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Nykee, Please read: YOUR BAND IS TOO TIGHT! YOUR BAND IS TOO TIGHT! YOUR BAND IS TOO TIGHT! You need to get some of your saline removed. You will not succeed if you do not eat solid Protein. The band is designed to create satiety when the upper pouch is filled with solid protein and this gives you the illusion you are full with smaller quantities. Take this information from someone who has been banded for 2 years and 3 months and lost 90% of my excess weight so far. ME!! I have never been too tight that I couldnt drink in the mornings or eat a small Breakfast of yogurt or cottage cheese or a mushy egg. Besides the more you are able to eat earlier in the day, the less hungry you will be at night when your band is wide open. Do you honestly think you are alone or unique with less restriction in the evening? Guess again. I am wide open at night and thats when I am most likely to cheat and eat garbage food. I keep lots of protein at my finger tips like string cheese, leftover dinner meat, some nuts. I also keep calorie friendly Snacks close at hand like sugar free yogurt, 60 calorie pudding snacks, 94% fat free popcorn, Jello, weight watchers cake (if I get desperate), 100 calorie snack packs of oreos or graham crackers. I also drink lots of hot tea first and if I am still hungry, then I have a piece of 35 calorie wheat bread with some SS jam on it to make me feel like a human. I allow myself at least 150-200 calories of snacks in my daily caloric allocation to ensure that I dont die of hunger in the evenings, even though I know most of it is head hunger anyway. Everything Megan and Shelly have told you is true. And add my reitteration and new information to your list of what makes a successful bandster. Being too tight so you cant swallow your own saliva in the morning is ludicrous. Banding is not about deprivation. It is about finally getting some satiety with smaller portions so you can lose weight. It is about making wiser food choices cause you are not hungry all the time. PLEASE LISTEN to those who know what they are talking about and have been successful with the band. Babs in TX 334/18-/170 -154

alexandrea) Nykee, you're supposed to be getting 60 or so grams of Protein a day, and milk can't be your only source girl) I DO. and no one told me it had to be from any different source.. I even had a nutritional counselor tell me I had to be sure to stay UNDER 80 grams a day.. and to be sure to do THAT.. (I drink alot of milk at night) Alex) You're really heading for nutritional trouble if you continue down this road. (Are you taking Vitamins? I hope I hope? There are lots of chewables out there; even if all you can find are children's vitamins those are fine if you take two.) girl) I take a flinstone chewable like they told me to. And I KNOW I need better nutrition.. I have a long ways to go.. I know this is a "I'll do it later" kinda thing.. but I think I will once I get maybe 100 pounds off, I will be more likely to.. anyway.. I wont have so much stress.. I can have my surgerys.. lots of reasons. Plus I am college educated..and I did alot in that feild.. I KNOW what nutrition is.. (so thats not a problem, like it is for many) alexandrea) If you're determined to stick with this too-tight level of fill, do yourself the immense favor of trying to find better foods to eat. (I AM) alex) Think about high-protein mushy food like cottage cheese, eggs, string cheese, hummus, yogurt, things like that. If you take in more calories in high-quality protein you will be less hungry later in the day, I promise! girl) Well... I got the cheese.. I can eat those slices (A 20$ block a month for the kids) but I avoid them cuz the fat.. but I still have them, And I like eggs but no one will make me any.. lol (and I aint about to) I love the yolk when its kinda mushy and I KNOW THAT would go down (at night) yogart, I cant get into.. or applesauce or pudding.. I dont know why.. I like it.. but I just dont since being banded. (I think cuz it takes up room where I cAn drink milk or juice) BUT aGAIN.. i AM not EATING at night cuz I am hungry.... I am not hungry and hunger doesnt motivate me.. I am a snacker.. The milk and juice and thin soup I get down before night time is enough.. I am not hungry. alex) From the amount of juice you're drinking it seems like you're not having trouble with liquids, so soup shouldn't be an issue unless you're trying to take it in too fast. girl) Well.. it changes throughout the day.. like It was about 12:45 pm, just back from the doctors and shopping and I had to crush pain pills and drink OJ.. and I could only tolerate about 3 ounces.. BEFORE my last fill, I woulda gulped 12 ounces of OJ EASY and be still sipping on it now (or chocolate milk) Around 3pm.. (a kid comes home) and I will get some tomatoe soup and I could try a peice of cheese (even though yesterday I SWORE not to try that again!!! I slimed trying to eat before night and I hated it) alex) Chew everything very, very well and wait a good minute between bites. Girl) I DO!! yeah.. finally something right.. lol I SWEAR.. I AM TAKING care of my band.. IF its true that the slimimng and the PB and the golf ball feelings and all that are what can make your band slip and all that (I know it can anyway) I really really got that under control... I KNOW thats usually very hard and even like completely against the rules.. but thats cuz it leads to so much band abuse and my band is FINE> THANK YOU...... I appreciate your posts cuz your talking my language.. your trying to get through to me in a way I can listen.. (very skillfull you are!) anyway.... I am so glad your here to be someone I can HEAR.. loves

Here is today's! Breakfast: 1 Protein shake, 1/4 cup eggbeaters. Lunch: 1/2 c. squash casserole made with lowfat ricotta, 1/4 cup applesauce, 1 c. skim milk Dinner: 1/2 cup cottage cheese, 1 cup beef noodle soup, 1/2 cup cooked carrots Snack: 1 lowfat yogurt It was a good day!

My surgeon requires me to me a 2 week liquid diet (His offices uses Optifast, which I actually really like - some of the bars are super tasty). I'm on my second day of full Optifast - 4 shakes and 1 bar a day, plus broth and jello if I want. I was also told I needed to lose about 10% of my body weight before surgery, so while I was doing all my pre-surgical testing, I was doing Optifast 'lite' (2 shakes a day, 1 bar, a meal consisting of 4-6oz of protein and 3 servings of veggies. (But no peas, yams or potatoes) I was also allowed 1 serving of fruit OR yogurt, and all the jello and broth I wanted. So far I lost 14lbs, and I expect to lose another 10 by my surgery date, which is almost the 10% (I started this all at 264lbs) I think that starting the diet before the 2 week liquid was a big help. I've cut back on most of my cravings, and I think its a good way to prepare for learning to eat well after surgery. The two weeks of liquid should shrink the liver and such to make the surgery easier and safer. Lol, I was doing so well on the Opti-lite, but as soon as they said to start on full liquid, I have a massive craving for a chimichanga! But its passing.

CheckYes: Unlike Acadia, I've never had to take extra Vitamins - well, I should say, I've never known I was supposed to take anything other than a multi but I just had blood work done so I am going to check with my doctor on the B12, Iron, vit D and calcium. (Thanks for that info, Acadia). -- You're welcome. Not everyone needs extra vitamins, but vegetarians often do. It's good that you're getting tested. Ask for the actual number and the normal range so you can tell where you sit, not just if you're high or low. You could be 1 point from hitting under normal and they'll still say you're within range. Since B12 can only be had naturally from animal products it's necessary to supplement. Though you may be fortunate to get enough from a Multivitamin, most vegetarians will become deficient and will notice that they're tired more often, will have lines or ridges on their nails, and will lose the moon on their nails. And once you are deficient you *cannot* get what you need from food. There simply isn't enough B12 in food to compensate. That said, as a vegetarian you can still get some from fortified Breakfast cereals, which have around 6 micrograms. If you are lacto/ovo: yogurt has about 1.4 micrograms per 1 c, 1 cup of milk has 0.9 micrograms, an egg has 0.6 micrograms, and cheese has about 0.3 micrograms per 1 oz. The iron, same thing, it's primarily from meat and most vegetarians don't eat enough Beans or dark green leafy veggies to get enough iron. The vitmain D isn't necessary if you get outside - without sunblock - for at least 30 minutes a day. Though these days most people wear sunblock so they don't get enough Vit D. It's good to get tested and supplement unless you're in the mid level. It's good you're getting tested, most people don't bother with Vitamin / mineral testing. I love a little hot baked tofu with a small amount of peanut satay sauce. That's one of my favorite meals. -- I love this too, it's a great snack. I haven't had it since being banded though. and no more Gelatin (gummy vitamins, Jello and some jello mousse puddings). -- There are vegetarian/vegan sources of gelatin and there are many products that are created to be similar to things like Jell-O but still vegetarian. When in doubt call the manufacturer and ask what their source is for the gelatin. Birinak Everyone is different, based on the food they eat and their activity locations (outside vs inside). It's great that you don't need supplements. Unfortunately not everyone will be so fortunate. Vitamin B12 can be very easily obtained from eggs, milk, yogurt, cheese, and whey. -- If the vegetarian is lacto/ovo those are options, but a lot of vegetarians aren't. I'm severely lactose intolerant, so no milk or yogurt for me. Cheese is okay if it's a hard cheese (sharp cheddar) and less than 1 tbsp. Whey is okay for me if it has no lactose in it. Many people go vegetarian not only for environmental reasons (including animal welfare) but often because of food intolerance, so they will become deficient if they are not lacto/ovo or pesci. For me personally, if eggs are cooked into something (bread) I'll eat it but very rarely (2-3x a year) will I eat an actual egg dish (like quiche or souffle). Also - it's very important to know that once someone is deficient in B12, they cannot get enough from food and they do need supplementation either by pills or injections to get back on par. Vitamin D along with 15 minutes of sun exposure a day -- There's actually a pandemic right now for vitamin D deficiency. People are wearing too much sunscreen, which prevents the ability to create vitamin D from the sun. And because obese people are already at risk for deficiency, most of the US is deficient. And you're right, the only way to tell if you truly need Vitamin D (and other vitamins) is to get your blood tested every 6 months to a year.

Hello! I was banded the same day. I'm experiencing the same exact things. The gas pain in my shoulders is getting better. I went for a 3 mile slow walk yesterday and it def helped. As for being hungry.. I am starving too! But when I try to take in a protein shake I start getting the hiccups after a few swallows. If you haven't had the hiccups yet.. You're lucky. They hurt! I tried a Greek yogurt yesterday and nothing has ever tasted so good!!! I only ate half and took tiny spoonfuls. I was satisfied. About th tummy rumbling... Dang.. My two year old thought a monster was in mamas tummy! I went out and bought gas x strips and they are amazing!!! Not sure if you've gotten that weird pressure in your chest where you feel like you have to burp, but can't. Whenever I feel that pressure, I tak a gas x strip and it goes away. It has also cut down on 90% of my tummy rumblings. Good luck and keep us posted.

I have to be on a liquid diet two weeks before surgery, at the beginning I can have like cream of wheat, oatmeal, yogurt, sugar free pudding and Unjury Shakes. It shouldn't be too bad, since my husbands surgery on 9/29 I have been eating soups and cottage cheese for supper because he has been on the post op liquid diet and it was easier to eat that for supper than to cook a meal for myself. He is now able to eat food!! I can't wait!!

hi stacy i never did the mushy stage - isn't that the one where you put food like chicken or whatever into the blender for a minute - yeach - couldn't even attempt that, just the thought...yeach was never good on which stage etc. i "think" soft foods were next - cottage cheese, yogurt, - just wanted to give you a for instance, starting help - hoping someone will jump on the bandwagon and give more and possibly better advice, good luck kathy

So just like our foot size varies from others, our stomach sizes vary. My husbands stomach is bigger than mine. When they take out 85% of a big stomach, what's left is bigger than 85% of a small stomach, right? Sleeved on the same day as me, he can reliably hold 4 oz of solid Protein at a time, I can reliably hold 2 oz of solid protein at a time. We are only 5 weeks out, but it's very predictable. I suggest for those of who who wonder about their stomach capacity, don't worry about yogurt, Soup, liquid, saltines, bread, etc. Test it by eating dense protein and you will know for sure.

Thanks, Not realy I don't get hungry I just don't want to loose my hair due to lack of protein. I drink carrot and yogurt juice, I mainly drink instead of eating. I am getting disappointed, and questioning my decision about the surgery. I have paid so much to get my desire weight and you are probably right may be I don't have too much to loose. I do not excersice due to my back problem. Thanks again

I'm scheduled for July 4, gastric plication with dr. Ponce de leon, I have read you should take : Gas-X strips and Sleep-Ease strips.......I think you will be fine when you get home, get some treats for your faithful little dog who will be your best companion during that time.. awry' timestamp='1308935981' post='168932'] Hi All - My surgery is scheduled for Monday and I'm really ready for this. I've been pretty good with the 2 week pre-op diet. I did fudge a little bit but in the scheme of things, that cheat was nothing. Guess what? I ate some plain greek yogurt in place of a shake a couple of times and I had some tomato soup just for a change - These items were not on the sheet. Even so, I've lost 15 pounds in 11 days. Not bad for someone who usually takes 2 months to lose 5 pounds! Anyway, any advice on how to prepare for Monday, what should I take with me to the hospital? what should I have ready at home? Will I need much help and for how long? I live alone and have a little dog. Anything will be appreciated, prayers too. B.

I'm 6 weeks out and only get in about 400 cal per day. I have 2 premier protein shakes as well, but I can only eat 1 egg and maybe a baby bel mini cheese and 1/3 cup of Greek yogurt for the day. I just feel too full for anymore. I figure as time goes on, I'll be able to consume more. My doc is not really concerned about my calories at this point. He just wants to make sure I'm at 65g protein and staying under 30g carbs.

Sorry for the copy/paste. I don't prepare dishes as it's just me. Kids are out of the house so not feeding a family. I do 6 mini meals a day. Some stand bys for me are hot choc /decaf (15g) . 2 light mozzarella string cheese (12g). Chobani Lemon Greek Yogurt (15g). Boars Head Ever-roast deli Chicken 2 oz (13g). Al Fresco chicken sausage (14g). Morningstar Spicy Black Bean Burger (11g).1 pouch tuna/1/2 c 1% cottage cheese (31g). Gortons Simply Bake Tilapia (20g). Unjury protein powder 1 scoop/8 oz skim milk (29g) and sometimes I add 2 T of PB2 which brings it to 34g. Each one of these standbys is 1 mini meal for me. I don't have room for anything after eating it. Don't eat them all on the same day but keep my cals under 900 for the day. I shoot for 90g a day. Sorry for the run on paragraph. My enter key is not working ONLY on this website. Have contacted Alex/Tech but no solution yet.

Hello, I'm also on day 3 of the 2 week liquid diet. I was struggling the first 2 days. Today is a little better and I don't have the headache anymore. Yes, I'm hungry, but it's tolerable. I couldn't wait to get this liquid diet started, but honestly, I didn't expect it to be quite the challenge that it turned out to be. But I think it will make it easier to adjust to the new dietary lifestyle after the surgery. It won't be quite as drastic of a change. They are allowing me to have smoothies, creamy Soup, juice, SF pudding, yogurt without chunks, things that can be drunk through a straw. Seems a little less restrictive than what some of you are talking about.

Relaxing with the morning paper and a big cup of coffee....ok maybe my other would be nooze yogurt.

I've never heard of anyone counting cheese, yogurt or cottage cheese as liquid (although there are drinkable yogurts). Maybe she meant soft or mushy foods? Clear liquids are ones that don't really stimulate the digestive system much and are see through like Nancy said.

Oh heck yeah, I can totally relate. I was really worried about it before surgery too. I had made some small changes and lost some weight. I have been off reg AND diet sodas for almost a yr now. But I was still a fast food type person for the convenience, as well as the "gotta have it now" mentality. I didn't plan ahead and keep things on hand or prepare meals ahead of time. And that hunger I used to have, where I didn't wanna even take the time it required to cook before i shoved it in my mouth. But the sleeve has helped that, I don't get the omg I am starving, get in my belly NOW, feeling. I get a sort of empty feeling and kinda go by what time I ate last to confirm it is actually real hunger, not head hunger or acid. But I have to admit, I do mostly easy/convenient type foods at home. Cause to be honest, I don't know any other way of life,so I think as long as it's a good protein source and all, it's ok. I don't do the protein shakes as much, but I really like the taste and convenience of boiled eggs now. So I boil half a dozen or more at a time, to have on hand to eat, or to add to tuna/chicken salad, or make egg salad with. I've been babysitting this wk, and having to get up and leave WAY earlier than I am used to, so I have been taking my boiled eggs, cottage cheese, cans of tuna and chicken, my diet green teas, so I will have the ability to keep up with my protein. I use greek yogurt a lot not just cuz of convenience but it's high in protein and makes meat go down so much easier if I make it into dips. I add it to the tuna/chicken/egg salad. I use it in place of sour cream. I do string cheese and other cheeses a lot to add more protein to stuff. I will also take a whole bag of the frozen chicken breasts and put in the crock pot before bedtime, then the next day I divide it up into small portions and use some for chicken salad, some to dip in greek yogurt/w/ranch mix. I really like the hidden valley fiesta ranch mix. Or I will use other sauces and flavors like BBQ sauce, teriyaki sauce, white sauce (the kind that goes on bbq and smoked chicken) etc. to kinda change up each meal. You do have to watch the sauces for sugar and stuff, but some have fewer carbs than others. But I do eat a lot of chicken. lol. I like how the crock pot will make meat tender and fairly moist, I hate dry meat. But anyway!!! You are not alone!! And you have done a fabulous job losing 45 lbs pre-op, congrats!!! It seems to me, you are doing a good job of preparing yourself mentally for the sleeve and making positive changes. Give yourself some credit, and I am working on becoming more of a real cook, but until i master it, as long as I do protein first, I ain't gonna worry too much about it. The sleeve really does make it easier to stop and think and plan meals out, so you have that to look forward to!!

Welcome to the forums! Congratulations on making the decision and getting your date! That is awesome! Every surgeon is different in their requirements for food plans. Follow the directions that your surgeon gives you as they know what is best for their practice. When I was on my pre-op diet, I could have Protein shakes as well as "real food" items like salads. That made it more bearable. A full liquid only diet would consist of clear fluids - Water, crystal light, Isopure, broth, sugar free jello; as well as liquids that would fit through a straw - milk, yogurt, Protein Shakes, pureed Soups, etc.

I didn't know Yoplait made Greek yogurt. I get Fage and Chobani. I eat it with fruit or use it in place of sour cream for dips and dressings.

I did this yesterday. I also took 1/2 of a strawberry protein shake and added greek yogurt and blended for a smoothie and that came all right. It brought the sweetness of the shake down and the mellowed the tartness of the yogurt. I split it into two 'meals'.

I'm doing pretty well. Down 44lbs and starting to comfortably get into my next size down clothes. I'm wearing a dress today I haven't worn for at least 4 years. I'm not going to bother shopping until I drop a few more sizes. I have enough clothes through size 14. I've been a total slacker when it comes to exercise! Baaaad girl. I need to get my fanny back on the treadmill and dug up my five factor fitness book that has a six day exercise program included. It's pretty simple- three exercises per day in addition to cardio. I need to get inspried! My giggly belly and arms should be enough to inspire me... Not drinking with my food is sooo hard and getting in all the Vitamins and meds - I feel like I need a schedule: 7am- thyroid, 7:15-7:30 - coffee, 7:45 - yogurt, 8:15 - start drinking a 20 oz drink, 8:45 - actigall #1 for the day. I can't keep track half the time! I've had some moody days too - days when I just want to crawl up and read all day. Thank goodness my mom takes my son quite often on Saturday so I get a day to just be alone. Overall, doing pretty well and very happy I made this choice for myself. Best thing I've done other than have my son and have lasic surgery! =)

I pureed egg with Greek yogurt ......horrible can't even look at an egg. But tuna pureed with Mayo and dill relish was awesome I did it 1 week post op.

For the soft phase I did.... Tuna, crab, Greek yogurt, of course my shakes, jello, sugar free apple sauce. I was out almost a month though. However I still keeps "back ups" at my desk. All the best !!

Welcome Heidi. You have come to the right place for sharing or should I say over sharing. Lol. I think anything goes in here since we are all in it together and here to support. New thing for me. Let Greek yogurt get room temperature. Add 3oz Water so it's thinner than a milkshake and eat. 5 times a day. 60 Protein and extra 15 oz Fluid. I'm going to get bored soon. I just need the food dreams to stop. Lol Just keep swimming swimming swimming.

I am 25 days post op and still sticking with, chicken, fish, cottage cheese, yogurt. I am no where ready to try beef. Good luck