honk

Look for 100% Whey Isolate Protein Powder. Isolate is the best type of protein for us to use (per doctor). It is more expensive but that's because it's a higher quality protein. If you have a Vitamin Shoppe near you go in and ask their advice for the best Whey Isolate products. In my experience they don't try to sell you particular brands. They will also let you exchange a product if after one serving you decide you don't like it.

NO weights!!!! This early. I was back to the treadmill day four, elliptical day 11, swimming day 15.

%&*;- &*--%$ It was a joke!!!

The band is not magic. And in fact it may not do anyting for you for the first 6 months (until you get restriction from fills). You commented that exercise does'nt help you loose weight. Well 2 days a week isn't really doing anything for you. My doctor wants at least 30 minutes a day 7 days a week.

Off Topic funny. A couple years ago I interviewed at the Keurig engineering office in MA. As I was waiting in the lobby this woman came in and quickly became very confused. Based on the sign on the building she thought it was a store. Not helping the situation was the display of every coffee machine they make, by the way there are a lot (personal to industrial/office size) and bins of EVERY coffee/tea/hot chocolate flavor they offer. The receptionist told her she was welcome to samples of the coffee pods but they were not for sale. I did not get that job so my above review is based soley on my personal use.

I wish people would'nt exagerate how little they eat. At proper restriction you should be able to eat 3 oz of solid protein and about1/2 cup veggies. That is not just a couple bites! I've eaten in front of many people who don't know I've been banded and no one ever comments about how little I eat.

I very much enjoy mine. They have versions now that can do ice coffee. If I was to get one now I would def. spend the money for one that could do that. Mine was a gift, knock on wood works great, so no plans to replace. FYI if you buy from Costco/BJ's they normally come with this part that let's you buy bulk coffee for use in the machine. As opposed to using their little coffee pods. The part is about $15 if you buy it seperately. Also if you are the green type this means you are not adding all that plastic to the dump. When buying the coffee pods/cups check out Big Lots/Ocean State/discount stores I've found them there for a lot less then regular stores. Much cheaper at Target/Walmart than the grocery store

My doctor said 2 weeks.

The only foods I can't eat are raw. carrots and cheap bread.

After healing (first two weeks) you won't be on liquids so there is really nothing to get used to.

I would vote against cereal high in carbs and low in protein. If you must have cereal something like a high protein Kashi Go Lean would be a good choice. I do add about 1/2 cup aforementioned cereal to a Greek yogurt for breakfast (with half a scoop protein powder).

For breakfast I have a fruited Greek yogurt with the following add ins: 1/2 scoop whey Isolate Protein powder (this makes it thicker and adds about 12 g of protein), unflavored Fiber powder, Splendra to taste; a couple broken up walnuts (I roast a pan full which brings out the flavor), about 1/2 cup high protein Kashi Go Lean. Even before restriction this would keep me full for about 4 hours. FYI for cherry, raspberry yogurt I use chocolate Protein Powder.

For mushies I had low fat cottage and ricotta cheese (add smooth spagetti sauce for a pastafree lasagna). Had canned chicken and tuna with low fat laughing cow cheese mixed in, which you can microwave. Also for mushies I used a stick blender to mince the fruit in Greek yogurt (which has twice the protein of regular yogurt).

Def. get another doctor.

At restriction, over two years out and no acide reflux (knock on wood). I did have a hernia fixed at surgery.

Your weight will fluctuate. Please understand I am not trying to be mean spirited. While you are in a healing phase food choices are still critical. If you choose high calorie foods you will not loose weight. Also, my doctor wants 30 minutes of cardio 7 days a week.

During mushies my doctor said to focus on Protein based foods like low fat cottage or ricotta cheese. I also had Greek Yogurt but used a stick blender to mince the fruit; also a tsp or so of fat free milk to thin it out a bit. Second week of mushies I could have canned chicken/tuna. I mixed it with low fat laughing cow cheese, which you can microwave. Tasted like heaven.

It is important to remember that the pre op and first month post op have very specific diet requirements. Pre-To helop shrink the liver so the doctor can move around easier during the operation. Post op you have to gradually add foods back in to your food rotation. Doctors often put you on a Protein shake diet before surgery and then post since you need protein but can't eat solids. Once healed (1 month) my doctor did not want me drinking calories. So the Protein shakes were no longer part of my regular eating habits. Though I do occationally have a shake to hold me over until dinner (I drink it on the way to the gym from work). My doctor wants me to be able to eat all foods. As part of my of my pre op appointments however I had to meet with a Psychologist who specialized in eating disorders. These sessions helped me identify and understand why I overeat and what foods trigger bad behaviors. My doctor also expects a significant commitment to physical activity. Some people can loose by calorie reduction only. I am not one of those people. Believe it or not exercise is addictive. Also the more you lose the easier exercise becomes. There was a time I could barely walk through the grocery store; I am now doing 6-7 miles a day.

I would speak with your doctor. They might want you to stay under a spec. calorie/carb level.

You can also ask them for only the sweet potato part and not the topping which is marshmellow and brown sugar. While I don't eat white potato very often I think to say you can never eat it again is silly. If I am being super healthy I top a potato with salsa instead of butter and sour cream. Since I normally only eat them at a restaurant (which is very rare) I do add butter since I might as well enjoy it.

I agree strain soup. Also Mrs Dash makes some nice non salt flavorings that I added to broth and soup to jazz them up. Add before heating so the herbs reconstitute (they are teeny tiny so you don't have to worry about them).

Did he recommend another surgery? Bypass would be much worse for nutrition levels. Myself and others had a hietal hernia's fixed when we had surgery to deal with acid reflux.

In general doctors want to force your body to burn fat. The body prefers to burn carbs, it's easier. By removing carbs the body is forced to burn Protein and then eventually fat. Some doctors say Protein shakes only as they tend to have very low carb and fat levels. Other doctors okay chicken and low fat/carb veggies. In general follow your doctors orders. I was on a self imposed diet for 7 months. Yeah it sucked but that's just the way it is.

Hi. When I started out I had knee pain so bad I could barely do my grocery shopping. Sooo I did lap swimming and Water aerobics. With the cost of gas and being unemployed I've been walking a lot lately instead of driving to the gym. I can now do 6-7 miles daily. I'm not the fastest walker so it can take me about 2.5 hrs if I do the 7. I live in a safe area and most of my walk is in backroads. There is also a "cul de sac" which is .5 mile around with hills. Depending on where you live and how safe the roads are you may want to consider going to the track at your local high school. The up side to the track is they are normally made with rubbery material which is good for your knees.

It can take up to 2 weeks for a fill to finalize. Sounds to me like yoiu need another fill. Took me 6 months fo fills to get to restriction.