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Tammy: You are experiencing what I think we all do. Once the novelty of the band wears off, we start to revert back to making poor choices. You don't have to be hungry. Just don't choose peanuts a good protein but high in calories. You should be eating protein every 4 hours. So pick a protein drink or have a cracker with some low fat cheese, yogurt with frozen berries. You know the choices you should be making and the nurse was correct to remind you. We all need checking up once in awhile. Also, measure for awhile. your total meal should never be more than 6 -8 ounces. 3 oz of protein and veggies the rest. Not soft foods but foods you have to chew, chew, chew so the thought of eating more turns you off. Good luck Doddie

At almost 7 months out, I can only eat a 1/2 cup of chili or soup with three saltines - BUT I can drink an 8 ounce protein shake or yogurt normally, so I think it depends on how dense the food is. If the soup is more liquid than content, I could see how a person could eat more. (Kind of like yogurt, which is really only 3/4 of a cup now since most are 6 ounces.)

Good to hear from you both. Thanks for the kind words. You two are not doing too shabby either! What do your families say? Mine doesn't say much because they see me every day but one time, my 10 year old son gave me a big hug and then told me that he noticed he could now wrap his arms around my entire body. I realized he was right. It just kinda happens one day. So don't get discouraged. I do have to say the first 14 lbs. (probably mostly water) I lost pre-op on my own. I did it by just making better food choices and walking every day. So officially 35 lost due to the lap band (most of it early on due to Optifast diet pre-op and no food first week post-op). But hey, those 14 were on this bod so I'm counting it as gone, baby gone! (Ha ha!) :rolleyes2: Got a question for ya....what is a PB? I think I know but I want to be sure. If it is what I think it is, I've had a few too. Happened when I was so hungry, I started eating my food too fast and didn't chew it enough (just like you Chica!). Didn't throw up but sort of coughed it up. It was mostly like it was stuck in my chest. Now I'm trying hard to remember to chew, chew, chew. And O2BT, I also HATE, HATE, HATE not being allowed to drink while I eat. My Dr.'s office calls fills "adjustments". My instructions are to go on full liquids for the remainder of the day of the adjustment. Cream Soups, Protein drinks, smoothies, yogurt, etc. On the day after, I can proceed with soft foods. --bananas, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, etc. On the next day, progress to regular diet! I had my first one on April 18 and I have to say, it didn't do a thing for me. By then, I was eating as much as I wanted and whatever I wanted. No feeling of restriction at all. The next 4 weeks went by very slow. Not much weight loss either. I couldn't wait for my next adjustment on May 16. I asked my Dr. for a larger "dosage" and he said no, you really have to take it slow. He did tell me that when my band was first put in, it didn't have much in it to begin with. Their practice feels that even though the manufacturer recommends that it have a certain amount in it on the surgery date, that amount is too much in their opinion based on number of past recipients who have had restriction problems early on. So they put in much less. By the first adjustment, you are at the manufacturer's starting point. So last month, before my second adjustment, I only lost 3 pounds. But I know I am going to lose more before my third fill coming up on June 6. I definately feel some restriction now -- but not at my sweet spot yet. Too soon for that I hear....probably get there after 4 -5 adjustments. I had a 24 hr. stomach virus last Wednesday and didn't eat in 48 hrs. Only thing good that came out of that (no pun intended...ew!) was a 4 lb. weight loss! Still managed to walk my 2.25 miles even when I was sick. I'm addicted to my walking. O2BT...you gotta get moving. It feels so good afterwards. When you play golf, do you walk or ride in the cart? Maybe, try walking every other hole. And keep "shopping" in your closet. That makes you feel so good. :biggrin: Problems/weaknesses have been missing fried foods and breads...though I have been experimenting now and then and am able to get them down (don't know if that is good or not). I love to eat!! But that's what got me in this mess to begin with. Chica, hope you are feeling better. Let me know how you handle eating while travelling. We have our summer vacation coming up in June and I'm worried I'm going to get weak and want to eat too much. As long as I can eat salad, I keep telling myself I'll be alright.

Lorrie1, I am glad I could help. as for the "liquid diet", you are right it is mostly things like yogurt and strained soups etc. Basically, you are trying to shrink your liver before the surgery and not irritate your stomach afterward. My docs' rule of thumb was "If you can get it through a straw, you can have it". I almost had that NY Strip through the straw by day 7, but.....no, I am kidding. I was so excited and nervous about the surgery, and busy second guessing myself, it really went by quickly. I started watching those shows on the Discovery channel like "Super Obese" and some others and thinking that I should be able to do this on my own, I shouldn't need the surgery, blah, blah, blah. Then I decided that I should not "should" on myself. This was something I wanted to do and needed to do so I could lose the weight and keep it off, once an for all! I wanted to be healthy, and now I am. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. Back to the liquids, my hubby made me this awesome pumpkin Soup when I was on the pre-op and post-op diet and it was a lifesaver. It's not sweet so it does not taste like pie, it is a savory soup that is very dinner like (I first had pumpkin soup at an upscale restaurant). Pumpkin has a lot of Fiber so it makes the soup really stick with you for a while and keeps things moving in the lower regions. You can also substitute butternut squash if you want. I have attached the recipe in a Word document. I think you will like it if you give it a try. I also have a list of pre-op tips like doing all of your shopping including getting a stool softener ahead of time. The combination of pain meds and reduced Fluid intake (while you learn to coordinate you food/fluid intake) tends to constipate a lot of people and you don't want to strain, so a softener REALLY helps. You don't want to take a laxative because you have so little food intake that you don't want to rush the nutrients out of your body. Anyway, I will look for that list and post it for you. Meanwhile, here is the pumpkin soup recipe. Pumpkin Soup Recipe.doc

OK I had a bigger food day today then I thought after adding my points! Coffee & Skim Milk 1 point 30g shake 4 points Greek yogurt 3 points Spin class 60 min 6 activity points Went to soup plantation for lunch, had a bowl of mushroom soup for 8 points and some chicken breast for 2 points another 30g shake 4 points Dinner was 4 oz beef and 1/4 baked potato with 1/4 cup cottage cheese 6 points total so I am at 28 points and think I will have my fat free sugar free pudding for desert later for 6 points 34 total for the day minus my activity so 28 total.......isnt that how I do the activity points? Just minus it from my total?

I'm also on the 6 month insurance required supervised diet. I'm at the end of month 4 and have lost 48.2lbs so far. The diet my surgeon / nutritionist gave me is similar to described by ojibway above. I wasn't given a calorie goal, but rather a list of things to give up (carbonation, caffeine, sweetened drinks) and a list of foods that I need to eat daily, across 6 meals a day focusing on portion control. I usually end up between 1600-1800 calories per day with this plan. Typical day looks like: Breakfast = oikos triple zero Greek yogurt and 1 cup of oatmeal Snack = sargento "balanced break" pack Lunch = healthy choice Cafe steamers meal ( the nutritionist gave me a list of approved frozen meals) Snack = 2 pieces of low fat string cheese and a piece of fruit Dinner = 4-6oz of meat or fish, a healthy carb such as brown rice or sweet potato, and a veggie Snack = usually a repeat of either snack 1 or snack 2, or sometimes 1 serving of special K strawberry with 1cup of fairlife skim milk

Angel bear, try sticking on the soup, yogurt, tuna, apple juice part of the post op diet. It really seems to work and it doesn't involve much cooking.

I'm still bit hitting my protein goal but some things I ate on pureed was Wendy's chili, taco bell pintos and cheese, and greek yogurt. Sent from my SM-N920T using BariatricPal mobile app

Wow, have you gone meatless too?? I am a Sleeve to RNY revision. I've always LOVED meat and milk products and eggs and butter etc etc. All 40 years of my life I have never gone without it! And I ate it with my band, and with my Sleeve. So here's how the Vegan happened. My doc had me on clear liquids for 3 weeks with no diary...then told me to add back in eggs, and grounded meat. And I LOVE yogurt, milk, cream, Cheese OMG, on my last trip from France I had a WHOLE suitecase Packed with cheese from Hard to downright Stinky! I'm a certified Cheesaholic! But, I survived the 3 weeks without it, and without much veggies, fruits etc. But I was tired, and felt malnutritioned and unhealthy and constipated etc. Which is kinda to be expected. But seeing as this is not my first rodeo, I wanted to listen to my body more and not repeat the same mistakes. So...I started to educate myslef of nutrition nightly to see how best I can support my body through the healing process and nourish it while loosing weight. One profound influence was watching the documentary "What the Health" on Netflix (I so recommend you watch that!). So I replaced my morning Egg (s) with my Green Smoothie (which seamlessly incorporates my 1 a day Bariatric Vitamin chew from ProCar Bariatric health and the rest was history. Like right now, post my dinner, I'm not just feeling full, I'm feeling Satisfied and harmonious. Hard to explain but there is a difference. Like I said, I know it's not for everyone, but I'm super excited about the results, not just in the scales, so if anyone is cooking a vegetable or even a meat, I would love to be inspired. Because that said, it's not like I'll never touch another chicken or egg again, just for now, I'm doing so well without, trying not to tinker with the formula. Veggie or not, we need to learn how to cook again and enjoy a positive relationship with food again, but with Bariatric friendly healthy food, so we don't feel deprived and one fine day when we can eat more, start slipping into old habits. So were you Veterinarian before or thinking of becoming? Would love to hear more about your veggie meals. I try to post mine

It certainly seems slow to me! lol But the creamy soup is the only other liquid I can have. I can't have yogurt or anything else.

Yay! Congrats! Seems like your progression is quicker than mine has been! In no time you’ll be joining me in puréed land! Thinking about having some cottage cheese or yogurt tomorrow morning...yum!

I was banded Oct 22nd started at 219 and I am only at 207 the last time I went to the doctors office for a fill. I think that I totally suck at my food choices maybe because I can't really eat real food and I eat very little. I am going to see the dietician today so we will see how much hope she gives me. I do exercise not much but I do and here is a sample of what I eat. AM - Yoplait yogurt lunch - Mushy Masa basically this is corn mill cooked with onion, tomate, and chille it is a mexican dish anyways I eat like a cup maybe. Sample LUnch- Canned Soup, Canned Raviolis, Canned Chef Boy R D stuff, grilled chicken Snack- sometimes whatever I find Dinner- Cereal, Pasta Drink only Water always. I have noticed that sometimes when I eat I get this freaking pain in my stomach. I get a lot of slimy nasty saliva also. Please if you have any suggestions please share them with me. I will post what the dietician gives me later today.:biggrin:

I love cinnamon I always add it to my oats, greek yogurt and muesli.

B: EAS Protein drink S: Greek Yogurt L: Can of tuna, tbs Miracle whip, Sandwich thin D: ??

Today is August 28th and a week and a half since my surgery. I decided to weigh myself for the first time since my initial visit to the surgeon in May, a couple of nights ago. In May I weighed 230 pounds. The dr. took a picture of me. I had been cutting back on carbs and exercising quite a bit on the treadmill since May. I now weigh 208 pounds. My clothes are starting to feel bigger on me. A jacket that I wore with my dress pants is too big now. That is a good feeling. I feel like I am hungry even after I eat my yogurt or my Slim Fast. I know I won't get a fill until 6 weeks out in order to give my stomach time to heal. My stitches are starting to itch and I am able to sleep on my stomach now without pain.

Today is August 28th and a week and a half since my surgery. I decided to weigh myself for the first time since my initial visit to the surgeon in May, a couple of nights ago. In May I weighed 230 pounds. The dr. took a picture of me. I had been cutting back on carbs and exercising quite a bit on the treadmill since May. I now weigh 208 pounds. My clothes are starting to feel bigger on me. A jacket that I wore with my dress pants is too big now. That is a good feeling. I feel like I am hungry even after I eat my yogurt or my Slim Fast. I know I won't get a fill until 6 weeks out in order to give my stomach time to heal. My stitches are starting to itch and I am able to sleep on my stomach now without pain.

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.

I tried so far Chobani and Fage greek yogurt,and I didn't like them The flavor is disgusting ( to me ) even if I add to the plain one Torani SF syrup or splenda. Is there any other "bariatric friendly " yogurts that I can try out there? I know the greek yogurt is high in protein Which one is your favorite?

Casper, Im doing good. Im doing soft foods, only for a few days so far. I had some trouble yesterday with pain during eating so I am going to back off today and do Protein shakes and maybe some yogurt and try again tomorrow. Overall pretty good though. I am able to exercise-just walking- 45-60 minutes at a time and feel good with that. I am back to work half days this week and that is also going well. I do take a nap in the afternoon though. Next week I am back to full time and actually have to travel to a conference so I will need to do some planning this weekend for the food portion. What about you?

I am so sorry to learn that you are going through all of this. I was on liquid pain killers. Hydrocodine and I had a pill for nausea that desolved in my mouth. You should still be on liquids and creams. You might want to have some yogurt so that you can tolerate your meds. It's gonna get easier. You are 2 weeks behind me.

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.

So I am now 3 days post op. I had a moment yesterday, while in pain, asking why I did this to myself but today is better. My fluid intake is good and I got to go from clear liquid to full liquid today. I think the additions of soups and yogurt and the like will make it easier for me to handle the next 11 days before moving to pureed foods.

I also felt like I could eat way too much after my 1st fill (2cc) in a 10cc band. I am 10 weeks post op and have lost 33 lbs. I must say I feel like a lot of that has been by me controlling what I am eating. If I allowed myself I could eat a lot more. I try to choose low carb, low calorie, high Protein foods. A typical Breakfast for me is a 2.5 oz Protein Bar, 2 cups of coffee, lunch tuna or chicken salad, 3 or 4 crackers, dinner chicken, or beef, maybe up to 6 oz, sometimes with a vegetable. If I snack it is either low carb yogurt, or cheese, sometimes pretzels if I need crunchy, salty stuff. After my second fill of 2 more cc's, I am more satisfied with less food, and need to chew really well. Chicken and beef can be hard to get down. I still could eat way too much though, so am looking forward to next fill in 2 weeks and hopefully more restriction. Drinking Water definately helps and I don't drink for an hour after a meal. Just try to be smart about your choices until the fills kick in. :clap2:

if you can't find my contact info check these things: 1. are you getting enough protein? 60 - 80 grams per day? 2. are you getting enough fluids (water) - 64 ounces per day? 3. Is there sugar in some of the things you are eating? That can make you hungry an hour after you eat? (yogurt is a big culprit int he sugar area) 4. Are you waiting 1/2 hour before and 1/2 hour after you eat to drink any liquids? Also, your surgical site where the band is has probably healed, all of the swelling is probably gone and you just don't have any restriction yet. Your first fill will help with that.. It is not unusual to be feeling hunger a month or so after surgery before your first fill.

Fridge Cherries Watermelon Leftover Ck Soup from last night Squash Broc Cauliflower Lite Grape Cran juice OJ Greek Yogurt eggs FF Cream cheese Lite Laughing Cow Cheese I can't beleie it's butter spray SF Choc puddings Home Made Salsa SF Jam Lite Mayo Wasba Sauce Freezer Cat Fish- Filet Migon- Sal mon Patties - Lean Hamburger - Ham Hock - Pork Tenderloin - chicken Various Frozen Veggie - spinach - carrots - brussell sprouts - corn - Beyers Low Carb vanilla Bean Ice Cream Variouse WW or Lean Cusine meals Pantry SF Puddings Mixes Tomato Sauce - Red Chille Sauce - El Pato (spicy mex tomato sauce) Pure Protein Ready made shakes Hummus chips Rye crips Crackers 100 Cal Snack Pack Popcorns Spray Butter Pam Paul Newman Marinar sauce Whole Wheat Pasta Rice Instant Mashed Potatoes oatmeal (steel cut) Corn meal Ice cream cones Peanut Butter SF Creamer coffee Tea Splenda Tuna Lite Bread