Luscious

Watch your sodium levels folks !! Last week I went to doc and my blood pressure was very high - much higher than ever in the past. I started looking at ways to reduce it - and one solution was to reduce salt intake - well i have NEVER added salt to my food, so didn't think this was a solution. But then I started tracking my sodium intake. It seems many low fat foods have much higher sodium levels - for example the Weight Watchers cottage pie I had purchased was 1,000 mgs of Sodium *gasp*. I was also making a healthy home made vegetable Soup - the stock had 1200 mgs per cup (I was having 2 cups a day). Even the V8 juice I thought was so good for me is loaded with sodium. By the time I added up everything in a day, most days I was over 5,500 mgs sodium - that is more than twice the daily recommended limit of 2,400 mgs. So 3 days ago I switched everything to low salt varities, and stuck with natural low sodium produce. Hopefully my blood pressure will be normal tomorrow when I get it checked. The other benefit - I dropped 2 kgs of excess Fluid in 2 days :-) I guess that explained why the scales didn't move for 2 weeks.

I was banded on 7 April 2008, 6.5 weeks ago. No pre-op diet. Weight loss = 17 kilograms (or 37.5 pounds). Not bad for less than 7 weeks. As of my weigh-in today I am no long MORBIDLY OBESE... just plain old OBESE :cursing:

Please understand the difference between body weight and body fat. It is not possible for you to have gained 10 pounds of body fat, so logic would tell you that the body weight is from other causes. I don't know about you, but my tummy was so swollen and I was retaining an awful lot of protective water.

My advice, for what its worth, is not to expect anything :-) Everyone is different - depends on how much you have to lose, how active you are, how tall you are, what your metabolism is doing, any medical issues you may have, how old you are, etc, etc. You can't compare your own experience to others. I see so many posts on here from people who are disappointed, because their expectations are based on other's experiences.

Hi Ashley... first of all.. what do you mean ONLY 13 pounds? That is more than 3 pounds per week. Don't have the expecation that so many have that they will lose 20 pounds or more in the first month - your weight loss is perfectly normal. Secondly, your hunger is also perfectly normal - I figure that stage lasts until your 2nd fill (for most folks). I had my first fill this week, and it didn't have much of an impact.

I think Sushi is a great, convenient option longer term - I don't think you should try it just yet (my personal opinion). The salmon and tuna would be ok, but the rice might be best after 5 weeks or so.

Just wait for the day, when you are closer to your goal (and she is not) and you can walk about the office offering (a healthy) cookie yourself. There is no reason you can't work occassionally these foods into your daily diet plan. Make sure you eat one right in front of her, and you then smooth down the fabric over your slim hips and tummy *evil laugh* I have a friend much the same - she has always relied on me being slightly heavier than her - and already I've lost enough to be smaller than her. Since my surgery she has been crash dieting. I find it kind of amusing, and it really doesn't negatively impact me.

I totally agree with Judy (JBFlorida). Just ask yourself is food really more important than your long term health? I followed my instructions to the letter during various phases of the post op diet. Before the surgery, I thought it seemed impossible, but in retrospect, it really wasn't that hard, and I have amazing sense of achievement for having got through it.

Why do you need to say "work has been stressful?" You should not need to diminish the work you are doing.... I have chosen to tell my parents, and my brother - but nobody else in my family (including sister) will EVER know. When they comment on my weight loss (and I know they will eventually) I will simply tell them the truth - I have reduced the amount of calories I'm consuming, and increased my exercise. That is the truth ! The band doesn't cause magic weight loss :-)

Its not about you sweetie... its all about him - his problem, nothing to do with you, or how you look (heavy or slim). Dry your eyes !!!!

well, I'm type 2 diabetic. The banding has enabled my blood sugar to normalise for the first time in 10 years. I've been able to stop taking 2 types of meds, that caused me to gain 4 kgs in 2 weeks when I started taking them, so I expect a lot of my weight loss is due to that and normal blood sugar. Either way, I'm going to take it :-) Hope you feel better.

Are chewable flintstones vitamin giving you what you need? We don't have them here in australia, so I'm not familar with the quality of the product.

Wow, we are like bandster twins, I was also banded on 7 April, and I also had my first fill today also, after 6 weeks. My doc gave me only 3mls. I am feeling fine, no pain, no difficulty (on mushies again for a day or 2). Definately call the doctor if you haven't settled down tomorrow. I do hear some people on here say that the restriction lessens in time. I'm no expert, but 6mls does seem a lot for your first go. Try something hot, like some tea, I've also read that this can loosen up the restriction a little. Its not supposed to mean pain !! Take care now.

Caffeine, sugar (carbohydrate) withdrawal can be a killer ... drink as much water as you can, and it will pass in a few days.

I don't see its any different to having a boyfriend who loses interest or attraction because you gain weight. If he only loves you, or is attracted to you because you are larger, then I'd say you are better off without him. Find a man who loves you NO MATTER what you look like :-) I'm lucky to have one of those.

I have no problem with sushi, but I admit I haven't tried the seaweed rolls yet ... I've heard some stories, and afraid to risk, so i'm sticking with the sashimi and Nigiri sushie varieties.

I have been back on normal food for a couple of weeks now, as my doc allowed me to move through the stages early due to my excellent progress (but only moved on once I had their OK after visit). Even with my good progress I was not allowed eggs until week 4. You can do it... seriously - once its passed, and you are on normal food again, you will have an enormous sense of achievement - and it doesn't seem hard in retrospect. I can honestly say .. I didn't break the rules once !!

What did your Doc. classify as "clear liquids" .. everyone seems to have a different idea. Ring you clinic and ask if you can have thin creamy Soups, like tomato, pumpkin, etc. That is what I lived on for my 2 week liquid phase (with lots of cracked fresh pepper for added taste.

Fanny, I smiled when I saw this on your posts : No longer Morbidly Obese!!! :wink2: I am SOOOOOOOOOOO waiting for that. I am a bee's stinger away from being able to take that horrible word "morbidly" away forever.

You are so courageous... such an inspiration - with everything you have been through you still manage to be ALMOST HALF WAY THERE with your weight loss.

I don't think the pasta portion would be mushy friendly. Actually, my dietician specifically told me that minced meat (even finely minced) had to wait until soft food stage - although finely flaked salmon or other fish was ok.

I want to be healthy and fit every day of the week - there are always going to be days when you struggle more than others. For me, its about making the decision to just do it !! If I want to go out to dinner on the weekend, I do - I just make sure I compensate for that in my activity and calories. It really is maths of calories in versus calories out.

Lovely Boyfriend donated his Sony playstation to me.. I bought a copy of the dance factory game, and dancemat. Its so cool. I am so badly coordinated, I must look ridiculous, and nothing like a dancer, but Its great exercise, really works up a sweat, and lots of fun. I'm focussing so much on getting my feet in the right place, I hardly notice I'm exercising.

I believe most people need 2 or 3 (or more) adjustments before they feel restrictions.

Hi Contella, good luck you will breeze through it - its not nearly as scarey as it feels the day before :-) If your surgery is like mine (and some do vary) you will have 5 incisions, 4 very small (around 1/4 inch) .. one under left breast, one in upper centre, one about 3 inches below that, and one lower right. My port incision is about 2.5 inches wide, and is on lower left. There is a forum here somewhere with incision photos, that should give you a good idea. Good luck.