Can anyone help me with some questions

I am 8 weeks post surgery (lap band) and I think I am eating too much. I am always hungry and find that I can eat things like roasted peanuts and Cheez-It crackers. I have been keeping to the 1 serving size of whatever I eat, but I thought I shouldn't be able to eat that stuff. I am also trying to get my protein in by eating lots of cheese, but am I just adding calories by adding cheese to my egg beaters and grits? I am down about 35 lbs since surgery, but I have stopped losing. Does it get better after I have had my first band fill? I appreciate anyone who can givew me a little insight. Thanks.

Hello!!! Congrats on your surgery! I had RNY so I am probably not the best to be giving you advice for what you should and should not be eating etc. ( actually best person is your NUT or surgeon might give them a call) but I know for me that the roasted nuts and the cheez its would be out of my diet for sure fast. The sodium alone in those is ACK super high and just promotes water retention. Not to mention there is almost nothing nutritionally of any value in a Cheez it no matter how yummy they are. Where you given a nutritional plan when you had your surgery? I know for us we can have the cheese but you do want to watch how much of it and what type. It is high in fats ( depending on what you are eating) and can pack on the carbs if you are not careful with the amount you are eating. My best advice ( again NOT knowing what lap banders are allowed to eat ok ) is get back into eating protein first then everything else. Stop eating or at least slow down on the "snacks" that you have been eating and maybe pick up some higher protein snacks instead. Don't know if that was any help but I wish you the best of luck!!! Might also try the lap band forum to see if someone there can help you to ok!! *huggles* Felicia =)

Felicia, thanks. I didn't realize that (though I should have) that I may be retaining water from the salty snacks. I will have to call the nutrionist because I think I'm snacking because I always seem to be hungry...I hope the hunger gets better when I have my first fill.

Your welcome!! Best of luck to you!! *hugs* Felicia =)

Hi - I had RNY, but I think dietary advice is pretty universal, so here is my 2 cents For one, I would cut out/reduce the snacks becasue they don't really have much nutritional value to them and they have a lot of carbs and fat. Instead of eating Cheez-Its, try eating low fat deli slices (my personal fav is Healthy Choice turkey) or hardboiled egg whites. I eat an egg white everyday as either a snack or mis it in veggies / salad, etc. As far as the cheese, I used to eat quite a bit too, but not only does it add a lot of calories, but it adds A LOT of fat. I didn't realize exactly how much fat until I started tracking it, and I was really suprised. I buy light string cheese which has a lower fat content and 9g of protein and only eat it a few times a week. Also, I eat chicken everyday. It is lean and has lots of protien in it, so I would try to at least eat one piece of high protein lean meat a day, of tofu if you are a vegetarian. Another suggestion is to buy Red Star nutritional yeast. It has 9g of protein per serving, a ton of other vital nutrients and you can mix it into any food like egg, grits, soups, etc. It has a cheesy, very slight salt flavor to it. Its pretty inexpensive too... mabe $3.50 for a can the size of a parmesan cheese shaker. I hope that helps a little!