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candace, aha!! Sorry to hear that but... you're not alone. And I bet it really is the TOM at work. I'm 2.5 wks out and last Friday, I actually went to see my surgeon because suddenly I felt so much worse. The pain around my incisions got worse -- inside, not just on the skin -- AND I was suddenly unable to eat the food I normally ate w/o upchucking. Normally I eat about 2oz of tuna for breakfast; the day I felt so bad, I ate 1.3 oz and couldn't keep more than half down. I ate two tiny tiny coffee spoons of yogurt and BLARP, up it came. With the bitter after taste of my medicine, too. So, I figured that it was doctor time before it got worse. Dr. prescribed cold Water and cold liquid food for probable swelling... and if I didn't feel any better the next day, an x-ray... and probably days in the hospital, urgh, cuz that's what they do here. Then of course I realized Aunt Flo was paying me a visit. The timing was too perfect to be coincidental... I really believe that's what caused it. I get bad cramps and, shall we say, "digestion effects" from the cramping so I guess it's not farfetched to imagine the cramping and pain affecting things higher up on the "food chain," like my new baby sleeve. The cold water & cold liquid food for 2 days really helped me. So did ibuprofen. While my "ladytime" (hee) is not over, I can eat normally again and no barfing. So I didn't have to go get the x-ray or go to the hospital (yes!). Maybe you could try the cold water and cold liquid foods (like cold potato Soup, or gazpacho, or sf pudding). I hope you feel better! *drinking cold water right now*

Protein bars, greek yogurt, protein shots(clear), deli meat, mix your protein shakes with some kind of fat free yogurt or , avacados, cottege cheese, fish. Really try to get in 60-70 grams of protein a day. it will curb your appetite...the rest is in our heads. try to start your day out with high protein to start your metabolism earlier so it burns calories longer in the day....activity/exrecise! Good luck....

So Orientation was very informative. I weighed in at a whopping 291. Yikes!!! I have an appointment with the surgeon on Oct 15th. So I am starting the pre-op diet to start to lose the weight that the surgeon will reccomend. We went to the store and I got a scale, a food scale, and some food to start. Today was the first day eating smaller portions and goodness I was hungry. Through Kaiser they want you to eat 3 meals a day and NO snacking. So for breakfast I had, at 6am, 1/2 cup of egg beaters, 1 oz fat free cheese, and a yogurt. I was pretty hungry by 9am. So I drank a bunch of water, it didn't seem to help though. For lunch I had 3 oz of deli sliced turkey, 1 green apple, and a yogurt. That was at 11:45. Dinner time felt like it was forever away. I had to wait until my boyfriend got home from coaching flag football, the team won. He got home around 5:30. I know that seems early to eat dinner for some but since I go to work at 6:30 in the morning its not to me. I feel okay right now. I am tired and a little weak feeling. I would think that after a few days of eating this way my body will get used to it. It is challenging but I think that it is good to start early and get used to eating smaller amounts.

Ok, it might be prudent to order a book from amazon.com, as there are books that will give you so much information on how to live with your sleeve. Here's one I saw today: The Sleeved Life: A Patient-to-Patient Guide on Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Weight Loss Surgery [Paperback] Pennie Nicola (Author) But for a quick overview here is some info I think might be helpful: From 4-6 weeks you should probably still be eating soft foods. Aim for 65 or more grams of protein a day, and 64 oz of fluids and that includes all fluids which should be sugar free. Sample soft menu, high protein foods: Breakfast Softly cooked eggs Cottage Cheese Yogurt Hot Cereal Soft Fruit Lunch Soups are perfect Fish - tuna is a great choice Refried beans with melted cheese/sour cream Chili Beans Soft cooked meats and poultry (crock pot is great for this) Soft cooked veggies Dinner Again, soft cooked meats and poultry or fish Soft cooked veggies Snacks Yogurt SF jello or pudding You will probably need to have at least one high protein shake per day to be able to meet your protein needs. I use Pure Protein powder for 25 grams of protein. Take a multi-vitamin everyday, and calcium citrate, a B12 sublingual 2 days a week, and a B-complex 50 with thiamin daily. After 6 weeks, start adding regular meats, chicken and fish, salads and a more normal diet, but start slow and see if you can tolerate. You can probably eat about 4 ounces or half a cup per meal and eventually 6-8 ounces. Good luck...and no drinking with meals, wait 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after your meals!!

I have my second sleep study tonight. Yes, I said my second. I did one last year and did one at home about 4 or 5 months ago. Yet, I have to do it again. I'm not looking forward to it. I don't like sleeping somewhere besides my own bed and the fact that my two teen age children will be alone for the night doesn't really do anything to help matters. Oh, well. It's just another step in the process I guess. I realized something today. Its been about 2 weeks of the high protein, low fat, low carb diet and while eating dinner i ate the protein, then some vegetable and took maybe two bites of the scalloped potatoes ( which i would normally pig out on) and said "I'm full yet again!). Proud of myself for not eating everything that was in front of me. It's taking time but the way I eat is changing. My daughter, who will be 16 in August said it looks like I am already loosing weight. I have no idea as I haven't been weighed in a week. I hate the scale. It is NOT my friend but one day will be! I am eating my small meals as told. I now eat breakfast, something I haven't done in years and snack on string cheese, yogurt,or peanut butter. Baby steps... and I will succeed!

Congrats on your loss! I am still in the pre-op phase but I have heard many people say they liked refried beans and cheese, ground beef or turkey pureed with spaghetti sauce and cheese, protein shakes made with greek yogurt and 100% fruit juice. These are just a few things that I said I was gonna try once in that stage. I am loving the GNC banana cream ready to drink lean shake right now. To me it has a good flavor and not an overwhelming protein taste. Hope this helps! Can't wait to see you on the banded side!

So true Woodkd. I could easily live on fruit/protein smoothies, lots of yogurt with pecans or walnuts stirred in (yes--way too much fat), cottage cheese, pudding. All soft stuff appeals more than going for some meat. But of course, eating all soft stuff the calorie and fat count can get clear away from me. Whereas eating some chicken or other meat--not gonna happen. Thanks for a good reminder to sometimes do the uncomfortable thing . .

So I’m officially one week post op. I haven’t posted until now because I’m just really trying to take it all in and enjoy this very special experience. Here’s a small recap of what I’ve been through thus far. My first seminar was on 6/11/09 I weighed 250. I met with the dietician on 6/20/09 and weighed 245. The day of my surgery is 7/7/09 and I weighed 237. Today I’m one week post op (7/14/09) and I weigh 228. I feel really good about that, and I can’t wait to see more weight melt away. Tuesday 7/7/09 Today is the date of my surgery and I weighed in at weighed in at 237 lbs. I’m really impressed with myself because that means I’ve lost 13 pounds since my first seminar on June 11th. Everyone at the hospital was great. I’m not going to fake it, I was nervous about having this surgery. I kept thinking did I rush this decision, could I truly have done this on my own, isn’t this a drastic measure, etc, etc. I could think of a million other things that I would rather be doing than having surgery, but this surgery was my one opportunity to truly change my life. I knew that then, and I know that now. How wonderfully exciting it is! My surgery was scheduled at 11:30 a.m. and everything started on time. By 1 p.m. I was wheeled into my room, and the rooms were new and very nice. Surprisingly I was not in very much pain. I couldn’t have any water or broth until 6 p.m. so they started having me walk a little after five, before I started the liquids. The first time I got up, I felt very warm and a bit nauseas. So I sat on the chair and waited a while until I took my first journey down the hall with my lovely IV. The gown that I had on was so big and long that my lovely husband went out and bought me a shorter gown and light robe (I don’t know why I didn’t bring one on my own) 6:15 p.m. until midnight that night I took in a total of 6.5 ounces of water/broth. They would allow me 15 ml’s every 15 minutes. I also walked roughly an hour that night (they even showed me a longer path) that way I wouldn’t have to keep turning around. That first day I didn’t nap or anything like they. I remember them waking me up just a little before midnight, at four the next morning, and at eight the next morning. Overall I got some decent sleep. The majority of my time in the hospital was spent seating in the hospital chairs. When I was in the bed I felt like a patient, when I was in the chair I felt like a visitor. I’m such a freak. Wednesday 7/8/09 So today I feel pretty good. I’m not hungry but I am a little thirsty. Again I could only have 15 mls of water/broth per 15 minutes and I ended up consuming roughly 16.5 ounces. Again the pain is under control and I’m just not in nearly as much pain as I anticipated. Thursday 7/9/09 Today is the first day I’m feeling some hunger. I can’t wait until tomorrow when I can have a protein shake. I spoke with my friend who had her Lap Band surgery a little over two years ago. She’s one heck of a mentor and an amazing example of how successful you can be with this Band. She has went from 243 pounds (a size 24) and is now 127 pounds (and a size 2/4). I told her that I am going through a small bout of buyer’s remorse. I know that a protein shake will help suppress my hunger, but I can’t wait until I get some normal food. I’m just excited at the thought of eating cottage cheese, yogurt, roasted veggies, cheese, and chicken, yum. This time I can tell that I’m having true physical hunger, not just head hunger. I walked with my husband and Adrie (our black Lab) around the block. Halfway through it my stomach had a lot of pain. The pain is near the incision where the port its. That’s where all my pain is, nowhere else. Today I’ve had 21 ounces of water and 4 ounces of light Tropicana Orange Juice (super delicious) for a total of 25 fluid ounces. Friday 7/10/09 Today I woke up hungry and I was glad to know that I could have a protein shake, thank goodness. My mom came down to see me today. She said that she was impressed that I was in regular clothes, and not all slouched out in pj’s. J Yes I get up every day I take a shower, put on some make up, and do my hair. I’m not a girly girl, but by doing so that way I feel better which I hope will help the whole process. I went with my mom and hubby to the bookstore. Instead of the “typical” lunch we had unsweetened tea and enjoyed an hour of reading magazines and books. I looked all over for a book on weight loss surgery. There was one book (besides two separate recipe books) called, Before & After: Living & Eating Well after Weight Loss Surgery by Susan Maria Leach. I really liked what she had to say and I could find myself relating to her story. Granted we had two separate weight loss procedures, but we’re both fighting the same battle. Today I had water, 4 ounces of prune juice, green tea, ½ cup of soup, and 1 ½ Bariatric Shakes. That’s a total of 37 ounces for today. Saturday 7/11/09 I woke up early and I decided that I was going to find a couple of garage sales to attend to. I found this one exceptional garage sale and I was in bargain heaven. J I drove by the farmers market, and I told myself that I could stop on over there next week (when I could actually purchase some veggies and fruits for the next stage of my post op diet). I had a total of 43 ounces today, mostly water, 4 ounces of OJ, 8 ounces of a Bariatric Shake, and ¼ cup soup. I feel asleep at 7 p.m. and didn’t wake up until 8 a.m. on Sunday. Now that’s so good sleep! Sunday 7/12/09 Today was the first day where I didn’t much hunger. I love that feeling. I feel so good not having food at the forefront of my mind, I have this new sense of peace and hope in my life. It’s an amazing feeling. My sleep is improving and I’m finally not waking up in the middle of the night. I’ve been having quite a bit of pain today and yesterday with the area around my port. I don’t like taking the liquid pain medicine, because it makes me feel a nauseous and I’m worried that it will make me vomit (and I haven’t done so yet, and I’m a bit scared). I went with my hubby and my little brother to watch Bruno. I had this scheduled for quite some time, but I told them that we would have to wait until Sunday before we could see the movie (I just didn’t think I could sit through a whole movie until then). The movie was totally out of control, but very funny and I laughed the whole time. Going to the movies now is a totally different experience. I didn’t have my diet coke, with popcorn, and sour gummy worms. Nope, this time I had water and I was completely satisfied. Instead of the movie experience being about the food, it was being with my family and just enjoying ourselves, with food not included. What a first. I had 2: 8 ounce protein shakes, 52 ounces of water, 4 ounces of OJ, for a total of 74 ounces of liquids. Monday 7/13/09 So this may be TMI, but I haven’t been having any bowel movements, and I’m thinking that’s why my lower belly is still so swollen. I miss my old bowel movements; I had worked my way into one bowel movement a day. Now they are pretty much non-existent. Is anyone else having any problems with their stomach looking very swollen? I’ve noticed it in my lower stomach, and I’m thinking that its gas related. I wonder when it will go away. Even though I’ve lost 21 pounds, I can still only get one of my pairs of jeans to button. I’d figured that I could wear some old pants that were too tight, but it looks like I’ll have to wait until the swelling goes down. I’m having some strange cravings, grilled cheese (because I’m thoroughly convinced I won’t be able to tolerate bread) and Mexican food, more specifically chips and salsa and corn tortillas. Today I had one protein shake, water, OJ, 4 ounces of prune juice, ½ cup of soup, and one serving of jello. I’ve had a total of 40 ounces of today.

Aww.. you already did hit yourself, with 2500 calories that made you feel horrible. I know when Im around that time of the month I get ravenous. Try taking emergency food to work with you. Things you can snack on to your hearts content without guilt. Low fat microwave popcorn, carrots, yogurt, a low carb bar that tastes like chocolate and Peanut Butter. Things like that. We were just discussing binges on another thread and all agreed that when this happens with the band, a binge is a few of this and a bit of that. Not 2500 calories at a time. The band will help, and you'll be fine. Also, try eating some brown rice. It's great for you and the carbs are like a fine sedative without side affects - unless you eat too many. hehe Hang in there, you'll make it thru this. *hugs*

think of the acronym HOPE. high fiber...35grams daily omega 3 2grams daily probotics...6 billion daily enzymes 1 with every meal i eat the new oatmeal that has high fiber. plus i eat a salad everday. try yogurt without sugar for probotics. flax seed oil and salmon for good fats. you can buy papaya enzymes at health food store. our bodies as we age dont make enough digestive enzymes. we need amylase to break down fats. protease and amylase for starches . check the label. the best way to get enzymes is live foods. apples and berries etc..... try to drink protein shakes. you need 60 grams of protein. if you work out a lot you need more. also my doctor, dr. romero has me take l-cartanine. an amino acid that helps to metabolize fats . drink lots of water. if you take a fiber suppliment dont use psyllium. use oat bran . all organic if you can too. i eat only when im hungry. i have to eat really slow. i eat a lot of fish and salad. i try not to eat junk , but i have had a bit of ice cream too, good luck.

Thanks all.....I appreciate your notes of congrats! Kat: The one thing that I was very conscious about at all times was my restriction. As soon as I noticed that I could consume more than I should be I booked myself, very quickly, for another fill. I also watched what I ate......I ate high density, low calorie foods such as broccolli, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus, skinless white chicken, tuna steak, red meat only once a week with all visable fat trimmed, whole grain Cereal and soy milk, yogurt, fish such as salmon because the Omega 3's are essential.......etc. I ate 6 very small meals / day, never ate past 7 pm, and never did I ever attempt to sabotage the band by eating items that would easliy slip through like ice cream, milk shakes, etc. After a year I can't imagine going back to the way I use to eat, even I could. I'm so programmed now that I even have my family and friends inspecting labels before the purchase anything. The attitude I copped at the very beginning when first banded.....was that the band was not to be used as a "try not to fail" aid..... I saw it as a tool that would help MY efforts to lose and maintain weight loss....I kept myself the responsible one throughout.....I never held the band responsible....I also kept myself the accountable one. I always looked at the work towards weight loss was my job, not the band's....the band was my backup, my support. This attitude, this routine, has worked so well for me.....I am very proud of my success and I can tell you this......I would do it all again in a heartbeat. Carol

I change up my Snacks super frequently because I get bored pretty quickly. I've found that the 100 calorie packs are a little too expensive for my liking. So I'll buy a few different things each week. When I get home, I open the bag (or box) and portion them out into individual ziploc bags. That way everything is portion-set per bag and I don't have to think about anything in the morning when I'm still half asleep getting ready for work. I just grab stuff from the fridge and pantry and get on my way. I also keep a few things at work because that's where I get into trouble (if I don't come to work prepared, I eat HORRIBLY). Like everyone else, fruits and veggies are good. You can go back to kindergarden and rock some ants on a log (celery with pb and rasins), chips are my weak point so I don't indulge in them often but there's one called pirates booty (think cheese puffs but healthier) and those are great. Nuts. Granola. My favorite part about my grocery store is the bulk candy/snack aisle because I can make my own "trail mix" with sunflower seeds, nuts, dried fruits, et al. I usually throw a few m&m's in there to keep my sweet tooth happy as well. Snak paks are good but like anything else, get old after a while. Cheeses. Yogurts. Veggie chips. If you have a sweet tooth... try getting low fat cinnamon graham crackers and fat free cool whip. Split a graham cracker in half, make a sandwich using the cool whip in between. Put a bunch of these in a tupperware container and freeze them. The graham cracker gets a little softer and the cool whip freezes so it makes a make-shift ice cream sandwhich. No lie, they're REALLY good. Don't know the calories or fat but it's not high and I seem to remember it being very low. Definitely nice to mix it up at night when you need something sweet after dinner.

I was banded July 29th and feel lucky that I haven't had much pain or discomfort. Even right after surgery in recovery I felt pretty good and only agreed to pain medicine when they moved me to the outpatient recovery area and for the 1 hr ride home. The worse part for me that I have no energy. I took the dog for a walk around the block and then needed a 2 hr nap to recover. Like most of you I'm also getting pretty tired of just liquids, but have been glad that I can also have yogurt (without any chunks). I just want something to chew - I try to trick myself by using a spoon for just about everything except juice. It also helps me to take smaller portions at a time, because I tend to gulp instead of sip when drinking.

Well, it has been 24 days since I had LAP-BAND surgery, and I am doing great so far! I am down 30 pounds and I just had my first fill yesterday. I can definitely feel a difference already with the fill. I have been on shakes and yogurts all day and tomorrow can go back on mushies, but have been pretty full since the fill. Before the fill I was HUNGRY and definitely not satisfied with only 4 ounces. Hopefully when I start eating again I will continue to feel restriction and continue to lose weight! I am so excited to be on this journey. I only hope that I am strong enough to see it through. I have tried so many diets and programs in the past that it is difficult for me to really see the future on this one. Although, I must say that I am motivated and cannot wait to see where 2010 will put me weight wise!

I dunno...do I just cut an paste the code created on LilySlim.com? Well, here goes.... <a href="http://lilyslim.com/"><img src="http://swlf.lilyslim.com/NkNXm8.png" width="400" height="80" border="0" alt="LilySlim Weight loss tickers" /></a> <a href="http://lilyslim.com/"><img src="http://swlf.lilyslim.com/NkNXm8.png" width="400" height="80" border="0" alt="LilySlim Weight loss tickers" /></a> If anyone can lend some advise on how to put this ticker in my blog, profile, signature or wherevers, I'd be grateful. Well, it has been one week since my VSG surgery on 1/17/12. I stopped pain meds night before last. Feel really good. Can bend over and pick things up off the floor with out too much abdominal discomfort. Slept well without meds last night. I feel the need to get moving! Will go for a nice long slow walk tomorrow and even drive tomorrow. So excited. So glad, so happy. I put beneprotein in everything, well except water. However, the only 'everything' I've had since surgery is protein shakes, yogurt, strained miso soup, and tonight my buddy gave me a packet of dried hot sour soup, which I strained, and I put 2 scoops in 8oz. Have only drank 4 ozs of it for one meal today (saving the rest for next meal). Not at all physically hungry. Mentally hungry? No not much, but heck I wouldn't dare jeopardize anything to thwart the success of my weight loss goals with my new sleeved tool! I would like to thank having to take chewable vitamins for getting to chew and crunch on something.

I was banded monday 7/6. I have not had any real pain at all. Tuesday was a bit of discomfort from the anethesia where I lungs ached. I am on full liquids until Monday and I am starving!!! Yesterday was the first day I really felt that way. I have doing Protein shakes like crazy but I still keep thinking about wanting to eat something!! Part of it for me is that I have never been a big sweets eater and on liquids sugar free sweets is most of your options, Jello, yogurt, Protein Shakes. I have already been planning what my entire menu will be on monday!! Today I am making my family chicken tortilla soup so I can eat the broth from it. Yum! Michelle

Funny thing is I lost 100 pounds to get the band. I was a work out maniac. I don't even have the energy to do the simplest of workouts anymore. I stall because I can't get in enough calories. Just this morning I hit the wall on my greek yogurt and had to toss it all back up. Tonight I'll be able to swallow chicken without chewing. If only I didn't need calories till 6 every evening this might work. I've called to schedule an appoinment. My surgeons office tried to talk me out of it. I've made up my mind, I'm ready to go back to WW and finish what I started there. At least then I feel healthy and less stupid for all the embarrasing moments of running to the bathroom.

1) band holds 4cc + the tubing for your port will hold more - maybe as much as 3-4 ccs 2) YES - you still need to drink lots of Water. Water is required for your body to burn fat. Sometimes JUST drinking enough water in combination with your reduced intake will be what you need to start losing again. 3) Be sure to eat solid foods. Solid Proteins like chicken or beef will satisfy you sooner than yogurt or cottage cheese - which just slide on through. This is particularly important at night - when most bandsters have the least restriction. 4) Chewing, particularly solid proteins, is the most important thing you can do. Count the chews, if you can't figure it out on your own. 30x is considered enough. 5) If it's CRUNCHY it is not your friend. Things like cheetos or crackers - when chewed - turn to a lovely liquid/mushy form and slide right past the band. If you want crunch - eat a vegatable. Sadly, the band is not a cure-all. Some correct choices will be required. You don't have to be a saint - but you need to be making good choices the bulk of the time in order to lose weight. I urge, even BEG you - do NOT assume that "I am not losing" = "I need a fill." There are numerous hazards with having too much restriction. Sometimes "I am not losing" means you need to make different or better food choices, you need to get more exercise, or you need to drink more water. While the Band makes it easier, you still have to diet to lose weight. You may not have to SUFFER, but you still have to eat good, wholesome food in small quantity and burn more calories than you take in. Good Luck and Happy Band Trails to All.

Look - someone actually did a satiety test... I thought this was interesting. http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_food_diet/satiety_index.php Turns out boiled potatos have the highest satiety index of all foods tested: <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=8 width="80%" bgColor=#ffffcc border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=5>The Satiety Index </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><SMALL>Each of the following foods is rated by how much food people ate after consuming them to satisfy their hunger.</SMALL> </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><SMALL><SMALL> All are compared to white bread, ranked as "100"</SMALL></SMALL> </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2><SMALL>Bakery Products</SMALL></TD><TD width=8 bgColor=#ffffcc></TD><TD colSpan=2><SMALL>Carbohydrate-Rich Foods</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD><SMALL>Croissant</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>47%</SMALL></TD><TD width=8 bgColor=#ffffcc></TD><TD><SMALL>White bread</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>100%</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD><SMALL>Cake</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>65%</SMALL></TD><TD width=8 bgColor=#ffffcc></TD><TD><SMALL>French fries</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>116%</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD><SMALL>Doughnuts</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>68%</SMALL></TD><TD width=8 bgColor=#ffffcc></TD><TD><SMALL>White Pasta</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>119%</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD><SMALL>Cookies</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>120%</SMALL></TD><TD width=8 bgColor=#ffffcc></TD><TD><SMALL>Brown Rice</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>132%</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD><SMALL>Crackers</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>127%</SMALL></TD><TD width=8 bgColor=#ffffcc></TD><TD><SMALL>White rice</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>138%</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2><SMALL>Snacks and Confectionary</SMALL></TD><TD width=8 bgColor=#ffffcc></TD><TD><SMALL>Grain bread</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>154%</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD><SMALL>Mars candy bar</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>70%</SMALL></TD><TD width=8 bgColor=#ffffcc></TD><TD><SMALL>Wholemeal bread</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>157%</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD><SMALL>Peanuts</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>84%</SMALL></TD><TD width=8 bgColor=#ffffcc></TD><TD><SMALL>Brown pasta</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>188%</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD><SMALL>Yogurt</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>88%</SMALL></TD><TD width=8 bgColor=#ffffcc></TD><TD><SMALL>Potatoes, boiled</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>323%</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD><SMALL>Crisps</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>91%</SMALL></TD><TD width=8 bgColor=#ffffcc></TD><TD colSpan=2><SMALL>Protein-Rich Foods</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD><SMALL>Ice cream</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>96%</SMALL></TD><TD width=8 bgColor=#ffffcc></TD><TD><SMALL>Lentils</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>133%</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD><SMALL>Jellybeans</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>118%</SMALL></TD><TD width=8 bgColor=#ffffcc></TD><TD><SMALL>cheese</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>146%</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD><SMALL>Popcorn</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>154%</SMALL></TD><TD width=8 bgColor=#ffffcc></TD><TD><SMALL>eggs</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>150%</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2><SMALL>Breakfast Cereals with Milk</SMALL></TD><TD width=8 bgColor=#ffffcc></TD><TD><SMALL>Baked Beans</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>168%</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD><SMALL>Muesli</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>100%</SMALL></TD><TD width=8 bgColor=#ffffcc></TD><TD><SMALL>Beef</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>176%</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD><SMALL>Sustain</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>112%</SMALL></TD><TD width=8 bgColor=#ffffcc></TD><TD><SMALL>Ling fish</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>225%</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD><SMALL>Special K</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>116%</SMALL></TD><TD width=8 bgColor=#ffffcc></TD><TD colSpan=2><SMALL>Fruits</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD><SMALL>Cornflakes</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>118%</SMALL></TD><TD width=8 bgColor=#ffffcc></TD><TD><SMALL>Bananas</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>118%</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD><SMALL>Honeysmacks</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>132%</SMALL></TD><TD width=8 bgColor=#ffffcc></TD><TD><SMALL>Grapes</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>162%</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD><SMALL>All-Bran</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>151%</SMALL></TD><TD width=8 bgColor=#ffffcc></TD><TD><SMALL>Apples</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>197%</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD><SMALL>Porridge/Oatmeal</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>209%</SMALL></TD><TD width=8 bgColor=#ffffcc></TD><TD><SMALL>Oranges</SMALL></TD><TD><SMALL>202%</SMALL></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Would you say that you weigh all solids (meat, veggies, cheese,etc). And measure semi solids and edible liquids? And how much do you eat at one meal? I eat 2-3 oz of solid food at a meal. I weigh out my meat (example: chicken) and don't usually weight or measure my veggies bc I can usually only eat about a couple tsp-tbsp of veggies. If it's a semi-solid or thicker liquid, I eat about 3-4 Fluid ounces (like chili, Soup, yogurt)

I was banded on May 4. Is it suppose to be difficult/painful to get anything down? Even water? I can't eat anything more than a couple of bites of yogurt or a couple small sips of my shake. Is this normal? When will I be able to get liquides/soft food down with no pain?

Hi, I am just interested in the different diets that Dr.'s have you on pre-op and post op. I have been on liquids for 4weeks prior,will be on clear liquids in hospital, and when I come home can start yogurt, cream soups, cream of wheat {or cream of rice} but all with protein powder or powdered milk mixed in. I do not know what I have after 1 week on this stuff. I am sure they will tell me. In all honesty, that tuna does sound very good but....... I would ask my Dr. first also. My understanding is that this is a place for support and not a place for personal attacks. I am being banded at 12:30 tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!

I had type 2 diabetes when I was banded and I don't know if that was a factor in my failure or not but it may have been. After banding I found that my eating went from "normal" food choices to softer foods and I still really craved sweets, be it yogurt with fruit which I could eat endless amounts of or ice cream which I could eat endless amounts of or even Cereal. Mainly I chose the softer foods because I could eat them without throwing up and could eat any amount I wanted. So after losing weight preop I gained it all back afterward and then some. Plus my diabetes worsened and I also had high blood pressure and high cholesteral. I can still eat some sweets now that I've had my bypass over a year but only certains ones. Everyone is different and I have dumping syndrome still which for me makes ice cream intollerable, I get nauseous, which I see as a good thing as it was my main weakness prior. It can be very difficult to see these issues prior to surgery, at least for me it was as I wasn't even aware that I could eat large amounts of certain slider foods after being banded. People are more aware of the pitfalls now so that's a plus. I made the lapband choice first but had to revise eventually to RNY in order to lose, it wasn't easy and I can't take back what I orignially did but was a bit too scared to have RNY in the first place but I feel pretty normal and take my supplements and have bloodwork done and have survived. I also have a daughter who had RNY and two nieces and so far we've all done fairly well. So I'm just giving you some insight into a different point of view but it's your decision in the end and I just hope you pick the right one the first time, good luck to you, Nancy.

I don't think its bad necessarily for you to be below 1000 caories for a few days -- but IMHO its all of the yo-yo dieting we've done over the years that has messed up our metabolisms -- so a low calorie plan for a few days or weeks might trigger gain once you start eating more calories. And of course if you cut out carbs, once you have them you could regain some, but with that said, instead of a liquid diet - have you tried the plateau busting diet? I am sure you have seen it: (I have it saved but haven't tried it yet!) Dr. Fox' weight loss plateau/stall diet. Heard of it? It's ONLY for 10 days.....We could easily drop 10 pounds doing this...<o =""></o> 2 quarts of Water EVERDAY<o =""></o> 45 grms Protein supplements EVERYDAY<o =""></o> Daily Vitamins<o =""></o> 3 oz. of the following 5 times a day<o =""></o> Beef<o =""></o> Pork<o =""></o> chicken<o =""></o> <st1:country-region><st1 ="">Turkey</st1></st1:country-region><o =""></o> Lamb<o =""></o> Fish<o =""></o> eggs<o =""></o> low-fat cheese<o =""></o> cottage cheese<o =""></o> plain yogurt<o =""></o> Peanut Butter<o =""></o> beans/legumes<o =""></o> <o =""></o> You can also have sugar free popsicles (no real fruit ones though)<o =""></o> tea/coffee/diet soda/crystal lite<o =""></o> 30 mintues of exercise a day.....or more if you wish. Good luck! <o =""> </o>

I am almost done with mushies. I have been adding new foods over the past few days and have been doing very well. I haven't had any bad experiences. For the mushy faze I've been eating cottage cheese, lentil Soup, yogurt and oatmeal. I love all these things and so I haven't ever had a craving for other things. Last week I went out to dinner and ordered soup and broccoli. The broccoli was overcooked and I chewed it to death. Each time I eat I keep all parts of it together below 1 cup of food. I eat slow and am always satisfied for the next 3-4 hours. Tonight I went to a mexican restaurant and had pollo chipotle. It was great and I have a whole bunch left in my fridge! I cut the chicken into teeny pieces and had it with my Beans and a little rice joined in too. 1 cup altogether so I won't expand my pouch! I'm making chili for Super Bowl. I LOVE chili, but at 1 cup at a time means I can have it 3 times tomorrow!!! Happy Superbowl to all! (Go Cards)