Luscious

Hi Devotion... I'm sure you have read many posts also that talk about the band just being a tool to help keep you honest. I think there are a lot of people who learn to eat around the band - or simply eat the wrong things or inadvertantly consume more calories than they realise (liquid calories for example). Having said that - there are a few peoples who fall into the slow loser category for multiple reasons - I used to be one of those people due to my insulin resistance, but since I was banded I've lost weight faster than ever before (and my blood sugar is normal). I think there is also the issue of expectations.... I personally get frustrated when I read posts where people are unhappy they have gained "3 pounds since yesterday". Its really not possible for this to be weight due to fat cells, but many don't understand the body's physiology. There are many factors that impact weight loss - and often inches are lost even when the scale stays the same. I think the success stories far outweigh the other. I wouldn't let this influence your decision if I were you.

I've no restriction yet - so I have all this to look forward to :thumbup: I have started carrying in my handbag one of those 1 Serve of Veges Cup-a-Soups. I suppose I'm thinking you can always ask some nice vendor for a cup of boiling Water - I've done this already when I've been stuck in a food court with no "mushie" options.

Could be the gas pain, after effects of the GA, the fact that your tummy has been beaten around by surgeons :-) Hang in there, it gets better - after a few days you will be feeling a lot more normal. Peppermint tea helps with the gas (well it did for me) and walking (take it easy though). Rest and get your liquids in. Don't be afraid to make use of your pain meds.

Thanks Batkitty... I know you have had to be patient also. You are right, hotels (and most restaurants) in the US are kink of used to special requests. I should not be afraid to ask for doggie bags also and take half of everything into the office next day for lunch :-) By the way - I went to see dietician yesterday and can move early onto soft foods - only one more week until I can have my cottage cheese and tuna on a cruskit.

I would blend some cooked salmon fillet with some FF sour cream/mayo, light soy sauce and wasabi. I had that about 4 nights a week on mushies... yum. Very good for your skin too.

Hallelujah IndioGirl....... I wish I had your post to copy every time I read where someone is distressed because they gained 3 pounds since yesterday :-) I agree that its important to track your food - 1200 calories (or less) adds up very quickly and can sneak up on you if you are not careful

I have lost 12 kgs (26 pounds) since my surgery 3 weeks ago. However, most of that was in first 2 weeks - the past week I think my body has been trying to "catch-up" with the large weight loss in first 2 weeks - so I fully expect not to lose any more until I start getting my fills.

Let me share with you my plan for clothes as I move down in sizes. EBAY !! I created a separate bank account which is my "clothing fund". I've already gone through my wardrobe and begun ebaying all my current sizes items in good condition that I won't be wearing again this season. I also have a bag of things ready to sell I won't be wearing this coming season. I sell 3 items every week on ebay. I am bringing in around $60 a week - this all goes right into my "clothing fund". I also look to buy great bargains on ebay in 1-2 sizes smaller which I put them away for when I fit them. I wait for great basic items in smaller sizes to be on sale and put them away. All clothing purchases come out of my ebay fund. When I grow out of them, I can simply put them back on ebay. I have found that plus sized clothing sells very well on ebay - at least here in Australia plus sized clothing is not as easy to find in stores as it is in the US, but they still may trade well. I don't want to be wasting money on buying new clothes out of my salary that may only fit for a couple of months. Ebay Rocks !

Ok, so this isn't a dinner or lunch meal - but I used to love this for breakfast/brunch. I hope I will still be able to eat this when I'm back on "real" food. No doubt I'll have to seriously reduce my previous portion size. This keeps for 1 month stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Combine 4 cups of rolled oats, 1 cup wheat germ, 1/4 cup linseeds, 1/4 cup sunflower seeds, 1 cup sultanas (or chopped dried apricots) and 1 cup chopped roasted or slivered almonds. To make the muesli, soak 1/2 cup of muesli with 1/2 cup low fat milk overnight. In the morning Add grated apple and 2 tbsp low fat natural or vanilla yoghurt then fold through.

During one of my recent business trips I was forced to try a "fluff" sandwich *blah*. Its a marshmallow spread. Yikes - who says vegemite is wierd.

Sounds great. Mountain bread is a brand of flat bread - similar to lebanese, but not "Layered". You can buy it at most supermarkets near the pitas and lebanese breads.

Hi.. its quite a shock when the other bills start arriving. I was told an amount for the procedure (which covered all appointments, the surgeon and fills, etc). I naively though that was it. Then I started getting bills from radiologist, and the anesthesiologist, and the pharmacy, and the pathologist..... all up I think I had to pay about $2500 in addition to what I had expected. Still, I figure it was all worth it.

Given that it takes 3,500 calories to add 1 pound of actual fat, its highly unlikely to be body fat weight. The scales are not your friend right now :-) Best wishes on your journey.

I'm so glad you are feeling a little better. Trust that you will feel better each day that passes - and ultimately, you will grow to love the band I'm sure. For me, once my life started getting back to some normality I felt much better. Last night hubby and I went out for dinner to a lovely restaurant - I had lovely Soup and some fish. It was nice to get past that fear that I couldn't eat out anymore. Of course I can, just not 3 big courses :-) Right now you are likely feeling overwhelmed by the reality of the life changes - but trust that those life changes will make your life so much better in the long run.

I have to say I agree with Jacut. There is very little healthy stuff in these bars. They have very little (if any) natural nutrients. I understand they are convenient at times, but not really a great thing to put into your body on a regular basis.

I didn't have to crush my pills. Doctor said to take them as normal, and I had no problem (even with the BIG ones).

I was not required to do any pre-op diet. I specifically asked my surgeon this question - his reply was that he does not request a pre-op diet for everyone - for him it depends on the patient, the BMI, the risk of liver issues, etc. Every surgeon is different though.

Yep, I agree with Elisabeth.... carb withdrawal kills me every time I reduce my carb intake. Same kind of headache I get with caffiene withdrawal - pain killers don't touch them. The only thing you can do is keep sipping plain water - it will ease up in a couple of days.

Reenie, I had no problem getting down anything either after my first week. My doc allowed me to go to blended/mushie food on day 9 - but definately no solids until at least 4 weeks. Its about not overworking your stomach. When you eat solids your stomach has to move around a lot more to digest - you don't want this happening until you are all healed up. Of course its your body so nobody is going to yell at you - just offer some advice that you should be careful with your investment.

Ahhh, nothing like a good roast. Its encouraging to read your post, makes me realise I don't have to give them up - just cut the portion and don't do them every week. I might have to revisit some recipies for lamb shanks so I don't end up with a whole leg left over in the fridge.

Hi Abby, congratulations. I am searching through ebay for nice things in smaller sizes. I bought 3 really beautiful (and new with label) shirts for $10 each recently. I figure once I stop fitting them I will onsell them on ebay.

I am type II diabetic. Was banded 2.5 weeks ago and have already had success with my BGLs. For the first time in years I'm showing normal readings. I am still taking metformin - hopefully, once I've lost weight I can stop that.(appointement with Doc in August about this). I've been able to stop my Diamicron MR, and Avandia already. Very happy. I'm still on mushie stage - but am following the principal of Protein first, then veges. I've been making really good quality vegetable Soup, and have a cup of that before lunch and dinner. Protein for lunch and dinner - fish mostly at mushie stage. I'm tracking food in Fitday - finding i'm taking calories equally from protein, good fats and carbs (mostly from vege soup). Its all good, am loving it.

Actually many times a caffeninated drink is recommended to raise blood pressure. This site may give you some useful information. Blood Pressure (Low) Good luck.

I'm glad you love your band. I know its hard, but try not to let the scales make you sad (they are our worst enemy sometimes). Fluid fluctuations, and a whole host of other things affect our weight. My surgeon did not require me to do any pre-op diet. I've been banded 2 weeks and 5 days - and have lost 12 kgs, which is about 26 to 27 pounds. Everyone is different though. My weight loss has no doubt been accelerated because I've been able to get my blood sugar levels more than havled, and into normal range. I've also been able to stop taking 2 of my meds (I gained about 6 kgs when I started taking them). Post op, I didn't really lose anything the first week, then dropped 8 kgs the next few days. Bodies are wierd, and all different. I have also tried to keep my calories from fat/protein/carbs about equal (which is the principal of the zone diet). I find as a type 2 diabetic it helps keep my blood sugar normal. I'm really focussing on getting my blood sugar normal - that will be a bit part of my weight loss. Also, I use FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal to track my food - calories/protein/carbs/fat etc. I just find it helps me to ensure I am getting enough of what I need to be healthier.

I always get very emotional when I think about those who have endured the hardships of war and being away from their home. Anzac day always brings at least 2 rounds of tears for me.