readytogoforit

you sound like you are starving yourself. I am supposed to have 1/2 cup per each meal (total). keep sipping any liquid between meals. try SF popsicles, diluted low sugar juice, caffeine free tea, or of course Water. keep track of each liquid you drink on a piece of paper, that way you will know how you're progressing as the day goes along.if the body goes starvation mode it devours the muscle as well as the fat, obviously you don't want that to happen. Call you doc to get a plan to follow, they should have given you something to begin with but..... I don't like when these docs leave you hanging out here with no support planned???there are liquid multi Vitamins that really taste fine. at this stage of the game you are trying to get to a point where food is comfortable and nutritious for you. keep us informed how your eating and drinking is progressing.

sounds good, will try it!

I don't know what brand protein shake you used? they are definitely different. I would recommend you go to a vitamin store/Whole Foods Grocery where the employees are educated about the products they sell. try to get stevia as the sugar substitute. all of the ingredients involved make a difference with taste and nutritional values. I was taught that whey protein is the best for our body, get one with low carbs, high protein, low sodium etc. I know it must sound like a lot of work to find this product but aren't you worth it ? ? ? I use Jay Robb - like chocolate best; total 32 grams protein with soy milk. I know I have seen many people post many shakes that they love. this will definitely give you lots of protein and good weight loss. Crystal light? I drink it all tge time Nd I'm always tired :/ was banded 10/15/11. Its basically the only drink other than water that I can tolerate. Having trouble getting protein drinks in. Guess tge 2 week liquid preop got me sick of it. Any ideas or suggestions?

I wonder about my carbs total. I will ask the nutritionist, the rest doesn't confuse me. I've started exercising & that has made such a big difference. my place measures my body each month! it has been fun to see the inches go, go, go!! we need to keep our bodies tight as the lbs. melt away.

I was banded on the 28th. the pain has been bad. I agree, the heating pad helps. I walk and that helps too. have been taking pain medications & that works best. hope it won't last much longer.

sorry you had the dry heaves. that must have been horrible! hope you are starting to feel better. keep sipping the liquids, got to keep hydrated

had my surgery on Friday, the 28th. feeling pretty good but the shoulder pain is bad. been using heat,warm tea & drugs. sure is hard to move on & off the bed! hospital stay was bad, exhausting...they woke so much and when they weren't in the room they were so noisy. glad to be home. I am walking 1/2 hr. at a time, it helps with everything. none of these things were a surprise with all info I've learned! it really did help.

have you found another brand of protein to try? they really do taste different. if you can go to a reputable health foods store or vitamin shoppe so they can help with questions. the protein makes such a difference on weight loss. it's hard to get 50 - 60 grams with the food we can eat. sipping liquids will help with the hunger part. keep going, you know you are on the right path!!!

I am ONE day away form my surgery!!! I feel good, I feel ready. I am so happy to have come to this forum b4 the surgery. I have received such good advise and agreed with many when they felt discouraged. I hope to let you know how it all went by Saturday. I wish I didn't have to wait so long to get back into exercise, it has been such a God send for getting me ready. I have not been able to look at myself in the mirror(other than my face) for so long! Wish me luck, hope the pain is minimal. I'm kind of a wimp in that regard!!

this recipe sounds good, look forward to trying it. thank you! 1 whole head of garlic 2 shallots 1-2 T olive oil for sautee 1 small sandwich baguette, cubed 1/4-1/2 c parmesean cheese 3 c chicken broth/stock (you can substitute 1/2 cup with white wine for added kick if you like) 1/2 c fage plain yogurt sautee garlic and shallots slowly in oil until carmelized. Add stock and bring to boil. Lower heat and add bread. Cook until the bread is soft and mushy. Remove from heat. Add yogurt and cheese. Dump in blender or food processor and blend until creamy. This tastes so good and is great for boosting your immunity.

thanks for the great advise. I worry about getting enough protein! I am about 1 week 'til my surgery. glad to have so much advise. there's some yummy things you can do with cottage cheese. I add a scoop to my protein shake, makes it super thick. I add a 1/2 cup to my s/f/free pudding. You can add it to soup, put it in a blender with a cup of the soup and puree it and add back to the soup. You can add it to casserols. You can puree it with some splenda and a few drops of flavoring like what ever, chochlate and use it to dip fruit in.

I agree it is probably a scare tactic. just keep in mind that the more you lose before surgery the better. you will be so happy with yourself. stick to the things he has told you to eat, don't cheat. YOU CAN DO THIS !!!! You can do anything and this is the beginning. best of luck, keep communicating it will really help!quote name='Kellysue' timestamp='1318623908' post='1674146'] OK I know this may be a dumb question, but I start my liver shrinking diet on Sunday and am so scared my liver won't shrink. My doctor said if he gets in there and it's not, he will sew me up and send me home! That's my biggest fear!

I have used pure almond also. great calorie numbers. I think the Doc off. was talking about the combined calories. Another tasty brand is jay robb whey Protein. whey is one of the best Proteins. $34.99 240z. bottle 23 servings. 110 calories 1gm carb. 25 gm protein 0gm cholesterol ogm fat. I really like the taste and get it a the Vitamin shoppe. keep in mind that the artificial sugar should not be aspartame, no sucralose. the people at the store I go to have really done their homework and I appreciate that.

good to watch your weight loss. you seem very calm and content. that is who I want to be! I didn't get to this weight yesterday and I want to remember that I won't get to my goal weight tomorrow! the goal is health for me. thanks for your "down to earth" replies.

the more you lose the easier it will be at surgery time. remember we will lose between 40 and 60% of our body weight with the band. getting started b4 will get your mind in the right place for the changes and give you a head start. ask lots of questions of your Doc, his nurse, the nutritionist. they all have great information. good luck!!! this is probably the best thing I have ever done for myself!!

addiction is addiction, I am a recovering alcoholic of 29 yrs. we (alcoholics) tend to trade one addiction for another. when we remember we are not the master of all we can succeed. we need to believe in a higher power to find success. we have to remember that many people want to do this surgery and for many reasons, don't. instead of hate think love. you don't have to say anything to them, just think a positive thought for them. you never know, it could work. it has for me. I know that if I feel hate (or even strong dislike) for another person, I set myself up for failure, because of the guilt. keep doing what your doc tells you to do, tell the people you know will support you, take it one day at a time. our health is the most important thing. we want to live and feel that health for a long time!

with God on our side we will make it. he will give us the strength to do anything on day at a time

you will make it, it's just a couple of days away. now that the gas has subsided your concentration level will be better. hard to concentrate when you feel so horrible. hang in there!

glad you have found the site. quit lurking and get into the conversations. success is happening here, keep up the great work.

I love it when people support each other by being honest. we have all lied to ourselves, sometimes for years! I want tough love. I want my health back, I deserve it and so do you!! Thanks for sharing so honestly.. keep coming back.

Good for you, great to get such a nice start b4your surgery!! Keep up the great journey.

Wow, that must feel really great! Don't you find it amazing that we can follow what the doc tells us to do. I mean I weighed 239 on July 25th, they told me to count calories. I am doing it and weigh 222 last Friday. Why did it take me so long to do this!!!!