sjm1965

13/aug/09 238lb 13/jan/10 190lb lost 48lb ate too much on cruise over christmas! next target to hit: 175 by 1/mar/10

I tend to go for a vegetarian frittata - and request a side of aioli or dressing just in case you need moisture - the soft pumpkin/potato/vege filling is great tasting and very edible, but you still must GO SLOW and CHEW WELL!!!! no matter how soft - soft can block as much as hard. or a goats cheese tart. Caesar salad is good too. The beauty of these types of foods - they are usually Entrees, so smaller portions, and if the selection is good - order two entrees (you dont have to eat them entirely), noone will be any the wiser and it is actually far more interesting as entrees are much more exotic than mains usually.

As your fills correct your hunger pangs you wont crave - its the waiting for the fills that is hard. But I had steak last night - it just gives your jaw a work out. With any meat I cut it how i normally would, then cut again either 2 or 3 times, They must be small, and then well chewed, or you may get blockage. Just so you know, a mild blockage is medium discomfort. A BAD one is...."omg this is it! i am gonna die and i cant speak to tell anyone because i am choking and suffocating.... noone will notice if i stay calm.... omg calm isnt working!!!! i am really gonna die!!!!! get this stuff outta me.... fingers down throat... " bring up food 5-6 times before you are able to get a grip.

Congrats and good luck tomorrow...... SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE!!!!!!:tongue_smilie:

C'mon that's the sugar talking!!!!! Knock back two big glasses of Water, turn off your computer, and go for a one hour walk. When you get back look at yourself in the mirror, slap yourself silly, and then swear to yourself that this is a fresh start. Whatever works do get you mentally back in the game.... DO IT!!!!

In my humble opinion - whoever invented lapband should be canonized as a saint!!!! It is only since 2nd fill and 3 months after surgery that I can say the band has truly kicked in, so be patient!!!! WHAT ARE RESULTS WORTH TO YOU???? 1. My triple chin is gone already. 2. My arms are still large, but they feel and look leaner - not all puffed out. 3. I have cheekbones and a jawline. 4. I have dropped 2 clothes sizes. 5. With the help of a spray tan I am now wearing singlet tops with confidence instead of long sleeves in summer. 6. I am motivating myself to exercise. 7. I WANT to look in the mirror and really see myself. 8. I have positive visions of my future. 9. I have a renewed interested in sex. 10. I walk tall and proud and feel like a new person. How do you put a price on such a life change? Everyone will have different benefits I guess, but it is ALL GOOD!!!! Don't think twice - you may regret it.

I was terrible!!!! I ate... and ate... and ate... so far no issues but I may have just been lucky. I did however make sure that whatever I ate I pureed into a liquid in my mouth before swallowing. It was hard but if anything it helped me to learn how ALL food should be eaten ALL the time. I was a real gulper before. If you must cave in, just be selective in what you have - try for soft texture like Pasta or mash potato and gravy (KFC) I ate a steak after 10 days and lived in fear for about 3 weeks. Not worth it!!!!! And then I felt like I was a failure and sort of gave up on all the rules. Not the best move. So just dont go there. I am back on track now and doing just fine. The doctor said that the first month is the hardest. Thats because you are expected to eat nothing and have NO RESTRICTION - so of course it is hard. Even after the first fill I had virtually no restriction too. So just do your best and get those fills as soon as you possibly can. And if I can do this HELL anyone can!!!

be grateful - i put on weight just THINKING about them lololol I think it is because of sharp edges on the chips, they can irritate and "scratch" on the way through - i have that problem with taco shells and corn chips

don't be shy!!!!! go get another fill!!!!

Pre-optifast 239 lb banded 13.aug.09 228 lb Today 9.nov.09 194 lb (had 2 fills) Target by 17.12.09 176 lb going on cruise in 38 days!!!! Ideal weight 121 lb Excitement will kick in at 150 lb So count me in for 18 lb Or no turkey for me!!!!!

I HEAR YOU!!!!!! I thought I was going to choke to death a few times. Seriously!!!! Bottom line is we eat WAY too fast. Slow down puree the food in your mouth and halve each bite size. It is the only way I have found to prevent blockage, and whatever you do dont drink to try to get it to pass through quicker. I am now enjoying all the foods I like, and have a much better time of it since the second fill. I honestly am less hungry. Before I could eat a weeks food in a day without a second thought and had virtually gone into denial that I even had a band. Even was outdoing my father at the all you can eat buffet. You are normal - we all go through this. And by the way it is SOOOOO worth it. You just have to climb out of the rut. I will share a naughty secret with you.... I stopped losing, got a fill, and am now dropping it perfectly.... but I don't know that my method is 100% Kosher.... I am taking a diuretic pill once every second morning. It seems to be working a treat. That plus i am walking at night now, between the two light posts either side of my house, am up to 40 laps so getting better and better. Couldnt do 5 only 2 weeks ago. Another tip.... go shopping!!! Find something that fits you tight, like a stretchy top, and buy it, knowing that you are going to look better and better in it. I squeezed myself into a size 10 on saturday so I bought it lol. I am as motivated as anything now... I am actually a size 16 so it can be done lolol. was a 20. You have to find out what works for you.... everyone is different. and the disenchantment is normal in my opinion. we all want to be thin fast, just settle for thin eventually!!!!!

I would have a week off if I were you - I actually needed two, but he said that was because of hernia. Its not so much pain, but discomfort, plus having to adjust to the fact that you have Clear liquids only, and the hunger is worse than when on Optifast. This is major surgery - and any anaesthetic takes time to get over. Yes you CAN go to work - but I don't think you may WANT to go to work... just my opinion. I am curious to read everyone elses responses - but ultimately its your decision and you will make the right one for you.