nfl1

My surgeon has a 2 week pre-op liquid (with non-starchy veggies allowed), 2 week post-op liquid only, and 2 week mushy (extended if you can to allow more healing) before starting on "real" food. I did extend the mushies beyond one week, but took any flavors that I wanted and blended them- chili dog, beef masaman, spaghetti - it might sound gross, but after 4 weeks of liquid only, the flavors that had been driving me crazy tasted so good, and the blended version felt better going down. In week 4 I admit that I really needed to chew something, so I took croutons and dipped them in my Soup and chewed real well, knowing they'd break to nothing before I swallowed. But it did feel/taste good!

My arms, wrists, thighs (inner), right breast (left is holding strong for some reason), but upper abdomen and bra line are dwindling. My waist too, but lower abdomen feels the same as usual - the hardest for me.

I thought I'd post this here because we were so happy to find something yummy and healthy...and wanted to get ideas from all of you for our next special meals! Ours: Grilled sirloin Baked Onions with grated Jarlsburg (with a little olive oil, beef broth and lite-soy, thyme) Baked Carmelized Butternut Squash (Splenda brown sugar, salt/pepper, melted butter) (is there a place to put the recipes?)

Starting size: 30 pants, 3x shirts Current size: 24-26 pants, 1x/2x shirts I feel... grateful for this tool that is working despite a 5 mo. plateau - I'm not gaining, and still exercising Working on...I have to work on drinking more, and not snacking in the car! New question: I was surprised at: weight came off easy at first, and this summer I still swam 3 days/week and walked other days but slowed down to nil. My clothes still do change, but it is getting tiresome being between the same few numbers on the scale - I am happy that I finally bumped through the 240s and now keep hovering between 236-37!

Congratulations!!! What a great accomplishment! I love grandma's chicken and cheesy rice by Stouffers. It comes in a big size, and is about 4 meals. About 18-19 g protein for 1 cup.

I have a 14 cc band, and started with nothing. 6 weeks after surgery I got 3 cc, then 1.5, then 1, and incremental (not more than .5, mostly .1) at a time and am at 6.7cc. I've requested no fill twice, but each time after awhile it does seem to get looser...so will get another this week.

I usually do more with individual Facebook than with groups... but would be happy to join a group. Feel free to add me to your FB. FYI - not all my friends know, but I dont' keep it secret, they just might not all understand what the posts mean - for example, I posted about my bandiversary, and some asked what that was, and then were very supportive and thought it was cool...others didn't reply.

My doc has been known to stop the procedure when he gets in there if he finds that the liver is too big - he's very conservative with safety AND with ensuring that everyone is fully committed mentally to success, which to him includes the willingness to follow the pre and post op diets. It does really give patients motivation, as they lose a good amount right from the start (ours doesn't allow any meat, dairy, fruit, etc. and 2 weeks pre- 2 weeks post and 2 weeks mushies). I lost 18 pounds and was thrilled despite how hard the first 3-4 days were, after that I was shocked that I didn't have cravings and was not really that hungry.

My doc did require the 2 week pre-op, not completely liquid, diet. Shakes, sugar-free, no dairy, no fruit, no meat, no carbs (except non-starchy veggies). While it was what I feared most, I am so glad he required it because it helped get my mind wrapped around the changes I was going through, and the first 4 days were tough, and it got easier after that. If I had to start liquid diet after surgery I would have gone crazy - pain, and fatigue/light headedness and grumpiness?? No way. It really got me started in the right direction even before surgery.

How funny, I also changed underwear well before I changed other sizes. I went from a size 30 to 26 with 54 pound lost this year. Some tops are a 1x while others a 3x depending on how they are styled (and the fabric - they could have shrunk over the years)...at least I can wear things I really liked and kept "just in case' from a few years ago. Nancy

My surgeon does this stitching too. I also agree that if I had to have my band removed, I'd go with the sleeve before the bypass! I don't want anyone to reroute my intestines, as I want control of my intake and absorption...

I'm very grateful that my WLS support group has periodic clothing exchanges. With many RNY folks there are always a number of different sizes available. It's fun to get new-to-me clothes and not spend a mint as we go through this! Do you have a group near you? You could offer to organize or coordinate it - I'm sure others will appreciate the effort too.

Me too NFL1@cornell.edu

eggs scrambled with onion, pepper, and cheese works for me on the weekends, I forget all about food for HOURS

I use the Viactiv too - after having a stuck episode and my ONLY PB experience in a year. My nut and doc said the Viactiv was ok eventhough it's not Calc Citrate - getting enough works, and I'll actually get them in every day for life. The Viactiv are only 5 cal each I think? And come in choc and caramel.

I was under the impression from my nutritionist that 45-50 g was enough, but recently asked again and was told that 60 min and 70-75 ideal daily. I was on a 5 month stall (when I was doing 45-50 g) eventhough I was exercising, swam 60-100 laps a week! So, I am happy to say that I'm slowly losing again now that I've upped the protein.

I keep many flavors of the Atkins around at work for busy days, but sometimes (especially soon after banding) they were too dense for me and felt too dry - I was trying hard to get used to the no-drink thing. When I traveled last April, was banded in January 09, I brought a package of the Hillshire ultra thin turkey, a baggie of shredded cheese, and a baggie of Wheat Thins. They kept me feeling great, and didn't get stuck. Have a good trip.

While I thought I'd be further than I am, I am so happy to be where I am on my bandiversary - 54 pounds down and still working it!

Thanks Tammydago, I too often get discouraged. Many from my group who had surgery months after me have lost more, but I know they are much younger, are lower BMIs than me, and my exercise is all in the pool and they are running and doing "boot camp" type things, which I am not up for now. I also choose to eat real food, not everything that's low-fat or whatever because I want to have my habits and portions reflect what I know I can keep up forever. I felt if I did all the yogurt (which I hate), no-fat cottage cheese, etc. I knew I couldn't sustain. So, eventhough I have had long stretches of no loss, I know I can maintain...and my measurements still change, so I try hard not to focus on the # on the scale.

I forgot to say - I was on regular meds (bp, diabetes, cholesterol, allergies, etc), and lost 18 pounds in the 2 weeks.

Me too - I want to know that answer! My arms, thighs, upper abdomen, neck, boobs have shrunk - how do you deal with that lower abdomen area!!!

Pre-op diet for me was 2 weeks, I had 4 slim-fast low carb shakes a day (this was really hard - I sometimes didn't make it, but added non-fat skim milk powder and skim milk to make it up). I had a few salads with the spritzer dressing (but it tasted like flavored water, so didn't do much of that!) MOSTLY lived on homemade soups with lots of the non-starch veggies - like french onion, groundnut (onions, peppers, celery, tomatos), veggie stew and venison stew (with the meat and potatos removed). I made all with lots of extra broth so I could strain it and save some (real flavor) for the clear broth days after surgery. I felt like I was eating real food, so wasn't too deprived - BUT the first 3 days were really hard. After day 4 I was ok, but did take those first days off so I could not be tempted at work with all the after holiday food people brought in.

I don't know all the details, but Many obese have sleep-apnea and don't even know it. It can affect the safety of surgery (or post-op), and my surgeon wanted to be aware of all possible complications. My father has sleep apnea, and I was diagnosed the month before surgery, and have been using a CPap machine this past year. It's made a big difference in the fatigue factor - I have energy (even before surgery). Good luck, Nancy

Congrats - I was Jan. 20, 2009!

Shakes only? no veggies at all? Can you add skim milk and protein powder to make it feal more filling?