jhawkchick75

There are ways to make pizza healthy and very good! I can still do thin crust and of course pile on the veggies and what not. This is the real world, and pizza might have to be involved sometimes and that is OK. I still have pizza, fast food, etc...but I just try to not make it a habit and have it too frequently.

As i've said before, this is the hardest and easiest thing i've ever done in my life. The mental hunger is by far the hardest thing to deal with for me. Also, now that I can't eat any breads (can still do tortillias) I crave them even more. It is tough because you cannot physically eat as much, but it is up to you to make good decisions on what you eat. Since you get so little, you need to make good decisions. Also, there are ways to "eat around the band" as they say. So it is definitely willpower on your part to follow the rules and do the right thing. So it does take a lot of willpower on your end - this is not an easy fix - it is just a tool. Oh, and another thing that is tough is the eating and drinking. My friends and I like to go out and waiting 45-60 min before you can drink after eating is tough, especially if others don't know about your band. Everyone seems to notice that i'm not drinking while eating and so it's hard to explain.

I do the exact same thing where I have the food in my cheek and swallow small bites of it at a time. I just make sure it is chewed up really good. Some meats (especially steak) don't get as chewed up as I would like, but I still chew it like crazy.

I would definitely go on liquids for a couple days to be safe. My guess is you will be fine, people get sick it happens, but I wouldn't take any chances. I caught a bug on Sunday night and I did the same. That time of year...bleh!

Trust me, you will overpack! But try to keep it as small as possible. As everyone said, you will be just fine alone. The hotel has all the usual stuff, hairdryer, shampoo, etc....and also take as few clothes as possible. There is a thread on here somewhere that has suggestions on what to take, so look for that. Good luck!

For many folks, sometimes if you are too tight then protein shakes is all you can do. It shouldn't be your first choice, but you need to be getting that food in. For me in the mornings right now that and oatmeal are just about my only options. Also, I know for me after a really good workout I can't eat it makes my stomach hurt, but I think if I did a shake it wouldn't irritate my stomach. That is a great suggestion and i'm going to try that.

I've been told it's best if you do not eat anything before the fill. I usually try to get mine as early in the AM as possible.

I really think you will just have to listen to your body and if you start feeling tired or sore sit down and have a water or just relax. Don't push yourself. But you will know better than anyone if you are up for it.

Keep in mind, when you are on liquids you are not to be counting calories. Now, make sure you are really hungry and it's not thirst. They say many times when you think you are hungry you are actually thirsty, so drink some water and then see how you feel. If you are truly hungry, then have that soup or protein water. Also, keep in mind you can do the benefiber and things that dissolve in water. They work wonders! Hang in there! I've had two fills and my mental hunger increases with each one. It's something we have to deal with or no matter how many fills you have it won't go away. I also have the issue where as they day goes on my hunger increases. I've been told many people's bands are tightest in the morning and loosen up as the day goes on. I definitely think that is what happens to me. I have to force a protein shake in the am and then lunch is OK, but after 3 I feel like I can eat anything! But at least i'm aware of it and that is the first step. Good luck!

That is really great to hear. I got sick this morning and i'm now taking it easy on the food. Did some soup for lunch.

I didn't gain it back, but I came to a screetching halt once I started on solids. Basically stayed the same until my first fill and my doctor said that was a good accomplishment. Before that first fill is tough, and even then I only lost 4lbs b/t my 1st and 2nd fill.

Eating too little can really hurt you. I went through a stint where I wasn't losing, and after counting my calories I realized that was my problem, so I upped my calories and the weight started coming off. Count those calories and do your best to get them in and see if that helps. You also might just be in one of those ugly plateaus we all love. They say those can last for months. Good luck!

That is awesome! I hope to do a 5K once I get in shape. Congrats that is a huge accomplishment!

Congratulations! That is a fantastic accomplishment!

Agree with Jude, if you are using more willpower than bandpower than you should get a fill. After my 1st fill, I still wasn't eating much, but I could eat anything. Now after my 2nd, I can't eat bread which is my weakness and i'm really glad I can't now. I did PB once, but after that I won't even try bread. That was enough for me! I completely agree that we need to be eating right and making good habits, but if it were that easy I wouldn't need the band.

Welcome! You can go to tickerfactory.com and just cut and paste the code into your signature. The one that is IMG. The signature stuff is under "my controls" up at the top right of the page. Good luck!

It has to be a decision everyone makes for themselves, but I know for me as long as I count it in my calories for the day and don't go overboard i'm OK. Now I would be cautious drinking before and after surgery - from what I understand it thins your blood and could cause issues. I also don't drink for a few days before or after a fill. Really haven't been told not to, but I want to make sure i'm totally healed. One thing that is really important to remember, we are eating so many fewer calories now so your tolerance will be in the toilet! In college, I could go toe to toe with just about any guy, but after the band it is a different story! So please take it slow you will be amazed at the difference. Remember, all those carbs and crappy greasy foods were helping soak that alcohol up!

I know it is easier said that done, but try not to focus on it so much. I was going to do a countdown, but I didn't because I needed to focus as little as possible and just try to get through it as quickly as possible. When I went back to work it was actually easier for me. It made the day go by faster and gave me less time to think about it. I am not gonna lie, it wasn't a cake walk. But it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Just make sure and really mix it up and don't have the same soup over and over. The 21 days goes by faster than you think. And it is also a huge confidence boost once you get through it - shows you that you CAN do this!!!

That is so fantastic! I need to get on there and see what would put me into the overweight category as well as normal. That is a great NSV!

I waited until I was on solids and then i've drank plenty of times and been OK. Just take it slow at first because your tolerance does a dive bomb! One night I drank a bit too much and was sick to my stomach the next day. Didn't get sick luckily. I really like vodka and cranberry, wine, and malibu and pineapple. Just remember to count those calories.

It is so amazing how fickle this dang band is! From moment to moment your level of restriction can change. I know there are things i've eaten 10 times, but for some reason that 11th time it gets stuck. Just recognize that tightness - as soon as I feel it that fork or whatever gets put down! I also put my fork down between each bite - not for a super long time, but just the act of putting it down makes me more mindful to take my time. I especially have to be careful when I am out with folks b/c I tent to talk and not pay attention to how fast i'm eating.

Agree, it's good to get your bloodwork done to make sure. But chances are it's just lack of nutrients, especially protein. I know it sounds odd, but when I work out I get more energy. Would think it would make me more tired, but it does just the opposite.

I had some of that too and the K2O water will help with that. As you get on creamy stuff it will help, but make sure you are getting your protein! I know I was really spacey at first.

i don't remember how many days into it I was, but after a while I was having gas out of both ends and it hasn't stopped! Before surgery I could not ever burp and now I can let them rip better than my dad and brothers!!! Hopefully that will happen for you all as well.

I am on BC too and a while after surgery (was probably a week or so) I began spotting. Not full on period, but enough to notice. I figured it was just my body going all whicky whacky from the change in diet and what not. Since that it has regulated back so i'm sure you will be fine.