helpings, very occasionally!

Sometimes when I'm in the mood for a shake I use nectar protein powder tablespoon of decaffeinated coffee and Walden farms sf ff calorie free carb free caramel syrup or chocolate syrup

I don't cook two meals, I cook one meal for all of us. I just cook healthy versions of old favorites and have a much smaller portion that I used to eat. For instance, I made spaghetti for dinner last night. I use the light Prego sauce then add a lot of my own spices to jazz it up. I use whole grain spaghetti noodles and 90% fat free ground beef. A one cup serving (pasta and sauce combined) is just under 350 calories. I have introduced some new dishes, like chicken breasts baked coated in corn flakes as an alternative to frying, but everything has been well received by my family. They genuinely like it. And the old favorites I've changed to make healthier, quite honestly, they can't even tell a difference unless I tell them I changed it. I had to have this surgery because my eating habits were horrible. In my mind, I would be doing my kids a grave injustice to continue to feed them unhealthy food just because it's what they are used to. I don't want them to have my fate, I want them to grow into healthy adults. I see this as my chance to teach them to cook and eat healthy while still enjoying their meals.

Nothing new to report with starting anything. Today I just stayed very active. I fixed lots of thing around the apartment (cleaned under and behind the fridge, hung my new stemware holder). I went shopping for a while - which means walking around whatever store at a strolling pace for about an hour per store because I can't make decisions. Did that at an oil painting sale and the grocery store. According to LiveStrong..... Calories Consumed: 2,092 Calories Burned: 331 (walking walking walking) Protein: 77g

I'm still in liquid and have about 4 days until puréed. I don't have a calorie guideline from my doctor, but was wondering of anyone else does?

No actual counting, but I kept a journal for awhile. Actually, I have probably kept a journal for about 90% of the time but for different reasons - however, never for calories. If you feel the need to watch your calories that is OK - but don't get trapped into the diet mentality. You are not on a diet, you are learning a different way of eating and being, and it will evolve.

Liquids and mushy foods bypass the band pretty effectively. They sneak past it, and the stomach empties faster. The band is designed to slow the passage of solid food from the upper portion of the stomach. So, you are likely to achieve far greater satisfaction from solid foods. I won't address the calorie issue, except to say that yes--it is a very low calorie diet. Whether this is appropriate for you is something you should discuss with your doctor or nutritionist. Were you told to stick in this range?

My work is a lot of the same as yours. I was out a week and a 1/2. First week back took it easy and left each day about 3-4. Then I was all good. Be mindful of the energy level because of the lack of calories. That and if you are on BP meds, may cause some serious dizzyness!

I would say you could at least follow it a few months to see...I think I do better when I am on the higher range of my calories. Even if I don't lose as much weight I feel better and have a better outlook. Good idea about the protien, I have been toying with that myself. Natural fiber, it seems, is much better than any supplement. I really seem to be doing well (mentally - feeling sharp and alert and sleeping better) since I began to stick to my "5 best foods" blueberries walnuts EVOO or another good fat source either a spoonful on tambiko, or salmon, or talapia...often made with the evoo. Prune, or apple peel, or squash - and just maybe a little oatmeal. REAL oatmeal, lol!!!! Smaller amounts but nearer real suggested amounts. also if I can: pumpkin sunflower seeds hummus cauliflour just soooo much stuff now that I seem to enjoy on a different level, it is like my body knows to enjoy it.

I use Daily Plate too! It really is a no brainer. You can see immediately if you are up/down in protein or calories. I get a good portion of my daily protein by adding 2 scoops of beneprotein to an Adkins Advantage drink. I blend it real good and try to get it as cold as possible. I agree that I have to really push it to get beyond 800 calories a day in. I have been tracking on Daily Plate only since Friday and I have slowly been going up on calories. I feel pretty good over all. I am not starving at all. I can really tell when I need to eat.

As you lose weight around your abdomen, your band loosens. I am near goal and don't think I will need an unfill; I can eat small portions of most foods now. However, some people do go in for a slight unfill when they get to goal. I can eat most foods if I eat slowly and eat small portions, although I got through a whole hamburger, bun and all, on Saturday. I had to eat it really slowly, and was still eating long after everyone else was done. The next day I couldn't get through half a hot dog, though. If I weren't trying to get off the last 6 lb I would be able to eat enough to satisfy me without too much effort, and would not be gaining as long as I make good food choices. I will have to really count my calories and watch what I eat to get rid of these last few pounds, though. When I think about it, this is how my normal thin friends eat--watching out for nutritional value and portion size, but not obsessing over a small treat now and then. Maybe I'm almost normal now!

Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum. Got my lapband in January. I have had four fills and am seeking help to know what is normal or not. I find that I haven't been losing weight since my last visit and can not eat solid foods well. After a couple bites I get a golf ball feeling and eventually throw up. I end up wanting only liquids and they are ussually milk shakes and other drinks high in calories. I believe that I probably need an unfil, but am worried about going back to gaining. Any advise or support would be great. Thanks:confused:

Get in a Protein shake that's 20+ grams of protein but to be honest it took me a month to get in over 400 calories. I was on liquid for two weeks and then mushies for the next 4 with Protein shakes if needed but when I first started solids this is what I would consume: 4 egg whites (16 grams of protein) 68 calories 1/2 cup ff cottage cheese (16 grams of protein) 90 calories 1 chicken thigh slow cooked no bone/skin (14 grams of protein) 110 calories 2 cups of skim milk (16 grams of protein) 160 calories Totals 62 grams of protein 428 calories Of course check with your doctor and nutiritionist but this worked for me.

It's April 26, 2012. In 18 days, my life will change forever, and I can't wait! Let me start by telling you about myself. (Apologies if this is long-winded, but I think it will give a more rounded picture of how I ended up here!) I am 42 years old. I live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with my husband (my soulmate...I waited until 40 to marry, and he's my forever love!), and our 2 cats, Rosie and Maize. I was born October 20, 1969, a very very small (1.9 lbs!) and 8 weeks premature. My mother has smoked during her pregnancy and I think it impacted my growth. Back in those days, they didn't have neonatal intensive care units and ventilators etc. for preemies. I was just lucky to survive! Believe it or not, I think that is where my problems with my weight began! I used to drink 2 or 3 times the amount of formula my mother's Obstetrician has prescribed for me. It was as if my tiny little body was demanding more and more food to make up for the lack of size and development during the pregnancy! During my early childhood, I was actually average size and played a lot of sports. But food was starting to be more and more of a focus. I would have eating contests with my Dad. Food was a reward when something good happened, and a comfort when something bad happened. By the time I was 12, I was universally known as "chubby" amongst my family, friends, schoolmates. Despite all this, I continued to play many sports, and excel in all of them! High school brought fresh pain and more weight. I was shunned by the boys (more of a tomboy anyways, they saw me as "one of the guys"). Girls didn't want to be associated with me...I wasn't the right "clique" material. The only thing that made high school bearable was sports (I was both admired and mocked for my athleticism....a weird combination!) and music. I was captain of almost every team I played on (volleyball, softball, soccer, field hockey), but when we went to "away" games, I would hear people in the crowd openly call me names and laugh at me. It was very painful and even if we won and I was the star of the game, I would invariably end of crying on the way home. What would make me feel better? Food! McDonalds, Dairy Queen.....the more calories, the better! Of course, I went though ups and downs. I would try a diet, find some success, lose some weight.....then invariably, gain it all back plus. In my Junior year, a group of my friends and teachers I was very close with chipped in to buy me a birthday gift. Looking back now, it was incredibly generous, kindhearted and really demonstrated how much they loved me. But at the time, I was mortified (though I put on a brave face). They had bought me 10 sessions with a Nutritionist, so I could lose weight. OMG! Even the people I loved thought I was unacceptable the way I was. It put me in a depression and left an indelible mark on my psyche for a long time. I went to the sessions and tried to lose weight and keep it off. Of course, I failed (I didn't really want to succeed and prove them right, unconsciously of course). In the end, I graduated and went on to University and then the real floodgates of weight gain started. I was 198 lbs when I started University. I couldn't afford to go to school without a full time job (at the same time!) so I gave up competitive sports (I had enough talent to make Varsity....but no time to dedicate to it!). I was working full time hours from 4 pm to midnight most weekdays, and every other weekend. No time for regular meals (I would sleep late, skip Breakfast, grab a lunch to go that I could eat in class, then rush off to work). Often eating dinner from the vending machine at work, or grabbing fast good on quick 15 min breaks. My freshman "15" was more like "50". I continued my education after University, and became a Respiratory Therapist, but developed an anaphylactic allergy to latex. At the time, this was still quite rare, and most hospital equipment, etc. was still made using latex (especially gloves!). I had to quit my profession before it even really began! Backup plan was to turn to something I already loved as a hobby. Computers. The internet was starting to really grow (1997) and I taught myself HTML and online design/publishing. The rest (as they say) is history. I am now an E-Communications Analyst with our Provincial Government (yes, a public servant!). Needless to say, this is a very sedentary job. It's contributed to my weight gain. I've gone through numerous diets and was very successful in 2006 (lost 100 lbs!) with a strict 1200 calorie diet and ALOT of exercise. In 2007 my brother (who lived on the West Coast, on Vancouver Island) was getting very ill. He had been diagnosed with Brain Cancer 6 years earlier and was really a miracle case to still be alive! His health was deteriorating and I flew out to help him set up homecare and prepare for when he would need hospice. The stress was intense, and I started to regain my weight. Later in 2007, my mother unexpectedly passed away. She simply went to bed one night and never woke up! At 73, it was very very unexpected and I was suddenly thrust into caring for my father (79 yrs old at the time) who had many health problems and dementia. 5 months later, my brother passed away. The stress of all of this loss, sudden responsibility (caring for Dad, executor for Mom and my brother's estates, etc.) sent me over the edge. I regained most of the weight that I had lost. I did manage to lose 35 lbs for my wedding in Sept. 2010, but it has crept back on and I am now at 318 lbs and miserable. My asthma gets worse with each additional pound (when I lost the 100 lbs, I went off ALL my asthma meds and I was exercising like a fiend with no shortness of breath!). I am desperate to get back to a weight where I can exercise without feeling like I'm going to die from fatigue or lack of oxygen! I'm getting my VSG on May 14, 2012 from Dr. Ramos Kelly in Tijuana, Mexico. It's self-pay and it's the best money I'll even spend on anything (especially myself!). I am psyched!

I am known to be lactose intolerant and I can use Unjury with no symptoms in Almond Milk. Higher in calcium, low in calories and carbs. Tastes great!

I'm getting ready for TOM. And well I had the munchies. I'm 8 weeks out. And I know I went over my calories. I know its just one day.probably won't have a huge effect. But I want to know I'm not the only one who has done :-/

My doctor told me I can eat between 800-1000 calories. I am 3 months out and have been sticking to 800. I feel like it's not enough anymore and tempted to move up to 900. My question is with 800 I have been eating between 650-850 and been losing about 1-2 pounds a week. Do you think if I increased to 900 it will slow my weightloss? I already lost almost 70 and I have a little less then 30 pounds to get to my goal and I don't want to ruin the steady pace I have been having. The bulk of my weight loss was the past 2 months this month has been slower but I'm happy. I hope I don't sound paranoid or goofy lol Thanks in advance for advice tips and opinions!

Ok, so as I sat at work yesterday, I was trying to figure out how to get more cardio in at the gym. Can't do any longer on days I have to catch the bus in dt mpls for work and have to get home after lifting to have dinner with the family in the evenings. Don't feel up to doing treadmill at home at night. Too tired by then. So, solution, get up earlier in the morning and do 1/2 hr on treadmill at home before hitting gym at 5 am. So, 4 am is announced by the alarm, up I get and down to the treadmill. 1/2 hr and 390 extra calories burned. Put on running pants, coat, gloves, grab bag and off to the gym. As I am supposed to go to a weddiing reception after work, I have to do upper body circuits and 50 minutes on treadmill at gym. Note: I can do the extra because I have to drive to work so I can get to the reception, wife not going. So, here is the workout(s) from this morning. Treadmill @ home: 32.5 minutes @ 3.7 mph and 2.0 incl, 390 calories, 2 miles Circuit training-upper body: 1-HS Hi Row-60 x 12 2-Bench press-175 x 12 3-Pec Deck-80 x 12 4-Rope Cbl Curls-85 x 12 5-Skull Crushers-75 x 12 6-HS Lat Rs-70 x 12 7-Roman chair back ext.-45 db x 12 8-BB shrugs-175 x 12 Complete 3 circuits with about 3 minute rest in btwn circuits. Treadmill @ gym: 50 minutes @ 4.0 mph btwn 1.0 and 3.0 incl., 710 calories, 3.32 miles. Now, may not go to the wedding reception as it is about 1 hr from home and don't want to drive that far. So, I may hit the gym for another hr on the treadmill tonight. Workout clothes are going to be SWEATY, but may have to suck it up and stink.

Met with surgeon today to sign all paperwork and set up pre-op testing for next week. I had to pay for 2 weeks of protein shakes out of pocket...$250.00...not covered by insurance. Supposedly that fee also covers membership to a monthly support group for this surgeons patients. I went to Walmart today and bought 2 mini blenders. One for work and one for home. I got gallon jugs of water, diet ice tea, and crystal light mix. I made dinner for the rest of the family and went to cvs while they ate to get photos developed. I'm going to have my first shake sometime soon. I wanted to wait until the hunger kicked in. Hopefully it will be good. I am to drink one for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In between I can only have non-calorie drinks. The surgeon said he wants me to lose some weight before surgery. Hmmmm....I couldn't for the last 10 yrs and now it's supposed to because I'm told to? This is gonna be tough....real tough for a binger like me.

i have been doing it for 6 days and i really like it. its fun but an intense workout. i burn tons of calories.

Hi everyone, I was banded May 6th of this year and was doing really well until I hit a brick wall three weeks ago. I had my 3rd fill on August 3rd and the doctor and I were hopeful that this would get me in the green zone but it hasn't. After losing two pounds by the end of that week, the last three weeks I've bascially plateaued. I've gained and lost the same 1.5 pounds. I am getting my Protein and Water and exercising almost every day. I've changed up my exercise, varied my calories but never more than 1200 and still haven't been able to break this plateau. The only good thing is that my scale is recording body fat loss even if there has been no weight loss. Since I'm still 50 pounds from goal, this stall three months out is heartbreaking and frustrating. I have made an appointmen for a fill tomorrow. I can still eat about 8oz of food and am hoping that this will help me get beyond this stall. Has anyone else exerpienced a pleateau this soon? I suppose techincally I started dieting last summer but took a two month break before surgery so I really think my diet started in May. Thanks for listening!

Today is my 3rd day out and i was told i would be ready for thick fluids today such as creamy soups etc.. I been so looking forward to this day since been on clear liquids but now i have no desire for anything. I tried a small shake this morning got it part way down. Now i am trying to do a slim fast 3 2 1 shake and no desire for it. All i can do to sip it and try to get it down. WHen does some desire for food come back. I mean i know if i dont start getting some calories into my body its going to go into starvation mode and i wont lose weight.

1200 calories may not be enough for YOU. You may not be getting enough in & there's nothing to burn. Let me know how you make out.

Healthy carb balance is around 80 to 120 grams similar to Protein intake. You need the carbs to burn for energy to allow the protein to be processed by the body for muscles and nerves. Granted you get more calories from carbs but once you start exercising you will need the carbs to keep the weight loss from dropping to fast and burning your protein.