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My doctor required I loose 30+ pounds presurgery (Not the insurance). Biggest issue for me was refined carbs: low fat crackers, chips, rice cakes. I had to cut them out cold turkey. Does your doctor require sessions with a therapist that specializes in eating disorders? I found them to be really helpful. Helped me acknowledge foods that triggered me to overeat. Do you own a food scale? If not buy one. You will need it post op anyway. Start weighing your Protein. Post op I was told 3 oz. I'd always learned in home ec class to serve 4 oz of protein for a meal. Start weighing your food. You'd be amazed how much we underestimate our portions. My doctor does not recommend snacking pre or post op. I would recommend eating healthy sized portions and not snacking. If you absolutely MUST have one choose chicken breast (plain no skin. Though mustard is fine) or low fat cheese sticks. I put myself on a self imposed preop diet (I had lost a total of 50 pounds before surgery). I had a Protein shakes for Breakfast and dinner; with a high protein, low fat/cal lunch. I did add about 1/3 cup frozen fruit. Mixed shake with a blender. sugar free syrup and sugar/fat free pudding powder improve the flavor. Did that about a month preop.

Look in the coffee isle many stores have sugar free syrups for coffee. Make sure it's sugar free though otherwise the cal. level is through the roof. Another way to help Protein shakes is sugar/fat free pudding powder. I used to take fat free milk and make milk "ice cubes" . When you mix the shake with a blender it gives the shake a nice icey thick texture.

Mine was also messed up the first 6 months. I asked if it was becuase of weight loss and my PA said "You're not loosing fast enough for that to be a cause." Gees thanks. I really do like her so don't get me wrong. At six months I also had two in one month. My gyno. said it could be because at almost 41 that I was pre menopasal.

Also while I know it's hard when you are feeling crappy but it's important to walk around. Even if it's just making a circuit of your house. Blood clots can happen post op if you are not up and about on a regular basis.

Salt content is a biggie. I went to my niece's rigatta (rowing race) on a Sat. and then Mother's Day was Sunday; both of which involved LOTS of food and many of which were salty carbs. I gained 4 pounds over the weekend. Took me 3 days to loose the water weight.

Probably just stress. My first Nut. appointment was bad. She was not at all sympathetic. Making this decision was super hard for me. During our talk I got a bit weepy and she ask "What's wrong. Why are you upset" In a nasty tone. I choose to use the other Nut in the practice.

I can eat pizza. I try to choose chicken breast to get some protein in. I have a small salad first for the veggies and to fill the void since pizza is high in cals and fat.

Full liquids first 24 hours, mushies for next 24 hrs. Fills can take up to 2 weeks to hit.

Well I did'nt get restriction in my 11 cc band until 10.9

I've hear some doctors feel like pieces of popcorn (like the hulls) can get caught in the curve of the pouch. My doc never said anything. I don't keep any crunch snacks in my house but there is a local restaurant that gives bowls of realllly salty popcorn as a pre app. I have it when I'm there as a treat. No problems with chips of any kind; a slider for me.

I agree the issue is really what you were eating pre band and how much fat/cals it contained. I have no trouble with chicken breast (no skin). I prefer to eat my veggies raw (my doctor never said to avoid them post op so I did'nt). If you must have potato, sweet is better than white.

I can eat nuts and beans no problem. As noted earlier my big concern would be carbs like potato, bread, pasta which I have pretty much eliminated. My doctor says 60-90 g of protein a day. I would add up your protein consumption and see if you could get in that much and stay under 1200 cals.

I agree it's more a feeling of satisfied. I will often ask myself am I hungry enough for another bite. If not I stop eating. I don't get pain when I'm "full"

I agree call you insurance and they can tell you if the surgeon is in or out of network. Personally I would not have surgery at a hospital or with a doctor that was not in network. It will cost you about 30% more.

I would say I was pear shaped. In 9/08 I was 365 lb. I changed my diet and started swimming daily. My lap band consult was 1/2010 at 330 lb and was 282 day of surgery 8/11/2010.

How were your food choices? For mushies I recommend using low fat laughing cow cheese instead of Mayo; a lot less fat and calories.

There is no need for a "last meal" mentality. You can and will be able to eat after the surgey. I eat what I want just smaller portions. I do eat really healthy but if I'm at a party I can choose to eat party foods. The issue is having treats once a month not everyday.

Oh and I started out at 330 lb, down to 213 and have very little loose skin. I can see it under my chin where my double chin used to be; and have some bat wings. I don' however have any loose skin around my waist.

I have five incisions. 4 of them look like bug bites so really not that bad. The fifth is my port and is about 3 inches long. To be truthful that scar is much lighter than my 20 plus year old gall bladder scar.

Could you speak with you doctor about a liquids nsaid? That way it would pass through the stoma into the large stomach.

Sandy, Fills don't really hurt. You should not be vomitting with the band. Vomitting is very very bad for the band. Knock on wood I am almost 2 years out and have never PB'd or vomitted. If your band is so tight that eating healthy solid proteins is not possible it is too tight.

Can you google the doctor's products and then compare the nutritional values to store products? My doctor calls for whey Isolate (not all Whey is created equal). I used Gold Standard 100% Whey-Double chocolate and Dymatize Nutrition Elite Gourmet vanilla. Try to stay under 120 cals (for just the powder) for at least 24 g of Protein, and less than 5 g of fat or carbs. Keep in mind if you make the shakes with milk that will add protein and cals ( I used fat free milk). For Full Liquids I liked pacific brand tomato and sweet red pepper Soup (smooth). I also added Mrs Dash non salt chicken flavoring before heating which added great taste to the soup. Premier brand ready to drink Protein Shakes are quite nice (160 cal, 30 g of Protein). Available at costco and Sams.

I agree traying to find full liquids while traveling would be a big downer.

Are you supposed to be eating solids? I was still on full liquids 12 days out. Solids was week 5.