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Had mind out 20 plus years ago after loosing a hundred pounds (I was 19 at the time). Regular incision. That scar is much worse/noticeable than my port scar. Don't mess with a gall baldder. The pains can be HORRIFIC. Lie on the bed in a fetal position and feel like you can't breath horrific! And I have a VERY HIGH pain threshold. I was a young and come hell or high Water I was going back to college after spring break. Someone I worked with (super thin) had it removed had complications and was out of work for 3 months. Another reason to not mess with the gall bladder.

Have you had sessions with a eating disorder therapist. My surgeon requires them. One thing that we discussed was mindful eating. Taking one dried cranberry and chewing it 20 times and then swallowing. I really savored that one cranberry more than I would have a whole handfull. Vegtables. My mother says "No wonder Americans don't like veggies look how they cook them!" New to the market is mini sweet peppers, fabulous! Also great Raw baby carrots, sugar snap peas and grape tomatos. I really like raw veggies. There are some good frozen options that are low in fat/cals, though do watch the salt levels. White Potatos really need to be a thing of the past. Sure have them once a week but not every day. Probably the best way to prepare them is roasted in the oven with LOTS of garlic (like a whole head or more) and EV Olive oil. The olive oil slows down the release of carbs/sugar into the bloodstream. Red meat is bad for your heart, stop eating it now don't wait for the band. I guess I don't see my food options as being limited. There are so many healthy foods out there.

Took more more than 6 fills to get restriction.

Drink a large glass of Water before you sit down to eat and then don't put a drink for yourself on the table. The other major thing is making sure to reduce the amount of salt your are consuming! This is what makes you thirstly. Prebanding I used to drink non stop during the meal. Now I don't really have a problem not drinking. The only time I really want a drink is at a party where the food is unhealthy which means it is also salty. Take a good look at your food choices and note their salt levels.

I have the realize band and it took me to 10.6 cc 's in a 11 cc band to get restriction; so in hind site I wish my NP had been more agressive with fills.

During TOM I have nausea in general so it does'nt suprise me that it's an issue for you.

How crunchy was the garlic bread? If it was soft and "bready" that might be your problem. I can eat bread but some have trouble with it.

I recommend a digital food scale. I am a restriction but still weigh out my protein every day.

No seafood problems. One word of caution however is keeping it low fat. Even Baked with a cracker crumbs is going to up the calories. If you order it out ask them to make it with as little fat as possible. Some places really destroy your good intentions but adding ridiculous amounts of butter.

I would second a single serving low fat/cal pudding. Though personally I have some fruit after my meal. It's my "dessert" .

Well the band will never stop you from eating carbs. Anything that will disolve or become super mushie in your mouth after chewing will pass right through the pouch created by the band. Things I CAN eat but avoid like the plague: candy, ice cream, crackers, chips, cake,white potato, rice cakes, rice, bread, ANYTHING fried or Pasta. A bit of tough love here. Getting the band is not magic. At least half the battle is mental. You have to want to live a new food lifestyle. Note I said want not necessarily like! Once apon a time it was a joke at my office that I would have pizza for lunch everyday if I could. I don't just kinda like pizza I love it. Now I have pizza once maybe twice a year. And I have a side salad and one piece of pizza. I try to eat healthy 95% of the time. Sure the other 5% I have some fun. But it's 5% which means my mothers birthday or Thanksgiving. My doctor required meeting with a eating disorder therapist to discuss our food triggers and how to manage those urges. I think you would be well served by some sessions. Also, when you meet with the surgeon they may insist that you loose some weight preop to show your commitment. I had to lose 35 pounds. Right now you don't seem commited. I and the rest of this board want to be supportive and motivational. If this is the right choice for you; I want to do my best to help you. God knows I wish this surgery had been around when I was 20!

I agree that people who are having problems want to vent to someone; and that those who have no problems don't feel the need to tell everyone. Yes, some people have complicatons. Yes, some people have gas pains after surgery. Knock on wood I've head none. No surgery gas pain. No PB episodes, and very few stuck incidents. Some people loose at a faster rate than others. I lost 100 pounds preop and was eating a pretty healthy lifesyle before surgery. That said day of surgery I was 282 lbs. I've since lost another 70. But I am also a slow loser. At restriction I eat 1200 cals a day and do up to 2.5 hrs of cardio 7 days a wek. You would think I should be loosing much faster. My biggest piece of advice is don't measure yourself against others. The band is usually said to help you lose 1-2 pounds per week. That means if someone posts on here that they lost 5 pounds in one week don't be depressed that you only lost 1.

Never had numbing cream. Took me 6 months to get restriction.

I swim everyday never had a problem after a fill.

I had at least six.

STOP EATING MUSHIES AND SOLDS!!! Yes they can hurt you. I was on clears for 7 days. Yes it's sucks to have your family eating when you can't. They however won't be the ones having to explain to the doctor that yes your band slipped but it was because you were eating solids weeks ahead of schedule. Some ideas. If you are allowed Protein shakes drink more of them. It would be better to have more calories of foods you are allowed than to eat Mac and cheese. Two, add Mrs. Dash Non Salt flavorings to broth and smooth Soups before heating. This will add a lot of flavor. I am not trying to be mean spirited. Your body is recovering from surgery. If your friend was detoxing in rehab would you bring them beer? Of course not.

Weigh you. Ask him how you are doing. Food consumption.

Well you can't really spot reduce. I started out this journey doing mostly lap swimming because I have a knee problem. I do think it is good for the core. I highly recommend a waterproof mp3 player. I also use a snorkel which makes swimming easier. Depending on how crowded the pool is I join the water aerobics classes. You can ask the instructor on how to make the moves harder.

ER!

Don't know if I necessarily agree. My middle sister who is average to slightly above average weight; had lost a lot of weight. In my opinion too much weight but being overweight myself would never in a million years have told her that. Our older sister who's always been normal weight how ever felt no compunctions about telling her that she has lost too much weight. My thought was it was not a sustainable weight for her. And I was right.

I'm surprised you are getting multiple fills so quickly. It can take up to 2 weeks for a fill to take effect so I'm not sure you even know if your last fill is working yet. FYI I did not get restriction until 10.6 cc's.

I don't drink water until the fill is finished. I did not get restriction until 10.6 cc's. You mention being fat. How much have you lost? How much do you still have to loose? I have been banded for almost 2 years. I have lost 70 pounds and am still considered overweight. I have about 60 pounds to go.

Personally before restriction I would eat my 3 oz o protein and then low fat/cal veggies until full. You're consuming a lot of calories for very little nutrition with bread. My recommendation would be to cut out the bread and eat more veggies and or fruit.

Tomato soup is a full liquid. If you are on clears stay with broth.

Stock has a lot more flavor than broth. If you are on clears you can drain out the liquid from a can of soup and let someon else eat the solids. Mrs Dash salt free flavorings can be added before heating which gives the stock more flavor. Make sure to get your protein shakes in they will help with the hunger.