greytz

If it is, I'll take it every day of the week and then some and who really gives a crap if some idiot thinks it is the easy way out. If it works for you and you are successful with it, then that is what counts. If it is easier to park closer to the Mall if you are going to have bags to carry do you park far away just so you can say it was harder? I could go on and on with that but you get the idea. It isn't about what is easier for me. It is about making a lifestyle change that I can be successful with and be proud of.

She also said the obvious which was this will not make me full and is not intended to be meant to make me full as I would with a meal and does defeat the purpose of the band.

I consider long term effects when thinking about what my surgeon says and the restrictions such as not drinking while eating. My concern is the long term effect of drinking while eating with the band in place. My concern is that it will cause slippage long term due to the fact that you are forcing liquids with solids and stretching the pouch which is not the intention. Since I have begun a very stringent exercise routine during this latter part of my journey however, I had to discuss hydration and protein with my surgeon. The supervised gym I go to and my personal trainer strongly urged me to eat a small amount of protein before and after I work out along with hydration. This was in direct conflict with what I was taught. Having said this the outcome of the conversation with my surgeon was I can hydrate during my workout and have a small and she stressed the word small amount of protein before and after such as a couple of wedges of apple with a little peanut butter. She also stressed that I have to sip very small amounts of water during the workout. She explained sipping and not gulping.

There is much debate on this topic. Soups are slider foods however, progresso in particular for the most part has large pieces of pasta, whole pieces of chicken, carrots, etc. If it keeps you full until the next meal and you are eating the cup to cup and a half then I would think it would be ok since we aren't talking, chips and milkshakes and other high calorie foods that are sliders and do not fill you up. You just have to be careful not to eat too much and stretch the pouch with it and be aware of your satiety level. My surgeon has advised me not to eat soup with a meal as it is like drinking with the meal. There are lots of varying opinions on this topic. Have you asked your surgeon about it yet? Please let me know if you do and what they say about it. Thanks.

Congrats on your weight loss in spite of your trauma. That is something to be so proud of and I truly hope you find a way to work it all out.

Good Luck to you then. By all means, do what you intend to do and don't listen to your surgeon. I personally don't have MD behind my name and I do what my surgeon instructs and I also do my research and I AM proactive with my band. Everyone has to take responsibility for themselves and no surgeon has a crystal ball and knows exactly how the patient is feeling 24/7. They do rely on the patient to tell them what is going on with them and how they are feeling. We all have that responsibility.

You should do what your individual surgeon tells you to do. Period. Some have different requirements and waiting times than others depending on the person and their specific needs including possible medical needs and co-morbidies. You can't pile everyone into one basket. There are also specific guidlelines about what you should be eating during this time period. It is without a doubt for most the most difficult time of the journey and it shapes your behaviors and eating modifications for your future weight loss success.

To me, just cutting out certain foods until I reach my goal has done the trick. I hestitate to call it a diet and it is not a strick regimented diet but in the beginning, I didn't eat pasta, rice, bread, sweets etc. And I follow the no carbonation rules and when to drink liquids between meals very strictly. No alcohol for me either. Now that I am closer to my goal and I am working out very hard on a regular basis, I have let up on my original rules a little. I still don't eat pasta and rice but I just don't really want them. I have integrated some breads back into my eating like whole wheats and grains. I also have a sweet occasionally and found out that I can eat just one piece of chocolate and not feel like I have to have the whole box. Who Knew?

Congrats Meg! You have begun your new life today. Good Luck!

I was 120 at one time but I was in the military and worked, worked worked at it and I was a lot younger then. In my late 20's and early 30's I was healthiest at about 150 to 155. I too am struggling with the last few pounds. Although, it is coming off just much more slowly than before. I think it is because my body is shifting the weight and I am building more muscle. I joined a supervised gym and they assess me with measurements and muscle to fat ratio every two months so it gives me incentive to work out really hard but in doing so, I do stay hungrier and have had to be careful about my eating during the day. I was eating twice a day and I have switched to much smaller portions a little more often to help.

Thanks. I have a chin thing happening that I want to get rid of and I still have some stomach I am working on although it is getting much smaller. I actually decided to wipe the goal thing out of my mind now that I am further along and I am concentrating on muscle toning and trimming now. It will probably take me a little longer to get rid of the rest but that is ok. I am at a point now where I can deal with it so much better than before.

I am at 8cc's in my 10cc band and I am definitely there. I do get stuck occasionally but it is usually my fault. I am eating too fast or taking too big of bites. I am not planning on a fill for awhile but will continue to see my surgeon on a regular basis just to be sure I am doing ok.