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Is it what you eat or how much?



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I got my lap band April 23rd, 2010. So far I've had 1 fill, 4cc's, and I've lost 22lbs.

So far I've basically been eating most of the same foods that I ate before the lap band, except for breads and meats that aren't ground (such as steak or pork chops) because those things get stuck and hurt me!

I think that I'm losing weight simply because I'm eating far less than I did before, and what I'm wondering is if anyone has had long term success this way....or am I just kidding myself?

I'm waiting for the idea of a nutritional, structured diet to kick in with me, but so far it hasn't. Before I got the lap band, I thought eating a healthy diet would be easy because I wouldn't be hungry...but I am still hungry. It doesn't take much to fill me up, but the craving for the "old" food is still there in a much bigger way than I thought it would be.

Will this pass? Am I still just getting used to this? That's the excuse I give myself...but I need to hear from others, because I don't know what is normal.

As I read on this forum, it seems like everyone is SOOO into the nutrition part of it all, and they always eat the right things and do exactly what their doctors tell them..and I wonder if they were like that from day 1 or if it took a while for the lifestyle change to really kick in.

I would appreciate any input on this, I want to really know what everyone's experience was in the first 3-6 months..

Thanks,

Debora

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In the end, its how much you eat.

You can be thin and eat a diet of only rubbish. But you wont be healthy. You know that.

I have lost weight eating pretty much what I ate before being banded, including some bread. But I didnt eat entirely rubbish - I ate a good healthy base diet and then shoved in a lot of sugary carb foods on top of that. I've personally never had much of a problem with junk foods like Mcdonalds and KFC, I've never overeaten them or craved them unduly. But muffins, cakes, biscuits, that's another story.

So yes, I cut out those foods for the most part, but I do still eat them on occasion. If I go out for dinner, I'm not going to piss fart around ordering sauces to the side and quizzing the staff about whether there's butter in something. I just have what I fancy, and I dont eat a lot of it.

But my basic, everyday diet, what I eat 90% of the time is healthy. Its healthy, but I really dont believe in low carb Atkins style diets. I do eat bread and cereals and I eat good amounts of Protein but not HIGH Protein. So again, the next person here will tell me diet contravenes all their rules and I'll never lose weight. But I did and kept it off - so it comes down to calories in/calories out, I think.

Post op, I did exactly what I was told to do and ate really healthy foods too. I actually find it really hard to understand how just after surgery you can not be so bouyed up by enthusiasm, hope and determination that you find this period difficult. I found it really very easy. The hard part of wanting bad foods again came a lot later on. But everyone's different I guess. After the post op period, my doc actually HAS no real rules, the m.o. here in Australia tends to be eating a very normal everyday diet but only a lot less of it. Its about integrating the band into normal life, not about a bunch of rules that really swaps overeating for a life of imposed rules.

Edited by Jachut

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I agree with Jaqui, I had surgery 4/7 for the first couple of months I followed everything to the letter as I was told, once the third month kicked it I talked to a couple of ladies who are banded and they made it clear the food that you love will always be there, just don't deprive yourself! So I don't I don't eat lots of sweets and cakes or anything else that is considered bad for you, but I do go out and have Parmesan chicken at Mimi's but I don't eat it all, I have three or four bites and I am full. If my daughters want some chocolate chip Cookies, I buy the tub which I can make 3 or 4 and I even have a spoon of the dough and have a cookie.

This is a learning tool and you will make mistakes just don't beat yourself up and look at the quantity that you eat.

Good Luck

Sandee

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One thing I keep thinking about with this "lifestyle change" I'm supposed to have is that if this was a change I was capable of making and sticking to..then I really wouldn't have needed the lap band. My doctor wants me on a diet very close to the Atkins low carb diet, and I know that works because I lost 50lbs on it once. However, if I had been able to stick to it as a lifestyle, I would have lost more and kept it all off.

They keep saying the lap band is a tool...but it's only a physical tool, not an emotional one. I guess I was thinking the emotional part would kick in at some point..I'm just wondering where that point is, and where it kicked in for those further down this road...

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It is definitely all calories in/out. I am huge on ensuring a well balanced meal and healthy meal. This does include eating complex carbohydrates, and vegetables. I never liked the idea of stuffing my belly on all meat and only having little or no room left for the food that creates good energy in me, and the food that keeps my insides running smooth - kwim?

Everyone needs a little wiggle room. I just personally try to avoid my triggers and sliders. :)

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Diva is right. It's 90% about calories in/calories out. There are little technicalities here and there though. For example, if you ate 1000 calories of just Protein or just carbs, you would have an edge up with the Protein because it takes a little more energy to burn protein. Also, you may stay a little fuller longer. HOWEVER, there are small outside factors that make one diet better than the other, like Jacqui, for example. She's a runner, so the higher carb diet will benefit her greater because you need to supply your stored glycogen for easy access and, in fact, I did that too when I was training for a sprint triathlon and it was better than when I started the program with a high protein diet.

All in all, though, it really doesn't matter which one you use. As long as you try to steer away from the processed stuff, aside from Protein powder, and try to keep your calories around 1000 or so, you're good.

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... or sodium ... I can't believe that amount of sodium is put in that stuff.

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Brad what an awesome post!! You hit the nail on the head with that one. I hope everyone on this site has the chance to read this.

This is the exact routine I am doing this time around. I have noticed my scale is going down ever so slowly but the inches are flying off. I'm looking more fit than ever and I'm only 3 weeks in.

Blessings!

PS, I'm going to sticky this thread. I think it has some wonderful information attached.

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Everyone's different. I think quality of food is important for health purposes, but for most people, how much is more important than what you eat.

However, for me, clean eating with a focus on lean Protein, veggies, legumes, heart-healthy fats, and fruits is what works. I've pared out grains for now for a couple of reasons: first, I have limited stomach space, and don't really meet my other nutritional needs when I include them, and secondly, I don't lose as well when they're part of my routine intake.

Does this mean I think carbs are bad? No. I think that ultimately I will be eating a diet that is well-balanced, and includes plenty of whole grains. I just haven't yet reached a place where I'm comfortable (physically, really) with them. During maintenance, the energy (and nutrients) they offer will allow me to keep up my activity level without continuing to lose.

You have to find what works for you. You're losing---so there's probably something to be said for the old adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." If you reach a point where you're not seeing the results you'd like, it might be worth journaling for a bit to see where you can tweak things to better meet your nutrient needs and/or spur loss.

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Brad, you nailed it. I back you 100%, man. Like in the other post, too, it drives me NUTS that some people don't understand that in order to see gains, you HAVE to push yourself. Your body is an adaptive machine. If it doesn't see a reason why it doesn't have to change, it won't.

Diva, I completely agree. I really hope that everyone gets a chance to read this. :unsure:

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I will second, or third, or whatever the number may be what Brad has said. You might loose weight with a sub 1000 calorie a day diet, but I doubt long term you are going to be happy with the results. You might end up thin (or at least thinner), but how do you feel? Whats your energy level like? Can you keep up with the kids despite the fact you are no longer carrying the weight?

Also agree that you have to push your body beyond whats comfortable.. If it doesn't hurt, your not doing it hard enough.

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What about fruits and vegetables?? I eat meat, meat, &more meat. And some carbs. But how do you get in the healthy stuff? Salsas?? I had coleslaw(3 bites) & I had the only pb bout I have had since I had WLS. Oh, & I eat pickles, but they are so salty. Suggestions?

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And I am allergic to nuts & eggs, so getting Protein is difficult.

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