shadst8

My doc said to drink decaf because of the stimulating hunger thing. I still go to Starbuck and ask for a caramel macchiato--decaf, nonfat milk, sugar-free caramel--I add a little splenda and half and half good and it actually took my appetite

TOM and scale--no go:thumbdown:. It is the only thing that kills my daily weigh ins. I see those swollen ankles from water retention, and just say forget it!! My birth control pills lacks estrogen because my OB/GYN did not want me to gain weight and defeat the purpose of my band nor increase risk of blood clotting. So far no problems, but TOM came a week early last month--cramps are already severe, so I take Naproxen during that time

For me, it was safer for pregnancy. Honestly my regular doctor referred me to my surgeon who specialty is lap band. Not a great deal of information on the gastric sleeve at first.

I did--the first week, I was not hungry anyway. My next was pureed for two weeks, then soft solids/mushee. I was really scared not to truthfully

sodas, even diet are on my list to avoid. I gave them up last summer, and I honestly do not miss them. Also if you have caffeine, my NUT says because it speeds digestion up and makes you hungrier soon.

I too have to agree with that one as well...

Please do not get frustrated--if you would search, you will find hundreds that went through the plateau soon after surgery including myself. I am 6wks post-op come Thursday--I plateaued around the second week and stayed the same until last week--I dropped 5lbs out of the blue. This week--no change. I get a fill Thursday and looking forward to hopefully getting a little restriction. Think about--you are doing it. You are managing to eat like you have restriction--that willpower is something to applaud in itself. I also guarantee you are losing inches!!!

I agree with others--I try to do two shakes or 1 shake and some protein mix in pudding or yogurt. I get most of my daily protein doing that.

Had that problem even before surgery--would go days, so I was really in pain last week--called the doctor who recommended a stool softener and MoM. I took 2 and drank MOM--let's just say the floodgates opened two hours later. I cut it to 1 softener and MOM and it was not as bad. I am going to take my cocktail tonight! I am glad you went to the doctor--that pain does become unbearable!!:frown:

Obviously she is bitter--as she quits smoking, she will know her own struggle!

Yes--I still have gas on occasion--another of my friends that was banded last year carries gas X all the time-apparently gets it quite frequently

It is very hard--I try to do it on the routine, but life doesn't always cooperate. Since I am work at 7, I eat breakfast there, so on the way and right up until 7:45--I try to have 16oz down--very hard with sipping, so I start soon as I get up in the morning. I eat breakfast around 8:15, then around 9, I start sipping again, try to get 8oz before lunch, then 8oz in the afternoon before a snack. I try to sip on the way home. After dinner, I try to get the other 32--sometimes I do, other times I at least try to get 48oz! Now all of that depends if I don't run late to work, remember my bottles of water, do not get stuck in meeting and forget to bring my water, etc lol

I got Walmart when I do not want to spend a lot of money--they have a six pack for about $9. Yes it is expensive to eat healthy. I have always gained my most when I have had the less money.

I am a 5wks post-op and still have restriction from swelling, although nothing like the first few weeks. I can eat a little more than the 1/2 cup, not much. I also do not get hungry until about 3-4hrs long. As another poster wrote, the chest pain from eating too much or too fast really keeps me from finishing most things. I actually take indigestion meds and it stops that chest pain. I actually am glad that I can eat a little more than the 1/2 cup, because I it helps me get in more calories and got me out of the plateau.

Count me in!!!!

When you reach a weight in the 100's

Good for you

My face, waist, hips--my thighs and rear end are not going anywhere too soon:biggrin:

As with many people, I do not like to take pictures--to do so is like a broadway production because I have to do several takes just to get one I can tolerate to look at. Well, I went on my Valentine Weekend getaway and took a look at the picture on the right--my body has changed--people have been saying it, but the picture is really worth a 1000 words after 4 1/2 week post-op. My victory--I have a neck!!! ( I'm the first one in the picture to the left) As for the scale--after being stalled for 2wks, the scale moved--down 3lbs since last week.

Joining in the challenge as well. I want to loose 17lbs by Easter but will be happy with 10.

Thanks--a lot of my weight was loss pre-op though. This site is inspiring--so glad I found it prior to the surgery! What is frustrating is I look smaller than I really I am.

Someday my knees will come! lol.

That has been a staple snack since last summer--love it!!!

Thanks to everyone--I never thought having a neck was a big deal until now!! lol Inspiration--I never thought I would inspire anyone--that small comment means a lot.

Anticipation and mind games is the only way I have been surviving. If I go out, I find a menu if I do not know the place well and know what I am going to eat and/or tell them how I need it cooked to fit me needs by the time I sit. I have also had to steer my friends not to have food as the center of our social circle--everything we do cannot happen in front of a plate! Finally, I have find other activities to take the place of food. When I am bored, instead of eating, I may search for healthy recipes, I like to travel so surf on places I like to go. I try to anticipate crazy schedules or when it may be a rough day emotionally (of course they just happen)--I try to plan something or change my eating schedule so that I will be eating one of my normal meals during the rough or boring times. I struggle, but to paraphrase Frederick Douglas, there is no progress without struggle...:hurray: