ArtM

Hopeful, Sounds like your doing great on your own, even if you don't feel a lot of restriction. I was banded on June 10th. I'm down about 49 lbs. I'm still not in the green zone with two fills so far. My next fill is on nov 6th. A lot of the loss is me changing my eating habits. But I can feel I'm eating less than before thanks to the band. You may be the same as me. Just guessing.

I love the premier protein shakes. I add 1 oz of frozen fruit, like strawberries, raspberries, etc. some flax seed and a little ice and blend it up. Quick and easy.

The Grand Poohba of the Order of the Water Buffalo! Wasn't that from the Flintstones? . Off on a tangent.

Doing great. My surgery was June 10th, 2013. I've had two fills since. I don't think I'm in the green zone just yet, but it's definitely helping. Losing slowly, but still losing. I've lost ~45 lbs, counting since the start of my preop diet. I'm still training myself to slow down and chew well when eating. Also not to wait till I'm starving to eat my next meal. Old habits die hard. I'm still very happy I did this. I'm feeling so much better health wise, and self image wise. My wife has lost weight along with me, just because of our new eating habits, meaning food choices and tracking calories. We both benefited

Good luck! Today will be a start of a new chapter in life

Jose Cuervo light margarita. Already has the alcohol in it. 4oz = 95 calories

Glad your ok. Yesterday, My wife and I ran to the store for a quick buy. Then we decided to go to the movies. I didn't have any foods with me and we only had 20 mins till the movie started. I was getting hungry and knew there was nothing good in the theater. Subway was next door, so we went. I ordered a flatbread club, big mistake. Two bites in and I could feel it not going down well. I sipped some water and in a few minutes it passed. Non stop hiccups started. I hiccuped through 3/4's of the movie. My wife dealt with it well. Not as bad as your episode, but a learning experience. Note to self: bread bad.

Thank you for writing your story and educating. I'm sure everyone can take something useful away from your experience. The best of luck to you in the future.

I just had my first fill two day ago. I'm on mushies today. The fill procedure was easy as pie, much less pain than giving blood. This morning is the first time I've ate solids. Two scrambled eggs and 4 oz's of cottage cheese. It was too much, I could feel it. I didn't pb or anything. I think the two eggs and 2 oz of cottage cheese would have been just right. My point is that the fill made a big difference. I was starting to feel almost no restriction after all the healing and swelling went down after surgery. I don't know if there is any swelling after the fill right now, but it just feels like restriction, not hungry at all. Compared to yesterday on liquids, I did feel hungry. I have a AP large band, 14cc's. Doc said I had 4cc's in there from surgery, and he added 2 more for a total of 6cc's now. Love it.

Good luck! Can't wait for my first fill also.

Don't worry. I had second thoughts before surgery as well. I was about 38 bmi, not quite 40 bmi. But my primary doc and I had a long talk and we both thought it was a good idea. Before surgery you start thinking, is this the right thing to do? I won't be able to enjoy big meals anymore, etc. I'm just 42 days after surgery, and loving it so far. You will still enjoy foods. But the best is eating and feeling satisfied, rather than that "I ate too much, and now feel terrible" feeling. I haven't even gotten my first fill yet, but I can feel a big difference. I hope you will love it too. Good luck!

I asked my doc that on my post op visit. He said there is just a bit of fluid in there, but nothing significant.

Today I experienced something. I served myself two scrambled eggs and a half cup of mashed watery boiled pinto beans. I'm the mushy stage. I ate the eggs no problem. Eating the beans I had about a quarter cup or less of the beans and I could almost feel a stuck feeling. It wasn't stuck, it was a I'm way too full feeling, I figured out. I felt a little pressure in my chest, and I could feel the food a bit in my throat. Not so bad I wanted to vomit, but I knew I did something wrong, or was just on the edge of it. I just relaxed for a bit and the food went down and all better. But the funny thing is that I had almost no hunger all day. I had a little yogurt at lunch and some protein powder at dinner. Just wasn't hungry. I learned that I don't need eat until I feel full like I used to. I need to know how much I can eat and feel satisfied, and just make my meal that approximate size every time . Learning day.

It's amazing to eat so little and be satisfied. Whole new experience to me too. Hope you're as thrilled about it as I am.

I'm no expert, but I think getting the protein grams is one of the important things at the new stage. Whatever your doc recommends. So shakes are the ticket to that. And staying hydrated. I'm sure there are more knowledgeable people around here than me about this.

Today has been great so far. I had a protein shake for breakfast. Costco premier. Normal. For lunch I had half a can of chili, just had a craving. But what was incredible, is that I was totally satisfied with one serving ( 1 cup). That has never happened pre-band. One serving was a starter appetizer. I don't think I've ever had one serving of anything and been satisfied. Blows my mind.

Glad it helped you. I'm being a bit more careful now. Meaning eating slower. I have to think about it. Old habit to eat faster and big bites. Now I'm looking for that soft stop. But more important, I'm trying to just serve myself about what will satisfy me before the soft stop. Still working on it.

Congrats and thanks for posting this. Very motivating for me!

Everyone may have seen this before, but I came across a youtube video that demonstrates our new pouches. Specifically, it demonstrates why drinking with meals is discouraged. I just wanted to share it with all. Enjoy, Art

Sounds all pretty normal to me. I just had my surgery on June 10th, and my gas pains have just about cleared up. Congrats!

Congrats! Hope you are doing well!

Best of luck!

Good luck!

Glad your all doing well! Gas pains are terrible, but they don't last forever. Hang in there

Yes, different guidelines. I was ok'd for protein shakes the day after surgery. I'm doing well on them. But I feel so full, I'm never hungry yet. I can also have strained creamy soups in the first weeks. I find the soup needs to be thinned out or I hardly eat any of it.