PattyGirl66

Its funny, because even looking at this I don't see anything really mushy, except 3 items. I think I am going to have to use my best judgement and puree many of these foods. Do I agree with my Surgeon? Not on everything. Besides, this is the beauty of this site we can all share things like this. I would feel much safer eatting super mushy foods at this stage than trying to each salad or even crackers... Goes to show you different strokes for different folks, LOL

I found this topic to be rather interesting as I read, so I took out my handy dandy pamphlets my surgeon gave me and this is what "MY" surgeon recommends. *** Please Note this is what "my" Surgeon Recommends*** Stage 2 - Soft Diet (mushy stage) 3 meals a day plus one snack (stop taking the Protein supplement) No liquid with meals if soft food is included (you must wait at least 45mins for the pouch to empty before drinking) Chew well!! Eat Proteins first Examples: Fish: (tuna, white flakey fish) Egg whites or egg beaters boiled Beans fat free cottage cheese Cooked vegtables Mashed potatoes soft Pasta (well chewed) toast or crackers salad (finely chopped)

Blan, that must feel so good. How rewarding such minor things like this make a 'huge' difference in our lives. I can't wait to have NSV's.. -Patty

Okay, we all need to stop scratching our heads

MsDuran, you may be on to something.. I notice I shed much more in the warmer weather so I had to do some research. This is my findings... The reason as to why we lose hair during summer is because we sweat a lot during summer, the pores on the surface of the skin spread to release sweat. Our hair becomes weak at that time and is more prone to falling off. Along with hair loss you might also experience itching and irraitation of the scalp. This could make you scratch your head which could cause hair fall to get much worse. You all can read more about it here: http://haircosmetology.com/hair-loss-issue/experiencing-hair-fall-during-summer-season/

Tom, wonderful job there.. Congratulations on your weight loss success and of course helping with their journey

Cazzy, I am afraid of the measuring tape, lolololol

Magsgirl, I am right with ya!! same surgery date . I did start my pre-op Monday just 2 days early. I do not have to do the liquids so I lucked out big time! I am still aiming to lose another 10-15 pounds 'more' before my day. I am nervous as all, more anxious every day. I am glad I have this site to keep my mind a little occupied in the meantime. Keep in touch! -Patty

BTW I did ask my primary doctor before taking biotin pills, he said there is no problem taking them at all if I think it will make my hair grow ...he said go for it!

Amazing, and I love your before and after pictures. Truly a dramatic transformation in your weight loss!

Good question and honestly there really is no answer to that, maybe depending on how severe the hair loss to give it a start with a high dosage. I take 2500 because I shed (I am not banded yet). My girlfriend has no thyroid because she had thyroid cancer and they took the whole thyroid out and she has very little hair and takes the highest dosage there is. The weird thing is she said after she started taking the biotin pills she got back a lot of energy she didn't have before. It could be mind over matter but either way the higher dosage as the lower dosage will not hurt you, and she is on tons of medications and I am on high blood pressure meds and can take this. I guess start out with a lower dosage just to see if you can tell a difference, if anything your nails will grow like weeds.....

Its a super tiny gel pill you will have no problem at all with swallowing these...

Donna, thank you so much I needed to hear that !

hahahaha, that was funny! after falling off the bowl I would of probably fell on the floor laughing. So, this is what goes on in the mens room

ohhh I am sooo sorry to hear about this. That is very scary! Did the doctor give you an explanation for this??? since you went down in the office?

sipping is going to be a big challenge for me once I am banded. I am sooo worried I am going to screw this up! I already went out and purchased the little 3 ounce plastic cups so I measure everything. I am a gulper and drink tons of Water now (over a gallon a day). but I don't drink anything else, no coffee, or tea. nothing but water. ohh and the waiting to drink after eatting, I have NOOO clue how I am going to do this. I try doing it now to test myself, and i only last 5 minutes. blah!

I really hope when I get banded I don't have problems with fruit because I really do enjoy eatting all of them. Either way I am going to try to incorporate it in my lifestyle after being banded. Even if I have to make smoothies out of it, LOL

Hi Awkard, I am not banded but I have the same systems as you (without vomiting of course) I occassionaly get reflux without heartburn. I notice certain foods trigger it. It varies and I am just noting it down as I find out what does. My favorite things to eat like garlic, onions, and peppers. Almost all sugary foods, dairy, and even yogurts. I have told my primary doctor about this and he gave me prevacid to take. The previcid didn't work, but what did beleive it or not was the Walgreen's brand called Wal-Zan. I guess its their generic brand to Zantac.(its a super tiny pill) I take it right before I go to bed and I am fine. Some doctors swear on taking the acid reducers first thing in the morning before you eat anything. Have you noticed the reflux when eatting something? Have you been eatting anything different lately? Have you been eatting more than usual? I am sorry I think someone banded can be of more help to you, but I figure I shares some of my findings... Best of luck, I am sure you will find an answer soon, -Patty

OMG, my nails grow sooooo fast!

You can find Biotin pills Just about anywhere just to name a few: Walgreens, Walmart, CVS, Rite Aid....

Congratulations on your weight loss! That is a big accomplishment, you should be very proud of yourself. Keep up the good work!

Take Biotin pills. I am not banded yet but my hair is also stringy straight thin. before I took the biotin I was shedding all over the house. Not in clumps, but I could sweep my hair in a little ball off from the floor. I started taking Biotin in March of this year and noticed a difference already. Less shedding, I did cut about 7 inches off my hair and had it cut in 3 layers to make it look full. It has grown back since I had my cut in March. I had very long hair almost down to the middle of my back. I don't think my head could handle the pulling anymore. The longer our hair is it does pull on the scalp. Also, remember it is temporary and don't stress about it, it will only make it worse the stress. PS: I am not sure what hair dye product you use, but I use Natural Hair Instincts, have for about 5 years now. I usually do touch ups on my greys around my ears. Its a rinse and washes out about 30 shampoos. It gives my hair a nice shiny healthy look without drying up my hair. Oh, shampooing frequently a lot is not good. Believe it or not we need the natural oils in our hair to keep our scalp healthy. If you swim in chlorine Water make sure you use a shampoo and conditioner specifically for that. Hope that was helpful

Hi, I have done a lot of reading on here and never seen anyone post about Protein Bars. Maybe they did and I just can't find it. Can or are we allowed to eat these sometime after surgery when we are far from the solid stages as a protein supplement instead of depending on 'drinking' our protein all the time. I found a box of Pure Protein Bars "Smores" that is 180 calories, 2 grams of sugar, no trans fat, and 19 grams of Protein for 1 bar. Sounds good to me, but I wanted to just make sure that this is something that doesn't get stuck or will hurt the band. Any advice, -Patty

I know that feeling too! I can't wait to be out of the 300 mark...

Best of luck!!! keep yourself busy and occupied.