Dave01

I did the refried beans, blended with salsa and then heated in micro w/ff cheese on top. Yummy Blended Healthy Choice Clam chowder, mashed potatoes ( not the best choice, but ok for a change), cottage cheese mixed w/ applesauce or peaches, and gallons of smoothies

I'm sure all dr rules vary, but mine was 1/2 hr before and at least 1 hr after, for any meals. She wanted me to get ready for solid foods and be used to not drinking

Go Nana, Go Nana...... Way to go, but getting up that early!!!! I wanted to join one but my work schedule wont permit it. Good luck to ya Another day done, Actually 2 counting yesterday...5 mile walks each day along with 30 min per day on the stationary bike. Closing in on my challenge days

You have listed 4 foods in your post that I was told to avoid by my dr. The only bread products I have are well toasted pita ( to put chicken salad on or low carb tortillas. I would really rethink your food choices, get away from the drinking with meals and start over again. It wasnt easy for me to give up my sodas. I used to drink over a 6 pack per day easily. The band really does HELP, but you will need to keep a more strict food intake, with focus on protein and not all of those carbs. I would not rush out for a fill until you get the head hunger part worked out yourself. Tightening the band and continuing to eat what you have posted seems like a recipe for a stretched pouch or a lot of future PB's. Just my opinion as I am not a pro in these matters.

I have had 2 fills so far, 9cc in a large VG band and cannot eat till around noon. Even my bfast shakes are tough for now. Seems earlier in the days are tough on most of us.

I had some of those things. They went away after about 2 weeks. Your body is adjusting to a foreign thing in it. Give it a little time and see if things improve...Dave

Doesnt sound like you are doing anything wrong. Be sure you get at least 64 oz of liquid per day either with Water, crystal light or any other calorie free drinks. So far my best weght loss is with the Protein shakes twice a day and a small meal of about 4ozs for lunch. Its not as bad as it sounds and the scale moving motivates me more. Also, exercise as much as possible. It really gets the body to burn off excess calories.

The protein shakes will keep you filled up. Plus, drink all of the water you can handle. This makes it easier to get your required water in later if you prcatce now. Also, dont drink 1/2 hr before or 1 hr after you eat the veggies. Another thing that will make it easier later on....Dave

For Breakfast I have a Protein shake made w/ 4oz of skim milk. lunch is usually 3 oz can of chicken or tuna mixed with FF Miracle Whip and pickle relish, on a toasted low carb tortilla. Healthy request Soup if I am lazy. dinner is another Protein Shake w/ milk and a Dannon Lite and Fit yogurt blended in. Snacks are sugar free popsicles as needed...LOL

Cindy, I'm glad I was at home when I did it. I wasnt sure what was going to happen next. I was real glad when it finally went down though, instead of up..LOL

Yep, all since banding the end or August. I have been working out/walking daily and it really helps. I'll bet you cant wait till the mushie stage. Good luck, its the beginning of a great journey

I like the Proform ones. I have an older version of the proform 425. Make sure you get one with a wide tread area. The narrow ones seemed Jerky to me and that made it harder to walk on them. All of the electronic stuff isnt necessary. Put on your MP3 player and off ya go. Here is the site to check out some proforms ProForm Home Gym Treadmills, Elliptical Machines and Fitness Equipment - ProForm Fitness

Its because our bands are posessed. They control our lives. They tell us when we can eat and when they dont want us to...... Sorry, had to get that out. I have the same morning tightness and have trouble getting my Protein shake down. I have started taking my pills in the afternoon, when it is easier

Dont get too discouraged right now. You also may not feel any restriction/feeling of being full after your first fill.You are in what I have found to be the more difficult time, where your willpower will come into play. I loaded up on liquids and measured my meal at 4ozs until I got my second fill. It works, but you have to be aware that the band may not do much for you right now. It will be up to you to resist large meals/overeating. Sorry if this isnt what most people like to hear, but its just what I have experienced so far...Dave

Lucy, My dr told me to come in every 2 weeks if necessary to maintain good restriction. I can feel it getting tighter since fill 2, so I should be ok for a while. Hopefully you will get to the point of good restriction soon. It does help during those moments that my willpower slackens off..

Gwenn, more than a month before my surgery date, I started my own reduction in the bad foods and stopped all sodas t be ready for surgery. Required by my dr was: Stress test, EKG, sleep study, Psych eval, Upper GI, That was about it...Dave

I was told no carbonated drinks anymore by my dr. Yours may be different. Mine allowed protein shakes right away, along with jello, sf popsicles ( let them melt in your mouth), broths, strained soups with no solids. That was about it for me. Its really not bad. I had no hunger for the first 3 weeks after surgery.

Here is another one, from the worlds only bariatric chef, Chef Dave Fouts. His site is Chef Dave :: Home I went to a seminar where he was talking and cooking.What a great person. He made a few meals from his book and they were awesome.

Gotta second on the Body Fortress Whey Protein shakes. The choc is good and a great source of protein. I have been drinking them for 4 months because I like the taste and they fill me up in the morning.

Actually, it was my ankles that took the beating. I did get a shorter walk in Sat and today. Just over 4 miles for each day.

Wow, the scale is once again my friend.I hit my mini goal quicker than I thought I would, although some of it is muscle loss too. But, I am really working on that. The Body for Life workout by Bill Phillips is awesome. Body-for-LIFE

With the restriction I have now, I can still eat solid food, but the chew chew chew means so much more now. And I think its still gonna get tighter in the next week or so.

Thanks. I have been doing a pretty hard workout program, consisting of upper body Mon, Wed and Fri, lower body Tues, Thurs and Sat. Along with tons of walking daily, at a pretty good pace. For meals, I have been having Protein shakes twice per day and only one meal, usually grilled fish or baked/grilled chicken.As soon as I feel like I have had enough, I stop. Sometimes itsonly a few bites, sometimes up to 4 ozs. Seems to be working for me.

Yep, you gotta feed the machine for it to work. I try to average around 1000 calories per day, but usually fall short. Just make sure you get the protein in

Way to go. 50 lbs is a great accomplishment. Congratulations:clap2::clap2: