honk

I have never done south beach. I would be careful to look for phase one however since you don't want to choose foods that are from different phases of the diet.

Could you bring the kids to a pool and let them swim while you do Water aerobics? Admittedly I could care less what people think of me while I exercise. Not a cyclist but if your kids are old enough to bike (esp. on bike trails) that could be a good form of execise.

Even with no fills you should not be drinking while eating. I do drink right up to my first bite but then wait an hour before drinking again. Most doctors say you should take no more than 30 minutes to eat a meal. The longer you take the more time food has to move through the band and you will be able to eat more. When I eat out I literally seperate the food into two halves (I find the healthier your food options the smaller the portions). I eat half and then ask for a to go container.

Could you do any water based exercises? My pool has belts that act as a floatation device so you can move your arms and legs and not have to keep yourself afloat. Regarding food choices: I try to not buy or eat anything that I would be embarrassed for my doctor to see me consuming. Are you weighing/measuring your food. I highly recommend using a digital food scale to measure your protein (my doctor says 3 oz). You are almost guaranteed to underestimate your serving sizes.

I am a swimmer and was told 2 weeks before returning to the pool. I was told to walk as much as I was able. I did return to the gym to use the treadmill on day 5. I did not use the eliptical which I like because I was concerned about any balance issues since your core is very sore .

My surgery was postponed so I actually had 8 months from consult to surgery. I was like just get this surgery over with. Regarding eating foods once you are healed. Some people keep their bands waaaaaayyyyyy to tight. So they CAN'T eat certain foods. That is bad for your band!!!! My doctor wants me to be able to eat all foods. Just to eat less of them. The only foods I have trouble with are raw baby carrots and cheap doughy white bread. I choose not to eat some foods like bread, rice, pasta, pizza because they are high in cals and carbs. If I am at a dinner party and I don't have a choice I can eat them. I just make sure to eat a lot of veggies to fill up the void.

I have only told my immediate family and a couple friends. Remember you can't unring a bell. One reason I'm glad I did'nt tell lots of people is that my surgery was postponed for medical reasons for 5 months. Also, you can eat plain chicken breast and steamed veggies everyday for lunch and dinner; but you can guarantee should you eat a 2 inch square of birthday cake someone will remember that FOREVER.

If you have any papaya enzyme or pinaple juice I would take them to try and digest the meat. At this point it is very bad for you stomach to grind to digest solids.

I had surgery at 40. I was on Clear Liquids for 7 days and full liquids (tomato Soup and Protein shakes) for another 7 days. I had no gas pain. I was back at the gym doing 45 min. + on the treadmill on day 5. If you can do some short casual walks that would be fine but not intense adventurous outings. I was also not allowed to go swimming for two weeks. I also took short naps after going to the gym. I would say you definately need to be able to supply your own meals. You can not expect to find appropriate foods at a family gathering. It will NOT be okay to just "have a little, it won't hurt you" because eating solids too early WILL hurt you.

I add splendra to Greek yogurt helps a lot. Remember yogurt can be no sugar added but not sugar free. Milk has sugar (carbs).

This is bandster hell! Make sure to get 3 oz of mushie protein. Protein is what makes you feel full longer.

I would be most concerned about protein consumption. My doctor says 3 oz of weighed protein (not volume!). You body needs to have protein or it will cannibalize muscle (like your HEART). This is why anorexics have heart attacks. Yes I realize you have to deprive your body of protein for a long long time for something like that to happen.

Please speak with you doctor. I was on clear liquids (though I could have protein shakes) for 7 days, stock and jello. Second week I could have full liquids that included smooth soups like tomato (Pacific brand tomato/sweet red pepper is excellent.), or squash. Based on that a blended veggie soup would probably be fine (Be sure to blend though don't just chew).

Are you weighing/measuring you food? If not you are guaranteed to be eating to much. Everyone underestimate their portion sizes and we have a particularly hard time. Also at this point in your journey you need to choose really healthy foods; not just eat less of fatty/high calorie foods. Such as 3 oz skinless chicken breast instead of half a breast with a gravy or cheese sauce (half of a normal breast is 5-8 oz). I normally choose raw or the frozen veggies you can steam that have no sauce or low cal ones. I think raw veggies have a lot more flavor and thus don't need to add butter or sauces. As to exercise you probably need to up to an hour a day, 7 days a week.

Week three I was allowed yogurt, cottage and ricotta cheese. Week four I could add scrambled eggs and cannned chicken or tuna.

I think I had 6 fills. It can take at least 2 weeks for a fill to take affect. I was about six months before I hit restriction.

I did loose hair the first few months out of surgery. I started to take Biotin 5,000 mg and the loss stopped. Not sure if it was the Biotin or that my body recovered from surgery. But since I've always had weak nails I think taking the Biotin is worth it.

Please understand I am not trying to be mean spirited. Most doctors say you can loose 1-2 pounds per week. I am a slow looser and don't loose that much. Even thougth I am at restriction, eat very health; AND do at least an hour of cardio seven days a week. To loose 55 pounds by the end off August which is 12 weeks away you would need to loose over 4 pounds a week.

First week of mushies I could have yogurt, ricotta and cottage cheese. Week two added egg whites and canned chicken or tuna. I supposed you could do canned salmon. Salad is not a mushy it's a solid. I used Low fat Laughing Cow cheese to mix in the chicken/tuna (instead of mayo a lot less cals and fat) and on the egg whites.

Very normal. I recommend spacing out your food. I realize you will not be full after eating but it will at least help with the head hunger. I would have my soup wait a while and then have the protein shakes. It helps to feel like you only have a couple hours before you can eat again; rather than having to wait five hours before you can eat. Also if you need to eat more please have extra servings of your allowed foods instead of skipping ahead to mushies or solids. Your stomach is healing and needs this time. And yes I know what you are going through. I was on liquids for 2 weeks post op. I asked if I could start mushies 2 days early. My doctor's answer "Absolutely NOT!"

My doctor did not move me to mushies until day 15. Perhaps you need to take it a bit slower. I realise you are following orders but physically you may just need more time to heal. If you doctor has approved mushies; as long as you chew the watermellon to mush I would think it would be fine.

Well most doctors' say you can loose up to 2 pounds a week. At 5 months you've lost 19 pounds so almost 1 lb a week. Seems like you are loosing a a pretty good rate mine has been slower. I do at Least an hour of cardio 7 days a week so you may need to up your exercise.

Well most doctors' say you can loose up to 2 pounds a week. At 5 months you've lost 19 pounds so almost 1 lb a week. Seems like you are loosing a a pretty good rate mine has been slower. I do at Least an hour of cardio 7 days a week so you may need to up your exercise.

If you can go 4-5 hours before you feel hungry after a meal your doctor may not give you a fill. It seems like you are experiencing head hunger. No amount of fills will ever stop head hunger.