Time4Me

I ate chocolate tonight. I couldn't help myself. I went back to old habits and ate 8 miniature snickers. I feel VERY guilty and wish I hadn't done it. I also ate 12 ritz crackers with light cream cheese. This is definitely the worst I have done since 3 weeks before surgery. I plan on getting right back on track and definitely don't want to do this again. Amazing how the mind works! :faint:

I had to do Medifast for 3 weeks pre op. I was allotted 5 "meals" a day and that included any of their items...chicken noodle Soup, meal bars, shakes, oatmeal. I also was able to eat 1 lean meal each day and that included 3 ounces of lean Protein and vegetables. I lost 18 pounds in 3 weeks. I would have had a very difficult time sticking to pure liquids. I would suggest, call your dr. and see if you can have other items from Optifast. Also, sugar free Jello, sugar free hot chocolate, popsicles (although I don't typically like them) and sugar free pudding all helped me get through the preop and the first few weeks post op. Post op is easier because you really don't have a choice. Good luck and keep your chin up! You can do this!

Mine was $17,000 and everything is covered preop, including Medifast for 3 weeks, at the hospital and post op. Fills for life, any resurgery for 2 years and all doctor visits. As much as I hate the cost, it is the very best thing I have ever done for myself.

Updated from fill on Friday... Stacy 73… 40 TulipStar…32 Mdicurn…20 time4me…38 Magooz07…11 Caresarn…16 Klpdbl…31 Lapband4me...32 Sirusman…23 Allisarin…23 Tishamarie…49 EL1…23 Juliacleone…20 Kimmie…43 dsmit13…23 ScareDcat…22 Lapitup…22.5 mandi78…23 andrea71…28 Thinmom…23 Kellymovingon...35 flipper64...30 kagoscuba...37 Lucylu...21 Gurlygirl....23 Amber...39 suzygayle...31 Jez...27 Kayemarie....52

I believe that, Rumar. I find the less I eat the slower the weight comes off. I really have to stay away from high sodium foods though. Great job on the 4 pounds!

It looks as though the doctor is doing all of the preop tests to determine your candidacy for surgery, so I would feel confident that you will be in good hands. My doctor didnt do any preop tests because I am still in very good health, considering my beginning weight. I was told that I would lose 60-65% of my excess weight with the surgery and would really have to work hard to get the remaining off. I figured at my starting weight, 343, that I would have a great start with 60%! I had surgery on 9/21 and started my preop diet on 9/5. I have lost 38 pounds so far and feel 100% better than I did in August. I haven't had any complications from day one. The advice I would give is, follow your dieticians plan and get back on track when you fall off, because if you are like me, you will fall off! If you are determined and honest with yourself you will lose weight. Good Luck to You!

I had a fill at 3.5 weeks post op and will be going for my second fill at 7 weeks. I would definitely talk to your surgeon. This IS why we have the band surgically implanted!

36 pounds for me

Ok. I have reached the point where I have NO restriction and the desire to EAT! I have my first fill on 10/17 and am very fearful that I will gain weight or even worse go back to old habits. Any advice?http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/help.gif

My doctor lets me decide if I need a fill or not. What I can say is that it is very weird to see the scale go down instead of up. I think that with our history of the scale moving in the wrong direction, it is hard to see the scale move down.

I had my first fill about 2 weeks ago and had 4 cc's put into a 10cc band. I can eat anything and have been very careful to not eat more than 1100 calories, but haven't lost a thing since I was filled.

I agree. Take it out and put it back in yourself. You don't want to risk any kind of infection and they do ask if you have any jewelry as they are prepping you.

I am afraid everyone doesn't have the same emotional eating issues as some of us others! If we didn't overeat, we wouldn't have paid big bucks to have a tool put in. Just because surgery occurs in no time, doesn't necessarily mean that our habits change. I don't think I am overeating, but judging others because of it bothers me! If they have a problem with our thoughts and habits, they shouldn't read our posts.

I was banded in the US and my doctors diet consists of the following at each meal. 1/4 cup Protein, 1/4 cup vege, 1/4 cup fruit or carb -- 3 times per day 2 lean protein Snacks in between I haven't been as regular, but not having a major issue. As far as fruit goes, I find that berries go down very easy and taste like a treat!

What has your doctor told you about stretching your pouch? I am curious because I feel like I could eat a horse, but I also am afraid to eat too much because I don't want to stretch it out. On one hand the doc. said it is very difficult to stretch it, but on the other hand he said the end result is feeling like you need another fill. This is definitely harder than I thought it was going to be!

Coastlgrl-Where do you live? I had my surgery by Dr. Neal and live on the Coast.

update...31 pounds as of this morning!

I didn't have any fears leading up to the surgery because I knew where I was headed...death. I had my first fill on Wednesday last week and haven't had any issues with things coming back up. My doctor told me to try anything I wanted 2 times and if after that if it didn't work, to give it up. So far I have eaten (in very small portions)...Alice Springs chicken and Broccoli from the Outback, Cereal, tuna fish, Whole Wheat Ritz crackers, a club wrap from Arbys, an oreo, a french fry, ravioli, and eggs with cheese. It is absolutely unreal to feel full after taking 4 bites of food. I still try to take a couple more bites and realize that I am really full. I haven't PB'd, but I have had to slow down during eating, which has been really hard, but when you feel that knot in your chest you know you are eating too fast. It has gone down fairly quick for me once it starts, but I too am afraid to throw up. You will do great and you are making a great decision. I haven't had one regret and wish I had done it 2 years ago when I first thought about it!

What great numbers! Isn't it exciting to see the scale moving downward instead of dreading getting on to see how much it has gone up? Congratulations everyone and keep us posted!

I have no problem whatsoever drinking any kind of liquid at any time. I had my first fill yesterday and am not having any problems.

I had my first fill today, 10/17 and am very hungry. I am very nervous to eat though and have a goal for 30 pounds by 10/24, so I will be hungry to achieve it! I go back in 1 month, but can call to go back earlier if I am hungry. I had 4 cc's put in my band today. This is such an interesting process!

time4me...27.8 liquids from 9/5-13 Banded 9/21-14.2

I called my dr today to make sure I wouldn't cause myself any damage. Well...was told to hold off on the solids and stick to the pudding consistency foods. Aahhhhh! Not what I wanted to hear. I am going to try to do my very best to stick with what I am supposed to have! Only 8 more days until my first fill!

I have moved myself into solids, but I am being very careful when I eat to pay attention. I do not want it to come back up. I wonder if it hurts the band if you don't feel anything? I wonder if I am stretching out anything? I have a fear that I will go in for a fill and they will say I have blown it all out of whack!

I was told for mushies, I can have any of the following items: 1. cream of wheat 2. pudding consistency oatmeal 3. tuna mixed with nonfat mayo ( I add a spoonful of relish) 4. cottage cheese (I mix this with tuna or fruit or parmesan cheese for some flavor...I also added the broth from Chili and it was good) 5. Soggy Cereal...so I just let it sit before I eat it 6. Creamy Soups...tried this too many calories! No weightloss during the 3 days I ate these. 7. pudding 8. applesauce and my favorite 9. refried Beans and cheese I have also had a couple of crackers that melt in my mouth. The nutritionist said this is ok, but I still feel guilty. I had raspberries from costco that I mashed up in my mouth before swallowing. There are several cereals that are high in Protein and when you add milk it ends up being about 15 grams per serving. Tuna is very high in protein. I don't like other canned fish or meats such as chicken, but those are allowed on mushies for me as well. I haven't had any issues getting and keeping any of this down and I am consistently losing up to a pound a day. Hope this helps.