By that I mean are you guys following any programs while having the band. This week when I weighed in I have gained back 4 pounds. Which is weird I thought that I was doing good. My mom said I am looking thinner but I would think if I was looking thinner it would be less swelling but shouldn't that have been gone by now? I don't know but I was wondering if anyone could suggest a program to stay on while working with the band. I am one of those people that to be told you can only eat these things and these times. I don't like having choices in food because I will go for what ever tastes best and usually that has the most calories. So if anyone could suggest something. By the way my mom did the NutriSystem and I tried the food and didn't like it at all. Oh and since I am starting Senior High this year I don't want to bring my lunch to school so what would you suggest in helping with choosing the best school lunch? Thanks guys

Well for one thing...ice cream is OUT. (dammit)

Just because you have the band does not mean you can eat whatever tastes good! I could eat ice cream and crackers all day without restriction.

Basically I am keeping under 1200 calories and working out (elliptical & walking) everyday. AFTER I reach my goal I'll add cals, but for now it's still a "diet" for me.

If you really need to follow a program--use any of them... Weight Watchers, Bob Green's, Atkins, Jenny Craig, South Beach, whatever, they all work. (I oughta know, I've been on them all.) Remember the band is JUST A TOOL. It will help you on any of these programs. Just eat the solid Proteins first.

I've thought and thought about a band and decided no and then decided yes, and at the moment I'm thinking about it seriously again. I've lost some weight on my own but its getting harder and harder like it always does.

I like the Weight Watchers program, not sure if the Australian version differs significantly, but I like counting points rather than calories and of course I can do it in my sleep.

Two things I'm determined to stick by are: if I decide to go through with this, no last supper mentality, I will stick with my weight watchers program. I'm a low BMI patient and one surgeon told me if I lost significant weight between now and surgery he wouldnt do me but another surgeon has told me that's garbage, so I know who's opinion I'd take on that one. I want weight off by Christmas even if I dont have the surgery till November!

And secondly during that healing phase if I have the surgery, before the first fill, I will continue to count points not push it to see how much I can eat. I know that time is for healing but I absolutely cannot see why you have to eat to capacity in that time, its a brief time in the process where the focus is on getting better, but I'm still going to count points. I find it relatively easy early on to be disciplined in my eating and losing weight, its keeping going after five or six weeks that I find hard.

So short answer - weight watchers. Sensible and easy.

Justbeingme,

I thought it might be helpful to be more specific with you. Do you need a lot of variety? Luckily, I do not. If I were you I would come up with my own food plan using what is available. Just make sure you stick under a certain calorie count. If you're a young person I think 1500 cals per day would probably be good for you. Add exercise and you should lose steadily. Total everything you can think of up and so you know whether to chose a bannana or an apple for fruit. Some vegtables I consider "free" (lettuce, spinach, carrots, aspar, green Beans, celery) and don't even add them to my calorie count. None of us got fat on spinach.

I begin my lunch or dinner with either chicken, turkey, tuna or salmon. I practially live on Trader Joe's canned salmon. That's where you get your restriction--and the Protein is best for appetite abatement.

Good luck to you!

Hard proteins like fish, chicken, turkey, beef. I still like variety, but if I want to lose weight, my variety has to change from burgers, pizza, ice cream to fish, chicken, eggs, beans then veggies and anything else if i still have room. I tend to live on boiled eggs, tuna, chili, chicken, crabcakes when I'm in the losing mode.. when I'm not, I'm falling back into the behaviors that got me here in the first place.

It's going to be really hard to find something at school worth eating while you are trying to lose weight. Do they have salads available to you? That would be best. I remember being in school having Arby's Sandwiches, Taco Bell, Ice Cream, Burgers and other junk available, with not much on the healthy side. You might consider throwing a protien barin your bag every day and buying salad for lunch and having that. I dont' follow any specific 'program', but I count calories and have to stay below 1300 to lose (I'm 23).

Hi Just Being You: I just want to compliment you on taking such a brave step for your health and happiness at 14 years old! I am a psychologist (I was just banded 2 weeks ago, so I'm new at this), and I work with a 15 year old girl that has lost 100 lbs. from 8th - 9th grade. She's now in 10th grade and weighs 110 lbs. Not that you should end up at 110, but it is inspirational. She learned a great deal of weight loss skills from going to weight loss camp during the summer for 2 years (I know summer is over now - but you could consider it for next summer), and she wants to go back next summer, even though she's maintaining her weight loss because camp was so helpful and fun.

She is also working with a nutritionist, but has fallen into traps such as not eating Breakfast or lunch, then being too hungry after school. Have you thought about going back to your nutritionist who could try to really look at your lifestyle and taylor a program (food and exercise) for you that would fit in with school? A nutritionist could also give you the more strict guidelines that you said you do better with.

Bringing a lunch doesn't have to be a big deal of course - like someone else mentioned, throw a power bar in your bag or a yogurt or smoothie. If you really don't want to take a lunch, check out www.calorieking.com where you can look up the calories for any food, including fast food.

Since this is a whole-life change, I suggest that you take the time and effort to work with a nutritionist to help you find something that really works and will keep you on track! I'm sure that things will also be different after your first fill. Have a great school year - you'll be changing a lot this year and people will really begin to notice (which can be cool, but maybe also a little scary). Good Luck!

Hi justbeingme,

I also had my surgery with Dr. Ortiz, Dr. Martinez told me I do not need to be on a specific diet, it would be hard to stick with just like it always was thats why I got the band. When you get the right restriction for your body you will not be able to eat that much, do what dr. Miranda said, Protein first,vegi's second, fruits third and carbs fourth also some healthy fats and it should total about a third of what you used to eat. If you have more questions call Dr. Miranda she has been very helpful to me.

You really have to give yourself time. I am having trouble with getting tired of the same stuff. I was banded Aug.24th. So, it's all new. But you will do better after a fill maybe...