I need some help from realize band alumni!!

 I am nearly 3 weeks post op from lap band surgery.  I am having a very hard time sticking to what I am supposed too.  I must have healed quickly because I don't seem to have a problem eating ANYTHING!!!  What should I be having right now?  I had low sugar oatmeal for breakfast.  Lunch I had eggsalad on air (lol) and a low fat no sugar rice pudding.  Dinner I had regular food but small portions and a weigh****cher fudgesicle.  Am I eating too much?  Should I stick to shakes.  I've gained 3.5 lbs back of the 25 I've lost and I am scared to death.  Please give me some luv and advice all you successful people that I know are out there.  I need you!!!

Carrie

Hey I'm 3 months out and can eat more than you do...lol. I have absolutely no restricition yet. I started eating solids again at about 2 weeks out because I was seriously starving to death. And I could eat the same amount I did before surgery. What you ate seems to be pretty healthy...when you say I had regular food? what does that consist of exactly? I mean my daily intake is typically a granola bar or special K bar for breakfast with lots of water...I try to get my water in first thing..then a mid day snack a pudding...then lunch maybe a tuna wrap made with half of a wheat tortilla...then evening snack another pudding or maybe some wheat crakers...then dinner I usually have maybe some fish with green beans or something a long the lines of that...lol. I would just suggest make sure you are drinking lots and lots of water...for the 1st couple of months I wasn't drinking water at all and I noticed that it seemed to be slowing things down a bit. Also what type of beverages do you normally drink? A lot of people don't think about those when they go through what they drank/ate that day. Just be patient the first couple months will be the hardest..I hope this helps! 

Hi Ashley.  Well, it hasn't all been healthy let me tell you.  I've hit Mcdonalds a couple of times for chicken nuggets but I think I am getting past that bit of rebellion, lol.  I am not getting enough water in or protein.  Today my plan is to have 1 protein shake at 8am (which I did) a low fat granola bar at 10, another shake at 12 and at 2 another protein bar and I plan to have some kind of fish or shrimp with a veggie for dinner.  I am drinking mostly water and some sugar free drinks here and there.

Thanks for the advice!

Carrie

Sounds like you are eating a lot of carbs.  I would be careful of that.  My NUT only wants me to have 60 gms. max for the entire day and probably less for women.  Try some chili made with lean meat (4% fat) or ground turkey.  Are you taking 20 minutes to eat?  Are you putting your fork and spoon down in between every bite?  Are you chewing until everything is mush?  You will have to do all these things when your restriction is right or you'll be stuck and in pain all the time.  Hope you are successful!  Good luck.  Greg

First you need to remember when the install the band, it's empty. You may feel no restriction until a fill (or 2 or 3 or ...).

What you need to remember, is the band is only a tool. So you need to watch what you are eating. If you stick to the guidelines your Doctor gave you (and hopefully they did), then you should be ok. But if you're off track, and eating things you shouldn't, then you can/will gain weight.

For me, I knew if I ate only 4 ounces of protein, I didn't feel full. However if I ate 6 ounces, I did. I spoke to my Doctor about this, and he said that those amounts are just "approximations". Some folks will feel full on 2 ounces, and others on 6. - NOW REMEMBER THIS WAS BETWEEN ME AND MY DOCTOR - CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE UPPING YOU PROTEIN INTAKE

My NUT has me doing 4oz breakfast  & Lunch- at least 2 being protein, and dinner 6 oz of  4 oz is protien. 2 glasses of milk thru out the day and i can also have 2 snacks (which i haven't needed yet). I personaly find that the higher the protein breakfast the better i feel all day long. Call your NUT they may be able to help you adjust, thats what mine did for me last week - I needed more fruits/veggies in my life i missed them

You are in the hardest phase of the process.  You have no restriction so right now it is all on you and it is tough.  Just about anything can slide through especiall high calorie treats.  Stick to the protein and drink, drink, drink.  I know what you are going through and it is not easy.  It has taken me several fills to feel any restriction and it has been hard but so worth it.  Just think of how good you will feel!

It's hard work but look how far you've come.  I look back on the last nine months and I am amazed that  I have come this far.  It' been hard work but it feels good to work hard.  Once you start getting fills it will get easier.

Don't forget to start moving as soon as you are cleared to do so!  It will make the difference in how you look and feel. 

Junk food slides down much easier than healthy food and is much easier to eat.  I am struggling right now wtih nightime snacking and it is completely stressing me out.  It's not a magic tool but it is a tool that will work for you. 

Don't give up you can do it!!!!!

I purchased  some ISOPURE drinks from Vitamin world today.  These are wonderful..  40 g protien, 0 carbs, 0 fat...just a suggestion.  Nice refreshing break, much better than shakes.  I had Apple Watermelon...