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Hi Everyone. I have been searching through all of the posts looking for answers, but figured it might be best just to start a new thread. Please help me here if you can. I like alot of restriction, and I am satisfied where I am currently. The weight is continuing to come off, and I am feeling well, but I am hungry, and am needing help with some ideas of things to eat. I am currently at 9ml in my 10ml band, so am very restricted. I can drink fine, but cannot eat anything that is not liquified. I am hungry, and aside from soups, are there any suggestions of foods that I can eat to make sure that I am getting exactly what I need. I know what makes me happy, and being restricted (very) is where I need to be. I do know however, that it is very important that I am getting the proper nutrition. And I am failing in this department. My hydration is good, and my energy is okay, but I am going to run out of steam very quickly if this keeps up. So fellow bandsters, knowing that protein is essential, can you please give me some ideas as to what I can eat? I bought some Slim Fast shakes today, and I can tell you that I will not be drinking a second one. The smell made me want to vomit. After drinking a half cup of the stuff, I felt like I needed to vomit all night. Not because of the restriction, only because of the smell and taste. Thanks in advance for any comments and suggestions.

Its just fluid. The weight is going to start coming off. It takes about 1 year to lose about 100 lbs then it slows down a little bit. But if you eat right it can continue to excel at a fast pace and if u exercise you will love your results. Walking is fun and peaceful. Walk at your own pace. Drink your protien and water. I lived off of that for 2 years. I did that because i did not want to chew. Still not a fan of chewing. So i keep liquid around and it fills you up fast.. Also after you lose what you want please dont make the mistake of weighing yourself like i did everyday. It will drive you Crazy. You will do Great

I haven't blogged in a bit. Been pretty discouraged by the whole pre-surgery process because I just feel like the weight isn't coming off. This is even with working out for an hour or more every day and staying on the meal plan and taking Phentermine. It's a horribly frustrating experience and reminds me why I need this surgery. If I could do this on my own without this tool I would. I'm still convinced I've got a thyroid issue even though all my doctors tell me I don't. I will wait until after my surgery date is set to but my PCP to start me on me medication or send me to a specialist for this. But I don't see how you could not think I've got a thyroid issue when I have all the sx of one. Anyway. This morning I realized that in 31 hours I will be meeting with my surgeon. The immediate emotional response is to eat nothing today and just fast so that I can lose as much extra weight as possible but then I realized that I get sick when I try to do that, it's why anorexia never worked for me. I've been faithful and careful and diligent about what goes in my mouth, been going to gym most days. Sometimes I get really tired and my heart just isn't in it but those are the days when I need to go the most. I just feel discouraged so much when the scale shows no weight loss. I feel like I'm working so hard for nothing and this is usually the point when I give up. So hopefully I can keep this going. I know that God wants me to be healthy and I know that he gave us doctors who could come up with surgeries like this to help people like me. I do take responsibility for being obese and I know that I didn't get this way by eating pounds of veggies but I also know that my body is wired with horrible awful metabolism that makes it very difficult for me to lose weight even when all the right things are being done. God's timing is perfect and I know that I'm ready for this surgery. I am praying that my appt goes well tomorrow because I truly want to get this done and over with as soon as possible. I'm greatful that I have such a great support system and so many people have been positive about this with me. The ones who don't understand are the outsiders but even my knitting group ladies who I just barely met are supportive of me having this done. I'm having lunch with my sister today, just the two of us, no children. I'm looking forward to talking to her without being interrupted every 5 seconds. It will be a good way to spend my day off. Well here's to me finally getting to my surgery appt. Let's hope they have a surgery date next week!:cursing:

I haven't blogged in a bit. Been pretty discouraged by the whole pre-surgery process because I just feel like the weight isn't coming off. This is even with working out for an hour or more every day and staying on the meal plan and taking Phentermine. It's a horribly frustrating experience and reminds me why I need this surgery. If I could do this on my own without this tool I would. I'm still convinced I've got a thyroid issue even though all my doctors tell me I don't. I will wait until after my surgery date is set to but my PCP to start me on me medication or send me to a specialist for this. But I don't see how you could not think I've got a thyroid issue when I have all the sx of one. Anyway. This morning I realized that in 31 hours I will be meeting with my surgeon. The immediate emotional response is to eat nothing today and just fast so that I can lose as much extra weight as possible but then I realized that I get sick when I try to do that, it's why anorexia never worked for me. I've been faithful and careful and diligent about what goes in my mouth, been going to gym most days. Sometimes I get really tired and my heart just isn't in it but those are the days when I need to go the most. I just feel discouraged so much when the scale shows no weight loss. I feel like I'm working so hard for nothing and this is usually the point when I give up. So hopefully I can keep this going. I know that God wants me to be healthy and I know that he gave us doctors who could come up with surgeries like this to help people like me. I do take responsibility for being obese and I know that I didn't get this way by eating pounds of veggies but I also know that my body is wired with horrible awful metabolism that makes it very difficult for me to lose weight even when all the right things are being done. God's timing is perfect and I know that I'm ready for this surgery. I am praying that my appt goes well tomorrow because I truly want to get this done and over with as soon as possible. I'm greatful that I have such a great support system and so many people have been positive about this with me. The ones who don't understand are the outsiders but even my knitting group ladies who I just barely met are supportive of me having this done. I'm having lunch with my sister today, just the two of us, no children. I'm looking forward to talking to her without being interrupted every 5 seconds. It will be a good way to spend my day off. Well here's to me finally getting to my surgery appt. Let's hope they have a surgery date next week!:thumbup:

Thanks again. I hadn't heard about the papaya enzyme. I am going to get some. When I eat out I tend to eat at the pace of the other people. Big mistake! It definitely wasn't the amount of food. But I just ate too fast and thus didn't chew as well as I should. I think I will stick to soup when I eat out. Plus I think the two onion rings were problematic. I am learning. Tough way to learn, though. Also, I was in such pain when I posted, I just noticed I spelled a word wrong in the title.

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.

Trust me, youll be glad you did! I was upset because of the 6 months. I didnt have any prior records and didnt expect to get through sooner, I just didnt want to "waste" 6 months on nothing. The 6 months or 4 in your case will help you in the long run because the info you get is specific to the band and how it works and what to expect. I thought I knew enough because of this site but like I said, trust me you will learn alot more, you will know what to expect especially when you encounter the ups and downs of the process. Also the time flies by very fast. You'll definitely be better off because of it when its all said and done. It wasnt wasted time! Before you know it you'll be on your way to a new you! Good luck and keep us posted.

Protein and veggies in the crockpot!! I tell you that this combination will fill you up (I eat more than what I thought I would be able to.) if you eat good things that will keep you full for longer periods of time you will do better. salad does not stay with you very long and you will be hungry again soon after. Try adding protein to your salad and see how much that helps. Tuna, chicken, or any other type of protein you prefer would do so much for your hunger. I was banded on October 19th and find I cannot eat as much as I used to. My problem is learning to slow down. I tend to still eat fast and then feel so tight all I want to do is lay down and groan. I am learning each day how to work with my band. I do not get my first fill until November 30th and while I am looking forward to the first fill, I need to really use this time to learn how to eat slower and get into the habit of taking my time and chewing more. Good luck to you!

Thanks Rebecca. . . You could also be a quick healer. Everyone heals differently, and some people's bodies just need more time. You're not abnormal at all. Oregondaisy had the same issues and she's done great post-op. She was sucking down Water so fast after surgery that Dr. Aceves had to tell her to stop.

hahaah i had that golf ball feeling...only...it's right above my right boob! LOL i figured that's what it meant. but thanks for all the wonderful information. i did in fact eat too fast one night last week...work was horrible, i'd gotten home late, i had a headache and i still had to eat. i wasn't thinking. and half way through my tuna salad i thought i was just going to spew! not a fun feeling and not one i will experience ever again if i can help it. you're so right about learning to eat again.

Hi Jared, I copied and pasted this from another thread, I probably should have put here under support. I am going through this myself right now and have an idea of how you might be feeling right now. I am basically starting ALL over. Baby steps for me. I hope you can get back on track as well as hope I can get back on track I will start my morning with 2 glasses of H2o and at least 10 minutes on my Gazelle I just had to have and it now collects dust... Keep me informed of how you are doing. Schel So here it is for you to read, what we said... I need some advise... Havn't been here in a long while... Banded in November 2005, and 5 fills total in my history of my band. Have an appointment next week to go for a fill, however am thinking of canceling for the 5th time now in 5 months.... Scared of my surgeon, scared to be scolded, scared to be told theres nothing else they can do for me... lost at first, and have gained all my weight back including 7 lbs...So I am above my presurgery weight. My last fill was June of 2006 and have not been back since. I do have restriction and even PB at times. Scared to have a larger fill and not be able to eat only the bad stuff which goes down to well. What should I do? My mom thinks I should go in for the fill and said she would go with me for support. I really need some words of wisdom. Please be honest with me and tell me what you think. Thank you. Schel And Cindilou29 said… Schel, you're not going to like my answer but I think you need some tough love here. You've got to get your head back in the game. If you eat junk, it doesn't matter what they do for you, you're going to gain it back. This is an opportunity for you to re-commit yourself to this band. Get the fill, tell them how you feel and talk to a nutritionist to get back on track. Really, you need to figure out why you don't want to use this tool that you have. There's a reason and only you know what it is. Do you really want to lose weight? There's something holding you back from achieving that weight loss. You can PB and not be too tight. If you don't follow the rules (ie you eat too fast or take bites that are too large, etc) you're going to PB even if you have just a teeny bit of restriction. Keep your appointment. If a fill is not right for you, then he won't do it but you owe it to yourself to give this another try. Tell him what you're feeling. Tell him your fears. Trust me, it won't be the first time he's heard it. And don't be afraid of a little scolding. I'm sorry to say this but maybe you need it. Let your Mom go with you so you can lean on her for support. This won't be an easy thing but you have to do it. Did you go through all of this to give up now? You're stronger than that. You can do this, Schel. I know you can and more importantly, somewhere in there you know you can too. You never would have done the surgery if you didn't think you had it in you to succeed. Please don't cancel the appointment again. You owe it to yourself to try to get back on track. Cut out the junk. If that's too hard, then just cut back. Every baby step is getting you closer to your goal. You just have to DO it. Remember, a journey of 1000 miles begins with one single step. You can take one step, can't you? That's not overwhelming, right? Tomorrow, try to eat following the rules. If that's too much, eat one meal following the rules. Then the next day try for 2 meals. YOU CAN DO THIS. Keep us updated. You're in my thoughts and prayers. And I said… Thanks! I will keep my appointment. I think I just made my 1st right choice. Yesterday when at the store, my son was begging for cupcakes. So I gave in and this morning when I got up, what did I do? I grabbed them was going to open it up and pushed it away and came to the computer instead. Feels good that I did this, but the evil voice in my brain is still saying go eat it! Wish I could put a band around the evil voice in my head! I will not put one bite of the cup cake in my mouth and will have a healthy Breakfast with my son this morning before going to work. Thanks, I know this is just a baby step, and everyone here will be hearing from me a lot more as I need to get away from the food, I shall type type type! Thanks. Schel

Most of our congregation knows about my band. (I was banded August 2008). Those who were there then know. We are a military community so our flock changes often. Newer people who come in usually don't ask until they see a picture of me or someone notices I don't eat much. I don't hide it but I don't blast it from the mountain top either. I also am willing to share my success with others who struggle. Many times believers feel guilty that we haven't prayed enough, fasted enough or whatever to get the weight off. I always share that God has different methods for different people. He instantly healed some as for another, he made a clay out of spit and put it on the man's eyes and then he was healed. So, as the Lord leads, I share. Yes, I am on the ministry platform as well.

(Jan 23, 10) It never fails....only women have to deal with the ups and downs or crazy hormones! I never lose during this week and matter of fact that last few cycles I have gained five to seven pounds of water weight. It's so frustrating. I know, it doesn't stay but to be so darned close and see the scale not move or go the other way makes me want to scream. Now I understand the commercials for Midol! :thumbdown: Who knew? When I was 280 I did not feel it at all. This week I managed to bang my knee in a weird spot which would not allow me to exercise at all. I tried the treadmill and my knee completely gave out! :thumbup: Oh, no....can't have that so I had to let it heal. Oh the horror! But somehow I am still calm about it all. I just know I can drop the last few pounds before my 40th birthday (Feb 23) I have been trying to reflect on my journey as much as possible and there are some things I have got to get better at. I still think I eat too fast sometimes, and also sometimes too late in the day. I tend to sleep better if I don't eat after 7pm, but sometimes that's so hard with my profession. (Realtor) And I KNOW for a fact I don't get all my water in. Got to do better with that. I also need to expand my menu's a bit. It's so easy to just fall back on easy things like soups. So I am going to really try and focus on those things. I wish I could make myself go to bed earlier but I am such a natural night owl! In the next few weeks I will be having new professional photos done for my business cards and for my singing ad's. It's so fun to think about all the cool clothes I can get for these photos. There were two ladies in the office talking about a huge sale at "express" and for the first time I allowed myself to think I just might go check that sale out! I may be able to fit some of that stuff! (wheee) I still have this image of me that is larger and shopping is fun but I tend to still pick up the larger sizes. It's so funny....when the sales people bring me the smaller size. My mind and my mouth immediately say....oh no...that's too small! However when I try it on it magically fits! Euphoria! I went into Lane Bryant last week out of habit and the sales lady who knows me said...Oh no honey, you can't wear stuff here anymore! HA! I use to think I would be a size 12 but I am starting to see that I may be able to wear some size 10's. ME....A size 10! I guess not really much to report this week but not all weeks can be full of stimulating activity! The fact of it all is, I am still adjusting and everyday is a new adventure no matter how major or how small! I am riding high! And as always....I am Blessed! See my progress photos: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/members/57955-albums3475.html Start Weight: 280lbs Surgery Date: May 21, 2009 Dr. M. Metz St. Lukes Hospital-Denver, CO

I also have been off diabetes meds since the day of surgery. Every fasting BS I've taken has been in the 75-100 range. I will have my first labs done in 2 weeks. For the first time, I am looking forward to the results. I have felt shaky a few times. However, when I then test, I am safely in the normal range. I once heard that when someone who has had higher blood sugars over time begins to have more normal blood sugars due to treatment, that the normal sugars can feel like lows. I have no idea if that is actually true and I don't remember if I heard it from a reliable source.

I was banned on Veteran's Day and I was/am so excited. The doctor's never told me that "GAS" could be so painful. I stayed overnight in Virginia Hospital Center and then was released from the hospital the next evening. I was in so much pain. Needless to say, I was readmitted on the 13th for serve "GAS" pains. I stayed in the hospital until this Monday. I'm now back at work and the protein shakes and soup is just not doing it for me. So, I decided to have two spoonfuls of mashed sweet potatoes tonight. I'm not feeling any discomfort. Am I rushing it to fast? I'm soooo HUNGRY! Any suggestions/help is so needed right now! :blushing:

I have not yet been approved for LB. It took me a whole year to get all the paperwork and doctors appointments finished that my insurance required. After finishing all of my requirements I felt GREAT when I dropped off my paperwork to my surgeons office so they could submit everything to my insurance. Well, they submitted everything on March 6. My insurance company said they had up to 30 days to approve/deny....when the 30 days was close to lapsing, I called my authorization gal at the office and she said she hadn't heard back from my insurance company and suggested that I call them to see what the status was on my claim. When I called, the company said they had NO record of anything that had been sent over nor did they even know that I had been trying to get approved for anything. I was furious....that doesn't even start to explain how I felt. Why was I so patient waiting those 30 days when I have seen on here that people get approvals within a week or so? I contacted my gal at the office and told her the situation, she was upset because she had gotten a confirmation that 46 pages was received and thought we were on the right track. She told me to breathe and that she would be in contact with someone from my insurance company to get the ball rolling extra fast. She has resubmitted everything and is in contact with a supervisor at my insurance company who hopefully will expedite my claim. So, here I am waiting again...lets hope it doesn't take 30 days...

I first contemplated bypass surgery. In the end, the decision maker for me was the complications rate. Bypass surgery has a 10% complications rate that includes some serious complications like malnutrition and death. The lap band has only .01% complication rate and those complications are usually fairly minor (slippage, which can sometimes be corrected by going back to a liquid diet, for example). Then, the recovery rate for bypass is a couple of weeks at best and can take longer. Lap band is nothing near that. While you may be tender, experience gas, etc., you can return to your normal life within days. I had surgery on Tuesday and went back to work on Friday -- yes, I have a sit-down job, but I'm betting you probably do too. With bypass, eating sweets can trigger dumping syndrome, which I hear can be pretty awful. I ate a bite of birthday cake yesterday, frosting and all, and it didn't make a bit of difference. And one other thing is that lap band is aiming for 1-2 pounds per week weight loss, which isn't crzy fast and is less likely to leave you with a lot of loose skin; not so for bypass surgery. So now you know what helped me make my decision.

It's hard to say for sure, but I will bet you a nickel that you are slipping back into your old eating mechanic habits...so, get out that small plate, find some little forks/spoons (like children use, or cocktail forks), cut the food in tiny bites, chew it really well, put your utensils down between bites. See if this feeling goes away. Also, when you feel satisfied, not full, stop eating. You can always eat again later. You are probably eating too much, too fast. The only way to find out is to make really, really sure you are controlling the way you eat. It's hard, but you can do it!

Hello everyone, I posted this in another forum and didn't get any responses..so I hope its ok that I post it here too! I'm super new to this website, and started this process about a month ago. It's really great to know that there are other SSF'ers out there that are doing well! I've been going through the process pretty fast..and am meeting with Dr. Alami in a few weeks. I've noticed that a lot of you guys had him! I was wondering what your experience was like with him..? Did you guys ask him how many surgeries he has done and what his complication rate is? I know I can ask him when I meet with him..but the more info I can get..the less anxiety I will have! Also, I've lost 15 lbs since orientation (about 3 weeks ago) and was told to lose around 20. If i do..do you think he will schedule a surgery day right away? What was your experience? Thank you so much in advance!!

I definately think it is my own fault, I eat to fast and need to slow down. Usually when I take a bite of food and walk away for a little while I'm fine, it's just so hard to eat like that? But anything is better than the alternative. How do you like your band?

I'm going to get banded on August 7, and we have a Lake Michigan vacation scheduled (and prepaid) for September 10-16. Will there be any problem with going in the (clean but not chlorinated) Lake Water? Also, I'll be in week 5 after the banding then. What can I realistically plan to be eating? My written instructions say to eat only pureed foods from weeks 3 to 6, and I plan to comply -- but I see that a fair number of folks go faster than that. Last: After the surgery, how fast do people get back to work? I left the hospital 48 hours after each c-section and started back to work part time in the second week... I was younger then...but this surgery I won't have a baby to deal with...

Hi All, I was banded in Adelaide 4 weeks ago today. I had my initial appointment on the 21st of September last year with the bariatric GP that works for my surgeon. I then had appointments with an exercise physiologist, psychologist and dietician before finally seeing the surgeon. When I saw the surgeon, he asked me to keep a food and exercise diary for four weeks to prove I was ready to go ahead with the lapband. Once I got my surgery date, I started on Optifast for two hellish weeks prior to surgery. I think the Opti is definitely the hardest part. I had my surgery on the 4th of Feb. Recovery was slow and pretty painful. I was off work for nearly 2 weeks, and I still have intermittent shoulder pain. The liquid diet wasn't easy either - I never want to eat Soup again. The thought still makes me queasy! The mushy stage was a bit easier but I am so glad to be on soft foods. In relation to costs, I have full private health. My intial appointments cost me around $450 all up, and blood tests were $175 out of pocket. My surgeon's fees was $1904 out of pocket, plus $400 excess on my health insurance. Anaethesitist wa $367 OoP. All up my out of pocket expenses were just over $3.2k.

So my WLS started when I found out I had PCOS. Basically it was a wake up call that if I ever wanted kids then I needed to get healthy and be pro-active. Fast forward 1.5 years. I had my gastric bypass 9/30/14 and am down from 330lbs to roughly 220lbs. Huge success for 8ish months but still not exactly where I want to be. Right now I am struggling with the "I am about to be 30 and still havent had a baby" phase of my life. Logically I know I have a ways to go before my journey is complete and it is recommended to wait minimum 18 months before getting pregnant, but the depression this realization has caused is stalling me and setting me back. Its just really hard to reconcile what your head wants and knows versus what your heart is yearning for. I dont really feel like I can express these feelings to anyone else and I am not sure if I am alone in this but to at least feel like I can put it out there, somewhere... well that helps some.

There is the "cottage cheese" test, you eat cottage cheese real fast until you are full you fill the container with Water and measure how much water is in the container. I think it is silly also. Typical response is a cup, 8 oz or as my doctor said you have a stomach the size of a medium banana - don't eat more than that. Easy on soft foods to overeat as they are easy to swallow. Good luck

PB is shorthand for "productive burping" which is what happens when you eat more than your pouch can handle. What can't go down has to come up, which can be anywhere from mildly inconvenient to painful and prolonged. It's almost a given that every bandster will experience this at least a couple of times as we learn how truly little food makes a meal, and how to handle a new level of restriction. Even 18 months out I had a PB yesterday with some chicken soup that had stringy pieces of meat in it (and yes, that's how I know I'm too tight). Tammy, I'm no expert on the mechanics of digestion but in general food doesn't stay in the pouch all that long. It will pass through in at most a couple of hours and move on its merry way. The pouch is just a smaller part of your stomach so whatever digesting happens in the stomach will, I guess, start happening in the pouch. I've never heard of Beans expanding but if you eat anything that is prone to do that you will be very uncomfortable indeed. Someone reported a misadventure with a Fiber drink that thickens (Metamucil?) which did exactly that in the pouch. Blech. Things like bread and Pasta may not expand in your pouch but you will discover that they take up a lot of room anyway and you'll be too full to eat the real food. For example, if I take a bite of a sandwich with the bread it will take literally only two bites to fill me up. But if I eat only the insides of the sandwich I can eat maybe 3/4 of it. That's much better nutrition and gives me the Protein I need. Most bandsters wave bye-bye to most bread and pasta after a while. Before you get a fill you might not have any restriction and so none of what I've said will be true for you. (I don't know what to say about the bands being filled to 2.5 cc in surgery--I asked my doctor about that and he said it sounded unusual and even risky to him.) If you do have restriction you'll know it, and you'll be avoiding foods that make you too full too fast before long. And that's when you'll start losing weight!