TracyNYC

My PA told me too only eat dark meat as it is juicier. I am having trouble with most meats. Deli meat is fine, but a burger or cutlet and I am in trouble. Pork is a huge NO NO for me. I can do steak most of the time. Go Figure! If something doesn't work, I give it a rest and try it again a few weeks later. Sometimes it is Ok, sometimes not.

They tell me soft foods that day and the next if needed. After that the rule is "take it easy". The fills sort of shock me back into banded reality at first. One PB and I am like "Oh yeah-have to chew more, etc."

So glad to read all these stories. I too told waaaaay too many people. Most reactions have been positive. Some, not so much. Even before thinking about this surgery there was a band of women at work who felt they had the right to tell me about my weight. Now, as I am still morbidly obese, I talk back. Told one I would be happy to give her my surgeon's name. She herself is at least 50 lbs. overweight. My Best Friend joined WW the week I was banded. She stopped going about a month later. Sadly, I started smoking again recently. When I told her she was all over me quite publicly. After she was done I said, "We all have our vices. Another chocolate Chip cookie?". MEAN? Yes! But I don't care anymore. I am very liberated by doing this. Lap2Fab is going to be a skinny liar, but I am going to be a skinny Biotch! LOL

I have been waiting and weighing for weeks and this morning I was 239.8. I started at 289. I have been hovering at 241 for 2 weeks. Yipee. I promised myself a Pandora Bracelet at the 50 lb. mark. It will take a bit to be permanently in the 230s, but I am very happy!

I was told no straw for the same reasons given here. Since being banded I find it very difficult to burp at all, so pulling in air that will be hard or painful is just not worth it. I forgot and used a straw at the movies w/ iced tea. Suddenly I felt so uncomfortable and it took awhile to figure out why. Chomped on some Gas-X and finally was able to ease the gas. Just another inconsistency in doctor given advice.

Thank you all for the kind words. I am going to get a charm for each 10 pounds after that. Of course, now at day's end I am back in the 240s. LOL Been upping my protein and walking. When I weigh in at surgeon this week if I am under 240, off to the mall I go!

I agree. I am amazed at the different pre and post operative plans. I could not leave the hospital until I ate mushies and some people are still on liquids for weeks after. It really is amazing that there is no standard.

Yeah! It took me forever to go down a size.....50 lbs and down from an 18 to a 16.... Good Luck!

I would stick to the lean Proteins and if possible bring what you can with you. Canned chili, Soups. etc. Laughing cow cheeses. Nothing wrong with apple sauce, FF puddings and other soft things if you are on the road and are afraid of getting stuck. Going away can be very stressful when eating plans are up in the air. If you go out to eat stick to soups. Good Luck. It gets a bit easier.

Very normal. My doc says to use miralax. Now that I can take pills I use sennakot (sp?). The miralax was far too explosive for me, especially being in the classroom. Now things are very normal and I wonder if the constipation/loose stool is band related or just normal in and outs (ha ha) of things.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have been lax in my protein tracking. I really dislike the shakes, so this is VERY helpful.

Thanks for the info. It seems the unsweetened Vanilla sells out quickly in my supermarket.

I am hooked on Almond Breeze unsweetened Almond Milk in vanilla. I love it in my Cereal and tea. It had less calories and fat than other milk and is creamier too. I bet it would be good with a Protein Shake too. It has no sugar, which my nutritionist was shocked to discover. It can be hard to get sometimes, so I found out what days the store gets a delivery. Anyone else use this? I want to try the chocolate.

I had to sign that too. I have never heard of it happening to anyone here, but I guess it does thus the declaration.

My port is not visible. However, I am not a t goal or anywhere near it so maybe it will show as I lose weight. My port is slightly above and to the right of my belly button, so it is well padded. My BF knows all about my surgery, but it does not interfere with "those special moments". Good Luck!

I just stirred everything together for the ricotta. I guess a spin in the food processor wouldn't hurt it:tt2: I always take out most of the yolks when I make egg salal ( a left over WW habit. I have a mini food chopper and run the whites and a yolk or two through that so it is really fine. I use light or FF mayo and put in some regular mayo to cut the taste. I HATE light mayo. The refried Beans (FF) in the can are very mushy already, so no additional mixing. They can be a little dry (if that makes sense for a soft food) so a bit if salsa can make it wetter. Or sometimes I throw a little FF cream cheese or sour cream in with it. These were my staple items. Now I do eggsalad once in a while. Some of the mushy foods, like baked/mashed potato, were approved on mushy stage but not for after that b/c of carbs. Sometimes after a fill I revert back to those for a day or 2.

Baked Ricotta Mush 1/2 cup FF ricotta some tomato sauce (jar or can) Garlic , salt, pepper Shredded FF or LF mozzarela (if you can tolerate it) Mix it all together and bake or microwave it until it is all warm and melted together. Heavenly. I also like refried Beans, egg salad

Oh, If I had such problems....Trying to get to the 50 lb mark after 10 months....But seriously, make sure you are getting the nutritional needs met.

Welcome and Kudos on the dropped weight. Stick with the liquids and you will be so excited to move to mushies! As for the gas, I took chewable Gas-X and walked and walked. I still use them once in a while and I am 10 months out. I found that after a 'meal' I need to move to help the digestion and gas. The gas will leave in time. It is uncomfortable at times. Keep up the good work and again: WELCOME!

My sister made a delicious Pulled Pork in the slow cooker. It was so good and the meat was so soft and tender. I had a small portion (The others had it on hero bread.) with half of a baked potato. I could not imagine having any problems with the consistency of this meal. I did not overeat or chew too little. But as soon as the last spoonful went in I started sliming and had to bring it up. Other than some deli ham, I can not get pork to agree with my band. I feel so bad, my sister has tried to make nice band-friendly food for me and then I had to go "get sick" Should I keep trying it on and off? That is one thing I hate: the inconsistency. One day chicken works, the next not so. But, Pork seems to be a no no. Any advice/opinions/comments?

Thanks all! It was stringy, but oh, was it good! I had such a small amount. I will talk to PA on my next visit, but as soon as I tell her it came up, she won't give me a fill. Just gotta keep trying new things.

I had my surgery on a Monday and went back to teaching the following Tuesday. (Monday was a Holiday, or I would have gone back Monday.) Being on my feet and not being allowed to be excused from Hall patrol was a little tough. I also was made to stand and break up groups of students during an assembly and was hit in my incision twice from the students jostling around. Saw some stars, but was OK. A more reasonable principal could have helped me avoid some of the discomfort of that first week back. he knew I had surgery, but not what kind. I think a week is fine unless you do very physical work.

My first fill was 1 month after surgery. I lay down, do a sort of 1/2 sit up and the PA usually withdraws what is there ( I think this is to check that you are not leaking) and then increases the fill when she puts it back. I also drink the cup of Water to check for tightness. My fills have averaged every other month. Good Luck.

Let the meds run through. I too was very weepy/angry/moody for a while right after too. There is a degree of mourning of the old ways. I am almost a year out and still get annoyed that I had to resort to this to cope with my addiction. I am very happy and am teetering on 50 lbs gone though. The roller coaster gets better and will eventually go away. I think the build up before is so overwhelming (doctors, insurance, etc) that there is bound to be a let down once it is done. You will be very happy when a mushy egg or baked riccota comes along. Keep the faith and know that it will pass. Mom means well, but I know it can be overbearing:ohmy:. Perhaps a few more days and she will see you are ok on your own. Best of luck

I want a 6-pack and not the 2 liter I have been hauling around! :redface: