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I hope this doesn't come across as overly critical, but....that looks like an awful lot of simple carbs (doughnut...sugary yogurt), and not much protein. If you're going to "pms eat", it would be better to choose low-fat, sugar free yogurt, or items higher in protein (instead of carbs, or junk food). Best of luck!

Anne - I was on full liquids (yogurt, etc) for 24 hrs., but have been back on regular food since with no real problems. I think it's going to take a couple of more fills before I feel any real meaningful restriction. Good luck!

I went for my 1 week check up today. My doc checked my wounds, and asked me if I wanted a fill. I have so much restriction right now, I do not need one. I can barely eat, and am rarely hungry. I said no fill for me, and he was fine. My doc said he wanted me to hop under the xray to look at my band and port. He said, some docs put the port into muscle, but he doesnt. so it can move a little. He said, the xray doesnt show which way around the port is, so he wants to put the needle in to check:blink: Here I was, thinking I was avoiding a fill (and happily avoiding a needle), but then turns out he still wants to jab me. I tried to get out of it, but I lost the arguement. It barely hurt, and I felt like such a baby. I wont be scared next time I go when I actually need a fill. But I wonder, when will that be? I feel tight all the time. My trip to the doctors, 1.5 hrs each way, was my first excursion since my surgery. I've just got home, and I'm very sore, stomach muscles aching. I think I overdid myself a little. On a good note, yesterday I went to my chemist, and asked for something to relieve the gas, and I took whatever it is she gave me (its written in Korean, so I have no idea!). This morning I woke up and did 2 of the biggest farts since my surgery. I felt so much better!! Seriously, TMI, but who cares. Relief!! Thought I should put my typical eating at the moment: Breakfast: Cup of Yogurt (runny kind) Lunch: Soup (either corn, mushroom, broccoli, or pumpkin. very basic.) one pack is 150g, and I never finish half. Smoothie: 100g yogurt, banana, and some milk. Dinner: One scarmbled egg, (hard to finish, last night) or tonight, 2 pieces of large spinach mozarella ravoili, cut up and chewed a gazillion times, and 1 tablespoon of mashed potato with milk in it. I try to drink as much water or very watered down juice as I can in between meals. The waiting to drink after a meal is hard. I know I need more, and I'm hoping to get some protein shakes this weekend to help me meet the minimum. I'm probably only managing 20-30 grams so far, and I think thats being generous. I was 105kgs pre surgery, (231lbs) I'm 98kgs, (216lbs) 7kgs/15lbs in less than a week? I think I should start my ticker!!!:crying:

Coming up on three years since I was banded. The eight months post surgery was understably the adjustment prior. The following year a wash due to cancer surgery and treatment. Things had actually started to move in the right direction until July '12 when the problems started. I'm 22 pounds lower than the day of surgery - given all the expenses involved, that's about $1,500 a pound. To whit, I am 50+ pounds lower than my highest weight, but as a size 18w ain't no one going to call me "slim" - and I'm still a Type II diabetic. The problems, which have been bothering me since July - please, if you're having any issues, go to your WLS ASAP - continue regardless of the medications. I have my follow up to the endoscopy this week. Yesterday was classic. Out late the night before, so I slept in 'til about 10am(for me a real treat). Got up and had coffee. Not hungry, so I was working around the house i.e., on my feet on on the go. Around 2:30pm I felt hungry, so I made myself a piece of toast with Smart Balance. According to my WLS, I should be able to eat this... Nibbled it down and then it came back up or the course of six trips to the bathroom. Waited a bit and settle my stomach with some tea. Around 7pm, I managed yogurt with no problems. Several hours later I was hungry again, so I scrambled 1/4 egg sub and cooked 1/4 oatmeal. The eggs I ate standing - no problem. Took my oatmeal downstairs to eat while watching TV. Got it down no problem. Watched an episode of a fav show on my DVR - fast forwarding through commercials, so sitting for about 45 minutes. Went back upstairs to go to bed. Felt blocked and stuffed, but thought it was all in my head. Took my bedtime meds and just made it to the bathroom for another three episodes of vomiting. I'd hoped that having this procedure would mean that I could finally stop thinking about food all the time. Instead I'm thinking about it even more. What I can and can't eat. How I can avoid eating in social situations. How I can pretend eat so I can fake my way through family dinners. Knowing what I should eat, should be able to eat but choosing the slider route to be safe. God how I envy those with no food issues!

I have never heard clumping used either but I have heard of stuck, sliming, pb, etc. I guess you learn something new every day :0). I have been through that as well. Unfortunately, you just have to ride it out but it is utter misery when it is going on. I found that chicken and salmon have the ability to make that happen. I have to be very careful with those, but everything else works fine. I sometimes eat meat with a little low fat yogurt and it helps to avoid that. I also alternate bites of meat with veggies or whatever else I am having for dinner so that it doesn't stick together so bad.

Friends, I was banded on 1/27, about 6 1/2 weeks ago and am happy with my 27 pound weightloss.My Dr. Didn't give me a fill since I'm losing at a good pace and I get full pretty quickly.strangely, for the past few days I haven't been hungry at all.I thought it was a reaction to some wine that I drank on Saturday (which gave me reflux all night), but it has been 2 days and I'm still not wanting anything to eat. Up to this point I'd feel some what hungry and have something to eat every 3 hours or so. But it took all I had to drink a yogurt and fruit smoothie this morning. Is this just the way that life rolls with the band? I'm trying to focus on drinking water so at least I stay hydrated. Any thoughts/comments? Best, Loryn

2 years later and I still am having problems from my leak. After a year and a half of complaining about constantly throwing up and being told I was scared of food or I was eating too much (half of a yogurt container) or it was my head, I was sent for a CT scan with contrast which showed I had a superior mesenteric thrombosis which developed right around the same time as my surgery. They can tell this by how much larger the smaller two veins have become carrying the extra blood. I was put in Coumadin for 5 months with labs drawn almost everyday the entire time to have another CT scan at the 5 month mark to show no changes, it was ruled chronic and it is an occlusion. That 1st CT scan also showed what looked like a stricture in my sleeve. An egd showed it is not a stricture, it is a distal angulation, 90 degrees ive been told. Food, especially anything solid, gets in that angle and sits until I basically throw it up which I hate doing. From where the food sits in the angled part at the bottom of my stomach, the top part of my sleeve is severely enlarged. I'm not concerned about that, I want to be able to eat. I have had a few balloon dilation in an effort to widen the angle out so food does not have such an angle to pass over with no success. If I want to be fixed, I need another surgery my stomach will be sewn up the middle, pulled sideways at the angle, and sewed back sideways at that part instead of up and down. I'm very scared of that as it may have to be open surgery add the location of it and if it has to be converted to gastric bypass, it is more risky as I had a jtube in my intestines and that bowel would have to be resectioned before it could be reattached. My other opinions have told me that over stapling the suture line causes pressure to build which causes a leak, the stomach acid that had gotten into my abdomen causes severe trauma which resulted in the smv thrombosis, the pressure build up and distress in the stomach can affect the shape of the sleeve causing mine to form at angle. Make sure you are checked for everything that could possibly be wrong before you go home.

There are vsg folks in my support group who have lost 150+ lbs, look like they have never weighed an ounce more than they should, and could not choke down their recommended Vitamins and Protein until 4-6 months out. When I feel like a failure for not getting in enough protein, vitamins, exercise, H2O, what have you - I remember their journies and spectacular success. My nutritionist says 80 g for us - I dont think I have ever hit that - so I try to get anywhere from 40-60. which I can do with eating real food like chicken, turkey, eggs, and greek yogurt etc.. I cannot hit 80 unless I have protein shakes, and like you I can't stand the sweet taste - I gave away 6 tubs of nectar recently because I just can't stomach it post-surgery. I have also become super sensitive to that manufactured protein smell - unjury chicken Soup and the unflavored whey Protein powder smells sickening to me these days so I am trying to get my nutrients from whole foods rather than through chemically altered, manufactured methods that come in a carton, jug, or bar I think not eating whole foods is one of the reasons I got so heavy in the first place (fast foods etc.) I am just trying to take things one day at a time and be cognizant of my success thus far. Personally I would like to see the folks who recommend 100+ grams, have surgery and try it themselves lol - it certainly is a challenge. Maybe some day I will hit 80 grams - perhaps when I can eat more than 3-4 oz. at a time, but until then I will try for my 40-60. My advice is to just do the best you can - you will be able to get more in as the months go by.

Hello everyone my name is Tina otherwise known as breakingtheshell. I really want to share my story with you I am so glad that I found this website. I am sure that there are many others out there with my situation maybe somebody can help me understand this because I asked my doctor my dietitian and they just seem to give me short answers and then there in a rush to get away I started out at 347 during my six-month counseling sessions and the day of my surgery I was 327 my surgery was on October 26, 2012. I wore a size 5x tops and bottoms or a 32/34 and my bra size funny funny was a 54 Double D. I never wore jeans after my disability which was a big contributor to becoming morbidly obese. Oh this is funny, I used to wear a size 13 wide shoe now I'm in a 12. How did that happen?? The surgery was extremely painful for me and it took a great five hours for them to poke and probe me and rearrange things rather then the simple 2.5 hours. My liver was extremely enlarged because I suffer from nonalcoholic liver disease so they needed to go in other places it was hard for them to lift my liver to work around it. I have been on the highest strengths of morphine for so long that when I got into the recovery room I felt all the pain and there was nothing else they could do for me so I stayed at the hospital for three days straight crying and begging for help to get rid of the pain.........I felt like I was butchered. By the way I was on pain medication for so long because I have severe back injuries I need to have a Nother three surgeries on my back I have fibromyalgia rheumatoid and osteoarthritis degenerative disc and joint disease spinal stenosis sciatica And everything else that causes pain. This is how I got started on my venturers for a gastric bypass surgery my back surgeon had to do another surgery on me but because I was so morbidly obese he refused to open me up on the operating table for fear that I would die. He told me I needed to lose over 100 pounds and in order to do that I had to go have the gastric bypass done so I quickly did my research checked my insurance and was approved quickly after six months of counseling. I lost a lot of weight I'm talking about 85 pounds by the end of my third month. I felt horrible I felt lethargic and spent most of my time in bed because I was so tired. My skin dried-up like you would not believe my face looked horrible like I had aged 10 to 15 years and I still with having pain in three months in my stomach area. Oh and the hair loss ......it's still coming out!! My six-month mark was on April 26, 2013. I had lost 122 pounds and my clothing sizes got to an extra large top a size 16 trying to wiggle into a 14 jeans and my shoe size went down and my bra size is now at 38b. When I look in the Mira I see a totally different person I look like a skinny person but I know that I need to lose at least 60 more pounds!! my husband says I should be grateful for what I have lost but darn it I didn't go this far to stop here but the problem is it STOPPED!!!! I understand that there are times that you will Platau but mine has lasted two months now losing only 9 stinkin pounds. I started solids a little late because of having Strictures and having to be dilated three times but I noticed that when I started eating solid foods my hunger started and I always feel hungry again an hour after a meal. I can only eat 1/4 to 1/2 cup of solids. I mentioned this to my doctor and that was hysterically crying and he says to me well that means your metabolism is working again that's a good thing and then got up and walked out!!! Wtf???? This is my life. This is my dream. I am doing everything by the book I am drinking my Protein I am actually drinking the whey protein bullet (with approval) which is nice because it's only 3 1/2 ounces to suck down to get your protein and I don't know what else to do. I cannot exercise because of my back injury. I'm going to be having surgery again rods and screws put in my back and I just don't know what else to do. I've kept logs, drink my liquids,snack on a little fruit or fat free sugar free yogurt. UGH CAN SOMEONE GIVE ME ADVICE ON HOW TO KICKSTART MY WEIGHTLOSS AGAIN????? I don't want to be skinny because I love curves. I'm not being selfish! Thanks in advance for your input. Tina

I hope you are doing better. I had my sleeve done on nov 15 2017, so im not that far ahead of you but concerned because many posts, publications, dr orders, and hospital orders told me only a clear liquid diet 1 week post op. definitely no protein shakes, no yogurt. I accidentally swallowed a fragment of a noodle from a soup can i was draining to try and drink the broth and i went into what seemed like shock. "dumping syndrome" is what i was told what was happening to me . pulse shot up to 200. (this was the first week) . Im dont even have enough of my own experience to preach about much of anything but I felt the need to say something. (i was allowed sugar free only protein drinks and sugar free yogurt after the 1st week) but very limited amounts. Its great to see your outlook on things now, and how youre improving wish you much success

Take some of your favorite yogurt, 2-3 raw eggs washed well before cracking, mix with iced skim milk or frozen to get you a total of 6-8 ounces eat over 30 min-1hour. say the yogurt amt has 3-4 gr, the eggs have 6 gr each, milk amt 3-4 grs total ~18-25 grs each setting. add some artifical flavors ie banana, strawberry etc? Blend in magic bullet mixer. This is what we did in school while playing football, in larger quanties of course. I know people talk of not eating raw eggs. I have eaten raw eggs and sunnyside up= semi to mostly raw centers my whole life without issue?? but one never knows.

What types of food is everyone eating post op? I need to mix up my diet. I'm 3 months out and mainly eat yogurt, granola, protein bars, meat,cheese,and veggies

For Protein drinks, unjury was mentioned. If you want a ready to drink Protein shake, Worldwide Pure Protein shakes are great. They are sold at Vitamin Shoppe in all flavors: chocolate Cream, vanilla Cream, strawberry Cream, banana Cream, and Cookies n' Cream (tastes like Oreos). Each has 35g protein, very few carbs or sugar, and none of the extra Vitamins like Atkins. Since we are taking vitamins anyway, I thought Atkins was overkill. WW shakes taste better. Individually they are about $2.79 but if you buy a 12 pack for $27.99 that comes to about $2.33 each. You can also earn coupons for money off future purchases. For mushy stage, I had refried Beans (fat free) mixed with some chunky salsa that I pulverized in the blender first. Nuke in microwave for about 2 minutes, then while still hot sprinkle some Kraft Fat Free shredded cheese on top to melt. If you like Mexican food, you will like that. If you like yogurt and there is a Trader Joe store nearby, they sell Greek style plain yogurt that has 22g protein per cup! I get the fat free plain and at home divide into four half cup servings (it comes in a 2 cup container, shades of blue on outside--check the nut label to make sure it is the one with 22g), then I stir in sugar free Smucker's preserves for my fruit flavor, and sprinkle a little ground cinnamon into it too. I have had Raspberry Cinnamon, Strawberry Cinnamon, Blackberry Cinnamon, Blueberry Cinnamon, even Orange Marmalade Cinnamon (that should probably wait for solid foods as it has orange peel in it). Delicious! One tablespoon is only 10 calories. Hope this helps. Hang in there!

So i have to do a liver shrinking diet 2 weeks prior to surgery. Which is substituting 2 meals w/ protein drink from an approved list. 2 snacks low calorie or fat free yogurt, cottage cheese or 1/2 of fruit and 1 meal consisting of 4 oz lean protein and vegetables. Except corn, sweet potatoes, lima beans and potatoes. 64 oz of water. I should have no problems because i basically been eating this was since February.

It seems a bit odd that your hunger increased after a recent fill, that doesn't sound right. It is normal for your weight to plateau, or stall, for a few weeks or longer, at times. The body is catching up and readjusting. The only thing I can suggest, besides calling your doctor's office advice, is to ensure you are eating enough Protein at each meal throughout the day. You be satiated for at least four hours between meals. If you need to, eat four smaller meals, spaced out at 4 hour intervals. Foods like sliced, lean turkey breast, Water packed tuna, fat free yogurt, etc. are good sources of protein. Protein takes longer to digest (and burns more calories in the process) and protein also increases the period of time before you start feeling hunger pangs. Make sure the hunger is real; and not just an urge to eat before you are really hungry.... I'd guess what I am trying to say is that early hunger pangs might be a symptom regarding a lack of proper nourishment. But your surgeon or his staff would be the best to advise you on that.

Sleeved January 26th. I'm having a hard time with depression. I'm only down 41 pounds and it's been really hard. I too get sick of the same foods but they're starting to grow on me. I don't care to go out but it's so hard to run errands and have that "hunger" pain. I get stressed out needing to eat certain foods. I only eat foods that need to be refrigerated so that's an extra pain. I workout, follow my diet etc... But 41 pounds... That's it... I too am nauseous all the time. I drink Protein shakes right when I wake up or have a high protein yogurt to help settle it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you for the replies... I appreciate them all!!! I love meat, not necessarily red meat, but I do love chicken, pork and turkey. It is not that I can't tolerate it, it is that I CAN'T GET IT PASSED MY BAND. It gets stuck, so no matter how much I chew or how small my bites are. I have an appt with my lap-band Dr Jan 7. They couldn't get me in before then. Since I can eat some things, they didn't think it was an emergent type visit. I have to be seen by the DR himself. Because I am an x-ray only patient, to begin with. I had a ventral hernia, BEFORE, my lap-band surgery. Well he placed the port right under my hernia, so when I had to go for fills, he couldn't find the port with out the live x-ray machine. So, fills are only done by the Dr and in the live xray machine. Also, when he did do them, he still stuck me 3-4 times to get the needle in the port. I would leave the fill appoinment, bleeding and bruised badly for a week later. The fills were a horrible experience, so i quit going. I initally lost about 40 pounds in 8 months, because I stayed on the Protein shakes. Well since I went back to food, I have practically gained it all back. Even before the band, I could only eat 3-4 pieces of a medium pizza. 2 pieces of a large pizza. Quantity was never my problem. It is what I choose to eat and lack of activity. Here is an idea of what I ate yesterday: Breakfast: (A Breakfast burrito made at home) 2 scrambled eggs with a slice of cheese, 3 slices of bacon, a low carb tortilla and ketchup; and a Diet Mt Dew. Snack b/w breakfast and lunch was 5 pieces of chocolate. (less than the total size of a handful) Lunch: was 3 slices of a medium pizza with 12 ounces of Diet Pepsi. Snack b/w Lunch and dinner: was a greek yogurt cup. Dinner: 1 cup of taco meat (very VERY VERY ground FINE small pieces) with 1/3 cup shredded cheese, and chips; with 16 ounces of Crystal Lite Kool-ail. Then last night after dinner, I had 2 sugar Cookies with a glass of milk. Some days I can't eat eggs at all, no matter what, they won't go down. Some days they do. Same with pizza, and most meats. More NOT times than they do, they just won't go down and I make a trip to the bathroom, sometimes 3-4 times to get it up at a meal.

I am going to be banded on August 12th 2008! I been trying to get approved since Janury 10th when I first met with the Surgen Dr. Castro in Staten Island NY. He has the best track record I can find any where in NY so I know he will take care of me. I'm so nervous and scared out of my mind right now. I'm afraid that I gained weight in the last two weeks since I got my surgery date. I am supposed to be on the special diet where you practically starve yourself and since I got my date I have not been following it very well at all.. I replaced most of my snacks with either fruit or low calorie yogurt but I have been eating larger portions than I was before I got the date. My boyfriend says he thinks I'm eating ok but then again he didn't think I ate a lot to begin with, if that's the case how did I get to the point of surgery right?! I should have bough a scale to keep track of myself... Deff gotta put that on my TO - DO - LIST! My sister had the gastric bypass 3 years ago and she was over 400 lbs at the time of surgery, she is currently only 120 lbs and has skin hanging all over. I think she looks scary looking and terrible. She also has vitamin problems and can't keep any food down. She has her good days but they are few and very far between. That's why I chose the lap band:thumbup: Much less risk of all of those things and more. Also I dont want to be a bag of bones the way my sister is now. I like a lil meat on me... hopefully in the right places! If anyone is in the Brooklyn NY area E-mail me, Things like this are easier if you have a friend going through it with you. much love to everyone out there who is going for the band! -Jinx

You really need :thumbup: heating pad :sleep:Liquid Tylenol :smile2:Ice chips :cool2:crystal light :wink2:lip balm :closedeyes:sf jello, yogurt, sf pudding :wink_smile:liquid protein :thumbup::unsure:and that is about it for the first 3 days.

A lot of weight loss surgery patients struggle with weight for their entire lives before deciding to get surgery. The same is true for Michele Elbertson. The difference is that Michele was only 23 when she hit 427 pounds and got her wake-up call. She got the lap-band, changed her lifestyle, and dropped 260 pounds. She’s run 6 marathons in the past two and a half years, and is training for her first Ironman triathlon this spring. Bigger from Birth…And Then College Hit Michele was always big. She was at the top of her height and weight charts from the time she was an infant. She remembers times in her childhood when she couldn’t or wouldn’t participate because she was so big. She didn’t like physical education or sports, and the other children teased her. Food was a comfort. Michele describes the situation as a vicious cycle. The more kids teased her, the worse she felt. The worse she felt, the more she ate. The more she ate, the more she weighed. The more she weighed, the more she got teased. College was a disaster in terms of her weight. Forget about the freshman 15. What about the freshman 40? And the sophomore 40? Add to that the junior 40, the senior 40, and, for good measure, the super-senior (fifth-year) 67, and you now know how Michele Elbertson got to be 427 pounds at the age of 22 years. A Young Weight Loss Surgery Patient with New Relationships Michele made the decision to get the lap-band on her own. She needed a tool to help her control how much she ate, but understood that it was up to her to control what she ate. She only told her parents about her decision after she was sure about it. They were supportive, and have been since then. Michele has taken full advantage of and responsibility for the band. She has lost 260 pounds – 260 pounds! – in less than four years. As she says, she’s a determined person who will accomplish anything she sets her mind to. Michele began to “eat to live” rather than “live to eat.” As her relationships with food and exercise changed, so did her relationships with some friends. She lost some friends whose relationships centered only on food. She gained many more, though, through her new activities. She says the friends she’s gained through running and fitness far outweigh those she lost by changing her lifestyle. An Athlete Is Born Michele ran her first 5k after losing 100 pounds – when she was still 327 pounds. She was hooked. She loved the training, the atmosphere of the race, and the accomplishment. She has never looked back. Since then, she has run countless other races, including 38 half-marathons, 6 marathons, and a 50-miler ultra-marathon. She has also competed in triathlons. Now at an athletic 159 pounds, Michele has her sights on even greater challenges. In the near future, she wants to run a 100-miler and complete an Ironman. Both are feats that most people wouldn’t even dream of. Marathons, Ultras, and Ironmans Now, not everyone’s a distance runner or triathlete, so to understand Michele’s accomplishments, here are a few facts about these endurance sports. A marathon is 26.2 miles. All marathons are 26.2 miles. An ultra-marathon is anything over 26.2 miles. Michele’s recently completed ultra-marathon was 50 miles, and she is training for a 100-miler. A triathlon includes swimming, biking, and running. An Ironman triathlon consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile marathon. Fitting It All in Every Day Michele works out 6 days a week. Currently, she’s training for an ulta-marathon and is running 5 days a week and lifting weights 3 times. She also does Zumba classes. She takes a rest day once a week. Michele has built her life to be able to accommodate her training schedule. She recently quit her teaching career to focus instead on helping others achieve their fitness and health goals. She is a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. Working at a gym is pure genius – it leaves her with no excuse not to get her workout in! Eating Like a Bariathlete How do you have energy to train like an athlete and work full-time while losing over 200 pounds in 4 years? Ask Michele. Here’s how she eats and works out in a typical day. 7:00 a.m. breakfast: almonds and yogurt or eggs/romaine lettuce 9:00 a.m. snack: protein bar Workout, such as running, lifting, or group fitness class, such as Zumba or bokwa Noon. lunch: soup or salad, usually the largest meal of the day 2:00 p.m. snack: cheese and crackers or something small, equivalent to 200 calories (may include a fruit or vegetable) 4:00 p.m. snack: hot tea 6:00 p.m. dinner; lean protein, veggie, possibly a carb 7:30 p.m. snack: lemon water/hot tea. The number of calories Michele eats during a day is 1,800 (her resting metabolic rate) plus half of the calories she burns through exercise. So, if she runs 10 miles and burns 1,200 calories in exercise, she’ll eat 1,800 plus 600 calories, or 2,400 calories. She allows herself an occasional treat meal with junk food, but still counts those calories. The Accolades Michele is more than your typical bariatric patient, and she’s been getting the recognition she deserves for her extraordinary achievements. These are a few recent examples. Runner’s World magazine Cover Contest Finalist. Makeover on the Rachel Ray Show. Local feature on 6ABC Action News in Philadelphia. Dealing with Negativity – Don’t Worry About It One of the most striking things about Michele is her drive. She has worked very, very hard to get where she’s at today. She’s lost 60 percent of her body weight through being very disciplined every day. And, she has run marathons. Anyone who has run a marathon can tell you that it is was harder than they had ever imagined. Anyone who hasn’t run a marathon cannot imagine how difficult it is. But with all the publicity, Michele has receive a lot of nasty comments. How is she supposed to react when people slam her? They say she hasn’t accomplished anything, that the band has done it all. In fact, they basically say what a lot of weight loss surgery patients hear all the time from people who don’t know any better. So how does Michele react to negativity? She doesn’t want to respond directly and add “fuel to the fire.” She knows they don’t know anything about her, and she’s probably done more exercise and worked harder than they ever have. So, she just goes about her business. Leading by Example Michele says she hopes her successes and story will give others hope. She describes herself as a “real person” and “very down-to-earth,” and she hopes others will see that they can accomplish what she has. In the future, she would like to travel to seminars as a motivational speaker. In the meantime, we congratulate her on her amazing story and wish her well in her 100-miler this spring!

Guys, here is a list that was previously posted of items helpful to have on hand re: surgery. Thought I would pass it on to all the June Folks... LAP BAND SURGERY SHOPPING LIST NON-food ITEMS: BBQ or Toilet tongs, for a good reach in the r.r. 4.98 Heating pad(12inx24in) 16.88 Flexible ice pack (hot/cold 12inx16in) 14.44 A few books or movies(your choice, I spent about 70.00us) xx.xx Squishy pillow for car ride for seatbelt (shoulder pad) 16.88 Make sure you have a good blender 19.97 Kitchen timer (first few days, sip every 15 mins)(analog) 2.88 Kitchen timer (digital – better for travelling) 3.47 Pedo-meter(depending on the one you get – don’t forget to adjust to your stride) 4.88 PHARMACEUTICALS: liquid Tylenol/Motrin (Check early in case pharmacy needs to order in advance) 4.98 Chewable or liquid gas-x(I got strips, you will pay more than shown here) 3.60 Gauze Pads 4x4 6.57 Paper/bandage tape 2.57 Wet Wipes 2.64 Pill crusher 3.89 Chewable Vitamins 8.97 Hospital Medicine cups (I got 3oz/88ml cups – 100ct) 1.48 Cough Drops(Halls big box) 6.88 Stool Softener (Dr. asked me not to get this, if needed talk to him) xx.xx Moist and nice tasting Lip Balm(got chapstick – cherry – 2for deal) 0.88 FOOD ITEMS: Protein shakes(these vary from 22 – 55 dollars depending on quality and quantity) xx.xx Plenty of water(bottled Water for me 3cases 16oz. bottles 10.00) 10.00 broth or stuff to make broth(several flavors but all about the same cost) 2.98 sugar free popsicles 2.66 Sugar free Jello 0.50 Sugar free breath mints (chewable) 1.33 Crystal Light "On the GO" assorted flavors(I don’t like CL so I got store brand/price per box) 2.50 Bouillon(several flavors but all about the same cost) 2.07 Cream of Wheat 2.92 Creamy Soups 0.66 Applesauce 1.82 FAT FREE yogurt 1.76 Soup-at-Hand - soups - for creamy stage(on sale) 1.25 pudding cups (SF/FF) - helps w/ taking meds(got instant, more flavors, price per box) 0.50 Sugar free hot cocoa 1.87 Decaf tea(got regular, decaf is a little more in cost) 2.12 CLOTHES POST-OP: Loose fitting, easily removable(one size larger than I wear, sweats, top and bottom) 15.88 Buttons downs or pullover(sale rack found $5.00 per, one size larger) 5.00 Thong shoes/slip-on so no bending and tying(make sure they are a good pair) 12.88 Sports Bra! Sutures will be hurt by under wires(I have a daughter and wife that helped here) 6.88

I'm feeling good now. I lost 20 lbs originally, but now my body is in the dreaded 3-week stall. The Japanese docs insist on a slightly longer post-op diet--two weeks of thin liquids followed by two of thicker. Currently, I'm drinking fruit/yogurt smoothies for Breakfast and lunch, and blender-processed Soup or curry for dinner. The smoothies can be bought at local convenience stores, and I supplement them with whey Protein. I'll be really happy when I'm allowed to eat soft solids again in 10 days. As for exercise, my NUT is really insisting on anaerobic exercise, not walking or biking. He's prescribed me a testosterone infused lipid blocker (called Lipokine), and in a couple weeks, he wants to start testosterone steroid injections. He really wants me to pick up as much muscle as I can while I shed weight .The idea is that he doesn't want me looking like a normal guy wearing a big suit of flappy skin (and I don't want that either). So, long story short, yes, I'm able to do weightlifting, but only as long as I focus on back/biceps, chest/triceps, and legs/shoulders. No abdominal exercises yet, and if anything is remotely painful for my stomach, I'm supposed to stop doing that right away. I used to live in Stuttgart when I was younger, so I know what you're talking about. It's been strange living in Japan for the past 8 years, always being (as you say) the fattest person in the room. The nice thing about being a foreigner in Japan, however, is that no matter what, you're always going to be the strangest person in the room simply because you're not Japanese. Being fat in Japan is like having a slightly more ridiculous clown nose to go with the rest of the clown outfit that all foreigners are imagined to wear. Japanese people aren't too shy to point out the fact that I weigh too much--they commonly ask my weight and openly wonder if American food did this too me--but they don't do it judgmentally at all. They seem to like the distinctiveness that I bring into their ordinary world. I had an attractive Japanese gf for a year who loved my body shape. Most of my friends here are fellow foreigners, from the US, Aus, GB or Canada. However, I have few Japanese friends too. I'd have more J-friends, but I'm not all that social and am rarely interested in the things they're typically interested in, e.g. Japanese pop-music, television, baseball or soccer.

I have one that's organic and good on all counts as fat as nutritional value! I just started eating solid food yesterday so I will wait awhile, but I just love Greek yogurt with granola! Things with the real food are going great! Just had some hummus with a few whole wheat crackers and it was heaven! So nice to chew again!!

I have the Isopure unflavored powder 30 grams of protein that I mix with G2, put in applesauce and yogurt oatmeal anything im allowed to eat, I have vanilla that i mix with skim milk I will add a banana or a sugar free choc pudding. I like the powders much better and not near as costly.

I also had fat-free refried Beans - I used shredded low-fat cheddar, some salsa anad a small dallop of low-fat sour cream with mine. Careful with the carbs though - they can add up with beans. Had lots of canned chicken and tuna - added low-fat mayo and pickle relish. Cottage cheese and yogurt (check out Yoplait's 2X Protein!) are easy and high in Protein. The Protein shakes are a good boost of protein when you need it. I "mushed up" the meatloaf, gravy and mashed potatoes from a SmartOnes frozen dinner. That was pretty yummy - and easy!!! I divided the meat, gravy and potatoes into 2 perfectly proportioned meals - about 1/2 cup each. oatmeal, Cream of Wheat, Malt O Meal are good but again, watch the carbs...... Good luck! It's a nice step up from liquids