transformer

Congratulations on getting your brand-new band! The soreness will subside over the next couple of days. I felt like I had been hit by a truck after surgery. I could barely push myself up off of the couch. I think the anesthesia really made my muscles sore all over my body. After about the fourth day post-surgery I really started feeling better! The surgeons "blew up" your belly like a balloon during the operation to improve their view, so your abdomen will be swollen. Be sure to get some Gas-X. You might get gas pains that can be quite uncomfortable. Gas-X was my saving grace! Good luck!

Hi there! Everyone gets the "hungry horrors" between surgery and their first fill. Just do your best to eat the best Protein sources you can, make sure you get in enough Water daily, and start exercising if you haven't already. Your restriction will be much better once you get your first fill. Hang in there!

Good luck on your journey!

Hi! I often order an appetizer and ask for a box for the leftovers up front. My doctor's office gave me a card explaining that I had surgery and cannot eat large portions. I actually haven't had to present it to anyone yet. When I ask for the box, they usually get the idea that I don't plan to eat a ton. No one has given me a hard time about it yet. Waiters and waitresses also think I'm weird because I won't get anything to drink (I can't eat and drink at the same time with the band, so what's the point of getting a drink?). Hope this helps!

Congratulations on getting banded! I'm happy to hear your band is working well for you so far! Keep up the good work!

Hi! You must be so excited about your upcoming surgery date! Congratulations! I hope all goes smoothly for you as you begin your weight loss journey!

Hi there! The best advice I can offer is to make sure you are taking in enough Protein (60-90 grams) and Water (8-8oz. glasses) daily. Get in that protein first, then focus on green vegetables. Minimize the carbs--kind of a South Beach diet kind of approach seems to work well for most. Don't drink anything a half hour before eating or until an hour after eating. Avoid eating between your three meals, too. I agree with the others who mentioned the importance of exercise. I'd be farther along in my weight loss if I exercised more. Don't forget that it will most likely take several fills before you reach optimum restriction. It's too early in the process to get discouraged, so hang in there! You can do this!

Welcome! I wish you all the best as you begin your weight loss journey!

Hi! I was banded on December 19th. I typically "hang out" on the Steady Losers thread, too! I've almost lost 50 pounds according to my doctor's scale (or 54 pounds according to my home scale!). Obviously, I like my home scale better! I just earned an Education Specialist degree in a one-year period (8/06-8/07), so my weight loss is a bit slower than some other folks. I had to spend way too much time sitting on my butt writing paper after paper and sitting some more in my classes. I have a 10cc band and just got my latest fill last week. My band has 9cc of Fluid in it now. My restriction is very good now and I finally can't eat more than about a half cup of food at a time. My hunger seems to be well under control. I'm hoping this will help speed up my weight loss! I really wanted to be under 200 pounds by my one-year bandiversary, but I'm at 225 currently, so I don't think I'll quite make it. My doctor would like for me to make it to at least 208.5. We'll see--the best I can do is get as close to that as I can! By the way, I'm pretty sure that I am only considered to be "obese" now, not "morbidly obese!" It seems a bit silly to be excited about "just" being obese, but at least it's a step in the right direction! Congratulations to all of you who have made it so close to your goal weight already! I am thrilled for you! Way to go! For all of you who feel like you are struggling--hang in there and keep following your doctor's recommendations. The weight will start to come off if you persevere!

Hi Everyone! VABandster—yes, I did have my fill done under fluoro this time. I drink a chalky liquid so he can see it go down to make sure the fill isn’t too tight. I’m glad he said everything looks healthy while doing the fill—no slippage or stretching or anything like that! Phew! Nathalie—I know how you feel about work. I’ve brought work home every night this week, but haven’t been able to force myself to work on it until today. Stupid deadlines! Pushing hard all the time gets really old after a while! You’re going to laugh, but I just caught on to what “boolsheet” is! LOL I’m SO naïve sometimes! :doh: About your crazy teacher comment—we had three headlines in a row on my local news about teachers yesterday. One resigned after drugs and alcohol were found in his car, an AP is in trouble for growing and selling pot out of his house, and a middle school teacher is in hot Water for being drunk at 11 AM in school! Of course I’m in education, so I watch these stories with great interest! So much for educators taking the moral high road to set a good example for kids! Yikes! By the way, you crack me up so bad—I’m going to add “cookiefest” to my vocabulary! LOL Thanks for the tip about shopping on eBay. I might try that, too (see the details of my Quest to find “normal” clothes below)! Kaydotrn—Congratulations on the 208.5! :wow2: I think things are really starting to get exciting for us now that we’re seeing some new numbers we haven’t see for a long time! Progress is really energizing, isn’t it? When I get down to about 206, that’ll be the lowest weight I’ve been in the last decade. Nikki32—Don’t forget about that beautiful bandbaby you have growing in there (love the ultrasound pics)! :preggers:We are all probably going to start driving you crazy as we keep losing and you have to gain some weight to make sure you little cutie patootie stays healthy! We’ll have to remember to be sensitive to that as your pregnancy progresses so you don’t think we’re a bunch of meanies! Beversman—You really do inspire me! Just seeing your ticker every time I log on reminds me that I could be doing so much better than I have been. You’ve already lost 90 pounds and I’m not even at 50 yet (going by my “official” weigh-ins)! Unfortunately, the closer we all get to our goal weight, the harder it’s going to be for all of us to lose. It is going to be a frustrating time without a doubt, but think of the radical transformation you’ve put your body through so far this year. I bet it’s stuck because it’s saying “WTF?” I think it’s good that you remain focused on eating right and exercising. When your body is ready, I think the weight loss will start up again. Plateaus really rot! I’ve never taken Effexor before, but I am on Cymbalta now. I’m not suffering from any weird side effects, which is a good thing. I’m so glad you got to spend some time with friends! Good for you! By the way, since my hometown is an hour outside of Boston, MA, I guess I have to root for the Patriots this week, too (even though I’m not a die-hard football fan). Sorry about that—it’s a matter of geography, not because I don’t love ya! LOL :cheer2: StephC—Roses! I LOVE roses! You lucky girl—enjoy them while they last! Maurdan—So glad the “unfill” helped! You don’t want to be puking all the time! I agree that killing the old sweet tooth is a tough thing to do! Boo Boo Kitty—You got your faithful car back—hooray! Another obstacle has been overcome! :car: I’m very happy to report that I’m back to 225 on my home scale today! Now I can get back to weighing myself once a week like a good girl instead of being a scale-obsessed lunatic. I’m hoping my new fill amount will help me lose faster. I’m still mad that I looked like an idiot at my weigh-in because the scale had only gone down 4 pounds. Sometimes the scale is just my enemy! I’m going to ask for gift cards for clothes for Christmas this year. I’m running out of things to wear! Two more of my tops have got to go (so loose I’ll be flashing my boobies in front of everyone whenever I bend over soon). I don’t know if you have these problems or not. There’s nothing I want to buy in the stores either. The only suits on sale are sparkly holiday outfits that are inappropriate for work. I don’t wear sweaters because I’m always too hot (except for right now since my heat pump is broken). The “in” thing this fall is loose geometric print blouses and dresses that will only make me look pregnant (no band babies for me, unlike Nikki!). My baby factory is down for the count—I’m much more “into” other people’s cute little babies these days. I can coo at them, make silly faces, and then give them back! By the way, anyone out there want a 6’4” teenager? I’d be more than happy to rent out my moody DS to anyone who wants a trial run to find out what raising a teen is like. Hee, hee! Don’t mind the random thoughts of the insane single mom…back to my clothes dilemma. Where has all of the classic clothing gone? I don’t want to waste money on “trendy” clothes that will be out of style next week. Sigh! Maybe it’s time to surf the web for clothes or to try consignment shops?? Everyone is so excited about the couch to 5K podcast thingy that I guess I’d better break down and look it up online! Peer pressure can be a beautiful thing sometimes! LOL :music: Alright…I gotta get my little ADD self :bounce:motivated to go work on all of the wonderful things in my life like the stupid laundry, the dishes, cleaning the bathroom, and trying to get my bipolar dude to shovel out the mess he’s made once again this week. That boy leaves a trail of mayhem and destruction behind him! Time for some heavy duty nagging! I hope you all have a fantastic weekend! :confused:

Hi ladies! I went for my fill today and the doctor said my band was loose. I think he added about 1.4 cc today. I now have an even 9cc in my 10cc band (it hadn’t been filled since June). I wasn’t too thrilled about my weigh in (I was down only 4 pounds according to the hospital scale—not the 10 pounds I was expecting at the beginning of the week) but the doctor said not to be concerned if I my clothes were getting looser and I was showing a loss on my scale at home. He thinks I’m gaining muscle—I think I’m just jinxed. I just didn’t want him to think I'm a failure and that I haven’t been trying hard to lose weight. I’d better see a HUGE weight drop at my next appointment! Grrr! :mad: Nikki—Great poem—how sweet! Steph C—The kids are TOO cute! My big galoot (my son) can’t go trick or treating anymore. At 6’4” he can’t pass for 12 and under that’s for sure! Nathalie—Congrats on the size 16W! I’m thrilled for you!!! :whoo: Kaydotrn—I’m so happy your new gadget arrived! I hope it helps! I haven’t decided for sure yet if I’m getting that elliptical I saw yet because I’ve been without heat all week. Brrr! I have to get a switch replaced in my heat pump. The plumbing and heating company ordered a new switch, but it hasn’t come in yet. If the rest of the repair bill isn’t too outrageous, I’ll be able to get the elliptical. The doctor really wants me to switch over to the elliptical because it burns more calories than the treadmill. We’ll see! Boo Boo Kitty—What a wonderful compliment you got! That must have made you feel really good! :bounce: I left the house with my son last night to avoid having to give out candy. If I didn’t give any out, I didn’t have to have any in the house! I realized when I got home tonight that I forgot to shop for liquids this week—duh! Of course, I’m on liquids through tomorrow then mushies for a couple more days. I guess I’ll whip up a shake in the morning. :doh: Well I’d better get ready for bed or I’ll never get up in time!!! Resist the evil halloween candy everyone! :evil:

Hi all! Don't feel too badly about the jumps in the scale everyone--it's looks like we're all similarly plagued. Since I'm getting weighed in on Thursday, I've broken my own rule about weighing myself once a week (my bad!). My weight has gone from 225 to 230 to 228. Have diuretic, will travel! I really hate the way that men can drop 10 pounds without doing a darn thing. It's so grossly unfair! Grrr! Boo Boo—Great Halloween picture! I’m a horrible person because I think I’m going to take my son out to dinner on Halloween night. I don’t want to be home when trick or treaters come by (that way I don’t have to keep any candy in the house! Sweethot143—A size 10 denim skirt zipped up? That is fantastic! I’m so proud of you! :mad: Beversman—I’m happy to hear you’re getting some sleep. The doctor told me that my body took a real “hit” from being all stressed out about school and the big tests I had to take, etc. She said it would take a while for me to get my energy back once I finally “crashed.” With all of the stress you’ve been under lately, I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the case with you as well. One of my friends dragged me out to a male strip show (Chippendale’s knock off group) way back in my young and foolish days! I’m very shy and must have blushed to the roots of my hair for a week afterwards. Yikes! I don’t think an adventure like a Vegas strip show would be right up my alley! I think I’d much rather see one of the big stars performing in a show or something like that. There's my strip act--LOL! On that totally bizarre note, I gotta log off! Hee, hee, hee!

OMG! I zipped up my size 18W jeans! :faint: I look like a stuffed sausage in them, of course, so they aren't for public viewing yet....although, with a long shirt over them to hide my jelly belly they might just be passable! I got stuck at home today waiting for the plumbing and heating repairman to come and look at my heat pump. It was so cold in the house this morning! Some little regulator switch or another is broken, so the heat runs for only 5 minutes at a time! They have to get a new switch and come back another day to replace it. It's supposed to be even colder tonight. I had to go pick my son up at school because he was sick, too. I'm thinking about staying in a hotel tonight so we don't freeze over. I'm not sure what to do. Hmmm... beversman--so glad to hear you got some sleep! Hopefully, that made you feel a little bit better. kaydotrn--I hope your band loosens up this week so you'll be more comfortable! Take care all!

I agree that you shouldn't weigh yourself more than once a week. You'll drive yourself crazy! If you know you are eating right, you will keep losing so... back away from the scale! :hungry:

It can be scary to think about totally changing your lifestyle, but as Sue Magoo pointed out, are things really going all that great for you right now? I'm assuming that there are things you want to change if you are considering this surgery. You'll have to decide if eating certain foods you really enjoy is more important than improving your health in the long run. It isn't easy to make radical changes--I suggest making a list of the pros and cons of going through with the surgery. That might help clarify things for you. As for me, I've lost well over 50 pounds at this point--my next official weigh-in at the doctor's office is this Thursday so I'll update my ticker then. I have tons more energy, have improved my blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and have already lost several dress sizes. I am no longer a borderline diabetic either. I have never regretted going through with the surgery or second guessed my decision. As the others have said, this is a personal decision and it will be up to you to decide what course is the best one for you to take!

Boo boo--Don't sit and eat frosting! My goodness! After all you've already accomplished! Hang in there--don't fall apart now! I need someone to look up to you know! Kaydotrn--My doctor said I was supposed to only be able to eat about 1/2 cup after a fill, but it hasn't worked out that way yet, especially after it loosens up a bit. I have been having trouble eating things like pork or chicken lately. I've been focusing more on eating just soft foods or liquids. I'm getting another fill on Thursday. I'll let you know if I wind up feeling the same way. swwethot143--don't panic yet about your un-potty-trained 2 1/2 year old. My son was exactly 2 1/2 years old to the day when he finally decided to start using the potty. Boys are too busy to be bothered with all that nonsense. A lot of them could care less if they are dirty, either. One of my nephews was 3 before he was completely trained. I think it'll click for him any time now! I'm thinking about buying an Orbitrek machine from www.thane.com. It's an elliptical machine that doesn't take up too much space and it isn't too unreasonably priced. The ad says it is "whisper quiet" which would mean I could use it first thing in the morning without waking up my son. Apparently, you can try it out for 6 weeks before committing to buying it outright. If I decide to go for it, I'll let you know how it works out. I hope everyone has a great week--keep the faith, we can do this! :clap2::clap2:

Hi Everyone! I can’t believe how fast time goes by! It’ been a while again since I’ve checked in with everyone. Thought I’d share a bit of good news—I was 225 this morning on my home scale! I haven’t seen that number for a very long time! I’m hoping I can keep this momentum going so I don’t fall off track again. My fill appointment is next Thursday. I want to make sure I’ve lost enough before going in. Thanks a bunch to everyone for the information about using an elliptical. I might think about getting one in the spring with my tax refund—if no other disasters strike by then! Nat—about your “fat guy in the coat” comment. I was just thinking the other day that I’m probably going to need a new winter coat for the opposite reason—mine is probably way too big now! Ooops! Sweethot143—Ooh! What incredible travel plans! It sounds absolutely divine! Stuff me in a trunk—I wanna go, too! Please?? Boo Boo Kitty—Your pictures are wonderful! You have already accomplished so much. When you are able to get your plastic surgery done, I think a full “C” cup would suit you well. Your boobies will be put back where they belong (without a bra) and that size will be in proportion with the rest of your sleek, new body! You ran over your scale with a 1-ton truck! OMG! Try to hang in there as you go through this rough patch. I know how you feel. I've been hit twice since I moved to Virginia. The first time the people at work took up a collection so I could buy groceries I wound up so broke. Things will take a turn for the better soon! Beversman—I gotta tell you that I really DO believe that downing 3 peanut butter pumpkins is related to it being the week before that time of the month! I’ve noticed that I’m absolutely ravenous that week (band or no band) and then I drop several pounds of water the next week. I think it’s been getting worse as I get older (peri-menopause, maybe?). My mother and sister both had hysterectomies before they were 41 so I keep wondering if I have to have my “equipment” ripped out at some point, too. I feel awful about your ticket dilemma. As far as your “plateau” is concerned, I’ve read several articles lately that connected a lack of sleep and a high stress level to a lack of weight loss. Have you thought about trying a sleep aid from your doctor to break you out of the non-sleeping cycle you’re in? Please don't lose hope. You are a very strong person and you will pull yourself up by your bootstraps and keep on putting one foot in front of another. You can accomplish anything you set your mind on! StephC—It is so cool that you can fit in your daughter’s coat! Awesome! Your picture is great, too—you look fabulous darling! I don’t have any nice clothes that fit any more either. I’m wearing the same stuff over and over. I really ought to “retire” a couple more of my blouses because they are way too big, but if I give them away, I’ll hardly have any shirts to wear! I bought a couple of suits that were a size smaller over the summer, but they are still a bit tight to wear in public! I’m with you—I don’t want to buy more clothes until I lose some more weight. KayDotRn—I couldn’t help picturing myself doing the Latin/African dance exercise routine… see previous comments about my lack of coordination. Just thinking about it made me LOL! I’m glad your last fill made such a big difference for you! Step away from the scale! What a thrill—you lost 10 pounds! Terrific! Congratulations on your anniversary, too! I hope to get married again someday… VABandster—I know just how you feel about your body. I can tell my feet and calves and my hands and forearms are smaller, but my thighs and upper arms are giant and flabby! We won’t even talk about my tummy, which reminds me of something out of Africa (i.e. elephant skin)! I’m so glad you got called back for a second interview—hope you get it! Nathalie—I can’t believe you hid your scale in your shed! Too funny! OMG—I just read about your son and the bathtub! Now my son wants to know what’s wrong with me! Hee, hee, hee! Great job reaching 219! WOO HOO! bandiva—Congratulations on reaching the 100-pounds lost mark! Outstanding! Nikki—sorry you are sick! I’m so glad the ultrasound went well—your fifth son! What a blessing! You can start your own sports team soon! Ha, ha! Claudiagdlmex—keeping you in my thoughts and prayers! I’ve got my fingers crossed that the rest of your family members stay out of harm’s way! Bkwalling—It’s great to hear from you! Sounds like you've finally made a decision about your career . Good for you!

Me again! I finally dared to step on the scale this morning. While some of you have been obsessed with it, I've been avoiding it like the plague. I was happy to discover that I've lost 5 more pounds! Hooray! I haven't updated my ticker because I usually wait for my "official" weight from my doctor's appointments. My appointment on October 11th had to be rescheduled to November 1st. I just did some quick calculations and it looks like I need to be 208.5 by December 19th to be halfway to my goal. That actually means that I have to weigh only 201.5 on my home scale because the one at the doctor's office always makes me look like I gained 7 pounds or so (I hate that!). I think I'm going to shoot for 199 just so I can say I'm under 200 pounds! I'm sick of being in the 200s! I actually weigh 230 on my home scale right now, so I'd better make sure I really behave myself, eat right, and exercise more! I've been having better luck with more of a South Beach diet kind of approach (protein and veggies). I can eat crackers, but don't tolerate other breads well which is a good thing I think! I have a question for those of you who are using ellipticals. Do you think those machines are more effective at burning calories than a treadmill? I've never used one before...are they difficult to use? I'm not the most coordinated person in the world. My middle name is "Klutz" I think! Thanks to all of you for inspiring me to get motivated again! It really helps to read about everyone else's ups and downs so I know it's possible for me to get back on track, too!

Hi Ladies! Sorry it's been so long since I've checked in--life has been CRAZY! Beversman—Way to go! You look wonderful! I’m so impressed with all you’ve accomplished! By the way, don’t the cops have murderers to chase around instead of tormenting you?? Give me a break! You absolutely slay me, you know! I love your “pledge:” OK -- Hello everyone. My name is Brandi, and I promise to stop drinking milk.... to only eat lean WHOLE protien... to exercise like I am supposed to (AKA back on the bike). I will stop eating calorie laiden condiments... and refrain from the excessive consumption of adult beverages on the weekends. I promise to start drinking water and to take my vitamins. I’m going to start repeating it myself! :pray: Nathalie—I know what you mean about the game playing at work. I’m stuck with some passive-aggressive folks who can be very hurtful. The tension can be unbearable at times—makes me sick to my stomach! BooBooKitty—WOW!! Size 10 pants! Fantastic!!! I love that bridesmaid dress—it’s so pretty! So sorry about your accident. I’m very glad that you weren’t hurt badly! Jillrn—I’m losing at about the same rate you are. I haven’t been moving around enough lately though. I think I’d speed things up if I exercised a bit more. StephC—Sorry to hear you keep getting sick! It’s hard to know what will go down well sometimes. :yuck: Kaydotrn—I hope your fill helps you out! Hang in there! Don’t doubt yourself—you really are doing a terrific job! I’m so glad you can count down when you’re done with school. There is finally a light at the end of the tunnel! Bannanie—Cool new car! Good for you! Bkwalling—You’re halfway to your goal. That is amazing! Keep on keeping on!!! :wow2: Claudiagdlmex—Sorry to hear you’ve been feeling down! I know how you feel. I think my entire body has crashed and burned since I finished school. I still seem to be going at the same breakneck pace even if I don’t have classes and homework anymore. Work has continued to be nuts—a deadly combination of a heavy workload and having to work with people who can be very unkind. I’m way too sensitive I guess. I just don’t like conflict. I was so depressed that I did nothing last weekend—unusual for me. Normally I’m constantly doing something like the energizer bunny! I’ve been mad because I haven’t had the energy to exercise and I know I won’t lose as fast if I don’t get moving! I went to the doctor this week and am back on an antidepressant. The fog seems to be lifting a bit now. I’m hoping I can get back to my old self again soon. I think I may look for a new job opportunity in the spring. I can’t keep up this pace forever! Faithmd—Thanks so much for the laugh—“it's hand to mouth with Oreo disease in my case!” Too funny! :bounce: Well, I think I’ve caught up on everyone’s news! As for me, my most recent NSV was riding every rollercoaster at Busch Gardens without having to worry about fitting in the seats!! :whoo: I’ll share this next tidbit of information because I know you will all appreciate it! I gotta go shopping for some new underwear tomorrow! The ones I have now are baggy and saggy (kind of like the rest of me, ha, ha)! :faint: Hang in there everyone and keep up the good work! We gotta work hard to reach our 1-year goals, but I think we can do it!

Hi there! Just because you aren't perfect doesn't mean you're a failure! If you were perfect, you'd be really annoying! The best advice I can give is to pull out any information you've gotten from your doctor about what to eat and reread it. Focus your energy on following the directions exactly because the band will work wonders for you if you let it! My doctor said to always eat your Protein first, then green vegetables. The protein will make you feel full longer. You need at least 60 grams of protein per day. Drink 64 ounces of Water inbetween to stay hydrated. I was advised to eat only mushy foods until week 6 so the stitches would heal well. Even now, more than 6 months out, I eat protein first, then veggies. I stop drinking fluids 30 minutes before eating and don't drink until 30-45 minutes after eating. If you follow the guidelines, you are going to lose weight, so pull yourself up by your bootstraps and get the job done! If I can do this, you can, too! Go for it!

Hi there! My doctor gave me a diet that said to take in only liquids for the first 14 days after surgery (6-8 cups of fluid/day and 90 grams of protein/day). They suggested ProComplex Protein powder (2 scoops=35 grams protein) mixed with 8-12 ounces of Water or skim/soy milk. They said no carbonated beverages or straws to reduce taking in air that could cause gas. The shakes were spread out into mini "meals" during the day. Between the shakes, I could drink water, Crystal Light, clear broth, or have lowfat, low sugar yogurt or pudding. My doctor gave me very specific instructions about eating and drinking once I was onto mushy foods (2 weeks after surgery-6 weeks after surgery). They said not to eat and drink at the same time. Liquids should be taken 15-30 minutes before and 30-45 minutes after meals. I haven't eaten cereal since my surgery because the doctor said to eat high protein foods first (need at least 60 grams/day) and then non-starchy vegetables. Carbs were not encouraged at all, so I've been trying to avoid them as much as possible. Hope this helps!

Hi there! I'm so glad you have your surgery date! I guess the good thing is that the liquid diet after surgery won't seem as bad after you've already been tortured! :faint: Best of luck!

Hi there! I'm pretty sure you can right-click on the ticker you made and copy and paste it into your signature. Go to UserCP in the menu above to modify your signature. By the way, make sure someone gets you some Gas-X. It was a real life-saver for me! The most pain I had was from the anesthesia--felt like I'd been hit by a truck. I was very sore. I remember being SO happy when I could sleep on my stomach again! The best advice I can offer is for you to do exactly what your doctor tells you to do if you want the best results. Make sure you take in enough Protein every day and steer clear of the carbs once you can eat solids again. Glad everything is going well for you so far!

Hi there! My doctor said to make sure not to drink anything 30 minutes before eating or 1 hour afterward if that helps at all. Sometimes it's difficult to eat dry Proteins. I've been sticking with things like 1/2 cup of Eggbeaters, cottage cheese, canned salmon with fat-free mayo, Morningstar Farms veggie burgers and refried Beans. I can eat pork, chicken, or beef if it is not dry and I chew it very well. I don't eat many carbs at all either--they tend to get "stuck" anyways, so I don't miss them! To me, feeling restriction means that I get full after about 1/2 cup of food and I'm not starving all the time. If the band is too tight, you won't tolerate food well at all (makes you vomit). Hope this helps!

Hi! I wish you well. I'm very happy I got banded. It's definitely the best advice that you do whatever the doctor says. You'll save yourself a lot of trouble! Good luck!