Layla12

I asked my Nutritionist the same thing. Basically, I was told that it can be anything as long as it is either soft (like cottage cheese, scrambled eggs, yogurt, refried beans, tuna w/ light mayo, thick soups/ stews (with soft veggies and meat, like canned soup), puddings, apple sauce etc etc. OR it can also be something put into the food processor like chicken, fish, even salads, veggies etc. I think the goal is to make SURE there are no large pieces of food being ingested as your stomach needs to work harder digesting these. The RD said stay away from chewy proteins, dense doughy breads like bagels, veggie and fruit skins, and particularly fibrous foods like celery and red meat. As long as it's liquified (chewed very well) it should be ok. My question was...Isn't everything mushy after it's chewed well? Really the above mentioned fibrous/ dense foods were the only real no no's according to my RD. Good luck!

WEll, I had my first fill today and it wasn't too traumatic. I was laying down and the PA was finding my port as I "stuck my stomach out". These were my instructions and I realized that I don't think I'd EVER tried to do that! It was an odd feeling...then a little pinch and I was being filled. I have a 9 cc band and I was scheduled for 4 cc's today. As it was going in I felt a LOT of pressure in my chest so the PA removed what she had put in and realized that I actually already HAD 4 cc's in my band (I guess from something called "flushing" during surgery...I'll need to investigate that a bit more)...So I only got 1 cc today and feel a tiny bit more restriction. All in all, I'm a bit worried that I had 4 cc's already and I'm as hungry as I am and can eat "as much" as I am. I've been back and forth to NYC every week for a month for work so have been eating most meals out. I can finish a tuna sandwich and bag of carrots with no trouble and was easily able to eat 2 slices of pizza (a small splurge, and they were small slices). This is FAR less than I would have eaten 2 months ago. I love good pizza and NYC has some great pizza...I used to be able to scarf down 4 slices or so in no time...I nursed my 2 slices with mushroom and spinach and really totally enjoyed every single bite. I definitely appreciate that the band has allowed me to still eat small portions of my favorite foods: sushi, salads, toast with an over easy egg, and now a slice of pizza....It's really forcing me to savor and appreciate my food and not just blindly fill my belly. I'm a vegetarian (well pescatarian, I eat fish) so I had been feeling a tiny bit limited as I need to make sure I get my protein (and I hate tofu)..and the pizza has calmed my cravings. I'm very happy with my progress and I'm hoping that now that I have my first fill I can still enjoy a slice (only one) every now and then!!!!! I should have titled this blog "Pizza" as it really has lifted my spirits as odd as that sounds. I have a new found respect for the food I eat....and I only try to eat "the best"...I went to John's pizza in NYC and I tell you...I think it's one of the BEST!! That's another interesting thing...I will never eat another slice of Domino's again (sorry for those who like it)...I can honestly say that as long as I have my band there will never be another wasted calorie on something I don't love (unless I'm stranded somewhere and my choices are death or Domino's)!!:biggrin:

WEll, I had my first fill today and it wasn't too traumatic. I was laying down and the PA was finding my port as I "stuck my stomach out". These were my instructions and I realized that I don't think I'd EVER tried to do that! It was an odd feeling...then a little pinch and I was being filled. I have a 9 cc band and I was scheduled for 4 cc's today. As it was going in I felt a LOT of pressure in my chest so the PA removed what she had put in and realized that I actually already HAD 4 cc's in my band (I guess from something called "flushing" during surgery...I'll need to investigate that a bit more)...So I only got 1 cc today and feel a tiny bit more restriction. All in all, I'm a bit worried that I had 4 cc's already and I'm as hungry as I am and can eat "as much" as I am. I've been back and forth to NYC every week for a month for work so have been eating most meals out. I can finish a tuna sandwich and bag of carrots with no trouble and was easily able to eat 2 slices of pizza (a small splurge, and they were small slices). This is FAR less than I would have eaten 2 months ago. I love good pizza and NYC has some great pizza...I used to be able to scarf down 4 slices or so in no time...I nursed my 2 slices with mushroom and spinach and really totally enjoyed every single bite. I definitely appreciate that the band has allowed me to still eat small portions of my favorite foods: sushi, salads, toast with an over easy egg, and now a slice of pizza....It's really forcing me to savor and appreciate my food and not just blindly fill my belly. I'm a vegetarian (well pescatarian, I eat fish) so I had been feeling a tiny bit limited as I need to make sure I get my protein (and I hate tofu)..and the pizza has calmed my cravings. I'm very happy with my progress and I'm hoping that now that I have my first fill I can still enjoy a slice (only one) every now and then!!!!! I should have titled this blog "Pizza" as it really has lifted my spirits as odd as that sounds. I have a new found respect for the food I eat....and I only try to eat "the best"...I went to John's pizza in NYC and I tell you...I think it's one of the BEST!! That's another interesting thing...I will never eat another slice of Domino's again (sorry for those who like it)...I can honestly say that as long as I have my band there will never be another wasted calorie on something I don't love (unless I'm stranded somewhere and my choices are death or Domino's)!!:sneaky:

I don't really have any restriction and I was banded 5 weeks ago. First fill is next Friday and can't wait. I've been eating "normally". Probably about 1000-1200 cals a day. Like I said, no restriction so I very hungry if I eat too little. Breakfast is 2 eggs on low carb toast, no butter etc. Lunch is a lean cuisine, a baby bell cheese "light" and piece of fruit in the afternoon and then dinner is usually a veggie burger and veggies. I've been losing very slowly, but haven't gained. I'm totally fine with this...taking this time to practice chewing food thoroughly and getting into an exercise routine is what I'm trying to focus on. As someone else said, I weigh myself everyday first thing so I know where I stand. I wouldn't get too caught up in the pounds lost at this point, this is such a major lifestyle change and your body is probably going through a shock of sorts. For me, I'm just happy I'm making positive changes.

So, all is well. Can't say I even notice I have a band right now. I feel hungry, but not too bad, think besides the band my stomach has shrunk and cannot even fathom eating the portions I previously devoured without thinking it unreasonable. No pain or discomfort. I've been traveling back and forth to NYC for work so have been eating out a lot and sort of maintaining/ SLOWLY losing...I'm down about 15 lbs since surgery and 31 total since pre-op diet and I feel like it's solid weight loss...lots of time I think the weightloss is very fragile and will come back without me noticing. I have to say that I feel so much lighter, better and healthier already. Have my first fill next Friday and am not nervous....am looking forward to kicking up the weighloss!! :smile:

So, all is well. Can't say I even notice I have a band right now. I feel hungry, but not too bad, think besides the band my stomach has shrunk and cannot even fathom eating the portions I previously devoured without thinking it unreasonable. No pain or discomfort. I've been traveling back and forth to NYC for work so have been eating out a lot and sort of maintaining/ SLOWLY losing...I'm down about 15 lbs since surgery and 31 total since pre-op diet and I feel like it's solid weight loss...lots of time I think the weightloss is very fragile and will come back without me noticing. I have to say that I feel so much lighter, better and healthier already. Have my first fill next Friday and am not nervous....am looking forward to kicking up the weighloss!! :thumbup:

Ok, so today is the first day that I'm really starting to feel back to normal....very happily. Went for a walk...a short one, got a mani/ pedi, blew dry my hair, shaved the legs...all the grooming rituals that have been put on the back burner for the last 10 days! I'm also down 25 lbs today since I started the pre-op diet. So feeling pretty good about things. Two things that I think are odd about myself right now: One, I find great comfort in watching the food network constantly. I love to cook (and eat) and am growing a veggie garden now so I've been thinking of cool recipes. I have been watching A LOT and seem to be somewhat sated just watching these yummy things being prepared...I don't necessarily even want to EAT them....just a bit strange the whole thing. Number two and even weirder is that I'm having very vivid dreams about food. Have had two (so recurring) dreams about home made peach ice cream (which I'm not sure I've ever even had) and last night I was molesting a Big Mac! I'm a vegetarian and have never been a huge fast food person (although do have very fond food memories of McD's cheeseburgers during my meat eating years!) Anyway, a bit weird, but all in all things are good and I guess we all handle these changes a bit differently. :crying:

Ok, so today is the first day that I'm really starting to feel back to normal....very happily. Went for a walk...a short one, got a mani/ pedi, blew dry my hair, shaved the legs...all the grooming rituals that have been put on the back burner for the last 10 days! I'm also down 25 lbs today since I started the pre-op diet. So feeling pretty good about things. Two things that I think are odd about myself right now: One, I find great comfort in watching the food network constantly. I love to cook (and eat) and am growing a veggie garden now so I've been thinking of cool recipes. I have been watching A LOT and seem to be somewhat sated just watching these yummy things being prepared...I don't necessarily even want to EAT them....just a bit strange the whole thing. Number two and even weirder is that I'm having very vivid dreams about food. Have had two (so recurring) dreams about home made peach ice cream (which I'm not sure I've ever even had) and last night I was molesting a Big Mac! I'm a vegetarian and have never been a huge fast food person (although do have very fond food memories of McD's cheeseburgers during my meat eating years!) Anyway, a bit weird, but all in all things are good and I guess we all handle these changes a bit differently. :thumbup:

I am going through the same thing right now and it SUCKS! Although it is nice to know I have some company....sorry! I have had it today for 7 hours straight!!!

:target: Mind numbing shoulder pain today. Had to leave work first day back! Urgh! Luckily can work from home and will do that tomorrow. Been taking gasX strips, heat pack, hot tea, walking (although not too much b/c I still get tired quickly and a tad light headed). Shoulder pain before came in bouts of a few minutes and this has been going on for 7 hours....really really not liking this!!!:crying:

Mind numbing shoulder pain today. Had to leave work first day back! Urgh! Luckily can work from home and will do that tomorrow. Been taking gasX strips, heat pack, hot tea, walking (although not too much b/c I still get tired quickly and a tad light headed). Shoulder pain before came in bouts of a few minutes and this has been going on for 7 hours....really really not liking this!!!:thumbup:

Congrats! I'm 5 days post-op and feel your pain! That stinks about the lungs, but I had lung/ breathing pain too after and had no pneumonia so I'd bet it's pretty common. Hope all goes well this week!