Stitchy

I second the hot liquids.

Test the more solid of these for yourself. My first golf ball was scrambled eggs. Think of this stage as food you could eat if you had no teeth. Gorton's frozen fish - no breading. They come in 3-oz servings Frozen crab cakes - again in 3-oz servings Cottage cheese and canned fruit Refried Beans topped with melted cheese Soups with chunks of vegetables or soft meats. I lived on soups. Canned fruit (fresh is too much just yet) Mashed potatoes Saltines or Ritz crackers with humus Yogurt Applesauce pudding Cream of Wheat Fluffy scrambled eggs - some people add cottage cheese

I started out with about 1/2 cup of food or about 3 oz of fish (fish is great Protein for just starting solids). Eat slowly, chewing very well and pay attention to how you feel. Generally, I found that when the question of have I had enough pops into my head ... I had. Stop eating - put the food in another room. If you are still hungry in 10 minutes, you can have more. That has worked really well for me. I never have gone back for the rest. Good luck

That is really cool. But when I look at the profile of the virtual model, it doesn't look like MY lumpy body :phanvan

SherriJO It's a stress reliever, I think. I cried a lot during of major times in my life. I was a stewardess in the mid-sixties. (That was before they were called flight attendents.) I went to training for 6 weeks. The night before I was to fly to my new domicile, I cried. I cried on my wedding night. I cried when I saw my baby for the first time. I cried when my daughter went to France to study for four months. My daughter cried the first time she went away to college and she didn't understand it either. It had nothing to do with being scared or nervous. It was just emotional. I wonder if guys do anything like this?

Funny - I took the test only to be dissapointed that at the end they wanted personal information. Emails and such. It took quite awhile to work through the whole thing, too.

After surgery, the liquid phase will be OK - at the beginning. If it can go through a straw (puree and thin Soups down), you can have it and it will satisfy your hunger. But it drove me crazy near the end! I craved something substantial. Then on to soft foods, but near the end, the same thing. I am now 8 weeks out and I can eat anything I want. Crunchy crackers, even some corn chips. I've had wine, ice cream, popcorn. All of the things I missed. Because of the bad press (sliming, PB's), I have not tried white bread or carbonated beverages, but I have eaten everything else that I wanted. However, in much smaller quantities. I truly don't feel deprived. The band doesn't necessarily mean you can't ever again have your favorite foods. Hang in there.

I would suggest before eating to drink a little warm liquid. I have heard that it can help relax your stomach and then food will go down easier. It's certainly worth a try. Good luck.

The first six weeks or so (until you get a fill - normally) are for healing, not for losing weight although it can happen. It seems plausible that when you start eating normal food that you could gain or maintain weight. You don't have much restriction, yet. Do your best to keep the quantities small, chew well and keep asking yourself if you are full. The *yes* answer is difficult because we are used to eating it ALL! At this point, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I am one of those lucky ones that do not have a fill yet (8 weeks out). It may be awhile before I do because I am losing 1-2 lbs a week, and am not starving. I am hungry just before meals, but you're supposed to be hungry then. I eat normal sized bites and although I do try to chew well, I sometimes forget. How do I do it? Partly luck. I don't think I am doing anything special, though. I serve myself small portions on a small plate. I chew to goo (usually), and stop as soon as I even think I might have had enough. I tell myself that I can have the rest later, but so far I haven't. Best of luck to you. Don't worry about your weight until you have a couple of fills under your belt. I think you are very normal. And, I wouldn't go back to liquids. You really need the protein that real food gives you. Liquid food goes down easily but I don't think it's good for you long term. Hmmmm. Just thought of something. You might check with your doctor, too. There may be some policy that they won't give you a fill unless you have been eating solids. My doc's office doesn't always give fills just because you might want one, but I don't know what the criteria is.

SherriJo Why are you doing that to yourself? Most of the people here went on pre-op diets because they were advised by their doctors. If you aren't planning on going against your doc's advice after banding, why are you doing it now? There are many reasons for pre-op diets so do what your doc says. My doc recommends pre-ops only for patients over 300 lbs. Since I wasn't there, no pre-op diet. After banding, you probably won't feel hungry because your stomach will be swollen and irritated (and smaller). You won't want to eat much for a while and you will (probably) feel OK. Don't be so hard on yourself. Remember what our mothers said when we wanted to do what our *all* friends were doing - something like "if they jumped in front of a car/off a cliff/etc, would you do that? Just do what I tell you."

Mine was $17,000 in Everett, WA. Outpatient basis. Included the anesthesiologist one year after care/fills.

This hostess did know about Jillia's liquid diet since she provided Jello and iced tea for her. She wanted to serve dessert to her other guests, but what liquid can you serve for dessert? Probably in her mind, pudding is not liquid. Pre-banding, I didn't either. I think Julia was unhappy that dessert was being served in front of her and she couldn't have any. That's why I think that as an adult, she could just say no thank you. This won't be the last time she has to say no. I doubt that the hostess was being mean. I think she was being as accomodating as she could. Eating before dinner: My DH has learned the hard way about dinners. Many people think they have complied with his needs, but who knew that soy sauce has wheat in it? Or beer has barley (same gluten intolerance)? Or anything with malt in it? Or "modified food starch" is likely wheat-based if it is made outside the US? It is just safer to eat first. For us, the company is the big thing.

I put it over whatever was hurting. Back, shoulder, but mostly tummy. Very comforting.

:bump: Bumping for newbies. This is what happens when you get a fill.

Here is a link to a video of the lapband surgery. I wasn't grossed out by it, but if you are squeamish, don't watch. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3190472028990485080&q=lap+band

I took before pics, but haven't taken any others. I think I will do that in a few days. It will be my 2 months bandiversary.

Yesterday morning, my DH looked at my stomach (I was in bed, lying flat on my back) and said something like "WOW. Your stomach is hardly there. It used to mound up lots higher." :bananajump: :Banane20:

It's the liver. Part of the liver lays on top the upper stomach. They have to pull it aside for banding. Fatty livers make for more difficult surgery. This is a video and isn't for the squeamish, but it's very informative http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3190472028990485080&q=lap+band It's really for your health and well-being. They aren't just being persnickety.

I personally don't mind SF anything. However, my DH and DD can't stand the aftertaste. That would be subjecting all guests to something *odd* to accomodate one guest. JMHO

I, too, think you were being overly sensitive. This is your journey, not the rest of the world's. If you were a child, I would think badly of the hostess. However, this was not the case. Suck it up! This won't be the last time. For reference of where I am coming from, my DH has an intolerance to gluten (wheat). Can't eat it in any form. If he isn't sure that he will be able to eat what is served for dinner (at someone's home), he eats beforehand and then Snacks on what he can. He is perfectly capable of saying no thank you, and enjoying the company.

2 days clear liquids 2 weeks liquids (it should be able to go thru a straw) 2 weeks soft mushy foods Gradually start addding solids

Nope. No diet. I'm done with that. I didn't get this band to "diet" and count calories and carbs. I hated it when I was doing it and I still hate it. I'm been eating and preparing meals for my family long enough that I know what are good foods and what are not so good. I did the WW, Nutrisystems, etc., and I lost weight, but I didn't learn anything from it. The weight came right back - with buddies. I still eat mostly what I did before, but no breads or carbonated beverages. I put smaller portions on my plate and keep asking myself if I am still truly hungry. When the answer is no, I stop. And that is difficult because I always cleaned my plate. And so far, no fill and I'm losing weight.

Wheetsin. Good for you for talking to her straight. I would suggest that sometime in the future - maybe not right away - to keep on asking her if she has thought about it. She may be wishing she could take you up on your loving offer but not know how to broach the subject. If you can bring it up occasionally - and you will know when and how - it may make it easier for her to accept. I personally would find it difficult to say "remember that offer you made awhile back..?" I am touched to tears at your generousity. Your are a wonderful daughter.

Yes, here, too! DH has lost his eating buddy. When he sees me eating less, he feels guilty going back for seconds (or thirds). He should lose about 30 lbs and has lost about 10 so far. I think that is just so cool.

I didn't get a choice. It was just there when I woke up. It's on my right side, about 3 inches above and to the right of my belly button. I asked the doc prior to surgery about waistband rubbing. He said "well, your waist is going to be lower that it is now." I guess waists are just above the hipbone. I think I remember that. :heh: