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An approx eating plan in Australia consists of Bread/cereal 1- 2 serves per day vegies 4 starch veg 1 fruit 2 dairy 2 meat/protein 2 fats 1 This is approx and differs from Dr to Dr.So the focus is not on Protein at all but on a healthy, balanced diet. Its quite interesting, one of the books I have gives examples of how much protein in foods and there are lots of foods that have protein in them then you don't really think of.e.g. 2 slices toast = 4g 2 pieces fruit = 4g 1/2 cup Pasta 2.5g So its really easy to get enough protein in one day eating a normal balanced diet. No need for shakes and no need to focus on meat.

It can also be a problem if the food is too dry. I ate some fish after my 2nd fill thinking that was soft and would be easy but it hurt like hell! It was better once I added some sauce to it.You also have to aim for the balance between not too dry and not too wet as otherwise it slips past the band too easily and then you won't feel full. Try steak done in the slowcooker rather than grilled as it is a lot easier to eat.

I'm also wondering how/why you have fill in your band. Its not surprising you feel awful - your body needs chance to heal first before the process of fills starts. I think you should speak to your Dr and that you should probably have all your fill taken out. You may find that makes a huge difference.

Most prosthesis do not last for ever. That's why they don't like doing hip replacements too early etc. But if in 5, 10 or 20 years something goes wrong they can replace it - I don't see that it will be that awful - no worse than the original surgery and probably better as there shouldn't be a need for a liver shrinking diet etc. Also if something better has come along by then then we could choose to go for that instead. As they say "lets cross that bridge when we come to it". i don't believe that we should get ourselves stressed and worked up worrying about something that may never happen. Plus I would rather have a band replacement than e.g open heart surgery which is a strong possibility for those that remain obese.Not saying i won't need it but hopefully the likelihood will be a lot lower.

Mashed vegies with gravy.You can eat potato, carrot, pumpkin,cauliflower,broccolli etc etc

You're right that sounds really weird. Just trying to picture how the lapband could affect them!

I read a post from someone on another forum recently that has had their band for 10 years. He was an Aussie who then moved to the US.

This is not slow! This is exactly the rate that it is supposed to come off at. You are doing really well. I just worry when I read comments like this as it seems peoples expectations are not in line with the reality!

I was nauseous for a couple of days afterwards until the Dr's suggested I try soup. That worked a treat. It tasted like food, it was satisfying and I think the fact that it is warm somehow helps as well.

Darlene that is great news, so happy for you. Makes you wonder about some Dr's though doesn't it?

Yes this is how the majority of surgeons fill in Aus. I have had 2 fills. 1.5ml and 1ml and am not due to go back for another 2 weeks. It is slow but I believe it is better than having aggressive fills where you end up overfilled and then can't eat/drink and have to go back and have some taken out. Hopefully the Subway is a 6" not a 12". remember to pick healthy fillings and skip the cookies!

Loving some of these stories. So glad I started this thread.

No they are not.

Don't be stupid of course there isn't! I live in Ballarat in Australia which is one of the extra states. And we all know that the US president is THE leader of the WORLD!

I agree with HH that you may need some help. Better to start the process prior to banding. But you also have to remember that after banding you can still get satisfaction from food. Hopefully though you will be making better choices and will be able to appreciate those tastes and textures. How about A nice warm, comforting bowl of oatmeal. Hearty comforting casseroles(just without the dumplings) The contrasts in texture with a nice wholemeal tuna or chicken wrap. The different textures of vegetables One food that I have discovered that I really like at the moment is tabouleh.I keep some in the fridge and its a quick easy way of getting veggies in at lunchtime. It has a great texture and lots of flavour. You also need to remember that what you do 90% of the time is what is important.There is nothing wrong with having an occasional treat. In fact I believe that if foods are completely forbidden you are more likely to crave them and they are more of a problem.

Why don't you put your city under city and your county and country under state?

Keep up the good work. You are a very strong person, you have proved this many times already. PM me as often as you want. Having other people to share with makes things so much easier. Lots of exciting things going on in your life at the moment. Especially becoming a Nana for the first time.. All the best

Ok a bit of background for US and European members. Magda is the latest celebrity to appear in our Jenny Craig adverts.She is being touted as an amazing success and is all over magazines etc. She is between 153cm and 158cm tall depending on which site you go into. She started off at over 120kg and has now hit her goal weight of 85kg. I applaud her for the hard work she has done but cannot see why someone would have a goal that still makes them obese. If she is 153cm (the same height as me) then her BMI is now 36.3, if she is 158 it is 34. Both unhealthy by any standards.If this was just a step on her way to a healthy weight it would be great but according to everything I have read she has reached her GOAL!!!!! I think this sends out completely the wrong message. Also according to the magazines she is now a size 14 (which I think is the equivalent of a US 10,UK 12) . Yeah right, I started off at 74kg , 10kg less than Magda , and was struggling to get into size 18 shirts. Seems like some misleading advertising here.

Linda I think you have hit the nail on the head. There is no way of knowing 100% before hand what is right for you. Even when you pick the one that seems best suited there are still other variables that can affect the outcome. Surgeon, hospital, illnesses that you may get that could affect the outcome - some which you may already have but be unaware of etc......... So as you say it is a leap of faith and infinitely better than doing nothing.

I assume this was advice you got from your surgeon? It is totally different from what I have been told.e.g Dry meat often causes problems, it is better if it is moister. Yes food should not be swimming in liquid but it is OK to have some kind of gravy or sauce. Also my meals are supposed to be composed of approx 1/3 protein, 1/3 veg and 1/3 carb - here Dr's are more about balance as opposed to the protein first approach. I do not think the uncomfortable feeling is a signal to stop as sometimes it happens with the first bite. It could be that the bite is too big, not chewed well enough, that it is too dry or it could be first bite syndrome. I disagree with the comment that discomfort is your friend. I think the aim is to be able to eat normal foods in smaller quantities without feeling discomfort. Be careful lots of people have discomfort and often it turns out something is wrong. We also have to try to learn the difference between full (as in stuffed) and not hungry. We should stop eating when we are no longer hungry as if we are trying to feel full as per previously we may well overdo it.

I'm two months out, have had two fills. 1.5ml and 1ml in a 10ml band and have been fighting the same 2lb for the past two weeks.I seem to have hit a plateau as well. Yes it is frustrating but it is only going to get better. Plus if you are not gaining then thats positive. I am also sure that after you have lost a bit your body then hangs on for a while before letting you drop some more. Sort of like its trying to adjust and catch up. So yes I understand how frustrating it is, Just relax and don't worry - the weight WILL come off.

I also thought there would have been more replies, maybe i should have posted it somewhere else. So HH - what was the origin of yours?

Thats a very sad and very traumatic story. I can fully understand how it made you decide to get the op. Well done on bringing up your younger sisters. I didn't have a trigger as such. I was just fed up with my weight going up and up.I also found that as I got older that diets weren't working - I just couldn't shift the weight anymore.

I'm surprised that the nurse was surprised. There are lots of threads about burping etc and I think you will find that lots of us burp lots way past the 3 week mark. Some days I could be the burping queen!

HH and Restless - be careful - people are going to start talking! But I agree, I also think Restless is great. She gives good , well thought out, well balanced advice.