dolphintattoo

I do track is MFP and am staying around 1000 -1200 calls a day although my Doc doesn't have a specific calorie range. I also measure all of my food, no more than 3oz of meat plus 1/4 cup of veggies or fruit per meal generally. My NUT diet has as an example, Greek yogurt for Breakfast, Protein shake for snack, 3oz tuna for lunch, Protein Shake snack, 3oz cottage cheese plus 1/4 cup no. Starch veggie for dinner. The Protein shakes are part of the NUT diet, she requires a min of 16oz per day in this phase. My exercise is moderately more than pre surgery, I haven't been wih my trainer since Nov (I buy 6 week sessions with her). As for weighing, it's a tool I use after years of weight related therapy I have learned for me, daily weigh ins are a must, as my therapist says, it keeps it in the forefront of my mind.

My husband and I work in what's called small group training at our Y. It's one trainer And between 2-4 other people. It runs for 6 weeks and we meet with the trainer once a week for the hour. She customizes the workout for the group but also individuals. We pay about $18 a week (purchased as a 6 week block). Much more affordable than one on one.

*For those of you who see doctor's that don't allow gum, just go ahead and skip this question instead of telling me that you are not allowed to have it, my doc has no issues with gum!!!! After eating, specifically because we can't drink, I need something to sort of clean my mouth, especially after a lunch like today, mushie tuna! I waited about a half hour, thankfully i had no meetings. Doc didn't mention waiting at all, just wondering if the excess saliva would speed digestion and hinter "fullness".

I use unflavored whey protein from GNC, I add it to soups, mashed potatoes, shakes, yogurt etc. it has a milky taste so I try to add it to things with an underlying milk taste so its more masked.

I have found my surgeons office has a large group of long term bandsters who are happy to offer advice and mentoring, he has done over 1000 bands and will tell you that many of the longer term patients no longer attend support groups or online chats because its just everyday life for them at this point. He has provided me with a mentor who has 5 years of band experience. I find most online groups are populated by those of us new to the experience, those with complications looking to "warn" others and those who really really love to talk about the Lapband!

I am in the Mushies stage as well and am finding it a challenge. After nearly a month of Protein shakes I am SO done with them and have to force myself to drink 1 a day. I do generally just mash up what the family is eating in the food processor (last night was taco seasoned chicken breast, guacomole, salsa and cheese) and eat that. I had been between 60-70g of protein but find my calories are creeping up, I was at 1100 yesterday which is more than I want so I need to cut out things like the cheese. I find myFitness pal a great resource for tracking everything. As for yogurt, I find the Yoplait to be a real waste of calories, it has far less protein than Fage, Chobani, Trader joes etc... It's also far more processed and has more "junk" in it. I would rather get 14g of protein vs the 7 or 9 the Yoplait has and feel full longer.

My doc keeps all patients overnight, not sure his specific reasoning but I know I could not have gone home the first 8 hours or so after surgery because I was pretty out of it. I went home the next morning following barium swallow and was ok for the ride home.

Soon2B that seems to happen if I eat a lot (as in a cup) or something that is harder to digest than I thought, so far Oatmeal does that for me.

My surgeon said it was fine as long as you felt ok with it, but the first 2 weeks I just took my pain meds and dozed off around 9pm each night!

that is when I turned the corner as well!

had my 2 week post op today and sad good bye to my frankenstein like staples and the OK to have mushies, chewing gum and even diet coke if I want (in small quantities). I feel like I am coming out of the shadows and re-entering the world of normalcy! Couldn't wait to get home and eat my pouch of Starkist Tuna. Mexican night tonight and I can't wait to puree my chicken and salsa!

ditto everyone else! Also keep up on the pain meds as directed by your doctor,they really helped with the pain.

more than 1 sip to clean your mouth out is too much according to my meeting with the PA today at post op.

I am 10 days post op and can't seem to get rid of this breath, I am brushing and rinsing. I suspect I need to drink more water, are you being sure to drink?

for those who have done mushies, what were your staples? I feel like scrambled eggs or tuna salad would be heavenly right now! I did have onion soup today and did not take the onions out which doesn't meet the all liquids rule but everything seems to have gone down ok. Realized this morning my post op appointment is Wed not Thursday which is 1 day closer to eating food again!

I can't wait to have a glass of red wine! Just a few sips would be great! I will be asking my doc at my follow up later this week what his guidelines are. He seems fine with alcohol in moderation with tracked calories etc... I am very thankful to have a doc who believes moderation is the key to success.

I add the extracts or instant coffee to them for flavor.

9 days post op and feeling trapped in the snow too. Day nine was better than day 4 I can say for sure!

Gosh the past day or so its really sore, I still have the bandages on (9 days post op) and there is no redness to make me think infection but I am pretty sure that big lump is the port and associated swelling. It's actually most sore next to the bandage (vs under) where the lump is. I assume this is what you are all taking about?

No noodles, pasta, or bread of any kind in my mushy phase

I am fine eating real whole food with protein but higher count shakes and adding it to anything seem I cause major problems that have me running for the bathroom. I seem to be able to do about 12g per meal (of powder or drink) before I have a problem. I am still in liquids and doc had me on immodium to stop the dehydration but I am finding its only a problem when its not from food directly.

No fluid in my band yet, earliest my doc does them is 6 weeks post op

It could be the lactose since it's whey protein I suppose, but I eat yogurt, cottege cheese etc... with no problems. I was thinking it could be the sucralose in some of the shakes, I don't really eat a lot fake sugars, but the whey protein powder has none. I just have to get through the next week and I can eat mushies for my protein!

thoughts for an uncomplicated procedure and speedy recovery!

wow one week out and I sort of feel normal again! The horrible hiccups that left me crippled over in pain are gone, I am pretty sure it was caused by hunger. I am pretty much eating/drinking something every few hours and can feel hunger (I do not have a fill in my band). Staples pull a little bit but not horrible and I didn't need meds to sleep last night. I am back to work Monday and I feel like it might be ok! Down 20lbs from pre-op at this point.