Hi Jennifer, Thank you so much for your kind words.  It's nice to knwo i'm not crazy, and there are other people that feel/felt this way (unless we're all crazy?!?) I am feeling much better today, sometimes it just builds up and i feel like screaming ya know?  Everyday is a new day, so i got to just keep trying and keep working and i know everything will be ok and it will get better.

I know it is hard!  My daughter was the same way.  She only eats meats and carbs, no veggies,  no fruit.  She wasn't a large child, but now she is 14 and weighs 188 lbs.  She plays sports, ..but she is also lazy and wants to lay in bed on the weekends.  She eats large amounts of food and does this not because she is hungry, but because she is bored. I am having surgery next month and I am getting ready to start my liquid pre-op diet.  She wants to do the diet with me.  I don't know if I should let her, but If she stuck to it, maybe should could lose a few pounds with me. I plan to have her exercise with me everyday to help get her where she needs to be. Please start with your daughter now.  I know it seems mean, but it's in her best interest. My doctor used to tell me, just offer the right foods at every meal and she will eventually eat it...she never did.  because with the veggies, I also offered the mac/cheese or mashed pototoes, etc.  quit cooking that stuff. only cook nutritious foods and then she will have to eat it. Good Luck. Debbie

                                                

YAY! I’m happy for you, good luck! I was 18 when I had gastric bypass. I know the band and bypass are very different but I was shocked that it didn’t hurt more, I mean of course there is some pain but it wasn’t bad at all. I was up walking the night of my surgery! With the bypass I lost 12 pounds the 1st week. I'm 8 months out and I’ve lost 117.5 so far.  Feel free to contact me with any questions Jennifer

I agree with Brok B., who makes some excellent suggestions. "Tough love" may be the best kind of love for our kids. One of the reason I want to have lap band surgery is so I can get more active. As I've gotten heavier and older, I don't do much besides walk to the car and office, and clean house, so my kids don't ride their bikes or do much, either. If I can't go do something physical, they don't want to do it. I used to swim with them and shoot hoops. As much as I appreciate that they want time with Mom, I want them outside shooting hoops. It sounds like you are having a contest of wills with your son, and he is learning to hate food as much as he loves it (something we can all relate to). He might enjoy carot sticks in fat=free ranch dressing, or apple slices with a little peanut butter. If he can make the salads, he might get creative, especially if the veggies are shredded into fine pieces. Jus****ch out for ingredients that pack on the pounds, like cheese. My son is 12 and really likes to cooks, and there are some great kids' cookbooks with healthy recipes. Maybe if he can help plan the meals and snacks, then help prepare them, he would feel like he has some control and is part of the solution.

Hi Lauren,
Thanks for the question about protein. When your weight loss is in full swing, you are essentially getting the needed energy for everyday living by burning your fat stores. So it is critical to take enough additional protein to avoid also burning your body's protein in the process. What we recommend is high quality lean protein with each meal for a total of approximately 60-80 grams per day. Our dieticians have given this alot of thought and initially recommend protein drinks consisting of 1 packet of sugar-free instant breakfast powder (such as carnation) with 2/3 cup skim milk and 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon of protein powder supplement are reasonable tasty. We lean toward Casec protein (calcium caseinate) or Resource Beneprotein (whey protein isolate) which provide 4 grams of protein per tablespoon. This can be used even later after surgery but is particularly good in the first few months.

Hope this helps!

tom inge