honk

I was at week 5 before I had solids. Week three was ricotta and cottage cheese. Week 4 was egg whites and shredded chicken.

It took me 6 months to get restriction and maybe 6-8 fills. As a previous poster mentioned start weighing your food. I read a lot of postss where people say they are eating just a few bites. My doctor says 3 oz of protein and veggies. When you mentioned 1/2 a hamburger patty is that 3 oz? Chicken wings are also not a great choice. High in fat and low in meat/protein. Now that I am at restriction I am eating about the same as I was pre restriction because I would weigh my food and stop when it was gone (whether or not I was full). This is a will power diet at the beginning.

I can eat any meat or veggies I want. I have only ever had problem with really dry chicken or baby carrots that I did not chew well. FYI I eat chicken EVERYDAY and baby carrots almost every day. As for not drinking while you eat I find that now that eat better (defineatly less salt); I am not as thirsty any more. I used to get so irritated at restaurants when they would leave my glass empty because I was so thirsty. Now it is not a problem.

My doctor says 3 oz solid protein lunch and dinner. Sounds like for lunch and dinner you may only be at a total of 4 oz.

Try spacing out your food. My doctor allowed smooth soup (ie tomato) and Protein shakes during full liquids. I would have 8 oz soup (measure it) and then an hour later have the Protein shake. This will at least mean you are eating every couple hours. Not toe be a downer but I did not get restriction until 6 months. Also in general if you are full on a "few bites" your band is too tight. My doctor says 3oz solid protein and then some veggies. That is more than a few bites.

My doctor says if you can't eat 3oz of protein Plus veggies you are too tight. If you are eating soups it sounds to me like you are too tight.

Not panic about driving with other people because I might have to sit in the backseat. Many backseats have seat belts that are smaller than those found in the front.

I would take measurements. Recently the scale has barely moved but I've def. lost size. Can be a nice nonscale victory.

I would be concerned that you are too tight. If you can't eat solids the band is too tight. This is my doctors opinion not mine. Eating mushies for life is not sustainable. Could you be eating more calories than you think because you are eating sliders? What percentage of your calories come from liquids? That should be minimal. Protein shakes should be low cal/fat and used for prework out snack not as main meals.

Ditto nurse/doctors decision. Mine was 4 to start took me like 6 fills and 6 month to get restriction. My doctor does not use Fluro. In my opinion slow and steady is better. I did not want to be to tight and have problems eating healthy food. That is my doctor's philosphy as well.

My scars are fading nicely and I am 8 months out. FYI my doctor said he only does single incision on people who have a BMI around 40 mine was to high.

I have trouble believing that all those surgeons made up the fatty liver thing.

I did'nt really practice chewing but I've notices that I don't eat as much salty food. The only time I have an issue not drinking while eating is if I'm eating as someone elses house and the food is salty.

My insurance did not have a diet requirement but my doctor insisted that I loose 30-34 lb. So the question is really what your doctor is going to require.

I find that that there are three kinds of bandsters that post online: 40% Extra ordinary success losing 5+ pounds a week, 40% people that are haveing a terrible time having really bad side affects not losing weight, 20% slow and steady wins the race doing well, eating right, exercising though perhaps losing slowly. If you are doing really well you want to brag about it (I'm not saying that's necc a bad thing); and it you are having a problem you want to complain. I think the truth is somewhere in between. I think I have had a really good experience. Knock on wood no bad side affects and my recovery from surgery went really well. However I have been a slow looser averaging 1 pound a week. I eat right, measure my food and exercise 7 days a week. Prior to surgery however I lost 50 pounds so I was'nt jump starting a loss.

Another comment I think some people get unrealistic expections based on posts of "I can only eat a few bites". 3oz of solid protein and 1/2 cup + of veggies is more than a few bites. Esp. considering you need to take small bites.

As mentioned previously some people never feel full more like satisfied. I got to a full feeling after getting to 10.7 CC's in a 11 CC band. Took me 6 months. Some people get there much quicker but this could take you a while. Even at restriction I measure all my protein. For now get a good digital scale and measure you food out. When it's gone stop eating. Hard but that's what I had to do.

It could be you are eating to fast or taking large bites. I make chicken breast with salsa and sometimes I think the spiciness irritates my pouch. Please note that my doctor says if you can't eat 3oz of solid protein you are to tight. Could that be your problem?

I buy Gold Standard Double chocolate and Dymatize Gourmet vanilla. Once back on solids I started to add half a scoop of vanilla Protein to greek yoghurt, 1/8 cup Kashi Go Lean (high protein), and some splendra. For shakes (I could use non fat milk) I made milk cubes which equaled about 1/3 of milk. So shakes were scoop of protein, 2 milk cubes, 2/3 cup milk, some ice cubes, some add ins tablespoon fat free/sugar free pudding powder instant, sugar free flavored syrups (found coffe isle), spendra.

My doctor says it can take 2 weeks for a fill to "hit", something to do with how the liquid moves within the band. Personally I did not get any restriction until 5 months out. From the day I started on solids I had to measure 3 oz of protein. My doctor prefers that you not "snack" but to grit your teeth and bear it. Can you always do that; probably not. When I got really hungry between meals I would have an oz of plan chicken breast. Pre work out I would also have either a low fat cheese stick or a Premier Ready to drink Protein shake (160 cal, 30 g Protein)

While I am at restriction I hsve my chewable vitamins at like 6:30 and then my greek yoghurt at 8:30 when I get to work.

Once I was back on solids I had a low fat cheese stick as a pre work out snack. It tasted so gross to me. I could'nt eat it. I tried them again about 6 months later and it tasted fine to me. In regards to liquid post op I used Mrs Dash non salt flavorings. Add it before heating and the spices/garlic will reconstitute.

I had my first serious stuck episode AT WORK. HORRIBLE. No PB or Vomiting. Though I thought it was coming. Stood in the handicap bathroom for 10 minutes waiting to vomit, and the pain. Baby carrot. I've had minor stuck episodes with them before but nothing like this.

I never had the feeling you are mentioning. I know you don't want to hear it but perhaps you need to stay on full liquids for a while longer. I did clears for 7 days and full liquids for another 7. Next I did cottage or ricotta cheese for 7 days, then could add shredded chicken.

Personally I recommend swimming. It is great for the joints and once you are in the water no one can see you. I use a water proof MP3 player which makes time go by so much faster. If I can walk out of the locker room past 50 parents watching the high school swim team practice in my fat lady skirted swim suit at 364 pounds ANYONE can take up swimming.