I just dont stay full for long off of protein. I love chicken and can eat it all the time, same with fresh turkey meat from the deli, but they dont keep me full for long. I know we are "supposed" to stay away from carbs, but if I throw in a med sized potatoe and have that I am full, and for much much much longer. I tried talking to the dr about this and he was pretty ticked at me for eating carbs and yelled at me to talk to the nutritionist. I dont like talking to her since she is a "quack" and has no clue about anything! Insurance doesnt cover private visits with her either. I just dont like being yelled at by the dr, it's not like it's a Double Cheeseburger!

Edited June 5, 200917 yr by amberd910

Have you tried using other non starch veg with the protien? That may help but hang in there, I agree it is not a cardinal sin to have something other than protien, but maybe if you can find other healthier veg that work that might help.

I don't stay full on protein either. I usually also have a salad or some other vegetable, plus a little potatoes or pasta. We have to do what works for us. As long as we're still losing weight and not doing anything harmful, we're ok.

Well, we dont get told to do Protein first here. We are not told to avoid carbs.

I find exactly what you are saying. Protein doesnt fill me. Its so calorie dense that you can only afford to eat small serves of things like cheese and meat. I eat carbs. I eat Cereal for Breakfast, I eat sandwiches for lunch and THOSE are what fill me up and make my band work.

I only eat good quality, organic, wholegrain carbs. I dont eat rubbish. But I eat a carb based diet, I run for 40 minutes to an hour a day, I eat moderate protein (and thus moderate saturated fat), I avoid processed foods (anything that comes in a box!) and I dont worry about the healthy fats in nuts, avocadoes and fish. I dont do Protein shakes.

I am lucky that I can eat bread, not everyone can. But a sandwich of 2 slices of wholegrain bread, some tuna, some avocado and salad veges like lettuce, tomato, cucumber and sprouts - I can eat about 2/3 of it without the crusts and I will stay full for HOURS. A bit of tuna and salad and I'll be looking for food in an hour.

You CAN eat this way and lose weight. Most Australian bandsters do.

Amber - are you sure you don't go to my former doctor? I got the come to Jesus talk from him. Why should a medium baked potato be demonized? There is nothing wrong with some carbs in your diet. Use whole wheat and small portions and add some other veggies, including salads. Plus some fruit. I didn't get this band to be restricted to protein. My body doesn't need any more protein now than it did before I had the band and protein definitely does not keep me from being hungry. Like you, adding some carb does. A variety of healthy foods should be promoted. Not just one food group. Isn't that what the medical community keeps saying over and over again - more veggies, fruits, whole grains? I don't think a lot of these doctors know much about the after care of banding and even less about nutrition. Which is why my first doctor is now my former doctor. Hang in there.

You say you run. How long did it take you to get to that point after your surgery? Were you always a runner? Or is it something you had to build up to? Any tips?

I have not been banded yet. I am still going through the insurance hoops.

Well, I've always been somewhat athletic. I did used to run quite regularly at around age 18-20, and I've always liked exercise.

I started up again about 3 months after surgery and just started out slowly. I found having fun runs to train for really motivated me to push to run that bit further.