New Lap bander needing help and motivation

Hello there everyone, My name is Nycky and I live in the kansas City MO area. I had the lap band done on Dec 14, 2007 and I am having a lot of trouble with trying to eat. What I mean is.... Before having this surgery I was not a big eater. I just ate all the wrong stuff and I didn't eat often enough. Also I tend to be a bit of a picky eater, only seem to like certain things and then eat them to death.  Now that I have had the surgery done I am still having a bit of trouble with trying to eat more often. I  have never been much of a breakfast person, and to be quite honest my work and school schedule really don't allow me a lot of time to prepare anything to eat in a hurry. I currently work 2 full time jobs and attend College full time also. (I know its crazy but it is my current reality) I tend to only REALLY eat when I go to my evening job at 9 pm that is when I usually get a full meal. Now that I have had the procedure done I am having a really hard time with finding the time to do this properly. I would really love some suggestions that might be able to help me. I just had my second fill done and honestly I have only lost about 9-10 lbs since the surgery,  I know that is not good as the majority of that was the 1st month during the adjustment phase following the surgery.  Please help..... I want to be able to have really great results but I almost don't really know where to start.  I was looking at a lot of the before and after photos, talk about inspiration. What is the best way to get a good jump start on this thing. HELPPPPPP!!!!!  I want to be one of the success stories not the failures.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Nycky

Nycky just wanted to welcome you to the board. Im sorry i dont have the slightest idea about the lap band, I had the RNY in O6  but like i said welcome and im sure there is someone on here that can help you ....

Nycky, One of the keys to success with the lap band is to consume the equivalent of three meals a day.  We all have very busy schedules, not as busy as your's sounds, but to be successful we have to feed the body both protein and plenty of water which boost the metabolism.  Here is what I do.  I start my morning with my one cup of decaf coffee, a glass of water, and a protein shake.  I drink all of this between 5:00 - 6:00 a.m. while I am getting ready for work.  Then starting about 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. I try to drink another 24 to 32 ounces of water.  At 10:30 a.m. I eat my lunch and at about 12:00 I start back to drinking water again.  I will normally drink 16 ounces while conversing with my coworkers as they eat their lunch.  I am not tempted knowing I cannot eat as long as I am drinking water.  If I am hungery at around 2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. I will eat a protein bar (low carbs).  I get off at 4:00 p.m. so it is time to go to the fitness center for the daily workout which I do both weight training and cardio on alternating days.  I drink sips of water during my workouts consuming approximately 20 ounces during the hour to hour and 20 minutes.  Then it is dinner at about 6:00 p.m. with the last of my water for the day consumed after 7:00 p.m. I put my daily routine as specific as I can to illustrate that we have to plan and we have to plan around our activities.  I am not always successful at keeping to the plan because I am not always in control of my schedule.  However, because I hav a plan, I can adjust where I need to and avoid getting beyond hunger because that is when I tend to eat too fast and do not chew my food as well, or I don't get in enough water for the day. I find it is hard for me to eat a solid breakfast that is why I drink a protein shake.  It also helps get the days fluid intake started early.  Here is my protein shake recipe: 1 cup soy milk (you can use regular skim milk) 1 cup of water 2 scoops of protein powder (I use EAS Vanilla or Chocolate from Sam's Club) 1 1/2 tablespoons of Peanut Butter Fruit (Either 1 banana, a cup on frozen mixed fruit, 5 frozen strawberries, or a cup of frozen mixed berries)  Frozen fruit from Sam's Club Blend well. You can make it thicker by adding 3 or 4 ice cubes.  If you use the Vanilla, you can change the flavor by adding a teaspoon of SF Pudding Mix.  One of my favorites when I use the frozen strawberries is to add SF Cheesecake Pudding Mix. Lunch ideas:      Slices deli meat, 1 or 2 slices and string cheese.      A boiled egg and string cheese.      Egg Salad      Tuna Salad Then for dinner, I eat a variety of things.  The meat is usually chicken, fish, steak, or ground beef.  Then some type of vegetable like broccoli, green beans, black beans, refried beans or cauliflour.  I have found other types of beans, peas and carrots are hard for me to eat.  On occassion I might have some mixed fruit instead of a vegetable. Sorry this reply is so long.  I just wanted to try to give you a good snap shoot of what I have made my daily meal routine since surgery on July 2, 2007.  I am down 84 pounds since beginning my journey.  Best wishes on your journey and welcome to the boards.  Let me know if I can help in the future. Blessings, Bill

Hi there Bill, Thank you so much for taking the time to respond so thoroughly to my questions. I really needed that to get some idea as to how I can get more on track with this tool. I really want to have good results as I have seem quite a few people get the surgery done and not have the best result because of not following the plan. I am trying but again my schedule makes it increasingly harder to do what I should be. I however am motivated to get things under control and on track. Thank you again for sharing your typical day so that I can find a little motivation to get me on track also.  Nycky

Bill,    I welcome you to the support group also.  We could also use your insight.  Colette

Nycky,    Why dont you come to our support group meeting tomorrow nite.  We have one other bandster that comes.  Colette

Nycky, Why don't you post this on the lap-band forum? It sounds like you have a really crazy schedule.  The best advice I can give you is to plan, plan, plan.  I know it probably seems like you don't have time to do that, but you're going to have to make time in order to succeed with the band.  Without a plan for eating each day, you are less likely to make good food choices and control your portions.  Always carry a protein bar and water with you.  Another portable meal is one of those mini tuna salad kits with crackers or 1-2 sticks of string cheese.  Instant weight control oatmeal (high protein, high fiber) made w/ skim milk is a quick & filling breakfast.  If your band is tight in the morning, do a protein shake made w/ skim milk. I suggest that you log your food every day.  I use software I bought at dietorganizer.com but you can do it for free at fitday, thedailyplate, calorieking, etc.  Every morning I plan what I'm going to eat for the day and log it (and my exercise) into dietorganizer.  I eat 3 small meals and 3 small snacks for a total of 900-1000 calories/day.  I try to make my meals 35% protein, 35% complex carbs (no bread or pasta and nothing made of white flour or sugar), and 30% fat. Also, are you able to work some exercise into your daily routine?  It really does help with weight loss and I find it gives me more energy. Jean

Hey there, not from MO, but can offer a few suggestions that I've tried... breakfast?  I have lowfat yogurt almost every morning.  Lunch on the go?  try pintos and cheese from taco bell.

Hey there I see you had your band for about a week more than me, but you seem to have had substantial weight loss. What are you doing, to make it easier to stick to this. And Congrats on the weight loss. Nycky

Nycky, definitely come visit the lap band forum for help!  You're not alone. Lori