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Hey! I get very discouraged. But I keep trying. I see no change in the scale for weeks at a time, but in trying on my levis I hadn't worn in awhile - they were too loose! So - according to the physiologist at the hospital where I go for exercise, I'm gaining muscle and losing fat - but muscle weighs more! She said my body is "morphing". YOU HAVE TO EXERCISE! It doesn't fall off by dieting only. If you are exercising regularly but still eating too much you will stay the same. Maybe your band isn't tight enough yet. I finally got to the "sweet spot" at 6.1 cc's. My band was a 10cc. For a loooong time I could eat a horse if you put it in front of me. Not anymore. One cup of food (protein and veg combined) fills me up for about 2 to 2-1/2 hrs. Then I need my "snack". Usually a string cheese stick and a few almonds or 6 oz of greek yogurt with some fruit. KEEP AT IT! Don't give up!

I can't stand the pre-made shakes. I've been making my own shakes with skim milk, greek yogurt, some instant espresso dissolved in a little warm water, & a scoop of vanilla protein powder. The powder doesn't taste so sweet with the other stuff cutting it & the coffee flavor keeps me happy first thing in the morning. I've also used unflavored protein powder a couple of times with skim milk & yogurt & a little Mio or Crystal Light mix & that gives me an even less sweet drink.

I will soon be entering my puree stage of my post op diet. I think fruits will be easy it puree and make them taste good. It is the protein I am concerned about. I will have cottage cheese and yogurt however does anyone have any suggestions for pureeing meats? My dietitian recommended using chicken with some broth but I don't imagine how good that will taste at the constancy of applesauce. She did say that I could take meatballs or meat loaf and puree with sauce which doesn't sound too bad, but I have heard some people have a hard time getting beef down. Are there any baby foods that anyone can recommend? Lol it sounds so unappealing but I am getting very hungry on my liquids. Also is tuna and egg salad allowed at this stage? I see some people separate puree and mushies? It looks like my dietitian combined puree and soft food stage. My last questions is what veggies do people like pureed? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Three days is nothing. My MX dr required liquids and yogurt. I started slamming protein drinks also. I was at a lower BMI too and I don't think that has anything to do with it anyway. It's prep for surgery regardless of what you weigh I think that's what you were saying/asking?

It is my official weigh-in day. So here's my new ticker... I made it to my first mini goal. :clap2: :clap2: I ordered my ipod this morning. Yippee!!! I also graduated to mushies this morning. I was never so happy to eat a smushed potato. I could only eat about half of it though. This is the list of what I'm allowed to eat now: In addition to the clear and full liquids, you may have the following: Cream of Wheat Oatmeal/Grits Scrambled eggs Mashed potatoes and gravy Refried beans Queso Yogurt Pudding Applesauce Cottage cheese (small curd)

thanks everyone for replying to my post - I feel a bit guilty this morning for whining to you all... and you're right Alexandra, (love your new picture by the way, you look about 19 in it now!) I should come on line for support more if that's what I need. Unfortunetly that is typical me, isolate myself and then complain about being lonely! Oh and thanks for the complements - i look far from gorgeous but am surprised at the change in my face - I don't have as many chins now! Also my stomach has gone down a lot if you know what I mean. I am really enjoying eating - I eat so little that I can really enjoying full cream yogurts, and salad dressings - dieting used to be so miserable with all the "diet" foods tasting of additives and sweetners. I am also delighted to be at a point where I seem to have broken my bad habits - eating between meals and eating at night - I was going to bed at nine some nights just so I wouldn't snack! But I'm taking each day as it comes - next month I may be blending big macs and cadbury's buttons! (chocolate buttons!) I'm ashamed to say I am doing precious little exercise except for christmas shopping so am hoping catch the New Year's Resolution fever for joining the gym - my husband got me a great membership for my birthday! Jennye - Definitely all the weight loss is down to the flip-flops - but tragically it's bloody freezing and wet here in Ireland at the moment so I'm back to wearing red runners! Babs - hang in there - this is pretty much the hardest time of the year to stick to a rigid plan - it will all come together again in the new year! Shelly - loved your pictures too - we are going to kick super-model ass next summer! better go - must make dinner for kids - thanks for cheering me up guys xx :kiss :kiss :kiss

With my clinic’s program, you begin "mushy foods" after 2 weeks of full liquids (Protein drinks, brothy part of Soups, yogurt)...and you're on mushies (egg salad, chicken salad, refried beans) for 2 weeks before slowly introducing easy-to-eat solids (like fish). So no, you'll likely NOT be eating "beef or chicken" at the reception... But you could ask them to see about an appetizer from the mushy category (even if it’s served on a carb, you can eat only the ‘salad’ part), or mashed potatoes/whipped veggies with the meal -- if you feel comfortable doing that. Or you could be "making the rounds" of guest tables while eating is in full swing. Have a Protein shake in your bag/car to drink between the ceremony and the reception to keep hunger at bay while you Celebrate (a good tip right before you do anything where temptations abound). At least then it’ll only be head-hunger you battle.:hungry: How to help -- Along with volunteering to do the pre-wedding phone calls (confirm florist, cake, limo etc.), you could offer to assemble favors and/or write names on place cards. Unless you have a uniquely close relationship with your son’s fiancé, the mother-in-law isn’t generally expected to play a huge roll in the details. (NO offense intended here, but the bride’s "officially" gonna have you (not just your son) in her life from "this day forward" -- this is the last time your opinion on "the big stuff" won’t have to be a consideration for her! Many brides would prefer the soon-to-be in-laws not be in the details of this event. Not me, of course -- my in-laws live out-of-state, so I wanted them to feel as welcome as possible at our wedding! But they also weren’t "right there" to grate on my last nerve at what can only be called "a stressful time" for the bride! Plus, the doing part of "my wedding" was something I was able to enjoy with MY mom...something I’d dreamed about since a little girl, ya know? Please, don’t be offended by my honesty or if she doesn’t seem overly receptive to your efforts!) Physically -- you won’t be able to lift that grandbaby yet, but you will be able to dance with your baby! Or at least I was dancing with my 1-1/2 & 4 year-old at a month out. Bending, stretching & lifting were painful when it tugged at my port site, but mostly I was feeling pretty good by then! Barring any complications, you’re gonna be feeling great! Yes, it will be a challenging environment, especially if they go buffet rather than sit-down, but you can do it! Congratulations, both on choosing to get banded & on the wedding! Relax! (It’s so much easier than I thought it would be!) And have a wonderful time!

My surgery is 12/28 as well, and I'm a few days into my liquid diet. Below is the diet my surgeon's nutritionist gave me. Basically Premier Protein Shakes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a mix of vanilla greek yogurt, broth, jello, apple juice, and milk for additional snacks, which shakes out to around 1000 calories/day. I'm not loving it but I'm managing, and I'm following it pretty well except that I don't like popsicles so (with my surgeon's approval) I'm swapping those out for one Yasso Greek Yogurt Vanilla Frozen Bar per day (WAY better).

cottage cheese or greek yogurt...shortly you can add Kashi go lean cereal with milk... the cereal has 14 gms of protein +whats in the milk, and tastes good! I also bake things with Bobs Red Mill low carb baking mix... I had chocolate donuts with almond butter for breakfast today...Check eggface for great low carb high protein baked recipes.

I went to a neighborhood block party. Everybody brought food! I remember wanting a meatball SO badly. I brought my own treat-- no sugar yogurt pureed with a little paw paw + Sweet N' Low. It was delicious. Still wanted that meatball. Just keep in mind what your end goal is and you'll be fine!

I agree with mgteacher. everything you plan before surgery will go out the window after surgery. I bought a lot of jello, flavor drink packs to add to bottled water, broth, protein powder, baby food, and other crap. after surgery my taste buds changed so much I couldn't tolerate most of what I bought. a lot tasted nasty to me. when I came home I drank water, beef broth with pepper and a looooot of sugar free popsicles. I loved popsicles because they were ice cold and my mouth would get so dry I couldn't talk. even now I keep a bottle of water with me at all times because if I talk a lot my my gets so dry. never happened before surgery. for me all protein shakes are nasty, even now I am 18 months out and cant drink protein shakes without gagging on them. I didn't puree any foods. I just stuck with soft food like yogurt, mashed potatoes with a little bit of gravy. a few times I had sugar free vanilla ice cream. I used to crave anything ice cold. and anything soft I could mush up in my mouth like cheese. you can get as many ideas as you want from people but really you need to find what works for you. they will tell you repeatedly not to drink anything with calories. water only. and sip water alllll day long. for me the problem with that is if I drink all day like youre supposed to I never get hungry and cant eat. so I modified what they told me to do. I will drink things with calories because you need calories for energy. not saying I drink soda and shit. I drink juice by a company called bottlehouse. they are just like naked juices but much cheaper. you can get them at walmart right next to naked. they are only $3.00 or so for a bottle when naked is $5.00. if I drink something with a lot of calories I consider it a meal. sometimes I blend the juice with yogurt. that makes a glass about 300 calories or so. so I consider it breakfast. everybodys story is slightly different. everybody tolerates different foods in different ways. like I had never had dumping. sugar has no effect on me. I was terrified of dumping from everything I have heard people say. then one day about year out, dumping happened I think. what did it for me was cereal and milk. I had eaten dry cereal, I had drank milk, but something about the combo of milk and cereal together made me dump. you should follow doctors orders, but sometimes you have to tweak things. what works for one person may not work for another.

June -July 2005 I research Different Doctors in the US and the fee for this procedure was out of my limit. I have insurance that does not pay this surgery. I then started to check for Doctors in Mexico. August 2005 I found Dr Juan Lopez Corvala TJ Mexico his credential and referral were and the fact that he works with Doctors in the states training them im pressed me. I decided to have the surgery done by him and set up my procedure. On the 11th I went for a full day of testing. and meet with Doctors. I was very impressed with the care that I had and the Doctors and nurses were very good. August 12, 2005 I had surgery done August 14, 2005 I left to come home feeling pretty good. August 21,2005 A suture came lose and my wound started to open this began a long process to heal with lots of wound care and Antibiotic. I had a reaction to the antibioic shop and then had to take cortizone shot to stop the rash which lasted about two weeks. During this time I was still nursing the wound. Because I had the surgery in TJ I was not able to have a fill until the wound healed because the Doctor that I had chosen would not touch it with the would open which set me back two four months. December 17, 2005 I went for my first fill 1cc. I had lost 25lbs since surgery. The Doctor had a hard time finding port. December 23, 2006 I had no retriction from this and went back a month later . When the Doctor pulled back he found no fuild he said I might have a leak he hard a very hard time finding port lots of sticks. He put something else in port that he said would hopefully stop the leak and now I had 2cc Jan. March 13, 2006 I still had no restriction and this Doctor didn't want you to return for two months. I called a two months later March and had lost 5 lbs Doctor didn't want to give me a fill because I had lost weight I had to beg he when he drew back this time he said the fill was there. He place .5 in making me at 2.5 cc in a 10.cm inamed still had a very hard time find port. April-June 2006 I still had no resriction no weight loss. At this time I was very discouraged. So I had decided just to forget the fills for a while. All during this time I could eat almost any and everything I wanted two. I decided in June that I had to find a Doctor that would do fills underf floro. I start researching and found Dr. Hugh Houston that would take pt from TJ Mexico. July 21, 2006 I am now in two July. I contacted his office and setup an appointment. I went for my fill under floro. Doctor Houston was very hard on me and at the end of the consult he as me if he was to hard and I told him no.. He was very nice He just was up set that I went to TJ and had surgery done. I was so scared I was afraid what might me found a port that had fliped or a leak. Well guess what it was neither it was a swollen esphagus. About five times the normal size. What caused it either over eating or During this time I had to have antibioic for a sinus infection and decongession medication. I did have fuild in my port 2.4 now I have 2.8. I was on liquid for the first week and now I am on processed meat. Dr. Houston told me to be very careful and protect on esphagus. July 30, 2006 My diet is Protien shake or Yogurt for Breakfast and 3 oz of protien for luch and Supper around 500 to 700 cal a day. I had gain some weith back not much but I am not finally on down swing and I have restriction.. YEA...........

Someone help me!! My NUT won't allow me to eat a tablespoon of coconut oil to help me go..... I take 4 tablespoons Fiber daily, I take magnesium citrate, I drink 100-120oz Water a day, I eat two yogurts a day, I have 1oz fiber food a day with dinner (all my NUT allows at this point) and i liter had the mkst excruciating poop of my life. My pouch hurt for three days bc i couldn't poop and then I pooped a the biggest I have ever done....and now one day later I have more impacted Stool. I am trying fleet enemas and the nasty ole glove and finger but I can't take going through this again. The pain is horrific.

I never had a taste for yogurt before, especially greek yogurt but as it's such a great source of Protein, an easy meal and can be a great vessel - I figured I'd give it a try for lunch today. I got the Fage total 0% with Honey. I dont want all the sugars from the honey, but I figured it would be a good way to ease into the yogurt since it helps mask the flavor. I've had a few bites and now I'm burping like crazy and keep feeling the gas bubbles rise up [and of course, I'm at work where this looks/sounds even better]. Anyone else experience this? Did it go away over time or did you cut out yogurt? I know my sleeve might not like everything, but yogurt just seems too good of an option to give up right away. Thoughts/suggestions?

I definitely know what you mean! I’m 5 days out from my sleeve and it’s so weird not being hungry. Of course I would love to chow down on a ribeye and loaded potato but obviously that’s mental hunger. It is kind of weirding me out. Today was my first day back to work and all I’ve had is a protein shake, a half a portion of broccoli cream soup, a popsicle, and a half a single container of yogurt. And I’ve still got to get 10 more grams of protein and almost 15 ounces of fluid before I go to sleep. It’s a weird feeling to physically not be able to eat anymore when we are so used to eating way too much with ease. Good luck and let me know if you come up with any tricks! Haha

Hi, I'm getting banded on the 13th also. I'm so excited. I really haven't told many people. Just don't want tohave to explain. I'm on a liquid/soft diet. The yogurt helps. At least I feel like I'm eating something. It really hasn't been too bad. What did they tell you about carbinated drinks? My dr. hasn't said anything yet but most posts I've seen say you can't have soda.

Afternoon, All! I am definately tighter in the morning. Around my TOM it gets worse - I often go to liquids in the morning for a few days. I normally can't eat anything solid until around 11 am. I will have yogurt or Cereal in the morning (sometimes even cereal won't work), or if I'm super-tight, a Protein shake. lunch is usually okay for a salad or Soup, but nothing too heavy - sandwiches are out at this point, and anything more than a saltine gets stuck. dinner is my most "open" time, so I have to be careful not to overdo it then... I'm 8 months out (banded in mid-November 08) and you can see my progress on my ticker. I've had 3 or 4 fills, I forget which, and I think I'm at my sweet spot. Losses are pretty regular...loving it so far.

Get some of those yogurt things in squeeze tubes. Just check the labels, they are aimed at kids so they may have a lot of sugar. However they freeze great so they can help keep your other food cold and you can eat them when they thaw. Also get nut butter in the tube packs. I know Target sells single servings of Justin's almond butter like this. get some oatmeal packets as well. You may want to open them and grind them finer and then seal them in zip locks, but this way you can get hot Water and a paper cup and mixed them.

Chobani plain Greek yogurt has 4g sugar, 6g carbs anx 80 calories.

i am wanting to get some feedback the level of restriction people have. 1. when you drink first thing in the am is it more like: c. i can drink room temp. cold beverages (about 20 oz. in a hour or less) But, only after about an hour after waking 2. for breakfast i eat: PLEASE also list the time of breakfast! a. protien shake-sometimes, if I am in a hurry, I wouldn't call it a Protein shake technically, it is instant breakfast b. mushies- oatmeal, cream of wheat, scram eggs, yogurt keeps pouch full for hours I wouldn't say for hours. I can't eat eggs, they won't go down at any hour no matter how they are cooked. Oatmeal is what I usually eat 3. do you ever have acid reflux, indigestion? d. occasionally 1-2 times a month 4. how much can you eat of the following (round-a-bout): protien shake: no restriction unless it is very thick *chicken-I can only eat saucy, as in Soups or casserole. If I eat plain I can eat one bite and that is it. *salad:Can eat until it goes out of style. I feel no restriction when eating salad-unless there are eggs, bacon or non veggies in it *sandwich-can't eat sandwich bread at all, can eat about 3 bites if it is toasted, can eat a small piece of french bread. If I eat bread before food everything will get stuck *chicken, soft veggie, carb or another veggie (i know this varies with the order you eat in BUT please go buy how you typically eat?): I avoid chicken, it is just too hard to fool with. As far as meat, I am real limited. Grouper, Salmon, shrimp (basically anything seafood) goes down fine-Salmon, sometimes not, if it is overcooked. Ribeye steak--minus the fat, goes down okay. Veggies, go down good for me for the most part. With the exception of mushy veggies--peas, corn potatoes. Carbs, it depends on what it is. It is a trial/error 5. are you happy with your restriction? b. no but i have good restriction 6. when you pb why is it: choose all that apply a. because i ate to fast b. because i tried to eat solids c. because i wasnt paying attention to eating d. no reason I could come up with lol 7. how often do you pb? d. once a week 8. how much liquids do you get in in a day? b. i struggle to get in 64 oz. (because i'm lazy) Well actually with the time you have to wait between meals it can be a struggle 9. do you eat in the correct order (protien first, veggies, then carb): d. most of the time i eat in the correct order (70%) but its a struggle 10. do you drink with meals: b. nope __________________

Nothing special really, there's nothing I don't eat, but I mainly stay high Protein low carb. For example tonight's dinner is rotisserie chicken (no skin) and a green salad with tomatoes, cucumber, and onions (and ranch dressing) For lunch today I had a homemade Soup made with with chicken and veggies, I had a banana for a snack and yogurt and coffee for Breakfast. I eat between 800-1000 calories a day now, but I was under 700 until 2 months ago. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App

I made my own Bircher muesli with A2 skim low fat yoghurt with berries (I made half a cup of muesli with a few tablespoons of yogurt it's enough for three breakfasts) Lunch- 3 pcs of smoked salmon with low fat cottage cheese and avocado Snack 1 - skim latte no sugar only drank 1/4 of it and it was amazing ( it's my little treat) Snack 2 - Valia yoghurt no fat 90grams yummy And 1 pce of low fat laughing cow cheese love it! dinner - roast chicken breast about 20g I see my NUT 2mrw hopefully she's happy with my progress ???? I worked from 8:30-7:30 ????

SO being 3 weeks out hubby wanted to go out- went to Carrabas...THeir soup is too spicy so I was worried there was nothing I could have- I can only do soup consistancy and yogurt like thickness.. Thought about getting mannicotti and eating cheese but opted for a bowl of sauce baked with mozzerella- OMG it was delish- Waitress didnt make me feel bad, weird or anything- I was only able to eat like 5 tablespoons but it was THE MOST flavorful thing I have eaten since before surg!! so 2 thumbs up for Carrabas!!

Best of luck to you. I don't think the band does the work for you - it just makes it a bit easier to manage. A slight unfill sounds like a good idea. It means it is more your responsibility to choose the correct foods to eat. My band is pretty loose, nothing gets stuck. But I do get satisfied and I eat every few hours a small meal or snack to keep myself from getting hungry. A Protein shake, yogurt with granola, dried banana chips, piece of fruit or mixed fruit, cottage cheese/crackers, and usually a meal with chicken or fish. I eat totally different than pre-band and a heck of alot more healthy. On the weekends, I eat basically whatever strikes me. Moderation is the key. And exercise - it's so important. I wouldn't have lost probably 1/2 my weight if it wasn't for that. I can tell when I don't - the scale doesn't budge except to go up. Keep positive - and keep a realistic goal in mind. Mini-goals are wonderful things to keep you motivated. You have alot of people who will support you here. I wish you the best!

I was to be on clear and Protein shakes for 2 weeks, but my nut moved me to yogurt and cottage cheese day 10 and soft/mushie day 11. I plan to consult with her at six weeks, although next phase is 8 weeks Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App