prepster

Thanks so much for taking the time to research. That was very sweet of you!

I buy the 25.6 oz containers at Costco but I use so much of it, I'd love to find a cheaper alternative. I feel like they must use Benefiber at hospitals and clinics. Does anyone know where to purchase big containers? THANK YOU!

I don't think you should do it. Unfortunately, you are staying true to old habits -- equating food with being social and having fun. You don't have to bond with your parents over a meal. Go on a hike, see a movie, take the kids somewhere...or if you do need to eat with them, get your simple meal and enjoy your parents conversation. I am finally at a place in my life where food is sustenance and not an activity -- and I have never been happier. Stay strong and don't get the unfill!

I thought this infers that liquid should not go down easy.

Omigod - I can drink liquids exactly like I did before surgery. And I mean A ALOT at a time. Does this really mean that my restriction is off? I thought liquids should pass easily and it would only be solids that move slowly.

I received my band on May 24, 2007 and everything has been gong very well. Recovery was easy and I have lost about 45lbs. But this weekend I feel my first sort of "weirdness" with the band. My stomach is distended, the band area is kind of tender and I have a backache behind the band. Normal? THANK YOU!

You just have to get the small...and if you can find Diet Pepsi Slurpees, that seems to be the best choice... Diet Pepsi Slurpee 12 oz Slurpee (7 cal/0 g fat/3 g carbs) 10 oz Slurpee (6 cal/0 g fat/3 g carbs) 8 oz Slurpee (5 cal/0 g fat/2 g carbs) Crystal Light Raspberry Ice Slurpee 40 oz Slurpee (170 cal/0 g fat/38 g carbs) 28 oz Slurpee (120 cal/0 g fat/26 g carbs) 22 oz Slurpee (90 cal/0 g fat/21 g carbs) 12 oz Slurpee (50 cal/0 g fat/11 g carbs) Crystal Light Lemon Lime Ice Slurpee 40 oz Slurpee (160 cal/0 g fat/34 g carbs) 28 oz Slurpee (110 cal/0 g fat/24 g carbs) 22 oz Slurpee (90 cal/0 g fat/19 g carbs) 12 oz Slurpee (50 cal/0 g fat/10 g carbs) Crystal Light Orange pineapple Ice Slurpee 40 oz Slurpee (190 cal/0 g fat/38 g carbs) 28 oz Slurpee (130 cal/0 g fat/27 g carbs) 22 oz Slurpee (110 cal/0 g fat/21 g carbs) 12 oz Slurpee (60 cal/0 g fat/11 g carbs)

7-11 is MECCA for yummy, icy treats -- especially in hot months like these. All of the stores in my neighborhood have at least one flavor of Crystal Light Slurpee! They are all yummy, low calore, and uncarbonated. Get thee to a 7-11!

I have started adding Benefiber to all my Protein shakes. Changed my life! Two solid movements a day! Never had that before surgery! It's also great for your heart and doesn't change the taste or texture of your shake! I highly recommend it to all who have bowel movement problems.

Ugh. So I am two weeks post-op. And I had to meet a new friend for dinner. I have told NO ONE that I had the surgery, except for my wife and closest friend. So we sit down at table and I don't want to look like a total freak, so I order a cup of black bean Soup and some hummus. I tell the new friend that I just got over being sick. I take a bite of a 1/8th triangle of pita bread and within minutes, I can feel that it is 'stuck'. (Even though I have heard all of you mention this term before, I had no idea what it meant until this time.) My eyes started to Water and I could feel something stuck in my chest. So I excused myself, went to the bathroom, and started to spit up liquid but nothing else came out. Freaked me out. I returned to the table and apologized for the drama...when SUDDENLY I COULD FEEL SOMETHING STUCK AGAIN. I tried my best to ignore it and stay in the conversation, but alas 2 minutes later, I had to excuse myself AGAIN. Same spitting up drama. When I returned to the table, my new friend joked and asked if I was anorexic. Keep in mind, I had ONE BITE OF PITA BREAD AND SOME LIQUID SOUP! Three minutes passed, he continued the conversation and suddenly, I said to myself, "oh god, something is still stuck there!" I tried my best to ignore it by listening to everything he was saying but it was no use -- my eyes started to water and my throat was closing. I HAD TO GO TO THE BATHROOM AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME IN SEVEN MINUTES! I finally had to make myself throw up the stuck food. Needless to say, my new friend was concerned. Newbies...it was horrible and humiliating and scary and so not worth it. Please honor your doctor's orders and stay on your assigned meal plan. I literally went though a bad Afterschool Special by attempting real food before I was supposed to and was abruptly shown the way. I could never wish that experience on anybody. Stay healthy, Newbies!

My wife is about 220 lbs. and I am about 300. Two years ago, we thought we were buying a top-of-the-line Stearns & Foster King Size Bed (Model: Silver Dream) for about $3,000. After one year, the bed was cratered and our backs were destroyed. We thought, "Oh, maybe extra soft Pillow Top is not such a good idea for older backs." So the company replaced the mattress with a very firm Stearns & Foster. However, one year later and we have the same problem. Needless to say, my side is more cratered than hers. The company is again willing to replace the mattress. However, I think I just want to ask for my money back. Do you have a great night's sleep the whole night? Do you love your mattress? PLEASE HELP! MANY THANKS!

PASS GAS! Get on all fours and stick your bum in the air! Really move on the floor. I'm telling you, it really helped me let it rip! Also, chew sugarless gum -- gets digestive juices going and helps pregnant women pass gas!

I am 39 years old. I am male. And I think I am pregnant. Because I have this ENORMOUS, BLOATED BELLY! I had my surgery five days ago and I cannot believe how fast the recovery has been. I am off pain meds, getting all my Water and Protein down, walking a lot, getting out of the house, etc. But I am curious about this swollen belly! How long do you think it will take to go down? Is there anything I can do to expedite the process? Many thanks, all!