Desdemona

hi --

do you have to wait because of insurance requirements? How many pre-op support meetings are they requiring you to do? Where are you going for them?

It's still really novel but I like it so far. Most people seem to get back on their feet faster than I did but I am also older and had a stricter liquid phase. Today was my first day adding in food (day 15) and it is also a stricter diet than what I see on the message board. I started taking 2 Optifast like drinks a day and just 2 tablespoons of egg or soft cheese 3 times a day at mealtimes. I'm supose to build to 6-8 tablespoons a meal and expand on the foods beginning with proteins and then adding in veggies. I know this sounds terrible but actually I don't mind it. I think I'm OK with it for 3 reasons. First, because I did do Optifast for 12 weeks a long time ago---this doesn't seem as hard compared to that. 2nd--the band is REALLY helping with it. So far I don't have any cravings. I did feel hunger on the 2 weeks of clear liquids (250 calories a day!) but because of my Optifast memories --I was able to hold on. The 3rd thing that makes this easier for me (so far!) is that I found out yesterday that I lost 11 lbs in those 2 weeks of clear liquid. My MD told me yesterday that I can keep this as low carb and as low calorie as I want so I have elected to be REALLY strict. I'm hoping to lose at least another 45 lbs by Sept. That will be tough.